Patents by Inventor Jim Funk

Jim Funk has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11832355
    Abstract: Some embodiments include assessing multimedia service in a particular environment, determining in real-time whether an extender device would improve the multimedia service in the particular environment, and communicating a recommendation via a graphical user interface (GUI). The assessing is based on physical layer and application layer measurements of the multimedia service in the particular environment. Some embodiments utilize an application on a mobile communications device that may be used in conjunction with a multimedia device to determine placement of an extender device among multimedia devices associated with a same multimedia service customer account for a desired performance and hence, a desired customer experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Amalavoyal Narasimha Chari, Jim Funk, Sujatha Jagannathan, Liang-Jong Huang, Jason Schmidlapp, Tito Thomas, Ilya Asnis
  • Publication number: 20230371128
    Abstract: Some embodiments include assessing multimedia service in a particular environment, determining in real-time whether an extender device would improve the multimedia service in the particular environment, and communicating a recommendation via a graphical user interface (GUI). The assessing is based on physical layer and application layer measurements of the multimedia service in the particular environment. Some embodiments utilize an application on a mobile communications device that may be used in conjunction with a multimedia device to determine placement of an extender device among multimedia devices associated with a same multimedia service customer account for a desired performance and hence, a desired customer experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Amalavoyal Narasimha CHARI, Jim FUNK, Sujatha JAGANNATHAN, Liang-Jong HUANG, Jason SCHMIDLAPP, Tito THOMAS, Ilya ASNIS
  • Publication number: 20230267143
    Abstract: A system and method for searching and displaying multimedia search results is disclosed herein. An embodiment operates by supplying a video stream to a primary display. An information request soliciting information associated with content of the video stream on the primary display is received. In response, a plurality of tag data relating to the video stream is supplied to a secondary display, wherein the plurality of tag data are visually and concurrently indicated on a single progress bar of the video stream being displayed on the secondary display, and whereby the tag content data is displayed on the display screen of the secondary display when one of the plurality of tag types is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim FUNK, Brandon NOFFSINGER
  • Publication number: 20230262290
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments for a media device upgrading system with a native user interface. An embodiment operates by displaying a native user interface of a media device configured to operate in both a normal mode without an upgrader device and an upgrader mode when an upgrader device is connected to an input port of the media device. It is determined that the upgrader device is connected a command is received via the native user interface. It is determined that the command operates a software component, and the command is provided to the upgrader device. A response to executing the command is received from the upgrader device, and a response is displayed on the native user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: David MENDENHALL, David SHARP, Mark ELY, Jim FUNK, Charles SMITH, Andrew SCHULTZ, Anthony WOOD
  • Patent number: 11681741
    Abstract: A system and method for searching and displaying multimedia search results is disclosed herein. An embodiment operates by determining that an interface including one or more previously saved searches is displayed, each of the previously saved searches corresponding to a set of one or more search terms. An updated plurality of search results is received for each of the previously saved searches from a remote server. A grouping of the plurality of search results for each of a plurality of different search terms is displayed across a plurality of individual time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Funk, Brandon Noffsinger
  • Patent number: 11665401
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments for a media device upgrading system with a native user interface. An embodiment operates by displaying a native user interface of a media device configured to operate in both a normal mode without an upgrader device and an upgrader mode when an upgrader device is connected to an input port of the media device. It is determined that the upgrader device is connected a command is received via the native user interface. It is determined that the command operates a software component, and the command is provided to the upgrader device. A response to executing the command is received from the upgrader device, and a response is displayed on the native user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: David Mendenhall, David Sharp, Mark Ely, Jim Funk, Charles Smith, Andrew Schultz, Anthony Wood
  • Patent number: 11546758
    Abstract: Many customers have difficulty setting up a new extender device in the customer premises environment to improve their multimedia service. Some embodiments include configuring an extender device based on existing WiFi network credentials to minimize errors. Some embodiments include an application for mobile devices that may enable the transfer of network credentials from existing multimedia devices on the WiFi network to configure a new extender device in real time. For example, the configuration may be based on a customer account, a corresponding environment, and corresponding multimedia devices associated with the customer account. The extender device may be configured with the network credentials (e.g., a WiFi service set identifier (SSID) and password) that is common to the corresponding multimedia devices associated with the customer account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventors: Amalavoyal Narasimha Chari, Jim Funk, Sujatha Jagannathan, Liang-Jong Huang, Jason Schmidlapp, Tito Thomas, Ilya Asnis
  • Publication number: 20220377418
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments for a media device upgrading system with a native user interface. An embodiment operates by displaying a native user interface of a media device configured to operate in both a normal mode without an upgrader device and an upgrader mode when an upgrader device is connected to an input port of the media device. It is determined that the upgrader device is connected a command is received via the native user interface. it is determined that the command operates a software component, and the command is provided to the upgrader device. A response to executing the command is received from the upgrader device, and a response is displayed on the native user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: DAVID MENDENHALL, DAVID SHARP, MARK ELY, JIM FUNK, CHARLES SMITH, ANDREW SCHULTZ, ANTHONY WOOD
  • Publication number: 20220330385
    Abstract: Some embodiments include assessing multimedia service in a particular environment, determining in real-time whether an extender device would improve the multimedia service in the particular environment, and communicating a recommendation via a graphical user interface (GUI). The assessing is based on physical layer and application layer measurements of the multimedia service in the particular environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Amalavoyal Narasimha CHARI, JIm FUNK, Sujatha JAGANNATHAN, Liang-Jong HUANG, Jason SCHMIDLAPP, Tito THOMAS, Ilya ASNIS
  • Patent number: 11399213
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for a media device upgrading system. An embodiment operates by receiving a command at a media device that includes an upgrader device connected via or plugged into an input port of the media device. It is determined that the command is associated with modifying a software component of the media device, wherein both the media device and the upgrader device include operating systems configured to process the command and modify the software component. The command is provided to the upgrader device based on a determination that the media device is in an upgrader mode of operation. A visual indication corresponding to the modification is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventors: David Mendenhall, David Sharp, Mark Ely, Jim Funk, Charles Smith, Andrew Schultz, Anthony Wood
  • Patent number: 11395371
    Abstract: Some embodiments include assessing multimedia service in a particular environment, determining in real-time whether an extender device would improve the multimedia service in the particular environment, and communicating a recommendation via a graphical user interface (GUI). The assessing is based on physical layer and application layer measurements of the multimedia service in the particular environment. Some embodiments utilize an application on a mobile communications device that may be used in conjunction with a multimedia device to determine placement of an extender device among multimedia devices associated with a same multimedia service customer account for a desired performance and hence, a desired customer experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Amalavoyal Narasimha Chari, Jim Funk, Sujatha Jagannathan, Liang-Jong Huang, Jason Schmidlapp, Tito Thomas, Ilya Asnis
  • Publication number: 20210279270
    Abstract: A system and method for searching and displaying multimedia search results is disclosed herein. An embodiment operates by determining that an interface including one or more previously saved searches is displayed, each of the previously saved searches corresponding to a set of one or more search terms. An updated plurality of search results is received for each of the previously saved searches from a remote server. A grouping of the plurality of search results for each of a plurality of different search terms is displayed across a plurality of individual time periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: JIM FUNK, Brandon Noffsinger
  • Patent number: 11061957
    Abstract: A system and method for intelligent content searching is disclosed herein. The system saves all searches executed by the user and periodically re-executes one or more of the previously saved searches and display the subsequent search results to the user at an appropriate time without any user intervention. In one aspect, the system periodically re-executes one or more of the previously saved searches upon the occurrence of a trigger event, which may be trending events, news events, type of menus and/or screens accessed, new content being added on one or more service providers, a boot event, passage of time since last search, etc. In this way, users do not need to set alert or follow any search topic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventors: Jim Funk, Brandon Noffsinger
  • Patent number: 10971111
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for providing a representation to a connected device. An embodiment operates by recognizing a new device connected to a display device, collecting device fingerprint information from the new device, and requesting a device class representation information determined based on the device fingerprint information. Another embodiment operates by receiving device fingerprint information from a display device via a network connection, wherein the device fingerprint information is collected from a device connected to a display device, and providing device class representation information to the display device via the network connection, when the device class representation information corresponding to the device fingerprint information is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: David Sharp, Jeff Bush, Jim Funk, Wim Michiels, Dale Luck
  • Patent number: 10932130
    Abstract: Many customers have difficulty setting up a new extender device in the customer premises environment to improve their multimedia service. Some embodiments include configuring an extender device based on existing WiFi network credentials to minimize errors. Some embodiments include an application for mobile devices that may enable the transfer of network credentials from existing multimedia devices on the WiFi network to configure a new extender device in real time. For example, the configuration may be based on a customer account, a corresponding environment, and corresponding multimedia devices associated with the customer account. The extender device may be configured with the network credentials (e.g., a WiFi service set identifier (SSID) and password) that is common to the corresponding multimedia devices associated with the customer account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Amalavoyal Narasimha Chari, Jim Funk, Sujatha Jagannathan, Liang-Jong Huang, Jason Schmidlapp, Tito Thomas, Ilya Asnis
  • Publication number: 20210021998
    Abstract: Many customers have difficulty setting up a new extender device in the customer premises environment to improve their multimedia service. Some embodiments include configuring an extender device based on existing WiFi network credentials to minimize errors. Some embodiments include an application for mobile devices that may enable the transfer of network credentials from existing multimedia devices on the WiFi network to configure a new extender device in real time. For example, the configuration may be based on a customer account, a corresponding environment, and corresponding multimedia devices associated with the customer account. The extender device may be configured with the network credentials (e.g., a WiFi service set identifier (SSID) and password) that is common to the corresponding multimedia devices associated with the customer account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Amalavoyal Narasimha CHARI, Jim Funk, Sujatha Jagannathan, Liang-Jong Huang, Jason Schmidlapp, Tito Thomas, Ilya Asnis
  • Publication number: 20200211498
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for providing a representation to a connected device. An embodiment operates by recognizing a new device connected to a display device, collecting device fingerprint information from the new device, and requesting a device class representation information determined based on the device fingerprint information. Another embodiment operates by receiving device fingerprint information from a display device via a network connection, wherein the device fingerprint information is collected from a device connected to a display device, and providing device class representation information to the display device via the network connection, when the device class representation information corresponding to the device fingerprint information is available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: David SHARP, Jeff BUSH, Jim FUNK, Wim MICHIELS, Dale LUCK
  • Patent number: 10593287
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for providing a representation to a connected device. An embodiment operates by recognizing a new device connected to a display device, collecting device fingerprint information from the new device, and requesting a device class representation information determined based on the device fingerprint information. Another embodiment operates by receiving device fingerprint information from a display device via a network connection, wherein the device fingerprint information is collected from a device connected to a display device, and providing device class representation information to the display device via the network connection, when the device class representation information corresponding to the device fingerprint information is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: David Sharp, Jeff Bush, Jim Funk, Wim Michiels, Dale Luck
  • Publication number: 20190373464
    Abstract: Many customers have difficulty setting up a new extender device in the customer premises environment to improve their multimedia service. Some embodiments include configuring an extender device based on existing WiFi network credentials to minimize errors. Some embodiments include an application for mobile devices that may enable the transfer of network credentials from existing multimedia devices on the WiFi network to configure a new extender device in real time. For example, the configuration may be based on a customer account, a corresponding environment, and corresponding multimedia devices associated with the customer account. The extender device may be configured with the network credentials (e.g., a WiFi service set identifier (SSID) and password) that is common to the corresponding multimedia devices associated with the customer account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Amalavoyal Narasimha CHARI, Jim Funk, Sujatha Jagannathan, Liang-Jong Huang, Jason Schmidlapp, Tito Thomas, Ilya Asnis
  • Publication number: 20190373675
    Abstract: Some embodiments include assessing multimedia service in a particular environment, determining in real-time whether an extender device would improve the multimedia service in the particular environment, and communicating a recommendation via a graphical user interface (GUI). The assessing is based on physical layer and application layer measurements of the multimedia service in the particular environment. Some embodiments utilize an application on a mobile communications device that may be used in conjunction with a multimedia device to determine placement of an extender device among multimedia devices associated with a same multimedia service customer account for a desired performance and hence, a desired customer experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Amalavoyal Narasimha CHARI, Jim FUNK, Sujatha JAGANNATHAN, Liang-Jong HUANG, Jason SCHMIDLAPP, Tito THOMAS, Ilya ASNIS