Patents by Inventor Lane Merrifield

Lane Merrifield 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: 10147146
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a social platform for a user. In one embodiment, activity of the user is monitored in a virtual environment. A profile is generated for the user, based on the monitored activity. A social element of the virtual environment is modified for the user, based on the generated profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lane Merrifield, Lancelot Darren Priebe
  • Patent number: 9202201
    Abstract: There is provided a method and system for an approval based economy. The method comprises, receiving input corresponding to media content associated with a user, determining a number of approval units corresponding to the input, retrieving a user account associated with the user, and saving the approval units in the user account. The user account may include past approval units and an approval total. The approval total may account for the approval units and the past approval units, the approval units and the past approval units of active users and available media content only, or a maximum lifetime total of active users and available media content only. The approval based economy may provide new media content to users based on their respective approval total in their user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Silbey, John Crocker, Michael Vanloon, Lane Merrifield, Paul Cutsinger, Christopher Heatherly
  • Patent number: 9177288
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing customized experiences to a plurality of client stations in a shared environment. There is provided an accounts database having data relating to a plurality of clients, an online server having a server processor and hosting the shared environment for access by the plurality of client stations, and an online client application for execution by a client processor of a client station. The server processor is configured to retrieve client data from the accounts database relating to a client, determine client preferences of the client based on the client data, create a customized environment from the shared environment according to the client preferences, and send the customized environment to the online client application of a client station associated with the client for rendering the customized environment on a client display. User interactions may be filtered to maintain a shared environment perception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Lane Merrifield
  • Patent number: 9176947
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for supplying users in an online environment with a safe and effective chat facility. The chat facility is “safe” in the sense that the ability of users to compose inappropriate messages is greatly restricted, while “effective” in the sense that users are still allowed a broad range of expressivity in composing and exchanging chat messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Vita Markman, Sean O'Dell, Arkady Trestman, Drew Beechum, Paul Pak, Stephane Jankowski, Marc Silbey, Kip Martin, Kevin O'Sullivan, Christian Shrigley, Lane Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20150287331
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing quick capture for learning and assessment are provided herein. An example method includes providing a plurality of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), the plurality of graphical user interfaces for capturing unique categories of evidence of student learning, the evidence of student learning including a plurality of media types, receiving evidence of student learning including both media and narrative content from a teacher using the plurality of graphical user interfaces, synchronizing the evidence of student learning with one or more student accounts, and assigning at least a portion of the evidence of student learning to a student portfolio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Nathan Karsgaard, Mark Payne, Cayley Humphries, Steve Wandler, Lane Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20150199912
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing smart guides for teachers, students, parents, and administrators are provided herein. In one embodiment, a teacher guide includes a web-based interface that receives information transmitted by a teacher electronic, the information including at least one of a course curriculum, a lesson plan, a learning objective, an educational activity associated with a specific learning objective, and evidence of learning by a student. The guide also receives an assessment of the student progress on attaining the learning objective, or a suggestion, based on the assessment of a student progress, to the teacher of an individualized learning resource from a resource database that could assist the student in attaining the learning objective. Communication is also provided, enabling the teacher to provide at least one of the student and the parent with at least one of an individualized feedback and a learning resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Steve Wandler, Cayley Humphries, Nathan Karsgaard, Myroslav Pomazan, Mark Payne, Lane Merrifield
  • Patent number: 9002885
    Abstract: A framework is provided for selecting media files for playback in a computer game. In one embodiment, user actions in the computer game are monitored. Further, user characterizations of media files may also be retrieved. The user characterizations may be input by a plurality of users via a media player application. A media file may be then selected for playback based on the monitored user actions and retrieved user characterizations. The selected media file may better suit an emotional experience of a user playing the computer game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lane Merrifield, Raul Guerra, Michael P. Yingling
  • Patent number: 8738899
    Abstract: There is presented a system and method for unlocking a content associated with media. In one aspect, the method comprises identifying the media, generating an authentication key using at least one key data from a set of key data contained in the media, determining an address in the media of at least one content unit corresponding respectively to each of the at least one key data used to generate the authentication key; requesting the at least one content unit by providing the address; receiving user data in response to the requesting; comparing the user data with the at least one key data used to generate the authentication key; and unlocking the content associated with the media if the user data matches the authentication key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Lane Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20140089405
    Abstract: There is provided a method and system for an approval based economy. The method comprises, receiving input corresponding to media content associated with a user, determining a number of approval units corresponding to the input, retrieving a user account associated with the user, and saving the approval units in the user account. The user account may include past approval units and an approval total. The approval total may account for the approval units and the past approval units, the approval units and the past approval units of active users and available media content only, or a maximum lifetime total of active users and available media content only. The approval based economy may provide new media content to users based on their respective approval total in their user account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Marc Silbey, John Crocker, Michael Vanloon, Lane Merrifield, Paul Cutsinger, Christopher Heatherly
  • Publication number: 20130246942
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a social platform for a user. In one embodiment, activity of the user is monitored in a virtual environment. A profile is generated for the user, based on the monitored activity. A social element of the virtual environment is modified for the user, based on the generated profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Lane MERRIFIELD, Lancelot Darren PRIEBE
  • Publication number: 20130046791
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for supplying users in an online environment with a safe and effective chat facility. The chat facility is “safe” in the sense that the ability of users to compose inappropriate messages is greatly restricted, while “effective” in the sense that users are still allowed a broad range of expressivity in composing and exchanging chat messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: VITA MARKMAN, SEAN O'DELL, ARKADY TRESTMAN, DREW BEECHUM, PAUL PAK, STEPHANE JANKOWSKI, MARC SILBEY, KIP MARTIN, KEVIN O'SULLIVAN, CHRISTIAN SHRIGLEY, LANE MERRIFIELD
  • Publication number: 20120233708
    Abstract: There is presented a system and method for unlocking a content associated with media. In one aspect, the method comprises identifying the media, generating an authentication key using at least one key data from a set of key data contained in the media, determining an address in the media of at least one content unit corresponding respectively to each of the at least one key data used to generate the authentication key; requesting the at least one content unit by providing the address; receiving user data in response to the requesting; comparing the user data with the at least one key data used to generate the authentication key; and unlocking the content associated with the media if the user data matches the authentication key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Lane Merrifield
  • Patent number: 8219803
    Abstract: There is presented a system and method for unlocking a content associated with media. In one aspect, the method comprises identifying the media, generating an authentication key using at least one key data from a set of key data contained in the media, determining an address in the media of at least one content unit corresponding respectively to each of the at least one key data used to generate the authentication key; requesting the at least one content unit by providing the address; receiving user data in response to the requesting; comparing the user data with the at least one key data used to generate the authentication key; and unlocking the content associated with the media if the user data matches the authentication key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Lane Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20120129143
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for generating a plot of a digital print. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method includes presenting a micro event of the digital print, the digital print having a plurality of micro events, each micro event having a plurality of outcomes and polling for user input for the micro event while presenting the micro event. The method further includes determining an outcome of the micro event based on the polling for user input and selecting a scenario from a scenario map based on the outcome of said micro event. Finally, the method includes generating a storyline of the plot based on the scenario selected from the scenario map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Lane Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20120072451
    Abstract: A framework is provided for selecting media files for playback in a computer game. In one embodiment, user actions in the computer game are monitored. Further, user characterizations of media files may also be retrieved. The user characterizations may be input by a plurality of users via a media player application. A media file may be then selected for playback based on the monitored user actions and retrieved user characterizations. The selected media file may better suit an emotional experience of a user playing the computer game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Lane Merrifield, Raul Guerra, Michael P. Yingling
  • Patent number: 8108468
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing customized experiences to a plurality of client stations in a shared environment. There is provided an accounts database having data relating to a plurality of clients, an online server having a server processor and hosting the shared environment for access by the plurality of client stations, and an online client application for execution by a client processor of a client station. The server processor is configured to retrieve client data from the accounts database relating to a client, determine client preferences of the client based on the client data, create a customized environment from the shared environment according to the client preferences, and send the customized environment to the online client application of a client station associated with the client for rendering the customized environment on a client display. User interactions may be filtered to maintain a shared environment perception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Lane Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20120016937
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing customized experiences to a plurality of client stations in a shared environment. There is provided an accounts database having data relating to a plurality of clients, an online server having a server processor and hosting the shared environment for access by the plurality of client stations, and an online client application for execution by a client processor of a client station. The server processor is configured to retrieve client data from the accounts database relating to a client, determine client preferences of the client based on the client data, create a customized environment from the shared environment according to the client preferences, and send the customized environment to the online client application of a client station associated with the client for rendering the customized environment on a client display. User interactions may be filtered to maintain a shared environment perception.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Lane Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20100185721
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing customized experiences to a plurality of client stations in a shared environment. There is provided an accounts database having data relating to a plurality of clients, an online server having a server processor and hosting the shared environment for access by the plurality of client stations, and an online client application for execution by a client processor of a client station. The server processor is configured to retrieve client data from the accounts database relating to a client, determine client preferences of the client based on the client data, create a customized environment from the shared environment according to the client preferences, and send the customized environment to the online client application of a client station associated with the client for rendering the customized environment on a client display. User interactions may be filtered to maintain a shared environment perception.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Lane Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20100100726
    Abstract: There is presented a system and method for unlocking a content associated with media. In one aspect, the method comprises identifying the media, generating an authentication key using at least one key data from a set of key data contained in the media, determining an address in the media of at least one content unit corresponding respectively to each of the at least one key data used to generate the authentication key; requesting the at least one content unit by providing the address; receiving user data in response to the requesting; comparing the user data with the at least one key data used to generate the authentication key; and unlocking the content associated with the media if the user data matches the authentication key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Lane Merrifield