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).
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Patent number: 10147146Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Lane Merrifield, Lancelot Darren Priebe
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Patent number: 9202201Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Marc Silbey, John Crocker, Michael Vanloon, Lane Merrifield, Paul Cutsinger, Christopher Heatherly
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Patent number: 9177288Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Lane Merrifield
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Patent number: 9176947Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20150287331Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Nathan Karsgaard, Mark Payne, Cayley Humphries, Steve Wandler, Lane Merrifield
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Publication number: 20150199912Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Steve Wandler, Cayley Humphries, Nathan Karsgaard, Myroslav Pomazan, Mark Payne, Lane Merrifield
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Patent number: 9002885Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Lane Merrifield, Raul Guerra, Michael P. Yingling
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Patent number: 8738899Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Lane Merrifield
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Publication number: 20140089405Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Inventors: Marc Silbey, John Crocker, Michael Vanloon, Lane Merrifield, Paul Cutsinger, Christopher Heatherly
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Publication number: 20130246942Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Lane MERRIFIELD, Lancelot Darren PRIEBE
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Publication number: 20130046791Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: 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
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Publication number: 20120233708Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventor: Lane Merrifield
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Patent number: 8219803Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Lane Merrifield
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Publication number: 20120129143Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventor: Lane Merrifield
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Publication number: 20120072451Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Lane Merrifield, Raul Guerra, Michael P. Yingling
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Patent number: 8108468Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 20, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Lane Merrifield
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Publication number: 20120016937Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventor: Lane Merrifield
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Publication number: 20100185721Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventor: Lane Merrifield
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Publication number: 20100100726Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventor: Lane Merrifield