Patents by Inventor Max Stephen Gratton

Max Stephen Gratton 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).

  • Publication number: 20220141517
    Abstract: System and methods are disclosed that improve the speed, efficiency and usefulness of digital video recording systems. In some embodiments, during recording of a video capturing live action, a video recorder receives an indication of selection of a dynamic in-point selection user interface element. The video recorder determines an in-point for the video based on when the indication of the selection of the dynamic in-point selection user interface element was received. The video recorder then stops recording of the video in response to user input indicating to stop recording of the video. After stopping recording of the video, in response to user input indicating to start playing the video that was recorded, the video recorder starts playing the video from the in-point instead of a beginning of the video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Matthew H. Polson
  • Publication number: 20220132175
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for responding to inoperative commands on a server device. In some embodiments, the disclosed technology facilitates pausing of content being played on a device without creating a bookmark of the location in the content at which the content was paused. In response to receiving the request to pause the content from playing, the server device generates a pause instruction to pause the content from playing. Upon expiry of a timeout interval, the server device automatically transforms the pause instruction into a stop instruction, which when executed causes stopping the content from playing. In some embodiments, the server device detects an user interaction event, prior to expiry of the timeout interval. Non-limiting examples of the user interaction may be shutting down the server device, switching from the content to a live broadcast program, switching from the content to another content, or exiting from the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Mark Templeman, Danny Jean Minnick
  • Patent number: 11234026
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for responding to inoperative commands on a server device. In some embodiments, the disclosed technology facilitates pausing of content being played on a device without creating a bookmark of the location in the content at which the content was paused. In response to receiving the request to pause the content from playing, the server device generates a pause instruction to pause the content from playing. Upon expiry of a timeout interval, the server device automatically transforms the pause instruction into a stop instruction, which when executed causes stopping the content from playing. In some embodiments, the server device detects an user interaction event, prior to expiry of the timeout interval. Non-limiting examples of the user interaction may be shutting down the server device, switching from the content to a live broadcast program, switching from the content to another content, or exiting from the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Mark Templeman, Danny Jean Minnick
  • Publication number: 20210374891
    Abstract: Novel techniques are described for protocol tracking and/or enforcement (PT&E) of social distancing protocols in communication networks. For example, PT&E data can be received and aggregated from a large number of user mobile devices via wireless communication networks. The PT&E data can be analyzed against a pre-defined social distancing protocol to detect candidate non-compliance events. The social distancing protocol is stored in association with predefined exclusions to application of the social distancing protocol. The candidate non-compliance events can be analyzed against the predefined exclusions to determine whether the detected events are excluded from consideration as a non-compliant condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Anand Menon, Max Stephen Gratton, Matthew Polson
  • Patent number: 11190828
    Abstract: System and methods are disclosed that improve the speed, efficiency and usefulness of digital video recording systems. In some embodiments, during recording of a video capturing live action, a video recorder receives an indication of selection of a dynamic in-point selection user interface element. The video recorder determines an in-point for the video based on when the indication of the selection of the dynamic in-point selection user interface element was received. The video recorder then stops recording of the video in response to user input indicating to stop recording of the video. After stopping recording of the video, in response to user input indicating to start playing the video that was recorded, the video recorder starts playing the video from the in-point instead of a beginning of the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: DISH NETWORK L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Matthew H. Polson
  • Patent number: 11132889
    Abstract: Novel techniques are described for automated crisis incident response in facilities having networks of Internet of Things (IoT devices). For example, embodiments can operate in context of automatically responding to an active shooter incident in a school. Detection of a gunshot event can trigger embodiments automatically to obtain (e.g., retrieve and/or compute) and execute an automated response plan. Execution of the plan can involve automated control of multiple IoT devices installed in and around the facility, and can be responsive to feedback from the IoT devices. Some embodiments facilitate interaction with crisis responders via a responder network, providing such responders with various levels of information access and/or control of components (e.g., execution of the automated response plan can also be responsive to commands issued by responders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeff McSchooler, Max Stephen Gratton
  • Publication number: 20200320850
    Abstract: Novel techniques are described for automated crisis incident response in facilities having networks of Internet of Things (IoT devices). For example, embodiments can operate in context of automatically responding to an active shooter incident in a school. Detection of a gunshot event can trigger embodiments automatically to obtain (e.g., retrieve and/or compute) and execute an automated response plan. Execution of the plan can involve automated control of multiple IoT devices installed in and around the facility, and can be responsive to feedback from the IoT devices. Some embodiments facilitate interaction with crisis responders via a responder network, providing such responders with various levels of information access and/or control of components (e.g., execution of the automated response plan can also be responsive to commands issued by responders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Jeff McSchooler, Max Stephen Gratton
  • Patent number: 10733871
    Abstract: Novel techniques are described for automated crisis incident response in facilities having networks of Internet of Things (IoT devices). For example, embodiments can operate in context of automatically responding to an active shooter incident in a school. Detection of a gunshot event can trigger embodiments automatically to obtain (e.g., retrieve and/or compute) and execute an automated response plan. Execution of the plan can involve automated control of multiple IoT devices installed in and around the facility, and can be responsive to feedback from the IoT devices. Some embodiments facilitate interaction with crisis responders via a responder network, providing such responders with various levels of information access and/or control of components (e.g., execution of the automated response plan can also be responsive to commands issued by responders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeff McSchooler, Max Stephen Gratton
  • Publication number: 20200211361
    Abstract: Novel techniques are described for automated crisis incident response in facilities having networks of Internet of Things (IoT devices). For example, embodiments can operate in context of automatically responding to an active shooter incident in a school. Detection of a gunshot event can trigger embodiments automatically to obtain (e.g., retrieve and/or compute) and execute an automated response plan. Execution of the plan can involve automated control of multiple IoT devices installed in and around the facility, and can be responsive to feedback from the IoT devices. Some embodiments facilitate interaction with crisis responders via a responder network, providing such responders with various levels of information access and/or control of components (e.g., execution of the automated response plan can also be responsive to commands issued by responders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Jeff McSchooler, Max Stephen Gratton
  • Publication number: 20200053396
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for responding to inoperative commands on a server device. In some embodiments, the disclosed technology facilitates pausing of content being played on a device without creating a bookmark of the location in the content at which the content was paused. In response to receiving the request to pause the content from playing, the server device generates a pause instruction to pause the content from playing. Upon expiry of a timeout interval, the server device automatically transforms the pause instruction into a stop instruction, which when executed causes stopping the content from playing. In some embodiments, the server device detects an user interaction event, prior to expiry of the timeout interval. Non-limiting examples of the user interaction may be shutting down the server device, switching from the content to a live broadcast program, switching from the content to another content, or exiting from the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Mark Templeman, Danny Jean Minnick
  • Patent number: 10469881
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for responding to inoperative commands on a server device. In some embodiments, the disclosed technology facilitates pausing of content being played on a device without creating a bookmark of the location in the content at which the content was paused. In response to receiving the request to pause the content from playing, the server device generates a pause instruction to pause the content from playing. Upon expiry of a timeout interval, the server device automatically transforms the pause instruction into a stop instruction, which when executed causes stopping the content from playing. In some embodiments, the server device detects an user interaction event, prior to expiry of the timeout interval. Non-limiting examples of the user interaction may be shutting down the server device, switching from the content to a live broadcast program, switching from the content to another content, or exiting from the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: DISH NETWORK L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Mark Templeman, Danny Jean Minnick
  • Patent number: 10462516
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for automatically selecting television channels for display on one or more televisions based on the viewing preferences of the viewers. The viewers can enter their viewing preferences in a database through a user interface that a controller can access. The controller can receive, for a premises (e.g., a sports bar), a list of viewers. Based on the viewing preferences of the list of viewers, the controller can determine a single or a ranked list of television channels for display on the televisions. If there are multiple televisions, the controller can assign each of the televisions a television channel from the ranked list based on the ranking. The controller can send an instruction to the STB controlling the television(s) to set the assigned television channel to the assigned television.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Christopher Boyd Tirpak
  • Patent number: 10440422
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed at apparatus, systems and methods generally related to satellite, cable or other television receiver/DVR video systems for structuring a centralized content-processing device and/or its associated EPG in facilitating delivery and recording of audiovisual content when the centralized content-processing device is associated with multiple remote content-processing devices. In one implementation, a centralized content-processing device may create device-specific folders for the centralized content-processing device and one or more remote devices. The device-specific folders may, for example, include information for one or more programming events associated with content (e.g., TV shows, sports, movies, music, documentaries). In some embodiments, the device-specific folders for the remote content-processing devices are logically separated from one another in a manner such that a remote device is restricted access to the device-specific folder for the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: DISH NETWORK, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Mark Templeman, Danny Jean Minnick
  • Publication number: 20190208233
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for responding to inoperative commands on a server device. In some embodiments, the disclosed technology facilitates pausing of content being played on a device without creating a bookmark of the location in the content at which the content was paused. In response to receiving the request to pause the content from playing, the server device generates a pause instruction to pause the content from playing. Upon expiry of a timeout interval, the server device automatically transforms the pause instruction into a stop instruction, which when executed causes stopping the content from playing. In some embodiments, the server device detects an user interaction event, prior to expiry of the timeout interval. Non-limiting examples of the user interaction may be shutting down the server device, switching from the content to a live broadcast program, switching from the content to another content, or exiting from the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Mark Templeman, Danny Jean Minnick
  • Publication number: 20190208260
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed at apparatus, systems and methods generally related to satellite, cable or other television receiver/DVR video systems for structuring a centralized content-processing device and/or its associated EPG in facilitating delivery and recording of audiovisual content when the centralized content-processing device is associated with multiple remote content-processing devices. In one implementation, a centralized content-processing device may create device-specific folders for the centralized content-processing device and one or more remote devices. The device-specific folders may, for example, include information for one or more programming events associated with content (e.g., TV shows, sports, movies, music, documentaries). In some embodiments, the device-specific folders for the remote content-processing devices are logically separated from one another in a manner such that a remote device is restricted access to the device-specific folder for the remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Mark Templeman, Danny Jean Minnick
  • Publication number: 20180249203
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for automatically selecting television channels for display on one or more televisions based on the viewing preferences of the viewers. The viewers can enter their viewing preferences in a database through a user interface that a controller can access. The controller can receive, for a premises (e.g., a sports bar), a list of viewers. Based on the viewing preferences of the list of viewers, the controller can determine a single or a ranked list of television channels for display on the televisions. If there are multiple televisions, the controller can assign each of the televisions a television channel from the ranked list based on the ranking. The controller can send an instruction to the STB controlling the television(s) to set the assigned television channel to the assigned television.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: DISH Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Christopher Boyd Tirpak
  • Patent number: 10045063
    Abstract: Various arrangements for controlling presentation of the video mosaic are presented. A television receiver may store a front-end switching condition and a back-end switching condition. The front-end switching condition may define criteria occurring within a piece of content that triggers when focus is to switch from the piece of content to another piece of content. The back-end switching condition may define when focus is to switch to a higher-ranked piece of content. The television receiver may output to a presentation device, the video mosaic comprising a plurality of pieces of content presented within a plurality of tiles. The television receiver may control focus among the plurality of tiles within the video mosaic based on the front-end switching condition and the back-end switching condition, wherein one tile from the plurality of tiles receives focus at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Inventors: Henry Gregg Martch, Max Stephen Gratton
  • Patent number: 10021448
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for automatically selecting television channels for display on one or more televisions based on the viewing preferences of the viewers. The viewers can enter their viewing preferences in a database through a user interface that a controller can access. The controller can receive, for a premises (e.g., a sports bar), a list of viewers. Based on the viewing preferences of the list of viewers, the controller can determine a single or a ranked list of television channels for display on the televisions. If there are multiple televisions, the controller can assign each of the televisions a television channel from the ranked list based on the ranking. The controller can send an instruction to the STB controlling the television(s) to set the assigned television channel to the assigned television.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Christopher Boyd Tirpak
  • Publication number: 20180146240
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for automatically selecting television channels for display on one or more televisions based on the viewing preferences of the viewers. The viewers can enter their viewing preferences in a database through a user interface that a controller can access. The controller can receive, for a premises (e.g., a sports bar), a list of viewers. Based on the viewing preferences of the list of viewers, the controller can determine a single or a ranked list of television channels for display on the televisions. If there are multiple televisions, the controller can assign each of the televisions a television channel from the ranked list based on the ranking. The controller can send an instruction to the STB controlling the television(s) to set the assigned television channel to the assigned television.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Christopher Boyd Tirpak
  • Publication number: 20170164032
    Abstract: Various arrangements for controlling presentation of the video mosaic are presented. A television receiver may store a front-end switching condition and a back-end switching condition. The front-end switching condition may define criteria occurring within a piece of content that triggers when focus is to switch from the piece of content to another piece of content. The back-end switching condition may define when focus is to switch to a higher-ranked piece of content. The television receiver may output to a presentation device, the video mosaic comprising a plurality of pieces of content presented within a plurality of tiles. The television receiver may control focus among the plurality of tiles within the video mosaic based on the front-end switching condition and the back-end switching condition, wherein one tile from the plurality of tiles receives focus at a given time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Henry Gregg Martch, Max Stephen Gratton