Patents by Inventor Michael J. Cook

Michael J. Cook 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: 11070884
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments allow media players and other electronic devices that operate under a first protocol to control the media capture devices that operate with a second protocol which may not be configurable to communicate with the first protocol. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a network device may store and/or render content within a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network and/or assist in content delivery for a DLNA device on a network. In another embodiment of the disclosure, a media capture device uses the Internet Protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: James S. Poder, Michael J. Cook
  • Publication number: 20210176527
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for displaying additional or targeted content to a user are disclosed. An image or data capture device associated with a display device may capture an image of a space associated with the user or capture data related to what is being viewed by the viewer's eyes. Objects in the captured image or objects being viewed may be recognized, including any identifiable image, item, detail, or article and the like. A recognized object may then be compared to a target list to determine a match. If matched, and if there is additional content associated with the target object, the additional content may be presented to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Dan E Holden, Michael J. Cook
  • Patent number: 10983765
    Abstract: A system may receive application data in a client-incompatible format and convert at least a portion of the application data into an alternate client-compatible format. In one example, the incompatible format may comprise Enhanced Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) while a client-compatible format may include a web format such as JavaScript, XML or HTML. Interactions (e.g., commands and user input) associated with the application may be received and converted. The interactions may then be processed using the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, FFC
    Inventors: David de Andrade, Michael J. Cook, Labeeb K. Ismail, Mark A. Vickers
  • Publication number: 20210105432
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and software are provided for using an optically-readable code such as a quick-response (QR) code. The optically-readable code may represent a uniform resource identifier (URI) including parameters that represent a query, such as a query for content and/or other data. The query results may be used to command a content consumption device to record or otherwise obtain an item of content. The optically-readable code may additionally or alternatively be determined based upon a status of the device, such as what content, or portion thereof, is currently being displayed, and/or what error condition is being experienced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Shaun Gehring, Jason Smith, Michael J. Cook, Bruce Bradley, Daniel T. Grady, Charlie Herrin, Robert Philibert
  • Patent number: 10904475
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and software are described for using an optically-readable code. The optically-readable code may be caused to be displayed. Data may be received based on the optically-readable code. Content or other items may be determined based on the optically-readable code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Shaun Gehring, Jason Smith, Michael J. Cook, Bruce Bradley, Daniel T. Grady, Charlie Herrin, Robert Philibert
  • Publication number: 20200380995
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may process a user interface to identify textual or graphical items in the interface, and may prepare a plurality of audio files containing spoken representations of the items. As the user navigates through the interface, different ones of the audio files may be selected and played, to announce text associated with items selected by the user. A computing device may periodically determine whether a cache offering the interface to users stores audio files for all of the interface's textual items, and if the cache is missing any audio files for any of the textual items, the computing device may take steps to have a corresponding audio file created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Wlodkowski, Michael J. Cook
  • Patent number: 10856044
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for displaying additional or targeted content to a user are disclosed. An image or data capture device associated with a display device may capture an image of a space associated with the user or capture data related to what is being viewed by the viewer's eyes. Objects in the captured image or objects being viewed may be recognized, including any identifiable image, item, detail, or article and the like. A recognized object may then be compared to a target list to determine a match. If matched, and if there is additional content associated with the target object, the additional content may be presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Dan E. Holden, Michael J. Cook
  • Patent number: 10636429
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may process a user interface to identify textual or graphical items in the interface, and may prepare a plurality of audio files containing spoken representations of the items. As the user navigates through the interface, different ones of the audio files may be selected and played, to announce text associated with items selected by the user. A computing device may periodically determine whether a cache offering the interface to users stores audio files for all of the interface's textual items, and if the cache is missing any audio files for any of the textual items, the computing device may take steps to have a corresponding audio file created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Wlodkowski, Michael J. Cook
  • Publication number: 20200120385
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for displaying additional or targeted content to a user are disclosed. An image or data capture device associated with a display device may capture an image of a space associated with the user or capture data related to what is being viewed by the viewer's eyes. Objects in the captured image or objects being viewed may be recognized, including any identifiable image, item, detail, or article and the like. A recognized object may then be compared to a target list to determine a match. If matched, and if there is additional content associated with the target object, the additional content may be presented to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Dan E. Holden, Michael J. Cook
  • Publication number: 20200092675
    Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium, and system are provided for managing a dynamic wireless network. An aspect of this invention is to identify the occurrence of an overlap of coverage areas provided by separate wireless access points, at least one of which is mobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Cook, Ivan Ong
  • Publication number: 20190320232
    Abstract: A media server is hosted in a service provider's network so that media content can be stored from or rendered to a private network such as a Digital Living Network Alliance network. Media content may be stored by accessing the media server or by downloading the media content to the media server. Support of set top boxes interacting with voice-on-demand (VOD) controllers and computers interacting with IP-based video content servers are integrated through the media server. Consequently, VOD assets can be played on IP-based devices and IP-based content can be played on set top boxes. A gateway function converts IP-based content to a VOD asset, and renders the VOD asset to a set top box while mapping digital rights management information for the VOD asset. Conversely, the gateway function may convert a VOD asset to IP-based content that can be played on an IP-based device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Jim Poder, Michael J. Cook
  • Patent number: 10412449
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for outputting additional content to a user are disclosed. One or more image capture devices may be controlled to capture images of areas where users might be viewing content. Objects in the captured images may be recognized. Based on the results of object recognition, additional content may be determined and output for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Dan E. Holden, Michael J. Cook
  • Patent number: 10321268
    Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium, and system are provided for managing a dynamic wireless network. An aspect of this invention is to identify the occurrence of an overlap of coverage areas provided by separate wireless access points, at least one of which is mobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Cook, Ivan Ong
  • Publication number: 20190146761
    Abstract: A system may receive application data in a client-incompatible format and convert at least a portion of the application data into an alternate client-compatible format. In one example, the incompatible format may comprise Enhanced Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) while a client-compatible format may include a web format such as JavaScript, XML or HTML. Interactions (e.g., commands and user input) associated with the application may be received and converted. The interactions may then be processed using the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: David de Andrade, Michael J. Cook, Labeeb K. Ismail, Mark A. Vickers
  • Publication number: 20180278994
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for outputting additional content to a user are disclosed. One or more image capture devices may be controlled to capture images of areas where users might be viewing content. Objects in the captured images may be recognized. Based on the results of object recognition, additional content may be determined and output for display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Dan E. Holden, Michael J. Cook
  • Patent number: 10031728
    Abstract: A system may receive application data in a client-incompatible format and convert at least a portion of the application data into an alternate client-compatible format. In one example, the incompatible format may comprise Enhanced Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) while a client-compatible format may include a web format such as JavaScript, XML or HTML. Interactions (e.g., commands and user input) associated with the application may be received and converted. The interactions may then be processed using the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: David de Andrade, Michael J. Cook, Labeeb K. Ismail, Mark Andrew Vickers
  • Publication number: 20180131897
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and software are described for using an optically-readable code. The optically-readable code may be caused to be displayed. Data may be received based on the optically-readable code. Content or other items may be determined based on the optically-readable code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Shaun Gehring, Jason Smith, Michael J. Cook, Bruce Bradley, Daniel T. Grady, Charlie Herrin, Robert Philibert
  • Publication number: 20170366936
    Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium, and system are provided for managing a dynamic wireless network. An aspect of this invention is to identify the occurrence of an overlap of coverage areas provided by separate wireless access points, at least one of which is mobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J. Cook, Ivan Ong
  • Publication number: 20170309277
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may process a user interface to identify textual or graphical items in the interface, and may prepare a plurality of audio files containing spoken representations of the items. As the user navigates through the interface, different ones of the audio files may be selected and played, to announce text associated with items selected by the user. A computing device may periodically determine whether a cache offering the interface to users stores audio files for all of the interface's textual items, and if the cache is missing any audio files for any of the textual items, the computing device may take steps to have a corresponding audio file created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Wlodkowski, Michael J. Cook
  • Publication number: 20170214974
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments allow media players and other electronic devices that operate under a first protocol to control the media capture devices that operate with a second protocol which may not be configurable to communicate with the first protocol. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a network device may store and/or render content within a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network and/or assist in content delivery for a DLNA device on a network. In another embodiment of the disclosure, a media capture device uses the Internet Protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: James S. Poder, Michael J. Cook