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).

  • Publication number: 20130155261
    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: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: James S. Poder, Michael J. Cook
  • Publication number: 20130147396
    Abstract: Systems, methods, software, and data structures that provide dynamic ambient lighting synchronized to a video program being watched in a premises are described herein. A video program may be associated with a predefined lighting scheme that specifies or identifies a time-sequenced set of lighting effects (e.g., flashing police lights, sunrise, explosion, etc.) that are to be performed by the dynamic ambient lighting system time-synchronously with the video program. Components of the dynamic ambient lighting system may extract the lighting scheme from video data, parse the lighting scheme into individual lighting effects, and then control a single-color or multicolor light source associated with each of a plurality of light channels (e.g., front right, rear right, front left, rear left, center, and burst channel, among others) based on time-sequenced lighting primitives defined by each lighting effect. Light sources may be wirelessly controlled, e.g., using an IEEE 802.15.4 or ZigBee-compliant wireless system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Cook
  • Publication number: 20130147395
    Abstract: Systems, methods, software, and data structures that provide dynamic ambient lighting synchronized to a video program being watched in a premises are described herein. A video program may be associated with a predefined lighting scheme that specifies or identifies a time-sequenced set of lighting effects (e.g., flashing police lights, sunrise, explosion, etc.) that are to be performed by the dynamic ambient lighting system time-synchronously with the video program. Components of the dynamic ambient lighting system may extract the lighting scheme from video data, parse the lighting scheme into individual lighting effects, and then control a single-color or multicolor light source associated with each of a plurality of light channels (e.g., front right, rear right, front left, rear left, center, and burst channel, among others) based on time-sequenced lighting primitives defined by each lighting effect. Light sources may be wirelessly controlled, e.g., using an IEEE 802.15.4 or ZigBee-compliant wireless system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Cook
  • Publication number: 20130148020
    Abstract: Systems, methods, software, and data structures that provide dynamic ambient lighting synchronized to a video program being watched in a premises are described herein. A video program may be associated with a predefined lighting scheme that specifies or identifies a time-sequenced set of lighting effects (e.g., flashing police lights, sunrise, explosion, etc.) that are to be performed by the dynamic ambient lighting system time-synchronously with the video program. Components of the dynamic ambient lighting system may extract the lighting scheme from video data, parse the lighting scheme into individual lighting effects, and then control a single-color or multicolor light source associated with each of a plurality of light channels (e.g., front right, rear right, front left, rear left, center, and burst channel, among others) based on time-sequenced lighting primitives defined by each lighting effect. Light sources may be wirelessly controlled, e.g., using an IEEE 802.15.4 or ZigBee-compliant wireless system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Cook
  • Patent number: 8438210
    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 (DLNA) network. Media content may be stored directly by accessing the media server or by downloading the media content to the media server. A server platform may support a set of media servers, where each media server is connected to a corresponding DLNA network. A multicast group may be established among the set of media servers so that media content may be shared with members of the multicast group. Media content may be aggregated for media content for the multicast group based on content characteristics, where the content characteristics are indicative of media content that can be shared with members of the multicast group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Poder, Michael J. Cook
  • Publication number: 20130080620
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to measuring and managing data traffic in one or more networks. In some embodiments, a monitor may measure the traffic at one or more locations within the network(s) or devices associated therewith to determine whether the traffic exceeds a threshold. When the traffic exceeds the threshold, one or more actions may be taken, such as issuing or transmitting a command or directive. The command or directive may advise a device or an application to throttle or reduce an input or stimulus responsible for generating the traffic. In some embodiments, a throttling may be effectuated to reduce the data traffic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Cook
  • Patent number: 8379668
    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: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: James S. Poder, Michael J. Cook
  • Patent number: 8190706
    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 (DLNA) network. Media content may be stored directly by accessing the media server or by downloading the media content to the media server. The media server may support discovery of media content in a local DLNA network, media content fulfillment from a service provider network, and content delivery for a device on the DLNA network. The media server may further route regional traffic to the DLNA network from a media source such as a video on demand (VOD) server or an Internet media server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Poder, Michael J. Cook
  • Patent number: 8190751
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods support a media server that is hosted in a service provider's network so that media content can be stored from or rendered to a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network. Media content may be stored directly by accessing the media server or by downloading the media content to the media server. A tunnel is established between an endpoint in the DLNA network through the service provider infrastructure to the media server. Subsequently, a session may be established between a DLNA device to the media server through the tunnel using a virtual address, where the media server is addressable as a virtual device within the DLNA network so that the virtual address is part of an address space of the DLNA network. The media server may support a plurality of DLNA networks, in which a tunnel is established to the media service for each DLNA network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Poder, Michael J. Cook
  • Publication number: 20120047196
    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 (DLNA) network. Media content may be stored directly by accessing the media server or by downloading the media content to the media server. A server platform may support a set of media servers, where each media server is connected to a corresponding DLNA network. A multicast group may be established among the set of media servers so that media content may be shared with members of the multicast group. Media content may be aggregated for media content for the multicast group based on content characteristics, where the content characteristics are indicative of media content that can be shared with members of the multicast group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Poder, Michael J. Cook
  • Patent number: 8076622
    Abstract: The present invention is a device which includes an antenna and circuitry. The antenna may receive a circularly-polarized signal as first and second linearly-polarized signals. The circuitry is connected to the antenna and is configured for combining the first and second linearly-polarized signals to produce at least two reception patterns. The reception patterns are created by summing the first and second linearly-polarized signals via phase shifting. The reception patterns are optimized for at least two substantially different directional orientations. Further, the antenna may simultaneously allow/provide spec-compliant Global Positioning System operation and spec compliant Height of Burst operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee M. Paulsen, Donald L. Michaels, Robert J. Thompson, Michael J. Cook, John C. Mather
  • Patent number: 8078665
    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 (DLNA) network. Media content may be stored directly by accessing the media server or by downloading the media content to the media server. A server platform may support a set of media servers, where each media server is connected to a corresponding DLNA network. A multicast group may be established among the set of media servers so that media content may be shared with members of the multicast group. Media content may be aggregated for media content for the multicast group based on content characteristics, where the content characteristics are indicative of media content that can be shared with members of the multicast group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Poder, Michael J. Cook
  • Publication number: 20110176555
    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: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: James S. Poder, Michael J. Cook
  • Publication number: 20110106962
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods in which a media player is connected via an interface device over a network to a source of content. Some conventional media players such as DVD players and televisions are equipped with hardware to render content disposed on and playable from a removable memory device, in particular a SD card. A memory card may be equipped with networking functionality, in particular, WI-FI networking, to enable connectivity over a local area wireless network. The memory card further may be provided with a processor. By providing an interface device that includes a processor, networking functionality, and storage, with suitable software on the storage, the media player may be connected over a network to locally networked or remote content sources. In some embodiments, the interface device also includes its own locally stored content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Cook, James S. Poder
  • Publication number: 20110047016
    Abstract: A method and system for determining which of a plurality of users may be sent an e-coupon. More particularly, a computing device may determine which of a plurality of users are watching a particular program or advertisement on television and may determine a corresponding e-coupon to be sent to the users watching the particular program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. COOK
  • Publication number: 20110026704
    Abstract: A profile-based system is employed to manage user identities and preferences, devices, content and/or other aspects of service delivery. The user profiles may be maintained in one or more servers or other elements located in an external network access via a customer premises equipment (CPE) gateway of a local network. The profiles can be used to map users to identities, devices, services, and other features that affect the manner in which a particular user communicates with (or through) the external network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Connelly, Sharma Kanchinadham, Bhagabati Maharana, Louis Rubin, Michael J. Cook, James Tobin, Jeffrey Lewis, Bavani Subramaniam
  • Publication number: 20100317443
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing network-based games to otherwise non-networked devices are provided herein. A network server may provide video game execution and rendering capabilities in accordance with video game software on the server, and may transcode video game output into a media stream for sending to a remotely located media player in use by a user playing the video game. The transcoded media stream is in a format displayable by the media player. The media player may include an expansion card providing wireless network access to the media player for communication with the network gaming server, and may further relay the transcoded media stream received from the network gaming server to the media player, as well as relay user input from a game controller back to the network gaming server. Alternatively, the game controller may communicate directly with the network gaming server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Cook, James S. Poder
  • Publication number: 20100281093
    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 (DLNA) network. Media content may be stored directly by accessing the media server or by downloading the media content to the media server. A server platform may support a set of media servers, where each media server is connected to a corresponding DLNA network. A multicast group may be established among the set of media servers so that media content may be shared with members of the multicast group. Media content may be aggregated for media content for the multicast group based on content characteristics, where the content characteristics are indicative of media content that can be shared with members of the multicast group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Poder, Michael J. Cook
  • Publication number: 20100281174
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods support a media server that is hosted in a service provider's network so that media content can be stored from or rendered to a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network. Media content may be stored directly by accessing the media server or by downloading the media content to the media server. A tunnel is established between an endpoint in the DLNA network through the service provider infrastructure to the media server. Subsequently, a session may be established between a DLNA device to the media server through the tunnel using a virtual address, where the media server is addressable as a virtual device within the DLNA network so that the virtual address is part of an address space of the DLNA network. The media server may support a plurality of DLNA networks, in which a tunnel is established to the media service for each DLNA network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Poder, Michael J. Cook
  • Publication number: 20100281534
    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 (DLNA) network. Media content may be stored directly by accessing the media server or by downloading the media content to the media server. The media server may support discovery of media content in a local DLNA network, media content fulfillment from a service provider network, and content delivery for a device on the DLNA network. The media server may further route regional traffic to the DLNA network from a media source such as a video on demand (VOD) server or an Internet media server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Poder, Michael J. Cook