Patents by Inventor Michael R. Nichols

Michael R. Nichols 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: 20240152260
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for personalizing images that correspond to a media asset identifier by using user profile information. As an example, the television series “Community” has several actors, such as Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. Poster art developed by an editor o50533238_1f “Community” may include an image that portrays each of Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. In order to personalize the image, control circuitry may determine which actor(s) the user prefers, and crop out only those actors in the poster art to create a personalized image. As an example, if the user prefers Joel McHale, control circuitry may crop out the portrayal of Joel McHale and use only that portion of the image to display next to other text describing “Community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Aaron Peter Blohowiak, Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Olivier Chalouhi
  • Publication number: 20240048808
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that provides content recommendations based on recent activity. For example, the media guidance application determines that the user has stopped using the first device and is using the second device. In response, the media guidance application retrieves, from memory, a length of time that the user has consumed media on the first device. The media guidance application then determines the time interval when the user was consuming media on the first device. Next, media content is determined that the user consumed on the first device during the time interval. The media guidance application then determines a characteristic of the consumed media content and recommends media content on a second device based on the characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Danielle Larson, Michael R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20240045976
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that allows access restrictions to be modified in a flexible manner based on a deviation in a user's projected location. Specifically, the media guidance application determines at an end of a first time period whether a user is in a projected location for a second time period. If the user is in a projected location for the second time period, the media guidance application sets a second level of media access restriction. However, if the media guidance application determines that the user is not in the projected location for the second time period, the media guidance application maintains the first level of media access restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Michael R. Nichols, Sally Cook
  • Patent number: 11842040
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for personalizing images that correspond to a media asset identifier by using user profile information. As an example, the television series “Community” has several actors, such as Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. Poster art developed by an editor o50533238_1f “Community” may include an image that portrays each of Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. In order to personalize the image, control circuitry may determine which actor(s) the user prefers, and crop out only those actors in the poster art to create a personalized image. As an example, if the user prefers Joel McHale, control circuitry may crop out the portrayal of Joel McHale and use only that portion of the image to display next to other text describing “Community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Peter Blohowiak, Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Olivier Chalouhi
  • Patent number: 11829491
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that allows access restrictions to be modified in a flexible manner based on a deviation in a user's projected location. Specifically, the media guidance application determines at an end of a first time period whether a user is in a projected location for a second time period. If the user is in a projected location for the second time period, the media guidance application sets a second level of media access restriction. However, if the media guidance application determines that the user is not in the projected location for the second time period, the media guidance application maintains the first level of media access restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Nichols, Sally Cook
  • Patent number: 11778273
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that provides content recommendations based on recent activity. For example, the media guidance application determines that the user has stopped using the first device and is using the second device. In response, the media guidance application retrieves, from memory, a length of time that the user has consumed media on the first device. The media guidance application then determines the time interval when the user was consuming media on the first device. Next, media content is determined that the user consumed on the first device during the time interval. The media guidance application then determines a characteristic of the consumed media content and recommends media content on a second device based on the characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle Larson, Michael R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20230152954
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for personalizing images that correspond to a media asset identifier by using user profile information. As an example, the television series “Community” has several actors, such as Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. Poster art developed by an editor o50533238_1f “Community” may include an image that portrays each of Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. In order to personalize the image, control circuitry may determine which actor(s) the user prefers, and crop out only those actors in the poster art to create a personalized image. As an example, if the user prefers Joel McHale, control circuitry may crop out the portrayal of Joel McHale and use only that portion of the image to display next to other text describing “Community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron Peter Blohowiak, Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Olivier Chalouhi
  • Publication number: 20220356233
    Abstract: Provided herein are antibodies selective for A? protofibrils, compositions containing the antibodies and methods of using the antibodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventor: Michael R. NICHOLS
  • Patent number: 11481095
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for personalizing images that correspond to a media asset identifier by using user profile information. As an example, the television series “Community” has several actors, such as Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. Poster art developed by an editor o50533238_1f “Community” may include an image that portrays each of Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. In order to personalize the image, control circuitry may determine which actor(s) the user prefers, and crop out only those actors in the poster art to create a personalized image. As an example, if the user prefers Joel McHale, control circuitry may crop out the portrayal of Joel McHale and use only that portion of the image to display next to other text describing “Community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: ROVl GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Peter Blohowiak, Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Olivier Chalouhi
  • Patent number: 11445254
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that provides content recommendations based on recent activity. For example, the media guidance application determines that the user has stopped using the first device and is using the second device. In response, the media guidance application retrieves, from memory, a length of time that the user has consumed media on the first device. The media guidance application then determines the time interval when the user was consuming media on the first device. Next, media content is determined that the user consumed on the first device during the time interval. The media guidance application then determines a characteristic of the consumed media content and recommends media content on a second device based on the characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Danielle Larson, Michael R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20210264039
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that allows access restrictions to be modified in a flexible manner based on a deviation in a user's projected location. Specifically, the media guidance application determines at an end of a first time period whether a user is in a projected location for a second time period. If the user is in a projected location for the second time period, the media guidance application sets a second level of media access restriction. However, if the media guidance application determines that the user is not in the projected location for the second time period, the media guidance application maintains the first level of media access restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Michael R. Nichols, Sally Cook
  • Publication number: 20210176531
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that provides content recommendations based on recent activity. For example, the media guidance application determines that the user has stopped using the first device and is using the second device. In response, the media guidance application retrieves, from memory, a length of time that the user has consumed media on the first device. The media guidance application then determines the time interval when the user was consuming media on the first device. Next, media content is determined that the user consumed on the first device during the time interval. The media guidance application then determines a characteristic of the consumed media content and recommends media content on a second device based on the characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Danielle Larson, Michael R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 11017101
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that allows access restrictions to be modified in a flexible manner based on a deviation in a user's projected location. Specifically, the media guidance application determines at an end of a first time period whether a user is in a projected location for a second time period. If the user is in a projected location for the second time period, the media guidance application sets a second level of media access restriction. However, if the media guidance application determines that the user is not in the projected location for the second time period, the media guidance application maintains the first level of media access restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ROVl GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Nichols, Sally Cook
  • Publication number: 20200396508
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that provides content recommendations based on recent activity. For example, the media guidance application determines that the user has stopped using the first device and is using the second device. In response, the media guidance application retrieves, from memory, a length of time that the user has consumed media on the first device. The media guidance application then determines the time interval when the user was consuming media on the first device. Next, media content is determined that the user consumed on the first device during the time interval. The media guidance application then determines a characteristic of the consumed media content and recommends media content on a second device based on the characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Danielle Larsen, Michael R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 10791371
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that provides content recommendations based on recent activity. For example, the media guidance application determines that the user has stopped using the first device and is using the second device. In response, the media guidance application retrieves, from memory, a length of time that the user has consumed media on the first device. The media guidance application then determines the time interval when the user was consuming media on the first device. Next, media content is determined that the user consumed on the first device during the time interval. The media guidance application then determines a characteristic of the consumed media content and recommends media content on a second device based on the characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle Larson, Michael R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20200264761
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for personalizing images that correspond to a media asset identifier by using user profile information. As an example, the television series “Community” has several actors, such as Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. Poster art developed by an editor o50533238_1f “Community” may include an image that portrays each of Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. In order to personalize the image, control circuitry may determine which actor(s) the user prefers, and crop out only those actors in the poster art to create a personalized image. As an example, if the user prefers Joel McHale, control circuitry may crop out the portrayal of Joel McHale and use only that portion of the image to display next to other text describing “Community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron Peter Blohowiak, Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Olivier Chalouhi
  • Patent number: 10628009
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for personalizing images that correspond to a media asset identifier by using user profile information. As an example, the television series “Community” has several actors, such as Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. Poster art developed by an editor of “Community” may include an image that portrays each of Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. In order to personalize the image, control circuitry may determine which actor(s) the user prefers, and crop out only those actors in the poster art to create a personalized image. As an example, if the user prefers Joel McHale, control circuitry may crop out the portrayal of Joel McHale and use only that portion of the image to display next to other text describing “Community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Peter Blohowiak, Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Olivier Chalouhi
  • Patent number: 10602324
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for expanding the functionality of a print scanner. The scanner may be programmed to invoke a different function if only a portion of a print is detected rather than a full print. In this manner, it would be possible for a user to share a user equipment device such as a smartphone with a friend. The user may wish to share his or her smartphone, and may activate access to the browser that does not include any of the cookies, private passwords, or other login information during a session by using just the tip of the user's finger on a fingerprint scanner, as opposed to the user's full fingerprint. When the user wishes to again have his or her personal information accessible in the browser, the user may activate the browser using the user's full fingerprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter R. Klappert, Minah Oh, Michael R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20200050776
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that allows access restrictions to be modified in a flexible manner based on a deviation in a user's projected location. Specifically, the media guidance application determines at an end of a first time period whether a user is in a projected location for a second time period. If the user is in a projected location for the second time period, the media guidance application sets a second level of media access restriction. However, if the media guidance application determines that the user is not in the projected location for the second time period, the media guidance application maintains the first level of media access restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Michael R. Nichols, Sally Cook
  • Patent number: 10506279
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a sequence of video clips are provided. A user input identifying a source of video is received. Responsive to the user input, a plurality of future videos provided by the source that is unavailable to the user at a time when the user input was received is identified. A sequence of video clips associated with the identified plurality of future videos is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Stathacopoulos, Michael R. Nichols