Patents by Inventor Michael Rekstad

Michael Rekstad 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: 12602989
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for pairing a remote control with a controllable device using audio to confirm device pairings. The controllable device and remote control may communicate using low power protocols such as, for example, RF4CE, WiFi and/or Bluetooth low energy (BLE). The controllable device and the remote control may record and/or fingerprint audio. Corresponding audio and/or fingerprints may indicate proximity and cause the devices to initiate a pairing sequence. The audio may be any kind of audio, including for example, ambient noise, TV audio, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Rekstad, Clyde Robbins, Michael Sallas
  • Patent number: 12531968
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as a doorbell, may include a doorbell housing. The doorbell housing may include a front surface facing exterior of a premises and a rear surface facing interior of the premises. A camera, doorbell activator, motion sensor, and/or light source may be at least partially positioned within the doorbell housing. An antenna may be positioned within the doorbell housing. The antenna may be configured to send a wireless signal comprising data to a data receiving device inside the premises. A reflective member may be positioned within the doorbell housing and configured to reflect at least a portion of the wireless signal that is sent toward the front surface of the doorbell housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Erik Stefans, Michael Rekstad, Henry Homza, Abraham Thomas, Michael Jou, Kenneth Egan, David Urban
  • Publication number: 20230335134
    Abstract: Methods and systems for using voice (e.g., voice commands) to control a plurality of network devices via a motion sensing control device are provided. A control device can detect movement (e.g., a gesture) associated with the control device. Based on the movement satisfying a predefined condition, the control device can initiate a either a direct or a proxy communication session with a remote computing device. The communication session can be established and maintained for a predefined period such that data associated with a command can be immediately transmitted to the remote computing device. Thus, when a voice command is received, data associated with the command can be transmitted over the already established communication session to the remote computing device. The remote computing device can provide a response to the control device and/or transmit a command code associated with the voice command to one or more devices intended to be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Rekstad
  • Publication number: 20230267824
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for pairing a remote control with a controllable device using audio to confirm device pairings. The controllable device and remote control may communicate using low power protocols such as, for example, RF4CE, WiFi and/or Bluetooth low energy (BLE). The controllable device and the remote control may record and/or fingerprint audio. Corresponding audio and/or fingerprints may indicate proximity and cause the devices to initiate a pairing sequence. The audio may be any kind of audio, including for example, ambient noise, TV audio, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Rekstad, Clyde Robbins, Michael Sallas
  • Patent number: 11727932
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, computer-readable media, and systems for using voice (e.g., voice commands) to control a plurality of network devices via a motion sensing control device are provided. A control device can detect movement (e.g., a gesture) associated with the control device. The control device can initiate a either a direct or a proxy communication session with a remote computing device. The communication session can be established and maintained for a predefined period such that data associated with a command can be immediately transmitted to the remote computing device. Thus, data associated with the command can be transmitted over the already established communication session to the remote computing device. The remote computing device can provide a response to the control device and/or transmit a command code associated with the voice command to one or more devices intended to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Rekstad
  • Publication number: 20230216993
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as a doorbell, may include a doorbell housing. The doorbell housing may include a front surface facing exterior of a premises and a rear surface facing interior of the premises. A camera, doorbell activator, motion sensor, and/or light source may be at least partially positioned within the doorbell housing. An antenna may be positioned within the doorbell housing. The antenna may be configured to send a wireless signal comprising data to a data receiving device inside the premises. A reflective member may be positioned within the doorbell housing and configured to reflect at least a portion of the wireless signal that is sent toward the front surface of the doorbell housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Erik Stefans, Michael Rekstad, Henry Homza, Abraham Thomas, Michael Jou, Kenneth Egan, David Urban
  • Patent number: 11575858
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as a doorbell, may include a doorbell housing. The doorbell housing may include a front surface facing exterior of a premises and a rear surface facing interior of the premises. A camera, doorbell activator, motion sensor, and/or light source may be at least partially positioned within the doorbell housing. An antenna may be positioned within the doorbell housing. The antenna may be configured to send a wireless signal comprising data to a data receiving device inside the premises. A reflective member may be positioned within the doorbell housing and configured to reflect at least a portion of the wireless signal that is sent toward the front surface of the doorbell housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Erik Stefans, Michael Rekstad, Henry Homza, Abraham Thomas, Michael Jou, Kenneth Egan, David Urban
  • Publication number: 20220284897
    Abstract: Methods and systems for using voice (e.g., voice commands) to control a plurality of network devices via a motion sensing control device are provided. A control device can detect movement (e.g., a gesture) associated with the control device. Based on the movement satisfying a predefined condition, the control device can initiate a either a direct or a proxy communication session with a remote computing device. The communication session can be established and maintained for a predefined period such that data associated with a command can be immediately transmitted to the remote computing device. Thus, when a voice command is received, data associated with the command can be transmitted over the already established communication session to the remote computing device. The remote computing device can provide a response to the control device and/or transmit a command code associated with the voice command to one or more devices intended to be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Rekstad
  • Publication number: 20220279148
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as a doorbell, may include a doorbell housing. The doorbell housing may include a front surface facing exterior of a premises and a rear surface facing interior of the premises. A camera, doorbell activator, motion sensor, and/or light source may be at least partially positioned within the doorbell housing. An antenna may be positioned within the doorbell housing. The antenna may be configured to send a wireless signal comprising data to a data receiving device inside the premises. A reflective member may be positioned within the doorbell housing and configured to reflect at least a portion of the wireless signal that is sent toward the front surface of the doorbell housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Erik Stefans, Michael Rekstad, Henry Homza, Abraham Thomas, Michael Jou, Kenneth Egan, David Urban
  • Patent number: 11315558
    Abstract: Methods and systems for using voice (e.g., voice commands) to control a plurality of network devices via a motion sensing control device are provided. A control device can detect movement (e.g., a gesture) associated with the control device. Based on the movement satisfying a predefined condition, the control device can initiate a either a direct or a proxy communication session with a remote computing device. The communication session can be established and maintained for a predefined period such that data associated with a command can be immediately transmitted to the remote computing device. Thus, when a voice command is received, data associated with the command can be transmitted over the already established communication session to the remote computing device. The remote computing device can provide a response to the control device and/or transmit a command code associated with the voice command to one or more devices intended to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Rekstad
  • Publication number: 20210212017
    Abstract: A communications access point may provide access to a wireless communications network to a user device located at a first location. The communications access point may determine that the user device is moving from the first location to a second location where access to the wireless network is limited or not available. In response to the determination, the communications access point may provide access to the wireless network at the second location by extending a coverage area of the wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Frances Bevan, David Markowitz, Michael Rekstad, Jae Sim, Christopher Stone
  • Publication number: 20210051360
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for detecting synchronization errors between audio and video signals. Scene changes may be detected based on anchor frames. Offsets between a scene change in a video signal and a reduced audio level or burst of high audio level in the audio signal may indicate a synchronization error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Rekstad
  • Patent number: 10904854
    Abstract: A communications access point may provide access to a wireless communications network to a user device located at a first location. The communications access point may determine that the user device is moving from the first location to a second location where access to the wireless network is limited or not available. In response to the determination, the communications access point may provide access to the wireless network at the second location by extending a coverage area of the wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Frances Bevan, David Markowitz, Michael Rekstad, Jae Sim, Christopher Stone
  • Publication number: 20200401417
    Abstract: Multiple User Interface (UI) states may be identified and encoded into encoded UI states. Each of the encoded UI states may comprise an image of one or more of the UI states and metadata associating the encoded UI state with one or more other encoded UI states that comprise an image of a UI state that is navigationally related to one or more of the UI states encoded in the encoded UI state. A portion of the encoded UI states may be communicated to one or more user devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Stone, Frances Bevan, Michael Rekstad
  • Patent number: 10805663
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for detecting synchronization errors between audio and video signals. Scene changes may be detected based on anchor frames. Offsets between a scene change in a video signal and a reduced audio level or burst of high audio level in the audio signal may indicate a synchronization error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Rekstad
  • Patent number: 10705854
    Abstract: Multiple User Interface (UI) states may be identified and encoded into encoded UI states. Each of the encoded UI states may comprise an image of one or more of the UI states and metadata associating the encoded UI state with one or more other encoded UI states that comprise an image of a UI state that is navigationally related to one or more of the UI states encoded in the encoded UI state. A portion of the encoded UI states may be communicated to one or more user devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Stone, Frances Bevan, Michael Rekstad
  • Patent number: D947701
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Erik Stefans, Michael Jou, Henry Homza, Abraham Thomas, Michael Rekstad
  • Patent number: D947702
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Erik Stefans, Michael Jou, Henry Homza, Abraham Thomas, Michael Rekstad
  • Patent number: D947703
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Erik Stefans, Michael Jou, Henry Homza, Abraham Thomas, Michael Rekstad
  • Patent number: D947704
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Erik Stefans, Michael Jou, Henry Homza, Abraham Thomas, Michael Rekstad