Patents by Inventor Michael Rockwell

Michael Rockwell 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: 9602940
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for monitoring speakers within an audio playback system (e.g., movie theater) environment. In typical embodiments, the monitoring method assumes that initial characteristics of the speakers (e.g., a room response for each of the speakers) have been determined at an initial time, and relies on one or more microphones positioned in the environment to perform a status check on each of the speakers to identify whether a change to at least one characteristic of any of the speakers has occurred since the initial time. In other embodiments, the method processes data indicative of output of a microphone to monitor audience reaction to an audiovisual program. Other aspects include a system configured (e.g., programmed) to perform any embodiment of the inventive method, and a computer readable medium (e.g., a disc) which stores code for implementing any embodiment of the inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil Bharitkar, Brett Crockett, Louis Fielder, Michael Rockwell
  • Publication number: 20170026766
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for monitoring speakers within an audio playback system (e.g., movie theater) environment. In typical embodiments, the monitoring method assumes that initial characteristics of the speakers (e.g., a room response for each of the speakers) have been determined at an initial time, and relies on one or more microphones positioned in the environment to perform a status check on each of the speakers to identify whether a change to at least one characteristic of any of the speakers has occurred since the initial time. In other embodiments, the method processes data indicative of output of a microphone to monitor audience reaction to an audiovisual program. Other aspects include a system configured (e.g., programmed) to perform any embodiment of the inventive method, and a computer readable medium (e.g., a disc) which stores code for implementing any embodiment of the inventive method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil BHARITKAR, Brett CROCKETT, Louis FIELDER, Michael ROCKWELL
  • Patent number: 9462399
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for monitoring speakers within an audio playback system (e.g., movie theater) environment. In typical embodiments, the monitoring method assumes that initial characteristics of the speakers (e.g., a room response for each of the speakers) have been determined at an initial time, and relies on one or more microphones positioned in the environment to perform a status check on each of the speakers to identify whether a change to at least one characteristic of any of the speakers has occurred since the initial time. In other embodiments, the method processes data indicative of output of a microphone to monitor audience reaction to an audiovisual program. Other aspects include a system configured (e.g., programmed) to perform any embodiment of the inventive method, and a computer readable medium (e.g., a disc) which stores code for implementing any embodiment of the inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil Bharitkar, Brett G. Crockett, Louis D. Fielder, Michael Rockwell
  • Publication number: 20160038809
    Abstract: The invention provides a multi-tiered toss target game. The multi-tiered toss target game may include a plurality of vertically extending tiers having a face surface, wherein the face surface of one or more of the plurality of tiers may be sloped; a plurality of tier front faces, wherein the tier front faces may be disposed between the plurality of tiers; a plurality of target openings arranged in the face surfaces of the plurality of tiers; a base structure including walls configured to support the plurality of tiers; and wherein the walls of the base structure and the tier front faces are sloped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: MOUNTAIN PONG, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Rockwell
  • Patent number: 9070403
    Abstract: Accessing only the lower bandwidth data in video data stored in a scalable format requires skipping around within a data file to locate the desired data for a specified progression dimension for each image. This causes seek and rotational latency to occur for each image, increasing access time per image and lowering the available bandwidth for reading motion video from the storage system. Such increases in access time significantly degrade performance of local and shared storage systems, particularly for video editing and other video playback systems used in production, post-production and broadcast operations. To improve the performance of such systems, motion video data stored in a scalable format is processed so as to copy the lower bandwidth data into a separate file. These separate files can be accessed by video editing systems, media management systems and other devices or computer programs that use the lower bandwidth data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Rockwell
  • Patent number: 9042682
    Abstract: One or more derived versions of image content may be obtained by interpolating two or more source versions of the same image content. A derived version may be targeted for a class of displays that differs from classes of displays targeted by the source versions. Source images in a source version may have been color graded in a creative process by a content creator/colorist. Interpolation of the source versions may be performed with interpolation parameters having two or more different values in two or more different clusters in at least one of the source images. A normalized version may be used to allow efficient distribution of multiple versions of the same content to a variety of downstream media processing devices, and to preserve or restore image details otherwise lost in one or more of the source versions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Atkins, Tao Chen, Scott Daly, Walter C. Gish, Samir N. Hulyalkar, Michael Rockwell
  • Publication number: 20140119551
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for monitoring speakers within an audio playback system (e.g., movie theater) environment. In typical embodiments, the monitoring method assumes that initial characteristics of the speakers (e.g., a room response for each of the speakers) have been determined at an initial time, and relies on one or more microphones positioned in the environment to perform a status check on each of the speakers to identify whether a change to at least one characteristic of any of the speakers has occurred since the initial time. In other embodiments, the method processes data indicative of output of a microphone to monitor audience reaction to an audiovisual program. Other aspects include a system configured (e.g., programmed) to perform any embodiment of the inventive method, and a computer readable medium (e.g., a disc) which stores code for implementing any embodiment of the inventive method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Sunil Bharitkar, Brett G. Crockett, Louis D. Fielder, Michael Rockwell
  • Publication number: 20130315505
    Abstract: One or more derived versions of image content may be obtained by interpolating two or more source versions of the same image content. A derived version may be targeted for a class of displays that differs from classes of displays targeted by the source versions. Source images in a source version may have been color graded in a creative process by a content creator/colorist. Interpolation of the source versions may be performed with interpolation parameters having two or more different values in two or more different clusters in at least one of the source images. A normalized version may be used to allow efficient distribution of multiple versions of the same content to a variety of downstream media processing devices, and to preserve or restore image details otherwise lost in one or more of the source versions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Robin Atkins, Tao Chen, Scott Daly, Walter C. Gish, Samir N. Hulyalkar, Michael Rockwell
  • Publication number: 20120301115
    Abstract: Accessing only the lower bandwidth data in video data stored in a scalable format requires skipping around within a data file to locate the desired data for a specified progression dimension for each image. This causes seek and rotational latency to occur for each image, increasing access time per image and lowering the available bandwidth for reading motion video from the storage system. Such increases in access time significantly degrade performance of local and shared storage systems, particularly for video editing and other video playback systems used in production, post-production and broadcast operations. To improve the performance of such systems, motion video data stored in a scalable format is processed so as to copy the lower bandwidth data into a separate file. These separate files can be accessed by video editing systems, media management systems and other devices or computer programs that use the lower bandwidth data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Rockwell
  • Publication number: 20120208254
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems, components, methods directed to generating energy and output products from biomass in a biorefinery system. The systems, components, and methods can be used alone or in combination as part of an integrated biorefinery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Algae Aqua-Culture Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Francis Smith, James Michael Rockwell, JR.
  • Patent number: 8200067
    Abstract: If motion video data is stored in a scalable format, such as motion JPEG 2000, in computer files on disk drives, then access to only the lower bandwidth data requires skipping around within a data file to locate only the desired data for a specified progression dimension for each image. This skipping around causes seek and rotational latency to occur for each image, and increases access time per image and lowering the available bandwidth for reading motion video from the storage system. Such increases in access time significantly degrade performance of local and shared storage systems, particularly for video editing and other video playback systems used in production, post-production and broadcast operations. To improve the performance of such systems, motion video data stored in a scalable format is processed so as to copy the lower bandwidth data into a separate file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Rockwell
  • Publication number: 20100231687
    Abstract: One embodiment of a system and method for using a 360-degree panoramic camera or 360-degree panoramic video camera for capturing images of a site, location or object, including site audits, may include using such camera at various prescribed heights and locations in conjunction with a processing unit configured to display information and images of the subject site location or object. The processing unit may be configured with a software viewer to display images and information of interest and incorporating icons for purposes of selecting a corresponding point of view or information portal. A compressor unit may be used to receive photographic data from the camera system and interface with the processor. A storage unit may be configured to store captured and combined images of the site, location or object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: David Amory, William Amann, John Yeagley, Michael Rockwell, Doug Shuntich
  • Publication number: 20070230895
    Abstract: If motion video data is stored in a scalable format, such as motion JPEG 2000, in computer files on disk drives, then access to only the lower bandwidth data requires skipping around within a data file to locate only the desired data for a specified progression dimension for each image. This skipping around causes seek and rotational latency to occur for each image, and increases access time per image and lowering the available bandwidth for reading motion video from the storage system. Such increases in access time significantly degrade performance of local and shared storage systems, particularly for video editing and other video playback systems used in production, post-production and broadcast operations. To improve the performance of such systems, motion video data stored in a scalable format is processed so as to copy the lower bandwidth data into a separate file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Rockwell
  • Patent number: D476132
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Kaps, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Piner, Michael Rockwell