Patents by Inventor Michael Salla
Michael Salla 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).
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Publication number: 20240137613Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for tailoring related episode content within an episode, thereby improving a user's experience. In response to receiving a request for an episode, several factors may be considered when determining how much of the related episode content to provide. These factors may include information such as whether the user has already viewed a previous episode, the elapsed time since viewing the previous episode and a user preference. Related episode content may be modified to remove portions previously viewed by a user, depending on factors such as the elapsed time and a user preference.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
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Patent number: 11960903Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for adaptive settings for a device. An example method can comprise utilizing a first configuration setting for a feature in a device, detecting a change in a device factor, and utilizing a second configuration setting for the feature in the device in response to the detected change. Another example method can comprise detecting a change in a device factor, activating a device feature, determining whether a change threshold has been exceeded, and updating a configuration setting for a device feature if the change threshold has been exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson
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Publication number: 20240094984Abstract: A first computing device may comprise at least one audio output and at least one audio input. The first computing device may determine a first delay associated with output of first audio from a second computing device located remote to the first computing device. Output of second audio may be caused via the at least one audio output based on the first delay. An audio input signal comprising the first audio, the second audio, and third audio indicative of a voice command may be received via the at least one audio input. At least one action may be caused to be performed based on the voice command. The at least one action may be caused to be performed based on removal of the first audio and the second audio from the audio input signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2022Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Scott KURTZ, Michael SALLAS
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Patent number: 11816980Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for device pairing are described. A first device may transmit one or more codes to a second device via a first protocol. The second device may prioritize the one or more codes. After receiving the one or more codes, the devices may initiate automated pairing. After concluding the automated pairing, the devices may communicate via a second protocol.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Mariel Sabraw, Jonathan Palmatier
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Publication number: 20230360663Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for reducing degradation of a voice recognition input. An always listening device may always be listening for voice commands via a microphone and may experience interference from unwanted audio such as from the output audio of television speakers. The always listening device may receive data associated with the output audio over a first communications channel. The always listening device may also receive, on a second communications channel, timing information associated with data. The always listening device may adjust admission of the audio received by the microphone to enable it to arrive at approximately the same time as the data received via the first communications channel. The unwanted output audio included in the audio received via the microphone may then be determined and may be removed so that a voice command in the audio received by the microphone may be processed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas, Scott David Kurtz, Gary Skrabutenas, Christopher Stone
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Publication number: 20230362419Abstract: One or more computing devices may be configured to identify information corresponding to a program change request associated with a multi-program data transmission. The information may comprise at least a link to a desired program within the multi-program data transmission. The one or more computing devices may communicate the link to the desired program to a client device over a specified time period. After the time period, the one or more computing devices may communicate the desired program to the client device using a single program data transmission. The single program data transmission may be derived from the multi-program data transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Michael Sallas, David DeAndrade, Christopher Stone
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Publication number: 20230306464Abstract: Aspects discussed herein relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods to determine when a user remains engaged or stops paying attention to a content item. In response, a snapshot of the user's activity and environment may be obtained to ascertain the reason the user stopped paying attention. If the user stopped paying attention as a result of being uninterested in the content item, the system may replace the content item, such as an advertisement, with a different content item to regain the user's attention. Further, demographic information and the user's interests may be updated for use in scheduling future content items.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2022Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
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Patent number: 11750858Abstract: One or more computing devices may be configured to identify information corresponding to a program change request associated with a multi-program data transmission. The information may comprise at least a link to a desired program within the multi-program data transmission. The one or more computing devices may communicate the link to the desired program to a client device over a specified time period. After the time period, the one or more computing devices may communicate the desired program to the client device using a single program data transmission. The single program data transmission may be derived from the multi-program data transmission.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: TIVO CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Sallas, David DeAndrade, Christopher Stone
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Patent number: 11750886Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for tailoring related episode content within an episode, thereby improving a user's experience. In response to receiving a request for an episode, several factors may be considered when determining how much of the related episode content to provide. These factors may include information such as whether the user has already viewed a previous episode, the elapsed time since viewing the previous episode and a user preference. Related episode content may be modified to remove portions previously viewed by a user, depending on factors such as the elapsed time and a user preference.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
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Patent number: 11741981Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for reducing degradation of a voice recognition input. An always listening device may always be listening for voice commands via a microphone and may experience interference from unwanted audio such as from the output audio of television speakers. The always listening device may receive data associated with the output audio over a first communications channel. The always listening device may also receive, on a second communications channel, timing information associated with data. The always listening device may adjust admission of the audio received by the microphone to enable it to arrive at approximately the same time as the data received via the first communications channel. The unwanted output audio included in the audio received via the microphone may then be determined and may be removed so that a voice command in the audio received by the microphone may be processed.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas, Scott David Kurtz, Gary Skrabutenas, Christopher Stone
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Publication number: 20230267824Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2022Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Michael Rekstad, Clyde Robbins, Michael Sallas
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Publication number: 20230215432Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for controlling source tracking and delaying beamforming in a microphone array system. A source tracker may continuously determine a direction of an audio source. A source tracker controller may pause the source tracking of the source tracker if a user may continue to speak to the system. The source tracker controller may resume the source tracking of the source tracker if the user may cease to speak to the system, or when one or more pause durations have been reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventors: Scott David Kurtz, Michael Sallas
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Patent number: 11683552Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods, and one or more computer-readable media storing executable instructions for predicting trigger events, such as an advertisement during a video program, and activating a remote control device in response to the prediction are described. By activating the remote control device at a particular time, the remote control device may save energy when listening for data from one or more terminal devices. The time to activate the remote control may be based on one or more factors, including the current presentation position and/or presentation speed of the video program. A remote control device may take additional actions the next time it listens for data, including illuminating backlights, turning on a display, displaying content on the display, interacting with other devices, etc.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
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Publication number: 20230139356Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for device location are described herein. Location information of a lost control device may be determined based on sensing signatures according to various modalities. The sensing signatures may be based on responses to activated functions of the lost remote control. The location information may be determined based on an instruction received while the lost remote control is in an active state. Frequently lost remote controls may be in the active state more frequently. An alternative remote control may be selected as a substitute for the lost remote control before the lost remote control is found. The alternative remote control may be configured to control a device previously controlled by the lost remote control.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2021Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Michael Sallas, Christian Buchter
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Patent number: 11551262Abstract: Aspects discussed herein relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods to determine when a user remains engaged or stops paying attention to a content item. In response, a snapshot of the user's activity and environment may be obtained to ascertain the reason the user stopped paying attention. If the user stopped paying attention as a result of being uninterested in the content item, the system may replace the content item, such as an advertisement, with a different content item to regain the user's attention. Further, demographic information and the user's interests may be updated for use in scheduling future content items.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
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Publication number: 20220337900Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, computer-readable media, and methods are described for sending and receiving a plurality of content streams including audio, video, or audio-video content and one or more command streams. The command streams may include premises automation commands associated with performing one or more functions at a premises. The commands may, for example, instruct a lighting system to turn on/off lights, a security system to enter an arm or disarm operational state, a thermostat to adjust its temperature, etc. One or more user preferences may be set to control which function is performed when a user makes a selection that causes a particular command stream to be processed. Also, different users may have different user preferences to cause different functions to be performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventor: Michael Sallas
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Publication number: 20220329896Abstract: A plurality of content streams each including audio, video, or audio-video content may be transmitted to a plurality of premises. In addition, one or more command streams may be transmitted over a distribution network. Premises automation commands may then be sent to one or more systems based on a user selection associated with a corresponding command stream. The premises automation commands may be configured to instruct a system at a premises to perform a function. The commands may, for example, instruct a lighting system to turn on/off lights, a security system to enter an arm or disarm operational state, a thermostat to adjust its temperature, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventor: Michael Sallas
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Publication number: 20220284883Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for keyword detection. A first detector device may receive audio and process the audio to determine a confidence value regarding presence of a keyword. A copy of the audio may be passed to a second detector device to perform additional testing for the audio. The first detector device may take an action before or after sending to the second detector device based on the confidence value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2021Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Christian Buchter, Scott Kurtz, Michael Sallas
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Patent number: 11437033Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for controlling source tracking and delaying beamforming in a microphone array system. A source tracker may continuously determine a direction of an audio source. A source tracker controller may pause the source tracking of the source tracker if a user may continue to speak to the system. The source tracker controller may resume the source tracking of the source tracker if the user may cease to speak to the system, or when one or more pause durations have been reached.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Scott David Kurtz, Michael Sallas
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Patent number: 11395030Abstract: A plurality of content streams each including audio, video, or audio-video content may be transmitted to a plurality of premises. In addition, one or more command streams may be transmitted over a distribution network. Premises automation commands may then be sent to one or more systems based on a user selection associated with a corresponding command stream. The premises automation commands may be configured to instruct a system at a premises to perform a function. The commands may, for example, instruct a lighting system to turn on/off lights, a security system to enter an arm or disarm operational state, a thermostat to adjust its temperature, etc.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2021Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventor: Michael Sallas