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).

  • Publication number: 20220157158
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Mariel Sabraw, Jonathan Palmatier
  • Patent number: 11297361
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: TIVO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, David DeAndrade, Christopher Stone
  • Patent number: 11257360
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Mariel Sabraw, Jonathan Palmatier
  • Publication number: 20210352354
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20210352353
    Abstract: A content service provider can transmit a plurality of content streams each including audio, video, or audio-video content to a plurality of premises. In addition, the content service provider can transmit one or more command streams, along with the plurality of content streams over a common content distribution network. The one or more command streams may each include a repeating set of premises automation commands. The premises automation commands may be sent to one or more appropriate systems if a user selects a channel associated with the corresponding command stream. Each set of 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: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20210312935
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas, Scott David Kurtz, Gary Skrabutenas, Christopher Stone
  • Patent number: 11102537
    Abstract: Systems and methods 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: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20210192569
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
  • Publication number: 20210150884
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Mariel Sabraw, Jonathan Palmatier
  • Publication number: 20210120280
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, David DeAndrade, Christopher Stone
  • Patent number: 10939155
    Abstract: A content service provider can transmit a plurality of content streams each including audio, video, or audio-video content to a plurality of premises. In addition, the content service provider can transmit one or more command streams, along with the plurality of content streams over a common content distribution network. The one or more command streams may each include a repeating set of premises automation commands. The premises automation commands may be sent to one or more appropriate systems if a user selects a channel associated with the corresponding command stream. Each set of 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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Sallas
  • Patent number: 10878692
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Mariel Sabraw, Jonathan Palmatier
  • Patent number: 10867615
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas, Scott David Kurtz, Gary Skrabutenas, Christopher Stone
  • Publication number: 20200382817
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, David de Andrade, Christopher Stone
  • Publication number: 20200342871
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Scott David Kurtz, Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20200336690
    Abstract: Systems and methods 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: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Patent number: 10776823
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
  • Patent number: 10757455
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, David DeAndrade, Christopher Stone
  • Publication number: 20200243103
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas, Scott David Kurtz, Gary Skrabutenas, Christopher Stone
  • Patent number: 10687012
    Abstract: Systems and methods 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: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas