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).

  • Patent number: 10586538
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Comminications, LLC
    Inventors: Scott David Kurtz, Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20200026394
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for distance-based user interfaces. A distance between a user and a display can be determined. The distance between the user and the display can be determined based on a signal strength of a signal from a remote control. The distance between the user and the display can be determined based on audio signals received by a control device. A user interface can be modified based on the determined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph Rodolico, Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20190392705
    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 22, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Mariel Sabraw, Jonathan Palmatier
  • Publication number: 20190333501
    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: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Scott David Kurtz, Michael Sallas
  • Patent number: 10448307
    Abstract: Methods and systems for pairing two or more devices, such as a remote control and a display device, are described. The controlling and managing can occur utilizing one or more network connections or communication paths. An example method can comprise a second device receiving a device identifier of a first device via a first network, receiving the device identifier of the first device via a second network, matching the device identifier received via the first network and via the second network, and establishing an association between the first device and the second device over the first network and the second network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson
  • Publication number: 20190260957
    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, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Patent number: 10284805
    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: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20190132620
    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: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, David DeAndrade, Christopher Stone
  • Patent number: 10223908
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses 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: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Mariel Sabraw, Jonathan Palmatier
  • Patent number: 10148985
    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: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, David DeAndrade, Christopher Stone
  • Publication number: 20180332250
    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: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Patent number: 10091047
    Abstract: Illustrative aspects described herein relate to assisting wireless devices, such as dependent devices, in connecting to an access point or associated wireless network. Dependent wireless devices may lack user interfaces, which may make it difficult for a user to input credentials for accessing the access point directly from the wireless device. Assisting the wireless device in connecting to the access point may be done through the access point or through other devices, such as host devices. Additionally, the wireless device may connect to the access point using other devices having user interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20180130343
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses 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: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Mariel Sabraw, Jonathan Palmatier
  • Patent number: 9883132
    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: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20170279653
    Abstract: Illustrative aspects described herein relate to assisting wireless devices, such as dependent devices, in connecting to an access point or associated wireless network. Dependent wireless devices may lack user interfaces, which may make it difficult for a user to input credentials for accessing the access point directly from the wireless device. Assisting the wireless device in connecting to the access point may be done through the access point or through other devices, such as host devices. Additionally, the wireless device may connect to the access point using other devices having user interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20170251233
    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: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, David DeAndrade, Christopher Stone
  • Publication number: 20170228774
    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: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
  • Patent number: 9721466
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for automatically pairing a remote control device with a target device (e.g., electronically controllable device). In one embodiment, IR communication data and auto-pairing discovery requests are transmitted from the remote control device to the target device. The target device may be configured to accept auto-pairing discovery requests during a predetermined pairing time window. The target device may be further configured to confirm whether received IR communication data and auto-pairing discovery requests were transmitted from the same remote control device. In other embodiments, the remote control device may be configured to receive data from the target device indicating one or more parameters for automatically initiating a pairing and validation process. The remote control device may be further configured to initiate a blackout period upon attempting a predetermined number of unsuccessful discovery operations with a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Mariel Sabraw, Jonathan Palmatier
  • Patent number: 9715821
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing device controls are disclosed. One method can comprise receiving validation information regarding validity of a plurality of command codes and identifying one or more code indices based upon the received validation information. If the one or more of the code indices is a full function match, the one or more of the code indices can be transmitted to the control device. If the one or more of the code indices is a partial function match, supplemental validation information can be requested regarding validity of one or more second command codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20160381316
    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: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas