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: 9531578
    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: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Patent number: 9521442
    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: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, David DeAndrade, Christopher Stone
  • Patent number: 9413733
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for controlling a plurality of electronic devices are disclosed. An accessory device may monitor one or more frequency bands to capture data transmitted between two devices during a pairing process. The accessory device may utilize data to capture subsequent RF signals transmitted from one of the devices. The accessory device may then intercept commands and data from multiple devices, establish pairing relationships with computing devices, and operatively control computing devices in accordance with the intercepted commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Christopher Stone
  • Patent number: 9380443
    Abstract: Systems, methods, software, and data structures that provide dynamic lighting are described herein. The light sources, or other position-dependent devices may be paired to a device controller using near field communications (NFC) or other extremely short range radio technology, to share both pairing information and position information in a unified process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20160173941
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
  • Publication number: 20160154481
    Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent illumination of a controller are disclosed. One method comprises receiving, by a computing device, first information relating to a current environment of a controller, wherein the controller comprises a plurality of user engageable interfaces, and wherein at least a subset of the user engageable interfaces is configured to be independently and selectively illuminated. Second information can be received relating to a current operating state of the controller. A portion of the plurality of user engageable interfaces can be selectively illuminated based upon at least the first information and the second information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Edward R. Grauch, Ross Gilson, Mariel Sabraw
  • Patent number: 9354685
    Abstract: A first device (such as a power supply) may detect a power anomaly and provide a warning to a second device that is powered by the first device. For example, if there are conditions indicating an increased likelihood of a power outage (e.g., a brownout period, one or more voltage spikes, etc.), then the first device may notify the second device, and in response, the second device may take protective action. Examples of protective action may include, but are not limited to, saving certain data (e.g., critical data) to non-volatile data storage, initiating a shut-down procedure, warning a user of the second device, etc. As the warning and/or other communications between the power supply and powered device may be wireless, various example techniques for wirelessly pairing the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Stone, Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas, Edward R. Grauch
  • Publication number: 20160125733
    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: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Mariel Sabraw, Jonathan Palmatier
  • Patent number: 9313440
    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: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20160021485
    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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson
  • Publication number: 20150365386
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for controlling a plurality of electronic devices are disclosed. An accessory device may monitor one or more frequency bands to capture data transmitted between two devices during a pairing process. The accessory device may utilize data to capture subsequent RF signals transmitted from one of the devices. The accessory device may then intercept commands and data from multiple devices, establish pairing relationships with computing devices, and operatively control computing devices in accordance with the intercepted commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Christopher Stone
  • Publication number: 20150355909
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson
  • Publication number: 20150341680
    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: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, David DeAndrade, Christopher Stone
  • Publication number: 20150327060
    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: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Patent number: 9086191
    Abstract: A method for reliably avoiding backflow in the transport of a liquid under pressure via a transport pipe (1), in which a shut-off device (2) with differential pressure switching is arranged, into a container (3) which is under pressure and which comprises the liquid to be transported and/or another liquid is proposed, wherein a pressure accumulator (4) which is filled with the liquid to be transported up to a certain level and above the liquid level, in direct contact with the liquid to be transported, with an inert gas is arranged in the transport pipe (1) upstream from the shut-off device (2) in the transport direction, the inert gas being provided in the pressure accumulator (4) under an excess pressure and in an amount relative to the container (3) to be filled which are designed so that, in the case of a drop in the pressure in the transport pipe (1), the inert gas ensures a positive pressure difference in the transport pipe (1) to the container (3) over a period which is at least as long as the reaction
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Franz Borgel, Alfred Krause, Mirko Kreitschmann, Anton Meier, Frank-Friedrich Pape, Wolfgang Reif, Michael Salla
  • Publication number: 20150143408
    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: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20140281597
    Abstract: A first device (such as a power supply) may detect a power anomaly and provide a warning to a second device that is powered by the first device. For example, if there are conditions indicating an increased likelihood of a power outage (e.g., a brownout period, one or more voltage spikes, etc.), then the first device may notify the second device, and in response, the second device may take protective action. Examples of protective action may include, but are not limited to, saving certain data (e.g., critical data) to non-volatile data storage, initiating a shut-down procedure, warning a user of the second device, etc. As the warning and/or other communications between the power supply and powered device may be wireless, various example techniques for wirelessly pairing the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Stone, Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas, Edward R. Grauch
  • Publication number: 20140267931
    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: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20140273818
    Abstract: Systems, methods, software, and data structures that provide dynamic lighting are described herein. The light sources, or other position-dependent devices may be paired to a device controller using near field communications (NFC) or other extremely short range radio technology, to share both pairing information and position information in a unified process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Sallas
  • Patent number: D754105
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jou, Thomas Loretan, Edward Grauch, Michael Sallas, Ashley Moran