Patents by Inventor Michael T. Hoffman

Michael T. Hoffman 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: 9374398
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining associations within a social network for a user are provided. A device proximate a user device is identified. It is determined whether the identified device is associated with an entity having a pre-established association with a user of the user device within the social network. The user is associated with the entity within the social network if the identified device is not associated with an entity having a pre-established association with the user. The user-entity association is maintained within the social network based upon whether the entity and the user device remain proximate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Domingo Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Michael T. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9345930
    Abstract: Tracking and monitoring athletic activity offers individuals with additional motivation to continue such behavior. An individual may track his or her athletic activity by completing goals. These goals may be represented by real-world objects such as food items, landmarks, buildings, statues, other physical structures, toys and the like. Each object may correspond to an athletic activity goal and require an amount of athletic activity to complete the goal. For example, a donut goal object may correspond to an athletic activity goal of burning 350 calories. The user may progress from goal object to goal object. Goal objects may increase in difficulty (e.g., amount of athletic activity required) and might only be available for selection upon completing an immediately previous goal object, a number of goal objects, an amount of athletic activity and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Hoffman, Kwamina Crankson, Jason Nims
  • Publication number: 20160107064
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. In one example, an athletic monitoring device may include or be associated with multiple types of movement sensors and switch between the sensors or use both depending on various factors including type of workout. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment used and the like. In one or more examples, the parameters may be automatically determined based on location. User workouts and accomplishments may also be celebrated through messages from celebrities, family, friends and other users. In some cases, the messages may be triggered by various conditions. Coaching may also be provided to the user to help improve workouts and overall athletic performance. Running routes may also be automatically tracked, stored and shared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Michael T. Hoffman, Kwamina Crankson, Jason Nims, Michael L. Orenstein, Kristen L. White
  • Publication number: 20160077495
    Abstract: A device for monitoring athletic performance of a user has a wristband configured to be worn by the user. The electronic module may include a controller and a screen and a plurality of user inputs operably associated with the controller. The user inputs may include a user input configured to be applied by the user against the screen and in a direction generally normal to the screen. The controller may further be configured to generate one or more user interfaces in response to various user inputs and conditions. For example, the controller may generate workout mode interfaces and non-workout mode interfaces including various goal information, workout data, reminders and the like. In one or more arrangements, multiple types of information may be displayed simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Miles W. Brown, Matt Capozzi, Michael T. Hoffman, Tomislav Lakovic, Aaron B. Weast, Jordan M. Rice
  • Publication number: 20160077492
    Abstract: A device for monitoring athletic performance of a user has a wristband configured to be worn by the user. The electronic module may include a controller and a screen and a plurality of user inputs operably associated with the controller. The user inputs may include a user input configured to be applied by the user against the screen and in a direction generally normal to the screen. The controller may further be configured to generate one or more user interfaces in response to various user inputs and conditions. For example, the controller may generate workout mode interfaces and non-workout mode interfaces including various goal information, workout data, reminders and the like. In one or more arrangements, multiple types of information may be displayed simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Miles W. Brown, Matt Capozzi, Michael T. Hoffman, Tomislav Lakovic, Aaron B. Weast, Jordan M. Rice
  • Publication number: 20160077494
    Abstract: A device for monitoring athletic performance of a user has a wristband configured to be worn by the user. The electronic module may include a controller and a screen and a plurality of user inputs operably associated with the controller. The user inputs may include a user input configured to be applied by the user against the screen and in a direction generally normal to the screen. The controller may further be configured to generate one or more user interfaces in response to various user inputs and conditions. For example, the controller may generate workout mode interfaces and non-workout mode interfaces including various goal information, workout data, reminders and the like. In one or more arrangements, multiple types of information may be displayed simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Miles W. Brown, Matt Capozzi, Michael T. Hoffman, Tomislav Lakovic, Aaron B. Weast, Jordan M. Rice
  • Patent number: 9248340
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. In one example, an athletic monitoring device may include or be associated with multiple types of movement sensors and switch between the sensors or use both depending on various factors including type of workout. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment used and the like. In one or more examples, the parameters may be automatically determined based on location. User workouts and accomplishments may also be celebrated through messages from celebrities, family, friends and other users. In some cases, the messages may be triggered by various conditions. Coaching may also be provided to the user to help improve workouts and overall athletic performance. Running routes may also be automatically tracked, stored and shared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Hoffman, Kwamina Crankson, Jason Nims, Michael Levi Orenstein, Kristen Laina White
  • Publication number: 20150338236
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring systems include GPS data to enhance various features of the workout as well as the post-workout data analysis. Such features include using output from multiple sensors to determine the most accurate data available for providing distance measurements for individual segments of a route. The most accurate data for each route segment, from whatever source, then is used to provide the overall route distance and as the basis for making other calculations, such as pace, calorie burn, etc. Another feature relates to the ability to both input and output geographically tagged messages while moving along a route during an athletic performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Michael T. Hoffman, Miles W. Brown, Aaron B. Weast, Matt Capozzi, Tomislav Lakovic, James Molyneux, Jamian R. Cobbett
  • Publication number: 20150306457
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment, friends used and the like. Workout information may be shared to social messaging and networking outlets. Workout information shared may include map information including images of maps, interactive maps, links to maps, route information and the like and/or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, an application may be configured to execute within a context of a social networking system to facilitate athletic activity data transfer and generation of workout entries in the social networking site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Kwamina Crankson, Kristen Laina White, Michael Levi Orenstein, Michael T. Hoffman, Jason Nims
  • Patent number: 9141087
    Abstract: A device for monitoring athletic performance of a user has a wristband configured to be worn by the user. The electronic module may include a controller and a screen and a plurality of user inputs operably associated with the controller. The user inputs may include a user input configured to be applied by the user against the screen and in a direction generally normal to the screen. The controller may further be configured to generate one or more user interfaces in response to various user inputs and conditions. For example, the controller may generate workout mode interfaces and non-workout mode interfaces including various goal information, workout data, reminders and the like. In one or more arrangements, multiple types of information may be displayed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Miles W. Brown, Jordan M. Rice, Aaron B. Weast, Matthew V. Capozzi, Michael T. Hoffman, Tomislav Lakovic
  • Publication number: 20150258380
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. In one example, an athletic monitoring device may include or be associated with multiple types of movement sensors and switch between the sensors or use both depending on various factors including type of workout. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment used and the like. In one or more examples, the parameters may be automatically determined based on location. User workouts and accomplishments may also be celebrated through messages from celebrities, family, friends and other users. In some cases, the messages may be triggered by various conditions. Coaching may also be provided to the user to help improve workouts and overall athletic performance. Running routes may also be automatically tracked, stored and shared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Michael T. Hoffman, Kwamina Crankson, Jason Nims, Michael L. Orenstein, Kristen L. White
  • Publication number: 20150251053
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. In one example, an athletic monitoring device may include or be associated with multiple types of movement sensors and switch between the sensors or use both depending on various factors including type of workout. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment used and the like. In one or more examples, the parameters may be automatically determined based on location. User workouts and accomplishments may also be celebrated through messages from celebrities, family, friends and other users. In some cases, the messages may be triggered by various conditions. Coaching may also be provided to the user to help improve workouts and overall athletic performance. Running routes may also be automatically tracked, stored and shared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Michael T. Hoffman, Kwamina Crankson, Jason Nims, Michael L. Orenstein, Kristen L. White
  • Patent number: 9122250
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring systems include GPS data to enhance various features of the workout as well as the post-workout data analysis. Such features include using output from multiple sensors to determine the most accurate data available for providing distance measurements for individual segments of a route. The most accurate data for each route segment, from whatever source, then is used to provide the overall route distance and as the basis for making other calculations, such as pace, calorie burn, etc. Another feature relates to the ability to both input and output geographically tagged messages while moving along a route during an athletic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Hoffman, Miles W. Brown, Aaron B. Weast, Matt Capozzi, Tomislav Lakovic, James Molyneux, Jamian R. Cobbett
  • Patent number: 9087234
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment, friends used and the like. Workout information may be shared to social messaging and networking outlets. Workout information shared may include map information including images of maps, interactive maps, links to maps, route information and the like and/or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, an application may be configured to execute within a context of a social networking system to facilitate athletic activity data transfer and generation of workout entries in the social networking site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Hoffman, Kwamina Crankson, Jason Nims, Michael Levi Orenstein, Kristen Laina White
  • Publication number: 20150127286
    Abstract: A wearable device has a carrier having an aperture. A device has a USB connection and a protrusion wherein the protrusion is received in the aperture to connect the device to a wristband. The device is a USB type device having athletic functionality. The device may further be configured to receive calibration data such that a measured distance may be converted to a known distance based on athletic activity performed by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Matt Capozzi, Michael T. Hoffman, Tomislav Lakovic, Hector Moll-Carrillo, Christopher A. Robinette
  • Patent number: 8965732
    Abstract: A wearable device has a carrier having an aperture. A device has a USB connection and a protrusion wherein the protrusion is received in the aperture to connect the device to a wristband. The device is a USB type device having athletic functionality. The device may further be configured to receive calibration data such that a measured distance may be converted to a known distance based on athletic activity performed by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Robinette, Hector Moll-Carrillo, Matt Capozzi, Michael T. Hoffman, Tomislav Lakovic
  • Publication number: 20150019581
    Abstract: A server and method are provided for suggesting a friend in a network of friends. In general, a user profile of a user of a user device is compared to user profiles of other users of a plurality of user devices that are also subscribers of subscription media services. A media collection of the user of the user device is compared to media collections of the other users that are also subscribers of subscription media services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Michael T. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20140371887
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment, friends used and the like. Workout information may be shared to social messaging and networking outlets. Workout information shared may include map information including images of maps, interactive maps, links to maps, route information and the like and/or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, an application may be configured to execute within a context of a social networking system to facilitate athletic activity data transfer and generation of workout entries in the social networking site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Michael T. HOFFMAN, Kwamina CRANKSON, Jason NIMS, Michael Levi ORENSTEIN, Kristen Laina WHITE
  • Patent number: 8874655
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for matching participants in a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) recommendation network that is loosely coupled to a subscription music service. In general, the system includes a central server and a number of peer devices. For each of the peer devices, an associated user is either a subscriber to the subscription music service or a non-subscriber. When a user of a peer device desires to identify new friends with which to exchange recommendations in the P2P recommendation network, a friend recommendation function of the central server identifies new friends for the user of the peer device based on the user's status as either a subscriber or a non-subscriber to the subscription music service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Napo Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Michael T. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20140317526
    Abstract: User interfaces such as web pages may be customized in terms of appearance and content based on user interests. For example, information items may be arranged such that items corresponding to strong user interests are displayed in more visually identifiable locations while items corresponding to weaker user interests are displayed in less visually valuable positions. The size of and space allocated to the information items may also be customized based on the relative strengths of the corresponding interests. For example, information associated with a strong user interest may be allotted 50% of the user interface. Other visual characteristics of the user interface and the information items such as font size/style, color, transparency and the like may also be customized to reflect the importance or strength of corresponding user interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Michael T. Hoffman