Patents by Inventor Mitch Zollinger
Mitch Zollinger 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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Patent number: 12061676Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving user experience of multimedia streaming over computer networks. More specifically, techniques presented herein reduce (or eliminate) latency in playback start time for streaming digital media content resulting from digital rights management (DRM) authorizations. A streaming media client (e.g., a browser, set-top box, mobile telephone or tablet “app”) may request a “fast-expiring” license for titles the streaming media client predicts a user is likely to begin streaming. A fast-expiring license is a DRM license (and associated decryption key) which is valid for only a very limited time after being used for playback. During the validity period of such a license, the client device requests a “normal” or “regular” license to continue accessing the title after the fast-expiring license expires.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2023Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.Inventors: Mark Watson, Anthony Neal Park, Mitch Zollinger
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Patent number: 11593459Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving user experience of multimedia streaming over computer networks. More specifically, techniques presented herein reduce (or eliminate) latency in playback start time for streaming digital media content resulting from digital rights management (DRM) authorizations. A streaming media client (e.g., a browser, set-top box, mobile telephone or tablet “app”) may request a “fast-expiring” license for titles the streaming media client predicts a user is likely to begin streaming. A fast-expiring license is a DRM license (and associated decryption key) which is valid for only a very limited time after being used for playback. During the validity period of such a license, the client device requests a “normal” or “regular” license to continue accessing the title after the fast-expiring license expires.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.Inventors: Mark Watson, Anthony Neal Park, Mitch Zollinger
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Patent number: 10972439Abstract: A computer-implemented technique for determining whether a first computing device has the correct version of a software program may be used to provide a secure approach to verifying that a client computing device has a secure and approved version of content player software implemented for consuming downloaded copyright media content. With this technique, copyright media content providers are able to ensure that only secure and approved content players are implemented to access the content.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Filip Paun
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Patent number: 10225170Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for identifying active streaming connections associated with a particular user account. Each active streaming connection transmits heartbeat packets periodically to a server that tracks the receipt of the heartbeat packets. If, for a particular streaming connection, the server stops receiving heartbeat packets, then the server is able to infer that the streaming connection has been terminated.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Julie Amundson Pitt
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Publication number: 20190057195Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving user experience of multimedia streaming over computer networks. More specifically, techniques presented herein reduce (or eliminate) latency in playback start time for streaming digital media content resulting from digital rights management (DRM) authorizations. A streaming media client (e.g., a browser, set-top box, mobile telephone or tablet “app”) may request a “fast-expiring” license for titles the streaming media client predicts a user is likely to begin streaming. A fast-expiring license is a DRM license (and associated decryption key) which is valid for only a very limited time after being used for playback. During the validity period of such a license, the client device requests a “normal” or “regular” license to continue accessing the title after the fast-expiring license expires.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2018Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: Mark Watson, Anthony Neal Park, Mitch Zollinger
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Patent number: 10108788Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving user experience of multimedia streaming over computer networks. More specifically, techniques presented herein reduce (or eliminate) latency in playback start time for streaming digital media content resulting from digital rights management (DRM) authorizations. A streaming media client (e.g., a browser, set-top box, mobile telephone or tablet “app”) may request a “fast-expiring” license for titles the streaming media client predicts a user is likely to begin streaming. A fast-expiring license is a DRM license (and associated decryption key) which is valid for only a very limited time after being used for playback. During the validity period of such a license, the client device requests a “normal” or “regular” license to continue accessing the title after the fast-expiring license expires.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2013Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.Inventors: Mark Watson, Anthony Neal Park, Mitch Zollinger
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Patent number: 10097607Abstract: Embodiments for changing bit rates in streaming media are provided. As portions of a streaming media file are downloaded for playback, the size of the portion is compared with an expected size determined prior to initiating playback of streaming AV data. The portion of the media file may be padded such that the size of the portion matches the size specified prior to initiating playback of streaming AV data.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.Inventors: Chung-Ping Wu, Christian Kaiser, Yung-Hsiao Lai, James Mitch Zollinger, David Randall Ronca
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Patent number: 9794151Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for identifying active streaming connections associated with a particular user account. Each active streaming connection transmits heartbeat packets periodically to a server that tracks the receipt of the heartbeat packets. If, for a particular streaming connection, the server stops receiving heartbeat packets, then the server is able to infer that the streaming connection has been terminated.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2016Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Julie Amundson Pitt
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Patent number: 9319696Abstract: Embodiments for changing bit rates in streaming media are provided. As portions of a streaming media file are downloaded for playback, the size of the portion is compared with an expected size determined prior to initiating playback of streaming AV data. The portion of the media file may be padded such that the size of the portion matches the size specified prior to initiating playback of streaming AV data.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Netflix, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Ping Wu, Christian Kaiser, Yung-Hsiao Lai, James Mitch Zollinger, David Randall Ronca
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Patent number: 9258207Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for identifying active streaming connections associated with a particular user account. Each active streaming connection transmits heartbeat packets periodically to a server that tracks the receipt of the heartbeat packets. If, for a particular streaming connection, the server stops receiving heartbeat packets, then the server is able to infer that the streaming connection has been terminated.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2014Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: NETFLIX, Inc.Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Julie Amendson Pitt
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Patent number: 9197530Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for identifying active streaming connections associated with a particular user account. Each active streaming connection transmits heartbeat packets periodically to a server that tracks the receipt of the heartbeat packets. If, for a particular streaming connection, the server stops receiving heartbeat packets, then the server is able to infer that the streaming connection has been terminated.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2014Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Julie Amendson Pitt
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Patent number: 9060187Abstract: Embodiments for changing bit rates in streaming media are provided. As portions of a streaming media file are downloaded for playback, the size of the portion is compared with an expected size determined prior to initiating playback of streaming AV data. The portion of the media file may be padded such that the size of the portion matches the size specified prior to initiating playback of streaming AV data.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.Inventors: Chung-Ping Wu, Christian Kaiser, Yung-Hsiao Lai, James Mitch Zollinger, David Randall Ronca
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Publication number: 20150074818Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving user experience of multimedia streaming over computer networks. More specifically, techniques presented herein reduce (or eliminate) latency in playback start time for streaming digital media content resulting from digital rights management (DRM) authorizations. A streaming media client (e.g., a browser, set-top box, mobile telephone or tablet “app”) may request a “fast-expiring” license for titles the streaming media client predicts a user is likely to begin streaming. A fast-expiring license is a DRM license (and associated decryption key) which is valid for only a very limited time after being used for playback. During the validity period of such a license, the client device requests a “normal” or “regular” license to continue accessing the title after the fast-expiring license expires.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Mark Watson, Anthony Neal Park, Mitch Zollinger
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Patent number: 8782420Abstract: A computer-implemented technique for determining whether a first computing device has the correct version of a software program may be used to provide a secure approach to verifying that a client computing device has a secure and approved version of content player software implemented for consuming downloaded copyright media content. With this technique, copyright media content providers are able to ensure that only secure and approved content players are implemented to access the content.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Netflix, IncInventors: Mitch Zollinger, Filip Paun
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Patent number: 8756708Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for identifying active streaming connections associated with a particular user account. Each active streaming connection transmits heartbeat packets periodically to a server that tracks the receipt of the heartbeat packets. If, for a particular streaming connection, the server stops receiving heartbeat packets, then the server is able to infer that the streaming connection has been terminated.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Netflix Inc.Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Julie Amundson Pitt
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Publication number: 20140020119Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for identifying active streaming connections associated with a particular user account. Each active streaming connection transmits heartbeat packets periodically to a server that tracks the receipt of the heartbeat packets. If, for a particular streaming connection, the server stops receiving heartbeat packets, then the server is able to infer that the streaming connection has been terminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Julie Amundson Pitt
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Patent number: 8612771Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a mechanism for verifying the authenticity of a device before transmitting digital content to the device. In operation, the device stores a device key that is generated at manufacture-time using a pre-determined cryptographic key and the device identifier. In operation, the device generates a proof of possession from the application data and the stored device key. When verifying the device authenticity, a device key is derived from the master key and the device identifier then a proof of possession is derived from the derived device key and the application data obtained from the device. If the derived proof of possession matches the received proof of possession, then the authenticity of the device can be verified.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Netflix, Inc.Inventors: Mitch Zollinger, Filip Paun, Scott G. Kelly
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Patent number: 8532290Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for decrypting digital content in a secure environment. The technique includes the steps of receiving a digital rights management (DRM) license associated with a first frame of encrypted data from a DRM server, where the DRM license includes a decryption key for decrypting the first frame of encrypted data, transmitting the DRM license to a secure content playback pipeline for storage, and transmitting the first frame of encrypted data to the secure content playback pipeline for decryption, where, in response to receiving the first frame of encrypted data, a trusted processing entity within the secure content playback pipeline decrypts the first frame of encrypted data based on the decryption key included in the DRM license to generate a first set of decrypted data and store the first set of decrypted data in a secure memory space.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Netflix, Inc.Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Yung-Hsiao Lai, Anthony Neal Park, David Randall Ronca, Scott Gregory Kelly
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Publication number: 20130179695Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a mechanism for verifying the authenticity of a device before transmitting digital content to the device. In operation, the device stores a device key that is generated at manufacture-time using a pre-determined cryptographic key and the device identifier. In operation, the device generates a proof of possession from the application data and the stored device key. When verifying the device authenticity, a device key is derived from the master key and the device identifier then a proof of possession is derived from the derived device key and the application data obtained from the device. If the derived proof of possession matches the received proof of possession, then the authenticity of the device can be verified.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventors: Mitch Zollinger, Filip Paun, Scott G. Kelly
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Publication number: 20130024697Abstract: A computer-implemented technique for determining whether a first computing device has the correct version of a software program may be used to provide a secure approach to verifying that a client computing device has a secure and approved version of content player software implemented for consuming downloaded copyright media content. With this technique, copyright media content providers are able to ensure that only secure and approved content players are implemented to access the content.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Inventors: Mitch Zollinger, Filip Paun