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).

  • Publication number: 20230205852
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Mark WATSON, Anthony Neal PARK, Mitch ZOLLINGER
  • Patent number: 11593459
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Watson, Anthony Neal Park, Mitch Zollinger
  • Patent number: 10972439
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.
    Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Filip Paun
  • Patent number: 10225170
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.
    Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Julie Amundson Pitt
  • Publication number: 20190057195
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Mark Watson, Anthony Neal Park, Mitch Zollinger
  • Patent number: 10108788
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Watson, Anthony Neal Park, Mitch Zollinger
  • Patent number: 10097607
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.
    Inventors: Chung-Ping Wu, Christian Kaiser, Yung-Hsiao Lai, James Mitch Zollinger, David Randall Ronca
  • Publication number: 20180054372
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: James Mitch ZOLLINGER, Julie Amundson PITT
  • Patent number: 9794151
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.
    Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Julie Amundson Pitt
  • Publication number: 20160219090
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Chung-Ping WU, Christian Kaiser, Yung-Hsiao LAI, James Mitch ZOLLINGER, David Randall RONCA
  • Publication number: 20160156536
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: James Mitch ZOLLINGER, Julie Amundson PITT
  • Publication number: 20160119291
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a server machine configured to establish a secure communication channel with a client machine via renewable tokens. The server machine receives a plurality of messages from a client machine over a secure communication channel, where the plurality of messages includes a first message that includes at least two of user authentication data, entity authentication data, first key exchange data, and encrypted message data. The server machine transmits, to the client machine, a second message that includes a master token comprising second key exchange data associated with the first key exchange data and at least one of a renewal time and an expiration time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: James Mitch ZOLLINGER, Wesley MIAW
  • Publication number: 20160119307
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include techniques for reestablishing a secure communication channel between a client machine and a server machine. A client machine receives, from a server machine, a first message generated in connection with a first master token. The client machine detects an error condition associated with the first message. The client machine transmits, to the server machine, a second message generated in connection with a pre-provisioned key that includes a request for a new master token. The client machine receives, from the server machine, a third message that includes a second master token. The client machine transmits, to the server machine, a fourth message generated in connection with the second master token.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: James Mitch ZOLLINGER, Wesley MIAW
  • Publication number: 20160119318
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes an approach for efficient start-up for secured connections and related services. A client machine receives, via an application program, a request to send a secure message to a server machine. The client machine transmits a plurality of messages to the server machine that includes a first message comprising at least two of user authentication data, entity authentication data, key exchange data, and encrypted message data. The client machine receives, from the server machine, a second message that includes a first master token comprising a first set of session keys for encrypting and authenticating messages exchanged with the server machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: James Mitch ZOLLINGER, Wesley MIAW
  • Patent number: 9319696
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Netflix, Inc.
    Inventors: Chung-Ping Wu, Christian Kaiser, Yung-Hsiao Lai, James Mitch Zollinger, David Randall Ronca
  • Patent number: 9258207
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: NETFLIX, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Julie Amendson Pitt
  • Patent number: 9197530
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.
    Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Julie Amendson Pitt
  • Patent number: 9060187
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.
    Inventors: Chung-Ping Wu, Christian Kaiser, Yung-Hsiao Lai, James Mitch Zollinger, David Randall Ronca
  • Publication number: 20150074818
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Mark Watson, Anthony Neal Park, Mitch Zollinger
  • Publication number: 20150019865
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: James Mitch ZOLLINGER, Filip PAUN