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).

  • Patent number: 12061676
    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: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.
    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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8782420
    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 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Netflix, Inc
    Inventors: Mitch Zollinger, Filip Paun
  • Patent number: 8756708
    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 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Netflix Inc.
    Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Julie Amundson Pitt
  • Publication number: 20140020119
    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: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Julie Amundson Pitt
  • Patent number: 8612771
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Netflix, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitch Zollinger, Filip Paun, Scott G. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8532290
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Netflix, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mitch Zollinger, Yung-Hsiao Lai, Anthony Neal Park, David Randall Ronca, Scott Gregory Kelly
  • Publication number: 20130179695
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Mitch Zollinger, Filip Paun, Scott G. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20130024697
    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 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Mitch Zollinger, Filip Paun