Patents by Inventor Patrick J. Hughes

Patrick J. Hughes 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: 8509929
    Abstract: The fantasy sports contest application of the present invention alerts the user of necessary roster changes before an upcoming fantasy sports competition. The fantasy sports contest application may evaluate the user's team roster before an upcoming fantasy sports competition to ensure that all roster spots on the team roster are filled with athletes available for real-life competitions. The fantasy sports contest application may also identify roster changes and roster transactions that may be beneficial to a user's fantasy sports contest team roster. The fantasy sports contest application may recommend roster changes and roster transactions to the user by evaluating the performance of athletes using performance criteria. The performance criteria can be based on the past performance of athletes, either overall, or for certain situations. The performance criteria may be predefined by the system, user-editable, or any suitable combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J Hughes, William Junkin, Dave Barber
  • Patent number: 8505045
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for presenting advertisements to users of a fantasy sports contest application. Advertisements are displayed in conjunction with fantasy sports contest information and may be interactive in nature. The advertisements may be used to inform the user of prizes being awarded for performance in the fantasy sports contest, including prizes being awarded for performing in an instant scoring opportunity based on real-time action in a related sports broadcast. The advertisements may be intelligently scheduled around certain events in a related sports broadcast to take advantage of user purchasing habits. The advertisements may be selected according to a user profile. The user profile may include information on the user's demonstrated interests, which may be determined using the user's preferences in the fantasy contest, prior television viewing habits, and other suitable information. The advertisements may be targeted to the user's specific geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, Dave Barber
  • Patent number: 8495363
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a server determines to update at least one group session key (GSK) parameter for a given multicast group, the at least one GSK parameter configured to permit encryption, decryption and/or authentication of multicast messaging exchanged between members of the given multicast group during a multicast communication session. The server sends a notification to a plurality of multicast group members of the given multicast group that an update of the at least one GSK parameter for the given multicast group is available. At least one of the multicast group members receives the notification and sends a provisioning request to retrieve the updated at least one GSK parameter, the provisioning request including information specific to the given multicast group member. The server generates and encrypts the updated at least one GSK parameter and sends the encrypted at least one GSK parameter to the at least one multicast group member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kirankumar Anchan, Hamsini Bhaskaran, Alexander Gantman, Patrick J. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8400456
    Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies with fantasy sports contest applications are provided. This invention enables a fantasy sports contest application to depict plays in various sporting events using graphic animation. The fantasy sports contest application may combine graphical representation of real-life elements such as, for example, player facial features, with default elements such as, for example, a generic player body, to create realistic graphic video. The fantasy sports contest application may provide links to animated videos for depicting plays on contest screens in which information associated with the plays may be displayed. The fantasy sports contest application may play the animated video for a user in response to the user selecting such a link. In some embodiment of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest application may also customize animated video based on user-supplied setup information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, David Barber
  • Publication number: 20130038970
    Abstract: Devices for treating water are provided with a varistor to protect the circuitry within such devices against excessive voltage surges and/or transient voltages. The varistor is incorporated into the circuitry in such a way that, when triggered by a high voltage spike (e.g., power surge), the varistor shunts the current created by the high voltage spike away from other sensitive components of the circuitry. Methods for treating water using devices that incorporate the varistor are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Patrick J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20120304071
    Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies with fantasy sports contest applications are provided. This invention enables a fantasy sports contest application to depict plays in various sporting events using graphic animation. The fantasy sports contest application may combine graphical representation of real-life elements such as, for example, player facial features, with default elements such as, for example, a generic player body, to create realistic graphic video. The fantasy sports contest application may provide links to animated videos for depicting plays on contest screens in which information associated with the plays may be displayed. The fantasy sports contest application may play the animated video for a user in response to the user selecting such a link. In some embodiment of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest application may also customize animated video based on user-supplied setup information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Rovi Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, David Barber
  • Patent number: 8296794
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for presenting advertisements to users of a fantasy sports contest application. Advertisements are displayed in conjunction with fantasy sports contest information and may be interactive in nature. The advertisements may be used to inform the user of prizes being awarded for performance in the fantasy sports contest, including prizes being awarded for performing in an instant scoring opportunity based on real-time action in a related sports broadcast. The advertisements may be intelligently scheduled around certain events in a related sports broadcast to take advantage of user purchasing habits. The advertisements may be selected according to a user profile. The user profile may include information on the user's demonstrated interests, which may be determined using the user's preferences in the fantasy contest, prior television viewing habits, and other suitable information. The advertisements may be targeted to the user's specific geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, Dave Barber
  • Patent number: 8239891
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for presenting advertisements to users of a fantasy sports contest application. Advertisements are displayed in conjunction with fantasy sports contest information and may be interactive in nature. The advertisements may be used to inform the user of prizes being awarded for performance in the fantasy sports contest, including prizes being awarded for performing in an instant scoring opportunity based on real-time action in a related sports broadcast. The advertisements may be intelligently scheduled around certain events in a related sports broadcast to take advantage of user purchasing habits. The advertisements may be selected according to a user profile. The user profile may include information on the user's demonstrated interests, which may be determined using the user's preferences in the fantasy contest, prior television viewing habits, and other suitable information. The advertisements may be targeted to the user's specific geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, Dave Barber
  • Patent number: 8223154
    Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies with fantasy sports contest applications are provided. This invention enables a fantasy sports contest application to depict plays in various sporting events using graphic animation. The fantasy sports contest application may combine graphical representation of real-life elements such as, for example, player facial features, with default elements such as, for example, a generic player body, to create realistic graphic video. The fantasy sports contest application may provide links to animated videos for depicting plays on contest screens in which information associated with the plays may be displayed. The fantasy sports contest application may play the animated video for a user in response to the user selecting such a link. In some embodiment of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest application may also customize animated video based on user-supplied setup information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, David Barber
  • Publication number: 20110074816
    Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies with fantasy sports contest applications are provided. This invention enables a fantasy sports contest application to depict plays in various sporting events using graphic animation. The fantasy sports contest application may combine graphical representation of real-life elements such as, for example, player facial features, with default elements such as, for example, a generic player body, to create realistic graphic video. The fantasy sports contest application may provide links to animated videos for depicting plays on contest screens in which information associated with the plays may be displayed. The fantasy sports contest application may play the animated video for a user in response to the user selecting such a link. In some embodiment of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest application may also customize animated video based on user-supplied setup information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, David Barber
  • Patent number: 7872655
    Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies with fantasy sports contest applications are provided. This invention enables a fantasy sports contest application to depict plays in various sporting events using graphic animation. The fantasy sports contest application may combine graphical representation of real-life elements such as, for example, player facial features, with default elements such as, for example, a generic player body, to create realistic graphic video. The fantasy sports contest application may provide links to animated videos for depicting plays on contest screens in which information associated with the plays may be displayed. The fantasy sports contest application may play the animated video for a user in response to the user selecting such a link. In some embodiment of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest application may also customize animated video based on user-supplied setup information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, David Barber
  • Publication number: 20100315426
    Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies with fantasy sports contest applications are provided. This invention enables a fantasy sports contest application to depict plays in various sporting events using graphic animation. The fantasy sports contest application may combine graphical representation of real-life elements such as, for example, player facial features, with default elements such as, for example, a generic player body, to create realistic graphic video. The fantasy sports contest application may provide links to animated videos for depicting plays on contest screens in which information associated with the plays may be displayed. The fantasy sports contest application may play the animated video for a user in response to the user selecting such a link. In some embodiment of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest application may also customize animated video based on user-supplied setup information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Rovi Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, David Barber
  • Publication number: 20100257365
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a server determines to update at least one group session key (GSK) parameter for a given multicast group, the at least one GSK parameter configured to permit encryption, decryption and/or authentication of multicast messaging exchanged between members of the given multicast group during a multicast communication session. The server sends a notification to a plurality of multicast group members of the given multicast group that an update of the at least one GSK parameter for the given multicast group is available. At least one of the multicast group members receives the notification and sends a provisioning request to retrieve the updated at least one GSK parameter, the provisioning request including information specific to the given multicast group member. The server generates and encrypts the updated at least one GSK parameter and sends the encrypted at least one GSK parameter to the at least one multicast group member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: KIRANKUMAR ANCHAN, Hamsini Bhaskaran, Alexander Gantman, Patrick J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20100251067
    Abstract: A method and/or apparatus are provided for protecting control information during broadcasts in a system where primary and second mobile broadcast control messages (PMBCM and SMBCM) are utilized. In order to protect the SMBCM, a first hash information instance is computed based on hashes for each a plurality of control data blocks for the SMBCM. The first hash information instance is appended to the PMBCM. Error-correcting code words are generated for the plurality of hashes for the plurality of control data blocks for the SMBCM. These error-correcting code words are appended to the control data blocks of the SMBCM. A receiver uses the first hash instance information in the PMBCM to determine if any control data blocks of the SMBCM are corrupt. If so, the error-correcting code words may be used to reconstruct the corrupted hash(es) for the control data block(s) in order to authenticate the remaining control data blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, Panagiotis Thomas, Yong Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 7791607
    Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies with fantasy sports contest applications are provided. This invention enables a fantasy sports contest application to depict plays in various sporting events using graphic animation. The fantasy sports contest application may combine graphical representation of real-life elements such as, for example, player facial features, with default elements such as, for example, a generic player body, to create realistic graphic video. The fantasy sports contest application may provide links to animated videos for depicting plays on contest screens in which information associated with the plays may be displayed. The fantasy sports contest application may play the animated video for a user in response to the user selecting such a link. In some embodiment of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest application may also customize animated video based on user-supplied setup information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J Hughes, David Barber
  • Publication number: 20100211465
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for presenting advertisements to users of a fantasy sports contest application. Advertisements are displayed in conjunction with fantasy sports contest information and may be interactive in nature. The advertisements may be used to inform the user of prizes being awarded for performance in the fantasy sports contest, including prizes being awarded for performing in an instant scoring opportunity based on real-time action in a related sports broadcast. The advertisements may be intelligently scheduled around certain events in a related sports broadcast to take advantage of user purchasing habits. The advertisements may be selected according to a user profile. The user profile may include information on the user's demonstrated interests, which may be determined using the user's preferences in the fantasy contest, prior television viewing habits, and other suitable information. The advertisements may be targeted to the user's specific geographic location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, Dave Barber
  • Publication number: 20100210331
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for presenting advertisements to users of a fantasy sports contest application. Advertisements are displayed in conjunction with fantasy sports contest information and may be interactive in nature. The advertisements may be used to inform the user of prizes being awarded for performance in the fantasy sports contest, including prizes being awarded for performing in an instant scoring opportunity based on real-time action in a related sports broadcast. The advertisements may be intelligently scheduled around certain events in a related sports broadcast to take advantage of user purchasing habits. The advertisements may be selected according to a user profile. The user profile may include information on the user's demonstrated interests, which may be determined using the user's preferences in the fantasy contest, prior television viewing habits, and other suitable information. The advertisements may be targeted to the user's specific geographic location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, Dave Barber
  • Publication number: 20100179867
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for presenting advertisements to users of a fantasy sports contest application. Advertisements are displayed in conjunction with fantasy sports contest information and may be interactive in nature. The advertisements may be used to inform the user of prizes being awarded for performance in the fantasy sports contest, including prizes being awarded for performing in an instant scoring opportunity based on real-time action in a related sports broadcast. The advertisements may be intelligently scheduled around certain events in a related sports broadcast to take advantage of user purchasing habits. The advertisements may be selected according to a user profile. The user profile may include information on the user's demonstrated interests, which may be determined using the user's preferences in the fantasy contest, prior television viewing habits, and other suitable information. The advertisements may be targeted to the user's specific geographic location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, Dave Barber
  • Publication number: 20100153709
    Abstract: In the present system three methods are provided for establishing trust between an accessory device and a host device, without placing trust in the device/host owner, so that content protection for subscriber-based mobile broadcast services is provided. That is, a secure link may be established between the accessory device and the host device so when the accessory device receives encrypted content via a forward link only network, the accessory device may decrypt the content at the forward link only stack and then re-encrypt it or re-secure it using the master key or some other derived key based on the master key (or the session key) and then send it to the host device which can decrypt it play it back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Panagiotis Thomas, Bijan Ansari, Patrick J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20100065724
    Abstract: A method is provided of at least partly assembling a light sensor module having at least one light sensing element optically coupled to a further optical element, for receiving light therefrom. The method comprises coupling the at least one light sensing element to an intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer is adapted to provide at least a predetermined level of optical coupling between the optical element and the at least one light sensing element when assembled by subsequently coupling, for example as part of a separate method, the intermediate layer to the optical element, with the intermediate layer being arranged between the optical element and the at least one light sensing element. An optical element other than a light sensing element, for example a light source element, can be used in place of the or each light sensing element, with in that case the or each optical element providing light to the further optical element rather than receiving light therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Patrick J. Hughes, John C. Jackson