Patents by Inventor Peter Merchant

Peter Merchant 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: 11937026
    Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) providing, by a playback device, replacement media content for display; (ii) determining, by the playback device, that a remote control transmitted to the playback device an instruction configured to cause a modification to operation of the playback device while the playback device displays the replacement media content; (iii) determining, by the playback device based on the instruction, an overlay that the playback device is configured to provide for display in conjunction with the modification; (iv) determining, by the playback device, a region within a display of the playback device corresponding to the overlay; and (v) modifying, by the playback device, a transparency of the region such that the overlay is visible through the replacement media content when the playback device provides the overlay for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt R. Thielen, Shashank Merchant, Peter Dunker, Markus K. Cremer, Chungwon Seo, Seunghyeong Lee, Steven D. Scherf
  • Patent number: 7377439
    Abstract: A system for scanning a target is provided. A light source directs a beam of light toward piezoelectric material having an arcuate reflective surface. The reflective surface directs at least a portion of the beam of light to a beam expander, which in turn directs light onto the target. A power source provides movement in the piezoelectric material to scan at least a portion of the beam of light across at least a portion of the target. The at least a portion of the beam of light is reflected onto a photosensor to provide an electrical signal representing the reflected light. A mirror is further provided between the reflector and the target to allow scanning of a target at an angle to the system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Merchant
  • Patent number: 6634554
    Abstract: A dataform reader module is provided utilizing a piezoelectric reflector with a reflecting angle that is adjustable to provide for an optimal focus of an image projected onto a photosensor array. A distance measurement device can provide a distance measurement utilized in adjusting the piezoelectric reflector, such that an optimal focus can be made without the use of multiple lenses and/or reflectors. Alternatively, various dataform readings can be performed to find the optimal focus without employing a distance measurement device. Additionally, distance measurements and readings can be performed on segments of the dataform and the dataform reconstructed after all of the readings have been performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Telxon Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Merchant
  • Patent number: 6419156
    Abstract: A system for scanning a target is provided. A light source directs a beam of light toward a radially-arced piezoelectric material having a reflective surface. The reflective surface directs at least a portion of the beam of light to the target. A power source provides movement in the radially-arced piezoelectric material to scan at least a portion of the beam of light across at least a portion of the target. The at least a portion of the beam of light is reflected onto a photosensor to provide an electrical signal representing the reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Telxon Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Merchant
  • Patent number: 6321988
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dataform reading module. At least one photosensor provides a plurality of different zones for image capture. A lens focuses a respective image representing a portion of a dataform taken along a target line onto a respective one of the plurality of different zones. At least two piezoelectric reflectors are configured to focus an image of adjacent and partially overlapping portions of the dataform taken along the target line onto the lens. An illuminating device illuminates the dataform. The piezoelectric reflectors are configurable to vary the width of the overlapping portions, so that multiple samples of the same dataform can be taken. The piezoelectric reflectors can also be configured to eliminate the overlapping portions for a second reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Telxon Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Merchant, Paul D. Stoner