Patents by Inventor Richard Elliott Norton

Richard Elliott Norton 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: 9794319
    Abstract: A modular transcoder software system for transcoding a multimedia message includes a collection of software modules and objects for the dynamic construction of a series of complex, related or unrelated operations in the form of a transcoding pipeline. The transcoding pipeline provides a hierarchy of operations, such that they can be organized and optimized with the aim of being able to execute the entire hierarchy in a single pass. Additionally, external plugins can customize the mechanism of building the pipeline by altering, adding to, or removing construction knowledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: VANTRIX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Norton, Mario Joseph Leo Claude Lavalliere, Louis-Rene Poirier-Beauchemin
  • Publication number: 20160330257
    Abstract: Content filtering of data containers of multiple content types is performed using multiple filtering modules operating concurrently. An apparatus for content filtering has a set of content-specific filtering modules and a network interface for parsing a received data container into components and directing each component to a respective filtering module. A filtering module edits a component of a specific content type according to respective rules. A multiplexer combines edited components produced by the set of filtering modules to form an edited data container. A root module applies a set of basic rules to a data container and any attachments. In an alternative configuration, the apparatus employs multiple filtering modules each applying rules for all content types. Received data containers are distributed among the filtering modules and an output module arranges edited data containers of a data stream in proper sequential order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Elliott NORTON, Louis-Rene Poirier-Beauchemin, Robert HÉROUX, Joseph Leo Claude Mario LAVALLIERE
  • Patent number: 9397877
    Abstract: Content filtering of data containers of multiple content types is performed using multiple filtering modules operating concurrently. An apparatus for content filtering has a set of content-specific filtering modules and a network interface for parsing a received data container into components and directing each component to a respective filtering module. A filtering module edits a component of a specific content type according to respective rules. A multiplexer combines edited components produced by the set of filtering modules to form an edited data container. A root module applies a set of basic rules to a data container and any attachments. In an alternative configuration, the apparatus employs multiple filtering modules each applying rules for all content types. Received data containers are distributed among the filtering modules and an output module arranges edited data containers of a data stream in proper sequential order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Vantrix Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Norton, Louis-Rene Poirier-Beauchemin, Robert Héroux, Mario Joseph Leo Claude Lavalliere
  • Patent number: 8959635
    Abstract: A method for conditioning multimedia containers to be compatible with decoding facilities of receivers of diverse types is disclosed. Content of a multimedia container may include components of different encoding formats. Container conditioning also detects and, where feasible, removes undesirable insertions within each content component of a multimedia container. A content component of a container may be filtered, re-encoded, or deleted. Notifications indicating conditions of a container and any modifications performed are appended to the container. A notification may be presented in at least one form compatible with characteristics of a respective receiver. An editing engine implementing the method is associated with a network entity to which multimedia containers are directed. The editing engine accesses a receiver database storing information on several types of receivers and a repository of notification templates encoded in several forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Vantrix Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Norton, Joseph Leo Claude Mario Lavalliere
  • Patent number: 8677241
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for adapting the media contained in a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, which may include a presentation, into a single media format such as an audio/video file or stream by creating a logical timeline from information found in the presentation, creating an adaptation pipeline from the logical timeline, and executing the adaptation pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Vantrix Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Norton, Francis Roger Labonte, Mario Joseph Leo Claude Lavalliere
  • Patent number: 8621622
    Abstract: A method for conditioning multimedia containers to be compatible with decoding facilities of receivers of diverse types is disclosed. Content of a multimedia container may include components of different encoding formats. Container conditioning also detects and, where feasible, removes undesirable insertions within each content component of a multimedia container. A content component of a container may be filtered, re-encoded, or deleted. Notifications indicating conditions of a container and any modifications performed are appended to the container. A notification may be presented in at least one form compatible with characteristics of a respective receiver. An editing engine implementing the method is associated with a network entity to which multimedia containers are directed. The editing engine accesses a receiver database storing information on several types of receivers and a repository of notification templates encoded in several forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Vantrix Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Norton, Joseph Leo Claude Mario Lavalliere
  • Publication number: 20130316680
    Abstract: A method for conditioning multimedia containers to be compatible with decoding facilities of receivers of diverse types is disclosed. Content of a multimedia container may include components of different encoding formats. Container conditioning also detects and, where feasible, removes undesirable insertions within each content component of a multimedia container. A content component of a container may be filtered, re-encoded, or deleted. Notifications indicating conditions of a container and any modifications performed are appended to the container. A notification may be presented in at least one form compatible with characteristics of a respective receiver. An editing engine implementing the method is associated with a network entity to which multimedia containers are directed. The editing engine accesses a receiver database storing information on several types of receivers and a repository of notification templates encoded in several forms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: VANTRIX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Elliott NORTON, Joseph Leo Claude Mario LAVALLIERE
  • Publication number: 20130304753
    Abstract: Content filtering of data containers of multiple content types is performed using multiple filtering modules operating concurrently. An apparatus for content filtering has a set of content-specific filtering modules and a network interface for parsing a received data container into components and directing each component to a respective filtering module. A filtering module edits a component of a specific content type according to respective rules. A multiplexer combines edited components produced by the set of filtering modules to form an edited data container. A root module applies a set of basic rules to a data container and any attachments. In an alternative configuration, the apparatus employs multiple filtering modules each applying rules for all content types. Received data containers are distributed among the filtering modules and an output module arranges edited data containers of a data stream in proper sequential order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Richard Elliott NORTON, Louis-Rene Poirier-Beauchemin, Robert HÉROUX, Mario Joseph Leo Claude LAVALLIERE
  • Patent number: 8478764
    Abstract: Content filtering of data containers of multiple content types is performed using multiple filtering modules operating concurrently. An apparatus for content filtering has a set of content-specific filtering modules and a network interface for parsing a received data container into components and directing each component to a respective filtering module. A filtering module edits a component of a specific content type according to respective rules. A multiplexer combines edited components produced by the set of filtering modules to form an edited data container. A root module applies a set of basic rules to a data container and any attachments. In an alternative configuration, the apparatus employs multiple filtering modules each applying rules for all content types. Received data containers are distributed among the filtering modules and an output module arranges edited data containers of a data stream in proper sequential order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Vantrix Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Norton, Louis-Rene Poirier-Beuchemin, Robert Héroux, Mario Joseph Leo Claude Lavalliere
  • Patent number: 8447718
    Abstract: A method of content filtering of data containers of multiple content types is based on generating a set of encoded filters and a set of encoded rules for each content type. Each encoded filter is expressed as a respective operator, from among user-defined operators, and two operands including a content descriptor and a descriptor criterion. A filter has a binary state and a rule may be based on a single filter or a number of selected filters. An apparatus implementing the method has a user interface for receiving user-defined configuration data, a configuration module for generating a set of encoded filters and a set of encoded rules for each content type, a network interface for receiving data containers from a network and transmitting filtered data containers to the network, and a filtering module for applying the rules to received data containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Vantrix Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Norton, Louis-Rene Poirier-Beauchemin, Robert Héroux, Mario Joseph Leo Claude Lavalliere
  • Patent number: 8442928
    Abstract: Content filtering of data containers is based on defining content types, receiving identifiers of a set of rules applicable to each content type, and determining dependence of at least one rule on other rules. The identifiers are sorted into rule strata where rules within each rule stratum are independent of each other and rules within each rule stratum beyond a first stratum depend on at least one rule of at least one preceding rule stratum. Upon receiving a data container of multiple components from a network, a content type is determined for each component. Rules of rule strata specific to a content type of a component are applied starting with rules of a first rule stratum and proceeding sequentially to selected rules of succeeding rule strata. An apparatus for content filtering stores processor-executable instructions for arranging rules in rule strata and sequentially applies successive rules to data containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Vantrix Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Norton, Louis-Rene Poirier-Beauchemin, Robert Héroux, Mario Joseph Leo Claude Lavalliere
  • Patent number: 8311058
    Abstract: A modular transcoder software system for transcoding a multimedia message includes a collection of software modules and objects for the dynamic construction of a series of complex, related or unrelated operations in the form of a transcoding pipeline. The transcoding pipeline provides a hierarchy of operations, such that they can be organized and optimized with the aim of being able to execute the entire hierarchy in a single pass. Additionally, external plugins can customize the mechanism of building the pipeline by altering, adding to, or removing construction knowledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Vantrix Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Norton, Mario Joseph Leo Claude Lavalliere, Louis-Rene Poirier-Beauchemin
  • Publication number: 20120264465
    Abstract: A method for conditioning multimedia containers to be compatible with decoding facilities of receivers of diverse types is disclosed. Content of a multimedia container may include components of different encoding formats. Container conditioning also detects and, where feasible, removes undesirable insertions within each content component of a multimedia container. A content component of a container may be filtered, re-encoded, or deleted. Notifications indicating conditions of a container and any modifications performed are appended to the container. A notification may be presented in at least one form compatible with characteristics of a respective receiver. An editing engine implementing the method is associated with a network entity to which multimedia containers are directed. The editing engine accesses a receiver database storing information on several types of receivers and a repository of notification templates encoded in several forms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: RICHARD ELLIOTT NORTON, Joseph Leo Claude Mario Lavalliere
  • Patent number: 8250241
    Abstract: A method of receiving and forwarding a multimedia message is provided. The multimedia message is adapted with a first adaptation profile into a first adapted message to be received in a first device. The multimedia message and the first adapted message are stored in a media cache. The message may then be forwarded from the first device to a second device that has a second adaptation profile by retrieving the first adapted message from the media cache and sending it to the second device if the first and second adaptation profiles match, otherwise the multimedia message is retrieved from the media cache and adapted with the second adaptation profile into a second adapted message that is then sent to the second device. In addition, the second adapted message is stored in the media cache. A corresponding system for processing and forwarding the multimedia message is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Vantrix Corporation
    Inventors: Xavier Lévéque, Richard Elliott Norton, Joseph Leo Claude Mario Lavalliere
  • Publication number: 20120209956
    Abstract: A method of receiving and forwarding a multimedia message is provided. The multimedia message is adapted with a first adaptation profile into a first adapted message to be received in a first device. The multimedia message and the first adapted message are stored in a media cache. The message may then be forwarded from the first device to a second device that has a second adaptation profile by retrieving the first adapted message from the media cache and sending it to the second device if the first and second adaptation profiles match, otherwise the multimedia message is retrieved from the media cache and adapted with the second adaptation profile into a second adapted message that is then sent to the second device. In addition, the second adapted message is stored in the media cache. A corresponding system for processing and forwarding the multimedia message is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: XAVIER LÉVÉQUE, Richard Elliott Norton, Joseph Leo Claude Mario Lavalliere
  • Patent number: 8220051
    Abstract: A method for conditioning multimedia containers to be compatible with decoding facilities of receivers of diverse types is disclosed. Content of a multimedia container may include components of different encoding formats. Container conditioning also detects and, where feasible, removes undesirable insertions within each content component of a multimedia container. A content component of a container may be filtered, re-encoded, or deleted. Notifications indicating conditions of a container and any modifications performed are appended to the container. A notification may be presented in at least one form compatible with characteristics of a respective receiver. An editing engine implementing the method is associated with a network entity to which multimedia containers are directed. The editing engine accesses a receiver database storing information on several types of receivers and a repository of notification templates encoded in several forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Vantrix Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Norton, Joseph Leo Claude Mario Lavalliere
  • Patent number: 8171167
    Abstract: A method of receiving and forwarding a multimedia message is provided. The multimedia message is adapted with a first adaptation profile into a first adapted message to be received in a first device. The multimedia message and the first adapted message are stored in a media cache. The message may then be forwarded from the first device to a second device that has a second adaptation profile by retrieving the first adapted message from the media cache and sending it to the second device if the first and second adaptation profiles match, otherwise the multimedia message is retrieved from the media cache and adapted with the second adaptation profile into a second adapted message that is then sent to the second device. In addition, the second adapted message is stored in the media cache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Vantrix Corporation
    Inventors: Xavier Lévèque, Richard Elliott Norton, Joseph Leo Claude Mario Lavalliere
  • Patent number: 8019709
    Abstract: A system and method for content-filtering of data containers in a network supporting versatile communications services are disclosed. The content-filtering system is integrated with a content-adaptation system. Several server units handle data containers formulated at source according to different protocols. A content filtering process relies on characterizing each component of a container to produce a set of content descriptors and producing a set of binary conditions for each component according to a preset criterion for each descriptor. A set of rules is devised where each rule applies a respective Boolean expression to a subset of the conditions to prescribe a respective content-editing action. Methods of specifying and evaluating a rule's Boolean expression are disclosed. A formal graph is used to define inter-dependence of rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Vantrix Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Norton, Louis-Rene Poirier-Beauchemin, Robert Héroux, Mario Joseph Leo Claude Lavalliere
  • Publication number: 20100332618
    Abstract: A method of content filtering of data containers of multiple content types is based on generating a set of encoded filters and a set of encoded rules for each content type. Each encoded filter is expressed as a respective operator, from among user-defined operators, and two operands including a content descriptor and a descriptor criterion. A filter has a binary state and a rule may be based on a single filter or a number of selected filters. An apparatus implementing the method has a user interface for receiving user-defined configuration data, a configuration module for generating a set of encoded filters and a set of encoded rules for each content type, a network interface for receiving data containers from a network and transmitting filtered data containers to the network, and a filtering module for applying the rules to received data containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Norton, Louis-Rene Poirier-Beauchemin, Robert Héroux, Mario Joseph Leo Claude Lavalliere
  • Publication number: 20100325164
    Abstract: Content filtering of data containers of multiple content types is performed using multiple filtering modules operating concurrently. An apparatus for content filtering has a set of content-specific filtering modules and a network interface for parsing a received data container into components and directing each component to a respective filtering module. A filtering module edits a component of a specific content type according to respective rules. A multiplexer combines edited components produced by the set of filtering modules to form an edited data container. A root module applies a set of basic rules to a data container and any attachments. In an alternative configuration, the apparatus employs multiple filtering modules each applying rules for all content types. Received data containers are distributed among the filtering modules and an output module arranges edited data containers of a data stream in proper sequential order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Norton, Louis-Rene Poirier-Beauchemin, Robert Héroux, Mario Joseph Leo Claude Lavalliere