Patents by Inventor Robert Barr Thompson

Robert Barr Thompson 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: 11924524
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for securely distributing metadata using a block chain. The system generates a block for a distributed blockchain ledger such that the block includes an encrypted metadata item of a media asset. The system, at a first time, transmits the block for storage in the distributed blockchain ledger such that a copy of the distributed blockchain ledger is stored by the first computing device and a second computing device. The system generates a smart contract that includes a decryption key for the encrypted metadata item and an identifier of the second computing device. The system transmits the smart contract for storage in the distributed blockchain ledger. The smart contract is configured to be automatically executed at the execution time that is later than the first time, to provide the second computing device with the decryption key for the encrypted metadata item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Barr Thompson
  • Publication number: 20230328124
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a voice communications link between multiple users accessing a media asset are provided. A media asset is accessed using a first user device, the first user device being associated with a first user at a first location. A second user who is accessing the media asset using a second user device is identified, wherein the second user is associated with the first user and is at a second location. A voice communications link between the first and second user devices that enables the first and second users to speak to each other while accessing the media asset is established. A volume level of audio received via the voice communications link is set based on content of the media asset, causing the audio received via the voice communications link from the second user to be presented to the first user at the set volume level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Steve M. DiBello, Samir Desai, Robert Barr Thompson
  • Patent number: 11736540
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a voice communications link between multiple users accessing a media asset are provided. A media asset is accessed using a first user device, the first user device being associated with a first user at a first location. A second user who is accessing the media asset using a second user device is identified, wherein the second user is associated with the first user and is at a second location. A voice communications link between the first and second user devices that enables the first and second users to speak to each other while accessing the media asset is established. A volume level of audio received via the voice communications link is set based on content of the media asset, causing the audio received via the voice communications link from the second user to be presented to the first user at the set volume level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve M. DiBello, Samir Desai, Robert Barr Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210243235
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a voice communications link between multiple users accessing a media asset are provided. A media asset is accessed using a first user device, the first user device being associated with a first user at a first location. A second user who is accessing the media asset using a second user device is identified, wherein the second user is associated with the first user and is at a second location. A voice communications link between the first and second user devices that enables the first and second users to speak to each other while accessing the media asset is established. A volume level of audio received via the voice communications link is set based on content of the media asset, causing the audio received via the voice communications link from the second user to be presented to the first user at the set volume level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Steve M. DiBello, Samir Desai, Robert Barr Thompson
  • Patent number: 10992719
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a voice communications link between multiple users accessing a media asset are provided. A media asset is accessed using a first user device, the first user device being associated with a first user at a first location. A second user who is accessing the media asset using a second user device is identified, wherein the second user is associated with the first user and is at a second location. A voice communications link between the first and second user devices that enables the first and second users to speak to each other while accessing the media asset is established. A volume level of audio received via the voice communications link is set based on content of the media asset, causing the audio received via the voice communications link from the second user to be presented to the first user at the set volume level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve M. DiBello, Samir Desai, Robert Barr Thompson
  • Publication number: 20200204876
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for securely distributing metadata using a block chain. The system generates a block for a distributed blockchain ledger such that the block includes an encrypted metadata item of a media asset. The system, at a first time, transmits the block for storage in the distributed blockchain ledger such that a copy of the distributed blockchain ledger is stored by the first computing device and a second computing device. The system generates a smart contract that includes a decryption key for the encrypted metadata item and an identifier of the second computing device. The system transmits the smart contract for storage in the distributed blockchain ledger. The smart contract is configured to be automatically executed at the execution time that is later than the first time, to provide the second computing device with the decryption key for the encrypted metadata item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Barr Thompson
  • Publication number: 20190149584
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a voice communications link between multiple users accessing a media asset are provided. A media asset is accessed using a first user device, the first user device being associated with a first user at a first location. A second user who is accessing the media asset using a second user device is identified, wherein the second user is associated with the first user and is at a second location. A voice communications link between the first and second user devices that enables the first and second users to speak to each other while accessing the media asset is established. A volume level of audio received via the voice communications link is set based on content of the media asset, causing the audio received via the voice communications link from the second user to be presented to the first user at the set volume level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Steve M. DiBello, Samir Desai, Robert Barr Thompson
  • Publication number: 20130174191
    Abstract: Systems and methods for incentivizing user interaction with promotional content on a secondary device are provided. The secondary device may be synchronized with the media content displayed on a primary device to provide promotional opportunities relevant to the displayed content. A promotional opportunity may allow a user to identify an object (which may be a product placement) embedded within the primary media content. For instance, the user may be prompted to select the object using a display screen on the secondary device. Alternatively, the user may use the secondary device to capture a photograph of the embedded object as displayed on the primary device. The user may then be rewarded for correctly identifying or photographing the embedded object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Barr Thompson, JR., Yulei Zhang