Patents by Inventor Robert S. Germain

Robert S. Germain 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: 7031921
    Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring audio content available over a network. According to the method, the network is searched for audio files, and audio identifying information is generated for each audio file that is found. It is determined whether the audio identifying information generated for each audio file matches audio identifying information in an audio content database. In one preferred embodiment, each audio file that is found is analyzed so as to generate the audio file information, which is an audio feature signature that is based on the content of the audio file. Also provided is a system for monitoring audio content available over a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Pitman, Blake G. Fitch, Steven Abrams, Robert S. Germain
  • Patent number: 6748360
    Abstract: It is determined whether audio identifying information generated for an audio content image matches audio identifying information in an audio content database. If the audio identifying information generated for the audio content image matches audio identifying information in the audio content database, at least one product containing or relating to audio content that corresponds to the matching audio identifying information is identified. In one embodiment, the audio content image is received, and the audio identifying information is generated for the audio content image. In another embodiment, the audio identifying information for the audio content image is received. Also provided is a system for selling products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Pitman, Blake G. Fitch, Steven Abrams, Robert S. Germain
  • Publication number: 20040096147
    Abstract: An information processing system, comprising a plurality of processors, each having at least one optical fiber input and at least one optical fiber output; a controller having at least one optical fiber input and at least one fiber output; a plurality of fibers, bundled for transmitting information; and a fiber bundle redriver, coupled to the controller, having an input channel and an output channel, for simultaneously redriving an optical signal received from any selected one of the plurality of input fibers onto substantially all of the plurality of output fibers, wherein the at least one fiber output of each of the plurality of processors and the at least one fiber output of said controller are respectively coupled to the input channel of the fiber bundle redriver, and the at least one fiber input of each of said plurality of processors and the at least one fiber input of said controller are respectively coupled to the output channel of the fiber bundle redriver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Blake G. Fitch, Robert S. Germain, Glen W. Johnson, Daniel M. Kuchta, Jeannine M. Trewhella
  • Patent number: 6604072
    Abstract: An audio signal is sampled and a frequency transform is performed on a succession of sets of samples of the signal to obtain a time dependent power spectrum for the audio signal. Frequency components output by the frequency transform are collected in frequency bands. More than one running average is taken of each semitone frequency band. When the values of two running averages of the same semitone frequency band cross, time information is recorded. Information about average crossing events that have occurred at different times in a set of adjacent semitone frequency bands is combined to form a key. A set of keys obtained from a song provides a means for identifying the song and is stored in a database for use in identifying songs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Pitman, Blake G. Fitch, Steven Abrams, Robert S. Germain
  • Patent number: 6574594
    Abstract: A broadcast datastream is received, and audio identifying information is generated for audio content from the broadcast datastream. It is determined whether the audio identifying information generated for the broadcast audio content matches audio identifying information in an audio content database. In one preferred embodiment, the audio identifying information is an audio feature signature that is based on audio content. Also provided is a system for monitoring broadcast audio content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Pitman, Blake G. Fitch, Steven Abrams, Robert S. Germain
  • Publication number: 20020143530
    Abstract: A method for identifying audio content is provided. An audio signal is sampled and a frequency transform is performed on a succession of sets of samples of the signal to obtain a time dependent power spectrum for the audio signal. Frequency components output by the frequency transform are collected in frequency bands. More than one running average is taken of each semitone frequency band. When the values of two running averages of the same semitone frequency band cross, time information is recorded. Information about average crossing events that have occurred at different times in a set of adjacent semitone frequency bands is combined to form a key. A set of keys obtained from a song provides a means for identifying the song and is stored in a database for use in identifying songs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael C. Pitman, Blake G. Fitch, Steven Abrams, Robert S. Germain
  • Publication number: 20020116195
    Abstract: A method is provided for selling products containing or relating to audio content. According to the method, it is determined whether audio identifying information generated for an audio content image matches audio identifying information in an audio content database. If the audio identifying information generated for the audio content image matches audio identifying information in the audio content database, at least one product containing or relating to audio content that corresponds to the matching audio identifying information is identified. In one embodiment, the audio content image is received, and the audio identifying information is generated for the audio content image. In another embodiment, the audio identifying information for the audio content image is received. Also provided is a system for selling products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael C. Pitman, Blake G. Fitch, Steven Abrams, Robert S. Germain
  • Publication number: 20020099555
    Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring broadcast audio content. According to the method, a broadcast datastream is received, and audio identifying information is generated for audio content from the broadcast datastream. It is determined whether the audio identifying information generated for the broadcast audio content matches audio identifying information in an audio content database. In one preferred embodiment, the audio identifying information is an audio feature signature that is based on audio content. Also provided is a system for monitoring broadcast audio content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael C. Pitman, Blake G. Fitch, Steven Abrams, Robert S. Germain
  • Publication number: 20020082837
    Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring audio content available over a network. According to the method, the network is searched for audio files, and audio identifying information is generated for each audio file that is found. It is determined whether the audio identifying information generated for each audio file matches audio identifying information in an audio content database. In one preferred embodiment, each audio file that is found is analyzed so as to generate the audio file information, which is an audio feature signature that is based on the content of the audio file. Also provided is a system for monitoring audio content available over a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael C. Pitman, Blake G. Fitch, Steven Abrams, Robert S. Germain
  • Publication number: 20020082731
    Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring audio content in a video broadcast. According to the method, an audio datastream from the video broadcast is received, and audio identifying information is generated for audio content from the audio datastream. It is determined whether the audio identifying information generated for the received audio content matches audio identifying information in an audio content database. In one preferred embodiment, the audio identifying information is an audio feature signature that is based on audio content. Also provided is a system for monitoring audio content in a video broadcast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael C. Pitman, Blake G. Fitch, Steven Abrams, Robert S. Germain