Patents by Inventor Slade Mitchell

Slade Mitchell 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).

  • Publication number: 20240137613
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for tailoring related episode content within an episode, thereby improving a user's experience. In response to receiving a request for an episode, several factors may be considered when determining how much of the related episode content to provide. These factors may include information such as whether the user has already viewed a previous episode, the elapsed time since viewing the previous episode and a user preference. Related episode content may be modified to remove portions previously viewed by a user, depending on factors such as the elapsed time and a user preference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
  • Publication number: 20230306464
    Abstract: Aspects discussed herein relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods to determine when a user remains engaged or stops paying attention to a content item. In response, a snapshot of the user's activity and environment may be obtained to ascertain the reason the user stopped paying attention. If the user stopped paying attention as a result of being uninterested in the content item, the system may replace the content item, such as an advertisement, with a different content item to regain the user's attention. Further, demographic information and the user's interests may be updated for use in scheduling future content items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
  • Patent number: 11750886
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for tailoring related episode content within an episode, thereby improving a user's experience. In response to receiving a request for an episode, several factors may be considered when determining how much of the related episode content to provide. These factors may include information such as whether the user has already viewed a previous episode, the elapsed time since viewing the previous episode and a user preference. Related episode content may be modified to remove portions previously viewed by a user, depending on factors such as the elapsed time and a user preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
  • Patent number: 11551262
    Abstract: Aspects discussed herein relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods to determine when a user remains engaged or stops paying attention to a content item. In response, a snapshot of the user's activity and environment may be obtained to ascertain the reason the user stopped paying attention. If the user stopped paying attention as a result of being uninterested in the content item, the system may replace the content item, such as an advertisement, with a different content item to regain the user's attention. Further, demographic information and the user's interests may be updated for use in scheduling future content items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
  • Patent number: 11277651
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing content are provided. A non-tunable device (e.g., a device without the capability to tune to a particular channel) can access a particular channel via a tunable device (e.g., a device with the capability to tune to the particular channel). A computing device can facilitate content tuning. In an aspect, the non-tunable device can transmit a request for content to the computing device. The request for content can comprise a title of the content, a type of content, channel information, and the like. Upon receiving the request for content, the computing device can determine the characteristics of the non-tunable device such as device type, device capabilities, location, and identify all the tunable devices capable of communicating with the non-tunable device. Entitlement information can be provided to the one or more tunable devices. The entitlement information can facilitate access to the requested content by the non-tunable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Slade Mitchell, John Robinson
  • Patent number: 11070860
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to delivering content to users. In one aspect, a primary client device and/or servers may communicate with secondary client devices to determine the identity of one or more users requesting content at the primary client device. Once the users and other attributes are identified, the primary client device may determine user characteristics which may be analyzed in conjunction with one or more spatiotemporal factors related to the content request. This analysis may lead to definition of a scene associated with the content request and to recommendation of content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Francisco, Bruce Hertzfeld, Slade Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20210192569
    Abstract: Aspects discussed herein relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods to determine when a user remains engaged or stops paying attention to a content item. In response, a snapshot of the user's activity and environment may be obtained to ascertain the reason the user stopped paying attention. If the user stopped paying attention as a result of being uninterested in the content item, the system may replace the content item, such as an advertisement, with a different content item to regain the user's attention. Further, demographic information and the user's interests may be updated for use in scheduling future content items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
  • Patent number: 10776823
    Abstract: Aspects discussed herein relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods to determine when a user remains engaged or stops paying attention to a content item. In response, a snapshot of the user's activity and environment may be obtained to ascertain the reason the user stopped paying attention. If the user stopped paying attention as a result of being uninterested in the content item, the system may replace the content item, such as an advertisement, with a different content item to regain the user's attention. Further, demographic information and the user's interests may be updated for use in scheduling future content items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
  • Publication number: 20180352284
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing content are provided. A non-tunable device (e.g., a device without the capability to tune to a particular channel) can access a particular channel via a tunable device (e.g., a device with the capability to tune to the particular channel). A computing device can facilitate content tuning. As an example, the non-tunable device can send user information (e.g., a request for content) to the computing device. The computing device can reserve the available tuner and transmit the tuning information (e.g., tuner reservation identifier) to the non-tunable device. Upon receiving the tuning information, the non-tunable device can transmit a tuning request (e.g., all or portion of tuning information, device identifier) to the tunable device. Upon receiving the tuning request, the tunable device can tune to the particular requested channel and transmit a data asset (e.g., requested content, tuning denial) to the non-tunable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Slade Mitchell, John Robinson
  • Patent number: 9872065
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing or receiving content are provided. In one aspect, a non-tunable device (e.g., a device without the capability to tune to a particular channel) can access a particular channel via a tunable device (e.g., a device with the capability to tune to the particular channel). For example, the non-tunable device can receive a notification or a service denial notification in a tuning attempt. Based on the notification, the non-tunable device can transmit user information (e.g., relates to purchasing entitlement to content) to a computing device and receive tuning information (e.g., available tuners capable of accessing the request content) from the computing device. Upon receiving the tuning information, the non-tunable device can transmit a tuning request to the tunable device and receive a data asset (e.g., requested content, tuning denial) based on the tuning request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Slade Mitchell, John Robinson
  • Patent number: 9866893
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing content are provided. A non-tunable device (e.g., a device without the capability to tune to a particular channel) can access a particular channel via a tunable device (e.g., a device with the capability to tune to the particular channel). A computing device can facilitate content tuning. As an example, the non-tunable device can send user information (e.g., a request for content) to the computing device. The computing device can reserve the available tuner and transmit the tuning information (e.g., tuner reservation identifier) to the non-tunable device. Upon receiving the tuning information, the non-tunable device can transmit a tuning request (e.g., all or portion of tuning information, device identifier) to the tunable device. Upon receiving the tuning request, the tunable device can tune to the particular requested channel and transmit a data asset (e.g., requested content, tuning denial) to the non-tunable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Slade Mitchell, John Robinson
  • Publication number: 20170359610
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing content are provided. A non-tunable device (e.g., a device without the capability to tune to a particular channel) can access a particular channel via a tunable device (e.g., a device with the capability to tune to the particular channel). A computing device can facilitate content tuning. In an aspect, the non-tunable device can transmit a request for content to the computing device. The request for content can comprise a title of the content, a type of content, channel information, and the like. Upon receiving the request for content, the computing device can determine the characteristics of the non-tunable device such as device type, device capabilities, location, and identify all the tunable devices capable of communicating with the non-tunable device. Entitlement information can be provided to the one or more tunable devices. The entitlement information can facilitate access to the requested content by the non-tunable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Slade Mitchell, John Robinson
  • Publication number: 20170228774
    Abstract: Aspects discussed herein relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods to determine when a user remains engaged or stops paying attention to a content item. In response, a snapshot of the user's activity and environment may be obtained to ascertain the reason the user stopped paying attention. If the user stopped paying attention as a result of being uninterested in the content item, the system may replace the content item, such as an advertisement, with a different content item to regain the user's attention. Further, demographic information and the user's interests may be updated for use in scheduling future content items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
  • Patent number: 9591342
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing content are provided. A non-tunable device (e.g., a device without the capability to tune to a particular channel) can access a particular channel via a tunable device (e.g., a device with the capability to tune to the particular channel). A computing device can facilitate content tuning. In an aspect, the non-tunable device can transmit a request for content to the computing device. The request for content can comprise a title of the content, a type of content, channel information, and the like. Upon receiving the request for content, the computing device can determine the characteristics of the non-tunable device such as device type, device capabilities, location, and identify all the tunable devices capable of communicating with the non-tunable device. Entitlement information can be provided to the one or more tunable devices. The entitlement information can facilitate access to the requested content by the non-tunable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Slade Mitchell, John Robinson
  • Patent number: 9479250
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a light source based location and operation system. A computing device may detect an encoded light signal containing an identifier from a light source at a location. The encoded light signal can be decoded to obtain the identifier, and a request for information based on the identifier can be transmitted in response to decoding the identifier. Information associated with the identifier may be received in response to the request for information including location information corresponding to the location of the light source. The location information may be used to provide additional information to the user or enable a user to control devices based on the location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Slade Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20160173941
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for tailoring related episode content within an episode, thereby improving a user's experience. In response to receiving a request for an episode, several factors may be considered when determining how much of the related episode content to provide. These factors may include information such as whether the user has already viewed a previous episode, the elapsed time since viewing the previous episode and a user preference. Related episode content may be modified to remove portions previously viewed by a user, depending on factors such as the elapsed time and a user preference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas, Chris Bastian, Slade Mitchell, Amit Garg, John Leddy
  • Publication number: 20160057473
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing or receiving content are provided. In one aspect, a non-tunable device (e.g., a device without the capability to tune to a particular channel) can access a particular channel via a tunable device (e.g., a device with the capability to tune to the particular channel). For example, the non-tunable device can receive a notification or a service denial notification in a tuning attempt. Based on the notification, the non-tunable device can transmit user information (e.g., relates to purchasing entitlement to content) to a computing device and receive tuning information (e.g., available tuners capable of accessing the request content) from the computing device. Upon receiving the tuning information, the non-tunable device can transmit a tuning request to the tunable device and receive a data asset (e.g., requested content, tuning denial) based on the tuning request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Slade Mitchell, John Robinson
  • Publication number: 20160057474
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing content are provided. A non-tunable device (e.g., a device without the capability to tune to a particular channel) can access a particular channel via a tunable device (e.g., a device with the capability to tune to the particular channel). A computing device can facilitate content tuning. In an aspect, the non-tunable device can transmit a request for content to the computing device. The request for content can comprise a title of the content, a type of content, channel information, and the like. Upon receiving the request for content, the computing device can determine the characteristics of the non-tunable device such as device type, device capabilities, location, and identify all the tunable devices capable of communicating with the non-tunable device. Entitlement information can be provided to the one or more tunable devices. The entitlement information can facilitate access to the requested content by the non-tunable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Slade Mitchell, John Robinson
  • Publication number: 20160057478
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing content are provided. A non-tunable device (e.g., a device without the capability to tune to a particular channel) can access a particular channel via a tunable device (e.g., a device with the capability to tune to the particular channel). A computing device can facilitate content tuning. As an example, the non-tunable device can send user information (e.g., a request for content) to the computing device. The computing device can reserve the available tuner and transmit the tuning information (e.g., tuner reservation identifier) to the non-tunable device. Upon receiving the tuning information, the non-tunable device can transmit a tuning request (e.g., all or portion of tuning information, device identifier) to the tunable device. Upon receiving the tuning request, the tunable device can tune to the particular requested channel and transmit a data asset (e.g., requested content, tuning denial) to the non-tunable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Slade Mitchell, John Robinson
  • Publication number: 20150349883
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a light source based location and operation system. A computing device may detect an encoded light signal containing an identifier from a light source at a location. The encoded light signal can be decoded to obtain the identifier, and a request for information based on the identifier can be transmitted in response to decoding the identifier. Information associated with the identifier may be received in response to the request for information including location information corresponding to the location of the light source. The location information may be used to provide additional information to the user or enable a user to control devices based on the location information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Slade Mitchell