Patents by Inventor Spencer Stephens

Spencer Stephens 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: 20140348489
    Abstract: Recording images, including: receiving an optical effects selection, which indicates a selected optical effect to apply to raw image data capturing the images; receiving an optical effects parameter, which indicates how to apply the selected optical effects to the raw image data; storing the optical effects selection and the optical effects parameter as effects metadata; recording the raw image data using a sensor of the digital camera; marking the effects metadata with time information to associate the effects metadata with the recorded raw image data over time; applying the selected optical effect to the raw image data according to the optical effects parameter to create processed image data while preserving the recorded raw image data; and displaying the processed image data on a display of the digital camera. Key words include raw image data and effects metadata.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicants: SONY CORPORATION, SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC
    Inventors: Spencer Stephens, Chris Cookson, Scot Barbour
  • Publication number: 20140219191
    Abstract: A system and method for providing access to a communication network includes providing a radio node comprising a first set of access point components including a radio component, and providing a physically separated controller node in communication with the radio node. The access point controller comprises a second set of access point components distinct from the first set of access point components, creating a distributed access point. A system controller may also be used to control at least one of the radio node and the controller node. The radio node, the controller node, and the system controller communicate over a communication link, such as a wireless or wired link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Strix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Stephens, Leonid Kalika, Alexander Berg, Cyrus Irani
  • Patent number: 8634392
    Abstract: A system and method for providing access to a communication network includes providing a radio node comprising a first set of access point components including a radio component, and providing a physically separated controller node in communication with the radio node. The access point controller comprises a second set of access point components distinct from the first set of access point components, creating a distributed access point. A system controller may also be used to control at least one of the radio node and the controller node. The radio node, the controller node, and the system controller communicate over a communication link, such as a wireless or wired link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Strix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Stephens, Leonid Kalika, Alexander Berg, Cyrus Irani
  • Patent number: 8576730
    Abstract: Content is distributed from a source to a sink only if the sink is within a predetermined geographic locality. In one embodiment, a signature request is sent to the sink. The sink obtains an actual signature compares it to the requested signature, and if the requested signature and the actual signature resemble each other sufficiently closely, then the content is sent to the sink The signature is compiled from parameters obtained from appropriate parameter detectors. The parameter detectors generate, detect and monitor various signals required for determining the locality of the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Time Warner, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Stephens, Kenneth W. Long, Craig Davis Cuttner, Conor P. Cahill
  • Publication number: 20130222610
    Abstract: Capturing metadata, including: a data capture device, wherein the data capture device captures notes made by a user and stores the notes as captured data; a data ingest computer, including a connection interface to connect to the data capture device and receive the captured data from the data capture device, and a data conversion component to convert the captured data to formatted data; and a data repository, connected to the data ingest computer, wherein the data repository is connected to a network. Keywords include smart pen and on set metadata acquisition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicants: SONY PICTURES TECHNOLOGIES INC., SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Brahms, Spencer Stephens
  • Patent number: 8340024
    Abstract: A system and method for virtual linking a wireless device to another device is disclosed herein. The system includes an access point and a controller configured to mediate transmissions between the wireless device and the another device. The system further includes a virtual device table and a permissions filter to ensure virtual linking between devices that have matching access right and requested services. The wireless device and the another device may have the same or dissimilar protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Strix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Stephens, Duke Kamstra, James M. Jollota, James Fuhring, James Beasley
  • Patent number: 8121952
    Abstract: Enhanced multimedia content on physical media interacts with the user through a media player and the Internet. Enhanced multimedia utilizes IDs for pieces of content on the media and a media key block. On the enhanced media is a file with a list of URLs. As the enhanced media plays a title requiring an external permission for decryption, the media player accesses the URL for that title and obtains the permission. The permission may be purchased or provided for free. Secure encryption and transmission of permission is accomplished by broadcast encryption using a media key block. Each media has a unique set of keys that allow the media player to process the media key block; however, each media follows a unique path through the media key block. All legitimate media players obtain the media key; circumvention devices cannot decipher the media key block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley Collar, Jeffrey Bruce Lotspiech, Florian Pestoni, Michael Ripley, Spencer Stephens
  • Publication number: 20110007725
    Abstract: A system and method for providing access to a communication network includes providing a radio node comprising a first set of access point components including a radio component, and providing a physically separated controller node in communication with the radio node. The access point controller comprises a second set of access point components distinct from the first set of access point components, creating a distributed access point. A system controller may also be used to control at least one of the radio node and the controller node. The radio node, the controller node, and the system controller communicate over a communication link, such as a wireless or wired link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: STRIX SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Spencer Stephens, Leonid Kalika, Alexander Berg, Cyrus Irani
  • Patent number: 7835328
    Abstract: A system and method for providing access to a communication network includes providing a radio node comprising a first set of access point components including a radio component, and providing a physically separated controller node in communication with the radio node. The access point controller comprises a second set of access point components distinct from the first set of access point components, creating a distributed access point. A system controller may also be used to control at least one of the radio node and the controller node. The radio node, the controller node, and the system controller communicate over a communication link, such as a wireless or wired link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Strix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Stephens, Leonid Kalika, Alexander Berg, Cyrus Irani
  • Publication number: 20100183025
    Abstract: A system and method for virtual linking a wireless device to another device is disclosed herein. The system includes an access point and a controller configured to mediate transmissions between the wireless device and the another device. The system further includes a virtual device table and a permissions filter to ensure virtual linking between devices that have matching access right and requested services. The wireless device and the another device may have the same or dissimilar protocols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Strix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Stephens, Duke Kamstra, James M. Jollota, James Fuhring, James Beasley
  • Patent number: 7747875
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing data and content includes at least one drive and a player (that may be implemented by software). At least some of the content is protected using a content scrambling scheme such as audio or video watermarking. The drive and player cooperate to operate in a lockable mode wherein if protected content is provided to the drive, the drive and player are interlocked so that the content is presented by the player only in accordance with consistent with protection scheme being used, and cannot be presented by any other player. Moreover, in the locked mode, protected content may not be accepted from any other drive. The drive and player are switched to an unlockded mode by presenting to the drive unprotected content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Cookson, Spencer Stephens
  • Patent number: 7720224
    Abstract: A method for processing an analog video signal that represents a work for which rights information is asserted. The signal includes a rights assertion mark (RAM) in the video portion of the signal within the visible picture such that capture of the picture will include the mark. The signal also includes copy control information (CCI) bits in the vertical blanking interval of the signal for representing copying and redistribution rules. If the RAM is present and the CCI bits are present, then the copying and redistribution rules represented by the CCI bits are applied. If the RAM is present but the CCI bits are not, then the most restrictive copying and redistribution rules that can be represented by the CCI bits are applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Cookson, Dean S. Marks, Spencer Stephens
  • Patent number: 7684438
    Abstract: A system and method for virtual linking a wireless device to another device is disclosed herein. The system includes an access point and a controller configured to mediate transmissions between the wireless device and the another device. The system further includes a virtual device table and a permissions filter to ensure virtual linking between devices that have matching access right and requested services. The wireless device and the another device may have the same or dissimilar protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Strix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Stephens, Duke Kamstra, James M. Jollota, James Fuhring, James Beasley
  • Patent number: 7546126
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a method performed by a network access point, such as a short-range wireless communications switch or Bluetooth base station unit, to provide a neighbor list for neighboring short-range wireless communications switches or network access points in a communications network. The method includes, at the short-range wireless switch, sending at least one signal to neighboring wireless devices, wherein sending the signal is done without assistance of a mobile unit or a system controller for the communications network. The method further includes receiving a response signal from at least one neighboring short-range wireless switch, and identifying the one neighboring short-range wireless switch based on the received response signal. Additionally, the method includes providing a neighbor list that identifies the one neighboring short-range wireless switch. Numerous alternative embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Strix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Beasley, Dennis Dombrowski, Matthew Kuiken, Wade Mergenthal, Spencer Stephens
  • Patent number: 7436780
    Abstract: A plurality of reference nodes that are attached to the network are correlated with geographic location. Communication latency between the reference nodes are used to approximate the location of a target node once the communication latency from one of the reference nodes to the target node is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Time Warner, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Stephens, Christopher Cookson, Chuck Dages
  • Patent number: 7292617
    Abstract: A system and method for arbitrating among frequency-hopping spread spectrum communication systems are provided herein. An arbitrator calculates and compares hop frequencies for the communication systems of an area or network using frequency generation parameters received from the communication systems. The comparison identifies impending transmission collisions and collision frequencies for transmission time slots. The arbitrator then selects one of the radios associated with an impending collision to transmit, and suppresses or disables transmissions by non-selected radios during the same transmission time period for that frequency. Thus, the arbitrator minimizes bandwidth lost to co-channel and adjacent channel collisions by reducing or eliminating this mutual interference among the communication systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Strix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Beasley, Dennis Dombrowski, Matthew Kuiken, Wade Mergenthal, Spencer Stephens
  • Publication number: 20070191016
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a method performed by a network access point, such as a short-range wireless communications switch or Bluetooth base station unit, to provide a neighbor list for neighboring short-range wireless communications switches or network access points in a communications network. The method includes, at the short-range wireless switch, sending at least one signal to neighboring wireless devices, wherein sending the signal is done without assistance of a mobile unit or a system controller for the communications network. The method further includes receiving a response signal from at least one neighboring short-range wireless switch, and identifying the one neighboring short-range wireless switch based on the received response signal. Additionally, the method includes providing a neighbor list that identifies the one neighboring short-range wireless switch. Numerous alternative embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: James Beasley, Dennis Dombrowski, Matthew Kuiken, Wade Mergenthal, Spencer Stephens
  • Patent number: 7251489
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a method performed by a network access point, such as a short-range wireless communications switch or Bluetooth base station unit, to provide a neighbor list for neighboring short-range wireless communications switches or network access points in a communications network. The method includes, at the short-range wireless switch, sending at least one signal to neighboring wireless devices, wherein sending the signal is done without assistance of a mobile unit or a system controller for the communications network. The method further includes receiving a response signal from at least one neighboring short-range wireless switch, and identifying the one neighboring short-range wireless switch based on the received response signal. Additionally, the method includes providing a neighbor list that identifies the one neighboring short-range wireless switch. Numerous alternative embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Strix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Beasley, Dennis Dombrowski, Matthew Kuiken, Wade Mergenthal, Spencer Stephens
  • Publication number: 20070115819
    Abstract: A system and method for virtual linking a wireless device to another device is disclosed herein. The system includes an access point and a controller configured to mediate transmissions between the wireless device and the another device. The system further includes a virtual device table and a permissions filter to ensure virtual linking between devices that have matching access right and requested services. The wireless device and the another device may have the same or dissimilar protocols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Spencer Stephens, Duke Kamstra, James Jollota, James Fuhring, James Beasley
  • Publication number: 20070092079
    Abstract: A method for processing an analog video signal that represents a work for which rights information is asserted. The signal includes a rights assertion mark (RAM) in the video portion of the signal within the visible picture such that capture of the picture will include the mark. The signal also includes copy control information (CCI) bits in the vertical blanking interval of the signal for representing copying and redistribution rules. If the RAM is present and the CCI bits are present, then the copying and redistribution rules represented by the CCI bits are applied. If the RAM is present but the CCI bits are not, then the most restrictive copying and redistribution rules that can be represented by the CCI bits are applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Cookson, Dean Marks, Spencer Stephens