Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Clifton

Thomas M. Clifton 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: 10032484
    Abstract: A digital video builder system with methodology for designer-controlled user interaction is described. In one embodiment, for example, a method comprises receiving, from interactive controls on a graphical user interface, configuration of a storyboard block of a storyboard of a target digital video to be created. The storyboard block represents a scene of the target digital video, comprises a media element slot and a scene parameter for configuring the media element slot, and corresponds to a scene specification having a plurality of scene variants for rendering the scene of the target digital video. The received configuration comprises a setting for the scene parameter. Based on the scene parameter setting, the method further includes automatically selecting one of the plurality of scene variants for use in rendering as part of the scene of the target digital video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Animoto Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Clifton, Stephen J. Clifton, Tim Wharton, Krister Wombell, Brian Rhee, Peter Sharp
  • Publication number: 20170062009
    Abstract: A digital video builder system with methodology for designer-controlled user interaction is described. In one embodiment, for example, a method comprises receiving, from interactive controls on a graphical user interface, configuration of a storyboard block of a storyboard of a target digital video to be created. The storyboard block represents a scene of the target digital video, comprises a media element slot and a scene parameter for configuring the media element slot, and corresponds to a scene specification having a plurality of scene variants for rendering the scene of the target digital video. The received configuration comprises a setting for the scene parameter. Based on the scene parameter setting, the method further includes automatically selecting one of the plurality of scene variants for use in rendering as part of the scene of the target digital video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas M. Clifton, Stephen J. Clifton, Tim Wharton, Krister Wombell, Brian Rhee, Peter Sharp
  • Patent number: 8717367
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises inferentially selecting one or more design animation modules based upon analysis of information obtained from digital visual media items and digital audio media items; and automatically creating an audiovisual work using the selected design animation modules. Audiovisual works can be automatically created based upon inferred and implicit metadata including music genre, image captions, song structure, image focal points, as well as user-supplied data such as text tags, emphasis flags, groupings, and preferred video style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Animoto, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Clifton, Jason R. Hsiao, Bradley C. Jefferson, Thomas M. Clifton
  • Patent number: 8347213
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving one or more digital visual media items; receiving one or more digital audio media items; automatically selecting and arranging one or more design modules based upon analysis of information obtained from the digital visual media items and the digital audio media items; and automatically creating an audiovisual work by arranging the selected and arranged design modules. Audiovisual works can be automatically created based upon inferred and implicit metadata including music genre, image captions, song structure, image focal points, as well as user-supplied data such as text tags, emphasis flags, groupings, and preferred video style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Animoto, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Clifton, Jason R. Hsiao, Bradley C. Jefferson, Thomas M. Clifton
  • Publication number: 20120236005
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises inferentially selecting one or more design animation modules based upon analysis of information obtained from digital visual media items and digital audio media items; and automatically creating an audiovisual work using the selected design animation modules. Audiovisual works can be automatically created based upon inferred and implicit metadata including music genre, image captions, song structure, image focal points, as well as user-supplied data such as text tags, emphasis flags, groupings, and preferred video style.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen J. Clifton, Jason R. Hsiao, Bradley C. Jefferson, Thomas M. Clifton
  • Publication number: 20080215979
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving one or more digital visual media items; receiving one or more digital audio media items; automatically selecting and arranging one or more design modules based upon analysis of information obtained from the digital visual media items and the digital audio media items; and automatically creating an audiovisual work by arranging the selected and arranged design modules. Audiovisual works can be automatically created based upon inferred and implicit metadata including music genre, image captions, song structure, image focal points, as well as user-supplied data such as text tags, emphasis flags, groupings, and preferred video style.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen J. Clifton, Jason R. Hsiao, Bradley C. Jefferson, Thomas M. Clifton