Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Duff

Thomas M. Duff 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).

  • Distributed composition of broadcast television programs
    Patent number: 11343561
    Abstract: Described are methods and systems for combining programming content in a controlled synchronized manner. The systems and methods allow for centrally generated content to be modified using local content. The centrally generated content can include data that specifies what portions of the centrally generated content can be modified by the local content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLC.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Reitmeier, Peter Smith, Thomas M. Duff, Michael F. Steib
  • DISTRIBUTED COMPOSITION OF BROADCAST TELEVISION PROGRAMS
    Publication number: 20160330509
    Abstract: Described are methods and systems for combining programming content in a controlled synchronized manner. The systems and methods allow for centrally generated content to be modified using local content. The centrally generated content can include data that specifies what portions of the centrally generated content can be modified by the local content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Glenn A. Reitmeier, Peter Smith, Thomas M. Duff, Michael F. Steib
  • Distributed composition of broadcast television programs
    Patent number: 9420230
    Abstract: Described are methods and systems for combining programming content in a controlled synchronized manner. The systems and methods allow for centrally generated content to be modified using local content. The centrally generated content can include data that specifies what portions of the centrally generated content can be modified by the local content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLC
    Inventors: Glenn A. Reitmeier, Peter Smith, Thomas M. Duff, Michael F. Steib
  • Power and telecommunications access vending machine
    Publication number: 20040190694
    Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing telecommunications access is disclosed. A customer interested in using the telecommunications access makes a payment into the payment processing unit which forwards the payment information to the central control unit. The central control unit reports the transaction information to a central computer system via its modem connected to a telecommunication channel. Access to the same telecommunication channel or another channel can be made available to the customer via a switchable telecommunications access circuit which is also controlled by the central control unit. The customer connects to the telecommunications channel via the telecommunications access connector. The central control unit provides information on the progress of the vending transaction to the customer via the user interface. The central control unit determines when the transaction is completed by sensing the cessation of usage via the usage detection circuit or via customer action at the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Charles C. Schelberg, Thomas M. Duff
  • Power and telecommunications access vending machine
    Publication number: 20030091168
    Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing telecommunications access is disclosed. A customer interested in using the telecommunications access makes a payment into the payment processing unit which forwards the payment information to the central control unit. The central control unit reports the transaction information to a central computer system via its modem connected to a telecommunication channel. Access to the same telecommunication channel or another channel can be made available to the customer via a switchable telecommunications access circuit which is also controlled by the central control unit. The customer connects to the telecommunications channel via the telecommunications access connector. The central control unit provides information on the progress of the vending transaction to the customer via the user interface. The central control unit determines when the transaction is completed by sensing the cessation of usage via the usage detection circuit or via customer action at the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Charles C. Schelberg, Thomas M. Duff
  • Power and telecommunications access vending machine
    Publication number: 20020064258
    Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing telecommunications access is disclosed. A customer interested in using the telecommunications access makes a payment into the payment processing unit which forwards the payment information to the central control unit. The central control unit reports the transaction information to a central computer system via its modem connected to a telecommunication channel. Access to the same telecommunication channel or another channel can be made available to the customer via a switchable telecommunications access circuit which is also controlled by the central control unit. The customer connects to the telecommunications channel via the telecommunications access connector. The central control unit provides information on the progress of the vending transaction to the customer via the user interface. The central control unit determines when the transaction is completed by sensing the cessation of usage via the usage detection circuit or via customer action at the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Charles C. Schelberg, Thomas M. Duff