Patents by Inventor Thomas Sachson

Thomas Sachson 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: 12229185
    Abstract: Adjusting virtual environment using recommendations, including: retrieving character information from a character database, where the character information is associated with a character associated with the virtual environment, and the character information includes character appearance information, character position information, and character action information; retrieving profile information from a profile database, where the profile information indicates one or more profile characteristics and at least one profile characteristic is related to music; comparing at least part of the character information with one or more of the profile characteristics to determine a comparison result; generating adjustment information based on the comparison result; sending the adjustment information to a client system through a network; receiving an adjustment reply from the client system through the network; and adjusting information for the virtual environment based on the adjustment reply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignees: SONY GROUP CORPORATION, SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
    Inventors: Bradley Spahr, Thomas Sachson
  • Patent number: 12179116
    Abstract: Providing an online music experience, including: a music venue system; a game device; wherein a game processor uses game data to provide a mini-game experience and present the mini-game experience through a display, wherein the game processor uses venue data to modify the mini-game experience and present the modified mini-game experience through the display, wherein the game processor receives user input and sends gameplay, wherein a system processor uses music data, video data, and the gameplay data to create a data representation of a music performance, wherein the system processor sends the data representation of the music performance to the game device, and wherein the game processor uses the data representation of the music performance to present the music performance through the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignees: Sony Group Corporation, Sony Corporation of America
    Inventor: Thomas Sachson
  • Patent number: 12086215
    Abstract: Managing access to digital content in a virtual environment using virtual content rights, including: providing a virtual content rights database comprising data associating a user of the virtual environment with the virtual content rights acquired with respect to the digital content; receiving, at a processor, a request from a device of the user for assignment of the virtual content rights of the digital content, wherein the user uses the device to interface with the processor; updating the virtual content rights database to indicate the assignment of the virtual content rights to the user; receiving, at the processor, data from the device of the user holding the virtual content rights to digital content including songs to create a virtual user-configured music room having at least one of the songs; and updating the virtual content rights database to indicate sharing of the virtual user-configured music room by the user within the virtual environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignees: Sony Group Corporation, Sony Corporation of America
    Inventor: Thomas Sachson
  • Publication number: 20240202707
    Abstract: Digital authentication of a product using a digital wallet of a user, including: generating a blockchain for the product; receiving and matching a serial number for the product to the digital wallet of the user; and adding the generated blockchain to the digital wallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventor: Thomas Sachson
  • Patent number: 11951399
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for providing footprints in a computer system that provides a virtual environment, including: accessing an avatar record, where the avatar record indicates an avatar representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of an avatar; receiving a selection of a footprint; accessing a footprint record, where the footprint record includes footprint representations that include data to provide a visual representation of the selected footprint as a footprint representation; associating the footprint representation with the avatar representation; receiving avatar movement input that indicates movement of the avatar within the virtual environment; and generating visual data representing the movement of the avatar and footprints in the virtual environment using the avatar representation and the footprint representation, where the footprints are placed in the virtual environment following the avatar as the avatar moves in the virtual environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: Sony Group Corporation, Sony Corporation of America
    Inventors: Thomas Sachson, James Marcus, Eric Benjamin Fruchter
  • Patent number: 11899755
    Abstract: Management of virtual content rights of digital assets for a virtual environment, including: receiving data indicating a request from a user for assignment of virtual content rights of a digital asset; determining whether the requested virtual content rights are available for assignment to the user and a set of terms of the assignment for the requested virtual content rights; notifying the user of the availability and the set of terms for the assignment of the virtual content rights to the user; receiving data indicating agreement by the user to the assignment, including agreement to at least one term of the set of terms; and updating the virtual content rights database to indicate the assignment of the virtual content rights to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignees: Sony Group Corporation, Sony Music Entertainment
    Inventors: Bradley Spahr, Thomas Sachson
  • Patent number: 11688117
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media providing banner representations in a computer system that provides a virtual environment, including: accessing an avatar record, where the avatar record indicates an avatar representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of an avatar; receiving a selection of a banner representation made by a user; accessing a representation record, wherein the representation record indicates a banner representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of a banner; associating the banner representation with the avatar representation; receiving avatar movement input that indicates movement of the avatar within the virtual environment; and generating visual data representing the movement of the avatar and banner in the virtual environment using the avatar representation and the banner representation, where the banner is placed in the virtual environment following the avatar as the avatar moves in the virtual environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignees: Sony Group Corporation, Sony Corporation of America
    Inventors: Thomas Sachson, Eric Benjamin Fruchter, James Marcus
  • Publication number: 20230037657
    Abstract: Managing access to digital content in a virtual environment using virtual content rights, including: providing a virtual content rights database comprising data associating a user of the virtual environment with the virtual content rights acquired with respect to the digital content; receiving, at a processor, a request from a device of the user for assignment of the virtual content rights of the digital content, wherein the user uses the device to interface with the processor; updating the virtual content rights database to indicate the assignment of the virtual content rights to the user; receiving, at the processor, data from the device of the user holding the virtual content rights to digital content including songs to create a virtual user-configured music room having at least one of the songs; and updating the virtual content rights database to indicate sharing of the virtual user-configured music room by the user within the virtual environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas Sachson
  • Publication number: 20220139018
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media providing banner representations in a computer system that provides a virtual environment, including: accessing an avatar record, where the avatar record indicates an avatar representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of an avatar; receiving a selection of a banner representation made by a user; accessing a representation record, wherein the representation record indicates a banner representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of a banner; associating the banner representation with the avatar representation; receiving avatar movement input that indicates movement of the avatar within the virtual environment; and generating visual data representing the movement of the avatar and banner in the virtual environment using the avatar representation and the banner representation, where the banner is placed in the virtual environment following the avatar as the avatar moves in the virtual environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Sachson, Eric Benjamin Fruchter, James Marcus
  • Publication number: 20220134234
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for providing footprints in a computer system that provides a virtual environment, including: accessing an avatar record, where the avatar record indicates an avatar representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of an avatar; receiving a selection of a footprint; accessing a footprint record, where the footprint record includes footprint representations that include data to provide a visual representation of the selected footprint as a footprint representation; associating the footprint representation with the avatar representation; receiving avatar movement input that indicates movement of the avatar within the virtual environment; and generating visual data representing the movement of the avatar and footprints in the virtual environment using the avatar representation and the footprint representation, where the footprints are placed in the virtual environment following the avatar as the avatar moves in the virtual environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Sachson, James Marcus, Eric Benjamin Fruchter
  • Publication number: 20220080320
    Abstract: Providing an online music experience, including: a music venue system; a game device; wherein a game processor uses game data to provide a mini-game experience and present the mini-game experience through a display, wherein the game processor uses venue data to modify the mini-game experience and present the modified mini-game experience through the display, wherein the game processor receives user input and sends gameplay, wherein a system processor uses music data, video data, and the gameplay data to create a data representation of a music performance, wherein the system processor sends the data representation of the music performance to the game device, and wherein the game processor uses the data representation of the music performance to present the music performance through the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas Sachson
  • Publication number: 20210365526
    Abstract: Managing access to digital content in a virtual environment using virtual content rights, including: providing a virtual content rights database comprising data associating a user of the virtual environment with the virtual content rights acquired with respect to the digital content; receiving a request from a device of the user for assignment of the virtual content rights of the digital content, wherein the user uses the device to interface with the processor; updating the virtual content rights database to indicate the assignment of the virtual content rights to the user; receiving data from the device of the user holding the virtual content rights to digital content including songs to create a virtual mix tape having at least one of the songs; and updating the virtual content rights database to indicate sharing of the virtual mix tape by the user within the virtual environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Sachson, Bradley Spahr
  • Publication number: 20210365527
    Abstract: Management of virtual content rights of digital assets for a virtual environment, including: receiving data indicating a request from a user for assignment of virtual content rights of a digital asset; determining whether the requested virtual content rights are available for assignment to the user and a set of terms of the assignment for the requested virtual content rights; notifying the user of the availability and the set of terms for the assignment of the virtual content rights to the user; receiving data indicating agreement by the user to the assignment, including agreement to at least one term of the set of terms; and updating the virtual content rights database to indicate the assignment of the virtual content rights to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Bradley Spahr, Thomas Sachson
  • Publication number: 20210365493
    Abstract: An adjusting a virtual environment using recommendations, including: retrieving character information from a character database, where the character information is associated with a character associated with the virtual environment, and the character information includes character appearance information, character position information, and character action information; retrieving profile information from a profile database, where the profile information indicates one or more profile characteristics and at least one profile characteristic is related to music; comparing at least part of the character information with one or more of the profile characteristics to determine a comparison result; generating adjustment information based on the comparison result; sending the adjustment information to a client system through a network; receiving an adjustment reply from the client system through the network; and adjusting information for the virtual environment based on the adjustment reply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Bradley Spahr, Thomas Sachson
  • Publication number: 20210362060
    Abstract: Managing access to digital content at a server system in communication with relevant gaming devices, including: receiving a user account identifier and performance information from a relevant gaming device; accessing a collectible database storing collectible records; comparing the received performance information with the performance information in the collectible records; accessing a user account database that stores user account records; adding the retrieved collectible identifier to the identified user account record; retrieving a music-related asset identifier from the identified collectible record; and sending a confirmation to the relevant gaming device that indicates the collectible asset has been collected and indicates the retrieved music-related asset identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Sachson, Bradley Spahr
  • Publication number: 20200353362
    Abstract: Managing access to digital content at a server system in communication with mobile devices including: receiving a user account identifier and performance information from a mobile device; accessing a collectible database storing collectible records; comparing the received performance information with the performance information in the collectible records; accessing a user account database that stores user account records; adding the retrieved collectible identifier to the identified user account record; retrieving a music-related asset identifier from the identified collectible record; and sending a confirmation to the mobile device that indicates the collectible asset has been collected and indicates the retrieved music-related asset identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Sachson, Bradley Spahr
  • Patent number: 10044849
    Abstract: Technologies for distributed generation of an avatar with a facial expression corresponding to a facial expression of a user include capturing real-time video of a user of a local computing device. The computing device extracts facial parameters of the user's facial expression using the captured video and transmits the extracted facial parameters to a server. The server generates an avatar video of an avatar having a facial expression corresponding to the user's facial expression as a function of the extracted facial parameters and transmits the avatar video to a remote computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Wenlong Li, Xiaofeng Tong, Yangzhou Du, Thomas Sachson, Yimin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10019825
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, media and/or methods may involve animating avatars. User facial motion data may be extracted that corresponds to one or more user facial gestures observed by an image capture device when a user emulates a source object. An avatar animation may be provided based on the user facial motion data. Also, script data may be provided to the user and/or the user facial motion data may be extracted when the user utilizes the script data. Moreover, audio may be captured and/or converted to a predetermined tone. Source facial motion data may be extracted and/or an avatar animation may be provided based on the source facial motion data. A degree of match may be determined between the user facial motion data of a plurality of users and the source facial motion data. The user may select an avatar as a user avatar and/or a source object avatar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Wenlong Li, Thomas Sachson, Yunzhen Wang
  • Patent number: 9984487
    Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for transmitting facial motion data and animating an avatar are generally described herein. A system may include an image capture device to capture a series of images of a face, a facial recognition module to compute facial motion data for each of the images in the series of images, and a communication module to transmit the facial motion data to an animation device, wherein the animation device is to use the facial motion data to animate an avatar on the animation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Wenlong Li, Xiaofeng Tong, Yangzhou Du, Thomas Sachson
  • Patent number: 9947125
    Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for transmitting facial motion data and animating an avatar are generally described herein. A system may include an image capture device to capture a series of images of a face, a facial recognition module to compute facial motion data for each of the images in the series of images, and a communication module to transmit the facial motion data to an animation device, wherein the animation device is to use the facial motion data to animate an avatar on the animation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Wenlong Li, Xiaofeng Tong, Yangzhou Du, Thomas Sachson