Patents by Inventor Thomas Steven Woods

Thomas Steven Woods 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: 11860915
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating automatic program recommendations based on user interactions. In some embodiments, control circuitry processes verbal data received during an interaction between a user of a user device and a person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry analyzes the verbal data to automatically identify a media asset referred to during the interaction by at least one of the user and the person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry adds the identified media asset to a list of media assets associated with the user of the user device. The list of media assets is transmitted to a second user device of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Fife, Jason Braness, Michael Papish, Thomas Steven Woods
  • Publication number: 20210173860
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating automatic program recommendations based on user interactions. In some embodiments, control circuitry processes verbal data received during an interaction between a user of a user device and a person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry analyzes the verbal data to automatically identify a media asset referred to during the interaction by at least one of the user and the person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry adds the identified media asset to a list of media assets associated with the user of the user device. The list of media assets is transmitted to a second user device of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Fife, Jason Braness, Michael Papish, Thomas Steven Woods
  • Patent number: 10963498
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating automatic program recommendations based on user interactions. In some embodiments, control circuitry processes verbal data received during an interaction between a user of a user device and a person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry analyzes the verbal data to automatically identify a media asset referred to during the interaction by at least one of the user and the person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry adds the identified media asset to a list of media assets associated with the user of the user device. The list of media assets is transmitted to a second user device of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Fife, Jason Braness, Michael Papish, Thomas Steven Woods
  • Publication number: 20190073417
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating automatic program recommendations based on user interactions. In some embodiments, control circuitry processes verbal data received during an interaction between a user of a user device and a person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry analyzes the verbal data to automatically identify a media asset referred to during the interaction by at least one of the user and the person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry adds the identified media asset to a list of media assets associated with the user of the user device. The list of media assets is transmitted to a second user device of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Brian Fife, Jason Braness, Michael Papish, Thomas Steven Woods
  • Patent number: 10133810
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating automatic program recommendations based on user interactions. In some embodiment, control circuitry processes verbal data received during an interaction between a user of a user device and a person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry analyzes the verbal data to automatically identify a media asset referred to during the interaction by at least one of the user and the person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry adds the identified media asset to a list of media assets associated with the user of the user device. The list of media assets is transmitted to a second user device of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Fife, Jason Braness, Michael Papish, Thomas Steven Woods
  • Publication number: 20180324497
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting recorded media assets on user equipment. In some aspects, the systems and methods described determine that a reference event has occurred. In response to the determination, the systems and methods search a plurality of media assets stored on a storage device for a media asset that matches a user profile. Control circuitry measures an amount of time that has elapsed from a time at which the reference event occurred until an input requesting display of the media asset is received. The control circuitry receives the input. In response to receiving the input, the control circuitry retrieves the media asset from the storage device and causes the media asset to be presented on the user equipment starting from a play position that is offset from a beginning of the media asset by the measured amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Steven Woods
  • Publication number: 20180203923
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating automatic program recommendations based on user interactions. In some embodiment, control circuitry processes verbal data received during an interaction between a user of a user device and a person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry analyzes the verbal data to automatically identify a media asset referred to during the interaction by at least one of the user and the person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry adds the identified media asset to a list of media assets associated with the user of the user device. The list of media assets is transmitted to a second user device of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Fife, Jason Braness, Michael Papish, Thomas Steven Woods
  • Patent number: 9922448
    Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) media guidance application are provided. A first selectable media guidance object may be displayed on a screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a first plane. A second selectable media guidance object may be displayed on the screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a second plane. The first and second planes may be perceived to intersect an axis normal to the display in different locations. A user selection of at least one of the first and second selectable media guidance objects may be received. An action of moving a cursor in 3D space or selecting one of the selectable media guidance objects displayed in the 3D space may be performed based on the user selection. The user selection may be performed with an input device having as accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ROVI Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Richard Klappert, Thomas Steven Woods, Henry C. Chilvers
  • Patent number: 9852214
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating automatic program recommendations based on user interactions. In some embodiments, control circuitry processes verbal data received during an interaction between a user of a user device and a person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry analyzes the verbal data to automatically identify a media asset referred to during the interaction by at least one of the user and the person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry adds the identified media asset to a list of media assets associated with the user of the user device. The list of media assets is transmitted to a second user device of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Fife, Jason Braness, Michael Papish, Thomas Steven Woods
  • Publication number: 20160205426
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating automatic program recommendations based on user interactions. In some embodiments, control circuitry processes verbal data received during an interaction between a user of a user device and a person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry analyzes the verbal data to automatically identify a media asset referred to during the interaction by at least one of the user and the person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry adds the identified media asset to a list of media assets associated with the user of the user device. The list of media assets is transmitted to a second user device of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Brian Fife, Jason Braness, Michael Papish, Thomas Steven Woods
  • Patent number: 9298810
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating automatic program recommendations based on user interactions. In some embodiments, control circuitry processes verbal data received during an interaction between a user of a user device and a person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry analyzes the verbal data to automatically identify a media asset referred to during the interaction by at least one of the user and the person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry adds the identified media asset to a list of media assets associated with the user of the user device. The list of media assets is transmitted to a second user device of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Fife, Jason Braness, Michael Papish, Thomas Steven Woods
  • Patent number: 9167196
    Abstract: Systems and methods for trimming recorded content or segments using a media guidance application are provided. A first program scheduled for recording during one timeslot. A determination is made that the first program will run beyond the scheduled broadcast time. The first program may be rescheduled for recording during a second larger timeslot that overlaps with the scheduled broadcast time of a second program. Content provided by the program source may be recorded during the second timeslot. The recorded content may be trimmed to remove portions of the recorded content that correspond to the second program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Steven Woods
  • Publication number: 20150254333
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating automatic program recommendations based on user interactions. In some embodiments, control circuitry processes verbal data received during an interaction between a user of a user device and a person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry analyzes the verbal data to automatically identify a media asset referred to during the interaction by at least one of the user and the person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry adds the identified media asset to a list of media assets associated with the user of the user device. The list of media assets is transmitted to a second user device of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Fife, Jason Braness, Michael Papish, Thomas Steven Woods
  • Patent number: 9092415
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating automatic program recommendations based on user interactions. In some embodiments, control circuitry processes verbal data received during an interaction between a user of a user device and a person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry analyzes the verbal data to automatically identify a media asset referred to during the interaction by at least one of the user and the person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry adds the identified media asset to a list of media assets associated with the user of the user device. The list of media assets is transmitted to a second user device of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Fife, Jason Braness, Michael Papish, Thomas Steven Woods
  • Publication number: 20150187122
    Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) media guidance application are provided. A first selectable media guidance object may be displayed on a screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a first plane. A second selectable media guidance object may be displayed on the screen that then viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a second plane. The first and second planes may be perceived to intersect an axis normal to the display is different locations. A user selection of at least one of the first and second selectable media guidance objects may be received. An action of moving a cursor in 3D space or selecting one of the selectable media guidance objects displayed in the 3D space may be performed based on the user selection. The user selection may be performed with an input device having as accelerometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Walter Richard Klappert, Thomas Steven Woods, Henry C. Chilvers
  • Patent number: 9014535
    Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and systems for synchronizing simultaneous media asset viewing for users at different geographical viewing locations. In some embodiments, a first user device receives a request to synchronize viewing of a media asset with a second user device. Control circuitry may automatically determine that the media asset is available to the second user device after becoming available to the first user device. Based on the determining, the control circuitry may automatically schedule the media asset for recording on the first user device. In some embodiments, control circuitry synchronizes viewing of the media asset when the media access becomes available to the second user device. The second user device may access a video feed transmitted by a media source, while the first user device accesses a video feed of a recorded media asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter R. Klappert, Thomas Steven Woods, Michael R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8970669
    Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) media guidance application are provided. A first selectable media guidance object may be displayed on a screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a first plane. A second selectable media guidance object may be displayed on the screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a second plane. The first and second planes may be perceived to intersect an axis normal to the display in different locations. A user selection of at least one of the first and second selectable media guidance objects may be received. An action of moving a cursor in 3D space or selecting one of the selectable media guidance objects displayed in the 3D space may be performed based on the user selection. The user selection may be performed with an input device having an accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Richard Klappert, Thomas Steven Woods, Henry C. Chilvers, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150012416
    Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting transaction conditions based on environmental factors are discussed herein. In one embodiment, information indicating the current status of an environmental factor (e.g., the current weather, the current time of day) is received and used to select a transaction condition. The transaction condition includes a parameter that indicates under which circumstances access to a media asset is enabled (e.g., length of time during which access is permitted, the maximum number of user devices that may access the media asset). A display of a listing for the media asset is then generated. Additionally, an indication of the transaction condition is displayed. In response to a user selection of the displayed listing, access to the media asset is enabled under the circumstances indicated by the parameter of the transaction condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Steven Woods
  • Publication number: 20140282061
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a suitable user input interface type based on a particular user. Specifically, a media guidance application determines a demographic category of a user, and based on that demographic category of the user, automatically selects a user input interface for manipulating media objects that is suitable for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: David John Wheatley, Brian Craig Peterson, William J. Korbecki, Jonathan Arme, Douglas James Seyller, Thomas Steven Woods, Mycal Elliott, Amanda Mallardo, Justin Wear
  • Publication number: 20140258863
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting on-demand media assets on user equipment. In some aspects, the systems and methods described determine whether an on-demand asset is accessible to a user and whether it matches a user profile associated with the user. Control circuitry receives, without displaying, the on-demand media asset starting from a first playback position at the user equipment without receiving user input to view the on-demand media asset upon determining that the on-demand media asset matches the user profile. The control circuitry receives a user input, at the user equipment, to view the on-demand media asset at the user equipment. When the user input is received, the control circuitry determines a second playback position, after the first playback position, of the on-demand media asset. Control circuitry causes the on-demand media asset to be presented on the user equipment starting from the determined second playback position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Steven Woods