Patents by Inventor William L. Thomas

William L. Thomas 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: 20210204026
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein for recommending a media asset based on a geographic location at which that media asset was frequently consumed. For example, the system may monitor a location, such as New York City or Times Square, to determine popular media assets watched there, such as “The Avengers,” and when another user visits New York City, the system may then notify the user that the movie, such as “The Avengers,” is associated with New York City. The system stores the geographic locations associated with the media asset in the database based on the consumption of the media asset so that other users may be notified which media assets are associated with each geographic location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Gabriel C. Dalbec, Jonathan A. Logan, Ajay Kumar Gupta, Alexander W. Liston, William L. Thomas, Margret B. Schmidt, Mathew C. Burns
  • Patent number: 11051079
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a system includes receiving a request to display a content and employing an antenna system to receive content data that is representative of the content. The antenna system includes a first antenna, a second antenna, and a third antenna. The system further utilizing at least three arrangements to collect the content, wherein a first arrangement includes receiving the content data broadcasted over the air to extract the content from the content data, a second arrangement includes establishing a wireless communication connection with a network node device operated by a first telecommunication service provider to collect the content data from a server, and a third arrangement includes connecting to a hot-spot having a connection to a second network node device operated by a second telecommunication service provider to collect the content data from the server. The system further transfers the content to the display component, which is collected utilizing the three arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Digital Research Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Francis Shambro, Jr., Fred Richard Niedrich, William L. Thomas, Milan Patel
  • Patent number: 11048743
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling quick access to media options are provided. A display of a plurality of icons is generated, wherein each of the plurality of icons represents a different one of a plurality of applications. A user input is detected that identifies a first of the plurality of icons associated with a first of the plurality of applications. In response to determining that the user input corresponds to a quick access operation, first and second media asset identifiers and corresponding media options are retrieved from each of second and third applications. A menu that includes the retrieved first and second media asset identifiers is generated for display with the plurality of icons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20210160554
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using a straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P. Baumgartner, William L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20210144439
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein for recommending a media asset based on a geographic location at which that media asset was frequently consumed. For example, the system may monitor a location, such as New York City or Times Square, to determine popular media assets watched there, such as “The Avengers,” and when another user visits New York City, the system may then notify the user that the movie, such as “The Avengers,” is associated with New York City. The system stores the geographic locations associated with the media asset in the database based on the consumption of the media asset so that other users may be notified which media assets are associated with each geographic location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Gabriel C. Dalbec, Jonathan A. Logan, Ajay Kumar Gupta, Alexander W. Liston, William L. Thomas, Margret B. Schmidt, Mathew C. Burns
  • Publication number: 20210099765
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a media guidance application that aggregates media content and media guidance data for users. For example, the media guidance application may aggregate content from numerous providers and provide the content through a single interface. Moreover, the media guidance application described herein may provide service providers with finder's fees for sharing information about media assets that users are interested in viewing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: William L. Thomas, Walter R. Klappert, Richard M. Beaty
  • Patent number: 10951927
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using a straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P. Baumgartner, William L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20210058657
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing subscriptions. A media guidance application obtaining viewing patterns of a subscriber and determining a first and second media package of interest to the subscriber. A first and second release schedule are obtained related to media content in the first and second media packages. The media guidance application predicts a first viewing impact of the first subscription and a second viewing impact of the second subscription, for the upcoming time period, wherein the viewing impact indicates a total predicted amount of time spent viewing the media packages in the upcoming time period. An available amount of time for viewing media in the upcoming time period is also determined. The media guidance application generates a subscription recommendation for the upcoming time period based on the first viewing impact, second viewing impact, and available amount of time for viewing media in the upcoming time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Adam Bates, Hafiza Jameela, Jesse F. Patterson, Mark K. Berner, Eric Dorsey, Jonathan A. Logan, David W. Chamberlin, Paul Stevens, Herbert A. Waterman, William L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10904630
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing guidance to users for finding media are described. Such systems and methods may be provided in interactive media guides such as program guides, web browsers, or other suitable interactive media guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Thomas, W. Benjamin Herrington, David M. Berezowski, Robert A. Knee, Michael D. Ellis, Todd A. Walker, M. Scott Reichardt, L. Joe Hedges, Esq.
  • Patent number: 10893327
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein for recommending a media asset based on a geographic location at which that media asset was frequently consumed. For example, the system may monitor a location, such as New York City or Times Square, to determine popular media assets watched there, such as “The Avengers,” and when another user visits New York City, the system may then notify the user that the movie, such as “The Avengers,” is associated with New York City. The system stores the geographic locations associated with the media asset in the database based on the consumption of the media asset so that other users may be notified which media assets are associated with each geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel C. Dalbec, Jonathan A. Logan, Ajay Kumar Gupta, Alexander W. Liston, William L. Thomas, Margret B. Schmidt, Mathew C. Burns
  • Publication number: 20200412704
    Abstract: Systems and methods for connecting a private device to a public device based on various connection parameters. For example, a media guidance application may receive a communication requesting to use the public device from a private device that is implementing a private interface application (e.g., Netflix™ a streaming media application). In response, the media guidance application may generate an authorization key that is unique to the private device and comprises connection parameters. The media guidance application may transmit the authorization key to the private interface application to initiate a session between the public device and the private device. Whenever a command is received from the private device, the media guidance application may verify the authorization key and determine whether the connection parameters are satisfied. In response to verifying the authorization key and the connection parameters, the public device may execute the received command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventor: William L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200404354
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein such that, a media guidance application presents, in an interactive program guide, a virtual content source for binge watching a program series. The media guidance application may determine a program series a user is currently watching. The media guidance application may receive a user selection of a media asset. The media guidance application may determine a length of time between a current time and a start time of the media asset. The media guidance application may determine the next episodes of the program series the user can watch before the start time of the media asset and present them using a virtual content source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: William L. Thomas, Margret B. Schmidt, Alexander W. Liston, Jonathan A. Logan, Gabriel C. Dalbec, Mathew C. Burns, Ajay Kumar Gupta
  • Publication number: 20200351273
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing access to media content by connecting, to a public device, a private device that has an installed application associated with the media content. A media guidance application may receive a communication from a private device, running a private interface application, requesting to access content using the public device. In response, the media guidance application may retrieve, at the public device, a public interface application associated with the private interface application, from a content provider of the content. The private interface application may be configured to control a graphical user interface of the public interface application. Accordingly, the user may be able to access content via the public device when the private device is within a predetermined proximity to the public device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: William L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10827227
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a media guidance application that aggregates media content and media guidance data for users. For example, the media guidance application may aggregate content from numerous providers and provide the content through a single interface. Moreover, the media guidance application described herein may provide service providers with finder's fees for sharing information about media assets that users are interested in viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Thomas, Walter R. Klappert, Richard M. Beaty
  • Publication number: 20200322343
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing access to media content by connecting, to a public device, a private device that does not have an installed application associated with the media content. A media guidance application may receive a communication from a private device requesting to access content using the public device. In response, the media guidance application may retrieve, at the public device, a public interface application and private interface application from a content provider of the content. The private interface application, which may be configured to control a graphical user interface of the public interface application, may then be transmitted to the private device. Accordingly, the user may be able to access content via the public device when the private device is within a predetermined proximity to the public device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventor: William L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200322680
    Abstract: Systems and methods for disambiguation of an ambiguous entity in a search query based on the gaze of a user. These systems and methods may be implemented by a media guidance application (e.g., executed by user equipment associated with the user). In some aspects, the media guidance application may monitor the gaze of the user and attempt to disambiguate the ambiguous entity based on an area of the screen the user viewed while issuing the search query. If the media guidance application receives an indication that it did not disambiguate the ambiguous entity in the search query correctly, the media guidance application may increase the area of the screen that the user viewed in order to find an additional entity. This may allow the media guidance application to quickly and accurately find the correct answer to the user's search query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Ajay Kumar Gupta, William L. Thomas, Mathew C. Burns, Gabriel C. Dalbec, Alexander W. Liston, Jonathan A. Logan, Margret B. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20200314499
    Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting custom navigation options are described herein. In some embodiments, the media guidance application displays a first portion of a media asset, and receives a user selection of an entity depicted within the portion. The media guidance application identifies a playlist of media asset portions associated with the entity, and generates for display a transport bar associated with the entity comprising an indicator identifying the entity and only one or more regions associated with the playlist of media asset portions. The media guidance application then receives a second user selection, and generates for display a second portion of the media asset associated with the entity in response. In some embodiments, the media guidance application identifies the playlist by searching a custom presentation database for entries associated with the entity, and retrieves the playlist from the identified entry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: William L. Thomas, Margret B. Schmidt, Ajay Kumar Gupta, Alexander W. Liston, Jonathan A. Logan, Mathew C. Burns, Gabriel C. Dalbec
  • Publication number: 20200304874
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for providing streamlined access to media assets of interest to a user. The method includes determining that a supplemental viewing device, through which a user views a field of view, is directed at a first field of view. The method further involves detecting that the supplemental viewing device is now directed at a second field of view, and determining that a media consumption device is within the second field of view. A first media asset of interest to the user that is available for consumption via the media consumption device is identified, and the supplemental viewing device generates a visual indication in the second field of view. The visual indication indicates that the first media asset is available for consumption via the media consumption device, and the visual indication tracks a location of the media consumption device in the second field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Logan, Alexander W. Liston, William L. Thomas, Gabriel C. Dalbec, Margret B. Schmidt, Mathew C. Burns, Ajay Kumar Gupta
  • Publication number: 20200304509
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing access to media content by connecting, to a public device, a private device that has installed a mirror-capable application associated with the media content. A media guidance application may receive a communication from a private device, with a private interface application and a public interface application, wherein the communication is a request to access content using the public device. In response, the media guidance application may request, at the public device, the public interface application from the private device. The private device may thus transmit the public interface application with user authorization information to the public device. The private interface application may be configured to mirror the graphical user interface of the public interface application. Accordingly, the user may be able to access content via the public device and mirror the content on the private device, when the private device is within a predetermined proximity to the public device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventor: William L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200296481
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling and rewarding collaborative content creation are described. The method comprises, playing back live video provided by an over-the-top (OTT) provider to a user, receiving, from the user, a command to crop and modify a portion of the video comprising a subject, generating user-generated content based on the command, publishing the user-generated content to a plurality of users, determining whether the user-generated content is republished a threshold number of times during a republication period, and in response to determining that the user-generated content is republished the threshold number of times during the republication period, unlocking access to content from the OTT provider for the user that relates to the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Dylan Matthew Wondra, Jean Michelle Somlo, Michaela Schlocker Logan, Mario Miguel Sanchez, William L. Thomas