Michael N Nichols

US Patent:

20020175916, Nov 28, 2002

Filed:

Apr 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/124527

Inventors:

Michael Nichols - La Canada Flintridge CA, US
George Gerba - Venice CA, US

International Classification:

G06T011/20

US Classification:

345/440000

Abstract:

A method is provided for guiding a user through a multi-step process on a computer-generated display. Layered dialogs are displayed, including a currently active dialog and remaining dialogs. Each dialog provides text for guiding the user through a corresponding step. After the current step is completed, the currently active dialog is removed so that a remaining dialog is viewable for guiding the user through an additional step. Additionally, a method for displaying a text string in a computer-generated dialog includes storing the text string as a number of tokens (e.g., words), determining widths of lines in the dialog in which text is to be written, and determining which tokens are to be displayed on which line so that a boundary of the dialog is not exceeded. The line widths may be determined based on chord widths of the dialog according to the dialog's geometry.

US Patent:

20130305288, Nov 14, 2013

Filed:

Jul 11, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/939947

Inventors:

Michael R. Nichols - Altadena CA, US

International Classification:

H04N 21/81

US Classification:

725 42

Abstract:

Dynamically controlling advertisements on an electronic guide is disclosed. An advertisement cell on an electronic guide may be moved based on the movement of other cells. The advertisement cell may be subsequently kept stationary in relation to the other cells for a certain time portion.

US Patent:

20140082659, Mar 20, 2014

Filed:

Sep 19, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/622542

Inventors:

Michael Nichols - La Canada CA, US

Assignee:

UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H04N 21/81

US Classification:

725 32

Abstract:

Methods and systems for generating progressive advertisement schedules in media assets. Advertisement schedules are generated for currently displayed media assets based at least in part on the advertisement schedules associated with media assets previously viewed by the user and the number of advertisements presented to a user while the user viewed the previous media asset.

US Patent:

20200396508, Dec 17, 2020

Filed:

Aug 28, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/005482

Inventors:

- San Jose CA, US
Michael R. Nichols - La Canada Flintridge CA, US

International Classification:

H04N 21/466
H04N 21/442

Abstract:

Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that provides content recommendations based on recent activity. For example, the media guidance application determines that the user has stopped using the first device and is using the second device. In response, the media guidance application retrieves, from memory, a length of time that the user has consumed media on the first device. The media guidance application then determines the time interval when the user was consuming media on the first device. Next, media content is determined that the user consumed on the first device during the time interval. The media guidance application then determines a characteristic of the consumed media content and recommends media content on a second device based on the characteristic.

US Patent:

20190306578, Oct 3, 2019

Filed:

May 31, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/427920

Inventors:

- San Jose CA, US
Michael R. Nichols - La Canada Flintridge CA, US

International Classification:

H04N 21/466
H04N 21/442

Abstract:

Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that provides content recommendations based on recent activity. For example, the media guidance application determines that the user has stopped using the first device and is using the second device. In response, the media guidance application retrieves, from memory, a length of time that the user has consumed media on the first device. The media guidance application then determines the time interval when the user was consuming media on the first device. Next, media content is determined that the user consumed on the first device during the time interval. The media guidance application then determines a characteristic of the consumed media content and recommends media content on a second device based on the characteristic.

US Patent:

20190191209, Jun 20, 2019

Filed:

Jan 18, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/251511

Inventors:

- San Jose CA, US
Michael R. Nichols - La Canada Flintridge CA, US
Walter R. Klappert - Los Angeles CA, US

International Classification:

H04N 21/431
H04N 21/482
H04N 21/4788
H04N 21/262
H04N 21/84
H04N 21/422
H04N 21/2665
H04N 21/61
H04N 21/41
H04N 21/44

Abstract:

Methods and systems for a media guidance application that may enhance viewer experience. The media guidance application may receive video assets from content capture devices at different locations, determine characteristics of the media assets and assign content tags, corresponding to the characteristics, to the media assets. The media guidance application may receive a video-feed request from another location and determine video feed criterion associated with the request. The media guidance application may use a database to determine media assets with characteristics matching the video feed criterion, and may generate for display the media assets in a video feed.

US Patent:

20180330153, Nov 15, 2018

Filed:

Jul 6, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/029111

Inventors:

- San Jose CA, US
Michael R. Nichols - La Canada Flintridge CA, US

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
G10L 15/00
G10L 15/02

Abstract:

In some embodiments, control circuitry may detect a voice communication from a human using voice detection circuitry during playback of a media asset being consumed by the user. Control circuitry may then identify an accent characteristic of the voice communication. Control circuitry may cross-reference the accent characteristic against listings of an accent database and then determine, based on the cross-referencing of the accent characteristic a country of origin of the human. Control circuitry may detect, using imaging circuitry, a gesture made by the human. Control circuitry may then cross-reference the gesture against listings of a gesture database associated with the country of origin and then determine based on the cross-referencing of the gesture, a meaning of the gesture in relation to the media asset.

US Patent:

20180192161, Jul 5, 2018

Filed:

Dec 29, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/858211

Inventors:

- Wilmington DE, US
Michael R. Nichols - Altadena CA, US

Assignee:

CUMNOR TECHNOLOGIES LLC - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04N 21/81
H04N 21/482
H04N 21/4722
G06F 3/0485
H04N 21/431
H04N 21/472
G06F 3/0482

Abstract:

An electronic device may insert an advertisement in a cell adjacent to other cells based on displayed programming information when the cells are stationary. An electronic device may insert a second advertisement when the cells move in a direction. The second advertisement may change size based on the direction and available cells.