Michael Todd Nichols

US Patent:

20140067208, Mar 6, 2014

Filed:

Aug 31, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/601222

Inventors:

Walter R. Klappert - Los Angeles CA, US
Michael R. Nichols - La Canada CA, US
Satinderpal S. Sikh - Studio City CA, US

Assignee:

UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

701 49

Abstract:

Methods and systems are disclosed for a guidance application capable of coordinating the interior features of a vehicle (e.g., the heating/cooling system, automatic windows, automatic seats, automatic sunroof, seat heaters, etc.) to produce the current environmental conditions (e.g., sunshine, heat, wind, etc.) displayed in a media asset being accessed in the vehicle.

US Patent:

20180109932, Apr 19, 2018

Filed:

Sep 25, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/715070

Inventors:

- San Carlos CA, US
Minah Oh - Los Angeles CA, US
Michael R. Nichols - La Canada Flintridge CA, US

International Classification:

H04W 4/18
H04W 12/06
H04W 12/02
H04N 21/482
H04N 21/45
H04N 21/4415
G06F 3/01
H04L 29/06
H04N 21/41
G06K 9/00
G06K 9/46

Abstract:

Systems and methods are described herein for expanding the functionality of a print scanner. The scanner may be programmed to invoke a different function if only a portion of a print is detected rather than a full print. In this manner, it would be possible for a user to share a user equipment device such as a smartphone with a friend. The user may wish to share his or her smartphone, and may activate access to the browser that does not include any of the cookies, private passwords, or other login information during a session by using just the tip of the user's finger on a fingerprint scanner, as opposed to the user's full fingerprint. When the user wishes to again have his or her personal information accessible in the browser, the user may activate the browser using the user's full fingerprint.

US Patent:

20160378307, Dec 29, 2016

Filed:

Jun 26, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/752031

Inventors:

- Santa Clara CA, US
Walter R. Klappert - Los Angeles CA, US
Michael R. Nichols - La Canada Flintridge CA, US
Olivier Chalouhi - Mountain View CA, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/0484
G06K 9/00
G06F 3/14
G06F 3/0481
G06T 11/20
G06T 11/00

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided herein for personalizing images that correspond to a media asset identifier by using user profile information. As an example, the television series “Community” has several actors, such as Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. Poster art developed by an editor o50533238_1f “Community” may include an image that portrays each of Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. In order to personalize the image, control circuitry may determine which actor(s) the user prefers, and crop out only those actors in the poster art to create a personalized image. As an example, if the user prefers Joel McHale, control circuitry may crop out the portrayal of Joel McHale and use only that portion of the image to display next to other text describing “Community.”

US Patent:

20160378308, Dec 29, 2016

Filed:

Jun 26, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/752333

Inventors:

- Santa Clara CA, US
Walter R. Klappert - Los Angeles CA, US
Michael R. Nichols - La Canada Flintridge CA, US
Olivier Chalouhi - Mountain View CA, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/0484
G06T 11/00
H04N 5/445
G06F 3/0481
G06K 9/00
G06T 11/20
G06F 3/14

Abstract:

Control circuitry may identify a plurality of images corresponding to a media asset, where each image of the plurality of images comprises at least one portion, and where each portion comprises a respective entity. Control circuitry may determine an identity of each respective entity. Control circuitry may access a user profile from a database. Control circuitry may cross-reference metadata of the user profile with each identity of each respective entity to determine a preferred entity. Control circuitry may then determine an image of the plurality of images where the preferred entity is more prevalent, and may generate for display that image.

US Patent:

20160381420, Dec 29, 2016

Filed:

Jun 26, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/752204

Inventors:

- Santa Clara CA, US
Walter R. Klappert - Los Angeles CA, US
Michael R. Nichols - La Canada Flintridge CA, US
Olivier Chalouhi - Mountain View CA, US

International Classification:

H04N 21/45
G06T 11/60
G06T 3/00
H04N 21/44
H04N 21/482
H04N 21/466
H04N 21/431
G06K 9/00
G06T 11/20
G06T 3/40

Abstract:

Control circuitry may identify an image corresponding to a media asset, where the image comprises a plurality of portions, and where each portion of the plurality of portions comprises a respective entity. The image identified by control circuitry may include several portions, where each portion includes a respective entity. Control circuitry may determine an identity of each respective entity in each respective portion of the plurality of portions. Control circuitry may then access a database to determine a level of prevalence of each identity in the media asset. Based on these identifications, control circuitry may determine which respective entity corresponds to a highest level of prevalence (e.g., with respect to the other entities), and may generate for display a respective portion comprising the respective entity that corresponds to the highest level of prevalence.

US Patent:

20160269881, Sep 15, 2016

Filed:

May 18, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/158213

Inventors:

- San Carlos CA, US
Minah Oh - Los Angeles CA, US
Michael R. Nichols - La Canada Flintridge CA, US

International Classification:

H04W 4/18
H04W 12/02
H04W 12/06
H04N 21/4415
G06F 3/01
H04N 21/45
H04N 21/41
G06K 9/00
H04L 29/06

Abstract:

Systems and methods are described herein for expanding the functionality of a print scanner. The scanner may be programmed to invoke a different function if only a portion of a print is detected rather than a full print. In this manner, it would be possible for a user to share a user equipment device such as a smartphone with a friend. The user may wish to share his or her smartphone, and may activate access to the browser that does not include any of the cookies, private passwords, or other login information during a session by using just the tip of the user's finger on a fingerprint scanner, as opposed to the user's full fingerprint. When the user wishes to again have his or her personal information accessible in the browser, the user may activate the browser using the user's full fingerprint.

US Patent:

20160117542, Apr 28, 2016

Filed:

Oct 28, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/525705

Inventors:

- Santa Clara CA, US
Minah Oh - Los Angeles CA, US
Michael R. Nichols - La Canada Flintridge CA, US

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
H04N 21/45
H04N 21/482
H04N 21/41
H04N 21/4415

Abstract:

Systems and methods are described herein for expanding the functionality of a print scanner. The scanner may be programmed to invoke a different function if only a portion of a print is detected rather than a full print. In this manner, it would be possible for a user to share a user equipment device such as a smartphone with a friend. The user may wish to share his or her smartphone, and may activate access to the browser that does not include any of the cookies, private passwords, or other login information during a session by using just the tip of the user's finger on a fingerprint scanner, as opposed to the user's full fingerprint. When the user wishes to again have his or her personal information accessible in the browser, the user may activate the browser using the user's full fingerprint.

US Patent:

20140201780, Jul 17, 2014

Filed:

Mar 14, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/213930

Inventors:

- Santa Clara CA, US
Walter R. Klappert - Los Angeles CA, US
Michael R. Nichols - La Canada-Flintridge CA, US
Brian Riegel - Golden CO, US
Michael Papish - Randolph Center VT, US
Adam Powers - Dubin CA, US

Assignee:

United Video Properties, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H04N 21/482
H04N 21/478
H04N 21/472

US Classification:

725 32, 725 53

Abstract:

Systems and methods for presenting user-generated content in as easily accessible manner using an interactive media guide are provided. In particular, a user may be able to peruse user-generated content through an interactive media guide which is also used to access non-user-generated media content such as linear programming (e.g., over-the-air broadcast, cable, and satellite scheduled programming) and on-demand media. The interactive media guide may include a provider of user-generated content populated with user-generated content according to the user's interests or most recently added to the provider.