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Patents (26 issued to date)

1. Patent #10,514,832, granted December 24, 2019 (Technicolor)
   • Method for locating regions of interest in a user interface 
     The user interest can be determined in accordance with user preference information. Optionally, cards which do not have regions of interest are removed from a display area and such cards are replaced with new cards that do have regions of interest.
2. Patent #9,990,112, granted June 05, 2018 (Technicolor)
   • Method and apparatus for locating regions of interest in a user interface 
     The present disclosure is directed towards having a user interface that displays a number of cards or windows. A user can implement a command where the user interface will automatically change the position of the displayed cards to show regions of interest which are the parts of the cards that a user may have interested in.
3. Patent #9,852,442, granted December 26, 2017 (Sony)
   • Method and apparatus for providing customized selection of audio content over the internet using declared and behavior profile information
     A method an apparatus is provided for providing selected media files, which are chosen from among a plurality of media files, to a user over a packet-switched network such as the Internet. The method begins by receiving over the packet-switched network a request from the user to receive media content. Next, a user profile associated with the user is retrieved from a database. The user profile reflects user preferences in media content to be received over the packet-switched network. The plurality of media files are ranked based at least in part on the user profile. At least one highly ranked media file is selected from among the ranked plurality of media files. At least one of the highly ranked media files is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network.
4. Patent #9,842,350, granted December 12, 2017 (Sony)
   • Method and apparatus for forwarding media content interspersed with an advertisement 
     A method an apparatus is provided for providing selected media files, which are chosen from among a plurality of media files, to a user over a packet-switched network such as the Internet. The method begins by receiving over the packet-switched network a request from the user to receive media content. Next, a user profile associated with the user is retrieved from a database. The user profile reflects user preferences in media content to be received over the packet-switched network. The plurality of media files are ranked based at least in part on the user profile. At least one highly ranked media file is selected from among the ranked plurality of media files. At least one of the highly ranked media files is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network.
5. Patent #9,836,190, granted December 05, 2017 (Technicolor)
   • Method and apparatus for restricting user operations when applied to cards or windows
     A user interface that displays a number of cards or windows is described where a user can move the cards in a horizontal direction freely. When a card resides in a locked zone, as defined by a user, the card will be able to be manipulated in a vertical direction, while cards that reside in a regular zone will not be able to be moved vertically. In addition, only cards that are in the locked zone can be subjected to a user action such as cutting content from the card, pasting content to the card, enlarging the contents of the card, or shrinking the contents of the card.
     Patent #8,650,314, granted February 11, 2014 (Sony)
     Method and and system for remote access of personal music
     The method includes: (a) receiving electronic files at a central location from a first device, those electronic files representing audio signals; (b) associating the audio files with identification information; (c) storing the audio files at the central location on at least a portion of a storage media, that portion being uniquely associated with the identification information; (d) receiving the identification information from a second device; and (e) transmitting the audio files to the second device upon receipt of the identification information.
6. Patent #8,589,476, granted November 19, 2013 (Sony)
   • Method and and apparatus for providing a customized selection of audio content over the Internet
     A method an apparatus is provided for providing selected media files, which are chosen from among a plurality of media files, to a user over a packet-switched network such as the Internet. The method begins by receiving over the packet-switched network a request from the user to receive media content. Next, a user profile associated with the user is retrieved from a database. The user profile reflects user preferences in media content to be received over the packet-switched network. The plurality of media files are ranked based at least in part on the user profile. At least one highly ranked media file is selected from among the ranked plurality of media files. At least one of the highly ranked media files is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network.
7. Patent #8,286,256, granted October 09, 2012 (Sony)
   • Method and system for restricted biometric access to content of packaged media
     A system, method, and user device for restricting access to the content of media over a network. Biometric information is collected and compared against pre-stored biometric information of a user to authenticate the identity of the user. The user then requests access to the content of a medium. Access is permitted to the requested content if the content is identified as content, or indicia identifying the content, that the user previously uploaded to the server. Access is denied to the requested content if the content is not identified as content, or indicia identifying the content, that the user previously uploaded to the server.
8. Patent #8,046,325, granted October 25, 2011 (Sony)
   • Method and system for distributing product information
     A method and system of associating product codes with product characteristics, and using those product codes to send and receive information about those characteristics to destinations on a network when the values of those characteristics change.
9. Patent #8,037,316, granted October 11, 2011 (Sony)
   • Method and system for user information verification
     A system and method for authenticating users based on personal information. The personal information may include age-related data where the users are interested in receiving age-restricted content. The personal information may include an address and a permission request is sent to the address. Biometric information may also be associated with the personal information.
10. Patent #8,024,419, granted September 20, 2011 (Sony)
    • Method & System for remote access of personal music - Your Music, Anytime. Anywhere
      Many consumers today have amassed substantial music collections in the CD audio format. The physical aspect of such a large collection however means that a consumer wishing to enjoy their collection from any place other than where the collection is located must make a choice as to which CD to take with them as they move about.
      The primary alternative to date has been for the consumer to record select CD's onto cassette tape or mini-disc mediums to take with them when they leave the vicinity of their music collection. By default, this means the entire collection is not remotely available for the consumer's enjoyment.
      As a newer alternative, the advent of the MPEG-based MP3 file format has enabled consumers to record (rip) their CD's and store them as MP3 files on their personal computers. This does enable a degree of added flexibility, however as the number of files is limited by the available hard disk drive space in the consumer's PC, it is also an inadequate solution. Since a typical album requires approximately 30-60 mb of hard disk space, the storage requirement of this and similar file formats once again forces the consumer to choose which elements of their music collection they want to enjoy instead of having access to the entire collection.
      There is thus a need for a system which allows users both mass storage and portability.  The present invention meets those needs.
11. Patent #7,739,335, granted June 15, 2010 (Sony)
    • Method & Apparatus for providing a customized selection of audio content over the Internet
      A method and apparatus is provided for providing selected media files, which are chosen from among a plurality of media files, to a user over a packet-switched network such as the Internet. The method begins by receiving over the packet-switched network a request from the user to receive media content. Next, a user profile associated with the user is retrieved from a database. The user profile reflects user preferences in media content to be received over the packet-switched network. The plurality of media files are ranked based at least in part on the user profile. At least one highly ranked media file is selected from among the ranked plurality of media files. At least one of the highly ranked media files is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network. 
12. Patent #7,472,104, granted December 30, 2008 (Sony)
    • Method & System for Distributing Product Information 
      A method and system of associating product codes with product characteristics, and using those product codes to send and receive information about those characteristics to destinations on a network when the values of those characteristics change.
13. Patent #7,373,671, granted May 13, 2008 (Sony)
    • Method & System for User Information Verification
      A system and method for authenticating users based on personal information. The personal information may include age-related data where the users are interested in receiving age-restricted content. The personal information may include an address and a permission request is sent to the address. Biometric information may also be associated with the personal information.
14. Patent #7,313,621, granted December 25, 2007 (Sony)
    • Personalized Interface with Adaptive Content Presentation
      An apparatus, program product and method to personalize an on-line interface by identifying and tracking a computing environment of a user so that on-line content is tailored to the subjective preferences of the user.
15. Patent #7,216,095, granted May 8, 2007 (Sony)
    • Method and system for distributing product information
      A method and system of associating product codes with product characteristics, and using those product codes to send and receive information about those characteristics to destinations on a network.
16. Patent #7,140,045, granted November 21, 2006 (Sony)
    • Method and system for user information verification
      A system and method for authenticating users based on personal information. The personal information may include age-related data where the users are interested in receiving age-restricted content. The personal information may include an address and a permission request is sent to the address. Biometric information may also be associated with the personal information.
17. Patent #7,140,032, granted November 21, 2006 (Sony)
    • System and method for establishing TV channelA system for automatically establishing at least one TV channel or electronic program guide (EPG) based on a location of a TV with respect to a dwelling, comprising: a TV; a processor coupled to the TV and receiving information representative of a location of a TV within a building, the processor highlighting at least one of: a morning news show, or a cooking show, on the EPG if the TV is located in the kitchen; and wherein the processor accesses a set of heuristics to undertake the highlighting act.
18. Patent #7,055,737, granted June 6, 2006 (Sony)
    • Network and Method for Obtaining Topic-Specific Product InformationA method of obtaining, from a remote location, topic-specific information regarding a product includes: electronically receiving one of a plurality of machine-readable codes electronically navigating to an information resource at a remote location; and displaying the information resource's topic-specific information about the product on an electronic display device.
19. Patent #7,009,659, granted March 7, 2006 (Sony)
    • System and Method for Establishing TV Settings
      A system and method for automatically establishing TV audio/video/closed captioning, based on time/date/geographic location/location of the TV within the home.
20. Patent #6,967,588, granted November 22, 2005 (Sony)
    • System for controlling a home entertainment system
      A system and method for controlling a home entertainment system includes a television having one more peripheral electronic entertainment devices connected thereto. Also, the system includes a single remote control unit for controlling all of the system components. The television, the peripheral devices, and the remote control unit include respective memory slots with which a portable memory media can be engaged.  Accordingly, the memory media can be engaged with the television or the peripheral devices so that control commands and user defined preferences are downloaded thereto. Thereafter, the memory can be engaged with the remote control unit so that the control commands and user defined preferences for each component are uploaded thereto.
21. Patent #6,874,037, granted March 29, 2005 (Sony)
    • Method and apparatus for synchronizing device information
      Two electronic devices automatically perform a synchronization session when one of the electronic devices is brought in proximity to the other electronic device. The synchronization session is initiated without user intervention based simply on the fact that the two devices have recently been brought within a predetermined distance of each other. The two electronic devices communicate in a wireless manner. The two devices may determine that they are within a predetermined distance of each other using global positioning technology, via which one of the devices determines its own position and compares it to a known position of the other electronic device. Alternatively, one of the electronic devices may output a low level signal that can be received by the other electronic device when within a certain range. Once the low level signal is received, the recipient of the low level signal outputs a stronger signal to ensure that it is received by the other electronic device requesting a synchronization session, which once established enables synchronization of information between the two devices.
22. Patent #6,851,092, granted February 1, 2005 (Sony)
    • System and method for establishing viewer shopping preferences
      A system and method for establishing recommended items for purchase or rental at a shopping kiosk, based on TV/DVD/CD etc. viewing profiles. A removable media such as a flash memory device can be inserted into an entertainment device receptacle, and the viewer's subsequent viewing (or listening) habits, including selected programming and related data such as TV program category, title, etc., recorded to establish a profile. The media can be removed and taken to the shopping kiosk, where it is inserted and used by the kiosk to present a list of recommended items for purchase or rental, based on the viewing habit profile of the viewer.
23. Patent #6,809,779, granted October 26, 2004 (Sony)
    • Auto configuration of remote control device using removable storage media
      A system and method for allowing a viewer to easily program a remote control device with the parameters of various home entertainment components such as TVs, VCRs, DVDs, etc. A removable media is inserted into each component, with the remote control parameters or model identification of the component being downloaded to the media. The media is then removed from the component and inserted into the remote control device, which uploads the model data or control parameters so that the remote control device can be used to control the component without requiring a person to manually set or configure, for each component, the "universal" master remote.
24. Patent #6,687,671, granted February 3, 2004 (Sony)
    • Automatic collection and summarization of meeting information
      A method is applied for providing electronically collected and summarized meeting information. First, verbal sounds are electronically collected. The verbal sounds are transmitted to a processor. The processor automatically converts the verbal sounds, as collected, into an electronic text file. The text from the file is then automatically scanned and summarized, in accordance with a predetermined algorithm for identifying one or more key terms in the text file, into an electronic summary file. The text file and/or the summary file are then automatically and electronically distributed to a predetermined number of users.
25. Patent #6,313,887, granted November 6, 2001 (Sony)
    • Television remote commander with data reception capability
      A novel television remote control unit receives transmissions from a paging system and incorporates a display device to provide data delivery to television viewers. Data may be gather for dissemination by a service provider from any public or proprietary source, preferably including the Internet. The receiver may also be incorporated into a television set and provide a display of received data on the display device of the television set.
26. Patent #5,603,077, granted February 11, 1997 (Chaparral)
    • Satellite system and method for remote control of a satellite signal receiver
      A satellite broadcast system using an airwave message signal to remotely control a signal receiver. The system includes a system manager to issue a message, a message service to broadcast the message in the airwave message signal, and a signal receiver to select a satellite and a channel of a downlink signal from the satellite carrying a desired program. The program may include audio/video, text, pictures, software, or data. In the preferred embodiment, the message service is a pager service.