IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,041,317

Granted Patent B2

US 12,041,317 · App. 18/176,221 · Granted Jul 16, 2024

Merging permissions and content output

Inventors: Tyler Kareeson (Sunnyvale, CA); Scott Eklund (San Jose, CA); Francisco Niebres (San Francisco, CA); Preston Smalley (Danville, CA); Josh Kennedy (Sunnyvale, CA); Donald J. Stecher (Downingtown, PA)

Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC

H04N21/658 G06Q20/1235 G06Q20/3224 G06Q30/0224 G06Q30/0241 G06Q30/0631 H04N21/4367 H04N21/4524 H04N21/4627 H04N21/812

View Patent ↗

Loading inventors, assignments & file history…

Monitor This Case

Get email alerts when status or documents change.

Order Certified Copies

Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.

Order via The Patent Place →

Pre-filled with this patent's details

Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12,041,317
App. No.: 18/176,221
Granted: Jul 16, 2024
Kind: B2

External Links

USPTO Patent Center↗ Full Patent PDF↗

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to determining that a wireless device associated with one user account is proximate to a computing device associated with another user account. In response to determining the proximity of the two devices, one or more of the devices may receive merged access to permissions and/or content associated with the two user accounts. In response to determining that the wireless device is not proximate to the computing device, the devices may no longer receive merged access to permissions and/or content associated with the two user accounts.

Claims (161)

1. A method comprising:

receiving data indicating rights that permit a mobile device to output one or more content items;

determining, by a first computing device and based on a signal from a second computing device having no rights that permit output of the one or more content items, a proximity of the mobile device to the second computing device; and

granting, by the first computing device to the second computing device and based on the determined proximity, rights that permit the second computing device to output the one or more content items.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

causing, by the first computing device and based on the granting the rights, output of an indication that the one or more content items are viewable via the second computing device.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, by the first computing device and from the second computing device, a request for a content item of the one or more content items; and

causing, by the first computing device and based on the request and the granting the rights, sending a portion of the content item to the second computing device.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, by the first computing device and from the second computing device, a request for a recommendation for a content item;

determining, based on the request, a first viewing history of a first user associated with the mobile device and a second viewing history of a second user associated with the second computing device; and

causing, by the first computing device and based on the first viewing history and the second viewing history, sending a response to the request to the second computing device.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining a content restriction associated with the mobile device; and

applying, to the second computing device and while the first rights are granted to the second computing device, the content restriction.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the proximity further comprises receiving, by the first computing device, an indication that the mobile device detected a beacon output by the second computing device.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

based on receiving, by the first computing device, an indication that a threshold period of time has elapsed since the mobile device was within a threshold proximity of the second computing device, causing output of an indication that the second computing device is unable to view the one or more content items.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining, based on a time associated with the mobile device leaving a threshold proximity of the second computing device, a remaining amount of time that the second computing device will be granted the first rights; and

causing output, via the second computing device, of an indication of the remaining amount of time.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

causing, by the first computing device, the mobile device to output a request for a user of the mobile device to confirm that the one or more content items are shareable with the second computing device.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, by the first computing device, an indication that the mobile device is within a threshold proximity of a third computing device; and

sending, to the third computing device, a time, in playback of a content item of the one or more content items, corresponding to a most-recent time that the mobile device was within the threshold proximity of the second computing device.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data further indicates that the one or more content items can be shared, by the mobile device, based on a determined time period.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data further indicates that the one or more content items can be shared, by the mobile device, based on a determined location of the mobile device.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

causing output, via the second computing device and based on the determined proximity, of a code; and

receiving, by the first computing device and from the mobile device, an indication of input of the code via the mobile device, and

wherein the granting is further based on the receiving the indication of the input of the code via the mobile device.

15. An apparatus comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

receive data indicating, rights that permit a mobile device to output one or more content items;

determine, based on a signal from a second computing device having no rights that permit output of the one or more content items, a proximity of the mobile device to the second computing device; and

grant, to the second computing device and based on the determined proximity, the rights that permit the second computing device to output the one or more content items.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

cause, based on the grant of the rights, output of an indication that the one or more content items are viewable via the second computing device.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

receive, from the second computing device, a request for a content item of the one or more content items; and

cause, based on the request and based on the grant of the rights, sending a portion of the content item to the second computing device.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

receive, from the second computing device, a request for a recommendation for a content item;

determine, based on the request, a first viewing history of a first user associated with the mobile device and a second viewing history of a second user associated with the second computing device; and

cause, based on the first viewing history and the second viewing history, sending a response to the request to the second computing device.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

determine a content restriction associated with the mobile device; and

apply, to the second computing device and while the rights are granted to the second computing device, the content restriction.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

receive an indication that the mobile device detected a beacon output by the second computing device.

21. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

receive an indication that a threshold period of time has elapsed since the mobile device was within a threshold proximity of the second computing device; and

cause output of an indication that the second computing device is unable to view the one or more content items.

22. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

receive an indication that a threshold period of time has elapsed since the mobile device was within a threshold proximity of the second computing device; and

revoke the granted rights.

23. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

determine, based on a time associated with the mobile device leaving a threshold proximity of the second computing device, a remaining amount of time that the second computing device will be granted the rights; and

cause output, via the second computing device, of an indication of the remaining amount of time.

24. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

cause the mobile device to output a request for a user of the mobile device to confirm that the one or more content items are shareable with the second computing device.

25. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

receive an indication that the mobile device is within a threshold proximity of a third computing device; and

send, to the third computing device, a time, in playback of a content item of the one or more content items, corresponding to a most-recent time that the mobile device was within the threshold proximity of the second computing device.

26. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the data further indicates that the one or more first content items can be shared, by the mobile device, based on a determined time period.

27. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the data further indicates that the one or more content items can be shared, by the mobile device, based on a determined location of the mobile device.

28. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

cause output, via the second computing device and based on the determined proximity, of a code; and

receive, from the mobile device, an indication of input of the code via the mobile device, and

wherein the grant is further based on the receiving the indication of the input of the code via the mobile device.

29. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause:

receiving data indicating rights that permit a mobile device to output one or more content items;

granting, by the first computing device to the second computing device and based on the determined proximity, the rights that permit the second computing device to output the one or more content items.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:

causing, by the first computing device and based on the granting the rights, output of an indication that the one or more content items are viewable via the second computing device.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:

receiving, by the first computing device and from the second computing device, a request for a content item of the one or more content items; and

causing, by the first computing device and based on the request and the granting the rights, sending a portion of the content item to the second computing device.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:

receiving, by the first computing device and from the second computing device, a request for a recommendation for a content item;

causing, by the first computing device and based on the first viewing history and the second viewing history, sending a response to the request to the second computing device.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:

determining a content restriction associated with the mobile device; and

applying, to the second computing device and while the first rights are granted to the second computing device, the content restriction.

34. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:

receiving, by the first computing device, an indication that the mobile device detected a beacon output by the second computing device.

35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:

receiving, by the first computing device, an indication that a threshold period of time has elapsed since the mobile device was within a threshold proximity of the second computing device; and

causing output of an indication that the second computing device is unable to view the one or more content items.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:

receiving, by the first computing device, an indication that a threshold period of time has elapsed since the mobile device was within a threshold proximity of the second computing device; and

revoking the granted rights.

37. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:

causing output, via the second computing device, of an indication of the remaining amount of time.

38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:

39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:

receiving, by the first computing device, an indication that the mobile device is within a threshold proximity of a third computing device; and

40. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29 , wherein the data further indicates that the one or more content items can be shared, by the mobile device, based on a determined time period.

41. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29 , wherein the data further indicates that the one or more content items can be shared, by the mobile device, based on a determined location of the mobile device.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:

causing output, via the second computing device and based on the determined proximity, of a code; and

receiving, by the first computing device and from the mobile device, an indication of input of the code via the mobile device, and

wherein the granting is further based on the receiving the indication of the input of the code via the mobile device.

43. A system comprising:

a first computing device;

a second computing device; and

a mobile device,

wherein the first computing device comprises:

one or more first processors; and

first memory storing first instructions that, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to:

receive data indicating rights that permit the mobile device to output one or more first content items;

determine, based on a signal from the second computing device, a proximity of the mobile device to the second computing device having no rights that permit output of the one or more content items; and

grant, to the second computing device and based on the determined proximity, the rights that permit the second computing device to output the one or more content items, and

wherein the second computing device comprises:

one or more second processors; and

second memory storing second instructions that, when executed by the one or more second processors, cause the second computing device to:

send the signal to the first computing device.

44. The system of claim 43 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to:

cause, based on the grant of the rights, output of an indication that the one or more content items are viewable via the second computing device.

45. The system of claim 43 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to:

receive, from the second computing device, a request for a content item of the one or more content items; and

cause, based on the request and the grant of the rights, sending a portion of the content item to the second computing device.

46. The system of claim 43 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to:

receive, from the second computing device, a request for a recommendation for a content item;

cause, based on the first viewing history and the second viewing history, sending a response to the request to the second computing device.

47. The system of claim 43 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to:

determine a content restriction associated with the mobile device; and

apply, to the second computing device and while the rights are granted to the second computing device, the content restriction.

48. The system of claim 43 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to:

receive an indication that the mobile device detected a beacon output by the second computing device.

49. The system of claim 43 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to:

receive an indication that a threshold period of time has elapsed since the mobile device was within a threshold proximity of the second computing device; and

cause output of an indication that the second computing device is unable to view the one or more content items.

50. The system of claim 43 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to:

receive an indication that a threshold period of time has elapsed since the mobile device was within a threshold proximity of the second computing device; and

revoke the granted rights.

51. The system of claim 43 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to:

cause output, via the second computing device, of an indication of the remaining amount of time.

52. The system of claim 43 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to:

cause the mobile device to output a request for a user of the mobile device to confirm that the one or more content items are shareable with the second computing device.

53. The system of claim 43 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to:

receive an indication that the mobile device is within a threshold proximity of a third computing device; and

54. The system of claim 43 , wherein the data further indicates that the one or more content items can be shared, by the mobile device, based on a determined time period.

55. The system of claim 43 , wherein the data further indicates that the one or more content items can be shared, by the mobile device, based on a determined location of the mobile device.

56. The system of claim 43 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to:

cause output, via the second computing device and based on the determined proximity, of a code; and

receive, from the mobile device, an indication of input of the code via the mobile device, and

wherein the grant is further based on the receiving the indication of the input of the code via the mobile device.

Assignments (1)

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 12, 2024

From: KAREESON, THAYA; EKLUND, SCOTT; NIEBRES, FRANCISCO; SMALLEY, PRESTON; KENNEDY, JOSH; STECHER, DONALD

To: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC

Reel/Frame 066727/0932 →

Continuity (4)

Continuation 17510694 · Oct 26, 2021

Continuation 16008350 · Jun 14, 2018

Continuation 14456601 · Aug 11, 2014

Related Publication 20230239544A1 · Jul 27, 2023