David H Sprogis

US Patent:

7143010, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Oct 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/248344

Inventors:

David H. Sprogis - Watertown MA, US
Dan U. Zehme - Medfield MA, US

Assignee:

CineCast, LLC - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G06F 11/00
H04N 7/18

US Classification:

702188, 725 74, 725 82

Abstract:

A system is disclosed for communicating with, and receiving data representative of equipment state and status from, movie theatre equipment in theatres. The system includes a central computer storage unit for receiving and storing data representative of equipment state and status, and a plurality of remote computer storage units coupled to the central computer storage unit for transmitting data representative of equipment state and status. Each of the plurality of remote computer storage units includes a first remote computer storage unit coupled to at least one theatre automation unit for detecting and transmitting data representative of automation equipment state and status.

US Patent:

7379850, May 27, 2008

Filed:

Sep 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/530598

Inventors:

David H. Sprogis - Watertown MA, US
Dan U. Zehme - Medfield MA, US

Assignee:

CineCast, LLC - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G06F 11/00
G03B 19/18

US Classification:

702188, 352133, 709207

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for determining equipment status based upon data representative of movie theater equipment state changes. The method includes the step of retrieving and storing data representative of theater equipment status in a central computer storage unit that includes known status data representative of a plurality of state change patterns representing known status. The method also includes the steps of receiving status data representative of a status of each of a plurality of items of theater equipment at each of a plurality of remote theater screen assemblies over a plurality of instances during a period of time, comparing a first state change pattern representative of equipment state changes in state of a theater audio processing unit to the known status data in the central computer storage unit, providing comparison data, providing alert condition data responsive to the comparison data, and receiving the comparison data and storing the comparison data.

US Patent:

7657402, Feb 2, 2010

Filed:

Mar 28, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/057930

Inventors:

David H. Sprogis - Watertown MA, US
Dan U. Zehme - Medfield MA, US

Assignee:

CineCast, LLC - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G06F 11/00

US Classification:

702188, 352133, 702 35, 702185

Abstract:

A method of communicating with, and receiving data representative of equipment state and status from, presentation components in theatres is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving and storing data representative of equipment status in a central computer storage unit, transmitting data representative of equipment status from each of a plurality of remote computer storage units coupled to the central computer storage unit, receiving data representative of equipment status, providing a job scheduling report, and providing fault data. The data representative of equipment status is received at each remote computer storage unit from a plurality of presentation components associated with a plurality of theatres. The a job scheduling report includes data regarding complete instances of jobs scheduled to play at shows at a first set of the plurality of theatres, and data regarding incomplete instances of jobs scheduled to play at shows at a second set of the plurality of theatres. The fault data identifies a type of fault in connection with each incomplete instance of a job not played at a show in connection with each of the second set of the plurality of theatres.

US Patent:

20040078268, Apr 22, 2004

Filed:

Aug 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/643120

Inventors:

David Sprogis - Watertown MA, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/014000

Abstract:

A video data scheduling system is disclosed that includes a computer storage unit, a plurality of digital projector assemblies including a first digital projector, a-schedule unit, and a production unit. The computer storage unit is for storing digital video data representative of video information. The digital video data includes content data regarding the content of the video information, and context data regarding a scheduling context in which said video information is desired to be presented. The plurality of digital projector assemblies is coupled to the computer storage unit. The schedule input unit is for receiving show schedule information including a plurality of start times and locations at which each of a plurality of shows are scheduled to begin. The schedule unit is for accessing a subset of the content data in the computer storage unit responsive to the context data and the show schedule information. The production unit is for assembling presentation data including a subset of the content data, with the presentation data being associated with a first show. The first digital projector assembly of the plurality of digital projector assemblies is for presenting the presentation data such that the subset of the content data will be shown prior to a first start time associated with the first show at the first digital projector assembly.

US Patent:

20040078269, Apr 22, 2004

Filed:

Aug 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/643121

Inventors:

David Sprogis - Watertown MA, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/014000

Abstract:

A video exposure reporting system is disclosed that includes a computer storage unit, a plurality of digital projectors, a production unit, an audience feedback unit, and an exposure log generation unit. The computer storage unit is for storing digital video data representative of video information. The plurality of digital projector assemblies is coupled to the central computer storage unit. The production unit is for assembling first presentation data to be shown at a first digital projector assembly. The audience attendance feedback unit is for receiving first attendance data representative of information regarding a number of people comprising a first audience in an environment associated with the first digital projector assembly at a first show time. The exposure log generation unit is for recording first log data that is representative of the display of the first presentation data to the first audience.

US Patent:

20040093608, May 13, 2004

Filed:

Aug 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/643122

Inventors:

David Sprogis - Watertown MA, US

International Classification:

G06F009/00
G06F001/24

US Classification:

719/327000, 713/100000

Abstract:

A digital network system is disclosed, that includes a central server, a sub-net server, a plurality of digital projector assemblies, a schedule unit and a production unit. The central server includes a computer storage unit for receiving and storing digital content data representative of text and video information, and digital context data representative of contexts associated with said digital content data. The central server is coupled to a wide area network and to an intra-site network. The sub-net server is coupled to the central server via the intra-site network, and coupled to a local area network. The digital projector assemblies are coupled to the local area network, and each digital projector assembly includes a processing unit and a digital projector. The schedule unit is for accessing a subset of said stored digital content data in the computer storage unit responsive to the associated digital context data and the show schedule information. The production unit is for assembling presentation data for a first digital projector assembly of the plurality of digital projector assemblies. The presentation data includes a subset of the stored digital content data. The first digital projector assembly is for presenting the presentation data to an audience and for producing a presentation log.

US Patent:

20040249613, Dec 9, 2004

Filed:

Dec 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/738875

Inventors:

David Sprogis - Watertown MA, US
Dan Zehme - Medfield MA, US

International Classification:

G06F011/00

US Classification:

702/188000

Abstract:

A system is disclosed for communicating with, and receiving data representative of equipment state and status from, movie theatre equipment in theatres. The system includes a central computer storage unit for receiving and storing data representative of equipment state and status, and a plurality of remote computer storage units coupled to the central computer storage unit for transmitting data representative of equipment state and status. Each of the plurality of remote computer storage units includes a first remote computer storage unit coupled to at least one theatre automation unit for detecting and transmitting data representative of automation equipment state and status. The first remote computer storage unit is also coupled to at least one theatre projection unit for detecting and transmitting data representative of projection equipment state and status. The first remote computer storage unit is also coupled to at least one theatre audio processing unit for detecting and transmitting data representative of audio equipment state and status. The first remote computer storage unit is also coupled to at least one theatre power source for detecting and transmitting data representative of power state and status.