Phillip Allen Thomas

US Patent:

6684400, Jan 27, 2004

Filed:

May 7, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/306955

Inventors:

Christopher Goode - Menlo Park CA
Donald F. Gordon - Pacific Grove CA
Tobie LaRocca - San Jose CA
Phillip A. Thomas - San Jose CA

Assignee:

DIVA Systems Corporation - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

H04N 5445

US Classification:

725 61, 725 40, 725 5, 725 87

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for providing subscription-on-demand (SOD) services for a interactive information distribution system, where a consumer may subscribe to packages of on-demand programs for a single price and view the programs in the subscribed package at any time for no additional cost. The apparatus and method are embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so called navigator, and hardware, including a subscriber terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and service provider equipment that supports the functionality of the terminal. As such, graphical user interface functionality is distributed between the service provider equipment and subscriber equipment (subscriber terminal). Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real time interactive process for accessing SOD services that allows the subscriber to rapidly identify and access a subscription service. In addition, a non-subscriber of a particular service is quickly identified and provided the opportunity to, through the use of a graphical user interface, subscribe to the programming provided by the system.

US Patent:

20040083492, Apr 29, 2004

Filed:

Oct 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/689005

Inventors:

Christopher Goode - Menlo Park CA, US
Donald Gordon - Los Altos CA, US
Tobie LaRocca - San Jose CA, US
Phillip Thomas - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

H04N007/173
G06F013/00
H04N005/445
G06F003/00
H04N007/16

US Classification:

725/087000, 725/061000, 725/008000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for providing subscription-on-demand (SOD) services for a interactive information distribution system, where a consumer may subscribe to packages of on-demand programs for a single price and view the programs in the subscribed package at any time for no additional cost. The apparatus and method are embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so called navigator, and hardware, including a subscriber terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and service provider equipment that supports the functionality of the terminal. As such, graphical user interface functionality is distributed between the service provider equipment and subscriber equipment (subscriber terminal). Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real time interactive process for accessing SOD services that allows the subscriber to rapidly identify and access a subscription service. In addition, a non-subscriber of a particular service is quickly identified and provided the opportunity to, through the use of a graphical user interface, subscribe to the programming provided by the system.

US Patent:

20210316306, Oct 14, 2021

Filed:

Jun 24, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/357372

Inventors:

- Emeryville CA, US
Paul M. LEBEL - Redwood City CA, US
Phillip Ronald Thomas JESS - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

B01L 3/00
B01L 7/00
G01J 3/02
G01J 3/10
G01J 3/44
G01N 1/40
G01N 21/31
G01N 21/64
G02B 21/06
G02B 21/16
G02B 21/36

Abstract:

The present disclosure relates to an optical apparatus for imaging and/or manipulating micro-objects in a microfluidic device, such as a light-actuated microfluidic (LAMF) device, and related systems and methods. The optical apparatus can comprise a structured light modulator, a first and a second tube lens, an objective lens, a dichroic beam splitter, and an image sensor. The structured light modulator can be configured to receive unstructured light beams and transmit structured light beams for illuminating micro-objects located within an enclosure of the microfluidic device and/or selectively activating one or more of a plurality of dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrodes of the microfluidic device. The image light beams received by the image sensor can be used to form an image of at least a portion of the microfluidic device.

US Patent:

20190374944, Dec 12, 2019

Filed:

May 17, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/415894

Inventors:

- Emeryville CA, US
Paul M. Lebel - Redwood City CA, US
Phillip Ronald Thomas Jess - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

B01L 3/00
B01L 7/00
G01N 1/40
G01N 21/31
G01N 21/64
G01J 3/02
G01J 3/10
G01J 3/44
G02B 21/06
G02B 21/36
G02B 21/16

Abstract:

The present disclosure relates to an optical apparatus for imaging and/or manipulating micro-objects in a microfluidic device, such as a light-actuated microfluidic (LAMF) device, and related systems and methods. The optical apparatus can comprise a structured light modulator, a first and a second tube lens, an objective lens, a dichroic beam splitter, and an image sensor. The structured light modulator can be configured to receive unstructured light beams and transmit structured light beams for illuminating micro-objects located within an enclosure of the microfluidic device and/or selectively activating one or more of a plurality of dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrodes of the microfluidic device. The first tube lens can be configured to capture the structured light beams transmitted by the structured light modulator. The second tube lens can be configured to transmit image light beams from the dichroic beam splitter to the image sensor. The image sensor can be configured to receive image light beams from the second tube lens. The image light beams received by the image sensor can be used to form an image of at least a portion of the microfluidic device.

US Patent:

20150150058, May 28, 2015

Filed:

Dec 2, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/558429

Inventors:

- St. Louis MO, US
Donald F. Gordon - Los Altos CA, US
Tobie LaRocca - San Jose CA, US
Phillip A. Thomas - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC - St. Louis MO

International Classification:

H04N 21/8545
H04N 21/475
H04N 21/472
H04N 7/173
H04N 21/258

US Classification:

725 61

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for providing subscription-on-demand (SOD) services for a interactive information distribution system, where a consumer may subscribe to packages of on-demand programs for a single price and view the programs in the subscribed package at any time for no additional cost. The apparatus and method are embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so called navigator, and hardware, including a subscriber terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and service provider equipment that supports the functionality of the terminal. As such, graphical user interface functionality is distributed between the service provider equipment and subscriber equipment (subscriber terminal). Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real time interactive process for accessing SOD services that allows the subscriber to rapidly identify and access a subscription service. In addition, a non-subscriber of a particular service is quickly identified and provided the opportunity to, through the use of a graphical user interface, subscribe to the programming provided by the system.