Allen Billings

Title: The Innovative Mind of Allen Billings

Introduction

Allen Billings, an accomplished inventor based in Lafayette, CA, has made significant contributions to media content discovery and search technologies. With a remarkable portfolio of 10 patents, Billings continues to push the boundaries of innovation in the tech industry.

Latest Patents

Among his latest innovations, Allen Billings has developed two notable patents:

1. **Character-Based Search and Discovery of Media Content** - This patent provides mechanisms for character-based and image-based media content search and discovery. By mapping character images or entity images to corresponding media content, users can trigger searches or begin playback of relevant content simply by selecting an image. This innovation allows for the discovery of media not only from primary characters but also from minor characters and tangential entities depicted in various programs.

2. **Relevance-Based Search and Discovery of Media Content** - This patent introduces systems and methods for relevance-based media content discovery. It calculates relevance scores for segments of a media asset based on the viewing time of at least one viewer. Segments are prioritized for display based on these scores, allowing users to select segments according to representative images of the content.

Career Highlights

Allen Billings has had an impressive career, working with notable companies such as Mobitv, Inc. and TiVo Corporation. His experience in these organizations has contributed significantly to his expertise in media technologies and content discovery systems.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Billings has collaborated with esteemed professionals, including John Hinman and Ray DeRenzo. These partnerships have enhanced his innovative capabilities and driven the success of his projects.

Conclusion

Allen Billings is a visionary inventor whose patents and contributions to media content search and discovery reflect a deep understanding of technology and user experience. His ongoing work continues to inspire innovation in the tech industry, making significant strides towards enhancing how users interact with media content.