Expert Profile
I've been designing, developing, and documenting human/computer software interfaces for almost fifteen years. I've developed products on platforms ranging from digital TV (e. g. , VOD, HD) to current IP-based consumer electronics (PVR, online, smartphones).
The emphasis of my recent work has been interface design for cable, satellite, and Telco TV systems. I've helped design interactive interfaces and supporting services commercially deployed today by Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Cox Cable Systems, and DirecTV. In this capacity I've also been a consultant to several software developers and hardware manufacturers such as Cisco and Motorola.
My company, ***** Media, helps design products quickly, realistically, and flexibly for commercial deployment. Our support services include rapid prototyping, consumer testing, and both design and technical documentation. Our specialties include Interface Design, Software Development, Documentation, Consumer Testing and Research, Prototyping, and Cable TV technology.
Principle at ***** Media, *****, privately held interactive design consultancy.
***** Media, ***** is an independent software design consultancy for the cable, satellite TV and broadband online industries. The company has been instrumental in the design and development of program guide, VOD, DVR, and HD software used by nearly seven million cable and satellite subscribers. First formed in 1998, ***** Media has been consistently dedicated to helping operators and subscribers make the best use of emerging media technologies.
Employed twelve (12) years.
ActiveVideo Networks • UI Designer and Consultant (San Jose, CA, 2010 - present)
CableVision • UI Designer and Consultant (Bethpage, NY, 2010)
Time Warner Cable • UI Designer and Consultant (New York, NY and Broomfield, CO, 1998-present): Senior consultant and designer for cable TV software design projects (Program Guides, DVRs, HDTV, VOD, Portals). Extensive consumer research experience, including test setup, execution, and results analysis. Coordination with leading client and server software vendors. Design, development, and support of full VOD and other*****plete detailed specifications for all designed products. Regular publication of white papers and reports.
DirecTV • Technical Designer and Digital Asset Manager (El Segundo, CA, *****): Consultant for design and delivery of on-air interactive applications. Created backend asset management system for broadcast of interactive applications. Designed systems for editing and delivery of digital video to applications. Extensive documentation of operating procedures for creation and broadcast of offline video, graphics, and audio content.
OpenTV • Interface Designer (San Francisco, CA, 2005): Lead UI designer for next-generation electronic program guide to support interactive applications, Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), Video On Demand (VOD), program searching, and legacy Pay-per-View (PPV) systems. Led the design, research, documentation, and engineering prototype efforts.
MystroTV • Free-lance UI Designer, Researcher, and Technical Writer (New York, NY & Westminster, CO, *****): Lead interface designer and technical consultant for all client and back-end support system products, including viewer interface, database management and billing systems. Two complete software development cycles of designing, prototyping, research testing, and documentation.
Rovi (formerly Pioneer Digital Technologies/Aptiv Digital/Macrovision-TV Guide) • UI Designer and Technical Writer (Burbank, CA *****): Lead interface designer on settop/client and server/support interfaces for Passport™ program guide and VOD projects. Led prototyping, testing, and documentation teams.
(*****) Post-graduate work in Electrical Engineering/Statistics, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles
B.S. (1985) University of California, Los Angeles, Mathematics/Systems Science
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Emmys): 2006-Present Interactive Media Peer Group Awards Working Group
Recent Patents:
U.S. Patent # *****: “Interactive television program guide display,” 9 June 2009
U.S. Patent #*****: “Program guide and reservation system for network based digital information and entertainment storage and delivery system,” 4 July 2006 (Filed in Europe as #WO*****, 13 November 2003)
U.S. Patent #*****: “Method and system for controlling and auditing content/service systems,” 27 December 2005.
U.S. Patent #*****: “Interactive program guide for designating information on an interactive program guide display,” 3 August 2004.
U.S. Patent #*****: “System and method for providing an event database in a telecasting system,” 11 April 2000.
U.S. Patent #*****: “Interactive Program Guide with Default Selection Control,” 15 December 1998.
Several patents pending.
Press and Publications:
“Defining the Digital Home” TelcoTV Conference & Expo, 10 November 2009
“What’s Hot? What Are Consumers Watching And Why?” TelcoTV Conference & Expo, 12 November 2008
“Electronic Program Guides: Navigating the Way” TelcoTV Conference & Expo, 7 November 2006
“It’s the TV Stupid … Or Is It? Four Simple Lessons Web Navigation Can Teach TV” CTAM Magazine, March 2006
“Will DVRs Destroy TV?” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 24 October 2004
“I Me Mine: DVRs can usher in truly personalized TV—why aren't advertisers cheering?” TV Week, July 2004
“And the Walls Tumbled Down? How the Broadband Connection in Your Den Might (Yet) Feed the Settop in Your Living Room,” Multichannel News, July 2004