Patents Assigned to The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10521250
    Abstract: A system and method includes a host device using a first format, an intermediate device, a user device using a second format and a network in communication with the host device, the intermediate device and the user device. The user device communicates a first user generated signal having the second format to the intermediate device. The intermediate device converts the second format of the first user generated signal to the first format to form a second user generated signal. The intermediate device communicates the second user generated signal to the host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuriacose Joseph, Sean S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20190364120
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a plurality of mobile devices in proximity to a device. Further embodiments can include identifying a user identifier associated with each of the plurality of mobile devices resulting in a plurality of user identifiers. Additional embodiments can include obtaining a user profile associated with each of the plurality of user identifiers resulting in a plurality of user profiles. Also, embodiments can include identifying a first user profile having a first priority among the plurality of user profiles. Further embodiments can include provisioning the first user profile on a media processor or set top box and providing media content for presentation on a display according to the first user profile. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudheer Bandela, Binny Asarikuniyil, Hai Nguyen, Heather Truong
  • Patent number: 10491946
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, providing multiple video content streams to a display for presentation. The display comprises a primary screen region that presents a first video content stream of the multiple video content streams and multiple auxiliary screen regions that present a subset of the multiple video content streams. Further aspects may include providing a message to the display responsive to receiving a first user-generated input instructing the display to present a second video content stream on the primary screen region. Additional aspects may include recording the first video content stream from a point of departure of the first video content stream. Also, aspects may include providing the recorded first video content stream to the display responsive to obtaining a second user-generated input. The recorded first video content stream is presented on the primary screen region from the point of departure. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Tillman, Cheng-Chih Steve Lin, Javier Lemus
  • Patent number: 10491952
    Abstract: A method includes creating a base content set having attributes indicative of a first program. Selecting a second program to form a first recommendation set, determining a first similarity score between the base content set and the first recommendation set, and providing a recommendation based on the similarity score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: The DirecTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Hsu, Ashok Sahu
  • Publication number: 20190340925
    Abstract: A system and method includes a mobile device having a mobile device identifier associated therewith and an in-vehicle infotainment system. The mobile device communicates the mobile device identifier to the in-vehicle infotainment system. A user device is controllable by inputs from a user though a user interface display associated with the user interface. A global positioning system generates a vehicle position signal at the vehicle. The user device is separate from the in-vehicle infotainment system and the global positioning system. The in-vehicle infotainment system communicates the vehicle position signal corresponding to a current vehicle position and the mobile device identifier to the user device. The user device is associated with a display displaying a map display comprising a map with a representation of the vehicle at the current vehicle position and the mobile device identifier of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Don E. CANSINO, Stephen H. CHU, Bhavyank V. SHAH
  • Patent number: 10469884
    Abstract: Devices, computer-readable media, and methods for presenting segments of at least one video program in accordance with a definition document are disclosed. For example, a processor may load a definition document for at least one video program. The definition document may specify segments of the at least one video program for presentation and further specify segment types for the segments. The segment types may identify whether a segment is to include video content, include audio content, or include both video and audio content. The processor may further obtain the at least one video program, present a first segment of the at least one video program in accordance with the definition document, and present a second segment of the plurality of segments of the at least one video program in accordance with the definition document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lee, Brady Court Tsurutani
  • Patent number: 10462145
    Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for controlling access of a custom browser function are disclosed. For example, the method includes a processor that sends a request to a third party website, receives a hypertext markup language code and a browser script, renders the hypertext markup language code, detects that the browser script is trying to access a custom browser function, compares one or more parameters associated with the custom browser function to an access control list to control an access of the custom browser function, and executes the custom browser function when a match of the one or more parameters is found in the access control list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Ruiz, Mark T. Thorson
  • Patent number: 10462498
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a set-top box determines whether to communicate a notification to a user device to live stream multimedia content. The notification comprises an option to initiate live streaming of the multimedia content. The set-top box communicates the notification to the user device to live stream the multimedia content. A user device communicates a selection to initiate live streaming of the multimedia content to the set-top box. In response to the selection, the set-top box live streams the multimedia content to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudheer Bandela, Binny Asarikuniyil, Hai Nguyen, Heather Truong
  • Patent number: 10462527
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a channel device includes a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory stores a watch list. The watch list includes n predetermined number of channels, wherein n is an integer and the predetermined number of channels are ranked from one to n. The interface is configured to receive program information for a first channel, wherein the first channel is a channel of a watch list. The processor is further configured to determine a change from a previous channel to a current channel. The processor dynamically updates the watch list to include the previous channel, wherein the previous channel is ranked as one. The processor removes the channel ranked as n from the watch list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin T. Qi
  • Patent number: 10448104
    Abstract: A method of programming a remote control and a set top box to control the same includes a network communication module at the set top box receiving a device identifier from an electronic device through an interface. The set top box also includes a communication module obtaining remote control programming code based on the device identifier. A controller controls programming a remote control to control the electronic device based on the remote control programming code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Romulo Pontual, Henry Derovanessian, Scott D. Casavant, Jorge H. Guzman
  • Patent number: 10440439
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, registering a first mobile device of a subscriber as a first candidate device to receive a notification of a future streaming of a media content item; registering a second mobile device of the subscriber as a second candidate device to receive the notification of the future streaming of the media content item; determining first and second usage status of the first and second mobile devices; selecting, based upon the first usage status and the second usage status, one of the first and second mobile devices; sending to the selected mobile device a notification that the future streaming of the media content item will begin; receiving from the selected mobile device a streaming instruction to initiate streaming of the media content item; and streaming to the selected mobile device the media content item. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudheer Bandela, Hai Nguyen, Binny Asarikuniyil, Heather Truong
  • Patent number: 10425178
    Abstract: Determining ambient noise in a device under test electromagnetic compatibility test environment is presented herein. A method can include determining, by a system comprising a processor via a radio frequency input port of the system, an ambient electromagnetic noise corresponding to the system; and in response to determining, by the system via the radio frequency input port, a radio frequency signature of a device under test, subtracting, by the system, the ambient electromagnetic noise from the radio frequency signature to obtain a normalized value representing an electromagnetic emission of the device under test. In an example, an antenna/coaxial cable has been connected to the radio frequency input port, the ambient electromagnetic noise can be determined using the antenna/coaxial cable, and a radiated/conducted electromagnetic characteristic of the device under test representing the radio frequency signature of the device under test can be determined using the antenna/coaxial cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: William Kucheravy
  • Patent number: 10419558
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a plurality of mobile devices in proximity to a device. Further embodiments can include identifying a user identifier associated with each of the plurality of mobile devices resulting in a plurality of user identifiers. Additional embodiments can include obtaining a user profile associated with each of the plurality of user identifiers resulting in a plurality of user profiles. Also, embodiments can include identifying a first user profile having a first priority among the plurality of user profiles. Further embodiments can include provisioning the first user profile on a media processor or set top box and providing media content for presentation on a display according to the first user profile. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudheer Bandela, Binny Asarikuniyil, Hai Nguyen, Heather Truong
  • Patent number: 10419865
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, embodiments receiving audio content in a multi-channel sound format over a communication network resulting in multi-channel audio content. Further embodiments can include identifying a compression ratio of the audio content. Additional embodiments can include determining a rendered sound externalization for rendering the audio content according to the compression ratio of the audio content. Also, embodiments can include rendering the audio content in a binaural audio format for headphone playback on an audio device according to the rendered sound externalization. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel Briand
  • Patent number: 10419803
    Abstract: A system and method for displaying data related to a content displayed through a set top box includes a second screen device generating a content information request signal requesting data corresponding to the content, communicates the content information request signal to the set top box. The set top box communicates a content information signal to the second screen device comprising a content identifier. The second screen device generates a request for related data signal corresponding to the content using the content identifier, communicates the request for related data signal through a network, receives aggregated related content data corresponding to the content from a data services center and displays the aggregated related content data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Don E. Cansino, Brady C. Tsurutani, Earl J. Bonovich, Charles W. Beeson
  • Patent number: 10419796
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes receiving a satellite signal, measuring a quality of the satellite signal, determining whether the quality of the satellite signal falls below a threshold, determining a scheduled content of the satellite signal being viewed responsive to determining the quality of the satellite signal falls below the threshold, obtaining the scheduled content through a network connection as a replacement scheduled content responsive to determining the quality of the satellite signal falls below the threshold, presenting the replacement scheduled content in place of the scheduled content from the satellite signal, monitoring the quality of the satellite signal during the presenting of the replacement channel, and presenting the scheduled content from the satellite signal responsive to the monitoring detecting a satisfactory quality of the satellite signal over a predetermined period of time. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Ross
  • Publication number: 20190281284
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose systems and methods for testing and determining outages of communication systems. A server can receive signal-reception-related information from set-top boxes (STBs) in a particular geographical region, where a STB: receives signals having a predefined pattern, generates a comparison of the predefined pattern to reference patterns stored on the STB, generates the signal-reception-related information based on the comparison, and sends the signal-reception-related information. The server can determine an outage status for the particular geographical region based on the signal-reception-related information. The server can generate an output based on the outage status. The output is configured to provide information related to the outage status of the particular geographical region and information for possible responses related to the outage status. The server can send the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kian-Vine Chin, Woei-Shyang Yee, Wesley W. Huie, Gerard V. Talatinian, Christopher Yang, Heesoon E. Kim, Robert S. Greenwade
  • Patent number: 10412458
    Abstract: A system and method for accessing past program guide data includes a program guide repository storing past program guide data and a controller receiving a request for past program guide data and communicating the past program guide data to a user device located separated from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kapil Chaudhry, Sri Hari Swaroop Nidichenametla, Jin H. Chung, Fred Grigoryan
  • Patent number: 10412438
    Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) system including a head mounted display (HMD), a sensor or input device, and options, selection, and display modules. The HMD displays a VR environment including sports content of a live game, a prerecorded game, or a sports channel. The options module generates an options signal to show viewing options in the VR environment. The viewing options define viewing aspects for viewing the sports content within the VR environment. The sensor or input device generates signals based on detection of movement of the HMD, movement of an eyeball of a user, user voice communication, or user contact with the input device. The selection module, based on the signals: selects the sports content and a viewing option; and generates a selection signal. The display module displays the sports content in the VR environment based on the selection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Depies, Vikash Sharma, Aaron L. Goldstein, Charles W. Beeson
  • Publication number: 20190273952
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a processing system and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can include obtaining a plurality of live streams at a broadband connection to the processing system; providing an interface to facilitate input via a control device communicating with the processing system; presenting, responsive to a first user input, the live streams simultaneously at a display device; and identifying, responsive to a second user input, a set of favorite streams. The operations can also include presenting a program guide at the display device. The program guide can include a plurality of program guide objects; each of the set of favorite streams can include a separate program guide object that accordingly is selectable, via user input to the program guide, for presentation at the display device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Eileen Mateik, Steven Allstead, JR., Cory Max Bernhardt, Michael Habif