Patents by Inventor Eric J. Bennett

Eric J. Bennett has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9979996
    Abstract: A system and method for allocating tuner resources in a multi-room digital video recording system, wherein the system includes a server device having a plurality of tuners therein and a first client device in communication with the server device and allocated at least a first tuner from the plurality of tuners. A second client in communication client device generates a tuner request. The server device allocates the first tuner to the second user device and communicates a content signal through the first tuner to the second client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Raynold M. Kahn, Steven Kasakitis, Christopher R. Roy, Erin K. Nelson, Christopher J. Cabanne, Luke J. Crook, Gregory Vagnati, Noreen Fong, Eric J. Bennett
  • Patent number: 9635195
    Abstract: Customizable graphical elements for use in association with a user interface are described. An example apparatus for use in a broadcast media presentation system includes a user interface to enable a user interaction with the broadcast media presentation system, and a controller to implement one or more customizable graphical elements to be displayed in association with the user interface, wherein the one or more customizable graphical elements are to be animated to interact with the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Green, Tommi J. Iten, Eric J. Bennett, Tyson L. Wintibaugh
  • Publication number: 20160345046
    Abstract: A system and method for allocating tuner resources in a multi-room digital video recording system, wherein the system includes a server device having a plurality of tuners therein and a first client device in communication with the server device and allocated at least a first tuner from the plurality of tuners. A second client in communication client device generates a tuner request. The server device allocates the first tuner to the second user device and communicates a content signal through the first tuner to the second client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Raynold M. KAHN, Steven KASAKITIS, Christopher R. ROY, Erin K. HALL, Christopher J. CABANNE, Luke J. CROOK, Gregory VAGNATI, Noreen FONG, Eric J. BENNETT
  • Patent number: 9495415
    Abstract: A system and method for searching for content in a user device includes a receiver receiving a plurality of data objects. The user device includes a search module comprising a parsing module parsing search data from the plurality of data objects and a memory interface module storing search data within a memory of the user device. The search module comprises a search performance module searching the search data in response to a search query. The search module comprises a search results module generating search results from the search data. The user device is associated with a display that displays the search results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Arsenault, Eric J. Bennett, Eric H. Chang, Gordon H. Chen, Kenny C. Chen, Justin T. Dick, Flemming R. Hansen, Yoonjung Kim, Peter Leong, Andrew J. Schneider, Jeffrey L. Sharkey, Marcin Spatzier, Huy Q. Tran, Melissa H. Tullues, Leo Wu
  • Patent number: 9332317
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for searching available programs in a broadcast system. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a transmitter, transmitting a plurality of video programs and a program guide, the program guide comprising information related to the plurality of video programs, a receiver for receiving the plurality of programs and the program guide from the transmitter, a monitor, coupled to the receiver, for displaying at least a selected one of the plurality of video programs and for selectively displaying the program guide, and a remote control, coupled to the receiver, wherein the receiver accepts at least one input from the remote control, compares the information in the program to the at least one input, and presents a search result of programs from the plurality of programs having a matching characteristic with the at least one input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommi J. Iten, Eric J. Bennett, Christopher R. Roy, David P. Green, Kenny C. Chen
  • Patent number: 9137556
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating content to a user device includes a head end that communicates metadata for a plurality of content including the content titles. The system also includes the user device that generates a screen display comprising the plurality of content titles from the metadata and generates a selection corresponding to a first content title from a user interface, the user device adds metadata for the first content title to a queue and displays the queue in a priority order on the screen display. The user device is tuned to receive content corresponding to the first content title and stores the content in a storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Romulo Pontual, John L. Norin, Robert G. Arsenault, Raynold M. Kahn, Sui-Ky Ringo Ling, Luke J. Crook, John D. Choi, Michelle L. Vagnati, David Eric Shanks, Steven Kasakitis, Eric J. Bennett, Kenny C. Chen, Stephen P. Dulac
  • Patent number: 9131125
    Abstract: A receiving device and method for operating the same includes a tuner tuned to a first channel having a first program, a memory storing program guide data therein and a controller in communication with the tuner and the memory. The controller determines the first channel is a blacked out channel, searches the program data in the memory for a second program equivalent to the first program, determines a second channel associated with the second program and tunes the tuner device to the second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sharkey, Tam T. Leminh, Alistair E. Jeffs, Robert G. Arsenault, Huy Q. Tran, Tommi J. Iten, David Eric Shanks, Eric J. Bennett
  • Patent number: 9065733
    Abstract: A system and method for registering a client device with a server device includes the server device having a display. The display displays a first identifier in response to entering a registration mode. A client device is in communication with the server device. The client device detects that the server device is in registration mode and communicates a second identifier to the client device. The server device compares the first identifier and the second identifier and, after comparing, registers the client device at the server device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter F. Filbrich, Raynold M. Kahn, Steven Kasakitis, Christopher R. Roy, Erin K. Nelson, Christopher J. Cabanne, Luke J. Crook, Gregory Vagnati, Noreen Fong, Eric J. Bennett, Romulo Pontual, Robert G. Arsenault
  • Patent number: 8812981
    Abstract: A method of conditionally displaying an icon to indicate a status within a user interface as part of a media presentation system is described. An example method includes updating a status of content within the media presentation system, displaying at least one icon within a guide menu containing one or more menu sections with each menu section containing a plurality of menu layers, and displaying the icon within a first menu layer to indicate the status of content within menu layers associated with the first menu layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommi J. Iten, Eric J. Bennett, Tyson L. Wintibaugh, David P. Green, Brian Black
  • Patent number: 8683524
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to distinguish elements of a user interface are described. An example user interface includes a plurality of channel cells including a first channel cell having a first attribute and a second channel cell having a second attribute; and a plurality of program cells associated with the plurality of channel cells, wherein at least one program cell has a third attribute, wherein the third attribute distinguishes the at least one program cell from an associated channel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Green, Eric J. Bennett, Tyson L. Wintibaugh, Tommi Iten, Chris Roy
  • Patent number: 8677408
    Abstract: Row advertisements for use in a program guide are described. An example includes a program guide to aid a user navigate a media presentation system; a list of entries to represent a plurality of programs; an advertisement positioned within the list of entries, wherein the advertisement is interactive to allow a user to manipulate the advertisement, and wherein the advertisement is associated with one of the plurality of programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Green, Joy A. Arai, Scott M. Benoit, Eric J. Bennett, Robert A. Bergman, Tommi Iten, Chris Roy, Tyson L. Wintibaugh
  • Publication number: 20130282879
    Abstract: A system and method for registering a client device with a server device includes the server device having a display. The display displays a first identifier in response to entering a registration mode. A client device is in communication with the server device. The client device detects that the server device is in registration mode and communicates a second identifier to the client device. The server device compares the first identifier and the second identifier and, after comparing, registers the client device at the server device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Walter F. Filbrich, Raynold M. Kahn, Steven Kasakitis, Christopher R. Roy, Erin K. Nelson, Christopher J. Cabanne, Luke J. Crook, Gregory Vagnati, Noreen Fong, Eric J. Bennett, Romulo Pontual, Robert G. Arsenault
  • Patent number: 8521852
    Abstract: A system and method for registering a client device with a server device includes the server device having a display. The display displays a first identifier in response to entering a registration mode. A client device is in communication with the server device. The client device detects that the server device is in registration mode and communicates a second identifier to the client device. The server device compares the first identifier and the second identifier and, after comparing, registers the client device at the server device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter F. Filbrich, Raynold M. Kahn, Steven Kasakitis, Christopher R. Roy, Erin K. Nelson, Christopher J. Cabanne, Luke J. Crook, Gregory Vagnati, Noreen Fong, Eric J. Bennett, Romulo Pontual, Robert G. Arsenault
  • Patent number: 8499256
    Abstract: A method of conditionally displaying an icon to indicate a status within a user interface as part of a media presentation system is described. An example method includes updating a status of content within the media presentation system, displaying at least one icon within a guide menu containing one or more menu sections with each menu section containing a plurality of menu layers, and displaying the icon within a first menu layer to indicate the status of content within menu layers associated with the first menu layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommi J. Iten, Eric J. Bennett, Tyson L. Wintibaugh, David P. Green, Brian Black
  • Publication number: 20120054211
    Abstract: A system and method for searching for content in a user device includes a receiver receiving a plurality of data objects. The user device includes a search module comprising a parsing module parsing search data from the plurality of data objects and a memory interface module storing search data within a memory of the user device. The search module comprises a search performance module searching the search data in response to a search query. The search module comprises a search results module generating search results from the search data. The user device is associated with a display that displays the search results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Arsenault, Eric J. Bennett, Eric H. Chang, Gordon H. Chen, Kenny C. Chen, Justin T. Dick, Flemming R. Hansen, Yoonjung Kim, Peter Leong, Andrew J. Schneider, Jeffrey L. Sharkey, Marcin Spatzier, Huy Q. Tran, Melissa H. Tullues, Leo Wu
  • Publication number: 20110289522
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating content to a user device includes a head end that communicates metadata for a plurality of content including the content titles. The system also includes the user device that generates a screen display comprising the plurality of content titles from the metadata and generates a selection corresponding to a first content title from a user interface, the user device adds metadata for the first content title to a queue and displays the queue in a priority order on the screen display. The user device is tuned to receive content corresponding to the first content title and stores the content in a storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Romulo Pontual, John L. Norin, Robert G. Arsenault, Raynold M. Kahn, Sui-Ky Ringo Ling, Luke J. Crook, John D. Choi, Michelle L. Vagnati, David Eric Shanks, Steven Kasakitis, Eric J. Bennett, Kenny C. Chen, Stephen P. Dulac
  • Publication number: 20110161396
    Abstract: A system and method for registering a client device with a server device includes the server device having a display. The display displays a first identifier in response to entering a registration mode. A client device is in communication with the server device. The client device detects that the server device is in registration mode and communicates a second identifier to the client device. The server device compares the first identifier and the second identifier and, after comparing, registers the client device at the server device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter F. Filbrich, Raynold M. Kahn, Steven Kasakitis, Christopher R. Roy, Erin K. Nelson, Christopher J. Cabanne, Luke J. Crook, Gregory Vagnati, Noreen Fong, Eric J. Bennett, Romulo Pontual, Robert G. Arsenault
  • Publication number: 20110162020
    Abstract: A system and method for allocating tuner resources in a multi-room digital video recording system, wherein the system includes a server device having a plurality of tuners therein and a first client device in communication with the server device and allocated at least a first tuner from the plurality of tuners. A second client in communication client device generates a tuner request. The server device allocates the first tuner to the second user device and communicates a content signal through the first tuner to the second client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Raynold M. Kahn, Steven Kasakitis, Christopher R. Roy, Erin K. Nelson, Christopher J. Cabanne, Luke J. Crook, Gregory Vagnati, Noreen Fong, Eric J. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20110004904
    Abstract: Broadband system interfaces and features are described. An example includes a user interface for use with a content delivery system including an on-demand service comprising at least one channel dedicated to an on-demand content provider, wherein the channel is accessible in a same manner as a broadcast channel of the content delivery system; and at least one homepage to be presented when a user navigates to the at least one channel, wherein the homepage includes a template of sections to provide a single-level user interface by altering the contents of at least one section in response to an input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Goup, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Green, Chris Roy, Robert A. Bergman, Scott M. Benoit, Joy A. Arai, Eric J. Bennett, Tyson L. Wintibaugh, David Eric Shanks, Tommi Iten
  • Publication number: 20100028010
    Abstract: A system for delivering codes to a remote control for controlling a number of electronic devices includes a receiver for receiving a signal from a transmitter. A display connected to the receiver has a mechanism for flashing visible-light to the remote control, the flashed visible-light being related to the signal. The remote control includes a code database and mechanisms for receiving flashed visible-light and converting it into a code storable in the database. A method for acquiring updated codes includes storing codes for controlled apparatus in a code database. Data related to additional device codes are then transmitted to a processing device connected to a visual display. The data are flashed as visible-light from the display and received by the remote control. Received visible-light is converted into at least one device code and used to update the code database in the remote control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Yonghong Zhao, Roshan Menon, Eric J. Bennett, Kim W. Schulze, Jorge H. Guzman, Roger J. Lambert