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).
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Patent number: 9979996Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 5, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9635195Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: David P. Green, Tommi J. Iten, Eric J. Bennett, Tyson L. Wintibaugh
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Publication number: 20160345046Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 9495415Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9332317Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 7, 2010Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Tommi J. Iten, Eric J. Bennett, Christopher R. Roy, David P. Green, Kenny C. Chen
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Patent number: 9137556Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9131125Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2008Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9065733Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 2013Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 8812981Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 1, 2013Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Tommi J. Iten, Eric J. Bennett, Tyson L. Wintibaugh, David P. Green, Brian Black
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Patent number: 8683524Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: David P. Green, Eric J. Bennett, Tyson L. Wintibaugh, Tommi Iten, Chris Roy
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Patent number: 8677408Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2007Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20130282879Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 8521852Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 8499256Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Tommi J. Iten, Eric J. Bennett, Tyson L. Wintibaugh, David P. Green, Brian Black
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Publication number: 20120054211Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: 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
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Publication number: 20110289522Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: 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
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Publication number: 20110161396Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: 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
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Publication number: 20110162020Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: Raynold M. Kahn, Steven Kasakitis, Christopher R. Roy, Erin K. Nelson, Christopher J. Cabanne, Luke J. Crook, Gregory Vagnati, Noreen Fong, Eric J. Bennett
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Publication number: 20110004904Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: 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
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Publication number: 20100028010Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventors: Yonghong Zhao, Roshan Menon, Eric J. Bennett, Kim W. Schulze, Jorge H. Guzman, Roger J. Lambert