Patents by Inventor Luke J. Crook

Luke J. Crook 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: 10296487
    Abstract: A system and method for operating with profiles includes a head end associating a first account profile having first profile settings and a first identifier and a second account profile having second profile settings and a second identifier with a user account. A first user receiving device operates with the first profile settings. The head end communicates second profile settings to the first user receiving device and the first user receiving device operates with the second profile settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Pankaj Sharma, Melissa H. Tullues, Kapil Chaudhry, Ranny Q. Sue, Jonathan L. Tronson, Sivasubramanian Venkataramani, Guillermo Antonio Arguelles-Campoy, Mark T. Takamoto, Luke J. Crook, Earl James Bonovich, Jordan E. Bigel, Saranathan Govindarajan, John D. Ngo, Jason Christopher Tadros, Shridhar Rangarajan, Hermilo C. Crisostomo, Luan Le-Chau, Paul H. Yang
  • Patent number: 10182259
    Abstract: A user device includes a viewer tracking module that tracks viewer events to form a viewer tracking log and a recommendation module that generates a timeslot viewing profile based on the viewer tracking log. The timeslot viewing profile includes television programs watched previously and a prioritized timeslot series profile determined by summing and prioritizing the count of a plurality of watched programs in a series. The recommendation module compares the timeslot viewing profile of available television programs during the timeslot, generates a first content recommendation list of available television programs, receives related content identifiers for related content that identify content that is available and is related to the television programs of the first content recommendation, and, based on the related content identifiers, generates a second content recommendation list including content that is available during the timeslot different from the first content recommendation list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Romulo Pontual, Sui-Ky Ringo Ling, Raynold M. Kahn, Robert G. Arsenault, Gordon H. Chen, Luke J. Crook, Jean Dumouchel, Hugh Rothman, Brad Rice
  • 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: 9883242
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating content to a user device that includes a storage device having a network portion and a user portion. The user device stores content in a network partition thereof. The user device reallocates the content to a user portion of the storage device after storing is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Romulo Pontual, Robert G. Arsenault, Raynold M. Kahn, Sui-Ky Ringo Ling, Luke J. Crook, John D. Choi, Michelle L. Vagnati, John L. Norin
  • Publication number: 20180007432
    Abstract: A user device includes a viewer tracking module that tracks viewer events to form a viewer tracking log and a recommendation module that generates a timeslot viewing profile based on the viewer tracking log. The timeslot viewing profile includes television programs watched previously and a prioritized timeslot series profile determined by summing and prioritizing the count of a plurality of watched programs in a series. The recommendation module compares the timeslot viewing profile of available television programs during the timeslot, generates a first content recommendation list of available television programs, receives related content identifiers for related content that identify content that is available and is related to the television programs of the first content recommendation, and, based on the related content identifiers, generates a second content recommendation list including content that is available during the timeslot different from the first content recommendation list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Romulo PONTUAL, Sui-Ky Ringo LING, Raynold M. KAHN, Robert G. ARSENAULT, Gordon H. CHEN, Luke J. CROOK, Jean DUMOUCHEL, Hugh ROTHMAN, Brad RICE
  • Patent number: 9819982
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating content to a user device includes a head end that communicates a plurality of upcoming content metadata that includes a content title to the user device. The user device displays the upcoming content metadata and selects at least one upcoming content metadata from the plurality of upcoming content metadata to form selected data. The user device communicates the selected data to the head end. The head end adjusts head end communication parameters for the content associated with the selected data based on the selected data and communicates the content to a user device based on the head end communication parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    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, Stephen P. Dulac
  • Patent number: 9800929
    Abstract: A system and method for generating television recommendations includes a viewer tracking module that tracks viewer events to form a viewer tracking log. A recommendation module that determines a timeslot, generates a timeslot viewing profile based on the timeslot. The viewer tracking log corresponds to television programs watched previously at the user device during the timeslot. The recommendation module compares the timeslot viewing profile with available content for the timeslot and generates a content recommendation list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Romulo Pontual, Sui-Ky Ringo Ling, Raynold M. Kahn, Robert G. Arsenault, Gordon H. Chen, Luke J. Crook, Jean Dumouchel, Hugh Rothman, Brad Rice
  • Patent number: 9594482
    Abstract: A system and method for moving displayed content between a first device and a second device includes a first display displaying video content having a first content identifier. A first device forms a transfer signal by a gesture or a user interface. The first device communicates a query command signal comprising the first content identifier to a separate web service. The first device receives an asset data signal comprising at least a second content identifier from the web service in response to the query command signal. The second content identifier relates to the first content identifier. One of the first device and the second device requests the video content based on the second identifier and a resume point. The resume point corresponds to a playback position of the video content being displayed at about a time of generating the transfer signal and a second display displays the video content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Romulo Cruz Pontual, Earl J. Bonovich, Luke J. Crook, Timothy W. Frech, Bo Huang, Eileen Loh
  • Publication number: 20160360255
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating content to a user device includes a head end that communicates a plurality of upcoming content metadata that includes a content title to the user device. The user device displays the upcoming content metadata and selects at least one upcoming content metadata from the plurality of upcoming content metadata to form selected data. The user device communicates the selected data to the head end. The head end adjusts head end communication parameters for the content associated with the selected data based on the selected data and communicates the content to a user device based on the head end communication parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    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, Stephen P. DULAC
  • 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: 9456247
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating content to a user device includes a head end that communicates a plurality of upcoming content metadata that includes a content title to the user device. The user device displays the upcoming content metadata and selects at least one upcoming content metadata from the plurality of upcoming content metadata to form selected data. The user device communicates the selected data to the head end. The head end adjusts head end communication parameters for the content associated with the selected data based on the selected data and communicates the content to a user device based on the head end communication parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    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, Stephen P. Dulac
  • Patent number: 9363556
    Abstract: Multiple rating versions of content are provided and selectable by a viewer. A user can select one of the rating versions of the content for viewing. The user selection is dynamic such that the user can change the rating version selected while watching the content. Substitution instructions and substitution segments are downloaded and stored in a substitution cache. When a substitution descriptor is encountered in the content, a processor obtains at least one substitution instruction that corresponds to a substitution instruction identification code stored in the substitution descriptor. The processor executes the instruction to effect the rating change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sharkey, Coleen N. Tajiri, Luke J. Crook
  • Publication number: 20150286369
    Abstract: A system and method for moving displayed content between a first device and a second device includes a first display displaying video content having a first content identifier. A first device forms a transfer signal by a gesture or a user interface. The first device communicates a query command signal comprising the first content identifier to a separate web service. The first device receives an asset data signal comprising at least a second content identifier from the web service in response to the query command signal. The second content identifier relates to the first content identifier. One of the first device and the second device requests the video content based on the second identifier and a resume point. The resume point corresponds to a playback position of the video content being displayed at about a time of generating the transfer signal and a second display displays the video content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Romulo Cruz Pontual, Earl J. Bonovich, Luke J. Crook, Timothy W. Frech, Bo Huang, Eileen Loh
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20140280587
    Abstract: A system and method for operating with profiles includes a head end associating a first account profile having first profile settings and a first identifier and a second account profile having second profile settings and a second identifier with a user account. A first user receiving device operates with the first profile settings. The head end communicates second profile settings to the first user receiving device and the first user receiving device operates with the second profile settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: PANKAJ SHARMA, MELISSA H. TULLUES, KAPIL CHAUDHRY, RANNY Q. SUE, JONATHAN L. TRONSON, SIVASUBRAMANIAN VENKATARAMANI, GUILLERMO ANTONIO ARGUELLES-CAMPOY, MARK T. TAKAMOTO, LUKE J. CROOK, EARL JAMES BONOVICH, JORDAN E. BIGEL, SARANATHAN GOVINDARAJAN, JOHN D. NGO, JASON CHRISTOPHER TADROS, SHRIDHAR RANGARAJAN, HERMILO C. CRISOSTOMO, LUAN LE-CHAU, PAUL H. YANG
  • Patent number: 8793721
    Abstract: Multiple rating versions of content are provided and selectable by a viewer. A user can select one of the rating versions of the content for viewing. The user selection is dynamic such that the user can change the rating version selected while watching the content. Substitution instructions and substitution segments are downloaded and stored in a substitution cache. When a substitution descriptor is encountered in the content, a processor obtains at least one substitution instruction that corresponds to a substitution instruction identification code stored in the substitution descriptor. The processor executes the instruction to effect the rating change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sharkey, Coleen N. Tajiri, Luke J. Crook
  • Patent number: 8671211
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a communication system includes a local area network, a first client device and a first server device in communication with the first client device through the local area network. The first server device communicates an audio-visual stream and remote user interface data to the first client device through the local area network. The first client device renders a display using the audio-video stream and the remote user interface. The first client device generates a key command and communicates the key command to the first server device in response to the remote user interface data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel V. Irvine, Vlad Zarney, Titus Winters, Romulo Pontual, Mark C. Guidarelli, Noreen Fong, Raynold M. Kahn, Luke J. Crook, Gregory Vagnati
  • 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