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).
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Patent number: 10296487Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 10182259Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: 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
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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: 9883242Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20180007432Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2017Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 9819982Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9800929Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9594482Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 7, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Romulo Cruz Pontual, Earl J. Bonovich, Luke J. Crook, Timothy W. Frech, Bo Huang, Eileen Loh
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Publication number: 20160360255Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: 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
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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: 9456247Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9363556Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 4, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sharkey, Coleen N. Tajiri, Luke J. Crook
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Publication number: 20150286369Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2014Publication date: October 8, 2015Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.Inventors: Romulo Cruz Pontual, Earl J. Bonovich, Luke J. Crook, Timothy W. Frech, Bo Huang, Eileen Loh
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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: 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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Publication number: 20140280587Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 8793721Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 23, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sharkey, Coleen N. Tajiri, Luke J. Crook
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Patent number: 8671211Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: 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
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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