Patents by Inventor M. Kent Williams

M. Kent Williams 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).

  • Accessing programs using networked digital video recording devices
    Patent number: 10142673
    Abstract: Access to programs using network connected digital video recording devices is disclosed. A DVR causes display of a content guide including a unit identification area. When the unit identification area is updated, the content guide also updates to reflect programs available on the currently selected DVR. The content guide of a remotely connected DVR can thus be displayed, from which programs are selected for playback. Playback can be resumed from a point at which a viewer terminated viewing, either at the local or remote location, or from the beginning of the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: M. Kent Williams, Robert N. Lee, Bruce A. Garcia
  • ACCESSING PROGRAMS USING NETWORKED DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDING DEVICES
    Publication number: 20170142475
    Abstract: Access to programs using network connected digital video recording devices is disclosed. A DVR causes display of a content guide including a unit identification area. When the unit identification area is updated, the content guide also updates to reflect programs available on the currently selected DVR. The content guide of a remotely connected DVR can thus be displayed, from which programs are selected for playback. Playback can be resumed from a point at which a viewer terminated viewing, either at the local or remote location, or from the beginning of the program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: M. KENT WILLIAMS, ROBERT N. LEE, BRUCE A. GARCIA
  • Accessing programs using networked digital video recording devices
    Patent number: 9602862
    Abstract: Access to programs using network connected digital video recording devices is disclosed. A DVR causes display of a content guide including a unit identification area. When the unit identification area is updated, the content guide also updates to reflect programs available on the currently selected DVR. The content guide of a remotely connected DVR can thus be displayed, from which programs are selected for playback. Playback can be resumed from a point at which a viewer terminated viewing, either at the local or remote location, or from the beginning of the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: M. Kent Williams, Robert N. Lee, Bruce A. Garcia
  • Accessing programs using networked digital video recording devices
    Publication number: 20170013318
    Abstract: Access to programs using network connected digital video recording devices is disclosed. A DVR causes display of a content guide including a unit identification area. When the unit identification area is updated, the content guide also updates to reflect programs available on the currently selected DVR. The content guide of a remotely connected DVR can thus be displayed, from which programs are selected for playback. Playback can be resumed from a point at which a viewer terminated viewing, either at the local or remote location, or from the beginning of the program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: M. Kent Williams, Bruce A. Garcia