Patents by Inventor Rômulo Pontual
Rômulo Pontual 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: 9537944Abstract: A communication system includes a first user device and a group of user devices. A peer-to-peer network is formed from the group of user devices and the first user device. A content request is communicated to the group of user devices through a terrestrial network. At least one of the group of user devices communicates the media content file corresponding to the content request to the first user device through the peer-to-peer network. The media content file communicated to the first user device from at least one of the group of user devices comprises a missing portion of the media content file.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Raynold M. Kahn, Romulo Pontual, Robert G. Arsenault
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Patent number: 9525978Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a plurality of elementary data streams to a plurality of receivers is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of generating M data streams comprising K multiplexed elementary data streams in a first entity, transmitting the M data streams to a second entity, generating N transmitter streams from the M data streams in the second entity; and transmitting each of the N transmitter streams to the plurality of receivers using an associated one of N broadcast sub-transmitters.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: The DirecTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Romulo Pontual, Hanno Basse, Sassan Pejhan, Joseph Santoru, Ernest C. Chen
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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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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: 9258175Abstract: A system and method for sharing playlists within a network includes a first storage device having a first playlist comprising first playlist data corresponding to stored content and a second storage device having a second playlist comprising second playlist data corresponding to stored content. The system also includes an aggregation server in communication with the first storage device and the second storage device that receives the first playlist and the second playlist. The aggregation server aggregates the first playlist data and the second playlist data to form an aggregated playlist having aggregated playlist data and forms an index list corresponding to the aggregated playlist. A first aggregation client is in communication with the aggregation server and receives the index list from the aggregation server.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Vladislav Kolegayev, Romulo Pontual, Robert G. Arsenault, Eugene Suharev
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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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Patent number: 8849434Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control audio leveling in media presentation systems are described. An example method for controlling audio leveling in a media presentation system includes receiving data including media content and metadata and selecting an audio leveling technique to be used in an audio leveling process based on the metadata.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Romulo Pontual, Stephen P. Dulac
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Patent number: 8842971Abstract: Methods and apparatus to play audio and video content at non-native rates are described. An example method includes playing a video portion of audiovisual content at a non-native rate, playing an audio portion of the audiovisual content at the non-native rate to correspond with the video portion, wherein a presentation of the audiovisual content at the non-native rate and a presentation of the audiovisual content at a native rate are substantially indistinguishable to an audience.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Romulo Pontual, David P. Green, Tyson L. Wintibaugh, Brian Black, Roger Lambert, Ajmair S. Heer
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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
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Patent number: 8345869Abstract: A communication system 100 includes a group of user devices, a first device separate from the group of user devices, a first satellite, a peer-to-peer network 130 in communication with the user devices and the satellite 106 and a content delivery network 120 in communication with the user devices. The content delivery network encrypts the content in response to a first encryption-decryption information and communicates the content to the plurality of user devices through a satellite. At each of the plurality of the group of user devices the content is encrypted in response to a second encryption-decryption information. A first user device communicates a content request to the group of user devices. At least one of the group of user devices communicates the content to the first user device through the peer-to-peer network. The first user device requests the encryption-decryption information from a content delivery network through a terrestrial network.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2007Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: The DirecTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Raynold M. Kahn, Romulo Pontual, Robert G. Arsenault
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Publication number: 20120331494Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: 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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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: 20110255003Abstract: A method and apparatus for rendering an OSD on a background frame having a plurality of background subframes together defining a 3D image is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of generating a first background subframe describing a first perspective and having an overlaid OSD, generating a second background subframe describing the first perspective and having the overlaid OSD, and providing the first background subframe describing the first perspective and having the overlaid OSD and the second background subframe having the overlaid OSD to a display.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Romulo Pontual, Hanno Basse
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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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Patent number: 7912427Abstract: Multiple embodiments of systems for testing the delivery of satellite and cable television signals are described.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Santoru, David J. Kuether, Benjamin Mui, Shamik Maitra, Dipak M. Shah, Romulo Pontual, James R. Butterworth, Philip J. Goswitz, Ernest C. Chen, Gustave R. Stroes, Bradley T. Ito
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Publication number: 20110066679Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: 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: 20100211942Abstract: A system and method for a system for communicating with a user device includes a broadcast management system generating content channel data signals. The system also includes a software download manager in communication with the broadcast management system. The software download manager generates an announcement file and a download resolution file. The download manager communicates the announcement file. The user device has user device identifier data and receives the download resolution file in response to the announcement file and stores the software image in the user device in response to the download resolution file.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2009Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: The DIRCTV Group, Inc.Inventors: SUBBARAYA KUMAR DEVERAKONDA VENKATA, Jianming Yu, Charles C. Debergh, Gilbert Zaldivar, Joseph T. Hayes, Romulo Pontual, Lonnie Scott Clabaugh