Patents by Inventor Richard B. Tatem
Richard B. Tatem 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: 10021437Abstract: A method and system for suspending channel signals includes a network, a plurality of terminals in communication with the network and a receiving unit in communication with the plurality of terminals through the network. The receiving unit receives a channel signal and communicates the channel signal to the plurality of terminals through the network. The receiving unit monitors inactivity at the plurality of user terminals. The receiving unit discontinues distributing the channel signal when channel inactivity is determined by monitoring the plurality of user terminals.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: Richard B. Tatem
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Patent number: 9992525Abstract: A method and system for providing local content in a local network includes a plurality of terminals and a receiving unit in communication with the plurality of terminals receiving first program guide data and communicating the first program guide data to the plurality of terminals. The system also includes a local video source generating a video signal. The system also includes a local server in communication with the plurality of terminals and the local video source generating second program guide data corresponding to local content and communicating the second program guide data to the plurality of terminals. The plurality of terminals displays a grid guide comprising the first program guide data modified by the second program guide data.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: Richard B. Tatem
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Patent number: 9942618Abstract: A receiving unit 28 includes a tuner that receives a first signal that may include a satellite signal. A demodulator demodulates the satellite signal to form a second signal. The second signal may be internet protocol (IP) encapsulated to form an IP encapsulated signal. The IP encapsulated signal may be communicated through an IP network to a decoder. The decoder 144 decodes the second signal or the IP encapsulated signal. A modulator 146 modulates the decoded signal which is communicated to user devices through a network 147. In addition, IP encapsulated signals may also be communicated to various user devices through the network.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: John L. Norin, Richard B. Tatem
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Patent number: 9729935Abstract: A switching splitter and method of operating the same comprises a first port, a second port in communication with the first port and a third port in communication with the first port. A switching module is in communication with the second port and the third port. The switching module switches in response to a direct current voltage at the second port. The switching module communicates a control signal from the second port to the first port or from the third port to the first port in response the direct current voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: Richard B. Tatem
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Patent number: 9657891Abstract: A mounting bracket mounting to a mounting surface includes a back plate having a first side and second side. The second side is adjacent to the mounting surface. A shelf portion extends outward from the first surface of the back plate. A retainer portion extends from the shelf portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Tatem, Sayedalireza Pezeshki
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Patent number: 9532097Abstract: A method and system for controlling a controlled device includes a display device and a remote control device generating a key code and communicating the first key code signal corresponding to the key code to the display device. The display device Communicates the key code of the key code signal through the display device without changing the key code and communicates a second key code signal from the display device to a controlled device. The controlled device is controlled in response to the key code in the second key code signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Drew T. Chen, Richard B. Tatem
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Method and system for prepositioning content and distributing content in a local distribution system
Patent number: 9363566Abstract: A system for viewing on-demand content includes a user receiving device and a local head end in communication with the receiving device that communicates metadata and material identifiers for on-demand content. Each on-demand content is associated with one of the material identifiers. The user receiving device stores the metadata and the material identifiers for the on-demand content. The local head end receives content. Each content is associated with one of the material identifiers. The user receiving device communicates a request for on-demand content data signal to the local head end. The local head end communicates a manifest comprising material identifiers for content stored at the head end. The user receiving device, after receiving the manifest, displays metadata from the memory of the user receiving device corresponding to the material identifiers.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Makhijani, Vishal Arya, John L. Pang, Richard B. Tatem, Paul O. Viazcan, Ranny Q. Sue, Drew T. Chen -
Patent number: 9351414Abstract: An enclosure for a television distribution component and method for assembling the same includes a mounting plate, a plurality of extensions extending from the mounting plate and a housing receiving the electrical component. The housing has a plurality of openings aligned with the extensions. The housing having a cover wall generally parallel to the mounting plate and a plurality of side walls, said cover wall includes a first plurality of openings aligned with the plurality of extensions, a first side wall of the plurality of side walls includes a plurality of openings for electrically connecting to the electrical component.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Tatem, Sayedalireza Pezeshki
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METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREPOSITIONING CONTENT AND DISTRIBUTING CONTENT IN A LOCAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Publication number: 20160080821Abstract: A system for viewing on-demand content includes a user receiving device and a local head end in communication with the receiving device that communicates metadata and material identifiers for on-demand content. Each on-demand content is associated with one of the material identifiers. The user receiving device stores the metadata and the material identifiers for the on-demand content. The local head end receives content. Each content is associated with one of the material identifiers. The user receiving device communicates a request for on-demand content data signal to the local head end. The local head end communicates a manifest comprising material identifiers for content stored at the head end. The user receiving device, after receiving the manifest, displays metadata from the memory of the user receiving device corresponding to the material identifiers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Makhijani, Vishal Arya, Jon L. Pang, Richard B. Tatem, Paul O. Viazcan, Ranny Q. Sue, Drew T. Chen -
Patent number: 9277249Abstract: A method and system for providing content to a receiving device from a local headend is set forth. The local headend communicates channel data for content stored at a video server to a receiving device, receives a selection of the channel data to form selected content from the receiving device and communicates content corresponding to the selection to the receiving device. The local headend stores a purchase record corresponding to the selection at the local headend, associates the purchase record with the receiving device within the local headend and communicates a request for a callback from the local headend to the receiving device. The receiving device communicates a callback signal from the receiving device to an external headend comprising purchase data corresponding to the purchase record.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Jorge H. Guzman, Richard B. Tatem
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Patent number: 8856843Abstract: A method and system for generating local channels includes a user receiving device and a local headend in communication with the user receiving device generating a local channel using a multicast stream, generating local channel guide data comprising tuning data for the local channel and communicating a control command to a user receiving device. The control command comprises tuning data for the local channel. The user receiving device stores tuning data for the local channel with program guide data stored in the user receiving device in response to the control command.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Ronald J. Hubach, Richard B. Tatem
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Patent number: 8726320Abstract: A system and method for distributing television signals includes a multi-switch module multiplexing television signals therethrough. The system further includes a plurality of unit configurations having respective power sources therein. The plurality of unit configurations receives the television signals. The system also includes a splitting module in communication with the multi-switch module and the plurality of unit configurations whereby at least one of the plurality of unit configurations powers the multi-switch module.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Tatem, Sayedalireza Pezeshki
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Publication number: 20140033236Abstract: A method and system for providing content to a receiving device from a local headend is set forth. The local headend communicates channel data for content stored at a video server to a receiving device, receives a selection of the channel data to form selected content from the receiving device and communicates content corresponding to the selection to the receiving device. The local headend stores a purchase record corresponding to the selection at the local headend, associates the purchase record with the receiving device within the local headend and communicates a request for a callback from the local headend to the receiving device. The receiving device communicates a callback signal from the receiving device to an external headend comprising purchase data corresponding to the purchase record.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Jorge H. Guzman, Richard B. Tatem
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Patent number: 8621530Abstract: A method and system for controlling a group of user receiving devices includes a local headend in communication with the group of user receiving devices through a local network. A management control system of the local headend generates a control signal and simultaneously communicates the control signal to the group of user receiving devices through the local network. The group of user receiving devices is controlled in response to the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Jorge H. Guzman, Drew T. Chen, Richard B. Tatem
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Patent number: 8595770Abstract: A method and system for controlling a local content aggregated system includes a switch module receiving external channel signals, user receiving devices and a local headend generating a local channel signal. The local headend communicates the local channel signal to the switch module and communicates local channel program guide data to the user receiving devices. The user receiving devices receive external program guide data corresponding to the external channels. The user receiving device selects either a first external channel signal from the external channel signals or the local channel signal at the program guide to form a selection signal corresponding to a selected channel at a first user receiving device of the user receiving devices. The user receiving device communicates the selection signal to the switch module, which is switched in response thereto. The switch module communicates the selected channel signal to the first user receiving device.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Tatem, Kuriacose Joseph, Drew T. Chen, Jorge H. Guzman
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Publication number: 20130111522Abstract: A method and system for controlling a local content aggregated system includes a switch module receiving external channel signals, user receiving devices and a local headend generating a local channel signal. The local headend communicates the local channel signal to the switch module and communicates local channel program guide data to the user receiving devices. The user receiving devices receive external program guide data corresponding to the external channels. The user receiving device selects either a first external channel signal from the external channel signals or the local channel signal at the program guide to form a selection signal corresponding to a selected channel at a first user receiving device of the user receiving devices. The user receiving device communicates the selection signal to the switch module, which is switched in response thereto. The switch module communicates the selected channel signal to the first user receiving device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Tatem, Kuriacose Joseph, Drew T. Chen, Jorge H. Guzman
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Patent number: D743359Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Tatem, Sayedalireza Pezeshki
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Patent number: D743920Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2014Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Tatem, Sayedalireza Pezeshki
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Patent number: D753638Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Tatem, Sayedalireza Pezeshki
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Patent number: D763062Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Tatem, Sayedalireza Pezeshki