Patents by Inventor Scott D. Casavant

Scott D. Casavant 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).

  • Publication number: 20140282749
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a user receiving device includes a head end associating a first user device with a user account having first user settings. A first user device communicates a device identifier associated with the user receiving device to the head end. The head end communicates the first user settings associated with the user account to the user receiving device. The user receiving device operates with the first user settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Kuriacose Joseph, Scott D. Casavant, Sean S. Lee, Phillip T. Wang, Matthew J. Thompson, Brady C. Tsurutani, David N. Schlacht, Johnny Shum
  • Patent number: 8804035
    Abstract: A method and system for communicating text descriptive data has a receiving device that receives a data signal having text description data corresponding to a description of a video signal. A text-to-speech converter associated with the receiving device converts the text description data to a first audio signal. A display device in communication with the text-to-speech converter converts the first audio signal associated with the receiving device to an audible signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Casavant, Brian D. Jupin, Stephen P. Dulac
  • Patent number: 8752206
    Abstract: A system and method for using content on multiple devices includes a head end associating a first user device and a second user device with a user account and authorizing the first user device and the second user device to receive content. The first user device forms a selection signal corresponding to a first content. The head end communicates the first content to the first user device corresponding to the selection signal. The first user device displays the first content on a first display associated therewith. The second user device receives the first content and displays the first content on a second display associated with the second user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuriacose Joseph, Scott D. Casavant, Sean S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20140130106
    Abstract: A system and method for remotely transcoding content includes a set top box generating a playlist corresponding to content titles stored in a memory of the set top box. A user device is in communication with the cloud location and the set top box through a network. The user device reviews the playlist and selects a first content title from the playlist to form a selection. The cloud location includes a transcoder device transcoding content corresponding to the selection to form transcoded content. One of the cloud location and the set top box communicates the transcoded content to the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Khader B. Syed, Michael J. Koehnlein, Scott D. Casavant, Sean S. Lee, Kuriacose Joseph, Jorge H. Guzman
  • Patent number: 8719875
    Abstract: A receiving unit 28 includes a tuner circuit board 100 that receives a first signal that may include a satellite signal. The tuner circuit board 100 demodulates the satellite signal to form a second signal. The second signal is provided to an internet protocol (IP) and control module circuit board 102 that is separated from the tuner circuit board 100. The internet protocol (IP) and control module circuit board 102 formats the second signal to form an IP encapsulated signal. The IP encapsulated signal is communicated to a device 44 so that a display 46 may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D Casavant, Linh H Nguyen, John L Norin
  • Publication number: 20140075485
    Abstract: A system and method includes a host device, an intermediate device and a user device. A network is in communication with the host device, the intermediate device and the user device. The host device communicates a first graphics command and a second graphics command to the intermediate device. The intermediate device composites the first graphics command and the second graphics command to form a composite graphics command and communicating the composite graphics command to the user device. The user device generates a screen display in response to the composite graphics command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean S. Lee, Scott D. Casavant, Phillip T. Wang
  • Publication number: 20140075486
    Abstract: A system and method includes a host device, an intermediate device and a user device having a device type associated therewith. A network is in communication with the host device, the intermediate device and the user device. The host device communicates a first graphics command to the intermediate device. The intermediate device converts the first graphics command to a second graphics command in response to the device type. The user device generates a screen display in response to the second graphics command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip T. Wang, Sean S. Lee, Scott D. Casavant
  • Publication number: 20140075576
    Abstract: A system and method for using content on multiple devices includes a head end associating a first user device and a second user device with a user account and authorizing the first user device and the second user device to receive content. The first user device forms a selection signal corresponding to a first content. The head end communicates the first content to the first user device corresponding to the selection signal. The first user device displays the first content on a first display associated therewith. The second user device receives the first content and displays the first content on a second display associated with the second user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuriacose Joseph, Scott D. Casavant, Sean S. Lee
  • Patent number: 8593356
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a trunk. The vehicle body has a deck lid covering the trunk. A satellite antenna is mounted within the trunk and is coupled to the deck lid. The deck lid includes a panel for transmitting a satellite signal therethrough and forms an entire exterior surface of the deck lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Mierzwa, Scott D. Casavant
  • Publication number: 20130212616
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a user interface comprises an auxiliary remote control device having an auxiliary remote control device identifier associated therewith and a receiving unit comprising a filter module having a filter feature for filtering content data from a set of available content data in response to an auxiliary remote control device identifier received at the receiving unit. The filter module forms filtered available content data less than the set of available content data. The receiving unit displays the user interface having the filtered available content data associated with the auxiliary remote control device on a display associated with the receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Goswitz, Jorge H. Guzman, Benjamin Mui, David N. Schlacht, Joseph Santoru, John L. Norin, Shannon A. Kallin, Sean S. Lee, Drew T. Chen, Scott D. Casavant
  • Publication number: 20130174192
    Abstract: A system and method for determining unauthorized use of a set top box includes a set top box that receives a profile of weather conditions in a geographic area, generating a weather log, comparing the weather log and the profile and disabling the set top box from receiving signals in response to comparing. A head end and a plurality of other set top boxes may be used to gather the weather data to form the profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean S. Lee, Kuriacose Joseph, Scott D. Casavant
  • Patent number: 8023883
    Abstract: A method of operating a mobile device includes determining a location of the mobile device, determining a local market area for the mobile device in response to the location. The method further includes broadcasting a local market signal for a first network in a first market and a second local market signal for the first network in a first market. The mobile device selects one of the first local market signal and the second local market signal in response to the local market for the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean S. Lee, Kevin Lilly, Yonghong Zhao, Scott D. Casavant
  • Publication number: 20110213858
    Abstract: A method and system for providing content includes a network having a plurality of receiving units. The system further includes a first receiving unit of the plurality of receiving units that forms a recording request, when the first receiving unit includes unavailable resources and communicates the recording request through the network. A second receiving unit receives the request and stores content in a second memory corresponding to the request and communicates the content to the first receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean S. Lee, Scott D. Casavant
  • Patent number: 7925216
    Abstract: A communication system (10) includes a controller (10, 160) for communicating a selection list to a wireless device (28, 36). The wireless device includes a user interface (280) for selecting a selection from a selection list (452). The wireless device generates a selection signal in response to selecting and wirelessly transmits the selection signal to the controller (100, 160). The controller (100, 160) wirelessly transmits content corresponding to the selection signal to the wireless device. The controller (100, 160) may be a business service controller or a local communications controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Casavant, Jorge H. Guzman, Sean S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20110037669
    Abstract: A vehicle 16 includes a vehicle body 30. A satellite antenna 18 is mounted within the vehicle body 30. A satellite transmissive panel 40 is coupled to the vehicle body 30 adjacent to the antenna 18. The satellite antenna may be mounted within the passenger compartment 20 or within the trunk 90 of the vehicle 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Mierzwa, Scott D. Casavant
  • Patent number: 7847744
    Abstract: A vehicle 16 includes a vehicle body 30. A satellite antenna 18 is mounted within the vehicle body 30. A satellite transmissive panel 40 is coupled to the vehicle body 30 adjacent to the antenna 18. The satellite antenna may be mounted within the passenger compartment 20 or within the trunk 90 of the vehicle 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Mierzwa, Scott D. Casavant
  • Publication number: 20090254951
    Abstract: A method and system for providing content includes a network having a plurality of receiving units generating a plurality of recording requests for content and communicating the recording requests through the network. The system also includes a first receiving unit of the plurality of receiving units that is selected by the network to record content corresponding to the request in a first memory and storing the content in a first memory of the first receiving unit. The network communicates a do-not record signal to the plurality of receiving units except the first receiving unit. A second receiving unit of the plurality of receiving units forms a selection for the content and communicating the selection to the first receiving unit. The first receiving unit streams the content to the second receiving unit through the network. The second receiving unit displays the content on a display associated with the second receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Sean S. Lee, Scott D. Casavant
  • Publication number: 20090254600
    Abstract: A method and system for providing content includes a network having a plurality of receiving units. The system further includes a first receiving unit of the plurality of receiving units that forms a recording request, when the first receiving unit includes unavailable resources and communicates the recording request through the network. A second receiving unit receives the request and stores content in a second memory corresponding to the request and communicates the content to the first receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Sean S. Lee, Scott D. Casavant
  • Publication number: 20090254599
    Abstract: A method and system for providing content includes a network having a plurality of receiving units. The system further includes a first receiving unit of the plurality of receiving units that has a first memory storing content therein. The first receiving unit forms a first content list of content stored within the first memory. A second receiving unit receives the first content list from the first receiving unit through the network. The second receiving unit generates a content selection from the first content list and communicates the content selection to the first receiving unit through the network. The first receiving unit communicates content corresponding to the content selection to the second receiving unit through the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Sean S. Lee, Scott D. Casavant
  • Publication number: 20090254949
    Abstract: A method and system for providing content includes a network having a plurality of receiving units generating a plurality of recording or tuning requests for content and communicating the recording or tuning requests through the network. The system includes a first receiving unit of the plurality of receiving units that is selected by the network to receive content corresponding to the request and stream the content to the network. A second receiving unit receives the content from the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Sean S. Lee, Scott D. Casavant