Patents by Inventor The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
The DIRECTV Group, Inc. 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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Publication number: 20140280140Abstract: A method and system for recommending content includes a user device having a memory storing a taxonomy table having content cluster identifiers therein. The user device receives an external recommendations list for the content cluster at the user device. The recommendations list has a plurality of content identifiers each having one content cluster identifier. A viewer tracking module generates a viewed content history for content relative to the content clusters identifiers that correspond to viewed content at the user device. A recommendation module generates an internal recommendations list by comparing the external recommendations list to the viewed content history at the user device. The internal recommendation list also presents recommendations capturing the distinct user tastes in a family viewing device. A display displays the internal recommendations list, with section headers of different granularity describing the nature of the recommended content at cluster, sub-genre and genre levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
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Publication number: 20140279781Abstract: A method and system for storing push content includes a user device having a memory and a viewer tracking module generating a viewed content history for content corresponding to viewed content at the user device. A recommendation recording module compares the viewed content history and push content and stores at least one push content at the user device in response comparing to form a recorded content push list. A display displays the recorded content push list corresponding to the content stored in the user device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
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Publication number: 20140244263Abstract: A system and method includes a language processing module converting an electrical signal corresponding to an audible signal into a textual signal. The system further includes a command generation module converting the textual signal into a user receiving device control signal. A controller controls a function of a user receiving device in response to the user receiving device control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.Inventor: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
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Publication number: 20140244270Abstract: A system includes a voice converter converting a first voice command into a first electrical command and a command library having library contents. A language responsiveness module (LRM) stores the first electrical command in a temporary set when a first control command cannot be determined from the library contents. A voice prompt module receives a second voice command when the first control command cannot be determined from the library contents. The voice converter converts a second voice command into a second electrical command corresponding to the second voice command. The LRM compares the second electrical command to the command library. The LRM determines a second control command corresponding to the second electrical command in response to comparing the second voice command to the command library and stores the first voice command in the command library after determining the control command corresponding to the second voice command.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.Inventor: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
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Publication number: 20140244686Abstract: A system and method for operating the same includes a conversation manager that receives a receiving a first search request and, after receiving the first search request, receives a second search request. The system also includes a classifier module within the conversation manager classifying the first search request relative to the second search request as related or not related. A context merger module within the classifier module combines the first search request and the second search request to form a merged search request. A search module performs a second search based on the merged search request.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.Inventor: The DirecTV Group, Inc.
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Publication number: 20140215018Abstract: A user receiving device and method includes a contest delivery network manager interaction module communicating a request for a content delivery network address for a content to a content delivery network manager and receiving the content delivery network address for a content delivery network and a content delivery network token from the content delivery network manager. The user receiving device also includes a manifest interaction module communicating a manifest request to tire content delivery network address of the content delivery network and receiving a manifest from the content delivery network comprising a plurality of chunk addresses. The user receiving device also includes a content delivery network interaction module generating requests tor chunks of the content from the content delivery network using the content delivery network token and a respective chunk address and receiving the chunks from the content delivery network.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.Inventor: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
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Publication number: 20140140259Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.Inventor: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
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Publication number: 20140143423Abstract: A method and apparatus for assigning processing requests is disclosed. The method is typically used in a processing system comprising a first processing center and one or more second processing centers remote from the first processing center, a. A method of assigning a processing request may comprise the steps of: determining at a traffic distribution controller a capacity of each of the processing centers to process the processing request, accepting a processing request in the first processing center, and assigning the processing request to at least one of the second processing centers according to the determined current capacity of each of the processing centers. The processing request is initially addressed to a first global address of the first processing center, then the processing request is readdressed to a second global address of one of the second processing centers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
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Publication number: 20140130107Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.Inventor: The Directv Group, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130198404Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for processing media content for display on a monitor. A home media center (HMC), that includes a server receiver, acts as a central location for recording, distribution, and scheduling of tasks and system resources. The HMC receives a client request from a first client receiver and a legacy request or informs the receiver that the request cannot be fulfilled. Different coding technologies are used to provide video, audio, and data services to the client receiver and the legacy receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2013Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.Inventor: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
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Publication number: 20130172029Abstract: A communication system communications system for communicating with mobile user terminals includes a base station having an adaptive antenna with a plurality of panels. Each of the plurality of panels are arranged to have a different field of view. Each panel has a plurality of main array antenna elements for simultaneously generating a plurality of dynamic communication beams that move with the mobile terminals and a plurality of auxiliary elements separate from the plurality of main array antenna elements used for interference cancelling signals cancelling interference between the plurality of dynamic communication beams generated by the plurality of main array elements. A gateway station is coupled to the base station. The gateway station forms a plurality of beams commands for each of the plurality of panels by communicating a plurality of control signals to the base station to form the plurality of dynamic communication beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2013Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.Inventor: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
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Publication number: 20130149958Abstract: A satellite communication system including an interface device for distributing satellite signals received from an outdoor unit (ODU) to a plurality of indoor units (IDUs) connected to a local area network (LAN), at a particular site. Only two cables, a power cable and a cable connected to the LAN, must be installed between the interface device and the site containing the IDUs. Accordingly, the installation of IDUs at a site is simplified and has the flexibility of allowing future satellite based services to be added without requiring the installation of new cables between the ODU and the IDUs. The satellite communication system also permits flexibility among connected devices, including to which other devices they are connected, how they are connected to other devices and what types of connections are used.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2013Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130139202Abstract: An interactive home video channel displayed on a monitor is enclosed. A channel in accordance with the present invention comprises a plurality of video cells presenting at least video information, a text box, a menu comprising menu choices, each menu choice and each video cell associated with a programming subject, and a cursor, which can be moved between the plurality of video cells and the menu, for selecting at least one of the video cells and the menu choices, which presents additional information about the programming subject associated with the selected video cell or menu choice upon selection with the cursor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2013Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.Inventor: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130125176Abstract: A conditional access system generating a permission packet in response to the content request. The permission packet has information for a user device to access content through a connection of a content delivery network so that in response to the permission packet, a first connection from the content delivery network to the user device may be opened by the user device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2013Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130117379Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.Inventor: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130091406Abstract: An approach is provided for decoding a low density parity check (LDPC) coded signal. Edge values associated with a structured parity check matrix used to generate the LDPC coded signal are retrieved from memory. The edge values specify the relationship of bit nodes and check nodes, and are stored within memory according to a predetermined scheme that permits concurrent retrieval of a set of the edge values. A decoded signal corresponding to the LDPC coded signal is output based on the retrieved edge values.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2012Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130080778Abstract: A method and system for providing program guide data to a user network device associated with a user identifier includes a partner service provider in communication with the user network device and a primary service provider in communication with the partner service provider authenticating the user network device provider using the user identifier. The user network device generates a request for program guide data and communicates the user identifier and the request to the partner service provider. The partner service provider or the primary service provider communicates program guide data to the user network device based on the identifier data. The user network device displays the program guide data on a display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.Inventor: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
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Publication number: 20130061109Abstract: A method of interleaving blocks of indexed data of varying lengths is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a set of basic Interleavers comprising a family of one or more permutations of the indexed data and having a variable length; selecting one of the basic Interleavers based upon a desired Interleaver length L; and adapting the selected basic Interleaver to produce an Interleaver having the desired Interleaver length L.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.