Patents Represented by Attorney Parks IP Law LLC
  • Patent number: 8095111
    Abstract: Methods for adding minutes to a calling plan having a calling plan period. The methods including determining whether a threshold number of minutes have been reached during the calling plan period; and incrementally adding minutes to the calling plan when the threshold number of minutes has been reached. The cost per minute of the added minutes is less than the high-cost per minute rate normally associated with exceeding the threshold number of minutes during the calling plan period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Coulter C. Henry, Jr., Francis Richard Lazaro, Jr., Andrew Lamont Hines, Jr., Derek Ekow-Badu Johnson
  • Patent number: 8095729
    Abstract: A plurality of disk drives in a disk drive array are synchronized. A synchronization signal is generated at a master disk drive. The synchronization signal is encoded as a radio frequency signal for transmission over a radio frequency network in communication with the plurality of disk drives. The transmitted radio frequency signal is received at a slave disk drive and decoded to recover the synchronization signal. Rotation of a disk in the slave disk drive is synchronized with rotation of a disk in the master disk drive based on the recovered synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Michael Asher
  • Patent number: 8094848
    Abstract: An adjustable hearing assistive device that automatically configures to the hearing needs of a user. The adjustable hearing assistive device can be in the form of a hearing aid that includes a presence activated sensor adapted to receive setting data, hearing processing circuitry adapted to receive sound and manipulate an audio signal, and a controller adapted to configure the processing circuitry in response to the setting data so that sound output to a user is in accordance with the hearing needs of the user. The setting data can include settings for a default mode of operation or temporary settings for use when the user is in a particular environment. Setting data can be provided by a hearing profile tag in the form of an RFID tag and the presence activated sensor can be an RFID reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Melvin Duane Frerking, George O'Quinn Hirvela
  • Patent number: 8090387
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for detecting the presence and level of wireless communications activity within a predetermined area, without disclosing the identity of the wireless users, and for generating a message to certain information and communications devices in response to the detection of a predetermined level of wireless communications activity within the predetermined area. The information detected also may include information relating to the general direction and rate of movement of detected wireless devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility I LLC
    Inventor: Winton Durrett Batson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8089355
    Abstract: An apparatus and method provide the automatic, self-configuration of a communication device to adjust to the user's environmental circumstances. Method includes creating a set of mode templates corresponding to a plurality of potential environmental circumstances and may be stored in a database in the computer readable memory of the communication device. At predetermined intervals, a suite of environmental sensors integral to the communication device may periodically sample the user's environment. The user's environmental circumstances may be derived by an analysis module based on the output of the suite of environmental sensors. The derived set of environmental circumstances may then be compared to the mode templates to determine a matching mode template. A change to a plurality of communication device operational settings may then be made based at least partially on the matching mode template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Jeffrey Aaron
  • Patent number: 8090353
    Abstract: Methods of managing features in a portable electronic device are provided. Use of a portable electronic device by a user is monitored over a period of time. Adaptive settings are established for features and/or profiles in the portable electronic device based on the monitored use of the portable electronic device. Related system and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Jeffrey Aaron, John Ruckart
  • Patent number: 8085717
    Abstract: Seamless wireless mobility is described. In one embodiment, a mobility manager can query a subscriber catalog for a current registration status of handset. The mobility manager can then use the registration status to send a first signal to the handset over either a wireless network or an Internet protocol-based network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Douglas O'Neil, John Alson Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 8078094
    Abstract: The disclosed architecture provides a co-siting solution to the many different proprietary systems that are being sold today for cellular communications. The architecture is a universal multi-purpose signal distribution chassis for conditioning and distributing cellular communications signals by providing the interface to a wide variety of cellular communications equipment on the market. A receive interface receives signals, amplifies the signals, and splits (or distributes) the signals for communications to various pieces of equipment and technologies that can be employed in a base station tower system, for example. This is particularly useful in co-siting situations where many different types of technologies and equipment are hosted by one set of antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Huber, Dan Edwards, Sheldon Meredith
  • Patent number: 8078167
    Abstract: A mobility management analysis architecture for call management. Systems and methods are provided for routing of a landline-mobile and mobile-mobile call using a switching network (landline or mobile originating) to serve effectively as the “GMSC/tandem” switching layer for the mobile network, as well as for mobile-mobile calls using an originating switch. When a landline switch issues an local number portability (LNP) query, the response to the query can be intercepted by a preliminary mobility management platform that determines a location routing number (LRN) for a visited mobile switching center (V-MSC) to which a destination mobile handset is currently attached. The LRN for that V-MSC is returned in the LNP response to the switch, which then routes the call to the serving V-MSC based on the LRN. The V-MSC then performs the GMSC (gateway mobile switching center) functionality, for example, for that particular call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Maurice Scott Laster, Mark Enzmann, John Mark Dammrose, Annie Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8077837
    Abstract: Voicemail systems and methods for managing voicemail systems are provided herein. The subject voicemail systems provide a plurality voicemail greeting, each of which are associated with a context tag. The context tag can be, for example, a location, a device parameter, an account parameter, a network parameter, or any other contextual information. Upon receipt of a change in a context tag, the voicemail system determines a new voicemail greeting associated with the new context tag and sets the new voicemail greeting to the active voicemail greeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Joshua S. Wright, Linda S. Giles
  • Patent number: 8078196
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for updating information for an identified location on a mobile device are provided. A broadcast advertising message is provided to a mobile device. The advertising message identifies a location and includes a dynamic field configured to provide updated information about the identified location. When the advertising message is activated by the mobile device, a current position of the mobile device is determined. The dynamic field of the advertising message is automatically populated based on the current position of the mobile device to provide updated information about the identified location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: John Ruckart, Scott Frank
  • Patent number: 8078210
    Abstract: A wireless communication system, including apparatuses and methods, for handling emergency calls from wireless communication devices to emergency services providers and for automatically providing updated location estimates for the wireless communication devices to during such emergency calls absent any request therefor. The updated location estimates are generally provided in response to a detected occurrence of a triggering event within the wireless communication system. In the exemplary embodiments, such triggering events include the passage of a pre-determined threshold period of time and the handover of an emergency call between cells or sectors of the wireless communication system in response to movement of the wireless communication device from which the emergency call is being made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Marvin U. Fuller, Jr., John P. Davis, III
  • Patent number: 8070359
    Abstract: A plastic bag includes a front wall and a rear wall that are joined together to define a containment portion. To facilitate pouring a pourable substance from the containment portion, the plastic bag includes a pour spout. The pour spout includes an aperture that is defined in a lip. The lip can be formed into a channel such that the pourable substance is directed through the aperture. The plastic bag also includes a series of ribs that are formed in the region where the bag is folded to define a bottom end. The ribs reinforce the bottom end without compromising the flexibility of the bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Thunderbird Global Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Nossi Taheri
  • Patent number: 8069143
    Abstract: An exemplary system for providing remote deletion of contact information includes a first device associated with a first user. The first device is configured to generate and send a delete request message to a second device. In some embodiments, the delete request message includes a request to delete contact information for the first user from the second device. The second device can be configured to receive the delete request message and delete the first user's contact information. A method for providing remote deletion of contact information includes a delete request message being generated at a first device, associated with a first user. The delete request message can include a request to delete contact information for the first user. The first device can send the delete request message to a second device. The delete request message can instruct the second device to delete the first user's contact information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Scott Swanburg, Andre Okada, Paul Hanson, Chris Young
  • Patent number: 8068860
    Abstract: A system for communicating short message service messages from a SMS application to a wireless communication device. The system includes a protocol gateway for converting messages from a simple object access protocol (SOAP) to a short message peer-to-peer (SMPP) protocol. By using a SOAP protocol for a portion of communications between the SMS application and the wireless communication device, the system provides communications path in which SMS application is not required to maintain knowledge of the complex SMPP protocol. The system may also include a billing mechanism for charging subscribers for content received by the wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: David Midkiff
  • Patent number: 8064930
    Abstract: A location query service is disclosed. The service provides requestors with a location of a device. The service receives a location query from a requestor, retrieves location information associated with the network user, and returns the location information to the requestor. Before returning the location information to the requestor, the service is configured, in some embodiments, to authenticate that the requestor is authorized by the network user to receive the network user's location information. Methods for providing a location query service also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Mark J. Enzmann, Robert T. Moton, Jr., Samuel N. Zellner
  • Patent number: 8065602
    Abstract: Interactions between customers and representatives of a service provider are documented by providing multiple electronic forms for completion. Information that is requested for both forms is carried over from one form to the next rather than requiring the representative to manually enter the same information multiple times. For instance, a call back number of the customer may be entered on one electronic form being used to edit information for a customer and that call back number is automatically carried over to another form being used to document a commitment to handle a request from the customer. The representative is relieved of double-entry, and mistakes that might arise from double-entry are reduced or eliminated. The electronic forms may be submitted to a tracker database that allows for further disposition of the request by the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Michelle Campbell
  • Patent number: 8060557
    Abstract: Application services gateways that execute electronic application programs/services allows the application programs/services to be managed and administered out of a network rather than locally. The application services gateways are elements in a services delivery system that execute application programs/services that control or otherwise interact with systems and devices of a home or business such as a heating and cooling system or a security system. The application services gateways have a LAN connection to a communication gateway that in turn communicates over a WAN to a remote services gateway. The remote services gateway channels data from a remote service platform to provide application programs/services and management services over the WAN to the communications gateway where it is then channeled to the application services gateways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: John A. Hicks, III, Randy Zimler, Mustafa S. Bilsel
  • Patent number: 8060113
    Abstract: A location visit detail service, typically provided by a wireless carrier to a subscriber includes a portable wireless device, a location identification means and a central processor. The central processor periodically receives location data generated by the location identification means. The central processor data transforms the location data into time and position data pairs that identify the location of the portable wireless device at a particular time. Through a geographic information system database, the position data is converted to street address data. The details data is provided by the wireless carrier to the subscriber, which can use the details data to provide a summary report describing the activity of the service person. This summary report can be used for preparation of bills or for gathering statistics on (individual or group) service person efficiency. Alternatively, the wireless carrier can prepare the report that is then transmitted to the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Sunil H. Contractor
  • Patent number: 8053207
    Abstract: Methods for cancer diagnosis and treatment; in particular, methods for diagnosis and treatment of triple negative breast cancer by measuring the activity of PMPMEase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Florida Agrlcultural and Mechanical University
    Inventor: Nazarius Saah Lamango