Patents by Inventor Alan A. Koch

Alan A. Koch 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).

  • Patent number: 9892140
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for creating and using groups for task collaboration. A computing device can include a processor. The computing device can detect an opportunity to initiate collaboration on a task by a group of devices that includes a collaborating device. The computing device can create the group of devices, provide collaboration data to the collaborating device, and obtain input generated by the collaborating device based upon the collaboration data. The computing device can terminate the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert Alan Koch
  • Publication number: 20170221088
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to aspects of in-store field-of-view merchandising and analytics. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a system receives a message from a user device. The message can include an orientation of the user device and a location of the user device within an environment, such as a store. The system can obtain a potential field-of-view of a user associated with the user device. The system can determine, based upon the orientation, the location of the user device and the potential field-of-view of the user, an estimated field-of-view of the user. The system can query a database to look-up items located within the estimated field-of-view. The system can receive, in response to the query, a query response identifying an item located within the estimated field-of-view of the user within the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Alan Koch, Ari Craine, James Carlton Bedingfield, SR.
  • Publication number: 20170147976
    Abstract: A method includes coordinating delivery by a selected delivery agent to a delivery recipient. A geographical receiving location for a delivery recipient is determined. A delivery agent, of a plurality of potential delivery agents, is identified and selected that is capable of delivering a specific product to the delivery recipient at the geographical location for the delivery recipient, in which the identifying includes analyzing planned geographical routes for each of the plurality of potential delivery agents to determine the delivery agent. A network communications address of the delivery recipient is determined and an electronic communication exchange is established between an entity responsible for providing the product to the delivery recipient and the network communications address of the delivery recipient. The specific product is assigned for delivery to the delivery recipient based on the communications exchange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Alan KOCH, Ari CRAINE
  • Patent number: 9626709
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to aspects of in-store field-of-view merchandising and analytics. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a system receives a message from a user device. The message can include an orientation of the user device and a location of the user device within an environment, such as a store. The system can obtain a potential field-of-view of a user associated with the user device. The system can determine, based upon the orientation, the location of the user device and the potential field-of-view of the user, an estimated field-of-view of the user. The system can query a database to look-up items located within the estimated field-of-view. The system can receive, in response to the query, a query response identifying an item located within the estimated field-of-view of the user within the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Alan Koch, Ari Craine, James Carlton Bedingfield, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9574826
    Abstract: A semi-liquid metal processing apparatus and method are presented in which a semi-liquid metal and/or semi-solid metal is introduced into a crucible and his electromagnetically stirred at a first frequency while cooling, and thereafter sidewalls of a metal charge formed of the semi-liquid metal and/or semi-solid metal are partially melted prior to tilting the crucible for removal of the metal charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ajax Tocco Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald R. Akers, Alan Koch
  • Patent number: 9532108
    Abstract: A method for programming a secondary device responsive to an advertisement, including: requesting a file and associated content identifier responsive to the advertisement; receiving the advertisement and a supplementary information associated with the advertisement; presenting a user with an option to initiate a request for an activity in response to the supplementary information; and performing the requested activity in response to the user request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Alan Koch, Dale W. Malik
  • Publication number: 20160210449
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for event-based security challenges. A computer can execute a security application. The computer can receive a request for authentication information associated with a user device. The computer can access event data corresponding to the user device. The computer can generate, based upon the event data, a challenge question and a response to the challenge question. The computer can provide data indicating the challenge question and the response to a requestor associated with the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Alan Koch, Robert Bridger, II, James T. Lee, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160148218
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to aspects of customer service based upon in-store field-of-view and analytics. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a store analytics system can collect user information associated with a plurality of users located within an environment. The store analytics system also can collect user device information associated with a plurality of user devices associated with the plurality of users. The store analytics system also can collect estimated fields-of-view associated with the plurality of users. The store analytics system can analyze the user information, the user device information, and the estimated fields-of-view to identify at least one commonality shared among at least two of the plurality of users. The store analytics system can create a logical group. The logical group can include the at least two users of the plurality of users that share the commonality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Alan Koch, Ari Craine, James Carlton Bedingfield, SR.
  • Publication number: 20160094592
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for creating and using groups for task collaboration. A computing device can include a processor. The computing device can detect an opportunity to initiate collaboration on a task by a group of devices that includes a collaborating device. The computing device can create the group of devices, provide collaboration data to the collaborating device, and obtain input generated by the collaborating device based upon the collaboration data. The computing device can terminate the group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert Alan Koch
  • Patent number: 9298898
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for event-based security challenges. A computer can execute a security application. The computer can receive a request for authentication information associated with a user device. The computer can access event data corresponding to the user device. The computer can generate, based upon the event data, a challenge question and a response to the challenge question. The computer can provide data indicating the challenge question and the response to a requestor associated with the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Alan Koch, Robert Bridger, II, James T Lee, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150371275
    Abstract: A method for programming a secondary device responsive to an advertisement, including: requesting a file and associated content identifier responsive to the advertisement; receiving the advertisement and a supplementary information associated with the advertisement; presenting a user with an option to initiate a request for an activity in response to the supplementary information; and performing the requested activity in response to the user request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Alan Koch, Dale W. Malik
  • Publication number: 20150302500
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to aspects of in-store field-of-view merchandising and analytics. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a system receives a message from a user device. The message can include an orientation of the user device and a location of the user device within an environment, such as a store. The system can obtain a potential field-of-view of a user associated with the user device. The system can determine, based upon the orientation, the location of the user device and the potential field-of-view of the user, an estimated field-of-view of the user. The system can query a database to look-up items located within the estimated field-of-view. The system can receive, in response to the query, a query response identifying an item located within the estimated field-of-view of the user within the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Alan Koch, Ari Craine, James Carlton Bedingfield, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20140165151
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are described herein that involve non-native device authentication. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a method can include receiving an authentication credential at a computing device from an authorizer. The computing device can be non-native to the authorizer and native to an authorizee that the authorizer is attempting to provide authorization for access to content associated with the authorizer. The method can also include generating an authentication request directed to an authentication system. The authentication request can include the authentication credential. The method can also include sending the authentication request to the authentication system. In response to the authentication request, the computing system can receive an indication that the authorizer is authenticated to authorize the authorizee for access to the content associated with the authorizer. The method can also include accessing, by the computing device, the content associated with the authorizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard Welday, JR., Robert Alan Koch
  • Publication number: 20140162853
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprising a base that can be oriented at any angle and that defines a plurality of connection interfaces, each of which can be designed to support one end of a resilient member in a cantilevered disposition. The connection interfaces can be positioned at or adjusted to a widely varying range of locations and angular orientations with respect to the base. Each resilient members can be configured to support one or more removable stiffening members that provide a resistance force when a force is exerted thereon so as to bend the resilient member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CORE STIC FITNESS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Shannon Kadar, Kregg Alan Koch
  • Patent number: 8728196
    Abstract: A semi-liquid metal processing and sensing device comprising a crucible that is at least partially encircled by at least one induction coil. The one or more induction coils can be water cooled. The one or more induction coils can be designed to generate a variable power and/or variable frequency magnetic field which can be modulated to control the cooling of a molten metal charge in the crucible from the liquidus temperature to a selected heat content, resistivity and/or viscosity. The magnetic field can be designed to induce toroidal agitation of the metal charge in the crucible. The semi-liquid condition is sensed and can be actively controlled by the induction power supply via real time or non-real time analysis of electrical feedback signals that are obtained from the induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ajax TOCCO Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventor: Alan A. Koch
  • Publication number: 20140083250
    Abstract: A semi-liquid metal processing apparatus and method are presented in which a semi-liquid metal and/or semi-solid metal is introduced into a crucible and his electromagnetically stirred at a first frequency while cooling, and thereafter sidewalls of a metal charge formed of the semi-liquid metal and/or semi-solid metal are partially melted prior to tilting the crucible for removal of the metal charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: AJAX TOCCO MAGNETHERMIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ronald R. Akers, Alan Koch
  • Publication number: 20130225267
    Abstract: A massively multiplayer online game allowing players to use their influence to affect outcomes of the game. A method in the massively multiplayer online game comprises providing currency to a plurality of players for an online game having a duration; receiving spending information from a first player of the plurality of players, wherein the spending information affects an influence amount of a second player of the plurality of players; and updating a stored influence amount of the second player based on the received spending information, wherein, at the end of the duration, a stored influence amount of the second player is evaluated to determine whether the second player has one of the top stored influence amounts, and wherein the players amongst the plurality of players having the top stored influence amounts compete to potentially win a prize.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Alan KOCH, Robert Miles Kemp, Andre Nitze
  • Patent number: 8500612
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprising a base that can be oriented at any angle and that defines a plurality of connection interfaces, each of which can be designed to support one end of a resilient member in a cantilevered disposition. The connection interfaces can be positioned at or adjusted to a widely varying range of locations and angular orientations with respect to the base. Each resilient members can be configured to support one or more removable stiffening members that provide a resistance force when a force is exerted thereon so as to bend the resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Core Stix Fitness LLC
    Inventors: Kregg Alan Koch, Michael Shannon Kadar
  • Publication number: 20120227542
    Abstract: A semi-liquid metal processing and sensing device comprising a crucible that is at least partially encircled by at least one induction coil. The one or more induction coils can be water cooled. The one or more induction coils can be designed to generate a variable power and/or variable frequency magnetic field which can be modulated to control the cooling of a molten metal charge in the crucible from the liquidus temperature to a selected heat content, resistivity and/or viscosity. The magnetic field can be designed to induce toroidal agitation of the metal charge in the crucible. The semi-liquid condition is sensed and can be actively controlled by the induction power supply via real time or non-real time analysis of electrical feedback signals that are obtained from the induction coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: ALAN A. KOCH
  • Patent number: 8241390
    Abstract: A semi-liquid metal processing and sensing device comprising a crucible that is at least partially encircled by at least one induction coil. The one or more induction coils can be water cooled. The one or more induction coils can be designed to generate a variable power and/or variable frequency magnetic field which can be modulated to control the cooling of a molten metal charge in the crucible from the liquidus temperature to a selected heat content, resistivity and/or viscosity. The magnetic field can be designed to induce toroidal agitation of the metal charge in the crucible. The semi-liquid condition is sensed and can be actively controlled by the induction power supply via real time or non-real time analysis of electrical feedback signals that are obtained from the induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ajax Tocco Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventor: Alan A. Koch