Patents by Inventor Douglas Medina

Douglas Medina 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: 20220330244
    Abstract: A receiver control is configured to receive signal receive level data from a plurality of signal receivers. The receiver control determines if a signal receive level is lower than expected. In response to determining that the signal receive level is lower than expected, it is determined if an alternate signal is available via an alternate signal path. In response to determining that an alternate signal is available, an instruction is transmitted to one of the plurality of signal receivers with an indication that the alternate signal is to be received via the alternate signal path. The receiver control transmits the alternate signal via the alternate signal path to the one of the plurality of signal receivers experiencing lower than expected signal receive levels in one embodiment. The receiver can resume utilizing an original signal via an original signal path when the signal receive level of the original signal returns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas Nicas, Todd Andrew Fryer, Douglas Medina
  • Patent number: 11405916
    Abstract: A receiver control is configured to receive signal receive level data from a plurality of signal receivers. The receiver control determines if a signal receive level is lower than expected. In response to determining that the signal receive level is lower than expected, it is determined if an alternate signal is available via an alternate signal path. In response to determining that an alternate signal is available, an instruction is transmitted to one of the plurality of signal receivers with an indication that the alternate signal is to be received via the alternate signal path. The receiver control transmits the alternate signal via the alternate signal path to the one of the plurality of signal receivers experiencing lower than expected signal receive levels in one embodiment. The receiver can resume utilizing an original signal via an original signal path when the signal receive level of the original signal returns to expected levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Nicholas Nicas, Todd Andrew Fryer, Douglas Medina
  • Patent number: 10985971
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a satellite service channel that provides a first media content item for processing by a media processor for presentation by equipment of a user. A terrestrial service source is identified that provides a second media content item via a terrestrial service. A portion of the second version of the media content item is buffered for subsequent processing by the media processing device for presentation in place of the first version of the media content item responsive to an unavailability of the satellite service channel Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Medina, Todd Andrew Fryer, Nicholas Nicas
  • Patent number: 10834447
    Abstract: A satellite digital broadcast systems transmits signals from a geosynchronous satellite to a plurality of geographically dispersed receivers. Each receiver measures a receive signal level and transmits a value representing the level to a data center. The data center analyses data received from a plurality of receivers in order to determine a size, shape, and velocity of propagation of an obstruction. The data center then predicts which receivers will experience signal disruptions based on the obstruction and the velocity of propagation of the obstruction. The data center transmits instructions to receivers that will be affected by the obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Nicholas Nicas, Todd Andrew Fryer, Douglas Medina
  • Patent number: 10601541
    Abstract: An architecture is provided that can scale content resolution in order to mitigate errors in a provisioned service of a communication network, such as a wireless service or a femtocell service that integrates with DSL or other broadband carriers. The architecture can identify fault conditions relating to e.g., bandwidth oversubscription or symbolization integrity. Based upon such identification, the architecture can alter encoding format codecs of certain types of content in order to reduce their resolution/quality, thereby mitigating bandwidth oversubscription fault conditions or freeing up space (without necessarily increasing bandwidth) to insert additional FEC code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Medina, Frank Coppa, Robert Johnston
  • Patent number: 10503982
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device including a controller programmed to receive security video content associated with a premises where the security video content has been captured by one or more cameras located within or in proximity to the premises and where the premises have one or more digital video recorders, and transmit the security video content to the digital video recorders for forwarding to a communication device that is remote from the premises, where the security video content is wirelessly transmitted over a wireless television channel dynamically selected from available wireless television channels associated with the premises. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Medina, Jon Heath, Ronald Jones
  • Publication number: 20190364304
    Abstract: A satellite digital broadcast systems transmits signals from a geosynchronous satellite to a plurality of geographically dispersed receivers. Each receiver measures a receive signal level and transmits a value representing the level to a data center. The data center analyses data received from a plurality of receivers in order to determine a size, shape, and velocity of propagation of an obstruction. The data center then predicts which receivers will experience signal disruptions based on the obstruction and the velocity of propagation of the obstruction. The data center transmits instructions to receivers that will be affected by the obstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Nicholas Nicas, Todd Andrew Fryer, Douglas Medina
  • Publication number: 20190349939
    Abstract: A receiver control is configured to receive signal receive level data from a plurality of signal receivers. The receiver control determines if a signal receive level is lower than expected. In response to determining that the signal receive level is lower than expected, it is determined if an alternate signal is available via an alternate signal path. In response to determining that an alternate signal is available, an instruction is transmitted to one of the plurality of signal receivers with an indication that the alternate signal is to be received via the alternate signal path. The receiver control transmits the alternate signal via the alternate signal path to the one of the plurality of signal receivers experiencing lower than expected signal receive levels in one embodiment. The receiver can resume utilizing an original signal via an original signal path when the signal receive level of the original signal returns to expected levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Nicholas Nicas, Todd Andrew Fryer, Douglas Medina
  • Patent number: 10425939
    Abstract: A receiver control is configured to receive signal receive level data from a plurality of signal receivers. The receiver control determines if a signal receive level is lower than expected. In response to determining that the signal receive level is lower than expected, it is determined if an alternate signal is available via an alternate signal path. In response to determining that an alternate signal is available, an instruction is transmitted to one of the plurality of signal receivers with an indication that the alternate signal is to be received via the alternate signal path. The receiver control transmits the alternate signal via the alternate signal path to the one of the plurality of signal receivers experiencing lower than expected signal receive levels in one embodiment. The receiver can resume utilizing an original signal via an original signal path when the signal receive level of the original signal returns to expected levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Nicholas Nicas, Todd Andrew Fryer, Douglas Medina
  • Patent number: 10419793
    Abstract: A satellite digital broadcast systems transmits signals from a geosynchronous satellite to a plurality of geographically dispersed receivers. Each receiver measures a receive signal level and transmits a value representing the level to a data center. The data center analyzes data received from a plurality of receivers in order to determine a size, shape, and velocity of propagation of an obstruction. The data center then predicts which receivers will experience signal disruptions based on the obstruction and the velocity of propagation of the obstruction. The data center transmits instructions to receivers that will be affected by the obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Nicholas Nicas, Todd Andrew Fryer, Douglas Medina
  • Patent number: 10390099
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, accessing a terrestrial content service that delivers media content to premises of a subscriber for presentation to media processing equipment of the subscriber. An interruption in the terrestrial content service is determined that interrupts the delivery of the media content item to the media processing equipment. An alternative media content item is identified based on the media content item, wherein the alternative media content item is available by way of a direct broadcast satellite service not subscribed to by the subscriber. The direct broadcast satellite service is provisioned to the media processing equipment responsive to the determining of the interruption in the terrestrial content service. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Medina, Todd Andrew Fryer, Nicholas Nicas
  • Publication number: 20190173738
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a satellite service channel that provides a first media content item for processing by a media processor for presentation by equipment of a user. A terrestrial service source is identified that provides a second media content item via a terrestrial service. A portion of the second version of the media content item is buffered for subsequent processing by the media processing device for presentation in place of the first version of the media content item responsive to an unavailability of the satellite service channel Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Medina, Todd Andrew Fryer, Nicholas Nicas
  • Patent number: 10243782
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a first tuning state of a media processor of a subscriber. The first tuning state includes a satellite service channel, wherein the satellite service channel provides a first media content item that is processed by the media processor for presentation. A terrestrial service channel is identified that provides a second media content item. Access to the terrestrial service channel is provided by control of a switch. Subsequent processing of the second media content item by the media processor is facilitated by replacing the first media content item, responsive to the determining of an unavailability of the satellite service channel Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Medina, Todd Andrew Fryer, Nicholas Nicas
  • Publication number: 20190014389
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, accessing a terrestrial content service that delivers media content to premises of a subscriber for presentation to media processing equipment of the subscriber. An interruption in the terrestrial content service is determined that interrupts the delivery of the media content item to the media processing equipment. An alternative media content item is identified based on the media content item, wherein the alternative media content item is available by way of a direct broadcast satellite service not subscribed to by the subscriber. The direct broadcast satellite service is provisioned to the media processing equipment responsive to the determining of the interruption in the terrestrial content service. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Medina, Todd Andrew Fryer, Nicholas Nicas
  • Publication number: 20180254850
    Abstract: An architecture is provided that can scale content resolution in order to mitigate errors in a provisioned service of a communication network, such as a wireless service or a femtocell service that integrates with DSL or other broadband carriers. The architecture can identify fault conditions relating to e.g., bandwidth oversubscription or symbolization integrity. Based upon such identification, the architecture can alter encoding format codecs of certain types of content in order to reduce their resolution/quality, thereby mitigating bandwidth oversubscription fault conditions or freeing up space (without necessarily increasing bandwidth) to insert additional FEC code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas Medina, Frank Coppa, Robert Johnston
  • Patent number: 10051338
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, accessing a terrestrial content service that delivers media content to premises of a subscriber for presentation to media processing equipment of the subscriber. An interruption in the terrestrial content service is determined that interrupts the delivery of the media content item to the media processing equipment. An alternative media content item is identified based on the media content item, wherein the alternative media content item is available by way of a direct broadcast satellite service not subscribed to by the subscriber. The direct broadcast satellite service is provisioned to the media processing equipment responsive to the determining of the interruption in the terrestrial content service. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Medina, Todd Andrew Fryer, Nicholas Nicas
  • Publication number: 20180197016
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device including a controller programmed to receive security video content associated with a premises where the security video content has been captured by one or more cameras located within or in proximity to the premises and where the premises have one or more digital video recorders, and transmit the security video content to the digital video recorders for forwarding to a communication device that is remote from the premises, where the security video content is wirelessly transmitted over a wireless television channel dynamically selected from available wireless television channels associated with the premises. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Medina, Jon Heath, Ronald Jones
  • Patent number: 10009654
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of packetizers, a buffer, and an interface. The plurality of packetizers includes a first packetizer and a second packetizer. Each of the plurality of packetizers is configured to receive media content from a corresponding media source. The buffer is coupled to the plurality of packetizers and is configured to concurrently receive first content from the first packetizers and second content from the second packetizers. The interface is configured to provide the first content from the buffer to a display device and to provide the second content from the buffer to the display device responsive to a media selection request received from the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Todd Andrew Fryer, Nicholas Nicas, Douglas Medina
  • Patent number: 9991987
    Abstract: An architecture is provided that can scale content resolution in order to mitigate errors in a provisioned service of a communication network, such as a wireless service or a femtocell service that integrates with DSL or other broadband carriers. The architecture can identify fault conditions relating to e.g., bandwidth oversubscription or symbolization integrity. Based upon such identification, the architecture can alter encoding format codecs of certain types of content in order to reduce their resolution/quality, thereby mitigating bandwidth oversubscription fault conditions or freeing up space (without necessarily increasing bandwidth) to insert additional FEC code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Medina, Frank Coppa, Robert Johnston
  • Publication number: 20180145870
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a first tuning state of a media processor of a subscriber. The first tuning state includes a satellite service channel, wherein the satellite service channel provides a first media content item that is processed by the media processor for presentation. A terrestrial service channel is identified that provides a second media content item. Access to the terrestrial service channel is provided by control of a switch. Subsequent processing of the second media content item by the media processor is facilitated by replacing the first media content item, responsive to the determining of an unavailability of the satellite service channel Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Medina, Todd Andrew Fryer, Nicholas Nicas