Patents by Inventor Marc Sullivan

Marc Sullivan 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: 20190140991
    Abstract: A method, a system and a computer readable medium for supporting collaborative media sharing among users at an event are disclosed. For example, the method creates an event-share group relating to an event, and provides an event tag to a plurality of members of the event-share group, where the event tag uniquely identifies the event-share group or the event. The method receives a captured media from at least one of the plurality of members, wherein the event tag is attached to the captured media and provides the captured media to the plurality of members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: James Pratt, Marc Sullivan, Sarah Peterson Everett
  • Patent number: 10284911
    Abstract: An Internet Protocol television system includes a set-top box that receives requests to display video streams being transmitted to a household. In response to the request, the set-top box provides a list of the video streams to a display device. The list includes options to terminate transmission of one or more of the streams. This allows a user to determine which video streams should be transmitted when bandwidth limitations are reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, Gregory Edwards, Joan Pearl
  • Patent number: 10212235
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure include, for example, selecting a first communication device of the plurality of communication devices to analyze activities of the first communication device, presenting at a device activity information associated with the activities of the first communication device, facilitating an exchange of messages between the device and the first communication device, receiving a request from the device to transfer control of the first communication device to the device responsive to the device receiving an unsatisfactory response from the first communication device, and receiving control information from the device to adjust an operational aspect of the first communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven M. Belz, Greg W. Edwards, Marc Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10200380
    Abstract: A system for providing layered security is disclosed. In particular, the system may include determining a state of a first device of a device ecosystem and a state of a second device of the device ecosystem. Based on the states of the first and second devices, the system may include calculating a confidence score for the device ecosystem. If the confidence score satisfies a threshold score for enabling access to a selected system, the system may include transmitting an access code to the device ecosystem. Based on the access code, the system may enable the device ecosystem to access the selected system. If, however, the confidence score does not satisfy the threshold score, the system may include requiring the device ecosystem to provide additional authentication information in order to access the selected system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Belz, James H. Pratt, Marc A. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10194198
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a display device having a controller to wirelessly receive media; wirelessly receive control signals for presentation of the media from a mobile communication device; and selectively disable control by the display device over presentation of the media on the display device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, James Pratt
  • Patent number: 10171393
    Abstract: A method, a system and a computer readable medium for supporting collaborative media sharing among users at an event are disclosed. For example, the method creates an event-share group relating to an event, and provides an event tag to a plurality of members of the event-share group, where the event tag uniquely identifies the event-share group or the event. The method receives a captured media from at least one of the plurality of members, wherein the event tag is attached to the captured media and provides the captured media to the plurality of members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Marc Sullivan, Sarah Peterson Everett
  • Publication number: 20180376187
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes obtaining, by a processing system including a processor, a user profile for a user of a media service, and selecting, in accordance with the user profile, program components for inclusion in a media program to be presented via the media service. The method also includes generating the media program using the selected program components, and presenting the media program at equipment of the user. The method also includes obtaining sensor data associated with the user, and determining a user engagement level during presentation of the media program, based on the sensor data. The method further includes adjusting at least one of the program components responsive to the user engagement level, thereby generating a modified media program for presentation to the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Sarah Everett, Gregory W. Edwards, Marc Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20180352437
    Abstract: Screen time-outs on a portable electronic device can be customized based on user activity. In one aspect, a sensing component receives data from one or more sensors located on the portable electronic device, for example, skin conductivity sensors and determines whether the user is using the portable device, either actively or passively and also determines the identity of the user. A configuring component is employed to change one or more features or functions of the portable electronic device based on the information determined by the sensing component. In particular, the configuring component changes one of more features of the portable electronic device based on the preferences predefined by the identified user and device usage (active and passive usage).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: James Pratt, Sarah Everett, Marc Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20180349923
    Abstract: In one example, the present disclosure describes a device, computer-readable medium, and method for dynamically adapting advertising based on real-time data relating to consumer emotions. For instance, in one example, a method includes inferring a present emotional state of a user of a content distribution network from a set of information collected by devices in the content distribution network, determining, based at least in part on the present emotional state, a time at which to present an advertisement to the user, and dynamically adapting an advertisement presented to the user at the time in response to the present emotional state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory Edwards, Sarah Everett, Marc Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10137368
    Abstract: Organization of a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) via mobile units is enabled. Features of mobile units such as messaging and location based services are incorporated into the game to enhance the user experience. The MMOG provides social networking opportunities to players by associating players based on similarities such as shared interests and activities. These shared interests and activities can be determined based on associations of the players in other situations, such as disparate online games or websites. In addition, advertising content can be provided to players based on similar factors. For example, the MMOG can comprise a game similar to the offline game of tag, wherein players can “tag” each other through in-game interactions via the mobile units. These interactions can be triggered based on players being a fixed predetermined distance from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Belz, James Pratt, Marc Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20180241829
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising: obtaining social media information associated with a user, wherein the social media information comprises historical social media information associated with the user and current social media information associated with the user; selecting, based upon the historical social media information, a selected personality type associated with the use; determining, based upon the selected personality type associated with the user, a candidate entertainment recommendation; determining, based upon the current social media information, whether the candidate entertainment recommendation should be provided to the user; responsive to determining that the candidate entertainment recommendation should not be provided to the user: determining, based upon the selected personality type associated with the user, an alternate entertainment recommendation; and providing to the user the second recommendation. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory W. Edwards, Sarah Everett, Marc Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10051471
    Abstract: Screen time-outs on a portable electronic device can be customized based on user activity. In one aspect, a sensing component receives data from one or more sensors located on the portable electronic device, for example, skin conductivity sensors and determines whether the user is using the portable device, either actively or passively and also determines the identity of the user. A configuring component is employed to change one or more features or functions of the portable electronic device based on the information determined by the sensing component. In particular, the configuring component changes one of more features of the portable electronic device based on the preferences predefined by the identified user and device usage (active and passive usage).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Sarah Everett, Marc Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20180176643
    Abstract: An Internet Protocol television system includes a set-top box that receives requests to display video streams being transmitted to a household. In response to the request, the set-top box provides a list of the video streams to a display device. The list includes options to terminate transmission of one or more of the streams. This allows a user to determine which video streams should be transmitted when bandwidth limitations are reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, Gregory Edwards, Joan Pearl
  • Patent number: 9936251
    Abstract: An Internet Protocol television system includes a set-top box that receives requests to display video streams being transmitted to a household. In response to the request, the set-top box provides a list of the video streams to a display device. The list includes options to terminate transmission of one or more of the streams. This allows a user to determine which video streams should be transmitted when bandwidth limitations are reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, Gregory W. Edwards, Joan Pearl
  • Patent number: 9911298
    Abstract: A system for providing awareness of an interactive surface is disclosed. The system may include a processor that is communicatively linked to an interactive surface. The processor may determine a position and a velocity of an object that is within range of the interactive surface based on one or more of media content, vibrations, air movement, sounds and, global positioning data associated with the object. Additionally, the processor may determine if the object has a trajectory that would cause the object to collide with the interactive surface based on the information associated with the object. If the processor determines that the object has a trajectory that would cause the object to collide with the interactive surface, the processor can generate a notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James H. Pratt, Steven M. Belz, Marc A. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9819989
    Abstract: Signals from a remote control device may be received in a first viewing area and retransmitted to a second viewing area to control customer premises equipment (CPE) devices in the second viewing area. In some embodiments, signals are translated for compatibility with the CPE devices in the second viewing area. A repeater in the first viewing area may receive infrared signals encoded with a remote control command and retransmit the remote control command with an RF signal to a receiver in the second viewing area. The repeater may be incorporated into a multimedia processing resource such as a set-top box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven M. Belz, Marc Sullivan, James Pratt
  • Publication number: 20170315614
    Abstract: A system for adjusting content display orientation on a screen is disclosed. The system may include a processor that may detect both eyes and a body part of a user that is proximal to one or more of the user's eyes. The system may then determine an eye gaze plane based on the positions of the first and second eyes of the user. The eye gaze plane may be determined by identifying a first line of sight extending from the first eye and a second line of sight extending from the second eye. Additionally, the eye gaze plane may bisect a center of the first eye and a center of the second eye of the user. Once the eye gaze plane is determined, the system may adjust the orientation of content displayed on a display device based on the eye gaze plane and on the position of the body part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc A. Sullivan, James H. Pratt, Garrett L. Stettler
  • Patent number: 9788050
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for determining a tag based on an interaction of a mobile device with a media processor. The tag is associated with a number of options of video content received at the media processor. A request is determined from the media processor for the number of options of video content associated with the tag. A transfer of the plurality of options of video content is initiated from a video source to the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Steven M. Belz, Marc Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9788073
    Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, capturing from a plurality of media sources information describing a plurality of media content offered at the plurality of media sources, generating a plurality of exemplars of the plurality of media content offered at the plurality of media sources based on the information captured from the plurality of media sources, presenting the plurality of exemplars at a display, receiving a selection of a first exemplar of the plurality of exemplars, and presenting a portion of first media content associated with a first media source of the plurality of media sources associated with the first exemplar based on the information captured from the plurality of media sources responsive to the selection of the first exemplar. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Keith Crowe, Marc Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20170245004
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a display device having a controller to wirelessly receive media; wirelessly receive control signals for presentation of the media from a mobile communication device; and selectively disable control by the display device over presentation of the media on the display device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, JAMES PRATT