Patents by Inventor Michael A. Raffel

Michael A. Raffel 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: 20110255525
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method that sends information about a wireless communication system access point to a server. The method receives the access point information at the mobile station from the server. The method enables the mobile station to access the wireless communication system through the access point by using the access point information. In some embodiments, the access point information is sent from the server to the mobile station using a short message service (SMS) message. In some embodiments, the access point information includes the SSID and the MAC ID of the access point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Powell, Michael A. Raffel, Dave M. Singhai
  • Patent number: 7346350
    Abstract: A communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency or frequency band search schedule. Initially, the communication device registers with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency. While remaining registered with the less preferred service provider, the device examines several frequencies in the order specified by the frequency search schedule. The device determines whether the last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider. If the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, the device examines each of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order in the search schedule. The examination continues until another frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located. The communication device then registers with the more preferred service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Bamburak, John J. Daly, Christopher G. Lawrence, Michael E. Prise, Michael A. Raffel
  • Publication number: 20070197237
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method that sends information about a wireless communication system access point to a server. The method receives the access point information at the mobile station from the server. The method enables the mobile station to access the wireless communication system through the access point by using the access point information. In some embodiments, the access point information is sent from the server to the mobile station using a short message service (SMS) message. In some embodiments, the access point information includes the SSID and the MAC ID of the access point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Powell, Michael Raffel, Dave Singhal
  • Patent number: 7035646
    Abstract: A mobile station communicates with both a cellular network, by which it is assigned a mobile identification number, and to a cordless cellular base station utilizing the same cellular frequency range and communications protocol. The cordless cellular base station is preferably connected to a public switched telephone network and is assigned a landline number. The cordless cellular base station acts as a conduit between the mobile station and the public switched telephone network. When the mobile station comes within range of a cordless cellular base station, it deregisters automatically from the cellular network and register with the cordless cellular base station. Once the mobile station is communicating with the cordless cellular base station, the cordless cellular base station communicates with the cellular network to instruct the cellular network to route all calls for mobile identification number to the cordless cellular base station's landline number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Cingular Wireless II, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Raffel, Michael D. Bamburak, David R. Glass, Keith Jarett, Masud Kibria, Christopher G. Lawr nc, Tony S. Lee, Ileana A. Leuca, Joseph P. Marx, Roderick Nelson, Paul B. O'Neill, Roland E. Williams, Peter L. Winship
  • Publication number: 20050113089
    Abstract: A communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule. Initially, the communications device registers with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency band. While remaining registered with the less preferred service provider, the device examines several frequency bands in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule. A frequency band is examined by dividing the frequency band into many sub-bands, and by locating the strongest signal above a threshold within the sub-band being examined. The examination continues until a second frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located. The communication device then registers with the more preferred service provider. The category of service provider may be identified and displayed on the communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: AT&T WIRELESS SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Bamburak, John Daly, Christopher Lawrence, Michael Prise, Michael Raffel
  • Publication number: 20040152482
    Abstract: A mobile station communicates with both a cellular network, by which it is assigned a mobile identification number, and to a cordless cellular base station utilizing the same cellular frequency range and communications protocol. The cordless cellular base station is preferably connected to a public switched telephone network and is assigned a landline number. The cordless cellular base station acts as a conduit between the mobile station and the public switched telephone network. When the mobile station comes within range of a cordless cellular base station, it deregisters automatically from the cellular network and register with the cordless cellular base station. Once the mobile station is communicating with the cordless cellular base station, the cordless cellular base station communicates with the cellular network to instruct the cellular network to route all calls for mobile identification number to the cordless cellular base station's landline number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: AT & T Wireless Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Raffel, Michael D. Bamburak, David R. Glass, Keith Jarett, Masud Kibria, Christopher G. Lawrence, Tony S. Lee, Ileana A. Leuca, Joseph P. Marx, Roderick Nelson, Paul B. O'Neill, Roland E. Williams, Peter L. Winship
  • Patent number: 6735432
    Abstract: A mobile station communicates with both a cellular network, by which it is assigned a mobile identification number, and to a cordless cellular base station utilizing the same cellular frequency range and communications protocol. The cordless cellular base station is preferably connected to a public switched telephone network and is assigned a landline number. The cordless cellular base station acts as a conduit between the mobile station and the public switched telephone network. When the mobile station comes within range of a cordless cellular base station, it deregisters automatically from the cellular network and register with the cordless cellular base station. Once the mobile station is communicating with the cordless cellular base station, the cordless cellular base station communicates with the cellular network to instruct the cellular network to route all calls for mobile identification number to the cordless cellular base station's landline number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Jarett, Roland E. Williams, Michael A. Raffel, Roderick Nelson, Ileana A. Leuca, Tony S. Lee, Christopher G. Lawrence, Masud Kibria, David R. Glass, Michael D. Bamburak
  • Patent number: 6681118
    Abstract: A mobile station communicates with both a cellular network, by which it is assigned a mobile identification number, and to a cordless cellular base station utilizing the same cellular frequency range and communications protocol. The cordless cellular base station is preferably connected to a public switched telephone network and is assigned a landline number. The cordless cellular base station acts as a conduit between the mobile station and the public switched telephone network. When the mobile station comes within range of a cordless cellular base station, it deregisters automatically from the cellular network and register with the cordless cellular base station. Once the mobile station is communicating with the cordless cellular base station, the cordless cellular base station communicates with the cellular network to instruct the cellular network to route all calls for mobile identification number to the cordless cellular base station's landline number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Raffel, Michael D. Bamburak, David R. Glass, Keith Jarett, Masud Kibria, Christopher G. Lawrence, Tony S. Lee, Ileana A. Leuca, Joseph P. Marx, Roderick Nelson, Paul B. O'Neill, Roland E. Williams, Peter L. Winship
  • Patent number: 6611692
    Abstract: A mobile station communicates with both a cellular network, by which it is assigned a mobile identification number, and to a cordless cellular base station utilizing the same cellular frequency range and communications protocol. The cordless cellular base station is preferably connected to a public switched telephone network and is assigned a landline number. The cordless cellular base station acts as a conduit between the mobile station and the public switched telephone network. When the mobile station comes within range of a cordless cellular base station, it deregisters automatically from the cellular network and register with the cordless cellular base station. Once the mobile station is communicating with the cordless cellular base station, the cordless cellular base station communicates with the cellular network to instruct the cellular network to route all calls for mobile identification number to the cordless cellular base station's landline number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Raffel, Michael D. Bamburak, David R. Glass, Keith Jarett, Masud Kibria, Christopher G. Lawrence, Tony S. Lee, Ileana A. Leuca, Joseph P. Marx, Roderick Nelson, Paul B. O'Neill, Roland E. Williams, Peter L. Winship
  • Publication number: 20030069014
    Abstract: A mobile station communicates with both a cellular network, by which it is assigned a mobile identification number, and to a cordless cellular base station utilizing the same cellular frequency range and communications protocol. The cordless cellular base station is preferably connected to a public switched telephone network and is assigned a landline number. The cordless cellular base station acts as a conduit between the mobile station and the public switched telephone network. When the mobile station comes within range of a cordless cellular base station, it deregisters automatically from the cellular network and register with the cordless cellular base station. Once the mobile station is communicating with the cordless cellular base station, the cordless cellular base station communicates with the cellular network to instruct the cellular network to route all calls for mobile identification number to the cordless cellular base station's landline number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Michael A. Raffel, Michael D. Bamburak, David R. Glass, Keith Jarett, Masud Kibria, Christopher G. Lawrence, Tony S. Lee, Ileana A. Leuca, Joseph P. Marx, Roderick Nelson, Paul B. O'Neill, Roland E. Williams, Peter L. Winship
  • Publication number: 20030050090
    Abstract: A mobile station communicates with both a cellular network, by which it is assigned a mobile identification number, and to a cordless cellular base station utilizing the same cellular frequency range and communications protocol. The cordless cellular base station is preferably connected to a public switched telephone network and is assigned a land line number. The cordless cellular base station acts as a conduit between the mobile station and the public switched telephone network. When the mobile station comes within range of a cordless cellular base station, it deregisters automatically from the cellular network and register with the cordless cellular base station. Once the mobile station is communicating with the cordless cellular base station, the cordless cellular base station communicates with the cellular network to instruct the cellular network to route all calls for mobile identification number to the cordless cellular base station's landline number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Michael A. Raffel, Michael D. Bamburak, David R. Glass, Keith Jarett, Masud Kibria, Christopher G. Lawrence, Tony S. Lee, Ileana A. Leuca, Joseph P. Marx, Roderick Nelson, Paul B. O'Neill, Roland E. Williams, Peter L. Winship
  • Patent number: 5911120
    Abstract: A mobile station communicates with both a cellular network, by which it is assigned a mobile identification number, and to a cordless cellular base station utilizing the same cellular frequency range and communications protocol. The cordless cellular base station is preferably connected to a public switched telephone network and is assigned a landline number. The cordless cellular base station acts as a conduit between the mobile station and the public switched telephone network. When the mobile station comes within range of a cordless cellular base station, it deregisters automatically from the cellular network and register with the cordless cellular base station. Once the mobile station is communicating with the cordless cellular base station, the cordless cellular base station communicates with the cellular network to instruct the cellular network to route all calls for mobile identification number to the cordless cellular base station's landline number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignees: AT&T Wireless Services, Atmel Corp
    Inventors: Keith Jarett, Roland E. Williams, Michael A. Raffel, Roderick Nelson, Ileana A. Leuca, Tony S. Lee, Christopher G. Lawrence, Masud Kibria, David R. Glass, Michael D. Bamburak
  • Patent number: 5732360
    Abstract: A remote unit has the ability to switch automatically from a public network to a non-public network comprising of private and residential base stations. In the preferred embodiment, the public network is characterized by cells with each cell having a unique identification signal. Initially, a first switchover from a public network to a non-public network requires the user to manually cause the switchover. The remote unit stores the first identification signal transmitted by the base station from which the remote unit traversed into the region covered by the non-public base station. In addition, the remote unit stores the identification signal associated with a cell of the public network previous to the current cell if the switchover occurred less than two (2) minutes from the exit of the previous cell. In this manner, the remote unit can adaptively learn as it traverses other possible paths from other cells into the region covered by the non-public base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: AT & T Wireless Services and Atmel Corp
    Inventors: Keith Jarett, Roland E. Williams, Michael A. Raffel, Roderick Nelson, Tony S. Lee, Masud Kibria
  • Patent number: 5675629
    Abstract: A mobile station communicates with both a cellular network, by which it is assigned a mobile identification number, and to a cordless cellular base station utilizing the same cellular frequency range and communications protocol. The cordless cellular base station is preferably connected to a public switched telephone network and is assigned a landline number. The cordless cellular base station acts as a conduit between the mobile station and the public switched telephone network. When the mobile station comes within range of a cordless cellular base station, it deregisters automatically from the cellular network and register with the cordless cellular base station. Once the mobile station is communicating with the cordless cellular base station, the cordless cellular base station communicates with the cellular network to instruct the cellular network to route all calls for mobile identification number to the cordless cellular base station's landline number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: AT&T
    Inventors: Michael A. Raffel, Michael D. Bamburak, David R. Glass, Keith Jarett, Masud Kibria, Christopher G. Lawrence, Tony S. Lee, Ileana A. Leuca, Joseph P. Marx, Roderick Nelson, Paul B. O'Neill, Roland E. Williams, Peter L. Winship