Patents by Inventor Michael D. Sprenger

Michael D. Sprenger 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: 8621531
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide novel solutions for providing real-time content in an on-demand environment. In a novel aspect of some embodiments, a real-time on demand server may be configured to integrate real-time content with on-demand content. This can allow a subscriber to enjoy the benefits of on-demand programming without having to forego access to real-time news, sports, weather information and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Charles I. Cook, Michael D. Sprenger, Steve Goeringer, Gnanasegeran Selvadurai
  • Patent number: 8583758
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide solutions for converting content, such as audio files and/or streams, video files and/or streams, other data files and/or the like. In an aspect, embodiments of the invention thus provide novel solutions to facilitate the provision of media services to one or more subscribers. In a set of embodiments, for example, media conversion services might be performed according to a subscriber's profile, such that the conversion services can be provided, in some cases, on the fly while providing the media to the subscriber, allowing the subscriber to obtain content in the necessary format without having to specify in each instance the formats in which various content should be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Charles I. Cook, Michael D. Sprenger, Steve Goeringer, Gnanasegeran Selvadurai
  • Publication number: 20110103561
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and software are disclosed for providing controlled access to network characteristic data stored at a subscriber premises. In one embodiment, Internet services are provided to a subscriber through a subscriber's modem, connected to the Internet through an access network, and to a number of data terminals on a local network. The modem is adapted to receive and/or generate data from the connected networks and devices for use in generating network characteristic data. This data is stored in an access-controlled data storage module. Content providers may then login to the modem and query network characteristic data. The modem is configured to authenticate the content provider, and, if authorized and available, return the queried data to the content provider. The content provider may then communicate information to the subscriber's data terminal through the modem, according to the network characteristic data returned by the query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Felipe Castro, Charles I. Cook, Michael D. Sprenger
  • Patent number: 7889670
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and software are disclosed for providing controlled access to network characteristic data stored at a subscriber premises. In one embodiment, Internet services are provided to a subscriber through a subscriber's modem, connected to the Internet through an access network, and to a number of data terminals on a local network. The modem is adapted to receive and/or generate data from the connected networks and devices for use in generating network characteristic data. This data is stored in an access-controlled data storage module. Content providers may then login to the modem and query network characteristic data. The modem is configured to authenticate the content provider, and, if authorized and available, return the queried data to the content provider. The content provider may then communicate information to the subscriber's data terminal through the modem, according to the network characteristic data returned by the query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Felipe Castro, Charles I. Cook, Michael D. Sprenger
  • Publication number: 20100074123
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and software are disclosed for providing controlled access to network characteristic data stored at a subscriber premises. In one embodiment, Internet services are provided to a subscriber through a subscriber's modem, connected to the Internet through an access network, and to a number of data terminals on a local network. The modem is adapted to receive and/or generate data from the connected networks and devices for use in generating network characteristic data. This data is stored in an access-controlled data storage module. Content providers may then login to the modem and query network characteristic data. The modem is configured to authenticate the content provider, and, if authorized and available, return the queried data to the content provider. The content provider may then communicate information to the subscriber's data terminal through the modem, according to the network characteristic data returned by the query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Felipe Castro, Charles I. Cook, Michael D. Sprenger