Patents by Inventor Paul J. Lafata

Paul J. Lafata 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: 10079786
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for enhanced messaging. Specifically, methods and apparatus are presented for transmitting a communication characteristic indicator of a communication message substantially simultaneous to an input of data defining at least a portion of the communication message at the sending device. In one aspect, the communication characteristic indicator represents one or more characteristics of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Devender Akira Yamakawa, Kameron N. Kerger, Paul J. Lafata
  • Publication number: 20170346767
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for enhanced messaging. Specifically, methods and apparatus are presented for transmitting a communication characteristic indicator of a communication message substantially simultaneous to an input of data defining at least a portion of the communication message at the sending device. In one aspect, the communication characteristic indicator represents one or more characteristics of the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Devender Akira YAMAKAWA, Kameron N. KERGER, Paul J. LAFATA
  • Patent number: 9288639
    Abstract: User experience enhancements for conducting group communication sessions may include displaying visual feedback on a display to indicate a state of a group communication session. Embodiments may include displaying a quick contact group communication shortcut icon on a home screen of a wireless communication device display, displaying a group communication button in association with the quick contact group communication shortcut icon on the home screen of the display, detecting a selection of the group communication button by a user on a user interface, and initiating a group communication session with a device of a contact associated with the quick contact group communication shortcut icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kameron N. Kerger, Devender A. Yamakawa, Paul J. Lafata
  • Patent number: 9167392
    Abstract: User experience enhancements for conducting group communication sessions may include displaying visual feedback on a display to indicate a state of a group communication session. Embodiments may include establishing a group communication channel with devices in a first operating mode in response to inputs on a user interface, detecting actuation of a lock mechanism, such as a target-based sliding lock mechanism on a touchscreen user interface display, and while the lock mechanism is actuated, maintaining the group communication channel in a second operating mode. The second operating mode may be a lockout mode and/or a blocking mode with respect to at least one other device in the group communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kameron N. Kerger, Devender A. Yamakawa, Paul J. Lafata
  • Patent number: 9154925
    Abstract: User experience enhancements for conducting group communication sessions may include displaying visual feedback on a display to indicate a state of a group communication session. Embodiments may include establishing a group communication channel with devices in a first operating mode in response to inputs on a user interface, detecting actuation of a target-based sliding lock mechanism on a touchscreen user interface display, and while the locking mechanism is actuated, maintaining the group communication channel in a second operating mode. Other embodiments may include initiating a group communication session in response to a user input, detecting actuation of a locking mechanism by a user on a user interface, sending a request to a server for a priority floor access in response to the detected actuation of the locking mechanism, and while the locking mechanism is actuated, maintaining a group communication channel with one or more devices in a priority access mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kameron N. Kerger, Devender A. Yamakawa, Paul J. Lafata
  • Publication number: 20140067965
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for enhanced messaging. Specifically, methods and apparatus are presented for transmitting a communication characteristic indicator of a communication message substantially simultaneous to an input of data defining at least a portion of the communication message at the sending device. In one aspect, the communication characteristic indicator represents one or more characteristics of the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Devender Akira YAMAKAWA, Kameron N. KERGER, Paul J. LAFATA
  • Publication number: 20100262336
    Abstract: A system and method for generating and rendering multimedia data including environmental data is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for rendering content in a vehicle is disclosed, the system comprising a receiver configure to receive, via a wireless broadcast, audiovisual content and an environmental event associated with a subset of the audiovisual content and a vehicular electronic system configured to render the audiovisual content and alter an environmental parameter in accordance with the environmental event when the associated subset of the audiovisual content is rendered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: DANIEL M. RIVAS, Allen W. Smith, Eun Hyung Kim, Paul J. Lafata, Per O. Nielsen