Patents by Inventor Paul Van Vleck

Paul Van Vleck 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: 20230153399
    Abstract: A method for transferring digital multimedia rights, the method including but not limited to requesting permission from the destination end user to transfer the digital multimedia rights to the destination end user device; and if the permission is received from the destination end user, canceling the source set of digital multimedia rights associated with the source end user and transferring the source set of digital multimedia rights associated with the source end user to the destination end user device. A system and computer program product are disclosed for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randolph Wohlert, Paul Van Vleck
  • Patent number: 11580198
    Abstract: A method for transferring digital multimedia rights, the method including but not limited to requesting permission from the destination end user to transfer the digital multimedia rights to the destination end user device; and if the permission is received from the destination end user, canceling the source set of digital multimedia rights associated with the source end user and transferring the source set of digital multimedia rights associated with the source end user to the destination end user device. A system and computer program product are disclosed for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randolph Wohlert, Paul Van Vleck
  • Patent number: 11575971
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a media device, media content from a media content server. A portion of the media content includes a first item concurrently depicted with a second item. The method includes receiving an input indicating a selection of the second item within the media content. The method includes, in response to the input, sending an identification request for information corresponding to the second item to an identification server in response to the input. The identification request includes data relating to a depiction of the second item. The method also includes receiving the information from the identification server in response to the identification request. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property 1, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Steven M. Belz, Gregory Edwards, Paul Van Vleck
  • Publication number: 20220030313
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a media device, media content from a media content server. A portion of the media content includes a first item concurrently depicted with a second item. The method includes receiving an input indicating a selection of the second item within the media content. The method includes, in response to the input, sending an identification request for information corresponding to the second item to an identification server in response to the input. The identification request includes data relating to a depiction of the second item. The method also includes receiving the information from the identification server in response to the identification request. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Steven M. Belz, Gregory Edwards, Paul Van Vleck
  • Patent number: 11166078
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a media device, media content from a media content server. A portion of the media content includes a first item concurrently depicted with a second item. The method includes receiving an input indicating a selection of the second item within the media content. The method includes, in response to the input, sending an identification request for information corresponding to the second item to an identification server in response to the input. The identification request includes data relating to a depiction of the second item. The method also includes receiving the information from the identification server in response to the identification request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Steven M. Belz, Gregory Edwards, Paul Van Vleck
  • Publication number: 20200260145
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a media device, media content from a media content server. A portion of the media content includes a first item concurrently depicted with a second item. The method includes receiving an input indicating a selection of the second item within the media content. The method includes, in response to the input, sending an identification request for information corresponding to the second item to an identification server in response to the input. The identification request includes data relating to a depiction of the second item. The method also includes receiving the information from the identification server in response to the identification request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Steven M. Belz, Gregory Edwards, Paul Van Vleck
  • Patent number: 10687116
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a media device, media content from a media content server. A portion of the media content includes a first item concurrently depicted with a second item. The method includes receiving an input indicating a selection of the second item within the media content. The method includes, in response to the input, sending an identification request for information corresponding to the second item to an identification server in response to the input. The identification request includes data relating to a depiction of the second item. The method also includes receiving the information from the identification server in response to the identification request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Steven M. Belz, Gregory Edwards, Paul Van Vleck
  • Publication number: 20190205504
    Abstract: A method for transferring digital multimedia rights, the method including but not limited to requesting permission from the destination end user to transfer the digital multimedia rights to the destination end user device; and if the permission is received from the destination end user, canceling the source set of digital multimedia rights associated with the source end user and transferring the source set of digital multimedia rights associated with the source end user to the destination end user device. A system and computer program product are disclosed for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randolph Wohlert, Paul Van Vleck
  • Patent number: 10268805
    Abstract: A method for transferring digital multimedia rights, the method including but not limited to requesting permission from the destination end user to transfer the digital multimedia rights to the destination end user device; and if the permission is received from the destination end user, canceling the source set of digital multimedia rights associated with the source end user and transferring the source set of digital multimedia rights associated with the source end user to the destination end user device. A system and computer program product are disclosed for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randolph Wohlert, Paul Van Vleck
  • Patent number: 10095697
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes receiving, from a device of a user, a request to transmit a multimedia file. The method also includes automatically generating a generated content descriptor based on an analysis of the multimedia file using at least one analysis parameter. The method includes determining whether the generated content descriptor satisfies filter criteria of a profile associated with the user. The method further includes rejecting the request to transmit the multimedia file when the generated content descriptor does not satisfy the filter criteria of the profile. The method includes transmitting the multimedia file along with the generated content descriptor when the generated content descriptor satisfies the filter criteria of the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Van Vleck, Lee Begeja
  • Publication number: 20180165425
    Abstract: A method for transferring digital multimedia rights, the method including but not limited to requesting permission from the destination end user to transfer the digital multimedia rights to the destination end user device; and if the permission is received from the destination end user, canceling the source set of digital multimedia rights associated with the source end user and transferring the source set of digital multimedia rights associated with the source end user to the destination end user device. A system and computer program product are disclosed for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: RANDOLPH WOHLERT, PAUL VAN VLECK
  • Patent number: 9788057
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a device configured to receive media content from equipment of a service provider, an activation request from a monitoring service. The activation request is associated with activation of a video camera coupled to the device. The activation request is received based on satisfaction of an alert condition. The method also includes activating the video camera based on data responsive to a prompt. The prompt is presented by the device in response to reception of the activation request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Belz, James Pratt, Paul Van Vleck
  • Patent number: 9591356
    Abstract: A method includes sending, from a media device, a request for viewership information via a network. The method also includes receiving, at the media device, the viewership information, where the viewership information is determined based on a corresponding portion of multicast routing table data stored at each of a plurality of edge routers, and where each portion includes a corresponding plurality of entries associated with media content. The method further includes receiving, at the media device, a user interface based on the viewership information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Van Vleck, Michael Devlin
  • Publication number: 20160360258
    Abstract: A method and system for contacting emergency service providers may allow using a remote control (RC) at a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) client location. An MCDN user may use the RC, which may be configured to control customer premises equipment at the MCDN client, to signal an emergency event. In response, an MCDN server may be queried for emergency user information associated with the MCDN client and/or the MCDN user. Based on the emergency user information, third parties, such as emergency service providers, medical service providers, or private persons, may be contacted via the MCDN. A communications channel, including audio and/or video, between an emergency service provider and the MCDN client may be initiated based on the emergency user information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul VAN VLECK, James PRATT
  • Publication number: 20160323646
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a media device, media content from a media content server. A portion of the media content includes a first item concurrently depicted with a second item. The method includes receiving an input indicating a selection of the second item within the media content. The method includes, in response to the input, sending an identification request for information corresponding to the second item to an identification server in response to the input. The identification request includes data relating to a depiction of the second item. The method also includes receiving the information from the identification server in response to the identification request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: JAMES PRATT, STEVEN M. BELZ, GREGORY EDWARDS, PAUL VAN VLECK
  • Patent number: 9426424
    Abstract: A method and system for contacting emergency service providers may allow using a remote control (RC) at a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) client location. An MCDN user may use the RC, which may be configured to control customer premises equipment at the MCDN client, to signal an emergency event. In response, an MCDN server may be queried for emergency user information associated with the MCDN client and/or the MCDN user. Based on the emergency user information, third parties, such as emergency service providers, medical service providers, or private persons, may be contacted via the MCDN. A communications channel, including audio and/or video, between an emergency service provider and the MCDN client may be initiated based on the emergency user information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Van Vleck, James Pratt
  • Publication number: 20160224555
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes receiving, from a device of a user, a request to transmit a multimedia file. The method also includes automatically generating a generated content descriptor based on an analysis of the multimedia file using at least one analysis parameter. The method includes determining whether the generated content descriptor satisfies filter criteria of a profile associated with the user. The method further includes rejecting the request to transmit the multimedia file when the generated content descriptor does not satisfy the filter criteria of the profile. The method includes transmitting the multimedia file along with the generated content descriptor when the generated content descriptor satisfies the filter criteria of the profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Paul Van Vleck, LEE BEGEJA
  • Patent number: 9407973
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a set-top box device, media content from a media content server. The media content includes one or more metadata tags associated with one or more items depicted when the media content is displayed. The computer-implemented method includes sending the media content to a display device. The computer-implemented method also includes receiving a first user selection to visually identify the one or more items. The computer-implemented method also includes receiving a purchase request to purchase at least one of the one or more items depicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Steven M. Belz, Gregory Edwards, Paul Van Vleck
  • Patent number: 9342517
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes receiving, from a device of a user, a request to transmit a multimedia file. The method also includes automatically generating a generated content descriptor based on an analysis of the multimedia file using at least one analysis parameter. The method includes determining whether the generated content descriptor satisfies filter criteria of a profile associated with the user. The method further includes rejecting the request to transmit the multimedia file when the generated content descriptor does not satisfy the filter criteria of the profile. The method includes transmitting the multimedia file along with the generated content descriptor when the generated content descriptor satisfies the filter criteria of the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Van Vleck, Lee Begeja
  • Publication number: 20160088350
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a device configured to receive media content from equipment of a service provider, an activation request from a monitoring service. The activation request is associated with activation of a video camera coupled to the device. The activation request is received based on satisfaction of an alert condition. The method also includes activating the video camera based on data responsive to a prompt. The prompt is presented by the device in response to reception of the activation request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Steven Belz, James Pratt, Paul Van Vleck