Patents by Inventor Robert J. Morrill
Robert J. Morrill 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).
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Framework for entertainment device communication of embeddable printable objects to printing devices
Patent number: 10946586Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for entertainment device communication to printing devices are provided. A system includes a printing device and media player coupled to the printing device. The media device may include a processor, and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions executable by the processor to obtain a content stream including at least one of an audio stream or a video stream, the content stream further including a data stream including a trigger associated with a printable model. The instructions may further be executable to obtain a 3-D model file associated with the printable model responsive to an occurrence of the trigger, transmit at least one of the 3-D model file or printing instructions based on the 3-D model file to the printing device, and print, via the printing device, the printable model based on the 3-D model file.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Steven M. Casey, James M. Feger, Robert J. Morrill, Charles I. Cook -
Patent number: 10924487Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing network access configurations, and, more particularly, for implementing restricted Wi-Fi access configuration between public and private service set identifiers (“SSIDs”). In some embodiments, a user might request public network access using a user device. A network device, which is in communication with the user device might receive the request for public network access from the user device. The network device might determine whether the user device is associated with a first identifier that is associated with a user having network private access to the network through the network device. If not, the network device might provide the user device with network public access to the network(s), via a network public access path. If so, the network device might prevent the user device from having network public access to the network(s).Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Robert J. Morrill, John Bartell, Daniel M. Keller
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Patent number: 10838383Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a computing system or IoT management node might receive sensor data from one or more IoT-capable sensors, analyze the sensor data to determine one or more actions to be taken, and identify one or more devices (e.g., household devices associated with a customer premises; vehicular components associated with a vehicle; devices disposed in, on, or along a roadway; devices disposed throughout a population area; etc.) for performing the determined one or more first actions. The computing system or IoT management node then autonomously controls each of the identified one or more devices to perform tasks based on the determined one or more first actions to be taken, thereby implementing smart environment functionality (e.g., smart home, building, or customer premises functionality, smart vehicle functionality, smart roadway functionality, smart city functionality, and so on).Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Tom Funk, Phil Carpenter, Robert J. Morrill, William R. Walker
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Patent number: 10735962Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing wireless communications, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing ad hoc wireless capacity modification. In various embodiments, a computing system might identify at least one geographic area having at least one of weak wireless communications coverage or non-existent wireless communications coverage, might deploy one or more vehicles to the identified at least one geographic area, each of the one or more vehicles comprising a mobile wireless base station, and might establish wireless network communications between the mobile wireless base station of at least one vehicle of the one or more vehicles and at least one wireless network node of a telecommunications network that is one of proximate to or within the at least one geographic area. The one or more vehicles might comprise manned and/or unmanned vehicles, including drones.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Pasha G. Mohammed, Gnanasekaran Swaminathan, Robert J. Morrill
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Patent number: 10628905Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for signatures and entitlements of entertainment printables are provided. A method might include receiving, at a three-dimensional (“3-D”) printer, a request from a user to print a 3-D model and determining, with the 3-D printer, whether the user is authorized to print the 3-D model. The method might further include printing, with the 3-D printer, the 3-D model based on a determination that the user is authorized to print the 3-D model and embedding, with the 3-D printer, within the 3-D model, a unique identifier. The unique identifier may indicate that the user was authorized to print the 3-D model and identify at least one of an original creator of the 3-D model, the 3-D model itself, a limited edition of the 3-D model, or an owner of the 3-D model.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Charles I. Cook, Steven M. Casey, Robert J. Morrill
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Publication number: 20200007545Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing network access configurations, and, more particularly, for implementing restricted Wi-Fi access configuration between public and private service set identifiers (“SSIDs”). In some embodiments, a user might request public network access using a user device. A network device, which is in communication with the user device might receive the request for public network access from the user device. The network device might determine whether the user device is associated with a first identifier that is associated with a user having network private access to the network through the network device. If not, the network device might provide the user device with network public access to the network(s), via a network public access path. If so, the network device might prevent the user device from having network public access to the network(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Robert J. Morrill, John Bartell, Daniel M. Keller
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Patent number: 10462846Abstract: Novel tools and techniques that can provide wireless service for multiple service providers from a single, multi-service provider wireless access point. In an aspect, a multi-service provider wireless access point might communicate with a plurality of wireless devices, each associated with a different wireless carrier, and route communications from each device to the appropriate carrier (and/or, similarly, transmit communications from each carrier to the appropriate wireless device). In this way, for example, a single wireless access point could provide service to cellphones of subscribers of a number of different carriers. Such a wireless access point can provide enhanced efficiency and reduced cost, along with the ability to provide higher service for a number of wireless carriers.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Robert J. Morrill, Charles I. Cook
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Patent number: 10426358Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, an IoT-capable personal tracking device might receive sensor data from each of a plurality of sensors, and might analyze the sensor data to identify one or more external IoT-capable devices with which to interact and to determine one or more tasks to be performed by the identified IoT-capable devices, each based at least in part on the sensor data. In some cases, the plurality of first sensors might comprise at least one of one or more sensors that monitor physical conditions of a user's body and/or one or more sensors that monitor environmental conditions external to the user's body. The personal tracking device might subsequently autonomously send, via machine-to-machine communication, control instructions to each of the identified external IoT-capable devices, based on the determined tasks. Multiple personal tracking devices may also be used.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Thomas C. Barnett, Jr., Kevin M. McBride, Charles I. Cook, Robert J. Morrill
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Patent number: 10412090Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing network access configurations, and, more particularly, for implementing restricted Wi-Fi access configuration between public and private service set identifiers (“SSIDs”). In some embodiments, a user might request public network access using a user device. A network device, which is in communication with the user device might receive the request for public network access from the user device. The network device might determine whether the user device is associated with a first identifier that is associated with a user having network private access to the network through the network device. If not, the network device might provide the user device with network public access to the network(s), via a network public access path. If so, the network device might prevent the user device from having network public access to the network(s).Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Robert J. Morrill, John Bartell, Daniel M. Keller
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Patent number: 10367951Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a device and method for extending alerts for a wireless device. In one embodiment, a method for extending alerts for a wireless device includes linking the wireless device through a wireless connection with a wireless ringer module; wherein the wireless ringer module is removably coupled to a device having an interface for receiving and coupling with the wireless ringer module. The method further includes transmitting a signal to the wireless ringer that triggers an alert feature of the wireless ringer for notifying a user of an incoming communication in response to the wireless device receiving an indication of an incoming communication.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Jeffrey M. Sweeney, Michael C. Robinson, Robert J. Morrill
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Publication number: 20190200241Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing wireless communications, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing ad hoc wireless capacity modification. In various embodiments, a computing system might identify at least one geographic area having at least one of weak wireless communications coverage or non-existent wireless communications coverage, might deploy one or more vehicles to the identified at least one geographic area, each of the one or more vehicles comprising a mobile wireless base station, and might establish wireless network communications between the mobile wireless base station of at least one vehicle of the one or more vehicles and at least one wireless network node of a telecommunications network that is one of proximate to or within the at least one geographic area. The one or more vehicles might comprise manned and/or unmanned vehicles, including drones.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Pasha G. Mohammed, Gnanasekaran Swaminathan, Robert J. Morrill
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Publication number: 20190196428Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a computing system or IoT management node might receive sensor data from one or more IoT-capable sensors, analyze the sensor data to determine one or more actions to be taken, and identify one or more devices (e.g., household devices associated with a customer premises; vehicular components associated with a vehicle; devices disposed in, on, or along a roadway; devices disposed throughout a population area; etc.) for performing the determined one or more first actions. The computing system or IoT management node then autonomously controls each of the identified one or more devices to perform tasks based on the determined one or more first actions to be taken, thereby implementing smart environment functionality (e.g., smart home, building, or customer premises functionality, smart vehicle functionality, smart roadway functionality, smart city functionality, and so on).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Tom Funk, Phil Carpenter, Robert J. Morrill, William R. Walker
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Publication number: 20190139178Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for signatures and entitlements of entertainment printables are provided. A method might include receiving, at a three-dimensional (“3-D”) printer, a request from a user to print a 3-D model and determining, with the 3-D printer, whether the user is authorized to print the 3-D model. The method might further include printing, with the 3-D printer, the 3-D model based on a determination that the user is authorized to print the 3-D model and embedding, with the 3-D printer, within the 3-D model, a unique identifier. The unique identifier may indicate that the user was authorized to print the 3-D model and identify at least one of an original creator of the 3-D model, the 3-D model itself, a limited edition of the 3-D model, or an owner of the 3-D model.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Steven M. Casey, Robert J. Morrill
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Publication number: 20190134910Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for entertainment device communication to printing devices are provided. A system includes a printing device and media player coupled to the printing device. The media device may include a processor, and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions executable by the processor to obtain a content stream including at least one of an audio stream or a video stream, the content stream further including a data stream including a trigger associated with a printable model. The instructions may further be executable to obtain a 3-D model file associated with the printable model responsive to an occurrence of the trigger, transmit at least one of the 3-D model file or printing instructions based on the 3-D model file to the printing device, and print, via the printing device, the printable model based on the 3-D model file.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Steven M. Casey, James M. Feger, Robert J. Morrill, Charles I. Cook
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Patent number: 10245727Abstract: An automated data center management system includes one or more equipment racks housing at least one server farm equipment, each of the at least one server farm equipment having a respective attachment point, a spare equipment repository having at least one replacement equipment, and a hardware management robot. The hardware management robot includes a robotic arm having an interface point, the interface point configured to couple to the attachment point. A hardware management controller is communicates with the hardware management robot, the hardware management controller including at least one processor, and non-transitory computer readable media having encoded thereon computer software comprising a set of instructions to receive a service request indicating a server farm equipment needing service, determine a location of the server farm equipment, generate a path to the location of the server farm equipment, and transmit the path to the hardware management robot.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Robert J. Morrill, Jared E. Wray
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Patent number: 10230788Abstract: A system and method for selecting a data delivery network. A determination is made of user information associated with a communication from a user. A determination is made of performance information for multiple data delivery networks. The data delivery network is selected for the communication from the multiple data delivery networks.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Robert J. Morrill, Michael K. Bugenhagen
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Patent number: 10222773Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a computing system or IoT management node might receive sensor data from one or more IoT-capable sensors, analyze the sensor data to determine one or more actions to be taken, and identify one or more devices (e.g., household devices associated with a customer premises; vehicular components associated with a vehicle; devices disposed in, on, or along a roadway; devices disposed throughout a population area; etc.) for performing the determined one or more first actions. The computing system or IoT management node then autonomously controls each of the identified one or more devices to perform tasks based on the determined one or more first actions to be taken, thereby implementing smart environment functionality (e.g., smart home, building, or customer premises functionality, smart vehicle functionality, smart roadway functionality, smart city functionality, and so on).Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Tom Funk, Phil Carpenter, Robert J. Morrill, William R. Walker
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Patent number: 10225746Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing wireless communications, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing ad hoc wireless capacity modification. In various embodiments, a computing system might identify at least one geographic area having at least one of weak wireless communications coverage or non-existent wireless communications coverage, might deploy one or more vehicles to the identified at least one geographic area, each of the one or more vehicles comprising a mobile wireless base station, and might establish wireless network communications between the mobile wireless base station of at least one vehicle of the one or more vehicles and at least one wireless network node of a telecommunications network that is one of proximate to or within the at least one geographic area. The one or more vehicles might comprise manned and/or unmanned vehicles, including drones.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Pasha G. Mohammed, Gnanasekaran Swaminathan, Robert J. Morrill
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Patent number: 10156691Abstract: This document discloses novel conduits for telecommunications lines, such as optical fibers. In an aspect, a conduit might have a body defining one or more channels into which optical fibers can be inserted. In another aspect, the body might have a first face that is substantially planar and a second face opposing the first face. The second face might a low-rise arc profile and/or might be configured to be installed into a depression in a material. Also disclosed are methods and tools for installing, using, and/or removing such conduit.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Michael L. Elford, Robert J. Morrill, Michael Paul Winterrowd, Thomas Charles Barnett, Jr.
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Patent number: 10075351Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for improving network performance. For example, in one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for improving network performance includes determining network performance information data indicative of network transmission characteristics of a first set of data packets that are communicated, using a first data link layer protocol, over at least one link of a network. The method further includes the step of improving, using a processor, transmission of a second set of data packets over the network, which utilizes a second data link layer protocol, based on the network performance information data determined from the first set of data packets that are communicated using the first data link layer protocol.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventor: Robert J. Morrill