Patents by Inventor Ronald L. A. Theis

Ronald L. A. Theis 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: 8135609
    Abstract: A method for surveying and gathering user and status information from data processing devices coupled to a network. Data processing devices, such as cellular phones and handheld devices, may be coupled to a network manager through phone lines or RF networks. The network manager transmits survey inquiries and receives survey responses from users. The specific set of users may be selected based on user characteristics and/or device characteristics compiled by the network manger. Other status information, such as the location of each data processing device on the network and whether each data processing device on the network is active, may also be collected by the network manager. Collected information may then be distributed or made available to other data processing devices on the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joe Freeman Britt, Jr., Ronald L. A. Theis
  • Publication number: 20090138325
    Abstract: A method for surveying and gathering user and status information from data processing devices coupled to a network. Data processing devices, such as cellular phones and handheld devices, may be coupled to a network manager through phone lines or RF networks. The network manager transmits survey inquiries and receives survey responses from users. The specific set of users may be selected based on user characteristics and/or device characteristics compiled by the network manger. Other status information, such as the location of each data processing device on the network and whether each data processing device on the network is active, may also be collected by the network manager. Collected information may then be distributed or made available to other data processing devices on the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Joe Freeman Britt, JR., Ronald L. A. Theis
  • Patent number: 7437405
    Abstract: A system and method of managing objects in a wireless user terminal is described. When an object is created or added to a user terminal, the user terminal assigns a temporary ID to the object. The wireless user terminal can also be coupled to a server by a network. The object or a copy of the object and the object's temporary ID can also be transferred to the server. The server can then assign a permanent ID to the object. The permanent ID of the object can also be transferred to the wireless user terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Danger, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. A. Theis, Philip A. Myles
  • Patent number: 7343179
    Abstract: Described herein is a ring tone delivery system and method for previewing and/or buying a ring tone from a wireless service directly through a wireless data processing device. The method comprises: allowing a user to play a ring tone preview; receiving a purchase request from the device; and causing the ring tone associated with the preview to be stored on the device. The system comprises: a ring tone preview module for transmitting a ring tone preview directly from a wireless service to a device; a ring tone catalog application for allowing a user to play back the ring tone preview on the device; and a ring tone purchase/download module to receive a ring tone purchase request directly from the device; wherein the ring tone purchase/download module and/or the ring tone catalog application causes a ring tone associated with the preview to be stored on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Danger Research
    Inventors: Ronald L. A. Theis, Phillip A. Myles