Patents by Inventor Stephen Thomas Hardin

Stephen Thomas Hardin 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: 8731521
    Abstract: Facilitation of secure over-the-air programming is provided herein. A device can store a key, which can be based on a key algorithm (K-algorithm) and an identifier associated with the device. The device can receive information such as parameter(s) and a verification number from a communications system. The verification number can be generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) based on the parameter(s) and a K-algorithm input. The device can generate a trial verification number by using the A-algorithm with the parameter(s) and the key as trial inputs. The device can compare the verification number to the trial verification number, and in response to the verification number being at least similar to the trial verification number, the device can use the parameter(s) for programming of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Charles M. Link, II, Stephen Thomas Hardin, Megan Koch Klenzak
  • Patent number: 8606237
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating secure over-the-air (OTA) programming are presented herein. A device can store a key, which can be based on a key algorithm (K-algorithm) and an identifier associated with the device. The device can receive information such as parameter(s) and a verification number from a communications system. The verification number can be generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) based on the parameter(s) and a K-algorithm input. The device can generate a trial verification number by using the A-algorithm with the parameter(s) and the key as trial inputs. The device can compare the verification number to the trial verification number, and in response to the verification number being at least similar to the trial verification number, the device can use the parameter(s) for programming of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles M. Link, II, Stephen Thomas Hardin, Megan Koch Klenzak
  • Publication number: 20130295884
    Abstract: Facilitation of secure over-the-air programming is provided herein. A device can store a key, which can be based on a key algorithm (K-algorithm) and an identifier associated with the device. The device can receive information such as parameter(s) and a verification number from a communications system. The verification number can be generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) based on the parameter(s) and a K-algorithm input. The device can generate a trial verification number by using the A-algorithm with the parameter(s) and the key as trial inputs. The device can compare the verification number to the trial verification number, and in response to the verification number being at least similar to the trial verification number, the device can use the parameter(s) for programming of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Charles M. Link, II, Stephen Thomas Hardin, Megan Koch Klenzak
  • Publication number: 20130244628
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the present disclosure the location of a mobile device can be used to manage a user's electronic address book and connect a user to various members of a directory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: John Potts Davis, III, Jeffrey Clinton Mikan, Fulvio Cenciarelli, Stephen Thomas Hardin, Venson M. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8478309
    Abstract: Communication with a member of a class is established based on the location of a mobile device initiating the communication and the physical address of the member. A class can include members that share common attributes, characteristics, and/or traits. Example classes can include business types (e.g., restaurants), brand names (BEST BUY®, COMPUSA®), services, etc. To establish the communication, the mobile device provides a message to set up a call. Upon receipt of the call setup message, a particular member of the class is selected from members of the class based on the location of the mobile device sending the call setup message and the physical addresses of members of the class. Upon determination of the particular member, communication is established between the mobile device and the particular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: John Potts Davis, III, Jeffrey Clinton Mikan, Fulvio Cenciarelli, Stephen Thomas Hardin, Venson M. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20130103290
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides for traffic analysis employing timed fingerprint location information. In an aspect, TFL information can be associated with location characteristics for a UE. These location characteristics can describe the motion of the UE. As such, with proper analysis, the motion of the UE can be correlated to traffic patterns. Transportation analytics can employ TFL information to provide real time or near real time traffic information, forecast traffic conditions, or automate response to traffic conditions based on TFL information. Whereas TFL can provide advantages over other types of location information systems, leveraging TFL information in traffic analysis can reflect these advantages. Further, whereas TFL information can be gathered from nearly all modern and many legacy mobile devices, large volumes of TFL information can be employed in related transportation analytics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Thomas Hardin, Thomas Rodger Becker, Charles A. Carey, Zachary Orlynn Morsbach, Brad Webb
  • Patent number: 8380171
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating secure over-the-air (OTA) programming are presented herein. A device can store a key, which can be based on a key algorithm (K-algorithm) and an identifier associated with the device. The device can receive information such as parameter(s) and a verification number from a communications system. The verification number can be generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) based on the parameter(s) and a K-algorithm input. The device can generate a trial verification number by using the A-algorithm with the parameter(s) and the key as trial inputs. The device can compare the verification number to the trial verification number, and in response to the verification number being at least similar to the trial verification number, the device can use the parameter(s) for programming of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Charles M. Link, Stephen Thomas Hardin, Megan Koch Klenzak
  • Publication number: 20120184250
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating secure over-the-air (OTA) programming are presented herein. A device can store a key, which can be based on a key algorithm (K-algorithm) and an identifier associated with the device. The device can receive information such as parameter(s) and a verification number from a communications system. The verification number can be generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) based on the parameter(s) and a K-algorithm input. The device can generate a trial verification number by using the A-algorithm with the parameter(s) and the key as trial inputs. The device can compare the verification number to the trial verification number, and in response to the verification number being at least similar to the trial verification number, the device can use the parameter(s) for programming of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles M. Link, II, Stephen Thomas Hardin, Megan Koch Klenzak
  • Patent number: 8170533
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for secure over-the-air (OTA) programming, and particularly, activation, of a wireless unit in a particular communications system. The unit stores a stored key having been generated by using a key algorithm (K-algorithm) with an identifier associated with the unit as an input to the K-algorithm. The unit may receive information such as parameters and a verification number from a communications system for the purpose of programming the unit. The verification number is generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) having the parameters and a key as A-algorithm inputs. They key is generated by the K-algorithm having the identifier associated with the K-algorithm input. In response to the receipt of the parameters and the verification number, the wireless unit generates a trial verification number by using the A-algorithm with the parameters and the stored key as trial inputs. The unit compares the verification number to the trial verification number for a match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Charles M. Link, Stephen Thomas Hardin, Megan Koch Klenzak
  • Publication number: 20110140962
    Abstract: The disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for approximating the location of a mobile communication device. A base station transceiver (BTS) broadcasts assistance data across a control channel. The assistance data is received by a mobile communication device in communication with the BTS. The assistance data includes location information for the BTS, and Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) information associated with the BTS. The assistance data can be broadcast by incorporating these fields in a control channel between the BTS and the mobile communication device. A-GPS devices correlate the received assistance data with a GPS almanac in order to connect to a set of positioning satellites. Devices without a GPS receiver or devices unable to connect to a satellite correlate the received assistance data to a known approximate location, by referring to a database stored on the device or on the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: Justin Michael Anthony McNamara, John Potts Davis, III, Stephen Thomas Hardin, Jay Daryl Rector
  • Patent number: 7599681
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for secure over-the-air (OTA) programming, and particularly, activation, of a wireless unit in a particular communications system. The unit stores a stored key having been generated by using a key algorithm (K-algorithm) with an identifier associated with the unit as an input to the K-algorithm. The unit may receive information such as parameters and a verification number from a communications system for the purpose of programming the unit. The verification number is generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) having the parameters and a key as A-algorithm inputs. They key is generated by the K-algorithm having the identifier associated with the K-algorithm input. In response to the receipt of the parameters and the verification number, the wireless unit generates a trial verification number by using the A-algorithm with the parameters and the stored key as trial inputs. The unit compares the verification number to the trial verification number for a match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles M. Link, II, Stephen Thomas Hardin, Megan Koch Klenzak
  • Publication number: 20090187972
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for secure over-the-air (OTA) programming, and particularly, activation, of a wireless unit in a particular communications system. The unit stores a stored key having been generated by using a key algorithm (K-algorithm) with an identifier associated with the unit as an input to the K-algorithm. The unit may receive information such as parameters and a verification number from a communications system for the purpose of programming the unit. The verification number is generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) having the parameters and a key as A-algorithm inputs. They key is generated by the K-algorithm having the identifier associated with the K-algorithm input. In response to the receipt of the parameters and the verification number, the wireless unit generates a trial verification number by using the A-algorithm with the parameters and the stored key as trial inputs. The unit compares the verification number to the trial verification number for a match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles M. Link, II, Stephen Thomas Hardin, Megan Koch Klenzak
  • Patent number: 7536173
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for secure over-the-air (OTA) programming, and particularly, activation, of a wireless unit in a particular communications system. The unit stores a stored key having been generated by using a key algorithm (K-algorithm) with an identifier associated with the unit as an input to the K-algorithm. The unit may receive information such as parameters and a verification number from a communications system for the purpose of programming the unit. The verification number is generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) having the parameters and a key as A-algorithm inputs. The key is generated by the K-algorithm having the identifier associated with the as K-algorithm input. In response to receipt of the parameters and the verification number, the wireless unit generates a trial verification number by using the A-algorithm with the parameters and the stored key as trial inputs. The unit compares the verification number to the trial verification number for a match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles M. Link, II, Stephen Thomas Hardin, Megan Koch Klenzak