Patents by Inventor William Cottrill

William Cottrill 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: 10313351
    Abstract: A method includes, after expiration of a first passcode, receiving, at an access point, a first access request from a first device. The first access request may be encrypted based on the first passcode. The method further includes determining whether an identifier of the first device is included in a device list associated with the first passcode. The device list includes identifiers of devices that accessed the access point using encryption based on the first passcode before the expiration of the first passcode. The method also includes, in response to a determination that the identifier of the first device is included in the device list generating, at the access point, data representing a second passcode by encrypting the second passcode using the first passcode. The method further includes sending the data representing the second passcode to the first device from the access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignees: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P., AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: Sheldon Kent Meredith, William Cottrill, Brandon B. Hilliard
  • Publication number: 20190158508
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for enabling access to restricted data using geofences. A system can identify a device associated with restricted data that includes network data that law prohibits the use of for commercial purposes without authorization. The system can determine use parameters associated with the device, each of the use parameters including a device identifier, a geofence, time limits, and an indication of purposes. The system can determine if the device is at a geographic location that satisfies the location that is defined by the geofence, if the time limits associated with the geofence are satisfied, and if a purpose for which the restricted data will be used matches a one of the purposes. If the system determines that the location, time limits, and purposes are satisfied, the system can use the restricted data for the purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Meredith, William Cottrill, Charles Michaelis
  • Publication number: 20190141668
    Abstract: Determining a location quality based on base station identification is disclosed. The location quality can be based on an error attributed to a location determined based on historical data related to an identified base station. Application of supplemental data to the historical base station data can improve location quality by reducing the error. Supplemental data can comprise Voronoi data, geographic data, historical UE density data, historical UE timing advance data, or combinations thereof. Voronoi data can be associated with an area less than a service area of the base station. Geographic data can indicate areas where UEs are not likely to be located. UE density data can indicate probably UE locations. Timing advance data can indicate annular regions where a UE should be located. As such, the supplemental data can constrain a location determined for a UE and correspondingly can reduce error associated with the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Sheldon Kent Meredith, William Cottrill, Rick Tipton
  • Patent number: 10282052
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detect a first user interaction with a control button, disable an initiation of an action for a communication service, detect a second user interaction with the icon, and transmit an identification signal to a second communication device that causes the second communication device to present identification information describing the action for the communication service. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P., AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Sheldon Kent Meredith, Brandon B Hilliard, William Cottrill
  • Patent number: 10255796
    Abstract: A mobile device may be used to discretely transmit an emergency alert based on the handling of the mobile device. A mobile device may detect a particular action associated with the mobile device, such as a sequence of button presses. Based on the action, the mobile device may enter an emergency mode, which may activate an emergency feature on a mobile device that instructs the mobile device to retrieve or distribute information, such as media access control information of nearby mobile devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Kent Meredith, William Cottrill, Biren Parekh
  • Patent number: 10257839
    Abstract: Facilitation of communication of radio resource quality to a mobile application is provided. In one example, a method comprises: determining, by a device coupled to a processor, a peak-to-average loading ratio of a loading of a radio of a base station device and a mobility factor of the radio, wherein the loading relates to an amount of data being handled by the radio; and determining, by the device, class information for the radio of the base station device, wherein the class information comprises a value indicative of the peak-to-average loading ratio and the mobility factor of the radio, wherein the class information is correlatable to a bit rate at which a mobile device is to execute an application of a mobile device, and wherein the radio is communicatively coupled to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Meredith, William Cottrill, Peter Hardie
  • Patent number: 10206195
    Abstract: Determining a location quality based on base station identification is disclosed. The location quality can be based on an error attributed to a location determined based on historical data related to an identified base station. Application of supplemental data to the historical base station data can improve location quality by reducing the error. Supplemental data can comprise Voronoi data, geographic data, historical UE density data, historical UE timing advance data, or combinations thereof. Voronoi data can be associated with an area less than a service area of the base station. Geographic data can indicate areas where UEs are not likely to be located. UE density data can indicate probably UE locations. Timing advance data can indicate annular regions where a UE should be located. As such, the supplemental data can constrain a location determined for a UE and correspondingly can reduce error associated with the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Kent Meredith, William Cottrill, Rick Tipton
  • Patent number: 10200870
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for blocking a cloned mobile device by a processor of a network. The processor receives a first registration from a first mobile device at a first location. The first registration includes a device identifier and a phone number. The processor then confirms that a second registration from a second mobile device at a second location includes the device identifier and the phone number and calculates a first fraud score for the first mobile device and a second fraud score for the second mobile device. The processor then determines that the second mobile device is the cloned mobile device, when the second fraud score exceeds the first score, and blocks the cloned mobile device from registering on the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignees: AT&T Mobility II LLC, AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Kent Meredith, William Cottrill, Brandon B. Hilliard
  • Patent number: 10193894
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for enabling access to restricted data using geofences. A system can identify a device associated with restricted data that includes network data that law prohibits the use of for commercial purposes without authorization. The system can determine use parameters associated with the device, each of the use parameters including a device identifier, a geofence, time limits, and an indication of purposes. The system can determine if the device is at a geographic location that satisfies the location that is defined by the geofence, if the time limits associated with the geofence are satisfied, and if a purpose for which the restricted data will be used matches a one of the purposes. If the system determines that the location, time limits, and purposes are satisfied, the system can use the restricted data for the purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Meredith, William Cottrill, Charles Michaelis
  • Patent number: 10187694
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, capturing first monitoring information associated with an audience that is viewing a presentation, determining an actual audience engagement level by performing pattern recognition on the first monitoring information, comparing the actual audience engagement level with an expected audience engagement level to generate an engagement score for the presentation, and transmitting, to a device, a haptic feedback according to the engagement score during the presenting of the presentation. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Kent Meredith, William Cottrill, Brandon B. Hilliard
  • Patent number: 10187780
    Abstract: A mobile device can be configured to connect to a telecommunications network via a wireless fidelity network device. The mobile device can register with a channel of a base station, which can indicate where the mobile device is located in relation to the base station. Additionally, the mobile device can communicate with other mobile devices via the wireless fidelity network device. In response to an indication that the mobile device is no longer connected to the wireless fidelity network device, notifications can be sent to the mobile device or other mobile devices regarding additional communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Meredith, John Francis, William Cottrill
  • Patent number: 10182155
    Abstract: A system for directing calls using historical call backs, demographics, and real time attributes is disclosed. In particular, the system may receive incoming calls at an interactive voice response system. Based on speech occurring during the calls, the system may determine attributes of the callers. The system may then utilize the determined attributes, call records, demographic information pertaining to account owners, real time call attribute assessment systems, regression analyses, and various types of information to direct the calls from the interactive voice response system to an optimal agent for handling. Notably, the system may direct the calls to those agents that have a higher probability of successful interaction with the calling parties so as to reduce follow-up calls, which may be costly to the entity receiving the calls. A subset of the calls may be directed to agents at random so as to facilitate the collection of unbiased information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignees: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P., AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Sheldon K. Meredith, William Cottrill, Brandon B. Hilliard
  • Patent number: 10178512
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a communications interface configured to receive a transmission from a wireless device. The transmission may include a beacon message and a date file. The apparatus may further include a memory device and a processor. The processor may be configured to determine whether a threshold is satisfied based on whether additional transmissions including the data file are received from the wireless device. The processor may be further configured to cause the memory device to store the data file in response to determining that the threshold is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P., AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Sheldon Kent Meredith, William Cottrill, Jeremy Fix
  • Publication number: 20190000383
    Abstract: Devices, methods, computer-readable media, and systems for determining an identity of a food are disclosed. For example, a method may receive at least one property of at least one component in a sample of a food from an intra-oral device including a spectrometer, the at least one property obtained via the spectrometer, compares the at least one property to a plurality of food signatures, and determines the identity of the food based upon the comparing. In another example, a system may include an intra-oral device and a wireless device. The intra-oral device may include a spectrometer for measuring at least one property of at least one component in a sample of a food. The wireless device may include a processor for receiving the at least one property, comparing the at least one property to a plurality of food signatures, and determining the identity of the food based upon the comparing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Juliette Zerick, Eugene Rascle, William Cottrill
  • Patent number: 10158532
    Abstract: A customer premises equipment (CPE) can allocate bandwidth to a primary user equipment (UE) connected to the CPE via a first network connection of first network (e.g., primary network) associated with the CPE. The allocation can be based upon a usage of bandwidth through the first network over a sample period. In response to a request from a secondary UE to connect to a wireless second network associated with CPE. In response to a determination that the secondary UE is authorized to access the second network, the CPE can facilitate the connection of the secondary UE to the CPE via the second network. The CPE can allocate bandwidth to the secondary user equipment based upon the first amount of bandwidth allocated to the primary user equipment, and based upon the bandwidth capacity of the link between the CPE and the fixed packet network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Meredith, William Cottrill, Radhika Gouni
  • Publication number: 20180357652
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining reference amounts of reference data traffic associated with different web pages of a website purchasing process, monitoring encrypted traffic associated with the website resulting in monitored data traffic segments, comparing monitored amounts of the monitored data traffic segments with the reference amounts of the reference data traffic, determining probabilities based on the comparing, and determining a probability that a purchase was made according to the probabilities. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: SHELDON KENT MEREDITH, WILLIAM COTTRILL, BIREN PAREKH
  • Patent number: 10154501
    Abstract: A more efficient network can be achieved using over the air (OTA) software updates for connected vehicles. Based on a connected vehicles batter power, OTA updates can be performed in accordance with base station devices while the base station devices are not at or near a capacity. Other factors that can determine when and where an OTA software push is performed can comprise vehicle speed, base station communication range, traffic density, etc. Analysis of historical route data for vehicles and historical capacity data for base station devices can also help facilitate determining a wireless network availability for connected vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Meredith, William Cottrill, Brandon Hilliard
  • Publication number: 20180351809
    Abstract: A customer premises equipment (CPE) can allocate bandwidth to a primary user equipment (UE) connected to the CPE via a first network connection of first network (e.g., primary network) associated with the CPE. The allocation can be based upon a usage of bandwidth through the first network over a sample period. In response to a request from a secondary UE to connect to a wireless second network associated with CPE. In response to a determination that the secondary UE is authorized to access the second network, the CPE can facilitate the connection of the secondary UE to the CPE via the second network. The CPE can allocate bandwidth to the secondary user equipment based upon the first amount of bandwidth allocated to the primary user equipment, and based upon the bandwidth capacity of the link between the CPE and the fixed packet network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Sheldon Meredith, William Cottrill, Radhika Gouni
  • Patent number: 10118698
    Abstract: A method includes dispatching a drone to a site. The drone includes audio/visual equipment. The method includes logging a plurality of timestamped locations of the drone and receiving, from the audio/visual equipment, site data captured by an on-site operator of the audio/visual equipment. The method includes correlating a portion of the site data with at least one of the timestamped locations of the drone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Juliette Zerick, William Cottrill, Michelle McHugh, Sheldon Kent Meredith
  • Publication number: 20180314645
    Abstract: Example devices are disclosed. For example, a device may include a processor, a plurality of translation lookaside buffers, a plurality of switches, and a memory management unit. Each of the translation lookaside buffers may be assigned to a different process of the processor, each of the plurality of switches may include a register for storing a different process identifier, and each of the plurality of switches may be associated with a different one of the translation lookaside buffer buffers. The memory management unit may be for receiving a virtual memory address and a process identifier from the processor and forwarding the process identifier to the plurality of switches. Each of the plurality of switches may be for connecting the memory management unit to a translation associated with the switch when there is a match between the process identifier and the different process identifier stored by the register of the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Sheldon Kent Meredith, Brandon B. Hilliard, William Cottrill