Patents Examined by Philip J. Sobutka
  • Patent number: 7853198
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a unidirectional broadcast network is utilized to provide digital content to users in a manner that allows users' computing devices to maintain synchrony with personal, relevant information. In at least some embodiments, the broadcast network utilizes a data channel and a signaling channel. The data channel is used for broadcasting data to various users, while the signaling channel—typically used for transmitting device or machine specific data—is used to transmit user-specific information associated with the information or data that the user finds relevant. This user-specific information can then be used by the user's mobile computing device to manage, e.g. record and place into device database for time shifted retrieval, such information or digital objects delivered over the broadcast data channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Gary S. Greenbaum
  • Patent number: 7844285
    Abstract: A message exchange network is disclosed in which at least two different methods of storing messages in memories of message storage entities, e.g., a mobile handset, an SMSC, an e-mail client, or an e-mail server, are utilized based on the type and the content of the information contained within the message. An information service message containing information that is supercedingly updateable, e.g., stock quote, weather or traffic information, is stored using a replacement method by which an older message previously stored is replaced by a newly received message. All other types of messages are stored using an append method by which the newly received message is stored in an unoccupied available memory location. In a disclosed embodiment, message identifier included in the message itself provides information necessary to distinguish between the aforementioned two types of messages. In a disclosed embodiment, a block of message identifiers is reserved for storage of information service messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Lorello, Reuben D. Hart, Constantin Horatiu Puscas
  • Patent number: 7840208
    Abstract: A message exchange network is disclosed in which at least two different methods of storing messages in memories of message storage entities, e.g., a mobile handset, an SMSC, an e-mail client, or an e-mail server, are utilized based on the type and the content of the information contained within the message. An information service message containing information that is supercedingly updateable, e.g., stock quote, weather or traffic information, is stored using a replacement method by which an older message previously stored is replaced by a newly received message. All other types of messages are stored using an append method by which the newly received message is stored in an unoccupied available memory location. In a disclosed embodiment, message identifier included in the message itself provides information necessary to distinguish between the aforementioned two types of messages. In a disclosed embodiment, a block of message identifiers is reserved for storage of information service messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Lorello, Reuben D. Hart, Constantin Horatiu Puscas
  • Patent number: 7840229
    Abstract: A method for managing communication resource assignment includes: determining a resource assignment policy based on information for requesting resource assignment policy in a session setup request for a multiparty communication service from a User Equipment, and assigning, according to the resource assignment policy, communication resources; A method for managing communication resource assignment includes: modifying a resource assignment policy based on information for requesting resource assignment policy in a session modification request for modifying a resource assignment policy and assigning, according to the modified resource assignment policy, the communication resources. A communication resource policy system is also provided. With the method and system above, the communication resources of multiparty communication services can be managed flexibly according to the resource assignment policies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Long Luo
  • Patent number: 7835736
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing a group of portable communication devices. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided for initializing a portable communication device in a group of portable communication devices at a point of activation. The method includes the steps of acquiring, by an initialization computer, a device identifier of the portable communication device, acquiring, by the initialization computer, a group identifier of the group, and associating the portable communication device with the group based on the group identifier. The method may further include accessing, by the initialization computer, a member profile associated with one of the portable communication devices, and storing the member profile in a memory accessible by the portable communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Douglas Larocca
  • Patent number: 7831233
    Abstract: A waveform reconstruction circuit receives an rf signal from an antenna, digitizes it, and then generates an undistorted reconstructed waveform. The reconstructed waveform can then be conventionally mixed and demodulated to extract useful signal information with enhanced receiver fidelity and sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: American Radio LLC
    Inventor: Robert Hotto
  • Patent number: 7831201
    Abstract: Wireless communications are transmitted from at least two radioterminals to a base station co-channel over a return link using a return link alphabet. Wireless communications are also transmitted from the base station to the at least two radioterminals over a forward link using a forward link alphabet that has more symbols than the return link alphabet. The co-channel signals are deciphered at the receiver, while the radioterminals can use a smaller return link alphabet, which can reduce the power dissipation at the radioterminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: ATC Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Peter D. Karabinis
  • Patent number: 7826818
    Abstract: Improved apparatus for a radio communication system having a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units selectively in communication with a plurality of base transceiver units which, in turn, communicate with one or more host computers for storage and manipulation of data collected by bar code scanners or other collection means associated with the mobile transceiver units. A network controller and an adapter which has a simulcast and sequential mode provide selective interface between host computers and base transceivers. A scheme for routing data through the communication system is also disclosed wherein the intermediate base stations are organized into an optimal spanning-tree network to control the routing of data to and from the RF terminals and the host computer efficiently and dynamically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Charles D. Gollnick, Ronald E. Luse, John G. Pavek, Marvin L. Sojka, James D. Cnossen, Arvin D. Danielson, Ronald L. Mahany, Mary L. Detweiler, Gary N. Spiess, Guy J. West, Amos D. Young, Keith K. Cargin, Jr., Robert C. Meier, Richard C. Arensdorf, Robert G. Geers
  • Patent number: 7822380
    Abstract: A method and apparatus prevents interference between a radio signal from RDS-TMC service provider for receiving traffic and travel data by an RDS-TMC receiver and a radio signal for transmitting audio, text, or image data from an FM modulator. The method includes the steps of starting an operation of the receiver system, stopping an operation of the FM modulator while keeping operation of the RDS-TMC receiver, examining whether an RDS-TMC signal from a service provider is available at a current location, receiving the RDS-TMC signal and retrieving RDS-TMC data therefrom, sending the retrieved RDS-TMC data to an audio/video system, and starting the operation of the FM modulator while allowing to output an FM signal from the FM modulator at allowable frequency bands which are outside of a blocked range to send data to the audio/video system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Hsien Wu
  • Patent number: 7801546
    Abstract: A set of new information elements are defined that are to be used between an access point and a client that allow an access point to advertise its capabilities, configuration, and/or parameters allowing the client to tune to the parameters prior to, during, or after associating with the access point. If the access point adjusts these parameters, the changes are advertised in subsequent beacons and response frames and the client responsive to receiving a beacon or response frame with changed parameters will change its parameters accordingly. If the station changes its operating parameters it will send a message to the access point informing the access point of the changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheausong Yang, Timothy Olson, John Stratigakis, Richard Rebo
  • Patent number: 7796999
    Abstract: A method and system for setting buffer size on a wireless communication device (WCD). A network entity receives a streaming-media-session initiation message from the WCD. The network entity determines a WCD buffer size, based at least on one or more features of the WCD, and sends to the WCD a directive to use the determined WCD buffer size. In one example, the network entity may determine the WCD buffer size based at least on media player version in use on the WCD and make and model of the WCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Geoff S. Martin, Jonathan R. Kindred
  • Patent number: 7797012
    Abstract: A method of controlling power with which information is transmitted by a first station (4) to a plurality of second stations (6) on a common channel, different information being intended for different stations, said method comprising the step of transmitting said information in said common channel, wherein information intended for different second stations (6) are transmitted at different power levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Fabio Longoni, Oscar Salonaho
  • Patent number: 7783307
    Abstract: A mobile communication unit having at least one operating mode comprising a security unit for enabling/disabling at least one operating mode, whereas the security unit is designed in such a way that at least one operating mode is temporarily disabled for the user of the mobile communication system. A checkpoint communicating unit may be used to control the operating mode of the mobile communication unit. The checkpoint communicating unit may include a status extracting unit for generating a request for a security status of the operating mode or operating modes of the mobile communication unit. The checkpoint may also include a lookup table containing at least the operating mode or operating modes to be disabled in the mobile communication unit. A comparison unit may be provided for comparing the security status received from the mobile communication unit to the disabling status stored in the lookup table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Guido Hovestadt
  • Patent number: 7783289
    Abstract: A mobile communication system is described. The system has an infrastructure that includes base stations and has mobile stations, a mobile terminal and a mobile controller. Each mobile station is operable to communicate with one of the base stations. The mobile terminal is coupled to first and second mobile stations to provide a communication link to at least one of the base stations. The mobile controller sends instruction messages to the mobile stations regarding connectivity with the base stations. The mobile terminal, the mobile controller and the first and second mobile stations are carried on a moving object. The mobile controller makes decisions and issues instructions to the mobile stations relating to the base station by which they should each be served with to maintain a communication link between the mobile terminal and a serving base station via at least one of the mobile stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Chater-Lea, Richard C. Lucas
  • Patent number: 7778657
    Abstract: Techniques are provided that allow power control and/or hand off operations to be performed in a wireless network in a manner that can enhance overall network throughput. In at least one embodiment, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and a signal to interference ratio (SIR) are obtained for a first mobile device within a wireless network. The SNR and SIR are then used to perform power control in the network (e.g., for the first mobile device). The SNR and SIR may also be used to facilitate hand off operations. In one approach, it may be determined whether the SNR and the SIR are each high or low, based on comparison with predetermined threshold values, in order to make a power control decision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Xintian E. Lin, Qinghua Li
  • Patent number: 7778667
    Abstract: A communication interface device includes a wireless Internet packet (IP) transceiver and a PCMCIA card electrically connected to the transceiver. Also, a universal serial bus (USB) connector is plugged into a hub that holds the PCMCIA card, with a cord extending from the USB connector and terminating in another USB connector. Accordingly, the device can be engaged with the PCMCIA bay of a user terminal or, if a user terminal has no PCMCIA bay, with a USB receptacle of the user terminal, to establish wireless communication. To simplify set-up, a CD containing all operating system versions of PCMCIA and USB drivers is engaged with the user terminal. The terminal's operating system is then automatically determined, and only the drivers associated with that operating system are loaded onto the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Virgil Flores Tordera
  • Patent number: 7774014
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus of wireless communication with at least one wireless unit. The method includes detecting an indication of error in a plurality of traffic frames to control transmit power between at least a first and second forward link based on the indication of error. The method further includes receiving a plurality of consecutive traffic frames over at least two reverse links from a wireless unit to select a frame in soft handoff. To control transmit power, for example, a controller may perform reverse link error detection after frame selection. The controller detects a frame error to boost the transmit power, substantially correcting a link imbalance situation. In this way, by controlling transmit power in a spread spectrum wireless communication system to reduce call drops, a call drop rate may be significantly decreased while increasing capacity of radio frequency transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Bi Qi, Yang Yang, Lily H. Zhu
  • Patent number: 7764973
    Abstract: In one embodiment a method is provided which comprises recording a push-to-talk communication session comprising media segments, each media segment being associated with an endpoint device from which the media segment originated. A playback request for playback of at least one recorded media segment at an adjusted playback speed may be received and, in response to the playback request, a playback speed of the at least one recorded media segment may be adjusted relative to another recorded media segment. The recorded media including the segment with the adjusted playback speed may then be provided at a requesting endpoint device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, Steven L. Christenson
  • Patent number: 7756547
    Abstract: A communication interface device includes a wireless Internet packet (IP) transceiver and a PCMCIA card electrically connected to the transceiver. Also, a universal serial bus (USB) connector is plugged into a hub that holds the PCMCIA card, with a cord extending from the USB connector and terminating in another USB connector. Accordingly, the device can be engaged with the PCMCIA bay of a user terminal or, if a user terminal has no PCMCIA bay, with a USB receptacle of the user terminal, to establish wireless communication. To simplify set-up, a CD containing all operating system versions of PCMCIA and USB drivers is engaged with the user terminal. The terminal's operating system is then automatically determined, and only the drivers associated with that operating system are loaded onto the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Corporation of America
    Inventor: Virgil Flores Tordera
  • Patent number: 7756548
    Abstract: A multi-mode base station includes a transmit standby mode and an active mode. Transmit standby mode of base station operation is a low power/low interference level of operation as compared to active mode. In transmit standby mode at least some of the synchronization signaling such as pilot tone signaling is reduced in power level and/or rate with respect to the active mode. In transmit standby mode, the base station has no active state registered wireless terminals being serviced but may have some sleep state registered wireless terminals being serviced. Mode transitions from active to transmit standby may be in response to: a detected period of inactivity, scheduling information, base station mode change signals, and/or detected wireless terminal state transition. Mode transitions from transmit standby to active may be in response to: scheduling information, access signals, wake-up signals, hand-off signals, wireless terminal state change signals, and/or base station mode change signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajiv Laroia, Pablo Anigstein, Arnab Das, Sundeep Rangan