Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Phillips
Bruce A. Phillips 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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Patent number: 10951854Abstract: Systems and methods for associating images with location and/or other information. In some cases, the systems include an image sensor, a location sensor, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is communicably coupled to a computer readable medium that includes instructions executable by the microprocessor to: receive a location from the location sensor; receive an image from the image sensor; and associate the location with the image. Some of the methods provide for capturing an object image of an object using an image sensor; capturing a location of the image sensor; and associating the location with the object image. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2013Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Steven M. Casey, Bruce A. Phillips
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Patent number: 10362468Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses, systems and methods for distributing public information. For example, some embodiments of the invention provide methods for determining an appropriate set of addresses to which to distribute an alert. One such exemplary method comprises maintaining a directory of alert gateways. The directory can comprise a plurality of directory entries, and each directory entry can be associated with a particular alert gateway. Each directory entry can also comprise at least one gateway characteristic associated with that alert gateway. In some cases, a gateway characteristic can include information to enable the alert distribution device to determine whether a given alert should be transmitted to the alert gateway.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2013Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Bruce A. Phillips, Steven M. Casey
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Patent number: 10327039Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide novel apparatus, methods and systems for providing relatively high-speed bandwidth to enable, inter alia, video transmission services over media previously unable to support such services. In accordance with certain embodiments, a device located at the telecommunication service provider can logically couple two or more physical media to provide a single, consolidated source of bandwidth, which can be used to transmit data, which can represent a video signal. In accordance with other embodiments, a device located at the subscriber's location can be used to receive the data from each of the two physical media and recreate the video signal from the data, such that the video signal can be transmitted to a display device, such as a television, monitor, etc.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Steven M. Casey, Bruce A. Phillips
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Patent number: 9542830Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for distributing urgent public information. Merely by way of example, urgent public information, such as an alert message, may be received by, inter alia, an alert gateway device. The alert message may then be distributed to a subscriber in any of a variety of ways, including by telephone, by data message (e.g., to a computer), by video message (e.g., via a television), by display on an alert notification device. In some embodiments, the alert gateway device may process the alert message and/or may determine how to provide the alert message to the subscriber.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Bruce A. Phillips
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Publication number: 20150333794Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provides devices, systems and methods that overcome certain deficiencies in the prior art. One exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises an integrated system for providing video and data services to a customer premises. The integrated system comprises a digital broadcast satellite receiver, a data source, and an integrated network interface device. The integrated network interface device can be coupled to the receiver and/or the data source, and the integrated network interface device can be configured to receive video information from the receiver and data (e.g. Internet Protocol data) from the data source. In accordance with certain embodiments, the integrated network interface device can further be configured to distribute the data to the customer premises via a first internal transport medium and/or distribute the video information to the customer premises via a second internal transport medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Charles I. Cook, Bruce A. Phillips
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Patent number: 9130898Abstract: Tools and techniques for transmitting utility usage data. In some cases, the tools receive utility usage data provided by a utility meter and transmit that data for reception by a utility provider. In particular cases, the utility usage data may be received at a network interface device. The network interface device might, in some instances, include a broadband modem, such as a digital subscriber line modem, which can be used to transmit the utility usage data to the utility provider.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Charles I. Cook, Bruce A. Phillips
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Publication number: 20140325570Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide novel apparatus, methods and systems for providing relatively high-speed bandwidth to enable, inter alia, video transmission services over media previously unable to support such services. In accordance with certain embodiments, a device located at the telecommunication service provider can logically couple two or more physical media to provide a single, consolidated source of bandwidth, which can be used to transmit data, which can represent a video signal. In accordance with other embodiments, a device located at the subscriber's location can be used to receive the data from each of the two physical media and recreate the video signal from the data, such that the video signal can be transmitted to a display device, such as a television, monitor, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Bruce A. Phillips
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Patent number: 8813142Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide novel apparatus, methods and systems for providing relatively high-speed bandwidth to enable, inter alia, video transmission services over media previously unable to support such services. In accordance with certain embodiments, a device located at the telecommunication service provider can logically couple two or more physical media to provide a single, consolidated source of bandwidth, which can be used to transmit data, which can represent a video signal. In accordance with other embodiments, a device located at the subscriber's location can be used to receive the data from each of the two physical media and recreate the video signal from the data, such that the video signal can be transmitted to a display device, such as a television, monitor, etc.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Bruce A. Phillips
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Patent number: 8713617Abstract: An isolation device isolates a transport medium internal to a customer premises from a transport medium external to the customer premises such that operational changes to one of the internal and external transport media do not affect the other of the internal and external transport media. A first interface communicates with the external transport medium and a second interface communicates with the internal transport medium. An addressable set-top box external to the customer premises receives encoded telecommunication information from the external transport medium and generates television signals from the encoded telecommunication information for transmission over the internal transport medium.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Bruce A. Phillips, Steven M. Casey, Donald Brodigan, Kurt A. Campbell
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Patent number: 8705356Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing parties with levels of transparency into filtering functionality of network traffic inspection implementations. Embodiments include receiving a filter change request from a subscriber over a network that defines a modification to a set of filter criteria for filtering network traffic, the filter criteria being stored in association with the subscriber in a filter criteria data store; updating the set of filter criteria in the filter criteria data store as a function of the filter change request; receiving a content dataset relating to the network traffic; identifying the content dataset as being associated with the subscriber; retrieving the set of filter criteria associated with the subscriber from the data store; and filtering the network traffic as a function of the set of filter criteria. Embodiments further provide layers of access for different entities to the filtered traffic.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Steven M. Casey, Amie Elcan, John Butala, Felipe Castro, Bruce A. Phillips
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Patent number: 8665325Abstract: Systems and methods for associating images with location and/or other information. In some cases, the systems include an image sensor, a location sensor, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is communicably coupled to a computer readable medium that includes instructions executable by the microprocessor to: receive a location from the location sensor; receive an image from the image sensor; and associate the location with the image. Some of the methods provide for capturing an object image of an object using an image sensor; capturing a location of the image sensor; and associating the location with the object image. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2003Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Bruce A. Phillips
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Patent number: 8655979Abstract: A method of replacing a network demarcation device that isolates an internal transport medium from an external transport medium includes establishing a connection from a service computer to the demarcation device via a service interface of the demarcation device and accessing a storage arrangement of the demarcation device with the service computer. The method also includes using the service computer to select configuration information of the demarcation device and establishing a connection between the service computer and a service interface of the replacement demarcation device. The method also includes using the service computer to cause the selected configuration information to be transferred from the demarcation device to the replacement demarcation device interfacing the replacement demarcation device to the internal transport medium and the external transport medium.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2003Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Bruce A. Phillips, Steven M. Casey
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Publication number: 20130329745Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide network interface devices and systems and methods for using them. For instance, a system in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention comprises a network interface device adapted to receive a plurality of sets of telecommunication information (telecommunication can include, inter alia, voice signals, Internet Protocol data, audio signals, data representing encoded audio signals, video signals and data representing encoded video signals) and distribute at least one of the plurality to a customer premises. The system can further include a control point operable to transmit configuration information to the network interface device. The configuration information can be operable to configure the behavior of the network interface device with respect to one or more of the information sets.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Bruce A. Phillips, Kurt A. Campbell, Steven M. Casey, Charles I. Cook, Donald L. Brodigan
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Publication number: 20130273962Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses, systems and methods for distributing public information. For example, some embodiments of the invention provide methods for determining an appropriate set of addresses to which to distribute an alert. One such exemplary method comprises maintaining a directory of alert gateways. The directory can comprise a plurality of directory entries, and each directory entry can be associated with a particular alert gateway. Each directory entry can also comprise at least one gateway characteristic associated with that alert gateway. In some cases, a gateway characteristic can include information to enable the alert distribution device to determine whether a given alert should be transmitted to the alert gateway.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Bruce A. Phillips, Steven M. Casey
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Patent number: 8537814Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide network interface devices and systems and methods for using them. For instance, a system in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention comprises a network interface device adapted to receive a plurality of sets of telecommunication information (telecommunication can include, inter alia, voice signals, Internet Protocol data, audio signals, data representing encoded audio signals, video signals and data representing encoded video signals) and distribute at least one of the plurality to a customer premises. The system can further include a control point operable to transmit configuration information to the network interface device. The configuration information can be operable to configure the behavior of the network interface device with respect to one or more of the information sets.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Bruce A. Phillips, Kurt A. Campbell, Steven M. Casey, Charles I. Cook, Donald L. Brodigan
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Publication number: 20130238430Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing parties with levels of transparency into filtering functionality of network traffic inspection implementations. Embodiments include receiving a filter change request from a subscriber over a network that defines a modification to a set of filter criteria for filtering network traffic, the filter criteria being stored in association with the subscriber in a filter criteria data store; updating the set of filter criteria in the filter criteria data store as a function of the filter change request; receiving a content dataset relating to the network traffic; identifying the content dataset as being associated with the subscriber; retrieving the set of filter criteria associated with the subscriber from the data store; and filtering the network traffic as a function of the set of filter criteria. Embodiments further provide layers of access for different entities to the filtered traffic.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Amie Elcan, John Butala, Felipe Castro, Bruce A. Phillips
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Patent number: 8490129Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses, systems and methods for distributing public information. For example, some embodiments of the invention provide methods for determining an appropriate set of addresses to which to distribute an alert. One such exemplary method comprises maintaining a directory of alert gateways. The directory can comprise a plurality of directory entries, and each directory entry can be associated with a particular alert gateway. Each directory entry can also comprise at least one gateway characteristic associated with that alert gateway. In some cases, a gateway characteristic can include information to enable the alert distribution device to determine whether a given alert should be transmitted to the alert gateway.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Bruce A. Phillips, Steven M. Casey
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Patent number: 8451724Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing parties with levels of transparency into filtering functionality of network traffic inspection implementations. Embodiments include receiving a filter change request from a subscriber over a network that defines a modification to a set of filter criteria for filtering network traffic, the filter criteria being stored in association with the subscriber in a filter criteria data store; updating the set of filter criteria in the filter criteria data store as a function of the filter change request; receiving a content dataset relating to the network traffic; identifying the content dataset as being associated with the subscriber; retrieving the set of filter criteria associated with the subscriber from the data store; and filtering the network traffic as a function of the set of filter criteria. Embodiments further provide layers of access for different entities to the filtered traffic.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Amie Elcan, John Butala, Felipe Castro, Bruce A. Phillips
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Patent number: 8261321Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating digital assets in relation to a telecommunications network. In various cases, the systems include a network interface device associated with a customer premises. The network interface device includes a local authentication authority operable to authenticate one or more digital assets maintained in relation to the customer premises. In some cases, a global authentication authority can authenticate the network interface device, and implicitly authenticate the one or more digital assets. Many other cases and/or embodiments are disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Bruce A. Phillips
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Patent number: 8112449Abstract: Systems and methods for accessing and distributing content objects. Various of the systems and methods utilize a number of content object entities that can be sources and/or destinations for content objects. A combination of abstraction and distinction engines can be used to access content objects from a source of content objects, format and/or modify the content objects, and redistribute the modified content object to one or more content object destinations. In some cases, an access point is included that identifies a number of available content objects, and identifies one or more content object destinations to which the respective content objects can be directed.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Bruce A. Phillips