Patents by Inventor Christopher Rice

Christopher Rice 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: 8159329
    Abstract: A method and system for location determination and guidance using radio frequency identification (RFID) are disclosed. A location of a mobile RFID reader can be determined by detecting stationary RFID tags located at fixed locations. Each RFID tag stores location information associated with its position as well as location information of at least one other RFID tag. The location information stored by each RFID tag can be used to direct a user from one RFID tag to another. Thus, RFID technology is also used to guide mobile RFID reader between the fixed locations of the stationary RFID tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Killian, Christopher Rice
  • Patent number: 8106778
    Abstract: A method and system for tracking variable conditions using radio frequency identification (RFID) are disclosed. In embodiments of the present invention, an RFID sensor tag is used to measure a condition. The condition can be any measurable condition such as location, temperature, humidity, pressure, time, date, inertial measurements, etc. Variable data representing the measured condition is read from the RFID sensor tag in order to track the measured condition. The variable data can be read from RFID sensor tags in addition to reading tag identification data from RFID tags, so that the variable data can be associated with tag identification data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Killian, Christopher Rice
  • Publication number: 20110156909
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for transporting deterministic traffic in a gigabit passive optical network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Optical Line Termination (OLT) for exchanging data traffic in a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) having a controller programmed to generate a timeslot schedule for transport of a desired bandwidth of constant bit rate (CBR) data traffic by selecting one or more timeslots from periodic frame clusters operating according to a GPON Transmission Convergence (GTC) protocol. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER RICE, Thomas Killian
  • Publication number: 20110140956
    Abstract: A method for determining geolocation of a mobile device, and a system for performing the method. The mobile device includes a location component, a local positioning component, and a reference positioning component. The method includes determining a local-positioning period based on an identified factor, and obtaining a location fix for the device from the reference positioning component. The method further includes commencing the period and measuring movement using the location component. The method also includes determining a present location of the device, using the location component, based on the location fix and the movement data and, during the period, repeating the measuring and determining steps. The method further includes, after the period expires, updating the location fix with a new location fix from the reference positioning component, resetting the local-positioning period; and repeating the steps for determining location during the reset period using the new location fix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Paul Henry, Christopher Rice
  • Publication number: 20110129022
    Abstract: A system for determining a location of a receiver is disclosed. The system includes at least one transmitter transmitting one or more radio signals, respectively. The system also includes a receiver comprising a clock, a memory, and a processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in the memory. The instructions makes the receiver operable to receive the radio signals, capture the radio signals as one or more received signal waveform, respectively, and store the received signal waveforms in the memory. The instructions also make the receiver operable to calculate one or more virtual transmitted waveforms based upon the received signal waveforms, respectively and determine, based upon the received signal waveforms and the virtual transmitted waveforms, a position of the receiver relative to the transmitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Paul Henry, Byoung-Jo Kim, Christopher Rice
  • Publication number: 20110119485
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing radio communication with an electronic object in a local environment are disclosed. For example the method receives via a mobile endpoint device of a user at least one first digital certificate associated with the local environment from a trusted source, and a second digital certificate from the electronic device deployed in the local environment via a wireless connection. The method then authenticates the electronic device using the at least one first digital certificate and the second digital certificate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Killian, Byoung-Jo Kim, Christopher Rice, Nemmara K. Shankaranarayanan
  • Publication number: 20110085654
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive presence information from each presence source of a plurality of presence sources, wherein the presence information is associated with a user, receive a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) which identifies the user, wherein identification information associated with the user from each presence source is mapped to the SIP URI, select at least a portion of the received presence information to be utilized in determining a presence status of the user, determine the presence status of the user based on the selected presence information, and transmit the presence status and the SIP URI to a computing device operably coupled to an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Rittwik Jana, John Murray, Christopher Rice, Ron Shacham
  • Publication number: 20110082746
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing location based promotions and feedback services on communications networks are disclosed. Location information corresponding to an entity's location can be stored. Location data relating to a device can be received and compared to the location information to determine if the device is at or near the entity's location. If the device is determined to be at or near the entity's location, a feedback request can be sent to the device. In some embodiments, the device can be given a choice to “opt-in” or “opt-out.” If a device “opts-in,” then feedback associated with the entity can be received. Promotions can be sent to the device based upon the submission of feedback, or based upon the content of the feedback. Feedback can be sorted, filtered, and/or prioritized. Methods and computer-readable media embodying methods for providing location based promotions and feedback services also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher Rice, Alex Varshavasky
  • Patent number: 7902985
    Abstract: The specification describes a new architecture for RFID systems that is adapted to process large numbers of RFID tags and provide information about a large number of items. The system provides for multiple tag readers. The tag readers are active and have both transmit and receive capability. The system includes a gateway tag that receives information about individual items from the multiple readers and thus contains data on the entire inventory of items. This allows each of the multiple readers to conveniently access data for the entire inventory of items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Rice, Thomas Killian
  • Publication number: 20100254370
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server operably couplable to an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network and an Interactive Television (ITV) system, where the server includes a controller to receive a session transfer request from a first communication device operably connected to the ITV system and presenting media content where the session transfer request includes identification information associated with a second communication device operably connected to the ITV system, and transmit an INVITE message to the second communication device and transmit a media adjustment message to a Media Resource Function Processor (MRFP) of the IMS network, where the media content is adjusted and transmitted to the second communication device based on receipt of the media adjustment message, where the adjusted media content is generated by the MRFP based on the identification information associated with the second communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Rittwik Jana, John Murray, Christopher Rice
  • Publication number: 20100097194
    Abstract: A method and system for tracking variable conditions using radio frequency identification (RFID) are disclosed. In embodiments of the present invention, an RFID sensor tag is used to measure a condition. The condition can be any measurable condition such as location, temperature, humidity, pressure, time, date, inertial measurements, etc. Variable data representing the measured condition is read from the RFID sensor tag in order to track the measured condition. The variable data can be read from RFID sensor tags in addition to reading tag identification data from RFID tags, so that the variable data can be associated with tag identification data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY II, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Killian, Christopher Rice
  • Patent number: 7659823
    Abstract: A method and system for tracking variable conditions using radio frequency identification (RFID) are disclosed. In embodiments of the present invention, an RFID sensor tag is used to measure a condition. The condition can be any measurable condition such as location, temperature, humidity, pressure, time, date, inertial measurements, etc. Variable data representing the measured condition is read from the RFID sensor tag in order to track the measured condition. The variable data can be read from RFID sensor tags in addition to reading tag identification data from RFID tags, so that the variable data can be associated with tag identification data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Killian, Christopher Rice
  • Publication number: 20090146812
    Abstract: The specification describes a new architecture for RFID systems that is adapted to process large numbers of RFID tags and provide information about a large number of items. The system provides for multiple tag readers. The tag readers are active and have both transmit and receive capability. The system includes a gateway tag that receives information about individual items from the multiple readers and thus contains data on the entire inventory of items. This allows each of the multiple readers to conveniently access data for the entire inventory of items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Rice, Thomas Killian
  • Publication number: 20080081557
    Abstract: A premises, connected to receive broadband service(s) and also connected to a cable system, is provided with a broadband interface which connects to in-premises cabling which is coupled to consumer receivers such as a television sets, PDAs, laptops. Connected to the broadband interface is an adjunct device which channels broadband, data and voice signals supplied to an in-premises wireless system as distinguished from the signals supplied to the cable connected consumer receivers. The adjunct device formats the broadband and voice signals or any broadband service into packet format suitable for signal radiation and couples them to the in-premises coax cabling, via a diplexer, at a first selected location. At a second cable location a second diplexer, connected to the cable, separates the broadband, data and voice signals and couples them to a signal radiation device (i.e., an RF antenna or leaky coaxial cable) which radiates the signal to the immediate surrounding location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: AT&T CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Murray, Christopher Rice, Harry Worstell
  • Publication number: 20080075055
    Abstract: An architecture is described for providing IP push-to-talk (IPP2T) service using a wireless local area network (WLAN) serving a plurality of subscriber terminals (STs), having at least one broadband access network terminal (BANT), the BANT coupled to and interacting with at least one of a plurality of Access Points (APs) via a local area network (LAN), the plurality of APs in communication with the plurality of subscriber terminals; a multicast-enabled network, the multicast-enabled network coupled to and interacting with at least one BANT via a broadband access network; an IP network coupled to, and interacting with, the multicast-enabled network via an edge router; and a WLAN mobile radio service (WLMRS) controller (WLMRSC) coupled to and interacting with the IP network via a multicast-enabled router (MR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: AT&T CORPORATION
    Inventors: Albert Chow, Robert Miller, John Murray, Christopher Rice
  • Publication number: 20080043690
    Abstract: A wireless subscriber terminal (ST) for use with IP push-to-talk (PP2T) service using a wireless local area network (WLAN) operating in a plurality of modes, including a mobile terminal having an ability to communicate over the air to a wireless Access Point (AP), the mobile terminal further programmable to use conventional WLAN protocols, and a method for operating the wireless terminal are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: AT&T CORPORATION
    Inventors: Albert Chow, Robert Miller, John Murray, Christopher Rice
  • Publication number: 20080043691
    Abstract: A wireless subscriber terminal (ST) for use with IP push-to-talk (PP2T) service using a wireless local area network (WLAN) operating in a plurality of modes, including a mobile terminal having an ability to communicate over the air to a wireless Access Point (AP), the mobile terminal further programmable to use conventional WLAN protocols, and a method for operating the wireless terminal are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: AT&T CORPORATION
    Inventors: Albert Chow, Robert Miller, John Murray, Christopher Rice
  • Publication number: 20080008150
    Abstract: A wireless subscriber terminal (ST) for use with IP push-to-talk (PP2T) service using a wireless local area network (WLAN) operating in a plurality of modes, including a mobile terminal having an ability to communicate over the air to a wireless Access Point (AP), the mobile terminal further programmable to use conventional WLAN protocols, and a method for operating the wireless terminal are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: AT&T CORPORATION
    Inventors: Albert Chow, Robert Miller, John Murray, Christopher Rice
  • Publication number: 20060265486
    Abstract: A management system for a guard chip. The guard chip is adapted to prevent malware communications between a user operating system and an external network without user interaction. The management system comprises an authentication function to authenticate interactions between the guard chip and the management system with each communication, an update function to provide updates to the guard chip without user interaction, and a control function to prevent users control of the guard chip. The management system can comprise an administrator to create the updates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Killian, David Kormann, Christopher Rice, Norm Schryer
  • Publication number: 20060199612
    Abstract: A cellular, PDA communication device and communication system for allowing a plurality of cellular phone users to monitor each others' locations and status, to initiate cellular phone calls by touching a symbol on the touch screen display with a stylus which can also include point to call conferencing calling. Each participant's cellular phone PDA device includes GPS navigation receiver with application software for point to call cellular phone initiation to participants and geographical entities including vehicles, persons or events, conference calls and video transfers. The method and system also includes automatic shifting from GPRS/EDGE/CDMA/1XEVDO to SMS when any of the cellular phones in the communication network is in the voice mode and in use and for automatic shifting back to GPRS/EDGE/CDMA/1XEVDO upon completion of the voice phone call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Inventors: Malcolm Beyer, Christopher Rice