Patents by Inventor Christopher W. Rice

Christopher W. 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).

  • Publication number: 20100287037
    Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for processing of highway toll payments by a mobile telecommunications service provider. A mobile telecommunications device communicates with a mobile telecommunications service provider. The mobile telecommunications service provider receives a request to calculate a route to a destination. The mobile telecommunications service provider determines the location of the mobile telecommunications device from a global navigation satellite system or from a mobile telecommunications network and calculates a route. The mobile telecommunications service provider then identifies toll booths along the calculated route. The mobile telecommunications service provider pre-pays the tolls. The mobile telecommunications service provider sends turn-by-turn instructions to the mobile telecommunications device and tracks the location of the mobile telecommunications device and records the date and time at which the mobile telecommunications device passes through a toll booth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Rice, Rittwik Jana, John F. Murray
  • Publication number: 20100246552
    Abstract: A wireless subscriber terminal (ST) for use with IP push-to-talk (IPP2T) 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: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Albert T. Chow, Robert Raymond Miller, II, John F. Murray, Christopher W. Rice
  • Patent number: 7738407
    Abstract: A wireless subscriber terminal (ST) for use with IP push-to-talk (IPP2T) 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Albert T. Chow, Robert Raymond Miller, II, John F. Murray, Christopher W Rice
  • Publication number: 20100142515
    Abstract: An Internet protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) gateway application server includes an originating application server module adapted to invoke call control services in response to requests initiated by a voice over Internet Protocol (IP) (VoIP) client associated with a communication device such as an IP telephone. Disclosed gateway application servers include a proxy server module adapted to notify the communication client of session control messages intended for the communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Rittwik Jana, John F. Murray, Christopher W. Rice, Ron Shacham
  • Publication number: 20100125902
    Abstract: A roaming client in communication with an enterprise site through a virtual private network (VPN) gateway maintains an address for a virtual network interface upon becoming a resident client at the enterprise site. A physical interface for the resident includes two valid addresses. Seamless data networking is achieved while promoting routing efficiency by reducing the amount of local traffic addressed to and from the virtual address that is unnecessarily routed through VPN gateways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Killian, Christopher W. Rice
  • Publication number: 20100098041
    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: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, II, L.P.
    Inventors: John F. Murray, Christopher W. Rice, Harry R. Worstell
  • Patent number: 7697887
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: John F. Murray, Christopher W. Rice, Harry R. Worstell
  • Publication number: 20100067407
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method, comprising: automatically detecting at an agent an installation of a communications device to a local network coupled to the agent; automatically offering via the communications device a plurality of user-selectable service options relating to a service provider's network and relating to at least one capability of the communications device, the at least one capability detected by the agent; in response to a selection of at least one service option from the plurality of service options, providing via the agent a user connection address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Donald J. Bowen, Richard H. Erving, Robert R. Miller, John F. Murray, Christopher W. Rice
  • Patent number: 7627679
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method, comprising: automatically detecting at an agent an installation of a communications device to a local network coupled to the agent; automatically offering via the communications device a plurality of user-selectable service options relating to a service provider's network and relating to at least one capability of the communications device, the at least one capability detected by the agent; in response to a selection of at least one service option from the plurality of service options, providing via the agent a user connection address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J. Bowen, Richard H. Erving, Robert R. Miller, John F. Murray, Christopher W. Rice
  • Publication number: 20090075618
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for increasing Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of antennas each antenna providing a signal, a device for selecting a subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, a maximum ratio combiner for summing the selected subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, and a decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The device for selecting the subset of signals is coupled to the plurality of antennas. The maximum ratio combiner is coupled to the selected subset of signals and the decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The decision device is coupled to the selecting device such that one selected signal of the selected subset of signals is replaced by an unused signal provided by the plurality of antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Saeed S. Ghassemzadeh, Richard Henry Erving, Robert Raymond Miller, II, Christopher W. Rice
  • Publication number: 20090060182
    Abstract: An aspect of the current invention involves an apparatus and method for protecting media content from being read and copied by an unauthorized party. In one embodiment of the invention, this is accomplished by storing keys for decrypting encrypted media content on a secure memory device located in proximity to a computer processor. A secure memory device located in proximity to a computer processor allows for decryption keys to be sent to a user of the computer processor in advance of the user receiving an encrypted media content that will be decrypted with the decryption keys. With the secure memory device, the decryption keys can be stored indefinitely without an unauthorized party gaining access to them. Another embodiment of the invention allows for multiple media content providers to store their own decryption keys for their own encrypted media content simultaneously on a secure memory device located with a user's personal computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Killian, Christopher W. Rice
  • Patent number: 7457602
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for increasing Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of antennas each antenna providing a signal, a device for selecting a subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, a maximum ratio combiner for summing the selected subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, and a decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The device for selecting the subset of signals is coupled to the plurality of antennas. The maximum ratio combiner is coupled to the selected subset of signals and the decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The decision device is coupled to the selecting device such that one selected signal of the selected subset of signals is replaced by an unused signal provided by the plurality of antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Saeed S. Ghassemzadeh, Richard Henry Erving, Robert Raymond Miller, II, Christopher W. Rice
  • Patent number: 7369838
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Murray, Christopher W. Rice, Harry R. Worstell
  • Publication number: 20070293263
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of communicating with a plurality of cellular communication networks employing different communication protocols using a single mobile endpoint device, e.g., a cellular phone, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user cellular phone is provided with a communication protocol conversion or switching module that is adapted for interfacing with different cellular networks operating in a region where the cellular phone is presently located. When a request for an incoming call or an outgoing call is received, the present method evaluates at least one performance factor in selecting one of the plurality of different communication protocols to service or process the incoming call or outgoing call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Hossein Eslambolchi, Christopher W. Rice
  • Patent number: 7307963
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Albert T. Chow, Robert Raymond Miller, II, John F. Murray, Christopher W Rice
  • Patent number: 7155192
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for increasing Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of antennas each antenna providing a signal, a device for selecting a subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, a maximum ratio combiner for summing the selected subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, and a decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The device for selecting the subset of signals is coupled to the plurality of antennas. The maximum ratio combiner is coupled to the selected subset of signals and the decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The decision device is coupled to the selecting device such that one selected signal of the selected subset of signals is replaced by an unused signal provided by the plurality of antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Saeed S. Ghassemzadeh, Richard Henry Erving, Robert Raymond Miller, II, Christopher W. Rice
  • Patent number: 7103347
    Abstract: Automatic activation of a wireless device with a first wireless communication system occurs within an area having an overlapping second wireless communication system. Operation of the first communication system access procedure is achieved by masking an access and authentication process for the second communication system from interference from the control signal levels of the second wireless communication system. During the first time access, the first communication system is supplied with the SID and MIN and ESN numbers for authentication and access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Albert T. Chow, Richard Henry Erving, Robert Raymond Miller, II, Christopher W Rice, Jesse Eugene Russell, Wenchu Ying
  • Patent number: 6751441
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: John F. Murray, Christopher W. Rice, Harry R. Worstell
  • Publication number: 20040053600
    Abstract: Automatic activation of a wireless device with a first wireless communication system occurs within an area having an overlapping second wireless communication system. Operation of the first communication system access procedure is achieved by masking an access and authentication process for the second communication system from interference from the control signal levels of the second wireless communication system. During the first time access, the first communication system is supplied with the SID and MIN and ESN numbers for authentication and access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Albert T. Chow, Richard Henry Erving, Robert Raymond Miller, Christopher W. Rice, Jesse Eugene Russell, Wenchu Ying
  • Patent number: 6707886
    Abstract: A subscriber loop test apparatus relates to the testing of a subscriber loop by the use of a touchtone telephone. The touchstone buttons on a telephone provide Dual-Tone, Multiple Frequencies for each key pressed. For example, referring to FIG. 1, pressing the ‘3’ key causes tones at 697 and 1477 Hz to be sent across the telephone line. Pressing a sequence of keys provides discrete coverage of the frequency band from 697 to 1477 Hz, through the use of the touchtone telephone. The frequency band from 697 to 1477 Hz can be characterized in this fashion. Information about the line: loop loss (loop length), presence of bridge taps (i.e., excessively long bridge taps in particular) or loading coils, and the presence of Digital Loop Carriers (DLCs), et cetera. The use of the switch-hook flash provides the ability to determine the channel (impulse) response of the loop, including any noise and hum that may be on the loop due to imbalance or coupled interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Richard Henry Erving, Maura Elizabeth Marcus, Robert Raymond Miller, II, Christopher W. Rice