Patents by Inventor Douglas Alman

Douglas Alman 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: 10757479
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a media interface device, a media selection command from a user device. The media selection command identifies first media content, the media content available from a first content source in a first format. The media interface device is configured to provide the first media content to the user device as second media content in a second format different than the first format. The method includes selecting a particular module of a plurality of modules of the media interface device to process the first media content based on the media selection command. The method includes receiving the first media content at the particular module, where the particular module converts the first media content in the first format to the second media content in the second format. The method also includes sending the second media content from an interface coupled to the particular module to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Wilson, Douglas Alman, Todd Andrew Fryer, Nicholas Nicas, Charles D. Turner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10616664
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that performs operations including receiving user input associated with a group of emergency alert service messages, assigning a plurality of severity codes to the group of emergency alert service messages according to the user input, each of the plurality of severity codes indicating a presentation format, determining a first location of a mobile communication device, determining a second location of a premises of a user of the mobile communication device. The operations can also include, responsive to detecting a first emergency alert service message associated with the first location, determining a first severity code of the plurality of severity codes assigned to the first emergency alert service message and providing the first emergency alert service message to the mobile communication device for presentation in a first format according to the first severity code. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Alman, Charles D Turner, Jr., Brian Wilson
  • Publication number: 20180176659
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that performs operations including receiving user input associated with a group of emergency alert service messages, assigning a plurality of severity codes to the group of emergency alert service messages according to the user input, each of the plurality of severity codes indicating a presentation format, determining a first location of a mobile communication device, determining a second location of a premises of a user of the mobile communication device. The operations can also include, responsive to detecting a first emergency alert service message associated with the first location, determining a first severity code of the plurality of severity codes assigned to the first emergency alert service message and providing the first emergency alert service message to the mobile communication device for presentation in a first format according to the first severity code. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Alman, Charles D. Turner, JR., Brian Wilson
  • Patent number: 9930426
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that performs operations including receiving user input associated with a group of emergency alert service messages, assigning a plurality of severity codes to the group of emergency alert service messages according to the user input, each of the plurality of severity codes indicating a presentation format, determining a first location of a mobile communication device, determining a second location of a premises of a user of the mobile communication device. The operations can also include, responsive to detecting a first emergency alert service message associated with the first location, determining a first severity code of the plurality of severity codes assigned to the first emergency alert service message and providing the first emergency alert service message to the mobile communication device for presentation in a first format according to the first severity code. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Alman, Charles D Turner, Jr., Brian Wilson
  • Publication number: 20180020257
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a media interface device, a media selection command from a user device. The media selection command identifies first media content, the media content available from a first content source in a first format. The media interface device is configured to provide the first media content to the user device as second media content in a second format different than the first format. The method includes selecting a particular module of a plurality of modules of the media interface device to process the first media content based on the media selection command. The method includes receiving the first media content at the particular module, where the particular module converts the first media content in the first format to the second media content in the second format. The method also includes sending the second media content from an interface coupled to the particular module to the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: BRIAN WILSON, DOUGLAS ALMAN, TODD ANDREW FRYER, NICHOLAS NICAS, CHARLES D. TURNER, JR.
  • Patent number: 9807459
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a media interface device, a media selection command included in a first communication from an application executing on a processor in a display device. The method further includes transmitting a signal to a particular module of a plurality of modules of the media interface device, where the particular module is selected based on the media selection command, and where each of the plurality of modules is configured to receive media content from a corresponding media source. The method further includes sending a second communication to the application. The second communication includes a particular media content item received via the particular module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Wilson, Douglas Alman, Todd Andrew Fryer, Nicholas Nicas, Charles D. Turner, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170272837
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that performs operations including receiving user input associated with a group of emergency alert service messages, assigning a plurality of severity codes to the group of emergency alert service messages according to the user input, each of the plurality of severity codes indicating a presentation format, determining a first location of a mobile communication device, determining a second location of a premises of a user of the mobile communication device. The operations can also include, responsive to detecting a first emergency alert service message associated with the first location, determining a first severity code of the plurality of severity codes assigned to the first emergency alert service message and providing the first emergency alert service message to the mobile communication device for presentation in a first format according to the first severity code. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Alman, CHARLES D. TURNER, JR., BRIAN WILSON
  • Patent number: 9706263
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that performs operations including receiving user input associated with a group of emergency alert service messages, assigning a plurality of severity codes to the group of emergency alert service messages according to the user input, each of the plurality of severity codes indicating a presentation format, determining a first location of a mobile communication device, determining a second location of a premises of a user of the mobile communication device. The operations can also include, responsive to detecting a first emergency alert service message associated with the first location, determining a first severity code of the plurality of severity codes assigned to the first emergency alert service message and providing the first emergency alert service message to the mobile communication device for presentation in a first format according to the first severity code. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Alman, Charles D Turner, Jr., Brian Wilson
  • Publication number: 20170048567
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, determining that a communication device is outside of a restricted viewing area associated with media content and transmitting the media content for presentation at the communication device responsive to that determination. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: CHARLES D. TURNER, DOUGLAS ALMAN, BRIAN WILSON
  • Patent number: 9516027
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, determining that a communication device is outside of a restricted viewing area associated with media content and transmitting the media content for presentation at the communication device responsive to that determination. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles D Turner, Douglas Alman, Brian Wilson
  • Publication number: 20160337700
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a media interface device, a media selection command included in a first communication from an application executing on a processor in a display device. The method further includes transmitting a signal to a particular module of a plurality of modules of the media interface device, where the particular module is selected based on the media selection command, and where each of the plurality of modules is configured to receive media content from a corresponding media source. The method further includes sending a second communication to the application. The second communication includes a particular media content item received via the particular module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Brian Wilson, Douglas Alman, Todd Andrew Fryer, Nicholas Nicas, Charles D. Turner, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160295300
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that performs operations including receiving user input associated with a group of emergency alert service messages, assigning a plurality of severity codes to the group of emergency alert service messages according to the user input, each of the plurality of severity codes indicating a presentation format, determining a first location of a mobile communication device, determining a second location of a premises of a user of the mobile communication device. The operations can also include, responsive to detecting a first emergency alert service message associated with the first location, determining a first severity code of the plurality of severity codes assigned to the first emergency alert service message and providing the first emergency alert service message to the mobile communication device for presentation in a first format according to the first severity code. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas Alman, Charles D. Turner, JR., Brian Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140344950
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, determining that a communication device is outside of a restricted viewing area associated with media content and transmitting the media content for presentation at the communication device responsive to that determination. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Charles D. Turner, Douglas Alman, Brian Wilson
  • Patent number: 8811886
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, determining that a communication device is outside of a restricted viewing area associated with media content and transmitting the media content for presentation at the communication device responsive to that determination. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles D Turner, Douglas Alman, Brian Wilson
  • Patent number: 8805320
    Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving first and second audio input signals from first and second communication sources. First and second emergency alert system messages are respectively identified from each of the first and second audio input signals. A temporal overlap is detected between a portion of the first emergency alert system message and the second emergency alert system message. In response to detection of the temporal overlap, a relative delay is applied between the first and second audio output signals. First and second audio output signals are generated including the first and second messages adjusted by the relative delay, such that the first and second emergency alert system messages in the first and second audio output signals are non-overlapping. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Douglas Alman, Charles D. Turner, Jr., Brian Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140148116
    Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving first and second audio input signals from first and second communication sources. First and second emergency alert system messages are respectively identified from each of the first and second audio input signals. A temporal overlap is detected between a portion of the first emergency alert system message and the second emergency alert system message. In response to detection of the temporal overlap, a relative delay is applied between the first and second audio output signals. First and second audio output signals are generated including the first and second messages adjusted by the relative delay, such that the first and second emergency alert system messages in the first and second audio output signals are non-overlapping. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LP
    Inventors: Douglas Alman, Charles D. Turner, JR., Brian Wilson
  • Publication number: 20130090129
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, determining that a communication device is outside of a restricted viewing area associated with media content and transmitting the media content for presentation at the communication device responsive to that determination. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: CHARLES D. TURNER, Douglas Alman, Brian Wilson