Patents by Inventor Douglas B. Alston

Douglas B. Alston 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: 9961518
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sending and receiving text, or data, messages between wireless communication devices and wireline-messaging devices utilize a broadband connection to the wireline premises as the signaling channel. A message application server sends messages directly to wireline-messaging devices through a digital network, such as the Internet. Such systems and methods include wireline-messaging devices integrated with premises telephones connected to a PSTN, in which the telephones are adapted with thin client software to send and receive data messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, Barbara Stark, Valois Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20160205520
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sending and receiving text, or data, messages between wireless communication devices and wireline-messaging devices utilize a broadband connection to the wireline premises as the signaling channel. A message application server sends messages directly to wireline-messaging devices through a digital network, such as the Internet. Such systems and methods include wireline-messaging devices integrated with premises telephones connected to a PSTN, in which the telephones are adapted with thin client software to send and receive data messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, BARBARA STARK, VALOIS GONZALEZ
  • Patent number: 9338029
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sending and receiving text, or data, messages between wireless communication devices and wireline-messaging devices utilize a broadband connection to the wireline premises as the signaling channel. A message application server sends messages directly to wireline-messaging devices through a digital network, such as the Internet. Such systems and methods include wireline-messaging devices integrated with premises telephones connected to a PSTN, in which the telephones are adapted with thin client software to send and receive data messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, Barbara Stark, Valois Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8675668
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products share content between a device and a media delivery device. The media delivery device includes a content sharing application stored in memory and a processor communicating with the memory. The processor sends a presence update message to indicate the media delivery device is active and available to receive content. The processor receives an invite, and the invite requests a session between the media delivery device and the device. The processor sends an accept message to accept the invitation. The processor receives the content and receives a message that terminates the session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, William Gaylord
  • Patent number: 8515046
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products determine ring tones to be applied to calls. A called party may configure different ring tones that annunciate calls for different types of calls from calling numbers. A network database determines a type of each call and annunciates the corresponding ringtone to a called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Valois Gonzalez, Douglas B. Alston
  • Publication number: 20130029699
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sending and receiving text, or data, messages between wireless communication devices and wireline-messaging devices utilize a broadband connection to the wireline premises as the signaling channel. A message application server sends messages directly to wireline-messaging devices through a digital network, such as the Internet. Such systems and methods include wireline-messaging devices integrated with premises telephones connected to a PSTN, in which the telephones are adapted with thin client software to send and receive data messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, Barbara Stark, Valois Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20120219141
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products determine ring tones to be applied to calls. A called party may configure different ring tones that annunciate calls for different types of calls from calling numbers. A network database determines a type of each call and annunciates the corresponding ringtone to a called party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Valois Gonzalez, Douglas B. Alston
  • Patent number: 8204201
    Abstract: A ringtone system is provided to a called party that wishes to have a particular ringtone annunciated for each of several types of calls from calling parties. In the ringtone system, for a call from a calling party, the calling party is prompted to identify the type of the call. The type of the call is received from the calling party, and if no type is received, the call is typed in a particular manner. A list of types of calls with respect to and as specified by the called party is maintained, where each type of call on the list has a corresponding ringtone specified therefor. The typed call is processed by determining from the list of types of calls for the called party the corresponding ringtone specified for the typed call, and by putting the call through to the called party with the determined ringtone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Valois Gonzalez, Douglas B. Alston
  • Patent number: 8139745
    Abstract: A ring tone service is provided to a called party upon receiving a call from a calling party at a device of the called party, where the device annunciates the call according to a particular ring tone as determined by the called party. A network-based call control manager receives a notification that the calling party is calling the called party, and the call control manager queries a network-based ring tone manager to determine the particular ring tone. The ring tone manager notifies the call control manager of the determined ring tone, and the call control manager sets up the call to be annunciated at the device of the called party according to the determined ring tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, Frederick C. Iffland, Douglas R. O'Neil, Scott T. Stillman
  • Patent number: 7894814
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for routing telephone calls directed to a wireless unit located in the wireless network to a landline device located in the landline network. The system utilizes a location register in the form of a service control point (SCP) located in the landline network to store certain information pertaining to landline numbers and respective routing numbers associated with landline devices. The SCP is functionally coupled to a Visitors' Location Register (VLR) as well as to a landline network element that facilitates the routing of communications to both landline devices and over to the MTSO and its associated Home Location Register (HLR) in the wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Yu, Douglas B. Alston, Oral A. Christie
  • Publication number: 20100297987
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for routing telephone calls directed to a wireless unit located in the wireless network to a landline device located in the landline network. The system utilizes a location register in the form of a service control point (SCP) located in the landline network to store certain information pertaining to landline numbers and respective routing numbers associated with landline devices. The SCP is functionally coupled to a Visitors' Location Register (VLR) as well as to a landline network element that facilitates the routing of communications to both landline devices and over to the MTSO and its associated Home Location Register (HLR) in the wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher C. Yu, Douglas B. Alston, Oral A. Christie
  • Patent number: 7796989
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for routing telephone calls directed to a wireless unit located in the wireless network to a landline device located in the landline network. The system utilizes a location register in the form of a service control point (SCP) located in the landline network to store certain information pertaining to landline numbers and respective routing numbers associated with landline devices. The SCP is functionally coupled to a Visitors' Location Register (VLR) as well as to a landline network element that facilitates the routing of communications to both landline devices and over to the MTSO and its associated Home Location Register (HLR) in the wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Yu, Douglas B. Alston, Oral A. Christie
  • Publication number: 20100100603
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products share content between a device and a media delivery device. The media delivery device includes a content sharing application stored in memory and a processor communicating with the memory. The processor sends a presence update message to indicate the media delivery device is active and available to receive content. The processor receives an invite, and the invite requests a session between the media delivery device and the device. The processor sends an accept message to accept the invitation. The processor receives the content and receives a message that terminates the session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. f/k/a BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, William Gaylord
  • Patent number: 7664124
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products share content between a device and a media delivery device. The media delivery device includes a content sharing application stored in memory and a processor communicating with the memory. The processor sends a presence update message to indicate the media delivery device is active and available to receive content. The processor receives an invite, and the invite requests a session between the media delivery device and the device. The processor sends an accept message to accept the invitation. The processor receives the content and receives a message that terminates the session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, William Gaylord
  • Publication number: 20090253404
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sending and receiving text, or data, messages between wireless communication devices and wireline-messaging devices utilize a broadband connection to the wireline premises as the signaling channel. A message application server sends messages directly to wireline-messaging devices through a digital network, such as the Internet. Such systems and methods include wireline-messaging devices integrated with premises telephones connected to a PSTN, in which the telephones are adapted with thin client software to send and receive data messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, Barbara Stark, Valois Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20090046844
    Abstract: A ringtone system is provided to a called party that wishes to have a particular ringtone annunciated for each of several types of calls from calling parties. In the ringtone system, for a call from a calling party, the calling party is prompted to identify the type of the call. The type of the call is received from the calling party, and if no type is received, the call is typed in a particular manner. A list of types of calls with respect to and as specified by the called party is maintained, where each type of call on the list has a corresponding ringtone specified therefor. The typed call is processed by determining from the list of types of calls for the called party the corresponding ringtone specified for the typed call, and by putting the call through to the called party with the determined ringtone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Valois Gonzalez, Douglas B. Alston
  • Patent number: 7376126
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sending and receiving text, or data, messages between wireless communication devices and wireline-messaging devices utilize a broadband connection to the wireline premises as the signaling channel. A message application server sends messages directly to wireline-messaging devices through a digital network, such as the Internet. Such systems and methods include wireline-messaging devices integrated with premises telephones connected to a PSTN, in which the telephones are adapted with thin client software to send and receive data messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, Barbara Stark, Valois Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 7251483
    Abstract: A system including a service measurement database having stored therein network service measurement data relating to a network and a server in communication with the service measurement database, wherein the server estimates a data throughput for a device that is in communication with the network based on the network service measurement data and a parameter received from the device that is in communication with the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas B. Alston
  • Patent number: 7130628
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented in which a routing number for telecommunication environments are stored in both a wireless network and a landline network. By storing the routing number at both the wireless network and the landline network, a “tromboning” effect is reduced, thereby providing greater efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher C. Yu, Douglas B. Alston, Oral A. Christie
  • Patent number: 6901139
    Abstract: A ringtone system is provided to a called party that wishes to have a particular ringtone annunciated for each of several types of calls from calling parties. In the ringtone system, for a call from a calling party, the calling party is prompted to identify the type of the call. The type of the call is received from the calling party, and if no type is received, the call is typed in a particular manner. A list of types of calls with respect to and as specified by the called party is maintained, where each type of call on the list has a corresponding ringtone specified therefor. The typed call is processed by determining from the list of types of calls for the called party the corresponding ringtone specified for the typed call, and by putting the call through to the called party with the determined ringtone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Valois Gonzalez, Douglas B. Alston