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).
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Patent number: 9961518Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, Barbara Stark, Valois Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20160205520Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, BARBARA STARK, VALOIS GONZALEZ
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Patent number: 9338029Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, Barbara Stark, Valois Gonzalez
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Patent number: 8675668Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2009Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, William Gaylord
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Patent number: 8515046Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 11, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Valois Gonzalez, Douglas B. Alston
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Publication number: 20130029699Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, Barbara Stark, Valois Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20120219141Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Valois Gonzalez, Douglas B. Alston
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Patent number: 8204201Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Valois Gonzalez, Douglas B. Alston
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Patent number: 8139745Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 15, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, Frederick C. Iffland, Douglas R. O'Neil, Scott T. Stillman
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Patent number: 7894814Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 9, 2010Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Christopher C. Yu, Douglas B. Alston, Oral A. Christie
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Publication number: 20100297987Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Christopher C. Yu, Douglas B. Alston, Oral A. Christie
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Patent number: 7796989Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Christopher C. Yu, Douglas B. Alston, Oral A. Christie
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Publication number: 20100100603Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. f/k/a BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventors: Douglas B. Alston, William Gaylord
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Patent number: 7664124Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, I, L.P.Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, William Gaylord
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Publication number: 20090253404Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, Barbara Stark, Valois Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20090046844Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventors: Valois Gonzalez, Douglas B. Alston
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Patent number: 7376126Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventors: Douglas B. Alston, Barbara Stark, Valois Gonzalez
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Patent number: 7251483Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventor: Douglas B. Alston
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Patent number: 7130628Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventors: Christopher C. Yu, Douglas B. Alston, Oral A. Christie
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Patent number: 6901139Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventors: Valois Gonzalez, Douglas B. Alston