Patents by Inventor Henry Towster
Henry Towster 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: 9961405Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a first user of a media distribution system, first wish list data identifying a program and a first program option associated with the program. When the first wish list data is received, the program is not scheduled for transmission via the media distribution system based on a published program guide available to the first user. The method also includes receiving, from a second user of the media distribution system, second wish list data identifying the program and a second program option associated with the program. The method further includes determining interest in the program based on the first program option and the second program option.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Dolores Mallian, Bruce Barnes, Shadi Khoshaba, Wayne Heinmiller, Henry Towster, Charles Stahulak, Nikhil Marathe
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Publication number: 20140241698Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a first user of a media distribution system, first wish list data identifying a program and a first program option associated with the program. When the first wish list data is received, the program is not scheduled for transmission via the media distribution system based on a published program guide available to the first user. The method also includes receiving, from a second user of the media distribution system, second wish list data identifying the program and a second program option associated with the program. The method further includes determining interest in the program based on the first program option and the second program option.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Dolores Mallian, Bruce Barnes, Shadi Khoshaba, Wayne Heinmiller, Henry Towster, Charles Stahulak, Nikhil Marathe
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Patent number: 8769585Abstract: Systems and methods to process program wish list data are provided. A system includes a media receiver adapted to receive media content from a media distribution system and a recording module responsive to the media receiver. The system also includes a program guide module to receive a published program guide identifying media content available to be distributed via the media distribution system. The system further includes a wish list module to generate wish list data including identifying information associated with at least one program. The at least one program is not listed in the published program guide when the wish list data is generated. The system also includes a reporting module to report information related to the wish list data to a remote network element.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, LPInventors: Dolores Mallian, Bruce Barnes, Shadi Khoshaba, Wayne Heinmiller, Henry Towster, Charles Stahulak, Nikhil Marathe
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Patent number: 8699348Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control traffic in a packet-switched network are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, I, L.P.Inventors: Henry Towster, Juan Nunez, Nikhil Marathe
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Patent number: 8335162Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control traffic in a packet-switched network are disclosed. An example circuit manager comprises a probe interface to collect data representative of actual utilization of a network, a usage analyzer to estimate a utilization of the network for a future time interval based on the collected data, and a rebalancer to detect a trigger event based on the estimated utilization, and to automatically identify a future virtual circuit path through the network for the future time interval based on the estimated utilization when the trigger event is detected; wherein the probe interface, the usage analyzer and the rebalancer operate repetitively to route data in the network in response to actual data transmissions.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LPInventors: Henry Towster, Juan A. Nunez, Nikhil Marathe
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Patent number: 7539379Abstract: Optical fiber cable from a Central Office (CO) to a Service Area Interface (SAI) Optical Line Terminal (OLT) box may have a plurality of optical fibers, each fiber having at least one conductive sheath to can propagate an identifying signal. Optical fibers that emit a signal with identifying information, or other useful information, may be advantageous when, for example, the fiber optic cable holds fibers owned by more than one content or service provider. A further advantage may be that a signal may be designated to a particular address, thereby facilitating the installation of fiber optic service to a customer.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2006Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Shadi Khoshaba, Bruce Barnes, Wayne Heinmiller, Nikhil Marathe, Chuck Stahulak, Henry Towster
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Publication number: 20090089839Abstract: Systems and methods to process program wish list data are provided. A system includes a media receiver adapted to receive media content from a media distribution system and a recording module responsive to the media receiver. The system also includes a program guide module to receive a published program guide identifying media content available to be distributed via the media distribution system. The system further includes a wish list module to generate wish list data including identifying information associated with at least one program. The at least one program is not listed in the published program guide when the wish list data is generated. The system also includes a reporting module to report information related to the wish list data to a remote network element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: AT&T KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, LPInventors: Dolores Mallian, Bruce Barnes, Shadi Khoshaba, Wayne Heinmiller, Henry Towster, Charles Stahulak, Nikhil Marathe
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Publication number: 20090046583Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control traffic in a packet-switched network are disclosed. An example circuit manager comprises a probe interface to collect data representative of actual utilization of a network, a usage analyzer to estimate a utilization of the network for a future time interval based on the collected data, and a rebalancer to detect a trigger event based on the estimated utilization, and to automatically identify a future virtual circuit path through the network for the future time interval based on the estimated utilization when the trigger event is detected; wherein the probe interface, the usage analyzer and the rebalancer operate repetitively to route data in the network in response to actual data transmissions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2007Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventors: Henry Towster, Juan A. Nunez, Nikhil Marathe
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Publication number: 20070243016Abstract: A flexible conduit blanket and a method for installing a communication outlet in a wall comprising a flexible conduit blanket are disclosed. Generally, a first hole in an enclosure of a flexible conduit blanket abutting a wall is created. A flexible extension tube is installed such that it is in communication with the flexible conduit blanket, an activated detection cap is placed on an end of a communication medium, the end of the communication medium is placed into the enclosure of the flexible conduit blanket, and an external force is placed on the communication medium to thread the end of the communication medium through a wall of a structure. A handheld device is used to find a location of the detection cap behind the wall and a second hole is created in the enclosure of the flexible conduit blanket to pull the end of the communication medium out of the enclosure of the flexible conduit blanket.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2006Publication date: October 18, 2007Inventors: Henry Towster, Dolly Mallian
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Patent number: 7272281Abstract: An optical fiber for information transmission contains a glass tube core wrapped in a sheath of conductive material attachable to a power source such as a battery or generator to transmit power via the conductive sheath of the fiber. Methods to transmit power via an optical fiber, together with fiber optic networks are described.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2006Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.Inventors: Chuck Stahulak, Bruce Barnes, Wayne Heinmiller, Shadi Khoshaba, Nikhil Marathe, Henry Towster
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Publication number: 20070189678Abstract: Optical fiber cable from a Central Office (CO) to a Service Area Interface (SAI) Optical Line Terminal (OLT) box may have a plurality of optical fibers, each fiber having at least one conductive sheath to can propagate an identifying signal. Optical fibers that emit a signal with identifying information, or other useful information, may be advantageous when, for example, the fiber optic cable holds fibers owned by more than one content or service provider. A further advantage may be that a signal may be designated to a particular address, thereby facilitating the installation of fiber optic service to a customer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2006Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Shadi Khoshaba, Bruce Barnes, Wayne Heinmiller, Nikhil Marathe, Chuck Stahulak, Henry Towster
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Publication number: 20070189679Abstract: An optical fiber for information transmission contains a glass tube core wrapped in a sheath of conductive material attachable to a power source such as a battery or generator to transmit power via the conductive sheath of the fiber. Methods to transmit power via an optical fiber, together with fiber optic networks are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2006Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Chuck Stahulak, Bruce Barnes, Wayne Heinmiller, Shadi Khoshaba, Nikhil Marathe, Henry Towster