Patents by Inventor James A. Worsham

James A. Worsham 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: 10540887
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products bridge wireless data transmissions with power-line communications. Should a failure occur in alternating current power, a backup battery maintains the power-line communications. Direct current battery power is used to power a wireless transceiver, thus maintaining both wireless data transmissions and communication during power failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Brett Davis, Glenn Howell, Robin Thomas, James A. Worsham, Randy S. Zimler
  • Publication number: 20170032664
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products bridge wireless data transmissions with power-line communications. Should a failure occur in alternating current power, a backup battery maintains the power-line communications. Direct current battery power is used to power a wireless transceiver, thus maintaining both wireless data transmissions and communication during power failures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Brett Davis, Glenn Howell, Robin Thomas, James A. Worsham, Randy S. Zimler
  • Patent number: 9495865
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products bridge wireless data transmissions with power-line communications. Should a failure occur in alternating current power, a backup battery maintains the power-line communications. Direct current battery power is used to power a wireless transceiver, thus maintaining both wireless data transmissions and communication during power failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Brett Davis, Glenn Howell, Robin Thomas, James A. Worsham, Randy S. Zimler
  • Publication number: 20160148499
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products bridge wireless data transmissions with power-line communications. Should a failure occur in alternating current power, a backup battery maintains the power-line communications. Direct current battery power is used to power a wireless transceiver, thus maintaining both wireless data transmissions and communication during power failures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Brett Davis, Glenn Howell, Robin Thomas, James A. Worsham, Randy S. Zimler
  • Patent number: 8995919
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first transmission from a device, the first transmission transmitted at a first frequency. In response to receiving the first transmission, a transceiver is disabled and a second transmission is transmitted to the device, the second transmission transmitted at a second frequency. The method further includes receiving a third transmission from the device, the third transmission transmitted at the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randy Zimler, George B. Bolam, James A. Worsham, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8599867
    Abstract: Communication environment switchover may be provided. A received signal strength level may be determined corresponding to a signal sent from a first device and received at a second device. The received signal strength level may be measured at the second device. In addition, the first device may be re-provisioned. For example, the first device may be re-provisioned to communicate in a second environment if the first device is provisioned to communicate in a first environment and if the received signal strength level is greater than a first threshold value. Furthermore, the first device to be re-provisioned to communicate in the first environment if the first device is provisioned to communicate in the second environment and if the received signal strength level is less than a second threshold value. The second threshold value may be less than the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, James A. Worsham, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130157577
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first transmission from a device, the first transmission transmitted at a first frequency. In response to receiving the first transmission, a transceiver is disabled and a second transmission is transmitted to the device, the second transmission transmitted at a second frequency. The method further includes receiving a third transmission from the device, the third transmission transmitted at the second frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Randy Zimler, George B. Bolam, James A. Worsham, JR.
  • Patent number: 8351444
    Abstract: Communication environment switchover may be provided. A received signal strength level may be determined corresponding to a signal sent from a first device and received at a second device. The received signal strength level may be measured at the second device. In addition, the first device may be re-provisioned. For example, the first device may be re-provisioned to communicate in a second environment if the first device is provisioned to communicate in a first environment and if the received signal strength level is greater than a first threshold value. Furthermore, the first device to be re-provisioned to communicate in the first environment if the first device is provisioned to communicate in the second environment and if the received signal strength level is less than a second threshold value. The second threshold value may be less than the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, James A. Worsham, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7711102
    Abstract: A Service Control Point (SCP) has a call list associated with the main telephone number of a called party. When a calling party attempts to contact the called party by calling the main number, but cannot reach the main number, a Service Switching Point (SSP) fires a trigger. One trigger is a T_No_Answer trigger, which is fired in response to a call to the main number that is not answered within a predefined number of rings. Another trigger is a T_Busy trigger that is fired in response to a call to the main number that is made when the main number is busy. Each trigger causes the SCP to access the call list and to cause the SSP to ring an alternative telephone number associated with the main telephone number. If this attempt to reach the called party also fails, then the SSP again fires the trigger and an attempt is made to connect the calling party to the next number on the call list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James A. Worsham, David A. Levine, Greg N. Patterson, Zhiqiang Zeeman Zhang, Sunil H. Contractor, Ping Song
  • Publication number: 20100074228
    Abstract: Communication environment switchover may be provided. A received signal strength level may be determined corresponding to a signal sent from a first device and received at a second device. The received signal strength level may be measured at the second device. In addition, the first device may be re-provisioned. For example, the first device may be re-provisioned to communicate in a second environment if the first device is provisioned to communicate in a first environment and if the received signal strength level is greater than a first threshold value. Furthermore, the first device to be re-provisioned to communicate in the first environment if the first device is provisioned to communicate in the second environment and if the received signal strength level is less than a second threshold value. The second threshold value may be less than the first threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, James A. Worsham, JR.
  • Patent number: 7646777
    Abstract: Communication environment switchover may be provided. A received signal strength level may be determined corresponding to a signal sent from a first device and received at a second device. The received signal strength level may be measured at the second device. In addition, the first device may be re-provisioned. For example, the first device may be re-provisioned to communicate in a second environment if the first device is provisioned to communicate in a first environment and if the received signal strength level is greater than a first threshold value. Furthermore, the first device to be re-provisioned to communicate in the first environment if the first device is provisioned to communicate in the second environment and if the received signal strength level is less than a second threshold value. The second threshold value may be less than the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, James A. Worsham, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20070165827
    Abstract: A Service Control Point (SCP) has a call list associated with the main telephone number of a called party. When a calling party attempts to contact the called party by calling the main number, but cannot reach the main number, a Service Switching Point (SSP) fires a trigger. One trigger is a T_No_Answer trigger, which is fired in response to a call to the main number that is not answered within a predefined number of rings. Another trigger is a T_Busy trigger that is fired in response to a call to the main number that is made when the main number is busy. Each trigger causes the SCP to access the call list and to cause the SSP to ring an alternative telephone number associated with the main telephone number. If this attempt to reach the called party also fails, then the SSP again fires the trigger and an attempt is made to connect the calling party to the next number on the call list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Worsham, David Levine, Greg Patterson, Zhiqiang Zhang, Sunil Contractor, Ping Song
  • Patent number: 7194080
    Abstract: A Service Control Point (SCP) has a call list associated with the main telephone number of a called party. When a calling party attempts to contact the called party by calling the main number, but cannot reach the main number, a Service Switching Point (SSP) fires a trigger. One trigger is a T_No_Answer trigger, which is fired in response to a call to the main number that is not answered within a predefined number of rings. Another trigger is a T_Busy trigger that is fired in response to a call to the main number that is made when the main number is busy. Each trigger causes the SCP to access the call list and to cause the SSP to ring an alternative telephone number associated with the main telephone number. If this attempt to reach the called party also fails, then the SSP again fires the trigger and an attempt is made to connect the calling party to the next number on the call list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Worsham, David A. Levine, Greg N. Patterson, Zhiqiang Zeeman Zhang, Sunil H. Contractor, Ping Song
  • Publication number: 20070026862
    Abstract: Communication environment switchover may be provided. A received signal strength level may be determined corresponding to a signal sent from a first device and received at a second device. The received signal strength level may be measured at the second device. In addition, the first device may be re-provisioned. For example, the first device may be re-provisioned to communicate in a second environment if the first device is provisioned to communicate in a first environment and if the received signal strength level is greater than a first threshold value. Furthermore, the first device to be re-provisioned to communicate in the first environment if the first device is provisioned to communicate in the second environment and if the received signal strength level is less than a second threshold value. The second threshold value may be less than the first threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: John Hicks, James Worsham
  • Patent number: 7035385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring and intercepting messages to a voicemail system connected to an AIN or WIN network for screening calls incoming to a landline or wireless telephone. After a call is forwarded to voicemail system, the called party is provided an opportunity to monitor a message as it is spoken into a voicemail system. The called party may intercept the message at any time during delivery of the message to answer the telephone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Levine, Greg N. Patterson, James Worsham, Zhigiang Zeeman Zhang
  • Patent number: 6868268
    Abstract: An audio calling name and calling number delivery method is disclosed. When a call is made from a calling party telephone to a called party telephone, a message is sent from an originating service switching point (SSP) associated with the calling party telephone to a terminating mobile switching center (MSC) associated with the wireless called party telephone. Typically, the message comprises the directory number of the calling party telephone. A wireless trigger is tripped at the terminating MSC and, in response, a query is sent to a service control point (SCP). A home location register (HLR) associated with the wireless telephone is queried to determine whether the wireless telephone is available. If the wireless telephone is available, then a name and a number associated with the calling party telephone is forwarded to a service node. The service node places a call to the wireless telephone and an audio annunciation of the name and the number is played to the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Worsham, David A. Levine, Greg N. Patterson, Zhiqiang Zeeman Zhang
  • Publication number: 20040258220
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring and intercepting messages to a voicemail system connected to an AIN or WIN network for screening calls incoming to a landline or wireless telephone. After a call is forwarded to voicemail system, the called party is provided an opportunity to monitor a message as it is spoken into a voicemail system. The called party may intercept the message at any time during delivery of the message to answer the telephone call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: David A. Levine, Greg N. Patterson, James Worsham, Zhigiang Zeeman Zhang
  • Patent number: 6816582
    Abstract: A Service Control Point (SCP) has a call list associated with the main telephone number of a called party. When a calling party attempts to contact the called party by calling the main number, a Service Switching Point (SSP) or a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) fires a trigger. The trigger causes the SCP to access the call list and to cause the SSP/MSC to simultaneously ring the main (called) telephone number and at least one alternative telephone number associated with the main telephone number. A simultaneous ring service subscriber can remotely access the SCP to modify a call list, to add or delete a call list and to select an active call list. When a subscriber has multiple call lists, the subscriber can set account parameters to automatically select the active call list, based on various call factors, such as call time and calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Levine, Gregory N. Patterson, James A. Worsham, Z. Zeeman Zhang
  • Publication number: 20030063733
    Abstract: A Service Control Point (SCP) has a call list associated with the main telephone number of a called party. When a calling party attempts to contact the called party by calling the main number, a Service Switching Point (SSP) or a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) fires a trigger. The trigger causes the SCP to access the call list and to cause the SSP/MSC to simultaneously ring the main (called) telephone number and at least one alternative telephone number associated with the main telephone number. A simultaneous ring service subscriber can remotely access the SCP to modify a call list, to add or delete a call list and to select an active call list. When a subscriber has multiple call lists, the subscriber can set account parameters to automatically select the active call list, based on various call factors, such as call time and calling party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: David A. Levine, Gregory N. Patterson, James A. Worsham, Z. Zeeman Zhang
  • Publication number: 20030002645
    Abstract: A Service Control Point (SCP) has a call list associated with the main telephone number of a called party. When a calling party attempts to contact the called party by calling the main number, but cannot reach the main number, a Service Switching Point (SSP) fires a trigger. One trigger is a T_No_Answer trigger, which is fired in response to a call to the main number that is not answered within a predefined number of rings. Another trigger is a T_Busy trigger that is fired in response to a call to the main number that is made when the main number is busy. Each trigger causes the SCP to access the call list and to cause the SSP to ring an alternative telephone number associated with the main telephone number. If this attempt to reach the called party also fails, then the SSP again fires the trigger and an attempt is made to connect the calling party to the next number on the call list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Worsham, David A. Levine, Greg N. Patterson, Zhiqiang Zeeman Zhang, Sunil H. Contractor, Ping Song