Patents by Inventor James H. Pratt

James H. Pratt 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).

  • Publication number: 20180314757
    Abstract: Directional sound location is used to determine security events of a security system. A sound sensor reports a vector direction to a sound source of an acoustic signal. If the vector direction is historically observed at similar times, then perhaps the sound source is not considered a security event. However, if the vector direction is unknown or unfamiliar, the security system may infer the security event and notify emergency services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicants: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P., AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: James H. Pratt, Steven Belz, Michael Lattanzi, Constance Missimer
  • Publication number: 20180284773
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a monitored space include producing a first audio signal from received acoustic energy. The first audio signal is then processed against a whitelist of acoustic profiles and, based on lack of substantial correspondence with any of the acoustic profiles, a drone is navigated toward an apparent position of an apparent source. While in-flight, additional acoustic energy is received and a second audio signal is produced from the additional acoustic energy. The second audio signal is processed against the whitelist and, based on lack of substantial correspondence with any of the acoustic profiles of the whitelist, an investigate mode of the drone is initiated. The investigate mode includes notifying a remote monitor and supplying the remote monitor with an audiovisual feed. Responsive to a characterization by the remote monitor, an entry of the whitelist may be updated, added or replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: James H. Pratt, Gregory Edwards
  • Publication number: 20180277136
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a device from a first media device, audio data and image information. The audio information indicates vibrations of an object caused by sound in a vicinity of the object. The method includes generating, at the device, an audio signal based on the audio data. The method includes transmitting the audio signal from the device to a second media device conditioned upon a quality of the audio signal satisfying a threshold. Conditioned upon the quality of the audio signal failing to satisfy the threshold, the method further includes generating audio information based on the vibrations, generating audio content associated with the first media device from the audio information, and transmitting the audio content from the device to the second media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: James H. Pratt, Michael Lattanzi, Steven Belz, Constance Missimer
  • Publication number: 20180247354
    Abstract: A method may include a processor obtaining an authorization to identify electronic purchase confirmation messages in a plurality of electronic messages for a user and to maintain a user purchase profile of the user. The processor may collect the plurality of electronic messages for the user, identifying the electronic purchase confirmation messages in the plurality of electronic messages, and determine a purchase category and a purchase amount from each of the electronic purchase confirmation messages that is identified. The processor may further obtain a verification of the purchase category that is determined from each of the electronic purchase confirmation messages that is identified, update the user purchase profile in accordance with the purchase category and the purchase amount from each of the electronic purchase confirmation messages that is identified, and perform an automated action in accordance with the user purchase profile that is updated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: James H. PRATT, Wiley Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20180232498
    Abstract: In one example, the present disclosure describes a device, computer-readable medium, and method for regulating a user's eating habits. For instance, in one example, a food-related event is detected in the user's vicinity. A response to the food-related event is determined in accordance with a preference of the user. A feedback action is then initiated to evoke a user reaction to the food-related event that is consistent with the response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Greg W. Edwards, James H. Pratt
  • Patent number: 10042925
    Abstract: Directional sound location is used to determine security events of a security system. A sound sensor reports a vector direction to a sound source of an acoustic signal. If the vector direction is historically observed at similar times, then perhaps the sound source is not considered a security event. However, if the vector direction is unknown or unfamiliar, the security system may infer the security event and notify emergency services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignees: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P., AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: James H. Pratt, Steven Belz, Michael Lattanzi, Constance Missimer
  • Patent number: 10015840
    Abstract: A device, non-transitory computer-readable medium, and method for disengaging a corrective action via a wearable unit are disclosed. In one example, a processor may receive a movement model for a type of motion of a user, collect sensor data associated with the type of motion of the user from a plurality of sensors of a wearable unit, and determine that the sensor data is not in accordance with the movement model. The processor may further provide a corrective action via the wearable unit in accordance with the movement model when it is determined that the sensor data is not in accordance with the movement model, detect a triggering condition for disengaging the corrective action, and disengage the corrective action when the triggering condition is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignees: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P., AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: James H. Pratt, Greg W. Edwards, Michael Lattanzi, Constance Missimer
  • Patent number: 10009413
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to collaborative media playback. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a media playback node can receive information for use in determining a start time for playback of media content so that playback of the media content is in sync with playback of the media content by a further playback node. The media playback node also can determine, based at least in part upon the information, the start time for playback of the media content. The media playback node also can initiate playback of the media content at the start time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randolph Wohlert, Milap V. Majmundar, James H. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20180174442
    Abstract: An ultrasonic source controlled by a controller to cause the ultrasonic source to emit one or more sound pulses in a direction of a surface in order to obtain one or more reflected sound pulses that are used to determine one or more properties of the surface. The ultrasonic source receives one or more control signals based on the one or more properties of the surface that are determined. Further, the ultrasonic source emits one or more ultrasonic sound waves in the direction of the surface based upon the one or more control signals. The one or more ultrasonic sound waves exert a force which causes visible particles within a region proximate the surface to move to achieve a desired appearance with respect to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: James H. PRATT, Ari CRAINE, Garrett STETTLER, Marc Andrew SULLIVAN
  • Patent number: 9997169
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a device from a first media device, audio data and image information indicating vibrations of an object. The vibrations are caused by sound in vicinity of the object. The method includes generating audio information based on the image information. The method includes filtering the audio data based on the audio information to generate audio content associated with the first media device. The method further includes transmitting the audio content from the device to a second media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P., AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: James H. Pratt, Michael Lattanzi, Steven Belz, Constance Missimer
  • Publication number: 20180152757
    Abstract: A system for providing video motion augmentation is disclosed. In particular, the system provides mechanisms for analyzing video content, metadata, or a combination thereof, to dynamically enhance and adapt regions of small movements or micro-movements in the video content based on a variety of inputs. The regions of small movements or micro-movements may be enhanced based on device characteristics associated with a device consuming the video content, based on a theme associated with the content, based on sensor data, based on user feedback, and based on a variety of other inputs. For example, motion content in the video content may be enhanced and emphasized based on the display resolution or other device characteristics of a device requesting the video content. Once the enhanced video content is generated based on the inputs, the enhanced content may be provided to the device requesting the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric Zavesky, James E. Jackson, James H. Pratt
  • Patent number: 9984509
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for virtual historical displays. A server computer or other computing device can execute a virtual display service. The virtual display service can obtain behavioral data associated with a geographic location and an activity associated with a user of a user device. The virtual display service can associate the behavioral data with the user device and the geographic location, and detect subsequent activity associated with the geographic location. The virtual display service can determine that the behavioral data is to be shared with a device associated with the subsequent activity. The virtual display service can provide the behavioral data to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc Andrew Sullivan, James H. Pratt, Garrett L. Stettler
  • Publication number: 20180144116
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products authenticate users for access to devices, applications, and services. Skills of a user are learned over time, such that an electronic model of random subject matter may be generated. The user is prompted to interpret the random subject matter, such as with an electronic drawing. The user's interpretation is then compared to the electronic model of the random subject matter. If the user's interpretation matches the electronic model, the user may be authenticated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Li, Troy C. Meuninck, Robert Raymond Miller, II, James H. Pratt, Horst J. Schroeter, Behzad Shahraray
  • Publication number: 20180136325
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products determine electromagnetic reflective characteristics of ambient environments. A wireless communications device sends a cellular impulse and receives reflections of the cellular impulse. The cellular impulse and the reflections of the cellular impulse may be compared to determine the electromagnetic reflective characteristics of an ambient environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Raymond Miller, II, Kevin A. Li, Troy C. Meuninck, James H. Pratt, Horst J. Schroeter, Behzad Shahraray
  • Publication number: 20180103506
    Abstract: A device, non-transitory computer-readable medium, and method for disengaging a corrective action via a wearable unit are disclosed. In one example, a processor may receive a movement model for a type of motion of a user, collect sensor data associated with the type of motion of the user from a plurality of sensors of a wearable unit, and determine that the sensor data is not in accordance with the movement model. The processor may further provide a corrective action via the wearable unit in accordance with the movement model when it is determined that the sensor data is not in accordance with the movement model, detect a triggering condition for disengaging the corrective action, and disengage the corrective action when the triggering condition is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: James H. Pratt, Greg W. Edwards, Michael Lattanzi, Constance Missimer
  • Publication number: 20180096433
    Abstract: A system includes an input processor configured to receive video data from a source, wherein the video data includes identifiable data associated with a first vehicle, an analytics engine in communication with the input processor, wherein the analytics engine in configured to determine the identity of the first vehicle based on the identifiable data, a database in communication with the analytics engine wherein the database contains historical data associated with the first vehicle and the analytics engine uses the historical data in analyzing the video data, and an output processor configured to generate driving metrics based on the analyzed video data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Steven Belz, James H. Pratt, Marc Andrew Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9928731
    Abstract: A controller controls an ultrasonic source to cause the ultrasonic source to emit one or more sound pulses in a direction of a surface in order to obtain reflected sound pulses that are used to determine one or more properties of the surface, receive control signals from the controller, based on the one or more properties of the surface that are determined, and emit ultrasonic sound waves in the direction of the surface based upon the control signals. The ultrasonic sound waves exert a force which causes visible particles within a region proximate the surface to move to achieve a desired appearance with respect to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: James H. Pratt, Ari Craine, Garrett Stettler, Marc Andrew Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9911298
    Abstract: A system for providing awareness of an interactive surface is disclosed. The system may include a processor that is communicatively linked to an interactive surface. The processor may determine a position and a velocity of an object that is within range of the interactive surface based on one or more of media content, vibrations, air movement, sounds and, global positioning data associated with the object. Additionally, the processor may determine if the object has a trajectory that would cause the object to collide with the interactive surface based on the information associated with the object. If the processor determines that the object has a trajectory that would cause the object to collide with the interactive surface, the processor can generate a notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James H. Pratt, Steven M. Belz, Marc A. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20180033337
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for acoustic representations of environments. A processor can execute an acoustic representation service. The processor can receive a request to provide acoustic representation data to a device. The processor can obtain input data from the device. The input data can include captured data. The processor can analyze the input data to recognize an object represented in or by the input data and a path associated with the object. The processor can generate acoustic representation data representing the object and the path, and provide the acoustic representation data to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randolph Wohlert, Milap V. Majmundar, Aaron Bangor, James H. Pratt, Guido Corona
  • Patent number: 9881149
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products authenticate users for access to devices, applications, and services. Skills of a user are learned over time, such that an electronic model of random subject matter may be generated. The user is prompted to interpret the random subject matter, such as with an electronic drawing. The user's interpretation is then compared to the electronic model of the random subject matter. If the user's interpretation matches the electronic model, the user may be authenticated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Li, Troy C. Meuninck, Robert Raymond Miller, II, James H. Pratt, Horst J. Schroeter, Behzad Shahraray