Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Sweeney

Jeffrey Sweeney 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: 9866666
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and method for providing call gating. For example, in one embodiment, a femto cell is disclosed that includes a processing unit configured to execute instructions to perform operations comprising: enabling a call gating function associated with a cellular device in response to receiving an activation signal from the cellular device, monitoring for an incoming call to the cellular device in response to enabling the call gating function associated with the cellular device; identifying a caller ID associated with an incoming call in response to receiving an incoming call to the cellular device; determining whether the caller ID is on a list of allowed caller IDs associated with the cellular device; and routing the incoming call to the cellular device in response to a determination that the caller ID is on the list of allowed caller IDs associated with the cellular device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn D. S. Rooks, Jeffrey Stafford
  • Patent number: 9357065
    Abstract: An embodiment of a system for transmitting an audio signal over a voice channel of a voice communication session includes a base station. The base station includes an audio player docking station configured for coupling the base station with an audio player device, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to establish a voice communication session between the base station and a communication device. The voice communication session has a voice channel for carrying voice data between the base station and the communication device. The at least one processor is further configured to receive a user input including a request for an audio signal from the audio player device, and send the audio signal request to the audio player device. The at least one processor is further configured to receive the requested audio signal from the audio player device, and mix the audio signal into the voice channel of the voice communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn Rooks
  • Patent number: 9307037
    Abstract: A system and method for providing enhanced event planning capabilities including receiving information regarding an invitee. The invitee information may be stored for later use. The presence of the invitee at an event may be detected. In response to the detected presence, information may be communicated to a communications device associated with the invitee regarding the event, using the stored invitee information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn Rooks, Jeff Stafford
  • Patent number: 9148759
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for performing automated events using a multi-wireless detection device service platform. For example, in one embodiment, a method for performing automated events in an office environment is disclosed. The method may include logging, by the office management system, a user onto a network data processing system located within an office within the office environment using an account associated with the user in response to receiving a notification message from a wireless detection device. In one embodiment, the communication between the wireless detection device and the office management system to log the user onto the network data processing system located within the office is performed in response to a user-initiated request that indicates that the wireless device is within the office.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn Rooks
  • Patent number: 8983488
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and a method for providing location-based services to consumers of a shopping facility. In one embodiment, a consumer creates a user account, user profile, and registers one or mobile devices. The system monitors for the presence of the registered mobile devices within one or more shopping facilities. The system transmits advertising material corresponding to the user created profile to a detected registered mobile device in response to the registered mobile device being within a specified range of a store associated with the user created profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn Rooks
  • Publication number: 20140256359
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for performing automated events using a multi-wireless detection device service platform. For example, in one embodiment, a method for performing automated events in an office environment is disclosed. The method may include logging, by the office management system, a user onto a network data processing system located within an office within the office environment using an account associated with the user in response to receiving a notification message from a wireless detection device. In one embodiment, the communication between the wireless detection device and the office management system to log the user onto the network data processing system located within the office is performed in response to a user-initiated request that indicates that the wireless device is within the office.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn Rooks
  • Patent number: 8791817
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for monitoring a location is presented. The method includes monitoring one or more entryways of a building to detect when an entryway of the building is being opened and responsive to detecting an entryway of the building being opened, the method monitors for a presence of one or more wireless devices within a range of a residential wireless access point located within the building. In response to detecting the presence a wireless device within the range of the residential wireless access point, the method identifies an identifier associated with the wireless device. The method determines whether the identifier associated with the wireless device is registered with the residential wireless access point and responsive to the identifier associated with the wireless device being unregistered with the residential wireless access point, the method performs a user-specified event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn D. S. Rooks
  • Patent number: 8768317
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for performing automated events using a multi-wireless detection device service platform. For example, in one embodiment, a method for performing automated events in an office environment is disclosed. The method may include logging, by the office management system, a user onto a network data processing system located within an office within the office environment using an account associated with the user in response to receiving a notification message from a wireless detection device. In one embodiment, the communication between the wireless detection device and the office management system to log the user onto the network data processing system located within the office is performed in response to a user-initiated request that indicates that the wireless device is within the office.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Keslyn Rooks
  • Patent number: 8750905
    Abstract: A method and database management system for controlling the operability of a mobile communications device. A geographic location of a vehicle is determined. A position of the mobile communications device with in the vehicle is determined. Conditional parameters of the mobile communications device are determined. Database records correlating location information with restrictions are accessed. A determination is made whether use of the mobile communications device should be restricted within the vehicle in response to the geographical location, the position of the mobile communications device within the vehicle, the conditional parameters, and the database records The capabilities of the mobile communications device are configured in response to the restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jamie Christopher Howarter, Charles Michael Lesher, Jeffrey Sweeney, Robert J. Morrill, Heather Ann Hull
  • Publication number: 20140051411
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and method for providing call gating. For example, in one embodiment, a femto cell is disclosed that includes a processing unit configured to execute instructions to perform operations comprising: enabling a call gating function associated with a cellular device in response to receiving an activation signal from the cellular device, monitoring for an incoming call to the cellular device in response to enabling the call gating function associated with the cellular device; identifying a caller ID associated with an incoming call in response to receiving an incoming call to the cellular device; determining whether the caller ID is on a list of allowed caller IDs associated with the cellular device; and routing the incoming call to the cellular device in response to a determination that the caller ID is on the list of allowed caller IDs associated with the cellular device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn D.S. Rooks, Jeffrey Stafford
  • Patent number: 8655334
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for configuring a communication device. In one embodiment, a method is presented that includes monitoring for a presence of at least one mobile device that stores a user profile. In response to the communication device detecting the presence of at least one mobile device that stores a user profile, the method retrieves the user profile from the mobile device. The method configures the communication device in accordance with the user profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Kelsyn D. S. Rooks, Jeffrey Sweeney, Mark Wilmoth, Kendra Dwyer, Shekhar Gupta
  • Patent number: 8583078
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for managing cellular usage in controlled areas. For example, in one embodiment, a cellular monitoring system communicates with one or more femto cells located within a controlled area for detecting the presence of unauthorized cellular devices or for monitoring the usage of cellular devices within the controlled area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn D. S. Rooks, Jeff Stafford
  • Publication number: 20130290060
    Abstract: A system and method for providing travel-related information. A calendar application is monitored for travel-related appointments. Travel-related information associated with a location of the travel-related appointment is retrieved in response to identifying the travel-related appointment. The travel-related information including travel time information is automatically updated in response to determining there are changes to the travel-related information. The travel-related information is communicated to a user. The travel-related information is communicated again in response to automatically updating the travel-related information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Shekhar Gupta, Kelsyn D.S. Rooks, Jeffrey Sweeney, Mark Wilmoth, Kendra Dwyer
  • Patent number: 8571532
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and method for providing cellular call gating. For example, in one embodiment, a femto cell is disclosed that includes a transceiver configured to send and receive signals associated with a registered cellular device; a processing unit configured to execute instructions to enable call gating function associated with the registered cellular device; a network interface configured to receive an incoming call to the registered cellular device; a caller identification module configured to identifying a caller ID associated with the incoming call; a data storage unit containing a list of allowed caller IDs associated with the registered cellular device; and a call gating module configured to route the incoming call to the registered cellular device if the caller ID associated with the incoming call is on the list of allowed caller IDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn D. S. Rooks, Jeffrey Stafford
  • Publication number: 20130244629
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for performing automated events using a multi-wireless detection device service platform. For example, in one embodiment, a method for performing automated events in an office environment is disclosed. The method may include logging, by the office management system, a user onto a network data processing system located within an office within the office environment using an account associated with the user in response to receiving a notification message from a wireless detection device. In one embodiment, the communication between the wireless detection device and the office management system to log the user onto the network data processing system located within the office is performed in response to a user-initiated request that indicates that the wireless device is within the office.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn Rooks
  • Publication number: 20130237207
    Abstract: A method and database management system for controlling the operability of a mobile communications device. A geographic location of a vehicle is determined. A position of the mobile communications device with in the vehicle is determined. Conditional parameters of the mobile communications device are determined. Database records correlating location information with restrictions are accessed. A determination is made whether use of the mobile communications device should be restricted within the vehicle in response to the geographical location, the position of the mobile communications device within the vehicle, the conditional parameters, and the database records The capabilities of the mobile communications device are configured in response to the restrictions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jamie Christopher Howarter, Charles Michael Lesher, Jeffrey Sweeney, Robert J. Morrill, Heather Hull
  • Patent number: 8489090
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing wireless service to devices located onboard an aircraft. For example, in one embodiment, a wireless base station is utilized onboard an aircraft for providing non-roaming cellular services to cellular devices onboard the aircraft. In addition, in some embodiments, the wireless base station may provide Internet access to Internet accessible devices located onboard the aircraft. Additionally, in some embodiments, the wireless base station is interfaced with an existing air-to-ground cellular transmission system of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Kelsyn D. S. Rooks, Jeffrey Sweeney
  • Patent number: 8457887
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing travel-related information associated with a calendar appointment is presented. The method comprises monitoring a calendar application for travel-related appointments. In response to identifying a travel-related appointment, the method retrieves travel-related information associated with a location of the travel-related appointment and provides the travel-related information to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Shekhar Gupta, Kelsyn D. S. Rooks, Jeffrey Sweeney, Mark Wilmoth, Kendra Dwyer
  • Patent number: 8447277
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for performing automated events using a multi-femto cell service platform. For example, in one embodiment, one or more femto cells may communicate directly with each other in a decentralized network for performing user specified actions based on the detection of a cellular device. In other embodiments, the multi-femto cell platform may include a central server for controlling, managing, and monitoring the plurality of femto cells. Additionally, in some embodiments, a multi-femto cell platform may be utilized in an office environment to perform automated events within the office environment, such as, but not limited to, automatically logging a user on and off of a network device based on the presence of a cellular device corresponding to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn Rooks
  • Patent number: 8433343
    Abstract: A method and database management system for controlling the operability of a mobile communications device. A geographical location of a vehicle may be determined. A database comprising records correlating location information with mobile communications device laws may be accessed. Based upon the determined geographical location and accessed database record, a determination may be made as to whether the use of a mobile communications device within the vehicle should be restricted. The capabilities of the mobile communications device that are currently available may be configured, in response to the restriction determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jamie Christopher Howarter, Charles Michael Lesher, Jeffrey Sweeney, Robert J. Morrill, Heather Hull