Patents by Inventor Jerald Robert Howcroft
Jerald Robert Howcroft 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: 11558278Abstract: In one example, a method and apparatus for initiating internet connection speed tests in residential gateways are disclosed. In one example, the method initiates, by a residential gateway of a subscriber premises, a test of an internet connection speed associated with the subscriber premises, such that the residential gateway and a test server are endpoints for an exchange of test data. A speed of the exchange of the test data is then measured.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventor: Jerald Robert Howcroft
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Patent number: 10805675Abstract: A method and system for remote viewing of multimedia content using a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) is configured to duplicate multimedia content displayed on a first MCDN terminal device and route the duplicate multimedia content to a second MCDN terminal device. The MCDN terminal devices may be coupled to a local network at an MCDN client premises. The MCDN terminal devices may also include wireless telephony devices for mobile remote viewing functionality. The method may include transcoding of the multimedia content into a format suitable for the second MCDN terminal device.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Jerald Robert Howcroft, Michael Raftelis
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Patent number: 10587912Abstract: A method includes receiving search criteria generated based on interest information associated with a user and identifying a syndicated feed associated with the interest information. The method also includes generating additional search criteria based on content of the syndicated feed, wherein the additional search criteria includes a keyword identified by the syndicated feed. The method further includes performing a search of on-demand media content, based on the search criteria, the additional search criteria, and metadata associated with the on-demand media content. The method also includes storing a particular on-demand program identified by the search at a memory of the media recording device.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Jerald Robert Howcroft, Stephanie Karasick Acuna, Alyssa L. Williams
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Publication number: 20190335236Abstract: A method and system for remote viewing of multimedia content using a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) is configured to duplicate multimedia content displayed on a first MCDN terminal device and route the duplicate multimedia content to a second MCDN terminal device. The MCDN terminal devices may be coupled to a local network at an MCDN client premises. The MCDN terminal devices may also include wireless telephony devices for mobile remote viewing functionality. The method may include transcoding of the multimedia content into a format suitable for the second MCDN terminal device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Jerald Robert Howcroft, Michael Raftelis
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Patent number: 10397648Abstract: A method and system for remote viewing of multimedia content using a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) is configured to duplicate multimedia content displayed on a first MCDN terminal device and route the duplicate multimedia content to a second MCDN terminal device. The MCDN terminal devices may be coupled to a local network at an MCDN client premises. The MCDN terminal devices may also include wireless telephony devices for mobile remote viewing functionality. The method may include transcoding of the multimedia content into a format suitable for the second MCDN terminal device.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Jerald Robert Howcroft, Michael Raftelis
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Publication number: 20180331938Abstract: In one example, a method and apparatus for initiating internet connection speed tests in residential gateways are disclosed. In one example, the method initiates, by a residential gateway of a subscriber premises, a test of an internet connection speed associated with the subscriber premises, such that the residential gateway and a test server are endpoints for an exchange of test data. A speed of the exchange of the test data is then measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventor: Jerald Robert Howcroft
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Patent number: 10044743Abstract: The present disclosure provides a computer-readable medium, method and system for determining security vulnerabilities for a plurality of application programs used to provide television services to a customer device over a communications network. The method includes running a first scanning program against a first application program relating to a control panel for the customer device; running a second scanning program against a second application program that provides Internet content to the customer device; running a third scanning program against a third application program that relates to a component management system of customer premises equipment; and correlating security vulnerabilities identified utilizing the first, second, and third scanning programs.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Jerald Robert Howcroft, John J. Markley, Rocco A. Del Carmine
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Patent number: 10033621Abstract: In one example, a method and apparatus for initiating Internet connection speed tests in residential gateways are disclosed. In one example, the method initiates, by a residential gateway of a subscriber premises, a test of an internet connection speed associated with the subscriber premises, such that the residential gateway and a test server are endpoints for an exchange of test data. A speed of the exchange of the test data is then measured.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventor: Jerald Robert Howcroft
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Publication number: 20180160175Abstract: A method and system for remote viewing of multimedia content using a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) is configured to duplicate multimedia content displayed on a first MCDN terminal device and route the duplicate multimedia content to a second MCDN terminal device. The MCDN terminal devices may be coupled to a local network at an MCDN client premises. The MCDN terminal devices may also include wireless telephony devices for mobile remote viewing functionality. The method may include transcoding of the multimedia content into a format suitable for the second MCDN terminal device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Jerald Robert Howcroft, Michael Raftelis
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Patent number: 9918125Abstract: A method and system for remote viewing of multimedia content using a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) is configured to duplicate multimedia content displayed on a first MCDN terminal device and route the duplicate multimedia content to a second MCDN terminal device. The MCDN terminal devices may be coupled to a local network at an MCDN client premises. The MCDN terminal devices may also include wireless telephony devices for mobile remote viewing functionality. The method may include transcoding of the multimedia content into a format suitable for the second MCDN terminal device.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Jerald Robert Howcroft, Michael Raftelis
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Publication number: 20170171054Abstract: In one example, a method and apparatus for initiating Internet connection speed tests in residential gateways are disclosed. In one example, the method initiates, by a residential gateway of a subscriber premises, a test of an internet connection speed associated with the subscriber premises, such that the residential gateway and a test server are endpoints for an exchange of test data. A speed of the exchange of the test data is then measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2015Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventor: JERALD ROBERT HOWCROFT
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Publication number: 20170164039Abstract: A method includes receiving search criteria generated based on interest information associated with a user and identifying a syndicated feed associated with the interest information. The method also includes generating additional search criteria based on content of the syndicated feed, wherein the additional search criteria includes a keyword identified by the syndicated feed. The method further includes performing a search of on-demand media content, based on the search criteria, the additional search criteria, and metadata associated with the on-demand media content. The method also includes storing a particular on-demand program identified by the search at a memory of the media recording device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Jerald Robert Howcroft, Stephanie Karasick Acuna, Alyssa L. Williams
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Patent number: 9648379Abstract: A particular method includes receiving search criteria and storage criteria associated with a user. Based on the search criteria, a search of program content metadata associated with programs is performed. The method further includes identifying, based on the search, one or more particular programs that satisfy the search criteria. The method includes determining whether the storage criteria would be satisfied if the one or more particular programs were recorded. The method includes, in response to determining that the storage criteria would not be satisfied if the one or more particular programs were recorded, sending a notification to the user indicating that the storage criteria would not be satisfied. In response to determining that the storage criteria would be satisfied if the one or more particular programs were recorded, automatically scheduling recordings of the one or more particular programs.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2012Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Jerald Robert Howcroft, Stephanie Karasick Acuna, Alyssa L. Williams
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Patent number: 9628786Abstract: A method of indicating video content quality is disclosed that includes receiving performance data at a video content quality server from a set-top box device. The performance data may include values of a plurality of video content quality parameters. The method also includes generating a graphical user interface indicating a quality of video content received at the set-top box device. The graphical user interface may include the values of each of the plurality of video content quality parameters. Further, the method includes sending data corresponding to the graphical user interface from the video content quality server to the set-top box device. The method may include the video content quality server receiving a request from the set-top box device to send the data corresponding to the graphical user interface.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Jerald Robert Howcroft, Zhi Li, John McClenny
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Publication number: 20160269776Abstract: A method and system for remote viewing of multimedia content using a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) is configured to duplicate multimedia content displayed on a first MCDN terminal device and route the duplicate multimedia content to a second MCDN terminal device. The MCDN terminal devices may be coupled to a local network at an MCDN client premises. The MCDN terminal devices may also include wireless telephony devices for mobile remote viewing functionality. The method may include transcoding of the multimedia content into a format suitable for the second MCDN terminal device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: JERALD ROBERT HOWCROFT, MICHAEL RAFTELIS
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Patent number: 9374627Abstract: A method and system for remote viewing of multimedia content using a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) is configured to duplicate multimedia content displayed on a first MCDN terminal device and route the duplicate multimedia content to a second MCDN terminal device. The MCDN terminal devices may be coupled to a local network at an MCDN client premises. The MCDN terminal devices may also include wireless telephony devices for mobile remote viewing functionality. The method may include transcoding of the multimedia content into a format suitable for the second MCDN terminal device.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LPInventors: Jerald Robert Howcroft, Michael Raftelis
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Publication number: 20160080409Abstract: The present disclosure provides a computer-readable medium, method and system for determining security vulnerabilities for a plurality of application programs used to provide television services to a customer device over a communications network. The method includes running a first scanning program against a first application program relating to a control panel for the customer device; running a second scanning program against a second application program that provides Internet content to the customer device; running a third scanning program against a third application program that relates to a component management system of customer premises equipment; and correlating security vulnerabilities identified utilizing the first, second, and third scanning programs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Jerald Robert Howcroft, John J. Markley, Rocco A. Del Carmine
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Patent number: 9197659Abstract: The present disclosure provides a computer-readable medium, method and system for determining security vulnerabilities for a plurality of application programs used to provide television services to a customer device over a communications network. The method includes running a first scanning program against a first application program relating to a control panel for the customer device; running a second scanning program against a second application program that provides Internet content to the customer device; running a third scanning program against a third application program that relates to a component management system of customer premises equipment; and correlating security vulnerabilities identified utilizing the first, second, and third scanning programs.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Jerald Robert Howcroft, John J. Markley, Rocco A. Del Carmine
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Patent number: 9160970Abstract: Systems and methods to validate restriction event control streams sent to a video distribution system are provided. A particular method includes receiving a control stream and determining whether the control stream is valid based on a comparison of first restriction event information included in the control stream to second restriction event information stored in a mapping table.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventor: Jerald Robert Howcroft
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Patent number: 8839308Abstract: A method includes transmitting media content to a set-top box. The media content includes an advertisement having a selectable reminder indicator related to an event. The method further includes receiving an input selection related to the selectable reminder indicator from the set-top box, sending a first menu to the set-top box including at least one option to schedule a reminder associated with the event, and sending a second menu to the set-top box in response to receiving a selection of the at least one option. The second menu includes a device menu including an option to specify a device order in which to send the reminder to a plurality of devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventor: Jerald Robert Howcroft