Patents by Inventor John Alson Hicks

John Alson Hicks 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: 11354385
    Abstract: Tools and techniques for performing life cycle management of user-selected applications on wireless communications devices are described herein. In part, the tools provide machine-readable media for presenting to the subscriber a list of available applications for installation on the device, and for receiving selections from the subscriber of one or more of the applications. Additionally, the tools provide methods for selling advertising space on the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Douglas R. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 11315407
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products notify of alarms associated with security systems. An alarm is detected by an alarm controller, and an alarm message is sent to notify of the alarm. The alarm message identifies a unique network address assigned to the alarm controller. The alarm controller then receives a Voice-over Internet Protocol call to the unique network address to verify the alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 10937282
    Abstract: A security system notifies of an alarm situation. The security system has two separate communications paths. When the alarm situation is determined, the security system may select one of the two separate communications paths based on performance, cost, urgency, and other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10529204
    Abstract: Remote notification of alarms improves security. When an alarm is detected by a security system, a notification message is sent to notify a user or emergency responder. If video data is requested, only certain locations are permitted access to outputs from cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Nicholas S. Huslak, James Aromando, Michael D. Cercena, Francis John Connell, Mark W. Mueller, Deva-Datta Sharma, J. Kirk Shrewsbury
  • Patent number: 10453316
    Abstract: A sensor associated with a security system determines an electrically open circuit. An identifier identifies the open circuit, which may then be used to retrieve video data trained to a surveillance area associated with the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Publication number: 20190304269
    Abstract: Personalized notifications of security events are sent. When an alarm condition is determined, a remote notification address may be retrieved. Personalized text may also be retrieved that describes the alarm condition. A notification message may thus be sent to the remote notification address, with the personalized text describing the alarm condition in a user's own words. The personalized text may then be converted to speech, thus providing an audible announcement of the alarm condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Publication number: 20190278889
    Abstract: Tools and techniques for performing life cycle management of user-selected applications on wireless communications devices are described herein. In part, the tools provide machine-readable media for presenting to the subscriber a list of available applications for installation on the device, and for receiving selections from the subscriber of one or more of the applications. Additionally, the tools provide methods for selling advertising space on the devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Douglas R. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 10373453
    Abstract: Personalized notifications of security events are sent. When an alarm condition is determined, a remote notification address may be retrieved. Personalized text may also be retrieved that describes the alarm condition. A notification message may thus be sent to the remote notification address, with the personalized text describing the alarm condition in a user's own words. The personalized text may then be converted to speech, thus providing an audible announcement of the alarm condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 10347103
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products notify of alarms in security systems. Sensor data is received from an alarm sensor, and an alarm controller determines an alarm condition. Video data associated with the alarm sensor is retrieved. An alarm message may be sent over a wireless network connection, while the video data may be sent over a wireline broadband connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Publication number: 20190188994
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products notify of alarms associated with security systems. An alarm is detected by an alarm controller, and an alarm message is sent to notify of the alarm. The alarm message identifies a unique network address assigned to the alarm controller. The alarm controller then receives a Voice-over Internet Protocol call to the unique network address to verify the alarm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 10303858
    Abstract: Tools and techniques for performing life cycle management of user-selected applications on wireless communications devices are described herein. In part, the tools provide machine-readable media for presenting to the subscriber a list of available applications for installation on the device, and for receiving selections from the subscriber of one or more of the applications. Additionally, the tools provide methods for selling advertising space on the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Douglas R. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 10262523
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products notify of alarms associated with security systems. An alarm is detected by an alarm controller, and an alarm message is sent to notify of the alarm. The alarm message identifies a unique network address assigned to the alarm controller. The alarm controller then receives a Voice-over Internet Protocol call to the unique network address to verify the alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 10200505
    Abstract: Distribution schemes for subscriber-created content are described. Subscribers create and upload content for distribution to communities of recipients. The recipients join the communities in response to invitations from the subscribers. When connections to devices associated with the recipients are detected, any content due for delivery to the recipients is distributed. Systems supporting these distribution schemes may include content distribution modules that receive the content from the subscribers, and that provide corresponding content notifications. Content storage modules store the uploaded subscriber content. In response to the content notifications, notification modules notify the recipients that the content is available. Presence modules detect the connections to the devices, and provide corresponding device notifications. In response to the device notifications, device management modules provide recipient notifications, which associate recipients with the detected devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas R. O'Neil, John Alson Hicks, III
  • Publication number: 20180247518
    Abstract: A security system notifies of an alarm situation. The security system has two separate communications paths. When the alarm situation is determined, the security system may select one of the two separate communications paths based on performance, cost, urgency, and other factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 10045399
    Abstract: Integrated voice and data services are provided that utilize wired cordless access with unlicensed/unregulated connectivity sources. A digital cordless telephone operates over unlicensed/unregulated spectrum in conjunction with one or more wireless access points (WAPs) that are installed in homes, businesses, entertainment venues, and the like. The WAPs are connected to a communications service provider's broadband packet data network. A user may use the device when they are in range of another wireless access point in a public or private building that also is connected to their communications service provider's broadband packet data network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Gregory Nelson Patterson, William L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180204434
    Abstract: A sensor associated with a security system determines an electrically open circuit. An identifier identifies the open circuit, which may then be used to retrieve video data trained to a surveillance area associated with the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 9990835
    Abstract: A security system notifies of an alarm situation. The security system has two separate communications paths. When the alarm situation is determined, the security system may select one of the two separate communications paths based on performance, cost, urgency, and other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Publication number: 20180151041
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products notify of alarms in security systems. Sensor data is received from an alarm sensor, and an alarm controller determines an alarm condition. Video data associated with the alarm sensor is retrieved. An alarm message may be sent over a wireless network connection, while the video data may be sent over a wireline broadband connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 9953500
    Abstract: A sensor associated with a security system determines an electrically open circuit. An identifier identifies the open circuit, which may then be used to retrieve video data trained to a surveillance area associated with the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III