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).

  • Publication number: 20100154008
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to wirelessly download media content to a media device of a vehicle from a point in the media content where a gateway previously stopped downloading the media content to the vehicle media device, where the server is in a reconfigurable master-slave relationship with the gateway, where the server and the gateway are remote from each other and remote from the vehicle, and where the gateway is associated with the vehicle. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Randy Zimler
  • Publication number: 20100146539
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for multimedia-on-demand services. In an embodiment, a multimedia-on-demand system includes a mass storage device that receives and stores a multimedia content item. A processor and a memory are coupled to the mass storage device. The memory can store a multimedia-on-demand data table and multimedia-on-demand instructions. The multimedia-on-demand data table can include a multimedia content identifier field adapted to store a multimedia content identifier, where the multimedia content identifier corresponds to a multimedia content item stored on the mass storage device. The multimedia-on-demand data table can also include a multimedia content usage indicator field adapted to store a multimedia content usage indicator, where the multimedia content usage indicator is associated with the multimedia content item stored on the mass storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Randy Scott Zimler
  • Patent number: 7720040
    Abstract: Seamless wireless mobility is described. In one embodiment, a mobility manager can query a subscriber catalog for a current registration status of handset. The mobility manager can then use the registration status to send a first signal to the handset over either a wireless network or an Internet protocol-based network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas O'Neil, John Alson Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 7711366
    Abstract: Tools and techniques for providing seamless enterprise and consumer mobility are described. More particularly, the tools manage network connections between a communications device and two or more networks. A first network has a first type, and a second network has a second type different type than the first network. When the communications device is proximate the first network, a first device detection signal is generated. Also, a first presence signal is associated with the first network, and varies in response to a condition of a connection between the communications device and the first network. The first presence signal indicates whether the condition of the connection permits an ongoing communication to use the first network. When the condition of the connection does not permit the ongoing communication to continue using the first network, the communication is handed over to the second network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas O'Neil, John Alson Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 7698723
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments describe systems and methods for multimedia-on-demand services. A multimedia-on-demand system includes a mass storage device that receives and stores multimedia content items. Memory couples to the mass storage device and stores a multimedia-on-demand data table and multimedia-on-demand instructions. The multimedia-on-demand data table includes a multimedia content identifier field corresponding to a multimedia content item stored on the mass storage device. The multimedia-on-demand data table may also include a multimedia content usage indicator field associated with the multimedia content item. The multimedia-on-demand instructions are executed by a processor and include instructions to automatically receive the multimedia content items. The multimedia-on-demand instructions also send a multimedia-on-demand usage message based at least in part on the multimedia content usage indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Randy Scott Zimler
  • 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.
  • Publication number: 20100046490
    Abstract: In one embodiment a pico cell may be used to detect a presence of a wireless device and receive a wireless signal from the wireless device. The wireless signal may then be converted from a protocol used by the wireless device to a converted signal in a protocol suitable for use with a broadband connection. The converted signal may then be transmitted over the broadband connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas O'Neil, John Alson Hicks, III
  • 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: 20090296676
    Abstract: Seamless wireless mobility is described. In one embodiment, a mobility manager can query a subscriber catalog for a current registration status of handset. The mobility manager can then use the registration status to send a first signal to the handset over either a wireless network or an Internet protocol-based network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas O'Neil, John Alson Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 7623857
    Abstract: In one embodiment a pico cell may be used to detect a presence of a wireless device and receive a wireless signal from the wireless device. The wireless signal may then be converted from a protocol used by the wireless device to a converted signal in a protocol suitable for use with a broadband connection. The converted signal may then be transmitted over the broadband connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas O'Neil, John Alson Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 7584263
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing computerized services access through a family home page are described. A family home page in a service provider network provides a mechanism for accessing a variety of services, executing on computers that form part of a home network and on computers in the service provider network. A subscriber registers for a particular service and is then provided access by a link being automatically placed on the user's family home page. The actual physical location of the service and the manner in which it operates are transparent to the subscriber. The subscriber may perform functions to control access to the services based on which member of the household logs onto the service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Randy S. Zimler
  • Patent number: 7574207
    Abstract: Seamless wireless mobility is described. In one embodiment, a mobility manager can query a subscriber catalog for a current registration status of a handset. The mobility manager can then use the registration status to send a first signal to the handset over either a wireless network or an Internet protocol-based network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas O'Neil, John Alson Hicks, III
  • Publication number: 20090082071
    Abstract: A system includes an active noise-reducing headset and an alert processor. The active noise reducing headset includes a communication module that establishes a wireless communication link, a microphone that generates a microphone signal in response to ambient noise, a speaker, a noise reduction circuit that generates a noise reduction signal in response to the microphone signal, and a control circuit that receives an incoming alert signal from the communication module and plays the alert signal over the speaker. The alert processor includes a second communication module that establishes the wireless link with the active noise-reducing headset, and a controller that receive an incoming alert signal, generates an alert notification in response to the alert signal, and transmits the alert notification to the active noise-reducing headset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Publication number: 20090058632
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for providing an event alert. According to embodiments, a method for providing an event alert is provided. According to the method, an incoming communication from a first device is detected. An initiating party associated with the first device is identified. Whether the initiating party associated with the first device is further associated with an alert tag is determined. The alert tag may include an identifying alert identifying the initiating party associated with the first device. In response to determining that the initiating party associated with the first device is associated with the alert tag, the identifying alert is provided as the event alert on a second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Publication number: 20040261112
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for multimedia-on-demand services. In an embodiment, a multimedia-on-demand system includes a mass storage device that receives and stores a multimedia content item. A processor and a memory are coupled to the mass storage device. The memory can store a multimedia-on-demand data table and multimedia-on-demand instructions. The multimedia-on-demand data table can include a multimedia content identifier field adapted to store a multimedia content identifier, where the multimedia content identifier corresponds to a multimedia content item stored on the mass storage device. The multimedia-on-demand data table can also include a multimedia content usage indicator field adapted to store a multimedia content usage indicator, where the multimedia content usage indicator is associated with the multimedia content item stored on the mass storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, Randy Scott Zimler
  • Publication number: 20040255326
    Abstract: A digital residential entertainment system is disclosed recording video data of an event. One component of this digital residential entertainment system is a set-top box decoding digital signals. The set-top box includes a processor communicating with memory and an input to a data switch interface. The data switch interface receives digital information from a data switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, Randy Scott Zimler
  • Patent number: 6304573
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating voice messages. An electronic voice mail (EVM) server receives a recipient and target device selection over a packet-switched network A sender records a voice message for delivery to the intended recipient. The voice message is stored as an audio file at the EVM server. The recipient is notified that they have received a voice message. The audio file is delivered to the target device over the packet-switched network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 5760824
    Abstract: For use with a video camera, a television set and a communications network capable of carrying voice and video data, a multimedia telephone that includes a network interface for coupling the multimedia telephone to the communications network. The multimedia telephone further includes a first module, coupled to the network interface and including a user interface for communicating audio information with a user and first module wireless communication circuitry. The multimedia telephone still further includes a second module separable from the first module, coupled to the network interface and including a video input, connectible to the video camera, for receiving video information from the video camera, a video output, connectible to the television set, for transmitting other video information to the television set, and second module wireless communication circuitry coupled to the camera input and the television output and wirelessly couplable to the first module wireless communication circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III