Patents by Inventor John W. Northcutt

John W. Northcutt 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: 7966034
    Abstract: A mobile communications device has a wireless transceiver to facilitate communications, memory, and a processor. The processor may be configured to analyze an audio file stored in the memory, and extract or generate synchronizing information from the audio file. The processor synchronizes one or more complementary multi-media effects, such as lights, a camera, or a tactile feedback generator, with the audio file based on the synchronizing information. Alternatively, a user may input synchronizing information about the audio file via an interface on the communications device. The processor may then control the complementary multi-media effects in synchronization with the input synchronizing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: John W. Northcutt, Charles Randall Yates, Robert A. Zak
  • Patent number: 7613472
    Abstract: A method of sending mobile phone contact list data from one mobile phone to another mobile phone is disclosed. The sender composes an SMS or MMS message having contact data from the mobile phonebook attached. The message is sent using a messaging service like SMS or MMS to other mobile phones in a group. Before receiving mobiles act on the message, a check is determined to see if the message contains contact list data. If it does not, the message is processed normally. If the message does contain contact list data, a software program is launched to manage the received contact list data. The program displays the received mobile phone contact list data so that the mobile phone user can examine the data. An import function is run to resolve conflicts, store and overwrite data into the mobile phone's contact database based on the newly received contact list data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: John W. Northcutt
  • Patent number: 7310534
    Abstract: A method of presenting location data representing a mobile phone's current approximate location to a mobile phone user via the mobile phone display. The location information is iconically displayed and periodically updated. To display location information, the mobile phone determines its current position. Once the current position is determined, the mobile phone looks up locations within a predetermined distance from the current position of the mobile phone. The mobile phone then compares the results and selects the location/location icon pairing that is closest to the current position of the mobile phone. This location icon is then displayed on the mobile phone display. The mobile phone then waits a predetermined period before re-determining the current position of the mobile phone and repeating the search/display processes. Both the predetermined wait period and predetermined distance from the current position are user defined parameters that can be altered at the user's discretion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: John W. Northcutt
  • Publication number: 20040176114
    Abstract: A system and method of creating a multi-media voice and text message on a mobile phone where the voice portion of the MMS message is a verbatim rendition of the text portion or a personalized description of the text portion. The mobile phone includes a messaging function responsive to voice and text input. The message composer accesses the mobile phone's messaging function and speaks a message. The spoken message is recorded converted to a text message. If the message is personalized, the message composer records a second spoken message contextually related to the text message. Now, the text portion and the second spoken message are combined into an MMS message and sent to a recipient using the mobile phone's messaging functions. There is also disclosed a system and method of creating an MMS message on a mobile phone utilizing canned messages and speech-to-text assistance to edit the canned message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: John W. Northcutt
  • Patent number: 6278867
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for frequency generation suitable for use in wireless devices capable of operating at multiple frequencies. Such systems may change the loop gain of an automatic frequency control loop based on the operating frequency of the wireless device. Furthermore, such a frequency dependent loop gain may be carried out by the selection of subroutines with differing loop gains associated with the subroutines. Furthermore, the loop gain may also be temperature compensated based on the temperature of the wireless device and/or the operating frequency of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Northcutt, Paul Wilkinson Dent, Eric Alan Shull, Harvey Zien
  • Patent number: 6256007
    Abstract: A backlighting circuit for user interface in an electronic device includes at least one light emitting diode optically coupled to the user interface wherein the at least one light emitting diode provides backlighting for the user interface. A current source is electrically coupled in series with the at least one light emitting diode wherein the current source controls a current through the at least one diode. In addition, a brownout detection circuit determines a brownout condition for the user interface responsive to the current through the diode. Related communications devices and methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc.
    Inventors: Joel J. Walukas, John W. Northcutt
  • Patent number: 6107985
    Abstract: A backlighting circuit for user interface in an electronic device includes at least one light emitting diode optically coupled to the user interface wherein the at least one light emitting diode provides backlighting for the user interface. A current source is electrically coupled in series with the at least one light emitting diode wherein the current source controls a current through the at least one diode. In addition, a brownout detection circuit determines a brownout condition for the user interface responsive to the current through the diode. Related communications devices and methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc.
    Inventors: Joel J. Walukas, John W. Northcutt
  • Patent number: 6072995
    Abstract: An amplifier circuit in a wireless telecommunications device includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and a mirror circuit to deliver variable current levels to transmission circuitry. The DAC receives a digital signal indicating the desired current strength under the particular device circumstances and requirements, and an analog signal corresponding thereto is forwarded to the mirror circuit, which amplifies the analog signal to the desired level for driving the transmission circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Boesch, John W. Northcutt
  • Patent number: 6014008
    Abstract: The present invention entails a battery identification system to be utilized by cellular telephones, battery chargers, and other electrical devices for identification of the battery types employed within such devices. The battery identification system comprises a battery type identification circuit that includes one or more input switches that are coupled to a voltage divider network that is made up of a series of voltage divider segments. Each voltage divider segment is designed to produce a signal that is indicative of the on/off state of a particular input switch. To actuate the input switches, the employed battery is provided with one or more switch actuators, where the position and spacing of the switch actuators on the battery in effect uniquely identifies the battery type. Various switching and actuating configurations are contemplated, including mechanical, galvanic, magnetic, and optical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Ericsson, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick D. Hartzell, Brian D. Miller, Tina M. Lee, John W. Northcutt, Fred P. Nading