Patents by Inventor Joseph M. Sommer

Joseph M. Sommer 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: 10839447
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for placing an order for a user. The method includes receiving a search from a user, identifying a product category based on the search, presenting to the user a general ordering screen based on the identified product category, selecting and activating a speech recognition grammar tuned for the identified product category, recognizing a first received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a vendor who offers items in the identified product category, recognizing a second received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a specific item from the identified vendor, and placing an order for the specific item with the identified vendor for the user. In one aspect, the method further offers to sell the user additional items ancillary to the specific item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Anderson Alfred, Joseph M. Sommer
  • Patent number: 10778804
    Abstract: A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for providing control of social networking sites are disclosed. For example, the method establishes an owner profile, receives a request from a third party user to post information on a social networking site associated with an owner, determines if the request should be granted in accordance with the owner profile and posts the information on the social networking site associated with the owner if the request is granted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Anderson Alfred, Joseph M. Sommer
  • Publication number: 20190244277
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for placing an order for a user. The method includes receiving a search from a user, identifying a product category based on the search, presenting to the user a general ordering screen based on the identified product category, selecting and activating a speech recognition grammar tuned for the identified product category, recognizing a first received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a vendor who offers items in the identified product category, recognizing a second received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a specific item from the identified vendor, and placing an order for the specific item with the identified vendor for the user. In one aspect, the method further offers to sell the user additional items ancillary to the specific item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Anderson ALFRED, Joseph M. SOMMER
  • Publication number: 20190058778
    Abstract: A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for providing control of social networking sites are disclosed. For example, the method establishes an owner profile, receives a request from a third party user to post information on a social networking site associated with an owner, determines if the request should be granted in accordance with the owner profile and posts the information on the social networking site associated with the owner if the request is granted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Anderson Alfred, Joseph M. Sommer
  • Patent number: 10176511
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for placing an order for a user. The method includes receiving a search from a user, identifying a product category based on the search, presenting to the user a general ordering screen based on the identified product category, selecting and activating a speech recognition grammar tuned for the identified product category, recognizing a first received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a vendor who offers items in the identified product category, recognizing a second received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a specific item from the identified vendor, and placing an order for the specific item with the identified vendor for the user. In one aspect, the method further offers to sell the user additional items ancillary to the specific item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Anderson Alfred, Joseph M. Sommer
  • Patent number: 10110698
    Abstract: A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for providing control of social networking sites are disclosed. For example, the method establishes an owner profile, receives a request from a third party user to post information on a social networking site associated with an owner, determines if the request should be granted in accordance with the owner profile and posts the information on the social networking site associated with the owner if the request is granted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Anderson Alfred, Joseph M. Sommer
  • Patent number: 10063442
    Abstract: A domain name server request is received from a local domain name server. Operational performance parameters of a web host and a first content distribution network are received. Aggregate operational performance parameters of a second content distribution network are received. A first record is sent to the local domain name server that indicates the domain name server request is to be handled by the web host on a condition that a performance value is below a predetermined operational performance level threshold. A second record is sent to the local domain name server that indicates the domain name server request is to be handled by the first or the second content distribution network on a condition that the performance value is equal to or above the predetermined operational performance level threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: MARLOW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederick Douglis, David H. Shur, Joseph M. Sommer, Jacobus E. Van Der Merwe
  • Publication number: 20160321738
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for placing an order for a user. The method includes receiving a search from a user, identifying a product category based on the search, presenting to the user a general ordering screen based on the identified product category, selecting and activating a speech recognition grammar tuned for the identified product category, recognizing a first received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a vendor who offers items in the identified product category, recognizing a second received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a specific item from the identified vendor, and placing an order for the specific item with the identified vendor for the user. In one aspect, the method further offers to sell the user additional items ancillary to the specific item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Anderson ALFRED, Joseph M. SOMMER
  • Publication number: 20160301592
    Abstract: A domain name server request is received from a local domain name server. Operational performance parameters of a web host and a first content distribution network are received. Aggregate operational performance parameters of a second content distribution network are received. A first record is sent to the local domain name server that indicates the domain name server request is to be handled by the web host on a condition that a performance value is below a predetermined operational performance level threshold. A second record is sent to the local domain name server that indicates the domain name server request is to be handled by the first or the second content distribution network on a condition that the performance value is equal to or above the predetermined operational performance level threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: MARLOW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederick Douglis, David H. Shur, Joseph M. Sommer, Jacobus E. Van Der Merwe
  • Patent number: 9390420
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for placing an order for a user. The method includes receiving a search from a user, identifying a product category based on the search, presenting to the user a general ordering screen based on the identified product category, selecting and activating a speech recognition grammar tuned for the identified product category, recognizing a first received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a vendor who offers items in the identified product category, recognizing a second received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a specific item from the identified vendor, and placing an order for the specific item with the identified vendor for the user. In one aspect, the method further offers to sell the user additional items ancillary to the specific item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Anderson Alfred, Joseph M. Sommer
  • Patent number: 9385932
    Abstract: Operational performance parameters of a web host and a first content distribution network are monitored. Capacity and health statistics of a second content distribution network are received. A determination is made whether a customer request is to be served by the first content distribution network or the second content distribution network based on a performance threshold. Usage of a primary service provider, the web host, the first content distribution network, and the second content distribution network are tracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: MARLOW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederick Douglis, David H. Shur, Joseph M. Sommer, Jacobus E. Van Der Merwe
  • Publication number: 20150200831
    Abstract: Operational performance parameters of a web host and a first content distribution network are monitored. Capacity and health statistics of a second content distribution network are received. A determination is made whether a customer request is to be served by the first content distribution network or the second content distribution network based on a performance threshold. Usage of a primary service provider, the web host, the first content distribution network, and the second content distribution network are tracked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: MARLOW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederick Douglis, David H. Shur, Joseph M. Sommer, Jacobus E. Van Der Merwe
  • Publication number: 20150106465
    Abstract: A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for providing control of social networking sites are disclosed. For example, the method establishes an owner profile, receives a request from a third party user to post information on a social networking site associated with an owner, determines if the request should be granted in accordance with the owner profile and posts the information on the social networking site associated with the owner if the request is granted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph Anderson Alfred, Joseph M. Sommer
  • Patent number: 8943193
    Abstract: A service model, integrated system, and method for enabling a service provider to deliver an integrated web hosting and content distribution service offering, which affords assured operational performance service levels, regardless of whether the customer's web site is served by the service provider's hosting center, the service provider's content distribution network (CDN), by a third party web host, or by a third party CDN. A monitoring system of the primary service provider receives detailed capacity and health statistics from any CDN under the operational control of the primary service provider, receives aggregate capacity and health statistics from other CDNs not under the operational control of the primary service provider. A redirection system then decides to which web host, content distribution network, or combination thereof, user requests for content are directed in order that operational performance service levels are maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Marlow Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Frederick Douglis, David H. Shur, Joseph M. Sommer, Jacobus E. Van Der Merwe
  • Patent number: 8935614
    Abstract: A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for providing control of social networking sites are disclosed. For example, the method establishes an owner profile, receives a request from a third party user to post information on a social networking site associated with an owner, determines if the request should be granted in accordance with the owner profile and posts the information on the social networking site associated with the owner if the request is granted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Anderson Alfred, Joseph M. Sommer
  • Patent number: 8811889
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing broadband signals to a portable user device is disclosed. Broadband signals, such as satellite radio signals, are received at a base station having a plurality of antennas. The content of the broadband signals are then encoded using space time coding (STC), and the STC encoded broadband content is transmitted from the plurality of antennas via a first wireless network protocol. The STC encoded broadband content can be received at a portable user device having a plurality of antennas or at a wireless access point having a plurality of antennas, which then transmit the broadband signals via a second wireless network protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Alfred, Joseph M. Sommer
  • Patent number: 8527884
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for browsing based on user recognition. The method includes receiving input from a user, verifying a user identity based on the input, identifying a browsing device of the user, retrieving a user profile associated with the user and the identified browsing device, the profile storing browser settings, and launching a browser on the identified browsing device with browser settings from the retrieved user profile. The input can be speech. The user identity can be verified by network-based speaker recognition. The method can further automatically update the user profile based on user actions. In one aspect, the method further identifies a preferred browser in the user profile, provisions a version of the preferred browser adapted to the identified browsing device, and launches the provisioned preferred browser on the identified browsing device with settings from the retrieved user profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Anderson Alfred, Joseph M. Sommer
  • Publication number: 20120246306
    Abstract: A service model, integrated system, and method for enabling a service provider to deliver an integrated web hosting and content distribution service offering, which affords assured operational performance service levels, regardless of whether the customer's web site is served by the service provider's hosting center, the service provider's content distribution network (CDN), by a third party web host, or by a third party CDN. A monitoring system of the primary service provider receives detailed capacity and health statistics from any CDN under the operational control of the primary service provider, receives aggregate capacity and health statistics from other CDNs not under the operational control of the primary service provider. A redirection system then decides to which web host, content distribution network, or combination thereof, user requests for content are directed in order that operational performance service levels are maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY II, L.P.
    Inventors: Frederick Douglis, David H. Shur, Joseph M. Sommer, Jacobus E. Van Der Merwe
  • Patent number: 8244543
    Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium for using speech recognition to control devices connected to a network. The system converts an utterance from a user for controlling a remote device in a network to a device specific control language associated with the remote device, to yield a remote device communication. Next, the system synthesizes a response from the remote device that is based at least in part on the remote device communication, to yield an audible response. The system then communicates the audible response to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Alfred, Joseph M. Sommer
  • Publication number: 20120190298
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing broadband signals to a portable user device is disclosed. Broadband signals, such as satellite radio signals, are received at a base station having a plurality of antennas. The content of the broadband signals are then encoded using space time coding (STC), and the STC encoded broadband content is transmitted from the plurality of antennas via a first wireless network protocol. The STC encoded broadband content can be received at a portable user device having a plurality of antennas or at a wireless access point having a plurality of antennas, which then transmit the broadband signals via a second wireless network protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph A. Alfred, Joseph M. Sommer