Patents by Inventor Kenneth D. Heil

Kenneth D. Heil 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: 9483087
    Abstract: A multi-orientation mobile communication device having a first button positioned at the first side of a device at a first relative positioning with respect to a second button on the first side and a third button positioned at a second side of the body at the first relative positioning with respect to a fourth button positioned on the second side. The device also includes instructions causing a processor to perform operations comprising determining that an orientation of the device has changed and reassigning, responsively, button characteristics based on relative positioning of the first through fourth buttons following the re-orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Zubas, Kenneth D. Heil, John E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20150153909
    Abstract: A multi-orientation mobile communication device having a first button positioned at the first side of device at a first relative positioning with respect to a second button on the first side and a third button positioned at a second side of the body at the first relative positioning with respect to a fourth button positioned on the second side. The device also includes instructions causing a processor to perform operations comprising determining that an orientation of the device has changed and reassigning, responsively, button characteristics based on relative positioning of the first through fourth buttons following the re-orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Zubas, Kenneth D. Heil, John E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9049568
    Abstract: Credit card transaction authorization is performed using ad-hoc, short-range wireless links to obtain item identification information from items that include ad-hoc short range wireless link transmitters and that are carried by a user who is associated with a prospective credit card transaction. Authorization information for the prospective credit card transaction is generated based on the item identification information that was obtained. Location information for a wireless terminal that is associated with the user and/or Internet Protocol (IP) address information for a transaction terminal that is associated with the transaction may also be used. Related systems, devices and computer program products are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clinton Mikan, Fulvio Arturo Cenciarelli, Kenneth D. Heil, John Erwin Lewis, Justin Michael McNamara
  • Publication number: 20100228638
    Abstract: Credit card transaction authorization is performed using ad-hoc, short-range wireless links to obtain item identification information from items that include ad-hoc short range wireless link transmitters and that are carried by a user who is associated with a prospective credit card transaction. Authorization information for the prospective credit card transaction is generated based on the item identification information that was obtained. Location information for a wireless terminal that is associated with the user and/or Internet Protocol (IP) address information for a transaction terminal that is associated with the transaction may also be used. Related systems, devices and computer program products are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clinton Mikan, Fulvio Arturo Cenciarelli, Kenneth D. Heil, John Erwin Lewis, Justin Michael McNamara
  • Patent number: 7747535
    Abstract: Credit card transaction authorization is performed using ad-hoc, short-range wireless links to obtain item identification information from items that include ad-hoc short range wireless link transmitters and that are carried by a user who is associated with a prospective credit card transaction. Authorization information for the prospective credit card transaction is generated based on the item identification information that was obtained. Location information for a wireless terminal that is associated with the user and/or Internet Protocol (IP) address information for a transaction terminal that is associated with the transaction may also be used. Related systems, devices and computer program products are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clinton Mikan, Fulvio Arturo Conciarelli, Kenneth D. Heil, John Erwin Lewis, Justin Michael McNamara
  • Publication number: 20100100486
    Abstract: Credit card transaction authorization is performed using ad-hoc, short-range wireless links to obtain item identification information from items that include ad-hoc short range wireless link transmitters and that are carried by a user who is associated with a prospective credit card transaction. Authorization information for the prospective credit card transaction is generated based on the item identification information that was obtained. Location information for a wireless terminal that is associated with the user and/or Internet Protocol (IP) address information for a transaction terminal that is associated with the transaction may also be used. Related systems, devices and computer program products are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clinton Mikan, Fulvio Arturo Conciarelli, Kenneth D. Heil, John Erwin Lewis, Justin Micheal McNamara
  • Publication number: 20090121836
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which relate to identification and reminding. A wireless communication device is mounted at a point of security such as a car. When a user wishes to enter or start the car, the wireless communication device detects nearby items through wireless communication. These items, which possess wireless transmitters, are compared with an internal database to determine the identity of the user. Once the identity has been determined, the user can then be reminded of missing items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Mikan, Kenneth D. Heil, Justin McNamara, Fulvio Arturo Cenciarelli, John Lewis
  • Patent number: 7092739
    Abstract: A mobile platform for use in a mobile communications network. The mobile platform includes an alphanumeric input device adapted to receive alphanumeric input from a user as an input alphanumeric string; memory; and a processor coupled to the alphanumeric input device and the memory. The processor receives the input alphanumeric string; replaces one or more characters within the input alphanumeric string with its numeric equivalent to generate an output numeric string; and initiates a dialed call using the output numeric string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Cingular Wireless II, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clinton Mikan, George Samuel Creigh, Kenneth D. Heil
  • Patent number: 7047048
    Abstract: A server for use in a mobile communications network to convert an input alphanumeric string into an output numeric string. The server includes an input gateway to receive the input alphanumeric string; memory; and a processor coupled to the input gateway and the memory. The processor is operable to receive the input alphanumeric string; replace one or more characters within the input alphanumeric string with its numeric equivalent to generate an output numeric string; and return the output numeric string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Cingular Wireless II, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clinton Mikan, George Samuel Creigh, Kenneth D. Heil
  • Publication number: 20040203954
    Abstract: A server for use in a mobile communications network to convert an input alphanumeric string into an output numeric string. The server includes an input gateway to receive the input alphanumeric string; memory; and a processor coupled to the input gateway and the memory. The processor is operable to receive the input alphanumeric string; replace one or more characters within the input alphanumeric string with its numeric equivalent to generate an output numeric string; and return the output numeric string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clinton Mikan, George Samuel Creigh, Kenneth D. Heil
  • Publication number: 20040116135
    Abstract: A mobile platform for use in a mobile communications network. The mobile platform includes an alphanumeric input device adapted to receive alphanumeric input from a user as an input alphanumeric string; memory; and a processor coupled to the alphanumeric input device and the memory. The processor receives the input alphanumeric string; replaces one or more characters within the input alphanumeric string with its numeric equivalent to generate an output numeric string; and initiates a dialed call using the output numeric string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clinton Mikan, George Samuel Creigh, Kenneth D. Heil