Patents by Inventor Kurt M. Joseph

Kurt M. Joseph 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: 20200184963
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an audio communication system include determining content factors of content to be presented to a user participating in a virtual assistant interaction session between a user and a virtual assistant provided through a voice-controlled device. Context factors associated with a physical environment in which the voice-controlled device and the user are located are also determined and computing devices coupled to the voice-controlled device are identified. Each of the at least one computing device provides a respective device capability. In response to the content factors, the context factors, and the respective device capabilities of each at least one computing device satisfying a first virtual assistant augmentation condition, at least a portion of the content of the virtual assistant interaction session is transferred to a first computing device of the at least one computing device and presented to the user by the first computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Kurt M. Joseph, Di Liu, Marian Sweeney-Dillon
  • Patent number: 9671852
    Abstract: A system and process that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, transitioning a processor from a high-power consumption state to a low-power consumption state, wherefrom return to the high-power consumption state includes a boot process. Future demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state is predicted, while the processor is in the low-power consumption state. The processor is transitioned from the low-power consumption state to the high-power consumption state in response to predicting future demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state. Such transition of the processor from the low-power consumption state to the high-power consumption state sufficiently precedes actual demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state so as to avoid perceptible user delay. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, Greg W. Edwards, Kurt M. Joseph
  • Publication number: 20150370307
    Abstract: A system and process that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, transitioning a processor from a high-power consumption state to a low-power consumption state, wherefrom return to the high-power consumption state includes a boot process. Future demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state is predicted, while the processor is in the low-power consumption state. The processor is transitioned from the low-power consumption state to the high-power consumption state in response to predicting future demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state. Such transition of the processor from the low-power consumption state to the high-power consumption state sufficiently precedes actual demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state so as to avoid perceptible user delay. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: MARC SULLIVAN, GREG W. EDWARDS, KURT M. JOSEPH
  • Patent number: 9152203
    Abstract: A system and process that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, transitioning a processor from a high-power consumption state to a low-power consumption state, wherefrom return to the high-power consumption state includes a boot process. Future demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state is predicted, while the processor is in the low-power consumption state. The processor is transitioned from the low-power consumption state to the high-power consumption state in response to predicting future demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state. Such transition of the processor from the low-power consumption state to the high-power consumption state sufficiently precedes actual demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state so as to avoid perceptible user delay. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LP
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, Greg W. Edwards, Kurt M. Joseph
  • Patent number: 9071882
    Abstract: An embodiment of a system and method wherein a streaming ticker information relating to a video content is integrated with the video content and transmitted to a customer device over a communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Joseph, Thad Pasquale, Marc Sullivan, Philip Kortum
  • Patent number: 8646051
    Abstract: A method for resetting Internet access account passwords can include the step of connecting a user with an interactive voice response system (IVR). At least one access account associated with the user can be determined. The IVR can validate that the user is authorized to access the access account. The IVR can then cause a password associated with the at least one access account to be reset. The IVR can also present the reset password to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Jonathan Paden, Bobby Sams, Kurt M. Joseph, Donna McCaffrey, Jon Harris
  • Publication number: 20130326250
    Abstract: A system and process that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, transitioning a processor from a high-power consumption state to a low-power consumption state, wherefrom return to the high-power consumption state includes a boot process. Future demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state is predicted, while the processor is in the low-power consumption state. The processor is transitioned from the low-power consumption state to the high-power consumption state in response to predicting future demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state. Such transition of the processor from the low-power consumption state to the high-power consumption state sufficiently precedes actual demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state so as to avoid perceptible user delay. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, Greg W. Edwards, Kurt M. Joseph
  • Patent number: 8589812
    Abstract: Prioritized user interfaces are disclosed. A user interface may include a menu including a plurality of selectable items displayed in respective menu positions. A menu position of at least one of the plurality of selectable items is assigned based on a prioritization level of the at least one selectable item. The prioritization level is based at least partially on a selection metric for the at least one selectable item. The user interface may also include a menu locator indicating a location of a menu within a multi-level menu structure. The menu locator may include a first indicator of a position within a first level of the multi-level menu structure and a second indicator of a position within a second level of the multi-level menu structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Theodore Pasquale, Kurt M. Joseph, Scott Mills
  • Patent number: 8571203
    Abstract: A system and method for providing customer activities while in queue allows for one or more customers to interact with one or more customer activities while waiting to speak with a live agent. The customers engage the customer activities while holding in a queue where the customer activities reduce the boredom, frustration, and perceived hold duration associated with holding to speak to a live agent. The customers are offered one or more options of the customer activities to interact with and the system and method monitors the customers' selections and interaction with the customer activities. As agents become available, each customer is transferred to an agent along with information regarding the customer's interaction with a selected customer activity. Upon completion of the interaction between the agent and the customer, the customer has the option to return to the selected customer activity and continue interacting with the selected customer activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Knott, Theodore B. Pasquale, Kurt M. Joseph, Scott H. Mills, James T. Miller, Robert R. Bushey, John M. Martin
  • Patent number: 8549132
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element having a controller to obtain network information associated with establishing a network among a group of communication devices, and provide the network information to a plurality of network set-up devices removably connected to the network element, where each of the plurality of network set-up devices is connectable with a communication device of the group of communication devices to provide at least a portion of the network information to the communication device, and where the network is established based at least in part on the at least a portion of the network information. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Steven M. Belz, Kurt M. Joseph, James Pratt
  • Publication number: 20130238793
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for analyzing information relating to a user to determine whether the user requires assistance. Information for a user is received from sources selected to provide information relating to the user's activities and analyzed to determine whether conditions exist indicating a possible need for assistance for the user. User location, motion, and activity information is received and analyzed against expected information stored in the user profile and analyzed to determine if assistance is needed. If a determination is made that the user's behavior indicates that assistance may be needed, communication is initiated to summon appropriate assistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Kurt M. Joseph, Steven Belz
  • Patent number: 8458015
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for analyzing information relating to a user to determine whether the user requires assistance. Information for a user is received from sources selected to provide information relating to the user's activities and analyzed to determine whether conditions exist indicating a possible need for assistance for the user. User location, motion, and activity information is received and analyzed against expected information stored in the user profile and analyzed to determine if assistance is needed. If a determination is made that the user's behavior indicates that assistance may be needed, communication is initiated to summon appropriate assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Joseph, Steven Belz
  • Publication number: 20120269339
    Abstract: A system and method for providing customer activities while in queue allows for one or more customers to interact with one or more customer activities while waiting to speak with a live agent. The customers engage the customer activities while holding in a queue where the customer activities reduce the boredom, frustration, and perceived hold duration associated with holding to speak to a live agent. The customers are offered one or more options of the customer activities to interact with and the system and method monitors the customers' selections and interaction with the customer activities. As agents become available, each customer is transferred to an agent along with information regarding the customer's interaction with a selected customer activity. Upon completion of the interaction between the agent and the customer, the customer has the option to return to the selected customer activity and continue interacting with the selected customer activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Knott, Theodore B. Pasquale, Kurt M. Joseph, Scott H. Mills, James T. Miller, Robert R. Bushey, John M. Martin
  • Patent number: 8229102
    Abstract: A system and method for providing customer activities while in queue allows for one or more customers to interact with one or more customer activities while waiting to speak with a live agent. The customers engage the customer activities while holding in a queue where the customer activities reduce the boredom, frustration, and perceived hold duration associated with holding to speak to a live agent. The customers are offered one or more options of the customer activities to interact with and the system and method monitors the customers' selections and interaction with the customer activities. As agents become available, each customer is transferred to an agent along with information regarding the customer's interaction with a selected customer activity. Upon completion of the interaction between the agent and the customer, the customer has the option to return to the selected customer activity and continue interacting with the selected customer activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Knott, Theodore B. Pasquale, Kurt M. Joseph, Scott H. Mills, James T. Miller, Robert R. Bushey, John M. Martin
  • Patent number: 8218754
    Abstract: A system, method and software are described for facilitating transitions between speech-enabled applications employing action-object matrices. In an exemplary embodiment, an automatic call router determines a service agent destination by identifying an action-object combination included in a user utterance. In addition to forwarding the user to the service agent destination, the automatic call router sends one or more aspects of the user utterance to the service agent for use therewith. The service agent may then use aspects of the forwarded information to request further information from the user or to begin performance of a user desired transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Theodore B. Pasquale, Benjamin A. Knott, Kurt M. Joseph, Robert R. Bushey
  • Patent number: 8165281
    Abstract: A system and method of processing a call at a call center is provided. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving the call at the call center, receiving an indication element associated with a call center transaction, retrieving call center transaction data based on the indication element, and generating a sequence of pre-populated call center agent terminal transaction processing screens based on at least a portion of the call center transaction data. In a particular embodiment, a set of prioritized transactions based on likelihood of matching a customer request is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Joseph, Theodore Pasquale, Benjamin Anthony Knott, Robert R. Bushey
  • Patent number: 8131524
    Abstract: An interface is provided by creating prompts for the interface. The prompts represent tasks to be accomplished by a user and are obtained based on user input. The prompts are grouped according to relationships, obtained from the user input, among the tasks. The interface is updated based on user feedback. Each of the prompts is designated using user terminology obtained from the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert R. Bushey, Theodore B. Pasquale, Scott H. Mills, John M. Martin, Benjamin A. Knott, Kurt M. Joseph
  • Patent number: 7983412
    Abstract: A method and system for automating customer slamming and cramming complaints includes an automated reporting system having one or more receiving devices and a complaint module. Customers who want to report a slam or cram access the automated reporting system and report the complaint without having to speak with a customer service representative. The complaint module obtains the customer telephone number and retrieves customer account information using the customer telephone number. Using the customer account information, the complaint module extrapolates a type of complaint for the customer complaint and prompts the customer for information regarding the customer complaint and the type of the complaint. The customer provides customer responses to the prompts and the complaint module provides an indication to the customer regarding each customer response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Joseph, Robert R. Bushey, Benjamin A. Knott, John M. Martin
  • Patent number: 7936862
    Abstract: A method for an automated voice response system to present access numbers to dial-up Internet users. The automated voice response system can perform the step of establishing a telephony communication with a party responsive to a received telephone call from the party. An indicator a service region within which dial-up Internet access is requested can be received by the automated voice response system. At least one data store can be queried for access numbers associated with the service region. A response to the querying step can be dynamically generated. The generated response can be customized specifically for the telephony communication. When the response includes at least one access number, the included access number or numbers can be presented to the party across the telephone communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Jon Paden, Bobby Sams, Kurt M. Joseph, Wei Li
  • Patent number: 7936861
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system including a factor engine, an audio clip sequencing engine and an announcement engine. The factor engine is configured to identify an ordered set of menu options based on a plurality of weighted factors. The audio clip sequencing engine is responsive to the factor engine and is configured to generate an ordered sequence of audio clips based on the ordered set of menu options. The announcement engine is responsive to the audio clip sequencing engine and is configured to play the ordered sequence of audio clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Benjamin Anthony Knott, Kurt M. Joseph, Robert R. Bushey, John Mills Martin