Patents by Inventor Leon E. Nicholls

Leon E. Nicholls 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: 20180123905
    Abstract: A service management system communicates via wide area network with gateway devices located at respective user premises. The service management system remotely manages delivery of application services, which can be voice controlled, by a gateway, e.g. by selectively activating/deactivating service logic modules in the gateway. The service management system also may selectively provide secure communications and exchange of information among gateway devices and among associated endpoint devices. An exemplary service management system includes a router connected to the network and one or more computer platforms, for implementing management functions. Examples of the functions include a connection manager for controlling system communications with the gateway devices, an authentication manager for authenticating each gateway device and controlling the connection manager and a subscription manager for managing applications services and/or features offered by the gateway devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters, Atousa Raissyan
  • Publication number: 20180123819
    Abstract: A disclosed digital media device operational at user premises to receive media signals from a media source for presentation via endpoint devices such as a television display. The digital media device can include gateway and digital media management functionality and can be referred to as a gateway and digital media device. The device offers application services obtained over a wide area network and a user premises network. The digital media device may form a composite signal from the media signal and application service information, for example, for a composite audio and/or video signal for television type presentation to the user. The digital media device may receive a selection signal based on the presentation, for transmission to the application service provider device or to the media source. The media device also offers a GUI presenting a moveable arrangement of icons for selectively accessing application services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Atousa Raissyan, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters
  • Patent number: 9924235
    Abstract: A disclosed digital media device operational at user premises to receive media signals from a media source for presentation via endpoint devices such as a television display. The digital media device can include gateway and digital media management functionality and can be referred to as a gateway and digital media device. The device offers application services obtained over a wide area network and a user premises network. The digital media device may form a composite signal from the media signal and application service information, for example, for a composite audio and/or video signal for television type presentation to the user. The digital media device may receive a selection signal based on the presentation, for transmission to the application service provider device or to the media source. The media device also offers a GUI presenting a moveable arrangement of icons for selectively accessing application services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: KIP PROD P1 LP
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Atousa Raissyan, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters
  • Publication number: 20170344703
    Abstract: An intelligent gateway device provided at a premise (home or business) for providing and managing application services associated with use and support of a plurality of digital endpoint devices associated with the premises. The device includes a communications and processing infrastructure integrated with a peer and presence messaging based communications protocol for enabling communications between the device and an external support network and between the device and connected digital endpoint devices. A services framework at the gateway device implements the communications and processing infrastructure for enabling service management, service configuration, and authentication of user of services at the intelligent gateway. The framework provides a storage and execution environment for supporting and executing received service logic modules relating to use, management, and support of the digital endpoint devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Atousa Raissyan, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters, Robert A. Clavenna, II
  • Patent number: 9736028
    Abstract: A service management system communicates via wide area network with gateway devices located at respective user premises. The service management system remotely manages delivery of application services, which can be voice controlled, by a gateway, e.g. by selectively activating/deactivating service logic modules in the gateway. The service management system also may selectively provide secure communications and exchange of information among gateway devices and among associated endpoint devices. An exemplary service management system includes a router connected to the network and one or more computer platforms, for implementing management functions. Examples of the functions include a connection manager for controlling system communications with the gateway devices, an authentication manager for authenticating each gateway device and controlling the connection manager and a subscription manager for managing applications services and/or features offered by the gateway devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: KIP PROD P1 LP
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters, Atousa Raissyan
  • Publication number: 20170111182
    Abstract: A disclosed digital media device operational at user premises to receive media signals from a media source for presentation via endpoint devices such as a television display. The digital media device can include gateway and digital media management functionality and can be referred to as a gateway and digital media device. The device offers application services obtained over a wide area network and a user premises network. The digital media device may form a composite signal from the media signal and application service information, for example, for a composite audio and/or video signal for television type presentation to the user. The digital media device may receive a selection signal based on the presentation, for transmission to the application service provider device or to the media source. The media device also offers a GUI presenting a moveable arrangement of icons for selectively accessing application services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Atousa Raissyan, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters
  • Patent number: 9602880
    Abstract: A disclosed digital media device operational at user premises to receive media signals from a media source for presentation via endpoint devices such as a television display. The digital media device can include gateway and digital media management functionality and can be referred to as a gateway and digital media device. The device offers application services obtained over a wide area network and a user premises network. The digital media device may form a composite signal from the media signal and application service information, for example, for a composite audio and/or video signal for television type presentation to the user. The digital media device may receive a selection signal based on the presentation, for transmission to the application service provider device or to the media source. The media device also offers a GUI presenting a moveable arrangement of icons for selectively accessing application services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KIP PROD P1 LP
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Atousa Raissyan, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters
  • Publication number: 20170078154
    Abstract: A service management system communicates via wide area network with gateway devices located at respective user premises. The service management system remotely manages delivery of application services, which can be voice controlled, by a gateway, e.g. by selectively activating/deactivating service logic modules in the gateway. The service management system also may selectively provide secure communications and exchange of information among gateway devices and among associated endpoint devices. An exemplary service management system includes a router connected to the network and one or more computer platforms, for implementing management functions. Examples of the functions include a connection manager for controlling system communications with the gateway devices, an authentication manager for authenticating each gateway device and controlling the connection manager and a subscription manager for managing applications services and/or features offered by the gateway devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters, Atousa Raissyan
  • Publication number: 20170078732
    Abstract: A disclosed digital media device operational at user premises to receive media signals from a media source for presentation via endpoint devices such as a television display. The digital media device can include gateway and digital media management functionality and can be referred to as a gateway and digital media device. The device offers application services obtained over a wide area network and a user premises network. The digital media device may form a composite signal from the media signal and application service information, for example, for a composite audio and/or video signal for television type presentation to the user. The digital media device may receive a selection signal based on the presentation, for transmission to the application service provider device or to the media source. The media device also offers a GUI presenting a moveable arrangement of icons for selectively accessing application services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Atousa Raissyan, Jude P. Ramaya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters
  • Publication number: 20170070395
    Abstract: A service management system communicates via wide area network with gateway devices located at respective user premises. The service management system remotely manages delivery of application services, which can be voice controlled, by a gateway, e.g. by selectively activating/deactivating service logic modules in the gateway. The service management system also may selectively provide secure communications and exchange of information among gateway devices and among associated endpoint devices. An exemplary service management system includes a router connected to the network and one or more computer platforms, for implementing management functions. Examples of the functions include a connection manager for controlling system communications with the gateway devices, an authentication manager for authenticating each gateway device and controlling the connection manager and a subscription manager for managing applications services and/or features offered by the gateway devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters, Atousa Raissyan
  • Patent number: 9569587
    Abstract: An intelligent gateway device provided at a premise (home or business) for providing and managing application services associated with use and support of a plurality of digital endpoint devices associated with the premises. The device includes a communications and processing infrastructure integrated with a peer and presence messaging based communications protocol for enabling communications between the device and an external support network and between the device and connected digital endpoint devices. A services framework at the gateway device implements the communications and processing infrastructure for enabling service management, service configuration, and authentication of user of services at the intelligent gateway. The framework provides a storage and execution environment for supporting and executing received service logic modules relating to use, management, and support of the digital endpoint devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: KIP PROD PI LP
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Ramprakash Masina, Jude P. Ramayya, Alvin R. McQuarters, Atousa Raissyan, Leon E. Nicholls
  • Publication number: 20160330200
    Abstract: An intelligent gateway device provided at a premise (home or business) for providing and managing application services associated with use and support of a plurality of digital endpoint devices associated with the premises. The device includes a communications and processing infrastructure integrated with a peer and presence messaging based communications protocol for enabling communications between the device and an external support network and between the device and connected digital endpoint devices. A services framework at the gateway device implements the communications and processing infrastructure for enabling service management, service configuration, and authentication of user of services at the intelligent gateway. The framework provides a storage and execution environment for supporting and executing received service logic modules relating to use, management, and support of the digital endpoint devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Ramprakash Masina, Jude P. Ramayya, Alvin R. McQuarters, Atousa Raissyan, Leon E. Nicholls
  • Publication number: 20160277261
    Abstract: An intelligent gateway device provided at a premise (home or business) for providing and managing application services associated with use and support of a plurality of digital endpoint devices associated with the premises. The device includes a communications and processing infrastructure integrated with a peer and presence messaging based communications protocol for enabling communications between the device and an external support network and between the device and connected digital endpoint devices. A services framework at the gateway device implements the communications and processing infrastructure for enabling service management, service configuration, and authentication of user of services at the intelligent gateway. The framework provides a storage and execution environment for supporting and executing received service logic modules relating to use, management, and support of the digital endpoint devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Ramprakash Masin, Jude P. Ramayya, Alvin R. McQuarters, Atousa Raissyan, Leon E. Nicholls
  • Publication number: 20160254962
    Abstract: A service management system communicates via wide area network with gateway devices located at respective user premises. The service management system remotely manages delivery of application services, which can be voice controlled, by a gateway, e.g. by selectively activating/deactivating service logic modules in the gateway. The service management system also may selectively provide secure communications and exchange of information among gateway devices and among associated endpoint devices. An exemplary service management system includes a router connected to the network and one or more computer platforms, for implementing management functions. Examples of the functions include a connection manager for controlling system communications with the gateway devices, an authentication manager for authenticating each gateway device and controlling the connection manager and a subscription manager for managing applications services and/or features offered by the gateway devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters, Atousa Raissyan
  • Publication number: 20160226920
    Abstract: An application gateway including application service programming positioned at a user premises can provide voice controlled and managed services to a user and one or more endpoint devices associated with the application gateway. The application gateway can be controlled remotely by the application service provider through a service management center and configured to execute an application service provided from the application service provider. The application gateway can execute the application service at the user premises upon voice command by a user and independent of application services executing on the application service provider's network. An application service logic manager can communicate with an application service enforcement manager to verify that the request conforms with the policy and usage rules associated with the application service in order to authorize execution of the application service on the application gateway, either directly or through endpoint devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters, Atousa Raissyan, Robert A. Clavenna, II
  • Publication number: 20160226823
    Abstract: A gateway device providing and managing interactive user voice-controlled home automation services over at least endpoint devices associated with the gateway device is described. Interfaces enable communications of the gateway device with at least one endpoint device located within a use premises and data networks. A processor coupled to the interfaces and programming in storage in the server operate a communications program for configuring the gateway to communicate with endpoint devices, associate endpoint devices with the gateway, and communicate with a remote serve to access service management center applications. A home automation control program provides operation via a home automation controller configured in the gateway with voice automation messaging protocols based on the voice commands to enable interactive voice-controlled control of endpoint devices using voice commands an automate functions associated with the endpoint devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Atousa Raissyan, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masin, Alvin R. McQuarters
  • Publication number: 20160156985
    Abstract: A disclosed digital media device operational at user premises to receive media signals from a media source for presentation via endpoint devices such as a television display. The digital media device can include gateway and digital media management functionality and can be referred to as a gateway and digital media device. The device offers application services obtained over a wide area network and a user premises network. The digital media device may form a composite signal from the media signal and application service information, for example, for a composite audio and/or video signal for television type presentation to the user. The digital media device may receive a selection signal based on the presentation, for transmission to the application service provider device or to the media source. The media device also offers a GUI presenting a moveable arrangement of icons for selectively accessing application services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Atousa Raissyan, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters
  • Patent number: 9270492
    Abstract: A service management system communicates via wide area network with gateway devices located at respective user premises. The service management system remotely manages delivery of application services by the gateway device(s), e.g. by selectively activating or deactivating service logic modules in the gateway devices. The service management system also may selectively provide secure communications and exchange of information among gateway devices and among associated endpoint devices. An exemplary service management system includes a router connected to the network and one or more computer platforms, for implementing management functions. Examples of the functions include a connection manager for controlling system communications with the gateway devices, an authentication manager for authenticating each gateway device and controlling the connection manager and a subscription manager for managing applications services and/or features offered by the gateway devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Prodea Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters, Atousa Raissyan
  • Patent number: 9253150
    Abstract: An application gateway including application service programming logically positioned on a user premises side of a network demarcation forming an edge of the wide area network at a user premises can provide managed services to a user and one or more endpoint devices associated with the application gateway. The application gateway can be controlled remotely by the application service provider through a service management center and configured to execute an application service provided from the application service provider. The application gateway executes the application service at the user premises independent of application services executing on the application service provider's network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Prodea Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters, Atousa Raissyan, Robert A. Clavenna, II
  • Patent number: 9209995
    Abstract: A gateway device for operation at a user premises to provide and manage application services provided for endpoint devices associated with the gateway device. The gateway device includes a communications client program to enable client-server communications between the gateway device and a remote communications server via the wide area network using a presence and networking message protocol. The gateway device utilizes at least one driver program with a driver communications protocol to communicate with, control, and manage associated endpoint devices. The communications client program interacts with the driver program, and the gateway device is configured to specify which associated endpoint devices, attributes and operations are exposed to the network via the communications client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Prodea Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Ansari, George A. Cowgill, Leon E. Nicholls, Atousa Raissyan, Jude P. Ramayya, Ramprakash Masina, Alvin R. McQuarters