Patents by Inventor Marc Sullivan

Marc Sullivan 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: 20220360835
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes obtaining, by a processing system including a processor, a user profile for a user of a media service, and selecting, in accordance with the user profile, program components for inclusion in a media program to be presented via the media service. The method also includes generating the media program using the selected program components, and presenting the media program at equipment of the user. The method also includes obtaining sensor data associated with the user, and determining a user engagement level during presentation of the media program, based on the sensor data. The method further includes adjusting at least one of the program components responsive to the user engagement level, thereby generating a modified media program for presentation to the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sarah Everett, Gregory W. Edwards, Marc Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11451850
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes obtaining, by a processing system including a processor, a user profile for a user of a media service, and selecting, in accordance with the user profile, program components for inclusion in a media program to be presented via the media service. The method also includes generating the media program using the selected program components, and presenting the media program at equipment of the user. The method also includes obtaining sensor data associated with the user, and determining a user engagement level during presentation of the media program, based on the sensor data. The method further includes adjusting at least one of the program components responsive to the user engagement level, thereby generating a modified media program for presentation to the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sarah Everett, Gregory W. Edwards, Marc Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20210314645
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes obtaining, by a processing system including a processor, a user profile for a user of a media service, and selecting, in accordance with the user profile, program components for inclusion in a media program to be presented via the media service. The method also includes generating the media program using the selected program components, and presenting the media program at equipment of the user. The method also includes obtaining sensor data associated with the user, and determining a user engagement level during presentation of the media program, based on the sensor data. The method further includes adjusting at least one of the program components responsive to the user engagement level, thereby generating a modified media program for presentation to the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sarah Everett, Gregory W. Edwards, Marc Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11070862
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes obtaining, by a processing system including a processor, a user profile for a user of a media service, and selecting, in accordance with the user profile, program components for inclusion in a media program to be presented via the media service. The method also includes generating the media program using the selected program components, and presenting the media program at equipment of the user. The method also includes obtaining sensor data associated with the user, and determining a user engagement level during presentation of the media program, based on the sensor data. The method further includes adjusting at least one of the program components responsive to the user engagement level, thereby generating a modified media program for presentation to the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sarah Everett, Gregory W. Edwards, Marc Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11019396
    Abstract: An Internet Protocol television system includes a set-top box that receives requests to display video streams being transmitted to a household. In response to the request, the set-top box provides a list of the video streams to a display device. The list includes options to terminate transmission of one or more of the streams. This allows a user to determine which video streams should be transmitted when bandwidth limitations are reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, Gregory Edwards, Joan Pearl
  • Patent number: 10826864
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device, computer-readable medium, and method for generating messages that are customized for an individual human recipient. In one example, the method includes identifying a target to whom a message is to be sent, a goal of the message, and a topic of the message, retrieving information relevant to the topic from a library of core content, wherein the core content comprises a plurality of fixed inputs, building the message using the information retrieved from the library of core content, wherein the building comprises presenting the information retrieved from the library of core content in a manner that is customized for the target, delivering the message to the target via a delivery medium, wherein a selection of the delivery medium is customized for the target, and soliciting feedback from the target to confirm that the goal of the message has been achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignees: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P., AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: Edward Adams, Karolina McLean Abbott, Tricia McKinley, Charles Barker, Melissa McCormick, Marc Sullivan, Ronald Noble
  • Patent number: 10812603
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising: obtaining social media information associated with a user, wherein the social media information comprises historical social media information associated with the user and current social media information associated with the user; selecting, based upon the historical social media information, a selected personality type associated with the use; determining, based upon the selected personality type associated with the user, a candidate entertainment recommendation; determining, based upon the current social media information, whether the candidate entertainment recommendation should be provided to the user; responsive to determining that the candidate entertainment recommendation should not be provided to the user: determining, based upon the selected personality type associated with the user, an alternate entertainment recommendation; and providing to the user the second recommendation. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Edwards, Sarah Everett, Marc Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10805250
    Abstract: A method, a system and a computer readable medium for supporting collaborative media sharing among users at an event are disclosed. For example, the method creates an event-share group relating to an event, and provides an event tag to a plurality of members of the event-share group, where the event tag uniquely identifies the event-share group or the event. The method receives a captured media from at least one of the plurality of members, wherein the event tag is attached to the captured media and provides the captured media to the plurality of members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Marc Sullivan, Sarah Peterson Everett
  • Patent number: 10743182
    Abstract: Screen time-outs on a portable electronic device can be customized based on user activity. In one aspect, a sensing component receives data from one or more sensors located on the portable electronic device, for example, skin conductivity sensors and determines whether the user is using the portable device, either actively or passively and also determines the identity of the user. A configuring component is employed to change one or more features or functions of the portable electronic device based on the information determined by the sensing component. In particular, the configuring component changes one of more features of the portable electronic device based on the preferences predefined by the identified user and device usage (active and passive usage).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Sarah Everett, Marc Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20200177958
    Abstract: An Internet Protocol television system includes a set-top box that receives requests to display video streams being transmitted to a household. In response to the request, the set-top box provides a list of the video streams to a display device. The list includes options to terminate transmission of one or more of the streams. This allows a user to determine which video streams should be transmitted when bandwidth limitations are reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, Gregory Edwards, Joan Pearl
  • Patent number: 10595084
    Abstract: An Internet Protocol television system includes a set-top box that receives requests to display video streams being transmitted to a household. In response to the request, the set-top box provides a list of the video streams to a display device. The list includes options to terminate transmission of one or more of the streams. This allows a user to determine which video streams should be transmitted when bandwidth limitations are reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, Gregory Edwards, Joan Pearl
  • Publication number: 20200036670
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device, computer-readable medium, and method for generating messages that are customized for an individual human recipient. In one example, the method includes identifying a target to whom a message is to be sent, a goal of the message, and a topic of the message, retrieving information relevant to the topic from a library of core content, wherein the core content comprises a plurality of fixed inputs, building the message using the information retrieved from the library of core content, wherein the building comprises presenting the information retrieved from the library of core content in a manner that is customized for the target, delivering the message to the target via a delivery medium, wherein a selection of the delivery medium is customized for the target, and soliciting feedback from the target to confirm that the goal of the message has been achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Edward Adams, Karolina McLean Abbott, Tricia McKinley, Charles Barker, Melissa McCormick, Marc Sullivan, Ronald Noble
  • Publication number: 20190238646
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising: obtaining social media information associated with a user, wherein the social media information comprises historical social media information associated with the user and current social media information associated with the user; selecting, based upon the historical social media information, a selected personality type associated with the use; determining, based upon the selected personality type associated with the user, a candidate entertainment recommendation; determining, based upon the current social media information, whether the candidate entertainment recommendation should be provided to the user; responsive to determining that the candidate entertainment recommendation should not be provided to the user: determining, based upon the selected personality type associated with the user, an alternate entertainment recommendation; and providing to the user the second recommendation. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Edwards, Sarah Everett, Marc Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20190222896
    Abstract: An Internet Protocol television system includes a set-top box that receives requests to display video streams being transmitted to a household. In response to the request, the set-top box provides a list of the video streams to a display device. The list includes options to terminate transmission of one or more of the streams. This allows a user to determine which video streams should be transmitted when bandwidth limitations are reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, Gregory Edwards, Joan Pearl
  • Patent number: 10298706
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising: obtaining social media information associated with a user, wherein the social media information comprises historical social media information associated with the user and current social media information associated with the user; selecting, based upon the historical social media information, a selected personality type associated with the use; determining, based upon the selected personality type associated with the user, a candidate entertainment recommendation; determining, based upon the current social media information, whether the candidate entertainment recommendation should be provided to the user; responsive to determining that the candidate entertainment recommendation should not be provided to the user: determining, based upon the selected personality type associated with the user, an alternate entertainment recommendation; and providing to the user the second recommendation. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Edwards, Sarah Everett, Marc Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20190140991
    Abstract: A method, a system and a computer readable medium for supporting collaborative media sharing among users at an event are disclosed. For example, the method creates an event-share group relating to an event, and provides an event tag to a plurality of members of the event-share group, where the event tag uniquely identifies the event-share group or the event. The method receives a captured media from at least one of the plurality of members, wherein the event tag is attached to the captured media and provides the captured media to the plurality of members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: James Pratt, Marc Sullivan, Sarah Peterson Everett
  • Patent number: 10284911
    Abstract: An Internet Protocol television system includes a set-top box that receives requests to display video streams being transmitted to a household. In response to the request, the set-top box provides a list of the video streams to a display device. The list includes options to terminate transmission of one or more of the streams. This allows a user to determine which video streams should be transmitted when bandwidth limitations are reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, Gregory Edwards, Joan Pearl
  • Patent number: 10212235
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure include, for example, selecting a first communication device of the plurality of communication devices to analyze activities of the first communication device, presenting at a device activity information associated with the activities of the first communication device, facilitating an exchange of messages between the device and the first communication device, receiving a request from the device to transfer control of the first communication device to the device responsive to the device receiving an unsatisfactory response from the first communication device, and receiving control information from the device to adjust an operational aspect of the first communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven M. Belz, Greg W. Edwards, Marc Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10194198
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a display device having a controller to wirelessly receive media; wirelessly receive control signals for presentation of the media from a mobile communication device; and selectively disable control by the display device over presentation of the media on the display device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, James Pratt
  • Patent number: 10171393
    Abstract: A method, a system and a computer readable medium for supporting collaborative media sharing among users at an event are disclosed. For example, the method creates an event-share group relating to an event, and provides an event tag to a plurality of members of the event-share group, where the event tag uniquely identifies the event-share group or the event. The method receives a captured media from at least one of the plurality of members, wherein the event tag is attached to the captured media and provides the captured media to the plurality of members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Marc Sullivan, Sarah Peterson Everett