Patents by Inventor Michael Towster

Michael Towster 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: 10764769
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for direct interaction between an individual and a communication network. Captured data is received of the individual in an environment to be analyzed by a network management computer. The data is captured by network sensors. The network management computer determines that the individual is a subscriber to services of the communication network by identifying the subscriber from the data that has been captured. The subscriber is registered with a network carrier that operates and provides the services on the communication network. The data is obtained without assistance from a subscriber owned device providing the data. The data is analyzed to interpret commands when presented by the subscriber via the network sensors. The commands include gesture commands from the subscriber. An action is performed for the subscriber based on the commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Bruce Barnes, Wayne R. Heinmiller, Patrick Kenny, Shadi Khoshaba, Dolores J. Mallian, Nikhil S. Marathe, Charles M. Stahulak, Michael Towster
  • Patent number: 10568065
    Abstract: Information such as navigation information is delivered to a mobile device user in a cellular communications network via a device other than the mobile device. A small cell telecommunications base station receives from the mobile device an identification of the mobile device, and determines a location of the user within the small cell. Based on the identification of the mobile device and the location of the user of the mobile device, the information is delivered to the user via a device other than the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Michael Towster
  • Patent number: 9916561
    Abstract: The location of a container and the location of a storage device that stores a particular item are determined. A determination is made that the particular item is placed in the container. The locations of the particular item and the container are tracked as the container moves through a premises. For a purchase-related transaction, a determination is made whether the location of the particular item corresponds to the location of the container. If the location of the particular item corresponds to the location of the container, a cost for the particular item is included in the purchase-related transaction. If not, the cost for the particular item is not included in the purchase-related transaction, and the location of the particular item is accounted for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Nikhil S. Marathe, Christopher Baldwin, Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Patrick Kenny, Susan Kenny, Michael Towster
  • Publication number: 20180049155
    Abstract: Information such as navigation information is delivered to a mobile device user in a cellular communications network via a device other than the mobile device. A small cell telecommunications base station receives from the mobile device an identification of the mobile device, and determines a location of the user within the small cell. Based on the identification of the mobile device and the location of the user of the mobile device, the information is delivered to the user via a device other than the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Michael Towster
  • Patent number: 9843911
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for a remotely activated monitoring service. The monitoring service can be executed by a server computer. The server computer can detect an event associated with a user device. The server computer can determine that monitoring of a proximity of the user device is to be initiated based upon the event. The server computer can determine a geographic location of the user device and identify monitoring hardware that is to monitor the proximity of the user device. The server device also can issue a command to the monitoring hardware to initiate monitoring of the proximity of the user device by the monitoring hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Bruce Barnes, Christopher Baldwin, Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Patrick Kenny, Susan Kenny, Dolores J. Mallian, Nikhil S. Marathe, Michael Towster
  • Patent number: 9838995
    Abstract: Information such as navigation information is delivered to a mobile device user in a cellular communications network via a device other than the mobile device. A small cell telecommunications base station receives from the mobile device an identification of the mobile device, and determines a location of the user within the small cell. Based on the identification of the mobile device and the location of the user of the mobile device, the information is delivered to the user via a device other than the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Michael Towster
  • Publication number: 20170006487
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for direct interaction between an individual and a communication network. Captured data is received of the individual in an environment to be analyzed by a network management computer. The data is captured by network sensors. The network management computer determines that the individual is a subscriber to services of the communication network by identifying the subscriber from the data that has been captured. The subscriber is registered with a network carrier that operates and provides the services on the communication network. The data is obtained without assistance from a subscriber owned device providing the data. The data is analyzed to interpret commands when presented by the subscriber via the network sensors. The commands include gesture commands from the subscriber. An action is performed for the subscriber based on the commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Bruce Barnes, Wayne R. Heinmiller, Patrick Kenny, Shadi Khoshaba, Dolores J. Mallian, Nikhil S. Marathe, Charles M. Stahulak, Michael Towster
  • Publication number: 20160353405
    Abstract: Information such as navigation information is delivered to a mobile device user in a cellular communications network via a device other than the mobile device. A small cell telecommunications base station receives from the mobile device an identification of the mobile device, and determines a location of the user within the small cell. Based on the identification of the mobile device and the location of the user of the mobile device, the information is delivered to the user via a device other than the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Michael Towster
  • Patent number: 9473913
    Abstract: Information such as navigation information is delivered to a mobile device user in a cellular communications network via a device other than the mobile device. A small cell telecommunications base station receives from the mobile device an identification of the mobile device, and determines a location of the user within the small cell. Based on the identification of the mobile device and the location of the user of the mobile device, the information is delivered to the user via a device other than the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Michael Towster
  • Patent number: 9451434
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for direct interaction between an individual and a communication network. Captured data is received of the individual in an environment to be analyzed by a network management computer. The data is captured by network sensors. The network management computer determines that the individual is a subscriber to services of the communication network by identifying the subscriber from the data that has been captured. The subscriber is registered with a network carrier that operates and provides the services on the communication network. The data is obtained without assistance from a subscriber owned device providing the data. The data is analyzed to interpret commands when presented by the subscriber via the network sensors. The commands include gesture commands from the subscriber. An action is performed for the subscriber based on the commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Bruce Barnes, Wayne R. Heinmiller, Patrick Kenny, Shadi Khoshaba, Dolores J. Mallian, Nikhil S. Marathe, Charles M. Stahulak, Michael Towster
  • Patent number: 9419733
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for effective broadcasting of emergency messages. An emergency indicator that indicates that an emergency condition exists can be received. A geographic area affected by the emergency condition can be determined and a plurality of devices and a user device located at the geographic area can be identified. The user device can be selected to broadcast an alert to the plurality of devices, and an alert trigger can be sent to the user device. The alert trigger can cause the user device to activate a wireless hotspot at the user device, the wireless hotspot being associated with a dedicated service set identifier, and to broadcast, via the wireless hotspot, an alert indicating the emergency condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Nikhil S. Marathe, Christopher Baldwin, Michael Towster
  • Publication number: 20150148013
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for direct interaction between an individual and a communication network. Captured data is received of the individual in an environment to be analyzed by a network management computer. The data is captured by network sensors. The network management computer determines that the individual is a subscriber to services of the communication network by identifying the subscriber from the data that has been captured. The subscriber is registered with a network carrier that operates and provides the services on the communication network. The data is obtained without assistance from a subscriber owned device providing the data. The data is analyzed to interpret commands when presented by the subscriber via the network sensors. The commands include gesture commands from the subscriber. An action is performed for the subscriber based on the commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Bruce Barnes, Wayne R. Heinmiller, Patrick Kenny, Shadi Khoshaba, Dolores J. Mallian, Nikhil S. Marathe, Charles M. Stahulak, Michael Towster
  • Publication number: 20150140924
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for effective broadcasting of emergency messages. An emergency indicator that indicates that an emergency condition exists can be received. A geographic area affected by the emergency condition can be determined and a plurality of devices and a user device located at the geographic area can be identified. The user device can be selected to broadcast an alert to the plurality of devices, and an alert trigger can be sent to the user device. The alert trigger can cause the user device to activate a wireless hotspot at the user device, the wireless hotspot being associated with a dedicated service set identifier, and to broadcast, via the wireless hotspot, an alert indicating the emergency condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Nikhil S. Marathe, Christopher Baldwin, Michael Towster
  • Publication number: 20150133091
    Abstract: Information such as navigation information is delivered to a mobile device user in a cellular communications network via a device other than the mobile device. A small cell telecommunications base station receives from the mobile device an identification of the mobile device, and determines a location of the user within the small cell. Based on the identification of the mobile device and the location of the user of the mobile device, the information is delivered to the user via a device other than the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Michael Towster
  • Publication number: 20150127496
    Abstract: The location of a container and the location of a storage device that stores a particular item are determined. A determination is made that the particular item is placed in the container. The locations of the particular item and the container are tracked as the container moves through a premises. For a purchase-related transaction, a determination is made whether the location of the particular item corresponds to the location of the container. If the location of the particular item corresponds to the location of the container, a cost for the particular item is included in the purchase-related transaction. If not, the cost for the particular item is not included in the purchase-related transaction, and the location of the particular item is accounted for.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Nikhil S. Marathe, Christopher Baldwin, Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Patrick Kenny, Susan Kenny, Michael Towster
  • Publication number: 20150087258
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for a remotely activated monitoring service. The monitoring service can be executed by a server computer. The server computer can detect an event associated with a user device. The server computer can determine that monitoring of a proximity of the user device is to be initiated based upon the event. The server computer can determine a geographic location of the user device and identify monitoring hardware that is to monitor the proximity of the user device. The server device also can issue a command to the monitoring hardware to initiate monitoring of the proximity of the user device by the monitoring hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Bruce Barnes, Christopher Baldwin, Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Patrick Kenny, Susan Kenny, Dolores J. Mallian, Nikhil S. Marathe, Michael Towster