Patents by Inventor Paul Edward Smith, JR.

Paul Edward Smith, JR. 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: 20240306002
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, transmitting a first identifier associated with a processing system to a communication device, transmitting first data to the communication device, obtaining, from the communication device and based on the transmitting of the first identifier and the first data, a first directive, wherein the first directive directs the processing system to utilize a first radio access technology for a first communication session, and utilizing, based on the first directive, the first radio access technology for the first communication session. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicants: AT&T intellectual Property I, L.P., AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Sangar Dowlatkhah, Paul Edward Smith, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240288350
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are testing apparatuses for testing stresses in substrates. The testing apparatus includes a base, a first plate coupled to the base, the first plate being movable relative to the base along a first axis, a second plate coupled to the base, the second plate being movable relative to the base and relative to the first plate along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, a first actuator operable to move the first plate along the first axis towards or away from the second plate, a second actuator operable to move the second plate along the second axis relative to the first plate, and a controller operatively connected to the first actuator and the second actuator operable to control movement of the first plate and the second plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Nicholas Robert Bonham, Yu Cheng, Rachid Gafsi, Kurt Edward Gerber, Paul M Giglio, Suresh Thakordas Gulati, Fang-Yu Hsu, Te Heng Hung, Weirong Jiang, Cheng Yu Lai, Peter Joseph Lezzi, Jody Paul Markley, JR., Arpita Mitra, Douglas Miles Noni, Samuel Odei Owusu, Timothy Paul Smith, Ryan Christopher Sutton, Jamie Todd Westbrook
  • Publication number: 20240267760
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example generating, by a first Core Intelligent Controller (CIC) comprising a first processing system including a first processor, first data indicative of one or more first control functions that have been carried out by the first CIC, the first CIC being part of a wireless communication system; communicating, by the first CIC to a Service Intelligent Controller (SIC) comprising a second processing system including a second processor, the first data, the SIC being part of the wireless communication system; generating, by a first RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) comprising a third processing system including a third processor, second data indicative of one or more first radio access functions that have been carried out by the first RIC, the first RIC being part of the wireless communication system; communicating, by the first RIC to the SIC, the second data; generating, by the SIC, third data, the generating of the third data being based at least in part upon
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Bo Lee, Paul Edward Smith, JR.
  • Patent number: 12047193
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining characteristics of autonomous devices, identifying a portion of the autonomous devices having relatable characteristics, and assigning a network to the portion of autonomous devices for enabling communications with the portion of autonomous devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, Jr., Venson Shaw
  • Publication number: 20240231372
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a processing system configures one or more robots to perform tasks in an establishment, and assigns to the robots privileges and/or priorities in accordance with a policy. The method also includes detecting a situation in the establishment requiring performance of a task; facilitating the performance of the task by at least one of the robots; and dynamically reprogramming at least one of the robots in response to the situation to perform a specialized task to address the situation. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, JR., Venson Shaw
  • Patent number: 12035191
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include transmitting first payload data to a first communication device via a first link, subsequent to the transmitting of the first payload data, obtaining a first indication that a handover is being negotiated between the first communication device and a second communication device, based on the first indication, placing, at a processing system, the first link in an inactive state, based on the first indication, storing second payload data in a buffer, and responsive to obtaining a second indication that the second communication device has accepted the handover: activating, at the processing system, a second link between the processing system and the second communication device, obtaining the second payload data from the buffer, and transmitting, based on the activating of the second link, the second payload data obtained from the buffer to the second communication device via the second link. Other aspects are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Hongyan Lei, John Bartell, Paul Edward Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12015932
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, transmitting a first identifier associated with a processing system to a communication device, transmitting first data to the communication device, obtaining, from the communication device and based on the transmitting of the first identifier and the first data, a first directive, wherein the first directive directs the processing system to utilize a first radio access technology for a first communication session, and utilizing, based on the first directive, the first radio access technology for the first communication session. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignees: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P., AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Sangar Dowlatkhah, Paul Edward Smith, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20240187317
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a service requirement of a user device, and obtaining at a network edge, via a standard interface, first network information of a wireline network and second network information of a wireless network. The first network information and the second network information are provided to a first microservice at the network edge. The first microservice is configured to select, in near real-time, at least one of the wireline or wireless networks according to the first network information and the second network information to obtain a network selection. The network selection is further based on supporting information obtained in non-real-time from a second microservice in communication with the first microservice. A network connection to the user device is coordinated according to the network selection, wherein a service according to the service requirement is supported via the network connection. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, JR., Venson Shaw
  • Publication number: 20240173867
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a processing system allocates resources of a smart community to respond to an event; the resources include robots in smart homes of the smart community having smart home controllers, and each robot includes a first group of software modules comprising a first personality of that robot. The method also includes informing the smart home controllers regarding tasks to be performed by the robots, where each robot changes to a second personality to perform the response at least in part; the second personality includes a second group of software modules, and each of the robots informs the smart home controller associated with the robot regarding the second personality. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, JR., Venson Shaw
  • Publication number: 20240171508
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device comprising: a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: obtaining a first indication of a first decision to communicate with a first communication device via a wired network endpoint of a wired communication system, the first communication device being in communication with a base station of a wireless communication system at a time of a making of the first decision, the base station being configured for first communications with a network transport layer via a first link and the wired network endpoint being configured for second communications with the network transport layer via a second link; responsive to the obtaining the first indication, changing in a route information listing a first latency value for the first link, the first latency value being changed from a first original v
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, John B. Bartell, Hongyan Lei, Paul Edward Smith, JR., Venson Shaw
  • Publication number: 20240165815
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining, by a robot of a group of robots, a condition of the robot to obtain a determined result. A corrective plan is identified responsive to the determined result indicating a deficiency and a determination is made as to whether the robot is configured to perform the corrective plan. The corrective plan is executed responsive to a determination that the robot is configured to perform the corrective plan. Alternatively, assistance of a robot controller is requested responsive to the determining indicating the robot is not configured to perform the corrective plan. The robot controller is requested to initiate performance of the corrective plan. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, JR., Venson Shaw
  • Publication number: 20240160217
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a processing system automatically downloads a software application and a routing map to a robot of a smart home (SH) in a smart community (SC); the application facilitates communication between the robot and a smart home controller (SHC) of the SH, and the routing map facilitates determining by the robot of a route to the SH when the robot is at a location outside a preconfigured range of operation for the robot. The method also includes initiating a procedure for dispatching to the location of the robot a carrier robot to transport the robot to the SH, responsive to a request for transport of the robot; the request is directed to the SHC using the software application, and the request is in accordance with the robot not being configured for autonomous movement. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, JR., Venson Shaw
  • Publication number: 20240154684
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining characteristics of autonomous devices, detecting an area in which wireless services provided are deficient, and causing an autonomous device to move to the area and extend wireless coverage in the area. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, JR., Venson Shaw
  • Publication number: 20240139958
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining first, second, and third data respectively from first, second, and third physical robots operating in a smart community, obtaining a request message from the third physical robot, the request message comprising a request by the third physical robot to be stored at a location; and responsive to obtaining the request message: determining whether the first physical robot incudes a first storage space sufficiently large to contain the third physical robot; determining whether the second physical robot incudes a second storage space sufficiently large to contain the third physical robot; in a first case that the first physical robot does include a first storage space sufficiently large to contain the third physical robot and that the second physical robot does not include a second storage space sufficiently large to contain the third physical robot, selecting as a selected physical robot the first physical robot; in a second case that the first
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, JR., Venson Shaw
  • Publication number: 20240146568
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining characteristics of autonomous devices, identifying a portion of the autonomous devices having relatable characteristics, and assigning a network to the portion of autonomous devices for enabling communications with the portion of autonomous devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, JR., Venson Shaw
  • Publication number: 20240139956
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining first data indicative of a first location of a first physical robot operating in a smart community, obtaining second data indicative of a second location of a second physical robot operating in the smart community, obtaining third data indicative of a third location of a third physical robot operating in the smart community, obtaining a request for assistance from the first physical robot; and responsive to obtaining the request for assistance: determining a first time interval that would be required for the second physical robot to reach the first physical robot at the first location; determining a second time interval that would be required for the third physical robot to reach the first physical robot at the first location; determining which of the first time interval and the second time interval is smaller; in a first case that the first time interval is smaller, selecting as a selected physical robot the second physical robot; in a sec
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, JR., Venson Shaw
  • Publication number: 20240139965
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining first, second, and third data associated with respective first, second, and third physical robots operating in a smart community (wherein the first data comprises a first historical listing of first tasks that had been performed by the first physical robot, wherein the second data comprises a second historical listing of second tasks that had been performed by the second physical robot, wherein the first tasks and the second tasks include a common task, wherein the third data comprises an indication of a current task being performed by the third physical robot, and wherein the current task is the common task); predicting, based upon the first, second, and third data, a future task that will be performed by the third physical robot (wherein the future task that is predicted is a task selected from the first tasks and the second tasks); selecting, based upon the future task that is predicted, a downloadable service that can be used by the thi
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, JR., Venson Shaw
  • Publication number: 20240142988
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a processing system determines that performance of a service is required at a first location in a smart community; identifies a robot to be transported, and determines whether physical transport or virtual transport is to be performed for the robot. If physical transport is to be performed, the system initiates communication with a robot transport controller to schedule the physical transport to the first location from a different second location. If virtual transport is to be performed, the processing system initiates communication with a radio access network (RAN) to schedule the virtual transport; the virtual transport includes configuring the robot at the first location. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, JR., Venson Shaw
  • Patent number: 11974146
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example generating, by a first Core Intelligent Controller (CIC) comprising a first processing system including a first processor, first data indicative of one or more first control functions that have been carried out by the first CIC, the first CIC being part of a wireless communication system; communicating, by the first CIC to a Service Intelligent Controller (SIC) comprising a second processing system including a second processor, the first data, the SIC being part of the wireless communication system; generating, by a first RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) comprising a third processing system including a third processor, second data indicative of one or more first radio access functions that have been carried out by the first RIC, the first RIC being part of the wireless communication system; communicating, by the first RIC to the SIC, the second data; generating, by the SIC, third data, the generating of the third data being based at least in part upon
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Bo Lee, Paul Edward Smith, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20240134376
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a processing system configures one or more robots to perform tasks in an establishment, and assigns to the robots privileges and/or priorities in accordance with a policy. The method also includes detecting a situation in the establishment requiring performance of a task; facilitating the performance of the task by at least one of the robots; and dynamically reprogramming at least one of the robots in response to the situation to perform a specialized task to address the situation. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, JR., Venson Shaw