Patents by Inventor Richard G. Bradford

Richard G. Bradford 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: 9842497
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating with traffic detectors. A location of a vehicle is determined. A search is performed continuously for any of a number of traffic detectors in a wireless environment. A communication session is established with one of the number of traffic detectors in response to entering a range of one of the number of traffic detectors. A message associated with the one of the number of traffic detectors is communicated to the vehicle while the vehicle is within the range of one or more traffic detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Richard G. Bradford
  • Patent number: 8819182
    Abstract: A system and method for updating media content for a vehicle. Media content for a vehicle is received through a home network. The media content is stored for playback by one or more devices of the vehicle. A selection of additional media content available through the home network listed in an index is received. The additional media content selected from the index is queued for download based on access to an available network. An available network is searched for. The additional media content is downloaded to the vehicle through the available network and the home network in response to detecting the available network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Richard G. Bradford
  • Patent number: 8538408
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling systems of a vehicle with a cell phone. The cell phone is associated with the vehicle through a user interface. User preferences are received through the user interface for sending commands from the cell phone to the vehicle for controlling the systems of the vehicle. A wireless connection is established between the vehicle and the cell phone. A distance is determined between the cell phone and the vehicle. One or more commands are sent to the vehicle to control the systems based on the user preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Richard G. Bradford
  • Patent number: 8321123
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating with traffic detectors. A location of a vehicle is determined. A search is performed continuously for any of a number of traffic detectors in a wireless environment. A communication session is established with one of the number of traffic detectors in response to entering a range of one of the number of traffic detectors. A message associated with the one of the number of traffic detectors is communicated to the vehicle while the vehicle is within the range of one or more traffic detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Richard G. Bradford
  • Publication number: 20120208520
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling systems of a vehicle with a cell phone. The cell phone is associated with the vehicle through a user interface. User preferences are received through the user interface for sending commands from the cell phone to the vehicle for controlling the systems of the vehicle. A wireless connection is established between the vehicle and the cell phone. A distance is determined between the cell phone and the vehicle. One or more commands are sent to the vehicle to control the systems based on the user preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: CENTURYLINK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INC.
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Richard G. Bradford
  • Patent number: 8224313
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling systems of a vehicle with a cell phone. The cell phone is associated with the vehicle through a user interface. User preferences are received through the user interface for sending commands from the cell phone to the vehicle for controlling the systems of the vehicle. A wireless connection is established between the vehicle and the cell phone. A distance is determined between the cell phone and the vehicle. One or more commands are sent to the vehicle to control the systems based on the user preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Richard G. Bradford
  • Patent number: 8126450
    Abstract: A system and method for unlocking a vehicle with a cell phone. Wireless signals are monitored from a cell phone. A signal is received from the cell phone. A distance between the cell phone and the vehicle is determined. Doors of the vehicle are unlocked in response to the cell phone nearing the vehicle. The doors of the vehicle are locked in response to the cell phone being further separated from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company LLC
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Richard G. Bradford
  • Patent number: 8023884
    Abstract: A user is provided with the ability to request the re-transmission of a content selection that is determined to not be locally stored, while the same content is currently being broadcasted. A system and method for replaying content is provided, where a receiver (e.g., car radio) initially receives a command from a user to replay a content selection. A determination may be made as to whether the content selection is locally stored. If it is determined that the content selection is not locally stored, a request is re-communicated for the content selection to be communicated from a service provider. The requested content selection may be received and/or played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie Christopher Howarter, Douglas Bruce Ceballos, Richard G. Bradford
  • Publication number: 20110144896
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating with traffic detectors. A location of a vehicle is determined. A search is performed continuously for any of a number of traffic detectors in a wireless environment. A communication session is established with one of the number of traffic detectors in response to entering a range of one of the number of traffic detectors. A message associated with the one of the number of traffic detectors is communicated to the vehicle while the vehicle is within the range of one or more traffic detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Richard G. Bradford
  • Patent number: 7925423
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting traffic conditions. Communications are performed wirelessly with a traffic detector. A determination is made whether a vehicle is approaching a traffic condition within safe parameters. A driver is alerted of the traffic condition in response to determining the vehicle is not approaching the traffic condition within the safe parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Richard G. Bradford
  • Publication number: 20100077094
    Abstract: A system and method for updating media content for a vehicle. Media content for a vehicle is received through a home network. The media content is stored for playback by one or more devices of the vehicle. A selection of additional media content available through the home network listed in an index is received. The additional media content selected from the index is queued for download based on access to an available network. An available network is searched for. The additional media content is downloaded to the vehicle through the available network and the home network in response to detecting the available network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: JAMIE C. HOWARTER, Richard G. Bradford
  • Publication number: 20100075655
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling systems of a vehicle with a cell phone. The cell phone is associated with the vehicle through a user interface. User preferences are received through the user interface for sending commands from the cell phone to the vehicle for controlling the systems of the vehicle. A wireless connection is established between the vehicle and the cell phone. A distance is determined between the cell phone and the vehicle. One or more commands are sent to the vehicle to control the systems based on the user preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Richard G. Bradford
  • Publication number: 20100075656
    Abstract: A system and method for unlocking a vehicle with a cell phone. Wireless signals are monitored from a cell phone. A signal is received from the cell phone. A distance between the cell phone and the vehicle is determined. Doors of the vehicle are unlocked in response to the cell phone nearing the vehicle. The doors of the vehicle are locked in response to the cell phone being further separated from the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Richard G. Bradford
  • Publication number: 20090258593
    Abstract: A user is provided with the ability to request the re-transmission of a content selection that is determined to not be locally stored, while the same content is currently being broadcasted. A system and method for replaying content is provided, where a receiver (e.g., car radio) initially receives a command from a user to replay a content selection. A determination may be made as to whether the content selection is locally stored. If it is determined that the content selection is not locally stored, a request is re-communicated for the content selection to be communicated from a service provider. The requested content selection may be received and/or played.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Jamie Christopher Howarter, Douglas Bruce Ceballos, Richard G. Bradford
  • Publication number: 20090063030
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting traffic conditions. Communications are performed wirelessly with a traffic detector. A determination is made whether a vehicle is approaching a traffic condition within safe parameters. A driver is alerted of the traffic condition in response to determining the vehicle is not approaching the traffic condition within the safe parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Richard G. Bradford
  • Publication number: 20080262897
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying potential customers for communications services. A latitude and longitude associated with an address of a potential customer is identified. The availability of the communications services are indicated based on the latitude and longitude. An availability map and services offers are displayed to the potential customer. A communication service is added for the potential customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Richard G. Bradford