Patents by Inventor Richard J. Helferich

Richard J. Helferich 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: 7242951
    Abstract: A paging trasceiver and method for selectively paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide an associated message. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that a message is waiting and preferably provides a short description of the message. The user can then download or otherwise act on the message at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The user can therefore place the paging transceiver in a location where it can easily receive and reply to the message. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated messages. The user can determine the time at which the paging transceiver receives transmissions, such as during off-peak hours. The messages stored by the systems and delivered to the paging trasceiver may be of different types, such as voice, text, audio, or even video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignees: Thompson Investment Group LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 7187937
    Abstract: A paging transceiver and method for selectively paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide an associated message. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that a message is waiting and preferably provides a short description of the message. The user can then download or otherwise act on the message at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The user can therefore place the paging transceiver in a location where it can easily receive and reply to the message. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated messages. The user can determine the time at which the paging transceiver receives transmissions, such as during off-peak hours. The messages stored by the systems and delivered to the paging transceiver may be of different types, such as voice, text, audio, or even video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignees: Thompson Investment Group LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 7155241
    Abstract: A paging transceiver and method for selectively paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide an associated message. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that a message is waiting and preferably provides a short description of the message. The user can then download or otherwise act on the message at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The user can therefore place the paging transceiver in a location where it can easily receive and reply to the message. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated messages. The user can determine the time at which the paging transceiver receives transmissions, such as during off-peak hours. The messages stored by the systems and delivered to the paging transceiver may be of different types, such as voice, text, audio, or even video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignees: Thompson Investment Group LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 7146157
    Abstract: Devices, systems and processes for accessing and management of voice and other messages. Such devices, systems and processes employ an interface which allows the user to access and manage messages on his or her user device and, furthermore, automatically to access and manage messages on remote devices via radio frequency link. These interfaces may present users with intuitive and direct options for accessing and managing voice mail, such as, for instance, to push a designated forward button when the user desires to forward a voice mail. Such common interfaces promote more efficient and effective use and management of messaging resources because they among other things eliminate the requirement to be conversant in different interfaces, rules and protocols for the different platforms on which messages may be accessed and managed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignees: Thompson Investment Group, LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 7039428
    Abstract: A system and method for selective paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide an associated message. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that a message is waiting and preferably provides a short description of the message. The user can then download or otherwise act on the message at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The user can therefore place the paging transceiver in a location where it can easily receive and reply to the message. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated messages. The paging transceiver can receive transmissions during off-peak hours and has a timer which can be programmed so that messages are delivered at a desired time. The content of the messages may be stored in a plurality of different systems and one or more of these systems may page the paging transceiver to inform it of the messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignees: Thompson Investment Group, LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 7003304
    Abstract: A paging transceiver and method for selectively paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide an associated message. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that a message is waiting and preferably provides a short description of the message. The user can then download or otherwise act on the message at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The user can therefore place the paging transceiver in a location where it can easily receive and reply to the message. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated messages. The user can determine the time at which the paging transceiver receives transmissions, such as during off-peak hours. The messages stored by the systems and delivered to the paging transceiver may be of different types, such as voice, text, audio, or even video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignees: Thompson Investment Group, LLC, Richard J. Helferich
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 6983138
    Abstract: Devices, systems and processes for accessing and management of voice and other messages. Such devices, systems and processes employ an interface which allows the user to access and manage messages on his or her user device and, furthermore, automatically to access and manage messages on remote devices via radio frequency link. These interfaces may present users with intuitive and direct options for accessing and managing voice mail, such as, for instance, to push a designated forward button when the user desires to forward a voice mail. Such common interfaces promote more efficient and effective use and management of messaging resources because they among other things eliminate the requirement to be conversant in different interfaces, rules and protocols for the different platforms on which messages may be accessed and managed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignees: Thompson Investment Group, LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 6826407
    Abstract: The present invention provides a communication system for integrating audio and visual messaging. The communication system includes a mobile communication device for receiving visual messages and for transmitting voice messages to a recipient, a base station system in communication with the mobile communication device, an electronic mail gateway for delivering visual messages to the base station system for transmission to the mobile communication device, and an integrated mail gateway for receiving from the base station a voice message and addressing information that were both transmitted from the mobile communication device. The integrated mail gateway is programmed to create an e-mail message comprising the voice message. The integrated mail gateway is also programmed to use the addressing information to address the e-mail message, and to send the addressed e-mail message to the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignees: Thompson Investment Group, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 6696921
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a transmitting and receiving device and method for transmitting data to and receiving data from a communications system. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: receiving at the transmitting and receiving device a notification that contains an identifier identifying a message, wherein the message is stored remotely from the transmitting and receiving device; enabling a user of the device to select a function to be performed on the message; creating a command message that identifies the function selected by the user; and transmitting the command message in response to receiving a selective call signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignees: Thompson Trust
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 6636733
    Abstract: A messaging system for selectively performing an action on information, for remote retrieval of messages, for performing action on information at different times, for selective paging, for providing a user interface for message access and having integrated audio visual messaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Thompson Trust
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Publication number: 20030194990
    Abstract: A messaging system for selectively performing an action on information, for remote retrieval of messages, for performing action on information at different times, for selective paging, for providing a user interface for message access and having integrated audio visual messaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Publication number: 20030052769
    Abstract: A pager transceiver and method for selectively paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide associated information. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that information is waiting and preferably provides a short description of the information. The user can then download or otherwise act on the information at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The user can therefore place the paging transceiver in a location where it can easily receive and reply to the message. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated messages. The messages stored by the systems and delivered to the paging transceiver may be of different types, such as voice, text, audio, or even video. In addition to messages, the paging system can store other information for the user, such as songs or video clips that the user can sample or updates on weather or stock rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 6462646
    Abstract: A pager transceiver and method for selectively paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide associated information. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that information is waiting and preferably provides a short description of the information. The user can then download or otherwise act on the information at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The user can therefore place the paging transceiver in a location where it can easily receive and reply to the message. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated messages. The messages stored by the systems and delivered to the paging transceiver may be of different types, such as voice, text, audio, or even video. In addition to messages, the paging system can store other information for the user, such as songs or video clips that the user can sample or updates on weather or stock rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 6459360
    Abstract: A paging transceiver and method for selectively paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide an associated message. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that information is waiting and provides an identifier for the information. The user can then download or otherwise act on the information at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated information. The paging transceiver can receive transmissions during off-peak hours and has a timer which can be programmed so that information is delivered at a desired time. The paging transceiver allows a user to erase information stored at the paging transceiver and corresponding information stored at a remote system. When information is erased, the paging transceiver preferably keeps the identifier in memory and does not write over the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Publication number: 20010020892
    Abstract: A pager transceiver and method for selectively paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide associated information. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that information is waiting and preferably provides a short description of the information. The user can then download or otherwise act on the information at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The user can therefore place the paging transceiver in a location where it can easily receive and reply to the message. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated messages. The messages stored by the systems and delivered to the paging transceiver may be of different types, such as voice, text, audio, or even video. In addition to messages, the paging system can store other information for the user, such as songs or video clips that the user can sample or updates on weather or stock rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 6259892
    Abstract: A pager transceiver and method for selectively paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide associated information. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that information is waiting and preferably provides a short description of the information. The user can then download or otherwise act on the information at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The user can therefore place the paging transceiver in a location where it can easily receive and reply to the message. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated messages. The messages stored by the systems and delivered to the paging transceiver may be of different types, such as voice, text, audio, or even video. In addition to messages, the paging system can store other information for the user, such as songs or video clips that the user can sample or updates on weather or stock rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 6253061
    Abstract: A system and method for selective paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide an associated message. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that a message is waiting and preferably provides a short description of the message. The user can then download or otherwise act on the message at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The user can therefore place the paging transceiver in a location where it can easily receive and reply to the message. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated messages. The paging transceiver can receive transmissions during off-peak hours and has a timer which can be programmed so that messages are delivered at a desired time. The content of the messages may be stored in a plurality of different systems and one or more of these systems may page the paging transceiver to inform it of the messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 6233430
    Abstract: A paging transceiver and method for selectively paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide an associated message. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that a message is waiting and preferably provides a short description of the message. The user can then download or otherwise act on the message at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The user can therefore place the paging transceiver in a location where it can easily receive and reply to the message. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated messages. The user can determine the time at which the paging transceiver receives transmissions, such as during off-peak hours. The messages stored by the systems and delivered to the paging transceiver may be of different types, such as voice, text, audio, or even video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: 6097941
    Abstract: Devices, systems and processes for accessing and management of voice and other messages. Such devices, systems and processes employ an interface which allows the user to access and manage messages on his or her user device and, furthermore, automatically to access and manage messages on remote devices via radio frequency link. These interfaces may present users with intuitive and direct options for accessing and managing voice mail, such as, for instance, to push a designated forward button when the user desires to forward a voice mail. Such common interfaces promote more efficient and effective use and management of messaging resources because they among other things eliminate the requirement to be conversant in different interfaces, rules and protocols for the different platforms on which messages may be accessed and managed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Patent number: RE37618
    Abstract: An analog to digital data storage system includes receiver means for receiving an incoming signal carrying an analog component from a suitable transmitter. The analog signal is preferably preceded by a designated address code which is specific to a particular data storage system. The system further includes enable means activated by the incoming signal to emit an enable signal (logic high) to activate the system circuitry. The enable means may comprise a decoder which has been programmed to recognize an address code specified to a particular receiver or group of receivers or may be activated simply by the incoming signal without an address code, to emit the enable signal. The system also includes conversion means for converting the incoming analog data to digital format and memory means for storing the converted digital data. The conversion means further includes circuitry for reconverting a digital signal to analog format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich