Patents by Inventor Robert H. Willis, Jr.
Robert H. Willis, 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).
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Patent number: 8166311Abstract: In one embodiment of the present methods and systems, a computer-assisted method is provided for authenticating at least one service related communication with a technician in a telecommunications system. The method includes the steps of receiving at least one of a password and a user identification from an access device employed by the technician; combining a token with at least one of the password and the user identification data to form a combined authentication password; permitting access to the telecommunications system by the technician subject to an authentication of at least the combined authentication password. In another aspect, one embodiment of the present methods may include a service related communication that includes at least one wireless communication. Computer-readable media embodiments and system embodiments associated with the present methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LPInventors: Steven G. Smith, Roland T. Morton, Jr., Robert H. Willis, Jr., Mitchell E. Davis
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Patent number: 8135540Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining information related to a customer service location and directions for routing a service technician from one customer service location to another. One embodiment includes requesting at least one set of coordinates associated with the customer service location; accessing a technician server to direct a global satellite positioning system to obtain the set of coordinates for the customer service location; obtaining the coordinates and updating one or more databases with said coordinates. The coordinates may include at least one of a latitude and a longitude associated with the customer service location.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LPInventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, Jr., Mitchell E. Davis, Marvin R. Hamrick, Roland T. Morton, Jr., Jeffery A. Sylvester
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Publication number: 20100134355Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining information related to a customer service location and directions for routing a service technician from one customer service location to another. One embodiment includes requesting at least one set of coordinates associated with the customer service location; accessing a technician server to direct a global satellite positioning system to obtain the set of coordinates for the customer service location; obtaining the coordinates and updating one or more databases with said coordinates. The coordinates may include at least one of a latitude and a longitude associated with the customer service location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2009Publication date: June 3, 2010Inventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, JR., Mitchell E. Davis, Marvin R. Hamrick, Roland T. Morton, JR., Jeffery A. Sylvester
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Publication number: 20100074416Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for selecting cable pairs. Data is received describing existing communications equipment being used in connection with a service at a customer service location. An assignment is retrieved for a cable pair associated with the customer service location. Replacement cable pairs are requested to replace the assigned cable pair. At least one alternate cable pair is received that is available to provide the service at the customer service location.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, JR., James R. Miller, James R. McCracken, Ralph J. Mills, R. Eddie Glascoe, JR.
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Patent number: 7647172Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining information related to a customer service location and directions for routing a service technician from one customer service location to another. One embodiment includes requesting at least one set of coordinates associated with the customer service location; accessing a technician server to direct a global satellite positioning system to obtain the set of coordinates for the customer service location; obtaining the coordinates and updating one or more databases with said coordinates. The coordinates may include at least one of a latitude and a longitude associated with the customer service location.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, Jr., Mitchell E. Davis, Marvin R. Hamrick, Roland T. Morton, Jr., Jeffery A. Sylvester
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Patent number: 7599793Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining information related to a customer service location and directions for routing a service technician from one customer service location to another. One embodiment includes requesting at least one set of coordinates associated with the customer service location; accessing a technician server to direct a global satellite positioning system to obtain the set of coordinates for the customer service location; obtaining the coordinates and updating one or more databases with said coordinates. The coordinates may include at least one of a latitude and a longitude associated with the customer service location.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, Jr., Mitchell E. Davis, Marvin R. Hamrick, Roland T. Morton, Jr., Jeffery A. Sylvester
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Patent number: 7596214Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing data in association with an operation performed by a technician at a customer service location in a telecommunications system. In one embodiment, the method includes transmitting data related to at least one piece of existing telecommunications equipment being used in connection with the special service at the customer service location; communicating at least one alternative candidate for the existing telecommunications equipment through at least one graphical user interface to the technician at the customer service location; and, generating change data including at least one new candidate selected from a group of the alternative candidates for replacement of the existing telecommunications equipment at the customer service location. Computer-readable media embodiments of the present methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, Jr., James R. Miller, James R. McCracken, Ralph J. Mills, R. Eddie Glascoe, Jr.
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Patent number: 7295924Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining information related to a customer service location and directions for routing a service technician from one customer service location to another. One embodiment includes requesting at least one set of coordinates associated with the customer service location; accessing a technician server to direct a global satellite positioning system to obtain the set of coordinates for the customer service location; obtaining the coordinates and updating one or more databases with said coordinates. The coordinates may include at least one of a latitude and a longitude associated with the customer service location.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: AT&T BLS Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, Jr., Mitchell E. Davis, Marvin R. Hamrick, Roland T. Morton, Jr., Jeffery A. Sylvester
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Patent number: 7292939Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining information related to a customer service location and directions for routing a service technician from one customer service location to another. One embodiment includes requesting at least one set of coordinates associated with the customer service location; accessing a technician server to direct a global satellite positioning system to obtain the set of coordinates for the customer service location; obtaining the coordinates and updating one or more databases with said coordinates. The coordinates may include at least one of a latitude and a longitude associated with the customer service location.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: AT&T BLS Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, Jr., Mitchell E. Davis, Marvin R. Hamrick, Roland T. Morton, Jr., Jeffery A. Sylvester
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Patent number: 7224787Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing data in association with an operation performed by a technician at a customer service location in a telecommunications system. In one embodiment, the method includes transmitting data related to at least one piece of existing telecommunications equipment being used in connection with the special service at the customer service location; communicating at least one alternative candidate for the existing telecommunications equipment through at least one graphical user interface to the technician at the customer service location; and, generating change data including at least one new candidate selected from a group of the alternative candidates for replacement of the existing telecommunications equipment at the customer service location. Computer-readable media embodiments of the present methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2002Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: BellSouth Intelllectual Property CorporationInventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, Jr., James R. Miller, James R. McCracken, Ralph J. Mills, R. Eddie Glascoe, Jr.
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Patent number: 7188027Abstract: In one aspect, a customer service information system includes a technician server configured to communicate with at least one input device used by a service technician at a customer service location and with a global satellite positioning system. The technician server is capable of directing the global satellite positioning system to obtain a set of coordinates associated with the customer service location upon receiving a data transmission from the input device.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2003Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, Jr., Mitchell E. Davis, Marvin R. Hamrick, Roland T. Morton, Jr., Jeffery A. Sylvester
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Patent number: 7109876Abstract: Systems and methods for indicating the status of a battery in a portable computing device are disclosed. The methods include retrieving battery status data from a basic input-output system (BIOS) on the computing device, and comparing the retrieved battery status data to a predefined battery status threshold stored on the computing device. Based on the comparison of the battery status data to the predefined battery status threshold, a battery status indicator may be provided to an applications program on the computing device. The battery status data is reflective of a characteristic of the battery, such as battery capacity. A system according to the present invention includes a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing a method according to the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2004Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventors: Steven G. Smith, Lawrence E. Ertley, Robert H. Willis, Jr., Curt Kaloustian, Roland T. Morton, Jr.
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Patent number: 7110745Abstract: A mobile gateway interface that enables a supervisor to conduct typical office transactions via a remote device while the supervisor is away from the office. The remote device can be one of several items, including, for example, wireless telephones, interactive pagers, personal digital assistants, laptop computers with wireless modem, and the like. The supervisor uses the remote device to log into the mobile gateway interface. After the authentication process, the supervisor makes a transaction request through the remote device. A transaction server, which is part of the mobile gateway interface, interacts with one or more resources to process or execute the transaction request. The resources can include an intranet, the Internet, and various legacy systems. Preferably, the mobile gateway interface includes one or both voice and front-end data servers that facilitate the authentication process and execution of the transaction request.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2001Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventors: Steven G. Smith, Ralph J. Mills, Jr., Robert H. Willis, Jr., Curt Kaloustian, Mitchell E. Davis, Roland T. Morton, Jr., Gary J. Dennis
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Patent number: 7103476Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating directions for traveling from a first service location to at least a second service location. One exemplary method embodiment includes obtaining through a server at least one set of “from” coordinates associated with the first service location; obtaining through the server at least one set of “to” coordinates associated with the second service location; transmitting the “from” and the “to” coordinates to a mapping system; and receiving directions from the mapping system based on the “to” and the “from” coordinates. Another exemplary method embodiment includes receiving first knowledge of one or more service personnel locations, receiving second knowledge of one or more service locations, and applying an algorithm with a computer using the first and the second knowledge to facilitate moving a service person to a most appropriate service location.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, Jr., Mitchell E. Davis, Marvin R. Hamrick, Roland T. Morton, Jr., Jeffery A. Sylvester
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Patent number: 6879259Abstract: Systems and methods for indicating the status of a battery in a portable computing device are disclosed. The methods include retrieving battery status data from a basic input-output system (BIOS) on the computing device, and comparing the retrieved battery status data to a predefined battery status threshold stored on the computing device. Based on the comparison of the battery status data to the predefined battery status threshold, a battery status indicator may be provided to an applications program on the computing device. The battery status data is reflective of a characteristic of the battery, such as battery voltage. A system according to the present invention includes a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing a method according to the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventors: Steven G. Smith, Lawrence E. Ertley, Robert H. Willis, Jr., Curt Kaloustian, Roland T. Morton, Jr.
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Patent number: 6833792Abstract: Systems and methods for indicating the status of a battery in a portable computing device are disclosed. The methods include retrieving battery status data from a basic input-output system (BIOS) on the computing device, and comparing the retrieved battery status data to a predefined battery status threshold stored on the computing device. Based on the comparison of the battery status data to the predefined battery status threshold, a battery status indicator may be provided to an applications program on the computing device. The battery status data is reflective of a characteristic of the battery, such as battery capacity. A system according to the present invention includes a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing a method according to the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventors: Steven G. Smith, Lawrence E. Ertley, Robert H. Willis, Jr., Curt Kaloustian, Roland T. Morton, Jr.
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Patent number: 6772064Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining information related to a customer service location and directions for routing a service technician from one customer service location to another. One embodiment includes requesting at least one set of coordinates associated with the customer service location; accessing a technician server to direct a global satellite positioning system to obtain the set of coordinates for the customer service location; obtaining the coordinates and updating one or more databases with said coordinates. The coordinates may include at least one of a latitude and a longitude associated with the customer service location.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2001Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, Jr., Mitchell E. Davis, Marvin R. Hamrick, Roland T. Morton, Jr., Jeffery A. Sylvester
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Patent number: 6754582Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining information related to a customer service location and directions for routing a service technician from one customer service location to another. One embodiment includes requesting at least one set of coordinates associated with the customer service location; accessing a technician server to direct a global satellite positioning system to obtain the set of coordinates for the customer service location; obtaining the coordinates and updating one or more databases with said coordinates. The coordinates may include at least one of a latitude and a longitude associated with the customer service location.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2001Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp.Inventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, Jr., Mitchell E. Davis, Marvin R. Hamrick, Roland T. Morton, Jr., Jeffery A. Sylvester
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Patent number: 6738815Abstract: Methods and systems provide a mobile workforce remote access to legacy systems utilizing a wireless communications network with a wireline network available as a backup network. This system includes portable personal computers in communication with the wireless or wireline communications network, protocol servers for receiving and forwarding messages to and from the portable personal computers, and an interface in communications with the protocol servers and legacy systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Telcordia Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Willis, Jr., David R. Jean, William L. Harris