Patents by Inventor Robert J. Hall

Robert J. Hall 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: 20150304123
    Abstract: Geocast-based situation awareness utilizing a scalable, distributed ad hoc geocast protocol as a communication primitive, may provide a field common operating picture (FCOP) for providing location tracking, movement history, telemetry, and messaging in near real time to all operators in a scenario. Information may be transferred using a query/response geocast message protocol. Caching on devices may be utilized to gain scalability. A query message may have a payload containing a type indication and a header containing a description of a geocast region of intended reception, which may comprise the monitored region, the location of the monitorer, or any appropriate combination thereof. Response messages may be sent from devices located in the monitored region to an area containing the location of the sender of a query. A response message may contain monitored information, such as current location, telemetry data, and/or recent movement history, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Patent number: 9161158
    Abstract: Information is acquired from a geographically-distributed sensor network using a scalable wireless geocast protocol. Geographically distributed networks of unattended sensors are placed at desired locations to collect various types of information, such as, for example, environmental parameters, temperature, humidity, rainfall, heat signatures, video, audio, seismic activity, and/or wind conditions. To acquire information, a query is provided to the geographic area at which the sensors are located utilizing the geocast protocol. Delivery of the query is based on a physical location of a region in which a sensor network is located, the type of information being queried, and/or temporal conditions. Each sensor that receives a query determines if all requirements/conditions are satisfied. If so, the query is accepted and processed by the recipient sensor, and responded to accordingly. Responses to queries are provided via the geocast protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Patent number: 9152922
    Abstract: A first iterative Grover Search process is performed by causing at least one quantum computer to perform a first series of Grover Searches according to a characteristic function for varying numbers of iterations to identify a first search target. The characteristic function is modified according to the identified first search target. A second iterative Grover Search process is performed by causing the at least one quantum computer to perform a second series of Grover Searches according to the modified characteristic function beginning with a number of iterations determined based on a number of iterations required for at least one prior iterative Grover Search process to identify a second search target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Patent number: 9118428
    Abstract: Geographic advertising utilizes a location of a mobile communications device to infer potential interest in a product and/or service. A scalable network protocol is utilized to provide advertisements, coupons, discounts, or the like, to mobile communications devices that are within a select geographic area or areas. A geographically addressed message is formulated based on the location of a potential customer and the content to be provided to potential customer. A message is generated at the time it is sent based on a current location of mobile communications device in the select geographic area. A protocol is utilized that replaces an IP address with a geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Patent number: 9071451
    Abstract: Geocast-based situation awareness utilizing a scalable, distributed ad hoc geocast protocol as a communication primitive, may provide a field common operating picture (FCOP) for providing location tracking, movement history, telemetry, and messaging in near real time to all operators in a scenario. Information may be transferred using a query/response geocast message protocol. Caching on devices may be utilized to gain scalability. A query message may have a payload containing a type indication and a header containing a description of a geocast region of intended reception, which may comprise the monitored region, the location of the monitorer, or any appropriate combination thereof. Response messages may be sent from devices located in the monitored region to an area containing the location of the sender of a query. A response message may contain monitored information, such as current location, telemetry data, and/or recent movement history, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Publication number: 20150131499
    Abstract: A bridge device at a first tier receives a geographic addressing packet destined for a target region containing a plurality of devices. The bridge device applies a bridging function using the geographic address packet to determine whether to transmit the geographic addressing packet. The bridging function utilizes certain information based on the geographic addressing packet. The bridge device determines to transmit the geographic addressing packet to a second tier based on the bridging function indicating that the geographic addressing packet should be transmitted to the second tier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140378090
    Abstract: A geocast alerting system employs wireless geocast transmissions to deliver customized alerting messages to particular geographic areas. Geocast alerting regions and sub-regions can be defined within the system. Upon notice of the occurrence of an emergent situation, one or more geographic areas that may potentially be affected by the emergent situation are determined. The potentially effected geographic regions are compared with geocast alerting regions and sub-regions corresponding to particular geographic areas. Target alerting regions that should receive alerting messages are identified based on the comparison. The content of alerting messages can be tailored for each target alerting region. The content of alerting messages can contain distinct portions of content, each portion tailored based upon one or more conditions related to communications devices within the target alerting region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140335952
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for initiating real-time geo-game using geocast messaging according to a scalable tiered geocast protocol. The method includes a first wireless terminal (WT), programmed with a geo-gaming application and the scalable tiered geocast protocol, geocasting a game declaration to a destination geocast region containing potential participants. The method also includes a second WT, of one of the potential participants, and programmed with the geo-gaming application and the scalable tiered geocast protocol, receiving the game declaration in the destination geocast region and responding by geocasting a response message indicating interest in participating in the real-time geo-game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Patent number: 8868027
    Abstract: A geocast alerting system employs wireless geocast transmissions to deliver customized alerting messages to particular geographic areas. Geocast alerting regions and sub-regions can be defined within the system. Upon notice of the occurrence of an emergent situation, one or more geographic areas that may potentially be affected by the emergent situation are determined. The potentially effected geographic regions are compared with geocast alerting regions and sub-regions corresponding to particular geographic areas. Target alerting regions that should receive alerting messages are identified based on the comparison. The content of alerting messages can be tailored for each target alerting region. The content of alerting messages can contain distinct portions of content, each portion tailored based upon one or more conditions related to communications devices within the target alerting region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140249749
    Abstract: Geographic gaming via a scalable, wireless geographic broadcast protocol enables multiplayer gaming between communication devices without relying on traditional network elements. Games can be fully distributed over an ad hoc network of mobile communications devices. The scalable nature of the wireless geographic broadcast protocol enables multiplayer games to function equally well in both remote areas with no or little network service and in crowded areas containing both game players and other users of mobile communications devices. Wireless geographic broadcast messages distributed among multiplayer game participants can be used to control gameplay features and/or game elements of multiplayer games. Embodiments include simulated artillery battles, simulated throw and catch games, and simulated reconnaissance elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140247769
    Abstract: Media is distributed via a scalable ad hoc geographic routing/broadcast protocol. Media can be transmitted from a mobile device to a cluster of mobile devices that are geographically located in a particular region. Devices that are located between the source and the intended target can act as routers with the ability to forward data packets toward the intended destination. In essence, a geocast network cloud is established, allowing any device within the cloud to communicate with any other device in the cloud. Devices in the network can constantly change position and the transmission path through the network can be constantly changing. The geocast protocol adapts to the changing conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hall, Richard Robert Jamison
  • Patent number: 8821293
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for initiating real-time geo-game using geocast messaging according to a scalable tiered geocast protocol. The method includes a first wireless terminal (WT), programmed with a geo-gaming application and the scalable tiered geocast protocol, geocasting a game declaration to a destination geocast region containing potential participants. The method also includes a second WT, of one of the potential participants, and programmed with the geo-gaming application and the scalable tiered geocast protocol, receiving the game declaration in the destination geocast region and responding by geocasting a response message indicating interest in participating in the real-time geo-game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Patent number: 8777752
    Abstract: A geogame utilizes wireless devices to track the movements of the players. As players move, virtual tails are generated behind each player, and their locations are determined and geocast, via a wireless geographic broadcast protocol, to all players of the geogame. Each player observes all players movements and tail locations on his/her wireless device. Players can draw sketches utilizing their respective virtual tails and/or players can traverse courses which involve various types of terrain. Players can try to avoid virtual obstacles that can be generated within the game. Players can be provided weapons to shoot through boundaries and tails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140161006
    Abstract: Geocast-based file transfer may be implemented via use of a Geocast File Transfer (GFT) protocol. A sending device may parse a file into multiple chunks. Respective multiple geocast packets comprising the chunks may be geocast. The sending device may geocast all packets sequentially. Upon geocasting all packets, the sending device may wait a predetermined amount of time. During the period of time, any receiving device that did not receive a chunk of the file may geocast a request for the missing chunk. Receiving devices also may wait various respective amounts of time before geocasting requests. Other receiving devices that may have missed a chunk may hear that the chunk it missed is being requested. And that device need not make a request for the chunk. Rather, that device may wait for the sending device to retransmit a geocast packet that contains the missing chunk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LP
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Patent number: 8751159
    Abstract: Geographic gaming via a scalable, wireless geographic broadcast protocol enables multiplayer gaming between communication devices without relying on traditional network elements. Games can be fully distributed over an ad hoc network of mobile communications devices. The scalable nature of the wireless geographic broadcast protocol enables multiplayer games to function equally well in both remote areas with no or little network service and in crowded areas containing both game players and other users of mobile communications devices. Wireless geographic broadcast messages distributed among multiplayer game participants can be used to control gameplay features and/or game elements of multiplayer games. Embodiments include simulated artillery battles, simulated throw and catch games, and simulated reconnaissance elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J Hall
  • Patent number: 8702506
    Abstract: In a geographic location based game (geogame), players, utilizing wireless devices, are required to continuously physically move within a defined boundary throughout the geogame. The wireless devices, with the aid of a location system, such as GPS, track the movements of the players. As players move, virtual tails are generated behind each player, and their locations are determined and geocast, via a wireless geographic broadcast protocol, to all players of the geogame. Each player observes all players movements and tail locations on his/her wireless device. If a player stops moving, the player is expelled from the game. If a player exits the confines of the boundary, the player is expelled from the game. If a player crosses a virtual tail, the player is expelled from the game. If two virtual tails cross, both players are expelled from the game. The last player remaining is the winner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140098686
    Abstract: A protocol for providing location-based communication services in wireless sensor networks utilizes dynamic selection of forwarding devices, dynamic forwarding decisions, and intelligent backoff. Dynamic selection of forwarding devices limits the number of transmissions by dynamically selecting the devices that forward a message. Dynamic forwarding decisions implement different heuristics for different devices. According to intelligent backoff, devices that are closer to a destination region backoff for a shorter period of time than those which are further away from the destination region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Rajesh Krishna Panta, Joshua Marc Auzins, Maria F. Fernandez, Robert J. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140038511
    Abstract: Geocast-based situation awareness utilizing a scalable, distributed ad hoc geocast protocol as a communication primitive, may provide a field common operating picture (FCOP) for providing location tracking, movement history, telemetry, and messaging in near real time to all operators in a scenario. Information may be transferred using a query/response geocast message protocol. Caching on devices may be utilized to gain scalability. A query message may have a payload containing a type indication and a header containing a description of a geocast region of intended reception, which may comprise the monitored region, the location of the monitorer, or any appropriate combination thereof. Response messages may be sent from devices located in the monitored region to an area containing the location of the sender of a query. A response message may contain monitored information, such as current location, telemetry data, and/or recent movement history, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Publication number: 20130244564
    Abstract: A geocast alerting system employs wireless geocast transmissions to deliver customized alerting messages to particular geographic areas. Geocast alerting regions and sub-regions can be defined within the system. Upon notice of the occurrence of an emergent situation, one or more geographic areas that may potentially be affected by the emergent situation are determined. The potentially effected geographic regions are compared with geocast alerting regions and sub-regions corresponding to particular geographic areas. Target alerting regions that should receive alerting messages are identified based on the comparison. The content of alerting messages can be tailored for each target alerting region. The content of alerting messages can contain distinct portions of content, each portion tailored based upon one or more conditions related to communications devices within the target alerting region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Publication number: 20130242956
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing interference between wireless terminals communicating in a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET). Interference is reduced by dividing the MANET into a number of geographical areas having a specific size and shape. Each geographical area is assigned a time slot during which wireless terminals located in the respective geographical area may transmit to other wireless terminals. The time slots are assigned such that geographical areas having the same time slot are far enough away from each other that wireless terminals located in such same time slot geographical areas are outside the interference range of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall