Patents by Inventor Robin D. Katzer

Robin D. Katzer 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: 11910194
    Abstract: A method of authenticating a secondary communication device based on authentication of a primary mobile communication device is disclosed. Trust is established with the primary mobile communication device by a device authentication server (DAS). The DAS receives an authorization code request from a secondary application operating on the secondary communication device, and transmits an authorization code to the secondary communication device. The DAS receives the authorization code from a primary application operating on the primary mobile communication device. The DAS authorizes the secondary application based on the trust with the primary mobile communication device and the authorization code from the primary application. The DAS transmits a secondary token to the secondary application at the secondary communication device to allow initialization of a communication session from the secondary application on behalf of the primary mobile communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC
    Inventors: Ricky A. Hohler, Robin D. Katzer, Deepthi Kota, Brian D. Mauer
  • Publication number: 20230126673
    Abstract: A method of authenticating a secondary communication device based on authentication of a primary mobile communication device is disclosed. Trust is established with the primary mobile communication device by a device authentication server (DAS). The DAS receives an authorization code request from a secondary application operating on the secondary communication device, and transmits an authorization code to the secondary communication device. The DAS receives the authorization code from a primary application operating on the primary mobile communication device. The DAS authorizes the secondary application based on the trust with the primary mobile communication device and the authorization code from the primary application. The DAS transmits a secondary token to the secondary application at the secondary communication device to allow initialization of a communication session from the secondary application on behalf of the primary mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Ricky A. Hohler, Robin D. Katzer, Deepthi Kota, Brian D. Mauer
  • Patent number: 11564094
    Abstract: A method of authenticating a secondary communication device based on authentication of a primary mobile communication device is disclosed. Trust is established with the primary mobile communication device by a device authentication server (DAS). The DAS receives an authorization code request from a secondary application operating on the secondary communication device, and transmits an authorization code to the secondary communication device. The DAS receives the authorization code from a primary application operating on the primary mobile communication device. The DAS authorizes the secondary application based on the trust with the primary mobile communication device and the authorization code from the primary application. The DAS transmits a secondary token to the secondary application at the secondary communication device to allow initialization of a communication session from the secondary application on behalf of the primary mobile communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC
    Inventors: Ricky A. Hohler, Robin D. Katzer, Deepthi Kota, Brian D. Mauer
  • Patent number: 11070980
    Abstract: A method of authenticating a secondary communication device based on authentication of a primary mobile communication device is disclosed. Trust is established with the primary mobile communication device by a device authentication server (DAS). The DAS receives an authorization code request from a secondary application operating on the secondary communication device, and transmits an authorization code to the secondary communication device. The DAS receives the authorization code from a primary application operating on the primary mobile communication device. The DAS authorizes the secondary application based on the trust with the primary mobile communication device and the authorization code from the primary application. The DAS transmits a secondary token to the secondary application at the secondary communication device to allow initialization of a communication session from the secondary application on behalf of the primary mobile communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Ricky A. Hohler, Robin D. Katzer, Deepthi Kota, Brian D. Mauer
  • Patent number: 10868808
    Abstract: A mobile communication device. The mobile communication device comprises a processor, a non-transitory memory, a subscriber identity module (SIM), wherein the SIM stores an encryption key, and a client application stored in the non-transitory memory. When executed by the processor, the client application transmits a server application authentication token request comprising an identity of the SIM, receives a message comprising a value, requests the SIM to encrypt the value using the encryption key stored by the SIM, receives an encrypted value from the SIM, transmits the encrypted value in a message, receives a server application authentication token, stores the server application authentication token in the non-transitory memory, transmits a server application access request comprising the server application authentication token, and conducts a communication session with the server application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Ricky A. Hohler, Robin D. Katzer, Deepthi Kota, Brian D. Mauer
  • Patent number: 10757089
    Abstract: A mobile communication device. The device comprises a client application that checks a non-transitory memory of the device for a web application access token corresponding to the client application, determines that the non-transitory memory does not store the web application access token, transmits a web application access token request via a cellular radio transceiver of the device to a Media Access Gateway (MAG), where the web application access token request comprises an identification of an Internet Protocol (IP) address allocated to the device when authenticating into a radio access network (RAN) by the cellular radio transceiver, receives a web application access token from the MAG, stores the web application access token in the non-transitory memory, and sends a request to access a web application comprising the web application access token to a web application server, where the web application server is different from the MAG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Ricky A. Hohler, Robin D. Katzer, Brian D. Mauer
  • Patent number: 10733630
    Abstract: A method of accessing services from a mobile communication device. The method comprises presenting service visual representations on a display of the device, wherein each of the service visual representations provides an interface for invoking a service, selecting advertisements for media content from a media content repository, wherein the selecting is based at least in part on the device, presenting the selected advertisements as thumbnail images on the display of the device, wherein each thumbnail image is coupled to metadata that define methods for invoking at least some of the services associated with the service visual representations, and when a first thumbnail image associated with a first selected advertisement is selected and dragged to the position of a first service visual representation, invoking a first service associated with the first service visual representation based on a method defined by metadata coupled to the first thumbnail image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Robert H. Burcham, Jason R. Delker, Robin D. Katzer, Denise K. Sadler, M. Jeffrey Stone
  • Patent number: 10083222
    Abstract: A computer for identifying categories of web pages. The computer comprises a processor, a non-transitory memory, and an application stored in the non-transitory memory. When executed by the processor the application builds an unvalidated table of uniform resource locators (URLs) in the non-transitory memory based on crawling the World Wide Web, navigates to at least some of the URLs stored in the unvalidated table, analyzes web pages to identify keywords, evaluates the URLs to belong to one or more web page categories using web page categorization rules based on the identified keywords, stores an entry for each evaluated URL in a validated table in the non-transitory memory, each entry comprising the URL, the one or more categories associated to the URL, and the keywords identified in the web page associated to the URL, performs a frequency analysis of keywords associated to URLs, and adapts the web page categorization rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Robin D. Katzer
  • Patent number: 9985735
    Abstract: A broadcasting system having a transmitter that broadcasts a one-way signal is provided. The one-way signal is embedded with data that is transmitted to a device that is enabled with near field communication (NFC) technology. The NFC-enabled device may then transfer at least a portion of the transmitted embedded data to another NFC-enabled device by bringing the NFC-enabled devices into close proximity to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Bierbaum, Robin D. Katzer, Todd N. Koellner, Kevin Zhu
  • Patent number: 9691182
    Abstract: An apparatus for improving the safety of a driver while driving a car, the apparatus comprising a headset for combining an unobstructed view with a virtual overlay, the virtual overlay created from a virtual output provided to the headset, the virtual output having one or more portions, a memory, a processor, at least one input device coupled to the memory and capable of delivering input device data to the memory, an application stored in the memory that when executed by the processor determines characteristics of the driver or an environment around the driver based upon data from the at least one input device, and a controller that based on the determined characteristics performs one or more of the following: block a portion of the virtual output to the virtual overlay, alters at least a portion of the virtual output to the virtual overlay, or adds a new portion to the virtual output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Robin D. Katzer, Hemant V. Tiwari
  • Patent number: 9680961
    Abstract: A method comprises a server receiving a message from a device requesting content, reading a first time record for the previous receipt of content, comparing the first time record with a second time record for the content stored in cache, and sending, when the second time record is newer than the first time record, the requested content. When time records match, the device is advised of refresh time and to request later. When the message lacks a time record, the requested content is sent. When cache does not contain requested content, a data loader obtains content from a server. A message to the device advises the time to obtain the content and to request again later. When cache does not contain the content and the server is unavailable, the data loader determines the time of network availability. A message then advises of availability time and to request again later.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Robin D. Katzer, Sei Y. Ng, M. Jeffrey Stone
  • Patent number: 9590938
    Abstract: A message distribution system for distributing messages to qualified mobile devices comprises an analytics system configured to identify mobile devices associated with one or more qualifiers, generate a list of mobile devices based on the association with the one or more qualifiers. A data visualization system may identify mobile devices from the list of one or more mobile devices is located at a selected geographic area and transmit a list of one or more mobile device located at a selected geographic area and associated with one or more qualifiers. A common campaign system may transmit the qualifiers to at least the analytics system to identify the mobile devices associated with the one or more qualifiers, and send a message to the mobile devices on the list of mobile devices located at a selected geographic area and associated with one or more qualifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Robert H. Burcham, Jason R. Delker, Robin D. Katzer
  • Patent number: 9374335
    Abstract: A message distribution system comprising an analytics system to receive an inquiry with qualifiers to generate an estimate of the number of mobile devices associated the with qualifiers, wherein the qualifiers comprise at least one characteristic associated with at least one of a mobile device, a mobile device user, or a mobile device owner, generating an estimate of the number of mobile devices associated with the qualifiers at a future time which may receive messages, and transmit the estimate of the number of mobile devices to a common campaign system. The system comprises a common campaign system to provide the qualifiers for selection, transmit the inquiry with the qualifiers to at least the analytics system to receive an estimate of the number of mobile devices associated with the qualifiers, and receive the estimate of the number of mobile devices associated with the qualifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Robert H. Burcham, Jason R. Delker, Robin D. Katzer
  • Patent number: 9319379
    Abstract: A method of generating a user identifier is disclosed. The method comprises identifying, by a client, that the client does not have a device identifier associated with the device, wherein the device identifier is a device system identifier unique to the device. The method also comprises requesting, by the client, the device identifier from the device in response to identifying that the client does not have the device identifier. The method further comprises receiving, by the client, the device identifier. The method also comprises masking, by the client, the device identifier with client logic. The method further comprises generating, by the client, the user identifier based on masking, wherein the user identifier is unique to the device, and wherein the user identifier is attached to one or more interactions with one or more applications used by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Robert H. Burcham, Geoff A. Holmes, Robin D. Katzer
  • Patent number: 9252951
    Abstract: A method of provisioning a mobile communication device with key functionality is disclosed. The method comprises a web portal receiving a request to add key functionality to a mobile communication device and a vehicle. The method comprises registering the mobile communication device via a vehicle key server as a precondition to add a key and a salt to the mobile communication device and a vehicle, wherein the key and the salt are codes. The method comprises accessing a vehicle key data store via the vehicle key server, wherein the data store comprises keys and salts. The method comprises transmitting the key and the salt to a trusted service manager (TSM) server via the vehicle key server; transmitting the salt to the vehicle, and transmitting the salt and the key to the mobile communication device, whereby the mobile communication device is enable to command the vehicle to unlock, lock, or start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Robin D. Katzer
  • Patent number: 9203978
    Abstract: Methods and products for providing an item of content to a mobile device in a prepaid context by way of a wireless telecommunications network are provided. One embodiment of a method includes receiving an indication that the item of content is desired to be communicated to a mobile device (which is associated with a certain customer); determining that the customer obtains wireless-telecommunications services by way of either a piecemeal plan or a recurring-fees plan; when the customer is associated with the piecemeal plan, determining that a remaining amount of the prepaid balance is insufficient to pay for the desired content (and thereby triggering a first follow-up process); and when the customer is associated with the recurring plan, determining that an immediate-payment option does not exist (and thereby triggering a second follow-up process).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Michael A. Gailloux, John Michael Everson, Jeffrey Scott Dillon, Robin D. Katzer, Jason Robert-Anthony Delker
  • Patent number: 9191620
    Abstract: A communication device that promotes an augmented reality voice call is disclosed. The communication device comprises a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, identifies a calling party or called party of a voice call of the communication device, downloads an avatar, wherein the avatar is a graphical representation associated with the calling party or called party; the application creates an image combining the avatar and a graphical representation of a living environment selected by the user of the communication device, and presents the image on a display of the communication device during the voice call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Robin D. Katzer, Hemant Tiwari
  • Patent number: 9154955
    Abstract: A mobile communication device. The device comprises a cellular radio transceiver, a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application receives an input that initiates access to a premium communication service via an untrusted network, determines whether an authentication payload is stored in the memory. When the application determines it is not stored in the memory, it transmits via the cellular radio transceiver to a media gateway a request to execute a service provided by an authorization server, receives an authentication payload from the media gateway via the cellular ratio transceiver, stores the authentication payload in the memory, and accesses the premium communication service initiated by the input based on the authentication payload stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Lyle T. Bertz, Robert H. Burcham, Robin D. Katzer, Brian D. Mauer
  • Patent number: 9154949
    Abstract: A method of authenticating a communication device for accessing premium communication services via an untrusted network. The method comprises receiving a request message from a communication device, wherein the request message comprises an identification of a delegated premium service delivery service and a mobile directory number of a mobile communication device, wherein the mobile communication device is different from the communication device. The method further comprises transmitting a code word to the mobile communication device associated with the mobile directory number, receiving a request authentication payload message from the communication device, wherein the request authentication payload message comprises the code word, and sending an authentication payload message to the communication device based on the code word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Lyle T. Bertz, Robert H. Burcham, Robin D. Katzer, Brian D. Mauer
  • Patent number: 8989705
    Abstract: A mobile access terminal (MAT) for use in an internet protocol multimedia system (IMS). The mobile access terminal comprises a first region of memory, a device application stored in the first region of memory, a second region of memory that implements a trusted security sector, and a centralized media controller application stored in the trusted security sector. The centralized media controller application is mated and paired with an incident internet protocol multimedia system network and wherein the centralized media controller application authenticates the device application and provides the device application with communications connectivity with the incident internet protocol multimedia system network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Robin D. Katzer, Lyle W. Paczkowski