Patents by Inventor Steven L. McDonald

Steven L. McDonald 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: 9819787
    Abstract: To block calls and other mobile device network activities in a vehicle while the vehicle is being operated, a vehicle cellphone inhibitor system is provided. A femtocell device can be provided to reroute communications between a cellular network and the mobile device through the femtocell device. The vehicle cellphone inhibitor system can selectively block calls or other network operations on the mobile device that are routed through the femtocell device on the mobile device while leaving the mobile device otherwise operational. The blocking can be activated whenever the vehicle is moving, which can be determined via GPS, accelerometers, or a connection via the vehicle's electronic control unit (“ECU”) utilizing vehicle data to determine whether the vehicle is in motion or being operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin Reese, Alfonso Jones, Steven L. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20160044155
    Abstract: To block calls and other mobile device network activities in a vehicle while the vehicle is being operated, a vehicle cellphone inhibitor system is provided. A femtocell device can be provided to reroute communications between a cellular network and the mobile device through the femtocell device. The vehicle cellphone inhibitor system can selectively block calls or other network operations on the mobile device that are routed through the femtocell device on the mobile device while leaving the mobile device otherwise operational. The blocking can be activated whenever the vehicle is moving, which can be determined via GPS, accelerometers, or a connection via the vehicle's electronic control unit (“ECU”) utilizing vehicle data to determine whether the vehicle is in motion or being operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin Reese, Alfonso Jones, Steven L. McDonald
  • Patent number: 8887220
    Abstract: Network interface devices and methods are provided. A particular network interface device includes a first network interface adapted to terminate one or more communication lines and a second network interface to terminate at least one coaxial line. The network interface device also includes at least one interface connector adapted to receive a removable plug-in module. The removable plug-in module includes a video unit that is operable to receive video data from a network device via at least one of the one or more communication lines and to process the video data for communication via the at least one coaxial line or a twisted wire pair when the plug-in module is connected to the at least one interface connector. The removable plug-in module also includes a power coupling device to receive power via at least one of the one or more communication lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Darrell Taylor, Steven L. McDonald, Alfonso Jones
  • Publication number: 20100023994
    Abstract: Network interface devices and methods are provided. A particular network interface device includes a first network interface adapted to terminate one or more communication lines and a second network interface to terminate at least one coaxial line. The network interface device also includes at least one interface connector adapted to receive a removable plug-in module. The removable plug-in module includes a video unit that is operable to receive video data from a network device via at least one of the one or more communication lines and to process the video data for communication via the at least one coaxial line or a twisted wire pair when the plug-in module is connected to the at least one interface connector. The removable plug-in module also includes a power coupling device to receive power via at least one of the one or more communication lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: AT & T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Darrell Taylor, Steven L. McDonald, Alfonso Jones
  • Patent number: 7142892
    Abstract: Mobile workforce communication systems include a mobile workforce dispatch system that is configured to dispatch the mobile workforce to perform tasks, and wireless terminals that are carried by the mobile workforce and are configured to communicate with the mobile workforce dispatch system to allow the mobile workforce to respond to dispatches. The mobile workforce dispatch system is further configured to accept an AMBER alert notification and to broadcast a mobile workforce AMBER alert message that includes a description of an abductee and identification of a location of an abduction, to the wireless terminals, so that the mobile workforce can be apprised of an AMBER alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Gary J. Dennis, James A. Page, Robert M. Ingman, Steven L. McDonald, Billy D. Deen, Frank P. May
  • Patent number: 6957366
    Abstract: A system and method for updating a software acceptance testing database via a communications network is disclosed. A database maintained at a server is accessed by remote users via a restricted communications network. Mobile personnel log trouble tickets, the software vendor assigns the trouble ticket to a resolution entity, the software purchaser is notified when the problem is to be fixed, the problem is retested and the results of the retest are logged. For future releases of the software, a field is included in the database for trouble items that will be included in future regression testing procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: Steven L. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20040180683
    Abstract: Mobile workforce communication systems include a mobile workforce dispatch system that is configured to dispatch the mobile workforce to perform tasks, and wireless terminals that are carried by the mobile workforce and are configured to communicate with the mobile workforce dispatch system to allow the mobile workforce to respond to dispatches. The mobile workforce dispatch system is further configured to accept an AMBER alert notification and to broadcast a mobile workforce AMBER alert message that includes a description of an abductee and identification of a location of an abduction, to the wireless terminals, so that the mobile workforce can be apprised of an AMBER alert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Gary J. Dennis, James A. Page, Robert M. Ingman, Steven L. McDonald, Billy D. Deen, Frank P. May
  • Patent number: D365386
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Inventors: Trina L. McDonald, Steven L. McDonald