Patents by Inventor Steven Michael Wollmershauser

Steven Michael Wollmershauser 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: 10382510
    Abstract: A device includes a first interface, and a processor. The first interface connects to a wide area network and communicates with a first electronic device via the wide area network. The processor is configured to initiate transmission of a request while the processor is disconnected from a local area network. The processor is configured to initiate transmission of a second request to a second electronic device via the first interface. The second electronic device is located in a facility remote to the residential gateway. The processor is further configured to receive media content sent from the second electronic device responsive to the second request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Roger A. Cockrell, Steven Michael Wollmershauser, Thomas S. Webster, Brian Wilson, Alison Raphael
  • Publication number: 20170026440
    Abstract: A device includes a first interface, and a processor. The first interface connects to a wide area network and communicates with a first electronic device via the wide area network. The processor is configured to initiate transmission of a request while the processor is disconnected from a local area network. The processor is configured to initiate transmission of a second request to a second electronic device via the first interface. The second electronic device is located in a facility remote to the residential gateway. The processor is further configured to receive media content sent from the second electronic device responsive to the second request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: ROGER A. COCKRELL, STEVEN MICHAEL WOLLMERSHAUSER, THOMAS S. WEBSTER, BRIAN WILSON, ALISON RAPHAEL
  • Patent number: 9473324
    Abstract: A media player device includes a first, a second, and a third interface, and a processor. The first interface communicates with a residential gateway via a wide area network and/or a local area network, and the residential gateway is coupled to a plurality of electronic devices. The second interface communicates directly with at least one of the plurality of electronic devices. The third interface communicates with one or more electronic devices of the plurality of electronic devices via the local area network. The processor is configured to selectively transmit a request via the second interface when the media player device is proximate to the first electronic device, via the third interface when the media player device is not proximate to the first electronic device and is within range of the local area network, and via the first interface when the media player device is outside the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Roger A. Cockrell, Steven Michael Wollmershauser, Thomas S. Webster, Brian Wilson, Alison Raphael
  • Patent number: 9294738
    Abstract: A system and method of security monitoring is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method includes determining a channel of a television system associated with video content from a security camera. In a particular embodiment, a method includes sending a first alert to a display device and sending a second alert to a remote control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Goangshiuan Ying, Eugene L. Edmon, Kent G. McCammon, Steve Aspell, Ronald Brost, Edward Walter, Steven Michael Wollmershauser, Yolius Diroo
  • Patent number: 9021519
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method of restricting access to video content. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for video content at a set-top box located at a first location, the request received from a remote user device located at a second location. The method also includes initiating recording of the video content at the set-top box when the video content is unrestricted at the first location and when the video content is restricted at the second location. The method also includes, when the video content is unrestricted at the second location, initiating sending the video content to the remote user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Edward Walter, Steven Michael Wollmershauser, Erin Tania Kenyon
  • Patent number: 8989882
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to receive a request for reverberation in an environment having a plurality of media devices, and adjust a time delay for audio signals presented by one of the plurality of media devices operably coupled to the set top box based at least in part on the request. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Michael Wollmershauser, William O. Sprague, Jr., Jason B. Sprague
  • Publication number: 20130276018
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method of restricting access to video content. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for video content at a set-top box located at a first location, the request received from a remote user device located at a second location. The method also includes initiating recording of the video content at the set-top box when the video content is unrestricted at the first location and when the video content is restricted at the second location. The method also includes, when the video content is unrestricted at the second location, initiating sending the video content to the remote user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Edward Walter, Steven Michael Wollmershauser, Erin Tania Kenyon
  • Patent number: 8490126
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method of restricting access to video content. In a particular embodiment, the method includes sending a request for video content to a set-top box device from a remote user device via a video distribution network. The method also includes receiving location data at the remote user device via the video distribution network, the location data indicating a location of the remote user device. The method also includes indicating at the remote user device that the video content is inaccessible, when access to the video content is restricted within a region that includes the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellecutal Property I, LP
    Inventors: Edward Walter, Steven Michael Wollmershauser, Erin Tania Kenyon
  • Publication number: 20120326835
    Abstract: A media player device includes a first, a second, and a third interface, and a processor. The first interface communicates with a residential gateway via a wide area network and/or a local area network, and the residential gateway is coupled to a plurality of electronic devices. The second interface communicates directly with at least one of the plurality of electronic devices. The third interface communicates with one or more electronic devices of the plurality of electronic devices via the local area network. The processor is configured to selectively transmit a request via the second interface when the media player device is proximate to the first electronic device, via the third interface when the media player device is not proximate to the first electronic device and is within range of the local area network, and via the first interface when the media player device is outside the range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Roger A. Cockrell, Steven Michael Wollmershauser, Thomas S. Webster, Brian Wilson, Alison Raphael
  • Patent number: 8230466
    Abstract: In a particular illustrative embodiment, a portable personal media player includes a first interface, a second interface, a display, an audio output, a keypad and a processor. The first interface communicates via a network with a residential gateway that is communicatively coupled to a plurality of electronic devices. The second interface may communicate wireless commands directly to at least one of the plurality of electronic devices. The display is adapted to display alphanumeric data and video content. The processor is responsive to a selection received via the keypad to transmit a request for selected media content to the residential gateway via the first interface. The processor receives media content related to the request via the first interface, processes the media content and provides video data to the display and audio data to the audio output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Roger A. Cockrell, Steven Michael Wollmershauser, Thomas S. Webster, Brian Wilson, Alison Raphael
  • Patent number: 8005069
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to self-configure a flexible residential gateway providing access to an external communications network, and providing communications with an in home network. An example flexible residential gateway may include at least one voice over Internet protocol (IP) (VoIP) processor, at least one VoIP coupler connecting VoIP signals between at least one VoIP processor and at least one telephone line. In such an arrangement, the VoIP coupler may be configurably capable to disconnect a battery feed voltage and ring voltages from a telephone line. The gateway may further include a switch controller capable of disconnecting the battery feed voltage and the ring voltages from at least one telephone line if POTS signals are detected on at least one telephone line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: William Robert Hurst, Jeffrey Multach, Steven Michael Wollmershauser
  • Patent number: 7889746
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to self-configure a flexible residential gateway providing access to an external communications network, and providing communications with an in home network. An example flexible residential gateway may include an xDSL (“x” variety of Digital Subscriber Line) processor that processes xDSL signals communicated with the connected external communications network; a Wide area network (WAN) Ethernet transceiver that processes Ethernet signals communicated with the connected external communications network; and a switch controller that is capable of selecting either the xDSL processor or the WAN Ethernet transceiver, and if the xDSL processor is selected whether the xDSL processor is connected to a first telephone line or a coaxial cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: William Robert Hurst, Jeffrey Multach, Steven Michael Wollmershauser
  • Publication number: 20100034396
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to receive a request for reverberation in an environment having a plurality of media devices, and adjust a time delay for audio signals presented by one of the plurality of media devices operably coupled to the set top box based at least in part on the request. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Michael Wollmershauser, William O. Sprague, JR., Jason B. Sprague
  • Patent number: 7616743
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to self-configure a flexible residential gateway providing access to an external communications network, and providing communications with an in home network. An example flexible residential gateway may include an xDSL (“x” variety of Digital Subscriber Line) processor that processes xDSL signals communicated with the external network via a first telephone line, a Home PhoneLine Networking Alliance (HomePNA) processor that processes HomePNA signals communicated with the in home network using at least one of the first or additional telephone lines, and a switch controller capable of disconnecting the HomePNA processor from at least one telephone line if Very high speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) signals that interfere with the HomePNA signals are present on at least one telephone line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: William Robert Hurst, Jeffrey Multach, Steven Michael Wollmershauser
  • Publication number: 20080117922
    Abstract: In a particular illustrative embodiment, a portable personal media player includes a first interface, a second interface, a display, an audio output, a keypad and a processor. The first interface communicates via a network with a residential gateway that is communicatively coupled to a plurality of electronic devices. The second interface may communicate wireless commands directly to at least one of the plurality of electronic devices. The display is adapted to display alphanumeric data and video content. The processor is responsive to a selection received via the keypad to transmit a request for selected media content to the residential gateway via the first interface. The processor receives media content related to the request via the first interface, processes the media content and provides video data to the display and audio data to the audio output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Roger A. Cockrell, Steven Michael Wollmershauser, Thomas S. Webster, Brian Wilson, Alison Raphael
  • Publication number: 20080120639
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing emergency information. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a video emergency alert at a set-top box device from a video head-end. The method also includes receiving a command at the set-top box device to request information related to the video emergency alert. The method also includes receiving the information at the set-top box device from the video head-end, where the information includes data retrieved via a public data network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Edward Walter, Yolius Diroo, Steven Michael Wollmershauser
  • Publication number: 20080092157
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method of restricting access to video content. In a particular embodiment, the method includes sending a request for video content to a set-top box device from a remote user device via a video distribution network. The method also includes receiving location data at the remote user device via the video distribution network, the location data indicating a location of the remote user device. The method also includes indicating at the remote user device that the video content is inaccessible, when access to the video content is restricted within a region that includes the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Edward Walter, Steven Michael Wollmershauser, Erin Tania Kenyon
  • Publication number: 20080055423
    Abstract: A system and method of security monitoring is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method includes determining a channel of a television system associated with video content from a security camera. In a particular embodiment, a method includes sending a first alert to a display device and sending a second alert to a remote control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Goangshiuan Ying, Eugene L. Edmon, Kent G. McCammon, Steve Aspell, Ronald Brost, Edward Walter, Steven Michael Wollmershauser, Yolius Diroo