Patents by Inventor Troy C. Meuninck

Troy C. Meuninck 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: 11449595
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products authenticate users for access to devices, applications, and services. Skills of a user are learned over time, such that an electronic model of random subject matter may be generated. The user is prompted to interpret the random subject matter, such as with an electronic drawing. The user's interpretation is then compared to the electronic model of the random subject matter. If the user's interpretation matches the electronic model, the user may be authenticated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Li, Troy C. Meuninck, Robert Raymond Miller, II, James H. Pratt, Horst J. Schroeter, Behzad Shahraray
  • Patent number: 11210336
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products help users recall memories and search for content of those memories. When a user cannot recall a memory, the user is prompted with questions to help recall the memory. As the user answers the questions, a virtual recollection of the memory is synthesized from the answers to the questions. When the user is satisfied with the virtual recollection of the memory, a database of content may be searched for the virtual recollection of the memory. Video data, for example, may be retrieved that matches the virtual recollection of the memory. The video data is thus historical data documenting past events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Li, Troy C. Meuninck, Robert Raymond Miller, II, James H. Pratt, Horst J. Schroeter, Behzad Shahraray
  • Patent number: 10996830
    Abstract: A system that incorporates the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving from a first media device a selection of replacement content, where the replacement content corresponds to a portion of media content presentable by the first media device, and where replacement content is selected according to a plurality of options presented by the first media device as the portion of the media content is being presented. The method may further include retrieving the replacement content with a metadata pointer provided with the media content, transmitting to a second media device a request to accept the replacement content, and transmitting the replacement content to the second media device for presentation at the second media device in response to receiving an acceptance response from the second media device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Troy C. Meuninck, Oleg Kashapov
  • Publication number: 20210068935
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products monitor a person's regimen for medicinal and dietary restrictions. When the person's regimen requires a liquid medication or supplement, an oral instrument is commanded to dispense a dosage of fluid. The oral instrument stores a reservoir of the fluid. If the oral instrument is a spoon, for example, the spoon may automatically dispense cough syrup or other medicine. A toothbrush, likewise, may automatically dispense mouthwash. A sensor may confirm presence of the oral instrument in the person's mouth, thus ensuring the dosage of fluid is ingested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Li, Troy C. Meuninck, Robert Raymond Miller, II, James H. Pratt, Horst J. Schroeter, Behzad Shahraray
  • Publication number: 20210004450
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products authenticate users for access to devices, applications, and services. Skills of a user are learned over time, such that an electronic model of random subject matter may be generated. The user is prompted to interpret the random subject matter, such as with an electronic drawing. The user's interpretation is then compared to the electronic model of the random subject matter. If the user's interpretation matches the electronic model, the user may be authenticated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Li, Troy C. Meuninck, Robert Raymond Miller, II, James H. Pratt, Horst J. Schroeter, Behzad Shahraray
  • Patent number: 10878063
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products monitor a person's regimen for medicinal and dietary restrictions. When the person's regimen requires a liquid medication or supplement, an oral instrument is commanded to dispense a dosage of fluid. The oral instrument stores a reservoir of the fluid. If the oral instrument is a spoon, for example, the spoon may automatically dispense cough syrup or other medicine. A toothbrush, likewise, may automatically dispense mouthwash. A sensor may confirm presence of the oral instrument in the person's mouth, thus ensuring the dosage of fluid is ingested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Li, Troy C. Meuninck, Robert Raymond Miller, II, James H. Pratt, Horst J. Schroeter, Behzad Shahraray
  • Patent number: 10823835
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products determine electromagnetic reflective characteristics of ambient environments. A wireless communications device sends a cellular impulse and receives reflections of the cellular impulse. The cellular impulse and the reflections of the cellular impulse may be compared to determine the electromagnetic reflective characteristics of an ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Raymond Miller, II, Kevin A. Li, Troy C. Meuninck, James H. Pratt, Horst J. Schroeter, Behzad Shahraray
  • Patent number: 10817972
    Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include embedding a watermark in media content for presentation at a rendering device using an editor to associate the watermark with one or more metadata pointers that point to additional media content according to an embedded link of the watermark to generate a group of one or more metadata pointers where the watermark includes an embedded link to additional media content used to modify the media content based on a content exchange between the rendering device and a computer. The method may further include storing the group of one or more metadata pointers, where a selection of the watermark invokes access to the altered media content containing the additional media content associated with the watermark, thereby producing the altered media content at the one or more user devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Troy C. Meuninck, Oleg Kashapov
  • Patent number: 10810299
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products authenticate users for access to devices, applications, and services. Skills of a user are learned over time, such that an electronic model of random subject matter may be generated. The user is prompted to interpret the random subject matter, such as with an electronic drawing. The user's interpretation is then compared to the electronic model of the random subject matter. If the user's interpretation matches the electronic model, the user may be authenticated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Li, Troy C. Meuninck, Robert Raymond Miller, II, James H. Pratt, Horst J. Schroeter, Behzad Shahraray
  • Patent number: 10686770
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a process that includes providing a pairing key to a communication device, wherein the pairing key is encrypted and is associated with a software application associated with a group of services. The communication device is enabled to utilize the software application based on the pairing key and a service of the group of services is requested from a first media resource center for use with a media device. Responsive to a detection of a communication zone associated with a second media resource center, the pairing key is provided to the second media resource center to enable the service to be used in the communication zone. The software application is not fully enabled until it is determined to be in compliance with a service provider policy. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: William A. Brown, Troy C. Meuninck
  • Patent number: 10602233
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to record stereoscopic media content supplied by a multimedia system, receive from a communication device a request for the recorded stereoscopic media content, determine rendering capabilities of the communication device, generate transcoded content by transcoding the recorded stereoscopic media content according to the rendering capabilities of the communication device, and transmit to the communication device the transcoded content. Other embodiments are disclosed and contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Troy C. Meuninck, James Carlton Bedingfield, Sr., William A. Brown, David Brux DeLorme, Nadia Morris, Virginia S. Ng
  • Patent number: 10536737
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operating in a mobile device server. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can include computer instructions to execute a web server application in the mobile device server. The web server application can be operable cause the mobile device server to detect a media resource center while roaming in a communication zone of the media resource center, transmit a pairing key to the media resource center, and receive from the media resource center authorization to pair with one or more resources selected by the media resource center according to the pairing key. In one embodiment a billing system can be operable to determine whether to apply a monetary charge to a subscriber account based on the pairing key. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David A. Christopher, Nicholas Peter Hill, Jeffrey G. Weber, William A. Brown, Troy C. Meuninck
  • Patent number: 10489883
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions to detect a first position of a viewing apparatus, wherein the viewing apparatus enables viewing of media programs, obtain a media program in a first viewing perspective that conforms to the first position, present the media program with the first viewing perspective for viewing by way of the viewing apparatus, and transmit to the viewing apparatus a first audio signal corresponding to the first viewing perspective. The storage medium can also have computer instructions to detect that the viewing apparatus has moved to a second position, obtain the media program in a second viewing perspective according to the second position, and present the media program with the second viewing perspective for viewing by way of the viewing apparatus. Other embodiments are disclosed and contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Troy C. Meuninck, James Carlton Bedingfield, Sr., William A. Brown, David B. DeLorme, Nadia Morris
  • Patent number: 10484260
    Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving at a media resource center a first pairing key from a first mobile device server and enabling the first mobile device to access at least one media device based on the first pairing key, where the at least one media device is operably coupled with the media resource center, where the first mobile devices provides media services by executing a web server application that utilizes the at least one media device, and where the first mobile device communicates with a second mobile device server to provide the media services. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: William A. Brown, Troy C. Meuninck
  • Publication number: 20190339375
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products determine electromagnetic reflective characteristics of ambient environments. A wireless communications device sends a cellular impulse and receives reflections of the cellular impulse. The cellular impulse and the reflections of the cellular impulse may be compared to determine the electromagnetic reflective characteristics of an ambient environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Raymond Miller, II, Kevin A. Li, Troy C. Meuninck, James H. Pratt, Horst J. Schroeter, Behzad Shahraray
  • Publication number: 20190288992
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a process that includes providing a pairing key to a communication device, wherein the pairing key is encrypted and is associated with a software application associated with a group of services. The communication device is enabled to utilize the software application based on the pairing key and a service of the group of services is requested from a first media resource center for use with a media device. Responsive to a detection of a communication zone associated with a second media resource center, the pairing key is provided to the second media resource center to enable the service to be used in the communication zone. The software application is not fully enabled until it is determined to be in compliance with a service provider policy. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: William A. Brown, Troy C. Meuninck
  • Publication number: 20190278801
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products help users recall memories and search for content of those memories. When a user cannot recall a memory, the user is prompted with questions to help recall the memory. As the user answers the questions, a virtual recollection of the memory is synthesized from the answers to the questions. When the user is satisfied with the virtual recollection of the memory, a database of content may be searched for the virtual recollection of the memory. Video data, for example, may be retrieved that matches the virtual recollection of the memory. The video data is thus historical data documenting past events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Li, Troy C. Meuninck, Robert Raymond Miller, II, James H. Pratt, Horst J. Schroeter, Behzad Shahraray
  • Patent number: 10393868
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products determine electromagnetic reflective characteristics of ambient environments. A wireless communications device sends a cellular impulse and receives reflections of the cellular impulse. The cellular impulse and the reflections of the cellular impulse may be compared to determine the electromagnetic reflective characteristics of an ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Raymond Miller, II, Kevin A. Li, Troy C. Meuninck, James H. Pratt, Horst J. Schroeter, Behzad Shahraray
  • Publication number: 20190259125
    Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include embedding a watermark in media content for presentation at a rendering device using an editor to associate the watermark with one or more metadata pointers that point to additional media content according to an embedded link of the watermark to generate a group of one or more metadata pointers where the watermark includes an embedded link to additional media content used to modify the media content based on a content exchange between the rendering device and a computer. The method may further include storing the group of one or more metadata pointers, where a selection of the watermark invokes access to the altered media content containing the additional media content associated with the watermark, thereby producing the altered media content at the one or more user devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Troy C. Meuninck, Oleg Kashapov
  • Patent number: 10367880
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to detect a selection of media content from a media content source, detect that the selected media content comprises a plurality of media content types, present a plurality of media content type options, each option corresponding to one of the plurality of media content types or combinations thereof, detect a selection from the plurality of media content type options, submit a request to a targeted communication device to accept or decline the selected media content according to the selected media content type option, retrieve one or more metadata pointers from the media content source for retrieving the selected media content responsive to receiving an acceptance from the targeted communication device, and store the one or more metadata pointers and the selected media content type option. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Propoerty I, LP.
    Inventors: Troy C. Meuninck, N. Peter Hill, Oleg Kashapov