Format Conversion (e.g., Text, Audio, Etc.) Patents (Class 455/414.4)
  • Patent number: 8560005
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and text-to-speech method. The mobile communication terminal includes a display unit for displaying at least one object on a screen; a controller for identifying a depth of an activated object on the screen and finding a speech data set mapped to the identified depth; a speech synthesizer for converting textual contents of the activated object into audio wave data using the found speech data set; and an audio processor for outputting the audio wave data in speech sounds. As a result, textual contents of different objects are output in different voices so the user can easily distinguish one object from another object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yong Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 8560641
    Abstract: The present invention relates to video conferencing and multimedia messaging, and takes advantage of the capabilities of the communication system to which the audio participants are connected, in order to increase the performance of all the participants in a mixed conference. In a preferred embodiment, the audio participants are provided with a MMS device, and a MMS Engine captures periodically, or at certain events, video conference data attached to MMS messages and addressed to the MMS device. In the opposite direction, the MMS device provides multimedia data to the conventional video conference participants by attaching the multimedia data to MMS messages, which are sent to the IP-addressable MMS Engine. The MMS Engine separates the multimedia data and converts it to a format compatible with the video conference. The converted multimedia data is then provided to video conference participants, and treated like any other multimedia stream included in the video conference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Snorre Kjesbu, Espen Christensen
  • Patent number: 8554254
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
  • Patent number: 8554187
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing communication capabilities of networks and devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first and a second device comprises an input, logic, and an output. The input of the interface device receives data in a first format from the first device. The logic identifies the second device for receiving the data and identifies a second format compatible with the second device. The data is then translated to the second format. The logic may also determine a status of the interface device by testing components of the interface device to determine if the components are accessible and functioning. The output of the interface device then transmits the translated data to the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Tischer, Samuel N. Zellner, Robert J. Starr
  • Patent number: 8548129
    Abstract: Enhanced message notification is provided by an enhanced notification function element and a subscriber preference profile database. The enhanced notification function element queries the subscriber preference profile database to obtain subscriber communication terminal capabilities information, which it uses to select a message notification technology. The enhanced notification function element may then format an enhanced notification that is delivered to a communication terminal through a delivery system architecture appropriate for the selected message notification technology. The enhanced notification may contain: a message type indicator; an identifier of the party leaving the message; a date and time that the message was deposited; multimedia objects; and other enhanced information. The enhanced notification function element may also query a terminal roaming status database in order to determine if the enhanced message should be sent when the terminal is roaming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Simon James Richardson, Mark Steven Wuthnow
  • Patent number: 8548444
    Abstract: A method to initiate a phone call to a contact. The method includes analyzing a text message to identify a first attribute of the contact, and selecting one or more entries from a contact list stored in the mobile device by matching the first attribute of the contact to a portion of each of the one or more entries. The method also includes identifying a second attribute of the contact from the one or more entries based on a first pre-determined criterion, and modifying the text message to generate a displayed text message comprising a modified attribute that is modified from the first attribute based on the second attribute. The method also includes receiving a user selection as a first input indicating a user selected the modified attribute in response to viewing the displayed text message, and initiating the phone call to the contact based on the phone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Girish Mallenahally Channakeshava, Scott D. Cook
  • Patent number: 8543098
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for securely providing communications between devices and networks are provided. According to one aspect of the invention, an interface device for providing communications between a first communications network and a device associated with a second communications network comprises an input, an output, logic, and a security program to restrict access to the input or the output of the interface device, connected devices or associated communication networks. The one or more inputs of the interface device receive data in a first format from the first communications network. The logic translates the data to a second format compatible with the second communications device. The translated data is then transmitted to the device associated with the second communications network via the one or more outputs. The security program determines whether a device or user is authorized to receive data prior to granting access to the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Tischer, Samuel N. Zellner, Robert J. Starr
  • Patent number: 8543146
    Abstract: Efficient routing of a message over a data network. A first communication device sends a message to a telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator determines the communication protocol of the first communication device and the communication protocol of a second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator converts the message to a data format compatible with the second communication device, wherein the message is converted to one of at least three different communication protocols. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator then forwards the message for receipt by the second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator can convert and forward the message without completing a store and forward process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Cellemetry, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Keith Tarleton, Michael J. Criscolo, Edward I. Comer, William George Simitses
  • Patent number: 8532638
    Abstract: A method for accessing content using a global textsite platform including registering a unique keyword received from a publisher, receiving content from the publisher for creating a textsite associated with the unique keyword, creating the textsite on behalf of the publisher, receiving, from a user, a request to access the textsite, processing the request from the user, and providing access to the textsite by sending the content of the textsite, via a text messaging service (TMS), to a user mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Manish R. Shah, Clinton Nielsen, Scott D. Cook
  • Patent number: 8531536
    Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, selects a manner by which to deliver received information at a wireless, or other electronic, device. A facial recognition indication is obtained and analyzed. Responsive to the analysis of the facial recognition indication, selection is made of the manner by which to deliver the information. If the facial recognition indication indicates the recipient to exhibit a serious demeanor, the information is provided in aural form, thereby to permit delivery of the information without requiring the recipient to read, or otherwise view, the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: James Allen Hymel, Thomas Edward Byrd, Julien Camille Paul-Cavallier, Finbarr Michael O'Carroll
  • Patent number: 8532637
    Abstract: A method and a system for providing convertible or interactive messaging between two or more users is provided. In an embodiment, a user sends a convertible message to another user. Such convertible messages can be sent using a communication means having two or more fields, ports, or the like. One of the fields, ports, or the like is used to identify the transmission as a convertible message. Another of the fields, ports, or the like is used to relay the text, icon, etc. of the message. Upon recognition of the convertible message, the receiving device allows for the display of the convertible message. The receiving user may manually accept to view the convertible message, and/or may view/not view the convertible message automatically upon receipt due to predefined rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Sally Abolrous, Kim Ruosch, Jay Jennings, Emily Walker, Jessica Yan
  • Patent number: 8532643
    Abstract: A mobile phone is provided. The mobile phone includes a first buffer memory, a downloader for downloading a data file from a web server in the first buffer memory, the file being accessible at a web address on the web server, the downloader being connected to the first buffer memory, and a streaming server for streaming data to a remote client equipment according to a predetermined network protocol, the streaming server being connected to the first buffer memory. The streaming server is adapted to be connected to the remote client equipment via a data link and is adapted to receive, from the remote client equipment, a data streaming request. The streaming server includes an activater for activating the downloader, the activater being adapted to activate the downloading of the data file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Myriad Group AG
    Inventor: Fabien Panei
  • Patent number: 8532640
    Abstract: A software key control system and method for mobile devices. When a customer orders a software product, the seller issues a temporary activation key which is posted to a key registration web server. The customer then locates the mobile device's unique device ID and accesses the web server to provide the temporary activation key. The web server creates a registration key based on the customer's temporary activation key and device ID. The registration key is transferred to the customer's mobile device and the customer can then register the ordered software product. The system and method of the present invention thereby automate the sale and distribution of keys for mobile devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Positive Access Corporation
    Inventors: Mark G. Bussey, Fred C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8527630
    Abstract: A method comprising inspecting a traffic flow associated with a device; identifying a requested access within the traffic flow; determining, based on one or more rules, whether the requested access is within a profile associated with a first service available to the device over a wireless network, the profile identifying a network destination, an application on the device, or a content type, a first usage associated with the service being accounted for separately from a second usage associated with a second service available to the device; and if the requested access is within the profile, creating or modifying a record for assisting in accounting for a measure of the first usage to a sponsor entity responsible for at least subsidizing at least a portion of the first usage, wherein determining whether the requested access is within the profile comprises determining whether the requested access is associated with the service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Headwater Partners I LLC
    Inventors: Gregory G Raleigh, Rob Rightmyer, Vladislav Kudelin
  • Patent number: 8526466
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for prioritizing communications between devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between at least one source device and at least one destination device comprises an input, logic, and an output. The input of the interface device receives data in a first format from the source device. The logic identifies the destination device for receiving the data. The logic then identifies a second format compatible with the destination device and translates the data from the first format to the second format. Transmission of the translated data is then prioritized by the logic based on characteristics of the translated data, which may include the format of the translated data or a service plan associated with the destination device or source device. The translated data is then transmitted to the identified destination device via the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Tischer, Samuel N. Zellner, Robert J. Starr
  • Publication number: 20130225136
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an idle screen service are disclosed. A mobile communication terminal receiving contents provided from at least one content provider server in a mobile communication system environment is also disclosed. The mobile communication terminal may include a content receiver module which receives contents provided through a mobile communication system by separating into layers, a handset operating system module which operates the terminal and runs an application and which has a user interface, and a content management application module which synthesizes the contents separated into layers received from the content receiver module into one idle screen layer and which provides it to the idle screen of the mobile communication terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: KT CORPORATION
    Inventor: KT Corporation
  • Patent number: 8521136
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in communicating messages from a communication device are described. The device receives, via its user interface, an input request for creating a new message. The device also receives, via its user interface, one or more input requests for selecting one or more message recipient identifiers for the new message. In response to receiving the one or more input requests, the device identifies whether a stored conversation thread is associated with conversation participant identifiers that match the conversation participant identifiers for the new message. If so, the device displays the identified conversation thread together with a message body input field of the new message, prior to entry of message body contents in the message body input field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Francis Thomas Riddle, John Bennett Parrett
  • Patent number: 8521143
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in communicating messages to multiple recipients are described. A wireless device receives a first input request for creating a new message, and also receives one or more second input requests for selecting a plurality of recipient identifiers for the new message. The wireless device also receives a third input request which indicates whether or not the message is for a group conversation. When the third input request indicates group conversation, the wireless device formats the recipient identifiers in first header fields (e.g., CC header fields) of an MMS message. When the third input request indicates no group conversation, the wireless device alternatively formats the recipient identifiers in second header fields (e.g., BCC header fields) of the MMS message. The MMS message is then transmitted to the recipient identifiers via a wireless network. Recipient devices may process the message as group or non-group (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Mahadevan Balasubramaniam, Ryan Alexander Holt
  • Patent number: 8515396
    Abstract: A method for providing ringback tone presence information includes: obtaining a subscription record of a ringback tone presence service corresponding to a user terminal of a call and a routing address of a ringback tone device; connecting the call to the ringback tone device according to the routing address; obtaining the presence information of the called user according to a user terminal number of the call; and sending the presence information of the called user to the calling user terminal. The present invention further provides a system and a ringback tone device for providing presence information. According to the present invention, the calling user may obtain the presence information of the called user via a ringback tone to acquire the state and mood of the called user; therefore, the communication experience is improved; the telecom service types are enriched; and the presence service is popularized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Quan Qi, Jian Liu
  • Patent number: 8515404
    Abstract: A mobile terminal having a controller to extract and display content within a region specified on a screen of the terminal. The displayed content occupies a highest rate among a plurality of contents in a region specified on the screen. The region may be taken from a displayed website or other screen containing text, image, animation, hyperlinks or other content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Ju Hyun Han
  • Patent number: 8515029
    Abstract: A method for delivery of a voice mail message to a recipient. The method includes identifying the recipient of the voice mail message, receiving a notification indicative of one of the subscriber's availability, the subscriber's presence and the subscriber's location, recording the voice mail message, selectively converting the voice mail message to a text message based on the notification, and delivering either the text message or the voice mail message to a device of the recipient based on the notification. The method may further include receiving an alternative destination device for delivery of the text message or the voice message and delivering the text message or the voice message to the alternative destination device using internet protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Venson M. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8509399
    Abstract: Messages in a message system are converted from one format to another format in accordance with preferred message formats and/or conditions. Message formats can include text messages, multimedia messages, visual voicemail messages, and/or other audio/visual messages. Based on conditions such as recipient device location or velocity and a preferred message format a message can be converted into an appropriate transmission format and transmitted and/or communicated to the recipient in its appropriate format (e.g., text, multimedia, audio, etc. . . . ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Venson M. Shaw, Robert Z. Evora
  • Patent number: 8509823
    Abstract: A method for converting a SMS sent through a mobile communication network into a SMS or MMS in a previously registered format includes the steps of: receiving a SMS from a certain sending subscriber, determining whether the corresponding sending subscriber is subscribed to a SMS converting service, then converting the SMS into a previously registered format in case the sending subscriber is subscribed to the SMS converting service, and then sending the converted message to a designated receiving terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: KT Corporation
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Hwang, Myoung-Gyu Son, Kyung-Hoon Kim, Sang-Man Bak
  • Patent number: 8489130
    Abstract: An integrated system for messaging content delivery for use in a wireless network that incorporates a messaging application broker that interfaces with messaging applications; management applications, a plurality of user devices, and external networks. The interfaces use the appropriate protocols to interact with the messaging applications, management applications, user devices and external networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: Venson M. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8489081
    Abstract: A hardware and/or software facility measures end user activity associated with a software application or service on a mobile phone or other mobile device. The facility tracks and stores usage data associated with a mobile user's use of the application or service. When the mobile user initiates transmission of the usage data, the facility retrieves from the mobile phone or other mobile device a usage code representing the usage data. The facility relies on user transcription, text input-buffer insertion, or other indirect means of data transport to deliver the usage code from the mobile phone or other mobile device to an application developer, service provider, or another entity. The recipient extracts the usage data contained in the usage code, and may perform various data mining and analysis techniques on the usage data in order to evaluate how the application or service is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Marshall
  • Patent number: 8483679
    Abstract: A technique is discloses that enables a first telecommunications terminal, wireless or otherwise, to report to its user whether a second, wireless telecommunications terminal is receiving the first terminal's packet stream transmissions at a satisfactory quality level. The second terminal receives the packet stream that conveys the media waveform transmitted by the first terminal. The media waveform can be that of the speech signal of the first terminal's user. The second terminal measures a trait of the received signal and encodes the measurement data into the packet stream that the second terminal is already transmitting to the first terminal. The first terminal then decodes the measurement data from the received second stream and presents, to its user, a quality indication that is based on the measurement data. In doing so, the first terminal provides its user with a better idea of whether the second terminal has reliably received the user's communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Meloche, Jay M. Stiles
  • Patent number: 8483667
    Abstract: A mobile telephone network is configured to transmit information, such as TV network scheduling, which can be received by receivers “eavesdropping” on the system. A mobile telephone can be configured to receive only, avoiding the battery drain which results from its transceiver needing to periodically handshake with the network transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventor: Gavin Robert Ferris
  • Patent number: 8483102
    Abstract: A method and system includes: one or more phone systems; a policy processor coupled to the phone systems; and a voice identity mapping policy stored in a data storage, the data storage being accessible to the policy processor. The voice identity mapping policy includes: a plurality of search voice identities mapped to one or more target voice identities, where the plurality of the search voice identities are applicable to a plurality of users, where each of the search voice identities and the target voice identities comprises a username for one of the plurality of users, and time attributes indicating when the voice identity mapping policies are valid. When a voice identity for a recipient of a call is received, the policy processor checks for the voice identity mapping policy associated with the voice identity. The call is then forwarded to the target voice identity in the voice identity mapping policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: TP Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi Fai Ho, Shin Cheung Simon Chiu
  • Patent number: 8478236
    Abstract: An access device receives content from a broadband IP network to be communicated to a wireless handset over a radio access network (RAN). The access device acquires a user profile utilized in the radio network for the wireless handset. Based on the acquired user profile, the access device determines transmission parameters utilized for communicating the received content to the wireless handset using an air interface protocol over the radio access network. A security level and/or a security protocol, a transcoding mechanism, and/or transmission bit rate are determined based on the acquired user profile. A resolution, transmission bit rate, coding structure, security protocol and/or security level for transmitting the received content to the wireless handset are adjusted based on the acquired user profile. Alternately, the access device is enabled to receive content from the wireless handset using a transmission profile determined based on user profile of the wireless handset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Xuemin (Sherman) Chen, Charles Abraham, Wael William Diab, Vinko Erceg, Victor T. Hou, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Mark Kent
  • Patent number: 8478271
    Abstract: A communications apparatus includes a cellular communication unit performing pre-set cellular communication, a Wi-Fi communication unit performing pre-set Wi-Fi communication, and a controller checking an available data rate of an available cellular network and that of a Wi-Fi network to determine a data division ratio by using the cellular communication unit and the Wi-Fi communication unit, obtaining an IP address pair, and transferring data including connection request information, the data division ratio for traffic dispersion, and the IP address pair to the server, according to a connection request from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 8478313
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a message service method and a message service system. The message service method receives a message and a message transmission request from an open service application user and transmits the message to an appropriate transmission infrastructure such that the message arrives at a destination terminal. To achieve this, the message service system includes an open service application server which sends the message and the message transmission request, an open service gateway which reconstructs the message as one of a short message, a WAP Push message and a multimedia message through message analysis, and transmission infrastructures which transmits messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jeong Hwan Kim, Sang Ki Kim, Byung Sun Lee
  • Patent number: 8478312
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with modification of messages en route to a destination. In one aspect embodiments of the invention provide a method of modifying a message transmitted from a sending party to a receiving party through a communications network, the method comprising: intercepting the message in the communications network; selecting a plurality of channels of data on the basis of the sending party or the receiving party, each channel comprising a plurality of data items and being accessible by parties in addition to the sending party or the receiving party; applying one or more predetermined rules to at least some of the selected data items so as to identify a data item therefrom; and appending data derived from the identified data item to said intercepted message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ikka Teppo, Marko Ahtisaari, Timo Ahopelto
  • Publication number: 20130165086
    Abstract: A link, called an X-Link™ and is placed in a message (SMS, MMS, email etc.) that is sent to a user and displayed on their device (e.g. mobile telephone). When the link is selected by the user, it connects the user's device to a conversion system, enabling the user to speak a reply which is then converted to a text based reply message; the reply message is then sent to the original message sender (and/or another appropriate recipient). This approach enables a text message to be responded to by voice: it is an example of an asymmetric communication. There are many circumstances where this approach is very useful—for example if the message is a SMS and the recipient does not know how to respond using SMS, or is in an environment where it is difficult (perhaps when walking or driving).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel Michael Doulton
  • Patent number: 8472865
    Abstract: An apparatus mounted on a vessel used for transportation, the apparatus displaying a visual media on surroundings of the vessel, and transmitting a audio signal, associated with a media being displayed and updated by a server, the apparatus including projectors mounted inside or on the vessel displaying visual media content on outside surroundings of the vessel the projectors displaying in all angles and adjusted to display in the preferred angle that is possible or preferred by users of the vessel, the projectors can be used for a same projection, having a primary function of allowing one projector to switch off, and another projector to turn on projecting, in a same place, so that the projectors are not overheated or start malfunctioning after continuously being used, the projectors can be switched off and on from a lamp, rather than shutting all of the projectors down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Babak Taherloo
  • Patent number: 8467507
    Abstract: In providing an information assistance service in a call by a user, the context of the call is ascertained. Context information is derived from information exchanges during the call. Inferences as to types of advertisement pertinent to the user location, event, etc. are drawn based on the context information. Pertinent advertisements, which may be further individualized based on personal preferences, are provided to the user at the conclusion of the call, or otherwise transmitted to the user via voicemail, SMS, email, WAP, paging, facsimile, instant messaging, text messaging, picture phone, video phone, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Grape Technology Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Timmins, Karen L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8467773
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing users of wireless mobile devices with content available for purchase are disclosed. Content is loaded into a cache memory in the wireless mobile device and the user is provided with a preview of the content and the ability to purchase the content. If the user does not purchase the content, then the content is purged from the cache memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Emily Lyons Soelberg, Mark Austin, James Fraser Whitehead
  • Patent number: 8467777
    Abstract: A visual voicemail system can convert visual voicemail message content to an alternate format based on the location of the recipient device, whether and how the recipient device is in motion, a priority of the message content, user preferences, or other criteria. Alternately, a recipient wireless device may also convert content to an alternate format based on the similar criteria. Content may be presented automatically to a user on recipient device based on such criteria. Content may be converted from audio to text, text to audio, or from any format to any other format. Location, motion data, user preferences, etc. may be obtained from a location based service system, a recipient wireless device, or any other source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Venson M. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8467775
    Abstract: Video clips are stored and converted on a website into different formats which are compatible with different cellular phones. The source for the video can be sources such as DVDs, other cellular phones, or broadcast television. The system can automatically store profiles from multiple different phones and automatically carry out a conversion based on information stored in the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ubiquity Holdings
    Inventors: Kenneth Stephen Bailey, Christopher Carmichael
  • Patent number: 8463245
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a menu permanently stored on a mobile device. The menu provides a ranked music indicia option to review a ranked list of music indicia over a cellular network. The menu further provides a news and reviews option to review news and reviews relating to a music artist or a band over a cellular network. The menu further provides an artist option to obtain information about a music artist or a band over a cellular network. An application provisioning server comprising instructions for (i) receiving a selection over a cellular network and (ii) providing over a cellular network, as a function of said selection, any of (a) a ranked list of music indicia, (b) news and reviews relating to a music artist or band or (c) information about a music artist or a band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Shoreline Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Bilange
  • Patent number: 8463236
    Abstract: A paging signal transmitting method includes a step of allowing each of mobile stations (UE) to receive security data from a network node (1) via a channel specified by a paging signal, a step of allowing each mobile station (UE) to calculate a third set of security information by using an open first set of security information and a second set of security information managed by each mobile station, a step of allowing each mobile station (UE) to compare the third set of security information with a fourth set of security information included in the received security data to verify the validity of the paging signal, and a step of allowing each mobile station (UE) to output a signal corresponding to the paging signal when the validity of the paging signal is verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Wuri Andarmawanti Hapsari, Minami Ishii, Alf Zugenmaier, Julien Laganier
  • Patent number: 8463250
    Abstract: Systems and methods for systems and methods for reliably broadcasting content to a plurality of users and facilitating distribution of portions of the broadcast content that either were not received by particular users, or were received with errors. In one embodiment, a wireless communication system is configured to broadcast content from a content source to a plurality of user devices. The content source is configured to provide the content to a base station. The base station parses the content into a plurality of segments and associates sequential identifiers with each of the segments. The content is then broadcast to each of the user devices. An identifier of an alternative data source is also provided to the user devices. When a mobile station receives the segments, it examines the segment identifiers to identify missing segments. The segments are then retrieved from the alternative data source identified by the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Roy Franklin Quick, Jr., Raymond T. Hsu, Michael-David Nakayoshi Canoy
  • Patent number: 8462677
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling a first end point associated with a first network to communicate with a second end point associated with a second network. In one embodiment, a request to initiate communication from the second end point is received at a short-range wireless device associated with the first end point. The first end point communicates with the second end point through the short-range wireless device to receive a message from the second end point at the short-range wireless device. The message is translated at the short-range wireless device for the first end point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Mike Gailloux, Devon Biere
  • Patent number: 8462011
    Abstract: A remote control is provided including a plurality of sensors which sense movement of the remote control, and a control unit which turns on at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors and thereby senses movement of the remote control, and determines whether to turn on or off the remaining sensors according to whether or not the at least one sensor senses movement of the remote control. Consequently, battery consumption is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun-kyu Yun
  • Patent number: 8457611
    Abstract: A file edit method and apparatus that allows editing and utilizing various audio files stored in the mobile terminal in an intuitive manner are provided. An audio file edit method for a mobile terminal includes executing an audio file edit application in response to a touch event detected on a touch screen, selecting at least one audio file to be edited by means of the audio file edit application in response to a touch event detected on the touch screen, displaying an oscillation graph representing the at least one audio file within an oscillation window, selecting a part of the oscillation graph in response to a touch event detected on the touch screen, and displaying the selected part of the oscillation graph within an edit window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Duk Hwang, Sung Hm Yun
  • Patent number: 8457613
    Abstract: A system and method for providing enhanced information to a mobile communication device regarding a calling device is described. The system and method includes receiving an incoming call request at a mobile communication device including the identifier of the calling device. An information request is then formulated including the identifier of the calling device. The information request is transmitted from the mobile communication device to the query processing center via a data communication channel. A response is then obtained from the data processing center and transmitted to the mobile phone via the data communication channel. The response received from the data processing center includes the requested information related to the calling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Neustar Information Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Schmackpfeffer, Ross Shanken, James D. Shaffer, Alan C. Burye
  • Patent number: 8457612
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multimedia content to mobile devices within a geographic area. A services provider may track locations of mobile devices in a location database. Geographically coded information may be received by the services provider from which a lookup may be performed of the location database to determine which mobile devices are in a geographic region associated with the geographically coded information. The geographically coded information may be forwarded as an SMS message to the mobile device, which may then convert the SMS message to a multimedia format for playback on the device, or may request that the services provider convert the SMS message to a multimedia format for playback on the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: The Weather Channel, LLC
    Inventor: William Todd Daniell
  • Patent number: 8452264
    Abstract: Systems, products, and methods are disclosed for enabling a user to receive a message at the time of an incoming call. One embodiment of the method includes receiving a set of dialed digits from a calling device, recognizing a code in the dialed digits, and sending display information (based on the code) to a target device, which presents the display information before the call is answered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Cesar Perez, Louis Eric Wingo, Sanjay K. Sharma, Kenneth Ray Steele
  • Patent number: 8452292
    Abstract: A method for communicating between an operator at an operator device and a user recipient includes enabling an operator of the operator device to enter a device-independent unique identifier for a user recipient by requiring interaction between the operator and the operator device without requiring interaction between the operator and software on the operator device that is designed for communication over an IP-based network. The method includes identifying an IP network address associated with the user recipient based on the device-independent unique identifier and routing a message entered by the operator to the determined IP network address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Yair Goldfinger
  • Patent number: 8452313
    Abstract: A method for providing access to content using a global textsite platform (GTP) including receiving a user message identifying a registered unique keyword maintained by the GTP, wherein the registered unique keyword is registered with the GTP by a publisher for accessing a textsite comprising a plurality of text pages published by the publisher and indexed based on a plurality of navigating keywords defined by the publisher, retrieving authored content associated with the textsite based on the registered unique keyword, accessing the textsite based on the authored content to retrieve a navigating keyword indexing a text page, and sending a GTP message comprising the navigating keyword for the user to access the text page, wherein the user message and the GTP message comprise a text message transmitted using a text messaging service (TMS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Manish R. Shah, Clinton Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8452298
    Abstract: A method of a device for managing interface circuits between an access network and a core network that relate to a telecommunication technology field includes: sending, by a resource management entity, a circuit management message to a control function entity, converting in format and sending, by the control function entity, the circuit management message to a resource coordination entity, wherein the circuit management message is configured to instruct the resource coordination entity to implement a circuit management operation; or receiving, by the resource management entity, a circuit management message sent by the resource coordination entity, converted in format and forwarded by the control function entity, and implementing, by the resource management entity, the circuit management operation according to the resource management message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sihai Ye, Yong Wang