James Douglas Pratt

US Patent:

7949305, May 24, 2011

Filed:

Sep 16, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/211465

Inventors:

Marc Sullivan - Austin TX, US
James Pratt - Round Rock TX, US
Steven Belz - Cedar Park TX, US

Assignee:

AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H04B 17/00

US Classification:

455 6711, 455419, 455517, 455551

Abstract:

A method of modifying a configuration setting of a portable communication device based on an estimated change in transmission traffic. The method includes monitoring radio frequency (RF) signals at a first portable communication device. The RF signals include signals communicated by one or more other communication devices. The method further includes measuring a first number of transmissions communicated by the RF signals during a first time window and measuring a second number of transmissions communicated by the RF signals during a second time window. The first number of transmissions is compared to the second number of transmissions to estimate a change in transmission traffic. A configuration setting of the first portable communication device is modified from a first setting to a second setting based on the estimated change in transmission traffic.

US Patent:

8103250, Jan 24, 2012

Filed:

Dec 4, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/328571

Inventors:

Marc Sullivan - Austin TX, US
James Pratt - Round Rock TX, US
Steven M. Belz - Cedar Park TX, US

Assignee:

AT&T Mobility II LLC - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H04W 88/02

US Classification:

455411, 4554561

Abstract:

A system and method for sharing location data amongst wireless communication devices uses a token system to grant permission to share location data. The tokens may be created automatically as the result of user activation of a different function. Location data may be exchanged when two wireless communication devices, authorized to exchange location data, are within a predetermined distance from each other. Location data may also be automatically exchanged upon the occurrence of a scheduled calendar event within a wireless communication device. Location data may be exchanged a single time or can be exchanged on a continuous or periodic basis so long as the token still exists. The token may be destroyed manually by some user activity or may be terminated automatically.

US Patent:

8139607, Mar 20, 2012

Filed:

Jan 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/017257

Inventors:

Marc Sullivan - Austin TX, US
James Pratt - Round Rock TX, US

Assignee:

AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H04J 3/16

US Classification:

370468, 3702301, 370232, 370235, 370329, 370431, 370477, 709224, 709226, 725 95, 725151

Abstract:

A computer program product includes computer executable instructions, stored on a computer readable medium, for allocating bandwidth among various network provided communication services. The executable instructions include instructions to process a subscriber request to specify a bandwidth allocation, determine a multimedia bandwidth allocation indicative of bandwidth allocated to multimedia content, and generate a multimedia content request. The multimedia content request is influenced by the multimedia bandwidth allocation. In some embodiments, for example, the multimedia content request includes multimedia bandwidth information determined at least in part by the multimedia bandwidth allocation. The multimedia bandwidth information may indicate the bandwidth available for multimedia content, which may be determined from the multimedia bandwidth allocation less any bandwidth allocated to or otherwise consumed by other multimedia layers. In these embodiments, a multimedia delivery server may determine how much bandwidth to allocate to the requested multimedia content from information contained in the request itself.

US Patent:

8249660, Aug 21, 2012

Filed:

Jun 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/136940

Inventors:

James Pratt - Round Rock TX, US
Marc A. Sullivan - Austin TX, US
Elizabeth Pratt - Round Rock TX, US

Assignee:

AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

455566, 4555501

Abstract:

A mobile communication device includes executable instructions for carrying out a method including setting a time duration for an application, receiving a first input, receiving a second input, determining the elapsed time between the first and second inputs, modifying the time duration based upon the elapsed time, and dimming a screen of the mobile device when the elapsed time exceeds the time duration.

US Patent:

8260858, Sep 4, 2012

Filed:

Nov 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/266220

Inventors:

Steven Belz - Cedar Park TX, US
James Pratt - Round Rock TX, US
Marc Sullivan - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G06F 15/16
G06F 15/173
G06F 15/177

US Classification:

709205, 463 40, 463 42, 482 8, 726 3

Abstract:

Systems and methods of organizing a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) via mobile units are provided. Features of mobile units such as messaging and location based services are incorporated into the game to enhance the user experience. The MMOG provides social networking opportunities to players by associating players based on similarities such as shared interests and activities. These shared interests and activities can be determined based on associations of the players in other situations, such as disparate online games or websites. In addition, advertising content can be provided to players based on similar factors. In an example implementation, the MMOG comprises a game similar to the offline game of tag, wherein players can “tag” each other through in-game interactions via the mobile units. These interactions can be triggered based on players being a fixed predetermined distance from each other.

US Patent:

8284780, Oct 9, 2012

Filed:

Jan 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/013995

Inventors:

Marc Sullivan - Austin TX, US
James Pratt - Round Rock TX, US
Steven Belz - Cedar Park TX, US

Assignee:

AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H04L 12/56

US Classification:

3703955, 3703952

Abstract:

In one aspect, a disclosed method of processing a network packet received by an edge device from a client in a data processing network includes determining a priority category of the network packet when the priority category is indicative of a priority associated with the packet. The method further includes determining a value of a traffic state parameter. The traffic state parameter indicates a level of traffic activity in a backbone network to which the edge device is connected. A traffic policy is then determined that is applicable to the level of traffic activity and the priority category of the network packet. The network packet is then blocked from traversing or permitted to traverse the network packet edge device based on the determined traffic policy. Determining the priority category may include determining a transport protocol port number of the network packet.

US Patent:

8316410, Nov 20, 2012

Filed:

Jul 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/781694

Inventors:

Marc Sullivan - Austin TX, US
James Pratt - Round Rock TX, US

Assignee:

AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H04N 7/173

US Classification:

725133, 725141, 725153

Abstract:

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a display device having a controller to wirelessly receive media; wirelessly receive control signals for presentation of the media from a mobile communication device; and selectively disable control by the display device over presentation of the media on the display device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

US Patent:

8348145, Jan 8, 2013

Filed:

Nov 14, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/618713

Inventors:

James Pratt - Round Rock TX, US

Assignee:

AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

235375, 348569, 348734, 315152

Abstract:

Methods and systems are disclosed that include retrieving codes that are usable by a remote control device to remotely control a function of the electronic device. The methods and systems may also include transmitting the codes to the remote control device via a remote control device interface controllable by a processor of the electronic device.