Paul M Atkinson

US Patent:

7050756, May 23, 2006

Filed:

Aug 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/645452

Inventors:

Paul Atkinson - Poway CA, US

Assignee:

Kestrel Wireless, Inc. - Poway CA

International Classification:

H04H 9/00

US Classification:

455 201, 455411, 455423, 455410

Abstract:

An acoustic transmission is retransmitted by telephone to a network operations center over one path. The network operations center receives acoustic transmissions containing inaudible marks from other sources over secondary paths. The retransmitted acoustic transmission and secondary transmissions are processed and compared to determine a best match between the retransmitted acoustic transmission and one of the secondary transmissions. An acoustic mark in the best match secondary transmission is decoded and associated with the retransmitted acoustic transmission. This association in combination with decision rules stored at the operations center may be used to trigger a variety of transactions with the user.

US Patent:

7227445, Jun 5, 2007

Filed:

Jul 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/632047

Inventors:

Paul Atkinson - Poway CA, US

Assignee:

Kestrel Wireless, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G05B 19/00

US Classification:

340 551, 340 52, 340 522, 340 526, 340 56, 340 51, 369273, 3692721, 720718, 720719

Abstract:

A system and method for wireless activation of a target. A communication device transmits an ID associated with the target to a network operations center. The network operations center provides an activation signal to the communication device. The communication device wirelessly transmits an acoustic activation signal to a nearby activation device. The activation device is positioned proximate the target and causes a change in at least one physical property of the target. The target may be an optical media containing an electrochromic material with optical properties that change on application of an electric signal.

US Patent:

7286061, Oct 23, 2007

Filed:

Jun 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/874642

Inventors:

Paul Atkinson - Poway CA, US

Assignee:

Kestrel Wireless, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G05B 19/00

US Classification:

34082525, 340 52, 340 522, 340 526, 340 56, 340 51, 369273, 3692721, 720718, 720719

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for activating an optical media device with a conditional access mechanism is presented. The optical media device is configured with a conditional access system such as an optical shutter assembly and the apparatus is configured to receive such an optical media device and establish communication with the optical media device. The apparatus may include one or more electrodes that are positioned such that they come into physical or near physical contact with a corresponding electrode on the optical media device and thereby establish electrical communication. The apparatus may also be configured to send and receive acoustical signals to establish an acoustical communication path with the optical media device. A data communication path may also be established between the optical media device and the apparatus. Upon establishing communication with the optical media device, the apparatus may send an activation signal to the optical media device to activate the conditional access system.

US Patent:

20010039571, Nov 8, 2001

Filed:

Jan 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/757085

Inventors:

Paul Atkinson - Carlsbad CA, US

International Classification:

G06F015/16

US Classification:

709/217000, 709/231000

Abstract:

A system and method for facilitating e-commerce for users of particular public spaces. Programming media elements are provided within the public space based upon variables reflecting local conditions, and data or other media related to the programming media elements is provided to users to enhance their opportunity to engage in a purchase of items related to the programming media element. Communications to a system providing the media may be used to complete the transaction, or the user may communicate with a separate commerce center directly to complete the transaction. Such separate communication may take place during or after the time that the user is in the public space. Different types of media elements, related to one another, are output at related times to different devices within a public space. Metadata media related to but distinct from an output programming media element may be independently selected for output to different devices, via different signal paths and protocols. Such metadata may be interacted with by the user to complete the transaction.

US Patent:

20010053996, Dec 20, 2001

Filed:

Jan 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/757086

Inventors:

Paul Atkinson - Carlsbad CA, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/014000

Abstract:

A system, method and apparatus for selecting and controlling the output of media in a public space. General programming media elements are selected for output in a public space based upon a source indicating available media elements, and upon transient variables especially pertinent to the public space, which are provided independently of user inputs. Metadata media related to but distinct from an output programming media element may be independently selected for output to different devices, via different signal paths and protocols.

US Patent:

20010054180, Dec 20, 2001

Filed:

Jan 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/757087

Inventors:

Paul Atkinson - Carlsbad CA, US

International Classification:

H04N007/025
H04N007/10

US Classification:

725/032000

Abstract:

A system, method and apparatus for synchronizing output of media in a public space. Different types of media elements, related to one another, are output at related times to different devices within a public space. The timing may be adjusted over a wide range, or a narrow range, to handle a wide range of needs. General programming media elements are selected for output in a public space based upon a source indicating available media elements, and upon transient variables especially pertinent to the public space, which are provided independently of user inputs. Metadata media related to but distinct from an output programming media element may be independently selected for output to different devices, via different signal paths and protocols.

US Patent:

20030236872, Dec 25, 2003

Filed:

May 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/434676

Inventors:

Paul Atkinson - Poway CA, US

Assignee:

Kestrel Wireless. Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G06F015/173

US Classification:

709/223000

Abstract:

A method and system is provided for enabling electronic transactions via a personal device (e.g., a cellular phone). A user initiates a transaction with a second party, both of whom are located in a point-of-presence (POP), by establishing communication between the personal device and a network operations center (NOC). The personal device and NOC communicate via a wide area communication link. The personal device communicates with a POP device for the second party via a local area communication link. The POP device communicates with the NOC via the personal device, which bridges the wide area communication link with the local area communication link. The personal device and POP device provide pertinent information for the transaction to the NOC. The NOC may also access other pertinent information stored for the user and/or the second party. The NOC implements decision rules appropriate for the transaction and provides results for the transaction.

US Patent:

20060028924, Feb 9, 2006

Filed:

Jun 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/149770

Inventors:

Paul Atkinson - Poway CA, US

International Classification:

G11B 11/00

US Classification:

369013010

Abstract:

A system and method for wireless activation of a target. A communication device transmits an ID associated with the target to a network operations center. The network operations center provides an activation signal to the communication device. The communication device wirelessly transmits an acoustic activation signal to a nearby activation device. The activation device is positioned proximate the target and causes a change in at least one physical property of the target. The target may be an optical media containing an electrochromic material with optical properties that change on application of an electric signal.