Paul D 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:

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.

US Patent:

20060095385, May 4, 2006

Filed:

Oct 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/259185

Inventors:

Paul Atkinson - San Diego CA, US
Ronald Conero - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

H04L 9/00

US Classification:

705064000

Abstract:

A distribution control system is provided to support the controlled and selective changing of utility for a target. The target with controlled utility may be an electronic device, or alternatively, may be a tangible media, such as an optical disc. The distribution control system has a target with a change effecting device and a restricted access key. An activation device retrieves or generates an authorization key, and sends the authorization key to the target. The authorization key may be sent to the target wirelessly, for example, using a radio frequency signal. The target has logic that uses the restricted access key and the authorization key to change the utility of the target. In one example, the activation device retrieves the authorization key from a network operation center (NOC) by sending a target identifier to the NOC, and the NOC retrieves the authorization key for the identified target. The activation device may also connect to other systems for obtaining approval to change the utility of the target. For example, the authorization key may be sent to the target upon receiving payment, password, or other confirmation.

US Patent:

20060100983, May 11, 2006

Filed:

Oct 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/259578

Inventors:

Paul Atkinson - San Diego CA, US
Ronald Conero - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707001000

Abstract:

A target having a controlled utility is provided, as well as a method for changing the utility of the target. The target with controlled utility may be an electronic device, or alternatively, may be a tangible media, such as an optical disc. The controlled target has a change effecting device that is set to a first state, which allows the target to operate according to a first utility. The controlled target also has a receiver for receiving an authorization key, and logic which, responsive to the authorization key, selectively changes the change effecting device to a second state. When the change effecting device is in the second state, the target may operate according to a second utility. In one example, the controlled target has a restricted access key that was stored during manufacture, and the restricted access key is used by the logic in changing the state of the change effecting device. To change the utility of the controlled target, the controlled target is placed proximate to an activation device. The activation device may read an accessible identifier from the controlled target, and retrieve or generate an authorization key that is associated with the target. The activation device may cooperate with a network operation center or other entity to retrieve the authorization key, and to obtain approval to change the utility of the controlled target. If approved, the activation device may then send the authorization code to the controlled target.

US Patent:

20060119487, Jun 8, 2006

Filed:

Dec 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/295867

Inventors:

Paul Atkinson - San Diego CA, US
Ronald Conero - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

G08C 19/00

US Classification:

340825720, 705018000

Abstract:

A radio frequency activation device enables the activation of a target using RF communication. The radio frequency activation device has a switch that is initially set to a state that disables or substantially interferes with the use of a target function. Responsive to the receiving the RF communication, the switch is set to another state where the function is available. The controlled activation may apply to the target as a whole, or may apply to a selected function, module, peripheral, or component of the target. The radio frequency activation device also has a target interface that allows the target to determine the state of the switch, and based on the state of the switch, either allows or disallows the affected function. The radio frequency activation device also has an antenna for the RF communication, as well as a demodulator/modulator circuit. When used to activate an electrical or electronic device, the radio frequency activation device has a low-power circuit portion that is used to set the state of the switch responsive to the RF communication, and also has a full power circuit portion that communicates with the target. In this way, the state of the switch may be set when the target is in a power-off condition, and the target is able to determine the state of the switch when the target is activated.