Thomas A Pratt

US Patent:

6754487, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Aug 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/638921

Inventors:

Alan David Sanders - Atlanta GA
Perry Simon Lewars Linder - Chevy Chase MD
Thomas Gregory Pratt - Covington GA
Anthony Jerome Dickherber - Atlanta GA
Timothy Scott Floyd - Atlanta GA
Leslie Westhaver Pickering - Atlanta GA

Assignee:

Telecom Network Optimization, Inc. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H04Q 720

US Classification:

455423, 455425, 455 6711, 4552261

Abstract:

Optimization of a cellular network is facilitated by an apparatus that performs drive test measurements of a cellular network to identify co-channel interference. The co-channel interference is identified by measuring the signal strengths at various locations within a cell sector and analyzing the recorded information. A key aspect of the invention is synthesizing the received signals to identify the cellular transmitters originating the signals. If signal energy is detected from more than one cellular transmitter on a single frequency, the co-channel interference is identified. This process is particular well suited within a GSM cellular system by detecting the transmission of forward control channel messages and using the information within the forward control channel messages to identify the origination cellular transmitters.

US Patent:

7605720, Oct 20, 2009

Filed:

May 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/416730

Inventors:

Chris McClellan - Acworth GA, US
Robert L. Martin - Dunwoody GA, US
Thomas A. Pratt - Atlanta GA, US
Bradley Shawn Grant - Smyrna GA, US
Catherine A. Wurst - Woodstock GA, US

Assignee:

The Weather Channel, Inc. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G08G 1/123

US Classification:

34099513, 34028601, 348149

Abstract:

Systems and methods for selecting, sequencing, and presenting traffic events to viewers. This may involve using a prioritizing scheme that estimates the proximity or relevance of the event to the viewers by associating the event with a geographic zone and the viewer with a localized service area served by a particular distribution points of the television content distribution system. In some cases, for each localized service area, zones are given priority values that are used when prioritizing the relevance of traffic events associated with those zones. For viewers in a given localized service area, a first zone may have a higher priority than a second zone, such that in prioritizing traffic events, events associated with the first zone are given a higher priority than events occurring in the second zone. Different zone priority schemes may be associated with a given localized service area at different times of day, week, or year. For example, a zone near the airport may have a higher priority during weekend time periods than during the week.

US Patent:

7730420, Jun 1, 2010

Filed:

May 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/416599

Inventors:

Toby Miller - Dallas GA, US
Chris McClellen - Acworth GA, US
Thomas A Pratt - Atlanta GA, US
Bradley Shawn Grant - Smyrna GA, US
Scott E Storch - Kennesaw GA, US

Assignee:

The Weather Channel, Inc. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G06F 3/00
G09G 5/00
G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715810, 715716, 715719, 715765, 725 37, 725 61

Abstract:

Systems and methods for creating one or more playlists of a predefined length. The invention allows dynamic creation of different playlists for differing times, locations, and other circumstances and also provides for the dynamic selection of products for inclusion in a playlist based on the content of one or more of the individual products. Creation of a playlist may be based on a priority scheme with priority values indicating the relative importance of the products. Creation may also involve determining or adjusting the lengths of one or more products selected for the playlist so that the total length of the playlist will equal a set, predetermined, or otherwise predefined playlist length. Methods and systems according to the present invention provide flexible, efficient, and manageable techniques for creating different playlists of similar product types for both varying circumstances (e. g. , time, location, etc.

US Patent:

RE43186, Feb 14, 2012

Filed:

Apr 20, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/090716

Inventors:

Alan David Sanders - Atlanta GA, US
Perry Simon Linder Lewars - Chevy Chase MD, US
Thomas Gregory Pratt - Covington GA, US
Anthony Jerome Dickherber - Atlanta GA, US
Timothy Scott Floyd - Marietta GA, US
Leslie Westhaver Pickering - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

PCTEL, Inc. - Bloomingdale IL

International Classification:

H04Q 7/20

US Classification:

455423, 455425, 455 631, 455 6711, 4552261, 455296, 375343, 375346

Abstract:

Optimization of a cellular network is facilitated by an apparatus that performs drive test measurements of a cellular network to identify co-channel interference. The co-channel interference is identified by measuring the signal strengths at various locations within a cell sector and analyzing the recorded information. A key aspect of the invention is synthesizing the received signals to identify the cellular transmitters originating the signals. If signal energy is detected from more than one cellular transmitter on a single frequency, the co-channel interference is identified. This process is particular well suited within a GSM cellular system by detecting the transmission of forward control channel messages and using the information within the forward control channel messages to identify the origination cellular transmitters.

US Patent:

8424043, Apr 16, 2013

Filed:

Oct 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/876815

Inventors:

Christopher R. McClellen - Acworth GA, US
Thomas Pratt - Atlanta GA, US
Vernon Meadows - Lilburn GA, US
Andrew Drooker - Atlanta GA, US
Charles A. Eldering - Furlong PA, US
Robert P. Ziemian - Jamison PA, US

International Classification:

H04N 5/445

US Classification:

725 61, 725 40, 725 45

Abstract:

A method of triggering the recording of a programming stream includes: receiving a request to monitor for an unscheduled event; determining search strings associated with the unscheduled event; monitoring a programming stream; analyzing closed captioning information contained in the programming stream to determine the occurrence of the search strings; and recording the programming stream upon the occurrence of the search strings.