AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP

Patrick Kenny

Bruce Barnes

Dolores J Mallian

Christopher F Baldwin

Wayne Robert Heinmiller

Nikhil Shreerang Marathe

Charles M Stahulak

Shadi Khoshaba

Michael Towster

Mark Gribble

Susan Kenny

Bruce Bames

A first example device disclosed herein comprises memory including computer readable instructions and a processor to execute the instructions to access a group code and a group size from a second device, the group code to identify a group of devices to be included in a stream splitting session to distribute communication of a data stream, the group size to specify a number of devices included in the group of devices, the group of devices including the first device and the second device. The processor is also to initiate transmission of a request including the group code and the group size to a distribution system to establish the stream splitting session. The processor is further to forward a first portion of the data stream from the distribution system to the second device for aggregation with a second portion of the data stream at the second device.

Distributing communication of a data stream among multiple devices

Distributing communication of a data stream among multiple devices is disclosed. Example methods include sending a message from a first electronic device to a second electronic device to announce the first electronic device is available for inclusion in a shared connection to be established by the second electronic device with a service provider, the shared connection to split a first data stream from a source into a plurality of partial data streams to be distributed among a plurality of electronic devices. Example methods also include establishing a data connection with the service provider to receive a first one of the partial data streams associated with the shared connection. Example methods further include relaying the first one of the partial data streams associated with the shared connection from the service provider to the second electronic device.

Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for distributing communication of a data stream among multiple devices are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include sending a message from a first electronic device to a second electronic device to announce the first electronic device is available for inclusion in a shared connection to be established by the second electronic device with a service provider, the shared connection to split a first data stream from a source into a plurality of partial data streams to be distributed among a plurality of electronic devices. Disclosed example methods also include establishing a data connection with the service provider to receive a first one of the partial data streams associated with the shared connection. Disclosed example methods further include relaying the first one of the partial data streams associated with the shared connection from the service provider to the second electronic device.

A mechanism is provided for direct interaction between an individual and a communication network. Captured data is received of the individual in an environment to be analyzed by a network management computer. The data is captured by network sensors. The network management computer determines that the individual is a subscriber to services of the communication network by identifying the subscriber from the data that has been captured. The subscriber is registered with a network carrier that operates and provides the services on the communication network. The data is obtained without assistance from a subscriber owned device providing the data. The data is analyzed to interpret commands when presented by the subscriber via the network sensors. The commands include gesture commands from the subscriber. An action is performed for the subscriber based on the commands.

Direct interaction between a user and a communication network

A method and system provides information and purchasing services for products placed in multimedia content. Product metadata coordinated in time with the multimedia content may be used to determine the product and obtain product information. A user may send a notification at a time when the product occurs in the multimedia content, and the time may be used to coordinate the product metadata. Product information may be provided to the user. The user may be given the option to purchase the product. Validation of the user may occur in order to authorize the purchase.

Providing product information during multimedia programs

Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for distributing communication of a data stream among multiple devices are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include receiving a request from a first one of a plurality of devices to establish a shared connection to distribute communication of a first data stream among the plurality of devices. Such example methods also include establishing, in response to the request, respective data connections with the plurality of devices based on device capability information obtained from a system providing service for the plurality of devices. Such example methods further include splitting the first data stream into a plurality of partial data streams to be communicated to the plurality of devices via the respective data connections, the partial data streams, when aggregated, forming the first data stream.

Disclosed example methods to distribute communication of a data stream include assigning, at a first device, a group code to identify a group of devices to be included in a stream splitting session to distribute the communication of the data stream, the group of devices including the first device. Disclosed example methods also include transmitting the group code from the first device to a second device included in the group of devices. Disclosed example methods further include transmitting a first request including the group code and an identifier of a source of the data stream to a distribution system to establish the stream splitting session, and receiving, at the first device, a first portion of the data stream in response to the first request.

The location of a container and the location of a storage device that stores a particular item are determined. A determination is made that the particular item is placed in the container. The locations of the particular item and the container are tracked as the container moves through a premises. For a purchase-related transaction, a determination is made whether the location of the particular item corresponds to the location of the container. If the location of the particular item corresponds to the location of the container, a cost for the particular item is included in the purchase-related transaction. If not, the cost for the particular item is not included in the purchase-related transaction, and the location of the particular item is accounted for.

Methods, devices and computer readable storage devices for tracking inventory

Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for a remotely activated monitoring service. The monitoring service can be executed by a server computer. The server computer can detect an event associated with a user device. The server computer can determine that monitoring of a proximity of the user device is to be initiated based upon the event. The server computer can determine a geographic location of the user device and identify monitoring hardware that is to monitor the proximity of the user device. The server device also can issue a command to the monitoring hardware to initiate monitoring of the proximity of the user device by the monitoring hardware.

Remotely activated monitoring service

Provided are methods, apparatus and systems for the sale of digital content over a network. The disclosure herein discusses the recording of a broadcast of a digital data stream by a broadcast receiving device. A listener may select a particular digital data stream to purchase by selecting a content identifier associated with the digital data stream of interest at the recording device. Upon obtaining the selection, a purchase request message is transmitted to an intermediary communication device. The purchase request message includes at least the content identifier. After the transaction is completed at a transaction server, a purchase confirmation message including at least a digital rights management key associated with the digital data stream is returned to and received by the broadcast receiving device. Upon receipt, of the digital rights management key, the recorded digital data stream is released for reproduction.

Systems and methods for purchasing electronic transmissions

Disclosed example methods to distribute communication of a data stream include, in response to a request received from a first device, assigning a number of communication ports to a stream splitting session via which communication of the data stream is to be distributed among a plurality of devices. Such example methods also include determining a type of the request from among a plurality of possible types. Such example methods further include, when the request corresponds to a first type, providing information to the first device for distribution among the plurality of devices, the information to be used to establish respective data connections via which respective portions of the data stream are to be received by the plurality of devices during the stream splitting session.

Network-based content filtering utilizing user-specified parameters is disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein to perform network-based content filtering include receiving, at an incoming edge router of a provider network, incoming data to be routed in the provider network to a destination device, and before routing the incoming data in the provider network, determining whether to restrict the routing of the incoming data in the provider network to the destination device based on a parameter associated with the destination device, the parameter being related to a content classification of the incoming data.

Growing community of inventors

Barrington, IL, United States of America

Patrick Kenny