Derek James Johnson

US Patent:

6985731, Jan 10, 2006

Filed:

Apr 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/822256

Inventors:

Derek Johnson - Smyrna GA, US
Michael L. Heubel - Marrieta GA, US

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04Q 7/20
H04Q 7/00

US Classification:

455436, 455441, 4554563, 370331

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling operations in a cellular system is disclosed. A serving cell or the mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) determines that a portable wireless device operating in a serving cell needs to be handed off (a “handoff”). The position of the portable wireless device is determined. The position may be determined based on any of a variety of localization techniques, such as time difference of arrival (TDOA), angle of arrival (AOA), location pattern matching (LPM), global positioning system (GPS), or other localization techniques. A target cell is selected based on the position of the portable wireless device. Generally, the target cell is selected as the cell that is closest to the portable wireless device. Factors such as a position vector and/or a velocity vector may be assessed in selecting the target cell. Based on the target cell that is selected, the MTSO assigns the portable wireless device to the target cell and the transmission is handed off to the new cell.

US Patent:

7095983, Aug 22, 2006

Filed:

Mar 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/821031

Inventors:

Mark D. Austin - Atlanta GA, US
Ali Jabbary - Atlanta GA, US
Derek Johnson - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04B 17/00

US Classification:

455 6711, 455423

Abstract:

The present invention relates to systems for determining mobile communications system carrier propagation characteristics. In an embodiment, a system includes a frequency scanner, signal strength measurement device, digital verification color code logic, a location determining unit, and a memory. The frequency scanner can output a carrier signal corresponding to a carrier signal identifier, where the frequency scanner is located at a geographical location. The signal strength measurement device can be coupled to the frequency scanner and determine a carrier strength indicator of the carrier signal. The digital verification color code logic can be coupled to the frequency scanner and determine the digital verification color code of the carrier signal. The location determining unit can be coupled to the frequency scanner and determine a location identifier corresponding to the geographical location of the frequency scanner. The memory can be coupled to the frequency scanner and store the carrier signal identifier, the carrier strength indicator, the digital verification color code of the carrier signal, and the location identifier.

US Patent:

7123893, Oct 17, 2006

Filed:

Feb 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/085863

Inventors:

Mark Austin - Atlanta GA, US
Dock Latiolais - Rosharon TX, US
Derek Johnson - Smyrna GA, US
Ali Jabbary - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04B 1/06
H04B 1/00
H04Q 7/20

US Classification:

4552781, 455 6313, 455437, 455442, 4554522

Abstract:

A method of measuring frequency interference between adjacent cell sites in a wireless telecommunications system. The method includes selecting a frequency in a cell site to be used as a beacon frequency. The method also includes activating the beacon frequency in the cell site and recording, at a telecommunications switch, a signal strength of the beacon frequency as measured by a first wireless device operating in the cell site and a signal strength of the beacon frequency as measured by a second wireless device operating in another cell site. The method further includes determining the frequency interference between the cell site and the other cell site based on the signal strengths.

US Patent:

7149479, Dec 12, 2006

Filed:

Sep 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/936155

Inventors:

Mark Austin - Atlanta GA, US
Dock Latiolais - Rosharon TX, US
Derek Johnson - Smyrna GA, US
Ali Jabbary - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corp. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04B 7/00
H04Q 7/20

US Classification:

455 6711, 455 6714, 455436, 455446

Abstract:

A method of measuring frequency interference between adjacent cell sites in a wireless telecommunications system. The method includes selecting a frequency in a cell site to be used as a beacon frequency. The method also includes activating the beacon frequency in the cell site and recording, at a telecommunications switch, a signal strength of the beacon frequency as measured by a first wireless device operating in the cell site and a signal strength of the beacon frequency as measured by a second wireless device operating in another cell site. The method further includes determining the frequency interference between the cell site and the other cell site based on the signal strengths.

US Patent:

7280814, Oct 9, 2007

Filed:

Dec 12, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/609348

Inventors:

Mark Austin - Atlanta GA, US
Dock Latiolais - Rosharon TX, US
Derek Johnson - Smyrna GA, US
Ali Jabbary - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

AT&T BLS Intellectual Property, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04B 1/06
H04B 1/00
H04Q 7/20

US Classification:

4552781, 455 6313, 455437, 4554522

Abstract:

A method of measuring frequency interference between adjacent cell sites in a wireless telecommunications system. The method includes selecting a frequency in a cell site to be used as a beacon frequency. The method also includes activating the beacon frequency in the cell site and recording, at a telecommunications switch, a signal strength of the beacon frequency as measured by a first wireless device operating in the cell site and a signal strength of the beacon frequency as measured by a second wireless device operating in another cell site. The method further includes determining the frequency interference between the cell site and the other cell site based on the signal strengths.

US Patent:

7650138, Jan 19, 2010

Filed:

Jul 7, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/886232

Inventors:

Derek Ekow-Badu Johnson - Marietta GA, US

Assignee:

AT&T Mobility II LLC - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H04M 11/00

US Classification:

455408, 455406, 37911416, 37911415, 3791142

Abstract:

Methods for adding data blocks to a data subscription plan period. The methods include determining whether a threshold number of data blocks have been reached during the data subscription plan period; and incrementally adding data blocks to the data subscription plan when the threshold number of data blocks has been reached. The cost per data block of the added data blocks is less than the high-cost per data block rate normally associated with exceeding the threshold number of data blocks during the data subscription plan period.

US Patent:

7702285, Apr 20, 2010

Filed:

Aug 16, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/504891

Inventors:

Mark D. Austin - Atlanta GA, US
Ali Jabbary - Atlanta GA, US
Derek Johnson - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

AT&T Intellectual Property, I,L.P. - Reno NV

International Classification:

H04B 17/00
H04M 1/00

US Classification:

455 6711, 455423

Abstract:

The present invention relates to systems for determining mobile communications system carrier propagation characteristics. In an embodiment, a system includes a frequency scanner, signal strength measurement device, digital verification color code logic, a location determining unit, and a memory. The frequency scanner can output a carrier signal corresponding to a carrier signal identifier, where the frequency scanner is located at a geographical location. The signal strength measurement device can be coupled to the frequency scanner and determine a carrier strength indicator of the carrier signal. The digital verification color code logic can be coupled to the frequency scanner and determine the digital verification color code of the carrier signal. The location determining unit can be coupled to the frequency scanner and determine a location identifier corresponding to the geographical location of the frequency scanner. The memory can be coupled to the frequency scanner and store the carrier signal identifier, the carrier strength indicator, the digital verification color code of the carrier signal, and the location identifier.

US Patent:

8095111, Jan 10, 2012

Filed:

Dec 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/650077

Inventors:

Derek Ekow-Badu Johnson - Marietta GA, US

Assignee:

AT&T Mobility II LLC - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H04M 11/00

US Classification:

455408, 455406, 455407, 37911416, 37911415, 3791142

Abstract:

Methods for adding minutes to a calling plan having a calling plan period. The methods including determining whether a threshold number of minutes have been reached during the calling plan period; and incrementally adding minutes to the calling plan when the threshold number of minutes has been reached. The cost per minute of the added minutes is less than the high-cost per minute rate normally associated with exceeding the threshold number of minutes during the calling plan period.