Patents Examined by Creighton Smith
  • Patent number: 10097792
    Abstract: A mobile device and method for a messenger-based video call service using camera preview image and voice information are provided. In the method, the mobile device displays a camera preview screen by executing a camera, and detects an input for selecting one or more sharers for a video call from the camera preview screen. Then, the mobile device executes a messenger for providing the video call service, transmits a connection request to the selected sharers through the messenger, and performs the messenger-based video call with the sharers in response to the connection request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sejun Song, Jungsic Sung, Junseok Lee, Chulhwan Lee
  • Patent number: 10089847
    Abstract: A wearable device and method therefor. The wearable device comprises a processing unit, a storage unit, a positioning unit, a sensing unit, a communication unit, a power supply unit, a vibrator, a camera, a microphone, a loudspeaker and an emergency press key. The device detects the geographic location, body posture, and movepeoplet state, measures the forces applied on the device, and determines, on the basis of the comparison of the inclination angle value, acceleration value, and duration with corresponding thresholds in combination with the positive/negative signs of the duration and acceleration value, whether the device user is in the normal, abnormal or dangerous state. In case of the abnormal or dangerous state, different alert signals transmitted rescue cell phone and audiovisual communication can be enabled with the rescue cell phone, such that the device user can obtain help as soon as possible in different accidents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventor: Baodong Zhu
  • Patent number: 10091458
    Abstract: There is provided a method comprising: rendering, on a first area of a display controlled by a user terminal, visual data associated with a user participating in a call; determining that the user's connection to the call has ended; determining whether or not the ending of the connection is deliberate; and retaining the area of the display for the user for a predetermined amount of time in dependence on the determination of whether or not the ending of the connection is deliberate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Gareth Dove, Mohammed Ladha, Lee Christoper Pethers
  • Patent number: 10091461
    Abstract: A system and method provide a rule-based technique for adapting a videoconferencing system to current conditions of a conference session, automatically converting the session from one conferencing technique to another, based on those current conditions. Rules may involve criteria including number of participants, ability to use a common codex, among others. An escalation module can be used to manage the transition between one type of conference session and another. If a condition occurs that causes transitioning the conference from one type to another, when that condition no longer applies, the conference may automatically transition back to the original conferencing type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Aviv Eisenberg, Eran Decker, John Raymond Nicol, Michael Robert Tucker
  • Patent number: 10091459
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for establishing a video connection between a mobile device and a support terminal while enabling the support terminal to concurrently push display elements to the mobile device through a separate connection. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods establish a first connection between the support terminal and the mobile device and conduct a video chat between the devices transmitted through the first connection. The disclosed systems and methods enable the support terminal to push a display element to the mobile device through a second connection. In response to receiving the display element, the disclosed systems and methods divide the display screen of the mobile device into at least a first pane and a second pane, providing the video chat for display on the first pane and the display element for display on the second pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: ALEXANDER MACKENZIE & PRANGER
    Inventors: Eugene Patrick Pranger, Timothy Eugene Pranger, Robert Eric Roy
  • Patent number: 10084910
    Abstract: Video relay services, communication systems, and methods are disclosed connecting users with N11 services in a video relay service environment. A video relay service may comprise at least one server configured to manage a customer database including customer records for audibly-impaired users of the video relay service, manage an N11 database including alternate numbers corresponding to N11 codes for a plurality of different locations defined by political boundaries, receive incoming video calls including an N11 code from a calling party, resolve the N11 code to an appropriate alternate number for an N11 service based on a political boundary for the calling party responsive to a query of the N11 database, establish a first connection between a video communication device associated with the calling party and a call assistant station associated with a sign language interpreter, and establish a second connection between the call assistant station and the N11 service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SORENSON IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Montero, Janet Lynn Esposito, Scot L. Brooksby, Grant A. Beckmann
  • Patent number: 10084501
    Abstract: Systems and methods of providing a mobile device cover are described. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover may include, for example, an acoustic sensor, a processor, and lighting devices. The processor can be operatively coupled to the acoustic sensor and the lighting devices. The acoustic sensor can be configured to receive sound generated by the mobile phone and to convert the sound into an acoustic signal. The processor can be configured to receive the acoustic signal and to determine whether the acoustic signal is similar to one of a plurality of acoustic signals previously stored on the mobile phone cover. Each of the previously stored acoustic signals can be indicative of, for example, a particular caller, a particular message sender, or a particular alert. Based on the acoustic signal determination, the processor is configured to cause lighting of the one or more lighting devices corresponding to the indicated caller, indicated message sender, or indicated alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: STAR CO Scientific Technologies Advanced Research Co, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas E. Coverstone
  • Patent number: 10079994
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for selecting which users should be shown in an interface during a group call, and for presenting the users on (potentially small) displays. According to some embodiments, a most-relevant speaker is selected for display on each call participants' screen. When deciding which user to display in the primary window of a video call, a dominant or relevant user is selected. A dominant user may be selected based on the audio energy represented by the audio packets for the user's device; alternatively dominant user selection may be implemented using artificial intelligence or machine learning, allowing for better differentiation between speaking and noise. On each user's display that does not belong to the relevant user, the current relevant user is shown. On the current relevant user's display, the previous relevant user is shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: Duckjin Kang, Zhengping Zuo, Stephane Taine, Brendan Benjamin Aronoff
  • Patent number: 10075491
    Abstract: In some implementations, audio data or video data associated with a first participant of a communication session is obtained. The communication session may include communication between a first device of the first participant with a second device of a second participant of the communication session. It is determined that biometric information associated with the first participant indicates that the first participant is looking toward the first device. In response determining that the biometric information associated with the first participant indicates that the first participant is looking toward the first device, the audio data or the video data associated with the first participant is transmitted to the second device of the second participant of the communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: Boris Smus
  • Patent number: 10069878
    Abstract: A processor-implemented method, computer system, and computer program product for managing a plurality of audio-visual teleconference distractions, including the detection of a new participant to a teleconference call; the monitoring of a stream of the detected new participant for a plurality of distraction markers; calculation of a level of distraction based on the plurality of distraction markers; and alterations performed on the monitored stream based on the calculated level of distraction satisfying a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Jonathan Dunne, Liam Harpur, Asima Silva
  • Patent number: 10063810
    Abstract: Computing devices may implement instant video communication connections for video communications. Connection information for mobile computing devices may be maintained. A request to initiate an instant video communication may be received, and if authorized, the connection information for the particular recipient mobile computing device may be accessed. Video communication data may then be sent to the recipient mobile computing device according to the connection information so that the video communication data may be displayed at the recipient device as it is received. New connection information for different mobile computing devices may be added, or updates to existing connection information may also be performed. Connection information for some mobile computing devices may be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaosong Zhou, Hsi-Jung Wu, Chris Y. Chung, James O. Normile, Joe S. Abuan, Hyeonkuk Jeong, Yan Yang, Gobind Johar, Thomas Jansen
  • Patent number: 10063809
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for displaying participants in an interface during a group call, and is particularly well-suited to use with small displays. A full-size call interface may be shrunk down into a chathead that makes good use of limited screen real estate, especially when being used on a mobile device. On the smaller chathead, the dominant user is shown, and a roster of users is shrunk and may exhibit reduced functionality. The chathead may be moved around the screen, and other applications may continue to run in the space not occupied by the chathead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: Duckjin Kang, Zhengping Zuo, Stephane Taine, Brendan Benjamin Aronoff
  • Patent number: 10049543
    Abstract: An infrared image and/or a video of one or more residents of a controlled-environment facility is captured using an imaging device of a controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media device disposed within the controlled-environment facility when the device is not being used in a communication session. The imaging device of the controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media device is capable of operation with an infrared light source. The infrared image or video may be stored and/or presented to an entity associated with the controlled-environment facility, such as personnel of the facility, a facility administration system, etc. Capturing the image may include turning on at least one infrared light source on the device and/or turning off any indication that the capturing is taking place. The device may be located in a resident sleeping area and a bed check may be performed by the entity or device, using the infrared image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Passe, Luke Keiser
  • Patent number: 10044980
    Abstract: In some examples, a system for conference management can include a processor to initiate a conference comprising a plurality of cameras and at least one user and process a series of images with at least one service to generate service output, the series of images comprising an aggregation of images from the plurality of cameras. The processor can also detect metadata associated with each of the series of images by the at least one service and aggregate the metadata and the service output based on a timestamp for each image to detect an event. Furthermore, the processor can generate an alarm in response to detecting the event and modify the conference by adding additional cameras or additional users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: International Busines Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott W. Graham, Lior Luker, Nitzan Nissim, Brian L. Pulito
  • Patent number: 10038834
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic device for making a video call. The electronic device includes at least one camera, a communication module, and a processor that makes a video call with an external electronic device by using an image captured by the at least one camera, and if a control signal is received from the external electronic device, through the communication module, controls the at least one camera, based on the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Geon Ho Yoon, Dong Il Son, Chi Hyun Cho, Chang Ryong Heo
  • Patent number: 10038875
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for using a biosensor worn by a user to trigger an event and activate a camera worn by the user to begin streaming and/or recording video data. The biosensor trigger also initiates a real time multimedia collaboration session with the user wearing the biosensor and one or more designated parties. Through an interoperability gateway device, a voice communications device of the user is bridged with voice communications devices of the designated parties, and the video data is electronically transmitted to the designated parties. Thus, the designated parties may have real time voice communications among each other and with the user, and the designated parties may also view the video data in real time. Embodiments also determine when an event has ended and deactivates the camera worn by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Mutualink, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Mazzarella, Michael S. Wengrovitz
  • Patent number: 10033780
    Abstract: Sharing video footage recorded by audio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices, such as video doorbells and security cameras. When an A/V recording and communication device records video footage of suspicious activity, or even criminal activity, a user viewing the footage may alert his or her neighbors by sharing the video. In various embodiments, the user may share the video with anyone of the user's choosing, including neighbors, friends, and family.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventors: James Siminoff, August Cziment, Aaron Harpole, Elliott Lemberger, John Modestine, Darrell Sommerlatt
  • Patent number: 10034047
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for outputting a supplementary content from a WFD is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Giwon Park, Byungjoo Lee, Dongcheol Kim, Hyunhee Park, Taesung Lim
  • Patent number: 10033973
    Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing a personalized user interface of an IP video door phone using face recognition are provided. Methods can include receiving an image of a user captured by a camera, performing face recognition processing on the image to identify an age of the user, identifying a customized user interface associated with the age of the user, and causing a display screen to display the customized user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jiehong Shen, Xiukuan Yang, Peng Li
  • Patent number: 10027924
    Abstract: Systems for videoconferencing are designed for where people are seated around a video conferencing system. The systems include a camera so the far site can see the local participants and the systems include displays that show the far site. The displays are properly aligned with the cameras so that when people at the far site view the displayed images of the near site, it looks like they have eye contact with the near site. Obtaining the alignments of the camera and the displays to provide this apparent eye contact result requires meeting a series of different constraints relating to the various sizes and angles of the components and the locations of the participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Martin Duys, Alain Nimri, Stephen Schaefer, Shu Gao, Glenn G. George, Alvin Okunami