Patents Examined by Creighton Smith
  • Patent number: 9521365
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a device from a first media device associated with a first user, image information indicating vibrations of an object. The vibrations are caused at least in part by speech of the first user. The method further includes generating audio content by the device based on the image information. The audio content represents the speech of the first user. The method further includes transmitting the audio content from the device to a second media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James H. Pratt, Michael Lattanzi, Steven Belz, Constance Missimer
  • Patent number: 9516269
    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: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    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: 9516264
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an audio and video transmission channel for use in a server is provided. The method includes obtaining an audio and video transmission connection request, and obtaining transmission channel information reported from respective terminals to establish an audio and video transmission connection; determining a transmission channel type of the audio and video transmission connection, according to the reported transmission channel information; and issuing to the terminals the determined transmission channel type of the audio and video transmission connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Shi Wei Xiao
  • Patent number: 9510068
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a plurality of electro-acoustic drivers that are configured to be positioned so that an axis running through an acoustic center of the drivers is one of a substantially straight line, J-shape, reverse J-shape, and C-shape. The loudspeaker also includes at least one sensor to detect a configuration of the plurality of electro-acoustic drivers, and a processing device configured to automatically adjust one or more of an equalization and a gain applied to an audio signal output through the electro-acoustic drivers based on the detected configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Zartarian, Peter C. Santoro, Michael Arthur Siegel
  • Patent number: 9509741
    Abstract: Techniques for snapshot capture for a communication session are described. According to various embodiments, a communication session is established that includes a video feed that is streamed between devices involved in the communication session. The video feed is sampled to extract still images (e.g., frames) from the video feed that include images of a particular participant in the communication session. A snapshot is then selected from the images based on one or more selection criteria, such as an image score for the snapshot. Should a quality of the video feed fall below an acceptable video quality threshold during the communication session, the snapshot is used in place of the video feed for a visual representation of the participant during the communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Hamish Rory Barjonas, Simon Lucas, Carl David Blundell, Mark Christopher Wass
  • Patent number: 9509946
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for operating a User Interface (UI) of a conference call terminal are provided. The method includes operating a first camera and a second camera when a conference call is initiated, outputting an output image of a conference call screen comprising a first image and a second image collected from the first camera and the second camera, the first image and the second image being arranged not to overlap, and distinguishing a speaking person's image from another person's image, when the speaking person's image is detected in the output image of the conference call screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Geonsoo Kim, Hongseok Yang, Nagyeom Yoo, Hyungsuk Hwang
  • Patent number: 9503687
    Abstract: A system to determine viewer attention to presented content. Markers are applied to a presentation. Head orientation information is received from a body mounted camera worn by a viewer and is used to determine a sequence of head orientations of the viewer. The sequence of head orientations is associated with an identifier of the viewer and a corresponding sequence of first time stamps. A sequence of images is captured by the body mounted camera worn by the viewer. The sequence of images is associated with an identifier of the viewer and the body mounted camera and a corresponding sequence of second time stamps. Respective members of the sequences of images and head orientations are associated, and the presentation content is identified by evaluating information from visible markers in the captured sequence of images. Viewer attention to different elements can then be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sven Kratz, Jun Shingu
  • Patent number: 9503690
    Abstract: A video session manager and method for enabling, optimizing, and managing inter-domain video communication sessions, including telepresence and videoconferencing sessions. The video session manager is configured to receive and analyze a video communication session request from one or more endpoints; to determine the viability of a communication session based on one or more attributes of the session; and to connect the one or more requesting endpoints to start the session. The video session manager is further configured to connect the one or more requesting endpoints via a bridging resource, such as a multipoint control unit, based on one or more considerations such as geography and transmission channel utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Tata Communications (America) Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Nocchi, Neil Mitchell Swartz, John J. Franey
  • Patent number: 9491249
    Abstract: Various systems and associated methods for tracking chats, text messages, and other user interactions. The process generates at least one identifier, distributes at least one identifier to at least one system, uses the at least one identifier to associate interactions with network-based content across different entities, whereby at least one interaction is anonymous. The method involves receiving a request sent to a database stored on a computer readable medium in response to online activity and any collected or known user information, creating a record thereof in response to the request, generating an identifier associated therewith, generating a code corresponding thereto, and using the identifier to associate an incoming text message, chat, resulting financial transactions, follow-on activities, etc. with associated online activity and user information. The association happens through remote communication with a system that receives and sends the incoming text message or chat requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Dorin Rosenshine
  • Patent number: 9491406
    Abstract: Techniques allow seamless transitioning of a mesh-based videoconference to a bridged videoconference. Criteria are defined for use in a triggering point function that may be evaluated to determine whether to make the transition. Escalation logic in an escalation manager may be used to manage the transition, allowing some participants to connect via a multipoint control unit, which is in turn a participant in the mesh-based videoconference, with the escalation manager relaying media streams from the mesh-connected participants. The mesh-connected participants may then drop their mesh connections without disruption to the videoconference. Escalation logic in the endpoints may be used as an alternate to an escalation manager unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Ankit Bhandari, Tim Lynch, Tiju Titus John
  • Patent number: 9491206
    Abstract: A system offering simplified bi-directional video communication between a user and a device of a pre-configured one or more persons of interest includes a touch display with a pictorial representation of each of the one or more persons of interest. The touch display is configured to establish the bi-directional video communication with a selected one of said persons of interest in response to a single touch of the pictorial representation of the selected one of the persons of interest. In one implementation, the system includes a monitoring device positioned to monitor one or more biometric parameters of the user, and saving the biometric data on a server for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Aetonix Systems
    Inventors: Ruqia Mohamud Nur, Richard Kelly Wiles, Georgiy Shibaev, Michel Paquet
  • Patent number: 9484992
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a signal using a polarimetric antenna to a reception apparatus in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The method includes generating a first matrix using a radiation pattern of the polarimetric antenna, calculating a second matrix that maximizes channel capacity, determining an antenna virtualization matrix by Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) based on the first and second matrices, and transmitting a signal to the reception apparatus using the antenna virtualization matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignees: LG ELECTRONICS INC., KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jiwon Kang, Jaehoon Chung, Sae-Young Chung, Wonseok Jeon, Hyunsoo Ko
  • Patent number: 9480400
    Abstract: An electronic stethoscope includes a housing configured for hand-held manipulation, a transducer supported by the housing and configured to sense auscultation signals at a first location, and a headset coupled to the housing and configured to deliver audio corresponding to the auscultation signals through earpieces on the headset. The electronic stethoscope further includes a processor disposed in the housing and configured to convert the auscultation signals to first digital signals representative of the auscultation signals and to wirelessly transmit the first digital signals from the electronic stethoscope via a secure digital network to a second location such that the audio corresponding to the auscultation signals is provided to headsets of one or more additional electronic stethoscopes at the second location in substantial real time with the sensing of the auscultation sounds at the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William Bedingham, Craig D. Oster, Daniel J. Rogers, Thomas P. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9479731
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a streaming media transmission method applied in the video conference. A chairman client, a participant client, an electronic device and all are connected with a server. The chairman client invites the participant clients to join the video conference room built in the electronic device. The chairman client and the participant client request the image according to the video conference room. Every one of the participant client selects the image by the participant themselves, and the image quality of the video conference is guaranteed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsiang Tsao, Ming-Chuan Kao
  • Patent number: 9479846
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a decision circuit, a detector circuit and a processing circuit. The decision circuit may be configured to generate a confirmation signal in response to a first lock signal and a second lock signal. The detector circuit may be configured to generate the first lock signal in response to a filtered version of an input signal being above a threshold. The processing circuit may be configured to generate the second lock signal in response to a power signal received from the detector circuit. The processing circuit generates the second lock signal by analyzing the rising edge of a frequency power envelope of the power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Dariusz Dzik, Bahman Barazesh
  • Patent number: 9479734
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes one or more processors configured to receive image data from another information processing apparatus. The processor includes a reception unit that receives call information from the other information processing apparatus when the processor is in a state of receiving at least the image data from the other information processing apparatus, and a calling sound output unit that outputs a calling sound upon reception of the call information by the reception unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi Inoue, Takahiro Asai, Yoshikazu Goto
  • Patent number: 9472071
    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: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Passe, Luke Keiser
  • Patent number: 9473742
    Abstract: The disclosed technology addresses the need in the art for capturing a moment of an active teleconference meeting. A teleconference system can enable meeting participants to capture a moment of the teleconference by providing a user interface element enabling the meeting participants to capture a moment of the teleconference. The captured moments can then be revisited or shared by the meeting participants. The teleconference system can present captured moment indicators representing the captured moments to the meeting participants which can be selectable to revisit the captured moment. Further, the teleconference system can enable the meeting participants to provide feedback to the captured moments, which can be used to assign a social strength the capture moments. The teleconference system can present the captured moment indicators according to the social strength of their corresponding captured moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Keith Griffin, Jonathan D. Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 9467649
    Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-screen video image control. Disclosed are a method and system for switching the multi-screen on the video conference. The method comprises: a multi-screen switching device generates, according to a user input, a switch control message used for controlling the number of the multi-screen and a layout of the multi-screen, and sends the switching control message to an MCU or a video conference terminal; when the switching control message is sent to the MCU, the MCU switches, according to the switching control message, the number of the multi-screen or the layout of the multi-screen of each video conference terminal; and/or, when the switching control message is sent to the video conference terminal, the video conference terminal switches, according to the switching control message, the number of the multi-screen or the layout of the multi-screen of the video conference terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lunpeng Xie
  • Patent number: 9460596
    Abstract: A user-programmable portable wireless remote monitoring system includes a base unit a series of sensor units and a remote control device. The base unit is connected to the internet, and receives wireless alerts from sensor arrays deployed in the sensor units. When the sensor units detect a problem, then they send an alert to the base unit, which then relays the alert to the remote control device that is preferably a smart phone, tablet, or the like, including software for operating the system. The system may also incorporate smart outlets that are remotely operable by the remote control device, various monitors, a touchscreen, and wearable tracking devices to monitor a person within the home. The system is designed to provide security, home system monitoring, personal medical monitoring, and remote control of various electrical appliances, as well as providing alerts of problem situations sent to the remote control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Lawrence Moses