Patents Examined by Stella Woo
  • Patent number: 9819877
    Abstract: A system configured to host a teleconference session is disclosed. The system hosts a teleconference session between a plurality of client computing devices. The system provides transitions of displayed content between various positions of a user interface that displays a teleconference stream. The transitions can occur in response to an event that changes a state of the teleconference session, where the state of the teleconference session can be associated with a total number of users participating in the teleconference session. Accordingly, in various examples described herein, a change in state of the teleconference session can be attributed to an event in which a user joins the teleconference session or an event in which a user leaves the teleconference session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Thomas Faulkner, Casey Baker
  • Patent number: 9813583
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus includes a first detection unit, a second detection unit, a third detection unit, and a determination unit. The first detection unit detects a line voltage in an on-hook state. The second detection unit detects a line voltage in an off-hook state. The third detection unit detects a line current in an off-hook state. The determination unit determines a line impedance based on the line voltage detected by the first detection unit, the line voltage detected by the second detection unit, and the line current detected by the third detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeo Miura
  • Patent number: 9800835
    Abstract: An automatic process for producing professional, directed, production crew quality, video for videoconferencing is described. Rule based logic is integrated into an automatic process for producing director quality video for videoconferencing. The automatic process uses sensor data to process video streams for video conferencing. A method and system for automatically processing sensor data on room activity into general room analytics for further processing by application of rules based logic to produce production quality video for videoconferencing is described. Sensory devices and equipment, for example motion, infrared, audio, sound source localization (SSL) and video are used to detect room activity or room stimulus. The room activity is analyzed (for example, to determine whether individuals are in the subject room, speaker identification and movement within the room) and processed to produce room analytics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Elon Nimri, Shu Gao, Stephen Schaefer, Robert Murphy
  • Patent number: 9800737
    Abstract: Various implementations include systems and methods for unlocking a door to a building on behalf of a tenant of the building that addresses the shortcomings of legacy telephone entry systems and allows for more efficient and safer management of building entry requests from third parties. In some implementations, the system taps into the legacy telephone entry systems to communicate with third parties seeking entry into the building. In some implementations, the system communicates with third party computing devices (e.g., stationary or mobile devices) to process entry requests. And, in some implementations, the system communicates entry preferences (or parameters) associated with a tenant with a door lock system to allow for entry during certain time windows or under certain conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: DropBy, Inc.
    Inventors: Camille Gaspard, Nabeel Samad, John McQueen
  • Patent number: 9787849
    Abstract: A method of managing responder agency resources includes receiving information relating to one or more events, occurrences, or locations. Responders from two or more different jurisdictions are dispatched to the events, occurrences, or locations. One or more of the responders is dispatched through a web-enabled user device over the internet. Some of the responders may be dispatched through a system of a responder agency of one jurisdiction. Other responders may be dispatched through a system of a responder agency of another jurisdiction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Sam Houston State University
    Inventor: Larry T. Hoover
  • Patent number: 9774824
    Abstract: Approaches are disclosed for reducing a number of connections established by a server for a virtual meeting session. In some embodiments, the server receives a request to initiate a virtual meeting session involving a plurality of endpoints. The server may determine a location identifier for each of the plurality of endpoints based on location data generated by each of the plurality of endpoints. When the server determines that two or more of the plurality of endpoints are co-located at a location based on the location identifier, it can automatically establish only one connection on behalf of the two or more of the plurality of endpoints. The connection may be established to, e.g., a nearby conferencing device or one of the endpoints that are in the same location. The device or endpoint to which the connection is established may be determined based on which device or endpoint historically initiates virtual meetings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Finbarr Andrew Brady, Shane Martin Hannon, Austin Keogh
  • Patent number: 9769344
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of preventing a user from unnecessarily taking a wasteful action. Whether a communication line is connected to the information processing apparatus and an off-hook state in the information processing apparatus are detected. Whether to turn on a display unit is controlled. When connection of the communication line to the information processing apparatus and the off-hook state are detected the display unit is controlled to turn on. When non-connection of the communication line to the information processing apparatus and the off-hook state are detected, the display unit is controlled not to turn on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Hikichi
  • Patent number: 9769322
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a telephone, a switchboard, and a method for sending a message between the telephone and the switchboard using a Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) signal. The telephone includes a sensor interface unit for collecting sensing signals by being connected to sensors, a transmission unit for generating a message using the sensing signals, converting the message into a DTMF signal, and transmitting the DTMF signal and a telephone signal, and a power distribution unit for being supplied with power from the switchboard and distributing the power to operation units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jae-Hong Ruy, Hyo-Chan Bang, Byeong-Cheol Choi, Hoon Jeong
  • Patent number: 9742923
    Abstract: A call processing system comprises first and second interfaces configured to selectively pass voice signals and data signals between caller and agent to enable communication. An attenuation means is configured to selectively attenuate voice and data signals passing from the first interface to the second interface to impede the agent from receiving voice and data signals from the caller. While a string of discrete data signals is received at the first interface, the system is configured to operate exclusively in each of: a first mode in which voice and data signals are permitted to pass from the first interface to the second interface to enable the agent to receive them from the caller; and a second mode in which the attenuation means attenuates voice and data signals passing from the first interface to the second interface to impede the agent from receiving them from the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: CARDEASY LIMITED
    Inventors: Colin Philip Westlake, James Sebastian Campbell
  • Patent number: 9715337
    Abstract: A tele-presence system that includes a remote device coupled to a control station through a communication link. The remote device includes a remote monitor, a remote camera, a remote speaker and a remote microphone. Likewise, the control station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The control station displays a plurality of graphical icons that each represents a different type of communication link between the control station and the remote device. The graphical icons can be selected to allow a user of the control station to change the communication link between the remote device and its initial node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: INTOUCH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James Ballantyne, Kelton Temby, James Rosenthal, David Roe
  • Patent number: 9712673
    Abstract: Users store information relevant to first responders in the event of an emergency. When a user later places an emergency call, the user's emergency information is automatically made available to the public-safety answering point operator handling the call. Hotel personal are notified of the call and may listen to and break in to the ongoing call in order to assist. A reverse 9-1-1 broadcast enables hotel personnel to quickly notify guests of an emergency situation via in-room and mobile phones. In the event that police need to conduct surveillance on a target location, the onsite PBX server reconfigures phones within the vicinity of the target location to operate in an open mode and records the audio/visual information received. An incoming call to a hotel room from the PSAP is automatically connected to the in-room phone even if other incoming calls not from the PSAP are being screened by front desk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignees: Innacloud Technologies LLC, Guest Tek Interactive Entertainment Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Abnett, Russell D. McComb, Andrew T. MacMillan
  • Patent number: 9706168
    Abstract: A method includes capturing a first image at a first time using a camera; processing the first image to identify a representation of an object in the first image; storing the first image as an event forming a navigable marker in a conference room tracking system; measuring one or more of a room sound and a room activity level at a time associated with capture of the first image; generating a heat marker representing a level of the room sound or the room activity level; and storing the heat marker in association with the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Surround.IO
    Inventors: John Ludwig, Richard Tong
  • Patent number: 9699350
    Abstract: A communication device includes: a communication control section; a variable resistor; a voltage detecting section; and a resistance value adjusting section. The communication control section performs control necessary for facsimile communication. The variable resistor is arranged between two line-connecting terminals, each of the line-connecting terminals is for connecting a telephone line. The voltage detecting section detects a line voltage of the telephone line to which the variable resistor is connected under closed state of the telephone line. The resistance value adjusting section changes a resistance value of the variable resistor. When the changed resistance value of the variable resistor becomes a standard resistance value to be a voltage value where the line voltage detected by the voltage detecting section is capable of the facsimile communication, the resistance value adjusting section sets the resistance value of the variable resistor to a resistance value for the facsimile communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Fujita
  • Patent number: 9692950
    Abstract: A display method for video conferencing and an associated video conferencing system are provided. The video conferencing system includes a display, an image capturing unit, and a network interface unit. The method includes the steps of: utilizing the image capturing unit to capture images of a local user in a video conference; performing foreground segmentation on the captured images to obtain a foreground object; flipping the foreground object horizontally; identifying a human face from the flipped foreground object and correcting a facing angle of the human face; determining interaction data from the local user on the display; encoding the interaction data and the flipped foreground object into an interaction stream and a video stream, respectively; packing the interaction stream and the video stream into an output stream; and transmitting the output stream to a remote user of the video conference through the network interface unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Chih-Kai Chang, Tsu-Ming Liu
  • Patent number: 9693014
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present application relate to a method for implementing video calls, a system for implementing video calls, and a computer program product for implementing video calls. A method for implementing video calls is provided. The method includes maintaining persistent connections with a plurality of terminals used to make video calls, each terminal having a universally unique identifier, receiving a video call request from a calling terminal via one of the persistent connections, the video call request including the universally unique identifier of the calling terminal, equipment descriptive information of the calling terminal, and the universally unique identifier of a called terminal, notifying the called terminal via one of the persistent connections, the notification being based on the universally unique identifier of the called terminal, receiving a response from the called terminal, and establishing a video call channel based on the received response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Alibaba Group Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Wuping Du, Wei Peng, Ming Zong
  • Patent number: 9691386
    Abstract: A system for institutions (particularly public safety) to accept spoken information such that users can report incident details as required to convey an official incident (e.g., crime) report and to aid in the investigation of the incident. Similarly, users can employ a combination of voice or text input, media submission, [GUI menu screens] and information download to aid in the immediate analysis of incident information to facilitate a rapid response for the incident. This method of interaction with institutions enables reporting parties to more quickly and efficiently convey incident information when direct interaction by an official is not possible or is subject to delay. This helps institutions, for example, police to provide better services while using less staff and resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventors: Anthony Formhals, Eric C Geerdes
  • Patent number: 9679109
    Abstract: An information processing system includes one or more information processing devices and controls bidirectional communication of image data and audio data between a first information terminal used by a first user and a second information terminal used by a second user. The information processing system includes a calculation unit analyzing the image data and the audio data on the second user received from the second information terminal and calculating difference information that indicates a difference between a current state and a past state of the second user; an image generation unit superimposing the difference information on the image data received from the second information terminal, such that the difference information is displayed around a field where an image of the second user is placed; and a transmission unit transmitting, to the first information terminal, the image data on which the difference information is superimposed and the audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Haruomi Higashi
  • Patent number: 9674487
    Abstract: A transmission system includes a transmission terminal locally reproducing video and voice data and transmitting and receiving the video and voice data via a network; a relay apparatus transmitting the video data and voice data to another transmission terminal or the transmission terminal; and a transmission management apparatus managing a session for a single transmission terminal. Further, the transmission terminal sends a request for establishing a session for a single site to the relay apparatus via the transmission management apparatus, and the relay apparatus establishes the session for the single site related to the transmission terminal so that a connection check process is performed on the transmission terminal within the single site only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kumiko Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9667913
    Abstract: A video conferencing/presentation system includes a PC docking station and a room media unit. The dock includes speakerphone and tactile user interface. The wall-mounted RMU, including a wide field camera and speaker(s), is coupled to a monitor. The dock communicates with the RMU. A speakerphone mic captures room audio. During conferencing, room audio and camera video are sent to a docked PC; the PC communicates with remote nodes using video chat software, sending room A/V; remote A/V is received from the PC by the dock, and transmitted for RMU output. During presentation, room audio, and/or PC media software presentation, may be output through the RMU, or to the PC for remote transmission. The dock provides the PC network access. Dock/RMU may each be equipped with a bidirectional transceiver, which uses prioritized opportunistic sequencing to assemble/disassemble a combined media/control packet stream over a cable, and transfer power from dock to RMU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventors: Robin Sheeley, Darrin Thurston, Tim Wall, Roger Holschbach
  • Patent number: 9667915
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for integrating a user computer with a Codec device so that operation of input devices to a computer is transferred to a display associated with the Codec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Laura Baldelli, Alessandra Centanni, Claudio Panini