Patents by Inventor Brent John Thorington

Brent John Thorington has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11743371
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for connection and disconnection of a shared audio endpoint. In one aspect, a method includes detecting a charging event of a user mobile device being electrically coupled to a charger, and in response to detecting the charging event, broadcasting a beacon comprising a name of a shared audio endpoint. The shared audio endpoint accepts a connection request to connect the user mobile device to the shared audio endpoint based on the beacon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent John Thorington
  • Publication number: 20220060577
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for connection and disconnection of a shared audio endpoint. In one aspect, a method includes detecting a charging event of a user mobile device being electrically coupled to a charger, and in response to detecting the charging event, broadcasting a beacon comprising a name of a shared audio endpoint. The shared audio endpoint accepts a connection request to connect the user mobile device to the shared audio endpoint based on the beacon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent John Thorington
  • Patent number: 11196853
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for connection and disconnection of a shared audio endpoint. One method includes monitoring a connection between a first user mobile device and a shared audio endpoint. The method also includes making, while monitoring, a first determination that a signal strength of the connection between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint is less than a disconnection threshold. Further, the method includes making, while monitoring, a second determination that an active communication stream does not exist between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint. Still further, the method includes closing the connection between the shared audio endpoint and the first user mobile device in response to both the first determination and the second determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent John Thorington
  • Patent number: 10798233
    Abstract: A mobile phone stations is disclosed. In general, in one aspect, the mobile phone station connects to a smartphone for sending and receiving data therebetween. Further, the mobile phone station includes a dial pad for placing outgoing calls via the smartphone and answering incoming calls received at the smartphone. Also, the mobile phone station includes a charging mechanism for charging the smartphone. In use during an active call at the smartphone, the mobile phone station allows a user to seamlessly switch between two or more of a handset, a speakerphone, and a headset without requiring any user interaction with the smartphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Sherburne, John B Ledingham, Jacob T Meyberg Guzman, Brent John Thorington, John Gary Mihelic, Michael David Rhoads, Robert Benjamin Foster, David Andrew Sauerhaft
  • Publication number: 20190320054
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for connection and disconnection of a shared audio endpoint. One method includes monitoring a connection between a first user mobile device and a shared audio endpoint. The method also includes making, while monitoring, a first determination that a signal strength of the connection between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint is less than a disconnection threshold. Further, the method includes making, while monitoring, a second determination that an active communication stream does not exist between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint. Still further, the method includes closing the connection between the shared audio endpoint and the first user mobile device in response to both the first determination and the second determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent John Thorington
  • Publication number: 20190281147
    Abstract: A mobile phone stations is disclosed. In general, in one aspect, the mobile phone station connects to a smartphone for sending and receiving data therebetween. Further, the mobile phone station includes a dial pad for placing outgoing calls via the smartphone and answering incoming calls received at the smartphone. Also, the mobile phone station includes a charging mechanism for charging the smartphone. In use during an active call at the smartphone, the mobile phone station allows a user to seamlessly switch between two or more of a handset, a speakerphone, and a headset without requiring any user interaction with the smartphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Sherburne, John B. Ledingham, Jacob T. Meyberg Guzman, Brent John Thorington, John Gary Mihelic, Michael David Rhoads, Robert Benjamin Foster, David Andrew Sauerhaft