Patents Represented by Attorney Kokka & Backus, PC
  • Patent number: 8340309
    Abstract: A new type of headset that employs adaptive noise suppression, multiple microphones, a voice activity detection (VAD) device, and unique mechanisms to position it correctly on either ear for use with phones, computers, and wired or wireless connections of any kind is described. In various embodiments, the headset employs combinations of new technologies and mechanisms to provide the user a unique communications experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: AliphCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory C. Burnett, Jaques Gagne, Dore Mark, Alexander M. Asseily, Nicolas Petit
  • Patent number: 8330317
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for conical magnets for rotors in electrodynamic machines, methods to design the same, and rotor-stator structures for electrodynamic machines. In various embodiments, a rotor-stator structure for electrodynamic machine can include field pole members and conical magnets. According to at least some embodiments, one or more of the conical magnets can include a magnetic region configured to confront one or more air gaps. The magnetic region can be substantially coextensive with one or more acute angles to the axis of rotation. The magnetic region can also include a surface positioned at multiple radial distances from the axis of rotation in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Burch, John Patrick Petro, Jeremy Franz Mayer
  • Patent number: 8330316
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to electrodynamic machines and the like, and more particularly, to rotor assemblies and rotor-stator structures for electrodynamic machines, including, but not limited to, outer rotor assemblies. In some embodiments, a stator assembly including field pole members arranged about an axis of rotation and including pole faces at the ends of the field pole members, subsets of the pole faces being disposed within a boundaries of conically-shaped spaces having apexes disposed on the axis of rotation. The rotor assemblies include interior regions in which the subsets of the pole faces are disposed, the interior regions having surfaces external to the boundaries of the conically-shaped spaces. The rotor assemblies also include subsets of magnets interleaved circumferentially with the subsets of magnetically permeable structures and boost magnets disposed adjacent the subsets of magnetically permeable structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Petro, Ken G. Wasson, Donald Burch, Jeremy Mayer, Michael Regalbuto
  • Patent number: 8326611
    Abstract: Acoustic Voice Activity Detection (AVAD) methods and systems are described. The AVAD methods and systems, including corresponding algorithms or programs, use microphones to generate virtual directional microphones which have very similar noise responses and very dissimilar speech responses. The ratio of the energies of the virtual microphones is then calculated over a given window size and the ratio can then be used with a variety of methods to generate a VAD signal. The virtual microphones can be constructed using either an adaptive or a fixed filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: AliphCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Petit, Gregory Burnett, Zhinian Jing
  • Patent number: 8321213
    Abstract: Acoustic Voice Activity Detection (AVAD) methods and systems are described. The AVAD methods and systems, including corresponding algorithms or programs, use microphones to generate virtual directional microphones which have very similar noise responses and very dissimilar speech responses. The ratio of the energies of the virtual microphones is then calculated over a given window size and the ratio can then be used with a variety of methods to generate a VAD signal. The virtual microphones can be constructed using either an adaptive or a fixed filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: AliphCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Petit, Gregory Burnett, Zhinian Jing
  • Patent number: 8320824
    Abstract: An apparatus is described that includes an AV receiver with a wireless audio module (WAM) host. The apparatus further includes a plurality of wireless speakers each having a WAM device to enable bi-directional communications with the WAM host. The apparatus further includes a wireless input/output device or a plurality of wireless input/output devices embedded in speakers to enable bidirectional communications with the WAM host in order to automatically configure the plurality of wireless speakers to optimize audio parameters of the wireless speakers. The automatic configuration includes determining a location for each speaker in order to identify each speaker. The automatic configuration further includes setting time delay parameters for each speaker. The automatic configuration further includes setting volume parameters for each speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: AliphCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jano Banks, David Buuck, Jeff Boone, Jon Norenberg, Brad Bozarth, Eric Wiles, David Northway
  • Patent number: 8283832
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture and system for producing a field pole member for electrodynamic machinery are disclosed to, among other things, reduce magnetic flux path lengths and to eliminate back-iron for increasing torque and/or efficiency per unit size (or unit weight) and for reducing manufacturing costs. For example, a field pole member structure can either reduce the length of magnetic flux paths or substantially straighten those paths through the field pole members, or both. In one embodiment, a method provides for the construction of field pole members for electrodynamic machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John Patrick Petro, Ken George Wasson, Jeremy Franz Mayer
  • Patent number: 8280072
    Abstract: Microphone arrays (MAs) are described that position and vent microphones so that performance of a noise suppression system coupled to the microphone array is enhanced. The MA includes at least two physical microphones to receive acoustic signals. The physical microphones make use of a common rear vent (actual or virtual) that samples a common pressure source. The MA includes a physical directional microphone configuration and a virtual directional microphone configuration. By making the input to the rear vents of the microphones (actual or virtual) as similar as possible, the real-world filter to be modeled becomes much simpler to model using an adaptive filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: AliphCom, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory C. Burnett
  • Patent number: 8275110
    Abstract: An examples of active call filtering, screening and dispatching is described, including receiving data representing a call from a first communication endpoint; presenting at a second communication endpoint, prior to connecting to the call, a subset of prompts that specify dispatching actions for the call, at least one of the dispatching actions including transmitting a response via a communications network, detecting selection of a prompt that specifies a dispatching action for the call, and transmitting an instruction from the second communication endpoint to a call messaging system to perform the dispatching action. In some embodiments, a determination is made as to whether a bypass condition exists, the bypass condition specifying that one or more customized screening rules are to be bypassed. If the bypass condition exists, then a call messaging system can bypass the use of a subset of prompts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: RingCentral, Inc.
    Inventor: Vlad Vendrow
  • Patent number: 8254617
    Abstract: Microphone arrays (MAs) are described that position and vent microphones so that performance of a noise suppression system coupled to the microphone array is enhanced. The MA includes at least two physical microphones to receive acoustic signals. The physical microphones make use of a common rear vent (actual or virtual) that samples a common pressure source. The MA includes a physical directional microphone configuration and a virtual directional microphone configuration. By making the input to the rear vents of the microphones (actual or virtual) as similar as possible, the real-world filter to be modeled becomes much simpler to model using an adaptive filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: AliphCom, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory C. Burnett
  • Patent number: 8180798
    Abstract: Data management and distribution are described, including a memory configured to store data, the data being stored in a file and the file is downloaded in response to a signal, and downloading is performed based on a parameter determined by a provider of the file or the system, and a logic module configured to process the signal and access data stored in the file, and the file is downloaded to a device and configured for interaction with a user, and user activity is recorded and used by the logic module when selecting another file for downloading to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Lourdeaux
  • Patent number: 8134727
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computing devices and systems, as well as software, computer programs, applications, and user interfaces, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods to facilitate message preview control. For example, the method may include generating representations for messages to present on an interface, and detecting selection of the representation for the message. Further, the method can include presenting preview information for the message, which can be an electronic facsimile. The representations for the messages can include a representation for an electronic facsimile, as well as a voice message and an email.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: RingCentral, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir G. Shmunis, Vlad Vendrow, Bruce Young
  • Patent number: 8130984
    Abstract: An acoustic vibration sensor, also referred to as a speech sensing device, is provided. The acoustic vibration sensor receives speech signals of a human talker and, in response, generates electrical signals representative of human speech. The acoustic vibration sensor includes at least one diaphragm positioned adjacent to a front port and at least one coupler. The coupler couples a first set of signals to the diaphragm while isolating the diaphragm from the second set of signals. The coupler includes at least one material with acoustic impedance matched to the acoustic impedance of human skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: AliphCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Asseily, Andrew E. Einaudi
  • Patent number: 8072115
    Abstract: Disclosed are foil coil structures and methods for winding the same for stators in electrodynamic machines, as well as electrodynamic machines that implement such coil structures. In one embodiment, a foil coil structure is configured for implementation with a field pole member having pole faces that confront, for example, conical magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Novatorque, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Burch, John Petro
  • Patent number: 8072106
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to electric motors, alternators, generators and the like, and more particularly, to stator structures and rotor-stator structures for motors that can be configured to, for example, reduce detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Novatorque, Inc.
    Inventors: John Petro, Ken G. Wasson, Jeremy F. Mayer
  • Patent number: 8060543
    Abstract: Tracking resource use includes determining when the resource is allocated, determining when the resource is first used, determining when the resource is last used, and determining when the resource is deallocated. The resource may be a software object. Deallocating the resource may be performed automatically by a run time system when there are no remaining references to the object in run time code or variables. Deallocating the resource may include at least one of: setting a flag for the resource and adding an identifier for the resource to a list of resources to be deallocated. Time measurements may correspond to a count of garbage collection cycles. Tracking resource use may also include determining additional resource usage metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Micro Focus (IP) Limited
    Inventor: Thierry Gaëtan Ciot
  • Patent number: 8051404
    Abstract: A method of developing software capable of performing a task, the task comprising at least one task step required to perform the task. The task step has a resultant effect. The method comprises recording a use case comprising one or more scenarios, that comprise one of more further steps; recording the scenario or one of the scenarios as a main success scenarios such that the resultant effect of the main success scenario is the same as the resultant effect of the task step. Use cases which have been stripped of context-specific information may be re-used. Such information may be included in a reference to the re-used use case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Micro Focus (IP) Limited
    Inventors: Fergal McGovern, Martin Chapman, Garrett Conaty, Philip Head, Michael Hogan
  • Patent number: 8009449
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to semiconductors for power generation and conversion applications, and more particularly, to devices, integrated circuits, substrates, and methods to convert direct current (“DC”) voltage signals to alternating current (“AC”) voltage signals. In some embodiments, an inverter can include a modulator configured to convert a direct current signal into a first variable signal, and a transformation module configured to step up the first variable signal to form a second variable signal. The transformation module can be configured to generate a first portion of the second variable signal and a second portion of the second variable signal. Further, the inverter can include a waveform generator configured to synchronize the first portion and the second portion of the second variable signal at a frequency to generate an alternating current (“AC”) signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: NPhysics, Inc
    Inventors: Dalun Yuan, Tranh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7982350
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for conical magnets for rotors in electrodynamic machines, methods to design the same, and rotor-stator structures for electrodynamic machines. In various embodiments, a rotor-stator structure for electrodynamic machine can include field pole members and conical magnets. According to at least some embodiments, one or more of the conical magnets can include a magnetic region configured to confront one or more air gaps. The magnetic region can be substantially coextensive with one or more acute angles to the axis of rotation. The magnetic region can also include a surface positioned at multiple radial distances from the axis of rotation in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: NovaTorque, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Burch, John Patrick Petro, Jeremy Franz Mayer
  • Patent number: 7962616
    Abstract: In order to track activities in a computerized system with client-server or other communications, a system configuration is needed which monitors, logs and reports traffic. This is somewhat akin to but not entirely similar a firewall. Thus, the invention contemplates a real-time, platform-independent, rule-based activity monitor for detecting a particular activity of interest as it occurs and for reporting such activity and the user substantially as fast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Micro Focus (US), Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kupferman, Ido Hardonag