Patents by Inventor C. Douglass Thomas

C. Douglass Thomas 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: 11915186
    Abstract: Improved methods and systems for personal medical monitoring are disclosed. The monitoring yields status information pertaining to persons being monitored. Notifications, recommendations and/or actions can be initiated by examination or analysis of the status information. The status information can include health, position (location) and other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
    Inventors: Chung Lau, C. Douglass Thomas
  • Patent number: 11904195
    Abstract: A fire detection device and method therefor are able to provide automatic activation so as to extinguish a fire. The fire detection can be rapid and temperature-based. In one embodiment, a heat collector can be provided to enhance thermal responsiveness. Activation of the fire detection device can be electrically or mechanically induced to release an extinguishing agent at the fire. The activation can be protected such that it is durable and unaffected by vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: C. Douglass Thomas
  • Publication number: 20240036361
    Abstract: Techniques for providing eyewear or other head-worn personal electronic apparatus with electrical components are disclosed. The electrical components can provide electrical technology to eyewear or other head-worn personal electronic apparatus without having to substantially compromise aesthetic design principles. The electrical components can be partially or completely internal to eyewear or other head-worn personal electronic apparatus. The electrical components can operate independently or together with other electrical components provided elsewhere. Apparatus for presenting after-market electrical components are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas A. Howell, David Chao, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
  • Publication number: 20240040345
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to manage the communication of a user are disclosed. In one embodiment, when a person tries to electronically convey a message to the user, the status of the user, the identity of the person, and the urgency of the message can be identified. The access priority of the person can be determined based on the person's identity. Then, the message can be managed using one or more rules and in view of the status of the user, the access priority of the person and the urgency of the message. In one embodiment, the message can be received by the user via a headset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Kwok Wai Cheung, Peter P. Tong, C. Douglass Thomas
  • Patent number: 11889224
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus, method, and system for acquiring at least one image inside a cooking device including a housing having a front surface, back surface, and an interior; at least one attachment element removably coupled to the back surface of the housing, the attachment element configured to secure the housing to an external surface of the cooking device; a camera positioned at least partially within the interior of the housing, the camera configured to acquire the at least one image; and a controller configured to manage i) acquisition of the at least one image acquired by the camera and ii) transmission of the at least one image to a remote electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventors: C. Douglass Thomas, Adrienne Yeung
  • Patent number: 11869526
    Abstract: Different embodiments on hearing enhancement methods and systems to enhance a user's hearing. In one embodiment, a system includes a headset. The headset can access audio signals from other portable or non-portable instruments, wired or wirelessly, such as from home entertainment units, phones, microphones at a conference or speakers at a movie theater. The headset includes a wireless communication component to receive signals from an instrument, a down-convert circuitry, a speaker and a microphone to pickup sound in a headset environment. The headset is configured to modify audio output signals based on the pickup sound to at least reduce noise in the audio output signals to help the user hear audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwok Wai Cheung, Peter P. Tong, C. Douglass Thomas
  • Patent number: 11852901
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an eyeglass frame includes a lens holder, a first temple with a first end close to the lens holder and a second end, a second temple, an electrical connector and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board with at least one electrical component can be in the first temple. The connector can be close to the first end of the first temple, facing downward, and electrically connected to the at least one electrical component. In another embodiment, an eyeglass frame includes a first printed circuit board, with at least one electrical component. The first printed circuit board can be connected to an electrical component at the frame via a second printed circuit board. In an embodiment, a pair of glasses can perform hearing enhanced functions to enhance audio signals for the user to hear. One embodiment is configured to be a headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: IngenioSpec, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Howell, David Chao, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
  • Publication number: 20230408850
    Abstract: Techniques for providing eyewear with electrical components are disclosed. The electrical components can provide electrical technology to eyewear without having to substantially compromise aesthetic design principles of the eyewear. The electrical components can be partially or completely internal to eyewear, such as within an extended endpiece or a removable temple (or temple part). The electrical components can also be attached to the eyewear as an after-market enhancement. The electrical components can operate independently or together with other electrical components provided elsewhere. Apparatus for presenting after-market electrical components are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas A. Howell, David Chao, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
  • Patent number: 11829518
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an eyewear frame for a user includes at least a front portion with two side portions; two speakers, one in each side portion; a connection region at one side portion, with an electrical connector having two conductive pads to connect to corresponding conductive contacts of a counterpart connector; a rechargeable battery; a microphone in the frame; and wireless communication circuitry in the frame. The connection region can be provided at an inside surface of one of the side portions. The eyewear frame can also include a touch-sensitive input surface on the eyewear frame configured to provide an input to the frame to perform a function. Another embodiment includes a headset with a touch-sensitive input surface and an electrical connector having a conductive pad to connect to a corresponding conductive contact of a counterpart connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: IngenioSpec, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Howell, David Chao, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
  • Publication number: 20230371638
    Abstract: A protective clothing device having an article of clothing having an inner layer and/or an outer layer is disclosed. The protective clothing device may have thin force absorbing members coupled to the inner layer or outer layer of the article of clothing. The force absorbing members can have overlapping or interlaced portions for enhanced protection even when the protective clothing device expands. In one embodiment, the protective clothing device may be a protective hat. In another embodiment, the protective clothing device may be a headband.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Adrienne Yeung, C. Douglass Thomas
  • Publication number: 20230371892
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor or sensing element is configured to measure a health condition of a user. In one embodiment, the sensing element includes two water-impermeable layers with conductive lines in between. The sensing element can be a disposable element, an element applicable for more than one-time use, or a re-usable element. The sensing element or sensor can be calibrated for a specific user or a group of users. The sensing element or sensor can be for a skin-care product for the skin of the user. The skin-care product can include lotion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas A. Howell, Angeline Hadiwidjaja, Peter P. Tong, C. Douglass Thomas
  • Publication number: 20230359266
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an eyewear frame for a user includes at least a front portion with two side portions; two speakers, one in each side portion; a connection region at one side portion, with an electrical connector having two conductive pads to connect to corresponding conductive contacts of a counterpart connector; a rechargeable battery; a microphone in the frame; and wireless communication circuitry in the frame. The connection region can be provided at an inside surface of one of the side portions. The eyewear frame can also include a touch-sensitive input surface on the eyewear frame configured to provide an input to the frame to perform a function. Another embodiment includes a headset with a touch-sensitive input surface and an electrical connector having a conductive pad to connect to a corresponding conductive contact of a counterpart connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas A. Howell, David Chao, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
  • Patent number: 11806164
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a hydration sensor or sensing element is configured to measure the hydration level of a user. The sensing element can include a water-permeable material positioned in between two water-impermeable material. The sensing element can be coupled to a bottle of fluid, or a carrier with a timer. The sensing element can be incorporated into a handheld device. The sensing element can be a disposable element, an element applicable for more than one-time use, or a re-usable element. The sensing element or sensor can be calibrated for a specific user or a group of users. One or more additional sensors that do not measure hydration level of the user can be coupled to a hydration sensing element to determine the amount of fluid consumption for the user in different conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Howell, Angeline Hadiwidjaja, Peter P. Tong, C. Douglass Thomas
  • Patent number: 11803069
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an eyewear frame for a user includes at least a front portion with two side portions; two speakers, one in each side portion; a connection region at one side portion, with an electrical connector having two conductive pads to connect to corresponding conductive contacts of a counterpart connector; a rechargeable battery; a microphone in the frame; and wireless communication circuitry in the frame. The connection region can be provided at an inside surface of one of the side portions. The eyewear frame can also include a touch-sensitive input surface on the eyewear frame configured to provide an input to the frame to perform a function. Another embodiment includes a headset at least with a touch-sensitive input surface and an electrical connector having a conductive pad to connect to a corresponding conductive contact of a counterpart connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: IngenioSpec, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Howell, David Chao, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
  • Publication number: 20230337775
    Abstract: A protective clothing device having an article of clothing having an inner layer and/or an outer layer is disclosed. The protective clothing device may have thin force absorbing members coupled to the inner layer or outer layer of the article of clothing. The force absorbing members can have overlapping or interlaced portions for enhanced protection even when the protective clothing device expands. In one embodiment, the protective clothing device may be a protective hat. In another embodiment, the protective clothing device may be a headband.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Adrienne Yeung, C. Douglass Thomas
  • Patent number: 11800329
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to manage the communication of a user are disclosed. In one embodiment, when a person tries to electronically convey a message to the user, the status of the user, the identity of the person, and the urgency of the message can be identified. The access priority of the person can be determined based on the person's identity. Then, the message can be managed using one or more rules and in view of the status of the user, the access priority of the person and the urgency of the message. In one embodiment, the message can be received by the user via a headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: IngenioShare, LLC
    Inventors: Kwok Wai Cheung, Peter P. Tong, C. Douglass Thomas
  • Patent number: 11792316
    Abstract: Improved approaches for users of electronic devices to communicate with one another are disclosed. The electronic devices have audio and/or textual output capabilities. The improved approaches can enable users to communicate in different ways depending on device configuration, user preferences, prior history, etc. In one embodiment, the communication between users is achieved by short audio or textual messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
  • Publication number: 20230306813
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein concern mobile gaming environments. Portable electronic devices can be supported by the mobile gaming environments. The locations of the portable electronic device can influence how the portable electronic devices operate or what services or features are available to the portable electronic device or their users. According to one embodiment, a mobile gaming system can concern gaming/betting opportunities that can be secured using a portable electronic device even when an individual is located in a location where betting or games of chance are not permitted. According to another embodiment, a mobile gaming system can concern an application program operating on a portable electronic device that supports multiple modes of operation depending upon whether the portable electronic device is in a location where betting or games of chance are permitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Binh T. Nguyen, C. Douglass Thomas
  • Patent number: 11762224
    Abstract: Techniques for providing eyewear with electrical components are disclosed. The electrical components can provide electrical technology to eyewear without having to substantially compromise aesthetic design principles of the eyewear. The electrical components can be partially or completely internal to eyewear, such as within an extended endpiece. The electrical components can also be attached to the eyewear as an after-market enhancement. The electrical components can operate independently or together with other electrical components provided elsewhere. Apparatus for presenting after-market electrical components are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: IngenioSpec, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Howell, David Chao, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
  • Publication number: 20230274752
    Abstract: Different embodiments on hearing enhancement methods and systems to enhance a user's hearing. In one embodiment, a system includes a headset. The headset can access audio signals from other portable or non-portable instruments, wired or wirelessly, such as from home entertainment units, phones, microphones at a conference or speakers at a movie theater. The headset includes a wireless communication component to receive signals from an instrument, a down-convert circuitry, a speaker and a microphone to pickup sound in a headset environment. The headset is configured to modify audio output signals based on the pickup sound to at least reduce noise in the audio output signals to help the user hear audio signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Kwok Wai Cheung, Peter P. Tong, C. Douglass Thomas