Patents by Inventor Daniel H. Wilson

Daniel H. Wilson 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: 9412377
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing visual representation to individuals participating in a conversation is provided. Visual data for a plurality of individuals participating in one or more conversations is analyzed. Possible conversational configurations of the individuals are generated. Each possible conversational configuration includes one or more pair-wise probabilities of at least two of the individuals. A probability weight is assigned to each of the pair-wise probabilities having a likelihood that the individuals of that pair-wise probability are participating in a conversation. A probability of each possible conversational configuration is determined by combining the probability weights for the pair-wise probabilities of that possible conversational configuration. The possible conversational configuration with the highest probability is selected as a most probable configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: III HOLDINGS 6, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Aoki, Margaret H. Szymanski, James Thornton, Daniel H. Wilson, Allison G. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 8676572
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for enhancing audio to individuals participating in a conversation is provided. Audio data for individuals participating in one or more conversations is analyzed. Possible conversational configurations of the individuals are generated based on the audio data, and each possible conversational configuration includes one or more subconfigurations of at least two of the individuals. A probability weight is assigned to each of the subconfigurations and includes a likelihood that the individuals of that subconfiguration are participating in one of the conversations. A probability of each possible conversational configuration is determined by combining the probability weights for the subconfigurations of that possible conversational configuration. The possible conversational configuration with the highest probability is selected as a most probable configuration. The individuals participating in the conversations are determined based on the most probable configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul M. Aoki, Margaret H. Szymanski, James D. Thornton, Daniel H. Wilson, Allison G. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20140046665
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing visual representation to individuals participating in a conversation is provided. Visual data for a plurality of individuals participating in one or more conversations is analyzed. Possible conversational configurations of the individuals are generated. Each possible conversational configuration includes one or more pair-wise probabilities of at least two of the individuals. A probability weight is assigned to each of the pair-wise probabilities having a likelihood that the individuals of that pair-wise probability are participating in a conversation. A probability of each possible conversational configuration is determined by combining the probability weights for the pair-wise probabilities of that possible conversational configuration. The possible conversational configuration with the highest probability is selected as a most probable configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul M. Aoki, Margaret H. Szymanski, James Thornton, Daniel H. Wilson, Allison G. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20130204616
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for enhancing audio to individuals participating in a conversation is provided. Audio data for individuals participating in one or more conversations is analyzed. Possible conversational configurations of the individuals are generated based on the audio data, and each possible conversational configuration includes one or more subconfigurations of at least two of the individuals. A probability weight is assigned to each of the subconfigurations and includes a likelihood that the individuals of that subconfiguration are participating in one of the conversations. A probability of each possible conversational configuration is determined by combining the probability weights for the subconfigurations of that possible conversational configuration. The possible conversational configuration with the highest probability is selected as a most probable configuration. The individuals participating in the conversations are determined based on the most probable configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Paul M. Aoki, Margaret H. Szymanski, James D. Thornton, Daniel H. Wilson, Allison G. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 8463600
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting floor controls based on conversational characteristics is provided. Audio streams are received, which each originate from an audio source. Floor controls for a current configuration including at least a portion of the audio streams are maintained. Conversational characteristics shared by two or more of the audio sources are determined. Possible configurations for the audio streams are identified based on the conversational characteristics. An analysis of the current configuration and the possible configurations is performed. A change threshold comprising a minimum number of timeslices for at least one of the current configuration and one of the possible configurations is applied to the analysis. When the analysis satisfies the change threshold, the floor controls are automatically adjusted. The audio streams are mixed into one or more outputs based on the adjusted floor controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Masami Aoki, Margaret H. Szymanski, James D. Thornton, Daniel H. Wilson, Allison Gyle Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20120158402
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting floor controls based on conversational characteristics is provided. Audio streams are received, which each originate from an audio source. Floor controls for a current configuration including at least a portion of the audio streams are maintained. Conversational characteristics shared by two or more of the audio sources are determined. Possible configurations for the audio streams are identified based on the conversational characteristics. An analysis of the current configuration and the possible configurations is performed. A change threshold comprising a minimum number of timeslices for at least one of the current configuration and one of the possible configurations is applied to the analysis. When the analysis satisfies the change threshold, the floor controls are automatically adjusted. The audio streams are mixed into one or more outputs based on the adjusted floor controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Paul M. Aoki, Margaret H. Szymanski, James D. Thornton, Daniel H. Wilson, Allison G. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 8126705
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting floor controls for a conversation is provided. Audio streams are received, which each originate from an audio source. Floor controls for a current configuration including at least a portion of the audio streams are maintained. Conversational characteristics shared by two or more of the audio sources are determined. Possible configurations for the audio streams are identified based on the conversational characteristics. An analysis of the current configuration and the possible configurations is performed. A change threshold is applied to the analysis. When the analysis satisfies the change threshold, the floor controls are automatically adjusted. The audio streams are mixed into one or more outputs based on the adjusted floor controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Masami Aoki, Margaret H. Szymanski, James D. Thornton, Daniel H. Wilson, Allison Gyle Woodruff
  • Patent number: 7933226
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a computer controlled method for use with a communication system. The method includes a step of receiving a plurality of communications, where each one of the plurality of communications is from one of a plurality of communication sources; includes a step of mixing (that is responsive to a plurality of floor controls) the plurality of communications for a plurality of outputs associated with plurality of communication sources; and includes a step of analyzing, for a plurality of users associated with the plurality of communication sources, one or more conversational characteristics of two or more of the plurality of users. The method also includes a step of automatically adjusting the plurality of floor controls responsive to the step of analyzing. Other embodiments include systems and devices that use the method as well as program products that cause a computer to execute the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Allison G. Woodruff, Paul M. Aoki, Margaret H. Szymanski, James D. Thornton, Daniel H. Wilson, Chen Yu
  • Patent number: 7698141
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a computer controlled method for use with a communication system. The method includes a step of receiving a plurality of communications, where each one of the plurality of communications is from one of a plurality of communication sources; includes a step of mixing (that is responsive to a plurality of floor controls) the plurality of communications for a plurality of outputs associated with plurality of communication sources; and includes a step of analyzing, for a plurality of users associated with the plurality of communication sources, one or more conversational characteristics of two or more of the plurality of users. The method also includes a step of automatically adjusting the plurality of floor controls responsive to the step of analyzing. Other embodiments include systems and devices that use the method as well as program products that cause a computer to execute the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul M. Aoki, Margaret H. Szymanski, James D. Thornton, Daniel H. Wilson, Allison G. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20100057445
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting floor controls for a conversation is provided. Audio streams are received, which each originate from an audio source. Floor controls for a current configuration including at least a portion of the audio streams are maintained. Conversational characteristics shared by two or more of the audio sources are determined. Possible configurations for the audio streams are identified based on the conversational characteristics. An analysis of the current configuration and the possible configurations is performed. A change threshold is applied to the analysis. When the analysis satisfies the change threshold, the floor controls are automatically adjusted. The audio streams are mixed into one or more outputs based on the adjusted floor controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Paul M. Aoki, Margaret H. Szymanski, James D. Thornton, Daniel H. Wilson, Allison G. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 7617094
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method of using a computer to identify a conversation. Another aspect is a method for an audio processing system that identifies conversations and enhances each conversation for each user in the conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul M. Aoki, Margaret H. Szymanski, James D. Thornton, Daniel H. Wilson, Allison G. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20040172255
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a computer controlled method for use with a communication system. The method includes a step of receiving a plurality of communications, where each one of the plurality of communications is from one of a plurality of communication sources; includes a step of mixing (that is responsive to a plurality of floor controls) the plurality of communications for a plurality of outputs associated with plurality of communication sources; and includes a step of analyzing, for a plurality of users associated with the plurality of communication sources, one or more conversational characteristics of two or more of the plurality of users. The method also includes a step of automatically adjusting the plurality of floor controls responsive to the step of analyzing. Other embodiments include systems and devices that use the method as well as program products that cause a computer to execute the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul M. Aoki, Margaret H. Szymanski, James D. Thornton, Daniel H. Wilson, Allison G. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20040172252
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method of using a computer to identify a conversation. Another aspect is a method for an audio processing system that identifies conversations and enhances each conversation for each user in the conversation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicants: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Aoki, Margaret H. Szymanski, James D. Thornton, Daniel H. Wilson, Allison G. Woodruff