Patents by Inventor Frederick P. Block

Frederick P. Block 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: 9894126
    Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to enabling smooth transitioning between compressed video streams. In particular, it relates to scheduling transitions between compressed video streams to be shown in an area of a display such that while decoding, decompressing and buffering a first video stream for display, commencing decoding, decompressing and buffering of a second video stream at a predetermined time before a scheduled showing of the second video stream. It further relates to switching buffers between display of the first and second video streams at the scheduled showing of the second video stream, which results in immediate display of the second video stream without delay. In one implementation, switching between the buffers for the first and second video streams includes modifying z-ordering of display layers corresponding to the first and second video streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: INFOCUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick P Block, Eric Wogsberg
  • Patent number: 9654732
    Abstract: The technology disclosed further relates to distribution of live streaming sources during a video collaboration session. In particular, it relates to receiving or placing an outside call from or to at least one remote limited participant to be joined with an ongoing video collaboration session on a display wall that combines multiple live streaming sources, locating a template that identifies at least one live streaming source selected from the ongoing video collaboration session to transmit to the remote limited participant, and causing a copy of the selected live streaming source to be directed to the remote limited participant upon connection to the ongoing video collaboration session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: INFOCUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick P. Block, Brady O. Bruce, Devon Wright, Stanislav Angelov
  • Patent number: 9602310
    Abstract: A messaging system can initiate a communication with one or more users through via cell phone text messages, for example using the short message service protocol. These systems often need a way to correlate user responses with system requests or queries. This problem can present challenges because the email mailbox metaphor used by cell phone user interfaces generally allows users to reply to any previously sent messages, but no message context is automatically supplied. A system that may send multiple messages to a user needs a mechanism by which the system can correlate a user-sent response to one of potentially many system-sent requests or queries. Context correlation to resolve ambiguities can be based on one or more of a dialog-based solution, a token-based solution and a keyword-based solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick P. Block
  • Publication number: 20160344665
    Abstract: A method implemented in a communication device, the method comprising receiving a context preference for a contact, storing the context preference, connecting to a communication session via the communication device, transmitting, for display at a second communication device, context information based on the context preference and presence information indicating that the communication device has connected to the communication session, and receiving from the second communication device a request from the contact to connect to the communication session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Francis Kurupacheril, Frederick P. Block
  • Patent number: 9450898
    Abstract: A method implemented in a communication device, the method comprising receiving a context preference for a contact, storing the context preference, connecting to a communication session via the communication device, transmitting, for display at a second communication device, context information based on the context preference and presence information indicating that the communication device has connected to the communication session, and receiving from the second communication device a request from the contact to connect to the communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Kurupacheril, Frederick P. Block
  • Patent number: 9344681
    Abstract: The technology disclosed solves the technical problem of incorporating live streaming sources into a video conference. In particular, the technology disclosed relates to pre-registering live streaming sources as pseudo-participants to optionally include in a video conference and causing the live streaming source represented by the pseudo-participant to be streamed to participants in the video conference without relay from one participant to another participant. The technology disclosed also relates to solving the technical problem of controlling a video conferencing interface during a video conference by allowing attendees of a video conference to configure a video interface template that includes areas to display participants and pseudo-participants live streaming sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick P. Block, Brady O. Bruce, Stanislav Angelov
  • Patent number: 9299111
    Abstract: A method implemented in a network component, the method comprising receiving a presence information message from a presence server in a ring of a plurality of presence servers, removing content in the presence information message that is previously originated by the network component and previously sent on the ring, copying the presence information message locally for subsequent processing, appending to the presence information message buffered presence information from a local client coupled to the network component, and forwarding the presence information message to a second presence server in the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick P. Block, Dennis C. Episkopos
  • Publication number: 20160057391
    Abstract: The technology disclosed solves the technical problem of incorporating live streaming sources into a video conference. In particular, the technology disclosed relates to pre-registering live streaming sources as pseudo-participants to optionally include in a video conference and causing the live streaming source represented by the pseudo-participant to be streamed to participants in the video conference without relay from one participant to another participant. The technology disclosed also relates to solving the technical problem of controlling a video conferencing interface during a video conference by allowing attendees of a video conference to configure a video interface template that includes areas to display participants and pseudo-participants live streaming sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: JUPITER SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Frederick P. BLOCK, Brady O. BRUCE, Stanislav ANGELOV
  • Publication number: 20160044279
    Abstract: The technology disclosed further relates to distribution of live streaming sources during a video collaboration session. In particular, it relates to receiving or placing an outside call from or to at least one remote limited participant to be joined with an ongoing video collaboration session on a display wall that combines multiple live streaming sources, locating a template that identifies at least one live streaming source selected from the ongoing video collaboration session to transmit to the remote limited participant, and causing a copy of the selected live streaming source to be directed to the remote limited participant upon connection to the ongoing video collaboration session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: JUPITER SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Frederick P. BLOCK, Brady O. BRUCE, Devon WRIGHT, Stanislav ANGELOV
  • Patent number: 9239765
    Abstract: Systems and methods that enable migration for state of an application, from a primary machine to a backup machine in platform virtualization systems. The migration employs a hybrid approach, wherein both a hypervisor, and an application itself determine states that are to migrate from the primary machine to the backup machine. Based on a direct communication between the application and the hypervisor—without assistance of local operating system—the hypervisor arranges for migration of the required states over to the backup virtual machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: AVAYA INC.
    Inventors: Frederick P. Block, Anjur S. Krishnakumar, Parameshwaran Krishnan, Navjot Singh, Shalini Yajnik
  • Publication number: 20140115068
    Abstract: A method implemented in a communication device, the method comprising receiving a context preference for a contact, storing the context preference, connecting to a communication session via the communication device, transmitting, for display at a second communication device, context information based on the context preference and presence information indicating that the communication device has connected to the communication session, and receiving from the second communication device a request from the contact to connect to the communication session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FUTUREWEI TECHNOLOGIES, CO.
    Inventors: Francis Kurupacheril, Frederick P. Block
  • Publication number: 20140067911
    Abstract: A method implemented in a network component, the method comprising receiving a presence information message from a presence server in a ring of a plurality of presence servers, removing content in the presence information message that is previously originated by the network component and previously sent on the ring, copying the presence information message locally for subsequent processing, appending to the presence information message buffered presence information from a local client coupled to the network component, and forwarding the presence information message to a second presence server in the ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FUTUREWEI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Frederick P. Block, Dennis C. Episkopos
  • Publication number: 20140004839
    Abstract: A method for transferring a data stream between devices on a network is initiated by one of the devices. The devices on the network include a first device requesting the transfer and a second device currently receiving the data stream via the network. The method steps include a first device determining a proximity to a second device. The method steps also include the first device initiating a command to terminate a data stream received by the second device via a network when the proximity is below a threshold; and the first device initiating a command to transfer the data stream via the network so that the data stream is received by the first device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Frederick P. BLOCK, Dennis C. EPISKOPOS, Paul A. FULLARTON, Scott B. STEELE
  • Publication number: 20120054409
    Abstract: Systems and methods that enable migration for state of an application, from a primary machine to a backup machine in platform virtualization systems. The migration employs a hybrid approach, wherein both a hypervisor, and an application itself determine states that are to migrate from the primary machine to the backup machine. Based on a direct communication between the application and the hypervisor—without assistance of local operating system—the hypervisor arranges for migration of the required states over to the backup virtual machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: AVAYA INC.
    Inventors: Frederick P. Block, Anjur S. Krishnakumar, Parameshwaran Krishnan, Navjot Singh, Shalini Yajnik
  • Patent number: 7912203
    Abstract: Called party information is provided during survivable processor mode operation of a branch included in a distributed private branch exchange communication system for support of features that require information identifying the called party. More particularly, a coverage path for use during survivable processor operation is enabled that establishes contact with an extension or coverage point over the public switched telephony network such that operation of system appears normal to a caller. Furthermore, for a given coverage point, the same coverage path can be used for a number of extensions, reducing administrative burden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick P. Block, Kurt H. Haserodt
  • Publication number: 20100088302
    Abstract: A messaging system can initiate a communication with one or more users through via cell phone text messages, for example using the short message service protocol. These systems often need a way to correlate user responses with system requests or queries. This problem can present challenges because the email mailbox metaphor used by cell phone user interfaces generally allows users to reply to any previously sent messages, but no message context is automatically supplied. A system that may send multiple messages to a user needs a mechanism by which the system can correlate a user-sent response to one of potentially many system-sent requests or queries. Context correlation to resolve ambiguities can be based on one or more of a dialog-based solution, a token-based solution and a keyword-based solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: AVAYA INC.
    Inventor: Frederick P. Block
  • Patent number: 6701353
    Abstract: A system for optimizing server response time to polling for new e-mail messages by a client. A cache of memory storing information about a user for responding to polling queries is maintained by the server. When a polling session is established, the client transmits a query to the server. The server receives the query and reads the cache to retrieve the user information that includes the response to the query. The response read from the cache is then transmitted to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick P. Block
  • Publication number: 20020120690
    Abstract: A standards-based e-mail client (170), such as an IMAP-compliant client, provides access to user data of non-e-mail applications of a unified messaging system (100), such as to a user's personal greeting (161) of a voice mail application (160), a user's data (141) that is used by a Web messaging application (140) to construct the user's home page, and to a user's choice of a fax machine (180) for printing faxes and any faxes enqueued (151) in a fax messaging application (150). An association is established in an e-mail server (130) of the system between an application and a folder (191) of the user's mailbox (100) by means of the name given to the folder. For example, the name of a folder that is associated with a particular fax machine includes the telephone number of the fax machine. In response to the e-mail client opening (200,400,600) the folder, the e-mail server retrieves (202,402,602) the corresponding user data (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Frederick P. Block
  • Patent number: 5136707
    Abstract: In a distributed system, such as a PBX (FIG. 1), which uses a database for its operation, a master copy (22) of the database having a first format is stored at a central node (10) and cache copies (32) of database portions (24) but having a different format are stored at peripheral nodes (11-12). A change to the database is made to the master copy, is recorded in a change table (26) corresponding to the affected database portion, and is sent to affected peripheral nodes. At initialization, a boot copy (25) is made of each database portion by translating the database portion from the master database format to the cache copy format. Periodically thereafter, each boot copy is replaced with a new boot copy that reflects changes presently recorded in the corresponding change table. When the new boot copy is generated, the present change table contents are erased. When a peripheral node calls for a new cache copy (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Frederick P. Block, Norman C. Chan