Patents by Inventor James A. Hendrickson

James A. Hendrickson 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).

  • Publication number: 20240062741
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust operational parameters of a text-to-speech engine in a speech-based system are disclosed. A voice engine or other application of a device provides a mechanism to alter the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine. In response to one or more environmental conditions, the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine are modified to increase the intelligibility of synthesized speech.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: James HENDRICKSON, Debra Drylie STIFFEY, Duane LITTLETON, John PECORARI, Arkadiusz SLUSARCZYK
  • Patent number: 11817078
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust operational parameters of a text-to-speech engine in a speech-based system are disclosed. A voice engine or other application of a device provides a mechanism to alter the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine. In response to one or more environmental conditions, the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine are modified to increase the intelligibility of synthesized speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: VOCOLLECT, INC.
    Inventors: James Hendrickson, Debra Drylie Stiffey, Duane Littleton, John Pecorari, Arkadiusz Slusarczyk
  • Patent number: 11810545
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust operational parameters of a text-to-speech engine in a speech-based system are disclosed. A voice engine or other application of a device provides a mechanism to alter the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine. In response to one or more environmental conditions, the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine are modified to increase the intelligibility of synthesized speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: VOCOLLECT, INC.
    Inventors: James Hendrickson, Debra Drylie Stiffey, Duane Littleton, John Pecorari, Arkadiusz Slusarczyk
  • Publication number: 20230317053
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust operational parameters of a text-to-speech engine in a speech-based system are disclosed. A voice engine or other application of a device provides a mechanism to alter the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine. In response to one or more environmental conditions, the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine are modified to increase the intelligibility of synthesized speech.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: James HENDRICKSON, Debra Drylie STIFFEY, Duane LITTLETON, John PECORARI, Arkadiusz SLUSARCZYK
  • Publication number: 20230267913
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust operational parameters of a text-to-speech engine in a speech-based system are disclosed. A voice engine or other application of a device provides a mechanism to alter the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine. In response to one or more environmental conditions, the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine are modified to increase the intelligibility of synthesized speech.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: James HENDRICKSON, Debra Drylie STIFFEY, Duane LITTLETON, John PECORARI, Arkadiusz SLUSARCZYK
  • Patent number: 11042834
    Abstract: A method to provide an order for a user to select goods includes automatically prompting a user via a voice command to collect an item from an order placed by a customer, and in response to receiving the input from an electronic device indicating that the item is unavailable, automatically prompting the user via a voice command to collect a substitute item designated, receiving an input indicating that the substitute item has been collected, followed by electronically notifying the customer that the substitute item has been collected instead of the original item. In another aspect, a voice-enabled click and collect system includes a remote server in communication with a mobile device, configured to prompt a user to collect an item, communicate the item unavailability to the remote server, receive instructions from the remote server, prompt the user to collect the substitute item, and notify the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Vocollect, Inc.
    Inventors: Lori Pike, James Hendrickson, Vanessa Cassandra Sanchez, Timothy Reed, Justin Volz, Brian Quinn, Stefan Wert, Joshua Zito, Allan Strane, Heather Potts
  • Publication number: 20200265828
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust operational parameters of a text-to-speech engine in a speech-based system are disclosed. A voice engine or other application of a device provides a mechanism to alter the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine. In response to one or more environmental conditions, the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine are modified to increase the intelligibility of synthesized speech.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: James HENDRICKSON, Debra Drylie STIFFEY, Duane LITTLETON, John PECORARI, Arkadiusz SLUSARCZYK
  • Patent number: 10685643
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust operational parameters of a text-to-speech engine in a speech-based system are disclosed. A voice engine or other application of a device provides a mechanism to alter the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine. In response to one or more environmental conditions, the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine are modified to increase the intelligibility of synthesized speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Vocollect, Inc.
    Inventors: James Hendrickson, Debra Drylie Stiffey, Duane Littleton, John Pecorari, Arkadiusz Slusarczyk
  • Patent number: 10621538
    Abstract: An exemplary system and method allowing for dynamic verification that cargo is being placed onto the correct carrier for transit is disclosed. The system may employ voice recognition to capture dynamically generated check digits from a display to verify the digits against a cargo record, thereby confirming that the cargo is being placed on the correct carrier. A voice enabled workflow allows a worker loading cargo to speak the last “n” digits on the identifying label of a piece of cargo to first uniquely identify the piece of cargo being handled. Once the cargo is identified, the system can direct the worker to the proper carrier into which the cargo should be placed. The worker then reads a unique “check digit” code generated on an electronic tag located in the carrier. The code is then verified by the system to confirm the carrier onto which the cargo was placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC
    Inventors: John Pecorari, James Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 10468015
    Abstract: A method for text-to-speech (TTS) pronunciation correction includes initiating a correction of a pronunciation error produced by a TTS system; receiving an input from a user for the correction of the pronunciation error; and updating the pronunciation based on the input provided by the user. The user input can include providing one or more voice recording entries, a manual entry from a keyboard, and/or choosing an entry from a predetermined list of phonetic strings. The method can also include pronouncing the corrected pronunciation entry back to the user. The user input can be further used for correction of similar syllables, words, and/or phrases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Vocollect, Inc.
    Inventors: Lori Pike, James Hendrickson, Justin Volz
  • Publication number: 20180197528
    Abstract: A method for text-to-speech (TTS) pronunciation correction includes initiating a correction of a pronunciation error produced by a TTS system; receiving an input from a user for the correction of the pronunciation error; and updating the pronunciation based on the input provided by the user. The user input can include providing one or more voice recording entries, a manual entry from a keyboard, and/or choosing an entry from a predetermined list of phonetic strings. The method can also include pronouncing the corrected pronunciation entry back to the user. The user input can be further used for correction of similar syllables, words, and/or phrases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Lori Pike, James Hendrickson, Justin Volz
  • Publication number: 20180197136
    Abstract: A method to provide an order for a user to select goods includes automatically prompting a user via a voice command to collect an item from an order placed by a customer, and in response to receiving the input from an electronic device indicating that the item is unavailable, automatically prompting the user via a voice command to collect a substitute item designated, receiving an input indicating that the substitute item has been collected, followed by electronically notifying the customer that the substitute item has been collected instead of the original item. In another aspect, a voice-enabled click and collect system includes a remote server in communication with a mobile device, configured to prompt a user to collect an item, communicate the item unavailability to the remote server, receive instructions from the remote server, prompt the user to collect the substitute item, and notify the customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Lori Pike, James Hendrickson, Vanessa Cassandra Sanchez, Timothy Reed, Justin Volz, Brian Quinn, Stefan Wert, Joshua Zito, Allan Strane, Heather Potts
  • Publication number: 20180121868
    Abstract: A compliance method involves, for example, storing actual product placement data describing a display arrangement of actual product placements; at one or more programmed processors: comparing the actual product placement data with planned product placement as defined in a planogram; creating a set of one or more instructions for rearrangement of the actual product placement to bring the actual product placement in the display arrangement into compliance with the planned product placement as defined in the planogram; and outputting the set of instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: James Hendrickson, Lori Pike, Cedric Oudard, Giovanni Di Santo, Justin Volz
  • Publication number: 20180018955
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust operational parameters of a text-to-speech engine in a speech-based system are disclosed. A voice engine or other application of a device provides a mechanism to alter the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine. In response to one or more environmental conditions, the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine are modified to increase the intelligibility of synthesized speech.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: James Hendrickson, Debra Drylie Stiffey, Duane Littleton, John Pecorari, Arkadiusz Slusarczyk
  • Patent number: 9697818
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust operational parameters of a text-to-speech engine in a speech-based system are disclosed. A voice engine or other application of a device provides a mechanism to alter the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine. In response to one or more environmental conditions, the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine are modified to increase the intelligibility of synthesized speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Vocollect, Inc.
    Inventors: James Hendrickson, Debra Drylie Stiffey, Duane Littleton, John Pecorari, Arkadiusz Slusarczyk
  • Publication number: 20160189088
    Abstract: An exemplary system and method allowing for dynamic verification that cargo is being placed onto the correct carrier for transit is disclosed. The system may employ voice recognition to capture dynamically generated check digits from a display to verify the digits against a cargo record, thereby confirming that the cargo is being placed on the correct carrier. A voice enabled workflow allows a worker loading cargo to speak the last “n” digits on the identifying label of a piece of cargo to first uniquely identify the piece of cargo being handled. Once the cargo is identified, the system can direct the worker to the proper carrier into which the cargo should be placed. The worker then reads a unique “check digit” code generated on an electronic tag located in the carrier. The code is then verified by the system to confirm the carrier onto which the cargo was placed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: John Pecorari, James Hendrickson
  • Publication number: 20150088522
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust operational parameters of a text-to-speech engine in a speech-based system are disclosed. A voice engine or other application of a device provides a mechanism to alter the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine. In response to one or more environmental conditions, the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine are modified to increase the intelligibility of synthesized speech.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: James Hendrickson, Debra Drylie Scott, Duane Littleton, John Pecorari, Arkadiusz Slusarczyk
  • Patent number: 8914290
    Abstract: Method and apparatus that dynamically adjusts operational parameters of a text-to-speech engine in a speech-based system. A voice engine or other application of a device provides a mechanism to alter the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine. In response to one or more environmental conditions, the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine are modified to increase the intelligibility of synthesized speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Vocollect, Inc.
    Inventors: James Hendrickson, Debra Drylie Scott, Duane Littleton, John Pecorari, Arkadiusz Slusarczyk
  • Publication number: 20120296654
    Abstract: Method and apparatus that dynamically adjusts operational parameters of a text-to-speech engine in a speech-based system. A voice engine or other application of a device provides a mechanism to alter the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine. In response to one or more environmental conditions, the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine are modified to increase the intelligibility of synthesized speech.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: James Hendrickson, Debra Drylie Scott, Duane Littleton, John Pecorari, Arkadiusz Slusarczyk
  • Publication number: 20120198593
    Abstract: An impact sensor system includes at least one impact sensor including at least a first conductive layer, at least a second conductive layer, and at least one insulating layer between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The insulating layer maintains the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in spaced, non-contacting relation. The first conducting layer and the insulating layer are deformable upon an impact to the first conducting layer such that separation between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer decreases upon an impact of a predefined nature. The impact sensor system also includes circuitry in connection with the impact sensor to measure a change in at least one electrical property of the impact sensor resulting from the decrease in the separation between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Eric J. Beck, Peter A. Frank, Terry G. Giles, James A. Hendrickson