Patents by Inventor Jeff Ratcliff

Jeff Ratcliff 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: 8004556
    Abstract: A conference link between devices in teleconference system at one site is disclosed. The linked devices include video conference units, speakerphones or stand-alone loudspeakers. Audio data can be transmitted through the conference link between devices. Audio data processing can be performed in either a video conference unit or a speakerphone. The microphones and loudspeakers in the video conference unit may be eliminated. The microphones and loudspeakers in the speakerphone are used. Other data, for example directories of dialing information, may also be transmitted through the conference link and the data processing may be allocated among processors in devices connected by conference links. The conference link may be wired or wireless, analog or digital. The devices may be linked by conference link in parallel or series. A dialing program can adapt the dialing stream with the locations of the near end site and the dialed far end site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell, Rick A Vander Kam, Martin G Sexton, Don Binford, Alain Nimri, Jeff Ratcliff, Carolyn Kilday, Michael J. Hess
  • Publication number: 20080143819
    Abstract: A conference link between devices in teleconference system at one site is disclosed. The linked devices include video conference units, speakerphones or stand-alone loudspeakers. Audio data can be transmitted through the conference link between devices. Audio data processing can be performed in either a video conference unit or a speakerphone. The microphones and loudspeakers in the video conference unit may be eliminated. The microphones and loudspeakers in the speakerphone are used. Other data, for example directories of dialing information, may also be transmitted through the conference link and the data processing may be allocated among processors in devices connected by conference links. The conference link may be wired or wireless, analog or digital. The devices may be linked by conference link in parallel or series. A dialing program can adapt the dialing stream with the locations of the near end site and the dialed far end site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventors: JEFFREY RODMAN, DAVID DRELL, RICK A. VANDER KAM, MARTIN G. SEXTON, DON BINFORD, ALAIN NIMRI, JEFF RATCLIFF, CAROLYN KILDAY, MICHAEL J. HESS
  • Patent number: 7339605
    Abstract: A conference link between devices in teleconference system at one site is disclosed. The linked devices include video conference units, speakerphones or stand-alone loudspeakers. Audio data can be transmitted through the conference link between devices. Audio data processing can be performed in either a video conference unit or a speakerphone. The microphones and loudspeakers in the video conference unit may be eliminated. The microphones and loudspeakers in the speakerphone are used. Other data, for example directories of dialing information, may also be transmitted through the conference link and the data processing may be allocated among processors in devices connected by conference links. The conference link may be wired or wireless, analog or digital. The devices may be linked by conference link in parallel or series. A dialing program can adapt the dialing stream with the locations of the near end site and the dialed far end site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell, Rick A. Vander Kam, Martin G. Sexton, Don Binford, Alain Nimri, Jeff Ratcliff, Carolyn Kilday, Michael J. Hess
  • Publication number: 20050231586
    Abstract: A conference link between devices in teleconference system at one site is disclosed. The linked devices include video conference units, speakerphones or stand-alone loudspeakers. Audio data can be transmitted through the conference link between devices. Audio data processing can be performed in either a video conference unit or a speakerphone. The microphones and loudspeakers in the video conference unit may be eliminated. The microphones and loudspeakers in the speakerphone are used. Other data, for example directories of dialing information, may also be transmitted through the conference link and the data processing may be allocated among processors in devices connected by conference links. The conference link may be wired or wireless, analog or digital. The devices may be linked by conference link in parallel or series. A dialing program can adapt the dialing stream with the locations of the near end site and the dialed far end site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell, Rick Vander Kam, Martin Sexton, Don Binford, Alain Nimri, Jeff Ratcliff, Carolyn Kilday, Michael Hess
  • Patent number: 6771302
    Abstract: A system and method for closed caption in a videoconference environment. In a method according to one embodiment of the present invention, a connection is established with a videoconference device. Subsequently, a closed caption page associated with the videoconference device is selected. Text is then entered on the closed caption page. The text is displayed to at least one device associated with a videoconference in which the videoconference device is participating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Nimri, Jeff Ratcliff