Patents by Inventor Kurt Thomas
Kurt 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).
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Patent number: 10602268Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing network microphone devices using noise classification are disclosed herein. In one example, individual microphones of a network microphone device (NMD) detect sound. The sound data is analyzed to detect a trigger event such as a wake word. Metadata associated with the sound data is captured in a lookback buffer of the NMD. After detecting the trigger event, the metadata is analyzed to classify noise in the sound data. Based on the classified noise, at least one performance parameter of the NMD is modified.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Kurt Thomas Soto
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Publication number: 20200090646Abstract: In one aspect, a playback deice is configured to identify in an audio stream, via a second wake-word engine, a false wake word for a first wake-word engine that is configured to receive as input sound data based on sound detected by a microphone. The first and second wake-word engines are configured according to different sensitivity levels for false positives of a particular wake word. Based on identifying the false wake word, the playback device is configured to (i) deactivate the first wake-word engine and (ii) cause at least one network microphone device to deactivate a wake-word engine for a particular amount of time. While the first wake-word engine is deactivated, the playback device is configured to cause at least one speaker to output audio based on the audio stream. After a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, the playback device is configured to reactivate the first wake-word engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2018Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Connor Kristopher Smith, Charles Conor Sleith, Kurt Thomas Soto
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Patent number: 10573321Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing voice detection via a network microphone device (NMD) based on a selected voice-assistant service (VAS) are disclosed herein. In one example, the NMD detects sound via individual microphones and selects a first VAS to communicate with the NMD. The NMD produces a first sound-data stream based on the detected sound using a spatial processor in a first configuration. Once the NMD determines that a second VAS is to be selected over the first VAS, the spatial processor assumes a second configuration for producing a second sound-data stream based on the detected sound. The second sound-data stream is then transmitted to one or more remote computing devices associated with the second VAS.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Connor Kristopher Smith, Kurt Thomas Soto, Charles Conor Sleith
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Publication number: 20190364375Abstract: Systems and methods for determining and adapting to changes in microphone performance of playback devices are disclosed herein. In one example, an audio input is received at an array of individual microphones of a network microphone device. Output microphone signals are generated from each of the individual microphones based on the audio input. The output microphone signals are analyzed to detect a trigger event. After detecting the trigger event, the output microphone signals are compared to detect aberrant behavior of one or more of the microphones. Optionally, corrective actions can be taken or suggested based on the detection of aberrant behavior of one or more microphones.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2018Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Kurt Thomas Soto, Connor Kristopher Smith, Roberto Maria Dizon, Patrick Kevin McPherson, Charles Conor Sleith
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Publication number: 20190329811Abstract: A skid including an upper surface having a concave shape running from a leading edge to a trailing edge and a lower surface having a convex shape running from the leading edge to the trailing edge. A storage compartment having a pair of wheels and an upstanding handle rolls onto the upper surface of the skid. The skid aids in transporting the storage compartment across sand or snow.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2018Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Royce Preston Jones, Kurt Thomas Messenger
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Patent number: 10333802Abstract: A meter module for use in a network device comprises conformance circuitry configured to: access a first memory device storing a conformance indicator that indicates whether a permitted rate of packet traffic has been exceeded, and classify packets received at the network device based at least in part on the conformance indicator. Sampling circuitry is configured to, responsively to the conformance circuitry classifying the packets: sample events associated with at least some of the received packets, and generate indicators of the sampled events. Update circuitry is configured to: access a second memory device, slower than the first memory, to update a number of tokens stored in the second memory device, and access the first memory device to update the conformance indicator when the updated number of tokens indicates that the permitted rate of packet traffic has been exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.Inventors: Carmi Arad, Kurt Thomas Boden, Gil Levy, Jakob Carlstrom
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Publication number: 20180355874Abstract: The present invention is an HVAC fan array wiring system that provides a quick connect box that is provided within the air stream of an HVAC air handler. Because the wiring for each fan within the fan array is to be connected to the quick connect box, the wiring materials and placement of the wiring can be predetermined at the time the fan array is designed. Accordingly, the novel wiring system and quick connect box reduces redundancies in manufacturing and installation of the fan array. Furthermore, the quick connect box and wiring system allows for easy installation of the HVAC fan array at a job site and improves a customer's experience with the control panel. This is primarily because, with the use of the claimed invention, an electrician need only link a main control and power line to the quick connect box and therefore, can install the control panel in a location that provides ease of access to the customer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Robert Clarke Story, Matthew Wayne Kent, David Kurt Thomas
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Patent number: 9999241Abstract: A conveyor belt is formed from a loop of material having opposite first and second side edges, and which when laid flat has opposite planar surfaces extending between the first and second edges. First and second sealing protrusions extend outwardly from the outer surface of the loop of material and extending continuously around the outer surface of the loop of material. In use, the sealing protrusions contact a hopper of a food patty forming machine to prevent the leakage of food material from the hopper.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: FORMAX, INC.Inventors: Paul Roger Taylor, Kurt Thomas Schauwecker
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Publication number: 20180026860Abstract: A meter module for use in a network device comprises conformance circuitry configured to: access a first memory device storing a conformance indicator that indicates whether a permitted rate of packet traffic has been exceeded, and classify packets received at the network device based at least in part on the conformance indicator. Sampling circuitry is configured to, responsively to the conformance circuitry classifying the packets: sample events associated with at least some of the received packets, and generate indicators of the sampled events. Update circuitry is configured to: access a second memory device, slower than the first memory, to update a number of tokens stored in the second memory device, and access the first memory device to update the conformance indicator when the updated number of tokens indicates that the permitted rate of packet traffic has been exceeded.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Carmi ARAD, Kurt Thomas BODEN, Gil LEVY, Jakob CARLSTROM
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Patent number: 9793524Abstract: A water resistant battery box for use with electronic faucets. The battery box includes a lower housing, a cover supported by the lower housing, and an upper housing positioned between the lower housing and the cover. The upper housing includes a lip seal cooperating with the lower housing to prevent water from leaking into the housing while permitting for internal pressure within the battery box to be relieved.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Delta Faucet CompanyInventors: Kurt Thomas, Derek Brown, Joel Sawaski
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Patent number: 9781018Abstract: A network device includes a plurality of interfaces configured to receive, from a network, packets to be processed by the network device. A load determination circuit of the network device is configured to determine whether a packet traffic load of the network device is above a traffic load threshold, and a dual-mode counter module is configured to (i) determine a count of quanta associated with the received packets using a first counting mode in response to the load determination unit determining that the packet traffic load is above the traffic load threshold, and (ii) determine a count of quanta associated with the received packets using a second counting mode, different than the first counting mode, in response to the load determination unit determining that the packet traffic load is not above the traffic load threshold.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.Inventors: Carmi Arad, Kurt Thomas Boden, Gil Levy, Jakob Carlstrom
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Patent number: 9635145Abstract: A system including a receiver and a processing pipeline. The receiver is configured to generate a data block by encapsulating a data packet in a header portion and a tail portion that do not include valid information bits. The processing pipeline is configured to, in a first processing stage, store the data block, and store, separately from the data block, additional information associated with the data block. The processing pipeline is further configured to, without modifying a length of the data block, either add bits to the header portion or the tail portion to increase the length of the data packet or subtract bits from the data packet to decrease the length of the data packet, and modify the additional information in accordance with the bits added to the header portion or the tail portion or the bits subtracted from the data packet.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.Inventors: Gunnar Nordmark, Kurt Thomas Boden, Lars-Olof Svensson, Par Westlund
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Patent number: 9525621Abstract: A packet processing device has a plurality of processing stages, including a first processing stage and a second processing stage arranged as a packet processing pipeline. The first processing stage and the second processing stage each have a respective processor configured to process a packet of a packet stream and a respective resource manager having a respective local resource lock corresponding to a remote resource. The respective processor requests the respective resource manager to allocate the remote resource. The respective resource manager responds to the request to allocate the remote resource by locking the remote resource with the respective local resource lock and allocating the remote resource. The respective processor implements a packet processing operation associated with the allocated remote resource.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD.Inventor: Kurt Thomas Boden
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Patent number: 9525760Abstract: A network processing device comprising a plurality of programmable processors coupled together to perform a set of packet processing operations to process a packet received by the network processing device. Ones of the programmable processors being configured to perform a respective subset of the set of packet processing operations with a respective portion of a packet context such that respective programmable processors receives a portion of the packet context, that is less than a full packet context for performing the packet processing operations. The portion of a packet context being dimensioned to perform the respective subset of the packet processing operations.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.Inventors: Kurt Thomas Boden, Gunnar Nordmark, Mikael Karpberg
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Patent number: 9316108Abstract: Gas turbine engine frames are disclosed. An example gas turbine engine frame may include a generally annular outer casing disposed coaxially about a hub; a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart struts joined to the hub and the outer casing, individual struts extending radially outwardly from the hub to the outer casing; and a stiffening rail monolithically formed with the outer casing circumferentially between two of the struts. The stiffening rail may extend radially inward beyond the inner surface of the outer casing between the struts.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Courtland Earl Pegan, Jr., Kurt Thomas Hildebrand, Scott Patrick Ryczek, Derek Thomas Dreischarf
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Patent number: 9294410Abstract: A network device that processes a stream of packets has an ingress front end. The ingress front end determines whether the packets are handled in a bounded latency path or in a best-effort path. The bounded latency path packets are granted a resource with a higher priority than the best-effort path packets. As the packets are processed through a number of processing stages, with processing engines, the bounded latency packets are processed within a period of time corresponding to a guaranteed rate. Resources are granted to the best-effort path packets only when the processing engines determine that the resource grant will not impact the latency bounds with respect to the first packets.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD.Inventor: Kurt Thomas Boden
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Publication number: 20160060048Abstract: A conveyor belt is formed from a loop of material having opposite first and second side edges, and which when laid flat has opposite planar surfaces extending between the first and second edges. First and second sealing protrusions extend outwardly from the outer surface of the loop of material and extending continuously around the outer surface of the loop of material. In use, the sealing protrusions contact a hopper of a food patty forming machine to prevent the leakage of food material from the hopper.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Paul Roger Taylor, Kurt Thomas Schauwecker
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Patent number: 9276857Abstract: A network processor includes an arbitration device, a processing device, and a pipeline. The arbitration device receives a first packet and a second packet. The second packet includes a first control message. The pipeline includes access devices, where the access devices include first and second access devices. The pipeline, based on a clock signal, forwards the first and second packets between successive ones of the access devices. The arbitration device: sets a timer based on at least one of (i) an amount of time for data to travel between the first and second access devices, or (ii) a number of pipeline stages between the first and second access devices; adjusts a variable based on (i) the clock signal, and (ii) transmission of the first packet from the arbitration device to the pipeline; and based on the timer and the variable, schedules transmission of the second packet through the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.Inventors: Kurt Thomas Boden, Jakob Carlstrom
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Patent number: 8995263Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for counting a number of received packets and a number of bytes contained in the received packets. A system includes a first memory disposed in an integrated circuit, the first memory being configured as a first combination counter having a first set of bits for storing a subtotal of received packets, and a second set of bits for storing a subtotal of bytes contained in the received packets. A second memory is external to the integrated circuit. The second memory is configured to store a total number of received packets and a total number of bytes contained in the received packets. Update circuitry is configured to update the total number of packets stored in the second whenever either of the first set of bits or the second set of bits overflows in the first memory.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.Inventors: Kurt Thomas Boden, Par Westlund
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Publication number: 20140328196Abstract: A network device includes a plurality of interfaces configured to receive, from a network, packets to be processed by the network device. A load determination circuit of the network device is configured to determine whether a packet traffic load of the network device is above a traffic load threshold, and a dual-mode counter module is configured to (i) determine a count of quanta associated with the received packets using a first counting mode in response to the load determination unit determining that the packet traffic load is above the traffic load threshold, and (ii) determine a count of quanta associated with the received packets using a second counting mode, different than the first counting mode, in response to the load determination unit determining that the packet traffic load is not above the traffic load threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD.Inventors: Carmi Arad, Kurt Thomas Boden, Gil Levy, Jakob Carlstrom