Patents by Inventor Michael J. Thomas

Michael J. 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).

  • Patent number: 8363808
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for allowing a conference participant to politely join a conference already in progress. The conference participant may attempt to connect to the conference and the conferencing system may wait to allow the participant access to the conference until a polite moment occurs in the conference. Upon such an occurrence of a polite moment, the participant may be joined to the conference and the participant's presence may be announced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Bland, Michael J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8346526
    Abstract: Generating cumulative metric data for a test in a test environment includes: generating in the test environment a test for a simulation model of a system under test; generating in the test environment at least one test condition for the test, the at least one test condition determining a plurality of iterations of the simulation model; generating in the test environment at least one temporary test variable for the test; generating in the test environment at least one mapping between a metric setting for the simulation model and one of the temporary test variables; running in the test environment the test for the plurality of iterations, wherein metric data for the simulation model is generated for each mapping and for each iteration of the test; and accumulating in the test environment the generated metric data for each mapping and for each iteration of the test to obtain cumulative metric data for the simulation model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian A. Portal, Michael J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8291401
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus can comprise a memory unit including, two or more assemblies, wherein the two or more assemblies include a first assembly and a second assembly, wherein the second assembly is a later version of the first assembly, and wherein the first and second assemblies include, a stub module configured to detect an assembly initialization request indicating one of the first or second assemblies. The stub module can also be configured to retrieve a reference to a symbol table associated with the one of the first and second assemblies indicated in the assembly initialization request, to store data in the symbol table, and to provide the reference to a caller. The memory unit can also comprise an implementation module configured to perform operations associated with symbols in the symbol table and a processor configured to receive and execute one or more of the stub and implementation modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Gray, Alexander J. Hennekam, Peter R. Horner, Simon D. McMahon, Michael J. Thomas, Peter T. Waltenberg
  • Patent number: 8284927
    Abstract: A telephone is provided with a port for disconnectably connecting an external information source, such as an MP3 player, to the telephone, and an on-hold function that operates while a call of the telephone is on hold and either presents to the telephone's user the information from the external source if the external source is connected, or presents to the user on-hold information from a telephone network if the external source is not connected, or presents silence at the user's option, irrespective of whether or not the external source is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Chu, Brijen Doshi, Paul Roller Michaelis, D. Michael Overmyer, Chandra Ravipati, Michael J. Thomas, Patrick Toole, Dongliang Wang
  • Patent number: 8284676
    Abstract: In a network diagnostics system, network topology discovery determines the links that make up the network, artificial call quality management determines the set of test calls that need to be made to test the network, and real call quality management collects call-quality data about real calls in the network. The set of test calls is reduced by calls that would duplicate paths, or portions of paths, of the real calls, and artificial call quality management performs only the test calls of the reduced set and collects call-quality data thereon. Analysis analyzes the combined data of the real calls and the test calls to determine the possibly-bad call paths in the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Rohan Lenard, Michael J. Thomas, Bradley Williams
  • Publication number: 20120253701
    Abstract: In a user-interactive system, such as an interactive voice response (IVR) system, the duration and/or force of key-presses by the user and/or the speed of response to prompts by the user are used to make inferences about the user, such as whether the user is impaired or is growing frustrated. The user interface is modified based on the inferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Michaelis, David Mohler, Michael J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8265916
    Abstract: A method for testing a system under test includes defining a test having a number of test elements where at least one of the test elements corresponds to a simulation model with a metric setting. A test vector is defined for the test, and it is used to determine a number of test iterations. The metric setting of the simulation model is mapped to a test variable, and when the test is run metric data is generated from the simulation model during each test iteration. The metric data generated for each test iteration is accumulated and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian A. Portal, Michael J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8233613
    Abstract: In a user-interactive system, such as an interactive voice response (IVR) system, the duration and/or force of key-presses by the user and/or the speed of response to prompts by the user are used to make inferences about the user, such as whether the user is impaired or is growing frustrated. The user interface is modified based on the inferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Michaelis, David Mohler, Michael J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8230034
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to autocompete functionality in messaging applications. The autocomplete functionality, for example, generates frequently and/or recently used distribution lists or groups, performs keyword searches to identify recipient identifiers, and provides convenient modification of existing distribution lists or groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Atkins, Sunny Singh Kalsi, Peggy J. Leisher-Samenfink, Rohan Lenard, David Thambiratnam, Michael J. Thomas, Bradley B. Williams
  • Patent number: 8219512
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for applying second- and higher-order logic to analysis of event descriptive information, such as alarms, error messages, and fault signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Daily, Christopher R. Gentle, Lisa Y. Kawahara, Ashis Maity, Michael J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8194829
    Abstract: When one party to an active call has momentarily stepped away from the call that has not been put on hold, the other party can record and leave a message for the party that stepped away, and then hang up. The call is monitored for return of the party that stepped away. When the returned party begins to speak, the message is immediately played to the returned party in response. In a conference, after a conferee who wishes to leave the conference, records a message and hangs up, the conference is monitored for either a break in the conversation or conversation directed to the party that left, and in response the message is played to the other conferees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Sreerupa Das, ShengXiang Gui, Ashis Maity, Michael J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8146994
    Abstract: A tube recliner mechanism for a vehicle seat having a reclining seat back includes an inner tube extending in a lateral cross vehicle direction and having inboard and outboard ends, an outer tube positioned around the inner tube, and a cylindrical spacer positioned between the inner tube and the outer tube. The relative rotational position of the inner and outer tubes is configured to change via rotation of one of the inner and outer tubes. The spacer, inner tube, and outer tube are all concentrically positioned to thereby reduce friction between the inner and outer tubes during relative movement between the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kyle M. Doxey, Kurt A. Seibold, Richard Tann, Michael J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8145474
    Abstract: The present invention is directed, in one embodiment, to an system that lexically analyzes a behavior-descriptive input stream to provide a tokenized equivalent, syntactically parses the tokenized equivalent to provide a parser output, semantically analyzes the parser output to provide an indication of at least one of a behavior and type of behavior described by the input stream, and, based on the indication, selects an appropriate response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Daily, Christopher R. Gentle, Lisa Y. Kawahara, Ashis Maity, Michael J. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120001049
    Abstract: A latch 30 for use in a track assembly 16 for adjusting the position of a vehicle seat 10 has a one-piece construction and operates non-linearly an X-Y plane within a space 20 defined by the first and second track members 17 and 19 of the track assembly 16. A blocker member 44 limits the latch member 31 from disengaging the first and second track members 17 and 19 and includes an optimized latch and track engagement construction and a separate blocker member 44 for optimizing engagement of the latch 30 and track member 17 and moveable for allowing disengagement of the latch 30. The track assembly 16 containing a part includes an actuator 34 for operating the latch 30 and the actuator 34 includes a connector 32 for pivotally connecting the actuator 34 to the track assembly 16 and for connecting the latch 30 to one of the first and second track members 17 and 19.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Kurt A. Selbold, Karl G. Sponsler, Michael J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8077852
    Abstract: A conference manager establishes and controls a conference and subconferences for a plurality of telecommunication terminals so as to reduce telecommunication costs by establishing the conference and dynamically placing telecommunication terminals geographically located with conference or isolated remote telecommunication terminals geographically located remote from the conference into the conference. The conference manager requests that other conference managers establish subconferences to conference together remote telecommunication terminals that are geographically located together. The conference manager requests that the other conference managers extend these subconferences to the conference. Further, the conference manager controls the other conference managers to interconnect the subconferences if the conference manager determines that communicating cost can be lowered by interconnecting two or more of the subconferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Sreerupa Das, ShengXiang Gui, Ashis Maity, Joseph McCabe, Michael J. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110302562
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for applying second- and higher-order logic to analysis of event descriptive information, such as alarms, error messages, and fault signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: AVAYA INC.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Daily, Christopher R. Gentle, Lisa Y. Kawahara, Ashis Kumar Maity, Michael J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8041014
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively answering incoming telephone calls based on a caller ID is disclosed. Selected calls may be handled with a number of call handling functions including an auto-answer function, a custom message function, and a custom call forwarding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Daily, Christopher R. Gentle, Lisa Y. Kawahara, Ashis Maity, Michael J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8037143
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to autocomplete functionality in messaging applications. The autocomplete functionality, for example, generates frequently and/or recently used distribution lists or groups, performs keyword searches to identify recipient identifiers, and provides convenient modification of existing distribution lists or groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Atkins, Sunny Singh Kalsi, Peggy J. Leisher-Samenfink, Rohan Lenard, David Thambiratnam, Michael J. Thomas, Bradley B. Williams
  • Patent number: 8027946
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for applying second- and higher-order logic to analysis of event descriptive information, such as alarms, error messages, and fault signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Daily, Christopher R. Gentle, Lisa Y. Kawahara, Ashis Kumar Maity, Michael J. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110225254
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to autocompete functionality in messaging applications. The autocomplete functionality, for example, generates frequently and/or recently used distribution lists or groups, performs keyword searches to identify recipient identifiers, and provides convenient modification of existing distribution lists or groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: AVAYA INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Atkins, Sunny Singh Kalsi, Peggy J. Leisher-Samenfink, Rohan Lenard, David Thambiratnam, Michael J. Thomas, Bradley B. Williams