Patents by Inventor Robert Townsend

Robert Townsend 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: 20200228656
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, limiting contact to a networked contact center that is a host to multiple tenants. In an example embodiment, a communication is received by a networked contact center. In determining whether to allow the communication to reach contact center resources, a contact rate value may be examined. The contact rate value may represent an allowable quantity of contact within a time interval. For some example embodiments, a determination of whether the network contact center is to accept or reject the communication is made based on the contact rate value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Townsend
  • Publication number: 20200165997
    Abstract: A method of exercising a generator includes detecting a temperature of the generator by a temperature sensor, if the temperature of the generator is above a predetermined temperature, activating, by a controller, a starter motor of the generator, and performing, by the controller, an exercise test, and if the temperature of the generator is below the predetermined temperature, not activating, by the controller, the starter motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Mike Miller, Dean Weigand, Robert Townsend, Richard Jungmann, Todd Plichta
  • Patent number: 10650229
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for occupancy detection are described herein. One device includes instructions to receive an image of a portion of a facility captured by an imaging device, the image defined by a field of view, and set a first occupancy detection threshold for a first part of the field of view and a second occupancy detection threshold for a second part of the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Townsend, Sahand Ghanoun
  • Publication number: 20200115925
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a combination lock including a housing configured to lockingly receive a locking link. The lock includes a plurality of outer dials and a plurality of inner dials, each selectively coupled to a corresponding outer dial. A spindle is positioned radially internal to the inner dials. A multiplier link is pivotably connected between the spindle and a locking bolt. Some forms of the combination lock include a tactile feedback mechanism and/or a combination reset mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Manjunatha Ramakrishna, Robert Townsend, Kavya M
  • Patent number: 10601990
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, limiting contact to a networked contact center that is a host to multiple tenants. In an example embodiment, a communication is received by a networked contact center. In determining whether to allow the communication to reach contact center resources, a contact rate value may be examined. The contact rate value may represent an allowable quantity of contact within a time interval. For some example embodiments, a determination of whether the network contact center is to accept or reject the communication is made based on the contact rate value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Townsend
  • Patent number: 10584656
    Abstract: A method of exercising a generator includes detecting a temperature of the generator, if the temperature is above a predetermined temperature, activating a starter motor and starting an engine of the generator, and performing a first exercise test, and if the temperature is below the predetermined temperature, activating the starter motor without starting the engine of the generator, and performing a second exercise test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Weigand, Mike Miller, Robert Townsend, Richard Jungmann, Todd Plichta
  • Publication number: 20200032700
    Abstract: A method and system for exercising a standby generator is disclosed. The standby generator can be exercised in at least two different exercise cycles, including an express exercise cycle and an extended exercise cycle. The system and method operates the generator for an express exercise cycle having a first duration when the ambient temperature at or near the standby generator exceeds a minimum threshold temperature. If the ambient temperature does not exceed the minimum threshold temperature, the express exercise cycle does not begin. In addition to the express exercise cycle, the engine of the standby generator is started and run for an extended exercise cycle having a duration that exceeds the duration of the express exercise cycle. The extended exercise cycles are separated by a first interval while the express exercise cycles are separated by a second interval, where the first interval is longer than the second interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Miller, Dean Weigand, Rick Jungmann, Robert Townsend
  • Patent number: 10392835
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a combination lock including a housing configured to lockingly receive a locking link. The lock includes a plurality of outer dials and a plurality of inner dials, each selectively coupled to a corresponding outer dial. A spindle is positioned radially internal to the inner dials. A multiplier link is pivotably connected between the spindle and a locking bolt. Some forms of the combination lock include a tactile feedback mechanism and/or a combination reset mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Manjunatha Ramakrishna, Robert Townsend, Kavya M
  • Patent number: 10298767
    Abstract: This document is directed to, among other things, communication systems involving networked contact center interfaces. One example method includes presenting a frame on a user interface to present information in a selectable format. Another example method includes using a circuit device to detect selection of a frame as displayed and causing display of further graphical information in an un-selectable format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventors: Mansour Salame, Richard Southwick, William James Fernandez, Robert Townsend
  • Publication number: 20190087652
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for occupancy detection are described herein. One device includes instructions to receive an image of a portion of a facility captured by an imaging device, the image defined by a field of view, and set a first occupancy detection threshold for a first part of the field of view and a second occupancy detection threshold for a second part of the field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Townsend, Sahand Ghanoun
  • Publication number: 20190010728
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a combination lock including a housing configured to lockingly receive a locking link. The lock includes a plurality of outer dials and a plurality of inner dials, each selectively coupled to a corresponding outer dial. A spindle is positioned radially internal to the inner dials. A multiplier link is pivotably connected between the spindle and a locking bolt. Some forms of the combination lock include a tactile feedback mechanism and/or a combination reset mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Manjunatha Ramakrishna, Robert Townsend, Kavya M
  • Patent number: 10152628
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for occupancy detection are described herein. One device includes instructions to receive an image of a portion of a facility captured by an imaging device, the image defined by a field of view, and set a first occupancy detection threshold for a first part of the field of view and a second occupancy detection threshold for a second part of the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Townsend, Sahand Ghanoun
  • Publication number: 20180270352
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, limiting contact to a networked contact center that is a host to multiple tenants. In an example embodiment, a communication is received by a networked contact center. In determining whether to allow the communication to reach contact center resources, a contact rate value may be examined. The contact rate value may represent an allowable quantity of contact within a time interval. For some example embodiments, a determination of whether the network contact center is to accept or reject the communication is made based on the contact rate value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Robert Townsend
  • Patent number: 9986091
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, limiting contact to a networked contact center that is a host to multiple tenants. In an example embodiment, a communication is received by a networked contact center. In determining whether to allow the communication to reach contact center resources, a contact rate value may be examined. The contact rate value may represent an allowable quantity of contact within a time interval. For some example embodiments, a determination of whether the network contact center is to accept or reject the communication is made based on the contact rate value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Townsend
  • Publication number: 20180094598
    Abstract: A method of exercising a generator includes detecting a temperature of the generator, if the temperature is above a predetermined temperature, activating a starter motor and starting an engine of the generator, and performing a first exercise test, and if the temperature is below the predetermined temperature, activating the starter motor without starting the engine of the generator, and performing a second exercise test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Weigand, Mike Miller, Robert Townsend, Rick Jungmann, Todd Plichta
  • Patent number: 9838539
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, limiting contact to a networked contact center that is a host to multiple tenants. In an example embodiment, a communication is received by a networked contact center. In determining whether to allow the communication to reach contact center resources, a contact rate value may be examined. The contact rate value may represent an allowable quantity of contact within a time interval. For some example embodiments, a determination of whether the network contact center is to accept or reject the communication is made based on the contact rate value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Townsend
  • Patent number: 9828972
    Abstract: A method of de-icing a wind turbine blade (5) comprises the steps of: generating heated air using heating means (10) provided in the root portion of the blade; and continuously circulating the heated air around the interior of the blade through at least a portion of two more longitudinal blade cavities (24, 26, 28) defined within the blade. The circulating step includes: channeling the heated air from an outlet (32a) of the heating means at least part way through a first longitudinal blade cavity (26), towards the tip end (18) of the blade; at a position along the length of the blade, diverting the heated air from the first longitudinal blade cavity (26) into a second longitudinal blade cavity (24); and channeling the diverted air at least part way through the second longitudinal blade cavity (24) back to an inlet (34) of the heating means (10). The heated air is circulated through at least a central cavity (24) and a leading edge cavity (26) defined between longitudinal webs (22) within the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Joe Cuoghi, Karl Gregory, Robert Townsend
  • Publication number: 20170323156
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for occupancy detection are described herein. One device includes instructions to receive an image of a portion of a facility captured by an imaging device, the image defined by a field of view, and set a first occupancy detection threshold for a first part of the field of view and a second occupancy detection threshold for a second part of the field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Townsend, Sahand Ghanoun
  • Patent number: 9637061
    Abstract: A glove box supported by an instrument panel includes a storage compartment displaceable between an open position and a closed position, and at least one resilient arm protruding from an exterior surface of the storage compartment through an aperture in the instrument panel. The resilient arm may have a first surface for contacting an edge of the aperture and deflecting the resilient arm during installation of the storage compartment and a second surface for limiting displacement of the storage compartment once installed. An application of a force to the resilient arm allows displacement of the storage compartment beyond the open position allowing removal of the glove box from the instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Andrew Mazzocchi, Robert Townsend, Joseph Platz
  • Patent number: 9531879
    Abstract: This document is directed to, among other things, communication systems involving networked contact center interfaces. One example method includes presenting a frame on a user interface to present information in a selectable format. Another example method includes using a circuit device to detect selection of a frame as displayed and causing display of further graphical information in an un-selectable format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: 8×8, Inc.
    Inventors: Mansour Salame, Richard Southwick, William James Fernandez, Robert Townsend