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).

  • 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
  • Publication number: 20160366278
    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: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Townsend
  • Patent number: 9438736
    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: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Townsend
  • Publication number: 20160198048
    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 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Townsend
  • Publication number: 20160144793
    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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Nicholas Andrew Mazzocchi, Robert Townsend, Joseph Platz
  • Patent number: 9307088
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a networked contact center that includes multiple platforms to host multiple tenants. Example embodiments include receiving a message associated with one of the tenants and identifying one or more of the platforms associated with the message. For some example embodiments, the networked contact center may allow the platform to access a data location that is both associated with the tenant and shared by two or more of the multiple tenants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: 8×8, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Southwick, Robert Townsend, Mansour Salame
  • Patent number: 9294625
    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: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Townsend
  • Publication number: 20160040654
    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: channelling 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 channelling 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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Joe CUOGHI, Carl GREGORY, Robert TOWNSEND
  • Patent number: 9225832
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system and methods for a networked contact center user interface. In an example embodiment, a user interface associated with a networked contact center includes a frame to present information in a selectable format. Based on a selection associated with the information, the frame is to present further information in an un-selectable format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventors: Mansour Salame, Richard Southwick, William James Fernandez, Robert Townsend
  • Patent number: 9049297
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a networked contact center that includes multiple platforms to host multiple tenants. Example embodiments include receiving a message associated with one of the tenants and identifying one or more of the platforms associated with the message. For some example embodiments, the networked contact center may allow the platform to access a data location that is both associated with the tenant and shared by two or more of the multiple tenants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Southwick, Robert Townsend, Mansour Salame
  • Patent number: 8972885
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system and methods for a networked contact center user interface. In an example embodiment, a user interface associated with a networked contact center includes a frame to present information in a selectable format. Based on a selection associated with the information, the frame is to present further information in an un-selectable format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventors: Mansour Salame, Richard Southwick, William James Fernandez, Robert Townsend
  • Publication number: 20150023493
    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: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Townsend
  • Publication number: 20150023492
    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: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Townsend
  • Patent number: 8855291
    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: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Townsend
  • Patent number: 8804940
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a networked contact center that includes multiple platforms to host multiple tenants. Example embodiments include receiving a message associated with one of the tenants and identifying one or more of the platforms associated with the message. For some example embodiments, the networked contact center may allow the platform to access a data location that is both associated with the tenant and shared by two or more of the multiple tenants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Southwick, Robert Townsend, Mansour Salame
  • Publication number: 20140119534
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a networked contact center that includes multiple platforms to host multiple tenants. Example embodiments include receiving a message associated with one of the tenants and identifying one or more of the platforms associated with the message. For some example embodiments, the networked contact center may allow the platform to access a data location that is both associated with the tenant and shared by two or more of the multiple tenants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Southwick, Robert Townsend, Mansour Salame