Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Miller
Thomas E. Miller 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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Publication number: 20170230508Abstract: A system and method for managing an IP telephony network that uses a configuration map for organizing sites in a tree-like hierarchy. The system is capable of managing the addition, removal and movement of IP telephony elements within an IP telephony network and locating services and IP telephony elements within the IP telephony network in an efficient manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Applicant: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Miller, Dale C. Tonogai, Kishore Nadimpalli, Stephen M. Winter
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Publication number: 20170195811Abstract: Systems and methods for audio monitoring and adaptation are provided. An example method includes monitoring an acoustic signal, representing at least one captured sound, inside at least one ear canal. The captured sound includes an audio for play back inside the ear canal. The acoustic signal can be analyzed to determine perceptual parameters including level of the acoustic signal, duration of the acoustic signal, inter-aural time difference (ITD), inter-aural level difference (ILD), seal quality, and environmental noise estimate. Based on the perceptual parameters, the played back audio is adapted to improve quality thereof. The adaptation includes regulating the volume of the acoustic signal, performing noise-dependent gain control on the acoustic signal, performing inter-aural temporal alignment and spectral equalization, and equalizing an acoustic response inside the ear canal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2015Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Kuan-Chieh Yen, Thomas E. Miller
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Publication number: 20170194020Abstract: Systems and methods for providing ambient awareness are provided. An example method includes receiving an acoustic signal representing at least one captured ambient sound and determining that at least one triggering event has occurred based at least on the acoustic signal, a user profile, and a user context. In response to the determination, the method proceeds to modify, based on the at least one triggering event, the acoustic signal which represents the at least one captured ambient sound. The modified acoustic signal is provided to at least one ear canal of a user. In an exemplary embodiment, ambient sounds are selectively passed through automatically to a user based on certain triggering events, allowing a user to be able to hear sounds outside of headset while the user is wearing the headset. The triggering events may be selected by the user, for example, using a smartphone application.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2015Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Thomas E. Miller, Sharon Gadonniex
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Patent number: 9641691Abstract: A system and method for managing an IP telephony network that uses a configuration map for organizing sites in a tree-like hierarchy. The system is capable of managing the addition, removal and movement of IP telephony elements within an IP telephony network and locating services and IP telephony elements within the IP telephony network in an efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Miller, Dale C. Tonogai, Kishore Nadimpalli, Stephen M. Winter
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Publication number: 20170078790Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for microphone signal fusion. An example method commences with receiving a first and second signal representing sounds captured, respectively, by external and internal microphones. The internal microphone is located inside an ear canal and sealed for isolation from outside acoustic signals. The external microphone is located outside the ear canal. The first signal comprises a voice component. The second signal comprises a voice component modified by at least human tissue. The first and second signals are processed to obtain noise estimates. The voice component of the second signal is aligned with the voice component of the first signal. The first signal and the aligned voice component of the second signal are blended, based on the noise estimates, to generate an enhanced voice signal. Prior to aligning, the voice component of the second signal may be processed to emphasize high frequency content, improving effective alignment bandwidth.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Kuan-Chieh Yen, Thomas E. Miller, Mushtaq Syed
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Patent number: 9571921Abstract: A receiver apparatus includes a first receiver portion and an acoustic filter network. The first receiver portion has a housing and is configured to convert at least one electrical signal into first sound energy having a first frequency range. The acoustic filter network communicates with the first receiver portion and is configured to receive the first sound energy. The acoustic filter network includes at least one sound channel and at least one chamber that communicates with the at least one sound channel. The least one sound channel includes a main branch and a first side branch and the at least one chamber comprises a first chamber. The first side branch communicates with the main branch and the first chamber, and the main branch is configured to receive the first sound energy.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2012Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventor: Thomas E. Miller
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Patent number: 9485585Abstract: A motor includes an armature, a coil, and a magnetic support structure. The motor also includes at least one magnet that defines a space. The coil forms a tunnel. The space is defined by the at least one magnet being aligned with the tunnel formed by the coil. Portions of the armature extend through the space and the tunnel. An opening at an end of the coil is shaped so as to restrict movement of the armature.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLCInventors: Michael McCratic, Matthew Mason, Ryan Grounds, Dennis R. Kirchhoefer, Thomas E. Miller, Henry G. Nepomuceno, Shehab Albahri
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Publication number: 20160183005Abstract: An apparatus includes a coil; a stationary core, wherein the coil is wound about a portion the stationary core; a first magnetic structure and a second magnetic structure, wherein the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure are coupled to the stationary core; a first armature having a first end of the first armature and a second end of the first armature, wherein the first end of the first armature is coupled to the stationary core and the second end of the first armature is disposed within the first magnetic structure; and a second magnetic armature having a first end of the second armature and second end of the second armature, wherein the first end of the second armature is coupled to the stationary core and the second end of the second armature is disposed within the second magnetic structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Thomas E. Miller, Daniel Warren, Shehab Albahri
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Publication number: 20160165361Abstract: At least a partial seal between a housing of a hearing instrument and an ear canal is provided. First signals are received from an internal microphone disposed in the ear canal. Second signals are received from an external microphone disposed outside of the ear canal. A condition of the at least a partial seal is determined, and when the condition of the at least a partial seal indicates a leak, one or more of the level and the spectrum of the first signals is adjusted to compensate for the leak and producing first adjusted signal. A first amount of the first adjusted signals is blended with a second amount of the second signals to produce a blended signal, the first amount and the second amount selected based upon a level of noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Thomas E. Miller, Daniel Warren, Brian Cranell, Timothy Wickstrom, John Beard
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Patent number: 9319520Abstract: A method for providing file-based media on hold (MOH) services in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system includes selecting an MOH file and streaming digital content of the MOH file to a communication device while a call is on hold. If the call is removed from hold and placed back on hold a second time, the digital content of the MOH file is streamed to the communication device while the call is on hold the second time. The digital content is streamed from substantially a beginning of the MOH file to a first stopping point while the call is on hold the first time, and from substantially the first stopping point to a second stopping point while the call is on hold the second time.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventors: Chakradhar Kondapalli, Jason Miller, Glenn Hessler, Thomas E. Miller
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Patent number: 9313146Abstract: A system for using one or more via sites to manage network bandwidth, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first call manager at a source site receiving an offer message to connect a call. The offer message includes an endpoint media settings list. The first call manager determines a first filtered media preferences list based on a source media settings list and the endpoint media settings list. The first call manager and transmits an invite message to a second call manager at a first via site. The invite message includes the first filtered media preferences list. The first call manager receives from the second call manager a call settings list that includes a description of the call settings negotiated between the source site, the first via site and a destination site.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventors: Jason Harper, Pramod Madabhushi, Pascal Crausaz, Kent Fritz, Thomas E. Miller
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Patent number: 9055192Abstract: A conference call system with a plurality of endpoints, a participant control server, a conference bridge and a switch is described. A first endpoint transmits conference data to the participant control server. The participant control server transmits the conference data to the other endpoints. In response to requests from the endpoint, the participant control server transmits recorded conference data for video, audio and web sessions that are individually controllable to pause, fast-forward and rewind the conference data. The participant control server establishes secondary connections for the endpoints including a ghost hold and a sidebar.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Shoretel, Inc.Inventors: Prasannakumar Mallappa, Thomas E. Miller, Pascal R. Crausaz
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Publication number: 20150110338Abstract: A motor includes an armature, a coil, and a magnetic support structure. The motor also includes at least one magnet that defines a space. The coil forms a tunnel. The space is defined by the at least one magnet being aligned with the tunnel formed by the coil. Portions of the armature extend through the space and the tunnel. An opening at an end of the coil is shaped so as to restrict movement of the armature.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Michael McCratic, Matthew Mason, Ryan Grounds, Dennis R. Kirchhoefer, Thomas E. Miller, Henry G. Nepomuceno, Shehab Albahri
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Publication number: 20140355787Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a high frequency driver that has a first front volume and a low frequency driver that has a second front volume. The first front volume and the second front volume communicate with each other to form a common front volume. At least one acoustic resistance is placed between the first front volume and the second front volume. The acoustic resistance acts as a low pass filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Mekell Jiles, Erik Wiederholtz, Evan Llamas-Young, Thomas E. Miller
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Patent number: 8897172Abstract: A system and method for managing an IP telephony network that uses a configuration map for organizing sites in a tree-like hierarchy. The system is capable of managing the addition, removal and movement of IP telephony elements within an IP telephony network and locating services and IP telephony elements within the IP telephony network in an efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Miller, Dale C. Tonogai, Kishore Nadimpalli, Stephen M. Winter
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Patent number: 8824327Abstract: A system for exchanging information for improved call quality includes an exchange engine for switching between networks or communication channels and a monitoring module for determining quality of communication over a network or communication channels and initiating switching in response to poor call quality. The monitoring module may be responsive to input from the user or to call quality as determined for example by statistical measurement. The exchange engine identifies the network or communication channel in use for the current call; determines the call quality for a second network or communication channel not being used for the current call; determines whether call quality of the second network is better than the first network; and switches the current call between a first user and the second user from the first network to the second network if the call quality of the second network is better than the first network.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventors: Edwin J. Basart, Thomas E. Miller, Pascal R. Crausaz
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Patent number: 8824726Abstract: An armature apparatus includes a first tine member, a second tine member, a center tine member, and a connecting portion. The connecting portion is coupled to the first tine member, the second tine member, and the connecting portion, and the connecting portion has a line of symmetry. The center tine member is attached to the connecting portion along the line of symmetry such that approximately one half the area of the connection portion is above the center tine member and approximately one half the area of the connection portion is below the center tine member. The attachment is effective to prevent a formation of a horizontal force in the center tine member along the third length when a vertical force is applied to the center tine member in the direction of third thickness.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Thomas E. Miller, Clifford Ryan Grounds, Henry Nepomuceno, David E. Schafer, George Patterson
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Patent number: 8798304Abstract: A valve for a personal auditory system is described. The auditory system is capable of converting between an acoustic signal and an electrical signal. The auditory system has an acoustic pathway through which an acoustic signal may travel between a first point exterior to the auditory system and a second point interior to the auditory system. The valve includes a free floating electrode and a second electrode adjacent to free floating electrode. An electric signal that is generated by the second electrode moves the free floating electrode to substantially open or close the acoustic pathway.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Thomas E. Miller, William A. Ryan, Joseph J. Heidenreich, Ryan S. Scott, Daniel Repplinger, James Steven Collins
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Publication number: 20140198786Abstract: A system for using one or more via sites to manage network bandwidth, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first call manager at a source site receiving an offer message to connect a call. The offer message includes an endpoint media settings list. The first call manager determines a first filtered media preferences list based on a source media settings list and the endpoint media settings list. The first call manager and transmits an invite message to a second call manager at a first via site. The invite message includes the first filtered media preferences list. The first call manager receives from the second call manager a call settings list that includes a description of the call settings negotiated between the source site, the first via site and a destination site.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: SHORETEL, INC.Inventors: Jason Harper, Pramod Madabhushi, Pascal Crausaz, Kent Fritz, Thomas E. Miller
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Patent number: D758690Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Inventor: Thomas E. Miller