Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Miller

Thomas R. 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).

  • Patent number: 10244269
    Abstract: A set-top box with an interactive portal and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The set-top box is associated with a room and includes a housing that secures a television input, a television output, a processor, a transceiver, and memory therein in an interconnected bus architecture. The set-top box generates a default interactive portal as well as a guest-specific interactive portal, which is generated from a guest configuration profile having information including guest identification, a guest channel preference presentation, and a guest service preference presentation with guest account information. The guest configuration profile may also enable the creation of a local area wireless network with substantially the same behavior as the guest's home wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20190081811
    Abstract: A hospitality property management tool and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the system, set-top boxes are located in respective rooms at a hospitality establishment. The set-top boxes are joined in network communication with environmental amenities, such as lights and a thermostat that respectively control lighting and temperature. The set-top boxes utilize an unoccupied room profile and occupied room profile to set the environmental conditions, such as lighting and temperature, in the rooms. A guest preference profile may be activated within a room to provide guest-specific environmental conditions in the room associated with the guest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, William C. Fang, Edward H. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20190075329
    Abstract: A set-top box with an interactive portal and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The set-top box is associated with a room and includes a housing that secures a television input, a television output, a processor, a transceiver, and memory therein in an interconnected bus architecture. The set-top box generates a guest interactive portal as well as a housekeeping interactive portal for a guest and housekeeper, respectively. Each of the portals provides relevant feedback on the condition of the room to a server associated with the hotel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Edward H. Wolfe, Thomas R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190058899
    Abstract: A television with an interactive portal and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the television, the television is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The television is associated with a room and includes a housing that secures a processor, memory, tuner, panel, and audio driver in an interconnected architecture. The television generates a guest interactive portal as well as a housekeeping interactive portal for a guest and housekeeper, respectively. Each of the portals provides relevant feedback on the condition of the room to a server associated with the hotel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Edward H. Wolfe, Thomas R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190045229
    Abstract: A system and method for providing awareness in a hospitality environment are presented. In one embodiment, a vertical and horizontal array of set-top boxes is provided and each set-top box includes an identification corresponding to the room in which the set-top box is placed. Each set-top box includes a wireless transceiver that periodically transmits an identification beacon that is received by a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device. The proximate wireless-enabled interactive device, in turn, broadcasts data packets including an indication of the strength of set-top box identification signals received. The broadcasts are received by a server via an array of wireless routers. The location of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device is determined based on the signal strength information in the data packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20190037248
    Abstract: A system and method for providing awareness in a hospitality environment are presented. In one embodiment, a vertical and horizontal array of set-top boxes is provided and each set-top box includes an identification corresponding to the room in which the set-top box is placed. Each set-top box includes a wireless transceiver that periodically transmits an identification beacon that is received by a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device. The proximate wireless-enabled interactive device, in turn, broadcasts data packets including an indication of the strength of set-top box identification signals received. The broadcasts are received by a server via an array of wireless routers. The location of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device is determined based on the signal strength information in the data packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Patent number: 10148998
    Abstract: A set-top box with enhanced functionality and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box system, first and second set-top boxes each include a housing securing a television input, a television output, a processor, a wireless transceiver, memory, and storage communicatively interconnected by a busing architecture. Each of the set-top boxes is connected to a display, such as a television. A syndication profile associated with the set-top boxes enables a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device to control both displays via each of the set-top boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 10142662
    Abstract: A system and method for providing awareness in a hospitality environment are presented. In one embodiment, a vertical and horizontal array of set-top boxes is provided and each set-top box includes an identification corresponding to the room in which the set-top box is placed. Each set-top box includes a wireless transceiver that periodically transmits an identification beacon that is received by a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device. The proximate wireless-enabled interactive device, in turn, broadcasts data packets including an indication of the strength of set-top box identification signals received. The broadcasts are received by a server via an array of wireless routers. The location of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device is determined based on the signal strength information in the data packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Patent number: 10142663
    Abstract: A set-top box with an interactive portal and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The set-top box is associated with a room and includes a housing that secures a television input, a television output, a processor, a transceiver, and memory therein in an interconnected bus architecture. The set-top box generates a default interactive portal as well as a guest-specific interactive portal, which is generated from a guest configuration profile having information including guest identification, a guest channel preference presentation, and a guest service preference presentation with guest account information. The guest configuration profile may also enable the creation of a local area wireless network with substantially the same behavior as the guest's home wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20180324487
    Abstract: A set-top box with enhanced behavioral controls and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, a wireless transceiver is located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a television input, a television output, a processor, and memory. The set-top box may pair with an electronic door locking apparatus coupled to a door that is room-colocated with the set-top box in a hospitality establishment. The set-top box may then receive a status signal from the electronic door locking apparatus relative to the open/closed status of the door and locked/unlocked status of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Edward H. Wolfe, Thomas R. Miller
  • Patent number: 10123056
    Abstract: A set-top box with an interactive portal and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The set-top box is associated with a room and includes a housing that secures a television input, a television output, a processor, a transceiver, and memory therein in an interconnected bus architecture. The set-top box generates a guest interactive portal as well as a housekeeping interactive portal for a guest and housekeeper, respectively. Each of the portals provides relevant feedback on the condition of the room to a server associated with the hotel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Edward H. Wolfe, Thomas R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20180302653
    Abstract: A television with an interactive portal and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the television, the television is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The television is associated with a room and includes a processor, memory, tuner, panel, and audio drive disposed in an interconnected busing architecture. The television generates a default interactive portal as well as a guest-specific interactive portal, which is generated from a guest configuration profile having information including guest identification, a guest channel preference presentation, and a guest service preference presentation with guest account information. The guest configuration profile may also enable the creation of a local area wireless network with substantially the same behavior as the guest's home wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Patent number: 10104402
    Abstract: A system and method for providing awareness in a hospitality environment are presented. In one embodiment, a vertical and horizontal array of set-top boxes is provided and each set-top box includes an identification corresponding to the room in which the set-top box is placed. Each set-top box includes a wireless transceiver that periodically transmits an identification beacon that is received by a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device. The proximate wireless-enabled interactive device, in turn, broadcasts data packets including an indication of the strength of set-top box identification signals received. The broadcasts are received by a server via an array of wireless routers. The location of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device is determined based on the signal strength information in the data packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Patent number: 10091534
    Abstract: A system and method for providing awareness in a hospitality environment are presented. In one embodiment, a vertical and horizontal array of set-top boxes is provided and each set-top box includes an identification corresponding to the room in which the set-top box is placed. Each set-top box includes a wireless transceiver that periodically transmits an identification beacon that is received by a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device. The proximate wireless-enabled interactive device, in turn, broadcasts data packets including an indication of the strength of set-top box identification signals received. The broadcasts are received by a server via an array of wireless routers. The location of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device is determined based on the signal strength information in the data packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20180278983
    Abstract: A set-top box with enhanced functionality and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box system, first and second set-top boxes each include a housing securing a television input, a television output, a processor, a wireless transceiver, memory, and storage communicatively interconnected by a busing architecture. Each of the set-top boxes is connected to a display, such as a television. A syndication profile associated with the set-top boxes enables a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device to control both displays via each of the set-top boxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 10085044
    Abstract: A television with an interactive portal and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the television, the television is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The television is associated with a room and includes a housing that secures a processor, memory, tuner, panel, and audio driver in an interconnected architecture. The television generates a guest interactive portal as well as a housekeeping interactive portal for a guest and housekeeper, respectively. Each of the portals provides relevant feedback on the condition of the room to a server associated with the hotel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Edward H. Wolfe, Thomas R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20180131970
    Abstract: A set-top box with an interactive portal and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The set-top box is associated with a room and includes a housing that secures a television input, a television output, a processor, a transceiver, and memory therein in an interconnected bus architecture. The set-top box generates a default interactive portal as well as a guest-specific interactive portal, which is generated from a guest configuration profile having information including guest identification, a guest channel preference presentation, and a guest service preference presentation with guest account information. The guest configuration profile may also enable the creation of a local area wireless network with substantially the same behavior as the guest's home wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20180124390
    Abstract: A set-top box with self-monitoring and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, a housing secures a television input, a television output, a processor, memory, and storage therein, which are communicatively interconnected by a busing architecture. The memory is accessible to the processor, and the memory includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to detect when the television is not being utilized. Responsive thereto, the instructions cause the processor to scan channels received from the television input and generate a composite TV screen image data that may be resolved to a single TV screen image made from an assemblage of TV screen image captures corresponding to the scanned channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20180109815
    Abstract: A set-top box with an interactive portal and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The set-top box is associated with a room and includes a housing that secures a television input, a television output, a processor, a transceiver, and memory therein in an interconnected bus architecture. The set-top box generates a default interactive portal as well as a guest-specific interactive portal, which is generated from a guest configuration profile having information including guest identification, a guest channel preference presentation, and a guest service preference presentation with guest account information. The guest configuration profile may also enable the creation of a local area wireless network with substantially the same behavior as the guest's home wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20180098032
    Abstract: A distribution element for a self-calibrating RF network and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the distribution element, the distribution element is located between a headend layer and an endpoint layer. An upstream directional control circuit and a downstream directional control circuit are positioned in a spaced opposing relationship such that respective upstream line and the downstream line are separated into a forward line and reverse line therebetween while being combined at the respective upstream directional control circuit and the downstream directional control circuit. A pair of amplifier circuits positioned between the upstream and downstream control circuits are under the control of a controller to amplify and shape the signal of the forward line and the reverse line. The controller monitor and analyzes signals through the distribution element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller