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).

  • Publication number: 20230199229
    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: February 21, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller
  • Patent number: 11683534
    Abstract: A geolocationing system and method for providing awareness in a multi-space environment, such as a hospitality environment or educational environment, are presented. In one embodiment of the geolocationing system, a vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices is provided. Each gateway device includes a gateway device identification providing an accurately-known fixed location within the multi-space environment. Each gateway device includes a wireless transceiver that receives a beacon signal from a proximate wireless-enabled personal locator device. The gateway devices, in turn, send gateway signals to a server, which determines an estimated location of the wireless-enabled personal locator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 11678146
    Abstract: A geolocationing system, personal locator device, and method for providing awareness in a multi-space environment, such as a hospitality environment or educational environment, are presented. In one embodiment, a personal locator device includes a first operational mode that determines an estimated location of the personal locator device by communicating with a server via an array of gateway devices defining an area of coverage. The personal locator device also has a second operational mode that determines the estimated location of the personal locator device by communicating with a server via a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device. The second operational mode may be utilized when the personal locator device is out of the area of coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller
  • Patent number: 11653056
    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 signal input, a signal output, a processor, and memory. The set-top box may pair with an electronic door locking apparatus coupled to a door that is room-collocated with the set-top box in a hospitality establishment. The set-top box may then reprogram the electronic door locking apparatus as well as control amenities, such as a display, in response to presence signal from the electronic door locking apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, William C. Fang
  • Patent number: 11641489
    Abstract: A geolocationing system and method for providing awareness in a multi-space environment, such as a hospitality environment or educational environment, are presented. In one embodiment of the geolocationing system, a vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices is provided. Each gateway device includes a gateway device identification providing an accurately-known fixed location within the multi-space environment. Each gateway device includes a wireless transceiver that receives a beacon signal from a proximate wireless-enabled personal locator device. The gateway devices, in turn, send gateway signals to a server, which determines estimated location of the wireless-enabled personal locator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 11641490
    Abstract: A geolocationing system and method for providing awareness in a multi-space environment, such as a hospitality environment or educational environment, are presented. In one embodiment of the geolocationing system, a vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices is provided. Each gateway device includes a gateway device identification providing an accurately-known fixed location within the multi-space environment. Each gateway device includes a wireless transceiver that receives a beacon signal from a proximate wireless-enabled personal locator device. The gateway devices, in turn, send gateway signals to a server, which determines estimated location of the wireless-enabled personal locator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20230100908
    Abstract: A thermostat and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple wireless transceivers are located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a processor, memory, and a camera. To improve convenience, the thermostat may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Virtual remote control functionality for various amenities may then be provided. To improve safety, the thermostat may be incorporated into a geolocation and safety network and, under certain conditions, the thermostat may provide a video feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 11589079
    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: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller
  • Patent number: 11585888
    Abstract: A geolocationing system and method for providing awareness in a multi-space environment, such as a hospitality environment or educational environment, are presented. In one embodiment of the geolocationing system, a vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices is provided. Each gateway device includes a gateway device identification providing an accurately-known fixed location within the multi-space environment. Each gateway device includes a wireless transceiver that receives a beacon signal from a proximate wireless-enabled personal locator device. The gateway devices, in turn, send gateway signals to a server, which determines estimated location of the wireless-enabled personal location device with angle of arrival modeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 11582492
    Abstract: A hospitality property management tool and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the system, the system includes a set-top box located in a room at a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms. The set-top box stores various types of set-top box data and transmits the set-top box data to a remote server. The remote server receives and stores the set-top box data. The server may render a map view of the hospitality establishment based on obtained map data. The map view may include a graphical representation of the room and other rooms at the hospitality establishment. The server may annotate the graphical representation of the room with at least a portion of the set-top box data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 11553214
    Abstract: A thermostat and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple wireless transceivers are located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a processor and memory. To improve convenience, the thermostat may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Virtual remote control functionality for various amenities may then be provided. To improve safety, the thermostat may be incorporated into a geolocation and safety network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220408119
    Abstract: A geolocationing system and method for providing awareness in a multi-space environment, such as a hospitality environment or educational environment, are presented. In one embodiment of the geolocationing system, a vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices is provided. Each gateway device includes a gateway device identification providing an accurately-known fixed location within the multi-space environment. Each gateway device includes a wireless transceiver that receives a beacon signal from a proximate wireless-enabled personal locator device. The gateway devices, in turn, send gateway signals to a server, which determines estimated location of the wireless-enabled personal location device with trilateration and received signal strength modeling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 11521483
    Abstract: A thermostat and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple wireless transceivers are located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a processor, memory, and a camera. To improve convenience, the thermostat may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Virtual remote control functionality for various amenities may then be provided. To improve safety, the thermostat may be incorporated into a geolocation and safety network and, under certain conditions, the thermostat may provide a video feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 11507116
    Abstract: A thermostat and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple wireless transceivers are located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a processor, memory, and a camera. To improve convenience, the thermostat may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Virtual remote control functionality for various amenities may then be provided. To improve safety, the thermostat may be incorporated into a geolocation and safety network and, under certain conditions, the thermostat may provide a video feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220345775
    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 interconnectedly 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-collocated 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: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220337885
    Abstract: A thermostat and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple wireless transceivers are located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a processor and memory. To improve convenience, the thermostat may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Virtual remote control functionality for various amenities may then be provided. To improve safety, the thermostat may be incorporated into a geolocation and safety network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220286715
    Abstract: A geolocationing system and method for providing awareness in a multi-space environment, such as a hospitality environment or educational environment, are presented. In one embodiment of the geolocationing system, a vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices is provided. Each gateway device includes a gateway device identification providing an accurately-known fixed location within the multi-space environment. Each gateway device includes a wireless transceiver that receives a beacon signal from a proximate wireless-enabled personal locator device. The gateway devices, in turn, send gateway signals to a server, which determines estimated location of the wireless-enabled personal locator device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20220278866
    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: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, William C. Fang
  • Patent number: 11425428
    Abstract: A geolocationing system and method for providing awareness in a multi-space environment, such as a hospitality environment or educational environment, are presented. In one embodiment of the geolocationing system, a vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices is provided. Each gateway device includes a gateway device identification providing an accurately-known fixed location within the multi-space environment. Each gateway device includes a wireless transceiver that receives a beacon signal from a proximate wireless-enabled personal locator device. The gateway devices, in turn, send gateway signals to a server, which determines estimated location of the wireless-enabled personal location device with trilateration and received signal strength modeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220232280
    Abstract: A set-top box with interactive features and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box receives various types of set-top box data such as information about display-based interactions with the set-top box, information about a plurality of amenities on a residential property co-located with the set-top box, and information from a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device interacting with the set-top box. The set-top box may render a map view of the property based on obtained map data. The map view may include an interactive graphical representation of the residential property and be annotated with at least a portion of the set-top box data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle