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: 11388470
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220217421
    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: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20220217422
    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: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Patent number: 11381850
    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: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220210482
    Abstract: A gateway device 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 gateway device 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 gateway device may be incorporated into a geolocation and safety network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220191585
    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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20220174642
    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. The vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices form a mesh network. 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 via the mesh network to a server, which determines estimated location of the wireless-enabled personal location device with received signal characteristic modeling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller
  • Patent number: 11343543
    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: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller
  • Patent number: 11336478
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20220150550
    Abstract: A set-top box with enhanced features 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 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. The guest configuration profile may further enable the control of in-room amenities, such as temperature control, lighting, shades, and availability, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, Charles T. Hixon, Craig D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220124380
    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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220124379
    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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220124381
    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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220124378
    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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220109894
    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: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220109893
    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 thermostat located in a room at a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms. The thermostat stores various types of thermostat data and transmits the thermostat data to a server, which may be remote. The server receives and stores the thermostat 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 thermostat data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20220109895
    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: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 11297376
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20220103889
    Abstract: A thermostat with interactive features and a system and a method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the thermostat, the thermostat receives various types of thermostat data such as information about display-based interactions with the thermostat, information about a plurality of amenities on a residential property co-located with the thermostat, and information from a proximate wireless-enabled programmable device interacting with the thermostat. The thermostat 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 thermostat data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20220103888
    Abstract: A thermostat with interactive features and a system and a method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the thermostat, the thermostat receives various types of thermostat data such as information about display-based interactions with the thermostat, information about a plurality of amenities on a residential property co-located with the thermostat, and information from a proximate wireless-enabled programmable device interacting with the thermostat. The thermostat 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 thermostat data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, William C. Fang