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: 10602198
    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: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Patent number: 10602196
    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 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Patent number: 10602195
    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 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20200037004
    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: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 10547875
    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 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Edward H. Wolfe, Thomas R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20200014959
    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: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, Charles T. Hixon, Craig D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200007898
    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: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, Charles Todd Hixon, Craig D. Smith
  • Patent number: 10516899
    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: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Edward H. Wolfe, Thomas R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190387256
    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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20190379932
    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: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, Edward H. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20190303940
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving, by a provider computing system from a customer computing system, a transaction request for processing a transaction. The transaction includes a transaction information. The provider computing system determines that the transaction information is complete transaction information. The provider computing system determines a transaction history associated with a party to the transaction request. A portion of the transaction history is not accessible by the customer computing system. The provider computing system determines a possible instance of fraud based on the transaction history and the complete transaction information. The provider computing system generates a UAR. Furthermore, the provider computing system populates a blank field of the UAR, based on the analysis of the transaction history with the complete transaction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Lynn Mingone, Tanisha Patterson-Powe, Benjamin Shepherd, Holland Stimac, Benjamin Taylor, Leonard J. Valentino
  • Patent number: 10419782
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, Charles Todd Hixon, Craig D. Smith
  • Patent number: 10405008
    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: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 10390079
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, Edward H. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20190222867
    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: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20190215538
    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: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Edward H. Wolfe, Thomas R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190182528
    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 includes a housing that secures a signal input, a signal output, a processor, a transceiver, and memory therein in an interconnected bus architecture. The set-top box establishes a pairing with a proximate robot executing room service to a room where the set-top box is located. As the proximate robot executes room service, signals are received from the proximate robot. The set-top box then generates an interactive portal that provides a description of the behavior of the proximate robot and facilitates guest interaction with the proximate robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20190110098
    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: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20190098355
    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: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20190098340
    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: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang