Patents by Inventor Thomas Toombs

Thomas Toombs 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: 9210269
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving requests to join a conference from a plurality of user devices proximate a first endpoint. The requests include a username. The method also includes receiving an audio signal for the conference from the first endpoint. The first endpoint is operable to capture audio proximate the first endpoint. The method also includes transmitting the audio signal to a second endpoint, remote from the first endpoint. The method also includes identifying, by a processor, an active speaker proximate the first endpoint based on information received from the plurality of user devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yanghua Liu, Weidong Chen, Biren Gandhi, Raghurama Bhat, Joseph Fouad Khouri, John Joseph Houston, Brian Thomas Toombs
  • Publication number: 20140118472
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving requests to join a conference from a plurality of user devices proximate a first endpoint. The requests include a username. The method also includes receiving an audio signal for the conference from the first endpoint. The first endpoint is operable to capture audio proximate the first endpoint. The method also includes transmitting the audio signal to a second endpoint, remote from the first endpoint. The method also includes identifying, by a processor, an active speaker proximate the first endpoint based on information received from the plurality of user devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Yanghua Liu, Weidong Chen, Biren Gandhi, Raghurama Bhat, Joseph Fouad Khouri, John Joseph Houston, Brian Thomas Toombs
  • Publication number: 20070136512
    Abstract: A low cost data storage and communication system is disclosed. The low cost data storage and communication system has a host and at least one card connected to the host. A voltage negotiator located in the system for determining a common operating voltage range that is a common denominator of all independent operating voltage ranges of all of the cards connected to the system. In addition, a novel feature of partitioning the memory storages of the card is also disclosed. This feature provides the host the ability to simultaneously erase any combination of sectors in a single erase group, or any combination of the entire erase groups. Another feature provided by this novel method of partitioning the memory storages is the ability to write protect any combination of memory groups in the card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Toombs, Micky Holtzman
  • Publication number: 20050132137
    Abstract: An universal and detachable low cost data storage system adaptable to different communication protocols. Particularly, the storage system can be attached to hosts running different communication protocols such as MultiMediaCard and Serial Peripheral Interface. The storage system automatically selects the protocol in response to the host requirements such that the entire protocol selection process will be transparent to the host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Toombs, Micky Holtzman
  • Patent number: 5517379
    Abstract: A device for protecting battery-powered semiconductor devices and the like against a reverse battery condition. During normal operation a charge pump charges the gate of a power MOSFET, turning the MOSFET on and providing a low-resistance power supply path from the battery to the load. If the battery is reversed, a depletion mode device shorts the gate and source of the MOSFET, turning it off and disconnecting the load from the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Siliconix incorporated
    Inventors: Richard K. Williams, Thomas Toombs, King Owyang, Hamza Yilmaz