Patents by Inventor Toby Farrand

Toby Farrand 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: 10469556
    Abstract: An exemplary VoIP service provides call participants cues to indicate that an enhanced service is being employed. When calling, the standard dial tone may be replaced with a distinctive dial tone or sound that indicates to the call participant that enhanced service is active (e.g., a service active sound). In some embodiments, the person called by the VoIP user hears a viral sound that indicates that an enhanced telephone service is being used. Furthermore, communication audio cues may be provided during the communication to provide further information to the call participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ooma, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Frame, Dennis Peng, Kelvin Cheung, Jeff Peck, Toby Farrand
  • Patent number: 10135976
    Abstract: A method for filtering a telephone call is provided. The method may comprise receiving from a caller the telephone call directed to a communication device associated with an intended call recipient. The received telephone call may be scored based on predetermined scoring criteria to create a score indicative of a desirability of the telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise comparing the score to a predetermined threshold score. Based on the comparison, the method may further comprise selectively classifying the telephone call as an unwanted telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise selectively rejecting the unwanted telephone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ooma, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Farrand, Kevin Snow, Dennis Peng
  • Patent number: 9667782
    Abstract: A method for filtering a telephone call is provided. The method may comprise receiving from a caller the telephone call directed to a communication device associated with an intended call recipient. The received telephone call may be scored based on predetermined scoring criteria to create a score indicative of a desirability of the telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise comparing the score to a predetermined threshold score. Based on the comparison, the method may further comprise selectively classifying the telephone call as an unwanted telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise selectively rejecting the unwanted telephone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ooma, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Farrand, Kevin Snow, Dennis Peng
  • Publication number: 20160323446
    Abstract: A method for filtering a telephone call is provided. The method may comprise receiving from a caller the telephone call directed to a communication device associated with an intended call recipient. The received telephone call may be scored based on predetermined scoring criteria to create a score indicative of a desirability of the telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise comparing the score to a predetermined threshold score. Based on the comparison, the method may further comprise selectively classifying the telephone call as an unwanted telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise selectively rejecting the unwanted telephone call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Toby Farrand, Kevin Snow, Dennis Peng
  • Publication number: 20160277573
    Abstract: A method for filtering a telephone call is provided. The method may comprise receiving from a caller the telephone call directed to a communication device associated with an intended call recipient. The received telephone call may be scored based on predetermined scoring criteria to create a score indicative of a desirability of the telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise comparing the score to a predetermined threshold score. Based on the comparison, the method may further comprise selectively classifying the telephone call as an unwanted telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise selectively rejecting the unwanted telephone call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Toby Farrand, Kevin Snow, Dennis Peng
  • Patent number: 9426288
    Abstract: A method for filtering a telephone call is provided. The method may comprise receiving from a caller the telephone call directed to a communication device associated with an intended call recipient. The received telephone call may be scored based on predetermined scoring criteria to create a score indicative of a desirability of the telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise comparing the score to a predetermined threshold score. Based on the comparison, the method may further comprise selectively classifying the telephone call as an unwanted telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise selectively rejecting the unwanted telephone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ooma, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Farrand, Kevin Snow, Dennis Peng
  • Patent number: 9386148
    Abstract: A method for filtering a telephone call is provided. The method may comprise receiving from a caller the telephone call directed to a communication device associated with an intended call recipient. The received telephone call may be scored based on predetermined scoring criteria to create a score indicative of a desirability of the telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise comparing the score to a predetermined threshold score. Based on the comparison, the method may further comprise selectively classifying the telephone call as an unwanted telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise selectively rejecting the unwanted telephone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ooma, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Farrand, Kevin Snow, Dennis Peng
  • Patent number: 9065965
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are described which allows multimedia signals received from one or more content providers (e.g., cable television providers, Internet content providers, . . . etc) to be received, processed and retransmitted by an originating node to one or more receiving nodes over a local cable network (e.g., the coaxial cable network within a user's home). One impediment to communication between nodes within the local cable network is the fact that most cable splitters are designed to attenuate signals between the split legs of the splitter. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, a reflector device coupled upstream of the root splitter in a local cable network (or in place of the root splitter) is configured to reflect signals transmitted from the originating node back up into the network to the receiving nodes. Signal attenuation is minimized because the signals propagate from the splitter inputs to the splitter legs (rather than between the splitter legs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Krein, Robert Spies, Toby Farrand, Steve Young, Michael Sleator
  • Publication number: 20150087280
    Abstract: A method for filtering a telephone call is provided. The method may comprise receiving from a caller the telephone call directed to a communication device associated with an intended call recipient. The received telephone call may be scored based on predetermined scoring criteria to create a score indicative of a desirability of the telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise comparing the score to a predetermined threshold score. Based on the comparison, the method may further comprise selectively classifying the telephone call as an unwanted telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise selectively rejecting the unwanted telephone call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Toby Farrand, Kevin Snow, Dennis Peng
  • Publication number: 20150086001
    Abstract: A method for filtering a telephone call is provided. The method may comprise receiving from a caller the telephone call directed to a communication device associated with an intended call recipient. The received telephone call may be scored based on predetermined scoring criteria to create a score indicative of a desirability of the telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise comparing the score to a predetermined threshold score. Based on the comparison, the method may further comprise selectively classifying the telephone call as an unwanted telephone call. Furthermore, the method may comprise selectively rejecting the unwanted telephone call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Toby Farrand, Kevin Snow, Dennis Peng
  • Patent number: 8515021
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing personalized reversed 911 services are provided. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a 911 call indication is received. This 911 call indication triggers a review of at least one reverse 911 profile associated with media gateway device initiating the 911 call. One or more call treatments to be performed based on the reverse 911 profiles are determined. Instructions for performing the one or more call treatments may then be generated and forwarded to one or more appropriate components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ooma, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Farrand, Todd Krein, Jeff Peck
  • Publication number: 20090235322
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are described which allows multimedia signals received from one or more content providers (e.g., cable television providers, Internet content providers, . . . etc) to be received, processed and retransmitted by an originating node to one or more receiving nodes over a local cable network (e.g., the coaxial cable network within a user's home). One impediment to communication between nodes within the local cable network is the fact that most cable splitters are designed to attenuate signals between the split legs of the splitter. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, a reflector device coupled upstream of the root splitter in a local cable network (or in place of the root splitter) is configured to reflect signals transmitted from the originating node back up into the network to the receiving nodes. Signal attenuation is minimized because the signals propagate from the splitter inputs to the splitter legs (rather than between the splitter legs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Vulcan Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Krein, Robert Spies, Toby Farrand, Steve Young, Michael Sleator
  • Publication number: 20090213999
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing personalized reversed 911 services are provided. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a 911 call indication is received. This 911 call indication triggers a review of at least one reverse 911 profile associated with media gateway device initiating the 911 call. One or more call treatments to be performed based on the reverse 911 profiles are determined. Instructions for performing the one or more call treatments may then be generated and forwarded to one or more appropriate components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Toby Farrand, Todd Krein, Jeff Peck
  • Publication number: 20090168755
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing privacy in a VoIP system are provided. In exemplary embodiments, an incoming call is received. A caller ID associated with the incoming call is determined. A category based on the caller ID is associated with the incoming call. Based on the category, a call treatment database is accessed to determine at least one call treatment associated with the category. The at least one call treatment is then applied to the incoming call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Dennis Peng, Jeff Peck, Toby Farrand
  • Patent number: 7533403
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are described which allows multimedia signals received from one or more content providers (e.g., cable television providers, Internet content providers, . . . etc) to be received, processed and retransmitted by an originating node to one or more receiving nodes over a local cable network (e.g., the coaxial cable network within a user's home). One impediment to communication between nodes within the local cable network is the fact that most cable splitters are designed to attenuate signals between the split legs of the splitter. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, a reflector device coupled upstream of the root splitter in a local cable network (or in place of the root splitter) is configured to reflect signals transmitted from the originating node back up into the network to the receiving nodes. Signal attenuation is minimized because the signals propagate from the splitter inputs to the splitter legs (rather than between the splitter legs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Vulcan Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Krein, Robert Spies, Toby Farrand, Steve Young, Michael Sleator
  • Publication number: 20080298348
    Abstract: An exemplary VoIP service provides call participants cues to indicate that an enhanced service is being employed. When calling, the standard dial tone may be replaced with a distinctive dial tone or sound that indicates to the call participant that enhanced service is active (e.g., a service active sound). In some embodiments, the person called by the VoIP user hears a viral sound that indicates that an enhanced telephone service is being used. Furthermore, communication audio cues may be provided during the communication to provide further information to the call participants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Andrew Frame, Dennis Peng, Kelvin Cheung, Jeff Peck, Toby Farrand
  • Patent number: 7310355
    Abstract: A system is described comprising: a first node coupled to a second node by a communications network, the first node and second node communicating digital and/or analog signals over the communications network; the first node comprising a power output selector module to apply a specified voltage to the communications network to power one or more devices communicatively coupled to the communications network; and the second node using the voltage to provide power to one or more electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Digeo, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Krein, Robert Spies, Toby Farrand, Steve Young, Michael Sleator
  • Publication number: 20030193619
    Abstract: A method implemented on a multi-tuner receiver system is disclosed, comprising: monitoring user input on the multi-tuner receiver system; identifying a first channel which the user is likely to select based on the user input; and speculatively tuning to the first channel using a first tuner prior to the user selecting the first channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Toby Farrand