Multimedia System (e.g., Voice Output Combined With Fax, Video, Text, Etc.) Patents (Class 379/88.13)
  • Patent number: 10644955
    Abstract: Systems and methods for management of network slices in a communication network such as a 5th generation wireless communication network are provided. Network slicing formats of varying degrees of specificity are defined. An appropriate format may be selected for definition of a network slice. Different segments of a slice can be defined using different formats. Slice scoping, purposing, granularity, and resource usage are described. Slice creation and adaptation, and cloud resource management are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hang Zhang, Xu Li
  • Patent number: 10638305
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing privacy protection with regard to location data of an electronic device. The methods comprise: receiving a request to access the location data of the electronic device; determining a privacy protection level associated with the electronic device based on condition related information of the electronic device; blocking access to the location data of the electronic device by the software application based on the privacy protection level; modifying the location data to generate remapped location data of the electronic device based on the privacy protection level associated with the electronic device; and providing the remapped location data to the software application so as to operate the software application without using the location data of electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: CITRIX SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaolu Chu, Dai Li
  • Patent number: 10630939
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a display, one or more processors, and memory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The device can display a messaging user interface of a messaging application, the messaging user interface including: a message region including a plurality of messages between participants in a message conversation that includes three or more participants, and an affordance separate from the message region for starting a live video communication session in a live video communication application. The device can detect an input corresponding to selection of the affordance. In response to, detecting the input corresponding to selection of the affordance, the device can initiate a process for starting the live video communication session in the live video communication application, the live video communication session including the participants of the message conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel Van Os, Pablo F. Caro, Jae Woo Chang, Allison Dryer, Alan C. Dye, Robert Garcia, Stephen O. Lemay, Hoan Pham
  • Patent number: 10621286
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for suggesting a preferred manner in communicating with a user. Communications (e.g., electronic mail messages, instant messages, social media posts) with a user from a plurality of other users and responses thereto are monitored. A communication history is then created storing the monitored communications and responses thereto. The communication history is then analyzed to determine a preferred manner in communicating with the user based on various factors (e.g., the types of communications and responses thereto, the times of communications and responses thereto, the topics of communications and responses thereto). In one embodiment, such an analysis utilizes natural language processing and sentiment analysis. In this manner, the user will be contacted in the appropriate way thereby allowing the user to avoid potential interruptions and increase the user's productivity as well as to address matters (e.g., urgent matters) appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10616408
    Abstract: In the case of a method or an arrangement for the automatic start up of a first communication terminal (EG A, EG B) configured for voice communication on at least one second communication terminal (CL A, CL B) configured for text communication, the voice communication between communication terminals is conveyed via at least one voice communication server (SCS) and the text communication between communication terminals is conveyed via at least one text communication server (TCS). The at least one voice communication server (SCS) and the at least one text communication server (TCS) exchange information via at least one conversion device (GW). The start up of at least one first communication terminal (CL A, CL B) is effected via the at least one text communication server (TCS), the at least one conversion device (GW) and the at least one voice communication server (SCS) to at least one second voice communication terminal (EG A, EG B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Claus Rist, Sebastian Cordes, Stephan Fischer
  • Patent number: 10579330
    Abstract: Users' interaction performance with an automated voice system is improved, as is users' efficiency, by visually displaying options audibly presented by the automated voice system, thereby enabling users to interact with the system more quickly and accurately. Options can be obtained from a centralized audible menu database with the communicational identifier utilized to establish a communication connection with the automated voice system. The database is populated from crowdsourced information, provided when users establish communicational connections with portions of automated voice systems whose options have not yet been stored in the database, and then transcribe the options that are audibly presented by the automated voice system. Transcription of audibly presented options likewise serves as a double check to verify options already displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Anirudh Koul, Vinay Vyas Vemuri
  • Patent number: 10574617
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a communication and notification system and method thereof, and more particularly to a method and system for providing, tracking, sending reminders, and receiving communications/notifications in response to end-users in a variety of commercial market segments, e.g., medical, governmental compliance and criminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: LOOP COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly L. Bain, James K. Dodd
  • Patent number: 10574744
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes, on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network entity, acquiring dynamic context information for a proposed P2P information exchange. The method further includes performing, by the P2P network entity, a rules-engine check to determine an allowability of the proposed P2P information exchange given the dynamic context information. The rules-engine check yields at least one specified action relative to the proposed P2P information exchange. The method also includes taking, by the P2P network entity, the at least one specified action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Raziuddin Ali, Claude Lano Cox, Philip M. Seibert, Jason A. Shepherd, Yuan-Chang Lo, Michael S. Gatson
  • Patent number: 10515155
    Abstract: Certain examples described herein provide methods and systems for implementing a conversational agent, e.g. to train a predictive model used by the conversational agent. In examples, text data representing agent messages from a dialogue database are clustered and the clusters are used to generate response templates for use by the conversational agent. The predictive model is trained on training data generated by selectively assigning response templates to agent messages from text dialogues. Examples enable a predictive model to be trained on high quality data sets that are generated automatically from a corpus of historical data. In turn, they enable a natural language interface to be efficiently provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Digital Genius Limited
    Inventors: Yoram Bachrach, Andrej {hacek over (Z)}ukov Gregor{hacek over (c)}, Samuel John Coope, Conan John McMurtrie
  • Patent number: 10455383
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method used to determine services in a network is provided. For a plurality of devices, information pertaining to a location of the respective device is stored in a location information item. A location information item providing a location of a user is generated. At least one of the plurality of devices to be used by the user based on the generated location information item and to the stored location information items is automatically selecting; a status report is transmitted to a device used by the user, with the user being offered the use a service via the status report, the offered service effected by the selected device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bruno Bozionek, Dieter Hemkemeyer, Karl Klaghofer, Ralf Neuhaus, Michael Tietsch, Rainer Uecker, Rainer Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 10430519
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for suggesting a preferred manner in communicating with a user. Communications (e.g., electronic mail messages, instant messages, social media posts) with a user from a plurality of other users and responses thereto are monitored. A communication history is then created storing the monitored communications and responses thereto. The communication history is then analyzed to determine a preferred manner in communicating with the user based on various factors (e.g., the types of communications and responses thereto, the times of communications and responses thereto, the topics of communications and responses thereto). In one embodiment, such an analysis utilizes natural language processing and sentiment analysis. In this manner, the user will be contacted in the appropriate way thereby allowing the user to avoid potential interruptions and increase the user's productivity as well as to address matters (e.g., urgent matters) appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10430724
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is illustrated as including defining a set of perspective objects capable of being placed onto a modified web page, monitoring parameters of a web page, the parameters including a number of times a current object is executed on the web page, using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm to determine a perspective object with a preferred Return On Investment (ROI), and selecting the perspective object to be placed onto the modified web page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Noel Billingsley, Raghav Gupta, Randall Scott Shoup, Neelakantan Sundaresan
  • Patent number: 10405133
    Abstract: A mesh network includes a source node and non-source nodes. The source node generates geofenced message information defining a geofenced message for one or more non-source nodes within a geofence. The source node transmits the geofenced message information for reception by a non-source node within a communication range of the source node. The non-source node, responsive to receiving the geofenced message information, transmits the geofenced message information for reception by other non-source nodes within a communication range of the non-source node. Based on the location of the non-source node being within the geofence, the non-source node presents the geofenced message. Based on the location of the non-source node being within the geofence, the non-source node does not presents the geofenced message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: TITAN HEALTH & SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Vic A. Merjanian, Eduardo Juarez, Ryan Khalili, Daniel Wallengren, Serene Nasser, Ed Merjanian
  • Patent number: 10404762
    Abstract: There is provided a packet-based communication system for conducting voice or video calls over a packet-based network. A client application on a first terminal is configured to determine an availability of one or more other, second user terminals installed with other instances of the client application, and to present a near-end user with an option to select one of said second user terminals for use by the near-end user in conjunction with the first user terminal when conducting a voice or video call with a far-end user via the client instances and packet-based communication system; thereby enabling the voice or video call to be conducted using the second terminal to consume or generate at least one stream of the call whilst the first user terminal concurrently generates or consumes at least another stream of the call or controls the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: SKYPE
    Inventors: Manrique Brenes, Dmytro Izotov, Derek MacDonald, Daniel Winston
  • Patent number: 10382624
    Abstract: A bridging for using a non-voice-based user interface, such as a text chat interface, with a voice-enabled interactive voice response system which, during a non-voice-based communication session with a client user device, receives from the client user device, a non-voice entry entered by a client user into the communication session; identifies one or more elements in the non-voice entry constrained by one or more allowed responses by the voice-enabled interactive voice response system; maps the one or more elements to one or more of the allowed responses; and passes the mapped one or more identified elements to a voice-enabled interactive voice response system as a input via emulation of a voice recognition analysis response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Speech-Soft Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Randy G. Goldberg, Deborah W. Brown, Janardhan P. Reddy
  • Patent number: 10367938
    Abstract: A mobile device having phoning capabilities also include capabilities to optionally reduce an operating load on a centralized mobile carrier voicemail system. The user of the mobile device is presented with a notification of an incoming call and is provided with an opportunity to answer the call in a traditional fashion, to optionally engage the centralized mobile carrier voicemail system, or to instead have the mobile device manage options relating to locally obtaining a voicemail from a maker of the incoming call. When the mobile device manages obtaining a voicemail from the maker of the incoming call, the voicemail is originally obtained and is stored locally, without use of centralized carrier resources at the time of recording the voicemail, and the mobile device can also play the recorded voicemail at any time without use of the centralized carrier resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventor: Daniel E. Scott
  • Patent number: 10368211
    Abstract: Usage data associated with a user of a telephonic device is accessed by a remote learning engine. A service or a product that is likely to be of interest to the user is identified by the remote learning engine based on the accessed usage data. A recommended voice bundle application for the user is determined by the remote learning engine based on the accessed usage data, the recommended voice bundle application being a voice application that, when executed by the telephonic device, results in a simulated multi-step spoken conversation between the telephonic device and the user to enable the user to receive the identified service or the identified product. A recommendation associated with the recommended voice bundle application is transmitted from the remote learning engine to the telephonic device. The recommendation is presented by the telephonic device to the user through voice communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventors: Ahmed Tewfik Bouzid, Prasanna Sajeewa Naleen Perera, David James Rennyson, Michael Jerry Saylor, Ashwini Swaroop Reddy Dulam, Jonathan Hotz
  • Patent number: 10367766
    Abstract: An intermediary device disposed in a contact center environment is provided. The intermediary device can receive a first data message. A lobby assignment mechanism can assign the first data message to a default lobby construct, and can obtain, from a contact center agent computing device, an indication of assignment of the first data message to a destination lobby construct that is different than the default lobby construct. The lobby assignment mechanism can link the first data message with the destination lobby construct based on a characteristic of the first data message. The intermediary device can receive a second data message, and can bypass the default lobby construct to assign the second data message to the destination lobby construct based on a characteristic of the second data message and the characteristic of the first data message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: TEN DIGIT COMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Spencer McCarthy-Howe, Gary George Brandt
  • Patent number: 10298754
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for consumer contact are described. In some aspects, an example method may include receiving an indication to notify a consumer and identifying a text-capable contact number associated with the consumer. The example method may also include determining a disconnect date at which the text-capable contact number was disconnected and comparing the disconnect date with a notification date associated with receiving the indication to notify the consumer. Additionally, the example method may include determining whether to notify the consumer via the text-capable contact number based on the comparison of the disconnect date with the notification date. In some aspects, the example method may include identifying whether a primary contact number for which to notify the consumer is a text-capable phone number. In other aspects, the example method may include soliciting the consumer to obtain a substitute contact number that can be used as a text-capable contact number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: MARKETOUCH MEDIA, INC.
    Inventors: Lyle M. Green, Charles E. Russo, Randolph A. Rice, Stephen M. Forrette
  • Patent number: 10277414
    Abstract: Systems for specialized high-performance electronic messaging campaigns using multiple communication partner channels. Electronic messages are sent to a plurality of differing electronic messaging communication systems using a network communication interface component that is configured to interface with individual ones of the plurality of differing electronic messaging communication systems using individualized script files and individualized parameter files. A network communication interface component is initialized with a first set of configuration instructions using a script input port and a parameter input port. The configured network communication interface component sends an electronic message to a first electronic messaging communication system using the first set of configuration instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Taihana Tuatini, Bradley Harold Sergeant
  • Patent number: 10271183
    Abstract: In an interactive on-line system such as an airline reservation system, users communicate with the system via smart devices. Communication between the device and the system is via asynchronous TCP/IP messaging or SMS text message. The user can input text messages which include metadata to assist in message recognition. A translator parses the message and converts the message into an industry standard format which is then sent to a relevant system for processing. The translator may form a part of an application on the device, be located at the system or at an intermediate point. A response from the system is converted from industry standard format to a human readable form and sent as asynchronous message or SMS/MMS text message back to the user where it may be displayed as text of converted into speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SITA INFORMATION NETWORKING COMPUTING IRELAND LIMITED
    Inventor: Denise Findlay
  • Patent number: 10250738
    Abstract: Provided is a method of managing a schedule in a mobile device, the method including: receiving information of the event and a first user input of location information related to the event; storing the received information of the event and the location information related to the event; searching for location information matching a second user input of location information from the stored location information related to the event on the basis of the second user input; and if the searched for location information is found, outputting the information of the event about the found location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fengxia Kang, Siqun Yang, Sugang Tian
  • Patent number: 10250670
    Abstract: A system is described to create and transmit a streamable ZIP file container. The streamable ZIP file container contains stream metadata, files, and a central directory. The stream metadata, files, and central directory can be saved in a contiguous stream without any intervening bytes. When the streamable ZIP file container is read by a client device that supports streamable ZIP file containers, the client device can exit the data stream without receiving the central directory. Interruptions during transmission of the ZIP file container can be resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul William Chinn, Eric Olaf Carlson, Ronnie Misra
  • Patent number: 10242389
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for promoting computer network pages. The system includes a mobile station that allows a user to conduct telephone calls and connect to a computer network. A call management server selects and transmits an audible advertisement for a network page to a user, based on profile information of the user. A gateway then causes a menu including a selection choice for connecting to the advertised computer network page to appear on the mobile station when the user connects to the computer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Mobiliey II LLC
    Inventors: Mark Westling, Phillip Wherry, Craig A. Owensby
  • Patent number: 10210480
    Abstract: A user having multiple electronic devices may receive notifications at each of the devices. When it is determined that a first device is in an active state and that a notification has been viewed on that device, an indication that the notification has been viewed may be communicated by the first device to a synchronization server. It may then be determined whether the viewed notification is also present on one or more of the user's other devices. Based on the determination, an indication that the notification has been viewed may be sent from the synchronization server to each of the user's devices on which the notification is present. Upon receipt of the indication from the synchronization server, the viewed notification may be removed from each of the devices, thereby avoiding a redundant display of the notification on multiple devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Imran Chaudhri, Stephen Lemay, Caroline Cranfill, Ron Huang
  • Patent number: 10182150
    Abstract: A process performed by a personal interactive voice communication system includes accepting settings of interactive voice communication system prompts for a communication address to which communications are received by the personal interactive voice communication system. The process includes mapping, in response to instructions specific to the network communication address, actions to correspond to selections of set interactive voice communication system prompts. The process also includes identifying a selection of an interactive voice communication system prompt and executing a mapped action corresponding to the selection identified. Voice communications to and from the personal interactive voice communication system are transmitted as packets over the internet via a network server that coordinates communications for personal interactive voice communication systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: Douglas F. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 10178063
    Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing messages between client application instances and a message service provider includes a connection service communicatively coupled to a plurality of client messaging application instances; a first intermediary transfer layer with an inbound message data queue that queues message updates of a client application instance and an outbound message data queue that queues message updates and notifications from a mailbox service layer; a mailbox service layer communicatively coupled to the connection service through the first intermediary transfer layer; a second intermediary transfer layer with an mailbox message data queue that contains queued message data directed at the mailbox service layer and a message service data queue that contains queued message updates directed at a message service layer; and a message service layer configured for message interactions with an outside message service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: DROPBOX, INC.
    Inventors: Sean Beausoleil, David Barshow, Scott Cannon, Adam Cue, Steven Flory, Steven Kabbes, Andrew Steven Long, Michael Roeder, George Milton Underwood, IV
  • Patent number: 10165097
    Abstract: A call processing method and device are provided. In the call processing method, voice guidance in a call is converted into visual data; and the visual data is displayed as a visual menu to present content of the voice guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: XI'AN ZHONGXING NEW SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xin Jia
  • Patent number: 10163441
    Abstract: A method for receiving processed information at a remote device is described. The method includes transmitting from the remote device a verbal request to a first information provider and receiving a digital message from the first information provider in response to the transmitted verbal request. The digital message includes a symbolic representation indicator associated with a symbolic representation of the verbal request and data used to control an application. The method also includes transmitting, using the application, the symbolic representation indicator to a second information provider for generating results to be displayed on the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Gudmundur Hafsteinsson, Michael J. LeBeau, Natalia Marmasse, Sumit Agarwal, Dipchand Nishar
  • Patent number: 10154144
    Abstract: Provided herein are methodologies, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media for providing an adjustable interactive voice response (IVR) system. User identification information is received in order to determine which portions of an IVR system the user can access. The user can then search the IVR system based on a search term corresponding to a verbal phrase recognizable in the IVR system. The user can enter the search term via a GUI displayed on an electronic device. A listing of audio files or options files corresponding to the verbal phrase is then transmitted to the electronic display device. A new verbal phrase to be recognized in the IVR system is then received from the user, and a system flow including at least one of the audio files or options files is modified to correspond to the new verbal phrase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Casasola, John Ragsdale
  • Patent number: 10135928
    Abstract: Techniques for a network interface controller (NIC) capable of performing general-purpose computing tasks without intervention from a central processing unit (CPU) are disclosed herein. The network interface controller includes a circuit board, a network interface, a computer bus interface and a processor. The network interface is operatively coupled to the circuit board for receiving network packets. The computer bus interface is operatively coupled to the circuit board for receiving a general-purpose program. The processor is operatively coupled to the circuit board and capable of executing the general-purpose program to process the network packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Eitan Frachtenberg, Mateusz Berezecki
  • Patent number: 10129303
    Abstract: There is provided a transmission system transmitting at least one of image data and audio data among a plurality of transmission terminals. A first transmission terminal includes a state detector that detects whether a user is present therearound, and a controller that controls to transmit correspondence data corresponding to a result detected by the state detector to a second transmission terminal when a state detected by the state detector changes. The second transmission terminal changes quality of at least one of the image data and the audio data that is transmitted to the first transmission terminal in accordance with the correspondence data and transmits at least one of the image data and the audio data when the second transmission terminal receives the correspondence data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Morita, Yohei Yamamoto, Takuya Imai, Shoh Nagamine, Hideki Shiro
  • Patent number: 10122852
    Abstract: System and method for integrated interactive response system and mobile devices are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for using an interactive response system with a mobile device may include (1) an application executed on a mobile electronic device initiating contact with an interactive response system for a first provider; (2) the application retrieving a plurality of menus for the interactive response system; (3) the application displaying a first menu comprising a first plurality of options for the interactive response system; (4) receiving a first selected option from one of the first plurality of options; and (5) the application providing the interactive response system with the first selected option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
    Inventor: Sih Lee
  • Patent number: 10089050
    Abstract: An information processing device including a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device on an Internet, the external device being configured to generate a single print job based on a single file received from the information processing device and provide the generated print job to a printer, and a controller configured to select one or more first-format files, each of which is in a first format configured such that an individual file in the first format contains a single page, cause a converter to convert the selected one or more first-format files into a single second-format file, the second-format file being in a second format configured to allow an individual file in the second format to contain a plurality of pages, and control the communication unit to transmit the single second-format file acquired through the conversion, to the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Norihiko Asai
  • Patent number: 10057418
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product of managing telephone interactions of a user and an agent. In an embodiment, the present invention includes determining when a user telecommunications device is no longer in an on-hold state based on electronic signals transmitted from an agent telecommunications device, in response to the determining, receiving speech of an agent from the agent telecommunications device, in response to the receiving, transmitting an alert message to the user telecommunications device, in response to the receiving, monitoring for at least one indication that the user is about to speak with the agent, in response to the monitoring not resulting in the at least one indication, transmitting at least one utterance corresponding to the user to the agent telecommunications device, and in response to the monitoring resulting in the at least one indication, conducting a smooth transition to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arnon Amir, Nimrod Megiddo
  • Patent number: 10057423
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for communicating with contacts preferably responds to both telephone calls and written text documents, with calls being handled as they are received, and with written documents being temporarily stored before responding. Calls and written documents are monitored to determine the communication styles of the contacts and of the user in dealing with the contacts, with these styles then being applied to the responses, which include answers to questions from the contacts. Connections to other components and systems provide answers regarding the location and scheduling of the user, product inventories, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Babak Sheikh
  • Patent number: 10034150
    Abstract: Techniques for acquiring, sending, receiving or using status information from a remote location over a network are disclosed. The status information is transmitted over the network between or among electronic devices. The status information can be provided by one or more sensors associated with the electronic device that is transmitting the status information. The status information can be transmitted with messages so as to enhance the messages. On receipt, the status information can be presented in an audio manner. The electronic devices include at least computing devices, such as computers, personal digital assistants, pagers, and mobile telephones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
    Inventors: Chung Lau, C. Douglass Thomas
  • Patent number: 10025952
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for defending against unwanted observations of the information conveyed by electronic devices. The system allows users to access sensitive information in public without the fear of visual or other observational leaks. The present invention intercepts sensitive data elements before they are conveyed to a user and replaces the sensitive data with non-sensitive information referred to as aliases. In addition, the system provides a means of computing with sensitive data in a non-observable way. All of this is accomplished while maintaining full functionality and legacy compatibility across applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC., THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: An-I Andy Wang, Michael Mitchell, Peter Reiher
  • Patent number: 10003690
    Abstract: A call is received at an interactive voice response (IVR) system. A voice communications session is established between the IVR system and the telephonic device. A request from the IVR system to allocate a speech resource for processing voice data of the voice communications session is received by a dynamic speech allocation (DSA) engine. Configuration data associated with a current state of the voice communications session is accessed by the DSA engine. Dynamic characteristics associated with the caller are accessed by the DSA engine. A speech resource from among multiple speech resources is selected by the DSA engine based on the current state and the dynamic characteristics. The selected speech resource is allocated to the voice communications session by enabling the IVR system to use the selected speech resource to process voice data received from the caller during the current state of the voice communications session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: GENESYS, TELECOMMUNICATIONS LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ahmed Tewfik Bouzid, Michael T. Mateer, Dmitry Sityaev
  • Patent number: 9998409
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for communication facilitation. Such communications may include work communications and/or personal communications. Communications may be made without disclosing or requiring knowledge of recipient contact information. Pre-communications disclosures may be provided to a recipient prior to actually connecting a sender with a recipient. Communications may be made in accordance with one or more recipient template, which may include pre-determined contact modes for pre-determined scenarios in accordance with recipient or third party instructions. Peripheral information or sender responses to one or more queries may assist with determining the scenario that a communication falls under.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: AVIZIA, INC.
    Inventor: Shahram Partovi
  • Patent number: 9985915
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for sending a large Multimedia Message, such as a MMS from a first terminal (10) to at least one second terminal (14) via a first network node (12) comprised in a communication network. The first network node (12) receives (30) the Multimedia Message from the first terminal (10) and divides (31) the Multimedia Message into a first part and at least one additional part. Next the first network node (12) adds (32) to the first part a reference to the at least one additional part and sends (33) the first part to the at least one second terminal (14). The first network node (12) then sends (34) the at least one additional part to the at least one second terminal (14) when requested by the at least one second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Robert Skog, Joakim Movander
  • Patent number: 9979831
    Abstract: A method for Cellular Text Telephone Modem (CTM) signal transmission includes: converting a CTM transmitter signal carried in a first sampling rate to generate a transmission signal carried in a second sampling rate, wherein the second sampling rate is different from the first sampling rate; and outputting the transmission signal carried in the second sampling rate to a CTM receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Ting-Ni Chen, Fu-Shing Ju, Chih-Ping Lin, Yu-Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 9948627
    Abstract: The secure electronic document delivery system enables a sender to identify file information and recipient information to be sent to a recipient. The system utilizes an authentication system requiring access to two different authentication messages, both access to electronic mail and access to a message sent to the recipient's phone. The two authentication messages are transmitted via two different communication paths thus requiring the recipient to access two different types of communications. Without accessing both messages, the recipient cannot access the document identified by the sender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen Cassar
  • Patent number: 9935907
    Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing messages between client application instances and a message service provider includes a connection service communicatively coupled to a plurality of client messaging application instances; a first intermediary transfer layer with an inbound message data queue that queues message updates of a client application instance and an outbound message data queue that queues message updates and notifications from a mailbox service layer; a mailbox service layer communicatively coupled to the connection service through the first intermediary transfer layer; a second intermediary transfer layer with an mailbox message data queue that contains queued message data directed at the mailbox service layer and a message service data queue that contains queued message updates directed at a message service layer; and a message service layer configured for message interactions with an outside message service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: DROPBOX, INC.
    Inventors: Sean Beausoleil, David Barshow, Scott Cannon, Adam Cue, Steven Flory, Steven Kabbes, Andrew Steven Long, Michael Roeder, George Milton Underwood, IV
  • Patent number: 9930176
    Abstract: A method for personalizing communication services includes defining selectable options for a system that provides communication services. When a communication from a party is received, a computer of the system automatically determines, based on environmental data provided for the communication independent of information provided by the party during the communication, information predictive of potential objectives potentially desired by the party initiating the communication. Probabilities are assigned, based on the predictive information, that the selectable options will address the potential objectives. The selectable options are dynamically updated selectable options based on the assigned probabilities. Communications with the initiating party are in accordance with a script that includes the updated selectable options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignees: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P., AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: Ted Stine, Joseph Anthony Speeney
  • Patent number: 9917919
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a memory configured to store at least one of a contact list or a call list, a communication module configured to transmit a phone number, included in at least one of the contact list or the call list, to a server and receive company information, associated with the phone number, from the server, and a control module configured to estimate a user profile using at least one of a word included in the contact list or a word included in the company information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Jun Song, Joo Seuk Kim, Jong Eun Yang, Jin Ho Moon, Hee Seon Park
  • Patent number: 9904729
    Abstract: Techniques are described for performing synthesis of relationships between a plurality of concept definitions automatically derived from a faceted domain of information. Some embodiments involve identifying at least one facet attribute in an active concept definition specified by user input. In response to determining that at least one explicit relationship and/or at least one implicit relationship exist(s) between the active concept definition and a first concept definition of the plurality of concept definitions, a relationship is synthesized between the active concept definition and the first concept definition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Primal Fusion Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Sweeney, Robert Good
  • Patent number: 9900433
    Abstract: Methods of and systems for establishing an augmented communication channel between an interactive voice response (IVR) system and an electronic device associated with a user are disclosed. A first method comprises sending, an audio call request; establishing an audio channel; establishing a data channel between the IVR system and the electronic device; receiving, via the data channel, IVR tree data, the IVR tree data allowing association of a position of the user with respect to the menu navigation structure; sending, via one of the audio channel and the data channel, a user selection relating to the IVR tree data; and receiving, via the other one of the audio channel and the data channel, an updated position of the user with respect to the menu navigation structure based on the user selection. A method to be executed by the IVR system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ALE INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Emmanuel Helbert, Philippe Gerner, Raymond Roth
  • Patent number: 9864797
    Abstract: A system, method and graphical user interface (GUI) for creating a new correlation search based on a set of displayed graph lanes. The graph lanes may provide graphical visualizations of key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with one or more services and may assist a user in identifying a situation (e.g., problem or a pattern of interest) in the performance of the services. A user may adjust (e.g., add graph lanes, zooming-in) the graph lanes in order to display the situation, at which point the user may submit a request to create a new correlation search to detect if the situation reoccurs. The system may generate the new correlation search by iterating through the set of graph lanes and analyzing the fluctuations of each KPI to determine triggering criteria. The system may then run the correlation search and generate a notable event or alarm when the situation reoccurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Splunk Inc.
    Inventors: Tristan Antonio Fletcher, Alok Anant Bhide
  • Patent number: 9848087
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for forwarding telephone calls, facsimile transmissions and electronic messages to a single forwarding telephone number. The telephone calls, fax transmissions and electronic messages are first forwarded to a central forwarding repository by the forwarding party where the fax transmissions, and messages are converted to audio formats. Forwarded telephone calls and audio formatted versions of the fax transmissions and electronic messages are then forwarded directly to a designated forwarding number. If the forwarding party answers at the forwarding number, she will receive forwarded calls, and the audio formatted versions of fax transmissions and electronic messages will be played to her over her telephone. If the forwarding party does not answer the forwarded call, she subsequently may retrieve saved telephone calls, saved telephone messages and saved audio versions of fax transmissions and electronic messages from the central forwarding repository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Darryl Cynthia Moore, Kathryn D. King, Sharon E. Carter