Digital Commons Network^™

Distinguishing Bots From Human Callers, Ori Kabeli, Nadav Bar, Benny Schlesinger

Defensive Publications Series

Telephone users frequently receive unwanted calls from sales, advertising, or spam callers. Such calls may be made by automated agents or bots of such sophistication that they are often difficult to distinguish from human callers.

This disclosure presents machine-learning techniques that enable differentiation of bots from human callers. Machine-learning models are trained to recognize artifacts that distinguish bot callers. Users can report callers as bots or humans, thereby enabling federated learning of differences between human callers and bots. A suspected bot caller is challenged with audio or visual captchas to further filter out bots. An incoming call that is confirmed …

Smart Footwear With Toe Print Sensors, Lawrence Chang

Defensive Publications Series

Identifying and authenticating a user in an environment such as their home or office typically requires the user to use a key, punch a code in a keypad, carry a smartphone, carry a key fob, etc. Each one of these options has drawbacks from a user experience standpoint and in some cases can be abused or spoofed.

Sensor Network Trained To Understand Arbitrary Labels, Fred Bertsch

Defensive Publications Series

Sensor devices can be used to measure a large number of attributes in an environment (e.g., a job site, a building, a traffic intersection, and/or other constrained region). These sensors can generate a significant amount of measurement data over time. However, it is challenging to synthesize and process this large amount of data to produce a meaningful understanding of events as they occur. This is particularly true for arbitrary, custom, or otherwise uncommon events which may be of interest only to certain limited users or in certain limited situations.

Pervasive Biometric Authentication In The Smart Home Based On Integrated Light Fingerprint Pads, Lawrence Chang

Defensive Publications Series

As virtual voice-enabled assistants and other smart devices continue to evolve, it is becoming increasingly important to authenticate users before the assistant or device carries out a task. For example, if the assistant is going to make a purchase on the user's behalf, it is important that the assistant can verify the right user is making the request. However, in some circumstances, it is inconvenient, difficult, and unreliable for virtual voice-enabled assistants to authenticate users.

Intelligent Voice Assistant Extended Through Voice Relay System, Lawrence Chang, Shigefumi Honjo

Defensive Publications Series

Intelligent voice assistants provide powerful functionality for consumers, but require relatively expensive general purpose processors, audio digital signal processors, local hotword detection and voice library modules, and more. To get whole-home voice assistant coverage, consumers typically need to purchase separate, fully functional intelligent voice assistant devices for each room, which gets to be expensive and unwieldy. Each device takes up an outlet and adds bulk to each room. Furthermore, when multiple intelligent voice assistant devices are in close proximity, they may each respond to the same voice input at the same time from a user.

Interactive Menus, N/A

Defensive Publications Series

Labor is a major source of cost within the food and beverage business. Furthermore, restaurants in certain rapidly gentrifying areas with poor transit are increasingly unable to hire sufficient waitpersons to service their customers to a satisfactory level. Ordering fixed items from a menu is a simple process and, in some scenarios, is only marginally less useful than ordering food items from a person.

An Iot System That Combines Externally Sourced And Public Sensor Data With Internal Enterprise Sensor Data For Action Determination, Kevin D. Brune

Defensive Publications Series

Currently business users rely a lot on their digital calendars and personal data to coordinate their schedules with co workers as well as business contacts outside of the enterprise where they work. For many other work tasks oriented around communication, collaboration, information gathering and productivity, there are a myriad of software tools and applications. Such tools and applications now include enterprise social networking applications and public sensor data, which allow business users to connect and share information with colleagues in new and more timely ways.

Connected Gas Flow Meter, N/A

Defensive Publications Series

Currently, most consumers of natural gas or other forms of gas resources receive only a single monthly statement describing their monthly usage of the gas. It would be much more informative to review real-time information regarding gas usage, rather than just a monthly report. This real-time information would provide instant feedback on how the user’s behaviors in heating, cooking, using hot water, etc. are affecting his monthly bill.

System For Detecting And/Or Locating Portable Objects Using Beacon Devices, N/A

Defensive Publications Series

Many commonly used objects are often misplaced, set down and forgotten, or otherwise unable to be located by a user/owner when desired. As one example, within the home environment, users are often unable to easily locate portable objects such as their keys, television remote control, tablet device, smartphone, hat, sunglasses, shoes, etc. As another example, within a work environment, users may struggle to locate shared objects such as shared work tools (e.g., wrenches, cameras, staplers, mobile data devices, etc.) or other portable work resources. This is a common and frustrating problem.

Vehicle Motion Tracking, Shervin Oloumi

Defensive Publications Series

A number of challenges are associated with vehicles and their operation in the driving environment. As one example, vehicles may be involved in a crash or accident which might injure the vehicle passengers. As another example, road conditions such as potholes, roadwork, or other complications may develop and change over time. It would be useful for both vehicle operators and for entities charged with maintaining road conditions (e.g., a “Department of Transportation”) to have real time, up-to-date knowledge of the issues described above.

Providing A Camera Stream On An Ancillary Display, Lauren Von Dehsen

Defensive Publications Series

Recent developments in home security systems include smart “doorbells” or other devices located at the entrance or other areas of a building (e.g., home, office, etc.) that include a camera. These devices enable an owner/operator of the doorbell to view a real time “stream” from the camera included in the device. For example, the user can be alerted and provided with the camera view upon “ringing” of the doorbell or detection of the presence of a human in the field of view of the camera.

Camera Lens With Display Mode, Lauren Von Dehsen

Defensive Publications Series

Cameras of various types (e.g., handheld cameras, cameras included in a smartphone, embedded camera systems, etc.) often include camera lenses. These lenses are typically input-only devices. That is, they pass light through from the exterior environment to film or a digital sensor/processor or that produces an image from the light. As such, in some devices with a limited size, camera lens assemblies take up valuable space without providing output capabilities.

Smart Directional Fan, Gabriel Diniz De Faria

Defensive Publications Series

Room fans are typically stationary devices that circulate air around an area (e.g. a room), often through propulsion of air caused by radial rotation of angled fan blades, with the intent of cooling the area and/or occupants of the area. Many room fans are capable of oscillating, or changing the orientation of the fan, often along a linear range of motion in a “sweeping” pattern. While this configuration can effectively circulate air around a substantial portion of an area, it can fail to account for any people in the area. For instance, if a person is moving around the area, …

Smart Thermally Controlled Bedding, Gabriel Diniz De Faria

Defensive Publications Series

Thermally controlled bedding refers to an article of bedding (e.g. a blanket, pillowcase, comforter, mattress, pillow, etc.) that can be controllably heated and/or cooled, such as to a set intensity or temperature. One or more Internet of Things (IoT) devices can be in communication with the thermally controlled bedding to provide efficient climate control for a user.

Location Finding Of Wireless Beacons, Adam Rodriguez

Defensive Publications Series

Some objects, especially relatively small objects such as a keyring, wallet, etc., can be difficult to find when misplaced. It is desirable to provide a system that can assist in locating misplaced items.

Method For Real-Time Voice Communication, Neil Dhillon, Tanmay Wadhwa

Defensive Publications Series

Traditionally, voice communication is accomplished using a telephone system. The process of placing a call using a telephone system can be inconvenient for a user. With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), it is possible to provide a system utilizing the IoT to provide a better method for voice communication.

Iot Device For Vehicle Analytics And Smart Actions, Neil Dhillon, Tanmay Wadhwa

Defensive Publications Series

It can be desirable to monitor and/or collect a historical record of vehicle health and/or usage. For instance, the data can be used for fleet management, tax records, improving mapping systems, or other important uses. An IoT-connected device is disclosed herein that can connect to an analytic port in a vehicle, such as an OBD-II port, and provide smart capabilities for the vehicle.

Health Analyzing Smart Mirror, Neil Dhillon, Tanmay Wadhwa

Defensive Publications Series

It can be desirable to monitor an individual’s health over time. For instance, an individual may wish to keep track of his or her weight, percent body fat, caloric intake, heart rate, water percentage, sleep effectiveness, and many other health metrics. A “smart mirror” is disclosed herein that can assist an individual in monitoring these and other health metrics.

Enhancing Privacy Of Smart Speakers Using Image Recognition And Motion Sensors, Neil Dhillon, Tanmay Wadhwa

Defensive Publications Series

Smart speakers provide a convenient, often hands-free way for a user to interface with smart technology. For instance, if a user receives an email, text message, or other communication, the communication can be played aloud via the smart speaker. However, it may not be desirable for a communication containing personal or otherwise sensitive information to be read aloud. As such, systems and methods are needed that can provide enhanced privacy of smart speakers while maintaining expected functionality of smart speakers. Furthermore, authenticating a user based on audio alone can be challenging and may be less secure than other forms of …

Doorknob Health Monitor, N/A

Defensive Publications Series

It can be desirable for individuals to monitor their health. For instance, it can be desirable to record body temperature, heart rate, or other health metrics that can be indicative of an individual’s health. A monitoring device is disclosed herein that can be incorporated into a doorknob that provides for health metric measurement capabilities.

Water Quality Monitoring System, N/A

Defensive Publications Series

Although standards exist related to water quality, it can often be desirable to monitor the quality of incoming tap water. A system is disclosed herein that can provide for convenient quality monitoring of tap water.

Active Refrigerator, N/A

Defensive Publications Series

It can be desirable to alert a user to expired or spoiled food. For instance, consumption of spoiled food can negatively impact a user’s health. A refrigerator with active capabilities is disclosed herein that can detect a presence of spoiled food and alert a user to the presence of spoiled food.

Automatic Object Tracking, N/A

Defensive Publications Series

Occasionally objects, especially small objects such as cell phones, keyrings, etc., can be inadvertently misplaced. It can be difficult to locate these objects. As such, a system is disclosed herein that can assist in locating objects.

Iot Control Device With Simplified Interface, Brian Silverstein

Defensive Publications Series

Many devices can be networked to a central device (e.g., a so-called “smart speaker”) such that a user can control the devices via interaction with the central device. In one example, a user can interact with the central device using a voice command to request a certain action to be performed by a connected device. For example, the user can speak a hotword such as “Ok Assistant” and then continue with the command such as “turn on the downstairs lights.” However, the use of voice controls can be problematic due to word misrecognition and/or imprecise controls. In another example, certain …

Radically Connected Home For Power Control And Device Discovery And Synergy, Andrew P. Wilson

Defensive Publications Series

Many household appliances can be networked to a central device in a house. In such way, a user can control various household appliances. However, these various household appliances may not discover each other or may not interact with each other. Additionally, these various household appliances may not be regulated via power monitoring or power management. Thus, techniques for power control, device discovery, and device synergy are needed.

User Notification Interface Using Internet Of Things Devices, N/A, Joe Benassi

Defensive Publications Series

Many household appliances or other devices provide alerts and/or notifications that notify people when certain events occur or when certain activities have been completed such as when the washer/dryer/dishwasher is completed, the oven is preheated, or the refrigerator is left open. People also want to wake up in time for work using an alarm clock. Therefore, notifications and alerts are critical to a user journey in various types of products. However, a conventional device does its own alerts and notifications, usually by a low-quality speaker making a generic alert that a user has come to associate with that particular make/model …

Systems And Methods For Adjusting Lighting To Improve Image Quality, N/A, Joe Benassi

Defensive Publications Series

Many cameras or other imaging systems can capture images (e.g., photographs) with poor lighting conditions that result in low-quality images. For instance, it may be too dark and/or backlit to use a smartphone that has a camera to take photos in an indoor environment. As an example, light reflected from colored furniture and/or walls can make people look less healthy and can destroy an experience of using the smartphone to take photos. Thus, poor lighting conditions often result in low-quality photographs.

Infrared Patterns For Device Control, Matthew Tait

Defensive Publications Series

Many devices can be networked to a central device such that a user can control various devices using the central device. Typically, a user can control a specific device from an application provided by the central device. For example, the application can show a list of devices, and the user can select the specific device and then start controlling it. Alternatively, each different device may require its own distinct application. However, it is time-consuming for a user to find a specific device from a long list of devices or to open and use each individual application to control each individual …

Smart Wallet, Matthew Tait

Defensive Publications Series

A physical wallet can contain many important items such as funding instruments and/or identification cards. Examples of physical funding instruments can include cash, checks, credit cards, debit cards, coupons, gift certificates, gift cards, and the like. Examples of identification cards can include driver’s licenses, social security cards, passports, and the like. However, if such physical funding instruments and/or identification cards are lost or stolen or if the physical wallet is lost or stolen, it is difficult to find them and it is time-consuming to get a substitute. Thus, techniques for preventing loss of a physical wallet and/or items stored therein …

Internet Of Things Cross Device Theming, Matthew Tait

Defensive Publications Series

Many Internet of Things devices are networked to a central device such that a user can control various devices using the central device. Typically, the various devices are from different manufacturers. Each manufacturer may assign a theme setting to a device such that a control application provided by the central device for that device can display the assigned theme setting of that device. However, a user cannot change the assigned theme setting of that device, thereby ending up with clashing styles and personalities across multiple devices within their home. Thus, techniques for a user to customize theme settings for devices …