Richard Keith Shields

US Patent:

20160219147, Jul 28, 2016

Filed:

Mar 31, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/088008

Inventors:

- Salt Lake City UT, US
Richard Shields - Salt Lake City UT, US

International Classification:

H04M 3/51
H04N 5/232
H04M 1/725
H04M 3/42
H04M 1/23

Abstract:

Visual assistance systems and related methods are disclosed. A visual assistance system includes a visual assistance service configured to receive and display images from a user device on an electronic display for a live assistant. The visual assistance service is also configured to transmit assistant audio from the live assistant conveying information derived by the live assistant's review of the images. A visual assistance system comprises a user device configured to capture and transmit the images to the visual assistance service. The user device is also configured to receive the assistant audio from the visual assistance service, and reproduce the assistant audio to a user of the user device. The user is registered with the visual assistance service as having at least a minimum level of visual disability. A method of operating the visual assistance system includes receiving the images from, and transmitting the assistant audio to the user device.

US Patent:

20150215251, Jul 30, 2015

Filed:

Apr 3, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/678809

Inventors:

- Salt Lake City UT, US
Richard Shields - Salt Lake City UT, US

International Classification:

H04L 12/58
G06F 3/0484

Abstract:

Apparatuses and methods for notifying a group of communication devices about a missed call are disclosed. Each communication device is associated with a group identifier that is shared with all the communication devices in a group. Each communication device is also associated with an individual identifier that is unique to that communication device. An unanswered communication to the group identifier is received on all the communication devices in the group. A first communication device transmits to a remote server an acknowledgement notification that the unanswered communication related to the group identifier has been acknowledged by the user. A clear indicator indicating that the unanswered communication has been acknowledged is transmitted from the remote server to all the devices in the group except the first communication device. Each of the communication devices receiving the clear indicator can then clear its indicator that notifies the user of a missed call.

US Patent:

20150189071, Jul 2, 2015

Filed:

Dec 31, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/145589

Inventors:

- Salt Lake City UT, US
Richard SHIELDS - Salt Lake City UT, US

Assignee:

Sorenson Communications, Inc. - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

H04M 1/725

Abstract:

Visual assistance systems and related methods are disclosed. A visual assistance system includes a visual assistance service configured to receive and display images from a user device on an electronic display for a live assistant. The visual assistance service is also configured to transmit assistant audio from the live assistant conveying information derived by the live assistant's review of the images. A visual assistance system comprises a user device configured to capture and transmit the images to the visual assistance service. The user device is also configured to receive the assistant audio from the visual assistance service, and reproduce the assistant audio to a user of the user device. The user is registered with the visual assistance service as having at least a minimum level of visual disability. A method of operating the visual assistance system includes receiving the images from, and transmitting the assistant audio to the user device.

US Patent:

20150131786, May 14, 2015

Filed:

Nov 8, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/075968

Inventors:

- Salt Lake City UT, US
Richard SHIELDS - Salt Lake City UT, US
Grant A. BECKMANN - Salt Lake City UT, US

Assignee:

SORENSON COMMUNICATIONS, INC. - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

H04M 3/42
G06F 17/28

US Classification:

379 52

Abstract:

Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for enabling a first user at a first communication device to communicate with a far-end user at a second communication device via a relay service providing translation services for the first user. The communication system may be operable in a plurality of modes, including a tone mode in which an audible tone conveying a message may be transmitted to the second communication device regardless of a format of the character data generated by the first communication device. A text mode may include sending a text signal corresponding to the message being displayed at the relay service regardless of the format of the character data. Switching modes may be responsive to a determination that the far-end user is a live person. Related methods of operating the communication system are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20140267580, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 15, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/840046

Inventors:

Jesse Parent - Cottonwood Heights UT, US
Richard Shields - Salt Lake City UT, US
Scot L. Brooksby - Highland UT, US
Merle L. Walker - Sandy UT, US
Lane Walters - American Fork UT, US
Jason Andersen - West Jordan UT, US

Assignee:

Sorenson Communications, Inc. - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

H04N 7/14

US Classification:

348 1412

Abstract:

Systems and methods for operating a plurality of communication devices configured to be associated with a user group. Each communication device of the plurality of communication devices may be configured to communicate with one or more servers both as an individual communication device with an individual unique identifier assigned thereto and as the user group with a group unique identifier assigned thereto.

US Patent:

20140272814, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 15, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/837619

Inventors:

- Salt Lake City UT, US
Merle L. Walker - West Jordan UT, US
Richard Shields - Salt Lake City UT, US

Assignee:

Sorenson Communications, Inc. - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

G09B 21/00

US Classification:

434112

Abstract:

Apparatuses and methods for notifying a group of communication devices about a missed call are disclosed. Each communication device is associated with a group identifier that is shared with all the communication devices in a group. Each communication device is also associated with an individual identifier that is unique to that communication device. An unanswered communication to the group identifier is received on all the communication devices in the group. A first communication device transmits to a remote server an acknowledgement notification that the unanswered communication related to the group identifier has been acknowledged by the user. A clear indicator indicating that the unanswered communication has been acknowledged is transmitted from the remote server to all the devices in the group except the first communication device. Each of the communication devices receiving the clear indicator can then clear its indicator that notifies the user of a missed call.

US Patent:

20140280562, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 15, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/842401

Inventors:

- Salt Lake City UT, US
Richard Shields - Salt Lake City UT, US

Assignee:

Sorenson Communications, Inc. - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

H04L 29/06

US Classification:

709204

Abstract:

A communication system comprises a server configured to associate a plurality of communication devices with each other in a user group. Each communication device of the plurality of communication devices is associated with a group-wide individual unique identifier that is unique as to other members of the same group; a network-wide individual unique identifier that is unique as to other communication devices of the network; and a group unique identifier that is shared with the plurality of communication devices of the user group. A method comprises receiving a call request including a group-wide individual unique identifier, and sending an outgoing call to the individual communication device. The group-wide individual unique identifier is unique to an individual communication device within a user group of communication devices that is smaller than a number of communication devices configured for communication on a network.