Thomas Lee Kuhn

US Patent:

6119087, Sep 12, 2000

Filed:

Mar 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/039203

Inventors:

Thomas Murray Kuhn - Menlo Park CA
Matthew Lennig - Palo Alto CA
Peter Christopher Monaco - Mountain View CA
David Bruce Peters - San Carlos CA

Assignee:

Nuance Communications - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

G10L 1514
G10L 1522

US Classification:

704270

Abstract:

A system and method for efficiently distributing voice call data received from speech recognition servers over a telephone network having a shared processing resource is disclosed. Incoming calls are received from phone lines and assigned grammar types by speech recognition servers. A request for processing the voice call data is sent to a resource manager which monitors the shared processing resource and identifies a preferred processor within the shared resource. The resource manager sends an instruction to the speech recognition server to send the voice call data to a preferred processor for processing. The preferred processor is determined by known processor efficiencies for voice call data having the assigned grammar type of the incoming voice call data and a measure of processor loads. While the system is operating, the resource manger develops and updates a history of each processor. The histories include processing efficiency values for all grammar types received.

US Patent:

51003619, Mar 31, 1992

Filed:

Jun 28, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/722965

Inventors:

Thomas R. Kuhn - San Francisco CA
Donald W. Watson - Rohnert Park CA

International Classification:

A63H 130
A63H 132

US Classification:

446250

Abstract:

Yo-Yo embodiments with extended spin time and reliable initiation for rewinding of the tether are disclosed. An axle bearing of low friction or "frictionless" type is used for extended spin time. Player control of tether tension causes elastic deformation of tether diameter, especially in a tether strand wrapped around the axle bearing. Tension constricts the cross-sectional diameter of the strand, holding it free of the Yo-Yo sides; loss of tension expands the strand, engaging it laterally in clutch-like surface contact with the Yo-Yo sides. Tension in the tether and its wrapped strand under conditions of common Yo-Yo weight and ordinary play produce small variations in strand diameter. Player control of strand engagement with and disengagement form the Yo-Yo sides is assured by infinitely fine adjustment of the gap between the sides and by secure seizing of the Yo-Yo parts to fix the desired gap. Long periods of reliable Yo-Yo performance and extended capability to players of ordinary skill are among the attained objectives and advantages of the invention.

US Patent:

42077010, Jun 17, 1980

Filed:

Dec 11, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/968283

Inventors:

Thomas R. Kuhn - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

A63H 130

US Classification:

46 61

Abstract:

A tethered top capable of being disassembled by unscrewing of its two body section halves from one another is disclosed. No tools are required to dismantle the tethered top, since a center connector shaft is secured to a pair of end connectors which are keyed into the respective body section halves, with at least one of the end connectors being threadedly connected to the connector shaft. A wooden center shaft or axle member is disposed concentrically on the connector shaft, having an axial bore, and this axle member engages into counterbores at the inner sides of the body section halves. Similar counterbores are located at the outside surface of each half, for receiving the keyed end connectors. Thus, each body section half is reversible, and the tethered top may be assembled in any of three general configurations. The wooden axle member may be removed and replaced when worn out by dismantling the tethered top.