FOUNDATIONAL PATENTS

IN CONVERSATIONAL AI

About VB Assets

VB Assets, LLC (d/b/a Voicebox Tech) owns and licenses a portfolio of intellectual property covering innovations in voice assistants and conversational AI used in modern voice systems.

Our predecessor company, Voicebox Technologies Corporation, was a pioneer in conversational AI. Founded in 2001, Voicebox developed early natural language systems designed to improve human–machine interaction, including one of the first smart speaker prototypes, “Cybermind.” Voicebox Technologies Corporation. went on to establish licensing relationships with companies including Toyota, Lexus, Samsung, AT&T, Intel, LG, Harman, Pioneer, Panasonic, Denso, Fujitsu, TomTom, Renault, Magellan, SirriusXM, Stellantis and others. Key intellectual property developed by Voicebox forms the foundation of VB Assets' current patent portfolio.

Today, VB Assets focuses on licensing, enforcing, and expanding its patent portfolio.

Voicebox was a Pioneer in Natural Language Innovation

Founded in 2001, Voicebox Technologies was an early developer of natural language voice systems. Early innovations included “Cybermind”, a smart speaker and voice assistant capable of responding to complex, multi-domain, non-scripted voice commands in natural language.

Featured on KING5 News, (Seattle’s NBC affiliate), the demonstration reflected a significant step forward in conversational interaction at the time. The intellectual property developed during this period now forms a core part of VB Assets’ patent portfolio.

[historical coverage video link]

VB Assets’ Patent Portfolio Continues the Legacy of Innovation

VB Assets continues to file new patents, reflecting its ongoing commitment to advancing and protecting conversational AI technologies.

VB Assets owns and licenses a portfolio of more than 30 issued patents relating to foundational aspects of conversational AI and voice-enabled systems, including natural language understanding, voice commerce, voice advertising, and content dedication.

These patents originated from innovations developed by its predecessor companies and address core technologies used in modern voice-enabled platforms.

Certain patents within the portfolio have been validated through litigation in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, where a jury found asserted patents valid and infringed, and the Court awarded damages along with ongoing royalty rates.

VB Assets actively licenses its intellectual property and works with companies utilizing technologies covered by its patents to establish appropriate licensing arrangements.

Cooperative Conversations (Natural Language Understanding)

Our family of Cooperative Conversations patents relate to cooperative (goal-oriented) conversational interactions between users and voice-enabled systems. These patents relate to interpreting complex commands, maintaining contextual awareness, and generating structured responses across multiple steps.

In practical terms, this includes conversational interactions such as requesting weather updates, adjusting smart home settings, troubleshooting a device through voice prompts, or navigating multi-step service requests. The patented methods address how systems refine user intent, remember prior inputs, and guide structured conversational flows within a natural language interface.

United States Patent: 11222626
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
Inventor(s): Baldwin; Larry (Maple Valley, WA), Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Tjalve; Michael (Bellevue, WA), Ebersold; Blane (Seattle, WA), Weider; Chris (Seattle, WA)
Cooperative Conversation: System and method for a cooperative conversational voice user interface

Abstract
A cooperative conversational voice user interface is provided. The cooperative conversational voice user interface may build upon short-term and long-term shared knowledge to generate one or more explicit and/or implicit hypotheses about an intent of a user utterance. The hypotheses may be ranked based on varying degrees of certainty, and an adaptive response may be generated for the user. Responses may be worded based on the degrees of certainty and to frame an appropriate domain for a subsequent utterance. In one implementation, misrecognitions may be tolerated, and conversational course may be corrected based on subsequent utterances and/or responses.
United States Patent: 10755699
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
Inventor(s): Baldwin; Larry (Maple Valley, WA), Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Tjalve; Michael (Bellevue, WA), Ebersold; Blane (Seattle, WA), Weider; Chris (Seattle, WA)
Cooperative Conversation: System and method for a cooperative conversational voice user interface

Abstract
A cooperative conversational voice user interface is provided. The cooperative conversational voice user interface may build upon short-term and long-term shared knowledge to generate one or more explicit and/or implicit hypotheses about an intent of a user utterance. The hypotheses may be ranked based on varying degrees of certainty, and an adaptive response may be generated for the user. Responses may be worded based on the degrees of certainty and to frame an appropriate domain for a subsequent utterance. In one implementation, misrecognitions may be tolerated, and conversational course may be corrected based on subsequent utterances and/or responses.
United States Patent: 10515628 Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
Inventor(s): Baldwin; Larry (Maple Valley, WA), Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Tjalve; Michael (Bellevue, WA), Ebersold; Blane (Seattle, WA), Weider; Chris (Seattle, WA)
Cooperative Conversation: System and method for a cooperative conversational voice user interface

Abstract
A cooperative conversational voice user interface is provided. The cooperative conversational voice user interface may build upon short-term and long-term shared knowledge to generate one or more explicit and/or implicit hypotheses about an intent of a user utterance. The hypotheses may be ranked based on varying degrees of certainty, and an adaptive response may be generated for the user. Responses may be worded based on the degrees of certainty and to frame an appropriate domain for a subsequent utterance. In one implementation, misrecognitions may be tolerated, and conversational course may be corrected based on subsequent utterances and/or responses.
United States Patent: 10510341
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
Inventor(s): Baldwin; Larry (Maple Valley, WA), Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Tjalve; Michael (Bellevue, WA), Ebersold; Blane (Seattle, WA), Weider; Chris (Seattle, WA)
Cooperative Conversation: System and method for a cooperative conversational voice user interface

Abstract
A cooperative conversational voice user interface is provided. The cooperative conversational voice user interface may build upon short-term and long-term shared knowledge to generate one or more explicit and/or implicit hypotheses about an intent of a user utterance. The hypotheses may be ranked based on varying degrees of certainty, and an adaptive response may be generated for the user. Responses may be worded based on the degrees of certainty and to frame an appropriate domain for a subsequent utterance. In one implementation, misrecognitions may be tolerated, and conversational course may be corrected based on subsequent utterances and/or responses.
United States Patent: 10297249
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
Inventor(s): Baldwin; Larry (Maple Valley, WA), Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Tjalve; Michael (Bellevue, WA), Ebersold; Blane (Seattle, WA), Weider; Chris (Everett, WA)
Cooperative Conversation: System and method for a cooperative conversational voice user interface

Abstract
A cooperative conversational voice user interface is provided. The cooperative conversational voice user interface may build upon short-term and long-term shared knowledge to generate one or more explicit and/or implicit hypotheses about an intent of a user utterance. The hypotheses may be ranked based on varying degrees of certainty, and an adaptive response may be generated for the user. Responses may be worded based on the degrees of certainty and to frame an appropriate domain for a subsequent utterance. In one implementation, misrecognitions may be tolerated, and conversational course may be corrected based on subsequent utterances and/or responses.
United States Patent: 9015049
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
Inventor(s): Baldwin; Larry (Maple Valley, WA), Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Tjalve; Michael (Bellevue, WA), Ebersold; Blane (Seattle, WA), Weider; Chris (Everett, WA)
Cooperative Conversation: System and method for a cooperative conversational voice user interface

Abstract
A cooperative conversational voice user interface is provided. The cooperative conversational voice user interface may build upon short-term and long-term shared knowledge to generate one or more explicit and/or implicit hypotheses about an intent of a user utterance. The hypotheses may be ranked based on varying degrees of certainty, and an adaptive response may be generated for the user. Responses may be worded based on the degrees of certainty and to frame an appropriate domain for a subsequent utterance. In one implementation, misrecognitions may be tolerated, and conversational course may be corrected based on subsequent utterances and/or responses.
United States Patent: 8515765
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
Inventor(s): Baldwin; Larry (Maple Valley, WA), Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Tjalve; Michael (Bellevue, WA), Ebersold; Blane (Seattle, WA), Weider; Chris (Everett, WA)
Cooperative Conversation: System and method for a cooperative conversational voice user interface

Abstract
A cooperative conversational voice user interface is provided. The cooperative conversational voice user interface may build upon short-term and long-term shared knowledge to generate one or more explicit and/or implicit hypotheses about an intent of a user utterance. The hypotheses may be ranked based on varying degrees of certainty, and an adaptive response may be generated for the user. Responses may be worded based on the degrees of certainty and to frame an appropriate domain for a subsequent utterance. In one implementation, misrecognitions may be tolerated, and conversational course may be corrected based on subsequent utterances and/or responses.
United States Patent: 8073681
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: December 06, 2011
Inventor(s): Baldwin; Larry (Maple Valley, WA), Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Tjalve; Michael (Bellevue, WA), Ebersold; Blane (Seattle, WA), Weider; Chris (Everett, WA)
Cooperative Conversation: System and method for a cooperative conversational voice user interface

Abstract
A cooperative conversational voice user interface is provided. The cooperative conversational voice user interface may build upon short-term and long-term shared knowledge to generate one or more explicit and/or implicit hypotheses about an intent of a user utterance. The hypotheses may be ranked based on varying degrees of certainty, and an adaptive response may be generated for the user. Responses may be worded based on the degrees of certainty and to frame an appropriate domain for a subsequent utterance. In one implementation, misrecognitions may be tolerated, and conversational course may be corrected based on subsequent utterances and/or responses.

Voice Commerce

Our family of Voice Commerce patents relate to enabling ecommerce transactions through natural language, including the use of short-term and long-term user context. From ordering groceries to booking services, these patented systems streamline the buying process, reduce friction, and support more personalized shopping experiences. Our patented solutions enable secure, intuitive transactions through voice-based interactions.

United States Patent: 11087385
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
Inventor(s)Kennewick, Sr.; Michael R.
Voice commerce
Abstract
In certain implementations, a system for facilitating voice commerce is provided. A user input comprising a natural language utterance related to a product or service to be purchased may be received. A first product or service that is to be purchased may be determined based on the utterance. First payment information that is to be used to purchase the first product or service may be obtained. First shipping information that is to be used to deliver the first product or service may be obtained. A purchase transaction for the first product or service may completed based on the first payment information and the first shipping information without further user input, after the receipt of utterance, that identifies a product or service type or a product or service, seller information, payment information, shipping information, or other information related to purchasing the first product or service.
Inventors:
Kennewick, Sr.; Michael R. (Bellevue, WA)
Applicant:
VB Assets, LLC (Bellevue, WA)
Family ID:
55455147
Assignee:
VB Assets, LLC (Bellevue, WA)
Appl. No.:
16/553553
Filed:
August 28, 2019
Prior Publication Data
Document IdentifierPublication DateUS 20190385218 A1Dec. 19, 2019
United States Patent: 10430863
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: October 01, 2019
Inventor(s)Kennewick, Sr.; Michael R.
Voice commerce

Abstract
In certain implementations, a system for facilitating voice commerce is provided. A user input comprising a natural language utterance related to a product or service to be purchased may be received. A first product or service that is to be purchased may be determined based on the utterance. First payment information that is to be used to purchase the first product or service may be obtained. First shipping information that is to be used to deliver the first product or service may be obtained. A purchase transaction for the first product or service may completed based on the first payment information and the first shipping information without further user input, after the receipt of utterance, that identifies a product or service type or a product or service, seller information, payment information, shipping information, or other information related to purchasing the first product or service.
Inventors:
Kennewick, Sr.; Michael R. (Bellevue, WA)
Applicant:
VB ASSETS, LLC (Bellevue, WA)
Family ID:
55455147
Assignee:
VB Assets, LLC (Bellevue, WA)
Appl. No.:
15/484930
Filed:
April 11, 2017
Prior Publication Data
Document IdentifierPublication DateUS 20170221134 A1Aug. 03, 2017
United States Patent: 9626703
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
Inventor(s)Kennewick, Sr.; Michael R.
Voice commerce

Abstract
In certain implementations, a system for facilitating voice commerce is provided. A user input comprising a natural language utterance related to a product or service to be purchased may be received. A first product or service that is to be purchased may be determined based on the utterance. First payment information that is to be used to purchase the first product or service may be obtained. First shipping information that is to be used to deliver the first product or service may be obtained. A purchase transaction for the first product or service may completed based on the first payment information and the first shipping information without further user input, after the receipt of utterance, that identifies a product or service type or a product or service, seller information, payment information, shipping information, or other information related to purchasing the first product or service.
Inventors:
Kennewick, Sr.; Michael R. (Bellevue, WA)
Applicant:
VOICEBOX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION (Bellevue, WA)
Family ID:
55455147
Assignee:
VoiceBox Technologies Corporation (Bellevue, WA)
Appl. No.:
14/855334
Filed:
September 15, 2015

Voice Advertising

Our family of Voice Advertising patents relate to delivering advertising within voice and conversational interactions. These patents address personalized and context-driven ad experiences presented as part of a conversational exchange, making advertising more relevant to the user’s request.

Examples include presenting a relevant offer while a user is searching for a product or service by voice, or offering a sponsored option during a voice-guided selection process.

United States Patent: 12236456
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
Inventor(s)Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Kennewick; Mike (Bellevue, WA)
Voice Advertising: System and method for delivering targeted advertisements and/or providing natural language processing based on advertisements System and Method for Delivering Targeted Advertisements and/or Providing Natural Language Processing Based on Advertisements
Abstract
The system and method described herein may use various natural language models to deliver targeted advertisements and/or provide natural language processing based on advertisements. In one implementation, an advertisement associated with a product or service may be provided for presentation to a user. A natural language utterance of the user may be received. The natural language utterance may be interpreted based on the advertisement and, responsive to the existence of a pronoun in the natural language utterance, a determination of whether the pronoun refers to one or more of the product or service or a provider of the product or service may be effectuated.
United States Patent: 11080758
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: August 03, 2021
Inventor(s)Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Kennewick; Mike (Bellevue, WA)
Voice Advertising: System and method for delivering targeted advertisements and/or providing natural language processing based on advertisements
Abstract
The system and method described herein may use various natural language models to deliver targeted advertisements and/or provide natural language processing based on advertisements. In one implementation, an advertisement associated with a product or service may be provided for presentation to a user. A natural language utterance of the user may be received. The natural language utterance may be interpreted based on the advertisement and, responsive to the existence of a pronoun in the natural language utterance, a determination of whether the pronoun refers to one or more of the product or service or a provider of the product or service may be effectuated.
United States Patent: 10134060
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
Inventor(s)Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Kennewick; Mike (Bellevue, WA)
Voice Advertising: System and method for delivering targeted advertisements and/or providing natural language processing based on advertisements
Abstract
The system and method described herein may use various natural language models to deliver targeted advertisements and/or provide natural language processing based on advertisements. In one implementation, an advertisement associated with a product or service may be provided for presentation to a user. A natural language utterance of the user may be received. The natural language utterance may be interpreted based on the advertisement and, responsive to the existence of a pronoun in the natural language utterance, a determination of whether the pronoun refers to one or more of the product or service or a provider of the product or service may be effectuated.
United States Patent: 9406078
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
Inventor(s)Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Kennewick; Mike (Bellevue, WA)
Voice Advertising: System and method for delivering targeted advertisements and/or providing natural language processing based on advertisements
Abstract
The system and method described herein may use various natural language models to deliver targeted advertisements and/or provide natural language processing based on advertisements. In one implementation, an advertisement associated with a product or service may be provided for presentation to a user. A natural language utterance of the user may be received. The natural language utterance may be interpreted based on the advertisement and, responsive to the existence of a pronoun in the natural language utterance, a determination of whether the pronoun refers to one or more of the product or service or a provider of the product or service may be effectuated.
United States Patent: 9269097
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
Inventor(s)Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Kennewick; Mike (Bellevue, WA)
Voice Advertising: System and method for delivering targeted advertisements and/or providing natural language processing based on advertisements
Abstract
The system and method described herein may use various natural language models to deliver targeted advertisements and/or provide natural language processing based on advertisements. In one implementation, an advertisement associated with a product or service may be provided for presentation to a user. A natural language utterance of the user may be received. The natural language utterance may be interpreted based on the advertisement and, responsive to the existence of a pronoun in the natural language utterance, a determination of whether the pronoun refers to one or more of the product or service or a provider of the product or service may be effectuated.
United States Patent: 8886536
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
Inventor(s)Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Kennewick; Mike (Bellevue, WA)
Voice Advertising: System and method for delivering targeted advertisements and tracking advertisement interactions in voice recognition contexts
Abstract
The system and method described herein may use various natural language models to deliver targeted advertisements and track advertisement interactions in voice recognition contexts. In particular, in response to an input device receiving an utterance, a conversational language processor may select and deliver one or more advertisements targeted to a user that spoke the utterance based on cognitive models associated with the user, various users having similar characteristics to the user, an environment in which the user spoke the utterance, or other criteria. Further, subsequent interaction with the targeted advertisements may be tracked to build and refine the cognitive models and thereby enhance the information used to deliver targeted advertisements in response to subsequent utterances.
United States Patent: 8527274
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: September 03, 2013
Inventor(s)Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Kennewick; Mike (Bellevue, WA)
Voice Advertising: System and method for delivering targeted advertisements and tracking advertisement interactions in voice recognition contexts.
Abstract
The system and method described herein may use various natural language models to deliver targeted advertisements and track advertisement interactions in voice recognition contexts. In particular, in response to an input device receiving an utterance, a conversational language processor may select and deliver one or more advertisements targeted to a user that spoke the utterance based on cognitive models associated with the user, various users having similar characteristics to the user, an environment in which the user spoke the utterance, or other criteria. Further, subsequent interaction with the targeted advertisements may be tracked to build and refine the cognitive models and thereby enhance the information used to deliver targeted advertisements in response to subsequent utterances.
United States Patent: 8145489
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
Inventor(s)Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Kennewick; Mike (Bellevue, WA).
Voice Advertising: System and method for selecting and presenting advertisements based on natural language processing of voice-based input.

Abstract
A system and method for selecting and presenting advertisements based on natural language processing of voice-based inputs is provided. A user utterance may be received at an input device, and a conversational, natural language processor may identify a request from the utterance. At least one advertisement may be selected and presented to the user based on the identified request. The advertisement may be presented as a natural language response, thereby creating a conversational feel to the presentation of advertisements. The request and the user's subsequent interaction with the advertisement may be tracked to build user statistical profiles, thus enhancing subsequent selection and presentation of advertisements.
United States Patent: 7818176
Kind Code: B2
Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
Inventor(s): Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Kennewick; Mike (Bellevue, WA)
Voice Advertising: System and method for selecting and presenting advertisements based on natural language processing of voice-based input

Abstract
A system and method for selecting and presenting advertisements based on natural language processing of voice-based inputs is provided. A user utterance may be received at an input device, and a conversational, natural language processor may identify a request from the utterance. At least one advertisement may be selected and presented to the user based on the identified request. The advertisement may be presented as a natural language response, thereby creating a conversational feel to the presentation of advertisements. The request and the user's subsequent interaction with the advertisement may be tracked to build user statistical profiles, thus enhancing subsequent selection and presentation of advertisements.
Inventors:
Freeman; Tom (Mercer Island, WA), Kennewick; Mike (Bellevue, WA)
Applicant:
VOICEBOX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION (Bellevue, WA)