Patents by Inventor Andrew K. Wells

Andrew K. Wells has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240137435
    Abstract: A method on a mobile device for a wireless network is described. An audio input is monitored for a trigger phrase spoken by a user of the mobile device. A command phrase spoken by the user after the trigger phrase is buffered. The command phrase corresponds to a call command and a call parameter. A set of target contacts associated with the mobile device is selected based on respective voice validation scores and respective contact confidence scores. The respective voice validation scores are based on the call parameter. The respective contact confidence scores are based on a user context associated with the user. A call to a priority contact of the set of target contacts is automatically placed if the voice validation score of the priority contact meets a validation threshold and the contact confidence score of the priority contact meets a confidence threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ondo, Michael P. Labowicz, Hideki Yoshino, Andrew K. Wells
  • Patent number: 11876922
    Abstract: A method on a mobile device for a wireless network is described. An audio input is monitored for a trigger phrase spoken by a user of the mobile device. A command phrase spoken by the user after the trigger phrase is buffered. The command phrase corresponds to a call command and a call parameter. A set of target contacts associated with the mobile device is selected based on respective voice validation scores and respective contact confidence scores. The respective voice validation scores are based on the call parameter. The respective contact confidence scores are based on a user context associated with the user. A call to a priority contact of the set of target contacts is automatically placed if the voice validation score of the priority contact meets a validation threshold and the contact confidence score of the priority contact meets a confidence threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ondo, Michael P. Labowicz, Hideki Yoshino, Andrew K. Wells
  • Publication number: 20230328468
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving a request to output audio at a first speaker and a second speaker of an electronic device, determining that the electronic device is oriented in a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation, identifying, based on the determined orientation, a first equalization setting for the first speaker and a second equalization setting for the second speaker, providing, for output at the first speaker, a first audio signal with the first equalization setting, and providing, for output at the second speaker, a second audio signal with the second equalization setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Prabhu Annabathula, Kevin J. Bastyr, Andrew K. Wells, Wen Hao Zhang
  • Patent number: 11706577
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving a request to output audio at a first speaker and a second speaker of an electronic device, determining that the electronic device is oriented in a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation, identifying, based on the determined orientation, a first equalization setting for the first speaker and a second equalization setting for the second speaker, providing, for output at the first speaker, a first audio signal with the first equalization setting, and providing, for output at the second speaker, a second audio signal with the second equalization setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Kevin J. Bastyr, Prabhu Annabathula, Andrew K. Wells, Wen Hao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220303377
    Abstract: A method on a mobile device for a wireless network is described. An audio input is monitored for a trigger phrase spoken by a user of the mobile device. A command phrase spoken by the user after the trigger phrase is buffered. The command phrase corresponds to a call command and a call parameter. A set of target contacts associated with the mobile device is selected based on respective voice validation scores and respective contact confidence scores. The respective voice validation scores are based on the call parameter. The respective contact confidence scores are based on a user context associated with the user. A call to a priority contact of the set of target contacts is automatically placed if the voice validation score of the priority contact meets a validation threshold and the contact confidence score of the priority contact meets a confidence threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ondo, Michael P. Labowicz, Hideki Yoshino, Andrew K. Wells
  • Patent number: 11375329
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a request to output audio at a speaker of an electronic device, determining whether the speaker of the electronic device is facing substantially towards or away from a support surface, identifying, based on whether the speaker of the electronic device is facing substantially towards or away from the support surface, an equalization setting, and providing, for output at the speaker of the electronic device, an audio signal with the equalization setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Kevin J. Bastyr, Prabhu Annabathula, Andrew K. Wells, Wen Hao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20190379988
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a request to output audio at a speaker of an electronic device, determining whether the speaker of the electronic device is facing substantially towards or away from a support surface, identifying, based on whether the speaker of the electronic device is facing substantially towards or away from the support surface, an equalization setting, and providing, for output at the speaker of the electronic device, an audio signal with the equalization setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Kevin J. Bastyr, Prabhu Anabathula, Andrew K. Wells, Wen Hao Zhang
  • Patent number: 10405113
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for equalizing audio data for output by a speaker of an electronic device based on a local position or orientation of the electronic device. According to certain aspects, the electronic device can determine (858, 868) its local position based on various sensor data, and identify (870, 872) an appropriate equalization setting. In some cases, the electronic device can modify (876, 880) the equalization setting based on acoustic and/or optical data. The electronic device can apply (882) the modified or unmodified equalization setting to an audio signal and cause the speaker to output (886) the audio signal with the applied equalization setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Kevin J. Bastyr, Prabhu Anabathula, Andrew K. Wells, Wen Hao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20190208344
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving a request to output audio at a first speaker and a second speaker of an electronic device, determining that the electronic device is oriented in a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation, identifying, based on the determined orientation, a first equalization setting for the first speaker and a second equalization setting for the second speaker, providing, for output at the first speaker, a first audio signal with the first equalization setting, and providing, for output at the second speaker, a second audio signal with the second equalization setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Kevin J. Bastyr, Prabhu Anabathula, Andrew K. Wells, Wen Hao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20180098166
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for equalizing audio data for output by a speaker of an electronic device based on a local position or orientation of the electronic device. According to certain aspects, the electronic device can determine (858, 868) its local position based on various sensor data, and identify (870, 872) an appropriate equalization setting. In some cases, the electronic device can modify (876, 880) the equalization setting based on acoustic and/or optical data. The electronic device can apply (882) the modified or unmodified equalization setting to an audio signal and cause the speaker to output (886) the audio signal with the applied equalization setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Kevin J. Bastyr, Prabhu Anabathula, Andrew K. Wells, Wen Hao Zhang
  • Patent number: 9854374
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for equalizing audio data for output by a speaker of an electronic device based on a local position or orientation of the electronic device. According to certain aspects, the electronic device can determine (858, 868) its local position based on various sensor data, and identify (870, 872) an appropriate equalization setting. In some cases, the electronic device can modify (876, 880) the equalization setting based on acoustic and/or optical data. The electronic device can apply (882) the modified or unmodified equalization setting to an audio signal and cause the speaker to output (886) the audio signal with the applied equalization setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Kevin J. Bastyr, Prabhu Annabathula, Andrew K. Wells, Wen Hao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170055092
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for equalizing audio data for output by a speaker of an electronic device based on a local position or orientation of the electronic device. According to certain aspects, the electronic device can determine (858, 868) its local position based on various sensor data, and identify (870, 872) an appropriate equalization setting. In some cases, the electronic device can modify (876, 880) the equalization setting based on acoustic and/or optical data. The electronic device can apply (882) the modified or unmodified equalization setting to an audio signal and cause the speaker to output (886) the audio signal with the applied equalization setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Kevin J. Bastyr, Prabhu Annabathula, Andrew K. Wells, Wen Hao Zhang
  • Patent number: 9525770
    Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a housing (127,128) having a front major face, a rear major face, a first side edge (201), and a second side edge 202. A display (102) is disposed along the front major face. At least three proximity sensor components (203,204,205), operable with one or more processors (116), are disposed along the front major face and arranged to define a line (206) that is diagonal to one or more of the first side edge and the second side edge. Also, at least three additional proximity sensor components (303,304,305) are disposed along the rear major face and arranged to define another line (306) diagonal to one or more of the first side edge and the second side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Rachid M. Alameh, Gregory S. Meiste, Andrew K. Wells
  • Patent number: 9521497
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for equalizing audio data for output by a speaker of an electronic device based on a local position or orientation of the electronic device. According to certain aspects, the electronic device can determine (858, 868) its local position based on various sensor data, and identify (870, 872) an appropriate equalization setting. In some cases, the electronic device can modify (876, 880) the equalization setting based on acoustic and/or optical data. The electronic device can apply (882) the modified or unmodified equalization setting to an audio signal and cause the speaker to output (886) the audio signal with the applied equalization setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Kevin J. Bastyr, Prabhu Annabathula, Andrew K. Wells, Wen Hao Zhang
  • Patent number: 9401130
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic device comprising a receiver, a display, an application processor and a sensor hub. The receiver is configured to receive notifications from a remote device. The display is configured to provide information including notifications. The application processor and the sensor hub are in communication with the display. The application processor is configured to provide instructions for displaying full screen information at the display during a non-sleep mode of the electronic device. The full screen information includes a first notification associated with information received by the electronic device during the non-sleep mode. The sensor hub is configured to provide instructions for displaying partial screen information at the display during a sleep mode of the electronic device. The partial screen information includes a second notification associated with information received by the electronic device during the sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Gunn, Nathan M. Connell, Christian L. Flowers, Andrew K. Wells, Long Ling
  • Publication number: 20160155426
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic device comprising a receiver, a display, an application processor and a sensor hub. The receiver is configured to receive notifications from a remote device. The display is configured to provide information including notifications. The application processor and the sensor hub are in communication with the display. The application processor is configured to provide instructions for displaying full screen information at the display during a non-sleep mode of the electronic device. The full screen information includes a first notification associated with information received by the electronic device during the non-sleep mode. The sensor hub is configured to provide instructions for displaying partial screen information at the display during a sleep mode of the electronic device. The partial screen information includes a second notification associated with information received by the electronic device during the sleep mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Michael E. Gunn, Nathan M. Connell, Christian L. Flowers, Andrew K. Wells, Long Ling
  • Patent number: 9310874
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic device comprising a receiver, a display, an application processor and a sensor hub. The receiver is configured to receive notifications from a remote device. The display is configured to provide information including notifications. The application processor and the sensor hub are in communication with the display. The application processor is configured to provide instructions for displaying full screen information at the display during a non-sleep mode of the electronic device. The full screen information includes a first notification associated with information received by the electronic device during the non-sleep mode. The sensor hub is configured to provide instructions for displaying partial screen information at the display during a sleep mode of the electronic device. The partial screen information includes a second notification associated with information received by the electronic device during the sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Michael E Gunn, Nathan M Connell, Christian L Flowers, Andrew K Wells, Long Ling
  • Publication number: 20160057555
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for equalizing audio data for output by a speaker of an electronic device based on a local position or orientation of the electronic device. According to certain aspects, the electronic device can determine (858, 868) its local position based on various sensor data, and identify (870, 872) an appropriate equalization setting. In some cases, the electronic device can modify (876, 880) the equalization setting based on acoustic and/or optical data. The electronic device can apply (882) the modified or unmodified equalization setting to an audio signal and cause the speaker to output (886) the audio signal with the applied equalization setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Kevin J. Bastyr, Prabhu Annabathula, Andrew K. Wells, Wen Hao Zhang
  • Patent number: 9223937
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending an authentication timeout period for an electronic device includes a primary processor of the electronic device initiating an authentication timeout period at a timeout initiation time and putting the primary processor into a sleep mode. The method also includes awakening the primary processor from the sleep mode at an expiration time, upon expiration of the authentication timeout period, and determining whether an authentication timeout extending input was detected by an adjunct processor of the electronic device at an input detection time that occurred during the authentication timeout period. The method further includes extending the authentication timeout period to expire at an extended expiration time, which is based on the input detection time, when the authentication timeout extending input was detected by the adjunct processor or locking the electronic device when the authentication timeout extending input was not detected by the adjunct processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Christian L Flowers, Michael E Gunn, Jarrett K Simerson, Andrew K Wells
  • Patent number: 9225815
    Abstract: A method on a mobile device for providing an audio output to a user at a determined loudness level is described. A text input is received. A loudness level of an audio output, corresponding to the text input, is determined based on a volume setting of the mobile device and a non-linear adjustment of the volume setting. The audio output is provided to an audio output component at the determined loudness level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Wen Hao Zhang, Prabhu Anabathula, Jonathan E Eklund, Adrian M Schuster, Andrew K Wells