Patents by Inventor Andy Belk

Andy Belk 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: 20230308135
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring and controlling a digital media device are described. A digital media device can be configured or controlled by a mobile device, e.g., a smart mobile phone. When the digital media device is being configured, the digital media device can broadcast a signal, indicating that the digital media device is requesting configuration information from a mobile device. A mobile device located in proximity of the digital media device, upon detecting the signal, can perform various security checks to determine that the request is legitimate, and then open a communication channel with the digital media device. The mobile device can provide user preferences of the mobile device, as well as credentials for accessing and downloading remote content, to the digital media device through the communication channel. Upon receiving the configuration information, the digital media device can use parameters in the configuration information as its settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Andy BELK, Augustin PRATS, Joakim LINDE, Lucas NEWMAN, Nicholas J. PAULSON, Thomas Matthieu ALSINA
  • Patent number: 11626901
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring and controlling a digital media device are described. A digital media device can be configured or controlled by a mobile device, e.g., a smart mobile phone. When the digital media device is being configured, the digital media device can broadcast a signal, indicating that the digital media device is requesting configuration information from a mobile device. A mobile device located in proximity of the digital media device, upon detecting the signal, can perform various security checks to determine that the request is legitimate, and then open a communication channel with the digital media device. The mobile device can provide user preferences of the mobile device, as well as credentials for accessing and downloading remote content, to the digital media device through the communication channel. Upon receiving the configuration information, the digital media device can use parameters in the configuration information as its settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Belk, Augustin Prats, Joakim Linde, Lucas Newman, Nicholas J. Paulson, Thomas Matthieu Alsina
  • Publication number: 20210344379
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring and controlling a digital media device are described. A digital media device can be configured or controlled by a mobile device, e.g., a smart mobile phone. When the digital media device is being configured, the digital media device can broadcast a signal, indicating that the digital media device is requesting configuration information from a mobile device. A mobile device located in proximity of the digital media device, upon detecting the signal, can perform various security checks to determine that the request is legitimate, and then open a communication channel with the digital media device. The mobile device can provide user preferences of the mobile device, as well as credentials for accessing and downloading remote content, to the digital media device through the communication channel. Upon receiving the configuration information, the digital media device can use parameters in the configuration information as its settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Andy BELK, Augustin PRATS, Joakim LINDE, Lucas NEWMAN, Nicholas J. PAULSON, Thomas Matthieu ALSINA
  • Patent number: 11018722
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring and controlling a digital media device are described. A digital media device can be configured or controlled by a mobile device, e.g., a smart mobile phone. When the digital media device is being configured, the digital media device can broadcast a signal, indicating that the digital media device is requesting configuration information from a mobile device. A mobile device located in proximity of the digital media device, upon detecting the signal, can perform various security checks to determine that the request is legitimate, and then open a communication channel with the digital media device. The mobile device can provide user preferences of the mobile device, as well as credentials for accessing and downloading remote content, to the digital media device through the communication channel. Upon receiving the configuration information, the digital media device can use parameters in the configuration information as its settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Belk, Augustin Prats, Joakim Linde, Lucas Newman, Nicholas J. Paulson, Thomas Matthieu Alsina
  • Publication number: 20210006297
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring and controlling a digital media device are described. A digital media device can be configured or controlled by a mobile device, e.g., a smart mobile phone. When the digital media device is being configured, the digital media device can broadcast a signal, indicating that the digital media device is requesting configuration information from a mobile device. A mobile device located in proximity of the digital media device, upon detecting the signal, can perform various security checks to determine that the request is legitimate, and then open a communication channel with the digital media device. The mobile device can provide user preferences of the mobile device, as well as credentials for accessing and downloading remote content, to the digital media device through the communication channel. Upon receiving the configuration information, the digital media device can use parameters in the configuration information as its settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Andy BELK, Augustin PRATS, Joakim LINDE, Lucas NEWMAN, Nicholas J. PAULSON, Thomas Matthieu ALSINA
  • Patent number: 10707919
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring and controlling a digital media device are described. A digital media device can be configured or controlled by a mobile device, e.g., a smart mobile phone. When the digital media device is being configured, the digital media device can broadcast a signal, indicating that the digital media device is requesting configuration information from a mobile device. A mobile device located in proximity of the digital media device, upon detecting the signal, can perform various security checks to determine that the request is legitimate, and then open a communication channel with the digital media device. The mobile device can provide user preferences of the mobile device, as well as credentials for accessing and downloading remote content, to the digital media device through the communication channel. Upon receiving the configuration information, the digital media device can use parameters in the configuration information as its settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Belk, Augustin Prats, Joakim Linde, Lucas Newman, Nicholas J. Paulson, Thomas Matthieu Alsina
  • Publication number: 20200112341
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring and controlling a digital media device are described. A digital media device can be configured or controlled by a mobile device, e.g., a smart mobile phone. When the digital media device is being configured, the digital media device can broadcast a signal, indicating that the digital media device is requesting configuration information from a mobile device. A mobile device located in proximity of the digital media device, upon detecting the signal, can perform various security checks to determine that the request is legitimate, and then open a communication channel with the digital media device. The mobile device can provide user preferences of the mobile device, as well as credentials for accessing and downloading remote content, to the digital media device through the communication channel. Upon receiving the configuration information, the digital media device can use parameters in the configuration information as its settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Andy BELK, Augustin PRATS, Joakim LINDE, Lucas NEWMAN, Nicholas J. PAULSON, Thomas Matthieu ALSINA
  • Patent number: 10439676
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring and controlling a digital media device are described. A digital media device can be configured or controlled by a mobile device, e.g., a smart mobile phone. When the digital media device is being configured, the digital media device can broadcast a signal, indicating that the digital media device is requesting configuration information from a mobile device. A mobile device located in proximity of the digital media device, upon detecting the signal, can perform various security checks to determine that the request is legitimate, and then open a communication channel with the digital media device. The mobile device can provide user preferences of the mobile device, as well as credentials for accessing and downloading remote content, to the digital media device through the communication channel. Upon receiving the configuration information, the digital media device can use parameters in the configuration information as its settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Belk, Augustin Prats, Joakim Linde, Lucas Newman, Nicholas J. Paulson, Thomas Matthieu Alsina
  • Publication number: 20180316389
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring and controlling a digital media device are described. A digital media device can be configured or controlled by a mobile device, e.g., a smart mobile phone. When the digital media device is being configured, the digital media device can broadcast a signal, indicating that the digital media device is requesting configuration information from a mobile device. A mobile device located in proximity of the digital media device, upon detecting the signal, can perform various security checks to determine that the request is legitimate, and then open a communication channel with the digital media device. The mobile device can provide user preferences of the mobile device, as well as credentials for accessing and downloading remote content, to the digital media device through the communication channel. Upon receiving the configuration information, the digital media device can use parameters in the configuration information as its settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Andy BELK, Augustin PRATS, Joakim LINDE, Lucas NEWMAN, Nicholas J. PAULSON, Thomas Matthieu ALSINA
  • Patent number: 9979438
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring and controlling a digital media device are described. A digital media device can be configured or controlled by a mobile device, e.g., a smart mobile phone. When the digital media device is being configured, the digital media device can broadcast a signal, indicating that the digital media device is requesting configuration information from a mobile device. A mobile device located in proximity of the digital media device, upon detecting the signal, can perform various security checks to determine that the request is legitimate, and then open a communication channel with the digital media device. The mobile device can provide user preferences of the mobile device, as well as credentials for accessing and downloading remote content, to the digital media device through the communication channel. Upon receiving the configuration information, the digital media device can use parameters in the configuration information as its settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Belk, Augustin Prats, Joakim Linde, Lucas Newman, Nicholas J. Paulson, Thomas Matthieu Alsina
  • Publication number: 20140364056
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring and controlling a digital media device are described. A digital media device can be configured or controlled by a mobile device, e.g., a smart mobile phone. When the digital media device is being configured, the digital media device can broadcast a signal, indicating that the digital media device is requesting configuration information from a mobile device. A mobile device located in proximity of the digital media device, upon detecting the signal, can perform various security checks to determine that the request is legitimate, and then open a communication channel with the digital media device. The mobile device can provide user preferences of the mobile device, as well as credentials for accessing and downloading remote content, to the digital media device through the communication channel. Upon receiving the configuration information, the digital media device can use parameters in the configuration information as its settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Belk, Augustin Prats, Joakim Linde, Lucas Newman, Nicholas J. Paulson, Thomas Matthieu Alsina
  • Patent number: 8533363
    Abstract: A system includes a server site that includes a memory for storing update data sets that correspond to data sets stored on multiple computing devices of a user. The system also includes a synchronization manager for determining that one computing device associated with the user and another computing device associated with the user are absent one or more data updates stored in the memory at the server site. The synchronization manager is configured to send in parallel, absent establishing a data transfer lock, the one or more data updates to the both computing devices of the user for updating the corresponding data stored on each computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brooke Sharp, Karl Groethe, Andy Belk, Stuart Slack
  • Patent number: 8424756
    Abstract: A calling card includes a gift code that can be used to redeem a gift online (e.g., songs, ring tones, coupons, physical merchandise) using an electronic communications device (e.g., a personal computer, mobile phone, electronic tablet). When a user attempts to redeem the gift online, the user can be provided with a web page, email, text message or other electronic document that provides the user with information about the card provider and allows the user to perform certain actions for the benefit of the card provider or a third party. The card provider can be electronically notified during or after an attempt by the user to redeem the gift online. The identity or other personal information of the user is not shared with the card provider unless the user volunteers to share such information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Andy Belk
  • Publication number: 20120297012
    Abstract: A system includes a server site that includes a memory for storing update data sets that correspond to data sets stored on multiple computing devices of a user. The system also includes a synchronization manager for determining that one computing device associated with the user and another computing device associated with the user are absent one or more data updates stored in the memory at the server site. The synchronization manager is configured to send in parallel, absent establishing a data transfer lock, the one or more data updates to the both computing devices of the user for updating the corresponding data stored on each computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Sharp, Karl Groethe, Andy Belk, Stu Slack
  • Patent number: 8255571
    Abstract: A system includes a server site that includes a memory for storing update data sets that correspond to data sets stored on multiple computing devices of a user. The system also includes a synchronization manager for determining that one computing device associated with the user and another computing device associated with the user are absent one or more data updates stored in the memory at the server site. The synchronization manager is configured to send in parallel, absent establishing a data transfer lock, the one or more data updates to the both computing devices of the user for updating the corresponding data stored on each computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brooke Sharp, Karl Groethe, Andy Belk, Stuart Slack
  • Publication number: 20120118950
    Abstract: A calling card includes a gift code that can be used to redeem a gift online (e.g., songs, ring tones, coupons, physical merchandise) using an electronic communications device (e.g., a personal computer, mobile phone, electronic tablet). When a user attempts to redeem the gift online, the user can be provided with a web page, email, text message or other electronic document that provides the user with information about the card provider and allows the user to perform certain actions for the benefit of the card provider or a third party. The card provider can be electronically notified during or after an attempt by the user to redeem the gift online. The identity or other personal information of the user is not shared with the card provider unless the user volunteers to share such information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Andy Belk
  • Publication number: 20100332682
    Abstract: A system includes a server site that includes a memory for storing update data sets that correspond to data sets stored on multiple computing devices of a user. The system also includes a synchronization manager for determining that one computing device associated with the user and another computing device associated with the user are absent one or more data updates stored in the memory at the server site. The synchronization manager is configured to send in parallel, absent establishing a data transfer lock, the one or more data updates to the both computing devices of the user for updating the corresponding data stored on each computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher Sharp, Karl Groethe, Andy Belk, Stuart Slack