Patents by Inventor Jay S. Laefer

Jay S. Laefer 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).

  • Patent number: 8307146
    Abstract: A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device through a direct wired path and can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the tunneled information relates to configuring a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the host device and the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lydon, Jay S. Laefer, John Ananny, Terry Tikalsky
  • Patent number: 8239605
    Abstract: A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device through a direct wired path and can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the tunneled information relates to configuring a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the host device and the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lydon, Jay S. Laefer, John Ananny, Terry Tikalsky
  • Patent number: 8200881
    Abstract: A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device through a direct wired path and can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the tunneled information relates to configuring a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the host device and the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lydon, Jay S. Laefer, John Ananny, Terry Tikalsky
  • Publication number: 20120005395
    Abstract: A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device through a direct wired path and can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the tunneled information relates to configuring a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the host device and the accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lydon, Jay S. Laefer, John Ananny, Terry Tikalsky
  • Publication number: 20120003935
    Abstract: A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device through a direct wired path and can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the tunneled information relates to configuring a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the host device and the accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lydon, Jay S. Laefer, John Ananny, Terry Tikalsky
  • Publication number: 20120003934
    Abstract: A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device through a direct wired path and can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the tunneled information relates to configuring a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the host device and the accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lydon, Jay S. Laefer, John Ananny, Terry Tikalsky
  • Patent number: 8078787
    Abstract: A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device through a direct wired path and can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the tunneled information relates to configuring a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the host device and the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lydon, Jay S. Laefer, John Ananny, Terry Tikalsky
  • Patent number: 8006019
    Abstract: Techniques for transferring stored data between a media player and an accessory. In one set of embodiments, one of the media player and the accessory can obtain a unique identifier for a particular file stored in the other of the media player and the accessory. The one of the media player and the accessory can then retrieve data from the stored file using the unique identifier. In certain embodiments, accessories and media players can retrieve and store data utilizing an arbitrary format. This data can be opaque to any protocol used by the media player or accessory and can require no parsing or interpretation. To provide this facility, a plurality of commands can allow both media players and accessories to present a simple file system. The plurality of commands can be utilized in a variety of environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Apple, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Laefer, Scott Krueger, Gregory Lydon
  • Patent number: 7908415
    Abstract: A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a portable media player to control settings of portable media player when receiving video from an accessory, to control playback of the portable media player and to provide for navigation between video tracks in a hierarchical fashion. In so doing, a portable media player can then utilize this information to provide for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the portable media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Laefer, Gregory T. Lydon, Donald J. Novotney, John Benjamin Filson, David Tupman
  • Patent number: 7797471
    Abstract: A method, system, and connector interface for transferring album artwork between a media player and an accessory. The method comprises obtaining, by the accessory, artwork information associated with album artwork from the media player; and obtaining, by the accessory, the album artwork from the media player based on the artwork information. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands utilized in a variety of environments, such as within a connector interface system environment, to facilitate the transfer of album artwork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Laefer, Gregory T. Lydon, Donald J. Novotney, John B. Filson, David Tupman
  • Publication number: 20100106879
    Abstract: A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a portable media player to control settings of portable media player when receiving video from an accessory, to control playback of the portable media player and to provide for navigation between video tracks in a hierarchical fashion. In so doing, a portable media player can then utilize this information to provide for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the portable media player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Laefer, Gregory T. Lydon, Donald J. Novotney, John B. Filson, David Tupman
  • Patent number: 7673083
    Abstract: A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a portable media player to control settings of the portable media player when receiving video from an accessory, to control playback of the portable media player, and to provide for navigation between video tracks in a hierarchical fashion. In so doing, a portable media player can then utilize this information to provide for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the portable media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Laefer, Gregory T. Lydon, Donald J. Novotney, John B. Filson, David Tupman
  • Publication number: 20100049350
    Abstract: Techniques for transferring stored data between a media player and an accessory. In one set of embodiments, one of the media player and the accessory can obtain a unique identifier for a particular file stored in the other of the media player and the accessory. The one of the media player and the accessory can then retrieve data from the stored file using the unique identifier. In certain embodiments, accessories and media players can retrieve and store data utilizing an arbitrary format. This data can be opaque to any protocol used by the media player or accessory and can require no parsing or interpretation. To provide this facility, a plurality of commands can allow both media players and accessories to present a simple file system. The plurality of commands can be utilized in a variety of environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Laefer, Scott Krueger, Gregory T. Lydon
  • Patent number: 7634605
    Abstract: A method, system and connector interface for transferring stored data between a media player and an accessory is disclosed. The method and system comprises obtaining by one of the media player and the accessory a unique identifier for a particular file stored in the other of the media player and the accessory; and returning the unique identifier with the stored file data to the one of the media player and the accessory. The system and method includes utilizing the stored file by the one of the media player or the accessory. In the method, system and connector interface in accordance with the present invention, accessories and media players are able to retrieve and store data utilizing an arbitrary format. This data is opaque to any protocol used by the media player and requires no parsing or interpretation. To provide this facility, a plurality of commands allows both media players and accessories to present a simple file system. The plurality of commands could be utilized in a variety of environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Laefer, Scott Krueger, Gregory T. Lydon
  • Publication number: 20090013253
    Abstract: A method and system in accordance with the present invention allows an accessory to control settings of a portable media player when providing video to an accessory, to control playback of the portable media player and to provide for navigation between video tracks in a hierarchical fashion. In so doing, a portable media player can then utilize this information to provide for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the portable media player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Laefer, Gregory T. Lydon, Donald J. Novotney, John B. Filson, David Tupman
  • Publication number: 20080320190
    Abstract: A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device through a direct wired path and can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the tunneled information relates to configuring a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the host device and the accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lydon, Jay S. Laefer, John Ananny, Terry Tikalsky
  • Publication number: 20070300155
    Abstract: A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a portable media player to control settings of portable media player when receiving video from an accessory, to control playback of the portable media player and to provide for navigation between video tracks in a hierarchical fashion. In so doing, a portable media player can then utilize this information to provide for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the portable media player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Jay S. Laefer, Gregory T. Lydon, Donald J. Novotney, John B. Filson, David Tupman
  • Publication number: 20070233295
    Abstract: A method, system, and connector interface for transferring album artwork between a media player and an accessory. The method comprises obtaining, by the accessory, artwork information associated with album artwork from the media player; and obtaining, by the accessory, the album artwork from the media player based on the artwork information. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands utilized in a variety of environments, such as within a connector interface system environment, to facilitate the transfer of album artwork.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Jay S. Laefer, Gregory T. Lydon, Donald J. Novotney, John B. Filson, David Tupman