Patents by Inventor Kevin W. Decker

Kevin W. Decker 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: 11227063
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a privacy mechanism to protect user data when transmitting the data to a server that estimates a frequency of such data amongst a set of client devices. In one embodiment, a differential privacy mechanism is implemented using a count-mean-sketch technique that can reduce resource requirements required to enable privacy while providing provable guarantees regarding privacy and utility. For instance, the mechanism can provide the ability to tailor utility (e.g. accuracy of estimations) against the resource requirements (e.g. transmission bandwidth and computation complexity).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Bhowmick, Andrew H. Vyrros, Umesh S. Vaishampayan, Kevin W. Decker, Conrad Shultz, Steve Falkenburg, Mateusz Rajca
  • Patent number: 11036278
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein describe ways that a browser application or other process can reduce power usage by a computing device. Methods include the process suspending one or more plug-ins on a web page by replacing them with a snapshot taken from the plug-in, and reducing processing on non-media plug-ins and non-visible portions of web pages running in the browser, but not currently in focus, such as when a tab is in the background behind a different tab, when a browser window is minimized, or when the web page is entirely or partially occluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Decker, Dean Jackson, Gavin Barraclough, Jon Lee, Craig Federighi, Maciej Stachowiak
  • Patent number: 10936795
    Abstract: A snapshot of a page is stored in response to navigation away from the page. When the user navigates back to the page, the snapshot is displayed while the page is loaded. When the page is sufficiently loaded, the snapshot is replaced by the (fully or partially) loaded page. Determining whether the page is sufficiently loaded is based on monitoring of pre-selected criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Decker, Darin B. Adler, Beth M. Dakin, Brady K. Eidson, Craig M. Federighi
  • Publication number: 20200410134
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a privacy mechanism to protect user data when transmitting the data to a server that estimates a frequency of such data amongst a set of client devices. In one embodiment, a differential privacy mechanism is implemented using a count-mean-sketch technique that can reduce resource requirements required to enable privacy while providing provable guarantees regarding privacy and utility. For instance, the mechanism can provide the ability to tailor utility (e.g. accuracy of estimations) against the resource requirements (e.g. transmission bandwidth and computation complexity).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Abhishek Bhowmick, Andrew H. Vyrros, Umesh S. Vaishampayan, Kevin W. Decker, Conrad Shultz, Steve Falkenburg, Mateusz Rajca
  • Patent number: 10776511
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a privacy mechanism to protect user data when transmitting the data to a server that estimates a frequency of such data amongst a set of client devices. One embodiment uses a differential privacy mechanism to enhance a user experience by inferring potential user preferences from analyzing crowdsourced user interaction data. Based on a statistical analysis of user interactions in relation to various features or events, development efforts with respect to application behavior may be refined or enhanced. For example, user interactions in relation to the presentation of content such as content from online sources may be analyzed. Accordingly, presentation settings or preferences may be defined based on the crowdsourced user interaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Decker, Conrad Shultz, Steve Falkenburg, Mateusz Rajca, Abhishek Bhowmick, Andrew H. Vyrros, Umesh S. Vaishampayan
  • Patent number: 10599867
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a privacy mechanism to protect user data when transmitting the data to a server that estimates a frequency of such data amongst a set of client devices. In one embodiment, a differential privacy mechanism is implemented using a count-mean-sketch technique that can reduce resource requirements required to enable privacy while providing provable guarantees regarding privacy and utility. For instance, the mechanism can provide the ability to tailor utility (e.g. accuracy of estimations) against the resource requirements (e.g. transmission bandwidth and computation complexity).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Bhowmick, Andrew H. Vyrros, Umesh S. Vaishampayan, Kevin W. Decker, Conrad Shultz, Steve Falkenburg, Mateusz Rajca
  • Patent number: 10567529
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed herein for unified tracking data management. An example method is performed at a device with a display and one or more input devices, the method including: displaying a user interface with two or more sets of tracking-data configuration options associated with a plurality of websites, the sets including: a first tracking-data configuration option that, when selected, causes the device to block all of the plurality of websites from storing tracking data; and a second tracking-data configuration option that, when selected, causes the computing device to limit receipt by all of the plurality of websites of information associated with device. While displaying the user interface, the method includes: receiving a selection of the first tracking-data configuration option; and, in response, causing the computing device to block all of the plurality of websites from storing tracking data of at least the first type on the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Steven Jon Falkenburg, Darin Benjamin Adler, Jessie Leah Berlin, Jing Jin, Kevin W. Decker, Maciej Stachowiak
  • Publication number: 20190138077
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein describe ways that a browser application or other process can reduce power usage by a computing device. Methods include the process suspending one or more plug-ins on a web page by replacing them with a snapshot taken from the plug-in, and reducing processing on non-media plug-ins and non-visible portions of web pages running in the browser, but not currently in focus, such as when a tab is in the background behind a different tab, when a browser window is minimized, or when the web page is entirely or partially occluded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin W. Decker, Dean Jackson, Gavin Barraclough, Jon Lee, Craig Federighi, Maciej Stachowiak
  • Publication number: 20190141148
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed herein for unified tracking data management. An example method is performed at a device with a display and one or more input devices, the method including: displaying a user interface with two or more sets of tracking-data configuration options associated with a plurality of websites, the sets including: a first tracking-data configuration option that, when selected, causes the device to block all of the plurality of websites from storing tracking data; and a second tracking-data configuration option that, when selected, causes the computing device to limit receipt by all of the plurality of websites of information associated with device. While displaying the user interface, the method includes: receiving a selection of the first tracking-data configuration option; and, in response, causing the computing device to block all of the plurality of websites from storing tracking data of at least the first type on the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Jon Falkenburg, Darin Benjamin Adler, Jessie Leah Berlin, Jing Jin, Kevin W. Decker, Maciej Stachowiak
  • Patent number: 10209760
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein describe ways that a browser application or other process can reduce power usage by a computing device. Methods include the process suspending one or more plug-ins on a web page by replacing them with a snapshot taken from the plug-in, and reducing processing on non-media plug-ins and non-visible portions of web pages running in the browser, but not currently in focus, such as when a tab is in the background behind a different tab, when a browser window is minimized, or when the web page is entirely or partially occluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Decker, Dean Jackson, Gavin Barraclough, Jon Lee, Craig Federighi, Maciej Stachowiak
  • Patent number: 10165072
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses that collect tracking data items into a plurality of data stores for one or more domain in response to resources received from the domains are described. Each tracking data item may be accessible for one of the domains. Relationships of the domains may be identified among the tracking data items across multiple data stores according to the resources received. One or more of the domains may be selected according to the identified relationships to control accessibility of the tracking data items for the domains. The data stores may be updated to prohibit accessing at least a portion of the tracking data items for the selected domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Steven Jon Falkenburg, Darin Benjamin Adler, Jessie Leah Berlin, Jing Jin, Kevin W. Decker, Maciej Stachowiak
  • Publication number: 20180349637
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a privacy mechanism to protect user data when transmitting the data to a server that estimates a frequency of such data amongst a set of client devices. One embodiment uses a differential privacy mechanism to enhance a user experience by inferring potential user preferences from analyzing crowdsourced user interaction data. Based on a statistical analysis of user interactions in relation to various features or events, development efforts with respect to application behavior may be refined or enhanced. For example, user interactions in relation to the presentation of content such as content from online sources may be analyzed. Accordingly, presentation settings or preferences may be defined based on the crowdsourced user interaction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin W. Decker, Conrad Shultz, Steve Falkenburg, Mateusz Rajca, Abhishek Bhowmick, Andrew H. Vyrros, Umesh S. Vaishampayan
  • Patent number: 10055096
    Abstract: A content list panel displays a list of article representations. In response to a selection of an article representation from the content list panel, the content application loads an article associated with the selected article representation in addition to one or more second articles. By preloading the second articles, the user can continuously read through different articles in the main window of the content application without having to select an article representation from the content list panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Falkenburg, Kevin W. Decker, Darin Benjamin Adler, Ada Y. Chan
  • Patent number: 9761034
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein describe ways that a browser application can smoothly animate changing (i.e., decreasing, increasing) web page content width upon opening or closing of a sidebar. Methods include the browser analyzing the web page layout to identify a dominant page portion or to determine whether a centered portion layout exists, temporarily obscuring the web page with a snapshot of the page, identifying the location and size of the dominant or centered portion on the web page, and using the information to make changes to the web page in a layer hidden behind the snapshot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Mondello, Kevin W. Decker, Damian Kaleta, Steven J. Falkenburg
  • Patent number: 9563334
    Abstract: A reading list panel is displayed as a sidebar window with respect to a main window of a content viewing application. In response to a first input, a first article representation of a first article associated with a presentation page displayed in the main window is listed in the reading list panel, where the first article representation includes information identifying the first article. In response to a selection of a second article representation from the reading list panel, content of a second article represented by the second article representation is presented in a reader mode within the main window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Donald D. Melton, Darin B. Adler, Alice Liu, Kevin W. Decker, Brady K. Eidson, Gavin Barraclough, Steven J. Falkenburg
  • Patent number: 9524272
    Abstract: In any context where a user can view multiple different content items, switching among content items is provided using an array mode. In a full-frame mode, one content item is visible and active, but other content items may also be open. In response to user input the display can be switched to an array mode, in which all of the content items are visible in a scrollable array. Selecting a content item in array mode can result in the display returning to the full-frame mode, with the selected content item becoming visible and active. Smoothly animated transitions between the full-frame and array modes and a gesture-based interface for controlling the transitions can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Decker, Nicholas Zambetti, Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Raymond Sepulveda, Duncan R. Kerr, Julian Missig, Matthew Irvine Brown, Donald Melton
  • Patent number: 9483574
    Abstract: A content application includes one or more content list panels. The content application provides mechanisms that allow the user to easily manage article representations included in the content lists such as adding article representations a content list and editing the items directly in menus associated with the content lists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Decker, Darin Benjamin Adler, Steven J. Falkenburg, Raymond Sepulveda, Craig Federighi, Steve O. Lemay, Patrick Coffman, Andreas Wendker, Brian Croll, Chan Karunamuni, Conrad Shultz
  • Patent number: 9477642
    Abstract: In any context where a user can view multiple different content items, switching among content items is provided using an array mode. In a full-frame mode, one content item is visible and active, but other content items may also be open. In response to user input the display can be switched to an array mode, in which all of the content items are visible in a scrollable array. Selecting a content item in array mode can result in the display returning to the full-frame mode, with the selected content item becoming visible and active. Smoothly animated transitions between the full-frame and array modes and a gesture-based interface for controlling the transitions can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Decker, Nicholas Zambetti, Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Raymond Sepulveda, Duncan R. Kerr, Julian Missig, Donald Melton
  • Publication number: 20160170587
    Abstract: A reading list panel is displayed as a sidebar window with respect to a main window of a content viewing application. In response to a first input, a first article representation of a first article associated with a presentation page displayed in the main window is listed in the reading list panel, where the first article representation includes information identifying the first article. In response to a selection of a second article representation from the reading list panel, content of a second article represented by the second article representation is presented in a reader mode within the main window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Donald D. Melton, Darin B. Adler, Alice Liu, Kevin W. Decker, Brady K. Eidson, Gavin Barraclough, Steven J. Falkenburg
  • Publication number: 20160142504
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses that collect tracking data items into a plurality of data stores for one or more domain in response to resources received from the domains are described. Each tracking data item may be accessible for one of the domains. Relationships of the domains may be identified among the tracking data items across multiple data stores according to the resources received. One or more of the domains may be selected according to the identified relationships to control accessibility of the tracking data items for the domains. The data stores may be updated to prohibit accessing at least a portion of the tracking data items for the selected domains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Steven Jon Falkenburg, Darin Benjamin Adler, Jessie Leah Berlin, Jing Jin, Kevin W. Decker, Maciej Stachowiak