Patents by Inventor Matthew B. Ball

Matthew B. Ball 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: 11653324
    Abstract: A location control subsystem is provided that allows a user of an electronic device to define the granularity used to provide location coarseness. A user can define a coarse location granularity for an application. When a coarse device location is reported to an application, the location can be provided with at least a minimum degree of variable specificity based on the selected location coarseness. When an application is granted a coarse location, the application is to interpret the provided location indicating that the user may be anywhere within a geographic region of variable specificity, as opposed to being close to a center point with a horizontal accuracy based on the precision of the location fix, as when a fine granularity location is provided. In addition to reducing the spatial resolution of the location that is reported to the application, the temporal resolution may also be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Adam M. Driscoll, Siraj T. Abidi, Jessica Aranda, Matthew B. Ball, Krishna M. Behara, Patrick L. Coffman, Charles D. Deets, Christopher C. Foster, Ronald K. Huang, Erik C. Neuenschwander, Stephen J. Rhee, Maria Ryen, Brandon J. Van Ryswyk, Christian Schroeder, Shuli Zhou
  • Patent number: 11487752
    Abstract: In some implementations, a system can optimize offline map data updates. For example, a server device in the system can determine a metric for identifying map data objects based on attributes of the map data objects. The server device can then generate a quadtree that stores the map data objects in nodes of the quadtree based on the metric. When processing an update to the map data stored at the server device, the server device can generate update data describing the updates for each node in the quadtree based on a binary difference algorithm and/or a semantic difference algorithm. The server device can select the algorithm based on which algorithm results in the smallest compressed size of the update data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Radus, Jonathan P. McCabe, Joseph A. Dean, Matthew B. Ball, Sergey Gindin, Daniel Eggert
  • Publication number: 20210173827
    Abstract: In some implementations, a system can optimize offline map data updates. For example, a server device in the system can determine a metric for identifying map data objects based on attributes of the map data objects. The server device can then generate a quadtree that stores the map data objects in nodes of the quadtree based on the metric. When processing an update to the map data stored at the server device, the server device can generate update data describing the updates for each node in the quadtree based on a binary difference algorithm and/or a semantic difference algorithm. The server device can select the algorithm based on which algorithm results in the smallest compressed size of the update data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Radus, Jonathan P. McCabe, Joseph A. Dean, Matthew B. Ball, Sergey Gindin, Daniel Eggert
  • Patent number: 10963450
    Abstract: In some implementations, a system can optimize offline map data updates. For example, a server device in the system can determine a metric for identifying map data objects based on attributes of the map data objects. The server device can then generate a quadtree that stores the map data objects in nodes of the quadtree based on the metric. When processing an update to the map data stored at the server device, the server device can generate update data describing the updates for each node in the quadtree based on a binary difference algorithm and/or a semantic difference algorithm. The server device can select the algorithm based on which algorithm results in the smallest compressed size of the update data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Radus, Jonathan P. McCabe, Joseph A. Dean, Matthew B. Ball, Sergey Gindin, Daniel Eggert
  • Patent number: 10863305
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can identify relevant locations using location data gathered by and/or entered into the device. In some implementations, the device can proactively request offline map data for the relevant locations. A server can identify offline map data responsive to the request and send at least a portion thereof to the device in response. In some implementations, the device can suggest downloading offline map data for the relevant locations to a user before requesting the data. The user may be able to edit the location and/or search for other locations to download. The device may provide features for managing downloaded offline map content automatically and/or in response to user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Ball, Brian J. Andrich, Jonathan Paul McCabe, Julie M. Fortuna, Joseph A. Dean
  • Patent number: 10848544
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for efficiently communicating mapping application data between electronic devices. In one example, a first electronic device can act as a proxy between a second electronic device and a map server by receiving a first request for map data from the second user device, determining a set of supplemental data to add to the first request to generate a complete second request for map data, and transmitting the second request to a map server. The first electronic device can receive the requested map data from the map server and transmit the received map data to the second electronic device. In another example, the first electronic device can act as a navigation server for the second electronic device by initially transmitting a full set of route data to the second electronic device and subsequently transmitting route update messages to the second electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aroon Pahwa, Matthew B. Ball
  • Publication number: 20200045500
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can identify relevant locations using location data gathered by and/or entered into the device. In some implementations, the device can proactively request offline map data for the relevant locations. A server can identify offline map data responsive to the request and send at least a portion thereof to the device in response. In some implementations, the device can suggest downloading offline map data for the relevant locations to a user before requesting the data. The user may be able to edit the location and/or search for other locations to download. The device may provide features for managing downloaded offline map content automatically and/or in response to user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Ball, Brian J. Andrich, Jonathan Paul McCabe, Julie M. Fortuna, Joseph A. Dean
  • Patent number: 10499186
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can identify relevant locations using location data gathered by and/or entered into the device. In some implementations, the device can proactively request offline map data for the relevant locations. A server can identify offline map data responsive to the request and send at least a portion thereof to the device in response. In some implementations, the device can suggest downloading offline map data for the relevant locations to a user before requesting the data. The user may be able to edit the location and/or search for other locations to download. The device may provide features for managing downloaded offline map content automatically and/or in response to user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Ball, Brian J. Andrich, Jonathan Paul McCabe, Julie M. Fortuna, Joseph A. Dean
  • Patent number: 10433108
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can identify relevant locations using location data gathered by and/or entered into the device. In some implementations, the device can proactively request offline map data for the relevant locations. A server can identify offline map data responsive to the request and send at least a portion thereof to the device in response. In some implementations, the device can suggest downloading offline map data for the relevant locations to a user before requesting the data. The user may be able to edit the location and/or search for other locations to download. The device may provide features for managing downloaded offline map content automatically and/or in response to user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Ball, Brian J. Andrich, Jonathan Paul McCabe, Julie M. Fortuna, Joseph A. Dean
  • Publication number: 20180352374
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can identify relevant locations using location data gathered by and/or entered into the device. In some implementations, the device can proactively request offline map data for the relevant locations. A server can identify offline map data responsive to the request and send at least a portion thereof to the device in response. In some implementations, the device can suggest downloading offline map data for the relevant locations to a user before requesting the data. The user may be able to edit the location and/or search for other locations to download. The device may provide features for managing downloaded offline map content automatically and/or in response to user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Ball, Brian J. Andrich, Jonathan Paul McCabe, Julie M. Fortuna, Joseph A. Dean
  • Publication number: 20180352370
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can identify relevant locations using location data gathered by and/or entered into the device. In some implementations, the device can proactively request offline map data for the relevant locations. A server can identify offline map data responsive to the request and send at least a portion thereof to the device in response. In some implementations, the device can suggest downloading offline map data for the relevant locations to a user before requesting the data. The user may be able to edit the location and/or search for other locations to download. The device may provide features for managing downloaded offline map content automatically and/or in response to user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Ball, Brian J. Andrich, Jonathan Paul McCabe, Julie M. Fortuna, Joseph A. Dean
  • Patent number: 10051419
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for selecting location data provided by communicatively coupled electronic devices. In one example process, a first electronic device can select one of a first location determined by the first electronic device and a second location determined by a second electronic device for use as the location of the first electronic device. The selection can be made based on one or more of the times the first and second locations were determined, accuracies of the first and second location determinations, whether or not the first and second locations intersect, priorities associated with source used to determine the first and second locations, and previous location determinations made by the first electronic device. The selected location can be used as the location of the first electronic device to execute an application on the first electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aroon Pahwa, Matthew B. Ball
  • Publication number: 20180210912
    Abstract: In some implementations, a system can optimize offline map data updates. For example, a server device in the system can determine a metric for identifying map data objects based on attributes of the map data objects. The server device can then generate a quadtree that stores the map data objects in nodes of the quadtree based on the metric. When processing an update to the map data stored at the server device, the server device can generate update data describing the updates for each node in the quadtree based on a binary difference algorithm and/or a semantic difference algorithm. The server device can select the algorithm based on which algorithm results in the smallest compressed size of the update data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander Radus, Jonathan P. McCabe, Joseph A. Dean, Matthew B. Ball, Sergey Gindin, Daniel Eggert
  • Patent number: 9706518
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide location-based, application-feature notifications for a multi-feature application that executes on a device. For instance, when a feature (e.g., a functionality, or service) of an application becomes available in a particular region, some embodiments provide a notification of the availability of the new feature in the particular region. In some embodiments, the notification is a location-based notification that is provided to only devices that execute in or near the particular region in which the location-based feature has recently become available. In other embodiments, the notification is also provided to devices that are not near the particular region (e.g., are provided to all devices in the United States, when the feature becomes available in California).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Ball, Christopher Blumenberg, Seejo K. Pylappan, Nils Stefan Daniel Bengtsson, Per Fahlberg, Megan M. Frost, Marcel van Os
  • Publication number: 20170052672
    Abstract: A device that includes at least one processing unit and stores a multi-mode mapping program for execution by the at least one processing unit is described. The program includes a user interface (UI). The UI includes a display area for displaying a two-dimensional (2D) presentation of a map or a three-dimensional (3D) presentation of the map. The UI includes a selectable 3D control for directing the program to transition between the 2D and 3D presentations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Scott Forstall, Bradford A. Moore, Marcel van Os, Christopher Blumenberg, Emanuele Vulcano, Brady A. Law, Patrick S. Piemonte, Matthew B. Ball
  • Publication number: 20160358128
    Abstract: A method of providing travel updates for an event stored in a calendar application of a device is provided. The method receives the location and the starting time of the event from the calendar application at a navigation application of the device. The method determines an estimated travel time from the current location of the device to the location of the event. The method determines a time for timely departure to the event based on the estimated travel time. The method provides several travel updates that include the time for timely departure to the calendar application. The travel updates are utilized by the calendar application to provide a set of alerts regarding the time for the timely departure to the event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Christine B. McGavran, Scott Adler, Viktor Miladinov, Matthew B. Ball, Christopher Y. Tremblay, Thomas Wagner, Ketan Singh
  • Publication number: 20160357804
    Abstract: A method of determining a location of an event stored on a calendar application of a device is provided. The method sends a location string associated with the event from the calendar application to a geo coder. The method receives a handle that includes a set of data items that uniquely identifies the location of the event. The data items in the handle are not accessed or individually utilized by the calendar application. Prior to the start of the event, the method requests travel updates to the location of event from a navigation application. The request includes the handle and the start time of the event. The method receives periodic routing updates to the location of the event from the navigation application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Christine B. McGavran, Scott Adler, Viktor Miladinov, Matthew B. Ball, Thomas Wagner
  • Patent number: 9367959
    Abstract: A device that includes at least one processing unit and stores a multi-mode mapping program for execution by the at least one processing unit is described. The program includes a user interface (UI). The UI includes a display area for displaying a two-dimensional (2D) presentation of a map or a three-dimensional (3D) presentation of the map. The UI includes a selectable 3D control for directing the program to transition between the 2D and 3D presentations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Scott Forstall, Bradford A. Moore, Marcel van Os, Christopher Blumenberg, Emanuele Vulcano, Brady A. Law, Patrick S. Piemonte, Matthew B. Ball
  • Publication number: 20160066149
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for selecting location data provided by communicatively coupled electronic devices. In one example process, a first electronic device can select one of a first location determined by the first electronic device and a second location determined by a second electronic device for use as the location of the first electronic device. The selection can be made based on one or more of the times the first and second locations were determined, accuracies of the first and second location determinations, whether or not the first and second locations intersect, priorities associated with source used to determine the first and second locations, and previous location determinations made by the first electronic device. The selected location can be used as the location of the first electronic device to execute an application on the first electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Aroon Pahwa, Matthew B. Ball
  • Publication number: 20160065650
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for efficiently communicating mapping application data between electronic devices. In one example, a first electronic device can act as a proxy between a second electronic device and a map server by receiving a first request for map data from the second user device, determining a set of supplemental data to add to the first request to generate a complete second request for map data, and transmitting the second request to a map server. The first electronic device can receive the requested map data from the map server and transmit the received map data to the second electronic device. In another example, the first electronic device can act as a navigation server for the second electronic device by initially transmitting a full set of route data to the second electronic device and subsequently transmitting route update messages to the second electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Aroon Pahwa, Matthew B. Ball