Patents by Inventor Ronald K. Huang

Ronald K. Huang 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: 20220103968
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and program products for providing services to a user by a mobile device based on the user's daily routine of movement. The mobile device determines whether a location cluster indicates a significant location for the user based on one or more hints that indicate an interest of the user in locations in the cluster. The mobile device can perform adaptive clustering to determine a size of area of the significant location based on how multiple locations converge in the location cluster. The mobile device can provide location-based services for calendar items, including predicting a time of arrival at an estimated location of a calendar item. The mobile device can provide various services related to a location of the mobile device or a significant location of the user through an application programming interface (API).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Dal Santo, Lukas M. Marti, Ronald K. Huang, Lili Cao
  • Publication number: 20220103964
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for disabling/re-enabling head tracking for spatial audio applications. In an embodiment, a method comprises: obtaining, using one or more processors of an auxiliary device worn by a user, motion data; tracking, using the one or more processors, the user's head based at least in part on the motion data; determining, using the one or more processors, whether or not the user is walking based at least in part on the motion data; in accordance with determining that the user is walking, determining if a source device configured to deliver spatial audio to the auxiliary device is static for a specified period of time; and in accordance with determining that the user is walking and the source device is static for the specified period of time, disabling the head tracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Xiaoyuan Tu, Umamahesh Srinivas, Seyyedeh Mahsa Mirzargar, Keyu Chen, Alexander Singh Alvarado, Ronald K. Huang, Aditya Sarathy
  • Patent number: 11231291
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can proactively determine a destination and request traffic information for routes from a starting location to the destination. In some implementations, a computing device can identify some routes between a starting location and a destination as non-recommended routes and recommend other routes. In some implementations, a computing device can rank routes between a starting location and a destination based on automatically-determined user interest. In some implementations, a computing device can determine a user is familiar with a route and adjust the information presented to the user about the route accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Coleman, Brian J. Andrich, Daniel R. Delling, Dennis Schieferdecker, Ethan T. Bold, Hengbin Luo, Michael Wegner, Rami Khawandi, Lili Cao, Hyo Jeong Shin, Richard B. Warren, Ronald K. Huang
  • Publication number: 20210348931
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can proactively determine a destination and request traffic information for routes from a starting location to the destination. In some implementations, a computing device can identify some routes between a starting location and a destination as non-recommended routes and recommend other routes. In some implementations, a computing device can rank routes between a starting location and a destination based on automatically-determined user interest. In some implementations, a computing device can determine a user is familiar with a route and adjust the information presented to the user about the route accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Coleman, Brian J. Andrich, Daniel R. Delling, Dennis Schieferdecker, Ethan T. Bold, Hengbin Luo, Michael Wegner, Rami Khawandi, Lili Cao, Hyo Jeong Shin, Richard B. Warren, Ronald K. Huang
  • Patent number: 11118929
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can proactively determine a destination and request traffic information for routes from a starting location to the destination. In some implementations, a computing device can identify some routes between a starting location and a destination as non-recommended routes and recommend other routes. In some implementations, a computing device can rank routes between a starting location and a destination based on automatically-determined user interest. In some implementations, a computing device can determine a user is familiar with a route and adjust the information presented to the user about the route accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Coleman, Brian J. Andrich, Daniel R. Delling, Dennis Schieferdecker, Ethan T. Bold, Hengbin Luo, Michael Wegner, Rami Khawandi, Lili Cao, Hyo Jeong Shin, Richard B. Warren, Ronald K. Huang
  • Patent number: 11103749
    Abstract: Systems and methods of analyzing a user's motion during a swimming session are described. One or more motions sensors can collect motion data of the user. A processor circuit can make motion analysis based on the motion data. The processor circuit can determine if the user's arm swing is a genuine swim stroke. The processor circuit can also determine whether the user is swimming or turning. The processor circuit can also classify the user's swim stroke style. The processor circuit can also determine the user's swim stroke phase. The processor circuit can also determine the user's stroke orbit consistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Craig H. Mermel, Karthik Jayaraman Raghuram, Hung A. Pham, Adam S. Howell, James P. Ochs, Alexander Singh Alvarado, Sunny K. Chow, Ronald K. Huang, Gunes Dervisoglu, Kenneth Waters
  • Publication number: 20210243552
    Abstract: An application manager of a mobile device can provide a user with the ability to control whether an application can use location information provided by a location subsystem of the mobile device. The application can request a current location of the mobile device and the location subsystem can provide the location of the mobile device in accordance with a location services authorization type that is assigned to the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew E. Shepherd, Ronald K. Huang, Stephen J. Rhee, Daniel T. Kurtz, Erik Neuenschwander
  • Publication number: 20210194889
    Abstract: An application can specify a location service authorization type to be enforced by a mobile device. After the user authorizes the location service through an authorization dialog, the application can receive location service according to the authorization type. A first authorization type allows the application to receive continuous location updates and location events from a location service on the mobile device only when the application is in use. A second authorization type allows the application to always receive continuous location updates and location events when the application is running in a foreground or background. A status indicator can be displayed to indicate the authorization associated with a received location service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen J. Rhee, Adam M. Driscoll, Jeffrey Michael Bartunek, Ronald K. Huang, Erik Neuenschwander, Patrick Coffman, Guy L. Tribble
  • Patent number: 11012807
    Abstract: An application manager of a mobile device can provide a user with the ability to control whether an application can use location information provided by a location subsystem of the mobile device. The application can request to be notified by the location subsystem when the mobile device crosses a geofence. When the mobile device crosses the geofence, the location subsystem provides a notice to the application. The application manager can intercept the notice to the application, and present an alert on a user interface. The application manager can then provide the notice to the application only upon receiving an input through the user interface confirming that the application still has permission to use location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Shepherd, Ronald K. Huang, Stephen J. Rhee, Daniel T. Kurtz, Erik Neuenschwander
  • Publication number: 20210144786
    Abstract: Techniques for location source control for paired devices are described. Location source control selects a location source for a mobile device. The mobile device can receive, from an application program, a request for determining a location of the mobile device. The mobile device can determine a first location estimate using a location subsystem of the mobile device. The mobile device can determine whether to provide the first location estimate as input to the application program, or to provide a second location estimate as input to the application program. The second location estimate can be an estimated location of the companion device and determined by the companion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Bradley Joel Jensen, Glenn Donald MacGougan, Kumar Gaurav Chhokra, Robert Mayor, Ronald K. Huang, Stephen J. Rhee
  • Patent number: 10965687
    Abstract: An application can specify a location service authorization type to be enforced by a mobile device. After the user authorizes the location service through an authorization dialog, the application can receive location service according to the authorization type. A first authorization type allows the application to receive continuous location updates and location events from a location service on the mobile device only when the application is in use. A second authorization type allows the application to always receive continuous location updates and location events when the application is running in a foreground or background. The text of the authorization dialog can be customized by the application to provide more detail on how the location data will be used by the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Rhee, Adam M. Driscoll, Jeffrey Michael Bartunek, Ronald K. Huang, Erik Neuenschwander, Patrick Coffman, Guy L. Tribble
  • Publication number: 20210092487
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can send a priming command to a media application to cause the media application to load media items and media item metadata into memory associated with the media application. The computing device can predict a media application that is likely to be invoked by a user. The computing device can launch the media application. The computing device can send the priming command to the media application to cause the media application to prepare media items for playback or presentation to the user. After the media application loads the media items, the computing device can receive metadata associated with the loaded media items and present the metadata and appropriate media application controls on a display of the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas ALSINA, Charles MAGAHERN, Edward T. SCHMIDT, Gregory R. CHAPMAN, Ronald K. HUANG
  • Publication number: 20210084437
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and program products for providing services to a user by a mobile device based on the user's daily routine of movement. The mobile device determines whether a location cluster indicates a significant location for the user based on one or more hints that indicate an interest of the user in locations in the cluster. The mobile device can perform adaptive clustering to determine a size of area of the significant location based on how multiple locations converge in the location cluster. The mobile device can provide location-based services for calendar items, including predicting a time of arrival at an estimated location of a calendar item. The mobile device can provide various services related to a location of the mobile device or a significant location of the user through an application programming interface (API).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Dal Santo, Lukas M. Marti, Ronald K. Huang, Lili Cao
  • Publication number: 20210063189
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can proactively determine a destination and request traffic information for routes from a starting location to the destination. In some implementations, a computing device can identify some routes between a starting location and a destination as non-recommended routes and recommend other routes. In some implementations, a computing device can rank routes between a starting location and a destination based on automatically-determined user interest. In some implementations, a computing device can determine a user is familiar with a route and adjust the information presented to the user about the route accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Coleman, Brian J. Andrich, Daniel R. Delling, Dennis Schieferdecker, Ethan T. Bold, Hengbin Luo, Michael Wegner, Rami Khawandi, Lili Cao, Hyo Jeong Shin, Richard B. Warren, Ronald K. Huang
  • Patent number: 10939486
    Abstract: Techniques for location source control for paired devices are described. Location source control selects a location source for a mobile device. The mobile device can receive, from an application program, a request for determining a location of the mobile device. The mobile device can determine a first location estimate using a location subsystem of the mobile device. The mobile device can determine whether to provide the first location estimate as input to the application program, or to provide a second location estimate as input to the application program. The second location estimate can be an estimated location of the companion device and determined by the companion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Joel Jensen, Glenn Donald MacGougan, Kumar Gaurav Chhokra, Robert Mayor, Ronald K. Huang, Stephen J. Rhee
  • Patent number: 10907984
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can proactively determine a destination and request traffic information for routes from a starting location to the destination. In some implementations, a computing device can identify some routes between a starting location and a destination as non-recommended routes and recommend other routes. In some implementations, a computing device can rank routes between a starting location and a destination based on automatically-determined user interest. In some implementations, a computing device can determine a user is familiar with a route and adjust the information presented to the user about the route accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Coleman, Brian J. Andrich, Daniel R. Delling, Dennis Schieferdecker, Ethan T. Bold, Hengbin Luo, Michael Wegner, Rami Khawandi, Lili Cao, Hyo Jeong Shin, Richard B. Warren, Ronald K. Huang
  • Patent number: 10887726
    Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems of using a mobile WAP for location and context purposes are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a server can estimate an effective location of a wireless access gateway using harvested data. The server can harvest location data from multiple mobile devices. The harvested data can include a location of each mobile device and an identifier of a wireless access gateway that is located within a communication range of the mobile device. In some implementations, the server can identify a mobile wireless access gateway based on a distance comparison. Data indicating the mobility of a wireless access gateway can be used by a mobile device to initiate one or more actions, including managing power of the mobile device, modifying entrance and exit conditions of virtual fences and determining a context of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald K. Huang, Robert Mayor, Lukas M. Marti
  • Publication number: 20200374655
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable storage media storing instructions and computer systems for labeling significant locations based on contextual data can be implemented to perform operations that include determining a location of a computing device, and determining a label for the determined location based on contextual data associated with the significant location. The location can be a significant location that has meaning to a user of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Michael P. Dal Santo, Hyo Jeong Shin, Krishna M. Behara, Marcos R. Vescovi, Patrick Thomas Dillon, Richard B. Warren, Ronald K. Huang, Xufeng Han
  • Patent number: 10848912
    Abstract: One example of determining an estimated time of arrival (ETA) based on calibrated distance includes a method implemented by a processor included in a mobile device to be carried by a user. An estimated distance between a starting location and an ending location is received. A calibration factor based on a location of the mobile device on the user's body and a movement pace of the user is determined. The estimated distance between the starting location and the ending location is modified based, in part, on the determined calibration factor resulting in a modified estimated distance. An estimated time to arrive (ETA) at the ending location is determined based, in part, on the modified estimated distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hung A. Pham, Ronald K. Huang
  • Patent number: 10805683
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can send a priming command to a media application to cause the media application to load media items and media item metadata into memory associated with the media application. The computing device can predict a media application that is likely to be invoked by a user. The computing device can launch the media application. The computing device can send the priming command to the media application to cause the media application to prepare media items for playback or presentation to the user. After the media application loads the media items, the computing device can receive metadata associated with the loaded media items and present the metadata and appropriate media application controls on a display of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Charles Magahern, Edward T. Schmidt, Gregory R. Chapman, Ronald K. Huang