Patents by Inventor Thomas Alsina
Thomas Alsina 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).
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Patent number: 11556979Abstract: Improved techniques and systems for delivery and acquisition of digital assets are disclosed. The techniques and systems are especially suitable and useful for delivering digital assets (e.g., media assets) that are available for acquisition and electronic delivery from online stores to electronic devices. In accordance with one aspect, when a digital asset is acquired form an online store via an electronic device associated with a user, the digital asset can be arranged for delivery to a number of other of electronic devices also associated with the user. It will be appreciated that the digital asset can be delivered and acquired without requiring explicit user input or instruction in accordance with another aspect. Other aspects of the techniques and systems include customization of configuration and user interfaces that are provided to facilitate acquisition of digital assets in a more efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher B. Chang, Sean B. Kelly, Olagappan Manickam, Thomas Alsina, Payam Mirrashidi, Michael Kuohao Chu, Kevin R. Lafferty
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Publication number: 20230008201Abstract: A content management system and/or client device can enable a user to initiate a quick play mode where a content category and content medium are selected for the user. A client device and/or a content management system can select a content medium for a user based on one or more factors, such as the content category. Certain content categories of content can be preferably delivered in certain content mediums. In some embodiments, a content management system and/or client device can select a content medium for a user based on contextual data gathered from the user. Contextual data can be data describing the user's current state and/or environment. For example, contextual data can include data such as the time of day, geographic location, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2022Publication date: January 12, 2023Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Arvind S. Shenoy, Daniel Cartoon, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Mark Levy
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Patent number: 11522965Abstract: In some implementations, a computing system can manage access to media sources associated with a user's media account. For example, the system can coordinate access to a user's media account between local and network devices such that when access to the user's media account is granted to an application on a user device, the application can access both local and network media sources associated with the user's media account. Similarly, when access to the user's media account is revoked from an application at a user device or at a network device, the application is prevented from accessing both local and network media sources associated with the user's media account.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Zhiyuan Zhao, Kenneth C. Barry, David K. Heller
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Patent number: 11516221Abstract: A device implementing a system for responding to a voice request includes a processor configured to receive a voice request, the device being associated with a user account, and determine, based on the voice request, a confidence score that the voice request corresponds to a voice profile associated with the user account. The processor is further configured to select, based at least in part on a content of the voice request and the confidence score, a request domain from among plural request domains for responding to the voice request, and provide for a response to the voice request based on the selected request domain.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Thomas Alsina
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Patent number: 11509726Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing media playback among an ad hoc group of playback devices. Such techniques may involve building a session among the playback devices in which playback devices communicate information regarding their playback capabilities. Based on the playback capabilities of the devices, playback mode may be derived for the session. Playback operations may be synchronized among the devices that are members of the session, in which devices receive identification of asset(s) to be rendered pursuant to the playback operation and timing information of playback of the asset. The devices may stream the playback assets directly from media sources when they are capable of doing so. In this manner, communication resources are conserved.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Charles Magahern, Cody D. Jorgensen, Edward T. Schmidt, Jason P. Ketterman, Nicholas J. Paulson, Szu-Wen Huang, Cesar de Camargo Barscevicius, Elena Leyfman, Keith Henrickson, Andrew Sinesio, Owen Imholte, Harry Simmonds
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Patent number: 11496381Abstract: In some implementations, a computing system can reduce startup delays for presenting remote media items. For example, when a user requests media content from a media service, the computing system can include information about the first media item to be played in the initial startup messages to reduce the number of roundtrips needed between client and server devices to present the first media item. A media item can include an introductory asset. The introductory asset can be a portion of the full media item that can be decrypted with a local key or not encrypted at all so that a media client can receive and start presenting the introductory media asset quickly while the full media item is being processed by the media client. In some implementations, the system can remove leading silence from the media item so that the amount of delay perceived by the user is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Arvind S. Shenoy, Ketankumar B. Patel, Nicholas J. Paulson, Pierre de Lastic
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Publication number: 20220295436Abstract: Methods and systems provide synchronized sharing of multimedia between multiple devices. The multiple devices may form an ad-hoc network for sharing of multimedia. In an embodiment, group members may have playlist manipulation privileges such as pausing, rewinding, fast forwarding, or adding tracks to the playlist. A system may stream or distribute content according to the shared playlist. Playback may be synchronized for group members so that everyone is exposed to a same part of the content as the same time.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Taylor G. Carrigan, Szu-Wen Huang, Eric S. Lee, William M. Bachman, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Steve S. Gedikian, Nicholas J. Paulson, Gregory R. Chapman, David P. Saracino, Steven P. Bischoff
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Patent number: 11416471Abstract: Improved techniques and systems for storage, delivery and acquisition of digital assets stored in cloud data storage. Cloud data storage can be provided by a cloud data repository that is capable of storing digital data for various users. A given user can access cloud data storage from any of his/her authorized client devices via a network. A given client device can access not only locally stored digital assets but also remotely stored digital assets from cloud data storage. In one embodiment, downloads of digital assets resident in cloud data storage to client devices can be managed in view of available network performance. As one example, digital assets of differing quality levels can be downloaded in a manner dependent on network performance. As another example, locally stored digital assets of reduced quality can be upgraded (e.g., replaced) by higher quality versions in a manner dependent on network performance.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Robbin, Lucas C. Newman, Scott J. Forstall, Stephen O. Lemay, Steve Saro Gedikian, Max Muller, Thomas Alsina
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Publication number: 20220248101Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device facilitates selection of a format for the playback of content. In some embodiments, while displaying, via a display generation component, a content playback user interface for a first content item that is playing at the electronic device, wherein the electronic device is playing the first content item in a first format, in accordance with a determination that the first content item is available in a second format, different from the first format, and that a currently-active output device for playing the first content item is compatible with the second format, the electronic device displays, in the content playback user interface, a selectable option that is selectable to initiate a process to switch from playing the first content item in the first format to playing the first content item in the second format.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Erik Lindholm, Christopher D. Carvey, Thomas Alsina
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Publication number: 20220237296Abstract: Systems and methods for providing updates to an electronic device are provided. Upon receiving an update statement, indicating availability of an update to an application on an electronic device, a determination is made as to whether an update notification threshold has been met at the electronic device based upon the indication of availability of the update to the application. When the update notification threshold has been met at the electronic device, a graphical indication of the availability of the update to the application is provided. However, when the update notification threshold has not been met, the graphical indication of the availability of the update to the application is not provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Sean B. Kelly, Elizabeth Caroline Furches Cranfill, Thomas Alsina
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Publication number: 20220232276Abstract: In some implementations, a system can be configured to allow remote control devices to quietly obtain status information related to various audio/video playback devices. For example, a streaming device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can establish a streaming connection to a playback device. The playback device can be configured to only accept a single streaming connection (i.e., master connection). A remote control device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can quietly connect (i.e., control connection) to the playback device without interrupting the master connection to obtain status information related to the playback device and or the media being streamed to the playback device. The remote control device can provide commands through the control connection to adjust the playback of the streamed media at the playback device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Edward T. Schmidt, Elena Leyfman, David P. Saracino, Astrid Yi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Jonathan A. Bennett, Gregory R. Chapman, Aparna S. Akella, Shreyas Nandagudi Sreesha, Johannes P. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20220207112Abstract: Improved techniques and systems for storage, delivery and acquisition of digital assets stored in cloud data storage. Cloud data storage can be provided by a cloud data repository that is capable of storing digital data for various users. A given user can access cloud data storage from any of his/her authorized client devices via a network. A given client device can access not only locally stored digital assets but also remotely stored digital assets from cloud data storage. In one embodiment, downloads of digital assets resident in cloud data storage to client devices can be managed in view of available network performance. As one example, digital assets of differing quality levels can be downloaded in a manner dependent on network performance. As another example, locally stored digital assets of reduced quality can be upgraded (e.g., replaced) by higher quality versions in a manner dependent on network performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2018Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey L. Robbin, Lucas C. Newman, Scott J. Forstall, Stephen O. Lemay, Steve Saro Gedikian, Max Muller, Thomas Alsina
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Publication number: 20220135001Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces for managing and using a mobile key. In some embodiments, while displaying a representation of a mobile car key on a multifunction device, the device receives a request to restrict use of the mobile car key for a predetermined time period, and in response, restricts at least one function of the mobile car key for the time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2021Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Thomas ALSINA, Andre M.J. BOULE, Emily Clark SCHUBERT
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Patent number: 11308216Abstract: Server-side authentication of user accounts by using multiple authentication tokens and transmission of update statement to users for updates to applications installed on their devices. Prompting users that updates are available upon determining that a threshold event has occurred and if requisite network and situational conditions exist. Batching and sending notifications or requests for authentications that are required for each application update that is currently ready for download.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sean B. Kelly, Elizabeth Caroline Furches Cranfill, Thomas Alsina
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Patent number: 11304160Abstract: Methods and systems provide synchronized sharing of multimedia between multiple devices. The multiple devices may form an ad-hoc network for sharing of multimedia. In an embodiment, group members may have playlist manipulation privileges such as pausing, rewinding, fast forwarding, or adding tracks to the playlist. A system may stream or distribute content according to the shared playlist. Playback may be synchronized for group members so that everyone is exposed to a same part of the content as the same time.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Taylor G. Carrigan, Szu-Wen Huang, Eric S. Lee, William M. Bachman, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Steve S. Gedikian, Nicholas J. Paulson, Gregory R. Chapman, David P. Saracino, Steven P. Bischoff
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Patent number: 11297369Abstract: In some implementations, a system can be configured to allow remote control devices to quietly obtain status information related to various audio/video playback devices. For example, a streaming device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can establish a streaming connection to a playback device. The playback device can be configured to only accept a single streaming connection (i.e., master connection). A remote control device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can quietly connect (i.e., control connection) to the playback device without interrupting the master connection to obtain status information related to the playback device and or the media being streamed to the playback device. The remote control device can provide commands through the control connection to adjust the playback of the streamed media at the playback device.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Edward T. Schmidt, Elena Leyfman, David P. Saracino, Astrid Yi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Jonathan A. Bennett, Gregory R. Chapman, Aparna S. Akella, Shreyas Nandagudi Sreesha, Johannes P. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20220103903Abstract: In some implementations, a user device can predictively route media content to a remote playback device based on playback context information obtained by the user device. The playback context can include local playback context information related to the state and/or context of the user device. The playback context can include remote playback context information related to the state and/or context of available remote playback devices. Based on the playback context information obtained by the user device, the user device can generate a predictive score for each available playback device that indicates or predicts the likelihood that the user will want to send media content to the corresponding playback device. The user device can generate and present a graphical user interface that can identify the playback devices having predictive scores over a threshold score. In some instances, the user device can automatically route selected media content to a predicted playback device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Pietsch, Craig M. Federighi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Taylor G. Carrigan, Johannes P. Schmidt, Astrid Yi, Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Jonathan A. Bennett, Patrick L. Coffman, Cesar de Camargo Barscevicius
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Patent number: 11262972Abstract: A content management system and/or client device can enable a user to initiate a quick play mode where a content category and content medium are selected for the user. A client device and/or a content management system can select a content medium for a user based on one or more factors, such as the content category. Certain content categories of content can be preferably delivered in certain content mediums. In some embodiments, a content management system and/or client device can select a content medium for a user based on contextual data gathered from the user. Contextual data can be data describing the user's current state and/or environment. For example, contextual data can include data such as the time of day, geographic location, etc.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Arvind S. Shenoy, Daniel Cartoon, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Mark Levy
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Patent number: 11234051Abstract: In some implementations, a user device can predictively route media content to a remote playback device based on playback context information obtained by the user device. The playback context can include local playback context information related to the state and/or context of the user device. The playback context can include remote playback context information related to the state and/or context of available remote playback devices. Based on the playback context information obtained by the user device, the user device can generate a predictive score for each available playback device that indicates or predicts the likelihood that the user will want to send media content to the corresponding playback device. The user device can generate and present a graphical user interface that can identify the playback devices having predictive scores over a threshold score. In some instances, the user device can automatically route selected media content to a predicted playback device.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Pietsch, Craig M. Federighi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Taylor G. Carrigan, Johannes P. Schmidt, Astrid Yi, Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Jonathan A. Bennett, Patrick L. Coffman, Cesar de Camargo Barscevicius
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Publication number: 20220012784Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for uploading, by a verified party, verified-party content to a media platform, receiving requests by a client device for store content, and displaying the uploaded verified-party content along with store content on the client device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Arvind S. Shenoy, Matthew J. Laine, Zachary T. Friedland