Patents by Inventor Thomas Robert Gruber

Thomas Robert Gruber 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: 20230409283
    Abstract: The digital assistant displays a digital assistant object in an object region of a display screen. The digital assistant then obtains at least one information item based on a speech input from a user. Upon determining that the at least one information item can be displayed in its entirety in the display region of the display screen, the digital assistant displays the at least one information item in the display region, where the display region and the object region are not visually distinguishable from one another. Upon determining that the at least one information item cannot be displayed in its entirety in the display region of the video display screen, the digital assistant displays a portion of the at least one information item in the display region, where the display region and the object region are visually distinguishable from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Robert GRUBER, Christopher Dean BRIGHAM, Daniel S. KEEN, Gregory NOVICK, Benjamin S. PHIPPS
  • Publication number: 20220383864
    Abstract: The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Robert GRUBER, Adam John CHEYER, Dag KITTLAUS, Didier Rene GUZZONI, Christopher Dean BRIGHAM, Richard Donald GIULI, Marcello BASTEA-FORTE, Harry Joseph SADDLER
  • Patent number: 11423886
    Abstract: The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Gruber, Adam John Cheyer, Dag Kittlaus, Didier Rene Guzzoni, Christopher Dean Brigham, Richard Donald Giuli, Marcello Bastea-Forte, Harry Joseph Saddler
  • Publication number: 20220264262
    Abstract: Techniques for triggering an action associated with a task items are provided. A task item associated with a triggering criterion is provided. The triggering criterion requires an occurrence of any of a plurality of communication events. The plurality of communication events includes a telephone call. In some implementations, at least two of the plurality of communication events are of different communication types. In some implementations, the different types are telephone calls, emails, and text messages. The occurrence of a first communication event of the plurality of communication events is detected. It is determined the triggering criterion is satisfied. In response to the determining, a notification associated with the task item is caused to be presented to a user of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Robert GRUBER, Alessandro F. SABATELLI, Alexandre A. AYBES, Donald W. PITSCHEL, Edward D. VOAS, Freddy A. ANZURES, Paul D. MARCOS
  • Publication number: 20220254338
    Abstract: The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Robert GRUBER, Adam John CHEYER, Didier Rene GUZZONI, Christopher Dean BRIGHAM, Richard Donald GIULI, Marcello BASTEA-FORTE, Harry Joseph SADDLER
  • Patent number: 11350253
    Abstract: Techniques for triggering an action associated with a task items are provided. A task item associated with a triggering criterion is provided. The triggering criterion requires an occurrence of any of a plurality of communication events. The plurality of communication events includes a telephone call. In some implementations, at least two of the plurality of communication events are of different communication types. In some implementations, the different types are telephone calls, emails, and text messages. The occurrence of a first communication event of the plurality of communication events is detected. It is determined the triggering criterion is satisfied. In response to the determining, a notification associated with the task item is caused to be presented to a user of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Gruber, Alessandro Sabatelli, Alexandre A. Aybes, Donald W. Pitschel, Edward D. Voas, Freddy Allen Anzures, Paul D. Marcos
  • Publication number: 20200279556
    Abstract: The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Robert GRUBER, Adam John CHEYER, Dag KITTLAUS, Didier Rene GUZZONI, Christopher Dean BRIGHAM, Richard Donald GIULI, Marcello BASTEA-FORTE, Harry Joseph SADDLER
  • Patent number: 10706841
    Abstract: The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Gruber, Adam John Cheyer, Dag Kittlaus, Didier Rene Guzzoni, Christopher Dean Brigham, Richard Donald Giuli, Marcello Bastea-Forte, Harry Joseph Saddler
  • Patent number: 10496753
    Abstract: A user interface for a system such as a virtual assistant is automatically adapted for hands-free use. A hands-free context is detected via automatic or manual means, and the system adapts various stages of a complex interactive system to modify the user experience to reflect the particular limitations of such a context. The system of the present invention thus allows for a single implementation of a complex system such as a virtual assistant to dynamically offer user interface elements and alter user interface behavior to allow hands-free use without compromising the user experience of the same system for hands-on use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Gruber, Harry J. Saddler
  • Publication number: 20190014450
    Abstract: Techniques for triggering an action associated with a task items are provided. A task item associated with a triggering criterion is provided. The triggering criterion requires an occurrence of any of a plurality of communication events. The plurality of communication events includes a telephone call. In some implementations, at least two of the plurality of communication events are of different communication types. In some implementations, the different types are telephone calls, emails, and text messages. The occurrence of a first communication event of the plurality of communication events is detected. It is determined the triggering criterion is satisfied. In response to the determining, a notification associated with the task item is caused to be presented to a user of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Robert GRUBER, Alessandro SABATELLI, Alexandre A. AYBES, Donald W. PITSCHEL, Edward D. VOAS, Freddy Allen ANZURES, Paul D. MARCOS
  • Patent number: 10057736
    Abstract: Techniques for triggering an action associated with a task items are provided. A task item associated with a triggering criterion is provided. The triggering criterion requires an occurrence of any of a plurality of communication events. The plurality of communication events includes a telephone call. In some implementations, at least two of the plurality of communication events are of different communication types. In some implementations, the different types are telephone calls, emails, and text messages. The occurrence of a first communication event of the plurality of communication events is detected. It is determined the triggering criterion is satisfied. In response to the determining, a notification associated with the task item is caused to be presented to a user of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Gruber, Alessandro F. Sabatelli, Alexandre A. Aybes, Donald W. Pitschel, Edward D. Voas, Freddy A. Anzures, Paul D. Marcos
  • Patent number: 9858925
    Abstract: A virtual assistant uses context information to supplement natural language or gestural input from a user. Context helps to clarify the user's intent and to reduce the number of candidate interpretations of the user's input, and reduces the need for the user to provide excessive clarification input. Context can include any available information that is usable by the assistant to supplement explicit user input to constrain an information-processing problem and/or to personalize results. Context can be used to constrain solutions during various phases of processing, including, for example, speech recognition, natural language processing, task flow processing, and dialog generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Gruber, Christopher Dean Brigham, Daniel S. Keen, Gregory Novick, Benjamin S. Phipps
  • Patent number: 9721016
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for searching and reporting on semistructured data that can include dynamic metadata. One embodiment can comprise providing a user interface to a user based on an object type definition for an object type that allows the user to specify search criteria associated with a set of metadata, mapping the user search criteria to a query that comprises at least one structured query constraint and at least one unstructured query constraint, processing the query to search a set of data objects containing semistructured data associated with the object type according to the query and returning a set of results to the user. The search results can be returned to a user based on user-specified reporting parameters. Additionally, the reporting definition can be saved as an object for future execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Open Text SA ULC
    Inventor: Thomas Robert Gruber
  • Publication number: 20170178626
    Abstract: The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Robert GRUBER, Adam John CHEYER, Dag KITTLAUS, Didier Rene GUZZONI, Christopher Dean BRIGHAM, Richard Donald GIULI, Marcello BASTEA-FORTE, Harry Joseph SADDLER
  • Patent number: 9548050
    Abstract: The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Gruber, Adam John Cheyer, Dag Kittlaus, Didier Rene Guzzoni, Christopher Dean Brigham, Richard Donald Giuli, Marcello Bastea-Forte, Harry Joseph Saddler
  • Patent number: 9495129
    Abstract: The electronic device with one or more processors and memory receives a first document including a plurality of links. The electronic device outputs a voice reading of at least a portion of the first document, and outputs audible information identifying a link of the plurality of links. In response to outputting the audible information identifying the link, the electronic device receives from the user a voice command regarding the link, and, in response to receiving from the user the voice command, outputs a voice reading of at least a portion of a second document associated with the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Fleizach, Thomas Robert Gruber
  • Patent number: 9318108
    Abstract: An intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Gruber, Adam John Cheyer, Dag Kittlaus, Didier Rene Guzzoni, Christopher Dean Brigham, Richard Donald Giuli, Marcello Bastea-Forte, Harry Joseph Saddler
  • Patent number: 9117447
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable storage medium related to operating an intelligent digital assistant are disclosed. An event alert is detected, where the event alert includes context data. A representation of an intent is derived based at least in part on the context data. At least one domain, at least one task, and at least one parameter for the task are identified based at least in part on the representation of the intent. The identified task is performed using the at least one parameter. An output is provided to the user, where the output is related to the performance of the first task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Gruber, Adam John Cheyer, Didier Rene Guzzoni
  • Publication number: 20150066891
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for searching and reporting on semistructured data that can include dynamic metadata. One embodiment can comprise providing a user interface to a user based on an object type definition for an object type that allows the user to specify search criteria associated with a set of metadata, mapping the user search criteria to a query that comprises at least one structured query constraint and at least one unstructured query constraint, processing the query to search a set of data objects containing semistructured data associated with the object type according to the query and returning a set of results to the user. The search results can be returned to a user based on user-specified reporting parameters. Additionally, the reporting definition can be saved as an object for future execution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Robert Gruber
  • Patent number: 8930191
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable storage medium related to operating an intelligent digital assistant are disclosed. A user request is received, the user request including at least a speech input received from a user. In response to the user request, (1) an echo of the speech input based on a textual interpretation of the speech input, and (2) a paraphrase of the user request based at least in part on a respective semantic interpretation of the speech input are presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Gruber, Harry Joseph Saddler, Adam John Cheyer, Dag Kittlaus, Christopher Dean Brigham, Richard Donald Giuli, Didier Rene Guzzoni, Marcello Bastea-Forte