Patents by Inventor Alan Ward

Alan Ward 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: 20220007081
    Abstract: A content rental system includes one data store for storing rental content. The content rental system also includes a content server for transferring content to one viewing device based upon a received request. The content server is further configured to authorize the transfer of the content from the viewing device to another viewing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, Mihailo Despotovic, Sam Gharabally
  • Patent number: 11178121
    Abstract: Improved techniques to update software in electronic devices that are already in use are disclosed. In one embodiment, software can be updated in a secure and controlled manner using cryptography. The authenticity of the updated software as well as its appropriateness for the particular electronic device can be confirmed prior to update. The software can also be updated on a per module basis. In one embodiment, a server hosts software updates for various electronic devices, and supplies the appropriate software update to the electronic devices via a data network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Wysocki, Alan Ward
  • Patent number: 11039219
    Abstract: A content rental system includes one data store for storing rental content. The content rental system also includes a content server for transferring content to one viewing device based upon a received request. The content server is further configured to authorize the transfer of the content from the viewing device to another viewing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, Mihailo Despotovic, Sam Gharabally
  • Publication number: 20200084188
    Abstract: Improved techniques to update software in electronic devices that are already in use are disclosed. In one embodiment, software can be updated in a secure and controlled manner using cryptography. The authenticity of the updated software as well as its appropriateness for the particular electronic device can be confirmed prior to update. The software can also be updated on a per module basis. In one embodiment, a server hosts software updates for various electronic devices, and supplies the appropriate software update to the electronic devices via a data network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher R. WYSOCKI, Alan WARD
  • Patent number: 10521812
    Abstract: Systems, graphical user interfaces and methods for upgrading from one or more digital media assets to a set of digital media assets over a network are described. A potential purchaser can be notified of available upgrade opportunities that are available for purchase. The potential purchaser can elect to pursue an upgrade opportunity so as to purchase a set of digital media assets. Upon upgrading to the set of digital media assets, the digital media assets within the set of digital media assets are made available to the purchaser. According to one aspect, a graphical user interface facilitates presenting and requesting upgrade opportunities. According to another aspect, equivalency rules and/or eligibility rules can be used to control which sets of digital media assets are available for upgrade by respective potential purchasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tracy Pirnack, Patrice Gautier, Debra Ameerally, Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, George Campbell, Darren Ming Lew, Sam Gharabally, Ricardo D. Cortes
  • Patent number: 10432593
    Abstract: Improved techniques to update software in electronic devices that are already in use are disclosed. In one embodiment, software can be updated in a secure and controlled manner using cryptography. The authenticity of the updated software as well as its appropriateness for the particular electronic device can be confirmed prior to update. The software can also be updated on a per module basis. In one embodiment, a server hosts software updates for various electronic devices, and supplies the appropriate software update to the electronic devices via a data network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Wysocki, Alan Ward
  • Publication number: 20190124404
    Abstract: A content rental system includes one data store for storing rental content. The content rental system also includes a content server for transferring content to one viewing device based upon a received request. The content server is further configured to authorize the transfer of the content from the viewing device to another viewing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, Mihailo Despotovic, Sam Gharabally
  • Publication number: 20180302385
    Abstract: Improved techniques to update software in electronic devices that are already in use are disclosed. In one embodiment, software can be updated in a secure and controlled manner using cryptography. The authenticity of the updated software as well as its appropriateness for the particular electronic device can be confirmed prior to update. The software can also be updated on a per module basis. In one embodiment, a server hosts software updates for various electronic devices, and supplies the appropriate software update to the electronic devices via a data network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher R. WYSOCKI, Alan WARD
  • Patent number: 10104441
    Abstract: A content rental system includes one data store for storing rental content. The content rental system also includes a content server for transferring content to one viewing device based upon a received request. The content server is further configured to authorize the transfer of the content from the viewing device to another viewing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, Mihailo Despotovic, Sam Gharabally
  • Patent number: 9948617
    Abstract: Improved techniques to update software in electronic devices that are already in use are disclosed. In one embodiment, software can be updated in a secure and controlled manner using cryptography. The authenticity of the updated software as well as its appropriateness for the particular electronic device can be confirmed prior to update. The software can also be updated on a per module basis. In one embodiment, a server hosts software updates for various electronic devices, and supplies the appropriate software update to the electronic devices via a data network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Wysocki, Alan Ward
  • Publication number: 20170345040
    Abstract: Systems, graphical user interfaces and methods for upgrading from one or more digital media assets to a set of digital media assets over a network are described. A potential purchaser can be notified of available upgrade opportunities that are available for purchase. The potential purchaser can elect to pursue an upgrade opportunity so as to purchase a set of digital media assets. Upon upgrading to the set of digital media assets, the digital media assets within the set of digital media assets are made available to the purchaser. According to one aspect, a graphical user interface facilitates presenting and requesting upgrade opportunities. According to another aspect, equivalency rules and/or eligibility rules can be used to control which sets of digital media assets are available for upgrade by respective potential purchasers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Tracy Pirnack, Patrice Gautier, Debra Ameerally, Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, George Campbell, Darren Ming Lew, Sam Gharabally, Ricardo D. Cortes
  • Patent number: 9665878
    Abstract: Systems, graphical user interfaces and methods for upgrading from one or more digital media assets to a set of digital media assets over a network are described. A potential purchaser can be notified of available upgrade opportunities that are available for purchase. The potential purchaser can elect to pursue an upgrade opportunity so as to purchase a set of digital media assets. Upon upgrading to the set of digital media assets, the digital media assets within the set of digital media assets are made available to the purchaser. According to one aspect, a graphical user interface facilitates presenting and requesting upgrade opportunities. According to another aspect, equivalency rules and/or eligibility rules can be used to control which sets of digital media assets are available for upgrade by respective potential purchasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Pirnack, Patrice Gautier, Debra Ameerally, Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, George Campbell, Darren Ming Lew, Sam Gharabally, Ricardo D. Cortes
  • Publication number: 20170142079
    Abstract: Improved techniques to update software in electronic devices that are already in use are disclosed. In one embodiment, software can be updated in a secure and controlled manner using cryptography. The authenticity of the updated software as well as its appropriateness for the particular electronic device can be confirmed prior to update. The software can also be updated on a per module basis. In one embodiment, a server hosts software updates for various electronic devices, and supplies the appropriate software update to the electronic devices via a data network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher R. WYSOCKI, Alan WARD
  • Patent number: 9489496
    Abstract: Improved techniques to update software in electronic devices that are already in use are disclosed. In one embodiment, software can be updated in a secure and controlled manner using cryptography. The authenticity of the updated software as well as its appropriateness for the particular electronic device can be confirmed prior to update. The software can also be updated on a per module basis. In one embodiment, a server hosts software updates for various electronic devices, and supplies the appropriate software update to the electronic devices via a data network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Wysocki, Alan Ward
  • Publication number: 20160048902
    Abstract: Recommending content items is disclosed. In some embodiments, determining an item to recommend includes receiving an indication that a first item is of interest and selecting a second item to recommend based at least in part on a degree of similarity of the second item to the first item as determined based at least in part on a number of other instances in which both the first item and the second item have been of interest and a first decayed popularity of the first item. In some embodiments, the degree of similarity of the second item to the first item is determined based in addition on a second decayed popularity of the second item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Alan Ward, Patrice Olivier Gautier, Garrick Nadim Toubassi
  • Publication number: 20150213475
    Abstract: Systems, graphical user interfaces and methods for upgrading from one or more digital media assets to a set of digital media assets over a network are described. A potential purchaser can be notified of available upgrade opportunities that are available for purchase. The potential purchaser can elect to pursue an upgrade opportunity so as to purchase a set of digital media assets. Upon upgrading to the set of digital media assets, the digital media assets within the set of digital media assets are made available to the purchaser. According to one aspect, a graphical user interface facilitates presenting and requesting upgrade opportunities. According to another aspect, equivalency rules and/or eligibility rules can be used to control which sets of digital media assets are available for upgrade by respective potential purchasers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Tracy Pirnack, Patrice Gautier, Debra Ameerally, Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, George Campbell, Darren Ming Lew, Sam Gharabally, Ricardo D. Cortes
  • Patent number: 9075882
    Abstract: Recommending content items is disclosed. In some embodiments, determining an item to recommend includes receiving an indication that a first item is of interest and selecting a second item to recommend based at least in part on a degree of similarity of the second item to the first item as determined based at least in part on a number of other instances in which both the first item and the second item have been of interest and a first decayed popularity of the first item. In some embodiments, the degree of similarity of the second item to the first item is determined based in addition on a second decayed popularity of the second item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alan Ward, Patrice Olivier Gautier, Garrick Nadim Toubassi
  • Patent number: 8984442
    Abstract: Systems, graphical user interfaces and methods for upgrading from one or more digital media assets to a set of digital media assets over a network are described. A potential purchaser can be notified of available upgrade opportunities that are available for purchase. The potential purchaser can elect to pursue an upgrade opportunity so as to purchase a set of digital media assets. Upon upgrading to the set of digital media assets, the digital media assets within the set of digital media assets are made available to the purchaser. According to one aspect, a graphical user interface facilitates presenting and requesting upgrade opportunities. According to another aspect, equivalency rules and/or eligibility rules can be used to control which sets of digital media assets are available for upgrade by respective potential purchasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Pirnack, Patrice Gautier, Debra Ameerally, Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, George Campbell, Darren Lew, Sam Gharabally, Ricardo D. Cortes
  • Publication number: 20140215510
    Abstract: A content rental system includes one data store for storing rental content. The content rental system also includes a content server for transferring content to one viewing device based upon a received request. The content server is further configured to authorize the transfer of the content from the viewing device to another viewing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, Mihailo Despotovic, Sam Gharabally
  • Patent number: 8782521
    Abstract: Improved graphical user interfaces and techniques for providing remote media content to users are disclosed. According to one aspect, an application window display on a display device can expose a user not only to local media content but also to remote media content that is associated with the local media content. The local media content is stored locally, while the remote media content is stored remotely and available from a remote media server. According to another aspect, the remote media content to be displayed can be determined in a manner that is dependent on a user interaction with the local media content. According to still a further aspect, the manner by which the remote media content is displayed can be dependent on the availability of remote media content at the remote media server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Bell, Alan Ward, Colin Meldrum, Timothy Benjamin Martin