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).
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Publication number: 20220007081Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, Mihailo Despotovic, Sam Gharabally
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Patent number: 11178121Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher R. Wysocki, Alan Ward
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Patent number: 11039219Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, Mihailo Despotovic, Sam Gharabally
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Publication number: 20200084188Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Christopher R. WYSOCKI, Alan WARD
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Patent number: 10521812Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 26, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Tracy Pirnack, Patrice Gautier, Debra Ameerally, Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, George Campbell, Darren Ming Lew, Sam Gharabally, Ricardo D. Cortes
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Patent number: 10432593Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher R. Wysocki, Alan Ward
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Publication number: 20190124404Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, Mihailo Despotovic, Sam Gharabally
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Publication number: 20180302385Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Christopher R. WYSOCKI, Alan WARD
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Patent number: 10104441Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2014Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, Mihailo Despotovic, Sam Gharabally
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Patent number: 9948617Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 19, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher R. Wysocki, Alan Ward
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Publication number: 20170345040Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: Tracy Pirnack, Patrice Gautier, Debra Ameerally, Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, George Campbell, Darren Ming Lew, Sam Gharabally, Ricardo D. Cortes
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Patent number: 9665878Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Tracy Pirnack, Patrice Gautier, Debra Ameerally, Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, George Campbell, Darren Ming Lew, Sam Gharabally, Ricardo D. Cortes
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Publication number: 20170142079Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2016Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Christopher R. WYSOCKI, Alan WARD
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Patent number: 9489496Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher R. Wysocki, Alan Ward
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Publication number: 20160048902Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Alan Ward, Patrice Olivier Gautier, Garrick Nadim Toubassi
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Publication number: 20150213475Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Tracy Pirnack, Patrice Gautier, Debra Ameerally, Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, George Campbell, Darren Ming Lew, Sam Gharabally, Ricardo D. Cortes
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Patent number: 9075882Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Alan Ward, Patrice Olivier Gautier, Garrick Nadim Toubassi
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Patent number: 8984442Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Tracy Pirnack, Patrice Gautier, Debra Ameerally, Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, George Campbell, Darren Lew, Sam Gharabally, Ricardo D. Cortes
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Publication number: 20140215510Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, Mihailo Despotovic, Sam Gharabally
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Patent number: 8782521Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 13, 2010Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher L. Bell, Alan Ward, Colin Meldrum, Timothy Benjamin Martin