Patents by Inventor Albert R. Howard

Albert R. Howard 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).

  • Patent number: 11382017
    Abstract: A device providing inter-device call continuity facilitated by a wireless audio output device may include a processor configured to initiate, over a peer-to-peer connection with a second device, a communication session between the second device and a third device. The processor may be further configured to establish, over the peer-to-peer connection with the second device, an audio link corresponding to the communication session. The processor may be further configured to determine, based at least in part on the audio link, that a connection quality of the peer-to-peer connection satisfies a connection degradation condition. The processor may be further configured to request, over a wide area network connection, for the communication session with the third device to be handed-off from the second device to the first device, and to establish, over the wide area network connection, the communication session with the third device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Luciano M. Verger, Ajoy K. Singh, Albert R. Howard, Jr., Ariane Cotte, Christopher M. Garrido, Faraz Faheem, Gregory R. Burns, Ian J. Baird, Imran Ahmed, Nicholas J. Circosta, Robert D. Watson, Rohan C. Malthankar, Ryan A. Williams, Sergey Sitnikov, Srinivasan Nimmala, Thomas Chathoth Abraham, Vikram B. Yerrabommanahalli
  • Publication number: 20220141623
    Abstract: In some implementations, a first computing device can send notifications at times that the first computing device is not in an expected location. A user of a second computing device can remotely configure an expected location for the first computing device, which may be a particular location for a certain period of time. During that time, the first computing device can monitor its own location and check whether it is within the expected location. If the first computing device unexpectedly leaves or fails to enter the expected location, the first computing device may transmit a notification to the second computing device. Similarly, if the first computing device loses connectivity with other devices, a server device may notify the second computing device that the location of the first computing device cannot be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas E. Schobel, Swaminathan Jayaraman, Paul W. Salzman, Kevin M. Lynch, Tommy Rochette, Albert R. Howard, Siva Ganesh Movva, Thomas Chathoth Abraham, Frank De Jong, Rachel F. Needle, David John Williams, Raghunandan K. Pai, Swadesh Bhattacharya
  • Patent number: 11228864
    Abstract: In some implementations, a first computing device can send notifications at times that the first computing device is not in an expected location. A user of a second computing device can remotely configure an expected location for the first computing device, which may be a particular location for a certain period of time. During that time, the first computing device can monitor its own location and check whether it is within the expected location. If the first computing device unexpectedly leaves or fails to enter the expected location, the first computing device may transmit a notification to the second computing device. Similarly, if the first computing device loses connectivity with other devices, a server device may notify the second computing device that the location of the first computing device cannot be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas E. Schobel, Swaminathan Jayaraman, Paul W. Salzman, Kevin M. Lynch, Tommy Rochette, Albert R. Howard, Siva Ganesh Movva, Thomas Chathoth Abraham, Frank De Jong, Rachel F. Needle, David John Williams, Raghunandan K. Pai, Swadesh Bhattacharya
  • Publication number: 20200359175
    Abstract: In some implementations, a first computing device can send notifications at times that the first computing device is not in an expected location. A user of a second computing device can remotely configure an expected location for the first computing device, which may be a particular location for a certain period of time. During that time, the first computing device can monitor its own location and check whether it is within the expected location. If the first computing device unexpectedly leaves or fails to enter the expected location, the first computing device may transmit a notification to the second computing device. Similarly, if the first computing device loses connectivity with other devices, a server device may notify the second computing device that the location of the first computing device cannot be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas E. Schobel, Swaminathan Jayaraman, Paul W. Salzman, Kevin M. Lynch, Tommy Rochette, Albert R. Howard, Siva Ganesh Movva, Thomas Chathoth Abraham, Frank De Jong, Rachel F. Needle, David John Williams, Raghunandan K. Pai, Swadesh Bhattacharya
  • Publication number: 20200358765
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller device can implement communication restriction configurations on a managed device operated by a first user with a first account identifier, the configurations designed to limit a feature or functionality of the managed device. For example, the controller device can remotely cause the managed device to limit the communication capabilities of the first device. For example, the first device receives a message including the configuration. The managed device determines that the communication restriction configuration is created by a second user of the controller device. The first device identifies a second account identifier for the controller device. The first device determines that the second account identifier represents a member of a family group that includes the first account identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Reed E. Olsen, Todd R. Fernandez, Jeffrey D. Harris, Albert R. Howard, Paul W. Salzman, Bryce D. Wolfson, Christopher G. Skogen, David A. Steinberg, Nolan A. Astrein
  • Publication number: 20200351747
    Abstract: A device providing inter-device call continuity facilitated by a wireless audio output device may include a processor configured to initiate, over a peer-to-peer connection with a second device, a communication session between the second device and a third device. The processor may be further configured to establish, over the peer-to-peer connection with the second device, an audio link corresponding to the communication session. The processor may be further configured to determine, based at least in part on the audio link, that a connection quality of the peer-to-peer connection satisfies a connection degradation condition. The processor may be further configured to request, over a wide area network connection, for the communication session with the third device to be handed-off from the second device to the first device, and to establish, over the wide area network connection, the communication session with the third device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Luciano M. VERGER, Ajoy K. SINGH, Albert R. HOWARD, JR., Ariane COTTE, Christopher M. GARRIDO, Faraz FAHEEM, Gregory R. BURNS, Ian J. BAIRD, Imran AHMED, Nicholas J. CIRCOSTA, Robert D. WATSON, Rohan C. MALTHANKAR, Ryan A. WILLIAMS, Sergey SITNIKOV, Srinivasan NIMMALA, Thomas Chathoth ABRAHAM, Vikram B. YERRABOMMANAHALLI
  • Patent number: 9678734
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that monitor upgrade availability for computer information on a user's computer and allows the user to determine which of the available upgrades will be downloaded to the user's computer and installed. The upgrade availability for computer information on the user's computer is monitored in the background, without user-intervention when the user connects to a network, such as the Internet. If any such upgrades are available, a flag is set to notify the user of such upgrades. The user is notified of any available upgrades when computer information is accessed for which an upgrade is available, and given a choice of whether or not to download the available upgrade(s). The downloaded upgrade(s) may then be installed by an installation means. In this manner, the present invention allows for the user to download only those upgrades desired by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Meyer, Albert R. Howard, Jr., Wayne Loofbourrow
  • Publication number: 20160011860
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that monitor upgrade availability for computer information on a user's computer and allows the user to determine which of the available upgrades will be downloaded to the user's computer and installed. The upgrade availability for computer information on the user's computer is monitored in the background, without user-intervention when the user connects to a network, such as the Internet. If any such upgrades are available, a flag is set to notify the user of such upgrades. The user is notified of any available upgrades when computer information is accessed for which an upgrade is available, and given a choice of whether or not to download the available upgrade(s). The downloaded upgrade(s) may then be installed by an installation means. In this manner, the present invention allows for the user to download only those upgrades desired by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Meyer, Albert R. Howard, JR., Wayne Loofbourrow
  • Patent number: 9176723
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that monitor upgrade availability for computer information on a user's computer and allows the user to determine which of the available upgrades will be downloaded to the user's computer and installed. The upgrade availability for computer information on the user's computer is monitored in the background, without user-intervention when the user connects to a network, such as the Internet. If any such upgrades are available, a flag is set to notify the user of such upgrades. The user is notified of any available upgrades when computer information is accessed for which an upgrade is available, and given a choice of whether or not to download the available upgrade(s). The downloaded upgrade(s) may then be installed by an installation means. In this manner, the present invention allows for the user to download only those upgrades desired by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Meyer, Albert R. Howard, Jr., Wayne Loofbourrow
  • Patent number: 8359550
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for displaying information topics that are available via an online help system. The methods and systems store information for given topics in a respective folder associated with a given topic, detect the selection of one of the folders associated with a topic of interest, search files at a hierarchical level in the selected folder to identify files of a predetermined type, locate HTML metatags that pertain to the display of help information, merge data associated with the HTML metatags into a HTML template file to generate an HTML file containing data associated with each of the located HTML metatags, and provide a table of contents for the topic of interest associated with the selected folder using the generated HTML file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Meyer, Albert R. Howard, Jr., Kevin Knabe, Richard B. Hoiberg
  • Publication number: 20100269035
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for displaying information topics that are available via an online help system. The methods and systems store information for given topics in a respective folder associated with a given topic, detect the selection of one of the folders associated with a topic of interest, search files at a hierarchical level in the selected folder to identify files of a predetermined type, locate HTML metatags that pertain to the display of help information, merge data associated with the HTML metatags into a HTML template file to generate an HTML file containing data associated with each of the located HTML metatags, and provide a table of contents for the topic of interest associated with the selected folder using the generated HTML file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Meyer, Albert R. Howard, JR., Kevin Knabe, Richard B. Hoiberg
  • Publication number: 20100242035
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that monitor upgrade availability for computer information on a user's computer and allows the user to determine which of the available upgrades will be downloaded to the user's computer and installed. The upgrade availability for computer information on the user's computer is monitored in the background, without user-intervention when the user connects to a network, such as the Internet. If any such upgrades are available, a flag is set to notify the user of such upgrades. The user is notified of any available upgrades when computer information is accessed for which an upgrade is available, and given a choice of whether or not to download the available upgrade(s). The downloaded upgrade(s) may then be installed by an installation means. In this manner, the present invention allows for the user to download only those upgrades desired by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Meyer, Albert R. Howard, JR., Wayne Loofbourrow
  • Patent number: 7770123
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for dynamically generating an HTML-based information help system. The information help system provides a user with a table of contents of the information that is currently available on the system. The table of contents is generated by scanning specific files for meta-tag information. The gathered information is merged with pre-defined HTML template files that control the formatting and presentation of the information. The resulting table of contents which is provided to the user accurately reflects the current content of the information system. By dynamically generating the table of contents for the information help system, the present invention allows authors to add, remove, and change individual components of the system while ensuring that users are presented with an accurate and complete list of the information available for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Meyer, Albert R. Howard, Jr., Kevin Knabe, Richard B. Hoiberg
  • Patent number: 7734721
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method that monitors upgrade availability for computer information on a user's computer and allows the user to determine which of the available upgrades will be downloaded to the user's computer and installed. The upgrade availability for computer information on the user's computer is monitored in the background, without user-intervention when the user connects to a network, such as the Internet. If any such upgrades are available, a flag is set to notify the user of such upgrades. The user is notified of any available upgrades when computer information is accessed for which an upgrade is available, and given a choice of whether or not to download the available upgrade(s). The downloaded upgrade(s) may then be installed by an installation means. In this manner, the present invention allows for the user to download only those upgrades desired by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Meyer, Albert R. Howard, Jr., Wayne Loofbourrow
  • Patent number: 7283997
    Abstract: A computer system presents retrieved documents to a user, with documents most similar to documents in which the user previously showed high interest being ranked higher than other retrieved documents. The system compares a query vector with feedback query vectors, where each feedback query vector is associated with at least one user feedback vector, and each user feedback vector indicates an aggregate user interest in documents including terms associated with the user feedback vector. The system determines a feedback query vector that is most similar to the query vector, compares the document vectors with a user feedback vector associated with the most similar feedback query vector, and determines the document vector that is most similar to such user feedback vector. The document associated with the most similar document vector is ranked higher than the remaining retrieved documents, when presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Albert R. Howard, Jr., Eric R. Koebler, Wayne R. Loofbourrow
  • Patent number: 7102842
    Abstract: A multi-head actuator data storage device reads and writes data simultaneously to one of a plurality m of heads, the plurality of m heads mounted on each of n head actuators where the plurality of n head actuators are separated from each other by an angular separation distance of 360/n degrees. The data on the disk is organized into a plurality of logical sectors, each logical sector comprising n ordered physical sectors, where the plurality n of ordered physical sectors is separated by the same angular distance separating the head actuators. During a write operation, each head actuator independently seeks to a unique physical sector, and the order of the physical sectors is communicated to a data de-multiplexer which writes de-multiplexed data to the physical sectors in a predetermined order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: Albert R. Howard
  • Patent number: 7016944
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method that monitors upgrade availability for computer information on a user's computer and allows the user to determine which of the available upgrades will be downloaded to the user's computer and installed. The upgrade availability for computer information on the user's computer is monitored in the background, without user-intervention when the user connects to a network, such as the Internet. If any such upgrades are available, a flag is set to notify the user of such upgrades. The user is notified of any available upgrades when computer information is accessed for which an upgrade is available, and given a choice of whether or not to download the available upgrade(s). The downloaded upgrade(s) may then be installed by an installation means. In this manner, the present invention allows for the user to download only those upgrades desired by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Meyer, Albert R. Howard, Jr., Wayne Loofbourrow
  • Patent number: 6256622
    Abstract: A single file, such as an HTML document, is logically divided into multiple articles that can be individually recognized and ranked by search engines. The segmentation of a document into separate articles is based upon tokens that are used in document mark-up languages. In addition to the tokens which delineate articles from one another, additional tokens, or tags, are used to create a named location for each article, so that a browser can immediately display an article within a document that is relevant to a search query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert R. Howard, Jr., Richard Hoiberg, Curtis Stevens, Daniel Rose, Michael Monan
  • Patent number: 6011852
    Abstract: A power amplifier device for amplifying an audio signal from sound generating circuitry in a micro-computer is provided. The device is retained in a housing secured in a drive bay of the micro-computer containing a disk drive such as a compact disc read only memory drive, a compact disc recordable drive, a digital video disc drive, etc. The amplifier device and disk drive may also be configured in a unitary housing. The device receives a line-level audio signal from the audio circuitry and transmits the signal to a frequency and time response contouring device, to adjust the response of the signal. A power level adjusting mechanism, such as a volume control, adjusts the power level of the signal generated by the frequency and time response device. Amplifiers are coupled to the volume control to amplify the audio signal to a level determined by the volume control. The amplification device connects to at least leftwardly and rightwardly positioned loudspeakers to provide stereophonic sound at the desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Albert R. Howard
  • Patent number: 5751816
    Abstract: A power amplifier device for amplifying an audio signal from sound generating circuitry in a micro-computer is provided. The device is retained in a housing secured in a drive bay of the micro-computer containing a compact disc read only memory drive. The device and disc drive may also be configured in a unitary housing. The device receives a line-level audio signal from the audio circuitry and transmits the signal to a frequency and time response contouring device, to adjust the response of the signal. A power level adjusting mechanism, such as a volume control, adjusts the power level of the signal generated by the frequency and time response device. Amplifiers are coupled to the volume control to amplify the audio signal to a level determined by the volume control. The amplification device connects to at least leftwardly and rightwardly positioned loudspeakers to provide stereophonic sound at the desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Albert R. Howard