Patents by Inventor Andrew Thomas Smoak
Andrew Thomas Smoak 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: 10775962Abstract: A user interface overlay is presented over a native graphical user interface (GUI) of a device. By way of example, the overlay can include a graphical presentation layer (GPL) that can selectively mask and/or expose functionality of the native GUI of the device. In addition, the GPL can bundle disparate portions of native functionality in accord with one or more logical associations between a title, tag, application, purpose, type, or like qualifier, associated with the disparate portions. In addition, user preferences and device/network intelligence components can dynamically customize portions of the GPL to match a location, locale, mood, or setting or like situational context of a device and/or user.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Andrew Thomas Smoak, Michelle Mindala-Freeman, David Ames Christopher
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Publication number: 20180150203Abstract: A user interface overlay is presented over a native graphical user interface (GUI) of a device. By way of example, the overlay can include a graphical presentation layer (GPL) that can selectively mask and/or expose functionality of the native GUI of the device. In addition, the GPL can bundle disparate portions of native functionality in accord with one or more logical associations between a title, tag, application, purpose, type, or like qualifier, associated with the disparate portions. In addition, user preferences and device/network intelligence components can dynamically customize portions of the GPL to match a location, locale, mood, or setting or like situational context of a device and/or user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2018Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Andrew Thomas Smoak, Michelle Mindala-Freeman, David Ames Christopher
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Patent number: 9880700Abstract: A user interface overlay is presented over a native graphical user interface (GUI) of a device. By way of example, the overlay can include a graphical presentation layer (GPL) that can selectively mask and/or expose functionality of the native GUI of the device. In addition, the GPL can bundle disparate portions of native functionality in accord with one or more logical associations between a title, tag, application, purpose, type, or like qualifier, associated with the disparate portions. In addition, user preferences and device/network intelligence components can dynamically customize portions of the GPL to match a location, locale, mood, or setting or like situational context of a device and/or user.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: AT&T MOBILITY II, LLCInventors: Andrew Thomas Smoak, Michelle Mindala-Freeman, David Ames Christopher
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Patent number: 9753608Abstract: A user interface overlay is presented over a native graphical user interface (GUI) of a device. By way of example, the overlay can include a graphical presentation layer (GPL) that can selectively mask and/or expose functionality of the native GUI of the device. In addition, the GPL can bundle disparate portions of native functionality in accord with one or more logical associations between a title, tag, application, purpose, type, or like qualifier, associated with the disparate portions. In addition, user preferences and device/network intelligence components can dynamically customize portions of the GPL to match a location, locale, mood, or setting or like situational context of a device and/or user.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: AT&T MOBILITY II LLCInventors: Andrew Thomas Smoak, Michelle Mindala-Freeman, David Ames Christopher
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Publication number: 20150268819Abstract: A user interface overlay is presented over a native graphical user interface (GUI) of a device. By way of example, the overlay can include a graphical presentation layer (GPL) that can selectively mask and/or expose functionality of the native GUI of the device. In addition, the GPL can bundle disparate portions of native functionality in accord with one or more logical associations between a title, tag, application, purpose, type, or like qualifier, associated with the disparate portions. In addition, user preferences and device/network intelligence components can dynamically customize portions of the GPL to match a location, locale, mood, or setting or like situational context of a device and/or user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: Andrew Thomas Smoak, Michelle Mindala-Freeman, David Ames Christopher
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Patent number: 9134811Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by measuring the angle of each key press and rejecting improbable keys pressed at an off-center angle. Examples include a text-entry device which has logic for resisting error while the user enters text on a keyboard of the text-entry device. Each key determines the angle at which the key is pressed. Logic on the text-entry device assigns a range of acceptable angles to each key. If a key is pressed within the range of acceptable angles, then the entry is permitted. If a key is pressed outside the range of acceptable angles, then the entry is denied. Once text is entered, logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The keyboard logic then adjusts the range of acceptable angles based on that statistical probability.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Mark Edward Causey, Jeffrey Norbert Howard, Andrew Thomas Smoak
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Patent number: 9128610Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by generating a dynamic virtual keyboard. Certain examples display a soft keyboard on a touchscreen of a text-entry device. The touchscreen works with the soft keyboard as a form of text input. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device is programmed to change the footprint of each key within the soft keyboard based on the prior entry. The keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The touchscreen displays a dynamic virtual keyboard based on these prediction values. Enhancements include resizing keys and their respective footprints relative to their prediction value. Other examples exploit the possible character sequences and their probabilities in a language and restructuring the keyboard to make text input more efficient. The devices and methods use modeling techniques to dynamically generate the size of the characters on the keyboard.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Mark Edward Causey, Jeffrey Norbert Howard, Andrew Thomas Smoak
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Patent number: 9122393Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by generating a dynamic virtual keyboard. Disclosed examples display a soft keyboard on a touchscreen of a text-entry device. The touchscreen works with the soft keyboard as a form of text input. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device is programmed to change the sensitivity of the footprint of keys surrounding a predicted key or keys, based upon the prior entry. The keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The touchscreen displays a dynamic virtual keyboard based on these prediction values. Enhancements include reducing the sensitivity of the footprint of keys relative to their prediction value. For instance, if a key is very unlikely to be the next intended key pressed, the footprint of the key will only respond to a key press of greater force than a key which is likely to be entered next.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Mark Edward Causey, Jeffrey Norbert Howard, Andrew Thomas Smoak
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Publication number: 20140365908Abstract: A user interface overlay is presented over a native graphical user interface (GUI) of a device. By way of example, the overlay can include a graphical presentation layer (GPL) that can selectively mask and/or expose functionality of the native GUI of the device. In addition, the GPL can bundle disparate portions of native functionality in accord with one or more logical associations between a title, tag, application, purpose, type, or like qualifier, associated with the disparate portions. In addition, user preferences and device/network intelligence components can dynamically customize portions of the GPL to match a location, locale, mood, or setting or like situational context of a device and/or user.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Andrew Thomas Smoak, Michelle Mindala-Freeman, David Ames Christopher
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Publication number: 20140354552Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by measuring the angle of each key press and rejecting improbable keys pressed at an off-center angle. Examples include a text-entry device which has logic for resisting error while the user enters text on a keyboard of the text-entry device. Each key determines the angle at which the key is pressed. Logic on the text-entry device assigns a range of acceptable angles to each key. If a key is pressed within the range of acceptable angles, then the entry is permitted. If a key is pressed outside the range of acceptable angles, then the entry is denied. Once text is entered, logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The keyboard logic then adjusts the range of acceptable angles based on that statistical probability.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Mark Edward Causey, Jeffrey Norbert Howard, Andrew Thomas Smoak
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Patent number: 8843853Abstract: Providing a user interface overlay to a native graphical user interface (GUI) of a device is described herein. By way of example, the overlay can include a graphical presentation layer (GPL) that can selectively mask and/or expose functionality of the native GUI of the device. In addition, the GPL can bundle disparate portions of native functionality in accord with one or more logical associations between a title, tag, application, purpose, type, or like qualifier, associated with the disparate portions. In addition, user preferences and device/network intelligence components can dynamically customize portions of the GPL to match a location, locale, mood, or setting or like situational context of a device and/or user.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2007Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Andrew Thomas Smoak, Michelle Marie Mindala, David Ames Christopher
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Patent number: 8816965Abstract: Devices and methods are described for improving the efficiency of text input by requiring more pressure to select keys on a dynamic keyboard that are improbable key presses. Examples include a text-entry device which has logic for resisting error while the user enters text on a keyboard of the text-entry device. Each key has a lever mechanism which varies the force required to press the key. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device is programmed to change the force required to enter each key within the dynamic keyboard based on the prior entry. The keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Mark Edward Causey, Jeffrey Norbert Howard, Andrew Thomas Smoak
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Patent number: 8810516Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by measuring the angle of each key press and rejecting improbable keys pressed at an off-center angle. Examples include a text-entry device which has logic for resisting error while the user enters text on a keyboard of the text-entry device. Each key determines the angle at which the key is pressed. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device assigns a range of acceptable angles to each key. If a key is pressed within the range of acceptable angles, which is typically around the center, then the entry is permitted. If a key is pressed outside the range of acceptable angles, which is typically on the edges, then the entry is denied. Once text is entered, the keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The keyboard logic then adjusts the range of acceptable angles based on that statistical probability.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Mark Edward Causey, Jeffrey Norbert Howard, Andrew Thomas Smoak
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Patent number: 8773357Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by measuring the angle of each key press and rejecting improbable keys pressed at an off-center angle. Examples include a text-entry device which has logic for resisting error while the user enters text on a keyboard of the text-entry device. Each key determines the angle at which the key is pressed. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device assigns a range of acceptable angles to each key. If a key is pressed within the range of acceptable angles, which is typically around the center, then the entry is permitted. If a key is pressed outside the range of acceptable angles, which is typically on the edges, then the entry is denied. Once text is entered, the keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The keyboard logic then adjusts the range of acceptable angles based on that statistical probability.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Mark Edward Causey, Jeffrey Norbert Howard, Andrew Thomas Smoak
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Publication number: 20110074691Abstract: Devices and methods are described for improving the efficiency of text input by requiring more pressure to select keys on a dynamic keyboard that are improbable key presses. Examples include a text-entry device which has logic for resisting error while the user enters text on a keyboard of the text-entry device. Each key has a lever mechanism which varies the force required to press the key. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device is programmed to change the force required to enter each key within the dynamic keyboard based on the prior entry. The keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Mark Edward Causey, Jeffrey Norbert Howard, Andrew Thomas Smoak
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Publication number: 20110074685Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by generating a dynamic virtual keyboard. Certain examples display a soft keyboard on a touchscreen of a text-entry device. The touchscreen works with the soft keyboard as a form of text input. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device is programmed to change the footprint of each key within the soft keyboard based on the prior entry. The keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The touchscreen displays a dynamic virtual keyboard based on these prediction values. Enhancements include resizing keys and their respective footprints relative to their prediction value. Other examples exploit the possible character sequences and their probabilities in a language and restructuring the keyboard to make text input more efficient. The devices and methods use modeling techniques to dynamically generate the size of the characters on the keyboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: AT&T MOBILITY II LLCInventors: Mark Edward Causey, Jeffrey Norbert Howard, Andrew Thomas Smoak
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Publication number: 20110074686Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by measuring the angle of each key press and rejecting improbable keys pressed at an off-center angle. Examples include a text-entry device which has logic for resisting error while the user enters text on a keyboard of the text-entry device. Each key determines the angle at which the key is pressed. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device assigns a range of acceptable angles to each key. If a key is pressed within the range of acceptable angles, which is typically around the center, then the entry is permitted. If a key is pressed outside the range of acceptable angles, which is typically on the edges, then the entry is denied. Once text is entered, the keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The keyboard logic then adjusts the range of acceptable angles based on that statistical probability.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: AT&T MOBILITY II LLCInventors: Mark Edward Causey, Jeffrey Norbert Howard, Andrew Thomas Smoak
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Publication number: 20110074704Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by generating a dynamic virtual keyboard. Disclosed examples display a soft keyboard on a touchscreen of a text-entry device. The touchscreen works with the soft keyboard as a form of text input. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device is programmed to change the sensitivity of the footprint of keys surrounding a predicted key or keys, based upon the prior entry. The keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The touchscreen displays a dynamic virtual keyboard based on these prediction values. Enhancements include reducing the sensitivity of the footprint of keys relative to their prediction value. For instance, if a key is very unlikely to be the next intended key pressed, the footprint of the key will only respond to a key press of greater force than a key which is likely to be entered next.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: AT&T MOBILITY II LLCInventors: Mark Edward Causey, Jeffrey Norbert Howard, Andrew Thomas Smoak