Patents by Inventor Benjamin A. Detwiler
Benjamin A. Detwiler 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: 12170892Abstract: The presence of a wireless device and/or accessory that cannot maintain an independent network connection can be detected by network connected wireless devices and the location of the detected device and/or accessory can be reported to a device location service. As the wireless devices and/or accessories do not have independent network connections, periodic maintenance is performed on those devices by nearby owner devices to which the wireless devices and/or accessories are paired or associated. Described herein are systems, methods, and associated devices to maintain a locatable wireless device by a set of multiple owner devices for that wireless device.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2023Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Kenneth U. Victa, Benjamin A. Detwiler, Nikhil Nilakantan, Todd Wheeler, Robert W. Mayor, Brent M. Ledvina, E Thomas Erdmann, IV, Sriram Hariharan
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Publication number: 20240371252Abstract: Methods to provide separation notifications are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2024Publication date: November 7, 2024Inventors: Benjamin A. Detwiler, Siva Ganesh Movva, Katherine K. Ernst, Richard Akira Heru, Johan O. Bergerengen, Langford M. Wasada, Ernst Thomas Erdmann, IV
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Publication number: 20240349042Abstract: Portable electronic devices can be used to perform tracking functionality through the exchange of proximity messages. Based on the payload in these messages, a mobile device can detect whether a portable electronic device is likely performing unwanted tracking. The mobile device user may wish to identify an account that is associated with the portable device. In response to a request from the mobile device, the portable electronic device can provide a partial identifier that can be used to determine an associated account. The portable electronic device can also provide information that the mobile device can use to locate disablement instructions that can show how to stop the portable device from performing tracking functionality.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2024Publication date: October 17, 2024Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin A. Detwiler, Brent M. Ledvina, Chen Ganir, Emmanuel Lalande, Michael C. Laster, Siva Ganesh Movva, Ernst T. Erdmann, Yannick L. Sierra
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Patent number: 12073705Abstract: Methods to provide separation notifications are described. In an embodiment, movement is detected beyond a threshold distance from a trusted location, in response to the detecting, receiving an indication that at least one accessory device is nearby the electronic device and storing information on a status of a wireless connection with the at least one accessory device, receiving an indication that the electronic device is in transit, monitoring the wireless connection for the at least one accessory device, and upon detection of a lost wireless connection for the at least one accessory device, send a separation notification.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2021Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin A. Detwiler, Siva Ganesh Movva, Katherine K. Ernst, Richard Akira Heru, Johan O. Bergerengen, Langford M. Wasada, Ernst Thomas Erdmann, IV
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Publication number: 20240276373Abstract: The techniques disclosed herein may include receiving proximity messages during a first time period via a wireless personal area network. Each proximity message may include a proximity identifier calculated using a unique identifier for a proximate electronic device. In addition, the techniques may include retrieving, from a database, a set of device identifiers corresponding to devices in the first electronic device's contact list. The techniques may include for each message: determining whether the proximity identifier of the proximate electronic device matches a device identifier, thereby determining matching proximity messages. Moreover, the techniques may include generating an event score for the first time period based on the matching proximity messages, the event score having a probability that an event has occurred between the first electronic device another device. Also, the techniques may include determining whether an event has occurred by comparing the event score to an event threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2024Publication date: August 15, 2024Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Benjamin A. Detwiler, Brent M. Ledvina, Michele Bavaro, Yujie Xu
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Patent number: 11889302Abstract: The presence of a wireless device and/or accessory that cannot maintain an independent network connection can be detected by network connected wireless devices and the location of the detected device and/or accessory can be reported to a device location service. As the wireless devices and/or accessories do not have independent network connections, periodic maintenance is performed on those devices by nearby owner devices to which the wireless devices and/or accessories are paired or associated. Described herein are systems, methods, and associated devices to maintain a locatable wireless device by a set of multiple owner devices for that wireless device.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Kenneth U. Victa, Benjamin A. Detwiler, Nikhil Nilakantan, Todd Wheeler, Robert W. Mayor, Brent M. Ledvina, E. Thomas Erdmann, IV, Sriram Hariharan
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Publication number: 20230328635Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for a mobile electronic device including a a wireless network interface coupled to a bus, a memory device coupled to the bus, and one or more processors coupled to the bus, the one or more processors to execute instructions to perform a scan, via the wireless network interface, for a beacon advertisement that is broadcast by a wireless device within range of the wireless network interface, detect the beacon advertisement broadcast by the wireless device, retrieve an identifier broadcast within the beacon advertisement, based on a result of a comparison between the identifier to at least one expected identifier, selectively send a timer reset packet to the wireless device and an authorization token for the wireless accessory to remain in near-owner mode, and allow the one or more processors to sleep for a predetermined time.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Benjamin A. Detwiler, Brent M. Ledvina, Kenneth U. Victa, Langford M. Wasada, Yannick L. Sierra
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Publication number: 20230328515Abstract: The presence of a wireless device and/or accessory that cannot maintain an independent network connection can be detected by network connected wireless devices and the location of the detected device and/or accessory can be reported to a device location service. As the wireless devices and/or accessories do not have independent network connections, periodic maintenance is performed on those devices by nearby owner devices to which the wireless devices and/or accessories are paired or associated. Described herein are systems, methods, and associated devices to maintain a locatable wireless device by a set of multiple owner devices for that wireless device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Kenneth U. Victa, Benjamin A. Detwiler, Nikhil Nilakantan, Todd Wheeler, Robert W. Mayor, Brent M. Ledvina, E. Thomas Erdmann, IV, Sriram Hariharan
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Patent number: 11736938Abstract: The presence of a wireless device and/or accessory that cannot maintain an independent network connection can be detected by network connected wireless devices and the location of the detected device and/or accessory can be reported to a device location service. As the wireless devices and/or accessories do not have independent network connections, periodic maintenance is performed on those devices by nearby owner devices to which the wireless devices and/or accessories are paired or associated. Described herein are systems, methods, and associated devices to maintain a locatable wireless device by a set of multiple owner devices for that wireless device.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Kenneth U. Victa, Benjamin A. Detwiler, Nikhil Nilakantan, Todd Wheeler, Robert W. Mayor, Brent M. Ledvina, E. Thomas Erdmann, IV, Sriram Hariharan
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Publication number: 20220358830Abstract: Methods to provide separation notifications are described. In an embodiment, movement is detected beyond a threshold distance from a trusted location, in response to the detecting, receiving an indication that at least one accessory device is nearby the electronic device and storing information on a status of a wireless connection with the at least one accessory device, receiving an indication that the electronic device is in transit, monitoring the wireless connection for the at least one accessory device, and upon detection of a lost wireless connection for the at least one accessory device, send a separation notification.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2021Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Benjamin A. Detwiler, Siva Ganesh Movva, Katherine K. Ernst, Richard Akira Heru, Johan O. Bergerengen, Langford M. Wasada, Ernst Thomas Erdmann, IV
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Publication number: 20220335807Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device displays visual indications to a user when an electronic device is associated with a particular user account. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays notifications of a separation with a remote locator object (and/or device). In some embodiments, an electronic device utilizes a first or second locator process for locating a device or a remote locator object based on the device or remote locator object being located. In some embodiments, an electronic device facilitates finding associated components that are at one or more physical locations. In some embodiments, an electronic device facilitates display of location information of associated components that are at one or more physical locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Frank DE JONG, Christine A. FRANCO, Benjamin A. Detwiler, Brent M. Ledvina
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Patent number: 11381982Abstract: An example method includes obtaining a plurality of data items. Each data item includes an indication of a particular location, an indication that a wireless signal from a first access point was observed at that location, and an indication of a time at which the wireless signal from the first access point was observed at that location. The method also includes determining a locational stability of the first access point based on the data items. Determining the locational stability of the first access point includes clustering the plurality of data items into one or more clusters based on the locations indicated in the plurality of data items, determining whether the N most recent data items are associated with a common cluster, and determining whether a time span between the N most recent data items exceeds a threshold period of time.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Margaret Tam, David Benjamin Millman, Brian Stephen Smith, Benjamin A. Detwiler
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Patent number: 11304033Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device comprising a set of classifiers that can determine whether the electronic device is likely on an airplane. Upon a determination that the electronic device is likely on an airplane, one or more wireless radios on the electronic device (e.g., an ultra-wideband ranging radio, a cellular radio, etc.) may be disabled or a prompt can be displayed to enable a user to place the device into airplane mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ping-Ko Chiu, Benjamin A. Detwiler, Stephen P. Jackson, Robert W. Mayor
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Publication number: 20220070667Abstract: The presence of a wireless device and/or accessory that cannot maintain an independent network connection can be detected by network connected wireless devices and the location of the detected device and/or accessory can be reported to a device location service. As the wireless devices and/or accessories do not have independent network connections, periodic maintenance is performed on those devices by nearby owner devices to which the wireless devices and/or accessories are paired or associated. Described herein are systems, methods, and associated devices to maintain a locatable wireless device by a set of multiple owner devices for that wireless device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Kenneth U. Victa, Benjamin A. Detwiler, Nikhil Nilakantan, Todd Wheeler, Robert W. Mayor, Brent M. Ledvina, E. Thomas Erdmann, IV, Sriram Hariharan
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Publication number: 20210099839Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device comprising a set of classifiers that can determine whether the electronic device is likely on an airplane. Upon a determination that the electronic device is likely on an airplane, one or more wireless radios on the electronic device (e.g., an ultra-wideband ranging radio, a cellular radio, etc.) may be disabled or a prompt can be displayed to enable a user to place the device into airplane mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Ping-Ko Chiu, Benjamin A. Detwiler, Stephen P. Jackson, Robert W. Mayor
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Publication number: 20210044986Abstract: An example method includes obtaining a plurality of data items. Each data item includes an indication of a particular location, an indication that a wireless signal from a first access point was observed at that location, and an indication of a time at which the wireless signal from the first access point was observed at that location. The method also includes determining a locational stability of the first access point based on the data items. Determining the locational stability of the first access point includes clustering the plurality of data items into one or more clusters based on the locations indicated in the plurality of data items, determining whether the N most recent data items are associated with a common cluster, and determining whether a time span between the N most recent data items exceeds a threshold period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Margaret Tam, David Benjamin Millman, Brian Stephen Smith, Benjamin A. Detwiler
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Patent number: 10834600Abstract: An example method includes obtaining a plurality of data items. Each data item includes an indication of a particular location, an indication that a wireless signal from a first access point was observed at that location, and an indication of a time at which the wireless signal from the first access point was observed at that location. The method also includes determining a locational stability of the first access point based on the data items. Determining the locational stability of the first access point includes clustering the plurality of data items into one or more clusters based on the locations indicated in the plurality of data items, determining whether the N most recent data items are associated with a common cluster, and determining whether a time span between the N most recent data items exceeds a threshold period of time.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Margaret H. Tam, David Benjamin Millman, Brian Stephen Smith, Benjamin A. Detwiler
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Patent number: 10545231Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for compressing radio maps of fingerprint-based positioning systems using different compression models. In an embodiment, a method comprises: receiving, by a computing device, access point (AP) data from a plurality of mobile devices operating in a geographic region, the AP data including signal strength measurements of AP signals received at a plurality of reference locations in the geographic region and uncertainty measurements associated with the signal strength measurements; determining a level of accuracy with the first compression model; responsive to the determining, selecting one of the first compression model or a second compression model to compress the AP data, the second compression model being different than the first compression model; compressing the AP data using the selected compression model; and responsive to a request from a mobile device operating in the geographic region, sending a data packet including the compressed AP data to the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Wuzhou Zhang, Benjamin A. Detwiler, David Benjamin Millman, Jasvinder Singh, Anders M. Holtsberg, Darin Tay
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Publication number: 20190137621Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for compressing radio maps of fingerprint-based positioning systems using different compression models. In an embodiment, a method comprises: receiving, by a computing device, access point (AP) data from a plurality of mobile devices operating in a geographic region, the AP data including signal strength measurements of AP signals received at a plurality of reference locations in the geographic region and uncertainty measurements associated with the signal strength measurements; determining a level of accuracy with the first compression model; responsive to the determining, selecting one of the first compression model or a second compression model to compress the AP data, the second compression model being different than the first compression model; compressing the AP data using the selected compression model; and responsive to a request from a mobile device operating in the geographic region, sending a data packet including the compressed AP data to the mobile device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Wuzhou Zhang, Benjamin A. Detwiler, David Benjamin Millman, Jasvinder Singh, Anders M. Holtsberg, Darin Tay
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Publication number: 20180338245Abstract: An example method includes obtaining a plurality of data items. Each data item includes an indication of a particular location, an indication that a wireless signal from a first access point was observed at that location, and an indication of a time at which the wireless signal from the first access point was observed at that location. The method also includes determining a locational stability of the first access point based on the data items. Determining the locational stability of the first access point includes clustering the plurality of data items into one or more clusters based on the locations indicated in the plurality of data items, determining whether the N most recent data items are associated with a common cluster, and determining whether a time span between the N most recent data items exceeds a threshold period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: November 22, 2018Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Margaret H. Tam, David Benjamin Millman, Brian Stephen Smith, Benjamin A. Detwiler