Patents by Inventor Bob Bradley
Bob Bradley 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: 12273404Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a network system to enable content playback on multiple devices. An electronic device can receive information associated with media playback request and resolve a media item and intended playback device for the media request based on a set of available media items and player devices. The device can then transmit, via the data interface, a request to play the media item at the player device via a secure device to device communication system.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2021Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bob Bradley, Bryan E. Hansen, Vincent M. Lane, Benjamin S. Phipps, Karl F. Schramm, Andrew J. Sinesio, Jaireh Tecarro
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Publication number: 20250106636Abstract: A device providing temporary pairing for wireless devices may include a memory and at least one processor configured to receive a request to temporarily pair with a wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to pair with the wireless device, wherein the pairing comprises generating a link key for connecting to the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to connect to the wireless device using the link key. The at least one processor may be further configured to initiate a timer upon disconnecting from the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to automatically and without user input, delete the link key when the timer reaches a timeout value without having reconnected to the wireless device using the link key.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2024Publication date: March 27, 2025Inventors: Natalia A. FORNSHELL, Aarti KUMAR, Robert D. WATSON, Ariane COTTE, Bob BRADLEY, Marc J. KROCHMAL, Kang SUN, Chen GANIR, Sarang S. RANADE, Akshay MANGALAM SRIVATSA
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Patent number: 12245327Abstract: A device implementing dynamic controller selection may include a processor configured to generate a connectivity graph based on a scan for accessory devices, the connectivity graph including a connectivity metric value for a discovered accessory device. The processor may be configured to broadcast the connectivity graph and receive another connectivity graph broadcasted by another electronic device that includes another connectivity metric value for the accessory device. The processor may be configured to receive a request to provide an instruction to the accessory device and determine which of the electronic devices will provide the instruction based on the connectivity metric values. The processor may be further configured to, when the electronic device is determined, provide the instruction for transmission to the accessory device, and when the other electronic device is determined, provide, for transmission to the other electronic device, the instruction to be provided to the accessory device.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2023Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Avinash Reddy Singireddy, Anjali S. Sandesara, Sergey Chemishkian, Yilok L. Wong, Bob Bradley, Michael Giles
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Patent number: 12231318Abstract: A uniform protocol can facilitate secure, authenticated communication between a controller device and an accessory device that is controlled by the controller. An accessory and a controller can establish a pairing, the existence of which can be verified at a later time and used to create a secure communication session. The accessory can provide an accessory definition record that defines the accessory as a collection of services, each service having one or more characteristics. Within a secure communication session, the controller can interrogate the characteristics to determine accessory state and/or modify the characteristics to instruct the accessory to change its state.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2022Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joe Abuan, Bob Bradley, Craig Dooley, Gregg Golembeski, Jr., Andrew Burks, Srinivas Rama, Arun Mathias, Anush Nadathur, Kevin P. McLaughlin
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Publication number: 20250039606Abstract: Techniques for routing communication to a common audio output device connected multiple audio signal source devices are disclosed. For each of audio signal source devices, a set of inputs are assessed. The set of inputs can include: an operational state of the audio signal source device, an interaction with the audio signal source device, an audio-producing application being executed by the audio signal source device, or a degree of user interaction with the audio-producing application. At a point in time, an audio routing score is generated for each of the audio signal source devices according to a weighted calculation of the set of inputs based on the assessing. Finally, an audio signal routing decision is made, to route an audio signal from one of the audio signal source devices to the audio output device, based on the audio routing score for each of the audio signal source devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2024Publication date: January 30, 2025Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aarti Kumar, Bob Bradley, Natalia A. Fornshell, Deepak Iyer, Astrid Yi, Michael J. Giles, Sriram Hariharan, Kang Sun, Akshay Mangalam Srivatsa, Jonathan A. Bennett, Taylor G. Carrigan, Anthony J. Guetta
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Patent number: 12185112Abstract: A device providing temporary pairing for wireless devices may include a memory and at least one processor configured to receive a request to temporarily pair with a wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to pair with the wireless device, wherein the pairing comprises generating a link key for connecting to the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to connect to the wireless device using the link key. The at least one processor may be further configured to initiate a timer upon disconnecting from the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to automatically and without user input, delete the link key when the timer reaches a timeout value without having reconnected to the wireless device using the link key.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Natalia A. Fornshell, Aarti Kumar, Robert D. Watson, Ariane Cotte, Bob Bradley, Marc J. Krochmal, Kang Sun, Chen Ganir, Sarang S. Ranade, Akshay Mangalam Srivatsa
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Patent number: 12177207Abstract: The embodiments set forth a technique for enabling a computing device to securely configure a peripheral computing device. According to some embodiments, the method can include the steps of (1) approving a request received from the peripheral computing device to engage in a setup procedure for the peripheral computing device, (2) receiving, from the peripheral computing device: (i) an audio signal that encodes a password and timing information, and (ii) a light signal. Additionally, the method can involve, in response to identifying that the timing information correlates with the light signal: (3) extracting the password from the audio signal, and (4) establishing a communication link with the peripheral computing device based on the password. In turn, the method can involve (5) providing configuration information to the peripheral computing device over the communication link.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jay S. Coggin, Daniel C. Klingler, Kyle C. Brogle, Johannes P. Schmidt, Eric A. Allamanche, Thomas Alsina, Bob Bradley, Alex T. Nelson, Rudolph Van Der Merwe, Joseph M. Triscari, Keun Sup Lee, Pedro Mari, Aaron M. Elder, Richard M. Powell
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Patent number: 12175071Abstract: The systems described herein provide a remote keyboard service for a media device on a computing device without having to invoke an application or unlock the computing device. The computing device can receive a message indicating that a text input field on the other device is selected and present a notification to the user prompting the user to invoke the virtual keyboard on the computing device to provide text input to the selected text input field. The computing device can receive user input selecting the notification and present a virtual keyboard for providing text input to the other device. The computing device can receive keyboard input from the user selecting characters and send the characters to the other device. The other device can then user the characters as text input to the selected text input field.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2023Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alexander D. Sanciangco, Bob Bradley, Marc Krochmal, Graham Clarke
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Publication number: 20240394358Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique for managing permissions associated with the control of a host device that are provided to a group of wireless devices. The host device is configured to pair with a first wireless device. In response to pairing with the first wireless device, the host device grants a first level of permissions for controlling the host device to the first wireless device. Subsequently, the host device can receive a second request from a second wireless device to pair with the host device. In response to pairing with the second wireless device, the host device can grant a second level of permissions for controlling the host device to second wireless device, where the second level of permissions is distinct from the first level of permissions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2024Publication date: November 28, 2024Inventors: Bob BRADLEY, William M. BUMGARNER, Vijay SUNDARAM, Marc J. KROCHMAL
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Publication number: 20240388918Abstract: A device providing temporary pairing for wireless devices may include a memory and at least one processor configured to receive a request to temporarily pair with a wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to pair with the wireless device, wherein the pairing comprises generating a link key for connecting to the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to connect to the wireless device using the link key. The at least one processor may be further configured to initiate a timer upon disconnecting from the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to automatically and without user input, delete the link key when the timer reaches a timeout value without having reconnected to the wireless device using the link key.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2024Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventors: Natalia A. FORNSHELL, Aarti KUMAR, Akshay MANGALAM SRIVATSA, Ariane COTTE, Bob BRADLEY, Chen GANIR, Kang SUN, Marc J. KROCHMAL, Robert D. WATSON, Sarang S. RANADE
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Publication number: 20240388917Abstract: A device providing temporary pairing for wireless devices may include a memory and at least one processor configured to receive a request to temporarily pair with a wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to pair with the wireless device, wherein the pairing comprises generating a link key for connecting to the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to connect to the wireless device using the link key. The at least one processor may be further configured to initiate a timer upon disconnecting from the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to automatically and without user input, delete the link key when the timer reaches a timeout value without having reconnected to the wireless device using the link key.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2024Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventors: Natalia A. FORNSHELL, Aarti KUMAR, Akshay MANGALAM SRIVATSA, Ariane COTTE, Bob BRADLEY, Chen GANIR, Kang SUN, Marc J. KROCHMAL, Robert D. WATSON, Sarang S. RANADE
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Patent number: 12075220Abstract: A system and method for routing communication to a common audio output device connected to each of two or more audio signal source devices. For each of the two or more audio signal source devices, a set of inputs are assessed. The set of inputs include: an operational state of the audio signal source device, an activity the audio signal source device, an audio-producing application being executed by the audio signal source device, and a degree of user activity with the audio-producing application being executed by the audio signal source. At a point in time, an audio routing score is generated for each of the two or more audio signal source devices according to a weighted calculation of the set of inputs based on the assessing. Finally, an audio signal routing decision is made, to route an audio signal from one of the two or more audio signal source devices to the audio output device, based on the audio routing score for each of the two or more audio signal source devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2021Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aarti Kumar, Bob Bradley, Natalia A. Fornshell, Deepak Iyer, Astrid Yi, Michael J. Giles, Sriram Hariharan, Kang Sun, Akshay Mangalam Srivatsa, Jonathan A. Bennett, Taylor G. Carrigan, Anthony J. Guetta
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Patent number: 12067105Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique for managing permissions associated with the control of a host device that are provided to a group of wireless devices. The host device is configured to pair with a first wireless device. In response to pairing with the first wireless device, the host device grants a first level of permissions for controlling the host device to the first wireless device. Subsequently, the host device can receive a second request from a second wireless device to pair with the host device. In response to pairing with the second wireless device, the host device can grant a second level of permissions for controlling the host device to second wireless device, where the second level of permissions is distinct from the first level of permissions.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2023Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bob Bradley, William M. Bumgarner, Vijay Sundaram, Marc J. Krochmal
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Patent number: 12010742Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for pairing two proximate devices. An advertisement message associated with an accessory device may be received by a host device (e.g., a smart phone). The advertisement message may be communicated using a Bluetooth protocol (e.g., BLE). Payload data may be extracted from the advertisement message and utilized to obtain a media asset (e.g., an image, a video, an icon, etc.) associated with the accessory device. The media asset may be presented via a user interface at the host device. Input may be received indicating a request and/or an approval to perform a pairing procedure with the accessory device. In accordance with the input, the host device may execute the pairing procedure with the accessory device.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2019Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bob Bradley, Jacob S. Weiss, Michael J. Giles, Sriram Hariharan
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Patent number: 11997496Abstract: A device providing temporary pairing for wireless devices may include a memory and at least one processor configured to receive a request to temporarily pair with a wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to pair with the wireless device, wherein the pairing comprises generating a link key for connecting to the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to connect to the wireless device using the link key. The at least one processor may be further configured to initiate a timer upon disconnecting from the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to automatically and without user input, delete the link key when the timer reaches a timeout value without having reconnected to the wireless device using the link key.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Natalia A Fornshell, Aarti Kumar, Robert D. Watson, Ariane Cotte, Bob Bradley, Marc J. Krochmal, Kang Sun, Chen Ganir, Sarang S. Ranade, Akshay Mangalam Srivatsa
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Publication number: 20240086062Abstract: The systems described herein provide a remote keyboard service for a media device on a computing device without having to invoke an application or unlock the computing device. The computing device can receive a message indicating that a text input field on the other device is selected and present a notification to the user prompting the user to invoke the virtual keyboard on the computing device to provide text input to the selected text input field. The computing device can receive user input selecting the notification and present a virtual keyboard for providing text input to the other device. The computing device can receive keyboard input from the user selecting characters and send the characters to the other device. The other device can then user the characters as text input to the selected text input field.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alexander D. Sanciangco, Bob Bradley, Marc Krochmal, Graham Clarke
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Publication number: 20240048985Abstract: This application relates to a computing device that can be configured to implement a method for enabling a nearby computing device to access a wireless network by carrying out the techniques described herein. In particular, the method can include the steps of (1) receiving a request from the nearby computing device to access the wireless network, where the request includes user information associated with the nearby computing device, (2) presenting a notification associated with the request in response to determining, based on the user information, that the nearby computing device is recognized by the computing device, and (3) in response to receiving an approval for the nearby computing device to access the wireless network: providing, to the nearby computing device, a password for accessing the wireless network.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Alexander D. SANCIANGCO, Bob BRADLEY, Marc J. KROCHMAL, Nathan A. KRALIAN, Welly KASTEN, Patrick L. COFFMAN
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Patent number: 11868611Abstract: The systems described herein provide a remote keyboard service for a media device on a computing device without having to invoke an application or unlock the computing device. The computing device can receive a message indicating that a text input field on the other device is selected and present a notification to the user prompting the user to invoke the virtual keyboard on the computing device to provide text input to the selected text input field. The computing device can receive user input selecting the notification and present a virtual keyboard for providing text input to the other device. The computing device can receive keyboard input from the user selecting characters and send the characters to the other device. The other device can then user the characters as text input to the selected text input field.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alexander D. Sanciangco, Bob Bradley, Marc Krochmal, Graham Clarke
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Publication number: 20240007839Abstract: A device implementing dynamic controller selection may include a processor configured to generate a connectivity graph based on a scan for accessory devices, the connectivity graph including a connectivity metric value for a discovered accessory device. The processor may be configured to broadcast the connectivity graph and receive another connectivity graph broadcasted by another electronic device that includes another connectivity metric value for the accessory device. The processor may be configured to receive a request to provide an instruction to the accessory device and determine which of the electronic devices will provide the instruction based on the connectivity metric values. The processor may be further configured to, when the electronic device is determined, provide the instruction for transmission to the accessory device, and when the other electronic device is determined, provide, for transmission to the other electronic device, the instruction to be provided to the accessory device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Avinash Reddy SINGIREDDY, Anjali S. SANDESARA, Sergey CHEMISHKIAN, Yilok L. WONG, Bob BRADLEY, Michael GILES
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Publication number: 20240007863Abstract: A device providing temporary pairing for wireless devices may include a memory and at least one processor configured to receive a request to temporarily pair with a wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to pair with the wireless device, wherein the pairing comprises generating a link key for connecting to the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to connect to the wireless device using the link key. The at least one processor may be further configured to initiate a timer upon disconnecting from the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to automatically and without user input, delete the link key when the timer reaches a timeout value without having reconnected to the wireless device using the link key.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Natalia A. FORNSHELL, Aarti KUMAR, Robert D. WATSON, Ariane COTTE, Bob BRADLEY, Marc J. KROCHMAL, Kang SUN, Chen GANIR, Sarang S. RANADE, Akshay MANGALAM SRIVATSA