Patents by Inventor Brent M. Ledvina

Brent M. Ledvina 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).

  • Publication number: 20240349042
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 12099586
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and user interfaces for authentication, including providing and controlling authentication at a computer system using an external device in accordance with some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Grant R. Paul, Benjamin Biron, Kyle C. Brogle, Naresh Kumar Chinnathanbi Kailasam, Brent M. Ledvina, Robert W. Mayor, Nicole M. Wells
  • Patent number: 12089050
    Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein relate to the pairing of a pairing initiator device and a pairing responder device for communication. The pairing initiator device and the pairing responder device range with each other to determine the distance between the pairing initiator device and the pairing responder device. Based on the distance being below a threshold distance, the pairing initiator device and the pairing responder device wirelessly pair with each other without further input from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Yannick L. Sierra, Kyle C. Brogle, Steven Andrew Myers
  • Publication number: 20240276373
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Detwiler, Brent M. Ledvina, Michele Bavaro, Yujie Xu
  • Patent number: 12015670
    Abstract: Techniques for suggesting accessory devices controlled by an application executing on a mobile device are disclosed. A method includes measuring one or more sensor values using one or more sensors of a mobile device and the one or more sensor values are determined from one or more signals emitted by a first one or more accessory devices. An area of a physical space for the first one or more accessory devices can be determined based on the one or more sensor values. A second one or more accessory devices associated with the same area as the first one or more accessory devices can be suggested to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Kevin P. McLaughlin, David R. Stites, Jahshan A. Bhatti, Kevin Duffy, Robert William Mayor
  • Patent number: 12000938
    Abstract: A device implementing a system for estimating device location includes at least one processor configured to receive an estimated position based on a positioning system comprising a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite, and receive a set of parameters associated with the estimated position. The processor is further configured to apply the set of parameters and the estimated position to a machine learning model, the machine learning model having been trained based at least on a position of a receiving device relative to the GNSS satellite. The processor is further configured to provide the estimated position and an output of the machine learning model to a Kalman filter, and provide an estimated device location based on an output of the Kalman filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Werner, Brent M. Ledvina, Dennis P. Hilgenberg, Aarti Sathyanarayana
  • Patent number: 11889302
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 11876806
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to user authentication. In some embodiments, a first computing device receives, from a second computing device, a request for a user credential to be input into an authentication prompt associated with the second device. The first computing device determines a proximity associated with the second computing device based on a received wireless location beacon and, based on the request and the determined proximity, presents a selection prompt asking a user of the first computing device to select a user credential stored in the first computing device. The first computing device then provides the selected user credential to the second computing device to input into the authentication prompt. In some embodiments, the first computing device receives the wireless location beacon from a remote controller of the second computing device and determines a proximity based on a signal strength associated with the received location beacon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad A. Shultz, Alexander D. Sanciangco, Brent M. Ledvina, Chelsea E. Pugh, Kyle C. Brogle, Marc J. Krochmal, Maureen G. Daum, Reza Abbasian, Richard J. Mondello, Jacob S. Klapper
  • Publication number: 20230328515
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Kenneth U. Victa, Benjamin A. Detwiler, Nikhil Nilakantan, Todd Wheeler, Robert W. Mayor, Brent M. Ledvina, E. Thomas Erdmann, IV, Sriram Hariharan
  • Publication number: 20230328635
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Detwiler, Brent M. Ledvina, Kenneth U. Victa, Langford M. Wasada, Yannick L. Sierra
  • Publication number: 20230308994
    Abstract: In some aspects a first electronic device may detect a triggering condition for enabling control of a second electronic device. Upon detection of the triggering condition, the method can include determining an increased rate of transmission of advertising signals of a wireless protocol transmitted from a wireless transceiver of the first electronic device. The method can include transmitting a plurality of advertising wireless signals at the increased rate using the wireless protocol. The method can include receiving, from the second electronic device, one or more responses to the advertising wireless signals. The method can include determining a distance measurement based on the one or more responses. Responsive to the distance measurement being less than a threshold value, the method can include enabling control of one or more components of the first electronic device or the second electronic device by the other device. Numerous other aspects are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Werner, Kevin J. Van Vechten, Robert W. Mayor, Brent M. Ledvina, Brian G. Kilberg, Subash Marri Sridhar, Alejandro A. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11736938
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20230239656
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for allowing a mobile device (e.g., a key fob or a consumer electronic device, such as a mobile phone, watch, or other wearable device) to interact with a vehicle such that a location of the mobile device can be determined by the vehicle, thereby enabling certain functionality of the vehicle. A device may include both RF antenna(s) and magnetic antenna(s) for determining a location of a mobile device relative to the vehicle. Such a hybrid approach can provide various advantages. Existing magnetic coils on a mobile device (e.g., for charging or communication) may be re-used for distance measurements that are supplemented by the RF measurements. Any device antenna may provide measurements to a machine learning model that determines a region in which the mobile device resides, based on training measurements in the regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Robert W. Brumley, Robert William Mayor, William J. Bencze, Alejandro J. Marquez, Shang-Te Yang, Xu Chen, Indranil S. Sen, Mohit Narang
  • Publication number: 20230184961
    Abstract: A device implementing a system for estimating device location includes at least one processor configured to receive an estimated position based on a positioning system comprising a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite, and receive a set of parameters associated with the estimated position. The processor is further configured to apply the set of parameters and the estimated position to a machine learning model, the machine learning model having been trained based at least on a position of a receiving device relative to the GNSS satellite. The processor is further configured to provide the estimated position and an output of the machine learning model to a Kalman filter, and provide an estimated device location based on an output of the Kalman filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin A. WERNER, Brent M. LEDVINA, Dennis P. HILGENBERG, Aarti SATHYANARAYANA
  • Patent number: 11671530
    Abstract: A mobile device can include ranging circuitry to determine distance to another mobile device. A first wireless protocol can establish an initial communication session to perform authentication and/or exchange ranging settings. A second protocol can perform ranging, and other wireless protocols can transmit content. In one example, the distance information can be used to display a relative position of another device on a user interface of a sending device. The user interface can allow a user to quickly and accurately select the recipient device for sending the data item. As other example, the distance information obtained from ranging can be used to trigger a notification (e.g., a reminder) to be output from a first mobile device or used to display a visual indicator on a receiving device. Proximity of a device (e.g., as determined by a distance) can be used to suggest recipient for a new communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Marc J. Krochmal, Robert W. Brumley, Sriram Hariharan
  • Publication number: 20230147041
    Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein relate to the pairing of a pairing initiator device and a pairing responder device for communication. The pairing initiator device and the pairing responder device range with each other to determine the distance between the pairing initiator device and the pairing responder device. Based on the distance being below a threshold distance, the pairing initiator device and the pairing responder device wirelessly pair with each other without further input from the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Yannick L. Sierra, Kyle C. Brogle, Steven Andrew Myers
  • Patent number: 11627433
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for allowing a mobile device (e.g., a key fob or a consumer electronic device, such as a mobile phone, watch, or other wearable device) to interact with a vehicle such that a location of the mobile device can be determined by the vehicle, thereby enabling certain functionality of the vehicle. A device may include both RF antenna(s) and magnetic antenna(s) for determining a location of a mobile device relative to the vehicle. Such a hybrid approach can provide various advantages. Existing magnetic coils on a mobile device (e.g., for charging or communication) may be re-used for distance measurements that are supplemented by the RF measurements. Any device antenna may provide measurements to a machine learning model that determines a region in which the mobile device resides, based on training measurements in the regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Robert W. Brumley, Robert William Mayor, William J. Bencze, Alejandro J. Marquez, Shang-Te Yang, Xu Chen, Indranil S. Sen, Mohit Narang
  • Patent number: 11604287
    Abstract: A device implementing a system for estimating device location includes at least one processor configured to receive an estimated position based on a positioning system comprising a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite, and receive a set of parameters associated with the estimated position. The processor is further configured to apply the set of parameters and the estimated position to a machine learning model, the machine learning model having been trained based at least on a position of a receiving device relative to the GNSS satellite. The processor is further configured to provide the estimated position and an output of the machine learning model to a Kalman filter, and provide an estimated device location based on an output of the Kalman filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Werner, Brent M. Ledvina, Dennis P. Hilgenberg, Aarti Sathyanarayana
  • Publication number: 20230051718
    Abstract: A mobile device can include ranging circuitry to determine distance to another mobile device. A first wireless protocol can establish an initial communication session to perform authentication and/or exchange ranging settings. A second protocol can perform ranging, and other wireless protocols can transmit content. In one example, the distance information can be used to display a relative position of another device on a user interface of a sending device. The user interface can allow a user to quickly and accurately select the recipient device for sending the data item. As another example, the distance information obtained from ranging can be used to trigger a notification (e.g., a reminder) to be output from a first mobile device or used to display a visual indicator on a receiving device. Proximity of a device (e.g., as determined by a distance) can be used to suggest recipient for a new communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Marc J. Krochmal, Robert W. Brumley, Sriram Hariharan
  • Patent number: 11575752
    Abstract: Techniques for suggesting accessory devices controlled by an application executing on a mobile device are disclosed. A method includes measuring one or more sensor values using one or more sensors of a mobile device and the one or more sensor values are determined from one or more signals emitted by a first one or more accessory devices. An area of a physical space for the first one or more accessory devices can be determined based on the one or more sensor values. A second one or more accessory devices associated with the same area as the first one or more accessory devices can be suggested to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Kevin P. McLaughlin, David R. Stites, Jahshan A. Bhatti, Kevin Duffy, Robert William Mayor