Patents by Inventor Brian Conrad Sumner

Brian Conrad Sumner 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: 10705794
    Abstract: The method includes automatically, without user input and without regard to whether a digital assistant application has been separately invoked by a user, determining that the electronic device is in a vehicle. In some implementations, determining that the electronic device is in a vehicle comprises detecting that the electronic device is in communication with the vehicle (e.g., via a wired or wireless communication techniques and/or protocols). The method also includes, responsive to the determining, invoking a listening mode of a virtual assistant implemented by the electronic device. In some implementations, the method also includes limiting the ability of a user to view visual output presented by the electronic device, provide typed input to the electronic device, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Harry J. Saddler, Lia T. Napolitano, Emily Clark Schubert, Brian Conrad Sumner
  • Patent number: 10679605
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing hands-free reading of content comprising: identifying a plurality of data items for presentation to a user, the plurality of data items associated with a domain-specific item type and sorted according to a particular order; based on the domain-specific item type, generating a speech-based overview of the plurality of data items; for each of the plurality of data items, generating a respective speech-based, item-specific paraphrase for the data item based on respective content of the data item; and providing, to a user through the speech-enabled dialogue interface, the speech-based overview, followed by the respective speech-based, item-specific paraphrases for at least a subset of the plurality of data items in the particular order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Harry J. Saddler, Lia T. Napolitano, Emily Clark Schubert, Brian Conrad Sumner
  • Publication number: 20130275138
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing hands-free reading of content comprising: identifying a plurality of data items for presentation to a user, the plurality of data items associated with a domain-specific item type and sorted according to a particular order; based on the domain-specific item type, generating a speech-based overview of the plurality of data items; for each of the plurality of data items, generating a respective speech-based, item-specific paraphrase for the data item based on respective content of the data item; and providing, to a user through the speech-enabled dialogue interface, the speech-based overview, followed by the respective speech-based, item-specific paraphrases for at least a subset of the plurality of data items in the particular order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Harry J. Saddler, Lia T. Napolitano, Emily Clark Schubert, Brian Conrad Sumner
  • Publication number: 20130275875
    Abstract: The method includes automatically, without user input and without regard to whether a digital assistant application has been separately invoked by a user, determining that the electronic device is in a vehicle. In some implementations, determining that the electronic device is in a vehicle comprises detecting that the electronic device is in communication with the vehicle (e.g., via a wired or wireless communication techniques and/or protocols). The method also includes, responsive to the determining, invoking a listening mode of a virtual assistant implemented by the electronic device. In some implementations, the method also includes limiting the ability of a user to view visual output presented by the electronic device, provide typed input to the electronic device, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Harry J. Saddler, Lia T. Napolitano, Emily Clark Schubert, Brian Conrad Sumner