Patents by Inventor Bryan J. James

Bryan J. James 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: 9495005
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing data from a motion sensor to detect intentional movements of a device are provided. An electronic device having a motion sensor may process motion sensor data along one or more dimensions to generate an acceleration value representative of the movement of the electronic device. The electronic device may then determine whether the acceleration value changes from less than a low threshold, to more than a high threshold, and again to less than the low threshold within a particular amount of time, reflecting an intentional movement of the electronic device by the user. In response to determining that the acceleration value is associated with an intentional movement of the electronic device, the electronic device may perform a particular event or operation. For example, in response to detecting that an electronic device has been shaken, the electronic device may shuffle a media playlist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Andrea Mucignat, Bryan J. James
  • Publication number: 20160216780
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing data from a motion sensor to detect intentional movements of a device are provided. An electronic device having a motion sensor may process motion sensor data along one or more dimensions to generate an acceleration value representative of the movement of the electronic device. The electronic device may then determine whether the acceleration value changes from less than a low threshold, to more than a high threshold, and again to less than the low threshold within a particular amount of time, reflecting an intentional movement of the electronic device by the user. In response to determining that the acceleration value is associated with an intentional movement of the electronic device, the electronic device may perform a particular event or operation. For example, in response to detecting that an electronic device has been shaken, the electronic device may shuffle a media playlist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Andrea Mucignat, Bryan J. James
  • Publication number: 20160037346
    Abstract: A wearable device can establish a verified session with a host device. For example, if a user wearing the wearable device unlocks the host device (e.g., by entering a credential), the devices can create a verified session, which can persist across lock and unlock events at the host device. For the duration of the verified session, a host device can request session confirmation from the wearable device at any time to confirm that the verified session is still in progress. While the session is in progress, the host can make features available such as bypassing re-entry of a credential during unlock operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jesse W. Boettcher, Craig Federighi, Bryan J. James, James Eric Mason
  • Publication number: 20150310190
    Abstract: Techniques for ensuring that media playback proceeds sequentially through media content of a digital media asset are disclosed. In one embodiment, distinct portions (e.g., segments) of a digital media asset can be separately encrypted such that on playback decoded data being output from at least one prior portion can be used to derive a cryptographic key that is used in decrypting a subsequent portion of the digital media asset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Aram LINDAHL, Bryan J. JAMES
  • Publication number: 20150296294
    Abstract: A mobile device uses externals microphone signals to improve the estimate of background noise that it computes. In order to improve voice quality in a first signal that is produced by an internal microphone, the mobile device identifies an external microphone device within proximity of the mobile device. The mobile device establishes a wireless connection with the external microphone device. The mobile device receives a second signal from the external microphone device through the wireless connection. The second signal is produced by a microphone of the external microphone device. The mobile device generates a noise profile based on the second signal, and then suppresses background/ambient noise from the first signal based on the noise profile. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Baptiste P. Paquier, Bryan J. James, Aram M. Lindahl
  • Patent number: 9077526
    Abstract: Techniques for ensuring that media playback proceeds sequentially through media content of a digital media asset are disclosed. In one embodiment, distinct portions (e.g., segments) of a digital media asset can be separately encrypted such that on playback decoded data being output from at least one prior portion can be used to derive a cryptographic key that is used in decrypting a subsequent portion of the digital media asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aram Lindahl, Bryan J. James
  • Patent number: 8972903
    Abstract: A method of navigating between user interface screens, including displaying a third user interface screen in a plurality of user interface screens that also includes a first and a second predefined user interface screen, the third user interface screen being other than the first and the second predefined user interface screen; detecting a finger gesture on the touch-sensitive display while displaying the third user interface screen, and in response to detecting the finger gesture on the touch-sensitive display, replacing display of the third user interface screen with display of the first predefined user interface screen when the detected finger gesture is a first finger gesture, and replacing display of the third user interface screen with display of the second predefined user interface screen when the detected finger gesture is a second finger gesture that is a reverse of the first finger gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. James, Policarpo Bonilla Wood, Jr., Jorge Fino, Jeffrey Theodore Lee
  • Patent number: 8862252
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an audio menu provided in an electronic device having no display. The electronic device can further include an input interface having only a single sensing element (e.g., a single button) for controlling audio playback of the device and for accessing and controlling the device audio menu. In response to a particular input detected by the single sensing element, the electronic device can enable an audio menu mode and play back audio clips associated with different menu options. The user can provide selection instructions using the single sensing element during the playback of an audio clip to select the menu option associated with the played back audio clip. In some embodiments, the audio menu can be multi-dimensional (e.g., the device plays back audio clips for sub-options in response to a selection of a menu option). Suitable menu options can include, for example, groupings of audio (e.g., playlists), options to toggle (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Rottler, Matthew Rogers, Bryan J. James, Policarpo Wood, Timothy Hannon
  • Publication number: 20140071046
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing data from a motion sensor to detect intentional movements of a device are provided. An electronic device having a motion sensor may process motion sensor data along one or more dimensions to generate an acceleration value representative of the movement of the electronic device. The electronic device may then determine whether the acceleration value changes from less than a low threshold, to more than a high threshold, and again to less than the low threshold within a particular amount of time, reflecting an intentional movement of the electronic device by the user. In response to determining that the acceleration value is associated with an intentional movement of the electronic device, the electronic device may perform a particular event or operation. For example, in response to detecting that an electronic device has been shaken, the electronic device may shuffle a media playlist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Mucignat, Bryan J. James
  • Patent number: 8595645
    Abstract: A method, performed at a portable electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, includes displaying a list of items on the display. The method also includes displaying an item in the list with just a portion of the item visible on the display. The method further includes detecting a first gesture on the touch-sensitive surface at a location that corresponds to the item. The method further includes, in response to detecting the first gesture, marquee scrolling the item in a predefined marquee scrolling direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse William Boettcher, Benjamin Andrew Rottler, Policarpo Bonilla Wood, Jr., Bryan J. James, Jorge Fino, Eugene Dvortsov
  • Patent number: 8587515
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing data from a motion sensor to detect intentional movements of a device are provided. An electronic device having a motion sensor may process motion sensor data along one or more dimensions to generate an acceleration value representative of the movement of the electronic device. The electronic device may then determine whether the acceleration value changes from less than a low threshold, to more than a high threshold, and again to less than the low threshold within a particular amount of time, reflecting an intentional movement of the electronic device by the user. In response to determining that the acceleration value is associated with an intentional movement of the electronic device, the electronic device may perform a particular event or operation. For example, in response to detecting that an electronic device has been shaken, the electronic device may shuffle a media playlist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Mucignat, Bryan J. James
  • Patent number: 8543739
    Abstract: The embodiments describe both the interpreting and modifying the interpretation of an input event to an electronic device having limited user input resources. The input event interpretation can be based in part on a connection state of the device. In some cases, the interpretation of the input event can also be based upon an indication of a current operating state of the device in addition to or exclusive of the connection state. Furthermore, in some embodiments, an operating state of the portable electronic device can be resolved based in part on the connection state of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. James, Jeffery T. Lee
  • Publication number: 20130225196
    Abstract: The disclosed implementations provide a system and method of generating or updating a geo-fence surrounding a geographic region based on movement patterns of a device operating within the geographic region. In some implementations, an anchor location is selected by a user or application. A default geo-fence can be generated to surround a region containing the anchor point. Data points are collected by the device based on sensor data and time stamps collected over a selectable period of time. The system analyzes the data points to generate a geo-fence surrounding a geographic region containing the anchor location (if no default geo-fence is defined) or updates the default geo-fence to encompass more or less of the geographic region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Bryan J. James, Michael I. Ingrassia, JR.
  • Patent number: 8364855
    Abstract: The embodiments describe both the interpreting and modifying the interpretation of an input event to an electronic device having limited user input resources. The input event interpretation can be based in part on a connection state of the device. In some cases, the interpretation of the input event can also be based upon an indication of a current operating state of the device in addition to or exclusive of the connection state. Furthermore, in some embodiments, an operating state of the portable electronic device can be resolved based in part on the connection state of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. James, Jeffery T. Lee
  • Publication number: 20120011437
    Abstract: A method of navigating between user interface screens, including displaying a third user interface screen in a plurality of user interface screens that also includes a first and a second predefined user interface screen, the third user interface screen being other than the first and the second predefined user interface screen; detecting a finger gesture on the touch-sensitive display while displaying the third user interface screen, and in response to detecting the finger gesture on the touch-sensitive display, replacing display of the third user interface screen with display of the first predefined user interface screen when the detected finger gesture is a first finger gesture, and replacing display of the third user interface screen with display of the second predefined user interface screen when the detected finger gesture is a second finger gesture that is a reverse of the first finger gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Bryan J. James, Policarpo Bonilla Wood, JR., Jorge Fino, Jeffrey Theodore Lee
  • Publication number: 20110225492
    Abstract: A method, performed at a portable electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, includes displaying a list of items on the display. The method also includes displaying an item in the list with just a portion of the item visible on the display. The method further includes detecting a first gesture on the touch-sensitive surface at a location that corresponds to the item. The method further includes, in response to detecting the first gesture, marquee scrolling the item in a predefined marquee scrolling direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Jesse William Boettcher, Benjamin Andrew Rottler, Policarpo Bonilla Wood, JR., Bryan J. James, Jorge Fino, Eugene Dvortsov
  • Publication number: 20110125929
    Abstract: The embodiments describe both the interpreting and modifying the interpretation of an input event to an electronic device having limited user input resources. The input event interpretation can be based in part on a connection state of the device. In some cases, the interpretation of the input event can also be based upon an indication of a current operating state of the device in addition to or exclusive of the connection state. Furthermore, in some embodiments, an operating state of the portable electronic device can be resolved based in part on the connection state of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. James, Jeffery T. Lee
  • Publication number: 20100198375
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an audio menu provided in an electronic device having no display. The electronic device can further include an input interface having only a single sensing element (e.g., a single button) for controlling audio playback of the device and for accessing and controlling the device audio menu. In response to a particular input detected by the single sensing element, the electronic device can enable an audio menu mode and play back audio clips associated with different menu options. The user can provide selection instructions using the single sensing element during the playback of an audio clip to select the menu option associated with the played back audio clip. In some embodiments, the audio menu can be multi-dimensional (e.g., the device plays back audio clips for sub-options in response to a selection of a menu option). Suitable menu options can include, for example, groupings of audio (e.g., playlists), options to toggle (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Rottler, Matthew Rogers, Bryan J. James, Policarpo Wood, Timothy Hannon
  • Publication number: 20100082970
    Abstract: Techniques for ensuring that media playback proceeds sequentially through media content of a digital media asset are disclosed. In one embodiment, distinct portions (e.g., segments) of a digital media asset can be separately encrypted such that on playback decoded data being output from at least one prior portion can be used to derive a cryptographic key that is used in decrypting a subsequent portion of the digital media asset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Aram Lindahl, Bryan J. James
  • Publication number: 20100033422
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing data from a motion sensor to detect intentional movements of a device are provided. An electronic device having a motion sensor may process motion sensor data along one or more dimensions to generate an acceleration value representative of the movement of the electronic device. The electronic device may then determine whether the acceleration value changes from less than a low threshold, to more than a high threshold, and again to less than the low threshold within a particular amount of time, reflecting an intentional movement of the electronic device by the user. In response to determining that the acceleration value is associated with an intentional movement of the electronic device, the electronic device may perform a particular event or operation. For example, in response to detecting that an electronic device has been shaken, the electronic device may shuffle a media playlist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc
    Inventors: Andrea Mucignat, Bryan J. James