Patents by Inventor Christopher Blumenberg

Christopher Blumenberg 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: 20200182639
    Abstract: A method includes of routing an autonomous vehicle includes receiving information obtained from a camera on a second vehicle distinct from the autonomous vehicle. The method includes automatically identifying a road condition using image analysis of the information received from the camera on the second vehicle. The method includes receiving a request to route the autonomous vehicle from a first location to a second location; and in response to the request: generating a cost model for routing the autonomous vehicle, wherein the cost model includes a cost of the road condition automatically identified from the information received from the camera on the second vehicle; selecting a route from the first location to the second location in accordance with the cost model; and routing an autonomous vehicle in accordance with the selected route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Justin HO, Christopher BLUMENBERG, Billy CHEN, Rohan PARANJPE, Thomas KIELBUS
  • Patent number: 10621945
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are described to dynamically generate map textures. A client device may obtain map data, which may include one or more shapes described by vector graphics data. Along with the one or more shapes, embodiments may include texture indicators linked to the one or more shapes. Embodiments may render the map data. For one or more shapes, a texture definition may be obtained. Based on the texture definition, a client device may dynamically generate a texture for the shape. The texture may then be applied to the shape to render a current fill portion of the shape. In some embodiments the render map view is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel Van Os, Patrick S. Piemonte, Billy P. Chen, Christopher Blumenberg
  • Patent number: 10613741
    Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the present disclosure include an environment with user interface software interacting with a software application to provide gesture operations for a display of a device. A method for operating through an application programming interface (API) in this environment includes transferring, from platform code configured to provide a common framework for handling gesture events, to a program, a rotation transform function call in response to an input that corresponds to a gesture based on two or more concurrent touches. The method includes transferring, via the API, a gesture change function call from the platform code to the program in response to detecting a change in the gesture that corresponds to a change in one or more touches. The method includes, in response to transferring the rotation transform function call and the gesture change function call, performing a rotation transform to rotate a view of the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Blumenberg
  • Publication number: 20200080856
    Abstract: A method includes storing representations of a passengers and fleet vehicles. The method includes generating a graph representation of a geographic map that includes requested pick-up locations and drop-off locations for the passengers and generating a state graph representation of the passengers and the fleet vehicles. The state graph representation includes a plurality of nodes connected by edges. Each of the plurality of nodes represents a candidate state of the passengers and the fleet vehicles. A respective edge of the state graph representation represents an action of a respective vehicle picking up or dropping off a passenger. The respective edge has a cost that is based at least in part on traversal of the graph representation of the geographic map. The method further includes using the state graph representation to generate a set of routes and route the fleet vehicles in accordance with the generated set of routes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Justin Ho, Christopher Blumenberg, Billy Chen, Rohan Paranjpe, Christopher Moore, Min Ji Lee, Erik Reed
  • Patent number: 10563993
    Abstract: A method includes generating a cost model for routing an autonomous vehicle. The cost model includes, for an intersection, a plurality of costs for distinct maneuvers through the intersection. The cost model is represented as a graph of nodes and edges, the edges having respective edge weights that represent costs in the cost model. Each edge of the representation of the intersection represents a respective maneuver through the intersection. The method further includes, in response to a request to route an autonomous vehicle: selecting a route in accordance with the cost model, wherein the selecting is based at least in part on one of the plurality of costs for the distinct maneuvers through the intersection; and routing the autonomous vehicle in accordance with the selected route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: rideOS, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Ho, Christopher Blumenberg, Billy Chen, Rohan Paranjpe, Thomas Kielbus
  • Publication number: 20200049526
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and machine-readable media to facilitate intuitive comparison and selection of calculated navigation routes are disclosed. An electronic device for navigation includes a touch-sensitive screen and a processing module for displaying a map, calculating a number or navigation routes simultaneously on the touch-sensitive screen, and receiving a selection of a route. Callouts, or markers for presenting key information about each route, are also displayed discretely on the map. Navigation tiles including key route information and route pictorials can also be created and displayed for each calculated route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford Moore, Christopher Blumenberg, Marcel Van Os, Graham Gyatt
  • Publication number: 20200041296
    Abstract: A method includes generating a cost model for routing an autonomous vehicle. The cost model includes, for an intersection, a plurality of costs for distinct maneuvers through the intersection. The cost model is represented as a graph of nodes and edges, the edges having respective edge weights that represent costs in the cost model. Each edge of the representation of the intersection represents a respective maneuver through the intersection. The method further includes, in response to a request to route an autonomous vehicle: selecting a route in accordance with the cost model, wherein the selecting is based at least in part on one of the plurality of costs for the distinct maneuvers through the intersection; and routing the autonomous vehicle in accordance with the selected route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Justin Ho, Christopher Blumenberg, Billy Chen, Rohan Paranjpe, Thomas Kielbus
  • Patent number: 10551200
    Abstract: Embodiments may include determining a navigation route between an origination and a destination; the route may span multiple portions of a map. Embodiments may also include receiving an order of priority in which to receive the multiple portions of the map; the order may be generated based on distinct levels of expected signal strength for each of the multiple portions. For instance, within the order of priority, map portions associated with areas of low signal strength may be ranked higher than areas of higher signal strength. Embodiments may also include acquiring at least some of the portions of the map according to the order of priority, and generating a map display comprising the multiple portions of the map. For instance, map portions associated with areas of poor reception may be downloaded first whereas map portions associated with strong signal strength may be downloaded on-the-fly during route navigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Blumenberg, Seejo K. Pylappan
  • Publication number: 20190339079
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a novel prediction engine that (1) can formulate predictions about current or future destinations and/or routes to such destinations for a user, and (2) can relay information to the user about these predictions. In some embodiments, this engine includes a machine-learning engine that facilitates the formulation of predicted future destinations and/or future routes to destinations based on stored, user-specific data. The user-specific data is different in different embodiments. In some embodiments, the stored, user-specific data includes data about any combination of the following: (1) previous destinations traveled to by the user, (2) previous routes taken by the user, (3) locations of calendared events in the user's calendar, (4) locations of events for which the user has electronic tickets, and (5) addresses parsed from recent e-mails and/or messages sent to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford A. Moore, Christine B. McGavran, Gregory D. Bolsinga, Christopher Blumenberg, Seejo K. Pylappan, Marcel Van Os
  • Publication number: 20190339091
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a navigation application that allows a user to peek ahead or behind during a turn-by-turn navigation presentation that the application provides while tracking a device (e.g., a mobile device, a vehicle, etc.) traversal of a physical route. As the device traverses along the physical route, the navigation application generates a navigation presentation that shows a representation of the device on a map traversing along a virtual route that represents the physical route on the map. While providing the navigation presentation, the navigation application can receive user input to look ahead or behind along the virtual route. Based on the user input, the navigation application moves the navigation presentation to show locations on the virtual route that are ahead or behind the displayed current location of the device on the virtual route. This movement can cause the device representation to no longer be visible in the navigation presentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Moore, Christopher Blumenberg, Marcel van Os, Billy P. Chen
  • Patent number: 10437460
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a map tool on a mobile device for implementing cartographically aware gestures directed to a map view of a map region. The map tool may base a cartographically aware gesture on an actual gesture input directed to a map view and based on map data for the map region that may include metadata corresponding to elements within the map region. The map tool may then determine, based on one or more elements of the map data, a modification to be applied to an implementation to the gesture. Given the modification to the gesture implementation, the map tool may then render, based on performing the modification to the gesture, an updated map view instead of an updated map view based solely on the user gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford A. Moore, Billy P. Chen, Christopher Blumenberg, Patrick S. Piemonte
  • Patent number: 10422654
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and machine-readable media to facilitate intuitive comparison and selection of calculated navigation routes are disclosed. An electronic device for navigation includes a touch-sensitive screen and a processing module for displaying a map, calculating a number or navigation routes simultaneously on the touch-sensitive screen, and receiving a selection of a route. Callouts, or markers for presenting key information about each route, are also displayed discretely on the map. Navigation tiles including key route information and route pictorials can also be created and displayed for each calculated route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bradford Moore, Christopher Blumenberg, Marcel Van Os, Graham Gyatt
  • Patent number: 10409461
    Abstract: A portable multifunction device configured for displaying an application on a display that includes a first user input element and a second user input element. In response to detecting a first input that corresponds to the selection of a first user input element, enlarging and centering display of a first area that includes the first input element and at least a portion of the second user input element. While displaying the enlarged first area detecting a second input that corresponds to selection of the second user input element. In response to detecting the second input, centering display of the second input element. Subsequent to detecting the second input, receiving input for the second user input element. In response to receiving the input for the second user input element, displaying a representation of the received input in the second user input element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco Ryan Tolmasky, Richard Williamson, Patricia J. Coleman, Christopher Blumenberg, Corbin Robert Dunn, Stephen O. Lemay, Marcel Van Os
  • Patent number: 10378914
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a navigation application that allows a user to peek ahead or behind during a turn-by-turn navigation presentation that the application provides while tracking a device (e.g., a mobile device, a vehicle, etc.) traversal of a physical route. As the device traverses along the physical route, the navigation application generates a navigation presentation that shows a representation of the device on a map traversing along a virtual route that represents the physical route on the map. While providing the navigation presentation, the navigation application can receive user input to look ahead or behind along the virtual route. Based on the user input, the navigation application moves the navigation presentation to show locations on the virtual route that are ahead or behind the displayed current location of the device on the virtual route. This movement can cause the device representation to no longer be visible in the navigation presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Moore, Christopher Blumenberg, Marcel van Os, Billy P. Chen
  • Patent number: 10371526
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a novel prediction engine that (1) can formulate predictions about current or future destinations and/or routes to such destinations for a user, and (2) can relay information to the user about these predictions. In some embodiments, this engine includes a machine-learning engine that facilitates the formulation of predicted future destinations and/or future routes to destinations based on stored, user-specific data. The user-specific data is different in different embodiments. In some embodiments, the stored, user-specific data includes data about any combination of the following: (1) previous destinations traveled to by the user, (2) previous routes taken by the user, (3) locations of calendared events in the user's calendar, (4) locations of events for which the user has electronic tickets, and (5) addresses parsed from recent e-mails and/or messages sent to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christine B. McGavran, Bradford A. Moore, Gregory D. Bolsinga, Christopher Blumenberg, Seejo K. Pylappan, Marcel van Os
  • Patent number: 10366523
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are described to provide visual feedback of a change in map view. Various embodiments may display a map view of a map in a two-dimensional map view mode. Embodiments may obtain input indicating a change to a three-dimensional map view mode. Input may be obtained through the utilization of touch, auditory, or other well-known input technologies. Some embodiments may allow the input to request a specific display position to display. In response to the input indicating a change to a three-dimensional map view mode, embodiments may then display an animation that moves a virtual camera for the map display to different virtual camera positions to illustrate that the map view mode is changed to a three-dimensional map view mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Billy P. Chen, Patrick S. Piemonte, Christopher Blumenberg
  • Publication number: 20190220155
    Abstract: A portable multifunction device configured for displaying an application on a display that includes a first user input element and a second user input element. In response to detecting a first input that corresponds to the selection of a first user input element, enlarging and centering display of a first area that includes the first input element and at least a portion of the second user input element. While displaying the enlarged first area detecting a second input that corresponds to selection of the second user input element. In response to detecting the second input, centering display of the second input element. Subsequent to detecting the second input, receiving input for the second user input element. In response to receiving the input for the second user input element, displaying a representation of the received input in the second user input element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Francisco Ryan TOLMASKY, Richard WILLIAMSON, Patricia J. COLEMAN, Christopher BLUMENBERG, Corbin Robert DUNN, Stephen O. LEMAY, Marcel VAN OS
  • Publication number: 20190138181
    Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the present disclosure include an environment with user interface software interacting with a software application to provide gesture operations for a display of a device. A method for operating through an application programming interface (API) in this environment includes transferring, from platform code configured to provide a common framework for handling gesture events, to a program, a rotation transform function call in response to an input that corresponds to a gesture based on two or more concurrent touches. The method includes transferring, via the API, a gesture change function call from the platform code to the program in response to detecting a change in the gesture that corresponds to a change in one or more touches. The method includes, in response to transferring the rotation transform function call and the gesture change function call, performing a rotation transform to rotate a view of the program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher Blumenberg
  • Patent number: 10274336
    Abstract: The embodiments described relate to techniques and systems for utilizing a portable electronic device to monitor, process, present and manage data captured by a series of sensors and location awareness technologies to provide a context aware map and navigation application. The context aware map application offers a user interface including visual and audio input and output, and provides several map modes that can change based upon context determined by data captured by a series of sensors and location awareness technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Piemonte, Xiaoyuan Tu, Christopher Moore, Billy P. Chen, Christopher Blumenberg, Seejo Pylappan
  • Publication number: 20190120640
    Abstract: Systems and methods for routing an autonomous vehicle are provided. In one aspect, a method is provided that includes generating a cost model for routing the autonomous vehicle. The cost model includes one or more costs other than travel time. The one or more costs other than travel time may include, for example, a cost of traversing an area where autonomous driving is prohibited, a cost of a characteristic of the autonomous vehicle or a cost of a road lacking lane lines. The method further includes receiving a request to route the autonomous vehicle from a first location to a second location. The method further includes, in response to the request to route the autonomous vehicle, selecting a route from the first location to the second location in accordance with the cost model and routing the autonomous vehicle along the selected route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Justin Ho, Christopher Blumenberg, Billy Chen, Rohan Paranjpe, Thomas Kielbus