Patents by Inventor Collin D. Ruffenach
Collin D. Ruffenach 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: 11636501Abstract: The embodiments set forth techniques for delivering relevant news articles to users. The techniques can involve auditioning different categories of news articles (e.g., entertainment, sports, technology, etc.) to a user to create a pleasant onboarding experience that requires minimal user input. As time progresses, affinity information for the user is gathered from various sources (e.g., news readers, web browsers, third-party applications, etc.). The affinity information can be used to (1) suggest additional categories in which the user might be interested, and (2) increase the accuracy by which subsequent news articles are delivered to the user. Additionally, feedback information about the user's interaction with the subsequent news articles can then be obtained, and various metrics associated with these news articles can be updated to reflect the user's interaction. In turn, the various updated metrics can enable these news articles to be delivered to other users in a more accurate manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dominic J. D. Hughes, Chi Wai Lau, Collin D. Ruffenach
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Publication number: 20230022898Abstract: In some implementations, a server device can generate configuration data for an application based on user engagement segments associated with a user of the application. For example, a server device can receive information identifying user engagement segments associated with a particular user. When the server device receives a request for configuration data for the application that identifies the particular user, the server device can obtain the engagement segment identifiers associated with the particular user. The server device can use the engagement segment identifiers to obtain segment configuration data for each engagement segment identifier, combine the segment configuration data into a combined configuration, and send the combined configuration to the application on the user device. The application can then determine what content to present and how to present the content on the user device based on the combined configuration data.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Balaji Ramachandran, Jean S. Metz, Collin D. Ruffenach, Christopher S. Schepman, Guillermo Ortiz, Feng Yi, Casey M. Dougherty, Martin J. Murret
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Patent number: 11556714Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can present a multi-language grouping of topics. For example, the computing device can determine a primary and secondary language for a user of the computing device. The computing device can request configuration that includes a tag language mapping that can be used to translate topic tags corresponding to the secondary language to topic tags corresponding to the primary language. When the computing device receives tagged content items associated with the secondary language, the computing device can translate the secondary language tags corresponding to the tagged content items into semantically equivalent topic tags in the primary language. The computing device can then group primary language content items and secondary language content items into multi-language groupings based on the topics corresponding to the translated content item tags. The computing device can then present the multi-language topic groupings of content items.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steve E. Marmon, Collin D. Ruffenach, Anil A. Sewani, Gurumurthy D. Ramkumar, Dominic J. Hughes, Pushkaraj Bhirud
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Patent number: 11496592Abstract: In some implementations, a server device can generate configuration data for an application based on user engagement segments associated with a user of the application. For example, a server device can receive information identifying user engagement segments associated with a particular user. When the server device receives a request for configuration data for the application that identifies the particular user, the server device can obtain the engagement segment identifiers associated with the particular user. The server device can use the engagement segment identifiers to obtain segment configuration data for each engagement segment identifier, combine the segment configuration data into a combined configuration, and send the combined configuration to the application on the user device. The application can then determine what content to present and how to present the content on the user device based on the combined configuration data.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Balaji Ramachandran, Jean S. Metz, Collin D. Ruffenach, Christopher S. Schepman, Guillermo Ortiz, Feng Yi, Casey M. Dougherty, Martin J. Murret
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Patent number: 11232171Abstract: In some implementations, a user device can generate configuration data for an application on the user device using multilevel configuration data. For example, an application on the user device can obtain application level configuration data from a server device. The application level configuration data can be generated based on user engagement segments associated with the user of the user device, for example. The application can obtain publisher level configuration data generated by a content publisher. In response to requesting a content item, the application can receive content level configuration data. The application can combine the application level configuration data, the publisher level configuration data, and/or the content level configuration data to generate dynamic configuration data. The dynamic configuration data can be used by the application to determine, among other things, what content to present to the user of the application on the user device.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Collin D. Ruffenach, Casey M. Dougherty, Balaji Ramachandran, Christopher S. Schepman, Feng Yi, Guillermo Ortiz, Jean S. Metz, Martin J. Murrett
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Publication number: 20200302121Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can present a multi-language grouping of topics. For example, the computing device can determine a primary and secondary language for a user of the computing device. The computing device can request configuration that includes a tag language mapping that can be used to translate topic tags corresponding to the secondary language to topic tags corresponding to the primary language. When the computing device receives tagged content items associated with the secondary language, the computing device can translate the secondary language tags corresponding to the tagged content items into semantically equivalent topic tags in the primary language. The computing device can then group primary language content items and secondary language content items into multi-language groupings based on the topics corresponding to the translated content item tags. The computing device can then present the multi-language topic groupings of content items.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steve E. Marmon, Collin D. Ruffenach, Anil A. Sewani, Gurumurthy D. Ramkumar, Dominic J. Hughes, Pushkaraj Bhirud
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Publication number: 20200301973Abstract: In some implementations, a computing system can deliver personalized content while preserving user privacy. For example, the computing system can include a content server that filters and selects aggregate content items (e.g., magazine issues, newspaper issues, etc.) that are relevant to a subject matter tag (e.g., investment identifier) received in a request from a client device. The content server can send the selected aggregate content items to the requesting client. Upon receiving the aggregate content items, requesting client device can evaluate and select aggregate content items to present to the user based on user preferences stored on the user device. The selected aggregate content items can then be presented on a display of the user device. Thus, personalization of aggregate content item selection and presentation can be performed without distributing user preference data outside of the user device thereby preserving user privacy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Anil A. Sewani, Collin D. Ruffenach, Dominic J. Hughes, Ian J. Elseth, Pushkaraj Bhirud, Sidy Diop, Venkatesh Venkataramanan, Gregory C. Langmead, Gurumurthy D. Ramkumar
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Patent number: 10719204Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method that detects document attribute preferences for viewing documents (e.g., articles) on a device. The method displays several documents on a display screen of the device, with each document having one or more associated attributes. In some embodiments, different documents can be associated with the same attribute or the same number of attributes, or can be associated with different attributes or a different number of attributes. In some embodiments, the method detects viewer interactions with one or more displayed documents, and based on these interactions, computes attribute scores for several attributes associated with a number of the documents. The computed attribute scores identify a preference ranking for attributes associated with the documents. Some embodiments use the computed attribute scores to select subsequent documents for display on the device and/or to arrange the display of subsequent documents on the device.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Collin D. Ruffenach, Dominic J. Hughes, Ian J. Elseth, Steve E. Marmon
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Patent number: 10681162Abstract: In some implementations, a server device can segment users based on user engagement with an application on a user device. For example, server device can receive user event data from many user devices indicating user activities with respect to the application and/or content presented by the application. The server device can generate user engagement segments based on the received user event data. The server device can generate predictive models for each user engagement segment based on the received user event data. The server device can determine which particular user engagement segments a particular user is associated with based on user event data associated with the particular user and/or the predictions generated by the predictive models. The application on the user device associated with the particular user can then be configured according to the user engagement segments associated with the particular user.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Balaji Ramachandran, Collin D. Ruffenach, Feng Yi, Guillermo Ortiz, Jean S. Metz, Christopher S. Schepman, Casey M. Dougherty, Martin J. Murrett
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Publication number: 20190370017Abstract: In some implementations, a user device can generate configuration data for an application on the user device using multilevel configuration data. For example, an application on the user device can obtain application level configuration data from a server device. The application level configuration data can be generated based on user engagement segments associated with the user of the user device, for example. The application can obtain publisher level configuration data generated by a content publisher. In response to requesting a content item, the application can receive content level configuration data. The application can combine the application level configuration data, the publisher level configuration data, and/or the content level configuration data to generate dynamic configuration data. The dynamic configuration data can be used by the application to determine, among other things, what content to present to the user of the application on the user device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Collin D. Ruffenach, Casey M. Dougherty, Balaji Ramachandran, Christopher S. Schepman, Feng Yi, Guillermo Ortiz, Jean S. Metz, Martin J. Murrett
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Publication number: 20190373071Abstract: In some implementations, a server device can generate configuration data for an application based on user engagement segments associated with a user of the application. For example, a server device can receive information identifying user engagement segments associated with a particular user. When the server device receives a request for configuration data for the application that identifies the particular user, the server device can obtain the engagement segment identifiers associated with the particular user. The server device can use the engagement segment identifiers to obtain segment configuration data for each engagement segment identifier, combine the segment configuration data into a combined configuration, and send the combined configuration to the application on the user device. The application can then determine what content to present and how to present the content on the user device based on the combined configuration data.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Balaji Ramachandran, Jean S. Metz, Collin D. Ruffenach, Christopher S. Schepman, Guillermo Ortiz, Fen Yi, Casey M. Dougherty, Martin J. Murret
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Publication number: 20190373070Abstract: In some implementations, a server device can segment users based on user engagement with an application on a user device. For example, server device can receive user event data from many user devices indicating user activities with respect to the application and/or content presented by the application. The server device can generate user engagement segments based on the received user event data. The server device can generate predictive models for each user engagement segment based on the received user event data. The server device can determine which particular user engagement segments a particular user is associated with based on user event data associated with the particular user and/or the predictions generated by the predictive models. The application on the user device associated with the particular user can then be configured according to the user engagement segments associated with the particular user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Balaji Ramachandran, Collin D. Ruffenach, Feng Yi, Guillermo Ortiz, Jean S. Metz, Christopher S. Schepman, Casey M. Dougherty, Martin J. Murret
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Patent number: 10268748Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a mobile or computer reader application that obtains articles or other computer files from a central database and displays the articles to a user of the device. The reader application may be customizable around one or more characteristics of the user of the device. In one embodiment, the type and number of articles provided to the device and displayed in the reader application may be based on the determination of a category or type of usage of the application is performed by the user. Further, the determination of the use of the reader application on the device is performed by and contained within the device such that usage information is not shared with overall article providing system. In another embodiment, the article providing system and/or device may determine recommendations to provide to a user of the reading application. These recommendations may be based on one or more selected interests or topics of the user of the reading application.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Martin J. Murrett, Ian J. Elseth, Guillermo Ortiz, Ravi Chandra Jammalamadaka, Dominic J. Hughes, Steve E. Marmon, Casey M. Dougherty, Gregory C. Langmead, Mark A. Gingrich, Donald R. Beaver, Amogh Mahapatra, Collin D. Ruffenach, Georgios Sofianatos, Justin W. Sung, Kang Tu, Jason A. Novak
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Patent number: 10268747Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a mobile or computer reader application that obtains articles or other computer files from a central database and displays the articles to a user of the device. The reader application may be customizable around one or more characteristics of the user of the device. In one embodiment, the type and number of articles provided to the device and displayed in the reader application may be based on the determination of a category or type of usage of the application is performed by the user. Further, the determination of the use of the reader application on the device is performed by and contained within the device such that usage information is not shared with overall article providing system. In another embodiment, the article providing system and/or device may determine recommendations to provide to a user of the reading application. These recommendations may be based on one or more selected interests or topics of the user of the reading application.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Martin J. Murrett, Ian J. Elseth, Guillermo Ortiz, Ravi Chandra Jammalamadaka, Dominic J. Hughes, Steve E. Marmon, Casey M. Dougherty, Gregory C. Langmead, Mark A. Gingrich, Donald R. Beaver, Amogh Mahapatra, Collin D. Ruffenach, Georgios Sofianatos, Justin W. Sung, Kang Tu, Jason A. Novak
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Publication number: 20180349934Abstract: The embodiments set forth techniques for delivering relevant news articles to users. The techniques can involve auditioning different categories of news articles (e.g., entertainment, sports, technology, etc.) to a user to create a pleasant onboarding experience that requires minimal user input. As time progresses, affinity information for the user is gathered from various sources (e.g., news readers, web browsers, third-party applications, etc.). The affinity information can be used to (1) suggest additional categories in which the user might be interested, and (2) increase the accuracy by which subsequent news articles are delivered to the user. Additionally, feedback information about the user's interaction with the subsequent news articles can then be obtained, and various metrics associated with these news articles can be updated to reflect the user's interaction. In turn, the various updated metrics can enable these news articles to be delivered to other users in a more accurate manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Dominic J. D. HUGHES, Chi Wai LAU, Collin D. RUFFENACH
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Publication number: 20170357717Abstract: Some embodiments provide a GUI for a document reader application that displays an aggregated feed with sections for different groups of personalized documents. Some embodiments provide a method for arranging documents within the different sections and for ordering the different sections within the aggregated feed. In some embodiments, the groups are dynamically generated at a device based on content (e.g., tags) of the documents.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2016Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Dominic J. Hughes, Collin D. Ruffenach
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Publication number: 20170199854Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method that detects document attribute preferences for viewing documents (e.g., articles) on a device. The method displays several documents on a display screen of the device, with each document having one or more associated attributes. In some embodiments, different documents can be associated with the same attribute or the same number of attributes, or can be associated with different attributes or a different number of attributes. In some embodiments, the method detects viewer interactions with one or more displayed documents, and based on these interactions, computes attribute scores for several attributes associated with a number of the documents. The computed attribute scores in some embodiments identify a preference ranking for attributes associated with the documents.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: Collin D. Ruffenach, Dominic J. Hughes, Ian J. Elseth, Steve E. Marmon
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Publication number: 20170199942Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method that detects document attribute preferences for viewing documents (e.g., articles) on a device. The method displays several documents on a display screen of the device, with each document having one or more associated attributes. In some embodiments, different documents can be associated with the same attribute or the same number of attributes, or can be associated with different attributes or a different number of attributes. In some embodiments, the method detects viewer interactions with one or more displayed documents, and based on these interactions, computes attribute scores for several attributes associated with a number of the documents. The computed attribute scores in some embodiments identify a preference ranking for attributes associated with the documents.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: Collin D. Ruffenach, Dominic J. Hughes, Ian J. Elseth, Steve E. Marmon
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Publication number: 20160357364Abstract: Some embodiments provide a document viewing application with first and second document-browsing modes. The first document-browsing mode, accessed through a first UI item of several top-level UI items, displays several selectable document channel items corresponding to previously-selected document channels. Selection of one of the selectable document channel items causes the document viewing application to present a set of documents related to the document channel corresponding to the particular selectable item. The second document-browsing mode, accessed through a second UI item of the several top-level UI items, displays several selectable document panes corresponding to documents related to several of the previously-selected channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Pepijn T. Zoon, Jay C. Capela, Daniel L. Carter, Anton Davydov, Michel Elings, Ian J. Elseth, Steven Evergreen, Genevieve Garand, Alden M. Haley, Alexander C. MacLean, Steve E. Marmon, Charles J. Migos, Martin J. Murrett, Jonathan M. Penn, Roger R. Rosner, Collin D. Ruffenach, Brian J. Turner, Jip van der Velde, Martin Walvius, Matthijs J. Zoon
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Publication number: 20160357843Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a mobile or computer reader application that obtains articles or other computer files from a central database and displays the articles to a user of the device. The reader application may be customizable around one or more characteristics of the user of the device. In one embodiment, the type and number of articles provided to the device and displayed in the reader application may be based on the determination of a category or type of usage of the application is performed by the user. Further, the determination of the use of the reader application on the device is performed by and contained within the device such that usage information is not shared with overall article providing system. In another embodiment, the article providing system and/or device may determine recommendations to provide to a user of the reading application. These recommendations may be based on one or more selected interests or topics of the user of the reading application.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Martin J. Murrett, Ian J. Elseth, Guillermo Ortiz, Ravi Chandra Jammalamadaka, Dominic J. Hughes, Steve E. Marmon, Casey M. Dougherty, Gregory C. Langmead, Mark A. Gingrich, Donald R. Beaver, Amogh Mahapatra, Collin D. Ruffenach, Georgios Sofianatos, Justin W. Sung, Kang Tu, Jason A. Novak