Patents by Inventor Edward T. Schmidt

Edward T. Schmidt 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: 11974338
    Abstract: In some implementations a system can be configured to reduce the burden of pairing user devices with playback devices. For example, all users (or user devices) who commonly operate within a particular environment (e.g., a home) can be configured as authorized users of playback devices within the particular environment. When one of the authorized users pairs a user device with a playback device, all of the user devices for all authorized users can be automatically paired with the playback device as a result of the single pairing. Thus, only a single authorized user is burdened with the pairing process in order to pair all authorized users with the playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Edward T. Schmidt, Elena Leyfman, David P. Saracino, Astrid Yi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Jonathan A. Bennett, Gregory R. Chapman, Aparna S. Akella, Shreyas Nandagudi Sreesha
  • Patent number: 11949725
    Abstract: One embodiment provides for a media playback device comprising a memory device to store instructions; one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device, the instructions to cause the one or more processors to provide a playback queue manager to manage one or more media playback queues including a set of media items associated with a scheduled event and a playback routing manager to determine an output destination for the set of media items based on context associated with the scheduled event, the playback routing manager to route output of playback of the set of media items to one or more of multiple different connected media playback devices based on the context associated with the scheduled event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Alsina, David C. Graham, Andrew M. Wadycki, Edward T. Schmidt, Joel M. Lopes Da Silva, Richard M. Powell, Gregory R. Chapman
  • Publication number: 20230336328
    Abstract: A device receives a time-based restriction for usage by a first user with respect to an application, a website or a device-level function. The device receives encrypted data indicating a usage by the first user on a second device with respect to the application, website or device-level function. The device determines that at least one of the usage by the first user on the second device or a usage by the first user on the device with respect to the application, website or device-level function violates the time-based restriction. The device provides, in response to the determining, a notification that the time-based restriction has been violated by the first user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher G. SKOGEN, Jean-Pierre CIUDAD, Julien F. FREUDIGER, Joao Pedro DE ALMEIDA FORJAZ DE LACERDA, Cyrus DABOO, Todd R. FERNANDEZ, Thomas ALSINA, Deepak IYER, Cody D. JORGENSEN, Edward T. SCHMIDT, Astrid YI
  • Patent number: 11716193
    Abstract: A device receives a time-based restriction for usage by a first user with respect to an application, a website or a device-level function. The device receives encrypted data indicating a usage by the first user on a second device with respect to the application, website or device-level function. The device determines that at least one of the usage by the first user on the second device or a usage by the first user on the device with respect to the application, website or device-level function violates the time-based restriction. The device provides, in response to the determining, a notification that the time-based restriction has been violated by the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Skogen, Jean-Pierre Ciudad, Julien F. Freudiger, Joao Pedro De Almeida Forjaz De Lacerda, Cyrus Daboo, Todd R. Fernandez, Thomas Alsina, Deepak Iyer, Cody D. Jorgensen, Edward T. Schmidt, Astrid Yi
  • Publication number: 20230080210
    Abstract: The subject disclosure provides systems and methods for providing access to media content from a server based on a user interface of a client device through which the access is requested. A user may access certain media content, such as a song, album, playlist, a radio station, etc., only if a request for that content is initiated via a specific user interface, and when the user is a subscriber to a reduced subscription tier to a service of the server. To restrict the access in this way, an interface-specific token is generated at a server for each media content. The interface-specific token is received by a user device and is used for further access to the media content from the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Betim DEVA, Mufaddal Y. KHUMRI, Ying CHEN, Jason P. KETTERMAN, Zhiyuan ZHAO, Edward T. SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20230053350
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing media playback among an ad hoc group of playback devices. Such techniques may involve building a session among the playback devices in which playback devices communicate information regarding their playback capabilities. Based on the playback capabilities of the devices, playback mode may be derived for the session. Playback operations may be synchronized among the devices that are members of the session, in which devices receive identification of asset(s) to be rendered pursuant to the playback operation and timing information of playback of the asset. The devices may stream the playback assets directly from media sources when they are capable of doing so. In this manner, communication resources are conserved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas ALSINA, Charles MAGAHERN, Cody D. JORGENSEN, Edward T. SCHMIDT, Jason P. KETTERMAN, Nicholas J. PAULSON, Szu-Wen HUANG, Cesar de CAMARGO BARSCEVICIUS, Elena LEYFMAN, Keith HENRICKSON, Andrew SINESIO, Owen IMHOLTE, Harry SIMMONDS
  • Patent number: 11509726
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing media playback among an ad hoc group of playback devices. Such techniques may involve building a session among the playback devices in which playback devices communicate information regarding their playback capabilities. Based on the playback capabilities of the devices, playback mode may be derived for the session. Playback operations may be synchronized among the devices that are members of the session, in which devices receive identification of asset(s) to be rendered pursuant to the playback operation and timing information of playback of the asset. The devices may stream the playback assets directly from media sources when they are capable of doing so. In this manner, communication resources are conserved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Charles Magahern, Cody D. Jorgensen, Edward T. Schmidt, Jason P. Ketterman, Nicholas J. Paulson, Szu-Wen Huang, Cesar de Camargo Barscevicius, Elena Leyfman, Keith Henrickson, Andrew Sinesio, Owen Imholte, Harry Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20220368740
    Abstract: The subject technology provides for coordinating output of content during a multiuser communication session by initiating, by a server responsive to a request from a first participant device of a plurality of participant devices that are connected to a multiuser communication session, a media playback session for the multiuser communication session. A network identifier corresponding to the media playback session is generated at the server. The network identifier is transmitted by the server to remainder of participant devices connected to the multiuser communication session. Upon receiving an indication of a selection of the network identifier from at least a second participant device of the plurality of the participant devices at the server, the server causes media for the media playback session to be transmitted to the first participant device and the second participant device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Jason P. KETTERMAN, Thomas GOUJON, Edward T. SCHMIDT, Cody D. JORGENSEN, Arvind S. SHENOY, Priyo MUSTAFI, Paul C. IRVINE, Won Mo KANG
  • Publication number: 20220239715
    Abstract: One embodiment provides for a media playback device comprising a memory device to store instructions; one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device, the instructions to cause the one or more processors to provide a playback queue manager to manage one or more media playback queues including a set of media items associated with a scheduled event and a playback routing manager to determine an output destination for the set of media items based on context associated with the scheduled event, the playback routing manager to route output of playback of the set of media items to one or more of multiple different connected media playback devices based on the context associated with the scheduled event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas M. ALSINA, David C. GRAHAM, Andrew M. WADYCKI, Edward T. SCHMIDT, Joel M. LOPES DA SILVA, Richard M. POWELL, Gregory R. CHAPMAN
  • Publication number: 20220232276
    Abstract: In some implementations, a system can be configured to allow remote control devices to quietly obtain status information related to various audio/video playback devices. For example, a streaming device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can establish a streaming connection to a playback device. The playback device can be configured to only accept a single streaming connection (i.e., master connection). A remote control device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can quietly connect (i.e., control connection) to the playback device without interrupting the master connection to obtain status information related to the playback device and or the media being streamed to the playback device. The remote control device can provide commands through the control connection to adjust the playback of the streamed media at the playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Edward T. Schmidt, Elena Leyfman, David P. Saracino, Astrid Yi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Jonathan A. Bennett, Gregory R. Chapman, Aparna S. Akella, Shreyas Nandagudi Sreesha, Johannes P. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11303686
    Abstract: One embodiment provides for a data processing system comprising a memory device to store instructions and one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device. The instructions cause the one or more processors to provide a virtual assistant to receive voice input at a media playback device associated with the data processing system. The virtual assistant, via the one or more processors, is configured to receive a voice command at the media playback device, where the voice command is to schedule an event, then determine a user account associated with the voice command, a type of command based on context information associated with the voice command, and a target device to which media playback associated with the event is to be scheduled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Alsina, David C. Graham, Andrew M. Wadycki, Edward T. Schmidt, Joel M. Lopes Da Silva, Richard M. Powell, Gregory R. Chapman
  • Patent number: 11297369
    Abstract: In some implementations, a system can be configured to allow remote control devices to quietly obtain status information related to various audio/video playback devices. For example, a streaming device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can establish a streaming connection to a playback device. The playback device can be configured to only accept a single streaming connection (i.e., master connection). A remote control device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can quietly connect (i.e., control connection) to the playback device without interrupting the master connection to obtain status information related to the playback device and or the media being streamed to the playback device. The remote control device can provide commands through the control connection to adjust the playback of the streamed media at the playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Edward T. Schmidt, Elena Leyfman, David P. Saracino, Astrid Yi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Jonathan A. Bennett, Gregory R. Chapman, Aparna S. Akella, Shreyas Nandagudi Sreesha, Johannes P. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20210319418
    Abstract: One or more user accounts can be linked together to form a group of linked user accounts to access content items assigned to the other user accounts in the group of linked user accounts. Prior to completing a purchase for a content item, a requesting user can be alerted that a member of the group of linked user accounts has access to the content item. Content items assigned to a member of a group of linked user accounts can be downloaded by one or more other members of the group of linked user accounts along with a Digital Rights Management (DRM) key that enables use of the content item. The DRM key can represent the group relationship between the downloading user account and the content owner's user account to which the content item is assigned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Augustin J. Farrugia, Edward T. Schmidt, Gianpaolo Fasoli, Sean B. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20210266395
    Abstract: A device receives a time-based restriction for usage by a first user with respect to an application, a website or a device-level function. The device receives encrypted data indicating a usage by the first user on a second device with respect to the application, website or device-level function. The device determines that at least one of the usage by the first user on the second device or a usage by the first user on the device with respect to the application, website or device-level function violates the time-based restriction. The device provides, in response to the determining, a notification that the time-based restriction has been violated by the first user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher G. SKOGEN, Jean-Pierre CIUDAD, Julien F. FREUDIGER, Joao Pedro DE ALMEIDA FORJAZ DE LACERDA, Cyrus DABOO, Todd R. FERNANDEZ, Thomas ALSINA, Deepak IYER, Cody D. JORGENSEN, Edward T. SCHMIDT, Astrid YI
  • Publication number: 20210212140
    Abstract: In some implementations a system can be configured to reduce the burden of pairing user devices with playback devices. For example, all users (or user devices) who commonly operate within a particular environment (e.g., a home) can be configured as authorized users of playback devices within the particular environment. When one of the authorized users pairs a user device with a playback device, all of the user devices for all authorized users can be automatically paired with the playback device as a result of the single pairing. Thus, only a single authorized user is burdened with the pairing process in order to pair all authorized users with the playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Edward T. Schmidt, Elena Leyfman, David P. Saracino, Astrid Yi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Jonathan A. Bennett, Gregory R. Chapman, Aparna S. Akella, Shreyas Nandagudi Sreesha
  • Patent number: 11005986
    Abstract: A device receives a time-based restriction for usage by a first user with respect to an application, a website or a device-level function. The device receives encrypted data indicating a usage by the first user on a second device with respect to the application, website or device-level function. The device determines that at least one of the usage by the first user on the second device or a usage by the first user on the device with respect to the application, website or device-level function violates the time-based restriction. The device provides, in response to the determining, a notification that the time-based restriction has been violated by the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Skogen, Jean-Pierre Ciudad, Julien F. Freudiger, Joao Pedro De Almeida Forjaz De Lacerda, Cyrus Daboo, Todd R. Fernandez, Thomas Alsina, Deepak Iyer, Cody D. Jorgensen, Edward T. Schmidt, Astrid Yi
  • Publication number: 20210124772
    Abstract: A device implementing a multi-user content queue may include a memory and at least one processor configured to receive, on the device, a content query and retrieve, from the memory, user account credentials corresponding to user accounts associated with the device. The at least one processor may be further configured to provide, to a server, the user account credentials and the content query. The at least one processor may be further configured to receive, from the server and based on the content query, a user account identifier of one of the user accounts and a content identifier corresponding to content in a content library of the one of the user accounts. The at least one processor may be further configured to utilize the user account identifier and the content identifier for output, by the device, of the content from the content library of the one of the user accounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Cody D. JORGENSEN, Edward T. SCHMIDT, Jason P. KETTERMAN, Michael GACHET
  • Patent number: 10993274
    Abstract: In some implementations a system can be configured to reduce the burden of pairing user devices with playback devices. For example, all users (or user devices) who commonly operate within a particular environment (e.g., a home) can be configured as authorized users of playback devices within the particular environment. When one of the authorized users pairs a user device with a playback device, all of the user devices for all authorized users can be automatically paired with the playback device as a result of the single pairing. Thus, only a single authorized user is burdened with the pairing process in order to pair all authorized users with the playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Edward T. Schmidt, Elena Leyfman, David P. Saracino, Astrid Yi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Jonathan A. Bennett, Gregory R. Chapman, Aparna S. Akella, Shreyas Nandagudi Sreesha
  • Publication number: 20210092487
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can send a priming command to a media application to cause the media application to load media items and media item metadata into memory associated with the media application. The computing device can predict a media application that is likely to be invoked by a user. The computing device can launch the media application. The computing device can send the priming command to the media application to cause the media application to prepare media items for playback or presentation to the user. After the media application loads the media items, the computing device can receive metadata associated with the loaded media items and present the metadata and appropriate media application controls on a display of the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas ALSINA, Charles MAGAHERN, Edward T. SCHMIDT, Gregory R. CHAPMAN, Ronald K. HUANG
  • Publication number: 20210029184
    Abstract: One embodiment provides for a data processing system comprising a memory device to store instructions and one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device. The instructions cause the one or more processors to provide a virtual assistant to receive voice input at a media playback device associated with the data processing system. The virtual assistant, via the one or more processors, is configured to receive a voice command at the media playback device, where the voice command is to schedule an event, then determine a user account associated with the voice command, a type of command based on context information associated with the voice command, and a target device to which media playback associated with the event is to be scheduled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas M. Alsina, David C. Graham, Andrew M. Wadycki, Edward T. Schmidt, Joel M. Lopes Da Silva, Richard M. Powell, Gregory R. Chapman