Patents by Inventor Eric T. Seymour
Eric T. Seymour 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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Publication number: 20160188202Abstract: An electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface displays, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch. The device receives a first input from an adaptive input device. In response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, the device displays a first menu on the display. The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, a menu of virtual multitouch contacts is displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Christopher B. FLEIZACH, Eric T. SEYMOUR, James P. CRAIG
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Publication number: 20160148409Abstract: Methods for presenting symbolic expressions such as mathematical, scientific, or chemical expressions, formulas, or equations are performed by a computing device. One method includes: displaying a first portion of a symbolic expression within a first area of a display screen; while in a first state in which the first area is selected for aural presentation, aurally presenting first information related to the first portion of the symbolic expression; while in the first state, detecting particular user input; in response to detecting the particular user input, performing the steps of: transitioning from the first state to a second state in which a second area, of the display, is selected for aural presentation; determining second information associated with a second portion, of the symbolic expression, that is displayed within the second area; in response to determining the second information, aurally presenting the second information.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2016Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Christopher B. Fleizach, Eric T. Seymour, Gregory F. Hughes, Mike Pedersen
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Patent number: 9298360Abstract: Methods for presenting symbolic expressions such as mathematical, scientific, or chemical expressions, formulas, or equations are performed by a computing device. One method includes: displaying a first portion of a symbolic expression within a first area of a display screen; while in a first state in which the first area is selected for aural presentation, aurally presenting first information related to the first portion of the symbolic expression; while in the first state, detecting particular user input; in response to detecting the particular user input, performing the steps of: transitioning from the first state to a second state in which a second area, of the display, is selected for aural presentation; determining second information associated with a second portion, of the symbolic expression, that is displayed within the second area; in response to determining the second information, aurally presenting the second information.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher B. Fleizach, Eric T. Seymour, Gregory F. Hughes, Mike Pedersen
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Publication number: 20150363102Abstract: An electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface displays, on the display, a first visual indicator. The electronic device receives a first single touch input on the touch-sensitive surface at a location that corresponds to the first visual indicator; and, in response to detecting the first single touch input on the touch-sensitive surface at a location that corresponds to the first visual indicator, replaces display of the first visual indicator with display of a first menu. The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, the electronic device displays a menu of virtual multitouch contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Eric T. SEYMOUR, Christopher B. FLEIZACH
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Publication number: 20150355813Abstract: Methods, systems, and user interfaces enable users identify a user-selected location of a user interface with reduced movement and motor effort. A first selection indicator is overlaid on the user interface and moved in a first direction. Responsive to receiving a first user input to stop movement of the first selection indicator, movement of the first selection indicator is ceased over a first location of the user interface. A second selection indicator is overlaid on the user interface and the second selection indicator is moved in a second direction. Responsive to receiving a second user input to stop movement of the second selection indicator, movement of the second selection indicator is ceased over a second location of the user interface. The user-selected location of the user interface is selected based at least in part on the first and the second locations of the user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Gregory F. Hughes, Christopher Brian Fleizach, Eric T. Seymour, Darren C. Minifie, Patti Pei-Chin Hoa
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Publication number: 20150351142Abstract: A method for controlling a peripheral from a group of computing devices is provided. The method sets up a group of computing devices for providing media content and control settings to a peripheral device such as a hearing aid. The computing devices in the group are interconnected by a network and exchange data with each other regarding the peripheral. A master device in the group is directly paired with the peripheral device and can use the pairing connection to provide media content or to apply the control settings to the peripheral device. The peripheral device is paired with only the master devices of the group. A slave device can request to directly pair with the peripheral device and become the master device in order to provide media content to the peripheral.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Eric T. Seymour, Christopher B. Fleizach, Ian M. Fisch, Joakim Linde, Edwin Foo
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Publication number: 20150351143Abstract: A method for controlling a peripheral from a group of computing devices is provided. The method sets up a group of computing devices for providing media content and control settings to a peripheral device such as a hearing aid. The computing devices in the group are interconnected by a network and exchange data with each other regarding the peripheral. A master device in the group is directly paired with the peripheral device and can use the pairing connection to provide media content or to apply the control settings to the peripheral device. The peripheral device is paired with only the master devices of the group. A slave device can request to directly pair with the peripheral device and become the master device in order to provide media content to the peripheral.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Eric T. Seymour, Christopher B. Fleizach, Ian M. Fisch, Joakim Linde, Edwin Foo
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Patent number: 9146617Abstract: Systems and processes for activating a screen reading program are disclosed. One process can include receiving a request to activate the screen reading program and prompting the user to perform an action to confirm the request. The action can include a making swiping gesture, shaking the device, covering a proximity sensor, tapping a display, or the like. In some examples, the confirming action must be received within a time limit or the input can be ignored. In response to receipt of the confirmation (e.g., within the time limit), the screen reading program can be activated. The time limit can be identified using audible notifications at the start and end of the time limit. In another example, a device can detect an event associated with a request to activate a screen reading program. The event can be detected at any time to cause the device to activate the screen reading program.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Fleizach, Eric T. Seymour
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Patent number: 9116611Abstract: An electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface displays, on the display, a first visual indicator. The electronic device receives a first single touch input on the touch-sensitive surface at a location that corresponds to the first visual indicator; and, in response to detecting the first single touch input on the touch-sensitive surface at a location that corresponds to the first visual indicator, replaces display of the first visual indicator with display of a first menu. The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, the electronic device displays a menu of virtual multitouch contacts.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Eric T. Seymour, Christopher B. Fleizach
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Patent number: 9094534Abstract: An electronic device, while in a restricted interaction mode in an application other than a call application, displays a first user interface that includes a plurality of user interface objects, and receives an incoming call. The electronic device determines whether the incoming phone call satisfies predefined signaling criteria. In accordance with a determination that the incoming call satisfies the predefined signaling criteria, the electronic device outputs a signal that indicates the incoming call. In accordance with a determination that the incoming phone call does not satisfy the predefined criteria, the electronic device foregoes outputting the signal indicating the incoming call.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Eric T. Seymour, Christopher B. Fleizach, Maria Celia Vigil, Sarika K. Nene
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Publication number: 20150153911Abstract: An electronic device, while in an interaction configuration mode: displays a first user interface that includes a plurality of user interface objects; and, while displaying the first user interface, detects one or more gesture inputs on a touch-sensitive surface. For a respective gesture input, the device determines whether one or more user interface objects of the plurality of user interface objects correspond to the respective gesture input. The device visually distinguishes a first set of user interface objects in the plurality of user interface objects that correspond to the detected one or more gesture inputs from a second set of user interface objects in the plurality of user interface objects that do not correspond to the detected one or more gesture inputs. The device detects an input; and, in response to detecting the input, exits the interaction configuration mode and enters a restricted interaction mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Eric T. SEYMOUR, Christopher FLEIZACH
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Publication number: 20150040213Abstract: While an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface is in a screen reader accessibility mode, the device displays an application launcher screen including a plurality of application icons. A respective application icon corresponds to a respective application stored in the device. The device detects a sequence of one or more gestures on the touch-sensitive surface that correspond to one or more characters. A respective gesture that corresponds to a respective character is a single finger gesture that moves across the touch-sensitive surface along a respective path that corresponds to the respective character. The device determines whether the detected sequence of one or more gestures corresponds to a respective application icon of the plurality of application icons, and, in response to determining that the detected sequence of one or more gestures corresponds to the respective application icon, performs a predefined operation associated with the respective application icon.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Christopher B. FLEIZACH, Darren C. MINIFIE, Gregory F. HUGHES, Ryan N. DOUR, Ian M. FISCH, Joel M. LOPES DA SILVA, Michael M. PEDERSEN, II, Eric T. SEYMOUR, Devang K. NAIK, Ryan S. DIXON
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Patent number: 8881269Abstract: While an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface is in a screen reader accessibility mode, the device displays an application launcher screen including a plurality of application icons. A respective application icon corresponds to a respective application stored in the device. The device detects a sequence of one or more gestures on the touch-sensitive surface that correspond to one or more characters. A respective gesture that corresponds to a respective character is a single finger gesture that moves across the touch-sensitive surface along a respective path that corresponds to the respective character. The device determines whether the detected sequence of one or more gestures corresponds to a respective application icon of the plurality of application icons, and, in response to determining that the detected sequence of one or more gestures corresponds to the respective application icon, performs a predefined operation associated with the respective application icon.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher B. Fleizach, Darren C. Minifie, Gregory F. Hughes, Ryan N. Dour, Ian M. Fisch, Joel M. Lopes Da Silva, Michael M. Pedersen, II, Eric T. Seymour, Devang K. Naik, Ryan S. Dixon
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Publication number: 20140281997Abstract: An electronic device outputs a first caption of a plurality of captions while a first segment of a video is being played, where the first video segment corresponds to the first caption. While outputting the first caption, the device receives a first user input. In response to receiving the first user input, the device determines a second caption in the plurality of captions, distinct from the first caption, that meets predefined caption selection criteria; determines a second segment of the video that corresponds to the second caption; sends instructions to change from playing the first segment of the video to playing the second segment of the video; and outputs the second caption.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher B. FLEIZACH, Eric T. SEYMOUR, Gregory F. HUGHES
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Publication number: 20140283141Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a mobile device with multiple access modes. The device in some embodiments has at least two access modes, a primary access mode and a secondary access mode, that provide different restrictions for accessing the applications and/or data that are stored on the device. In some embodiments, the primary access mode of the device provides unfettered access to all of the device's applications and/or data that are available to a user, while its secondary access mode provides access to a limited set of applications and/or data that are stored on the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew E. Shepherd, Eric T. Seymour, Morgan Grainger, Dylan Edwards, Craig M. Federighi, Tyler Hawkins, Thomas M. Alsina, Gregory N. Christie, Stephen O. Lemay, Martin Pedrick, Patrick L. Coffman, Apurva Mehta
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Patent number: 8812994Abstract: An electronic device, while in an interaction configuration mode: displays a first user interface that includes a plurality of user interface objects; and, while displaying the first user interface, detects one or more gesture inputs on a touch-sensitive surface. For a respective gesture input, the device determines whether one or more user interface objects of the plurality of user interface objects correspond to the respective gesture input. The device visually distinguishes a first set of user interface objects in the plurality of user interface objects that correspond to the detected one or more gesture inputs from a second set of user interface objects in the plurality of user interface objects that do not correspond to the detected one or more gesture inputs. The device detects an input; and, in response to detecting the input, exits the interaction configuration mode and enters a restricted interaction mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Eric T. Seymour, Christopher B. Fleizach
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Publication number: 20140215398Abstract: Systems and processes for scanning a user interface are disclosed. One process can include scanning multiple elements within a user interface by highlighting the elements. The process can further include receiving a selection while one of the elements is highlighted and performing an action on the element that was highlighted when the selection was received. The action can include scanning the contents of the selected element or performing an action associated with the selected element. The process can be used to navigate an array of application icons, a menu of options, a standard desktop or laptop operating system interface, or the like. The process can also be used to perform gestures on a touch-sensitive device or mouse and track pad gestures (e.g., flick, tap, or freehand gestures).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Fleizach, Eric T. Seymour, Clare Kasemest, Samuel White, Darren C. Minifie, Ian Fisch, Gregory F. Hughes, Justin Kaufman, Patti P. Hoa
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Publication number: 20140215410Abstract: Systems and processes for activating a screen reading program are disclosed. One process can include receiving a request to activate the screen reading program and prompting the user to perform an action to confirm the request. The action can include a making swiping gesture, shaking the device, covering a proximity sensor, tapping a display, or the like. In some examples, the confirming action must be received within a time limit or the input can be ignored. In response to receipt of the confirmation (e.g., within the time limit), the screen reading program can be activated. The time limit can be identified using audible notifications at the start and end of the time limit. In another example, a device can detect an event associated with a request to activate a screen reading program. The event can be detected at any time to cause the device to activate the screen reading program.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher FLEIZACH, Eric T. SEYMOUR
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Publication number: 20140210828Abstract: Methods for presenting symbolic expressions such as mathematical, scientific, or chemical expressions, formulas, or equations are performed by a computing device. One method includes: displaying a first portion of a symbolic expression within a first area of a display screen; while in a first state in which the first area is selected for aural presentation, aurally presenting first information related to the first portion of the symbolic expression; while in the first state, detecting particular user input; in response to detecting the particular user input, performing the steps of: transitioning from the first state to a second state in which a second area, of the display, is selected for aural presentation; determining second information associated with a second portion, of the symbolic expression, that is displayed within the second area; in response to determining the second information, aurally presenting the second information.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Christopher B. Fleizach, Eric T. Seymour, Gregory F. Hughes, Mike Pedersen
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Patent number: 8744852Abstract: A spoken interface is described for assisting a visually impaired user to obtain audible information and interact with elements displayed on a display screen. The spoken interface also enables access and control of other elements that are hidden by other windows. The interface receives user input data representing user inputs received by an input device and uses a movable selector to select an element of an application. The element selected by the selector may be either an editing type element or non-editing type element. The interface provides audio information regarding the selected editing or non-editing element and enables interaction with the selected element.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Eric T. Seymour, Richard W. Fabrick, II, Patti P. Yeh, John O. Louch