Patents by Inventor Harry J. Saddler

Harry J. Saddler 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: 11955137
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. For example, a first speech input directed to a digital assistant is received from a user. A first response is provided based on the first speech input. A session window is initiated, wherein the session window is associated with a variable speech threshold. A second speech input is received during the session window. In accordance with a determination that the second speech input includes speech directed to the digital assistant, a duration associated with the session window is increased. In accordance with a determination that the variable speech threshold does not exceed a predetermined speech threshold, the session window is ended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett L. Weinberg, Harry J. Saddler
  • Publication number: 20240096321
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. In some embodiments, contextual data is obtained and used to select a set of keywords (e.g., words or phrases) for voice control of an electronic device. When a speech input is received by the electronic device, a determination is made whether the speech input includes any of the selected keywords. If the speech input does include a selected keyword, an action is performed in response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Devang K. NAIK, Madhu CHINTHAKUNTA, Paul R. DIXON, Kumari NISHU, Harry J. SADDLER
  • Publication number: 20240064370
    Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for controlling television user interactions using a virtual assistant. In an example process, a virtual assistant can interact with a television set-top box to control content shown on a television display. Speech input for the virtual assistant can be received from a device with a microphone. The speech input can comprise a query associated with content shown on the television display. A user intent of the query can be determined based on one or more of the content shown on the television display and a viewing history of media content. A result of the query can be caused to be displayed based on the determined user intent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Marcel VAN OS, Rohit DASARI, Patrick M. LISTER, Lia T. NAPOLITANO, Jonathan H. RUSSELL, Harry J. SADDLER
  • Publication number: 20240005921
    Abstract: In one implementation, a method of changing a state of an object is performed at a device including an image sensor, one or more processors, and non-transitory memory. The method includes receiving a vocal command. The method includes obtaining, using the image sensor, an image of a physical environment. The method includes detecting, in the image of the physical environment, an object based on a visual model of the object stored in the non-transitory memory in association with an object identifier of the object. The method includes generating, based on the vocal command and detection of the object, an instruction including the object identifier of the object. The method includes effectuating the instruction to change a state of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Devin W. Chalmers, Brian W. Temple, Carlo Eduardo C. Del Mundo, Harry J. Saddler, Jean-Charles Bernard Marcel Bazin
  • Patent number: 11838579
    Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for controlling television user interactions using a virtual assistant. In an example process, a virtual assistant can interact with a television set-top box to control content shown on a television display. Speech input for the virtual assistant can be received from a device with a microphone. The speech input can comprise a query associated with content shown on the television display. A user intent of the query can be determined based on one or more of the content shown on the television display and a viewing history of media content. A result of the query can be caused to be displayed based on the determined user intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel Van Os, Harry J. Saddler, Lia T. Napolitano, Jonathan H. Russell, Patrick M. Lister, Rohit Dasari
  • Publication number: 20230352016
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating a digital assistant are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving a first speech input from a user. The method further includes identifying context information and determining a user intent based on the first speech input and the context information. The method further includes determining whether the user intent is to perform a task using a searching process or an object managing process. The searching process is configured to search data, and the object managing process is configured to manage objects. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination the user intent is to perform the task using the searching process, performing the task using the searching process; and in accordance with the determination that the user intent is to perform the task using the object managing process, performing the task using the object managing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Aram D. KUDURSHIAN, Bronwyn JONES, Elizabeth Caroline Furches CRANFILL, Harry J. SADDLER
  • Patent number: 11670289
    Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for handling a multi-part voice command for a virtual assistant. Speech input can be received from a user that includes multiple actionable commands within a single utterance. A text string can be generated from the speech input using a speech transcription process. The text string can be parsed into multiple candidate substrings based on domain keywords, imperative verbs, predetermined substring lengths, or the like. For each candidate substring, a probability can be determined indicating whether the candidate substring corresponds to an actionable command. Such probabilities can be determined based on semantic coherence, similarity to user request templates, querying services to determine manageability, or the like. If the probabilities exceed a threshold, the user intent of each substring can be determined, processes associated with the user intents can be executed, and an acknowledgment can be provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Harry J. Saddler, Jerome Rene Bellegarda, Bryce H. Nyeggen, Alessandro Sabatelli
  • Patent number: 11657820
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating a digital assistant are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving a first speech input from a user. The method further includes identifying context information and determining a user intent based on the first speech input and the context information. The method further includes determining whether the user intent is to perform a task using a searching process or an object managing process. The searching process is configured to search data, and the object managing process is configured to manage objects. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination the user intent is to perform the task using the searching process, performing the task using the searching process; and in accordance with the determination that the user intent is to perform the task using the object managing process, performing the task using the object managing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aram D. Kudurshian, Bronwyn Jones, Elizabeth Caroline Furches Cranfill, Harry J. Saddler
  • Publication number: 20230066552
    Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for controlling television user interactions using a virtual assistant. In an example process, a virtual assistant can interact with a television set-top box to control content shown on a television display. Speech input for the virtual assistant can be received from a device with a microphone. The speech input can comprise a query associated with content shown on the television display. A user intent of the query can be determined based on one or more of the content shown on the television display and a viewing history of media content. A result of the query can be caused to be displayed based on the determined user intent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Marcel VAN OS, Harry J. SADDLER, Lia T. NAPOLITANO, Jonathan H. RUSSELL, Patrick M. LISTER, Rohit DASARI
  • Patent number: 11516537
    Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for controlling television user interactions using a virtual assistant. In an example process, a virtual assistant can interact with a television set-top box to control content shown on a television display. Speech input for the virtual assistant can be received from a device with a microphone. The speech input can comprise a query associated with content shown on the television display. A user intent of the query can be determined based on one or more of the content shown on the television display and a viewing history of media content. A result of the query can be caused to be displayed based on the determined user intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel Van Os, Harry J. Saddler, Lia T. Napolitano, Jonathan H. Russell, Patrick M. Lister, Rohit Dasari
  • Publication number: 20220293124
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. For example, a first speech input directed to a digital assistant is received from a user. A first response is provided based on the first speech input. A session window is initiated, wherein the session window is associated with a variable speech threshold. A second speech input is received during the session window. In accordance with a determination that the second speech input includes speech directed to the digital assistant, a duration associated with the session window is increased. In accordance with a determination that the variable speech threshold does not exceed a predetermined speech threshold, the session window is ended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Garrett L. WEINBERG, Harry J. SADDLER
  • Publication number: 20210294571
    Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors and memory includes a procedure for enabling conversation persistence across two or more instances of a digital assistant. In some embodiments, the device displays a first dialogue in a first instance of a digital assistant user interface. In response to a request to display a user interface different from the digital assistant user interface, the device displays the user interface different from the digital assistant user interface. In response to a request to invoke the digital assistant, the device displays a second instance of the digital assistant user interface, including displaying a second dialogue in the second instance of the digital assistant user interface, where the first dialogue remains available for display in the second instance of the digital assistant user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: David A. CARSON, Daniel KEEN, Evan DIBIASE, Harry J. SADDLER, Marco IACONO, Stephen O. LEMAY, Donald W. PITSCHEL, Thomas R. GRUBER
  • Publication number: 20210233532
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating a digital assistant are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving a first speech input from a user. The method further includes identifying context information and determining a user intent based on the first speech input and the context information. The method further includes determining whether the user intent is to perform a task using a searching process or an object managing process. The searching process is configured to search data, and the object managing process is configured to manage objects. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination the user intent is to perform the task using the searching process, performing the task using the searching process; and in accordance with the determination that the user intent is to perform the task using the object managing process, performing the task using the object managing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Aram D. KUDURSHIAN, Bronwyn JONES, Elizabeth Caroline Furches CRANFILL, Harry J. SADDLER
  • Patent number: 11048473
    Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors and memory includes a procedure for enabling conversation persistence across two or more instances of a digital assistant. In some embodiments, the device displays a first dialogue in a first instance of a digital assistant user interface. In response to a request to display a user interface different from the digital assistant user interface, the device displays the user interface different from the digital assistant user interface. In response to a request to invoke the digital assistant, the device displays a second instance of the digital assistant user interface, including displaying a second dialogue in the second instance of the digital assistant user interface, where the first dialogue remains available for display in the second instance of the digital assistant user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Carson, Daniel Keen, Evan Dibiase, Harry J. Saddler, Marco Iacono, Stephen O. Lemay, Donald W. Pitschel, Thomas R. Gruber
  • Patent number: 11037565
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating a digital assistant are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving a first speech input from a user. The method further includes identifying context information and determining a user intent based on the first speech input and the context information. The method further includes determining whether the user intent is to perform a task using a searching process or an object managing process. The searching process is configured to search data, and the object managing process is configured to manage objects. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination the user intent is to perform the task using the searching process, performing the task using the searching process; and in accordance with the determination that the user intent is to perform the task using the object managing process, performing the task using the object managing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aram D. Kudurshian, Bronwyn Jones, Elizabeth Caroline Furches Cranfill, Harry J. Saddler
  • Publication number: 20210151041
    Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for handling a multi-part voice command for a virtual assistant. Speech input can be received from a user that includes multiple actionable commands within a single utterance. A text string can be generated from the speech input using a speech transcription process. The text string can be parsed into multiple candidate substrings based on domain keywords, imperative verbs, predetermined substring lengths, or the like. For each candidate substring, a probability can be determined indicating whether the candidate substring corresponds to an actionable command. Such probabilities can be determined based on semantic coherence, similarity to user request templates, querying services to determine manageability, or the like. If the probabilities exceed a threshold, the user intent of each substring can be determined, processes associated with the user intents can be executed, and an acknowledgment can be provided to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas R. GRUBER, Harry J. SADDLER, Jerome Rene BELLEGARDA, Bryce H. NYEGGEN, Alessandro SABATELLI
  • Publication number: 20210105528
    Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for controlling television user interactions using a virtual assistant. In an example process, a virtual assistant can interact with a television set-top box to control content shown on a television display. Speech input for the virtual assistant can be received from a device with a microphone. The speech input can comprise a query associated with content shown on the television display. A user intent of the query can be determined based on one or more of the content shown on the television display and a viewing history of media content. A result of the query can be caused to be displayed based on the determined user intent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Marcel VAN OS, Harry J. SADDLER, Lia T. NAPOLITANO, Jonathan H. RUSSELL, Patrick M. LISTER, Rohit DASARI
  • Patent number: 10904611
    Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for controlling television user interactions using a virtual assistant. In an example process, a virtual assistant can interact with a television set-top box to control content shown on a television display. Speech input for the virtual assistant can be received from a device with a microphone. The speech input can comprise a query associated with content shown on the television display. A user intent of the query can be determined based on one or more of the content shown on the television display and a viewing history of media content. A result of the query can be caused to be displayed based on the determined user intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel Van Os, Harry J. Saddler, Lia T. Napolitano, Jonathan H. Russell, Patrick M. Lister, Rohit Dasari
  • Patent number: 10878809
    Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for handling a multi-part voice command for a virtual assistant. Speech input can be received from a user that includes multiple actionable commands within a single utterance. A text string can be generated from the speech input using a speech transcription process. The text string can be parsed into multiple candidate substrings based on domain keywords, imperative verbs, predetermined substring lengths, or the like. For each candidate substring, a probability can be determined indicating whether the candidate substring corresponds to an actionable command. Such probabilities can be determined based on semantic coherence, similarity to user request templates, querying services to determine manageability, or the like. If the probabilities exceed a threshold, the user intent of each sub string can be determined, processes associated with the user intents can be executed, and an acknowledgment can be provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Harry J. Saddler, Jerome Rene Bellegarda, Bryce H. Nyeggen, Alessandro Sabatelli
  • Patent number: 10839804
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating a digital assistant are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving a first speech input from a user. The method further includes identifying context information and determining a user intent based on the first speech input and the context information. The method further includes determining whether the user intent is to perform a task using a searching process or an object managing process. The searching process is configured to search data, and the object managing process is configured to manage objects. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination the user intent is to perform the task using the searching process, performing the task using the searching process; and in accordance with the determination that the user intent is to perform the task using the object managing process, performing the task using the object managing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aram D. Kudurshian, Bronwyn Jones, Elizabeth Caroline Furches Cranfill, Harry J. Saddler