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).
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Patent number: 11955137Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 25, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Garrett L. Weinberg, Harry J. Saddler
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Publication number: 20240096321Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Devang K. NAIK, Madhu CHINTHAKUNTA, Paul R. DIXON, Kumari NISHU, Harry J. SADDLER
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Publication number: 20240064370Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Marcel VAN OS, Rohit DASARI, Patrick M. LISTER, Lia T. NAPOLITANO, Jonathan H. RUSSELL, Harry J. SADDLER
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Publication number: 20240005921Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Devin W. Chalmers, Brian W. Temple, Carlo Eduardo C. Del Mundo, Harry J. Saddler, Jean-Charles Bernard Marcel Bazin
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Patent number: 11838579Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Marcel Van Os, Harry J. Saddler, Lia T. Napolitano, Jonathan H. Russell, Patrick M. Lister, Rohit Dasari
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Publication number: 20230352016Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Aram D. KUDURSHIAN, Bronwyn JONES, Elizabeth Caroline Furches CRANFILL, Harry J. SADDLER
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Patent number: 11670289Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Harry J. Saddler, Jerome Rene Bellegarda, Bryce H. Nyeggen, Alessandro Sabatelli
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Patent number: 11657820Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 15, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aram D. Kudurshian, Bronwyn Jones, Elizabeth Caroline Furches Cranfill, Harry J. Saddler
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Publication number: 20230066552Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Marcel VAN OS, Harry J. SADDLER, Lia T. NAPOLITANO, Jonathan H. RUSSELL, Patrick M. LISTER, Rohit DASARI
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Patent number: 11516537Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Marcel Van Os, Harry J. Saddler, Lia T. Napolitano, Jonathan H. Russell, Patrick M. Lister, Rohit Dasari
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Publication number: 20220293124Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2021Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Garrett L. WEINBERG, Harry J. SADDLER
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Publication number: 20210294571Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: David A. CARSON, Daniel KEEN, Evan DIBIASE, Harry J. SADDLER, Marco IACONO, Stephen O. LEMAY, Donald W. PITSCHEL, Thomas R. GRUBER
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Publication number: 20210233532Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Aram D. KUDURSHIAN, Bronwyn JONES, Elizabeth Caroline Furches CRANFILL, Harry J. SADDLER
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Patent number: 11048473Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David A. Carson, Daniel Keen, Evan Dibiase, Harry J. Saddler, Marco Iacono, Stephen O. Lemay, Donald W. Pitschel, Thomas R. Gruber
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Patent number: 11037565Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aram D. Kudurshian, Bronwyn Jones, Elizabeth Caroline Furches Cranfill, Harry J. Saddler
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Publication number: 20210151041Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Thomas R. GRUBER, Harry J. SADDLER, Jerome Rene BELLEGARDA, Bryce H. NYEGGEN, Alessandro SABATELLI
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Publication number: 20210105528Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Marcel VAN OS, Harry J. SADDLER, Lia T. NAPOLITANO, Jonathan H. RUSSELL, Patrick M. LISTER, Rohit DASARI
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Patent number: 10904611Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 24, 2017Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Marcel Van Os, Harry J. Saddler, Lia T. Napolitano, Jonathan H. Russell, Patrick M. Lister, Rohit Dasari
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Patent number: 10878809Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Harry J. Saddler, Jerome Rene Bellegarda, Bryce H. Nyeggen, Alessandro Sabatelli
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Patent number: 10839804Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 3, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aram D. Kudurshian, Bronwyn Jones, Elizabeth Caroline Furches Cranfill, Harry J. Saddler