Patents by Inventor Joe Howard

Joe Howard 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: 12342050
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content user interface. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. Subscribers are provided a user interface to the system that includes a channel bar. The channel bar is dynamically scoped responsive to interactions of a viewer with the system. Selectable elements within the channel bar provide direct access to related content regarding video content, such as television series information and cast information. In addition, the channel bar is operable in multiple modes. An EPG mode displays live video for multiple channels simultaneously. Themed modes permit channel bars that display content according to various themes which may be defined by a viewer, the provider, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory N. Christie, Alessandro Sabatelli, William M. Bachman, Imran Chaudhri, Jeffrey Robbin, Jim Young, Joe Howard, Marcel Van Os, Patrick L. Coffman, Stephen O. Lemay, Jeffrey Ma, Lynne Kress
  • Publication number: 20250168460
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content user interface. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. Subscribers are provided a user interface to the system that includes a side bar. The user interface provides context sensitive hints to assist the viewer. The system also tracks a viewer's viewing history in a manner that allows the viewer to review and directly access any part of that history. Finally, magnetic points are created for use during video scrubbing to intelligently select relocation points for the current playback position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Gregory N. CHRISTIE, Alessandro SABATELLI, William M. BACHMAN, Imran CHAUDHRI, Jeffrey ROBBIN, Jim YOUNG, Joe HOWARD, Marcel VAN OS, Patrick L. COFFMAN, Stephen O. LEMAY, Jeffrey MA, Lynne KRESS
  • Publication number: 20250168461
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content user interface. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. Subscribers are provided a user interface to the system that includes a channel bar. The channel bar is dynamically scoped responsive to interactions of a viewer with the system. Selectable elements within the channel bar provide direct access to related content regarding video content, such as television series information and cast information. In addition, the channel bar is operable in multiple modes. An EPG mode displays live video for multiple channels simultaneously. Themed modes permit channel bars that display content according to various themes which may be defined by a viewer, the provider, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Gregory N. CHRISTIE, Alessandro SABATELLI, William M. BACHMAN, Imran CHAUDHRI, Jeffrey ROBBIN, Jim YOUNG, Joe HOWARD, Marcel VAN OS, Patrick L. COFFMAN, Stephen O. LEMAY, Jeffrey MA, Lynne KRESS
  • Publication number: 20250168443
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content system. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. Subscribers are provided a user interface that provides context sensitive hints to assist the viewer. The system further enables viewers skip, view, and interact with advertisements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Gregory N. CHRISTIE, Alessandro SABATELLI, William M. BACHMAN, Imran CHAUDHRI, Jeffrey ROBBIN, Jim YOUNG, Joe HOWARD, Marcel VAN OS, Patrick L. COFFMAN, Stephen O. LEMAY, Jeffrey MA, Lynne KRESS
  • Publication number: 20250156051
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a device displays functionality information in response to receiving an indication of a first input for which a contact meets functionality display criteria. In some embodiments, a device generates a user interface that includes a navigation bar including images from different positions in a respective content item, and a representation of an adjacent content item. In some embodiments, a device moves a selection-indicator in a user interface by a predefined amount in response to receiving an indication of a first input that meets unitary movement criteria. In some embodiments, a device interprets movement of a contact of an input based at least in part on a grip of a user. In some embodiments, a device displays a plurality of character selection options when a text entry field is not tolerant of character ambiguity and a first input corresponds to a plurality of candidate characters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2025
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Marcel VAN OS, William M. BACHMAN, Elbert D. CHEN, Jeffrey L. ROBBIN, Joe HOWARD, Joshua MC GLINN, Jonathan LOCHHEAD, Benjamin W. KEIGHRAN, Jennifer L. C. FOLSE, Lynne KRESS, Julian MISSIG, Imran CHAUDHRI, Alessandro SABATELLI, Nicholas ZAMBETTI
  • Publication number: 20250159298
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device displays representations of groups of channels along a first axis in a user interface, and displays representations of channels associated with a selected group of channels along the first axis in response to receiving selection of the group. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays a user interface for viewing subscribed and unsubscribed channels, and for subscribing to unsubscribed channels. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays a navigation bar for navigating between live content, watchlist content, on-demand content, channels, and search content. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays an array-based content guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2025
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Benjamin W. KEIGHRAN, Jeffrey L. ROBBIN, William M. BACHMAN, Jennifer L. C. FOLSE, Jonathan LOCHHEAD, Joe HOWARD, Joshua MC GLINN, Elbert D. CHEN, Policarpo Bonilla WOOD, JR., Dennis S. PARK, Florian Miles PONSON
  • Publication number: 20250150659
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content delivery service. A media content provider includes a data store for storing and serving media content to subscribers. The media content provider continually records and or otherwise stores video and audio content from around the world. Stored content will generally correspond to a large number of other media content providers, such as cable television operators, Internet based media content providers, television networks, and so on. Subscribers to the media provider interact with the media content provider via hardware and/or software mechanisms either provided by the media content provider or conforming to specifications of the media content provider. Based on these subscriber's subscriptions to the other content providers, the subscribers will have viewing, listening, or application execution privileges for content maintained in the data store. Content of a subscriber corresponding to multiple video content providers is maintained and served by a single provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Gregory N. CHRISTIE, Alessandro SABATELLI, William M. BACHMAN, Imran CHAUDHRI, Jeffrey ROBBIN, Jim YOUNG, Joe HOWARD, Marcel VAN OS, Patrick L. COFFMAN, Stephen O. LEMAY, Jeffrey MA, Lynne KRESS
  • Publication number: 20250147722
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content system. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. The system includes display devices configured to identify and tailor content to multiple individual users. Each user may have individual settings which provide for a customized viewing environment and experience. The system is configured to identify users of the system in order to tailor the content as appropriate. In addition, identification of users allows for the identification of the subscription content that corresponds to the user. Based upon identification of a user and corresponding subscription, the user's subscription content may be streamed to any location. In this manner, the users subscribed content may follow the user from home to a friend's house, or elsewhere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Gregory N. CHRISTIE, Alessandro SABATELLI, William M. BACHMAN, Imran CHAUDHRI, Jeffrey ROBBIN, Jim YOUNG, Joe HOWARD, Marcel VAN OS, Patrick L. COFFMAN, Stephen O. LEMAY, Jeffrey MA, Lynne KRESS
  • Publication number: 20250142175
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content user interface. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. Subscribers are provided a user interface to the system that includes a side bar. The side bar includes multiple elements representing different categories of video content. By selecting a given category, available content is filtered according to the selected category and presented. Content which is presented may include live broadcast video for multiple channels on multiple television networks or other content providers. The side bar may further include a collection category specific to a given viewer. Selection of such a category may display video content within the collection. Subcategories in the side bar may be selected for further filtering of available content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Gregory N. CHRISTIE, Alessandro SABATELLI, William M. BACHMAN, Imran CHAUDHRI, Jeffrey ROBBIN, Jim YOUNG, Joe HOWARD, Marcel VAN OS, Patrick L. COFFMAN, Stephen O. LEMAY, Jeffrey MA, Lynne KRESS
  • Publication number: 20250117130
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a device performs character recognition based on spatial and temporal components of touch input detected on a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, a device provides feedback about handwritten input and its recognition by the device. In some embodiments, a device presents a user interface for changing previously-inputted characters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Joe HOWARD, Ryan S. DIXON, Joshua MC GLINN, Jonathan LOCHHEAD, Benjamin W. KEIGHRAN, William M. BACHMAN, Elbert D. CHEN, Jeffrey L. ROBBIN, Jennifer L. C. FOLSE, Lynne KRESS
  • Patent number: 12229475
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content system. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. The system includes display devices configured to identify and tailor content to multiple individual users. Each user may have individual settings which provide for a customized viewing environment and experience. The system is configured to identify users of the system in order to tailor the content as appropriate. In addition, identification of users allows for the identification of the subscription content that corresponds to the user. Based upon identification of a user and corresponding subscription, the user's subscription content may be streamed to any location. In this manner, the users subscribed content may follow the user from home to a friend's house, or elsewhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory N. Christie, Alessandro Sabatelli, William M. Bachman, Imran Chaudhri, Jeffrey Robbin, Jim Young, Joe Howard, Marcel Van Os, Patrick L. Coffman, Stephen O. Lemay, Jeffrey Ma, Lynne Kress
  • Patent number: 12225253
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content delivery service. A media content provider includes a data store for storing and serving media content to subscribers. The media content provider continually records and or otherwise stores video and audio content from around the world. Stored content will generally correspond to a large number of other media content providers, such as cable television operators, Internet based media content providers, television networks, and so on. Subscribers to the media provider interact with the media content provider via hardware and/or software mechanisms either provided by the media content provider or conforming to specifications of the media content provider. Based on these subscriber's subscriptions to the other content providers, the subscribers will have viewing, listening, or application execution privileges for content maintained in the data store. Content of a subscriber corresponding to multiple video content providers is maintained and served by a single provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory N. Christie, Alessandro Sabatelli, William M. Bachman, Imran Chaudhri, Jeffrey Robbin, Jim Young, Joe Howard, Marcel Van Os, Patrick L Coffman, Stephen O. Lemay, Jeffrey Ma, Lynne Kress
  • Publication number: 20250021218
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a device displays functionality information in response to receiving an indication of a first input for which a contact meets functionality display criteria. In some embodiments, a device generates a user interface that includes a navigation bar including images from different positions in a respective content item, and a representation of an adjacent content item. In some embodiments, a device moves a selection-indicator in a user interface by a predefined amount in response to receiving an indication of a first input that meets unitary movement criteria. In some embodiments, a device interprets movement of a contact of an input based at least in part on a grip of a user. In some embodiments, a device displays a plurality of character selection options when a text entry field is not tolerant of character ambiguity and a first input corresponds to a plurality of candidate characters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Marcel VAN OS, William M. BACHMAN, Elbert D. CHEN, Jeffrey L. ROBBIN, Joe HOWARD, Joshua MC GLINN, Jonathan LOCHHEAD, Benjamin W. KEIGHRAN, Jennifer L. C. FOLSE, Lynne KRESS, Julian MISSIG, Imran CHAUDHRI, Alessandro SABATELLI, Nicholas ZAMBETTI
  • Patent number: 12177527
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content user interface. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. Subscribers are provided a user interface to the system that includes a side bar. The side bar includes multiple elements representing different categories of video content. By selecting a given category, available content is filtered according to the selected category and presented. Content which is presented may include live broadcast video for multiple channels on multiple television networks or other content providers. The side bar may further include a collection category specific to a given viewer. Selection of such a category may display video content within the collection. Subcategories in the side bar may be selected for further filtering of available content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory N. Christie, Alessandro Sabatelli, William M. Bachman, Imran Chaudhri, Jeffrey Robbin, Jim Young, Joe Howard, Marcel Van Os, Patrick L. Coffman, Stephen O. Lemay, Jeffrey Ma, Lynne Kress
  • Publication number: 20240419736
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an electronic device. The electronic device provides, for display on a display device, a user interface including a first set of columns, two or more columns in the first set of columns each including two or more menu items. The electronic device receives a selection input. In response to receiving the selection input, in accordance with a determination that the selection input corresponds to selection of a first column the electronic device provides, for display on the display device, a second set of columns, two or more of the columns in the second set of columns corresponding to different subsets of menu items that were displayed in the first column that was selected in response to the selection input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Marcel VAN OS, Joe HOWARD, Joshua MC GLINN, Jonathan LOCHHEAD, Benjamin W. KEIGHRAN, William M. BACHMAN, Elbert D. CHEN, Jeffrey L. ROBBIN, Jennifer L. C. FOLSE, Lynne KRESS
  • Publication number: 20240422394
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device displays representations of groups of channels along a first axis in a user interface, and displays representations of channels associated with a selected group of channels along the first axis in response to receiving selection of the group. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays a user interface for viewing subscribed and unsubscribed channels, and for subscribing to unsubscribed channels. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays a navigation bar for navigating between live content, watchlist content, on-demand content, channels, and search content. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays an array-based content guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin W. KEIGHRAN, Jeffrey L. ROBBIN, William M. BACHMAN, Jennifer L. C. FOLSE, Jonathan LOCHHEAD, Joe HOWARD, Joshua MCGLINN, Elbert D. CHEN, Policarpo Bonilla WOOD, JR., Dennis S. PARK, Florian Miles PONSON
  • Publication number: 20240388761
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content system. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. Subscribers are provided a user interface that provides context sensitive hints to assist the viewer. The system further enables viewers skip, view, and interact with advertisements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Gregory N. CHRISTIE, Alessandro SABATELLI, William M. BACHMAN, Imran CHAUDHRI, Jeffrey ROBBIN, Jim YOUNG, Joe HOWARD, Marcel VAN OS, Patrick L. COFFMAN, Stephen O. LEMAY, Jeffrey MA, Lynne KRESS
  • Patent number: 12149779
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content system. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. Subscribers are provided a user interface that provides context sensitive hints to assist the viewer. The system further enables viewers skip, view, and interact with advertisements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory N. Christie, Alessandro Sabatelli, William M. Bachman, Imran Chaudhri, Jeffrey Robbin, Jim Young, Joe Howard, Marcel Van Os, Patrick L. Coffman, Stephen O. Lemay, Jeffrey Ma, Lynne Kress
  • Patent number: 12105942
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a device displays functionality information in response to receiving an indication of a first input for which a contact meets functionality display criteria. In some embodiments, a device generates a user interface that includes a navigation bar including images from different positions in a respective content item, and a representation of an adjacent content item. In some embodiments, a device moves a selection-indicator in a user interface by a predefined amount in response to receiving an indication of a first input that meets unitary movement criteria. In some embodiments, a device interprets movement of a contact of an input based at least in part on a grip of a user. In some embodiments, a device displays a plurality of character selection options when a text entry field is not tolerant of character ambiguity and a first input corresponds to a plurality of candidate characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel Van Os, William M. Bachman, Elbert D. Chen, Jeffrey L Robbin, Joe Howard, Joshua McGlinn, Jonathan Lochhead, Benjamin W. Keighran, Jennifer L. C. Folse, Lynne Kress, Julian Missig, Imran Chaudhri, Alessandro Sabatelli, Nicholas Zambetti
  • Patent number: 12093525
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a device performs character recognition based on spatial and temporal components of touch input detected on a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, a device provides feedback about handwritten input and its recognition by the device. In some embodiments, a device presents a user interface for changing previously-inputted characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Howard, Ryan S. Dixon, Joshua McGlinn, Jonathan Lochhead, Benjamin W. Keighran, William M. Bachman, Elbert D. Chen, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Jennifer L. C. Folse, Lynne Kress