Patents by Inventor Kenneth Mixter

Kenneth Mixter 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: 12277259
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for generating and/or adapting automated assistant content according to a distance of a user relative to an automated assistant interface that renders the automated assistant content. For instance, the automated assistant can provide data for a client device to render. The client device can request additional data when the user relocates closer to, or further from, the client device. In some implementations, a request for additional data can identify a distance between the user and the client device. In this way, the additional data can be generated or selected according to the distance in the request. Other implementations can allow an automated assistant to determine an active user from a group of users in an environment, and determine a distance between the active user and the client device in order that any rendered content can be tailored for the active user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Tuan Nguyen, Kenneth Mixter, Yuan Yuan
  • Publication number: 20240420693
    Abstract: An electronic device stores a voice assistant library for execution on the electronic device based on the electronic device having a first device type. The electronic device receives a verbal input from a user. It extracts request information from the verbal input by processing the verbal input using the voice assistant library executing on the device. It transmits a request to a remote system. The electronic device receives a response to the request. The response is generated by the remote system. The electronic device performs an operation in accordance with the response by one or more voice-processing modules of the configured voice assistant library.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Raunaq Shah
  • Publication number: 20240363113
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods and systems for determining device leadership among voice interface devices. In one aspect, a method is performed at a first electronic device of a plurality of electronic devices, each having microphones, a speaker, processors, and memory storing programs for execution by the processors. The first device detects a voice input. It determines a device state and a relevance of the voice input. It identifies a subset of electronic devices from the plurality to which the voice input is relevant. In accordance with a determination that the subset includes the first device, the first device determines a first score of a criterion associated with the voice input and receives second scores of the criterion from other devices in the subset. In accordance with a determination that the first score is higher than the second scores, the first device responds to the detected input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Diego Melendo Casado, Alexander H. Gruenstein, Terry Tai, Christopher Thaddeus Hughes, Matthew Nirvan Sharifi
  • Patent number: 12046241
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods and systems for determining device leadership among voice interface devices. In one aspect, a method is performed at a first electronic device of a plurality of electronic devices, each having microphones, a speaker, processors, and memory storing programs for execution by the processors. The first device detects a voice input. It determines a device state and a relevance of the voice input. It identifies a subset of electronic devices from the plurality to which the voice input is relevant. In accordance with a determination that the subset includes the first device, the first device determines a first score of a criterion associated with the voice input and receives second scores of the criterion from other devices in the subset. In accordance with a determination that the first score is higher than the second scores, the first device responds to the detected input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Diego Melendo Casado, Alexander H. Gruenstein, Terry Tai, Christopher Thaddeus Hughes, Matthew Nirvan Sharifi
  • Publication number: 20240205293
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for distributed ambient computing within an environment. A first version of an ambient computing library running on a device may check a manifest in the storage of the device to identify a second device that provides a service. The first version of the ambient computing library may send data to be processed using the service to the second device through a second version of the ambient computing library running on the second device. The first device and the second device may include different computing hardware. The first version of the ambient computing library may receive data including results from the second device through the second version of the ambient computing library. The data including the results may be generated by the second device based on processing the data sent from the device by the first version of the ambient computing library.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2024
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Ken MacKay, Byungchul Kim
  • Patent number: 11990128
    Abstract: A first electronic device of a local group of connected electronic devices receives a first voice command including a request for a first operation assigns a first target device from among a local group of connected electronic devices as an in-focus device for performing the first operation, causes the first operation to be performed by the first target device via operation of a server-implemented common network service, receives a second voice command including a request for a second operation and based on a determination that the second voice command does not include an explicit designation of a second target device and a determination that the second operation can be performed by the first target device, assigning the first target device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Tomer Shekel, Tuan Anh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11972678
    Abstract: A method at an electronic device with an array of indicator lights includes: obtaining first visual output instructions stored at the electronic device, where the first visual output instructions control operation of the array of indicator lights based on operating state of the electronic device; receiving a voice input; obtaining from a remote system a response to the voice input and second visual output instructions, where the second visual output instructions are provided by the remote system along with the response in accordance with a determination that the voice input satisfies one or more criteria; executing the response; and displaying visual output on the array of indicator lights in accordance with the second visual output instructions, where otherwise in absence of the second visual output instructions the electronic device displays visual output on the array of indicator lights in accordance with the first visual output instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Yuan Yuan
  • Publication number: 20240135914
    Abstract: A method for proactive notifications in a voice interface device includes: receiving a first user voice request for an action with an future performance time; assigning the first user voice request to a voice assistant service for performance; subsequent to the receiving, receiving a second user voice request and in response to the second user voice request initiating a conversation with the user; and during the conversation: receiving a notification from the voice assistant service of performance of the action; triggering a first audible announcement to the user to indicate a transition from the conversation and interrupting the conversation; triggering a second audible announcement to the user to indicate performance of the action; and triggering a third audible announcement to the user to indicate a transition back to the conversation and rejoining the conversation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Daniel Colish, Tuan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11962650
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for distributed ambient computing within an environment. A first version of an ambient computing library running on a device may check a manifest in the storage of the device to identify a second device that provides a service. The first version of the ambient computing library may send data to be processed using the service to the second device through a second version of the ambient computing library running on the second device. The first device and the second device may include different computing hardware. The first version of the ambient computing library may receive data including results from the second device through the second version of the ambient computing library. The data including the results may be generated by the second device based on processing the data sent from the device by the first version of the ambient computing library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Ken MacKay, Byungchul Kim
  • Patent number: 11935535
    Abstract: An electronic device configures a device-agnostic voice assistant library for execution on the electronic device based on the electronic device having a first device type. The electronic device also selects an implementation for the voice assistant library. After the configuring, the electronic device receives a verbal input from a user. It extracts request information from the verbal input by processing the verbal input using the voice assistant library executing on the device. It transmits a request to a remote system, the request including the extracted request information. The electronic device receives a response to the request. The response is generated by the remote system in accordance with the extracted request information. The electronic device performs an operation in accordance with the response by one or more voice processing modules of the configured voice assistant library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Raunaq Shah
  • Patent number: 11922941
    Abstract: An electronic device stores a voice assistant library for execution on the electronic device based on the electronic device having a first device type. The electronic device receives a verbal input from a user. It extracts request information from the verbal input by processing the verbal input using the voice assistant library executing on the device. It transmits a request to a remote system. The electronic device receives a response to the request. The response is generated by the remote system. The electronic device performs an operation in accordance with the response by one or more voice-processing modules of the configured voice assistant library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Raunaq Shah
  • Patent number: 11908445
    Abstract: A method for proactive notifications in a voice interface device includes: receiving a first user voice request for an action with an future performance time; assigning the first user voice request to a voice assistant service for performance; subsequent to the receiving, receiving a second user voice request and in response to the second user voice request initiating a conversation with the user; and during the conversation: receiving a notification from the voice assistant service of performance of the action; triggering a first audible announcement to the user to indicate a transition from the conversation and interrupting the conversation; triggering a second audible announcement to the user to indicate performance of the action; and triggering a third audible announcement to the user to indicate a transition back to the conversation and rejoining the conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Daniel Colish, Tuan Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20240028108
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for generating and/or adapting automated assistant content according to a distance of a user relative to an automated assistant interface that renders the automated assistant content. For instance, the automated assistant can provide data for a client device to render. The client device can request additional data when the user relocates closer to, or further from, the client device. In some implementations, a request for additional data can identify a distance between the user and the client device. In this way, the additional data can be generated or selected according to the distance in the request. Other implementations can allow an automated assistant to determine an active user from a group of users in an environment, and determine a distance between the active user and the client device in order that any rendered content can be tailored for the active user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Tuan Nguyen, Kenneth Mixter, Yuan Yuan
  • Patent number: 11869527
    Abstract: A method at an electronic device with one or more microphones and a speaker, the electronic device configured to be responsive to any of a plurality of affordances including a voice-based affordance, includes determining background noise of an environment associated with the electronic device, and before detecting the voice-based affordance: determining whether the background noise would interfere with recognition of the hotword in voice inputs detected by the electronic device, and if so, indicating to a user to use an affordance other than the voice-based affordance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Mixter
  • Publication number: 20230368789
    Abstract: An electronic device stores a voice assistant library for execution on the electronic device based on the electronic device having a first device type. The electronic device receives a verbal input from a user. It extracts request information from the verbal input by processing the verbal input using the voice assistant library executing on the device. It transmits a request to a remote system. The electronic device receives a response to the request. The response is generated by the remote system. The electronic device performs an operation in accordance with the response by one or more voice-processing modules of the configured voice assistant library.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Raunaq Shah
  • Publication number: 20230355169
    Abstract: During a sleep session of a user of a display assistant device, the device records sound, movement, and ambient conditions in proximity to the device. The ambient conditions include a light level. The device analyzes the recorded sound and movement to identify throughout the sleep session of the user a time-varying sleep state of the user. The sleep state is characterized by a sleep quality and a sleep phase. The device also analyzes the recorded ambient conditions and the recorded sound throughout the sleep session to identify a plurality of time-varying sleep disturbances occurring during the sleep session of the user. After the sleep session of the user has concluded, the device presents on a screen of the device a sleep summary of the sleep session. The sleep summary includes visual indications of the sleep quality and disturbances identified throughout the sleep session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Ashton Udall
  • Patent number: 11789522
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for generating and/or adapting automated assistant content according to a distance of a user relative to an automated assistant interface that renders the automated assistant content. For instance, the automated assistant can provide data for a client device to render. The client device can request additional data when the user relocates closer to, or further from, the client device. In some implementations, a request for additional data can identify a distance between the user and the client device. In this way, the additional data can be generated or selected according to the distance in the request. Other implementations can allow an automated assistant to determine an active user from a group of users in an environment, and determine a distance between the active user and the client device in order that any rendered content can be tailored for the active user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Tuan Nguyen, Kenneth Mixter, Yuan Yuan
  • Patent number: 11789697
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for attending to a presenting user. In one aspect, a method is performed at an electronic device that includes an image sensor, microphones, a display, processor(s), and memory. The device (1) obtains audio signals by concurrently receiving audio data at each microphone; (2) determines based on the obtained audio signals that a person is speaking in a vicinity of the device; (3) obtains video data from the image sensor; (4) determines via the video data that the person is not within a field of view of the image sensor; (5) reorients the electronic device based on differences in the received audio data; (6) after reorienting the electronic device, obtains second video data from the image sensor and determines that the person is within the field of view; and (7) attends to the person by directing the display toward the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yuan Yuan, Johan Schalkwyk, Kenneth Mixter
  • Patent number: 11785303
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for automation and recommendation based on device control protocols. HDMI-CEC device control data may be received from a connected electronic device that may be connected to an electronic display device. The HDMI-CEC device control data may be based on a HDMI-CEC device control signal from the electronic display device. The system may generate a control signal for a device. The control signal may be sent to the device for implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Marci Meingast, Jennifer Yick
  • Publication number: 20230274741
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods and systems for determining device leadership among voice interface devices. In one aspect, a method is performed at a first electronic device of a plurality of electronic devices, each having microphones, a speaker, processors, and memory storing programs for execution by the processors. The first device detects a voice input. It determines a device state and a relevance of the voice input. It identifies a subset of electronic devices from the plurality to which the voice input is relevant. In accordance with a determination that the subset includes the first device, the first device determines a first score of a criterion associated with the voice input and receives second scores of the criterion from other devices in the subset. In accordance with a determination that the first score is higher than the second scores, the first device responds to the detected input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Diego Melendo Casado, Alexander H. Gruenstein, Terry Tai, Christopher Thaddeus Hughes, Matthew Nirvan Sharifi