Patents by Inventor Kevin P. McLaughlin

Kevin P. McLaughlin 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).

  • Publication number: 20210184881
    Abstract: A triggered action set for a first device can be defined by the first device. Instructions for executing the triggered action set can be provided by the first device to a second device. Subsequent to providing the instructions, the first device can monitor the status of the second device; if the delegate device enters a state in which it is presumed to be unavailable to execute the trigger, the first device can monitor for a triggering event associated with the triggered action set and send a control message to an accessory device in response to detecting the triggering event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anush G. Nadathur, Kevin P. McLaughlin, Nathan E. Carroll
  • Patent number: 11018862
    Abstract: A relay service can relay messages between controllers and electronically controllable accessory devices that may be located remotely from the controllers. Relaying of messages by the relay service can be decoupled from any knowledge of the functionality of the accessory or the content of the messages. Device identification and relaying of messages can be managed using “relay aliases” that are meaningful only to the relay service and the endpoint devices (the controller and accessory). The endpoint devices can implement end-to-end security for messages transported by the relay service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Anush G. Nadathur, Gokul P. Thirumalai, Kevin P. McLaughlin, Matthew C. Lucas, Andrew Burks
  • Patent number: 11010416
    Abstract: In some implementations, a coordinator device can prefetch images from a camera accessory in response to receiving a doorbell event notification from a doorbell accessory. For example, the coordinator device can prefetch an image in response to receiving a doorbell event notification from a doorbell accessory so that the captured image is contemporaneous with the doorbell event and to avoid making multiple subsequent requests for the same image from the camera accessory when multiple user devices request the captured image. The coordinator device can store the image received from the camera accessory and serve the image to user devices when the user devices request a snapshot image corresponding to the doorbell event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Smith, Reed E. Olsen, Kevin P. McLaughlin, Anush G. Nadathur
  • Patent number: 10985937
    Abstract: A triggered action set for a first device can be defined by the first device. Instructions for executing the triggered action set can be provided by the first device to a second device. Subsequent to providing the instructions, the first device can monitor the status of the second device; if the delegate device enters a state in which it is presumed to be unavailable to execute the trigger, the first device can monitor for a triggering event associated with the triggered action set and send a control message to an accessory device in response to detecting the triggering event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anush G. Nadathur, Kevin P. McLaughlin, Nathan E. Carroll
  • Patent number: 10951592
    Abstract: A controller and an accessory controllable by the controller can communicate using secure read and write procedures. The procedures can include encrypting identifiers of accessory characteristics targeted by a read or write operation as well as any data being read or written. The procedures can also include the accessory returning a cryptographically signed response verifying receipt and execution of the read or write instruction. In some instances, a write procedure can be implemented as a timed write in which a first instruction containing the write data is sent separately from a second instruction to execute the write operation; the accessory can disregard the write data if the second instruction is not received within a timeout period after receiving the first instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. McLaughlin, Anush G. Nadathur, Matthew C. Lucas, Srinivas Rama, Dennis Mathews
  • Patent number: 10938593
    Abstract: In some implementations, a user device (or resident device) can notify the user of anomalous accessory states. For example, the user device can determine which accessory states and contexts represent normal accessory states in the respective contexts. Similarly to scene suggestions, the user device can analyze historical accessory state data and context data to determine an accessory state pattern that indicates a normal state of an accessory for a given context. The user device can compare the current state and/or context of an accessory to historical accessory state data to determine when the current state of the accessory is abnormal for the current context. If the current accessory state is abnormal for the current context, the user device can present a notification to the user informing the user of the anomalous accessory state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. McLaughlin, Serhat S. Bucak, Sumit Saxena, Anush Nadathur, Arun Mathias
  • Publication number: 20200296168
    Abstract: Techniques for suggesting accessory devices controlled by an application executing on a mobile device are disclosed. A method includes measuring one or more sensor values using one or more sensors of a mobile device and the one or more sensor values are determined from one or more signals emitted by a first one or more accessory devices. An area of a physical space for the first one or more accessory devices can be determined based on the one or more sensor values. A second one or more accessory devices associated with the same area as the first one or more accessory devices can be suggested to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Kevin P. McLaughlin, David R. Stites, Jahshan A. Bhatti, Kevin Duffy, Robert William Mayor
  • Patent number: 10764153
    Abstract: In some implementations, a user device can automatically generate scene suggestions and/or trigger suggestions. For example, a scene can be a collection of accessories and corresponding accessory states. When the scene is invoked, the user device can cause the accessories associated with the scene to assume the corresponding accessory states. The user device can automatically determine the accessories and/or corresponding accessory states for a scene based on historical patterns of use represented in historical accessory state data. The user device can automatically determine triggers for automatically invoking scenes based on historical patterns of use. For example, the user device can analyze historical context (e.g., location, time, accessory state, etc.) data associated with accessory state transitions to determine triggers for automatically invoking a scene. The user device can present suggest scenes and/or triggers to the user of the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. McLaughlin, Serhat S. Bucak, Sumit Saxena, Anush Nadathur, Arun Mathias
  • Publication number: 20200228362
    Abstract: An automated environment can include multiple controller devices capable of communicating with multiple accessory devices. The controller devices can automatically elect one of their number as a coordinator device for the environment and can automatically perform a new election if an incumbent coordinator becomes unavailable or resigns. The election processes can be transparent to any users. An elected coordinator can perform various operations to facilitate management of the automated environment, including routing of communications between controllers and accessories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anush G. Nadathur, Srinivas Rama, Matthew C. Lucas, Nathan E. Carroll, Kevin P. McLaughlin, Thomas A. Dilligan, Arun G. Mathias
  • Patent number: 10715399
    Abstract: In some implementations, a user device can automatically generate scene suggestions and/or trigger suggestions. For example, a scene can be a collection of accessories and corresponding accessory states. When the scene is invoked, the user device can cause the accessories associated with the scene to assume the corresponding accessory states. The user device can automatically determine the accessories and/or corresponding accessory states for a scene based on historical patterns of use represented in historical accessory state data. The user device can automatically determine triggers for automatically invoking scenes based on historical patterns of use. For example, the user device can analyze historical context (e.g., location, time, accessory state, etc.) data associated with accessory state transitions to determine triggers for automatically invoking a scene. The user device can present suggest scenes and/or triggers to the user of the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. McLaughlin, Serhat S. Bucak, Sumit Saxena, Anush Nadathur, Arun Mathias
  • Patent number: 10681141
    Abstract: Techniques for suggesting accessory devices controlled by an application executing on a mobile device are disclosed. A method includes measuring one or more sensor values to determine a data point at each of a plurality of first times, associating an accessory device with each of the data points, clustering the data points within a threshold distance of each other to create a plurality of clusters. The method also includes, after clustering the data points, measuring one or more sensor values to determine one or more current data points at a second time, determining that one or more current data points at the second time corresponds to a first cluster of the plurality of clusters, identifying a first accessory device associated with one or more of the data points in the first cluster, and providing a message using the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Kevin P. McLaughlin, David R. Stites, Jahshan A. Bhatti, Kevin Duffy, Robert William Mayor
  • Patent number: 10630500
    Abstract: An automated environment can include multiple controller devices capable of communicating with multiple accessory devices. The controller devices can automatically elect one of their number as a coordinator device for the environment and can automatically perform a new election if an incumbent coordinator becomes unavailable or resigns. The election processes can be transparent to any users. An elected coordinator can perform various operations to facilitate management of the automated environment, including routing of communications between controllers and accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anush G. Nadathur, Srinivas Rama, Matthew C. Lucas, Nathan E. Carroll, Kevin P. McLaughlin, Thomas A. Dilligan, Arun G. Mathias
  • Patent number: 10630647
    Abstract: A controller and an accessory controllable by the controller can communicate using secure read and write procedures. The procedures can include encrypting identifiers of accessory characteristics targeted by a read or write operation as well as any data being read or written. The procedures can also include the accessory returning a cryptographically signed response verifying receipt and execution of the read or write instruction. In some instances, a write procedure can be implemented as a timed write in which a first instruction containing the write data is sent separately from a second instruction to execute the write operation; the accessory can disregard the write data if the second instruction is not received within a timeout period after receiving the first instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. McLaughlin, Anush G. Nadathur, Matthew C. Lucas, Srinivas Rama, Dennis Mathews
  • Publication number: 20200117684
    Abstract: In some implementations, a coordinator device can prefetch images from a camera accessory in response to receiving a doorbell event notification from a doorbell accessory. For example, the coordinator device can prefetch an image in response to receiving a doorbell event notification from a doorbell accessory so that the captured image is contemporaneous with the doorbell event and to avoid making multiple subsequent requests for the same image from the camera accessory when multiple user devices request the captured image. The coordinator device can store the image received from the camera accessory and serve the image to user devices when the user devices request a snapshot image corresponding to the doorbell event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Smith, Reed E. Olsen, Kevin P. McLaughlin, Anush G. Nadathur
  • Patent number: 10572530
    Abstract: In some implementations, a coordinator device can prefetch images from a camera accessory in response to receiving a doorbell event notification from a doorbell accessory. For example, the coordinator device can prefetch an image in response to receiving a doorbell event notification from a doorbell accessory so that the captured image is contemporaneous with the doorbell event and to avoid making multiple subsequent requests for the same image from the camera accessory when multiple user devices request the captured image. The coordinator device can store the image received from the camera accessory and serve the image to user devices when the user devices request a snapshot image corresponding to the doorbell event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Smith, Reed E. Olsen, Kevin P. McLaughlin, Anush G. Nadathur
  • Publication number: 20200053056
    Abstract: A data transfer process can include multiple verification features usable by a “source” device to ensure that a “destination” device is authorized to receive a requested data object. The source device and destination device can communicate via a first communication channel (which can be on a wide-area network) to exchange public keys, then use the public keys to verify their identities and establish a secure session on a second communication channel (which can be a local channel). The data object can be transferred via the secure session. Prior to sending the data object, the source device can perform secondary verification operations (in addition to the key exchange) to confirm the identity of the second device and/or the locality of the connection on the second communication channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Arun G. Mathias, Thomas A. Dilligan, Matthew C. Lucas, Anush G. Nadathur, Kevin P. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 10469281
    Abstract: In some implementations, a resident device can automatically generate scene suggestions and/or trigger suggestions based on historical data aggregated from multiple user devices. For example, a resident device can be a user device that is (e.g., mostly) kept in the home environment. Therefore, the resident device is able to collect accessory state and/or context data when another user device may not be connected to the accessories in the home environment. Moreover, the resident device can collect and/or aggregate accessory state data, context data, and user device state data from across multiple user devices. The resident device can automatically determine the accessories and/or corresponding accessory states for a scene and/or scene triggers based on historical patterns of use represented in the aggregated historical accessory state data. The user device can present suggest scenes and/or triggers to the user of the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin P. McLaughlin, Serhat S. Bucak, Sumit Saxena, Anush Nadathur
  • Patent number: 10462109
    Abstract: A data transfer process can include multiple verification features usable by a “source” device to ensure that a “destination” device is authorized to receive a requested data object. The source device and destination device can communicate via a first communication channel (which can be on a wide-area network) to exchange public keys, then use the public keys to verify their identities and establish a secure session on a second communication channel (which can be a local channel). The data object can be transferred via the secure session. Prior to sending the data object, the source device can perform secondary verification operations (in addition to the key exchange) to confirm the identity of the second device and/or the locality of the connection on the second communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Arun G. Mathias, Thomas A. Dilligan, Matthew C. Lucas, Anush G. Nadathur, Kevin P. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 10454783
    Abstract: Controllers can be used to control the operation of various accessories. A group of accessories can be organized into an accessory network that can facilitate coordinated control of multiple accessories. The accessory network can be organized according to an environment model that can include a hierarchical representation of a physical environment where accessories are present. The environment model can be synchronized across different controllers that have access to the accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Burks, Anush G. Nadathur, Srinivas Rama, Kevin P. McLaughlin, Joe Abuan, Harlan Haskins
  • Publication number: 20190320146
    Abstract: An integrated accessory control system can integrate functionality (services) of multiple disparate accessories and provide a unified user interface for interacting with the system via a controller device. An integrated accessory control system can include one accessory that can detect an event or action and send a notification to the controller device and at least one other accessory, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) camera, that can be operated in response to the notification. In response to the notification, a controller device can generate an integrated user interface for interacting with the accessories in the integrated accessory control system. The interface can include a live feed from the IP camera, which can provide a media stream responsive to instructions from the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Cyrus D. Irani, Kevin P. McLaughlin, Anush G. Nadathur, Arun G. Mathias, Vinay A. Ramaswamy, Christopher D. Soli, Patrick L. Coffman, Stephen O. Lemay