Patents by Inventor Kurt Piersol

Kurt Piersol 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: 11809783
    Abstract: This relates to systems and processes for using a virtual assistant to arbitrate among and/or control electronic devices. In one example process, a first electronic device samples an audio input using a microphone. The first electronic device broadcasts a first set of one or more values based on the sampled audio input. Furthermore, the first electronic device receives a second set of one or more values, which are based on the audio input, from a second electronic device. Based on the first set of one or more values and the second set of one or more values, the first electronic device determines whether to respond to the audio input or forego responding to the audio input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Piersol, Ryan M. Orr, Daniel J. Mandel
  • Publication number: 20230335132
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating a virtual assistant to provide natural assistant interaction are provided. In accordance with one or more examples, a method includes, at an electronic device with one or more processors and memory: receiving a first audio stream including one or more utterances; determining whether the first audio stream includes a lexical trigger; generating one or more candidate text representations of the one or more utterances; determining whether at least one candidate text representation of the one or more candidate text representations is to be disregarded by the virtual assistant. If at least one candidate text representation is to be disregarded, one or more candidate intents are generated based on candidate text representations of the one or more candidate text representations other than the to be disregarded at least one candidate text representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Juan Carlos GARCIA, Paul S. MCCARTHY, Kurt PIERSOL
  • Publication number: 20230290352
    Abstract: An example method includes, at an electronic device: receiving an indication of a notification; in accordance with receiving the indication of the notification: obtaining one or more data streams from one or more sensors; determining, based on the one or more data streams, whether a user associated with the electronic device is speaking; and in accordance with a determination that the user is not speaking: causing an output associated with the notification to be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: William M. YORK, Rebecca P. FISH, Gagan A. GUPTA, Xinyuan HUANG, Heriberto NIETO, Benjamin S. PHIPPS, Kurt PIERSOL
  • Patent number: 11710482
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating a virtual assistant to provide natural assistant interaction are provided. In accordance with one or more examples, a method includes, at an electronic device with one or more processors and memory: receiving a first audio stream including one or more utterances; determining whether the first audio stream includes a lexical trigger; generating one or more candidate text representations of the one or more utterances; determining whether at least one candidate text representation of the one or more candidate text representations is to be disregarded by the virtual assistant. If at least one candidate text representation is to be disregarded, one or more candidate intents are generated based on candidate text representations of the one or more candidate text representations other than the to be disregarded at least one candidate text representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Garcia, Paul S. McCarthy, Kurt Piersol
  • Patent number: 11705130
    Abstract: An example method includes, at an electronic device: receiving an indication of a notification; in accordance with receiving the indication of the notification: obtaining one or more data streams from one or more sensors; determining, based on the one or more data streams, whether a user associated with the electronic device is speaking; and in accordance with a determination that the user is not speaking: causing an output associated with the notification to be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William M. York, Rebecca P. Fish, Gagan A. Gupta, Xinyuan Huang, Heriberto Nieto, Benjamin S. Phipps, Kurt Piersol
  • Patent number: 11431642
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. In one example process, an event associated with an audio input is detected with a first process. In accordance with a detection of the event, a delay value associated with an electronic device is determined. The delay value corresponds to a time required to determine, with a second process, whether the audio input includes a spoken trigger. In accordance with a determination that the delay value exceeds a threshold, the delay value is broadcast during a first advertising session, and determination is made, during a second advertising session, whether the electronic device is to respond to the audio input. In accordance with a determination that the threshold is not exceeded, a determination is made, during the first advertising session, whether the electronic device is to respond to the audio input or wait for the second advertising session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Piersol
  • Publication number: 20220068278
    Abstract: An example method includes, at an electronic device: receiving an indication of a notification; in accordance with receiving the indication of the notification: obtaining one or more data streams from one or more sensors; determining, based on the one or more data streams, whether a user associated with the electronic device is speaking; and in accordance with a determination that the user is not speaking: causing an output associated with the notification to be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: William M. YORK, Rebecca P. FISH, Gagan A. GUPTA, Xinyuan HUANG, Heriberto NIETO, Benjamin S. PHIPPS, Kurt PIERSOL
  • Patent number: 11217251
    Abstract: An example method includes, at an electronic device: receiving an indication of a notification; in accordance with receiving the indication of the notification: obtaining one or more data streams from one or more sensors; determining, based on the one or more data streams, whether a user associated with the electronic device is speaking; and in accordance with a determination that the user is not speaking: causing an output associated with the notification to be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William M. York, Rebecca P. Fish, Gagan A. Gupta, Xinyuan Huang, Heriberto Nieto, Benjamin S. Phipps, Kurt Piersol
  • Publication number: 20210294569
    Abstract: This relates to systems and processes for using a virtual assistant to arbitrate among and/or control electronic devices. In one example process, a first electronic device samples an audio input using a microphone. The first electronic device broadcasts a first set of one or more values based on the sampled audio input. Furthermore, the first electronic device receives a second set of one or more values, which are based on the audio input, from a second electronic device. Based on the first set of one or more values and the second set of one or more values, the first electronic device determines whether to respond to the audio input or forego responding to the audio input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Kurt PIERSOL, Ryan M. ORR, Daniel J. MANDEL
  • Patent number: 10942702
    Abstract: This relates to systems and processes for using a virtual assistant to arbitrate among and/or control electronic devices. In one example process, a first electronic device samples an audio input using a microphone. The first electronic device broadcasts a first set of one or more values based on the sampled audio input. Furthermore, the first electronic device receives a second set of one or more values, which are based on the audio input, from a second electronic device. Based on the first set of one or more values and the second set of one or more values, the first electronic device determines whether to respond to the audio input or forego responding to the audio input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Piersol, Ryan M. Orr, Daniel J. Mandel
  • Publication number: 20210027780
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating a virtual assistant to provide natural assistant interaction are provided. In accordance with one or more examples, a method includes, at an electronic device with one or more processors and memory: receiving a first audio stream including one or more utterances; determining whether the first audio stream includes a lexical trigger; generating one or more candidate text representations of the one or more utterances; determining whether at least one candidate text representation of the one or more candidate text representations is to be disregarded by the virtual assistant. If at least one candidate text representation is to be disregarded, one or more candidate intents are generated based on candidate text representations of the one or more candidate text representations other than the to be disregarded at least one candidate text representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Juan Carlos GARCIA, Paul S. MCCARTHY, Kurt PIERSOL
  • Publication number: 20210029048
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. In one example process, an event associated with an audio input is detected with a first process. In accordance with a detection of the event, a delay value associated with an electronic device is determined. The delay value corresponds to a time required to determine, with a second process, whether the audio input includes a spoken trigger. In accordance with a determination that the delay value exceeds a threshold, the delay value is broadcast during a first advertising session, and determination is made, during a second advertising session, whether the electronic device is to respond to the audio input. In accordance with a determination that the threshold is not exceeded, a determination is made, during the first advertising session, whether the electronic device is to respond to the audio input or wait for the second advertising session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventor: Kurt PIERSOL
  • Patent number: 10892996
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. In one example process, an event associated with an audio input is detected with a first process. In accordance with a detection of the event, a delay value associated with an electronic device is determined. The delay value corresponds to a time required to determine, with a second process, whether the audio input includes a spoken trigger. In accordance with a determination that the delay value exceeds a threshold, the delay value is broadcast during a first advertising session, and determination is made, during a second advertising session, whether the electronic device is to respond to the audio input. In accordance with a determination that the threshold is not exceeded, a determination is made, during the first advertising session, whether the electronic device is to respond to the audio input or wait for the second advertising session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Piersol
  • Publication number: 20200357406
    Abstract: An example method includes, at an electronic device: receiving an indication of a notification; in accordance with receiving the indication of the notification: obtaining one or more data streams from one or more sensors; determining, based on the one or more data streams, whether a user associated with the electronic device is speaking; and in accordance with a determination that the user is not speaking: causing an output associated with the notification to be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: William M. YORK, Rebecca P. FISH, Gagan A. GUPTA, Xinyuan HUANG, Heriberto NIETO, Benjamin S. PHIPPS, Kurt PIERSOL
  • Patent number: 10818288
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating a virtual assistant to provide natural assistant interaction are provided. In accordance with one or more examples, a method includes, at an electronic device with one or more processors and memory: receiving a first audio stream including one or more utterances; determining whether the first audio stream includes a lexical trigger; generating one or more candidate text representations of the one or more utterances; determining whether at least one candidate text representation of the one or more candidate text representations is to be disregarded by the virtual assistant. If at least one candidate text representation is to be disregarded, one or more candidate intents are generated based on candidate text representations of the one or more candidate text representations other than the to be disregarded at least one candidate text representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Garcia, Paul S. McCarthy, Kurt Piersol
  • Publication number: 20190372902
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. In one example process, an event associated with an audio input is detected with a first process. In accordance with a detection of the event, a delay value associated with an electronic device is determined. The delay value corresponds to a time required to determine, with a second process, whether the audio input includes a spoken trigger. In accordance with a determination that the delay value exceeds a threshold, the delay value is broadcast during a first advertising session, and determination is made, during a second advertising session, whether the electronic device is to respond to the audio input. In accordance with a determination that the threshold is not exceeded, a determination is made, during the first advertising session, whether the electronic device is to respond to the audio input or wait for the second advertising session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventor: Kurt PIERSOL
  • Publication number: 20190295544
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating a virtual assistant to provide natural assistant interaction are provided. In accordance with one or more examples, a method includes, at an electronic device with one or more processors and memory: receiving a first audio stream including one or more utterances; determining whether the first audio stream includes a lexical trigger; generating one or more candidate text representations of the one or more utterances; determining whether at least one candidate text representation of the one or more candidate text representations is to be disregarded by the virtual assistant. If at least one candidate text representation is to be disregarded, one or more candidate intents are generated based on candidate text representations of the one or more candidate text representations other than the to be disregarded at least one candidate text representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Garcia, Paul S. McCarthy, Kurt Piersol
  • Publication number: 20190012141
    Abstract: This relates to systems and processes for using a virtual assistant to arbitrate among and/or control electronic devices. In one example process, a first electronic device samples an audio input using a microphone. The first electronic device broadcasts a first set of one or more values based on the sampled audio input. Furthermore, the first electronic device receives a second set of one or more values, which are based on the audio input, from a second electronic device. Based on the first set of one or more values and the second set of one or more values, the first electronic device determines whether to respond to the audio input or forego responding to the audio input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Kurt PIERSOL, Ryan M. ORR, Daniel J. MANDEL
  • Patent number: 10073859
    Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system and associated techniques are disclosed. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a media document that includes media of at least two types, such as printed paper as a first medium and a digital photograph, digital movie, digital audio file, or web link as a second medium. Furthermore, the MMR system facilitates business methods that take advantage of the combination of a portable electronic device, such as a cellular camera phone, and a paper document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hull, Berna Erol, Jamey Graham, Peter E. Hart, Dar-Shyang Lee, Kurt Piersol
  • Publication number: 20170076193
    Abstract: Techniques that enable a device to advertise its mode of operation using an RFID tag attached to the device. Techniques are provided for programmatically controlling an RFID tag. An RFID tag attached to a device is programmatically enabled or disabled depending upon the mode(s) of operation of the device. The RFID tag is able to transmit a signal when enabled and not able to transmit a signal when disabled. Using such a controllable RFID tag, a device can efficiently indicate or advertise its mode of operation to an RFID reader or sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Kurt Piersol, Ken Gudan