Patents by Inventor Patrick L. Coffman

Patrick L. Coffman 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: 12689795
    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: May 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    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: 20260202875
    Abstract: This application is directed towards continuity of applications across multiple devices. For example, a device detects an external device, wherein the external device is executing a first application. The electronic device also detects a key press of a first key of the keyboard simultaneously with a key press of a second key of the keyboard. In response to the simultaneous key presses: the electronic device displays a plurality of affordances comprising: affordances identifying a plurality of active applications on the electronic device, and an affordance for launching the second application corresponding to the first application. The electronic device detects a sequence of keyboard input including (i) at least one additional key press of the second key (ii) while holding the first key (iii) followed by a release of both the first key and the second key. In response to sequence of keyboard input, the electronic device launches the second application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2026
    Publication date: July 16, 2026
    Inventors: Lawrence Y. YANG, Patrick L. COFFMAN, Craig M. FEDERIGHI
  • Publication number: 20260197257
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device presents settings user interfaces associated with cellular identifiers. In some embodiments, a first electronic device accesses a first cellular identifier regardless of the first electronic device's connection to a second electronic device and accesses a second cellular identifier when the first electronic device is connected to the second electronic device. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents visual indications of cellular identifiers in relation to communication functions. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents visual indications of the status of cellular identifiers active on the electronic device. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents alerts associated with one or more cellular identifiers that have been removed from the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2026
    Publication date: July 9, 2026
    Inventors: Vitalii KRAMAR, Marcel VAN OS, Patrick L. COFFMAN, Eric Lance WILSON
  • Publication number: 20260189876
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to managing interactions between devices. In some embodiments, methods and user interfaces for managing interactions between devices are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2026
    Publication date: July 2, 2026
    Inventors: Taylor G. CARRIGAN, Patrick L. COFFMAN, Vincenzo O. GIULIANI
  • Publication number: 20260178267
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to providing media playback controls to a user. In some embodiments, methods and user interfaces for displaying media playback controls are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2026
    Publication date: June 25, 2026
    Inventors: Taylor G. CARRIGAN, Patrick L. COFFMAN
  • Publication number: 20260178268
    Abstract: An electronic device causes a user interface to be displayed via a display generation component, the user interface including a volume control element for one or more wearable audio output devices. The electronic device detects an input that corresponds to the volume control element. In response to detecting the input, if the input is a first type of gesture, the electronic device adjusts a volume of the audio output of the one or more wearable audio output devices. If the input is a second type of gesture, the electronic device causes display of a conversation boost element for the one or more wearable audio output devices that, when selected, initiates a process for adjusting audio output of the one or more wearable audio output devices to boost conversation audio relative to other audio being output by the one or more wearable audio output devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2026
    Publication date: June 25, 2026
    Inventors: Taylor G. Carrigan, Hugo D. Verweij, Mitchell R. Lerner, Charles C. Hoyt, Vincenzo O. Giuliani, Patrick L. Coffman
  • Patent number: 12664666
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for establishing an activity zone within video captured by a camera. A user device may establish an activity zone or an exclusion zone within video representing a physical view captured by the camera. An automatic monitoring system may analyze the video of the camera with respect to the activity zone or exclusion zone and trigger notifications that are associated with a zone so as to limit notifications transmitted to the user device to those notifications that are relevant to the user. With activity or exclusion zones video from a camera may be automatically monitored to reduce a volume of notifications transmitted to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sara Bolouki, Yah Yah Cason, Jonghoon Jin, Nils Ängquist, Hendrik Dahlkamp, Patrick L. Coffman
  • Patent number: 12647758
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device is described. A user interface is displayed while detecting an incoming call from a first phone number. In response to detecting the incoming call and in accordance with a determination that the first phone number for the incoming call does not correspond to an entry in a contact list, the first phone number corresponding to the incoming call is displayed. In response to detecting the incoming call and in accordance with a determination that the first number for the incoming call corresponds to a first entry in the contact list, a name associated with the first entry and/or a graphic associated with the first entry is displayed, without displaying the first phone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Forstall, Imran Chaudhri, Greg Christie, Patrick L. Coffman, Steven P. Jobs, Stephen O. Lemay, Gregory Novick, Marcel Van Os
  • Patent number: 12647497
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to connecting to one or more external devices. In some examples, one or more techniques are described, such as automatically connecting an external device, connecting to an external device, managing a set of external devices, controlling media playback, and managing media controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Vincenzo O. Giuliani, Brandon A. Lynne, Joshua D. Deitel, Patrick L. Coffman
  • Publication number: 20260143019
    Abstract: Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed to one or more electronic devices that display a plurality of user interfaces corresponding initiating a communication session and joining a communication session. Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed to transmitting content during a communication session. Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed towards receiving content during the communication session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2026
    Publication date: May 21, 2026
    Inventors: Brandon A. LYNNE, Joshua D. DEITEL, Vincenzo O. GIULIANI, Patrick L. COFFMAN
  • Publication number: 20260129406
    Abstract: Systems and methods for proactively identifying and surfacing relevant content on an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a method includes presenting content in a first application. At least a portion of the content is presented without requiring input from a user. The method further includes receiving a request to open a second application. In response to receiving the request, the second application is presented with an input-receiving field. Before receiving any user input at the input-receiving field, a selectable user interface object is displayed with an indication that the portion of the content was viewed in the first application, allowing the user to paste at least the portion of the content into the input-receiving field. In response to detecting a selection of the selectable user interface object, the portion of the content is pasted into the input-receiving field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2026
    Publication date: May 7, 2026
    Inventors: Daniel C. GROSS, Jesper S. ANDERSEN, Hafid ARRAS, Jerome R. BELLEGARDA, Alexandre CARLHIAN, Kevin D. CLARK, Patrick L. COFFMAN, Richard R. DELLINGER, Thomas DENIAU, Jannes G.A. DOLFING, Christopher P. FOSS, Jason J. GAUCI, Aria D. HAGHIGHI, Jun HATORI, Cyrus D. IRANI, Bronwyn A. JONES, Gaurav KAPOOR, Karl Christian KOHLSCHUETTER, Stephen O. LEMAY, Mathieu J. MARTEL, Alexandre R. MOHA, Colin C. MORRIS, Giulia P. PAGALLO, Brent D. RAMERTH, Michael R. SIRACUSA, Sofiane TOUDJI, Xin WANG, Lawrence Y. YANG
  • Patent number: 12615491
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to managing interactions between devices. In some embodiments, methods and user interfaces for managing interactions between devices are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor G. Carrigan, Vincenzo O. Giuliani, Patrick L. Coffman
  • Publication number: 20260111169
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to sharing audio, including while the electronic device is connected to a first external device via a communication link, wherein the electronic device is configured to provide audio data to the first external device via the communication link, detecting an indication that a physical proximity between the electronic device and a second external device, different from the first external device, satisfies a proximity condition; in response to detecting the indication that the physical proximity between the electronic device and the second external device satisfies the proximity condition, displaying, via the display device, a first user interface including a first affordance; detecting an input corresponding to selection of the first affordance; and in response to detecting the input corresponding to selection of the first affordance, initiating a process to provide audio data concurrently with the first external device and the second external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2025
    Publication date: April 23, 2026
    Inventors: Taylor G. CARRIGAN, Patrick L. COFFMAN, Nathan DE VRIES, David C. Graham
  • Patent number: 12596520
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to providing media playback controls to a user. In some embodiments, methods and user interfaces for displaying media playback controls are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor G. Carrigan, Patrick L. Coffman
  • Patent number: 12580994
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for collecting, storing, and transmitting account information in a matchable form, and for using this information to quickly set up accounts. Account information is maintained and shared between one or more client devices and an intermediate server. Account information can be reconciled locally to determine whether to add or enable an active account or an account proxy to a client device. Account proxies can be quickly enabled by a single user action. The methods and systems allow enabled accounts and account proxies to be removed from a first client device without propagating the deletion to a second client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael McDougall, Steve S. Ko, John William Scalo, Patrick L. Coffman, Aaron Matthew Everitt
  • Patent number: 12578757
    Abstract: At an electronic device, detecting a compatible external device, where the external device is executing or has executed a first application. The detection may be made wirelessly. The electronic device also receives usage information regarding the first application from the external device. Display an affordance for user selection based on the received information. When the affordance is selected, launch a second application on the electronic device, the second application corresponding to the first application. In some examples, the second application is a different version of the first application. Launching the second application may additionally include bringing the second application to the same state as the first application. For example, if e-mail is being drafted on the external device, the electronic device may launch an e-mail editor showing the draft. In this way, a user can seamlessly transition from the use of one electronic device to another electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Y. Yang, Patrick L. Coffman, Craig M. Federighi
  • Patent number: 12574442
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to managing connections between computer systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Deitel, Vincenzo O. Giuliani, Patrick L. Coffman
  • Patent number: 12556592
    Abstract: Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed to one or more electronic devices that display a plurality of user interfaces corresponding initiating a communication session and joining a communication session. Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed to transmitting content during a communication session. Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed towards receiving content during the communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon A. Lynne, Joshua D. Deitel, Vincenzo O. Giuliani, Patrick L. Coffman
  • Patent number: 12554381
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device displays a virtual keyboard, wherein the virtual keyboard includes a plurality of selectable representations of a plurality of graphical objects. In some embodiments, the electronic device receives a user input selecting a first selectable representation of a first graphical object, wherein the first graphical object is associated with a first customizable visual element and a second customizable visual element. In some embodiments, in response to receiving the user input and in accordance with a determination that one or more first criteria are satisfied, the electronic device displays, via the display device, a customization user interface, including a first section for customizing the first customizable visual element, a second section for customizing the second customizable visual element, and a third section for displaying a first respective representation of the first graphical object that indicates a current state of customization of the first graphical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christian X. Dalonzo, Patrick L. Coffman
  • Patent number: 12549661
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device operates in a streaming mode to automatically stream content from the electronic device to a playback destination. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents selectable options to control playback of content on a streaming destination while the electronic device streams content to the streaming destination. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents visual indications that the electronic device is operating in a streaming mode to stream content to a playback destination. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents a user interface for controlling electronic devices that automatically reconfigures to support different user inputs and issues different commands based on the type of electronic device being controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor G. Carrigan, Patrick L. Coffman, Christopher Patrick Foss, Eliza J. Von Hagen, Policarpo B. Wood