Patents by Inventor Robert D. Butler

Robert D. Butler 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: 11917030
    Abstract: A push notification distribution system centralizes the management and delivery of push notifications to applications executing on electronic devices. Registration requests to register applications for push notifications may be aggregated and sent as an aggregated registration request. The delivery priority of push notifications may be managed according to specified preferences. Upon receiving a push notification intended for an electronic device, a delivery priority of the push notification may be changed if an application identifier associated with the push notification is found on a list of application identifiers with designed delivery priorities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Huan He, Jonathon Sodos, Nicholas J. Circosta, Sean Geiger, Nelson M. Leduc, Cisto Cyriac, Matthew E. Shepherd, David A. Schaefgen, Elliot T. Garner, Jose A. Lozano Hinojosa, Mursalin Akon, Robert D. Butler, Xudong Liu
  • Publication number: 20230379805
    Abstract: Implementations of the subject technology provide for storing a temporary certificate on a mobile device for accessing services in association with a primary number. A device determines that a first subscriber identity module (SIM) card, previously used by the device, is not available for use by the device. The device determines that a second SIM card is available for use by the first device within a predetermined time period after the first SIM card is determined to be not available for use by the device. The device confirms that a communication identifier of the first SIM card is strongly tied to a user account associated with the device. The device stores a temporary certificate that attests to continued ownership of the communication identifier by the device and allows the device to access at least one service in association with the communication identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Nelson M. LEDUC, Lauren E. TAPPANA, Nicholas Joseph CIRCOSTA, Andrew J. DALEY, Guozhi HUANG, Daniel B. POLLACK, Robert D. BUTLER, Vitalii KRAMAR
  • Patent number: 11737012
    Abstract: Implementations of the subject technology provide for storing a temporary certificate on a mobile device for accessing services in association with a primary number. A device determines that a first subscriber identity module (SIM) card, previously used by the device, is not available for use by the device. The device determines that a second SIM card is available for use by the first device within a predetermined time period after the first SIM card is determined to be not available for use by the device. The device confirms that a communication identifier of the first SIM card is strongly tied to a user account associated with the device. The device stores a temporary certificate that attests to continued ownership of the communication identifier by the device and allows the device to access at least one service in association with the communication identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nelson M. Leduc, Lauren E. Tappana, Nicholas Joseph Circosta, Andrew J. Daley, Guozhi Huang, Daniel B. Pollack, Robert D. Butler, Vitalii Kramar
  • Patent number: 11228580
    Abstract: Implementations of the subject technology provide for performing, by a device, a request for obtaining information related to a phone authentication certificate (PAC) that was generated for the device, the PAC authenticating that a particular phone number is associated with the device, the request including packets of data. The subject technology receives the information related to the PAC, the information including an indication that the PAC was generated for the device. The subject technology sends, from the device, a request for validating the PAC to a remote server based at least in part on the information related to the PAC. Further, the subject technology receives a confirmation of validating the PAC from the remote server based at least in part on the information related to the PAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gokul P. Thirumalai, Daniel B. Pollack, Robert D. Butler, Ryan W. Baker, David G. Knipp, Sudhakar N. Mambakkam, Jonathon Sodos, Hannah S. Story, Hervé Sibert, Gianpaolo Fasoli
  • Publication number: 20210392570
    Abstract: Implementations of the subject technology provide for storing a temporary certificate on a mobile device for accessing services in association with a primary number. A device determines that a first subscriber identity module (SIM) card, previously used by the device, is not available for use by the device. The device determines that a second SIM card is available for use by the first device within a predetermined time period after the first SIM card is determined to be not available for use by the device. The device confirms that a communication identifier of the first SIM card is strongly tied to a user account associated with the device. The device stores a temporary certificate that attests to continued ownership of the communication identifier by the device and allows the device to access at least one service in association with the communication identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Nelson M. LEDUC, Lauren E. TAPPANA, Nicholas Joseph CIRCOSTA, Andrew J. DALEY, Guozhi HUANG, Daniel B. POLLACK, Robert D. BUTLER, Vitalii KRAMAR
  • Publication number: 20210392194
    Abstract: A push notification distribution system centralizes the management and delivery of push notifications to applications executing on electronic devices. Registration requests to register applications for push notifications may be aggregated and sent as an aggregated registration request. The delivery priority of push notifications may be managed according to specified preferences. Upon receiving a push notification intended for an electronic device, a delivery priority of the push notification may be changed if an application identifier associated with the push notification is found on a list of application identifiers with designed delivery priorities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Huan HE, Jonathon SODOS, Nicholas J. CIRCOSTA, Sean GEIGER, Nelson M. LEDUC, Cisto CYRIAC, Matthew E. SHEPHERD, David A. SCHAEFGEN, Elliot T. GARNER, Jose A. LOZANO HINOJOSA, Mursalin AKON, Robert D. BUTLER, Xudong LIU
  • Patent number: 11012322
    Abstract: A device implementing a system for notifying a first device of availability of a service on a second device includes a processor configured to receive, from the first device of a first user, a first request with respect to whether a service is available on the second device of a second user, and to determine that the service is not available on the second device. The processor is further configured to send, to the first device and in response to the determination, an indication that the service is not available on the second device and an indication of a minimum amount of time before the first device can submit a second request with respect to whether the service is available on the second device. The minimum amount of time is based at least partially on an amount of time that has elapsed since the service was made available to the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Circosta, Robert D. Butler, Daniel B. Pollack, Nelson M. Leduc, Ryan W. Baker
  • Publication number: 20200007415
    Abstract: A device implementing a system for notifying a first device of availability of a service on a second device includes a processor configured to receive, from the first device of a first user, a. first request with respect to whether a service is available on the second device of a second user, and to determine that the service is not available on the second device. The processor is further configured to send, to the first device and in response to the determination, an indication that the service is not available on the second device and an indication of a minimum amount of time before the first device can submit a second request with respect to whether the service is available on the second device. The minimum amount of time is based at least partially on an amount of time that has elapsed since the service was made available to the devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Circosta, Robert D. Butler, Daniel B. Pollack, Nelson M. Leduc, Ryan W. Baker
  • Publication number: 20190394189
    Abstract: Implementations of the subject technology provide for performing, by a device, a request for obtaining information related to a phone authentication certificate (PAC) that was generated for the device, the PAC authenticating that a particular phone number is associated with the device, the request including packets of data. The subject technology receives the information related to the PAC, the information including an indication that the PAC was generated for the device. The subject technology sends, from the device, a request for validating the PAC to a remote server based at least in part on the information related to the PAC. Further, the subject technology receives a confirmation of validating the PAC from the remote server based at least in part on the information related to the PAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Gokul P. Thirumalai, Daniel B. Pollack, Robert D. Butler, Ryan W. Baker, David G. Knipp, Sudhakar N. Mambakkam, Jonathon Sodos, Hannah S. Story, Hervé Sibert, Gianpaolo Fasoli
  • Patent number: 10321298
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for validating an association of a telephone number with a cellular communication device (e.g., validating an assignment of an MSISDN to an IMSI of the cellular communication device). For example, the validating may be performed as part of a process of registering the cellular communication device with a registration server for participation in online communication sessions. In other examples, the validation may be performed for purposes other than registration for participation in online communication sessions. Various mechanisms may be available for performing the validation. The registration server may determine the available mechanisms, and may provide to the cellular communication device an ordered list of mechanisms according to a preferred order. The cellular communication device may improve efficiency of validation by attempting the mechanisms in the preferred order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Butler, Ryan W. Baker, Daniel B. Pollack
  • Publication number: 20180352417
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for validating an association of a telephone number with a cellular communication device (e.g., validating an assignment of an MSISDN to an IMSI of the cellular communication device). For example, the validating may be performed as part of a process of registering the cellular communication device with a registration server for participation in online communication sessions. In other examples, the validation may be performed for purposes other than registration for participation in online communication sessions. Various mechanisms may be available for performing the validation. The registration server may determine the available mechanisms, and may provide to the cellular communication device an ordered list of mechanisms according to a preferred order. The cellular communication device may improve efficiency of validation by attempting the mechanisms in the preferred order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Robert D. Butler, Ryan W. Baker, Daniel B. Pollack
  • Patent number: 8929853
    Abstract: A mobile communication device can be placed into an “attack detection mode.” While the device is in attack detection mode, certain events can cause the device to summon assistance automatically. For example, while the device is in attack detection mode, if the device's user ceases to interact with the device, then the device can automatically place a telephone call to emergency services (e.g., by calling 911). For another example, while the device is in attack detection mode, if an accelerometer contained within the device detects a sudden shock, then the device similarly can automatically place a telephone call to emergency services. After detecting a probable emergency situation, the mobile device can responsively and continuously emit a loud audible alarm through the device's speakers at maximum volume regardless of the device's current silence or volume settings, in an effort to attract help from other people who may be nearby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Butler
  • Publication number: 20140066000
    Abstract: A mobile communication device can be placed into an “attack detection mode.” While the device is in attack detection mode, certain events can cause the device to summon assistance automatically. For example, while the device is in attack detection mode, if the device's user ceases to interact with the device, then the device can automatically place a telephone call to emergency services (e.g., by calling 911). For another example, while the device is in attack detection mode, if an accelerometer contained within the device detects a sudden shock, then the device similarly can automatically place a telephone call to emergency services. After detecting a probable emergency situation, the mobile device can responsively and continuously emit a loud audible alarm through the device's speakers at maximum volume regardless of the device's current silence or volume settings, in an effort to attract help from other people who may be nearby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Butler
  • Patent number: 8619850
    Abstract: An integrated real-time display is provided that includes video images and a graphical representation of the transmission path, where each video image is associated with a point along the graphical representation of the transmission path. A number of monitoring points, which correspond to critical points along the transmission path are identified. The points may be selected for technical reasons or economic reasons. The graphical representation of the transmission path can be a logical representation showing the logic blocks along the transmission path or a physical representation showing the devices along the transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Weather Channel, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Smereski, Robert D. Butler
  • Patent number: 3999274
    Abstract: A vehicular or similar type shock absorber of the type including a cylindrically shaped housing member defining a fluid chamber, a piston assembly, reciprocally disposed within the chamber and a piston rod arranged generally coaxially of the chamber, and means operatively connecting one end of the piston rod to the piston assembly and including one end of the piston rod projecting through an opening in the piston body and having a terminal end portion formed with an enlarged diameter head which is produced by engaging a tool moving along a generally cycloidal overlapping rosette pattern with the end portion of the piston rod for causing the material of the piston rod to flow generally outwardly into the shape of the enlarged diameter head without the molecular structure thereof being appreciably distorted or otherwise altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1976
    Assignee: Monroe Auto Equipment Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Butler