Patents by Inventor Robert D. Watson

Robert D. Watson 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: 20250150741
    Abstract: A housing has a bud portion abutting an elongated stem portion. The bud portion is to fit within an ear. The bud portion has a primary sound outlet at its far end that is to be inserted into an outer ear canal, and abuts the stem portion at its near end. A speaker driver is inside the bud portion. Electronic circuitry inside the housing includes a wireless communications interface to receive audio content over-the-air and in response provides an audio signal to the speaker driver. A rechargeable battery as a power source for the electronic circuitry is located inside a cavity of the stem portion. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Zachary C. Rich, Kurt R. Stiehl, Arun D. Chawan, Michael B. Howes, Jonathan S. Aase, Esge B. Andersen, Yacine Azmi, Jahan C. Minoo, David J. Shaw, Aarti Kumar, Augustin Prats, Robert D. Watson, Baptiste P. Paquier, Axel D. Berny, Benjamin W. Cook, Jerzy S. Guterman, Benjamin Adair Cousins
  • Publication number: 20250106636
    Abstract: A device providing temporary pairing for wireless devices may include a memory and at least one processor configured to receive a request to temporarily pair with a wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to pair with the wireless device, wherein the pairing comprises generating a link key for connecting to the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to connect to the wireless device using the link key. The at least one processor may be further configured to initiate a timer upon disconnecting from the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to automatically and without user input, delete the link key when the timer reaches a timeout value without having reconnected to the wireless device using the link key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Natalia A. FORNSHELL, Aarti KUMAR, Robert D. WATSON, Ariane COTTE, Bob BRADLEY, Marc J. KROCHMAL, Kang SUN, Chen GANIR, Sarang S. RANADE, Akshay MANGALAM SRIVATSA
  • Patent number: 12256186
    Abstract: A housing has a bud portion abutting an elongated stem portion. The bud portion is to fit within an ear. The bud portion has a primary sound outlet at its far end that is to be inserted into an outer ear canal, and abuts the stem portion at its near end. A speaker driver is inside the bud portion. Electronic circuitry inside the housing includes a wireless communications interface to receive audio content over-the-air and in response provides an audio signal to the speaker driver. A rechargeable battery as a power source for the electronic circuitry is located inside a cavity of the stem portion. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary C. Rich, Kurt R. Stiehl, Arun D. Chawan, Michael B. Howes, Jonathan S. Aase, Esge B. Andersen, Yacine Azmi, Jahan C. Minoo, David J. Shaw, Aarti Kumar, Augustin Prats, Robert D. Watson, Baptiste P. Paquier, Axel D. Berny, Benjamin W. Cook, Jerzy S. Guterman, Benjamin Adair Cousins
  • Publication number: 20250088815
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for performing a role swapping operation between a pair of non-tethered wireless ear buds after detecting a triggering event. Further, state information can be coordinated between devices, including in connection with performing a role swap between buds in a pair of wireless, untethered ear buds, where one wireless ear bud is in a primary role and is responsible for a connection with a companion device, and another wireless ear bud in the pair is in a secondary role.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Sriram HARIHARAN, Ganesha Adkasthala GANAPATHI BATTA, Tad J. DREIER, Christopher S. WIEBE, Ashley N. SAULSBURY, Duy N. PHAN, David J. SHAW, Robert D. WATSON, Augustin PRATS
  • Patent number: 12229473
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for detecting a wearing status of a wearable device, the wearing status indicating whether a user is wearing the wearable device and sending wearing status data to a companion communication device to control a behavior of the companion communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Watson, David John Shaw, Arun Dhyaneshwar Chawan, Matthew Gillette, Ganesha Adkasthala Ganapathi Batta, Jeffrey Chandler Moore, Patrick Ian Bernhard, Baek San Chang, Patrick Lee Coffman, Jonathan Anderson Bennett, Anthony Guetta, Jahan Christian Minoo, Keith Walter Rauenbuehler
  • Patent number: 12185112
    Abstract: A device providing temporary pairing for wireless devices may include a memory and at least one processor configured to receive a request to temporarily pair with a wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to pair with the wireless device, wherein the pairing comprises generating a link key for connecting to the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to connect to the wireless device using the link key. The at least one processor may be further configured to initiate a timer upon disconnecting from the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to automatically and without user input, delete the link key when the timer reaches a timeout value without having reconnected to the wireless device using the link key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Natalia A. Fornshell, Aarti Kumar, Robert D. Watson, Ariane Cotte, Bob Bradley, Marc J. Krochmal, Kang Sun, Chen Ganir, Sarang S. Ranade, Akshay Mangalam Srivatsa
  • Publication number: 20240388917
    Abstract: A device providing temporary pairing for wireless devices may include a memory and at least one processor configured to receive a request to temporarily pair with a wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to pair with the wireless device, wherein the pairing comprises generating a link key for connecting to the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to connect to the wireless device using the link key. The at least one processor may be further configured to initiate a timer upon disconnecting from the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to automatically and without user input, delete the link key when the timer reaches a timeout value without having reconnected to the wireless device using the link key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Natalia A. FORNSHELL, Aarti KUMAR, Akshay MANGALAM SRIVATSA, Ariane COTTE, Bob BRADLEY, Chen GANIR, Kang SUN, Marc J. KROCHMAL, Robert D. WATSON, Sarang S. RANADE
  • Publication number: 20240388918
    Abstract: A device providing temporary pairing for wireless devices may include a memory and at least one processor configured to receive a request to temporarily pair with a wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to pair with the wireless device, wherein the pairing comprises generating a link key for connecting to the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to connect to the wireless device using the link key. The at least one processor may be further configured to initiate a timer upon disconnecting from the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to automatically and without user input, delete the link key when the timer reaches a timeout value without having reconnected to the wireless device using the link key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Natalia A. FORNSHELL, Aarti KUMAR, Akshay MANGALAM SRIVATSA, Ariane COTTE, Bob BRADLEY, Chen GANIR, Kang SUN, Marc J. KROCHMAL, Robert D. WATSON, Sarang S. RANADE
  • Patent number: 12150209
    Abstract: This document describes techniques for detecting and providing user notification of mismatched devices. A device mismatch of a pair of wireless devices may be detected. A wireless indication of the device mismatch may be provided to another wireless device. That wireless device may provide a user notification that the pair of wireless devices are mismatched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Jason Giles, Ariane Cotte, Sriram Hariharan, Robert D. Watson, Sarang S. Ranade, David C. Graham
  • Publication number: 20240373157
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable storage media for determining when to wirelessly communicatively couple together a pair of untethered wireless audio output devices, such as wireless ear buds, and for determining when to erase a connection history stored on one or both of the wireless audio output devices. Some embodiments of the present technology involve a wireless ear bud case for housing a pair of wireless ear buds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Robert D. WATSON, David John SHAW, Ganesh Adkasthala GANAPATHI BATTA, Chandrahas Aralaguppe CHANDRAMOHAN, Gregory Robert BURNS, Benjamin Huth BYER
  • Publication number: 20240259721
    Abstract: A housing has a bud portion abutting an elongated stem portion. The bud portion is to fit within an ear. The bud portion has a primary sound outlet at its far end that is to be inserted into an outer ear canal, and abuts the stem portion at its near end. A speaker driver is inside the bud portion. Electronic circuitry inside the housing includes a wireless communications interface to receive audio content over-the-air and in response provides an audio signal to the speaker driver. A rechargeable battery as a power source for the electronic circuitry is located inside a cavity of the stem portion. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Zachary C. Rich, Kurt R. Stiehl, Arun D. Chawan, Michael B. Howes, Jonathan S. Aase, Esge B. Andersen, Yacine Azmi, Jahan C. Minoo, David J. Shaw, Aarti Kumar, Augustin Prats, Robert D. Watson, Baptiste P. Paquier, Axel D. Berny, Benjamin W. Cook, Jerzy S. Guterman, Benjamin Adair Cousins
  • Patent number: 12015900
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for performing a role swapping operation between a pair of non-tethered wireless ear buds after detecting a triggering event. Further, state information can be coordinated between devices, including in connection with performing a role swap between buds in a pair of wireless, untethered ear buds, where one wireless ear bud is in a primary role and is responsible for a connection with a companion device, and another wireless ear bud in the pair is in a secondary role.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sriram Hariharan, Ganesha Adkasthala Ganapathi Batta, Tad J. Dreier, Christopher S. Wiebe, Ashley N. Saulsbury, Duy N. Phan, David J. Shaw, Robert D. Watson, Augustin Prats
  • Patent number: 11997496
    Abstract: A device providing temporary pairing for wireless devices may include a memory and at least one processor configured to receive a request to temporarily pair with a wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to pair with the wireless device, wherein the pairing comprises generating a link key for connecting to the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to connect to the wireless device using the link key. The at least one processor may be further configured to initiate a timer upon disconnecting from the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to automatically and without user input, delete the link key when the timer reaches a timeout value without having reconnected to the wireless device using the link key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Natalia A Fornshell, Aarti Kumar, Robert D. Watson, Ariane Cotte, Bob Bradley, Marc J. Krochmal, Kang Sun, Chen Ganir, Sarang S. Ranade, Akshay Mangalam Srivatsa
  • Patent number: 11985464
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for determining when to wirelessly communicatively couple together a pair of untethered wireless audio output devices and for determining when to erase a connection history stored on one or both of the wireless audio output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Watson, David John Shaw, Ganesh Adkasthala Ganapathi Batta, Chandrahas Aralaguppe Chandramohan, Gregory Robert Burns, Benjamin Huth Byer
  • Patent number: 11937037
    Abstract: A housing has a bud portion abutting an elongated stem portion. The bud portion is to fit within an ear. The bud portion has a primary sound outlet at its far end that is to be inserted into an outer ear canal, and abuts the stem portion at its near end. A speaker driver is inside the bud portion. Electronic circuitry inside the housing includes a wireless communications interface to receive audio content over-the-air and in response provides an audio signal to the speaker driver. A rechargeable battery as a power source for the electronic circuitry is located inside a cavity of the stem portion. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary C. Rich, Kurt R. Stiehl, Arun D. Chawan, Michael B. Howes, Jonathan S. Aase, Esge B. Andersen, Yacine Azmi, Jahan C. Minoo, David J. Shaw, Aarti Kumar, Augustin Prats, Robert D. Watson, Baptiste P. Paquier, Axel D. Berny, Benjamin W. Cook, Jerzy S. Guterman, Benjamin Adair Cousins
  • Publication number: 20240007863
    Abstract: A device providing temporary pairing for wireless devices may include a memory and at least one processor configured to receive a request to temporarily pair with a wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to pair with the wireless device, wherein the pairing comprises generating a link key for connecting to the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to connect to the wireless device using the link key. The at least one processor may be further configured to initiate a timer upon disconnecting from the wireless device. The at least one processor may be further configured to automatically and without user input, delete the link key when the timer reaches a timeout value without having reconnected to the wireless device using the link key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Natalia A. FORNSHELL, Aarti KUMAR, Robert D. WATSON, Ariane COTTE, Bob BRADLEY, Marc J. KROCHMAL, Kang SUN, Chen GANIR, Sarang S. RANADE, Akshay MANGALAM SRIVATSA
  • Patent number: 11800002
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to communicate audio data from either an active wireless device or a requesting wireless device to one or more audio reproduction devices that are simultaneously communicatively coupled to both the active wireless device and to the requesting wireless device are disclosed. Responsive to a request from the requesting wireless device to transmit audio data to the one or more audio reproduction devices, the active wireless device determines whether to transmit audio data from the requesting wireless device based at least in part on an audio status of the active wireless device and a set of predetermined arbitration criteria that prioritizes among applications and operating system processes that generate the audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Watson, Ganesha Adkasthala Ganapathi Batta, Anthony Guetta, David John Shaw, Craig Dooley, Chris Saari, Gregory Novick, Nathan De Vries, Sriram Hariharan, Patrick Ian Bernhard, Dana McLaughlin, Jeffrey Chandler Moore, Patrick Lee Coffman, Jonathan Anderson Bennett, Deepak Iyer, Albert Riley Howard, Jr., Jason Conn
  • Publication number: 20230328420
    Abstract: A method performed by a programmed processor of an in-ear headphone that is to be worn by a user. The method obtains, over a wireless communication link and via a first wireless connection that uses an accessory profile, a first request, from an audio source device, to start a measurement process. In response to obtaining the request, the method 1) establishes, over the link, a second wireless connection that uses an audio distribution profile between the headphone and the source device, 2) obtains, via the second wireless connection, an audio signal for driving a speaker of the headphone to output sound, 3) responsive to the outputted sound, determining a fit parameter, and 4) transmitting the fit parameter to the source device via the first wireless connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Kang Sun, Sriram Hariharan, Robert D. Watson, Sarang S. Ranade, Kevin Durfee
  • Publication number: 20230251822
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for detecting a wearing status of a wearable device, the wearing status indicating whether a user is wearing the wearable device and sending wearing status data to a companion communication device to control a behavior of the companion communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Robert D. WATSON, David John SHAW, Arun Dhyaneshwar CHAWAN, Matthew GILLETTE, Ganesha Adkasthala GANAPATHI BATTA, Jeffrey Chandler MOORE, Patrick Ian BERNHARD, Baek San CHANG, Patrick Lee COFFMAN, Jonathan Anderson BENNETT, Anthony GUETTA, Jahan Christian MINOO, Keith Walter RAUENBUEHLER
  • Patent number: 11706555
    Abstract: A method performed by a programmed processor of an in-ear headphone that is to be worn by a user. The method obtains, over a wireless communication link and via a first wireless connection that uses an accessory profile, a first request, from an audio source device, to start a measurement process. In response to obtaining the request, the method 1) establishes, over the link, a second wireless connection that uses an audio distribution profile between the headphone and the source device, 2) obtains, via the second wireless connection, an audio signal for driving a speaker of the headphone to output sound, 3) responsive to the outputted sound, determining a fit parameter, and 4) transmitting the fit parameter to the source device via the first wireless connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kang Sun, Sriram Hariharan, Robert D. Watson, Sarang S. Ranade, Kevin Durfee