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).

  • Patent number: 10524037
    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 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Watson, David John Shaw, Ganesha Adkasthala Ganapathi Batta, Chandrahas Aralaguppe Chandramohan, Gregory Robert Burns, Benjamin Huth Byer
  • Publication number: 20190373430
    Abstract: Methods for aggregating Bluetooth profiles for faster connection and configuration are disclosed, including transmitting, subsequent to establishing a connection, a request message to a peer device that indicates support of a fast connection protocol for Bluetooth profiles configuration and receiving a response message from the peer device that indicates the peer device supports the fast connection protocol. After pairing with the peer device, a first list of profile descriptors for a plurality of Bluetooth profiles supported by the device may be transmitted to the peer device and a second list of profile descriptors for a plurality of Bluetooth profiles supported by the peer device may be received. A configuration of a plurality of Bluetooth profiles base, at least in part, on a comparison of the first list of profile descriptors to the second list of profile descriptors may be determined and transmitted to the peer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Akshay Mangalam Srivatsa, Ariane Cotte, Craig P. Dooley, Duy N. Phan, Ganesha Adkasthala Ganapathi Batta, Hyundoo Shin, Kang Sun, Matt I. Gillette, Michael Jason Giles, Robert D. Watson, Sean P. Wilson, Sriram Hariharan, Sujatha Viswanathan, Todd Wheeler, Yilok L. Wong, David John Shaw, Sarang S. Ranade
  • Publication number: 20190335264
    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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Robert D. WATSON, David John SHAW, Ganesh Adkasthala GANAPATHI BATTA, Chandrahas Aralaguppe CHANDRAMOHAN, Gregory Robert BURNS, Benjamin Huth BYER
  • Publication number: 20190281437
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods broadcast a device state in a wireless communication network. A wireless audio output device is configured to be paired with a second wireless device via a first piconet connection, wherein the second wireless device comprises a source of audio data to be output by the wireless audio output device. The wireless audio output device includes a processor configured to detect a change in the state of the wireless audio output device and set a transmission parameter of a broadcast transmission based at least in part on the detected change in the state and a transceiver configured to broadcast an advertising message to the second wireless device including information describing the wireless audio output device via the broadcast transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Robert D. Watson, Sriram HARi HARAN, Ganesha Adkasthala Ganapathi BATTA, Jason GILES
  • Publication number: 20190261174
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for establishing a secured session with backward security between a first device and a second device. In some embodiments, the method establishes a communication session between the first and second devices using shared keys stored at the first and second devices. The method exchanges encrypted data between the first and second devices as a part of the communication session. The method, upon completion of the communication session, modifies the shared key at the first device in a predictable way. The shared key is modified at the second device in the same predictable way. The method then stores the modified shared key at the first device. The modified shared key cannot be used to decrypt any portion of the encrypted data of the current and previous communication sessions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Mitchell D. ADLER, Yannick L. SIERRA, Ganesha A.G. BATTA, Michael GILES, Akshay M. SRIVATSA, Craig P. DOOLEY, Sriram HARIHARAN, Robert D. WATSON
  • Publication number: 20190253785
    Abstract: An automatic speech recognition (ASR) triggering system, and a method of providing an ASR trigger signal, is described. The ASR triggering system can include a microphone to generate an acoustic signal representing an acoustic vibration and an accelerometer worn in an ear canal of a user to generate a non-acoustic signal representing a bone conduction vibration. A processor of the ASR triggering system can receive an acoustic trigger signal based on the acoustic signal and a non-acoustic trigger signal based on the non-acoustic signal, and combine the trigger signals to gate an ASR trigger signal. For example, the ASR trigger signal may be provided to an ASR server only when the trigger signals are simultaneously asserted. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Sorin V. Dusan, Aram M. Lindahl, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 10349259
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods broadcast a device state in a wireless communication network. A wireless audio output device is configured to be paired with a second wireless device via a first piconet connection, wherein the second wireless device comprises a source of audio data to be output by the wireless audio output device. The wireless audio output device includes a processor configured to detect a change in the state of the wireless audio output device and set a transmission parameter of a broadcast transmission based at least in part on the detected change in the state and a transceiver configured to broadcast an advertising message to the second wireless device including information describing the wireless audio output device via the broadcast transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Robert D. Watson, Sriram Hariharan, Ganesha Adkasthala Ganapathi Batta, Jason Giles
  • Publication number: 20190167716
    Abstract: Respiratory symptoms resulting from disease states such as PRRS and Streptococcus infections can be alleviated by administration of electrolyzed water via fog or mist delivery in an animal confinement. The delivery may be in doses spaced evenly throughout the day and may include delivery of between about 1 and about 6 gallons per dose. In one embodiment, the dose is delivered via a distribution system of nozzles over a time period of about 1 minute. In others, the delivery may require 5, 10 or 20 minutes and may include components in addition to the electrolyzed water. It is understood that the mist is inhaled, and is also distributed onto the surfaces in the confinement and on the animals themselves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventor: Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 10313782
    Abstract: An automatic speech recognition (ASR) triggering system, and a method of providing an ASR trigger signal, is described. The ASR triggering system can include a microphone to generate an acoustic signal representing an acoustic vibration and an accelerometer worn in an ear canal of a user to generate a non-acoustic signal representing a bone conduction vibration. A processor of the ASR triggering system can receive an acoustic trigger signal based on the acoustic signal and a non-acoustic trigger signal based on the non-acoustic signal, and combine the trigger signals to gate an ASR trigger signal. For example, the ASR trigger signal may be provided to an ASR server only when the trigger signals are simultaneously asserted. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sorin V. Dusan, Aram M. Lindahl, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 10271209
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for establishing a secured session with backward security between a first device and a second device. In some embodiments, the method establishes a communication session between the first and second devices using shared keys stored at the first and second devices. The method exchanges encrypted data between the first and second devices as a part of the communication session. The method, upon completion of the communication session, modifies the shared key at the first device in a predictable way. The shared key is modified at the second device in the same predictable way. The method then stores the modified shared key at the first device. The modified shared key cannot be used to decrypt any portion of the encrypted data of the current and previous communication sessions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Mitchell D. Adler, Yannick L. Sierra, Ganesha A. G. Batta, Michael Giles, Akshay M. Srivatsa, Craig P. Dooley, Sriram Hariharan, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 10219062
    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: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Watson, David John Shaw, Ganesh Adkasthala Ganapathi Batta, Chandrahas Aralaguppe Chandramohan, Gregory Robert Burns, Benjamin Huth Byer
  • Publication number: 20190052984
    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: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    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
  • Publication number: 20190007763
    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: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    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: 20180376233
    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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Robert D. WATSON, David John SHAW, Ganesha Adkasthala GANAPATHI BATTA, Chandrahas Aralaguppe CHANDRAMOHAN, Gregory Robert BURNS, Benjamin Huth BYER
  • Publication number: 20180373493
    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: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    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: 10142750
    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 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    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: 10139860
    Abstract: Docking stations that may facilitate the sharing or transfer of power among a portable computing device, a docking station, and an accessory. One example may provide power from an accessory to a portable computing device. Switches may be used to avoid harm from inadvertent contact with voltages on exposed terminals. Another example may provide power directly from a battery on a portable computing device to an accessory. Another may limit this direct connection to a first type of accessory. Examples may limit a power connection to another type of accessory through a regulator. Another example may power one or more internal circuits either through a portable computing device or an accessory, depending on a mode of operation of the portable computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard A. Schneider, Scott Krueger, Robert D. Watson
  • Publication number: 20180324518
    Abstract: An automatic speech recognition (ASR) triggering system, and a method of providing an ASR trigger signal, is described. The ASR triggering system can include a microphone to generate an acoustic signal representing an acoustic vibration and an accelerometer worn in an ear canal of a user to generate a non-acoustic signal representing a bone conduction vibration. A processor of the ASR triggering system can receive an acoustic trigger signal based on the acoustic signal and a non-acoustic trigger signal based on the non-acoustic signal, and combine the trigger signals to gate an ASR trigger signal. For example, the ASR trigger signal may be provided to an ASR server only when the trigger signals are simultaneously asserted. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Sorin V. Dusan, Aram M. Lindahl, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 10110984
    Abstract: The wireless earphone (1) comprises a housing (2) having 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 (5) 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 (6) is inside the bud portion. Electronic circuitry (7,24) inside the housing (2) includes a wireless communications interface (4) to receive audio content over-the-air and in response provides an audio signal to the speaker driver. A rechargeable battery (3) as a power source for the electronic circuitry is located inside a cavity of the stem portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    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
  • Patent number: 10067734
    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: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    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