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: 10070212
    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: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    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: 20180205813
    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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    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
  • Patent number: 10015836
    Abstract: A connection-indicative signal can be received at a master electronic device from an electronic accessory. The connection-indicative signal can include a connection attribute indicative of a presence or characteristic of a connection between the electronic accessory and at least one other electronic accessory of the master electronic device. A location of the master electronic device can be determined at the master electronic device. The location can be stored at the master electronic device in association with the connection attribute. The master electronic device can detect a locate-accessory input that corresponds to a request to locate the at least one other electronic accessory; or that a locate-accessory condition is satisfied based on another connection attribute included in another connection-indicative signal received from the electronic accessory. The stored location can be retrieved in response to the detecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daman Kapoor, Robert D. Watson
  • Publication number: 20180091965
    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: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Robert D. WATSON, Sriram HARIHARAN, Ganesha Adkasthala Ganapathi BATTA, Jason GILES
  • Publication number: 20180092145
    Abstract: A connection-indicative signal can be received at a master electronic device from an electronic accessory. The connection-indicative signal can include a connection attribute indicative of a presence or characteristic of a connection between the electronic accessory and at least one other electronic accessory of the master electronic device. A location of the master electronic device can be determined at the master electronic device. The location can be stored at the master electronic device in association with the connection attribute. The master electronic device can detect a locate-accessory input that corresponds to a request to locate the at least one other electronic accessory; or that a locate-accessory condition is satisfied based on another connection attribute included in another connection-indicative signal received from the electronic accessory. The stored location can be retrieved in response to the detecting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daman Kapoor, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 9924010
    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: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    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
  • Patent number: 9860932
    Abstract: A connection-indicative signal can be received at a master electronic device from an electronic accessory. The connection-indicative signal can include a connection attribute indicative of a presence or characteristic of a connection between the electronic accessory and at least one other electronic accessory of the master electronic device. A location of the master electronic device can be determined at the master electronic device. The location can be stored at the master electronic device in association with the connection attribute. The master electronic device can detect a locate-accessory input that corresponds to a request to locate the at least one other electronic accessory; or that a locate-accessory condition is satisfied based on another connection attribute included in another connection-indicative signal received from the electronic accessory. The stored location can be retrieved in response to the detecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daman Kapoor, Robert D. Watson
  • Publication number: 20170359717
    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: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    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: 20170322410
    Abstract: A surgical stereoscopic visualization system having a microscope head, dual cameras mounted on or proximate the microscope head for real time video capture of a subject in an operative field, a video processing and display system to receive separate video streams from the cameras and to combine the separate video streams into a time-aligned stereoscopic image. The processed image is displayed on a matrix display screen in at least one movable head-mounted stereoscopic display. Movement of the head mounted display is accomplished with a support structure on a headband that accurately positions the display screen in front of the user's eyes, yet allows the user to precisely move the display screen either manually or by motorized means into and out of the user's line of sight, thereby facilitating uninterrupted use of the hands while working in the surgical suite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Robert D. Watson, James R. Watson
  • Publication number: 20170311105
    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: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    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: 20170188405
    Abstract: A connection-indicative signal can be received at a master electronic device from an electronic accessory. The connection-indicative signal can include a connection attribute indicative of a presence or characteristic of a connection between the electronic accessory and at least one other electronic accessory of the master electronic device. A location of the master electronic device can be determined at the master electronic device. The location can be stored at the master electronic device in association with the connection attribute. The master electronic device can detect a locate-accessory input that corresponds to a request to locate the at least one other electronic accessory; or that a locate-accessory condition is satisfied based on another connection attribute included in another connection-indicative signal received from the electronic accessory. The stored location can be retrieved in response to the detecting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daman Kapoor, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 9641622
    Abstract: A connection-indicative signal can be received at a master electronic device from an electronic accessory. The connection-indicative signal can include a connection attribute indicative of a presence or characteristic of a connection between the electronic accessory and at least one other electronic accessory of the master electronic device. A location of the master electronic device can be determined at the master electronic device. The location can be stored at the master electronic device in association with the connection attribute. The master electronic device can detect a locate-accessory input that corresponds to a request to locate the at least one other electronic accessory; or that a locate-accessory condition is satisfied based on another connection attribute included in another connection-indicative signal received from the electronic accessory. The stored location can be retrieved in response to the detecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daman Kapoor, Robert D. Watson
  • Publication number: 20170064427
    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: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    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: 20170045913
    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: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard A. Schneider, Scott Krueger, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 9565255
    Abstract: At an electronic accessory of a master electronic device, a connection attribute can be detected that is indicative of a presence or a characteristic of a connection between the electronic accessory and at least one other electronic accessory of the master electronic device. A connection-indicative signal can be generated at the electronic device that includes the connection attribute. The connection-indicative signal can be transmitted to the master electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daman Kapoor, Robert D. Watson
  • Publication number: 20170013342
    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: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Robert D. WATSON, David John SHAW, Ganesha Adkasthala GANAPATHI BATTA, Chandrahas Aralaguppe CHANDRAMOHAN, Gregory Robert BURNS, Benjamin Huth BYER
  • Publication number: 20160357510
    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: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    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
  • Publication number: 20160360018
    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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    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, Riley HOWARD, Jason CONN
  • Publication number: 20160360350
    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: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Robert D. WATSON, David John SHAW, Ganesh Adkasthala GANAPATHI BATTA, Chandrahas Aralaguppe CHANDRAMOHAN, Gregory Robert BURNS, Benjamin Huth BYER
  • Patent number: 9411369
    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: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard A. Schneider, Scott Krueger, Robert D. Watson