Patents by Inventor Robert W. Brumley

Robert W. Brumley 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: 20220317236
    Abstract: An electronic device may receive a first signal from a first transmitting device at a first time. The electronic device may receive a second signal from a second transmitting device at a second time. The electronic device may access location information for the first transmitting device and the second transmitting device. The electronic device may receive a message from a second electronic device having a known distance relationship to the first transmitting device and the second transmitting device, wherein the second electronic device is configured to receive the first signal, the second signal, and the message including timing information of the signals. The electronic device may determine the position of the electronic device using the location information and the timing information, wherein the position is dependent on the known distance relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Adwait N. Dongare, Robert W. Brumley, Robert Golshan
  • Publication number: 20220252689
    Abstract: An electronic device may use information about the location of nearby devices to make sharing with those devices more intuitive for a user. The electronic device may include control circuitry, wireless circuitry including first and second antennas, and motion sensor circuitry. The control circuitry may determine the location of a nearby electronic device by calculating the angle of arrival of signals that are transmitted by the nearby electronic device. To obtain a complete, unambiguous angle of arrival solution, the electronic device may be moved into different positions during angle of arrival measurement operations. At each position, the control circuitry may calculate a phase difference associated with the received signals. Motion sensor circuitry may gather motion data as the electronic device is moved into the different positions. The control circuitry may use the received antenna signals and the motion data to determine the complete angle of arrival solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Tunc Ertan, Brent M. Ledvina, Robert W. Brumley, Adam S. Meyer, Peter C. Tsoi
  • Patent number: 11378672
    Abstract: A mobile device may receive a plurality of timestamps, wherein the plurality of timestamps indicate sending and receiving time for ranging packets and response packets. The mobile device may calculate a responder turn-around time as a first difference between the second time and the first time. The mobile device may calculate a responding round trip time as a second difference between the second time and the third time. The mobile device may receive from the electronic device an initiator turn-around time and an initiator round trip time. The mobile device may calculate a frequency offset for the wireless protocol using the responder turn-around time, the responding round trip time, the initiator turn-around time, and the initiator round trip time. The mobile device may compare an observed frequency offset to the calculated frequency offset to determine a frequency offset difference and whether it exceeds a threshold, adjusting a ranging measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Werner, Merrick McCracken, Robert W. Brumley
  • Publication number: 20220191644
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for allowing a mobile device (e.g., a key fob or a consumer electronic device, such as a mobile phone, watch, or other wearable device) to interact with a vehicle such that a location of the mobile device can be determined by the vehicle, thereby enabling certain functionality of the vehicle. A device may include both RF antenna(s) and magnetic antenna(s) for determining a location of a mobile device relative to the vehicle. Such a hybrid approach can provide various advantages. Existing magnetic coils on a mobile device (e.g., for charging or communication) may be re-used for distance measurements that are supplemented by the RF measurements. Any device antenna may provide measurements to a machine learning model that determines a region in which the mobile device resides, based on training measurements in the regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Robert W. Brumley, Robert William Mayor, William J. Bencze, Alejandro J. Marquez, Shang-Te Yang, Xu Chen, Indranil S. Sen, Mohit Narang
  • Patent number: 11320509
    Abstract: An electronic device may use information about the location of nearby devices to make sharing with those devices more intuitive for a user. The electronic device may include control circuitry, wireless circuitry including first and second antennas, and motion sensor circuitry. The control circuitry may determine the location of a nearby electronic device by calculating the angle of arrival of signals that are transmitted by the nearby electronic device. To obtain a complete, unambiguous angle of arrival solution, the electronic device may be moved into different positions during angle of arrival measurement operations. At each position, the control circuitry may calculate a phase difference associated with the received signals. Motion sensor circuitry may gather motion data as the electronic device is moved into the different positions. The control circuitry may use the received antenna signals and the motion data to determine the complete angle of arrival solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tunc Ertan, Brent M. Ledvina, Robert W. Brumley, Adam S. Meyer, Peter C. Tsoi
  • Publication number: 20220099818
    Abstract: A mobile device may receive a plurality of timestamps, wherein the plurality of timestamps indicate sending and receiving time for ranging packets and response packets. The mobile device may calculate a responder turn-around time as a first difference between the second time and the first time. The mobile device may calculate a responding round trip time as a second difference between the second time and the third time. The mobile device may receive from the electronic device an initiator turn-around time and an initiator round trip time. The mobile device may calculate a frequency offset for the wireless protocol using the responder turn-around time, the responding round trip time, the initiator turn-around time, and the initiator round trip time. The mobile device may compare an observed frequency offset to the calculated frequency offset to determine a frequency offset difference and whether it exceeds a threshold, adjusting a ranging measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Werner, Merrick McCracken, Robert W. Brumley
  • Publication number: 20220078578
    Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to techniques (e.g., a device, a method, a memory or non-transitory computer readable medium storing code or instructions executable by one or more processors) for communication techniques between an electronic device (e.g., a smart speaker, a smart TV, a smart appliance, etc.) and one or more mobile devices (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable device etc.). Techniques can vary the rate the mobile device responds to ranging messages from the smart speaker based on one or more factors. These factors can include a state of the mobile device (e.g., awake or asleep), mobile device orientation (e.g., face down), application state (e.g., music App active), motion of the mobile device (e.g., at rest for period of time), and a range (distance/angle) between the mobile device and the speaker to conserve battery life. The range to the electronic device can activate one or more smart speaker features on the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Robert W. Brumley, Peter C. Tsoi, Yagil Burowski
  • Patent number: 11212642
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for allowing a mobile device (e.g., a key fob or a consumer electronic device, such as a mobile phone, watch, or other wearable device) to interact with a vehicle such that a location of the mobile device can be determined by the vehicle, thereby enabling certain functionality of the vehicle. A device may include both RF antenna(s) and magnetic antenna(s) for determining a location of a mobile device relative to the vehicle. Such a hybrid approach can provide various advantages. Existing magnetic coils on a mobile device (e.g., for charging or communication) may be re-used for distance measurements that are supplemented by the RF measurements. Any device antenna may provide measurements to a machine learning model that determines a region in which the mobile device resides, based on training measurements in the regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Robert W. Brumley, Robert William Mayor, William J. Bencze, Alejandro J. Marquez, Shang-Te Yang, Xu Chen, Indranil S. Sen, Mohit Narang
  • Publication number: 20210400427
    Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to techniques (e.g., a device, a method, a memory or non-transitory computer readable medium storing code or instructions executable by one or more processors) for passive beacon communication techniques. Transmitting devices (e.g., beacons) can transmit advertising messages using a first wireless protocol to provide timing for ranging messages for one of more ranging messages over a second protocol (e.g., UWB). One or more receiving devices can determine using signal strength if the devices are within a threshold range to perform communication techniques. Various ranging communications techniques can be used to determine a range between the receiving device and transmitting device. Other techniques can be used to passively calculate the angle of arrival for transmitter signals. The angle of arrival information can be used for precise position locating for the receiving device or to indicate interest in information provided by the one or more transmitting devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Yagil Burowski, Santhoshkumar Mani, Robert W. Brumley
  • Publication number: 20210400441
    Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to techniques (e.g., a device, a method, or a non-transitory computer readable medium storing code or instructions executable by one or more processors) for many-to-many communication techniques for coordinating communications among a group of mobile devices that can be performed by a first mobile devices. The first mobile device can transmit a request to establish outgoing pairwise ranging sessions with other mobile devices of the group. Each of the mobile devices of the group of mobile devices can establish ranging sessions with the other mobile devices. Each mobile device can act as both an initiating device and a responding device for the ranging session. The first mobile device can detect one or more redundant ranging sessions the mobile devices. The first mobile device can identify whether to keep or terminate each of the one or more redundant ranging sessions based on a common criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Yagil Burowski, Robert W. Brumley, Brandon S. Dewberry
  • Publication number: 20210258418
    Abstract: A mobile device can include ranging circuitry to determine distance to another mobile device. A first wireless protocol can establish an initial communication session to perform authentication and/or exchange ranging settings. A second protocol can perform ranging, and other wireless protocols can transmit content. In one example, the distance information can be used to display a relative position of another device on a user interface of a sending device. The user interface can allow a user to quickly and accurately select the recipient device for sending the data item. As other example, the distance information obtained from ranging can be used to trigger a notification (e.g., a reminder) to be output from a first mobile device or used to display a visual indicator on a receiving device. Proximity of a device (e.g., as determined by a distance) can be used to suggest recipient for a new communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Marc J. Krochmal, Robert W. Brumley, Sriram Hariharan
  • Patent number: 11082809
    Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to techniques (e.g., a device, a method, or a non-transitory computer readable medium storing code or instructions executable by one or more processors) for many-to-many communication techniques for coordinating communications among a group of mobile devices that can be performed by a first mobile devices. The first mobile device can transmit a request to establish outgoing pairwise ranging sessions with other mobile devices of the group. Each of the mobile devices of the group of mobile devices can establish ranging sessions with the other mobile devices. Each mobile device can act as both an initiating device and a responding device for the ranging session. The first mobile device can detect one or more redundant ranging sessions the mobile devices. The first mobile device can identify whether to keep or terminate each of the one or more redundant ranging sessions based on a common criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Yagil Burowski, Robert W. Brumley, Brandon S. Dewberry
  • Patent number: 11019195
    Abstract: A mobile device can include ranging circuitry to determine distance to another mobile device. A first wireless protocol can establish an initial communication session to perform authentication and/or exchange ranging settings. A second protocol can perform ranging, and other wireless protocols can transmit content. In one example, the distance information can be used to display a relative position of another device on a user interface of a sending device. The user interface can allow a user to quickly and accurately select the recipient device for sending the data item. As other example, the distance information obtained from ranging can be used to trigger a notification (e.g., a reminder) to be output from a first mobile device or used to display a visual indicator on a receiving device. Proximity of a device (e.g., as determined by a distance) can be used to suggest recipient for a new communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Marc J. Krochmal, Robert W. Brumley, Sriram Hariharan
  • Publication number: 20210006652
    Abstract: A mobile device can include ranging circuitry to determine distance to another mobile device. A first wireless protocol can establish an initial communication session to perform authentication and/or exchange ranging settings. A second protocol can perform ranging, and other wireless protocols can transmit content. In one example, the distance information can be used to display a relative position of another device on a user interface of a sending device. The user interface can allow a user to quickly and accurately select the recipient device for sending the data item. As other example, the distance information obtained from ranging can be used to trigger a notification (e.g., a reminder) to be output from a first mobile device or used to display a visual indicator on a receiving device. Proximity of a device (e.g., as determined by a distance) can be used to suggest recipient for a new communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Marc J. Krochmal, Robert W. Brumley, Sriram Hariharan
  • Patent number: 10759389
    Abstract: Two different wireless protocols can be used for ranging between a mobile device and an access control system (e.g., a vehicle). The first wireless protocol (e.g., Bluetooth®) can be used to perform authentication of the vehicle and exchange ranging capabilities between a mobile device (e.g., a phone or watch) and the vehicle. The second wireless protocol (e.g., ultra-wideband, UWB) can use a pulse width that is less than a pulse width used by the first wireless protocol (e.g., 1 ns v. 1 ?s). The narrower pulse width can provide greater accuracy for distance (ranging) measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Robert W. Brumley, Sriram Hariharan
  • Patent number: 10652925
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to support channel access control for keyless vehicle entry systems are disclosed. An initiating central wireless device of a wireless personal area network (WPAN) queries multiple responding peripheral wireless devices to perform ranging for distance and/or angle of arrival data, where the multiple peripheral wireless devices coordinate responses to minimize interference, avoid overlapping transmissions, and reduce time to complete ranging. Ranging frames are divided into multiple ranging time slots, where each ranging time slot can accommodate a full ranging cycle between the central and peripheral wireless devices. The central wireless device determines which ranging time slot to use based on estimates of communication channel interference and on a number of received responses from the peripheral wireless devices. Ranging measurements are provided to a controller of a vehicle that houses the peripheral wireless devices to determine whether to permit vehicle access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ayman F. Naguib, Robert W. Brumley
  • Publication number: 20200106877
    Abstract: A mobile device can include ranging circuitry to determine distance to another mobile device. A first wireless protocol can establish an initial communication session to perform authentication and/or exchange ranging settings. A second protocol can perform ranging, and other wireless protocols can transmit content. In one example, the distance information can be used to display a relative position of another device on a user interface of a sending device. The user interface can allow a user to quickly and accurately select the recipient device for sending the data item. As other example, the distance information obtained from ranging can be used to trigger a notification (e.g., a reminder) to be output from a first mobile device or used to display a visual indicator on a receiving device. Proximity of a device (e.g., as determined by a distance) can be used to suggest recipient for a new communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Marc J. Krochmal, Robert W. Brumley, Sriram Hariharan
  • Publication number: 20200100283
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to support channel access control for keyless vehicle entry systems are disclosed. An initiating central wireless device of a wireless personal area network (WPAN) queries multiple responding peripheral wireless devices to perform ranging for distance and/or angle of arrival data, where the multiple peripheral wireless devices coordinate responses to minimize interference, avoid overlapping transmissions, and reduce time to complete ranging. Ranging frames are divided into multiple ranging time slots, where each ranging time slot can accommodate a full ranging cycle between the central and peripheral wireless devices. The central wireless device determines which ranging time slot to use based on estimates of communication channel interference and on a number of received responses from the peripheral wireless devices. Ranging measurements are provided to a controller of a vehicle that houses the peripheral wireless devices to determine whether to permit vehicle access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Ayman F. NAGUIB, Robert W. BRUMLEY
  • Publication number: 20200062217
    Abstract: Two different wireless protocols can be used for ranging between a mobile device and an access control system (e.g., a vehicle). The first wireless protocol (e.g., Bluetooth®) can be used to perform authentication of the vehicle and exchange ranging capabilities between a mobile device (e.g., a phone or watch) and the vehicle. The second wireless protocol (e.g., ultra-wideband, UWB) can use a pulse width that is less than a pulse width used by the first wireless protocol (e.g., 1 ns v. 1 ?s). The narrower pulse width can provide greater accuracy for distance (ranging) measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Robert W. Brumley, Sriram Hariharan
  • Patent number: 10486646
    Abstract: Two different wireless protocols can be used for ranging between a mobile device and an access control system (e.g., a vehicle). The first wireless protocol (e.g., Bluetooth®) can be used to perform authentication of the vehicle and exchange ranging capabilities between a mobile device (e.g., a phone or watch) and the vehicle. The second wireless protocol (e.g., ultra-wideband, UWB) can use a pulse width that is less than a pulse width used by the first wireless protocol (e.g., 1 ns v. 1 ?s). The narrower pulse width can provide greater accuracy for distance (ranging) measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Robert W. Brumley, Sriram Hariharan