Patents by Inventor Stephan V. Schell
Stephan V. Schell 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).
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Publication number: 20220067133Abstract: This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Anthony M. FADELL, Andrew Bert HODGE, Stephan V. SCHELL, Ruben CABALLERO, Jesse Lee DOROGUSKER, Stephen Paul ZADESKY, Emery SANFORD
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Patent number: 11191025Abstract: A user equipment device (UE) may implement improved communication methods which include radio resource time multiplexing, dynamic sub-frame allocation, and UE transmit duty cycle control. The UE may communicate with base stations using radio frames that include multiple sub-frames, transmit information regarding allocation of a portion of the sub-frames of a respective radio frame for each of a plurality of the radio frames, and transmit and receive data using allocated sub-frames and not using unallocated sub-frames. Additionally, the UE may operate according to a sub-frame allocation based on its current power state. The UE may transmit information to the base station and receive the sub-frame allocation based on at least the information and switch transmit duty cycles based on an occurrence of a condition at the UE. The UE may inform the network of the switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2020Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Li Su, Stephan V. Schell, Jianxiong Shi, Sami M. Almalfouh
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Patent number: 11051159Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing multiple user access control entities or clients. For example, in one embodiment, a “wallet” of electronic subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) may be stored and used at a user device and/or distributed to other devices for use thereon. In another embodiment, a networked server may store and distribute eSIM to a plurality of user devices in communication therewith. A database of available eSIM is maintained at the wallet entity and/or at the network which enables request for a particular eSIM to be processed and various rules for the distribution thereof to be implemented. Security precautions are implemented to protect both user and network carrier specific data as the data is transmitted between networked entities. Solutions for eSIM backup and restoration are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Stephan V. Schell, David T. Haggerty
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Patent number: 10956550Abstract: This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile).Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Andrew Bert Hodge, Stephan V. Schell, Ruben Caballero, Jesse Lee Dorogusker, Stephen Paul Zadesky, Emery Sanford
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Patent number: 10911944Abstract: Methods and apparatus for activating a purchased or previously deployed device by a subscriber. In one embodiment, activation includes authenticating the device to a service provider or carrier, and providing the device with data necessary for enabling the service to the device. In one variant, a user device is activated at a retail store, with the assistance of a carrier representative. In another variant, user equipment is activated via a communications network without the assistance of a representative. In yet another variant, the user equipment is activated via the Internet without the assistance of a representative. The provision of access data includes pre-assigning eSIM from a population of unassigned eSIMs to certain devices for various carrier networks. Alternatively, the eSIM may be assigned on an as-needed basis. Unassigned and/or unused eSIMs can be released (or sold back to the vendor) and/or reused. Solutions for eSIM backup and restoration are also described.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Stephan V. Schell, David T. Haggerty
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Publication number: 20200305083Abstract: A user equipment device (UE) may implement improved communication methods which include radio resource time multiplexing, dynamic sub-frame allocation, and UE transmit duty cycle control. The UE may communicate with base stations using radio frames that include multiple sub-frames, transmit information regarding allocation of a portion of the sub-frames of a respective radio frame for each of a plurality of the radio frames, and transmit and receive data using allocated sub-frames and not using unallocated sub-frames. Additionally, the UE may operate according to a sub-frame allocation based on its current power state. The UE may transmit information to the base station and receive the sub-frame allocation based on at least the information and switch transmit duty cycles based on an occurrence of a condition at the UE. The UE may inform the network of the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Li Su, Stephan V. Schell, Jianxiong Shi, Sami M. Almalfouh
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Patent number: 10694465Abstract: In some embodiments, a user equipment device (UE) implements improved communication methods which include radio resource time multiplexing, dynamic sub-frame allocation, and UE transmit duty cycle control. In some embodiments, the UE may communicate with base stations using radio frames that include multiple sub-frames, transmit information regarding allocation of a portion of the sub-frames of a respective radio frame for each of a plurality of the radio frames, and transmit and receive data using allocated sub-frames and not using unallocated sub-frames. In some embodiments, the UE may operate according to a sub-frame allocation based on its current power state. The UE may transmit information to the base station and receive the sub-frame allocation based on at least the information. In some embodiments, the UE may switch transmit duty cycles based on an occurrence of a condition at the UE. The UE may inform the network of the switch.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Li Su, Stephan V. Schell, Jianxiong Shi, Sami M. Almalfouh
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Patent number: 10568066Abstract: Various mechanisms for paging link-budget-limited (LBL) devices are disclosed, including: (1) transmitting paging message with non-conventional paging identifier; (2) transmitting paging message(s) with increased power; (3) repeating transmission of paging message to support combining at receiver. Various mechanisms for UE device to signal LBL status are disclosed, including, transmitting status flag or special value of DRX cycle to network node as part of tracking area update and/or attach request. The network node informs a base station of the device's LBL status as part of a paging message. (The network node may, e.g., assign an S-RNTI to the LBL device from a reserved subset of S-RNTI space.) The base station invokes a paging enhancement mechanism when paging an LBL device. Alternatively, the base station may page UE devices without knowledge of LBL status, e.g., by counting paging attempts for a given UE, and boosting power after the Nth paging attempt.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Li Su, Sami M. Almalfouh, Venkateswara Rao Manepalli, Srinivas Burugupalli, Srinivasan Nimmala, Vijay Kumar Ramamurthi, Stephan V. Schell
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Publication number: 20200037161Abstract: Methods and apparatus that allow a device to migrate wireless service across multiple wireless networks. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention enables storing and switching between multiple Electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIM), where each eSIM is specific to a different carrier network. By loading the appropriate eSIM, the user device can authenticate itself with the selected carrier, rather than roaming. During roaming operation, the user equipment can load one or more of the previously stored eSIMs. Selection of the eSIM can be done manually by the user or can be driven by the user equipment based on desired context; for example, based on carrier signal strength, cost-effectiveness, etc. Support for multiple radio technologies also allows universal connectivity for wireless devices, even spanning previously incompatible technologies such as GSM (Global Standard for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Stephan V. SCHELL, David T. HAGGERTY
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Publication number: 20190327609Abstract: Methods and apparatus for activating a purchased or previously deployed device by a subscriber. In one embodiment, activation includes authenticating the device to a service provider or carrier, and providing the device with data necessary for enabling the service to the device. In one variant, a user device is activated at a retail store, with the assistance of a carrier representative. In another variant, user equipment is activated via a communications network without the assistance of a representative. In yet another variant, the user equipment is activated via the Internet without the assistance of a representative. The provision of access data includes pre-assigning eSIM from a population of unassigned eSIMs to certain devices for various carrier networks. Alternatively, the eSIM may be assigned on an as-needed basis. Unassigned and/or unused eSIMs can be released (or sold back to the vendor) and/or reused. Solutions for eSIM backup and restoration are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Stephan V. SCHELL, David T. HAGGERTY
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Patent number: 10440034Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting fraudulent device operation. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a device is issued a user access control client that is uniquely associated with a shared secret that is securely stored within the network and the access control client. Subsequent efforts to activate or deactivate the access control client require verification of the shared secret. Each change in state includes a change to the shared secret. Consequently, requests for a change to state which do not have the proper shared secret will be disregarded, and/or flagged as fraudulent.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jerrold Von Hauck, Li Li, Stephan V. Schell
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Publication number: 20190243957Abstract: This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: Anthony M. FADELL, Andrew Bert HODGE, Stephan V. SCHELL, Ruben CABALLERO, Jesse Lee DOROGUSKER, Stephen Paul ZADESKY, Emery SANFORD
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Publication number: 20190246265Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing multiple user access control entities or clients. For example, in one embodiment, a “wallet” of electronic subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) may be stored and used at a user device and/or distributed to other devices for use thereon. In another embodiment, a networked server may store and distribute eSIM to a plurality of user devices in communication therewith. A database of available eSIM is maintained at the wallet entity and/or at the network which enables request for a particular eSIM to be processed and various rules for the distribution thereof to be implemented. Security precautions are implemented to protect both user and network carrier specific data as the data is transmitted between networked entities. Solutions for eSIM backup and restoration are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: Stephan V. SCHELL, David T. HAGGERTY
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Publication number: 20190239185Abstract: Various mechanisms for paging link-budget-limited (LBL) devices are disclosed, including: (1) transmitting paging message with non-conventional paging identifier; (2) transmitting paging message(s) with increased power; (3) repeating transmission of paging message to support combining at receiver. Various mechanisms for UE device to signal LBL status are disclosed, including, transmitting status flag or special value of DRX cycle to network node as part of tracking area update and/or attach request. The network node informs a base station of the device's LBL status as part of a paging message. (The network node may, e.g., assign an S-RNTI to the LBL device from a reserved subset of S-RNTI space.) The base station invokes a paging enhancement mechanism when paging an LBL device. Alternatively, the base station may page UE devices without knowledge of LBL status, e.g., by counting paging attempts for a given UE, and boosting power after the Nth paging attempt.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Li Su, Sami M. Almalfouh, Venkateswara Rao Manepalli, Srinivas Burugupalli, Srinivasan Nimmala, Vijay Kumar Ramamurthi, Stephan V. Schell
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Patent number: 10327135Abstract: Methods and apparatus for activating a purchased or previously deployed device by a subscriber. In one embodiment, activation includes authenticating the device to a service provider or carrier, and providing the device with data necessary for enabling the service to the device. In one variant, a user device is activated at a retail store, with the assistance of a carrier representative. In another variant, user equipment is activated via a communications network without the assistance of a representative. In yet another variant, the user equipment is activated via the Internet without the assistance of a representative. The provision of access data includes pre-assigning eSIM from a population of unassigned eSIMs to certain devices for various carrier networks. Alternatively, the eSIM may be assigned on an as-needed basis. Unassigned and/or unused eSIMs can be released (or sold back to the vendor) and/or reused. Solutions for eSIM backup and restoration are also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Inventors: Stephan V. Schell, David T. Haggerty
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Publication number: 20190166560Abstract: In some embodiments, a user equipment device (UE) implements improved communication methods which include radio resource time multiplexing, dynamic sub-frame allocation, and UE transmit duty cycle control. In some embodiments, the UE may communicate with base stations using radio frames that include multiple sub-frames, transmit information regarding allocation of a portion of the sub-frames of a respective radio frame for each of a plurality of the radio frames, and transmit and receive data using allocated sub-frames and not using unallocated sub-frames. In some embodiments, the UE may operate according to a sub-frame allocation based on its current power state. The UE may transmit information to the base station and receive the sub-frame allocation based on at least the information. In some embodiments, the UE may switch transmit duty cycles based on an occurrence of a condition at the UE. The UE may inform the network of the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2019Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Li Su, Stephan V. Schell, Jianxiong Shi, Sami M. Almalfouh
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Patent number: 10275585Abstract: This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile).Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Andrew Bert Hodge, Stephan V. Schell, Ruben Caballero, Jesse Lee Dorogusker, Stephen Paul Zadesky, Emery Sanford
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Patent number: 10264545Abstract: Various mechanisms for paging link-budget-limited (LBL) devices are disclosed, including: (1) transmitting paging message with non-conventional paging identifier; (2) transmitting paging message(s) with increased power; (3) repeating transmission of paging message to support combining at receiver. Various mechanisms for UE device to signal LBL status are disclosed, including, transmitting status flag or special value of DRX cycle to network node as part of tracking area update and/or attach request. The network node informs a base station of the device's LBL status as part of a paging message. (The network node may, e.g., assign an S-RNTI to the LBL device from a reserved subset of S-RNTI space.) The base station invokes a paging enhancement mechanism when paging an LBL device. Alternatively, the base station may page UE devices without knowledge of LBL status, e.g., by counting paging attempts for a given UE, and boosting power after the Nth paging attempt.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Li Su, Sami M. Almalfouh, Venkateswara Rao Manepalli, Srinivas Burugupalli, Srinivasan Nimmala, Vijay Kumar Ramamurthi, Stephan V. Schell
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Patent number: 10219221Abstract: In some embodiments, a user equipment device (UE) implements improved communication methods which include radio resource time multiplexing, dynamic sub-frame allocation, and UE transmit duty cycle control. In some embodiments, the UE may communicate with base stations using radio frames that include multiple sub-frames, transmit information regarding allocation of a portion of the sub-frames of a respective radio frame for each of a plurality of the radio frames, and transmit and receive data using allocated sub-frames and not using unallocated sub-frames. In some embodiments, the UE may operate according to a sub-frame allocation based on its current power state. The UE may transmit information to the base station and receive the sub-frame allocation based on at least the information. In some embodiments, the UE may switch transmit duty cycles based on an occurrence of a condition at the UE. The UE may inform the network of the switch.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Li Su, Stephan V. Schell, Jianxiong Shi, Sami M. Almalfouh
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Patent number: 10206106Abstract: Methods and apparatus enabling programming of electronic identification information of a wireless apparatus. In one embodiment, a previously purchased or deployed wireless apparatus is activated by a cellular network. The wireless apparatus connects to the cellular network using an access module to download operating system components and/or access control client components. The described methods and apparatus enable updates, additions and replacement of various components including Electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) data, OS components. One exemplary implementation of the invention utilizes a trusted key exchange between the device and the cellular network to maintain security.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2018Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Stephan V. Schell, Arun G. Mathias, Jerrold Von Hauck, David T. Haggerty, Kevin McLaughlin, Ben-Heng Juang, Li Li