Patents by Inventor Stephen H. Cotterill

Stephen H. Cotterill 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: 20220058257
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for giving access to restricted content on a first device from a second device through a wireless network. In one embodiment, the first device transmits an authorization request signal to the second device or to a server in the wireless network. The second device, having received the authorization request, prompts an authorized user to give authorization to the first device by inputting an authentication key such as a password or gesture on the second device. Upon verification of the authentication key, an authorization signal may be wirelessly transmitted to the first device, permitting access to the restricted content or functions on the first device. In some embodiments, the second device may be alerted to an authorization request and may select a request for authorization from a selectable queue of requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventor: Stephen H. COTTERILL
  • Patent number: 11200309
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for giving access to restricted content on a first device from a second device through a wireless network. In one embodiment, the first device transmits an authorization request signal to the second device or to a server in the wireless network. The second device, having received the authorization request, prompts an authorized user to give authorization to the first device by inputting an authentication key such as a password or gesture on the second device. Upon verification of the authentication key, an authorization signal may be wirelessly transmitted to the first device, permitting access to the restricted content or functions on the first device. In some embodiments, the second device may be alerted to an authorization request and may select a request for authorization from a selectable queue of requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Cotterill
  • Publication number: 20200120503
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for giving access to restricted content on a first device from a second device through a wireless network. In one embodiment, the first device transmits an authorization request signal to the second device or to a server in the wireless network. The second device, having received the authorization request, prompts an authorized user to give authorization to the first device by inputting an authentication key such as a password or gesture on the second device. Upon verification of the authentication key, an authorization signal may be wirelessly transmitted to the first device, permitting access to the restricted content or functions on the first device. In some embodiments, the second device may be alerted to an authorization request and may select a request for authorization from a selectable queue of requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen H. COTTERILL
  • Patent number: 10484384
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for or granting authorization to restricted content on a display device from an authorizing device. In one embodiment, the display device may operate in a display mode where only unrestricted content is accessible. To access restricted content, the display device may transmit an authorization request signal to the authorizing device. The authorizing device, having received the authorization request, prompts an authorized user to enter an authentication input, such as a password or gesture, on the authorizing device. Upon verification of the authentication input, the authorizing device is authenticated. An authorization signal is transmitted to the display device, and the display device may operate in an authorized mode, having access to otherwise restricted content or functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Cotterill
  • Patent number: 10419933
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for giving access to restricted content on a first device from a second device through a wireless network. In one embodiment, the first device transmits an authorization request signal to the second device or to a server in the wireless network. The second device, having received the authorization request, prompts an authorized user to give authorization to the first device by inputting an authentication key such as a password or gesture on the second device. Upon verification of the authentication key, an authorization signal may be wirelessly transmitted to the first device, permitting access to the restricted content or functions on the first device. In some embodiments, the second device may be alerted to an authorization request and may select a request for authorization from a selectable queue of requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Cotterill
  • Publication number: 20180302790
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for giving access to restricted content on a first device from a second device through a wireless network. In one embodiment, the first device transmits an authorization request signal to the second device or to a server in the wireless network. The second device, having received the authorization request, prompts an authorized user to give authorization to the first device by inputting an authentication key such as a password or gesture on the second device. Upon verification of the authentication key, an authorization signal may be wirelessly transmitted to the first device, permitting access to the restricted content or functions on the first device. In some embodiments, the second device may be alerted to an authorization request and may select a request for authorization from a selectable queue of requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen H. COTTERILL
  • Publication number: 20170054731
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for or granting authorization to restricted content on a display device from an authorizing device. In one embodiment, the display device may operate in a display triode where only unrestricted content is accessible. To access restricted content, the display device may transmit an authorization request signal to the authorizing device. The authorizing device, having received the authorization request, prompts an authorized user to enter an authentication input, such as a password or gesture, on the authorizing device. Upon verification of the authentication input, the authorizing device is authenticated. An authorization signal is transmitted to the display device, and the display device may operate in an authorized mode, having access to otherwise restricted content or functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen H. Cotterill
  • Patent number: 9372970
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for entering and saving a gesture on a touch-sensitive display device. In one embodiment, the device displays an array of visible graphical elements and may detect a gesture based on a user's touch of the visible graphical elements as well as on hidden areas not displayed to the user. For example, the device may detect a user's touch over hidden dots between the visible graphical elements or through hidden lines connecting the visible graphical elements. Some embodiments may include algorithms for improving accuracy in detecting the intended gesture. For example, the device may estimate possible or probable paths based on a current user touch position. In some embodiments, the visible graphical elements may be illuminated when a touch of the visible graphical elements is detected, or a disc representing a user's touch may be displayed as the user enters a gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brandon J. Casey, Jake M. Logan, Erik M. Cressall, Stephen H. Cotterill
  • Patent number: 9147058
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for entering, verifying, and saving a gesture on a touch-sensitive display device. In one embodiment, the device displays a gesture entry screen where a user enters a gesture. The device estimates the entered gesture and displays the estimated gesture on a gesture replay screen. The estimated gesture may be replayed repeatedly until stopped, and the device may display a gesture verification screen where the user may reenter the gesture. The device verifies if the re-entered gesture is substantially the same as the original estimated gesture. Some embodiments include a visible trace following a user's touch on the touch-sensitive display, where the trace may change in color and/or length depending on the speed, duration, and/or complexity of an entered gesture. Some embodiments include display indicator(s) (e.g., a strength bar, color change, timer, etc.) to indicate the strength and/or elapsed time during an entry or replay of a gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brandon J. Casey, Jake M. Logan, Erik M. Cressall, Stephen H. Cotterill
  • Publication number: 20140109018
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for entering, verifying, and saving a gesture on a touch-sensitive display device. In one embodiment, the device displays a gesture entry screen where a user enters a gesture. The device estimates the entered gesture and displays the estimated gesture on a gesture replay screen. The estimated gesture may be replayed repeatedly until stopped, and the device may display a gesture verification screen where the user may reenter the gesture. The device verifies if the re-entered gesture is substantially the same as the original estimated gesture. Some embodiments include a visible trace following a user's touch on the touch-sensitive display, where the trace may change in color and/or length depending on the speed, duration, and/or complexity of an entered gesture. Some embodiments include display indicator(s) (e.g., a strength bar, color change, timer, etc.) to indicate the strength and/or elapsed time during an entry or replay of a gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brandon J. Casey, Jake M. Logan, Erik M. Cressall, Stephen H. Cotterill
  • Publication number: 20140109010
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for entering and saving a gesture on a touch-sensitive display device. In one embodiment, the device displays an array of visible graphical elements and may detect a gesture based on a user's touch of the visible graphical elements as well as on hidden areas not displayed to the user. For example, the device may detect a user's touch over hidden dots between the visible graphical elements or through hidden lines connecting the visible graphical elements. Some embodiments may include algorithms for improving accuracy in detecting the intended gesture. For example, the device may estimate possible or probable paths based on a current user touch position. In some embodiments, the visible graphical elements may be illuminated when a touch of the visible graphical elements is detected, or a disc representing a user's touch may be displayed as the user enters a gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brandon J. Casey, Jake M. Logan, Erik M. Cressall, Stephen H. Cotterill