Patents by Inventor Thomas Alsina
Thomas Alsina 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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Patent number: 12243084Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for uploading, by a verified party, verified-party content to a media platform, receiving requests by a client device for store content, and displaying the uploaded verified-party content along with store content on the client device.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2023Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Arvind S. Shenoy, Matthew J. Laine, Zachary T. Friedland
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Patent number: 12223540Abstract: Improved techniques and systems for delivery and acquisition of digital assets are disclosed. The techniques and systems are especially suitable and useful for delivering digital assets (e.g., media assets) that are available for acquisition and electronic delivery from online stores to electronic devices. In accordance with one aspect, when a digital asset is acquired from an online store via an electronic device associated with a user, the digital asset can be arranged for delivery to a number of other of electronic devices also associated with the user. It will be appreciated that the digital asset can be delivered and acquired without requiring explicit user input or instruction in accordance with another aspect. Other aspects of the techniques and systems include customization of configuration and user interfaces that are provided to facilitate acquisition of digital assets in a more efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2024Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher B. Chang, Sean B. Kelly, Olagappan Manickam, Thomas Alsina, Payam Mirrashidi, Michael Kuohao Chu, Kevin R. Lafferty
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Publication number: 20250039506Abstract: In some implementations, a user device can predictively route media content to a remote playback device based on playback context information obtained by the user device. The playback context can include local playback context information related to the state and/or context of the user device. The playback context can include remote playback context information related to the state and/or context of available remote playback devices. Based on the playback context information obtained by the user device, the user device can generate a predictive score for each available playback device that indicates or predicts the likelihood that the user will want to send media content to the corresponding playback device. The user device can generate and present a graphical user interface that can identify the playback devices having predictive scores over a threshold score. In some instances, the user device can automatically route selected media content to a predicted playback device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2024Publication date: January 30, 2025Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Pietsch, Craig M. Federighi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Taylor G. Carrigan, Johannes P. Schmidt, Astrid Yi, Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Jonathan A. Bennett, Patrick L. Coffman, Cesar de Camargo Barscevicius
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Patent number: 12177207Abstract: The embodiments set forth a technique for enabling a computing device to securely configure a peripheral computing device. According to some embodiments, the method can include the steps of (1) approving a request received from the peripheral computing device to engage in a setup procedure for the peripheral computing device, (2) receiving, from the peripheral computing device: (i) an audio signal that encodes a password and timing information, and (ii) a light signal. Additionally, the method can involve, in response to identifying that the timing information correlates with the light signal: (3) extracting the password from the audio signal, and (4) establishing a communication link with the peripheral computing device based on the password. In turn, the method can involve (5) providing configuration information to the peripheral computing device over the communication link.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jay S. Coggin, Daniel C. Klingler, Kyle C. Brogle, Johannes P. Schmidt, Eric A. Allamanche, Thomas Alsina, Bob Bradley, Alex T. Nelson, Rudolph Van Der Merwe, Joseph M. Triscari, Keun Sup Lee, Pedro Mari, Aaron M. Elder, Richard M. Powell
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Patent number: 12154136Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for utilizing a secondary application to render invitational content. Primary content rendered by a web browser can be embedded with a command requesting that a secondary application be executed. The secondary application can be executed in a secured sand box environment and configured to render invitational content in a second window above the primary content. The secondary application can be known and trusted by the operating system to gather sensitive data used to select appropriate invitational content. Further, data can be included in the command requesting that the secondary application be executed. The invitational content can be associated with secondary views that can be rendered without affecting the primary content. The secondary application can collect data to render the secondary view, such as the exact point selected, which is used to render graphical transition effects leading to the secondary view.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: William Bedford Turner, Thomas Alsina, Sean B. Kelly
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Patent number: 12149790Abstract: In some implementations, a user device can predictively route media content to a remote playback device based on playback context information obtained by the user device. The playback context can include local playback context information related to the state and/or context of the user device. The playback context can include remote playback context information related to the state and/or context of available remote playback devices. Based on the playback context information obtained by the user device, the user device can generate a predictive score for each available playback device that indicates or predicts the likelihood that the user will want to send media content to the corresponding playback device. The user device can generate and present a graphical user interface that can identify the playback devices having predictive scores over a threshold score. In some instances, the user device can automatically route selected media content to a predicted playback device.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Pietsch, Craig M. Federighi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Taylor G. Carrigan, Johannes P. Schmidt, Astrid Yi, Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Jonathan A. Bennett, Patrick L. Coffman, Cesar de Camargo Barscevicius
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Publication number: 20240323473Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing multi-screen video user interfaces. A handheld device is used to search for content to be displayed on a television. The handheld device presents data according to a first user interface, and while searching for content, any changes to the navigation state of the handheld device are sent to the television. The television receives an update and reformats the data according to a second user interface optimized for displaying the data on the television. The first user interface is native to the handheld device and the second user interface is native to the television. The user of the handheld device is able to utilize a familiar format while searching for content while viewers of the television are able to see the same navigation state as the handheld device but in a familiar format on the television.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2023Publication date: September 26, 2024Inventors: Lucas C. NEWMAN, Nicholas J. PAULSON, Thomas ALSINA
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Publication number: 20240314383Abstract: In some implementations, a system can be configured to allow remote control devices to quietly obtain status information related to various audio/video playback devices. For example, a streaming device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can establish a streaming connection to a playback device. The playback device can be configured to only accept a single streaming connection (i.e., master connection). A remote control device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can quietly connect (i.e., control connection) to the playback device without interrupting the master connection to obtain status information related to the playback device and or the media being streamed to the playback device. The remote control device can provide commands through the control connection to adjust the playback of the streamed media at the playback device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2024Publication date: September 19, 2024Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Edward T. Schmidt, Elena Leyfman, David P. Saracino, Astrid Yi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Jonathan A. Bennett, Gregory R. Chapman, Aparna S. Akella, Shreyas Nandagudi Sreesha, Johannes P. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20240303268Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. In accordance with one example, a method includes, at an electronic device with one or more processors and memory, receiving a first natural-language speech input indicative of a request for media, where the first natural-language speech input comprises a first search parameter; providing, by a digital assistant, a first media item identified based on the first search parameter. The method further includes, while providing the first media item, receiving a second natural-language speech input and determining whether the second input corresponds to a user intent of refining the request for media. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination that the second speech input corresponds to a user intent of refining the request for media: identifying, based on the first parameter and the second speech input, a second media item and providing the second media item.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2024Publication date: September 12, 2024Inventors: David Chance GRAHAM, Cyrus Daniel IRANI, Aimee PIERCY, Thomas ALSINA
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Patent number: 12045275Abstract: The content items presented to a user account as part of a media station can be recorded in a content history index, which can be requested and presented to the user account. The content history can enable a user to revisit the content items included in the content history and/or provide feedback regarding the content items. The version of the content item returned to the user can be based on the client device used to request the content item. For example, a user that was presented a content item on their mobile device, can later request to revisit the content item on their PC and receive a version of the content item best suited for presentation by the PC, rather than the version presented on the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2020Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Kenley Sun, David T. Wilson, Sagar A. Joshi, Nicholas James Paulson, Arvind S. Shenoy
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Patent number: 12039225Abstract: A content management system and/or client device can enable a user to initiate a quick play mode where a content category and content medium are selected for the user. A client device and/or a content management system can select a content medium for a user based on one or more factors, such as the content category. Certain content categories of content can be preferably delivered in certain content mediums. In some embodiments, a content management system and/or client device can select a content medium for a user based on contextual data gathered from the user. Contextual data can be data describing the user's current state and/or environment. For example, contextual data can include data such as the time of day, geographic location, etc.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Arvind S. Shenoy, Daniel Cartoon, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Mark Levy
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Patent number: 12034994Abstract: In some implementations, a system can be configured to allow remote control devices to quietly obtain status information related to various audio/video playback devices. For example, a streaming device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can establish a streaming connection to a playback device. The playback device can be configured to only accept a single streaming connection (i.e., master connection). A remote control device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can quietly connect (i.e., control connection) to the playback device without interrupting the master connection to obtain status information related to the playback device and or the media being streamed to the playback device. The remote control device can provide commands through the control connection to adjust the playback of the streamed media at the playback device.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2022Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Edward T. Schmidt, Elena Leyfman, David P. Saracino, Astrid Yi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Jonathan A. Bennett, Gregory R. Chapman, Aparna S. Akella, Shreyas Nandagudi Sreesha, Johannes P. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20240224356Abstract: In some implementations a system can be configured to reduce the burden of pairing user devices with playback devices. For example, all users (or user devices) who commonly operate within a particular environment (e.g., a home) can be configured as authorized users of playback devices within the particular environment. When one of the authorized users pairs a user device with a playback device, all of the user devices for all authorized users can be automatically paired with the playback device as a result of the single pairing. Thus, only a single authorized user is burdened with the pairing process in order to pair all authorized users with the playback device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2024Publication date: July 4, 2024Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Edward T. Schmidt, Elena Leyfman, David P. Saracino, Astrid Yi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Jonathan A. Bennett, Gregory R. Chapman, Aparna S. Akella, Shreyas Nandagudi Sreesha
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Patent number: 12026197Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. In accordance with one example, a method includes, at an electronic device with one or more processors and memory, receiving a first natural-language speech input indicative of a request for media, where the first natural-language speech input comprises a first search parameter; providing, by a digital assistant, a first media item identified based on the first search parameter. The method further includes, while providing the first media item, receiving a second natural-language speech input and determining whether the second input corresponds to a user intent of refining the request for media. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination that the second speech input corresponds to a user intent of refining the request for media: identifying, based on the first parameter and the second speech input, a second media item and providing the second media item.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2023Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David Chance Graham, Cyrus Daniel Irani, Aimee Piercy, Thomas Alsina
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Publication number: 20240211627Abstract: This application relates to a client-server architecture that enables user accounts registered with a service to be discoverable to other users of the service. A discovery protocol includes accessing personal information data stored in an address book of a client device, obfuscating the personal information data, transmitting a request to a service to determine if the obfuscated personal information data matches any potential contacts that have registered as discoverable with the service, and comparing information related to the potential contacts with the contacts included in the address book to determine if the contacts in the address book match any of the potential contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2024Publication date: June 27, 2024Inventors: Thomas ALSINA, Joseph A. TYSON, David K. HELLER, James M. COSTELLO
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Patent number: 12019750Abstract: Systems and methods for providing updates to an electronic device are provided. Upon receiving an update statement, indicating availability of an update to an application on an electronic device, a determination is made as to whether an update notification threshold has been met at the electronic device based upon the indication of availability of the update to the application. When the update notification threshold has been met at the electronic device, a graphical indication of the availability of the update to the application is provided. However, when the update notification threshold has not been met, the graphical indication of the availability of the update to the application is not provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2022Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sean B. Kelly, Elizabeth Caroline Furches Cranfill, Thomas Alsina
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Publication number: 20240202805Abstract: Improved techniques and systems for delivery and acquisition of digital assets are disclosed. The techniques and systems are especially suitable and useful for delivering digital assets (e.g., media assets) that are available for acquisition and electronic delivery from online stores to electronic devices. In accordance with one aspect, when a digital asset is acquired from an online store via an electronic device associated with a user, the digital asset can be arranged for delivery to a number of other of electronic devices also associated with the user. It will be appreciated that the digital asset can be delivered and acquired without requiring explicit user input or instruction in accordance with another aspect. Other aspects of the techniques and systems include customization of configuration and user interfaces that are provided to facilitate acquisition of digital assets in a more efficient manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2024Publication date: June 20, 2024Inventors: Christopher B. Chang, Sean B. Kelly, Olagappan Manickam, Thomas Alsina, Payam Mirrashidi, Michael Kuohao Chu, Kevin R. Lafferty
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Patent number: 11974338Abstract: In some implementations a system can be configured to reduce the burden of pairing user devices with playback devices. For example, all users (or user devices) who commonly operate within a particular environment (e.g., a home) can be configured as authorized users of playback devices within the particular environment. When one of the authorized users pairs a user device with a playback device, all of the user devices for all authorized users can be automatically paired with the playback device as a result of the single pairing. Thus, only a single authorized user is burdened with the pairing process in order to pair all authorized users with the playback device.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Deepak Iyer, Thomas Alsina, Edward T. Schmidt, Elena Leyfman, David P. Saracino, Astrid Yi, Adam A. Sonnanstine, Jonathan A. Bennett, Gregory R. Chapman, Aparna S. Akella, Shreyas Nandagudi Sreesha
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Patent number: 11935113Abstract: Improved techniques and systems for delivery and acquisition of digital assets are disclosed. The techniques and systems are especially suitable and useful for delivering digital assets (e.g., media assets) that are available for acquisition and electronic delivery from online stores to electronic devices. In accordance with one aspect, when a digital asset is acquired from an online store via an electronic device associated with a user, the digital asset can be arranged for delivery to a number of other of electronic devices also associated with the user. It will be appreciated that the digital asset can be delivered and acquired without requiring explicit user input or instruction in accordance with another aspect. Other aspects of the techniques and systems include customization of configuration and user interfaces that are provided to facilitate acquisition of digital assets in a more efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2023Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher B. Chang, Sean B. Kelly, Olagappan Manickam, Thomas Alsina, Payam Mirrashidi, Michael Kuohao Chu, Kevin R. Lafferty
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Patent number: 11921883Abstract: This application relates to a client-server architecture that enables user accounts registered with a service to be discoverable to other users of the service. A discovery protocol includes accessing personal information data stored in an address book of a client device, obfuscating the personal information data, transmitting a request to a service to determine if the obfuscated personal information data matches any potential contacts that have registered as discoverable with the service, and comparing information related to the potential contacts with the contacts included in the address book to determine if the contacts in the address book match any of the potential contacts.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Joseph A. Tyson, David K. Heller, James M. Costello