Patents by Inventor James H. Foster
James H. Foster 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: 11989394Abstract: Devices, methods and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interfaces based on fingerprint sensor inputs are provided. While a display of an electronic device with a fingerprint sensor displays a first user interface, the device may detect movement of a fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor. In accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a first direction, the device allows navigating through the first user interface, and in accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a second direction different from the first direction, the device allows displaying a second user interface different from the first user interface on the display.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2021Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Daniel W. Jarvis, Nicholas G. Merz, Scott A. Myers, Michael A. Cretella, Michael Eng, James H. Foster, Terry L. Gilton, Myra Haggerty, Byron B. Han, M. Evans Hankey, Steven P. Hotelling, Brian R. Land, Stephen Brian Lynch, Paul Meade, Mushtaq A. Sarwar, John P. Ternus, Paul M. Thompson, Marcel Van Os, John A. Wright
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Patent number: 11930267Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with control circuitry, wireless transceiver circuitry, and a display. The electronic device may be used to provide information to a user in response to being pointed at a particular object. The control circuitry may determine when the electronic device is pointed at a particular object using wireless control circuitry and/or motion sensor circuitry. In response to determining that the electronic device is pointed at a particular object, the control circuitry may take suitable action. This may include, for example, displaying information about an object when the electronic device is pointed at the object, displaying control icons for electronic equipment when the electronic device is pointed at the electronic equipment, and/or displaying a virtual object when the electronic device is pointed at real world object.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Adam S. Meyer, Peter C. Tsoi, Duncan Robert Kerr, Martha Evans Hankey, John B. Morrell, James H. Foster
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Publication number: 20230319914Abstract: A wireless communication device may locate a proximate object in an environment, such as an electronic device or a resource. During this communication technique, the wireless communication device may receive a transmission that includes an identifier associated with the object. The wireless communication device may determine a range and/or a direction of the object from the wireless communication device. For example, the wireless communication device may determine the range and/or the direction, at least in part, using wireless ranging. Next, the wireless communication device may present output information that indicates the range and/or the direction. In particular, the wireless communication device may display a map of a proximate area with an indicator representative of the object shown on the map. Alternatively, the wireless communication device may display an image of the proximate area with the indicator representative of the object on the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: James H. FOSTER, Duncan R. KERR
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Patent number: 11768376Abstract: An electronic device such as a head-mounted display or other display system may have a transparent display. The transparent display may be formed from a transparent display panel or a display device that provides images to a transparent optical coupler. A user may view real-world objects through the transparent display. Control circuitry can direct the transparent display to display computer-generated content over selected portions of the real-world objects. The head-mounted display may have adjustable components through which the user may view the real-world objects. The adjustable components may include an adjustable light modulator, an adjustable color filter, and an adjustable polarizer. The control circuitry may adjust these components based on information from a front-facing camera that captures images of the real-world objects, based on information from a gaze tracking camera, and based on other input.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2017Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James E. Pedder, James H. Foster, Julian Hoening, Julian Jaede
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Publication number: 20230209469Abstract: Methods for performing power management of a multi-interface transponder (MIT) device, e.g., such as positional tag device. The MIT device may transition between various power states, e.g., based on detected events, such as detecting movement of the MIT device, receiving a wakeup signal, receiving an indication of a transition in transportation mode, and/or detecting that the MIT device may be lost, such as based on a lack of contact with another device for more than a threshold period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: James H. Foster, Marlene Nilsen, Paul G. Puskarich
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Publication number: 20230195231Abstract: An electronic device may include touch input components and associated haptic output components. The control circuitry may provide haptic output in response to touch input on the touch input components and may send wireless signals to the external electronic device based on the touch input. The haptic output components may provide local and global haptic output. Local haptic output may be used to guide a user to the location of the electronic device or to provide a button click sensation to the user in response to touch input. Global haptic output may be used to notify the user that the electronic device is aligned towards the external electronic device and is ready to receive user input to control or communicate with the external electronic device. Control circuitry may switch a haptic output component into an inactive mode to inform the user that a touch input component is inactive.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Camille Moussette, James H. Foster, Duncan Kerr, Adam S. Meyer, Per Haakan Linus Persson, Peter C. Tsoi, Stuart J. Wood
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Patent number: 11638212Abstract: Methods for performing power management of a multi-interface transponder (MIT) device, e.g., such as positional tag device. The MIT device may transition between various power states, e.g., based on detected events, such as detecting movement of the MIT device, receiving a wakeup signal, receiving an indication of a transition in transportation mode, and/or detecting that the MIT device may be lost, such as based on a lack of contact with another device for more than a threshold period of time.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Chadra Laboratories LLCInventors: James H. Foster, Marlene Nilsen, Paul G. Puskarich
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Publication number: 20230121160Abstract: A wireless communication device may wirelessly control an object, such as a physical device, directly or through interaction with a virtual representation (or placeholder) of the object situated at a predefined physical location. In particular, the wireless communication device may identify an intent gesture performed by a user that indicates intent to control the object. For example, the intent gesture may involve pointing or orienting the wireless communication device toward the object, with or without additional input. Then, the wireless communication device may determine the object associated with the intent gesture using wireless ranging and/or device orientation. Moreover, the wireless communication device may interpret sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the wireless communication device to determine an action gesture corresponding to a command or a command value. The wireless communication device may then transmit the command value to control the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: James H. FOSTER, Duncan R. KERR
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Patent number: 11601993Abstract: A wireless communication device may locate a proximate object in an environment, such as an electronic device or a resource. During this communication technique, the wireless communication device may receive a transmission that includes an identifier associated with the object. The wireless communication device may determine a range and/or a direction of the object from the wireless communication device. For example, the wireless communication device may determine the range and/or the direction, at least in part, using wireless ranging. Next, the wireless communication device may present output information that indicates the range and/or the direction. In particular, the wireless communication device may display a map of a proximate area with an indicator representative of the object shown on the map. Alternatively, the wireless communication device may display an image of the proximate area with the indicator representative of the object on the image.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James H. Foster, Duncan R. Kerr
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Patent number: 11579701Abstract: An electronic device may include touch input components and associated haptic output components. The control circuitry may provide haptic output in response to touch input on the touch input components and may send wireless signals to the external electronic device based on the touch input. The haptic output components may provide local and global haptic output. Local haptic output may be used to guide a user to the location of the electronic device or to provide a button click sensation to the user in response to touch input. Global haptic output may be used to notify the user that the electronic device is aligned towards the external electronic device and is ready to receive user input to control or communicate with the external electronic device. Control circuitry may switch a haptic output component into an inactive mode to inform the user that a touch input component is inactive.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Camille Moussette, James H. Foster, Duncan Kerr, Adam S. Meyer, Per Haakan Linus Persson, Peter C. Tsoi, Stuart J. Wood
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Publication number: 20220291726Abstract: A portable electronic device can include a display, a processor, a sensor, and a wireless communication module. The sensor can detect a presence of an operable object near the portable electronic device. The processor can cause the display to depict an interface corresponding to the operable object based at least in part on a detection of the presence of the operable object. The wireless communication module can emit a signal instructing the operable object to perform an action based at least in part on an input to the interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: James H. Foster, Durrell Bishop, Emma Clark, Nicolas V. Scapel
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Publication number: 20220286314Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and user interfaces for managing live communication between multiple participants using a computer system in accordance with some embodiments.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Adam Stern MEYER, Durrell BISHOP, James H. FOSTER, Peter C. TSOI
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Patent number: 11435583Abstract: An electronic device may have back-to-back displays. A user-facing display may have microlenses, tunable lens structures, holograms, lasers, and other structures for displaying images in multiple eye boxes while the electronic device is being worn on the head of a user. In some configurations, a switchable diffuser may be incorporated into the user-facing display. In one mode, the switchable diffuser allows microlenses of the pixels of the user-facing display to provide images to eye boxes in which images from the display are viewable. In another mode, the switchable diffuser diffuses light from the pixels so that the user-facing display may be used while the device is being held in the hand of the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James E. Pedder, James H. Foster, Paul G. Puskarich, Thomas M. Gregory, Richard J. Topliss, Patrick R. Gill
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Patent number: 11430571Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aggregating and sharing wellness data. The wellness data can be received by a user device from any number of sensors external or internal to the user device, from a user manually entering the wellness data, or from other users or entities. The user device can securely store the wellness data on the user device and transmit the wellness data to be stored on a remote database. A user of the device can share some or all of the wellness data with friends, relatives, caregivers, healthcare providers, or the like. The user device can further display a user's wellness data in an aggregated view of different types of wellness data. Wellness data of other users can also be viewed if authorizations from those users have been received.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Soli, Lawrence Y. Yang, Dennis S. Park, Stephen O. Lemay, Daniel S. Keen, James H. Foster, Zachery Kennedy, Michael O'Reilly, Guy L. Tribble, Todd K. Whitehurst
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Patent number: 11425767Abstract: A wireless communication device may wirelessly control an object, such as a physical device, directly or through interaction with a virtual representation (or placeholder) of the object situated at a predefined physical location. In particular, the wireless communication device may identify an intent gesture performed by a user that indicates intent to control the object. For example, the intent gesture may involve pointing or orienting the wireless communication device toward the object, with or without additional input. Then, the wireless communication device may determine the object associated with the intent gesture using wireless ranging and/or device orientation. Moreover, the wireless communication device may interpret sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the wireless communication device to determine an action gesture corresponding to a command or a command value. The wireless communication device may then transmit the command value to control the object.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Inventors: James H. Foster, Duncan R. Kerr
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Publication number: 20220066604Abstract: Devices, methods and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interfaces based on fingerprint sensor inputs are provided. While a display of an electronic device with a fingerprint sensor displays a first user interface, the device may detect movement of a fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor. In accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a first direction, the device allows navigating through the first user interface, and in accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a second direction different from the first direction, the device allows displaying a second user interface different from the first user interface on the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Benjamin J. POPE, Daniel W. JARVIS, Nicholas G. MERZ, Scott A. MYERS, Michael A. CRETELLA, Michael ENG, James H. FOSTER, Terry L. GILTON, Myra HAGGERTY, Byron B. HAN, M. Evans HANKEY, Steven P. HOTELLING, Brian R. LAND, Stephen Brian LYNCH, Paul MEADE, Mushtaq A. SARWAR, John P. TERNUS, Paul M. THOMPSON, Marcel VAN OS, John A. WRIGHT
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Patent number: 11209961Abstract: Devices, methods and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interfaces based on fingerprint sensor inputs are provided. While a display of an electronic device with a fingerprint sensor displays a first user interface, the device may detect movement of a fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor. In accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a first direction, the device allows navigating through the first user interface, and in accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a second direction different from the first direction, the device allows displaying a second user interface different from the first user interface on the display.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Daniel W. Jarvis, Nicholas G. Merz, Scott A. Myers, Michael A. Cretella, Michael Eng, James H. Foster, Terry L. Gilton, Myra Haggerty, Byron B. Han, M. Evans Hankey, Steven P. Hotelling, Brian R. Land, Stephen Brian Lynch, Paul Meade, Mushtaq A. Sarwar, John P. Ternus, Paul M. Thompson, Marcel Van Os, John A. Wright
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Publication number: 20210397263Abstract: An electronic device may include touch input components and associated haptic output components. The control circuitry may provide haptic output in response to touch input on the touch input components and may send wireless signals to the external electronic device based on the touch input. The haptic output components may provide local and global haptic output. Local haptic output may be used to guide a user to the location of the electronic device or to provide a button click sensation to the user in response to touch input. Global haptic output may be used to notify the user that the electronic device is aligned towards the external electronic device and is ready to receive user input to control or communicate with the external electronic device. Control circuitry may switch a haptic output component into an inactive mode to inform the user that a touch input component is inactive.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Camille Moussette, James H. Foster, Duncan Kerr, Adam S. Meyer, Per Haakan Linus Persson, Peter C. Tsoi, Stuart J. Wood
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Publication number: 20210345246Abstract: Methods for performing power management of a multi-interface transponder (MIT) device, e.g., such as positional tag device. The MIT device may transition between various power states, e.g., based on detected events, such as detecting movement of the MIT device, receiving a wakeup signal, receiving an indication of a transition in transportation mode, and/or detecting that the MIT device may be lost, such as based on a lack of contact with another device for more than a threshold period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: James H. Foster, Marlene Nilsen, Paul G. Puskarich
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Patent number: 11157072Abstract: A direct retinal projector may include a gaze tracking system that tracks position of a subject's pupil and automatically adjusts projection of a scanned light field so that the light field enters the pupil. A control loop adjusts a scanning mirror to substantially center an IR beam on a position sensing detector (PSD). In so doing, the scanning mirror is correctly positioned so that the scanned light field from the projector enters the subject's pupil. In addition, a direct retinal projector may include an adjustable focusing element that adjusts focus of a combined light beam generated by a projector as the light beam is scanned to an ellipsoid mirror that reflects the light beam to the subject's pupil. The focusing of the scanned beam may be adjusted as the beam is scanned across the azimuth angle of the curved ellipsoid mirror.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2017Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, James H. Foster, Alexander Shpunt