Patents Assigned to Apple Computer, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140141655
    Abstract: An improved electronic audio receptacle connector employs contacts that have multiple points of contact with a mating audio plug. The contacts each have multiple segments, each segment having a plurality of transverse fingers that interface with a conductive portion of the audio plug. The multiple points of contact improve the reliability of the receptacle connector. The housing of the receptacle connector may be made of two portions mated along an interface. The two portions may have features along the interface to impede moisture ingression and to interlock them together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Trent K. Do
  • Publication number: 20130210261
    Abstract: An improved retention mechanism having corresponding retention features is provided herein. The mechanism may include a pair of spring arm retention features in a connector receptacle engageable with a corresponding pair of recessed retention features in a connector tab and backup spring members for reducing stress within the spring arms during insertion of the tab and/or lubricating members for lubricating the retention mechanism. The backup spring is positioned adjacent an outer-facing surface or extends laterally outward from the spring arms so that deflection of the spring arms displaces the backup spring reducing stresses within each arm and/or increasing the retention force on the. The backup spring may include any or all of a bent portion of an bracket or arm, a wire, a loop, a complementary spring arm, dual backup springs, elastomeric members, compression springs and lubricating members. Methods of use and assembly such retention mechanisms are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Computer Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130191730
    Abstract: This is directed to a preview application for displaying several documents simultaneously in a single window, where the several documents are displayed as books. To view the pages of a document, the preview application can open the book and display the pages of the document (e.g., in a one or two-dimensional array). A user can also search for particular terms within the several documents. In response to a search, the preview application can filter the pages of the several documents and only display those pages that include the search terms. The displayed pages can be ordered in any suitable manner, including for example by search rank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Computer Inc.
  • Publication number: 20120235949
    Abstract: A system including a capacitive array element capable of sensing touch from either side is described. A connected processor unit, either in the device or the host system, may be adapted to interpret signals from the capacitive array element as a cursor or view movement with six degrees of freedom. The track pad device may include a display element and the capacitive array element may be translucent. The display element and the array element may be configured with respect to each other, where different configurations can be associated with different operating modes. For example, when the array element lies over the display screen so that the display screen is viewable through the array element, the array element can function as a touch screen. In another configuration, the array element may generate signals indicating a user's touch from one or the other or both sides of the array element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE COMPUTER, INC.
    Inventor: CHRIS A. LIGTENBERG
  • Publication number: 20120210022
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing data requests from multiple requestors. According to one implementation, when a new data request is received, a determination is made as to whether a companion relationship should be established between the new data request and an existing data request. Such a companion relationship may be appropriate under certain conditions. If a companion relationship is established between the new data request and an existing data request, then when data is returned for one request, it is used to satisfy the other request as well. This helps to reduce the number of data accesses that need to be made to a data storage, which in turn enables system efficiency to be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: ALEXANDER B. BEAMAN
  • Publication number: 20110202674
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the dynamic adjustments of video streams sent from a server to a client is provided. Using both short term and long term thinning mechanisms, the server reduces its data transfer rate when bandwidth is reduced and increases its data transfer rate when bandwidth is available. In the short term mechanism, the server will dynamically adjust the transmission rate of the video or the quality of the video based on parameters returned by the client. These parameters include currently-buffered data-size, buffered-data duration, and packet loss rate. In the long term mechanism, the server will adjust the current maximum quality level allowed depending upon the round trip times of data packets transmitted. This invention decreases client rebuffering and packet loss and increases the efficiency of available bandwidth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: George P. Su, John K. Murata
  • Patent number: 7962637
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the dynamic adjustments of video streams sent from a server to a client is provided. Using both short term and long term thinning mechanisms, the server reduces its data transfer rate when bandwidth is reduced and increases its data transfer rate when bandwidth is available. In the short term mechanism, the server will dynamically adjust the transmission rate of the video or the quality of the video based on parameters returned by the client. These parameters include currently-buffered data-size, buffered-data duration, and packet loss rate. In the long term mechanism, the server will adjust the current maximum quality level allowed depending upon the round trip times of data packets transmitted. This invention decreases client rebuffering and packet loss and increases the efficiency of available bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: George P. Su, John K. Murata
  • Patent number: 7831727
    Abstract: Audio files and video files are selected for playback. One or more unassociated video items are selected for presentation during a playback of a selected audio file and presented during the playback of the selected audio file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Brodersen, Rachel Clare Goldeen, Jeffrey Ma, Mihnea Calin Pacurariu, Eric Taylor Seymour, Thomas Michael Madden
  • Publication number: 20100277007
    Abstract: A power adapter for a peripheral device such as portable electronics device is disclosed. The power adapter includes a housing that contains electrical components associated with the power adapter. The power adapter also includes a data port provided at a surface of the housing. The data port is configured to provide external power to the peripheral device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele DeIuliis, Andrew Bert Hodge, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Stanley Carl Ng, Eric W. Anderson, Anthony M. Fadell
  • Publication number: 20090307282
    Abstract: A merge method includes determining whether a source item in a source file directory is a file or a subdirectory. If the source item is a file, any conflicting items in a destination file directory are deleted and the file is moved from the source file directory to the destination file directory without copying the file. If the source item is a subdirectory that has no corresponding destination subdirectory in the destination file directory, the subdirectory is moved from the source file directory to the destination file directory without copying the subdirectory. If the source item is a subdirectory that does have a corresponding destination subdirectory, the merge method is repeated for each item of the source subdirectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Chang
  • Publication number: 20090307477
    Abstract: An indication is received from a user to initiate installation of an operating system onto a storage device of a computer. The storage device is partitioned into an original partition and a new partition. Installation software for the operating system is loaded onto the new partition. The computer is booted into the installation software on the new partition. The operating system is installed onto the original partition via the installation software on the new partition. The computer is then re-booted into the operating system on the original partition and the new partition is removed from the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack R. Matthew, John R. Chang
  • Publication number: 20090182924
    Abstract: A method for a portable media player to control power provided an accessory is disclosed. The method includes requesting information about the power capabilities of the accessory by the portable media player. The method further includes providing information about the power capabilities of the accessory by the accessory to the portable media player, and utilizing the information to set the power of the accessory. A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a portable media player to obtain information from an accessory concerning its power requirements. A portable media player can then utilize the power requirements information to allow for the powering of the accessory when connected to the portable media player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lydon, Scott Krueger, Donald J. Novotney, John B. Filson, David Tupman
  • Publication number: 20090168898
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a coding system that codes data according to a pair of coding chains. A first coding chain generates coded video data that can be decoded by itself to represent a source video sequence of a small size, such as a size sufficient to support the real time playback and display features of a video editing application. The second coding chain generates coded video data representing supplementary data, which when decoded in conjunction with the coded video data of the first coding chain, yields the source video sequence for full-size display. The output of the first coding chain may be stored in memory in a file structure that can be accessed independently of the second chain's output and, therefore, it facilitates real time decoding and playback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: APPLE COMPUTER, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Kent WALLACE, Haitao GUO, Mitchell Howard OSLICK
  • Publication number: 20090169124
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a coding system that codes data according to a pair of coding chains. A first coding chain generates coded video data that can be decoded by itself to represent a source video sequence of a small size, such as a size sufficient to support the real time playback and display features of a video editing application. The second coding chain generates coded video data representing supplementary data, which when decoded in conjunction with the coded video data of the first coding chain, yields the source video sequence for full-size display. The output of the first coding chain may be stored in memory in a file structure that can be accessed independently of the second chain's output and, therefore, it facilitates real time decoding and playback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: APPLE COMPUTER, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Kent WALLACE, Haitao GUO, Mitchell Howard OSLICK
  • Publication number: 20090073005
    Abstract: Techniques for encoding data based at least in part upon an awareness of the decoding complexity of the encoded data and the ability of a target decoder to decode the encoded data are disclosed. In some embodiments, a set of data is encoded based at least in part upon a state of a target decoder to which the encoded set of data is to be provided. In some embodiments, a set of data is encoded based at least in part upon the states of multiple decoders to which the encoded set of data is to be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: APPLE COMPUTER, INC.
    Inventors: Jim NORMILE, Thomas PUN, Xiaojin SHI, Xin TONG, Hsi-Jung WU
  • Publication number: 20090044128
    Abstract: An original content item and a first derivative content item are stored in a storage, the derivative content item being associated with the original content item. A request is received from a remote device, the request including information about the remote device and an identifier associated with the original content item. The first derivative content item is provided to the remote device upon determining that the remote device has a property that does not match a corresponding property of the original content item, and a second derivative content item that is a derivative of the original content item is generated, the second derivative content item having a property that matches a corresponding property of the remote device. The second derivative content item is provided to the remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Baumgarten, Christopher Brooke Sharp
  • Publication number: 20080306927
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing an index are described. Searches are scope checked more efficiently using a forward lookup process based on the size of the requested search scope. In addition, an index is partitioned into separate stores based on a search scope that is learned based on where the user commonly conducts searches. As an example, a separate store may be created for a user's home directory should the user be conducting most of his or her searches in that directory. In addition to limiting the size of the index, during retrieval, intelligent index partitioning avoids the need to scope check a common search location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: John Martin Hoernkvist
  • Publication number: 20080229335
    Abstract: A network media device is described that pulls multimedia data from one or more sources (e.g., a multimedia website or a multimedia server computer) at a first time, stores it to long-term storage within the device and transmits the stored multimedia data to one or more designated multimedia playback devices at a second time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: APPLE COMPUTER, INC.
    Inventors: JEFFREY L. ROBBIN, DAVID HELLER
  • Publication number: 20080181298
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods whereby coded bitstreams are delivered to downstream end-user devices having various performance capabilities. A head-end encoder/video store generates a primary coded bitstream and metadata for delivery to an intermediate re-encoding system. The re-encoding system recodes the primary coded bitstream to generate secondary coded bitstreams based on coding parameters in the metadata. Each secondary coded bitstream is matched to a conformance point of a downstream end-user device. Coding parameters for each conformance point can be derived from the head-end encoder encoding original source video to generate the secondary coded bitstreams and extracting information from the coding process/results. The metadata can then can be communicated as part of the primary coded bitstream (e.g., as SEI) or can be communicated separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: APPLE COMPUTER, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaojin Shi, Hsi-Jung Wu, James Oliver Normile
  • Patent number: D592222
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Imran A. Chaudhri