Patents Assigned to Apple Computers Inc.
  • Patent number: 5282270
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the location of an entity using an alias (or entity name) in a communication system. A second node or entity transmits a first signal to a first router connected to a first local network of the communication system including the alias, wherein the alias includes a zone name. The first router forwards a second signal including the entity name from the first signal to other routers in the network until a second router connected to nodes having the zone name in the entity name is located. Each second router translates the second signal into a third signal which includes the alias, and using a first zone multicast address, multicasts the third signal to a first set of nodes. Each node of the first set of nodes determines whether the zone name contained within the alias is equal to a zone identifier for each node of the first set of nodes. Each node having the zone name determines whether the alias contained within the third signal is equal to alias information for the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan B. Oppenheimer, Sean J. Findley, Gursharan S. Sidhu
  • Patent number: 5276531
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing high definition output images using an encoding scheme for differentiating between differing data types and context sensitive pixel modulation for dynamically shifting pixel growth direction during post-processing manipulation of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Kok Chen, Randall G. Guay
  • Patent number: 5275680
    Abstract: A method for bonding together liquid crystal cells using a transparent grease. The grease maintains a level of viscosity appropriate for physically bonding the cells while matching the indices of refraction of the cells or cell layers for proper optical coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Sirkin, Joseph J. Curry
  • Patent number: 5274763
    Abstract: A bi-directional data path apparatus coupled between a first bus and a second bus for allowing a plurality of data transfering devices contained on either one of the buses to transfer data to the devices contained on the other bus. The data path apparatus includes latching stations designed to receive data from the first and second buses. The data path apparatus includes a plurality of byte lanes interconnecting the byte latching stations. A control mechanism directs the transfer of data along specific byte lanes and in a specific temporal order depending on the databus size of the devices sending and receiving data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. (Jano) Banks
  • Patent number: 5274753
    Abstract: An arrangement for storing video and graphic information from video and graphics sources to be displayed on a computer output display including a single frame buffer having first and second separately addressable areas, the first of such areas being adapted to store pixel information, the second of such areas being adapted to store information regarding the type of information stored at each pixel of the first of such areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven G. Roskowski, Elizabeth A. Clough
  • Patent number: 5270688
    Abstract: A circuit for generating pixel values for an overlay for a bitmapped output display including apparatus for testing the color value of a background pixel, apparatus for setting the color value of the pixel of the overlay to a minimum value for the particular color if the color value of a background pixel is greater than a preselected value, and apparatus for setting the color value of the pixel of the overlay to a maximum value for the particular color if the color value of a background pixel is less than the preselected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: William Dawson, Dean Drako
  • Patent number: 5270837
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling intelligent post-processing of differing data types wherein different types of data are encoded with different sets of values such that a post-processing apparatus is able to recognize and delineate between the different types and perform post-processing procedures on only the appropriate type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Kok Chen, Randall G. Guay
  • Patent number: 5268669
    Abstract: A connector utilizing a number of electrical connectors wires equal to the number used to provide the static binary indications of the particular piece of equipment attached to the device, and further including diodes and direct connections between the electrical connectors arranged to provide a number of unique coded readouts when each of the individual ones of the electrical connectors are interrogated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven G. Roskowski
  • Patent number: 5269003
    Abstract: An arrangement for addressing a frame buffer memory including apparatus for selecting from the address bits designating a position in the frame buffer of a pixel to be displayed on an output display the bits indicating the word address of the pixel in a particular row of the frame buffer, apparatus for multiplying the word address by a fraction to provide a new word address, apparatus for recombining the new word address with the row address to provide a new address in the frame buffer for the information regarding the pixel to be displayed, and apparatus for controlling the storage of a data word describing the pixel beginning at a selected byte of the data word whereby the storage in the frame buffer of an unused portion of a data word describing the pixel may be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven G. Roskowski, Dean Drako
  • Patent number: 5268674
    Abstract: A mechanically latching button for a cursor control device such as a mouse or trackball is disclosed. The latching mechanism improves performance during dragging operations, while not affecting the button's rapid response needed for ordinary clicking. A first embodiment uses a stepped button. In a second embodiment, a sliding latch button is used. In a third embodiment, a push latch button is used. In a fourth embodiment, a snap action latch with a latch release button is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Howard, Roy J. Riccomini
  • Patent number: 5267334
    Abstract: A method of removing frame redundancy in a computer system for a sequence of moving images. The method comprises detecting a first scene change in the sequence of moving images and generating a first keyframe containing complete scene information for a first image. The first keyframe is known, in a preferred embodiment, as a "forward-facing" keyframe or intra frame, and it is normally present in CCITT compressed video data. The process then comprises generating at least one intermediate compressed frame, the at least one intermediate compressed frame containing difference information from the first image for at least one image following the first image in time in the sequence of moving images. In a preferred embodiment, this at least one frame is known as an inter frame. Finally, detecting a second scene change in the sequence of moving images and generating a second keyframe containing complete scene information for an image displayed at the time just prior to the second scene change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Normille, Chia L. Yeh, Daniel W. Wright, Ke-Chiang C. Chu
  • Patent number: 5264836
    Abstract: A method for controlling a three dimensional cursor's position on a display with a two dimensional control device by generating a translation signal to the display when the control device was moved in such a way as to indicate that the user intended a translation of the cursor and generating an elevation signal to the display when the control device was moved in such a way as to indicate that the user intended an elevation of the cursor. Analysis of the single movement alone, however, being only the first step in truly interpreting the user's intentions, the present invention also includes steps for preventing certain types of control device movements from being interpreted incorrectly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Rubin
  • Patent number: 5262778
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing signals indicative of X, Y, and Z parameter values onto a computer controlled display system having a computer and a display. A user activated input device is provided for sensing an input signal with an X value, a Y value and a Z value in the display system. The input device includes (i) a first electrically conductive sheet having a first terminal and a second terminal, (ii) a second electrically conductive sheet having a third terminal and a fourth terminal, and (iii) a separator separating the first conductive sheet and the second conductive sheet. The input signal is provided by applying a pressure at a location on the first conductive sheet of the input device. The first sheet contacts the second sheet at the location. The location on the first conductive sheet corresponds to the X position and the Y position of the input signal to the display system. The pressure at the location corresponds to the Z value of the input signal to the display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Saunders
  • Patent number: 5263138
    Abstract: An auxiliary busing arrangement for transferring real time data in a computer system including a plurality of conductors sufficient to transfer in parallel the bits of a data word and the control signals necessary to control the transfer; a plurality of components connected to utilize the busing arrangement, each of the components being assigned a unique priority number and being connected to one of the plurality of conductors used for one of the control signals; apparatus in each of the components for detecting the condition of the one of the plurality of conductors; apparatus for providing clock signals on another of the plurality of conductors used for one of the control signals; apparatus for providing a first condition on the one of the plurality of conductors; apparatus in each of the components for providing a second condition on the one of the plurality of conductors; apparatus in each of the components for terminating an attempt to access the busing arrangement in response to the detection of the sec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Wasserman, Steven Roskowski
  • Patent number: 5263134
    Abstract: A computer program provides for the display of window regions on a display screen whereby the content and size of one window region is controllable in two dimensions using means provided in another window region. A cursor device and a signal generation means is used to select the two-dimensional scrolling or resizing of a window region. Controls are also provided to move and terminate window regions. Upon termination, the configuration of window regions is saved on a data storage means for use when the window regions are re-displayed. Cursor movement can be restricted to the horizontal or vertical directions only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam F. Paal, William J. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 5261041
    Abstract: A computer system and method for the generation and manipulation of animated objects in a computer-controlled environment. The animated objects include state data and methods defining the behavior of the object. The animated objects also have an associated affect volume and affect agents. An interaction manager controls the interaction between objects as the animation sequence progresses. An animation sequence is controlled by a set of rules, state graphs, or scripts. The behavior of objects is modeled using a descriptive and a mathematical representation. Objects containing visual characteristics are rendered to a display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Galyn Susman
  • Patent number: 5261115
    Abstract: A multi-board computer system is described which comprises a main circuit board, a first circuit board having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and a second circuit board having a fifth surface. The main circuit board further includes means for generating a first board select signal to select the first circuit board and a second board select signal to select the second board. The first circuit board further includes a first input pin and a second input pin on the third surface, and a first output pin on the fourth surface. The first input pin corresponds to the first output pin. The first input pin is coupled to receive the first board select signal, and the second input pin is coupled to receive the second board select signal. The first circuit board is selected when it receives the first board select signal at the first input pin. The second circuit board further includes a third input pin. The third input pin is coupled to the first output pin of the first circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Saunders, Robert D. Alkire, Louis F. Roehrs
  • Patent number: D340922
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Barbera
  • Patent number: D342053
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Antonczak
  • Patent number: D342478
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Brunner, William P. Jackson, Ryosuke Akahane