Patents Assigned to Apple Computers Inc.
  • Patent number: 5459825
    Abstract: A system for updating the location of elements in a computer display, upon a change in the size and/or configuration of the display, maintains user preferences regarding the appearance of elements. As a first step, user designated locations for individual elements, such as icons, are stored in a database for each different display configuration. Upon changing the display from one configuration to another, the elements are positioned in accordance with the information stored in the database. In a second aspect of the system, each of the original and new displays are divided into corresponding sectors. All objects located within a sector of the original display are placed in the same position in the corresponding sector of the new display. With this system, the groupings of objects and overall display appearance are maintained upon changing from one display configuration to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Anderson, Ian Hendry, Konstantin Othmer
  • Patent number: 5456542
    Abstract: An integrated adjustable data entry keyboard. A divided keyboard arrangement comprises first key field and second key fields pivotably mounted upon a stationary base. The first and second key fields substantially comprise a keyboard arrangement. A space bar is separately attached to the base and occupies a lower keyboard region centrally disposed between the first and second key fields. The space bar is enlarged so as to remain within the radius of a user's thumb's "strike zone" when a user adjusts the first and second key fields. A synchronizing coupling means may be employed to ensure complimentary movement of the first key field relative to the second key field and thereby relative to the user's hands and wrists, even if only one of the individual key fields is pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Welch, Stephen Peart, Matthew Herron, David Shen, Ray Riley, Andrew L. Carter, Robert A. Howard, Dexter Francis, David Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5457476
    Abstract: The method of the present invention includes the steps of executing a process to support a number of temporal-based functions and activating at least one of these temporal-based functions. Temporal-based functions of the present invention include a scheduler, to-do list, and a note function. Temporal-based entries can then be moved within and/or between the temporal-based functions. Further, temporal-based entries can be edited for each temporal-based function. Moving temporal-based entries involves the selection of an entry with a pointer mechanism, dragging the entry to a new location, releasing the entry at the new location, and updating a database to reflect the entry's change in position. Editing an entry involves direct editing of an entry, editing through an editing window, or editing of a duration bar associated with an entry. Data entered into a scheduling field of the scheduler function is processed according to its placement within the scheduling field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott A. Jenson
  • Patent number: 5457683
    Abstract: A protocol for use in a system including a first node, a second node and, in some instances, a third node, each of the first, second and third nodes coupled to each other of the first, second and third nodes by means of a point to point packet-based communication system defines transactions for transferring variable amounts of data from one node to another. A GET transaction allows an instigator node to send a packet to a partner node. The packet specifies data length, and an address in the partner node's resource. The partner node returns a packet to the instigator node, the packet containing the data. A PUT transaction similarly allows an instigator node to send a packet specifying a response port identifier, a data length and an address in a partner node's resource to which data is to be written. The partner returns a packet containing the response port identifier and a data port identifier. The instigator node includes the data port identifier in a packet containing the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Robins
  • Patent number: 5455858
    Abstract: A method for automatically composing a telephone dialing string for a telecommunication device having a processor, storage, and a connection to an external telephone system, by storing configuration information for a current location of the telecommunication device in fields for local country code and local area code; by storing configuration information for dialing prefixes for a current external telephone system connected to the telecommunication device in fields for a prefix for a local call, prefix for a long distance call, and prefix for an international call; and by storing a desired telephone number in fields for a desired country code, a desired area code, and a desired telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee M. Lin
  • Patent number: 5455467
    Abstract: A computer that can be electrically coupled to an adapter with wireless inductive connectors. The adapter has a first primary inductive connector that provides power and a second secondary inductive connector that receives digital signals. The computer has a first secondary inductive connector that can receive power and a second primary inductive connector that provides digital signals. The connectors are located within the adapter and computer, so that when the computer is placed adjacent to the adapter, the inductive connectors became electrically coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Young, Mike Cheponis
  • Patent number: 5452414
    Abstract: A manipulable icon is displayed with multiple faces having particular application to computer displays and systems. The icon, which represents information about an object available within the computer, can be manipulated by the user to display different faces or views which provide additional information about the object represented by the icon. The user has the ability to manipulate the icon to see additional views of the icon on the computer display device, either by a mouse stroke selection command, keyboard command or menu selection. This selection causes the icon to move from one view or face of the icon to another view or face of the icon. These additional views thus provide additional space in which the icon can supply additional information to the user. Iconic movement from one face or view to another is also typically accompanied by some sound which indicates execution of the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristee Rosendahl, S. Joy Mountford, Kurt J. Schmucker
  • Patent number: 5452371
    Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing shapes characterized by a stroke grouper receptive to a plurality of strokes formed on a screen of a pen-based computer system; a shape recognition engine receptive to a stroke group produced by the stroke grouper; and a knowledge base coupled to the shape recognition engine, where the knowledge base includes, at a minimum, knowledge concerning closed polygons and closed curves. Preferably, the closed curves of the knowledge base include both circles and ellipses. A method for recognizing digitized shapes in a computer system includes the steps of receiving at least one user-initiated stroke; grouping the user-initiated stroke with related strokes to form a stroke group; and analyzing the stroke group to make a best-guess shape represented by the stroke group. Preferably, the method also looks for other shapes which are related to the best-guess shape and modifying at least one of the location, size, or shape of the best-guess shape to conform with the other shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Radmilo Bozinovic, Giulia Pagallo
  • Patent number: 5452358
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the security of an electronic codebook encryption scheme comprises a transmitter unit for encoding or encrypting data and a separate authorized receiver for decoding or decrypting data. Both the transmitter and receiver share a common secret key that has been communicated through a separate channel.The transmitter includes a Mapping Table (MTable) that comprises a table of functions, where a first series of incrementally numbered expressions are equated with a second series of randomly generated numbers. The plaintext is input into the transmitter and applied to the MTable to provide ciphertext. The PN generator supplies a unique random sequence of binary digits. The ciphertext byte and random number byte associated with each byte of plaintext data are exchanged to change the relationships within the MTable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Normile, Ke-Chiang Chu
  • Patent number: 5452456
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for switching between execution of a plurality of object code types having different conventions for invoking program procedures and performing stack manipulations. The invention may also be used to switch between different calling conventions within a single object code type. Briefly according to the invention, a computer system comprises a routine descriptor, a stack switch frame, a mode switching mechanism for switching from a first processor, code or calling convention type to a second processor, code or calling convention type and means for executing instructions in various code type codes. A routine descriptor describes a program or code segment and its code type and calling conventions. A routine descriptor contains, among other information, a "mixed mode" field which is set to a specific, predetermined value such as a value indicating an instruction which is not legal in the runtime environment of a first processor, code or calling convention type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Charles D. Mourey, Sean R. Parent, Bruce K. Jones, Alan W. Lillich, Erik L. Eidt, Eric P. Traut
  • Patent number: 5451981
    Abstract: A method of eliminating frame tears from the output display in a computer system including the steps of determining a safe region for furnishing data to a frame buffer, selecting a value of a first interrupt to signal the beginning of the safe region, determining the position of the scan from the frame buffer, comparing the value of the position of the scan from the frame buffer and the value of the first interrupt, and transferring information to the frame buffer only in response to the interrupt indicating a safe region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Drako, Steven Roskowski
  • Patent number: 5450540
    Abstract: A graphical interface for visually specifying the behavior of combinations of finite-state and continuous-state actors. The state of an actor may be controlled by the states of other actors. The motion of continuous-state actors is constrained by functions represented as, and analogous to, grooves, sockets, pins, glue, springs, and boxes. These functions may be represented graphically on the actor so that the system of constraints is readily ascertainable to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Spohrer, Tyde B. Richards, David P. Vronay, Adam M. Chipkin, Ruben J. Kleiman, Mark L. Miller
  • Patent number: 5450539
    Abstract: A method for dynamically displaying a button on a monitor of a computer system having a graphical user interface is described. First, it is determined whether a mouse pointer is within an area of the monitor displaying text associated with a button, called a "selectable area." While the mouse pointer is within the selectable area, the button is displayed about the text without obscuring the text. Finally, if the user selects the button by clicking on the button while the button is displayed, a function associated with the text is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Ira L. Ruben
  • Patent number: 5450222
    Abstract: A method for connecting liquid crystal shutters. Multiple flat panel display cells each having opposed active and common substrates are fixed in overlapping relation to one another with each of the active and common substrates having multiple electrodes defined thereon. Multiple heat seal connectors are provided each having conductive paths defined thereon. Each heat seal connector is connected to one of the active and common substrates. Multiple ones of the heat seal connectors are connected to the same printed circuit, which may have a terminating header connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric R. Sirkin
  • Patent number: 5448735
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of grouping tasks for execution by a processor, such as a digital signal processor. At least one task datum, is created the task datum including an identifier of a first task, and a reference to a next task datum. The task datum is placed into a task list which may contain references to any number of tasks. A reference is created to a first module datum in the task datum, the first module datum representing a first executable module of the first task. The first module datum is linked with any number of modules having functions related to the first executable module. By grouping the related modules which form a task together, error conditions, and data for each of the tasks and modules may be handled more efficiently. Modules may reference common storage areas they require so that unnecessary loading/saving of data in those common storage areas may be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Anderson, Hugh B. Svendsen
  • Patent number: 5446833
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rendering textured spheres and spherical environment maps. The method of the present invention provides for real time rotation of a textured sphere and panning of the view into a spherical environment map, along multiple axes without the need for special rendering hardware. A two-level indexing scheme for accessing pixel data in a texture map, is used to identify shading values for pixels in a display window. The two-level indexing scheme is comprised of a screen look-up table and a parametric look-up table. The screen look-up table has the dimensions of the display window, whereas the parametric look-up table has the dimensions of the parametric spherical environment map (wherein the pixel addresses are rotated 90 degrees from the origin).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin S. P. Miller, Shenchang E. Chen
  • Patent number: 5446882
    Abstract: A method for managing a computerized database characterized by the steps of: a) providing a collection of view styles including a card view and a list view; b) selecting an initial view from the collection of view styles; c) determining an initial record index; d) deriving information from at least one record of a computerized database indicated by the record index; e) displaying the information in the selected view style; f) detecting a user input indicating a view style, an index selection, or both; and g) repeating steps d, e, and f in response to the detected user input. The method also includes displaying a card area on a screen of a pen-based computer system which depicts structured information concerning an entity, and displaying a free-form area on the screen depicting unstructured information concerning the entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Capps, Benjamin W. Sharpe, Gregg S. Foster
  • Patent number: D361756
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Calvin Seid, Tim Parsey, James C. Meschter
  • Patent number: D363269
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kenneth D. Wood
  • Patent number: D363287
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Laituri