Patents Assigned to Apple, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20240107433
    Abstract: The present application relates to apparatus, systems, and methods to provide a service based interface in wireless communication systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sudeep Manithara Vamanan, Alexander Sirotkin, Behrouz Aghili, Haijing Hu, Krisztian Kiss, Naveen Kumar R. Palle Venkata, Peng Cheng, Ralf Rossbach, Vivek G. Gupta, Yuqin Chen, Zhibin Wu
  • Publication number: 20240103352
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a camera module having an optical axis and a set of one or more lenses centered along the optical axis. The electronic device also includes a display panel including an enhanced light transmission region. The enhanced light transmission region permits a greater amount of light to pass therethrough compared to at least one other region of the display panel. The electronic device further includes a display printed circuit board (PCB). In addition, the electronic device includes an aperture stop positioned between the set of one or more lenses and the display panel. The electronic device includes a transparent cover positioned over the display panel on an opposite side of the display panel from the display PCB. The electronic device also includes a housing configured to retain the camera module, the display panel, the display PCB, and the aperture stop therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Noah D Bedard, Yoshikazu Shinohara, Ryan J Dunn
  • Publication number: 20240104814
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for using electronic diffusers to implement message indicators are described. A segment of a diffuser attached to an electronic device is configured to indicate an informational message in response to signals that result in a change to an optical property. A set of information to be displayed using the segment is determined, and a signal is transmitted to the segment to display the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Armstrong-Muntner
  • Publication number: 20240103840
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system and method for secure delivery of assets to a trusted device. Multiple levels of verification are implemented to enable components of a software update and asset delivery system to verify other components within the system. Furthermore, updates are provided only to client devices that are authorized to receive such updates. In one embodiment, the specific assets provided to a client device during a software update can be tailored to the client device, such that individual client devices can receive updated versions of software asset at a faster or slower rate than mass market devices. For example, developer or beta tester devices can receive pre-release assets, while enterprise devices can receive updates at a slower rate relative to mass market devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dallas B. De Atley, Bailey E. Basile, Venkat V. Memula, Thomas P. Mensch, Robert M. Marini, David P. Remahl, Kelsey J. Skillman, Edward E. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20240103952
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device including an initiator, a target, a communication bus coupling the initiator to the target over a channel, a functional circuit, and an error logger circuit. The functional circuit is coupled to the channel and can perform a function associated with a transaction request from the initiator to the target. The functional circuit can include an error detection circuit to detect an error associated with the function performed by the functional circuit and to generate an error indicator signal to indicate that the error has been detected. The error logger circuit can be coupled to the functional circuit, in which the error logger circuit is configured to receive the error indicator signal from the error detection circuit and store information about the error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Soeren SONNTAG, Vanja RADOS, Constantin Daniel CIORTESCU, Mirko SAUERMANN, Matthias HEINK
  • Publication number: 20240105046
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable performance of a lens distance test in head-mounted displays (HMDs) to determine the distance between a user's eye and a lens of the HMD (e.g. the display lens in a virtual or augmented reality device). In embodiments, the HMD is configured to determine a current pose of the eye based on a series of captured eye images. The pose information is used to determine the distance from the apex of the cornea to a closest point on the lens. If the determined distance is too small or too large, an alert or notification is generated instructing to adjust the HMD or change the light seal to achieve better distancing, in order to reduce the risk of eye injury and/or improve user experience. In embodiments, the lens distance test may be repeated during a user session to reevaluate and/or monitor the lens distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Yin Tsai, Kai Benjamin Quack, Hua Gao, Tom Sengelaub, Alper Yildirim
  • Publication number: 20240106161
    Abstract: Connector structures that can help to reduce corrosion of contacts in a connector receptacle and can reduce liquid ingress into an electronic device that houses the connector receptacle. An example can increase an effective width between adjacent contacts. This and other examples can force dendritic growth to occur in a location where it can be at least partially cleared by the insertion of a corresponding connector into the connector receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Eric B. Wankoff, Nikhil S. Pansare, Ibuki Kamei, Samira Chizari, Peter J. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20240104691
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to an image processing circuit able to perform image fusion on received images in at least a first mode for fusing demosaiced and downscaled image data, and a second mode for fusing raw image data. Raw image data is received from an image sensor in Bayer RGB format. In the first mode, the raw image data is demosaiced and resampled prior to undergoing image fusion. On the other hand, in the second raw image mode, the image processing circuit performs image fusion on the raw Bayer image data, and demosaics and resamples the generated fused raw Bayer image. This may ensure a cleaner image signal for image fusion, but consumes more memory. The image processing circuit is configured to support both modes of operation, allowing for fused images to be generated to satisfy the requirements of different applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Maxim SMIRNOV, David R. POPE
  • Publication number: 20240106158
    Abstract: Connector receptacles and connector receptacle interfaces that can detect a connection to a corresponding connector insert, can detect liquid in the connector receptacle, and can limit damage to the connector receptacle caused by the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric B. Wankoff, Peter J. Cameron, Mahmoud R. Amini, Daren L. Rimando, Sotirios Lyrintzis, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Adam H. Herzog, Mohammed Nasser Khamis Al Jashmi, George Tziviskos, Aaron N. Miletich, Collin Greene, Jason S. Sloey, Sydney Puckett
  • Publication number: 20240104967
    Abstract: A personalized eye model is used to generate synthetic gaze features at ground-truth eye poses Gg. Corresponding synthetic gaze poses Gs are estimated from the synthetic gaze features using an average eye model. A linear regression is applied between Gg and Gs to generate a gaze correction function. The gaze correction function represents differences between the synthetic gaze Gs of the subject eye at the display and that of the average eye model Gg at the display, but does not contain security- or privacy-sensitive information. Further, the personalized eye model cannot be recovered from the gaze correction function, and thus the gaze correction function can be stored unencrypted and available for use during a cold boot of a device prior to login. On a cold boot of the device, the gaze correction function may be accessed and used with an average eye model to improve gaze-based interactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Rene Heideklang, Hua Gao, Hao Qin, Tom Sengelaub
  • Publication number: 20240103905
    Abstract: Techniques are described herein for effectuating a transaction by an intermediary. An example method can include instructing a device to monitor a status of a first item, and to transmit a first request for a target item based at least in part on the status of the first item, the target item being a same item type as the first item. Receiving, by the from the device, the first request for the target item. Determining a first source device of a plurality of source devices to which to transmit a second request for the target item. Transmitting, to the first source device of the plurality of source devices, the second request for the target item based at least in part on the determination. Receiving a confirmation of the second request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed M. Soliman, Ayman F. Naguib
  • Publication number: 20240104778
    Abstract: Methods for performing a camera calibration process for outward-facing cameras on devices such as head-mounted display devices are disclosed. Using cameras with overlapping fields of view, relative rotational parameters of the cameras with respect to one another may be determined using an optimization technique such as a two-view bundle adjustment algorithm. A statistical analysis of the relative rotational parameters of the cameras, determined for a plurality of moments in time, may then be made to provide updated relative rotational parameters for recalibration of the cameras. A camera calibration process, such as those disclosed, may not depend on tracking points of interest over multiple moments in time, but rather on a convergence of the relative rotational parameters determined for respective moments in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tianheng Wang, Stergios Roumeliotis, Shuntaro Yamazaki, Oleg Naroditsky
  • Publication number: 20240103916
    Abstract: Techniques are described herein for effectuating a transaction by an intermediary. An example method can include receiving, from a second user device, a first request for a target item, the second user device being associated with the target item. A second request for first information associated with the target item can be transmitted to a third device based at least in part on the first request. The first information associated with the target item can be received from the third device, the first information including a first parameter describing the target item. The first parameter can be compared with a threshold parameter. A third request can be transmitted to the third device associated with the target item, a third request for the target item. A confirmation of the third request can be received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed M. Soliman, Ayman F. Naguib
  • Publication number: 20240104958
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing eye model matching in a device are disclosed. When a user activates a device and the presence of the user's eye is detected, an image of the user's eye is captured. An eye model matching process is then implemented to determine a stored eye model (e.g., an eye model stored after enrollment of the eye on the device) that best matches the eye in the captured image. Determination of the best matching eye model may be based on matching between properties of the user's eye in the captured image (such as cornea and pupil features) and properties of the user's eye determined by the eye model. The best matching eye model may then be implemented in, for example, an eye gaze tracking process. In certain instances, the best matching eye model satisfies a threshold for matching before being implemented in the downstream process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Qin, Hua Gao, Tom Sengelaub, Jie Zhong
  • Publication number: 20240107291
    Abstract: The present application relates to controlling the use of edge-anchored indications for a UE. In an example, a UE can communicate with an edge entity via a network. The network can determine based on one or a combination of UE authorization or AF authorization whether the related traffic is to be edge-anchored or not. Edge anchoring the traffic can help avoid the UE switching the traffic to an alternate network that may be available to the UE. The network can send an edge-anchored indication to the UE accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Sudeep Manithara Vamanan
  • Publication number: 20240107247
    Abstract: Examples can provide circuits, methods, and apparatus that can determine a quality of a seal formed using an audio device, can inform a user of the quality of the seal, and can help the user to improve the quality of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Publication number: 20240107167
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for a camera module is provided. The actuator assembly includes a transversal actuator for motion of an image sensor of the camera module in one or more directions orthogonal to an optical axis of the camera module. The actuator assembly also includes an axial actuator for motion of the image sensor in one or more directions parallel to the optical axis of the camera module. The actuator assembly further includes a carrier retaining a portion of the transversal actuator and a portion of the axial actuator. The carrier moves with the image sensor in the one or more directions orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module and is static relative to motion of the image sensor in the one or more directions parallel to the optical axis of the camera module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Seyed Mohammad Javid Mahmoudzadeh, Aurelien R Hubert
  • Publication number: 20240106899
    Abstract: When a mobile device comes within a proximity of one or more accessories, the one or more accessories can generate an indication for sending to the mobile device. The indication can be based on a state of the one or more accessories and can include state information. The indication can be used to communicate state information about the one or more accessories to the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Johnson, Amber N. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20240107498
    Abstract: Techniques are described herein for smart page scanning through identifier sensing, An example method includes a first core receiving, by a first core of a first computing device, a first paging message from a second device at a first duration. The first computing device can determine that a second core of the first computing device is performing an operation that prevents completion of a paging process. The first computing device can determine a second duration for a second paging message based at least in part on determining that the second core is performing the operation. The first computing device can cause the second core to scan for the second paging message from the second computing device at the second duration. The second core can receive the second paging message at the second duration. The second core can transmit a paging response for establishing the connection with the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xianbo Chen, David J. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20240107249
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a structure with a substrate, an electronic device, and a molding compound layer. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, where the substrate includes a first opening. The electronic device is disposed on the first surface of the substrate and includes a second opening aligned with the first opening of the substrate. Further, the molding compound layer is disposed on the second surface of the substrate and includes a third opening aligned with the second opening of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kyusang KIM, Ali N. Ergun, Anthony D. Minervini, Bilal Mohamed Ibrahim Kani, Kishore N. Renjan