Patents Assigned to Apple, Inc.
  • 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: 20240106230
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses can detect whether an electrical cable between a source device and a sink device has become disconnected. The source device and/or the sink device can be compliant with a version of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, for example, USB 3.x. These systems, methods, and apparatuses can monitor peak voltage swings of data signals flowing between the source device and the sink device. The peak voltage swing of these data signals can be at a first value when the electrical cable is connected to the source device and the sink device or at a second value greater than the first value when the electrical cable is disconnected from the source device or the sink device. The peak voltage swing can switch from the first value to the second value in response to the electrical cable being disconnected from the source device or the sink device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Christine M. KRAUSE
  • 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: 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: 20240105639
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus for protecting interconnections between components and boards in an electronic device from damage resulting from a physical shock. This damage can occur due to differential tensile forces being applied between the component and the board during a drop or other shock event. An example can reduce or prevent damage by providing differential compression forces between the component and board that can cancel differential tensile forces between the component and board during the shock event. Another example can reduce or prevent damage by reducing differential tensile forces between a component and board. Another example can secure a component to the board to directly reduce the differential force in order to prevent damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Helia Rahmani, Stephane J. Marcadet, Scott J. Campbell, Zhiyong C. Xia, Stephen V. Jayanathan, Vineet Negi, Christian Kettenbeil
  • Publication number: 20240103588
    Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes a camera module having an optical axis. The portable electronic device also includes a display panel. The portable electronic device further includes a display printed circuit board (PCB) including a cutout centered around the optical axis. In addition, the portable electronic device includes a mounting bracket fixedly coupling the camera module to the display PCB. The portable electronic device includes a housing configured to retain the camera module, the display panel, the display PCB, and the mounting bracket therein. In some aspects, the mounting bracket may be fixedly attached to an interior surface within the portable electronic device and configured to maintain a position of the camera module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Noah D Bedard, Matthew T Craven, Brad G Boozer
  • Publication number: 20240106270
    Abstract: Inductive coil assemblies for wireless power transfer can be provided for an electronic device having a slot to receive an accessory and an accessory having an attachment region that is insertable into the slot. The inductive coil assembly of the device can extend along a sidewall of the slot. The inductive coil assembly of the accessory can extend along one side surface of the attachment region of the accessory. The opposite sidewall of the slot and side surface of the attachment region of the accessory can provide mechanical retention features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hiemstra, Zaki Moustafa, Zelin Xu
  • Publication number: 20240106137
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that can provide a robust and reliable connection to a board and have a small form factor. An example can provide connector receptacles that provide a robust and reliable connection to a board by providing contacts having highly planarized solder tails. The solder tails can be supported by extensions of housing portions to provide consistent placement and alignment, as well an amount of shock absorption. The solder tails can include chamfered surfaces to improve soldered connections to pads of a board. The chamfered surfaces can also enable a reduced pitch between solder tails thereby helping to provide a reduced form factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Jeon, Mahmoud R. Amini, Marc Soriano Baliarda, Tianrun Jiang
  • Publication number: 20240106011
    Abstract: Described are pre-lithiated anode active materials, lithium-ion electrochemical cells comprising pre-lithiated anode active materials, methods for preparing pre-lithiated anode active materials, and lithium-ion electrochemical cells comprising pre-lithiated anode active materials. The disclosed processes are useful for adapting various methods for manufacturing for lithium-ion electrochemical cells with modifications to achieve pre-lithiation. The pre-lithiation process used by some embodiments described herein include treating an incomplete lithium-ion cell structure with a lithiation redox agent prior to injecting electrolyte into the cell, using techniques similar to the electrolyte injection process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Hong, Shabab Amiruddin, Karthikeyan Kumaresan
  • 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: 20240107312
    Abstract: Techniques are described herein for reader initiated provisioning. An example method includes a device detecting a trigger to establish a connection with a second device. The device can receive a first input to verify an identity associated with the second computing device. The device receives from the second device, a first information item comprising identification information based at least in part on the first input. The device receives a comparison result from a server. The device receives a second input to provision a digital access asset onto the second device based on the comparison result. The device transmits, to the second device, the digital access asset based at least in part on the second input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Brudnicki, Christopher Sharp
  • Publication number: 20240106975
    Abstract: A system for collaborative video recording is described. The system may include a reference clock configured to track a reference time. The system may provide, to a plurality of recording devices, a synchronization code for a collaborative video recording session. The system may identify the plurality of recording devices as participants in the collaborative video recording session. The collaborative video recording session may include broadcasting one or more synchronization signals to synchronize the plurality of recording devices to the reference time tracked by the reference clock. The collaborative video recording session may include receiving a plurality of videos from the plurality of recording devices, wherein the plurality of videos comprise timestamps based on synchronization to the reference time. The collaborative video recording session may include generating a shared timeline for the plurality of videos, wherein the shared timeline synchronizes the timestamps between the plurality of videos.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K Molholm, Michael B Johnson, Michael C Tchao, Jeffrey A Wozniak, Vincent B Laforet, Pramod M Shantharam
  • Publication number: 20240103124
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for cross-polarization-based object detection and classification. One example includes a system implemented for cross-polarization-based object detection and classification. The system includes a first transmitter antenna configured for radiating a first millimeter wave electromagnetic signal, where the first millimeter wave electromagnetic signal including a first polarization. The system further includes a first receiver antenna configured for receiving a second millimeter wave electromagnetic signal, the second millimeter wave electromagnetic signal including a second polarization. The system further includes a processing circuitry configured to detect an object based at least in part on the second millimeter wave electromagnetic signal, the object being impacted by the first millimeter wave electromagnetic signal to cause the second millimeter wave electromagnetic signal to reflect off the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Mow, Jiaming Cui, Fanfan He, Joseph Hakim
  • Publication number: 20240103713
    Abstract: In some implementations, at least a partial view of a jog wheel user interface (UI) element is displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI). The jog wheel UI element is operable to manipulate one or more secondary elements. In response to a touch input for controlling the jog wheel UI element, a rotation of the jog wheel UI element is animated concurrently with manipulation of the secondary element(s). In some embodiments, the jog wheel UI element is rotated at an initial rotational speed based on the touch input, continues rotating after cessation of the touch input, and is reduced until it reaches zero. In one embodiment, a distance between the contact of the touch input and the jog wheel UI element is used to determine a degree of rotation of jog wheel UI element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fleischhauer, David Karp, Itrat U Khan, Kenneth C Meehan
  • Publication number: 20240107144
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for a camera module includes a transversal actuator for motion of an image sensor 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 shared magnet for operation of the transversal actuator for motion of the image sensor in the one or more directions orthogonal to the optical axis and for operation of the axial actuator for motion of the image sensor in one or more directions parallel to the optical axis. A portion of the transversal actuator and a portion of the axial actuator are configured to move with the image sensor. The shared magnet is static relative to motion of the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Vito Lisma, Hao Zheng
  • 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: 20240107500
    Abstract: Techniques are described herein for low power page scanning through identifier sensing. An example method includes a first computing device determining that an operation of a first core of the first computing device during a first duration corresponds to a paging message scan by a second core of the first computing device scheduled during a second duration. The first computing device can determine the operation of the first core prevents transmission of a paging message response for establishing a connection with a second computing device via a short range transmission protocol. The first computing device can determine a third duration for the paging message scan such that the operation of a first core does not prevent the transmission of the paging message response. The first computing device can cause the second core to scan for a paging message during the third duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xianbo Chen, David J. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20240102818
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can proactively determine a destination and request traffic information for routes from a starting location to the destination. In some implementations, a computing device can identify some routes between a starting location and a destination as non-recommended routes and recommend other routes. In some implementations, a computing device can rank routes between a starting location and a destination based on automatically-determined user interest. In some implementations, a computing device can determine a user is familiar with a route and adjust the information presented to the user about the route accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Coleman, Brian J. Andrich, Daniel R. Delling, Dennis Schieferdecker, Ethan T. Bold, Hengbin Luo, Michael Wegner, Rami Khawandi, Lili Cao, Hyo Jeong Shin, Richard B. Warren, Ronald K. Huang
  • Publication number: 20240103618
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for correcting the gaze direction and the origin (entrance pupil) in gaze tracking systems. During enrollment after an eye model is obtained, the pose of the eye when looking at a target prompt is determined. This information is used to estimate the true visual axis of the eye. The visual axis may then be used to correct the point of view (PoV) with respect to the display during use. If a clip-on lens is present, a corrected gaze axis may be calculated based on the known optical characteristics and pose of the clip-on lens. A clip-on corrected entrance pupil may then be estimated by firing two or more virtual rays through the clip-on lens to determine the intersection between the rays and the corrected gaze axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Julia Benndorf, Qichao Fan, Julian K. Shutzberg, Paul A. Lacey, Hua Gao
  • Publication number: 20240102711
    Abstract: The present application relates to techniques for operating a refrigerant climate control system in one of a plurality of operating modes. In an example process, sensor data is received. The sensor data may correspond to a current state of a refrigerant in a receiver of the refrigerant climate control system. The process may also include receiving an energy control signal requesting operation of the refrigerant climate control system. The process may also include determining an operating mode of the refrigerant climate control system based on a signal type of the energy control signal and the current state of the refrigerant in the receiver. The process may also include instructing the refrigerant climate control system to operate in the determined operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Gregorich