Patents Assigned to Apple
  • Patent number: 11997809
    Abstract: This is directed to systems and methods for coupling sections of an electronic device together. Sections of an electronic device can be coupled together via “knuckles.” The particular shape and structure of the knuckles can be based on various design considerations. For example, in some embodiments each section can function as an individual antenna. In this case, the knuckles can be designed in order to provide electrical isolation between the sections, thus allowing proper operation of the antennas. For example, the knuckles can be formed from a dielectric material, etc. As another design example, the knuckles can be designed in order to provide increased strength in areas of high strain, and/or to counteract torsional twisting in areas of high impact. As yet another design example, the knuckle can be designed in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing or which otherwise meets cosmetic requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Merz, Daniel Jarvis
  • Patent number: 11995929
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to support scheduled access control for an electronic lock are described herein. An initiating central wireless device obtains an ephemeral identity resolving key (IRK) to use in resolving an ephemeral resolvable private address (RPA) of a peripheral wireless device. The initiating central wireless device can subsequently connect securely to the peripheral wireless device in order to unlock an electronic lock controlled by the peripheral wireless device to gain access during a scheduled time period. The ephemeral IRK and ephemeral RPA can be used for a limited period of time and/or for a predetermined number of usages during the scheduled time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lochan Verma, Arun Yadav, Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Ayman F. Naguib, Su Khiong Yong, Yann Ly-Gagnon
  • Patent number: 11992337
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device including a housing that is worn by a user and a SMI sensor contained within the housing. The SMI sensor may include an emitter that outputs coherent light toward the skin of a user when the housing is worn by the user. The SMI sensor may also include a detector that detects a portion of the coherent light reflected towards the sensor and generates electrical signals that indicate displacements of the skin based on the portion of coherent light received at the detector. The housing may include a transmitter that is operatively coupled with the SMI sensor and is configured to transmit physiological data to a receiving device based on electrical signals output from the SMI sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmet Fatih Cihan, Adrian Z. Harb, Mehmet Mutlu, Mengshu Huang, Stephen E. Dey, Yuhao Pan
  • Patent number: 11997595
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for performing application context aware cell selection in a wireless communication system. A wireless device may determine a current location of the wireless device. The wireless device may determine cells associated with the current location of the wireless device. Application context based metric information may be determined for the cells associated with the current location of the wireless device. The wireless device may determine a cell with which to associate from the cells associated with the current location of the wireless device based at least in part on the application context based metric information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gencer Cili, Rawad Rahme, Mahak Goindani, Nabil Akdim, Enis Simsar
  • Patent number: 11996767
    Abstract: A method of adaptively controlling dead time between turn off of a first switching device of an inverter and turn on of a second switching device of the inverter that is a counterpart of the first switching device can include: monitoring a plurality of switching events of at least one of the first and second switching devices, storing for each monitored switching event an indication whether a dead time associated therewith permitted optimal switching, and adaptively controlling the dead time responsive to the stored indications. Monitoring a plurality of switching events of at least one of the first and second switching devices can further include sampling an output voltage of the inverter and comparing the sampled output voltage to one of a high reference voltage corresponding to a high inverter rail voltage and a low reference voltage corresponding to a low inverter rail voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Weihong Qiu, Jun Liu, Jizhen Fu, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Patent number: 11994906
    Abstract: Flexible electronic devices may be provided. A flexible electronic device may include a flexible display, a flexible housing and one or more flexible internal components configured to allow the flexible electronic device to be deformed. Flexible displays may include flexible display layers, flexible touch-sensitive layers, and flexible display cover layers. The flexible housing may be a multi-stable flexible housing having one or more stable positions. The flexible housing may include a configurable support structure that, when engaged, provides a rigid support structure for the flexible housing. The flexible internal components may include flexible batteries, flexible printed circuits or other flexible components. A flexible battery may include flexible and rigid portions or may include a lubricious separator layer that provides flexibility for the flexible battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Scott A. Myers, Benjamin M. Rappoport, Stephen Brian Lynch, John P. Ternus, Justin R. Wodrich
  • Patent number: 11997581
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to enabling direct wireless device-to-device communication between sleepy end devices (SEDs) of a mesh (e.g., Thread®) network. A router may forward packets between end devices of the mesh network. However, if the router is not available, SEDs may not be able to communicate with each other using a mesh protocol. Embodiments presented herein enable end devices of the mesh network to communicate directly, without a router. Some embodiments are directed to changing a role of an end device to temporarily act as a router for a particular target end device. The role change may be based on a trigger event and may be temporary until a target action is performed by the target end device. In some embodiments, the end devices continue to operate as SEDs and use coordinated sampled listening techniques to communicate via the mesh protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Arun Vijayakumari Mahasenan, Sarvesh Kumar Varatharajan, Venkateswara Rao Manepalli, Yaranama Venkata Ramana Dass
  • Patent number: 11993162
    Abstract: A thermal control system for use during electric battery charging includes a charging station thermally conditioning a fluid and sending the fluid to a charge inlet. The charge inlet thermally conditions the fluid and sends the fluid to one of a thermal loop or a heat exchanger. Another thermal control system includes a charging station thermally conditioning a fluid and sending the fluid to a charge inlet. The charge inlet thermally conditions the fluid and sends the fluid back to the charging station. In another thermal control system, a thermal loop supplies a fluid at a first temperature to a charge inlet. The charge inlet thermally conditions the fluid to a second temperature and returns the fluid to the thermal loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: William M. Price, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Wulfer de Bruijn
  • Patent number: 11995457
    Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. Upon receiving a user input requesting that a digital assistant initiate a task, performance of the task is initiated, and a task response is provided. If the digital assistant determines that task is associated with a first user interface, such as a non-digital assistant-specific user interface, the task response is provided using the first user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Neal S. Ellis, Cameron Burgess, Pedro Mari, Michael R. Sumner, Trungtin Tran, James N. Jones
  • Patent number: 11997620
    Abstract: An apparatus of an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node includes processing circuitry coupled to a memory. To configure the LAB node for inter-IAB node discovery and measurements within an IAB network, the processing circuitry is to encode a first synchronization signal block (SSB-A) for transmission to an access UE using a first frequency resource from a synchronization raster set of frequency resources. A second SSB (SSB-B) is encoded for transmission to a second IAB node using a second frequency resource from an off-raster set of frequency resources. The off-raster set is non-overlapping with the synchronization raster set of frequency resources and the SSB-B being time-division multiplexed with the SSB-A. A measurement report from the second IAB node is decoded. The measurement report is based on the SSB-B and associated with a backhaul link between the IAB node and the second IAB node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dawei Ying, Geng Wu, Lili Wei, Qian Li
  • Patent number: 11995483
    Abstract: An electronic device that is in communication with one or more wearable audio output devices detects occurrence of an event while the one or more wearable audio output devices are being worn by a user. In response to detecting the occurrence of the event, the electronic device outputs, via the one or more wearable audio output devices, one or more audio notifications corresponding to the event, including: in accordance with a determination that the user of the electronic device is currently engaged in a conversation, delaying outputting the one or more audio notifications corresponding to the event until the conversation has ended; and, in accordance with a determination that the user of the electronic device is not currently engaged in a conversation, outputting the one or more audio notifications corresponding to the event without delaying the outputting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Devin W. Chalmers, Sean B. Kelly, Karlin Y. Bark
  • Patent number: 11992730
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to sharing workout content on electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D'Auria, Jae Woo Chang, Edward Chao, Nathan De Vries, Michael D. Ford, Colin G. McKinstry
  • Patent number: 11997346
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content system. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. Subscribers are provided a user interface that provides context sensitive hints to assist the viewer. The system further enables viewers skip, view, and interact with advertisements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory N. Christie, Alessandro Sabatelli, William M. Bachman, Imran Chaudhri, Jeffrey Robbin, Jim Young, Joe Howard, Marcel Van Os, Patrick L. Coffman, Stephen O. Lemay, Jeffrey Ma, Lynne Kress
  • Patent number: 11994915
    Abstract: A case can provide a mechanism for securely retaining a stylus with a host device while the stylus is not in use. Such a mechanism can maintain the alignment of the stylus with the host device for attachment, power transfer, and/or communication. The mechanism can further protect the stylus from impact or other external influences. The same mechanism can transition to a lower profile while not retaining the stylus (e.g., while the stylus is in use as an input device for the host device). Such a mechanism can selectably be placed into a configuration that substantially conceals the mechanism, such that it can temporarily appear to be a case or portion of the host device that does not necessarily have a dedicated receptacle for retaining the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammadali Parsian, Nicholas Joseph Ross, Patrick Griffin Skovsted, John Patrick Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 11996707
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer system can include an electronic device including a first wireless power transfer coil and wireless power transfer circuitry coupled to the wireless power transfer coil. The wireless power transfer circuitry can be capable of receiving power and transmitting power wirelessly via the first wireless power transfer coil. The system can further include an accessory device including a second wireless power transfer coil, a rectifier coupled to the second wireless power transfer coil, and an energy storage device coupled to the rectifier by a regulator circuit. The wireless power transfer circuitry can operate in a pulsed or burst wireless power transfer mode to deliver power to the accessory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lixin Shi, Zaki Moussaoui, Weihong Qiu, Zelin Xu, Matthew J Chabalko
  • Patent number: 11995446
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to protecting branch prediction information. In various embodiments, an integrated circuit includes branch prediction logic having a table that maintains a plurality of entries storing encrypted target address information for branch instructions. The branch prediction logic is configured to receive machine context information for a branch instruction having a target address being predicted by the branch prediction logic, the machine context information including a program counter associated with the branch instruction. The branch prediction logic is configured to use the machine context information to decrypt encrypted target address information stored in one of the plurality of entries identified based on the program counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Myers, Jeffry E. Gonion, Yannick L. Sierra, Thomas Icart
  • Patent number: 11997512
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus is provided for performing testing using arrival of angles (AOA). The system, method, and apparatus can receive a first test signal from a first cell; receive a second test signal from a second cell; and perform a test based on AOA of the first test signal and the second test signal. At least one of the first test signal and the second test signal can include a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) signal or a synchronization signal block (SSB) signal. The first test signal can include a different number of SSBs transmitted during an Measurement Timing Configuration (MTC) window when compared to the second test signal. The system, method, and apparatus can receive the first test signal and the second test signal in a time division multiple access (TDMA) manner. The first cell can include a serving cell and the second cell can include a neighboring cell of the serving cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Qiming Li, Jie Cui, Yang Tang, Hua Li, Andrey Chervyakov
  • Patent number: 11994672
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display that generates light for an optical system that redirects the light towards an eye box. The optical system may include a waveguide, a non-diffractive input coupler, a cross coupler, and an output coupler. The cross coupler may expand the light in a first direction. The cross coupler may perform an even number of diffractions on the light and may couple the light back into the waveguide at an angle suitable for total internal reflection. The output coupler may expand the light in a second direction while coupling the light out of the waveguide. The cross coupler may include surface relief gratings or holographic gratings embedded within the waveguide or formed in a separate substrate. The optical system may direct the light towards the eye box without chromatic dispersion and while supporting an expanded field of view and optical bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Pfeiffer, Francesco Aieta, Se Baek Oh, Friso Schlottau, Adam C. Urness
  • Patent number: 11994916
    Abstract: This is directed to connecting two or more elements using an intermediate element constructed from a material that changes between states. An electronic device can include one or more components constructed by connecting several elements. To provide a connection having a reduced or small size or cross-section and construct a component having high tolerances, a material can be provided in a first state in which it flows between the elements before changing to a second state in which it adheres to the elements and provides a structurally sound connection. For example, a plastic can be molded between the elements. As another example, a composite material can be brazed between the elements. In some cases, internal surfaces of the elements can include one or more features for enhancing a bond between the elements and the material providing the interface between the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Scott A. Myers, Mattia Pascolini, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Trent Weber, Robert Schlub, Josh Nickel, Robert Hill, Nanbo Jin, Tang Yew Tan
  • Patent number: D1029028
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Freddy Anzures, Imran Chaudhri, Alan C. Dye, Bradley William Griffin, Jonathan P. Ive, Tiffany Jon, Chanaka Karunamuni, Nicholas V. King, Daamun Mohseni, Hoan K. Pham, William McMillan Tyler, Wan Si Wan, Giancarlo Yerkes