Patents Assigned to Apple
  • Publication number: 20120154423
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable the creation and the display of dithered images. Embodiments include techniques that use the relationship between the luminance and the color of a source image as a dithering heuristic. In one embodiment, the luminance and the color of a source image is determined. Each color of the source image is approximated to the nearest hardware color level. The hardware color level is then varied to more closely approximate the luminance of the source image. Any color errors introduced by approximating the luminance of the source image are then diffused to adjacent pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ulrich T. Barnhoefer, Taif Ahmed Syed
  • Publication number: 20120159011
    Abstract: A centralized resource manager manages the routing of audio or visual information within a device, including a handheld device such as a smartphone. The resource manager evaluates data-driven policies to determine how to route audio or visual information to or from various input or output components connected to the device, including headphones, built-in speakers, microphones, bluetooth headsets, cameras, and so on. Among the data considered in the policies are connection status data, indicating if a device is connected, routing status data, indicating if a device is permitted to route information to or from a component, and grouping data, indicating logical relationships between various components. Components may be considered inherently routable, automatically routable, or optionally routable. Numerous other uses exist for such data, including providing simpler and more logical management interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Rostaing, Anthony J. Guetta, Greg Chapman
  • Publication number: 20120157158
    Abstract: A parameter related to the Earth's magnetic field can be used to determine accuracy of a magnetometer of a mobile device. In one aspect, a first instance of a parameter related to Earth's magnetic field is determined using data generated by the magnetometer. The magnetometer data can be based in part on a position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. A second instance of the parameter can be determined using data generated by a model of Earth's magnetic field. The model data can also be based in part on the position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. The first instance of the parameter can be compared with the second instance of the parameter. An accuracy metric for the magnetometer can be determined based on a result of the comparison. An indication of the accuracy metric can be presented by the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Robert Mayor, Patrick Piemonte, Ronald Keryuan Huang, Parin Patel
  • Publication number: 20120153728
    Abstract: A system that balances voltages between battery banks. The system includes battery banks, including a first bank and a second bank, and a first capacitor. The system also includes a first set of switching devices which selectively couple first and second terminals of the first capacitor to first and second terminals of the first bank, and to first and second terminals of the second bank. The system includes a clocking circuit which generates clock signals with substantially non-overlapping first and second clock phases. This clocking circuit is configured so that during the first phase the first and second terminals of the first capacitor are coupled to the first and second terminals of the first bank, respectively, and during the second phase the first and second terminals of the first capacitor are coupled to the first and second terminals of the second bank, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: William C. Athas, Thomas C. Greening
  • Publication number: 20120153898
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system for charging a series battery, wherein the series battery is comprised of a set of banks which are connected in series, so that the same charging current passes through each bank. During the charging process, the system measures a voltage across each bank in the set of banks. The system then compares the measured voltage with a target voltage for each bank, and adjusts the charging process based on results of the comparisons between the measured voltage and the target voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Steven C. Michalske, Thomas C. Greening, P. Jeffrey Ungar, William C. Athas
  • Publication number: 20120155638
    Abstract: In the field of computer enabled cryptography, such as a block cipher, the cipher is hardened against an attack by protecting the cipher key, by applying to it a predetermined linear permutation before using one key to encrypt or decrypt a message. This is especially advantageous in a “White Box” environment where an attacker has full access to the cipher algorithm, including the algorithm's internal state during its execution. This method and the associated computing apparatus are useful where the key is derived through a process and so is unknown when the software code embodying the cipher is compiled. This is typically the case where there are many users of the cipher and each has his own key, or where each user session has its own key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Augustin J. FARRUGIA, Benoit Chevallier-Mames, Mathieu Ciet, Thomas Icart
  • Publication number: 20120152613
    Abstract: High speed connector inserts and cables having improved heat conduction, high strength, and may be manufactured in a reliable manner. One example may provide a connector insert having several paths by which heat may be removed from circuitry in the cable insert. In one example, heat may be removed from one or more circuits by forming a thermal path between a circuit and a shield of the connector insert. Another path may include one or more pads on a side of an integrated circuit board that are soldered directly to the shield. A braiding surrounding a cable may be soldered or otherwise thermally connected to the shield. Another example may provide a cable having a braiding that includes one or more types of fibers, such as aramid fibers. Another example may provide for increased manufacturability by using a wire comb and a solder bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Paul Yuan, Josh Pong, Joseph Tang
  • Publication number: 20120158677
    Abstract: This can relate to streaming compressed files via a non-volatile memory (“NVM”) of a media player. In particular, the NVM can stream compressed media files. The NVM can include an NVM controller and an NVM die storing the compressed media file. The NVM controller can read the compressed media file from the NVM die, decompress the media file, and send the decompressed media file to a digital-to-analog converter (“DAC”) for conversion to analog format. Since the decompression can be performed by the NVM itself, an application processor may be significantly removed from the media playback process. In some embodiments, it may only be necessary for the application processor to issue an initial read request and/or receive a completion confirmation from the NVM. This can result in significant power savings for the media player and can free the application processor for performing other functions of the media player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Shachar Ron
  • Publication number: 20120159186
    Abstract: In the field of computer enabled cryptography, such as a keyed block cipher having a plurality of rounds, the cipher is hardened against an attack by protecting the cipher key by means of a key expansion process which obscures the cipher and/or the round keys by increasing their lengths to provide an expanded version of the keys for carrying out encryption or decryption using the cipher. This is especially advantageous in a “White Box” environment where an attacker has full access to the cipher algorithm, including the algorithm's internal state during its execution. This method and the associated computing apparatus are useful where the key is derived through a process and so is unknown when the software code embodying the cipher is compiled. This is typically the case where there are many users of the cipher and each has his own key, or where each user session has its own key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Augustin J. FARRUGIA, Benoit Chevallier-Mames, Mathieu Ciet, Thomas Icart, Bruno Kindarji
  • Publication number: 20120158730
    Abstract: This is directed to processing stored data to automatically generate metadata for the stored data. In particular, this is directed to identifying metadata associated with stored data, and identifying other data that relates to the stored data from one or more sources. A processing module can identify other data sharing some of the identified metadata, and can extract additional metadata associated with the identified other data. The extracted metadata can then be associated with the user's stored data. The processing module can extract additional metadata from any suitable source, including for example local application data, social networks or blogging sources, and other remote sources. In some embodiments, an electronic device can retrieve data from other users for a particular event based on metadata associated with the user's data for the event to form a master collection of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael Ingrassia, Jeffery Lee, Dave Rempel
  • Publication number: 20120154415
    Abstract: A graphics animation and compositing operations framework has a layer tree for interfacing with the application and a render tree for interfacing with a render engine. Layers in the layer tree can be content, windows, views, video, images, text, media, or other types of objects for an application's user interface. The application commits state changes to the layers of the layer tree. The application does not need to include explicit code for animating the changes to the layers. Instead, an animation is determined for animating the change in state by the framework which can define a set of predetermined animations based on motion, visibility, and transition. The determined animation is explicitly applied to the affected layers in the render tree. A render engine renders from the render tree into a frame buffer. Portions of the render tree changing relative to prior versions can be tracked to improve resource management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Brunner, John Harper, Peter N. Graffagnino
  • Publication number: 20120155174
    Abstract: A system and method, including computer software, allows reading data from a flash memory cell. Voltages from a group of memory cells are detected. The group of memory cells have associated metadata for error detection, and each memory cell stores a voltage representing a data value selected from multiple possible data values. Each possible data value corresponds to one range of multiple non-overlapping ranges of analog voltages. Memory cells having uncertain data values are identified based on the detected voltages. Alternative data values for the memory cells having the uncertain data values are determined, and a combination of alternative data values is selected. An error detection test is performed using the metadata associated with the multiple memory cells and the selected combination of alternative data values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Cornwell, Christopher P. Dudte
  • Publication number: 20120154268
    Abstract: Remote control systems that can distinguish predetermined light sources from stray light sources, e.g., environmental light sources and/or reflections are provided. The predetermined light sources can be disposed in asymmetric substantially linear or two-dimensional patterns. The predetermined light sources also can be configured to exhibit signature characteristics. The predetermined light sources also can output light at different signature wavelengths. The predetermined light sources also can emit light polarized in one or more predetermined polarization axes. Remote control systems of the present invention also can include methods for adjusting an allocation of predetermined light sources and/or the technique used to distinguish the predetermined light sources from the stray light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Brett G. Alten
  • Publication number: 20120155292
    Abstract: The present technology provides an ability to simulate the performance of mobile content in a more realistic testing environment than previously available. Specifically, the present technology can mimic the fluctuations in network states that mobile devices typically experience. As the mobile content is tested using the simulated network states, the present technology can record the performance of the mobile content and create a log of the performance. Further, the present technology can also analyze the mobile content performance log and recommend various optimizations to increase the performance of the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Zazula, Greg Gilley, Ryan Rowat Klems, Mark Malone
  • Publication number: 20120154428
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable the creation and the display of spatio-temporal dithered images. Embodiments include techniques that use color-shifting and luminance. In one embodiment, adjacent pixels are color-shifted with respect to each other and the color values of the adjacent pixels are temporally alternated with color values of pixels in the group. In another embodiment, the luminance of group of adjacent pixels is determined and the luminance of the group is made more homogenous spatially and temporally by distributing color variations over a larger number of pixels so as to reduce the luminance difference between the pixel with the least luminance and the pixel with the greatest luminance. Individual color components (e.g., red, green, blue) may also be separated and used so that the color-shifts associated with each color component may be simultaneously present in different pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Ulrich T. Barnhoefer
  • Patent number: 8204008
    Abstract: A technique of operating a wireless communication device includes creating a resource block map by associating respective subscriber station identifications, corresponding to respective subscriber stations, with one or more resource blocks. The respective subscriber station identifications and the resource block map are transmitted, from a serving base station, in one or more control channel symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James W. McCoy, Ning Chen, Jayesh H. Kotecha
  • Patent number: 8205154
    Abstract: Techniques (methods and devices) that permit a user to define multimedia transitions in terms of user-supplied assets are described. The user supplies the assets necessary to generate the transition such as, for example, an asset movie, an asset matte movie and a background matte movie. (The specific assets required may vary depending upon the transition to be generated.) These assets are then automatically combined (e.g., through compositing) to render a completed multimedia object in which the defined transition is used to visually transition a first image or frame to a second image or frame. The same techniques used in some generic transformation of images or movies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Doepke, Douglas DeVore
  • Patent number: 8205070
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using a NAND-type non-volatile memory (“NVM”), such as NAND flash memory, to store NV pre-boot information for a bootloader (e.g., a second state bootloader) or an operating system. The NV pre-boot information can include, for example, environment variables storing the configuration or state of an electronic device. In some embodiments, an electronic device including the NAND-type NVM may allocate a portion of the super blocks in the NAND-type NVM to storing the NV pre-boot information. The electronic device may store a redundant copy of the NV pre-boot information into the allocated portion of each IC die of the NAND-type NVM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Tahoma M. Toelkes
  • Patent number: D662049
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Evans Hankey, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer
  • Patent number: D662084
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer