Patents Assigned to Apple
  • Patent number: 8165634
    Abstract: A media player system is disclosed. One aspect of the media player system pertains to a docking station that allows a media player to communicate with other media devices. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a hand held music player that includes a transmitter for transmitting information over a wireless connection. Yet another aspect of the media player system pertains to a connector that includes a housing and a plurality of spatially separated contacts mounted within the housing. A first set of contacts are directed at a first functionality and a second set of contacts are directed at a second functionality that is different than the first functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Stephen Paul Zedesky, John Benjamin Filson
  • Patent number: 8162688
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Greg Springer, Joshua Funamura, Stewart Shannon Fields
  • Patent number: 8166472
    Abstract: An installation manifest defines associations of one or more application installation files with operating system installation files. An installation manager determines an installation type for a software installation on a device and provides installation options related to the determined installation type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Jussi-Pekka Mantere
  • Patent number: 8166397
    Abstract: A graphical element resembling an instrument amplifier having audio control parameters is displayed through a graphical user interface (GUI). An additional graphical element resembling one or more instrument effects pedals is displayed. Each instrument effects pedal has separate audio control parameters. An audio input is received from an instrument. The audio input is processed according to the audio control parameters associated with the one or more instrument effects pedals and the instrument amplifier. The audio resulting from the processing is provided as an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thorsten K. S. Quandt, Jan-Hinnerk Helms
  • Patent number: 8163990
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for recording and compiling a music section, wherein multiple takes of the music section are recorded; and wherein the method uses a take folder to store the multiple takes. The take folder may belong to a single track. Sections of one or more takes can be selected to be part of a resulting compilation which is composed of the selected sections. In one embodiment, a method automatically ensures that selected sections do not overlap in time and that there are no breaks between adjacent selections. In addition, the present invention relates to programs, a storage media and data processing systems having the above features as well as to a storage medium containing the music produced thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thorsten Adam, Jens Altfelder, Robert Hunt
  • Patent number: 8166037
    Abstract: Determining a semantic relationship is disclosed. Source content is received. Cluster analysis is performed at least in part by using at least a portion of the source content. At least a portion of a result of the cluster analysis is used to determine the semantic relationship between two or more content elements comprising the source content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Andrew Mansfield, Michael Robert Levy, Yuri Khramov, Darryl Will Fuller
  • Patent number: 8166236
    Abstract: Systems and processes may include a memory coupled to a memory controller. Command signals for performing memory access operations may be received. Attributes of the command signals, such as type, time lapsed since receipt, and relatedness to other command signals, may be determined. Command signals may be sequenced in a sequence of execution based on the attributes. Command signals may be executed in the sequence of execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Cornwell, Christopher P. Dudte, Thomas R. Colligan
  • Patent number: 8166324
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates reducing static power consumption of a processor. During operation, the system receives a signal indicating that instruction execution within the processor is to be temporarily halted. In response to this signal, the system halts an instruction-processing portion of the processor, and reduces the voltage supplied to the instruction-processing portion of the processor. Full voltage is maintained to a remaining portion of the processor, so that the remaining portion of the processor can continue to operate while the instruction-processing portion of the processor is in reduced power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Lynn R. Youngs
  • Patent number: 8165321
    Abstract: Various techniques for controlling the playback of secondary audio data on an electronic device are provided. In one embodiment, a secondary audio clip mixing profile is selected based upon the type of audio output device, such as a speaker or a headset, coupled to the electronic device. The selected mixing profile may define respective digital gain values to be applied to a secondary audio stream at each digital audio level of the electronic device, and may be customized based upon one or more characteristics of the audio output device to substantially optimize audibility and user-perceived comfort. In this manner, the overall user listening experience may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Baptiste Pierre Paquier, Benjamin Andrew Rottler, Aram Lindahl
  • Patent number: 8166508
    Abstract: A content rental system includes one data store for storing rental content. The content rental system also includes a content server for transferring content to one viewing device based upon a received request. The content server is further configured to authorize the transfer of the content from the viewing device to another viewing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, Mihailo Despotovic, Sam Gharabally
  • Patent number: 8166415
    Abstract: Methods and a computer program product for providing a user interface including earlier versions of data. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes receiving, while a current view is displayed in a user interface, a first user input requesting that a backup interface be displayed. In response to the first user input, the transition from displaying the current view in the user interface to displaying the backup interface is animated. The backup interface is displayed including a display area for presenting at least a first visual representation of an earlier version of the current view, where the earlier version includes a first element. While the backup interface is displayed, a second user input is received requesting that the current view be modified according to the earlier version. In response to the second user input, the current view is modified according to the earlier version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel Cisler, Mike Matas, Marcel M W A van Os, Gregory N. Christie, Kevin Tiene, Gene Zyrl Ragan, Scott Forstall
  • Patent number: 8166065
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata. In one exemplary method, metadata from files created by several different software applications are captured, and the captured metadata is searched. The type of information in metadata for one type of file differs from the type of information in metadata for another type of file. Other methods are described and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Arrouye, Dominic Giampaolo, Bas Ording, Gregory Christie, Stephen Olivier Lemay, Marcel van Os, Imran Chaudhri, Kevin Tiene, Pavel Cisler
  • Patent number: 8166437
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method to automatically generate a pad ring for a programmable logic device implementation of an integrated circuit is contemplated. The pad ring that will be used in the integrated circuit itself may include pad logic (e.g. to support boundary scan and other forms of testing), custom driver/receiver circuitry, etc. The pad ring in the programmable logic device, on the other hand, may be predetermined as part of the production of the programmable logic device. The generation may include removing the pad logic and other pad-related circuitry from one or more design files that represent the integrated circuit, as well as mapping the input, output, and input/output signals of the integrated circuit to the available programmable logic device pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Ang Chen
  • Patent number: 8165286
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for increasing security of a cryptographic algorithm such as deciphering, enciphering, or a digital signature. A cryptographic algorithm and a key are provided such that a deciphering process, for instance, is partitioned between two portions. The portion of the cryptographic algorithm carried out in the first portion is implemented in a “white box” model such that it is highly secure even against an attack by the user who has full access to internal operations, code execution and memory of the user device, such as a hacker or attacker. The remaining portion of the algorithm is carried out in the second portion. Since this second portion has relaxed security constraints, its code may be implemented using a “black box” approach where its code execution may be more efficient and faster, not requiring the code obfuscation of the white box implementation in the user device. This partitioning may be achieved using a delegation protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mathieu Ciet, Augustin J. Farrugia, Jean-Francois Riendeau
  • Patent number: 8166144
    Abstract: Methods, computer program products, systems and data structures for generating a signature for a network are described. A network signature may include, for example, network information associated with a network (e.g., IP address, MAC address, domain name, DNS name, routing information, phone number, etc.). A signature of a network that has previously been created can be stored to enable identification of the network in the future and to record parameters, settings, properties and attributes previously used for that network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Dieter Siegmund
  • Patent number: 8164967
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing a non-volatile memory (“NVM”), such as a flash memory. To prevent data errors due to leakage effects, the NVM may be refreshed. For example, a reserved portion of the NVM may be selected, and a predetermined pattern can be stored into the reserved portion. The reserved portion can then be monitored for storage deterioration over time. After determining that storage deterioration of the reserved portion has occurred, the NVM can be refreshed. In some embodiments, a controller can attempt to distinguish data errors due to leakage effects from data errors due to disturb issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Byom, Daniel J. Post, Vadim Khmelnitsky
  • Patent number: 8165546
    Abstract: Radio station presets lists can be communicated between a portable media device and an accessory. A radio station presets list can include a listing of radio stations associated with a particular location. The portable media device can determine a current location, select a presets list for the current location (or create a new presets list for the location), and communicate the presets list to the accessory. The portable media device can, periodically or upon request from the accessory, update its location and send a new presets list, if available, to the accessory. After the portable media device and the accessory are disconnected, the accessory can resume using its own presets list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ingrassia, Jeffery T. Lee, Brent Schorsch
  • Patent number: D657978
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Bryan Hamm, Russell John Kaaihue Heirakuji, Kevin Fenton Smeds, Frank Craig Thaler, Federico F. Tio
  • Patent number: D658186
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 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
  • Patent number: D658190
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 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