Patents Assigned to Apple
  • Patent number: 8146244
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a handheld computing device that includes an electronic component assembly including at least one user interface component and an enclosure. The enclosure is a tube that is extruded. The extruded tube defines an internal lumen between open ends, and has a substantially uniform cross section along a longitudinal axis thereof. The extruded tube includes a front face, a back face, side portions connecting the front face and the back face, at least one access opening provided on the front face, and a pair of guide rails formed in the lumen along the side portions in parallel with the longitudinal axis. The electronic component assembly is slidably inserted into the lumen along the guide rails. The guide rails support the electronic component assembly and provide a reference surface for positioning the electronic component assembly relative to the front face such that the user interface is placed right behind the access opening to provide user access therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Zadesky, Stephen Brian Lynch
  • Patent number: 8150063
    Abstract: A device includes a microphone array fixed to the device. A signal processor produces an audio output using audio beamforming with input from the microphone array. The signal processor aims the beamforming in a selected direction. An orientation sensor—such as a compass, an accelerometer, or an inertial sensor—is coupled to the signal processor. The orientation sensor detects a change in the orientation of the microphone array and provides an orientation signal to the signal processor for adjusting the aim of the beamforming to maintain the selected direction. The device may include a camera that captures an image. An image processor may identify an audio source in the image and provide a signal adjusting the selected direction to follow the audio source. The image processor may receive the orientation signal and adjust the image for changes in the orientation of the camera before tracking movement of the audio source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shaohai Chen, Phillip George Tamchina, Jae Han Lee
  • Patent number: 8150937
    Abstract: Improved techniques for interaction between a host computer (e.g., personal computer) and a media player are disclosed. According to one embodiment, interaction between a host device (e.g., host computer) and a media player can be performed over a wireless channel. The interaction over the wireless channel can be used to automatically synchronize media contents stored on the media player with media contents stored on the host device. According to another embodiment, interaction between a host device and a media player, such as automatic synchronization of media contents stored on a media player with media contents stored on a host device, can be restricted. In still another embodiment, synchronization can be automatically performed when the media player is placed in a docking station that supports wireless communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley Ng, Anthony M. Fadell, Jeffrey L. Robbin
  • Patent number: 8149279
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a digital video camera is provided. The method comprises acquiring video images of colored light, and measuring a light intensity response of the video camera to the colored light. The method further comprises comparing the intensity of the measured response to a desired colored light intensity for determining a color intensity bias and storing the intensity bias for the colored light in the camera so that the bias can be applied when the camera is operating at an arbitrary lighting condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Haitao Guo, Ting Chen, David Kuo
  • Patent number: 8150039
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for securely booting software components in an electronic device to establish an operating environment are described herein. According to an aspect of the invention, software components are to be executed in sequence in order to establish an operating environment of a device. For each software component, a security code is executed to authenticate and verify an executable code image associated with each software component using one or more keys embedded within a secure ROM (read-only memory) of the device and one or more hardware configuration settings of the device. The security code for each software component includes a common functionality to authenticate and verify the executable code image associated with each software component. In response to successfully authenticating and verifying the executable code image, the executable code image is then executed in a main memory of the device to launch the associated software component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua de Cesare, Dallas Blake De Atley, Jonathan Jay Andrews, Michael John Smith
  • Patent number: 8150327
    Abstract: A technique for channel sounding in a wireless communication system includes determining respective geometries of multiple subscriber stations with respect to a serving base station. Respective time periods for sounding a channel between the multiple subscriber stations and the serving base station are then set based on the respective geometries of the multiple subscriber stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James W. McCoy, Ning Chen
  • Patent number: 8151128
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system that supplies power in a computer system. The system includes a power adapter coupled to a source of electrical power and a set of a set of power consumers coupled to a power bus in the computer system. A full-power mechanism coupled between the power adapter and the power bus supplies power for the power consumers while the computer system is operating in a full-power mode. A low-power mechanism coupled between the power adapter and the power bus in parallel with the power mechanism supplies power for the power consumers while the computer system is in operating in a low-power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Dayu Qu
  • Patent number: 8148622
    Abstract: Management or coordination of playback of digital media assets by an electronic device (e.g., a computing device), that supports media playback is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the electronic device can be controlled such that a user is able to schedule playback of distinct digital media assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, John Benjamin Filson, Kyle H. Yeates
  • Patent number: 8151259
    Abstract: Improved techniques for interaction between a host device (e.g., host computer) and a portable media device (e.g., media player) are disclosed. According to one embodiment, interaction between the host device and the portable media device can be performed over a network. The network can include wired and/or wireless components. The network can also be local, regional or global in geographic coverage. The interaction over the network can be initiated by the portable media device, manually or automatically, so as to request a content update from the host device. In response to the requested content update, updated content is received at the portable media device from the host device, provided a network connection between the portable media device and the host device is available through the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony M. Fadell
  • Patent number: 8150255
    Abstract: A method performed by an electronic camera in flash mode is as follows. A scene ambient lighting indication is obtained. An integration time interval and a flash pulse-on time interval for taking a picture is then set. The set integration time interval is shorter when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark; and the set flash pulse-on time interval is longer when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark. An image is captured using the set integration time interval and the set flash pulse-on time interval in accordance with an electronic rolling shutter (ERS). Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Tsai
  • Publication number: 20120075814
    Abstract: The present invention can relate to an electronic device having one or more support tabs that protect a circuit board disposed inside the device from externally applied compressive forces. In particular, when a force is applied to a housing of the device, the support tabs can buttress the housing of the device, either directly or through other intervening components disposed within the device, to reduce the likelihood that the housing or intervening components will contact and damage the circuit board. The present invention also can relate to methods for manufacturing such an electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Joseph Weber, Pinida Jan Moolsintong, Stephen Brian Lynch
  • Publication number: 20120073115
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device may include a plate placed behind a screen formed from a window and a display module to provide the screen with additional stiffness (e.g., to resist dropping events). The window may be maintained in the electronic device by trapping the window between a bezel and the display module. In some embodiments, the window may include a chamfered edge operative to be received by a recessed edge in the bezel. In some embodiments, the input mechanism of the electronic device may be metallic and need to be grounded, but may be surrounded by plastic components or other non-grounding components. The electronic device may include screws operative to pass through a circuit board to reach a frame, which may serve as a ground, where the screws are located in proximity of the button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: John Benjamin Filson, Duane Lawrence Fowler
  • Publication number: 20120075082
    Abstract: One embodiment of an electronic device configured for supplying control codes to a programmable device may include a first receiver configured to receive a first command signal from a remote control device, a processing device coupled to the first receiver, and a transmitter configured to transmit a second command signal to a programmable device. The transmitter may be coupled to the processing device. The electronic device may further include a storage device coupled to the processing device. The storage device may be configured to store one or more control codes associated with the first command signal. The processing device may be configured to determine if the one or more control codes associated with the first command signal are stored on the storage device, and to transmit the second command signal to the programmable device via the transmitter if the processing device determines that the one or more control codes are stored on the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher Rothkopf, Stephen Brian Lynch, Adam Mittleman, Phil Hobson
  • Publication number: 20120076471
    Abstract: Systems and techniques to provide image capture and manipulation. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes receiving an input stream including image data from a source, displaying the input stream in real-time including displaying a plurality of instantiations of the stream at a same time, each stream different, the step of displaying including applying a filter to each instantiation of the input stream, and receiving a prompt to select one of the instantiations of the stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Ciudad, Luke Bellandi, Gregory N. Christie, Richard Dellinger, Scott Forstall, Mike Matas, Erika Misaki, Kevin Tiene, Marcel Mwa van Os, Steve Lemay
  • Publication number: 20120079378
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for integrating a three-dimensional asset with a three-dimensional model. Each asset can include a base surface and either a protrusion or a projection extending from the base. Once the asset is placed at a particular position with respect to the model, one or more vertices defining a periphery of the base surface can be projected onto an external surface of the model. Then, one or more portions of the asset can be deformed to provide a smooth transition between the external surface of the asset and the external surface of the model. In some cases, the asset can include a hole extending through the external surface of the model for defining a cavity. A secondary asset can be placed in the cavity such as, for example, an eyeball asset placed in an eye socket asset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Goossens
  • Publication number: 20120079416
    Abstract: Methods, system and computer-readable media are disclosed to facilitate presenting a plurality of digital images in a user interface window that includes an image display region and at least one other region available for re-use, receiving input from a user indicating a selection of at least one of the digital images, and modifying the presentation of the user interface window to present the selected at least one digital image in the image display region and to present the non-selected digital images as thumbnail images displayed within the at least one other region available for re-use. The thumbnail images displayed in the re-use region may be selectively displayed in a more prominent manner to facilitate user interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Joshua David Fagans
  • Publication number: 20120079374
    Abstract: Techniques are described herein for causing a browser to render text of a web page in a non-native font that do not require the browser to obtain font rendering information for characters defined in the non-native font that are not rendered on the web page in the non-native font. According to one embodiment, for example, a subset of the characters defined in a non-native font that are to be rendered on a web page in the non-native font is determined. Font rendering information is obtained from a remote resource for just the subset of characters and not for characters defined in the non-native font that are not in the subset. The font rendering information obtained for the subset is used to render each character in the subset on the web page in the non-native font.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Matthew W. Gaddis
  • Publication number: 20120075242
    Abstract: A touch sensing device is disclosed. The touch sensing device includes one or more multifunctional nodes each of which represents a single touch pixel. Each multifunctional node includes a touch sensor with one or more integrated I/O mechanisms. The touch sensor and integrated I/O mechanisms share the same communication lines and I/O pins of a controller during operation of the touch sensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Steven P. HOTELLING
  • Publication number: 20120076363
    Abstract: System and methods for determining a concentricity of a component mounted within an aperture of an electronic device housing. In particular, a method for determining concentricity of a camera includes obtaining an image of a camera mounted within the aperture of the housing and identifying a plurality of circular shapes within the image using a processor. One of the circular shapes represents the aperture in the housing and the other circular shape represents the camera. An offset between two of the plurality of circular shapes is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Kessler, Bartley K. Andre
  • Patent number: D656955
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 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