Patents Assigned to Apple
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Publication number: 20120079589Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for authentication using a shared table. The method receives an authentication challenge from a first entity including an accumulator with an initial value, lists of elements in a shared table, and a list of sorting algorithms, each sorting algorithm is associated with one of the lists of elements and modified to include embedded instructions operating on the accumulator. The method then generates a temporary table for each list of elements in the shared table by copying elements from the shared table as indicated in each respective list of elements, each temporary table being associated with one sorting algorithm in the list of sorting algorithms. The method sorts each generated temporary table with the associated sorting algorithm, thereby updating the accumulator with the embedded instructions. Finally, the method transmits the updated accumulator to the first entity for verification.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Pierre Betouin, Mathieu Ciet, Augustin J. Farrugia
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Publication number: 20120075328Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for changing a color of an asset used as part of a displayed avatar from an initial color to an destination color. An indexed color can be defined for the asset, where initial colors of the asset that are sufficiently similar to the indexed color can be changed to replacement colors. In particular, the replacement colors can include gradients or other optical effects that may be similar to those of the initial colors. A model encoding color information for each pixel of an asset can include a color index indicating whether the color of the pixel is changeable. In some cases, the model for a particular pixel may be converted from a RGB model to a HSV model for reducing the processing that may be required to define replacement colors when a selection of a destination color is received.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Thomas Goossens
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Publication number: 20120075432Abstract: Embodiments may take the form of three-dimensional image sensing devices configured to capture an image including one or more objects. In one embodiments, the three-dimensional image sensing device includes a first image device configured to capture a first image and extract depth information for the one or more objects. Additionally, the image sensing device includes a second imaging device configured to capture a second image and determine an orientation of a surface of the one or more objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brett Bilbrey, Michael F. Culbert, David I. Simon, Rich DeVaul, Mushtaq Sarwar, David S. Gere
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Publication number: 20120077353Abstract: An electrical connector comprising an insulative body, a plurality of pins carried by the body and a ferromagnetic element that rides on one of the plurality of the pins. The ferromagnetic element provides a low pass filter capability for signals transmitted over the one pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Anna-Katrina Shedletsky
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Publication number: 20120079377Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for placing an asset on a three-dimensional model. Each asset can be associated with a pivot point and with an asset normal. A contact point on the surface of a model where an asset is to be positioned may be identified, and a surface normal that may be perpendicular to the surface at the contact point may also be identified. Then, the asset can be placed on the model such that the position of the pivot point of the asset may coincide with the position of the identified contact point on the surface of the model, and such that the orientation of the asset normal may match the orientation of the identified surface normal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Thomas Goossens
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Publication number: 20120076573Abstract: Materials, apparatus and methods of forming structural components for consumer electronics devices are described. In one embodiment, ceramic fibers, such as alumina, are mixed with a thermoplastic, such as nylon, to form a composite material usable in an injection molding process. The volume percent of ceramic fibers used with the thermoplastic can be selected to improve the strength properties of the composite material. Pigments can be added to the composite material to affect its aesthetic appeal. In one embodiment, the composite material including the ceramic fibers can be used to form frame components usable in a consumer electronic device. The frame components can be load bearing structures that are externally visible or used within the interior of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Michael K. Pilliod, Paul Choiniere
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Publication number: 20120078635Abstract: One embodiment of a voice control system includes a first electronic device communicatively coupled to a server and configured to receive a speech recognition file from the server. The speech recognition file may include a speech recognition algorithm for converting one or more voice commands into text and a database including one or more entries comprising one or more voice commands and one or more executable commands associated with the one or more voice commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fletcher Rothkopf, Stephen Brian Lynch, Adam Mittleman, Phil Hobson
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Publication number: 20120079410Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for scrolling a virtual keyboard on a touch screen device including a display. A first aspect allows detecting a user contact swipe motion in a predetermined direction along said keyboard, scrolling said keyboard across said display in accordance with said motion, and stopping said scrolling upon termination of user contact swipe motion. A second aspect allows scrolling of a virtual keyboard to snap to an intelligent position based on a song key or relative minor of the song key. A third aspect allows a note to be held when a user's finger remains in contact with the display even though the finger is no longer in contact with a key linked to the note on the keyboard as a result of scrolling.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christof Adam, Elliott Harris
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Publication number: 20120075521Abstract: A camera shutter mechanism for covering and exposing an imaging sensor array is disclosed. The camera shutter mechanism includes a rotary motor, a crank mechanism, a cover, a guide, and a drive circuit. The rotary motor is coupled to the crank mechanism to rotate the crank mechanism about a central axis. The cover is coupled to the crank mechanism at a point away from the central axis. The drive circuit controls the rotary motor so that the cover moves back and forth repeatedly in a substantially linear motion along the guide between a shutter closed position and a shutter open position over the imaging sensor array. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Richard Tsai
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Publication number: 20120075473Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of a method for providing security for access to a goal including storing a first image and receiving a second image comprising polarized data. The method also includes comparing the first image with the second image to determine if the first image and the second image are substantially the same. In the event the first and second images are not substantially the same, the method includes denying access to the goal. In the event the first and second images are substantially the same, the method includes determining, utilizing the polarized information, if the second image is of a three-dimensional object. Further, in the event the second image is not of a three-dimensional object, the method includes denying access to the goal and, in the event the second image is of a three-dimensional object, permitting access to the goal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Mushtaq A. Sarwar, Brett Bilbrey, Peng Zheng
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Publication number: 20120079018Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for sharing awareness information are provided. A non-aware electronic device can require awareness information including, for example, information about its environment or information about its status within its environment, in order to perform a particular device operation. When the non-aware device lacks an awareness component for detecting the required type of awareness information, the non-aware device can establish a communications path with an aware device that includes such an appropriate awareness component. The aware device can share the required type of awareness information as captured by its awareness component with the non-aware device. The distance between the non-aware device and the aware device can be less than a threshold distance to ensure that the shared awareness information is relevant to the non-aware device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin A. Rottler, Kyle Patrick Nadeau, Tyler Mincey, Taido Nakajima
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Publication number: 20120078570Abstract: Systems and methods for approximating angular velocity using a plurality of accelerometers are disclosed. In particular, in one embodiment, a method of approximating angular velocity including receiving linear acceleration information from a plurality of accelerometers and calculating a relative acceleration for at least one pair of the plurality of accelerometers is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a distance value for the at least one pair of the plurality of accelerometers and approximating the angular velocity by multiplying the distance value by the relative acceleration to obtain.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fletcher Rothkopf, Phillip Hobson, Adam Mittleman, Anna-Katrina Shedletsky
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Patent number: 8145928Abstract: Methods and systems for managing power consumption in data processing systems are described. In one embodiment, a data processing system includes a general purpose processing unit, a graphics processing unit (GPU), at least one peripheral interface controller, at least one bus coupled to the general purpose processing unit, and a power controller coupled to at least the general purpose processing unit and the GPU. The power controller is configured to turn power off for the general purpose processing unit in response to a first state of an instruction queue of the general purpose processing unit and is configured to turn power off for the GPU in response to a second state of an instruction queue of the GPU. The first state and the second state represent an instruction queue having either no instructions or instructions for only future events or actions.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joshua de Cesare, Bernard Semeria, Michael Smith
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Patent number: 8143982Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
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Patent number: 8144129Abstract: One or more multi-touch skins can placed along three dimensions of an object. The one or more multi-touch skins enable multi-touch inputs during the operation of the object. The multi-touch inputs can be tracked to monitor the operation of the object and provide feedback to the operator of the object. The one or more multi-touch skins can further enable gestures for configuring and operating the object. The one or more multi-touch skins can also be used to implement any number of GUI interface objects and actions. A multi-touch skin that measures the force of a touch in one or more directions is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2007Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steve Porter Hotelling, Wayne Carl Westerman
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Patent number: 8144159Abstract: Techniques to generate partial display updates in a buffered window system in which arbitrary visual effects are permitted to any one or more windows (e.g., application-specific window buffers) are described. Once a display output region is identified for updating, the buffered window system is interrogated to determine which regions within each window, if any, may effect the identified output region. Such determination considers the consequences any filters associated with a window impose on the region needed to make the output update.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ralph Brunner, John Harper
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Patent number: 8145604Abstract: Relocating a file system journal within a partitioned memory space is described. In one embodiment, a method, which involves relocating an active file system journal, includes writing the changes for relocating the metadata structures into the new file system journal before the file system journal is activated so that journaling remains active during relocation and the corresponding file system remains consistent throughout the relocation.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2007Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Mark S. Day
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Patent number: 8143983Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2011Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
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Patent number: 8144295Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for a FFS TFT LCD with a high refresh rate without limiting the aperture of individual pixels. More specifically, embodiments of the invention provide for the use of common bus lines to reduce the effective resistance of the common electrode and to therefore allow for higher refresh rates of the display. Furthermore, the common bus lines can be positioned in such a manner so that they do not further reduce the aperture of the display. More specifically, the common bus lines can be positioned above or below existing elements of the display that are already opaque. Thus, adding the common bus lines need not reduce the aperture. The above can be achieved by, for example, placing the common bus lines above or below existing non-transparent lines, such as gate lines or data lines.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shih Chang Chang, John Z. Zhong
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Patent number: 8144474Abstract: Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include connector structures. The portable computer may have a case. A portion of the connector structure may be formed by the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have a circuit board with grounding spring-loaded pins which electrically ground the circuit board to the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have an optical disk drive that is form fitted to mount to the portable computer case.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John Raff, Stewart Shannon Fields, Ron Hopkinson, Bartley K. Andre, Chris Ligtenberg, Mi Zhou, Paul J. Wehrenberg, Brett W. Degner, John Brock, Michelle Rae Goldberg