Patents Assigned to Apple
  • Publication number: 20120051668
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are described for resolving duplicate images. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining a selection of a single image from among a plurality of duplicate images. Each duplicate image has an associated set of metadata. The method also includes aggregating each set of metadata into aggregated information, and storing the selected image together with the aggregated information on data storage accessible to a data processing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Martin, Gregory Charles Lindley, Benjamin Wojtyna
  • Publication number: 20120052745
    Abstract: A connector interface system for a communication device is disclosed. The interface includes a docking connector. The docking connector includes first make/last break contacts that minimize internal damage to the internal electronics. The docking connector also includes specific keying arrangement to prevent noncompliant connectors from being plugged in, and thereby minimizes potential damage to the multi-communication device. The connector interface system also includes a remote connector which provides for the ability to output audio, input audio, provides I/O serial protocol, and to provide an output video. Embodiments of the present invention allow for a standard headphone cable to be plugged in but also for special remote control cables, microphone cables, video cables could be utilized in such a system. The connector interface system also includes a serial protocol to control device features. These controls help a user sort and search for data more efficiently within the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Novotney, John Benjamin Filson, David Tupman
  • Publication number: 20120050151
    Abstract: A very small form factor consumer electronic product includes at least a single piece housing having an integral front and side walls that cooperate to form a cavity in cooperation with a front opening where an edge of the side walls define a rear opening and at least some of the edges have flanges. The consumer electronic product also includes an user input assembly having a size and shape in accordance with the front opening and a clip assembly having a size and shape in accordance with the rear opening and having an external user actionable clip, a plurality of internal hooking features, and a plurality of internal latching features. The clip assembly is secured by engaging at least some of the hooking features and the flanges on the edges of the housing and engaging the latching features and corresponding attachment features on the internal support plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Teodor Dabov, Kyle Yeates, Anthony Montevirgen
  • Publication number: 20120052807
    Abstract: Techniques for facilitating communication between a portable media device (PMD) and an accessory via multiple communication paths. In one set of embodiments, an accessory can be coupled with a PMD via a first connection, thereby establishing a first control communication path. The accessory can send to the PMD, via the first control communication path, an enumeration of the communication paths supported by the accessory. The enumerated communication paths can include control communication paths and data (e.g., audio or video) communication paths. The accessory can further send, to the PMD via the first control communication path, an availability status of each data communication path. In response, the PMD can select, based on a routing policy, one or more of the data communication paths and can notify the accessory of the selected data communication path. The PMD and accessory can then interoperate by exchanging data signals over the selected data communication path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shailesh Rathi, Peter Lagenfeld, Lawrence Bolton
  • Publication number: 20120050567
    Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for processing statistics data in an image signal processor (ISP). In one embodiment, a statistics collection engine may be implemented in a front-end processing unit of the ISP, such that statistics are collected prior to processing by an ISP pipeline downstream from the front-end processing unit. In one embodiment, the statistics collection engine may be configured to acquire statistics relating to auto white-balance, auto-exposure, and auto-focus, as well as flicker detection. Collected statistics may be output to a memory and used by the ISP to process acquired image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Guy Côté, Jeffrey E. Frederiksen
  • Publication number: 20120052724
    Abstract: Heat sealing a connector assembly can be performed by providing connector assembly in component accessible state, overlaying sealing tape on electrical contacts and housing, sealing tape being impregnated with heat sensitive adhesive, the overlaying leaving the dimples exposed, and sealing the connector assembly by applying heat to heat sensitive sealing tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Eric S. Jol
  • Patent number: 8125461
    Abstract: An input device for providing dynamic displays is disclosed. The input device can modify the appearance and/or location of graphics associated with an input area of a device. For example, the input device can have a button layout that shifts based on the orientation of the electronic device relative to the user, such that the button layout is consistently presented to the user in an upright orientation. The input device can rotate and/or rename a button input area region depending on the context of an application running on the electronic device. The input device can display dynamic graphic content in an input area which is distinct from a display screen of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Weber, Stephen P. Zadesky, Stanley C. Ng, Andrew B. Hodge
  • Patent number: 8126863
    Abstract: A search control in a user interface enables a user to search documents on text or a tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Williams, John Anderson
  • Patent number: 8127202
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Cornwell, Christopher P. Dudte
  • Patent number: 8126312
    Abstract: A sequence of video images can be represented using multiple related timelines by generating a first timeline identifying a decode order associated with a sequence of video images and a second timeline identifying a display order associated with the sequence of video images, wherein the sequence of video images is comprised of one or more samples. The first and second timelines can be correlated based on an offset, which represents a time period by which decoding precedes display. The sequence of video images can then be played in accordance with the correlated first and second timelines. Additionally, the decode order in the first timeline can differ from the display order in the second timeline. A revised offset between the first and second timelines can be determined after the sequence of video images has been edited and the first and second timelines can be correlated based on the revised offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Samuel Bushell, Christopher Lance Flick
  • Patent number: 8125464
    Abstract: Normalization of regions of a sensor panel capable of detecting multi-touch events, or a sensor panel capable of detecting multi-hover events, is disclosed to enable each sensor in the sensor panel to trigger a virtual button in a similar manner, given the same amount of touch or hover. Each sensor produces an output value proportional to the level or amount of touch or hover. However, due to processing, manufacturing and physical design differences, the sensor output values can vary from region to region or panel to panel for a given amount of touch or hover. To normalize the sensor output values across regions, gain and offset information can be obtained in advance, stored in nonvolatile memory, and later used to normalize the sensor output values so that all regions in the sensor panel can trigger virtual buttons similarly, providing a uniform “response function” at any location on the sensor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Richards Land, Steve Porter Hotelling, Richard Wei Kwang Lim
  • Patent number: 8126966
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a message from a mobile device over a wireless network, the message including several attachments, wherein the several attachments include one or more mobile device attachments corresponding to content captured using the mobile device, identifying the one or more mobile device attachments; and separating the one or more mobile device attachments from the plurality of attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Dote, Stephane Lunati, Ken Goto, William T. Duffy, Graham S. Orndorff, Mankit Sze
  • Patent number: 8125394
    Abstract: Antennas for electronic devices such as portable computers are provided. An antenna may be formed from a conductive cavity and an antenna probe that serves as an antenna feed. The conductive cavity may have the shape of a quartered rectangular cavity and may have first and second side walls, top and bottom walls, and first and second openings. The first and second openings may be planar in shape and may meet at a right angle along an axis. The antenna probe may be disposed along the axis. The axis at which the first and second openings of the cavity meet may be located at the corner of an electronic device housing. The portable computer may have upper and lower housing portions that meet at a gasket. The gasket may be placed adjacent to the cavity face openings so that radio-frequency signals may enter and exit the cavity through the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Bing Chiang
  • Patent number: 8125344
    Abstract: A portable computer may include battery indicator light structures. Battery status information in the portable computer may be presented to a user using an array of light-emitting diodes or other light emitters. Light-emitting diodes may be mounted on a printed circuit board. A stiffener may provide the printed circuit board with rigidity. The printed circuit board may include a connector that allows the board to be connected to a main logic board. A switch on the printed circuit board may be actuated by a power button on the portable computer. An opaque member with an array of holes may be used to reduce light bleed between adjacent light-emitting diodes. Diffusing plastic may be mounted within the array of holes. Bumps in the diffusing plastic may mate with corresponding holes on a portable computer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Bartley K Andre, Duncan R. Kerr, Christopher Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, Chris Ligtenberg, John Brock, Tom Wilson, Dinesh Mathew, Brett W. Degner, Tomas E. Ponce
  • Patent number: 8125455
    Abstract: Normalization of regions of a sensor panel capable of detecting multi-touch events, or a sensor panel capable of detecting multi-hover events, is disclosed to enable each sensor in the sensor panel to trigger a virtual button in a similar manner, given the same amount of touch or hover. Each sensor produces an output value proportional to the level or amount of touch or hover. However, due to processing, manufacturing and physical design differences, the sensor output values can vary from region to region or panel to panel for a given amount of touch or hover. To normalize the sensor output values across regions, gain and offset information can be obtained in advance, stored in nonvolatile memory, and later used to normalize the sensor output values so that all regions in the sensor panel can trigger virtual buttons similarly, providing a uniform “response function” at any location on the sensor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Richards Land, Steve Porter Hotelling, Richard Wei Kwang Lim
  • Patent number: 8123894
    Abstract: A method of laminating a surface of a flexible material to a surface of a rigid, curved material. The method includes pressing an area of the surface of the flexible material into the surface of the rigid, curved material with a holder to create a contact area while the flexible material is conformed to the holder, which has a curvature greater than a curvature of the rigid, curved material surface; and changing the contact area between the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid, curved material while maintaining pressure on the contact area until the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid curved material are laminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo Sung, Troy Edwards, Casey Feinstein, John Zhong, Steve Porter Hotelling, Andrew David Lauder
  • Patent number: 8127239
    Abstract: In one aspect, one or more computer storage media can store executable instructions causing a processor to perform operations that include: providing a display environment including one or more object items; receiving a user selection of at least one of the object items; and, graphically transitioning the object item into an instance of an executing object within the display environment while retaining an aspect ratio associated with the object item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John O. Louch, Imran A. Chaudhri, Christopher Hynes, Timothy Wayne Bumgarner, Eric Steven Peyton
  • Patent number: 8126845
    Abstract: Synchronization architectures, methods, systems, and computer readable media are described. One exemplary embodiment includes a first software component which is configured to cause retrieval and storage of structured data for a first data class from a first store of the structured data on a device, such as a first data processing system, and is configured to synchronize structured data for the first data class in the first store with structured data of the first data class in a second store on a host, such as a second data processing system. The first software component is separate from an application software which provides a user interface to allow a user to access and edit the structured data. The first software component synchronizes the structured data through a second software component which interfaces with the host and the device and which controls an order of synchronizing and a plurality of data classes including the first data class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon J. Freedman
  • Patent number: 8127045
    Abstract: Mechanisms to provide functionality that allows an electronic device to automatically use an appropriate network connection when an application requests access to a network resource. Initiation of the appropriate network connection may be determined based on contextual information provided by the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Allié, Howard Ridenour
  • Patent number: 8127246
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for presenting a user interface element. Movement of a user interface element that includes first and second pattern layers is detected. While the user interface element is moving, a first pattern layer is translated relative to a second pattern layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Caroline Furches, Imran A Chaudhri, Bas Ording