Patents Assigned to Apple
  • Patent number: 8185674
    Abstract: An audio system communicates with an aggregate device that includes multiple audio devices. When providing audio data for playback, the system compensates for presentation latency differences between the various audio devices. In addition, the system adjusts for device clock drift by selecting a master device and resampling the audio data provided to the other devices based on the difference between the device clock of the master device and the device clocks of the other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Moore, William G. Stewart, Gerhard H. Lengeling
  • Patent number: 8183454
    Abstract: A graphical view of a file component associated with an audio that is displayed in a graphical user interface (GUI) is automatically switched during playback of the audio. The switching is based on a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) view-switching track associated with a project file for the audio. In various embodiments, a musical instrument displayed in the GUI is automatically switched during playback of the audio based on a MIDI instrument-switching track associated with the same project file. Additionally, a metronome beat associated with the audio is automatically switched between on and off during playback of the audio based at least in part on a MIDI metronome-switching track associated with the song audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Helmut Luedecke, Gunter Udo Mensch, Stefan Pillhofer
  • Patent number: 8185843
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes displaying a user interface on a display device, the user interface displaying a content item, in response to receiving input, displaying a user interface control panel including a user interface control, the user interface control configured to enable modifying one or more attributes of the content item, and in response to detecting a first selection of the user interface control, displaying a portion of the user interface control panel and hiding a portion of the user interface control panel, the displayed portion of the user interface control panel including the user interface control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil Bhatt, Clem Holloman
  • Patent number: 8185942
    Abstract: In the computer client-server context, typically used in the Internet for communicating between a central server and user computers (clients), a method is provided for token passing which enhances security for client-server communications. The token passing is opaque, that is tokens as generated by the client and server are different and can be generated only by one or the other but can be verified by the other. This approach allows the server to remain stateless, since all state information is maintained at the client side. This operates to authenticate the client to the server and vice versa to defeat hacking attacks, that is, penetrations intended to obtain confidential information. The token as passed includes encrypted values including encrypted random numbers generated separately by the client and server, and authentication values based on the random numbers and other verification data generated using cryptographic techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Augustin J. Farrugia, Gianpaolo Fasoli, Jean-Francois Riendeau, Michael L. H. Brouwer, Justin Henzie
  • Patent number: 8185822
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method that from a source external to a device, imports a first image and a lower resolution second image that corresponds to the first image into the device. The method assigns the second image as a temporary preview of the first image. The method generates a preview third image for the first image. In some embodiments, the method further selects the first image for display before generating the preview third image. The selecting causes the temporary preview image to be displayed as a preview of the first image. In some embodiments, the method further selects the first image for display after generating the preview third image. The selecting causes the preview third image to be displayed as a preview of the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil Bhatt, Alex Wallace, Curt Bianchi, Mark Kawano, Greg Gilley
  • Patent number: 8185529
    Abstract: Providing immediate search feedback is disclosed. Search input is received within a search field of a web browser application. Based on characteristics of the search input, a determination is made whether to automatically submit a query to a search engine. In one aspect, the query is automatically submitted to the search engine. The query is based on the received first search input. Results are displayed within the web browser application, the results web page returned from the query submitted to the search engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott James Forstall, Donald D. Melton, John William Sullivan, Darin Benjamin Adler
  • Patent number: 8182139
    Abstract: Temperature sensing circuitry is used for thermal management of an electronic device. The temperature sensing circuitry includes at least one thermistor placed at or near a component of the electronic device. The temperature sensing circuitry also includes a high-precision resistor for calibration purposes. The resistance of the resistor is equivalent to the resistance of the thermistor at a reference temperature. A calibration reading is obtained using a set current that is being passed through the resistor. An error present in the temperature sensing circuitry is determined based on the calibration reading and a design value. A temperature measurement associated with the component is then made using the thermistor, while the set current is being passed through the thermistor. The error is corrected in the temperature measurement of the component. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hugo Fiennes, Keith Alan Cox
  • Patent number: 8182638
    Abstract: A media player comprising a display screen is provided. The media player can include a housing having an opening and an area of reduced thickness around the opening. The media player can also include a transparent wall having a flange. Alternatively, the transparent wall may not require a flange but rather can be a flat, substantially transparent piece of material such as plexiglass or glass. The flange can be adhered to a surface of the area of reduced thickness in order to form a transparent protective cover for the display screen. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided. The method can include forming a transparent wall having a stepped edge for placing in an opening of a media player. The method can also include adhering an adhesive to at least one surface of the stepped edge of the transparent wall. The method can include as well using the cutting tool to cut away a portion of the underside of a housing that surrounds an opening in a media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Joseph Weber, Pinida Jan Moolsintong, Stephen P. Zadesky
  • Patent number: 8185823
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for zoom indication for stabilizing unstable video clips is described. To indicate zoom, a zoom value associated with an unstable segment of a video clip is received. The zoom value represents a value by which frames of the video clip in the unstable segment need to be zoomed to stabilize the unstable segment. An indicia is displayed representing the zoom value in a thumbnail in a user interface. The thumbnail represents the video clip. The indicia displayed over a region in the thumbnail corresponding to the unstable segment in the video clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Ubillos
  • Patent number: 8184096
    Abstract: Responsive to a trigger event, a first cursor state having a first visual appearance is transitioned into a second cursor state having a second visual appearance. A transition type and transition time can be specified so that the transition can be visually perceived by a user. The cursor states can be associated with different cursor types and/or cursor schemes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: John O. Louch
  • Patent number: 8185706
    Abstract: In a copyback or read operation for a non-volatile memory subsystem, data page change indicators are used to manage transfers of data pages between a register in non-volatile memory and a controller that is external to the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nir Jacob Wakrat, Mark Alan Helm
  • Patent number: 8184130
    Abstract: To better realize the great potential of amateur digital photography, the present invention introduces an integrated system for the acquisition, organization, manipulation, and publication of digital images by amateur digital photography enthusiasts. The system of the present invention first acquires images from a number of different image sources. Images acquired in the same image importing session are marked as coming from the same conceptual film roll. Next, a user is empowered to organize and manipulate the acquired images. The images may be organized by tagging the images with informative keywords and grouping images together into conceptual photo albums. Furthermore, the images may be manipulated by rotating, cropping, and removing red-eye. Finally, the system of the present invention provides simple intuitive image publish systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Reid, Aaron Disario, Tim Wasko, Daniel B. Waylonis
  • Publication number: 20120118950
    Abstract: A calling card includes a gift code that can be used to redeem a gift online (e.g., songs, ring tones, coupons, physical merchandise) using an electronic communications device (e.g., a personal computer, mobile phone, electronic tablet). When a user attempts to redeem the gift online, the user can be provided with a web page, email, text message or other electronic document that provides the user with information about the card provider and allows the user to perform certain actions for the benefit of the card provider or a third party. The card provider can be electronically notified during or after an attempt by the user to redeem the gift online. The identity or other personal information of the user is not shared with the card provider unless the user volunteers to share such information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Andy Belk
  • Publication number: 20120124507
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for storing and restoring digital data. In some implementations, a method is provided. The method includes receiving, while a current view of an application is displayed in a user interface, a first user input requesting that a history view associated with the current view of the application be displayed, retrieve data associated with the history view, determining a presentation format for the data, and displaying the history view in response to the first user input in accordance with the presentation format, the history view including data associated with at least a first visual representation of an earlier version of the current view of the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Toby Charles Wood Paterson, David Lyons, Julien Jacques Jalon, Julien Yann Robert, Pavel Cisler, Yan Arrouye, Robert M. Chinn
  • Publication number: 20120120277
    Abstract: A camera includes a lens arranged to focus an image on an image sensor and a touch sensitive visual display for freely selecting two or more regions of interest on a live preview image by touch input. An image processor is coupled to the image sensor and the touch sensitive visual display. The image processor displays the live preview image according to the image focused on the image sensor by the lens. The image processor further receives the selection the regions of interest and controls acquisition of the image from the image sensor based on the characteristics of the image in regions that correspond to at least two of the regions of interest on the live preview image. The image processor may optimize sharpness and/or exposure of the image in at least two of the regions of interest. The image processor may track movement of the selected regions of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Richard Tsai
  • Publication number: 20120124366
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods and computer-readable media to perform data encryption and decryption using a derivation function to obtain a key per page of data in a white-box environment. The method includes sharing a master key with the sender and receiver, splitting the input data into blocks and sub-blocks, and utilizing a set of keys and a master key to derive a page key. In another aspect of this disclosure, the key validation and shuffling operations are included. This method allows for the derivation of a key instead of storing a predetermined key, thus maintaining system security in a white-box environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mathieu Ciet, Augustin J. Farrugia, Filip Toma Paun
  • Publication number: 20120124244
    Abstract: Techniques for predicting accessory behavior and techniques for responding based on the predicted behavior are provided. A mobile computing device (MCD) determines firmware being used by an accessory. Based on the determination, the MCD can predict a command most likely to be received next from the accessory. After the MCD determines the command most likely to be received next from the accessory, the MCD can retrieve the information to be sent in response to the command and/or initiate an operation to be performed in response to the command prior to actually receiving the command from the accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Yew
  • Publication number: 20120121178
    Abstract: A colour image comprises colour values in each of one or more colour channels for each of a plurality of points, or pixels, within the image. The image is represented by rank ordering the values in each colour channel. The image representation generated in this way is usable for automated-vision or computer-vision tasks, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Graham Finlayson
  • Publication number: 20120121121
    Abstract: A speaker includes a frame, a sound radiating surface, and a suspension that couples the sound radiating surface to the frame. A horizontal former is coupled to the radiating surface. The former extends substantially horizontally outward of a peripheral portion of the radiating surface, to a peripheral portion that is separate from the suspension. A coil is coupled to the peripheral portion of the horizontal former. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Raymond Wilk
  • Publication number: 20120120562
    Abstract: An electronic device having a unitary housing is disclosed. The device can include a first housing component having an open cavity, an internal electronic part disposed within the cavity, a second housing component disposed across the cavity, and a support feature disposed within the cavity and arranged to support the second housing component. The first housing component can be formed from metal, while the second housing component can be formed from a plurality of laminated foil metal layers. The second housing component can be attached to the first housing component via one or more ultrasonic welds, such that a fully enclosed housing is created. The fully enclosed housing can be hermetically sealed, and the outside surfaces thereof can be machined or otherwise finished after the ultrasonic welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Stephen P. Zadesky, Trent Weber, Lucy E. Browning