Patents Assigned to Apple
  • Patent number: 8054211
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a universal remote control, which includes a display screen and a user input mechanism. The universal remote control also includes a processing unit that is configured to display information on the display screen and to accept selection data from the user input mechanism. The universal remote control additionally includes a wireless communication mechanism that is configured to provide communications between the processing unit and an appliance or computer program running on a computer system. The appliance provides information to be displayed on the display screen, and information entered through the user input mechanism is communicated to the appliance. Since the appliance provides the information to be displayed on the display screen and also interprets the entries on the input mechanism, the universal remote control needs no special knowledge about the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Alberto Vidal
  • Patent number: 8054296
    Abstract: Pre-stored no-touch or no-hover (no-event) sensor output values can initially be used when a sensor panel subsystem is first booted up to establish an initial baseline of sensor output values unaffected by fingers or other objects touching or hovering over the sensor panel during boot-up. This initial baseline can then be normalized so that each sensor generates the same output value for a given amount of touch or hover, providing a uniform response across the sensor panel and enabling subsequent touch or hover events to be more easily detected. After the initial normalization process is complete, the pre-stored baseline can be discarded in favor of a newly captured no-event baseline that may be more accurate than the pre-stored baseline due to temperature or other variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Richards Land, Wayne Carl Westerman, Steve Porter Hotelling
  • Publication number: 20110269348
    Abstract: An improved portable media device and methods for operating a media device are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Rico ZORKENDORFER, Stephen Brian Lynch, Dinesh Mathew, Jonathan P. Ive, Stephen Paul Zadesky, Evans Hankey, Christopher David Prest
  • Publication number: 20110267359
    Abstract: Systems and methods include an electronic device having multiple GPUs and a GPU power control process that controls switching between a first GPU and a second GPU, such as a high performance GPU. The electronic device may be coupled to an external display by a passive adapter or an active adapter. The GPU power control process may determine if the second GPU is active and switch to the second GPU upon connection of the external display through either the passive adapter or the active adapter. Upon connection of an active adapter, the GPU power control process may use hot plug functionality to determine connection of the external display to the active adapter and provide appropriate switching in response thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David J. Redman, Wai Yu Trevor Tsang
  • Publication number: 20110271218
    Abstract: Associating an object with a relevant data source is disclosed. In some embodiments, an object pasted into a destination document is associated with a data source included in the destination document. In various embodiments, the data source associated with the object may comprise a data source concurrently pasted with the object into the destination document, a data source already existing in the destination document prior to the object being pasted into the destination document, or a data source generated in the destination document using data extracted from the pasted object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Peter Glen Berger, Peter William Rapp, Michael Duncan Trent, Christopher Douglas Weeldreyer
  • Publication number: 20110267279
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of a solid background layer in conjunction with a transparent display panel. In one such implementation, a layer that is switchable between opaque and transparent states is provided between the solid background layer and the transparent display panel. By switching the switchable layer between opaque and transparent states, visibility of the background layer through the transparent display panel may be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Felix Jose Alvarez Rivera, Albert John Golko, Daniel William Jarvis
  • Publication number: 20110269463
    Abstract: Preserving battery resources in a wireless device in communication with a wireless network by dynamically aligning a RRC connection status of a mobile wireless communication device in communication with a wireless network with a data traffic profile. The data traffic profile indicating a pattern of data transfer between the mobile wireless communication device and the wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Shiehlie Wang, Ben-Heng Juang
  • Patent number: 8051097
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Betouin, Mathieu Ciet, Augustin J. Farrugia
  • Patent number: 8050886
    Abstract: An electronic motion-based input device and method for correcting errors in acceleration due to a deviation from a horizontal plane of motion by correcting for gravitational acceleration components due to the deviation in the plane of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Farshid Moussavi
  • Patent number: 8050028
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Patent number: 8050670
    Abstract: A method for testing a mobile telephony network having a plurality of cells whose sizing depends on at least one selection or reselection parameter comprises a step for the recording, on an onboard computer connected to a mobile telephone, of predefined values of selection and reselection parameters for each cell to be tested, a step for the presetting, for each cell to be tested, of the predefined values of the selection and reselection parameters, and for the capture of data obtained by the mobile telephone for each cell, and a step for the processing of the captured data and the determining of the sizing of each cell. The system for implementing this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Olivier Buyse
  • Patent number: 8047880
    Abstract: Connectors having a smaller profile. These connectors are useful as a reduced form factor DisplayPort connector. Keys on a receptacle are used to indicate when an insert is fully engaged. Edges of the receptacle and insert are chamfered in such a way as to prevent the pins of the connector from being damaged when an improper insertion is attempted. User experience is also enhanced by the use of one or more latches. As the connector is inserted, the latch provides resistance that builds until the connector is inserted a certain distance, after which the latch enters a cutout portion of the insert thus releasing the pressure and letting the user know the connection has been made. Fingers are employed to provide mechanical stability and electrical connection between receptacle and insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stewart Shannon Fields, Matthew K. Herndon, Min Chul Kim, Ron Larson, Richard J. Middlehurst, Anilkumar R. Pannikkat, Glenn Wheelock, Colin Whitby-Strevens
  • Patent number: 8047966
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that allow sports or other equipment, such as gym or other cardio equipment, to write data to a media player. Examples further provide the uploading of this data to a computer and third-party website. To monitor progress, the third-party website can be used to track workout data over time. The third party-website can also collect data from other users, which is particularly useful for providing a competitive environment. This data can then be graphically displayed in various ways to provide encouragement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Dorogusker, Scott Krueger, Lawrence Bolton, Emily C. Schubert, Gregory T. Lydon, Debbie Lambert, Michael Hailey, Donald Ginsburg
  • Patent number: 8049120
    Abstract: Electronic devices and other apparatuses that include plastic parts ultrasonically bonded to metal parts are disclosed. A first component or part includes a metallic surface region having a surface roughness with one or more surface irregularities. A second component or part formed from a plastic material that can include an energy director is attached to the metallic surface region via an ultrasonic bond, such that a portion of the plastic material is melted or otherwise formed into the surface irregularities to attach the two components or parts together. The parts can be housings, internal components or other items. The surface irregularities can be formed as a result of a chemical etching process, a machining process, or a combination thereof, and can result in the creation of undercuts or cavities in the metallic surface region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher David Prest, Douglas Weber
  • Patent number: 8049732
    Abstract: A touch surface device having improved sensitivity and dynamic range is disclosed. In one embodiment, the touch surface device includes a touch-sensitive panel having at least one sense node for providing an output signal indicative of a touch or no-touch condition on the panel; a compensation circuit, coupled to the at least one sense node, for generating a compensation signal that when summed with the output signal removes an undesired portion of the output signal so as to generated a compensated output signal; and an amplifier having an inverting input coupled to the output of the compensation circuit and a non-inverting input coupled to a known reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Porter Hotelling, Brian Richards Land
  • Patent number: 8050714
    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 wireless media player system that includes a hand held media player capable of transmitting information over a wireless connection and one or more media devices capable of receiving information over the wireless connection. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of wirelessly connecting the hand held media player to another device. The method includes selecting a media item on the hand held media player; selecting one or more remote recipients on the hand held media player; and transmitting the media item locally to the hand held media player, and wirelessly to the selected remote recipients. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Stephen Paul Zadesky, John Benjamin Filson
  • Patent number: 8049862
    Abstract: A layer of material, such as crystalline indium tin oxide (ITO), is formed on top of a substrate by heating the material to a high temperature, while a temperature increase of the substrate is limited such that the temperature of the substrate does not exceed a predetermined temperature. For example, a layer including amorphous ITO can be deposited on top of the substrate, and the amorphous layer can be heated in a surface anneal process using radiation while limiting substrate temperature. Another process can pass electrical current through the amorphous ITO. In another process, the substrate is passed through a high-temperature deposition chamber quickly, such that a portion of a layer of crystalline ITO is deposited, while the temperature increase of the substrate is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lili Huang, John Z. Zhong
  • Patent number: D647876
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, 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, Douglas B. Satzger, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer
  • Patent number: D647921
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    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
  • Patent number: D648333
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Evans Hankey, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Steve Jobs, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Douglas B. Satzger, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Anthony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer