Patents Assigned to Apple
  • Publication number: 20110255700
    Abstract: Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for detecting musical structures, such as downbeats. In one aspect, a method performed by a data processing device includes receiving an input audio signal. The method includes detecting a meter in the received audio signal. Detecting the meter includes generating an envelope of the received audio signal; generating an autocorrelation phase matrix having a two-dimensional array based on the generated envelope to identify a dominant periodicity in the received audio signal; and filtering both dimensions of the generated autocorrelation phase matrix to enhance peaks in the two-dimensional array. The meter represents a time signature of the input audio signal having multiple beats. Additionally, the method includes identifying a downbeat as a first beat in the detected meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Cynthia Maxwell, Frank Martin Ludwig Gunter Baumgarte
  • Publication number: 20110256463
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that provides a power source. The power source includes a set of fuel cells arranged in a fuel cell stack. The power source also includes a power bus configured to connect the fuel cells in a parallel configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Steven C. Michalske, Bradley L. Spare
  • Publication number: 20110255252
    Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with ejectable component assemblies. Each ejectable component assembly may include a tray that can be loaded with one or more types of removable module, such as a mini-SIM card and a micro-SIM card, and inserted into the device. Each assembly may also include a base coupled to a circuit board for electrically coupling with the removable module, a cage for biasing the module down against the base, and a guide for retaining the module at a functional insertion position within the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Sloey, Michelle Yu
  • Publication number: 20110254464
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing stable and accurate low noise DC reference voltage are described. In the described embodiments, a feedback controlled DC reference voltage supply provides a stable and well controlled sense current. The sense current is in turn used to produce a stable and well controlled light output from a light emitting diode (LED).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Li-Quan Tan, Wing Kong Low, Thai La
  • Patent number: 8041968
    Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently managing power consumption in portable electronic devices are provided. In one embodiment, power management circuitry may operate the device in a low power mode (e.g., a HIBERNATION mode), but enables the device to quickly become fully operational in response to a power-ON event, despite having been in that low power mode. This may be accomplished by powering a processor engaging memory (e.g., SDRAM) while other circuitry are powered OFF. In another embodiment, the display may be driven by an application portion when operating in an ON mode, but may be driven by a carrier portion when the application is operating in a low power mode. In another embodiment, various discrete circuitry portions are selectively turned ON and OFF, depending, for example, on whether a particular discrete circuitry portion is idle or its processing functionality is not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: David Tupman
  • Patent number: 8041291
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and machine readable media relating to content delivery are described herein. A method, according to one embodiment described herein, includes delivering content to a mobile electronic communications device, such as a cell phone, wherein the content is delivered as a predetermined group of images. A server may store various groups of images of wallpapers for a cell phone, and a cell phone user may download a specific group of wallpapers or background images for the cell phone. Apparatuses, media and other methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Marie Hullot, Bertrand Guiheneuf
  • Patent number: 8041186
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for processing metadata associated with digital video in a multi-state video computer readable medium. The method specifies a set of rules for propagating the metadata between different states in the video computer readable medium. It then propagates the metadata between the states based on the specified set of rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: David Robert Black
  • Patent number: 8041438
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligently routing and managing audio signals within an electronic device is disclosed. The routing is responsive to a set of logical and physical policies which are stored in data tables which can be updated as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Batson, Meriko L. Borogove, Gregory R. Chapman, Patrick L. Coffman, Anthony J. Guetta, Aram Lindahl, Andrew Rostaing
  • Patent number: 8041848
    Abstract: A media processing system and device with improved power usage characteristics, improved audio functionality and improved media security is provided. Embodiments of the media processing system include an audio processing subsystem that operates independently of the host processor for long periods of time, allowing the host processor to enter a low power state. Other aspects of the media processing system provide for enhanced audio effects such as mixing stored audio samples into real-time telephone audio. Still other aspects of the media processing system provide for improved media security due to the isolation of decrypted audio data from the host processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Conroy, Barry Corlett, Aram Lindahl, Steve Schell, Niel D. Warren
  • Patent number: 8040326
    Abstract: This relates to adding multi-touch functionality to a display without the need of a separate multi-touch panel or layer overlaying the display. Instead, embodiments of the invention can advantageously utilize existing display circuitry to provide multi-touch functionality while adding relatively little circuitry that is specific to the multi-touch functionality. Thus, by sharing circuitry for the display and the multi-touch functionalities, embodiments of the invention can be implemented at a lower cost than the alternative of superimposing additional multi-touch related layers onto an existing display panel. Furthermore, since the display and multi-touch functionality can be implemented on the same circuit, they can be synchronized so that noise resulting from the display functionality does not detrimentally affect the multi-touch functionality and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Porter Hotelling, John Z. Zhong
  • Patent number: 8040359
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for producing images including emulation techniques using multiple processors. The system provides for emulation of graphics processing resources such that a central processing unit may provide graphics support. Disclosed embodiments include emulation of selected graphics calls as well as emulation of a programmable graphics processor for compatibility with systems having no compatible GPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: John Harper
  • Patent number: 8041126
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system, for scanning a first portion of a data to generate a second portion of data is provided. A control parameter relating to a level of detail associated with filtering a first portion of data is received. The filtering of the first portion of data is performed based upon the control parameter. The filtering of the first portion of data includes a rule-based filtering, a context-based filtering, a statistical-based filtering, or a semantic-based filtering. Performing the filtering provides for a reduction of a portion of the first portion of data. A second portion of data that is smaller than the first portion of data is provided based upon the filtering of the first portion of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Devang K. Naik, Kim E. A. Silverman
  • Patent number: 8039360
    Abstract: The disclosure identified as methods of mounting integrated circuits, including solar cells, to a substrate wherein the circuits are mounted prior to being singulated into discrete die. Once the semiconductor die sites or other circuits are formed on a wafer, the wafer will be attached, either whole, or divided into one or more multi-die site wafer segments, to a substrate. This attachment may be by conventional surface mount technology, for example. After such mounting, the individual die sites on the wafer segments will be singulated to form discrete die already mounted to the supporting substrate. The singulation may be preferably performed by laser dicing of the wafer segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Spare, Michael D. Hillman, Gregory Tice
  • Patent number: 8040360
    Abstract: Methods to manipulate a screen space of a display device are disclosed. A plurality of application windows of a plurality of applications are displayed on a screen space. At least a first application and a second application are executing to display a plurality of windows. A user interface of system level applications may be displayed. A selection of a single application mode is received. In response to the receiving of the selection of the single application mode, all the windows are removed automatically from the screen space, except for a first application window. At least the first and second applications continue being executed. The user interface of the system level applications may continue to be displayed. Next, a request to display a second application window is received. The second application window is displayed while the first application window is removed from the screen space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: John Louch
  • Patent number: 8041981
    Abstract: Embodiments of a synchronization circuit, a method for synchronizing clock signals, and electronic devices that include the synchronization circuit or a computer-program product (e.g., software) with instructions for operations in the method are described. This synchronization circuit synchronizes clock signals in different timing domains using state variables. In particular, the synchronization circuit generates a synchronization acquisition curve based on a temporal history of state-variable differences between the clock signals. Next, the synchronization circuit synchronizes the clock signals (without a discontinuous temporal transient in one or more state variables of a dependent one of the clock signals) based on the sum of the synchronization acquisition curve and the state-variable differences between the clock signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Cornelius
  • Patent number: 8041300
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide compatibility among incompatible accessories and portable media players. One example provides an adapter having a connector receptacle to mate with an accessory's connector insert and a connector insert to mate with a portable media player's connector receptacle. Another example provides an adapter having a direct connection between pins on the connector insert and pins on the connector receptacle that are used for compatible signals. Another example provides an adapter including a DC-to-DC converter that receives a first power supply from an accessory and provides a second power supply to a portable media player. Another translates signals using different signaling technologies. Authentication and identification circuitry may also be included. Other examples may employ wireless technologies instead of either or both the connector insert and connector receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc
    Inventors: Jesse Dorogusker, Emily C. Schubert, Donald Ginsburg, Gregory T. Lydon, Lawrence G. Bolton
  • Patent number: 8040689
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Joseph Weber, Pinida Jan Moolsintong, Stephen Brian Lynch
  • Patent number: 8040319
    Abstract: A method for changing a value displayed on a screen is provided. In response to receiving a user input indicating motion in a particular direction, changing the value independent of where the position of a cursor is on the screen. The value being changed may comprise of a series of segments, and each segment value can be changed individually. In addition, a different user input device that does not indicate motion in a particular direction may be used to change segment values and to select other segment values. Methods for automatically formatting a segmented values and calculating a base time rate based on two different frame rates are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Heynen, Marian Goldeen, Egan Schulz, Daniel E. Fish
  • Patent number: D647106
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 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, Stephen Brian Lynch, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Emery Artemus Sanford, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer
  • Patent number: D647107
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniel J. Coster, Teodor Dabov, Daniele De Iuliis, Evans Hankey, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Anthony Montevirgen, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Kyle Yeates, Rico Zorkendorfer