Patents Assigned to Apple
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Publication number: 20110250785Abstract: The disclosure describes an audio signal connector of a processor-based system for automatically determining an audio mode of the electronic device engaged with the audio signal connector. The processing system determines the audio mode by sensing the presence of a trigger provided in proximity to the sensor when a plug terminal is engaged with the audio signal connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Gavin Reid
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Publication number: 20110249961Abstract: A system, computer readable medium, and method for dynamically setting a camera's exposure parameters based on face detection are disclosed. When taking a picture or video of a person in front of a bright background, standard exposure algorithms tend to overexpose the background. In one embodiment disclosed herein, a face detection algorithm is run on the current picture or video frame, and the exposure metering region is inset over the detected face. Exposure time, gain, or other exposure parameters may be set based on the pixels within the exposure metering region. In another embodiment, the exposure metering region tracks a moving face according to lag parameters so that the exposure metering region remains substantially over the face. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of faces may be tracked, with the exposure parameters set based on a weighted average of the pixels within the plurality of face-containing exposure metering regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Ralph Brunner
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Publication number: 20110250768Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide sockets or connectors that are capable of operating at high data rates. One example provides a connector that uses a flex board to form a connection between pins of a socket or connector and a printed circuit board. In another example, one or more flex boards are used to provide a signal path between a memory device, such as an SODIMM, and a printed circuit board. Another example provides a stack of wafers, each formed of an insulated material and supporting one or more conductive pins for making an electrical connection between a memory device and a flex board.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Greg Springer, Vince Duperron, Marc Simmel, Peter Mitchell, Joshua Funamura
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Publication number: 20110252318Abstract: A user can make selections of one or more items, defined as a context, in a graphical user interface on a computer running software. The computer sends data to a connected wireless device, and the data is representative of the context. The wireless touch screen device displays one or more commands corresponding to the received context data and the commands can control the program on the computer. The wireless touch screen device then receives a user input on the wireless touch screen device to execute one of the one or more commands. The wireless touch screen device then sends the user command to the computer, wherein the computer executes the command and controls the program according to the user command. For example, this can allow remote control of a DAW, video-editing software, photo-editing software, and word processing software by a coupled wireless touch screen device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Jan-Hinnerk Helms
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Publication number: 20110252429Abstract: Services for a personal electronic device are provided through which a form of background processing or multitasking is supported. The disclosed services permit user applications to take advantage of background processing without significant negative consequences to a user's experience of the foreground process or the personal electronic device's power resources. To effect the disclosed multitasking, one or more of a number of operational restrictions may be enforced. By way of example, thread priority levels may be overlapped between the foreground and background states. In addition, system resource availability may be restricted based on whether a process is receiving user input. In some instances, an application may be suspended rather than being placed into the background state. Implementation of the disclosed services may be substantially transparent to the executing user applications and, in some cases, may be performed without the user application's explicit cooperation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Lucia Ballard, David W. Goodwin, Joseph Sokol, Jr., Matthew G. Watson, Neil G. Crane, Cahya Masputra, Charles Srisuwananukorn, Christopher Marcellino, Scott Forstall, Gregory Novick
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Publication number: 20110249471Abstract: The disclosure describes a processing system with a soft power switch assembly configured to include a zero-power off mode that would allow an off state with no power drain by the device while maintaining all other soft power off mode capabilities, including low power modes, (e.g., sleep, hibernation modes). The processing system can be restored from the zero-power off mode using the same actuation mechanism used when switching from a power on mode to a soft power off mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Paul J. Costa
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Publication number: 20110252243Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for encryption and key management. The method includes encrypting each file on a computing device with a unique file encryption key, encrypting each unique file encryption key with a corresponding class encryption key, and encrypting each class encryption key with an additional encryption key. Further disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for encrypting a credential key chain. The method includes encrypting each credential on a computing device with a unique credential encryption key, encrypting each unique credential encryption key with a corresponding credential class encryption key, and encrypting each class encryption key with an additional encryption key. Additionally, a method of generating a cryptographic key based on a user-entered password and a device-specific identifier secret utilizing an encryption algorithm is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael Lambertus Hubertus Brouwer, Mitchell David Adler
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Publication number: 20110249729Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a video encoding system that codes video sequence into a multi-level hierarchy based on levels of long term reference (LTR) frames. According to the present invention, an encoder designates a reference frame as a long term reference (LTR) frame and transmits the LTR frame to a receiver. Upon receiving feedback from the receiver acknowledging receipt of the LTR frame, the encoder periodically codes subsequent frames as reference frames using the acknowledged LTR frame as a reference and designates subsequent reference frames as secondary LTR frames. A determined number of frames after each secondary LTR frame may be coded using a preceding secondary LTR frame as a reference.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Xiaosong ZHOU, Dazhong Zhang, Davide Concion, Hsi-Jung Wu, Douglas Scott Price
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Publication number: 20110252233Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for initiating a backup, backing up encrypted data, and restoring backed up encrypted data. The method for initiating a backup includes sending a backup secret to a backup device having an encrypted file system, receiving from the backup device a backup ticket created based on the backup secret, and storing the backup ticket. The method for backing up encrypted data includes receiving a backup ticket and a backup secret, retrieving an escrow key bag containing protection class keys, decrypting the protection class keys with the backup ticket, generating a backup key bag containing new protection class keys, selecting a set of encrypted files to back up, decrypting the file encryption keys with corresponding decrypted protection class keys, re-encrypting the file encryption keys with new protection class keys, and transferring the selected encrypted files, the backup key bag, and metadata.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dallas Blake De Atley, Gordon Freedman, Thomas Brogan Duffy, JR., Kenneth Buffalo McNeil, David Rahardja
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Publication number: 20110252422Abstract: Services for a personal electronic device are provided through which a form of background processing or multitasking is supported. The disclosed services permit user applications to take advantage of background processing without significant negative consequences to a user's experience of the foreground process or the personal electronic device's power resources. To effect the disclosed multitasking, one or more operational restrictions may be enforced. A consequence of such restrictions, a process may not be able to do in the background state, what it may be able to do if it were in the foreground state. In one embodiment, while a background task may be permitted to complete a first task, it may not be permitted start a new task—being suspended after completion of the first task. Implementation of the disclosed services may be substantially transparent to the executing user applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Curtis Rothert, Gregory Novick, Henry G. Mason, Gregory R. Chapman, David Myszewski, Eric Albert
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Publication number: 20110252423Abstract: Services for a personal electronic device are provided through which a form of background processing or multitasking is supported. The disclosed services permit user applications to take advantage of background processing without significant negative consequences to a user's experience of the foreground process or the personal electronic device's power resources. To effect the disclosed multitasking, one or more of a number of operational restrictions may be enforced. A consequence of such restrictions may be that a process will not be able to do in the background state, what it may be able to do if it were in the foreground state. By way of example, network-based applications may be suspended until a message is received for them. At that time, the suspended application may be moved into the background state where it is permitted to respond to the message. In a similar fashion, audio application may be permitted to execute in background until suspended by user action.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Gordon J. Freedman, John Iarocci, Darren Litzinger, David Myszewski, Gregory R. Chapman, Christopher Marcellino
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Publication number: 20110252236Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for initiating data synchronization between devices. The method includes sending a host identifier and pairing record to a second device having a file system encrypted on a per file and on a per class basis for a set of classes, receiving from the second device a sync ticket containing encryption keys for the set of classes, and storing the sync ticket. Also disclosed is a method for synchronizing encrypted data between devices. This method includes receiving, at a first device having a file system encrypted on a per file and on a per class basis, a sync ticket containing encryption keys from a second device, retrieving an escrow key bag containing protection class keys, decrypting protection class keys based on the sync ticket, and synchronizing data with the second device based on the decrypted protection class keys.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dallas Blake De Atley, Gordon Freedman, Thomas Brogan Duffy, JR., Paul Andrew Seligman
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Publication number: 20110252180Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for dynamically mapping and remapping memory when a portion of memory is activated or deactivated are provided. In accordance with an embodiment, an electronic device may include several memory banks, one or more processors, and a memory controller. The memory banks may store data in hardware memory locations and may be independently deactivated. The processors may request the data using physical memory addresses, and the memory controller may translate the physical addresses to hardware memory locations. The memory controller may use a first memory mapping function when a first number of memory banks is active and a second memory mapping function when a second number is active.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Ian Hendry, Rajabali Koduri, Jeffry Gonion
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Publication number: 20110249133Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a video encoding system in which a video coding engine establishes coding quality metrics that govern its own operation as well as the operation of a camera and/or a pre-processor. An imaging system may include an image acquisition system, a pre-processor and a coding engine. The coding engine may output a quality indicator identifying, for each portion of a video sequence currently being coded, a relatively level of coding quality that is being achieved. The imaging system further may include an image acquisition controller and a pre-processor controller that impose respective operating parameters upon the image acquisition system and the pre-processor in response to these quality indicators. In this manner, overall performance of the imaging system may be improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Xiaosong ZHOU, Douglas Scott PRICE, Hsi-Jung WU, Dazhong ZHANG
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Publication number: 20110247480Abstract: Processor-implemented methods and systems for polyphonic note detection are disclosed. The method includes converting a portion of a polyphonic audio signal from a time domain to a frequency domain. The method includes detecting a fundamental frequency peak in the frequency domain. The method then detects a defined number of integer-interval harmonic partials. If a defined number of integer-interval harmonic partials relative to the fundamental frequency peak are detected the fundamental frequency is recorded as a detected note. This process is repeated for each fundamental frequency until each note in the polyphonic audio signal has been detected. For example, this method allows detection of each note in a strummed guitar chord to provide feedback on the tuning of each string in a strummed chord or allows detection and feedback of the timing and pitch errors for guitar chords played along with a reference track.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steffen Gehring, Markus Sapp, Pierre Fournier
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Publication number: 20110249756Abstract: In many videoconferencing applications, bandwidth is at a premium, and thus, it is important to encode a given video frame intelligently. It is often desirable that a larger amount of information be spent encoding the more important parts of the video frame, e.g., human facial features, whereas the less important parts of the video frame can be compressed at higher rates. Thus, there is need for an apparatus, computer readable medium, processor, and method for intelligent skin tone and facial feature aware videoconferencing compression that can “suggest” intelligent macroblock compression ratios to a video encoder. The suggestion of compression rates can be based at least in part on a determination of which macroblocks in a given video frame are likely to contain skin tones, likely to contain features (e.g., edges), likely to contain features in or near skin tone regions, or likely to contain neither skin tones nor features.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Frank Doepke
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Publication number: 20110250840Abstract: Methods and systems for powering-off a Bluetooth device from a linked device are provided. A device can transmit a Bluetooth signal to a linked device to instruct the linked device to power-off. In this manner, the user need only turn off one device manually which results in all linked devices being powered off. This process can be initiated by a user through a device directly linked with the device to be powered-off or through a device that is indirectly connected, through one or more Bluetooth networks, with the device to be powered-off. This process can also be automatically initiated by a device when a set of predetermined conditions exist. Once instructed to do so, a device can initiate a predetermined power-off process which can involve terminating any ongoing functions and turning off various subsystems. In accordance with the present invention, a user can initiate a power-off of all the devices on a Bluetooth network through a single device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Michael M. Lee, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Christopher D. McKillop
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Publication number: 20110252200Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for maintaining cache coherence between two or more heterogeneous processors are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, such an electronic device may include memory, a first processing unit having a first characteristic memory usage rate, and a second processing unit having a second characteristic memory usage rate lower than the first. The first and second processing units may share at least a portion of the memory and one or both of the first and second processing units may maintain internal cache coherence at a first granularity, while maintaining cache coherence between the first processing unit and the second processing unit at a second granularity. The first granularity may be finer than the second granularity.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Ian Hendry, Rajabali Koduri
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Patent number: 8036378Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for performing authentication. The proposed scheme utilizes new algorithms that introduce randomness using a physical value for authentication. An exemplary method includes sharing an initial state value S(0) with a sender and a receiver, generating a sender S(t, v) based on a parameter t and an identifier v and based at least in part on the value S(0). The method includes generating a receiver S(t, v) from S(0) based on the parameter t and the identifier v wherein the parameter t is related to a physical value in authenticating the identifier v based on a comparison of the sender S(t, v) and the receiver S(t, v). The process of generating the sender S(t, v) and the receiver S(t, v) includes a random variable generated by a process such as by a random number generator, the Brownian Motion or Wiener Process. Other embodiments do not use the physical value for authentication.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Mathieu Ciet, Augustin Farrugia, Jean-Francois Riendeau, Nicholas T. Sullivan
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Patent number: 8037220Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 23, 2009Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Moore, William G. Stewart, Gerhard H. Lengeling