Patents Assigned to Apple
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Publication number: 20110180302Abstract: Compression molded cable structures and systems and methods for manufacturing molded cable structures are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2011Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Aase, Paul Choiniere, Greg Dunham
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Publication number: 20110182509Abstract: A method performed by a software process executing on a computer system includes selecting a first set of pixels in a digital image in the RGB color space. The pixels are selected such that, for each pixel in the set, a red component is a highest value component and a blue component is a lowest value component. The method also includes identifying at least a subset of the first set as a region of orange hue in the digital image.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventor: Robert Mikio Free
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Publication number: 20110182520Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining a location relative to an object and a type of a light source that illuminated the object when the image was captured, are described. A method performed by a process executing on a computer system includes identifying an object of interest in a digital image. The method further includes projecting at least a portion of the digital image corresponding to the object of interest onto a three dimensional (3D) model that includes a polygon-mesh corresponding to the object's shape. The method further includes determining one or more properties of a light source that illuminated the object in the digital image at an instant that the image was captured based at least in part on a characteristic of one or more polygons in the 3D model onto which the digital image portion was projected.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventor: Robert Mikio Free
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Publication number: 20110182441Abstract: This is directed to controlling the output of audio based on the mode of an electronic device. In particular, this is directed to an electronic device having a sound mode, silent mode, and mute mode controlling the output of audio along different audio output routes. In the sound mode, all audio can be output, while only registered or authorized audio can be output in the silent mode. In the mute mode, no audio can be output. The sound and silent modes can be enabled using an interface of the device (e.g., a switch having two possible states), while the mute mode can be enabled using an accessory coupled to the device. To disengage the mute mode, a user can provide a corresponding instruction using the accessory, or providing an instruction on the device related to volume control. For example, a user can change the device volume using an on-device interface, or toggle a sound/silent switch to a sound mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Patrick Coffman, Meriko Borogove, Jonathan Bennett, Gregory Chapman, Anthony Guetta, Deepak Iyer, Eric Johnson
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Publication number: 20110185208Abstract: A data processing system that uses memory power reduction in a sleep state. The system can include a volatile memory and at least one data input peripheral and a logic circuit that is configured to manage power consumption of the data processing system for a sleep of the system. The logic circuit can be coupled to the volatile memory and can be configured to turn off power to the volatile memory in response to an event, occurring during the sleep state, but to otherwise remain in the sleep state. The sleep state can be an ACPI complaint S3 sleep state in which the volatile memory, such as DRAM, is powered off after a period of user inactivity during the S3 sleep state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Derek Iwamoto, Steven J. Sfarzo, Ryan Schmidt, Derrick Carty, Keith Cox
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Publication number: 20110182503Abstract: A method performed by a software process executing on a computer system, includes accessing a digital image having a plurality of pixels encoded in a color space that defines hue as a pair of Cartesian coordinates. The method also includes calculating a chroma value for a specified pixel by determining a distance between a point corresponding to a hue coordinate pair value for the specified pixel and a Cartesian origin point. The calculated chroma value is compared to a predetermined threshold and an image processing operation is performed on the digital image based on a result of the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventor: Robert Mikio Free
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Publication number: 20110181602Abstract: A user interface is provided for interacting with slides and objects provided on slides. In certain embodiments, the user interface includes features that are displayed attached to or proximate to selected slides or objects. In embodiments, aspects of the user interface may be used to preview, review, add, or modify transitions associated with animation from one slide to the next (or previous) and builds associated with animation of objects on slides.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ted Stephen Boda, Simon Alexander Robbie
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Publication number: 20110185297Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an image editing process on an electronic device that uses an image mask to edit an image object. The image editing process may include an image mask overlying the image object and having a frame and an aperture. The image editing process may crop the image object based on the portions of the image object overlaid by the mask frame and the mask aperture. The image object and the image mask may be separately selected and manipulated by selecting different regions of the image object or the image mask. Additionally, a user may resize the image object by moving a slider, such as by touching and moving a slider knob along an axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Elizabeth Gloria Guarino Reid, Kurt Allen Revis
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Publication number: 20110182507Abstract: A method, performed by a software process executing on a computer system, includes accessing a digital image comprising a plurality of pixels. The method also includes determining whether one or more pixels bounding a first rectangular sub-region of a predetermined size within the digital image satisfy a specified criterion. If a predetermined percentage of bounding pixels satisfy the specified criterion, the method assumes that all pixels within the first rectangular sub-region also satisfy the specified criterion. The method further includes selectively executing an image analysis algorithm on the digital image using the assumption that all pixels within the rectangular sub-region also satisfy the specified criterion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventor: Robert Mikio Free
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Publication number: 20110185204Abstract: A portable computing device (PCD) can control the operating state of a component within an accessory. For example, an accessory can have some components (e.g., a video processor) that are used for some operations but not for others. A PCD can determine whether a particular component will be used and can instruct the accessory to set the component to a desired state, e.g., powered up when in use and powered down when not in use. In some embodiments, the PCD can use status information provided by the accessory in determining a desired state for the accessory component. For example, in the case of a video converter accessory, if no display device or other video receiver is connected to the accessory, a video processor within the accessory can be powered down.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sylvain R. Y. Louboutin, Scott Krueger, Terry L. Tikalsky
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Publication number: 20110181686Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment determine at least one capability of a transfer of data, set at least one parameter that affects performance of the transfer to an initial state based on the capability, detect performance of the transfer, and modify the parameter based on the performance. In this way, the data transfer can adapt to changing capabilities of the network and the devices that send and receive the data.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicants: Apple Inc.Inventors: Hyeonkuk Jeong, James Oliver Normile, Joe S. Abuan, Ryan R. Salsbury
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Publication number: 20110181521Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a z-order editing process that adjusts the z-ordering of selected objects displayed on a user interface. The z-ordering editing process may include identifying one or more selected objects and providing a z-ordering editing mode having an interactive graphical adjustment tool. The interactive graphical adjustment tool may receive user inputs indicating a desired direction for z-ordering adjustment. Changes in the z-ordering of the selected objects may be applied and dynamically previewed before ultimately being accepted by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Elizabeth Gloria Guarino Reid, Kurt Allen Revis
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Patent number: 7985935Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed to a switch for electronic devices. The systems and methods provide for a switch disposed on a bottom surface of a circuit board enclosed in a housing of an electronic device. The circuit board may include an aperture. An actuating pin of the switch may extend through the aperture towards the top surface of the circuit board. An external actuator may be coupled to the actuating pin in the aperture on the circuit board. The external actuator may extend out through an opening in the housing for providing a user with access to the switch.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2008Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Emery Sanford
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Patent number: 7987381Abstract: A method of synchronizing cyclemasters over a distributed bridge is disclosed. The method comprises: a local portal sending a synchronization signal to a peer portal through a bridge fabric upon occurrence of a cycle synchronization event on the local portal; the peer portal sampling its local cycle timer to obtain a sample value when the peer portal receives the synchronization signal; a bridge manager at an upstream portal communicating the sample value to a bridge manager at an alpha portal; the bridge manager at the alpha portal using the sampled time value to compensate for delays through a bridge fabric, calculate the correction to be applied to a cycle timer associated with the alpha portal, and correct the cycle timer.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Colin Whitby-Strevens
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Patent number: 7986193Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for providing an oscillating signal of relatively precise frequency without using a signal provided by a crystal as a reference. Disclosed is a feedback oscillator circuit configured to output an oscillating signal having a frequency defined by a reference signal. The oscillating signal can be sent to one or more circuits including at least one frequency sensitive element. The frequency sensitive element produces an output signal which depends on the frequency of the oscillating signal. A controller controls the reference signal in order to cause an attribute of the output signal to have a value within a desired range.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Christoph Horst Krah
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Patent number: 7987378Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael M. Lee, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Christopher D. McKillop
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Patent number: 7986233Abstract: A theft prevention system for protecting portable electronic devices is disclosed. An acceleration sensor detects the acceleration of a portable electronic device, and a controller analyzes this acceleration to determine whether a theft condition is present. If so, an alarm can be initiated. The theft prevention system can include a filter for attenuating irrelevant acceleration frequencies and isolating those representative of theft, and comparison hardware/software for determining whether the detected acceleration matches a known acceleration profile characteristic of theft. Various parameters of the theft prevention system can also be set by a user through mechanisms such as a graphical user interface.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Paul J. Wehrenberg
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Patent number: 7986731Abstract: A rate control system is disclosed for video coding applications. The rate controller assigns a quantization parameter for video data in a picture in response to complexity indicators indicative of spatial complexity, motion complexity and/or bits per pel of the picture. A virtual buffer based quantizer parameter is proposed based on a virtual buffer fullness analysis and a target rate estimate, which is derived from the complexity indicators. A second quantizer parameter is proposed from a linear regression analysis of quantizer parameters used to code previously coded pictures of similar type (e.g., I pictures, P pictures or B pictures). A coding policy decision unit defines a final quantizer parameter from a comparison of the two proposed quantizer parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Barin Haskell, Adriana Dumitras, James Normile, Hsi-Jung Wu, Xiaochun Nie, Atul Puri
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Patent number: 7986313Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to performing boundary scanning without using a pin which is exclusively dedicated for that purpose. The boundary scan can be performed by an integrated circuit by utilizing a pin which has an alternative use during ordinary operation of the integrated circuit and the device. This pin can be connected to an analog circuit configured to sense capacitance outside of the pin. The analog circuit may also have an alternative function in normal operation of the device. During a testing mode, the analog circuit can sense a stray capacitance present at the pin. The sensed capacitance can be compared to one or more stored expected capacitance values to determine an interconnection state of the system.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Christoph Horst Krah
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Patent number: 7986840Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described including receiving input specifying an image frame from among a series of image frames, and automatically detecting one or more points in the specified image frame that would be suitable for tracking a point in the series of image frames. In addition, a computer-implemented method is described including choosing a first position of a point on a first image frame of a plurality of image frames, and displaying in a bounded region on the first image frame content relating to a second image frame of the plurality of image frames, wherein the content displayed in the bounded region includes a second position of the point at a different time than the first position of the point.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jean-Francois Pelletier, Gregory Niles