Abstract: The present invention provides a search capability to allow a user to easily locate a menu command or other user interface element associated with a search result. In one embodiment, a user enters a search term (or a portion thereof) in a search field. A list of results is displayed, for example in a results menu. The user can select or highlight any of the listed results; in response, the corresponding command is brought into view in context within the user interface, and is highlighted. The user can activate the selected command directly from the search results menu.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing level shifter threshold voltages on an integrated circuit includes one or more level shifter modules each including a number of level shifter circuits. Each level shifter circuit may be coupled to a first and a second voltage supply. Each level shifter circuit may also receive an input signal that is referenced to the first voltage supply, and to generate an output signal that is referenced to the second voltage supply. In addition, each level shifter module may include detection logic that may detect an output value of each of the level shifter circuits. The control circuit may be configured to iteratively change the voltage output from one of the voltage supplies, and maintaining a voltage on the other voltage supply while the input signal is provided to the level shifter circuits. The detection logic may capture the output value upon each change in voltage.

Abstract: Providing a comparison of a set of similar items is disclosed. In some embodiments, a selection of a set of similar items to be included in a comparison is received from a first member of an online community, and the comparison is stored so that the comparison can be presented to a second member of the online community when an indication is received that the comparison is of interest to the second member.

Abstract: A synchronizer circuit for transferring data from a source clock domain to a target clock domain. A first latch in the target clock domain may capture a data value corresponding to current data received from the source clock domain. Under certain conditions, the first latch may enter into a metastable, or undefined logic state. A second latch may remain stable, and store a previous value corresponding to data that has most recently been transferred from the source clock domain to the target clock domain. The respective values output by the two latches may be compared by a detection circuit, and a value derived from the output value of the first latch and corresponding to the current data may be written to an output latch if the current data differs from the stored previous value. The detection circuit may also provide a defined logical value to the output latch even if the first latch is in a metastable state.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a computer-implemented method performed at a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display includes displaying information on the touch screen display in a portrait orientation. The method also includes detecting simultaneous rotation of two thumbs in a first sense of rotation on the touch screen display, and in response to detecting the simultaneous rotation of the two thumbs in the first sense of rotation, displaying the information in a landscape orientation. In some embodiments, the method further includes detecting simultaneous rotation of the two thumbs in a second sense of rotation that is opposite the first sense of rotation, and in response to detecting the simultaneous rotation of the two thumbs in the second sense of rotation, displaying the information in a portrait orientation.

Abstract: Some embodiments allow a video editor to remove unwanted camera motion from a sequence of video images (e.g., video frames). Some embodiments are implemented in a video editing application. Some of these embodiments distinguish unwanted camera motion from the intended underlying motion of a camera (e.g., panning and zooming) and/or motion of objects within the video sequence.

Abstract: Storing audio data encoded in any of a plurality of different audio encoding formats is enabled by parametrically defining the underlying format in which the audio data is encoded, in audio format and packet table chunks. A flag can be used to manage storage of the size of the audio data portion of the file, such that premature termination of an audio recording session does not result in an unreadable corrupted file. This capability can be enabled by initially setting the flag to a value that does not correspond to a valid audio data size and that indicates that the last chunk in the file contains the audio data. State information for the audio data, to effectively denote a version of the file, and a dependency indicator for dependent metadata, may be maintained, where the dependency indicator indicates the state of the audio data on which the metadata is dependent.

Abstract: A methodology for connecting device components with circuitry located at different levels and orientations relative to one another is described. First circuitry can be located on a multi-plane rigid circuit board where the multi-plane rigid circuit board can include at least one flexible member sharing a common substrate with the multi-plane rigid circuit board that extends from a body portion of the multi-plane rigid circuit board. The flexible member can include traces used to convey power and/or data and an interface coupled to the power and/or data traces. The flexible member can be deflected or twisted to connect first circuitry on the body portion of the multi-plane rigid circuit board to second circuitry associated with another device component.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that configures a battery for a computer system. During operation, the system disconnects the battery by simulating a fault condition using a safety circuit of the battery. The fault condition may be simulated to facilitate safe assembly of a computer system containing the battery. After assembly is complete, the system enables use of the battery in the computer system by applying external power to the computer system, which resets the safety circuit and reconnects the battery.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that configures a computer system to switch between graphics-processing units (GPUs). In one embodiment, the system drives a display using a first graphics-processing unit (GPU) in the computer system. Next, the system detects one or more events associated with one or more dependencies on a second GPU in the computer system. Finally, in response to the event, the system prepares to switch from the first GPU to the second GPU as a signal source for driving the display.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying images on a transparent display of an electronic device. The display may include one or more display screens as well as a flexible circuit for connecting the display screens with internal circuitry of the electronic device. Furthermore, the display screens may allow for overlaying of images over real world viewable objects, as well as a visible window to be present on an otherwise opaque display screen. Additionally, the display may include active and passive display screens that may be utilized based on images to be displayed.

Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing including a plurality of steps. The plurality of mounting steps is formed by at least removing a preselected amount of housing material at predetermined locations on the interior surface. At least some of the mounting steps are used to mount at least some of the plurality of internal operating components to the housing.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for noise profile determination for a voice-related feature of an electronic device are provided. In one example, an electronic device capable of such noise profile determination may include a microphone and data processing circuitry. When a voice-related feature of the electronic device is not in use, the microphone may obtain ambient sounds. The data processing circuitry may determine a noise profile based at least in part on the obtained ambient sounds. The noise profile may enable the data processing circuitry to at least partially filter other ambient sounds obtained when the voice-related feature of the electronic device is in use.

Abstract: A stylus for entering data on a touch-screen computing device. The stylus includes a conductive tip that creates capacitive coupling between the stylus and the touch-screen of the computing device. The conductive tip may also be heated and include a passive or active heating element. Additionally, a dock for the stylus may be provided for the computing device to recharge the battery of the stylus and also provide storage for the stylus when not in use.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for processing an audio signal with two or more channels into a monaural signal are provided. For example, an electronic device configured to perform such techniques may include audio signal processing circuitry, which may receive a first audio channel signal and a second audio channel signal. Based on these signals, the audio signal processing circuitry may output a monaural signal as a sum or a difference of the first and second audio channel signals, or as a combination thereof, depending at least in part on a phase relationship between the first and second audio channel signals. Additionally or alternatively, the audio signal processing circuitry may adjust a timing relationship between the first and second audio channel signals depending at least in part on the phase relationship, before combining a proportion of the first and second audio channel signals.

Abstract: A method and system for modifying the pulse width modulation frequency for controlling the backlit illumination intensity of a liquid crystal display. The modified pulse width modulation frequency may be selected to reduce distortion in the display while allowing for a wide range of dimming settings for the display. A pulse width modulation signal may be also be phase shifted such that a string of light sources may be sequentially activated to generate a effective frequency greater than that of the frequency of the pulse width modulation signal.

Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing including a plurality of steps. The plurality of mounting steps are formed by at least removing a preselected amount of housing material at predetermined locations on the interior surface. At least some of the mounting steps are used to mount at least some of the plurality of internal operating components to the housing.

Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that allow a portable electronic device to be placed in a second electronic device in more than one orientation. One example allows a portable computing device to be placed in a docking station in both landscape and portrait orientations. In this example, this is achieved by including two connector receptacles, one on each of at least two sides of the portable computing device.

Abstract: A portable computing device (PCD) can be connected to multiple accessories concurrently in a daisy chain topology. with the PCD at a “front” end of the chain. At least one intermediary accessory (or relay) provides one port for connection to the PCD and another port for connection to another accessory, which can also be a relay. Each connected accessory can interact with the PCD to invoke functionality, receive or deliver content, etc. Concurrently, each relay accessory can also act as a relay for other accessories in the chain, directing signals from a downstream accessory toward the PCD and directing signals received from upstream toward a downstream accessory, thereby allowing downstream accessories to interact with the PCD. The presence of upstream intermediaries can be transparent to a downstream accessory.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for obfuscating by a common function. A system configured to practice the method identifies a set of functions in source code, generates a transformed set of functions by transforming each function of the set of functions to accept a uniform set of arguments and return a uniform type, and merges the transformed set of functions into a single recursive function. The single recursive function can allocate memory in the heap. The stack can contain a pointer to the allocated memory in the heap. The single recursive function can include instructions for creating and explicitly managing a virtual stack in the heap. The virtual stack can emulate what would happen to the real stack if one of the set of functions was called. The system can further compile the source code including the single recursive function.