Patents Assigned to Apple
  • Publication number: 20110167140
    Abstract: Improved techniques for controlling operation of a portable electronic device are disclosed. Portable electronic devices which interact with a host electronic device can have their operational settings (e.g., configurations or preferences) remotely controlled. As a result, a host electronic device can offer a more sophisticated user interface and portable electronic devices need less local user interface features because these operational settings can be remotely controlled. The remotely-controlled (i.e., host controlled) operational settings are transferred to the portable electronic devices, whereby the portable electronic devices can thereafter operate in accordance with such settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Greg MARRIOTT, Andrew Bert HODGE
  • Publication number: 20110166856
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Aram Lindahl, Joseph M. Williams, Gints Valdis Klimanis
  • Publication number: 20110164375
    Abstract: Docking stations with a moveable connector that is more durable are provided. For example, when a portable electronic device, coupled with the connector, is pushed forward, the connector is designed to move (e.g. rotate), thereby reducing an impact of strain resulting from such a push. The rotatable connector may be biased to keep the portable electronic device in an upright position such that the electronic device is supported by a rear reference surface of the docking station, thereby preventing undue strain on the rotatable connector in the upright position and inhibiting movement forward. The rotatable connector may be partly below an outer shell of the docking station, and pivot at the outer shell, thereby reducing possible damage to parts below the outer shell. The rotatable connector may also retract when rotated, thereby removing a force that can break the connector at a position of full rotation forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Hayashida, Cameron Frazier, Emery Sanford
  • Patent number: 7975028
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms that allow configuration information, applications and/or data to be transferred between computer systems in an automated, or partially automated, manner, which may allow for more efficient transfer as compared to manual transfer. A source computer system may be coupled with a destination computer system directly via a wired or wireless communications channel. Data including, for example, user identification information, network settings, system settings, permissions and/or other data may be transferred from the source computer system to the destination computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Ryan, John A. Vink, Jean-Pierre Ciudad
  • Patent number: 7974486
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing applications to access edited image data from an image editing application are disclosed herein. When the user desires to export edited images, the user causes the image editing application to display a plug-in user interface (UI). The plug-in UI may allow the user to enter exporting parameters, although this is not required. After the user selects an “export” button in the plug-in UI, the image editing application confirms with the plug-in on an image-by-image basis which of the images should be exported. The image editing application then generates an export version of the image. If necessary, the image editing application applies image adjustments to the master image to generate the export version. The image editing application then makes the export version available to the plug-in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Blake R. Seely
  • Patent number: 7975242
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display performs a method that includes: displaying a phone call user interface on the touch screen display, wherein the phone call user interface includes: a first informational item associated with an active phone call between a user of the device and a first party, a second informational item associated with a suspended phone call between the user and a second party, and a merge call icon; upon detecting a user selection of the merge call icon, merging the active phone call and the suspended phone call into a conference call between the user, the first party, and the second party, and replacing the phone call user interface with a conference call user interface. The conference call user interface includes: a third informational item associated with the conference call, and a conference call management icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Forstall, Imran Chaudhri, Michael Matas, Marcel Van Os, Stephen O. Lemay, Patrick Lee Coffman, Elizabeth Caroline Furches, Greg Christie
  • Patent number: 7974222
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide link-local IPv4 addressing across multiple interfaces of a network-node. During operation, the network-node broadcasts an address resolution protocol (ARP) request packet on multiple interfaces which asks for the hardware address of a network node whose link-local IPv4 address is Y. In response, the network-node receives an ARP-reply packet on an interface from a target network-node. If Y is present in the ARP cache and is associated with a different interface, the source network-node chooses a winner interface, and updates the ARP cache so that Y is associated with the winner interface. The network-node sends one or more contention-resolution packets on the loser interface to cause a loser network-node to choose another link-local IPv4 address for itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart D. Cheshire
  • Patent number: 7974132
    Abstract: A system and method, including software implemented techniques, can be used to adjust for sag in stored data values. Charge is applied to multiple memory cells, and each memory cell is charged to a target voltage corresponding to a data value. The memory cells include a reference cell that is charged to a predetermined voltage. A voltage level in the reference cell is detected, and voltage levels from a group of memory cells are also detected. An adjustment is performed based upon the difference between the detected voltage level in the reference cell and the predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Cornwell, Christopher P. Dudte
  • Patent number: 7973231
    Abstract: The invention generally pertains to a hand-held computing device. More particularly, the invention pertains to a computing device that is capable of controlling the speed of the music so as to affect the mood and behavior of the user during an activity such as exercise. By way of example, the speed of the music can be controlled to match the pace of the activity (synching the speed of the music to the activity of the user) or alternatively it can be controlled to drive the pace of the activity (increasing or decreasing the speed of the music to encourage a greater or lower pace). One aspect of the invention relates to adjusting the tempo (or some other attribute) of the music being outputted from the computing device. By way of example, a songs tempo may be increased or decreased before or during playing. Another aspect of the invention relates to selecting music for outputting based on tempo (or some other attribute). For example, the computing device may only play songs having a particular tempo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Bowen
  • Patent number: 7971782
    Abstract: Computer implemented systems and methods for conducting transactions are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes receiving transaction information corresponding to a transaction initiated with one of a plurality of handheld computing devices. The handheld computing device is associated with one of a plurality of payment terminals. The transaction is completed and the association between the handheld computing device and the payment terminal is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Khawaja Shams
  • Patent number: 7973232
    Abstract: A media application for providing outputs (e.g., audio outputs) in response to inputs received from an input device is provided. The media application may connect input mechanisms of an input device with parameters of channel strips (e.g., which may define output sounds) using an intermediate screen object. The media application may first assign an input mechanism to a screen object, and separately map a screen object to a channel strip parameter. The media application may map a screen object to several channel strips simultaneously such that, based on the value of the screen object, the volume of each of the several channel strips changes. The media application may provide a graphical representation of available channel strips using layers. As the media application accesses a channel strip, the appearance of the portion of the layer associated with the channel strip may change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Gerhard Lengeling
  • Patent number: 7973722
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a computer monitor is provided that has an antenna that supports near field communications. The electronic device may have a housing with conductive housing surfaces. A display may be mounted in the housing. The conductive housing surfaces may contain a dielectric-filled hole. The antenna may have a substrate and one or more loops of conductive traces. The loops may exhibit mirror symmetry. The loops may overlap the display and the conductive housing surface. The loops may surround an inner loop-free portion of the antenna. The loop-free portion of the antenna may overlap the hole. Ferrite layers may be interposed between the loops of the antenna that overlap the display and the loops of the antenna that overlap the conductive housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hill, Qingxiang Li
  • Patent number: 7973230
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing real-time feedback to karaoke users are provided. The systems and methods for providing users with real-time feedback while they are singing karaoke generally relate to receiving the user's vocals, determining whether the user is singing on key/pitch and providing real-time feedback to the user while the karaoke song is being sung. The feedback will be positive feedback if user is on key/pitch and it will be negative feedback if user is off key/pitch. For example, the feedback signal if the user is singing too low can be an exaggerated low signal of the user's own voice. This will encourage the user to sing at a higher pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Peter H. Mahowald
  • Patent number: 7975312
    Abstract: A digital rights management (DRM) system for distribution of digital content such as audio or video uses a token passing scheme to enhance security of the content from unauthorized access and use, including access by unauthorized players. The token is requested from the central content or DRM server by a host device such as a user's computer, using security related information. The token is then passed to a media player associated with the host device, the token being encrypted using a key special to that particular player. Upon receipt of the token, the player transmits back to the server certain related security information confirming receipt of the token and in return receives keys for decryption of the associated digital content. In the absence of proper passing of the token, player access to the content, or further access to other content, is denied. This also allows the player to communicate directly with the server for obtaining the keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Broderson, Jeffrey Robbin, Augustin J. Farrugia, Rod Schultz
  • Patent number: 7975201
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method that protects symbol types by characterizing symbols as one of two types—DATA or NON_DATA, generating a symbol characterization bit, placing the symbol characterization bit at both ends of the symbol, and transmitting the symbol with the symbol characterization bits at both ends. Thus, a single byte error may affect a type bit in two consecutive symbols, and will affect one or the other of the type bits in a single symbol, but cannot affect both type bits in a single symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Whitby-Strevens, Jerrold Von Hauck
  • Patent number: 7975134
    Abstract: A macroscalar processor architecture is described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary processor includes one or more execution units to execute instructions and one or more iteration units coupled to the execution units. The one or more iteration units receive one or more primary instructions of a program loop that comprise a machine executable program. For each of the primary instructions received, at least one of the iteration units generates multiple secondary instructions that correspond to multiple loop iterations of the task of the respective primary instruction when executed by the one or more execution units. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffry E. Gonion
  • Publication number: 20110162048
    Abstract: Certain embodiments may take the form of a method of operating an electronic device to find and determine an identity of other local devices. The method includes transmitting electromagnetic signals from a first electronic device to find devices within a prescribed distance of the first device and receiving electromagnetic response signals from a second electronic device within the prescribed distance from the first electronic device. The method also includes identifying the second electronic device using information received in the electromagnetic response signals. Additionally, the method includes determining if the second electronic device is aware of other electronic devices and, if the second electronic device is aware of other electronic devices, obtaining identifying information of the other devices from the second electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bilbrey, Aleksander Pance, Nicholas Vincent King, Todd Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20110161074
    Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for recording audio and video. In particular, in one embodiment, a method of recording audio signals is provided. The method includes recording audio signals with a plurality of distributed audio transducers to create multiple recordings of the audio signals and providing each of the multiple recordings of the audio signals to a computing device. The computing device combines each of the multiple recordings into a master recording and determines a source for each audio signal in the master recording. Additionally, the computing device stores each audio signal in separate audio files according to the determined source of each audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Nicholas Vincent King
  • Publication number: 20110162035
    Abstract: One particular implementation conforming to aspects of the present disclosure takes the form of docking station for a computing device that maintains an indication of a docking station location. The location of the docking station may be utilized by the docking station and/or the computing device coupled to the docking station to configure the functionality and other aspects of the computing device. For example, the functionality of the computing device may be altered in response to the location of the docking station. Additionally, security features, display configurations and the availability of software applications may also be configured in response to the location of the docking station. In this manner, a single computing device may perform the functions of several computing devices based on the location of the docking station, without the need for the user of the device to configure the device manually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Vincent King, Aleksandar Pance, Brett Bilbrey
  • Patent number: D641021
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Steve Jobs, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Douglas B. Satzger, Calvin Q. Seid, Vincent Keane Seid, legal representative, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer