Patents Assigned to Apple
  • END OF LIFE DETECTION FOR A BATTERY
    Publication number: 20110074434
    Abstract: One particular implementation conforming to aspects of the present invention takes the form of a method for detecting the end of life of a battery for an electronic device. The method may include calculating the voltage of the battery in an unloaded state, holding the sampled unloaded battery voltage, measuring a loaded battery voltage, calculating the difference between the unloaded and loaded battery voltages and amplifying the calculated difference. Other implementations may take the form of a circuit to perform one or more of the operations of the above method. The circuit may include a sample and hold section and a differential amplifier to provide the amplified difference to a microcontroller for analysis. The microcontroller may also provide a warning or indication to the device or to a user of the device when the battery nears the end of life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Staton
  • JACK ASSEMBLIES WITH CYLINDRICAL CONTACTS
    Publication number: 20110076896
    Abstract: Jack assemblies having cylindrical contacts are provided. For example, an enclosure may provide a cavity with a longitudinal axis for receiving an electrical plug. The jack assembly may also include at least one jack contact positioned in the cavity. The jack contact may include a first end region extending about at least a portion of the axis and a contact region extending from the first end region towards the axis. The first end region may extend completely about the axis or just about a portion of the axis. The contact region may deflect and contact a first conductive region of the plug in multiple contact areas when the plug is inserted into the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Eric S. Jol
  • System for Emulating Graphics Operations
    Publication number: 20110074810
    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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: John Harper
  • INCORPORATING CHROMATIC SENSORS IN COMPUTER MICE
    Publication number: 20110074683
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that incorporate chromatic sensors in a mouse to vary the operation of the mouse. Some embodiments may include a method of modifying the programming of a mouse that includes sampling, with the chromatic sensor, an optical property of a surface upon with the mouse is operating (such as color of the surface), and then dynamically modifying the programming of the mouse based upon the sampled optical property. In this manner, the operation of the mouse, such as tracking resolution, may be customized based upon the properties of the surface upon which the mouse is operating. Other embodiments may include utilizing the mouse with the chromatic sensor as a scanner to display images on a housing of the mouse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bilbrey, Michael F. Culbert
  • COMPUTER HOUSING
    Publication number: 20110073575
    Abstract: A visually seamless method of joining a first piece of metal and a second piece of metal is described. The first piece of metal is placed in contact with an edge of the second piece of metal. In some embodiments, the edge includes a sacrificial lip. The first piece of metal forming a junction area with the edge of the second piece of metal, applying a forging force to the first piece of metal, the forging force having an effect of creating an extremely tight fit up between the first and the second pieces of metal, welding the first and the second pieces to form an assembly and forming a cosmetically enhancing protective layer on the surface of the assembly, the protective layer obscuring any visible artifacts on the surface of the assembly, the obscured visible artifacts including any discoloration or discontinuity created by the laser welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Carlo Catalano, Derrick Jue, Brian Miehm, Takahiro Oshima, Masashige Tatebe
  • COVER GLASS TO HOUSING INTERFACE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20110075342
    Abstract: A display cover to housing interface system includes a display screen fronted by a display cover having front and obverse faces and a distal edge between the faces around a circumference thereof (i.e., edge thickness), and also an outer housing that provides support for the display cover. A portion of the display cover distal edge or thickness is fully exposed to outside, such that the display cover is exposed and substantially visible when viewed directly from the front and at least one side while installed. The display cover can be glass, while the housing is metal. A protective layer located between the housing and display cover protects the display cover from the housing. Various support components hold the display cover in place, and can include magnets and/or a stabilizer assembly affixed along a bottom edge of the display cover and adapted to couple to a bottom chin of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Todd F. GOTHAM, Shin NISHIBORI, Christopher J. STRINGER, Michael MCBROOM, Daniel MCBROOM, Brian SUDDERTH, John TERNUS
  • SELF ADAPTING HAPTIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20110075835
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that allow an electronic device to autonomously adapt one or more user alerts of the electronic device. For example, some embodiments may include a method for operating a haptic device including driving a haptic device using a control signal, measuring a frequency related to the operation of the haptic device and comparing the measured frequency with a target frequency. A control signal is adjusted based on the comparison to drive the haptic device to the target frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Hill
  • Wireless home and office appliance management and integration
    Patent number: 7917661
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for managing and controlling networked devices. A system comprises a host application executing on, for example, a personal computer, and one or more networked devices executing a client application. A networked device includes a consumer appliance equipped with network capability, a digital device such as MP3 players and DVRs, an electronically-controlled device such as a light circuit or other type of circuit, and the like. The host application automatically establishes communication with the networked device. The networked device configures a user interface for user control of the networked device. The host application provides a graphical layout of the networked device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Clay Bavor, Jesse Levinson
  • Transient detection by power weighted average
    Patent number: 7917358
    Abstract: A transient in a digital audio signal can be detected by generating a first set of spectral characteristics associated with a first portion of the digital audio signal and a second set of spectral characteristics associated with a second portion of the digital audio signal, wherein the first and second portions of the digital audio signal partially overlap, comparing values in the first set of spectral characteristics with corresponding values in the second set of spectral characteristics to generate a set of ratios, weighting the set of ratios, and analyzing at least a portion of the weighted set of ratios to detect a transient associated with the first portion of the digital audio signal. Further, an indicator identifying the presence of a detected transient can be output. Additionally, one or more ratios in the set of ratios can be weighted based on amplitude, frequency, or a power function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Christopher Rogers
  • Web clip using anchoring
    Patent number: 7917846
    Abstract: Methods, computer program products, systems and data structures for generating a signature for a portion or portions of a content source are described. The signature can be generated by identifying a portion or portions of a content source, and determining a signature that defines the portion or portions. If the source is updated, the signature can be retrieved and compared to elements in the updated source. If an element in the updated source matches information included in the signature, content corresponding to the matching element is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Decker, John Sullivan, David Harrison
  • User interface elements cloning and transitions
    Patent number: 7917861
    Abstract: Systems and methods of displaying a user interface in a portable electronic device are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes creating a first clone and a second clone of a user interface element. The method also includes displaying the first clone of the user interface element on a display of the portable electronic device, modifying the second clone of the user interface element, and transitioning between the first clone of the user interface element and the second clone of the user interface element. In another embodiment, a method includes displaying an initial user interface element and displaying a transition between the initial user interface element and a final user interface element, wherein the transition is selected based on a classification of the initial user interface element and a classification of the final user interface element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse W. Boettcher, Peter A. Rossi, David J. Rempel
  • Method and apparatus for an intuitive digital image processing system that enhances digital images
    Patent number: 7916963
    Abstract: The present invention introduces an intuitive system for digital processing. The system of the present invention allows a user to enhance digital images that appear dark or dull. In one embodiment, the user activates an image enhancement button on a graphical user interface using cursor control device such as a mouse button. In one embodiment, the digital image enhancement system is implemented using a nonlinear brightness level transformation correction and a pseudo gamma correction. The parameters for both the nonlinear brightness level transformation correction and a pseudo gamma correction are determined from examining the properties of the image to be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Reid
  • Updating an inverted index
    Patent number: 7917516
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing an index are described. To insure that the most updated index is available without having to update the index after every change (which can consume enormous resources), a specially marked postings list is generated for a changed item. During retrieval, the specially marked postings list supplements the existing content of an inverted index referencing the changed item. In this manner, the retrieval result for items containing the term under which the changed item was originally indexed is updated in accordance with the specially marked postings list to insure the most accurate retrieval result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Loofbourrow, John Martin Hoernkvist, Eric Richard Koebler, Yun-chih S. Li
  • Low latency, power-down safe level shifter
    Patent number: 7915920
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a circuit supplied by a first supply voltage during use, the circuit having at least a first input signal; and a level shifter supplied by the first supply voltage during use and coupled to provide the first input signal to the circuit. The level shifter is coupled to receive a second input signal sourced from circuitry supplied by a second supply voltage during use, and is configured to generate the first input signal by level shifting the second input signal. Coupled to receive a power control signal indicating, when asserted, that the second supply voltage is to be powered down, the level shifter is configured to assert a predetermined level on the first input signal independent of the second input signal and responsive to an assertion of the power control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Campbell, Vincent R. von Kaenel
  • Method and apparatus for the generation and control of clock signals
    Patent number: 7917796
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the dynamic configuring of profiles used for the control of the frequency of clock signals. At least one embodiment of the present invention provides a means of dynamically generating, storing, updating and using spread spectrum profiles in a clock circuit to provide spread spectrum modulated clock signals and to slew clock frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Wilson
  • Dynamic voltage and frequency management
    Patent number: 7915910
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a self calibration unit configured to iterate a test on a logic circuit in the integrated circuit at respectively lower supply voltage magnitudes until the test fails. A lowest supply voltage magnitude at which the test passes is used to generate a requested supply voltage magnitude for the integrated circuit. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a series connection of logic gates physically distributed over an area of the integrated circuit, and a measurement unit configured to launch a logical transition into the series and detect a corresponding transition at the output of the series. The amount of time between the launch and the detection is used to request a supply voltage magnitude for the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent R. von Kaenel
  • Methods and apparatuses for docking a portable electronic device that has a planar like configuration and that operates in multiple orientations
    Patent number: 7916467
    Abstract: A docking system is disclosed. The docking system includes a portable electronic device capable of operating in multiple orientations including vertical and horizontal. The docking system also includes a docking station configured to mechanically accept and operatively interface with the portable electronic device in any of its multiple orientations including vertical and horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Hotelling, Gus Pabon
  • Echo avoidance in audio time stretching
    Patent number: 7917360
    Abstract: A transient echo can be avoided during time stretching of a digital audio signal by detecting a transient in a frame of a digital audio signal, identifying another occurrence of the transient in a subsequent frame of the digital audio signal, rotating the transient occurring in the subsequent frame to align the transient occurring in the subsequent frame with the transient detected in the frame, and aggregating the frame with the subsequent frame. Further, another occurrence of the transient can be identified in another subsequent frame of the digital audio signal and it can be determined that the transient occurring in that subsequent frame cannot be aligned with the transient detected in the frame. The copy of the transient occurring in the another subsequent frame can then be blended across that frame, such as by performing phase accumulation on one or more frequency components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Christopher Rogers
  • Electronic device
    Patent number: D635123
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Evans Hankey, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Douglas B. Satzger, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer
  • Medical inspection device
    Patent number: D635256
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Biomedical Inc.
    Inventor: Tzai-Kun Huang