Patents Assigned to Apple
  • Patent number: 11823644
    Abstract: A system may include an electronic display panel having pixels, where each pixel emits light based on a respective programming signal applied to the pixel. The system may also include processing circuitry to determine a respective control signal upon which the respective programing signal for each pixel is based. The processing circuitry may determine each respective control signal based at least in part on approximations of respective pixel brightness-to-data relationship as defined by a function having variables stored in memory accessible to the processing circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Maofeng Yang, Shengkui Gao, Paolo Sacchetto, Weijun Yao, Yongjun Li, Jiayi Jin
  • Patent number: 11824220
    Abstract: A portable electronic device may include a housing, a display at least partially within the housing, a transparent cover over the display, and a battery at least partially within the housing. The battery may include a battery cell, a pouch encasing the battery cell, and a gas release relief system including a gas-permeable membrane configured to prevent liquid from escaping the pouch and a valve configured to selectively release gas from the pouch. The device may also include a processing system configured to, in a first mode of operation, cause the valve to open to allow gas to be released from the pouch, and, in a second mode of operation, cause the valve to close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kee Suk Ryu, Andrew J. Hall, Jingyi Li, Ki Myung Lee, Sung Chang Lee, Wei Guang Wu, Thomas A. Boehler
  • Patent number: 11824377
    Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
  • Patent number: 11822390
    Abstract: Electronic devices including a display layer and a cover layer including a foldable region are disclosed herein. The display layer and the cover layer are configured to be moved between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration by bending the cover layer along the foldable region. Methods of making a cover layer for an electronic device are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Jones, Dale N. Memering, Christopher C. Bartlow
  • Patent number: 11821115
    Abstract: A stretchable fabric signal path may include a conductive strand located between first and second outer fabric layers. The outer fabric layers may be formed from intertwined strands of elastic material. The conductive strand may have a wavy shape to accommodate stretching of the stretchable fabric signal path. First and second inner fabric layers may be located between the outer stretchable fabric layers. The inner fabric layers may be formed from intertwined strands of non-elastic material. The inner fabric layers may have strands that are intertwined with the outer fabric layers to serve as anchor points for maintaining the shape of the conductive strand as the stretchable fabric signal path expands and contracts. The outer fabric layers and inner fabric layers may be woven. The conductive strand may convey electrical signals such as audio signals, power signals, data signals, or other suitable signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Grena, Didio V. Gomes, Joshua A. Hoover, Seul Bi Kim, David M. Kindlon, Kevin T. Pham, Daniel A. Podhajny, Robert J. Rose, Andrew L. Rosenberg, Miikka O. Tikander
  • Patent number: 11822747
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a touch sensitive display that is insensitive to the presence of moisture. An array of pixels in the display may be used to display images. A display cover layer may overlap the array of pixels. A light source may illuminate an external object such as a finger of a user when the object contacts a surface of the display cover layer. This creates scattered light that may be detected by an array of light sensors. The light source may supply light to an edge of the display cover layer at an angle that ensures total internal reflection within the display cover layer is sustained across the display cover layer even when the display cover layer is immersed in water or otherwise exposed to moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Yeke Yazdandoost, Christoph H. Krah
  • Patent number: 11823851
    Abstract: Keyboards and other input devices are provided with at least one flexible layer that extends over or under the keycaps. The flexible layer spans interkey spaces and provides finger support and key definition as the user feels the top surface of the keycaps and flexible layer. The flexible layer therefore smooths the top surface of the keyboard, supports fingers during key travel, prevents ingress of contaminants, fluids, or debris into the keyboard, and provides a surface that can be used as a touch interface that coincides with the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren
  • Patent number: 11822501
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that can allow chipsets in an electronic device to share information such that they can more efficiently utilize resources that are available in the electronic device. One example can provide a bus that is shared by three or more chipsets in an electronic device. This shared bus can be used by the chipsets in the electronic device to communicate and negotiate for the utilization of resources of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Farouk Belghoul, Paul V. Flynn, Tideya Kella, Vijay Kumar Ramamurthi
  • Patent number: 11822411
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing telemetry push aggregation techniques are described. A computing system includes one or more input/output (I/O) agents interposed between functional units and a communication fabric. A given I/O agent receives a set of aggregation rules from a power management unit. The I/O agent monitors traffic from the functional units, and the I/O agent generates telemetry data from the traffic data based on the set of aggregation rules. The telemetry data is used by the power management unit to make adjustments to one or more power settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Doron Rajwan, Karl Daniel Wulcan, Lital Levy-Rubin, Tal Kuzi
  • Patent number: 11822416
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system may include one or more processors forming central processing units (CPUs) in the system, a display controller configured to display frames on a display device, a memory controller configured to control a memory, and a power management circuit. The power management circuit may be configured to establish one of a plurality of power states in the system. In a first power state, the display controller and the memory controller are powered on while the CPUs are powered off. The display controller may be configured to read a plurality of prerendered frames from the memory and display the plurality of prerendered frames at times specified for each of the plurality of prerendered frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ramana V. Rachakonda, Rohit K. Gupta, Brad W. Simeral, Peter F. Holland
  • Patent number: 11820310
    Abstract: An apparatus for resisting entry of objects through a panel. The apparatus includes a weakened portion that extends laterally across a width dimension of the panel. The apparatus includes a stop structure spaced from the weakened portion that extends laterally across the width dimension of the panel to limit deformation. A bottom edge of the panel is configured to rotate about an axis extending along the weakened portion to abut the stop structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander M. Zoellner, Arturo Llamazares Domper, Christopher D. Jones, David E. Kingman, Derek C. Scott, Jesse T. Buehler, Rikard Fredriksson, Stephen B. Lynch
  • Patent number: 11824898
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces for managing a local network using an electronic device, where the electronic device is connected to a router and a plurality of external devices, including a first set of one or more external devices and a second set of one or more external devices, on the local network. The user interfaces enable a user to apply the same network access policy to the first set of one or more external devices and the second set of one or more external devices or to apply different network access policies to the first set of one or more external devices and the second set of one or more external devices, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Vitalii Kramar, Patrick L. Coffman
  • Patent number: 11823645
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display. The display may be formed from liquid crystal display pixels, organic light-emitting diode pixels, or other pixels. The display may have an active area that is bordered along at least one edge by an inactive area. The active area contains pixels and displays images. The inactive area does not contain any pixels and does not display images. The inactive area may have a layer of black ink or other masking material to block internal components from view. The active area may have an opening that contains an isolated portion of the inactive area or may contain a recess into which a portion of the inactive area protrudes. An electrical component such as a speaker, camera, light-emitting diode, light sensor, or other electrical device may be mounted in the inactive area in the recess or opening of the active area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mikael M. Silvanto, Dinesh C. Mathew, Victor H. Yin
  • Patent number: 11822716
    Abstract: According to various implementations, a method is performed at an electronic device including one or more processors, a non-transitory memory, and a display. The method includes displaying, on the display, a virtual agent that is associated with a first viewing frustum. The first viewing frustum includes a user avatar associated with a user, and the user avatar includes a visual representation of one or more eyes. The method includes, while displaying the virtual agent associated with the first viewing frustum, obtaining eye tracking data that is indicative of eye behavior associated with an eye of the user, updating the visual representation of one or more eyes based on the eye behavior, and directing the virtual agent to perform an action based on the updating and scene information associated with the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Mu Qiao, Dan Feng, Bo Morgan, Mark E. Drummond
  • Patent number: 11823343
    Abstract: A method and device for modifying virtual content according to various simulation characteristics includes obtaining first virtual content; obtaining one or more simulation characteristics; and generating second virtual content by modifying the first virtual content according to the one or more simulation characteristics; and presenting the second virtual content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Dhruv Aditya Govil, Sabine Webel, Olivier Denis Roger Gutknecht, Shruti Singhal, Tobias Eble, Pal Kristian Engstad, Ivan Gavrenkov
  • Patent number: 11822858
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content system. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. The system includes display devices configured to identify and tailor content to multiple individual users. Each user may have individual settings which provide for a customized viewing environment and experience. The system is configured to identify users of the system in order to tailor the content as appropriate. In addition, identification of users allows for the identification of the subscription content that corresponds to the user. Based upon identification of a user and corresponding subscription, the user's subscription content may be streamed to any location. In this manner, the users subscribed content may follow the user from home to a friend's house, or elsewhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory N. Christie, Alessandro Sabatelli, William M. Bachman, Imran Chaudhri, Jeffrey Robbin, Jim Young, Joe Howard, Marcel Van Os, Patrick L. Coffman, Stephen O. Lemay, Jeffrey Ma, Lynne Kress
  • Patent number: 11822081
    Abstract: An optical module for a head-mounted device is configured to present content to a user. The optical module includes an optical module housing assembly, a display assembly, and an eye camera. The optical module housing assembly has a first end and a second end. The lens is connected to the optical module housing assembly and positioned at the first end of the optical module housing assembly. The display assembly is connected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned at the second end of the optical module housing assembly. The display assembly is configured to cause the content to be displayed to the user through the lens. The eye camera is connected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned at the second end of the optical module housing assembly. The eye camera is configured to obtain images through the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Jan K. Quijalvo, Anna V. Mirabella, Wey-Jiun Lin, Jeremy C. Franklin, Forrest C. Wang, Marinus Meursing, Blake N. Trekell, Aidan N. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: D1005128
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Liane Fang, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Peter Russell-Clarke, Charles A. Schwalbach, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Christopher J. Stringer, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Sheng Yang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: D1005321
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc
    Inventors: Imran Chaudhri, Christopher Foss, Aurelio Guzmán, Jonathan P. Ive, Christopher Wilson
  • Patent number: D1005331
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Z. Becker, David Andrew Brasgalla, Etienne Guerard