Patents Assigned to Apple
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Patent number: 11755106Abstract: Methods and apparatus for glint-assisted gaze tracking in a VR/AR head-mounted display (HMD). Images of a user's eyes captured by gaze tracking cameras may be analyzed to detect glints (reflections on the cornea of light sources that illuminate the user's eyes) and the pupil. The glints are matched to particular ones of the light sources. The glint-light source matches are used to determine the cornea center of the eye, and the pupil center is determined. The optical axis of the eye is reconstructed from the cornea center and the pupil center, and the visual axis is then reconstructed from the optical axis and a 3D model of the user's eye. The point of gaze on the display is then determined based on the visual axis and a 3D model of the HMD.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Seyed Hesameddin Najafi Shoushtari, Kuen-Han Lin, Yanghai Tsin
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Patent number: 11755150Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a display at least partially within the housing, a cover positioned over the display and defining an input surface of the electronic device, a motion sensing system configured to detect a motion of the electronic device, and a touch sensor configured to detect, within a time window after the motion of the electronic device is detected, a contact of an input member of a user on the input surface of the electronic device. The electronic device is configured to determine, for a time prior to the detection of the contact, a relative motion between the input member and the input surface. In accordance with a determination that a characteristic of the relative motion satisfies a threshold condition, the electronic device may determine a second input location based at least in part on the location of the contact and the relative motion.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Adam S. Meyer, Mitchell R. Lerner
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Patent number: 11756392Abstract: A haptic button assembly may be used for detecting inputs and providing haptic outputs at an electronic device. The haptic outputs may be provided in response to detected inputs or in response to other conditions at the electronic device. The haptic button assembly may define an input surface along an exterior of the electronic device. Inputs may be provided to the input surface of the haptic button assembly. An input may include a touch input on or along the input surface and/or a force input directed substantially perpendicularly to the input surface. The haptic button assembly may provide a haptic output by moving an input member of the haptic button assembly laterally (e.g., substantially parallel to the input surface).Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jared P. Ostdiek, Jesse P. Harris, Richard H. Koch
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Patent number: 11754779Abstract: An electronic device may have a display, a display cover layer, and an image transport layer formed from a coherent fiber bundle. The coherent fiber bundle may have an input surface that receives an image from the display and a corresponding output surface to which the image is provide through the coherent fiber bundle. The coherent fiber bundle may be placed between the display and the display cover layer and mounted to a housing. The coherent fiber bundle may have fiber cores with bends that help conceal the housing from view and make the display appear borderless. A central portion of the coherent fiber bundle may be formed from different materials and/or structures than a surrounding border portion of the layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ying-Da Wang, Chih-Yao Chang, Chun-Chih Chang, Nathan K. Gupta, Wei Lin, Xiani Li
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Patent number: 11758350Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for user posture transition detection and classification using a linked biomechanical model. In an embodiment, a method comprises: obtaining motion data from a headset worn by a user; selecting features of a linked biomechanical model based on a current posture state; determining at least one probability that a posture transition occurred based on an output of a classifier, where the output of the classifier is based on the selected features and the motion data; determining a posture transition based on the at least one probability; and performing at least one action based on detection of the posture transition.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aditya Sarathy, Xiaoyuan Tu, Suresh B. Malakar, Hui Lin
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Patent number: 11755124Abstract: A physical keyboard can be used to collect user input in a typing mode or in a tracking mode. To use a tracking mode, first movement data is detected for a hand of a user in relation to a physical keyboard at a first location. A determination is made that the first movement data is associated with a tracking movement. In response to determining that the movement type is associated with the tracking movement, a tracking mode is initiated. User input is provided based on the movement data and in accordance with the tracking mode. Contact data and non-contact data is used to determine a user intent, and a user instruction is processed based on the user intent.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michele Stoppa, Waleed Abdulla, Henning Tjaden, Sree Harsha Kalli, Senem E. Emgin, John B. Morrell, Seung Wook Kim
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Patent number: 11756505Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for providing intra-frame luminance scaling to avoid drawing excessive power while still providing exceptional brightness. An instantaneous average pixel luminance of an electronic display may be determined. The instantaneous average pixel luminance may correspond to an amount of light currently being emitted by the electronic display due to a previous image frame and a current image frame. Based at least in part on the instantaneous average pixel luminance, the luminance of a subset of pixels of image data of the current image frame may be adjusted, thereby allowing the electronic display to operate at a relatively high brightness level without exceeding a power limit.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yang Xu, Jie Won Ryu, Kingsuk Brahma, Koorosh Aflatooni, Marc Joseph DeVincentis, Mohammad Ali Jangda, Paolo Sacchetto, Shengkui Gao, Sinan Alousi, Yafei Bi, Chun Lu
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Patent number: 11756294Abstract: An exemplary process for identifying a type of a physical environment amongst a plurality of types of physical environments is provided. The process includes obtaining, using the one or more cameras, image data corresponding to a physical environment. The process further includes identifying at least one portion of an entity in the physical environment based on the image data; determining, based on the identified at least one portion of the entity, whether the entity is an entity of a first type; determining a type of the physical environment if the entity is an entity of the first type; and presenting one or more virtual objects and a representation of the entity.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Peter Meier, Michael J. Rockwell
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Patent number: 11758617Abstract: Technology for a user equipment (UE), operable to generate an enhanced buffer status report (eBSR) is disclosed. The UE can identify packets for uplink transmission. The UE can filter the packets for uplink transmission, to identify a number of small packets pending for transmission and a number of larger packets, relative to the small packets, that are pending for transmission in the uplink transmission. The UE can encode the eBSR for transmission to a next generation node B (gNB), wherein the eBSR includes information identifying the number of small packets pending for transmission. The UE can have a memory interface configured to send to a memory the number of small packets pending for transmission.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Jerome Parron, Hyung-Nam Choi, Jing Zhu, Marcus Mertens, Christian Hofmann, Sudeep Palat
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Patent number: 11755154Abstract: Computing devices and methods are used to detect and compensate for the presence of a cover layer on a touch input device. A computing device includes a processing device, a touch input device in electronic communication with the processing device, and a memory device in electronic communication with the processing device and having electronic instructions encoded thereon. The electronic instructions, when executed by the processing device, cause the processor to receive a first signal obtained from the touch input device over a first duration of time, the first signal including a first signal pattern, receive a second signal obtained from the touch input device over a second duration of time separate from the first duration of time, the second signal including a second signal pattern, determine a difference between the first signal pattern and the second signal pattern, and adjust a touch input detection setting based on the difference.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Guangtao Zhang, Apexit Shah, Heemin Yang, Kevin D. Spratt, Mayank Garg, Nima Ferdosi, Vikram Garg, William J. Esposito, Tavys Q. Ashcroft
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Patent number: 11754886Abstract: Increasing resolution of liquid crystal displays may result in small distances between adjacent liquid crystal display pixels. This tight pixel spacing may reduce transmission through the liquid crystal display pixels and may result in cross-talk between the liquid crystal display pixels. To increase transmission and, correspondingly, display efficiency, a reflective layer may be included in the liquid crystal display. The reflective layer recycles backlight that may otherwise be absorbed, improving transmittance and efficiency. To reduce color shift and color mixing caused by cross-talk, the pixels may have their pixel electrodes arranged in a zigzag layout. Each pixel electrode may have a height that is less than or equal to the total height of the pixel divided by two. The pixel electrodes in a given row are also alternatingly coupled to first and second gate lines. This zigzag layout results in an increased distance between adjacent pixel electrodes, mitigating pixel cross-talk.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shih-Chyuan Fan Jiang, Yuechen Wu, Xiaokai Li, Cheng-Ho Yu, Zhibing Ge
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Patent number: 11754685Abstract: A system comprises an encoder configured to compress attribute information for a point cloud and/or a decoder configured to decompress compressed attribute information. Attribute values for at least one starting point are included in a compressed attribute information file and attribute correction values are included in the compressed attribute information file. An order for the points is determined based on a space filling curve, wherein an encoder and a decoder determine a same order for the points based on the space filling curve. Levels of detail are determined by sampling the ordered points according to different sampling parameters, and attribute values are predicted for the points in the levels of detail using the determined order. The encoder determines attribute correction values based on a comparison of the predicted values to an original value prior to compression. The decoder corrects the predicted attribute values based on received attribute correction values.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Khaled Mammou, Alexandros Tourapis, Jungsun Kim
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Patent number: 11755196Abstract: An electronic device, while displaying application content for a first application on a touchscreen display, detects an input comprising one or more touches on a region of the touchscreen display that includes the application content of the first application. In response to detecting the input comprising the one or more touches, the electronic device, in accordance with a determination that the one or more touches correspond to a system gesture for switching applications, replaces display of the first application with a second application without delivering information corresponding to the one or more touches to the first application; and in accordance with a determination that the touches do not correspond to a system gesture, delivers the information corresponding to the one or more touches to the first application.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Joshua H. Shaffer, Kenneth L. Kocienda, Imran A. Chaudhri
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Patent number: 11755273Abstract: A method includes displaying a first media information affordance representing a first media item in response to detecting an indication that a physical proximity between an electronic device and an external device satisfies a proximity condition. The electronic device receives a first input representing selection of the first media information affordance. In response to receiving the first input: in accordance with a determination that the first input is a first type of input, a process to playback the first media item is initiated; and in accordance with a determination that the first input is a second type of input different from the first type of input, a second media information affordance representing the first media item is displayed.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David Chance Graham, Taylor G. Carrigan, Patrick L. Coffman
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Patent number: 11755712Abstract: Techniques are provided for giving access to restricted content on a first device from a second device through a wireless network. In one embodiment, the first device transmits an authorization request signal to the second device or to a server in the wireless network. The second device, having received the authorization request, prompts an authorized user to give authorization to the first device by inputting an authentication key such as a password or gesture on the second device. Upon verification of the authentication key, an authorization signal may be wirelessly transmitted to the first device, permitting access to the restricted content or functions on the first device. In some embodiments, the second device may be alerted to an authorization request and may select a request for authorization from a selectable queue of requests.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Stephen Hayden Cotterill
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Publication number: 20230281846Abstract: Methods and apparatus for specular surface mapping in which a camera detects reflections of a light source from a specular surface. The detected light sources may be projected onto a celestial sphere as virtual point sources. True positive observations should be tightly clustered on the celestial sphere; thus, false positives may be identified and removed. Specular surface information may then be determined from clusters of the virtual point sources on the celestial sphere. The clusters of virtual point sources on the celestial sphere may be identified and used to identify a surface as a specular surface. The clusters may also be used to extract other information regarding the specular surface, including but not limited to distance to and extent of the specular surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2022Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Luke A. Pillans, Aleksandr M. Movshovich, Nicholas C. Soldner, Daniel Kurz, Arthur Y. Zhang
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Publication number: 20230283002Abstract: Power connector systems that can have an asymmetric insertion-to-extraction force ratio such that they are easy to mate and can reliably remain connected during use. The power connector systems can have a low-profile for use in thin electronic devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2022Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Deep Karpe, James M. Jeon, Richard P. Howarth, Rui Zhou, Unhyi Yang
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Publication number: 20230282240Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can guide a user of the computing device through creation of media content using storyboard templates. For example, the user may invoke a media editing application on the computing device. The media editing application can be configured with a plurality of different storyboard templates to be used for the creation of different types or categories of content. A storyboard template corresponding to a particular type of content can include suggested media segments and suggested media clips for the particular type, or topic, of content. Thus, a particular storyboard template can include suggested media segments and suggested media clips that are different from other storyboard templates. The media editing application can include features that allow the user to edit the storyboard template and/or the media content corresponding to a storyboard project created by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2022Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Wiersema, Teresa F. Perera, Jennifer L. Nassef Anderson, David R. Black, Ivan Pinzon, Nathalie Castel, Andrea L. Angquist, Kain Osterholt, Peter A. Steinauer, Shawn M. Spencer, Hans H. Kim
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Patent number: 11747539Abstract: Light-control panels including layered optical components are described in this application. An example of a light-control panel includes first and second glazing layers and first and second switchable components extending between the first and second glazing layers. The light-control panel also includes a thermal coating extending between the first switchable component and the first glazing layer and a filter extending between the first and second switchable components.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: David E. Kingman, Christopher D. Jones, James R. Wilson, Martin Melcher, Peter F. Masschelein
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Patent number: 11744476Abstract: A blood pressure measurement device may include one or more piezoelectric sensors (e.g., differential piezoelectric sensors) for detecting blood flow through a limb of a user as part of determining blood pressure measurements. The piezoelectric sensor(s) may additionally or alternatively be used to determine one or more biological parameters of users (e.g., a ballistocardiogram, a heart rate, a heart rate variability, and a pulse wave velocity). The blood pressure measurement device may additionally or alternatively include a capacitive sensor for determining a pressure applied to the limb of the user by the blood pressure measurement device and/or operational states of the blood pressure measurement devices (off-arm, on-arm, inflating, deflating, tightness, and the like).Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Wegene H. Tadele, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Riley E. Brandt, Siddharth Nangia