Patents Assigned to Apple
  • Account management user interfaces
    Patent number: 11681537
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to managing a user account. In some embodiments, managing a user account includes managing remote data storage associated with a user account. In some embodiments, managing a user account includes managing deletion of data from remote data storage associated with a user account. In some embodiments, managing a user account includes managing a balance transfer of a user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mischa McLachlan, Aaron Melim, Marcel Van Os
  • Electronic devices having light sensor modules overlapped by displays
    Patent number: 11682367
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display with an array of pixels configured to display images for a user. The electronic device may have an ambient light sensor for gathering ambient light information. Control circuitry in the electronic device may adjust the brightness level of an image being displayed by the display based on ambient light measurements from the ambient light sensor. The ambient light sensor may be formed from an ambient light sensor module that is aligned with an opening in an opaque masking layer in the display. One or more antireflection layers may be interposed between an inwardly facing surface of the display and an opposing external surface of the ambient light sensor module. The ambient light sensor module may have a light attenuator and other optical structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Vrinda Thareja, Arpit B. Mehta
  • Measurements and reporting for user equipment (UE) positioning in wireless networks
    Patent number: 11681010
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and storage media are described for the measurement and reporting of user equipment (UE) positioning in cellular networks. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Sosnin, Alexey Khoryaev, Mikhail Shilov, Sergey Panteleev
  • Dynamic antenna selection and beam steering
    Patent number: 11683106
    Abstract: A method performed by a user equipment (UE) configured with a plurality of antenna panels. Each antenna panel is configured to beamform over a millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency band. The method includes identifying a predetermined condition corresponding to a first antenna panel of the plurality of antenna panels, selecting a second antenna panel of the plurality of antenna panels based on identifying the predetermined condition corresponding to the first antenna panel and transmitting a beam via the second antenna panel based on the selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shiva Krishna Narra, Madhukar K. Shanbhag, Pengkai Zhao, Sami M. Almalfouh, Sanjeevi Balasubramanian, Sriram Subramanian, Wei Zhang, Yi Su
  • Housing for portable electronic device with reduced border region
    Patent number: 11681326
    Abstract: An electronic device having a housing structure that is configured to receive at least one glass cover is disclosed. The glass cover serves to cover a display assembly provided within the electronic device. The glass cover can be secured to the housing structure so as to facilitate providing a narrow border between an active display area and an outer edge of the housing structure. The enclosure for the electronic device can be thin yet be sufficiently strong to be suitable for use in electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Werner, Emery A. Sanford, Stephen Brian Lynch, Teodor Dabov, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Scoping a system-wide search to a user-specified application
    Patent number: 11681718
    Abstract: A device implementing a system for limiting the scope of a search includes a processor configured to, receive, by a first application, first user input including at least a portion of a first search term, and to determine that a second application corresponds to the first search term. The processor is further configured to display a graphical element for activating a search filter that limits search results to content of the second application, and to receive second user input including selection of the graphical element. The processor is further configured to send, to the second application, a search request including at least one of the first search term or a second search term, to receive, from the second application, a completion suggestion or search result based on a search performed on the content of the second application, and to provide the completion suggestion or search result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Hornkvist, Anubhav Malhotra
  • Methods and interfaces for home media control
    Patent number: 11683408
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to interfaces and techniques for media playback on one or more devices. In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display, one or more processors, and memory. The electronic device receives user input and, in response to receiving the user input, displays, on the display, a multi-device interface that includes: one or more indicators associated with a plurality of available playback devices that are connected to the device and available to initiate playback of media from the device, and a media playback status of the plurality of available playback devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Coffman, Fernando Albuquerque, Taylor G. Carrigan, Matthew J. Cielak, David Chance Graham, Cyrus Daniel Irani
  • Avatar creation user interface
    Patent number: 11682182
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to creating and editing avatars, and navigating avatar selection interfaces. In some examples, an avatar feature user interface includes a plurality of feature options that can be customized to create an avatar. In some examples, different types of avatars can be managed for use in different applications. In some examples, an interface is provided for navigating types of avatars for an application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Scapel, Arian Behzadi, Alan C. Dye, Lisa K. Forssell, Robert Garcia, III, Aurelio Guzman, Jason Rickwald, Marcel Van Os, Christopher Wilson, Giancarlo Yerkes
  • Artificial aperture adjustment for synthetic depth of field rendering
    Patent number: 11682108
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to various implementations that dynamically adjust one or more shallow depth of field (SDOF) parameters based on a designated, artificial aperture value. The implementations obtain a designated, artificial aperture value that modifies an initial aperture value for an image frame. The designated, artificial aperture value generates a determined amount of synthetically-produced blur within the image frame. The implementations determine an aperture adjustment factor based on the designated, artificial aperture value in relation to a default so-called “tuning aperture value” (for which the camera's operations may have been optimized). The implementations may then modify, based on the aperture adjustment factor, one or more SDOF parameters for an SDOF operation, which may, e.g., be configured to render a determined amount of synthetic bokeh within the image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Seely, Alexandre Naaman, Patrick Shehane, Andre Souza Dos Santos, Behkish J. Manzari
  • Portable electronic device with two-piece housing
    Patent number: 11683063
    Abstract: Portable electronic devices are provided. Each device may be formed from two parts. A first part may be provided with components such as a display, a touch screen, a cover glass, and a frame. A second part may be provided with a plastic housing, circuit boards containing electrical components, and a bezel. Engagement members may be connected to the first and second parts. The engagement members may be formed from metal clips with holes and springs with flexible spring prongs that mate with the holes in the clips. The metal clips may be welded to frame struts on the frame and the springs may be welded to the bezel. During assembly, the first part may be rotated into place within the second part. Retention clips attached to the frame may be used to secure the two parts together. Assembly instructions and associated connector numbers may be provided within the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik L. Wang, Phillip Michael Hobson, Kenneth A. Jenks, Adam D. Mittleman, Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Steven P. Jobs, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Douglas B. Satzger, Calvin Q. Seid, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Anthony Whang, Rico L. Zorkendorfer
  • Precise time management using local time base
    Patent number: 11683149
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a timebase is disclosed. A timebase management circuit includes limit circuitry, in a first clock domain, which generates, based on a global timebase, an initial timebase limit. The timebase management circuit includes, in a second clock domain, adjustment circuitry that generates an adjusted timebase limit based on the initial timebase limit. A storage circuit in the second clock domain stores a local timebase. Update circuitry, coupled to an output of the storage circuit, generates an updated local timebase using a clock signal in the second clock domain, wherein the updated local timebase is subject to the adjusted timebase limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Finan, Alexander Ukanwa, Charles F. Dominguez, Jean-Didier Allegrucci, Jeffrey J. Irwin, Kalpana Bansal, Michael Bekerman, Remi Clavel
  • Point cloud compression with multi-resolution video encoding
    Patent number: 11683525
    Abstract: A system comprises an encoder configured to compress attribute and/or spatial information for a point cloud and/or a decoder configured to decompress compressed attribute and/or spatial information for the point cloud. To compress the attribute and/or spatial information, the encoder is configured to convert a point cloud into an image based representation. Also, the decoder is configured to generate a decompressed point cloud based on an image based representation of a point cloud. In some embodiments, an encoder performs downscaling of an image frame prior to video encoding and a decoder performs upscaling of an image frame subsequent to video decoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Khaled Mammou, Yeping Su, Jungsun Kim, Valery G. Valentin, David W. Singer, Fabrice A. Robinet, Hsi-Jung Wu, Alexandros Tourapis
  • Evaluation of transparent components for electronic devices
    Patent number: 11680010
    Abstract: Methods for evaluating a chemically strengthened housing component for an electronic device are disclosed. These methods may allow non-destructive determination of whether the chemical strengthening of the component meets specifications. Systems suitable for use with the methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tyler A. Marshall, Christopher C. Bartlow
  • Close-range measurement of time of flight using parallax shift
    Patent number: 11681028
    Abstract: An optical sensing device includes a light source, which emits one or more beams of light pulses toward a target scene at respective angles about a transmit axis of the light source. A first array of single-photon detectors output electrical pulses in response to photons that are incident thereon. A second array of counters count the electrical pulses output during respective count periods by respective sets of one or more of the single-photon detectors. Light collection optics form an image of the target scene on the first array along a receive axis, which is offset transversely relative to the transmit axis, thereby giving rise to a parallax shift as a function of distance between the target scene and the device. Control circuitry sets the respective count periods of the counters, responsively to the parallax shift, to cover different, respective time intervals following each of the light pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Moshe Laifenfeld
  • Efficient context monitoring
    Patent number: 11683396
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for efficiently monitoring the operating context of a computing device. In some implementations, the context daemon and/or the context client can be terminated to conserve system resources. For example, if the context daemon and/or the context client are idle, they can be shutdown to conserve battery power or free other system resources (e.g., memory). When an event occurs (e.g., a change in current context) that requires the context daemon and/or the context client to be running, the context daemon and/or the context client can be restarted to handle the event. Thus, system resources can be conserved while still providing relevant context information collection and callback notification features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Barraclough Brown, Umesh S. Vaishampayan
  • Data-secure sensor system
    Patent number: 11682278
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a data-secure sensor system includes one or more processors configured to receive sensor data (e.g., image data, audio data, etc.) and generate descriptive data based on the sensor data that corresponds to a physical area that corresponds to information about identified objects or activity in physical area, an input/output (I/O) port, and an I/O choke communicatively coupled between the one or more processors and the I/O port, the I/O choke configured to limit a communication bandwidth of the I/O port to a maximum data rate. The one or more processors can be configured to prevent the sensor data from being accessible via any external port of the data-secure camera system, including the I/O port, and allow the descriptive data to be accessible via the I/O port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Travis McQueen, Clark Della Silva, Scott G. Johnston, Wade Barnett, William Burchill, Joseph Hakim, Bernd Adler
  • Venues map application and system providing a venue directory
    Patent number: 11680815
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can provide a map application providing a representation of a physical structure of venues (e.g., shopping centers, airports) identified by the application. In addition, the application can provide a unique venue directory, providing an easy and visual mechanism to search for categories of points of interest (e.g., clothes, food, restrooms) or specific items within the venue. Search results can be presented on a map of a floor within the venue as well as a listing providing all search results located within the venue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan D. Shelby, Megan M. Frost, YunJae Kim, Sean P. O'Brien, Brett L. Lareau, Ryan W. Apuy, Jae Woo Chang
  • Headset
    Patent number: D989740
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Brunner, Christopher Kuh
  • Electronic device
    Patent number: D989759
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Abidur Rahman Chowdhury, Clara Geneviève Marine Courtaigne, Markus Diebel, Jonathan Gomez Garcia, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
    Patent number: D989796
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mani Amini, Chanaka Karunamuni