Patents Assigned to Apple
  • Patent number: 11620329
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques to enable limited access to a photos library by enabling application specific virtual photo libraries. When an application requests access to the photos library, the user can select an option to enable or configure a virtual photos library, and then select specific assets (e.g., photos, videos) within the photos library to be selected for inclusion into an application specific virtual photos library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Dickoff, Jessica Aranda, Patrick Coffman, Richard L. Hagy, Stephen J. Rhee, Nicole R. Ryan, Adam C. Swift, Gavin B. Thomson, Brandon J. Van Ryswyk
  • Patent number: 11619959
    Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit included in a computer system may include a switch device coupled between an input power supply node and a regulated power supply node. The switch device may change a value of a supply current flowing from the input power supply node and the regulated power supply node to regulate a voltage level of the regulated power supply node. A noise cancelation current may be feed forward onto a control terminal of the switch device to cancel noise on the regulated power supply node resulting from noise present on the input power supply node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gokce Gurun, Sanjeev K. Maheshwari, Wenbo Liu
  • Patent number: 11620759
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and program storage devices for training and leveraging machine learning (ML) models to use in image registration, especially on unaligned multispectral images, are disclosed, comprising: obtaining aligned multispectral image data; generating a first plurality of feature descriptors for features identified in the aligned multispectral image data; generating a training set of feature descriptor pairs based on the first plurality of feature descriptors; and training a ML model based on the training set of feature descriptor pairs, wherein the trained ML model is configured to determine matches between features in unaligned multispectral image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Jason de Villiers
  • Patent number: 11620768
    Abstract: An encoder is configured to compress point cloud geometry information using an octree geometric compression technique that utilizes node groups. Nodes within a node group are scanned according to a breadth first scan order. Sequential node groups to evaluate may be selected according to a breadth first scan order or a depth first scan order based on whether or not the breadth first scan order or the depth first scan order is indicated in a flag in a preceding node group evaluated. In some embodiments, evaluation orders for node groups may be implicit without being signaled via flags. A decoder is configured to reconstruct a point cloud based on a bit stream encoded by the encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: David Flynn
  • Patent number: 11620021
    Abstract: Cross-coupling correction techniques on a touch sensor panel can be improved using machine learning models (particularly for touch sensor panels with relatively low signal-to-noise ratio). In some examples, the machine learning model can be implemented using a neural network. The neural network can receive a touch image and perform cross-coupling correction to mitigate cross-talk due to routing traces of the touch sensor panel. Mitigating cross-talk can improve touch sensing accuracy, reduce jitter, and/or reduce false positive touch detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sai Zhang, Behrooz Shahsavari, Ari Y. Benbasat, Nima Ferdosi
  • Patent number: 11619991
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to controlling electronic devices. In some examples, the electronic device uses gaze information to activate a digital assistant. In some examples, the electronic device uses gaze information to identify an external device on which to act. In some examples, the electronic device provides an indication that distinguishes between different speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sean B. Kelly, Felipe Bacim De Araujo E Silva, Karlin Y. Bark
  • Patent number: 11620042
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes generally relates to scrolling and selecting items. An electronic device having a display and a touch-sensitive surface displays a user interface with a list of items. The items can be scrolled and selected using different techniques. Some embodiments include a technique for entering an edit mode to select and scroll items on the user interface. Some embodiments include a technique for scrolling to select items on the user interface. Some embodiments include a technique for displaying a scroll progress indicator for scrolling items on the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marcos Alonso, James Magahern, Toby C. Paterson, Patrick L. Coffman
  • Patent number: 11620103
    Abstract: A method includes receiving data indicating a current media playback state of an external media playback device. The method includes, in response to receiving the data and in accordance with a determination that a set of external media playback device control criteria are met, displaying, via the display generation component, a user interface for controlling media playback at the external media playback device that includes one or more selectable user interface objects based on whether the data indicates that the external media playback device is currently performing a media playback operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David Chance Graham, Taylor G. Carrigan, Patrick L. Coffman
  • Patent number: 11619857
    Abstract: An optical device stack includes at least one of a photodetector or an optical emitter and a metasurface. The metasurface is disposed over a light-receiving surface of the photodetector or a light emission surface of the optical emitter. The metasurface includes a first conductive layer having an electrically-tunable optical property and an array of conductive nanostructures disposed on a first side of the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is disposed on a second side of the first conductive layer. An electrical insulator is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. A change in an electrical bias between the metasurface and the second conductive layer, from a first electrical bias to a second electrical bias, tunes the electrically-tunable optical property from a first state to a second state, and changes an electrically-tunable optical filtering property of the metasurface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jiayu Li, Dawei Lu
  • Patent number: 11621048
    Abstract: A memory controller includes an interface and a processor. The interface communicates with a plurality of memory cells, and an individual one of the plurality of memory cells stores data in multiple predefined programming levels. The processor is configured to read an Error Correction Code (ECC) code word from a group of memory cells, via the interface, using multiple read thresholds positioned between adjacent programming levels, for producing multiple readouts that contain respective numbers of errors, to derive from the code word a reference readout that contains no errors, or contains a number of errors smaller than in the code word, to calculate multiple distances between the reference readout and the respective readouts, and set a preferred read threshold based on the calculated distances, and to perform subsequent read operations for retrieving data from the plurality of memory cells, using the preferred read threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Yonathan Tate, Ilia Benkovitch, Michael Jeffet, Nir Tishbi, Roy Roth, Ruby Mizrahi
  • Patent number: 11619732
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to motion detection and recognition using segmented data from reflections of transmitted signals. An apparatus includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor. The processor may cause the transmitter to transmit pulses of an RF signal, the reflections of which are received by a receiver. For each of a number of consecutive segments, the transmitter may transmit N pulses of the RF signal, followed by quiet period. The processor may determine amplitude and phase data for reflections received by the receiver. Over a number of consecutive segments, the processor may detect and classify the amplitude and phase data change over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ney, Zohar Agon
  • Patent number: 11619830
    Abstract: To enable a display to display different content to different viewers, a display may include a time-sequential directional backlight unit. The backlight unit may emit light in different directions in different configurations. In a first state, the backlight unit emits light at maximum brightness in a first direction. In a second state, the backlight unit emits light at maximum brightness in a second direction that is different than the first direction. The backlight unit may repeatedly and rapidly switch between the different states. The first direction may be towards a first viewer whereas the second direction may be towards a second, different viewer. Therefore, each viewer receives backlight in one of the configurations and does not receive backlight in the other configuration. In synchronization with the backlight unit, the liquid crystal display panel may repeatedly switch between displaying content for the first viewer and displaying content for the second viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Chen, Juan He, Rong Liu, ByoungSuk Kim, Jun Qi, Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 11619976
    Abstract: A device may include a display portion that includes a display housing and a display at least partially within the display housing. The device may also include a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion and including a bottom case, a top case coupled to the bottom case and defining an array of raised key regions, and a sensing system below the top case and configured to detect an input applied to a raised key region of the array of raised key regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, Zheng Gao
  • Patent number: 11622337
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatuses, storage media, and systems for determining dynamic power sharing in a dual connectivity network. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gang Xiong, Hong He, Yushu Zhang
  • Patent number: 11620790
    Abstract: Generating a 3D model may include determining, based on sensor data from a touch sensor on a first device, a touch event, wherein the touch event comprises a touch on the first device by a touching object. Generating a 3D model may also include, in response to a touch event, obtaining a first image of the touching object by a first camera of the first device, and obtaining, from a second device, a second image of the touching object, wherein the first image of the touching object captures a first view of the touching object, and wherein the second image of the touching object captures a second view of the touching object. A model of the touching object is generated based on the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Rohit Sethi, Lejing Wang
  • Patent number: 11621003
    Abstract: A device implementing a system for responding to a voice request includes a processor configured to receive a voice request for content, the voice request corresponding to a first user account, the device being associated with the first user account, a second user account and a default account. The processor if further configured to determine that the content is unavailable via the first user account, and provide, in response to the determining, the content via at least one of the second user account or the default account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Alsina, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Taylor G. Carrigan, Jessica J. Peck
  • Patent number: 11620046
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to user interfaces for receiving handwriting input, accessing predictive text candidates, and accessing keyboards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Botao Zhu, Patrick L. Coffman, Dylan Ross Edwards, Aram D. Kudurshian, Karan Misra, Chun Kin Minor Wong
  • Patent number: 11619762
    Abstract: An optical module includes a beam-tilting light source enclosure. The enclosure is coupled to a substrate that includes a light emitter connected thereto. The enclosure has a geometry such that the enclosure has a first surface configured to couple substantially flat to the substrate and a second surface tilted with respect to the first surface and configured to couple substantially flat to a component of an electronic device through which the light is to project. The enclosure is optically transmissive and covers the light source when coupled to the substrate. In this way, the enclosure may be assembled and used in the electronic device by coupling the first surface to the substrate and coupling the second surface to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. McCord, Mehmet Mutlu, Ryan J. Linderman
  • Patent number: 11622377
    Abstract: Technology for a user equipment (UE) using a self-contained scheduling resource to communicate with an eNodeB within a wireless communication network is disclosed. The UE can select, at the UE, a selected eNodeB transmission (Tx) beam and a selected UE reception (Rx) beam based on a highest power beamforming reference signal (BRS) received power (BRS-RP). The UE can signal a transceiver of the UE to transmit to the eNodeB a scheduling request (SR), using the selected Rx beam, on a scheduling request (SR) resource in a self-contained subframe according to a time and frequency location of the selected eNodeB Tx beam. The UE can process an advanced physical downlink control channel (xPDCCH), received from the eNodeB, for an uplink (UL) grant using the selected UE RX beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Gang Xiong, Wenting Chang, Huaning Niu, Yushu Zhang, Yuan Zhu
  • Patent number: 11622243
    Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to techniques (e.g., a device, a method, or a non-transitory computer readable medium storing code or instructions executable by one or more processors) for many-to-many communication techniques for coordinating communications among a group of mobile devices that can be performed by a first mobile devices. The first mobile device can transmit a request to establish outgoing pairwise ranging sessions with other mobile devices of the group. Each of the mobile devices of the group of mobile devices can establish ranging sessions with the other mobile devices. Each mobile device can act as both an initiating device and a responding device for the ranging session. The first mobile device can detect one or more redundant ranging sessions the mobile devices. The first mobile device can identify whether to keep or terminate each of the one or more redundant ranging sessions based on a common criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Yagil Burowski, Robert W. Brumley, Brandon S. Dewberry