Patents Assigned to Apple
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Patent number: 11580934Abstract: An electronic device may have a display with an array of pixels. The device may have an array of components such as an array of light sensors for capturing fingerprints of a user through an array of corresponding transparent windows in the display. A capacitive touch sensor, proximity sensor, force sensor, or other sensor may be used by control circuitry in the device to monitor for the presence of a user's finger over the array of light sensors. In response, the control circuitry can direct the display to illuminate a subset of the pixels, thereby illuminating the user's finger and causing reflected light from the finger to illuminate the array of light sensors for a fingerprint capture operation. The display may have display driver circuitry that facilitates the momentary illumination of the subset of pixels with uniform flash data while image data is displayed in other portions of the display.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2022Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Koorosh Aflatooni, Minhyuk Choi, Mohammad Ali Jangda, Sang Y. Youn, Yafei Bi, Jean-Pierre Guillou, Wei H. Yao
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Patent number: 11579701Abstract: An electronic device may include touch input components and associated haptic output components. The control circuitry may provide haptic output in response to touch input on the touch input components and may send wireless signals to the external electronic device based on the touch input. The haptic output components may provide local and global haptic output. Local haptic output may be used to guide a user to the location of the electronic device or to provide a button click sensation to the user in response to touch input. Global haptic output may be used to notify the user that the electronic device is aligned towards the external electronic device and is ready to receive user input to control or communicate with the external electronic device. Control circuitry may switch a haptic output component into an inactive mode to inform the user that a touch input component is inactive.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Camille Moussette, James H. Foster, Duncan Kerr, Adam S. Meyer, Per Haakan Linus Persson, Peter C. Tsoi, Stuart J. Wood
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Patent number: 11582389Abstract: A camera may include at least one suspension assembly as part of optical image stabilization and/or autofocus systems of the camera. The suspension assembly may include an inner frame, an outer frame, and one or more flexure arms. Electrical traces may be deposited at both sides of the suspension assembly. A connection may be created, for electrical traces at the different sides of the suspension assembly, through the suspension assembly by removing (e.g., using an etching process) one or more parts in the body of the suspension assembly to create one or more cavities. A remaining part of the suspension assembly surrounded (and thus isolated) by the cavities may thus form at least a part of the connection for the electrical traces. The connection may further include one or more filled trenches connecting the electrical traces to the remaining part of the suspension assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Phillip R. Sommer
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Patent number: 11580353Abstract: Embodiments relate to a neural engine circuit that includes an input buffer circuit, a kernel extract circuit, and a multiply-accumulator (MAC) circuit. The MAC circuit receives input data from the input buffer circuit and a kernel coefficient from the kernel extract circuit. The MAC circuit contains several multiply-add (MAD) circuits and accumulators used to perform neural networking operations on the received input data and kernel coefficients. MAD circuits are configured to support fixed-point precision (e.g., INT8) and floating-point precision (FP16) of operands. In floating-point mode, each MAD circuit multiplies the integer bits of input data and kernel coefficients and adds their exponent bits to determine a binary point for alignment. In fixed-point mode, input data and kernel coefficients are multiplied. In both operation modes, the output data is stored in an accumulator, and may be sent back as accumulated values for further multiply-add operations in subsequent processing cycles.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Christopher L. Mills
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Patent number: 11581629Abstract: A housing for an electronic device is disclosed. The housing comprises a first component and a second component separated from the first component by a gap. The housing also includes a first molded element disposed at least partially within the gap and defining at least a portion of an interlock feature, and a second molded element disposed at least partially within the gap and mechanically engaging the interlock feature. The first component, the second component, and the second molded element form a portion of an exterior surface of the housing. A method of forming the housing is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Matthew D. Hill, Michael B. Wittenberg, Shane Bustle, Duy P. Le
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Patent number: 11582215Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for a trusted (or originator) device to modify the security state of a target device (e.g., unlocking the device) based on a securing ranging operation (e.g., determining a distance, proximity, etc.). The method of some embodiments exchanges messages as a part of a ranging operation in order to determine whether the trusted and target devices are within a specified range of each other before allowing the trusted device to modify the security state of the target device. In some embodiments, the messages are derived by both devices based on a shared secret and are used to verify the source of ranging signals used for the ranging operation. In some embodiments, the method is performed using multiple different frequency bands.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Wade Benson, Marc J. Krochmal, Alexander R. Ledwith, John Iarocci, Jerrold V. Hauck, Michael Brouwer, Mitchell D. Adler, Yannick L. Sierra
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Patent number: 11581351Abstract: A hybrid sensor shift platform for an optical image stabilization (OIS) actuator mechanism in compact camera modules includes two or more substrates. A top substrate is composed of an organic material (e.g., a resin) to reduce mass, reduce magnetic interaction with permanent magnets, and improve reliability. One or more lower substrates of the hybrid sensor shift platform are ceramic substrates that provide the benefits of ceramics for connection to the image sensor. The organic substrate is connected via a solder bond process to the lower ceramic substrate(s). The connection between the substrates is reinforced with an under-fill of epoxy that surrounds the solder bonds, thus creating a full interface between the substrates within the overlap.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aurelien R. Hubert, Jee Tung Tan, Steven Webster, Douglas S. Brodie, Qiang Yang, Masahito Morita
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Patent number: 11582388Abstract: In some embodiments, a camera actuator includes an actuator base, an autofocus voice coil motor, and an optical image stabilization voice coil motor. In some embodiments, the autofocus voice coil motor includes a lens carrier mounting attachment moveably mounted to the actuator base, a plurality of shared magnets mounted to the base, and an autofocus coil fixedly mounted to the lens carrier mounting attachment for producing forces for moving a lens carrier in a direction of an optical axis of one or more lenses of the lens carrier. In some embodiments, the optical image stabilization voice coil motor includes an image sensor carrier moveably mounted to the actuator base, and optical image stabilization coils moveably mounted to the image sensor carrier within the magnetic fields of the shared magnets, for producing forces for moving the image sensor carrier in a plurality of directions orthogonal to the optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aurelien R. Hubert, Qiang Yang, Douglas S. Brodie, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
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Patent number: 11579722Abstract: Display layers and touch sensor layers may be overlapped by enclosure walls in an electronic device. The electronic device may have a front wall and opposing rear wall and curved sidewalls. The front wall and the curved sidewalls may be formed from a glass layer or other transparent member. A touch sensor layer and display layer may extend under the glass layer with curved sidewalls. A touch sensor layer may also extend under the opposing rear wall. A foldable electronic device may have a flexible transparent wall portion that joins planar transparent walls. Components may be interposed between the transparent planar walls and opaque walls. Display and touch layers may be overlapped by the transparent walls and the transparent flexible wall portion. Touch sensor structures may also be overlapped by the opaque walls.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Isaac W. Chan, Chun-Hao Tung, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Sunggu Kang, John Z. Zhong
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Patent number: 11582554Abstract: A system for sound localization can include a first electronic device having a microphone to detect a sound, and a second electronic device. A processor can be in communication with the first electronic device and the second electronic device. The processor can receive a first signal from the first electronic device corresponding to the detected sound, determine a location of origin of the detected sound based at least in part on the first signal, and provide a second signal to the second electronic device based at least in part on the location of origin.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Paul G. Puskarich, Fiona P. O'Leary
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Patent number: 11580652Abstract: One exemplary implementation facilitates object detection using multiple scans of an object in different lighting conditions. For example, a first scan of the object can be created by capturing images of the object by moving an image sensor on a first path in a first lighting condition, e.g., bright lighting. A second scan of the object can then be created by capturing additional images of the object by moving the image sensor on a second path in a second lighting condition, e.g., dim lighting. Implementations determine a transform that associates the scan data from these multiple scans to one another and use the transforms to generate a 3D model of the object in a single coordinate system. Augmented content can be positioned relative to that object in the single coordinate system and thus will be displayed in the appropriate location regardless of the lighting condition in which the physical object is later detected.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Vincent Chapdelaine-Couture, Mohamed Selim Ben Himane
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Patent number: 11582110Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating device cluster capability information for a cluster of devices in a network environment. Capability information can specify capabilities of the devices in the cluster. A first user device can generate device capabilities for the first user device and obtain device capabilities for other devices in the cluster. The first user device can generate cluster capability information providing an intersection of the first set of device capabilities and device capabilities of the other user devices in the cluster. The first user device can obtain cluster capability information for other clusters in the network environment and receive a request from a service user device to perform a specific task. The first user device can transmit cluster capability information relating to a selected cluster that corresponds with the request.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2022Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott M. Marshall, Jeremy A. Wyld, Jiten L. Mehta, Darren Litzinger, John J. Iarocci
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Patent number: 11579503Abstract: To minimize the width of a non-light-emitting border region around an opening in the active area, data lines may be stacked in the border region. Data line portions may be formed using three metal layers in three different planes within the border region. A metal layer that forms a positive power signal distribution path in the active area may serve as a data line portion in the border region. A metal layer may be added in the border region to serve as a data line portion in the border region. Data line signals may also be provided to pixels on both sides of an opening in the active area using supplemental data line paths. A supplemental data line path may be routed through the active area of the display to electrically connect data line segments on opposing sides of an opening within the display.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shin-Hung Yeh, Warren S. Rieutort-Louis, Abbas Jamshidi Roudbari, Chien-Ya Lee, Lun Tsai
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Patent number: 11582342Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can be configured to automatically turn off notifications when generating a notification would cause a disturbance or be unwanted by a user. The device can be configured with quiet hours during which notifications that would otherwise be generated by the computing device can be suppressed. In some implementations, quiet hours can be configured as a time period with a start time and an end time. In some implementations, quiet hours can be derived from application data. For example, calendar data, alarm clock data, map data, etc. can be used to determine when quiet hours should be enforced. In some implementations, the device can be configured with exceptions to quiet hour notification suppression. In some implementations, the user can identify contacts to which the quiet hours notification suppression should not be applied.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Imran A. Chaudhri, Gregory Novick, Scott Forstall, Morgan Grainger, George R. Dicker, Tyler Hawkins
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Patent number: 11579721Abstract: A device includes a touch-sensitive display, one or more processors, and memory storing one or more programs including instructions for receiving data from an external device representing user input received over a duration of time at the external device. The programs may include instructions for determining whether the electronic device is actively executing an application for playback. The programs may further include instructions for in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is not actively executing an application for playback: displaying an indication of the receiving of the data; and displaying an affordance, wherein the affordance when selected launches the application for playback and causes the electronic device to playback the received data according to the duration of time of the user input.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Freddy Allen Anzures, Imran Chaudhri, Alan C. Dye, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Nicholas V. King, Kevin Lynch, Gregory Novick, Daniel Trent Preston, Monica Jenkins, Lawrence Y. Yang
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Patent number: 11581072Abstract: A patient record gateway of an electronic health record system can be validated using a conformance statement that defines capabilities and characteristics of patient record servers associated with the gateway. Part of validating the patient record gateway includes performing a configuration test of the patient record gateway using the conformance statement.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Meghan Tushar Raul, Sangeeth Sridharan, Jorge Fernando Pozas Trevino, Pablo Antonio Gonzalez Cervantes, Mohan Singh Randhava, Sean Robert Moore, Todd D. Power, Dongsheng Zhang, Eric K. Kimn, Pascal B. Pfiffner
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Patent number: 11582579Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for system and methods to enable the secure streaming of real-time location data between electronic devices. One embodiment provides for a non-transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions to perform operations comprising creating record to specify a location streaming relationship between a first device registered with a first user account and a second device registered with a second online account, the record including a secret key. The record is stored to an online datastore and shared between the first user account and the second online account. The location data stream can be encrypted using the secret key stored in the record.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Raghunandan K. Pai, Michael C. Laster, Scott Lopatin, Tommy Rochette
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Patent number: 11582517Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device can guide the user in setting up the device for the first time or after a factory reset. In some embodiments, an electronic device facilitates suggesting and installing applications on the electronic device during device setup. In some embodiments, an electronic device facilitates transferring settings and information from another electronic device during device setup.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Tito Lloyd Balsamo
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Patent number: 11579506Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a transparent structure. The structure may include at least one light source, a transparent light-carrying guide layer optically coupled with the at least one light source. The structure may include refractive layers where a light absorbing feature is operably associated with the light-carrying guide layer to absorb any light not internally reflected in the light guide layer, at least adjacent the light source.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2022Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Clarisse Mazuir, Matthew E. Last, Ryan J. Garrone, Budhadipta Dan, Khadijeh Bayat, Gregory A. Cohoon, Jack E. Graves
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Patent number: D978163Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Freddy Anzures, Stephen O. Lemay, Hoan K. Pham, Wan Si Wan