Patents Assigned to Apple
  • Patent number: 11202164
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for predictive head-tracked binaural audio rendering in which a rendering device renders multiple audio streams for different possible head locations based on head tracking data received from a headset, for example audio streams for the last known location and one or more predicted or possible locations, and transmits the multiple audio streams to the headset. The headset then selects and plays one of the audio streams that is closest to the actual head location based on current head tracking data. If none of the audio streams closely match the actual head location, two closest audio streams may be mixed. Transmitting multiple audio streams to the headset and selecting or mixing an audio stream on the headset may mitigate or eliminate perceived head tracking latency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Juha O. Merimaa, Christopher T. Eubank, Martin E. Johnson, Stuart J. Wood, Deepak Natarajan
  • Patent number: 11200650
    Abstract: Techniques for the modification of at least part of a target image (e.g., scene objects within the target image), e.g., to make the target image appear that it was captured at a different time (e.g., a different time of day, different time of year) are disclosed. This “dynamic re-timing” of the target image may be achieved by finding one or more source images including the same (or similar) scene depicted in the target image (but, e.g., captured at different times), extracting stylistic elements from the source image(s), and then modifying at least part of the target image in a realistic fashion (e.g., not altering the geometry of objects in the target image), based on one or more extracted stylistic elements from the source image(s). Three-dimensional modeling of scene objects may allow a more realistic-looking transfer of the extracted stylistic elements onto scene objects in the target image to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nir Ben Zadok, Oz Barak, Inna Stainvas, Moshe Laifenfeld, Andrei Kolin
  • Patent number: 11200490
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a neural processor circuit including neural engines, a buffer, and a kernel access circuit. The neural engines perform convolution operations on input data and kernel data to generate output data. The buffer is between the neural engines and a memory external to the neural processor circuit. The buffer stores input data for sending to the neural engines and output data received from the neural engines. The kernel access circuit receives one or more kernels from the memory external to the neural processor circuit. The neural processor circuit operates in one of multiple modes, at least one of which divides a convolution operation into multiple independent convolution operations for execution by the neural engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Hee Park, Seungjin Lee, Christopher L. Mills
  • Patent number: 11200641
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining an image comprising a plurality of pixels. The method includes determining, for a particular pixel of the plurality of pixels, a feature value. The method includes selecting, based on the feature value, a set of selected pixels from a set of candidate pixels in an image region surrounding the particular pixel. The method includes denoising the particular pixel based on the set of selected pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Farhan A. Baqai, Wu Cheng
  • Patent number: 11201484
    Abstract: Accessory devices for portable electronic devices are herein described. An accessory device may include a receptacle used to receive and carry an electronic device. Further, the accessory device may include a cover that is pivotally coupled to the receptacle. The cover is designed to protect a front surface of the electronic device, including a cover glass. The accessory device may further include a power supply (such as a battery) that is located on the cover. The power supply is designed to provide power to the electronic device, and subsequently charge a battery of the electronic device. The power supply can also provide power to different devices. In this regard, the accessory device may include an inductive charging coil that can inductively charge a battery of a device located on the accessory device. The inductive charging coil can be integrated into the receptacle or the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert V. Weber, Patrick T. Ryan, Min Chul Kim, Ian P. Colahan
  • Patent number: 11200309
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Cotterill
  • Patent number: 11200557
    Abstract: A device implementing a scalable wireless transaction system includes at least one processor configured to receive, from a wireless transaction system server, a list of wireless transaction group identifiers, and an indication of at least one applet associated with each of the wireless transaction group identifiers. The at least one processor is further configured to receive, from a wireless transaction device, a polling frame that includes one of the wireless transaction device group identifiers. The at least one processor is further configured to select an applet provisioned on a device secure element that is assigned to the wireless transaction group identifier, the assigning being based at least in part on the received list. The at least one processor is further configured to utilize the selected applet to perform a wireless transaction with the wireless transaction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Lerch, Ahmer A. Khan, Oren M. Elrad, Franck Rakotomalala
  • Patent number: 11201657
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses, systems, and methods for reference signal design for initial acquisition, by receiving a first primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a first secondary synchronization signal (SSS) from a first transmit (Tx) beam, in first contiguous orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of a downlink subframe. A UE can receive at least a second PSS and a second SSS from a second Tx beam in contiguous OFDM symbols of the downlink subframe. A UE can then detect beamforming reference signals (BRSs) corresponding to the first Tx beam and the second Tx beam, based on identification of physical cell ID information and timing information processed from the first PSS, the second PSS, the first SSS, and the second SSS. The UE can select the first Tx beam or the second Tx beam that was received with the highest power, based on the BRSs. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gang Xiong, Huaning Niu, Yushu Zhang, Jong-Kae Fwu, Yuan Zhu, Ralf Matthias Bendlin
  • Patent number: 11201561
    Abstract: Systems and methods for power conversion are described. Symmetric topologies and modulation schemes are described that may reduce common-mode noise. For example, a system may include a transformer including a first secondary winding and a second secondary winding; a rectifier, including a set of switches, that connects taps of the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding to a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the rectifier is symmetric with respect to the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding; a battery connected between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a processing apparatus that is configured to control the set of switches to rectify a multilevel voltage signal on the transformer, including: selecting a modulation scheme from among two or more modulation schemes based on a measured voltage level of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ashish K. Sahoo, Brandon Pierquet
  • Patent number: 11202281
    Abstract: Provided are a radio transmission apparatus and a radio transmission method whereby the increase of number of signaling bits can be suppressed and further the flexibility of frequency scheduling can be improved. A notified RBG calculating unit (203) that adds a predetermined offset value of “1” or “?1” to one of the start RBG number and the end RBG number of allocated RBG number information (b?i) output by a scheduling unit (201), thereby calculating notified RBG number information (bi). An RBG total number setting unit (204) calculates the total number of RBGs, which is to be notified, by adding “1” to the total number of allocated RBGs. A notified information generating unit (205) applies the notified RBG number information (bi) and the notified total number of RBGs (Nrb?) to a predetermined formula, thereby generating and transmitting, to terminals, notified information (r).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Iwai, Daichi Imamura, Akihiko Nishio, Yoshihiko Ogawa, Shinsuke Takaoka
  • Patent number: 11200385
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an electronic identification card or electronic card having various features. The electronic card may include an integrated circuit and a contact plate for electrically interfacing with the integrated circuit. The contact plate may include an array of terminal electrodes that are offset with respect to the edges of the contact plate. The electronic card may be coated with a coating layer that extends at least partially over a ferromagnetic element or film. The electronic card may also include a metal substrate having exposed chamfer portions that may provide a visual contrast to the coating layer and also improve the handling and use of the electronic card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Rafael L. Dionello
  • Patent number: 11201961
    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: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Coffman, David Chance Graham
  • Patent number: 11200542
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for automatically generating an appointment for an electronic calendar. The method receives input to create a new appointment for the calendar. The method analyzes several previous appointments stored for the first calendar. Based on the analysis, the method automatically proposes a new appointment that has at least one appointment characteristic shared with at least one past appointment stored for the calendar. In some embodiments, the method receives text input describing a characteristic of the new appointment, and searches through the previous appointments using the text input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany S. Jon, Stephen O. Lemay
  • Patent number: 11202007
    Abstract: Various embodiments include camera movement control for reduced power consumption. Some embodiments, for example, may include operating a camera module in a power saving mode, in which focus movement control may be synchronized with frame capture. According to some examples, such synchronization may include holding a position (e.g., a focus position) of a lens group and/or an image sensor of the camera module during some integration time periods. Furthermore, such synchronization may include enabling power saving movement (e.g., between a focus position and a neutral position) of the lens group and/or the image sensor during some other time periods, such as during intervals (e.g., blanking intervals) between integration time periods, and/or during integration time periods for image frames that are expendable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Dhanda, Santiago Alban
  • Patent number: 11199706
    Abstract: A Head-Mounted Display system together with associated techniques for performing accurate and automatic inside-out positional, user body and environment tracking for virtual or mixed reality are disclosed. The system uses computer vision methods and data fusion from multiple sensors to achieve real-time tracking. High frame rate and low latency is achieved by performing part of the processing on the HMD itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Simon Fortin-Deschênes, Vincent Chapdelaine-Couture, Yan Côté, Anthony Ghannoum
  • Patent number: 11202078
    Abstract: A system comprises an encoder configured to compress attribute information for a dynamic point cloud and/or a decoder configured to decompress compressed attribute information for a dynamic point cloud. The dynamic point cloud may include multiple versions of the point cloud at multiple moments in time Attribute values for the point cloud may be compressed at a reference frame using an intra-prediction process and may be compressed at one or more reference frames using an inter-prediction process that takes advantage of temporal relationships between different frames (e.g. versions) of the dynamic point cloud at the different moments in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandros Tourapis, Jungsun Kim, Khaled Mammou, Liviu Traian Christian Tulvan, Marius Preda
  • Patent number: D938210
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Allison Inouye, Jean-Marc Gady, Ismael Flores Trujano, Gregory Guillaume Lespinard, Mi Zou, Po Huang, Wesley Bryan Hamm, Russell John Kaaihue Heirakuji, Joshua Robert Edwards, Nicholas E. Corti, Manuel Dejesus
  • Patent number: D938211
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Allison Inouye, Jean-Marc Gady, Ismael Flores Trujano, Mi Zou, Po Huang, Wesley Bryan Hamm, Russell John Kaaihue Heirakuji, Joshua Robert Edwards, Nicholas E. Corti, Manuel Dejesus
  • Patent number: D938295
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Marc A. Newson, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: D938492
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Broughton, Mischa McLachlan