Patents Assigned to Apples Inc.
  • Patent number: 10062358
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with an ambient light sensor. An analog-to-digital converter may be used to digitize ambient light measurements made with the ambient light sensor. Control circuitry in the electronic device may be used to adjust the brightness of a display and take other actions in the electronic device based on the digitized ambient light measurements. The analog-to-digital converter may be a hybrid analog-to-digital converter having a most-significant-bit analog-to-digital converter circuit branch based on an integrating analog-to-digital converter and a least-significant-bit analog-to-digital converter circuit branch based on a successive-approximation-register analog-to-digital converter. The most-significant-bit branch may produce an output based a reset count for an integrator that is reset a number of times during a measurement period. The least-significant-bit branch may produce an output by digitizing an output from the integrator upon termination of the measurement period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Zheng
  • Patent number: 10062334
    Abstract: Quantum dot backlights for use in displays and processes for controlling the dimming of quantum dot backlights are provided. The backlight can include an LED (e.g., a blue LED) configured to emit a light through a sheet of quantum dots. The quantum dots can be configured to emit colored light (e.g., red and green light) in response to the light emitted from the LED. To control the relative luminance of the LED, the backlight can be controlled through the use of current dimming to adjust the brightness of the LED at high relative luminance settings to increase the light output efficiency and can include the use of pulse width modulation to adjust the brightness of the LED at low relative luminance settings to reduce the amount of wavelength shift experienced by the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chenhua You, Jean-Jacques P. Drolet
  • Patent number: 10064060
    Abstract: Fingerprint actuation is described for unlocking a mobile device and activating customized mobile device functions by using a fingerprint authentication technique. The mobile device uses a fingerprint sensor to authenticate a user for allowing secure access to certain mobile device functions or contents, and provides a utility in addition to unlocking the mobile device. This allows the user to control access to one or more mobile device functions concurrently with invoking fingerprint authentication in order to unlock the mobile device when the user presses a finger to the fingerprint sensor. The mobile device may be unlocked using a designated finger that activates a panic mode of operation, wherein personal data stored on the mobile device is not accessible or viewable to the user. In other implementations, the user may register particular fingerprints to be associated with different modes of operation and activate the different modes based on the particular fingerprints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Karthik Sudhir
  • Patent number: 10062412
    Abstract: Methods for organizing media data by automatically segmenting media data into hierarchical layers of scenes are described. The media data may include metadata and content having still image, video or audio data. The metadata may be content-based (e.g., differences between neighboring frames, exposure data, key frame identification data, motion data, or face detection data) or non-content-based (e.g., exposure, focus, location, time) and used to prioritize and/or classify portions of video. The metadata may be generated at the time of image capture or during post-processing. Prioritization information, such as a score for various portions of the image data may be based on the metadata and/or image data. Classification information such as the type or quality of a scene may be determined based on the metadata and/or image data. The classification and prioritization information may be metadata and may be used to organize the media data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shujie Liu, Yunfei Zheng, Xiaosong Zhou, Hsi-Jung Wu, Ke Zhang, Albert E. Keinath, Chris Y. Chung
  • Patent number: 10061444
    Abstract: Self capacitance touch circuits to cancel the effects of parasitic capacitance in a touch sensitive device are disclosed. One circuit can generate a parasitic capacitance cancelation signal that can be injected into touch sensing circuitry to cancel the parasitic capacitance. Another circuit can adjust the phase and magnitude of the parasitic capacitance cancelation signal based on characteristics of channels in the touch sensing circuitry so as to fine tune the parasitic capacitance cancelations. Another circuit can drive a guard plate and touch panel electrodes so as to cancel the parasitic capacitances between the panel and the plate and between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shahrooz Shahparnia, Christoph H. Krah
  • Patent number: 10063835
    Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes an illumination assembly, including a plurality of radiation sources and projection optics, which are configured to project radiation from the radiation sources onto different, respective regions of a scene. An imaging assembly includes an image sensor and objective optics configured to form an optical image of the scene on the image sensor, which includes an array of sensor elements arranged in multiple groups, which are triggered by a rolling shutter to capture the radiation from the scene in successive, respective exposure periods from different, respective areas of the scene so as to form an electronic image of the scene. A controller is coupled to actuate the radiation sources sequentially in a pulsed mode so that the illumination assembly illuminates the different, respective areas of the scene in synchronization with the rolling shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Zafrir Mor, Alexander Shpunt
  • Patent number: 10061942
    Abstract: A method for secure storage of an embedded Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) on a wireless communication device including an embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) and a memory external to the eUICC is provided. The method can include the eUICC determining that an eSIM package including an eSIM is to be stored on the memory. The method can also include the eUICC, in response to determining that the eSIM package is to be stored on the memory, maintaining a single-use session parameter associated with the eSIM package to enable installation of the eSIM on the eUICC if the eSIM package is later loaded onto the eUICC from the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangying Yang, Li Li
  • Patent number: 10064026
    Abstract: A unified message delivery between multiple devices is disclosed. Sending messages through a local communications link, such as but not limited to at least one of a Bluetooth connection and a peer-to-peer WiFi connection, can lead to faster transmission times and reduced server load. When the local communications link is unavailable or not suitable, the messages can be sent through a network and a push server. In some examples, messages can be sent through both the local communications link and through the network and the push server. Duplicates of a received message can be avoided by utilizing indicators. In some examples, one or more devices can include queue(s) to ensure ordered delivery of a plurality of messages when a local communications link and network connection become unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Pollack, Pierre Jonathan De Filippis, Hyeonkuk Jeong, Berkat S. Tung, Yan Yang, Gobind Johar, Justin Wood, Roberto Garcia, Gokul Thirumalai
  • Patent number: 10063968
    Abstract: A method for operating a distributed wireless audio system including several loudspeaker cabinets all of which can communicate with each other as part of a computer network. The method receives temperature data that is indicative of temperature of a first loudspeaker cabinet, which has a network master responsibility of obtaining an audio signal from an audio source and wirelessly transmitting some of the audio signal to a second loudspeaker cabinet of several loudspeaker cabinets, for playback by the second loudspeaker cabinet, while playing back some of the audio signal by the first loudspeaker cabinet. The method determines whether a thermal threshold of the first loudspeaker cabinet has been reached, based on the temperature data. The method, in response to the thermal threshold being reached, gives up the network master responsibility from the first loudspeaker cabinet to the second loudspeaker cabinet, where doing so reduces temperature in the first loudspeaker cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Afrooz Family, Daniel R. Borges, Daniel S. Naito, James M. Hollabaugh, Jay S. Nigen
  • Patent number: 10061399
    Abstract: An input mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Collin R. Petty, Adam T. Clavelle
  • Patent number: 10061963
    Abstract: An acoustic fingerprint imaging system having a plurality of acoustic elements, each acoustic element including a transducer, and independent drive and sense circuitry is disclosed. Drive circuitry may require higher voltage than low voltage sense circuitry. Many embodiments described herein include a ground shifting controller to apply a voltage bias to the low voltage sense circuitry during a drive operation, in order to prevent electrical damage to the sense circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Yeke Yazdandoost, Giovanni Gozzini, Jean-Marie Bussat
  • Patent number: 10063269
    Abstract: An accessory unit includes a front flap and a rear cover. The rear cover includes a recessed portion that defines a chamber and a lip that extends about an opening of the chamber. The chamber is configured to receive a consumer electronic device, and the lip is configured to hold the consumer electronic device therein. The rear cover can include a shell formed from glass fiber reinforced plastics and a lip formed from a thermoplastic. The front flap may include segments formed from panels with folding regions therebetween, which allow the front flap to fold. Further, an end region of the front flap hingedly couples the front flap to the rear cover, such that the front flap may be moved between open and closed configurations. Methods of manufacturing the accessory unit are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Gilkison Smith, Santhana Krishnan Balaji, Jared A. Sartee, Amy Qian, Pinida J. Moolsintong
  • Patent number: 10063155
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed herein, which provide isolated systems with an auxiliary, multi-signal digital feedback loop for reporting a plurality of different potential fault conditions in an output system (e.g., output short circuit, output over-voltage, output under-voltage, output over temperature, etc.) to a Primary Controller in an input system. The signals may be sent according to any desired standardized (or proprietary) data transmission protocols. Use of a digital feedback loop allows the signals to be passed to the Primary Controller more quickly than is allowed by traditional analog feedback paths—and while using only a single optocoupler device for the transmission of all fault conditions. The techniques disclosed herein are applicable to any number of isolated systems that supply power to electronic systems such as: digital cameras, mobile phones, watches, personal data assistants (PDAs), portable music players, monitors, as well as desktop, laptop, and tablet computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Behzad Mohtashemi, Asif Hussain, Manisha P. Pandya, Mohammad J. Navabi-Shirazi, Nileshbhai J. Shah
  • Patent number: 10063001
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are arranged to avoid inadvertent connections. One example may provide contacts for a first connector receptacle that may be located behind a movable gate. The first connector receptacle may be combined with a second connector receptacle that is user accessible to save space and simplify device assembly. Combining the first connector receptacle and a second connector receptacle may also remove the movable gate from a surface of an electronic device, thereby further preventing inadvertent connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben J. Williams, James M. Jeon, Jonathan A. Matheson, Mahmoud R. Amini, Daniele G. De Iuliis
  • Patent number: 10063962
    Abstract: An enclosure for a speaker transducer can have a front housing member and a rear housing member. Some enclosures position the speaker transducer between the front housing member and the rear housing member, and spaced apart from the rear housing member to define a rear chamber positioned between the speaker transducer and the rear housing member. The rear housing member can define a longitudinal axis. A first waveguide member and a second waveguide member can be longitudinally spaced apart from each other to define an acoustic waveguide therebetween oriented transversely relative to the longitudinal axis. A port can acoustically couple the acoustic waveguide with the rear chamber. A cross-sectional area of the waveguide can expand radially outward of the port. And, the acoustic waveguide can extend circumferentially around the longitudinal axis more than 90-degrees. Some embodiments include a speaker transducer and are suitable as a headphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: John Bruss
  • Patent number: 10058148
    Abstract: A watch band can provide both a physical connection and an electrical connection with a watch body of a watch. The watch band is fixed relative to the watch body and an electrical connection is either performed either simultaneously or shortly thereafter. The electrical connection enables data and power transfer between the watch body and the watch band. The electrical connection may also be performed by a secondary user interaction. Secondary user inactions may involve the user sliding, pulling, pushing, or rotating a portion of the watch band or watch body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Benjamin J. Kallman, Ryan C. Perkins, Tatsuya Sano, Zhipeng Zhang, Richard H. Koch, Jeffrey C. Olson
  • Publication number: 20180238704
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for a mobile device connected to a vehicle's interactive communication system that includes a display screen. The method identifies at least one search term from audio data received through the vehicle's interactive communication system. At the mobile device, the method performs a search to identify at least one location related to the identified search term. The method generates a map, that displays the identified location, for output on the display screen of the interactive communication system of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Emanuele Vulcano, Bradford A. Moore, Jorge Fino, Scott Herz, Justin Garcia
  • Publication number: 20180238703
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for an application executing on a mobile device. The method renders an animated navigation presentation for output to an external display screen not part of the mobile device. The navigation presentation includes an animated map showing at least a portion of a route to a destination. The method simultaneously displays information regarding a maneuver along the route on a display screen of the mobile device without displaying a same animated map on the mobile device. In some embodiments, the displayed information regarding the maneuver comprises a graphical instruction and a text instruction for a next maneuver along the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Emanuele Vulcano, Bradford A. Moore, Jorge Fino, Marcel van Os
  • Publication number: 20180240447
    Abstract: A method to author music. The method includes presenting, on a display by a computing device, an audio effect menu, receiving, by the computing device, a first user input selecting a first audio effect from the audio effect menu, generating, in response to receiving the first user input, a first modified audio stream based on a particular audio stream and the first audio effect, receiving, by the computing device while receiving the first user input, a second user input selecting a second audio effect from the audio effect menu, generating, in response to receiving the second user input, a second modified audio stream based on the first modified audio stream and the second audio effect, detecting cessation of the first user input, and continuing, in response to detecting the cessation, generating the second modified audio stream based on the first modified audio stream and the second audio effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: ROBERT BAKER, GERHARD LENGELING, Alec Little, Patrick Beard, Ole Lagemann, Danny Patterson, Tobias Hermann
  • Patent number: 10055634
    Abstract: An electronic device with a display and a fingerprint sensor displays a fingerprint enrollment interface and detects, on the fingerprint sensor, a plurality of finger gestures performed with a finger. The device collects fingerprint information from the plurality of finger gestures performed with the finger. After collecting the fingerprint information, the device determines whether the collected fingerprint information is sufficient to enroll a fingerprint of the finger. When the collected fingerprint information for the finger is sufficient to enroll the fingerprint of the finger, the device enrolls the fingerprint of the finger with the device. When the collected fingerprint information for the finger is not sufficient to enroll the fingerprint of the finger, the device displays a message in the fingerprint enrollment interface prompting a user to perform one or more additional finger gestures on the fingerprint sensor with the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Byron Han, Matthew E. Shepherd, Imran Chaudhri, Gregory N. Christie, Patrick L. Coffman, Craig M. Federighi, Matthew H. Gamble, Brittany D. Paine, Brendan J. Langoulant, Craig A. Marciniak, Donald W. Pitschel, Daniel O. Schimpf, Andrew R. Whalley, Christopher R. Whitney, Jonathan R. Dascola, Lawrence Y. Yang