Apple Patents

Apple Inc. designs, manufactures and markets smartphones, tablets and personal computers, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac. It also produces the iPod, Apple Watch and Apple TV, as well as the operating systems and applications that support these devices. The company also sells digital content and applications through its iTunes Store, App Store, Mac App Store, iBooks Store and Apple Music.

Apple Patents by Type
  • Apple Patents Granted: Apple patents that have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Apple Patent Applications: Apple patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Patent number: 10142818
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to reuse wireless circuitry to communicate with multiple wireless networks to support multiple subscriber identities in a wireless communication device are disclosed. A representative method includes receiving signaling messages for a second subscriber identity from a second wireless network while connected to a first wireless network for a first subscriber identity. A portion of radio frequency wireless circuitry is reconfigured to communicate with the second wireless network to establish a signaling channel and respond to signaling messages received from the second wireless network. The portion of radio frequency wireless circuitry is reconfigured between the first and second wireless networks to maintain a connection with the first wireless network while also receiving from the second wireless network limited information that can be provided to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Qiang Miao, Jianxiong Shi, Li Su, Wenping Lou
  • Patent number: 10139250
    Abstract: In some examples, an optical encoder may consist of a light source that shines light onto a wheel which then reflects the light onto a sensor. Using information encoded in the reflected light, the rotation of the wheel may be determined. In some examples, rotation of the wheel may be determined by detecting an encoding pattern in light reflected from an exterior surface of the wheel. In some examples, the encoding pattern can be a pattern of light and dark stripes. In some examples, a pattern of light stripes can be generated from light reflecting off of reflective portions of the wheel. Some examples of the disclosure relate to using a surface topology for a wheel that can be used to generate an encoding pattern of light and dark stripes in light reflected from the surface of the wheel, even when the surface of the wheel is uniformly reflective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Serhan O. Isikman, Anant Rai, Prashanth Holenarsipur, Richard Ruh, Takahiro Atsuta, Akio Yamakawa, Yoshimitsu Ohara
  • Patent number: 10141631
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include an antenna. The electronic device may have a housing in which control circuitry and radio-frequency transceiver circuitry is mounted. The transceiver circuitry may be used to transmit and receive radio-frequency signals with the antenna. The housing may have a housing wall with a locally thinned portion aligned with the antenna. The antenna may have a sheet metal layer attached to a plastic cavity with a layer of adhesive. Recesses in a printed circuit may receive prongs formed from a sheet metal layer. The plastic carrier may have cavities separated by ribs. The sheet metal layer may form a planar inverted-F antenna resonating element, a ground plane, a return path between the resonating element and ground plane, and a feed path that extends along one of the ribs and into an opening in the printed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Francesco Merli, Yi Jiang, Boon W. Shiu, Carlo Di Nallo, Javier Gomez Tagle, Mattia Pascolini
  • Patent number: 10139909
    Abstract: An electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface, a display, and tactile output generator(s) displays a user interface including a moveable component representing a plurality of selectable options. The device detects a scroll input directed to the moveable component including movement of a contact followed by a lift-off. In response to detecting the scroll input: the device moves the moveable component through moving a first selectable option and a second selectable option, where the movement of the moveable component gradually slows down after the lift-off of the contact. As the first moveable component moves through the first selectable option with a speed: the device generates a tactile output and an audio output. As the moveable component moves through the second selectable option with a slower speed: the device generates a different tactile output in a first property but is the same in a second property and generates a different audio output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Imran A. Chaudhri, Sebastian J. Bauer, Marcos Alonso Ruiz, Hugo D. Verweij, Gary I. Butcher, Camille Moussette, Jean-Pierre M. Mouilleseaux, Madeleine S. Cordier, Joshua B. Kopin
  • Patent number: 10141841
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for efficiently generating a stable output for a transient load for one or more components are described. In various embodiments, a power converter includes two feedback loops to separate the stability and the equivalent output resistance, which allows the bandwidth to increase. The first loop includes a compensator receiving an output current of an amplifier. Additionally, a first converter and a first current mirror generate a target current based on the output current of the amplifier. Based on the target current, multiple step-down converters generate an output voltage, which is returned to the amplifier through a resistor. The second loop includes a second converter with a first order series RC filter to reduce the second loop's response time. A second current mirror receives current from the second converter and generates a dynamically adapting feedback current, which flows through the resistor in the first loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fabio Ongaro, Michael Couleur
  • Patent number: 10142871
    Abstract: A device, system, and method uses a camp only mode based on a connectivity status. The method is performed at a device that is configured to establish a first connection to a first network and configured to establish a second connection to a second network. The method includes determining the connectivity status of the device. When the connectivity status indicates that the device has established the first connection, the method includes utilizing a camp-only mode to monitor the second network, the camp-only mode reducing a frequency of at least one type of operation associated with the second network, the camp-only mode configured to retain a capability of determining whether an emergency message is being broadcast over the second network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Venkateswara Rao Manepalli, Jianxiong Shi, Madhusudan Chaudhary, Srinivasan Nimmala, Murtaza A. Shikari, Srirang A. Lovlekar
  • Patent number: 10142917
    Abstract: A pool of devices is initially associated under a single product type identifier, for example, a single stock keeping unit (SKU) identifier. Each device is associated with a secure element (SE), for example, an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC). A wireless telecommunications carrier purchases a subset of the devices from the owner of the pool of devices. A policy management server receives a shipment record and associates the subset of devices with a product identifier and with a carrier-specific activation policy. The policy management server sends an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) reservation request to a policy evaluation server, which contacts an eSIM delivery server associated with the purchasing carrier. The eSIM delivery server reserves eSIMs for the purchased devices. When an end user buys one of the devices from the subset, the purchased device is provisioned by the eSIM delivery server with the eSIM reserved for that device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Avinash Narasimhan, Devin B. Collier, Clark P. Mueller, David T. Haggerty
  • Patent number: 10141626
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with wireless circuitry that includes a radio-frequency transceiver circuit and an antenna. The antenna may be a patch antenna formed from a patch antenna resonating element and an antenna ground. The patch antenna resonating element may be formed from a metal patch on a printed circuit board. The antenna ground may be formed from a metal housing having a planar rear wall that lies in a plane parallel to the metal patch. The radio-frequency transceiver circuit may be coupled to the metal patch through traces on the printed circuit and may be coupled to rear wall of the housing through a screw and a screw boss in the housing. Buttons and other electrical components may be mounted on the printed circuit board and may be coupled to control circuitry on the printed circuit board through the metal patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Liquan Tan, Paul X. Wang, Rodney A. Gomez Angulo, Ryan P. Brooks, Umar Azad, Wing Kong Low
  • Patent number: 10142104
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for establishing an operating environment by certifying a code image received from a host over a communication link are described. The code image may be digitally signed through a central authority server. Certification of the code image may be determined by a fingerprint embedded within a secure storage area such as a ROM (read only memory) of the portable device based on a public key certification process. A certified code image may be assigned a hash signature to be stored in a storage of the portable device. An operating environment of the portable device may be established after executing the certified code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dallas Blake De Atley, Joshua De Cesare, Michael Smith, Matthew Reda, Shantonu Sen, John Andrew Wright
  • Patent number: 10139868
    Abstract: A protective covering for an electronic device such as a tablet computer. In various embodiments, to protective covering may cover both front and rear surfaces of the electronic device, as well as from and rear surfaces of an associated keyboard. Additionally, certain configuration for the protective covering may operate to trigger a sleep mode for the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: John G. Elias
  • Patent number: 10141966
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and servers for as-needed update of a trusted list are provided herein. An electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) server receives a request for an eSIM of a particular type from a wireless device. The eSIM server evaluates the particular type and requests an eSIM of the particular type from a second eSIM server, which is not initially trusted by a secure element (SE) of the wireless device. The eSIM server sends a policy update to the wireless device. The wireless device passes the policy update to the SE, for example, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC). The UICC updates the trusted list with an identity of the second eSIM server. When the wireless device downloads a bound profile package (BPP) containing an eSIM from the second eSIM server, the UICC validates the BPP based on the updated trusted list. The eSIM is then installed on the UICC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Avinash Narasimhan, Hemant Purswani, Clark P. Mueller, David T. Haggerty, Li Ll, Arun G. Mathias, Najeeb M. Abdulrahiman
  • Patent number: 10142835
    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 car 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 elect a request for authorization from a selectable queue of requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Hayden Cotterill
  • Patent number: 10139944
    Abstract: A stand alone input device can be a touch pad that provides touch inputs to an associated computing device. The input device can include a wedge-shaped base defining an inner cavity, a touch plate having a touch surface disposed over the inner cavity and configured to accept a touch input, cantilevered beams coupled to the wedge-shaped base and the touch plate and configured to deliver a force from the touch input, a haptic generator coupled to the cantilevered beams and configured to generate a haptic output in response to the touch input, an antenna component integrated within a wall of the wedge-shaped base and an antenna resonance cavity located within the inner cavity, and a switch assembly including a sliding component having a pin through a wedge-shaped base wall and a switch beam having a protrusion that engages multiple recesses located at a detent region on the sliding component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Wright, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Jerzy S. Guterman, William J. Schmidt, Jack B. Rector, III
  • Patent number: 10140742
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to automatic generation of dynamically changing layouts for a graphical user-interface. Specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure employ analysis of an image associated with the view (e.g., either the current view or a future view) of the graphical user-interface to determine colors that are complementary to the image. The colors are applied to the view, such that the color scheme of the view matches the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Joe R. Howard, Brian R. Frick, Timothy B. Martin, Christopher John Sanders
  • Patent number: 10139294
    Abstract: One or more strain sensors can be included in an electronic device. Each strain sensor includes a strain sensitive element and one or more strain signal lines connected directly to the strain sensitive element. The strain sensor(s) are used to detect a force that is applied to the electronic device, to a component in the electronic device, and/or to an input region or surface of the electronic device. A strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first gauge factor and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second gauge factor. Additionally or alternatively, a strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first conductance and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second conductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Vosgueritchian, John Stephen Smith, Sinan Filiz, James E. Pedder, Tingjun Xu, Xiaonan Wen
  • Patent number: 10139860
    Abstract: Docking stations that may facilitate the sharing or transfer of power among a portable computing device, a docking station, and an accessory. One example may provide power from an accessory to a portable computing device. Switches may be used to avoid harm from inadvertent contact with voltages on exposed terminals. Another example may provide power directly from a battery on a portable computing device to an accessory. Another may limit this direct connection to a first type of accessory. Examples may limit a power connection to another type of accessory through a regulator. Another example may power one or more internal circuits either through a portable computing device or an accessory, depending on a mode of operation of the portable computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard A. Schneider, Scott Krueger, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 10140301
    Abstract: A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is configured to separately display sets of media player controls, including a first set and a second set. The device displays the first set while playing a first media item and detects gestures on the touch-sensitive display while displaying the first set and playing the first media item. In response to detecting a first gesture on a first media player control in the first set, the device activates the first media player control and controls playing of the first media item in accordance with activation of the first media player control. In response to detecting a second gesture, the second gesture distinct from the first gesture, the device replaces display of the first set with display of the second set and maintains playing of the first media item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anton Davydov, Jorge Fino, Policarpo Bonilla Wood, Jr., Jesse Boettcher
  • Patent number: 10141005
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for removing non-stationary and/or colored noise can include one or more of the three following innovative aspects: (1) detection of an unwanted target signal, or component thereof, within an observed signal; (2) removal of the target (component) from the observed signal; and (3) filling of a gap in the observed signal generated by removal of the unwanted target (component). Removal regions, frequency bands, and/or regions of the observed signal used to train the gap filler can be adapted in correspondence with local characteristics of the observed signal and/or the target signal (component). Related aspects also are described. For example, disclosed noise detection and/or removal methods can include converting an incoming acoustic signal to a corresponding machine-readable form. And, a corrected signal in machine-readable form can be converted to a human-perceivable form, and/or to a modulated signal form conveyed over a communication connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey D. Thornburg, Hyung-Suk Kim, Peter A. Raffensperger
  • Patent number: 10142750
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for performing a role swapping operation between a pair of non-tethered wireless ear buds after detecting a triggering event. Further, state information can be coordinated between devices, including in connection with performing a role swap between buds in a pair of wireless, untethered ear buds, where one wireless ear bud is in a primary role and is responsible for a connection with a companion device, and another wireless ear bud in the pair is in a secondary role.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sriram Hariharan, Ganesha Adkasthala Ganapathi Batta, Tad J. Dreier, Christopher S. Wiebe, Ashley N. Saulsbury, Duy N. Phan, David J. Shaw, Robert D. Watson, Augustin Prats
  • Patent number: 10142423
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to manage communication sessions to handover between a direct connection at a secondary wireless device and a relayed connection to the secondary wireless device via a primary wireless device. A connection manager of a secondary wireless device can trigger transfer of a communication session based on measurements of performance metrics for the communication session. Upon detection of performance degradation in a local connection or a backhaul connection or both, the connection manager of the secondary wireless device can determine proximity of and/or capabilities for connections of the primary wireless device and instigate transfer of the communication session between different connection types, such as between a direct connection and a relayed connection. The transfer of the communication session can occur without user intervention or in response to input from the user without interrupting or reestablishing the communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Luciano M. Verger, Ajoy K. Singh, Christopher M. Garrido, Najeeb M. Abdulrahiman, Ming Jin, Anil G. Naik, Deepak Chitlur Lakshman, Srinivasan Vasudevan, David L. Biderman, Gurtej Singh Chandok, Patrick Miauton, Eric A. Allamanche
  • Patent number: 10142961
    Abstract: A digitally stored map can indicate the signal quality for each of the map's regions. A device can determine its location, speed, and direction using global positioning system (GPS) and other sensors. Based on this information, the mobile device can predict a field of locations within which the device will probably be located within a specified future time frame. Based on both the information indicating signal quality and the probable future field of locations, the device can estimate a moment at which the device will probably begin to suffer from low-quality or absent signal. Using this prediction, the device can proactively perform a variety of anticipatory remedial actions. For example, the device can begin allocating a greater portion of currently available wireless network communication bandwidth to the reception of data packets that represent content that is being streamed to the device, so that the device can proactively buffer those packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bharath Narasimha Rao, Cherif Jazra, Leonardo A. Soto Matamala
  • Patent number: 10139959
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a force sensor that includes an input surface and an array of sensing elements. The input has a number of test locations and is deformable under applied force. The force sensor is mounted in a predetermined test orientation. For each test location of the plurality of test locations on the input surface of the force sensor a predetermined test force to the test location. An element calibration value is measured for each sensing element of the array of sensing elements of the force sensor. An (x, y) deformation map of the input surface of the force sensor corresponding to the application of the predetermined test force to the test location is determined based on the measured element calibration values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Butler, Martin P. Grunthaner, Peter W. Richards, Romain A. Teil, Sinan Filiz
  • Patent number: 10142123
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and computer program products for identifying a presence of a plurality of mobile devices at a geographic location; determining an entertainment option to be played at the geographic location based on the identified plurality of mobile devices; and based on the determination, selecting an entertainment option to be played at the geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Shoemaker, Michael I. Ingrassia, Nathaniel P. Hramits
  • Patent number: 10141572
    Abstract: Compounds, powders, and cathode active materials that can be used in lithium ion batteries are described herein. Methods of making such compounds, powders, and cathode active materials are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Huiming Wu, Hongli Dai, Dapeng Wang, Christopher S. Johnson, John David Carter, Yanjie Cui, Arturo Gutierrez, Hakim H. Iddir, Arthur Jeremy Kropf, Yan Li, Victor A. Maroni, Anh D. Vu, Xiaoping Wang, Zhenzhen Yang
  • Patent number: 10139870
    Abstract: A touch sensing device is disclosed. The touch sensing device includes one or more multifunctional nodes each of which represents a single touch pixel. Each multifunctional node includes a touch sensor with one or more integrated I/O mechanisms. The touch sensor and integrated I/O mechanisms share the same communication lines and I/O pins of a controller during operation of the touch sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Steven P. Hotelling
  • Patent number: 10142065
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for enabling a user equipment (UE) to determine which cell to attach to in a heterogeneous network (HetNet). The UE may determine, based on the quality of the downlink (DL) channel and/or on the type of traffic between the UE and a current base station, whether to attach to a small cell base station or an overlay macro base station in the cellular network. Particularly, the UE may determine whether to use a received mobility offset during cell reselection in response to a measured quality of the DL channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Swaminathan Balakrishnan, Prateek Sharma, Deepankar Bhattacharjee, Sreevalsan Vallath
  • Patent number: 10142774
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for invitational content geofencing. A system first sends, to a server location data associated with the system, the location data being calculated at the system. The system then receives a listing of places of interest within a geofence including a geographical perimeter for identifying places of interest in the listing, the geofence being based on the location data associated with the system. Next, the system selects a place of interest from the listing based on a location of the system. The system then presents a content item associated with the place of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Alsina, David T. Wilson, Kenley Sun, Sagar Joshi
  • Patent number: 10139975
    Abstract: Pressure compensation can be used to improve performance of force-sensitive touch screens. Changes in pressure, particularly transient, internal pressure changes in an electronic device due to an object applying force to a touch screen of the electronic device, can degrade force sensing performance of the touch screen. For example, when a finger presses a force-sensitive touch screen of a sealed electronic device, the applied force can increase internal pressure of the sealed electronic device until internal pressure can equalize. The increased internal pressure can cause a normal force to oppose the deflection of the touch screen, resulting in inaccurate force measurements of applied user force. In some examples, an electronic device including a force-sensitive touch screen can include a pressure sensor configured to measure internal pressure of the electronic device. The measured pressure can be used to compensate the amount of force measured by the force sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Julian Kevin Shutzberg, Adam Monkowski, Baboo Gowreesunker
  • Patent number: 10142985
    Abstract: In embodiments, a wireless device, such as a Wi-Fi device, transmits communication signals on secondary channels within an operational bandwidth of a wireless network, concurrent with a transmission from another wireless device on a primary channel. The wireless device may detect that a first frequency band within an operating bandwidth of a wireless network is occupied by a first transmission transmitted by a second wireless device, and determine that a second, different frequency band within the operating bandwidth of the wireless network is not occupied. In response, the wireless device may transmit a second transmission occupying the second frequency band concurrent with the first transmission. The wireless device may set a duration of the second transmission based at least in part on a determination of whether the second wireless device is configured to assess the state of all frequency bands within the operating bandwidth before beginning a subsequent transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chiu Ngok E. Wong, Joonsuk Kim, Christiaan A. Hartman, Guoqing Li, Su Khiong Yong, Yong Liu
  • Patent number: 10140157
    Abstract: Techniques for scheduling threads for execution in a data processing system are described herein. According to one embodiment, in response to a request for executing a thread, a scheduler of an operating system of the data processing system accesses a global run queue to identify a global run entry associated with the highest process priority. The global run queue includes multiple global run entries, each corresponding to one of a plurality of process priorities. A group run queue is identified based on the global run entry, where the group run queue includes multiple threads associated with one of the processes. The scheduler dispatches one of the threads that has the highest thread priority amongst the threads in the group run queue to one of the processor cores of the data processing system for execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Russell A. Blaine, Daniel A. Chimene, Shantonu Sen, James M. Magee
  • Patent number: 10141600
    Abstract: A battery assembly can be formed on a base layer provided on a substrate, with a thin film battery stack including an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte layer between the anode and cathode layers. The thin film battery stack can be attached to a pattern film layer with holes for electrical connection to the anode and cathode layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lili Huang, Richard M Mank
  • Publication number: 20180338177
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can transfer a playback queue between the computing device and a playback device. For example, the computing device can detect when the computing device is within a threshold distance of a playback device. The computing device can establish a connection to the playback device and receive state information describing the media playback state of the playback device. The computing device can determine the media playback state of the computing device. The computing device can present graphical user interfaces for initiating a transfer of a playback queue between the computing device and the playback device based on the playback state of the devices. The computing device can initiate a transfer of the playback queue in response to user input to one of the graphical user interfaces or automatically based on the context of the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Graham, Taylor G. Carrigan, Nicholas J. Paulson, Johannes P. Schmidt, Thomas Alsina, Bob Bradley, Haishan Ye, James C. Grandy, Pierre De Lastic, Julien Lerouge
  • Publication number: 20180337924
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing system can be configured so that a first user device can delegate a first user's media account credentials to second user device corresponding to a second user. For example, a playback device may be configured with the second user's media account credentials for accessing media items through a network media service. A first user may wish to play media items associated with the first user's media account credentials on the playback device. To do so, the first user device can request a device identifier for the playback device, request and obtain a delegate token for the device identifier from the media service, and provide the delegate token along with media item information to the playback device. The playback device can then use the delegate token to request the media item associated with the first user's media access account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Graham, Taylor G. Carrigan, Nicholas J. Paulson, Johannes P. Schmidt, Thomas Alsina, Bob Bradley, Haishan Ye, James C. Grandy, Pierre De Lastic, Julien Lerouge
  • Publication number: 20180337956
    Abstract: A wireless device can obtain a network information record from another device operating as a credential source. The network information record can include network access information for a wireless network (e.g., SSID and password) and a usage policy specifying conditions under which the wireless device should search for the wireless network (e.g., temporal and/or spatial conditions). The wireless device can implement the usage policy by searching for the wireless network only when the conditions are satisfied. In some instances, the network access information can include instructions for dynamically generating time-varying network access information, and the wireless device can use the instructions to generate network access information during a search for wireless networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Sigel, Andrew R. Whalley, Awartika Pandey, Robert J. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20180336003
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a media system communicates with an aggregate device that includes multiple media output devices. When providing media data for presentation, the system adjusts for device clock drift by resampling the media data provided to a media output device based at least in part on a device clock rate difference between a device clock of one of the media output devices and a device clock of another of the media output devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Moore, William George Stewart, Gerhard Lengeling
  • Publication number: 20180338078
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method of operating a device to capture an image of a high dynamic range (HDR) scene. Upon the device entering an HDR mode, the method captures and stores multiple images at a first image exposure level. Upon receiving a command to capture the HDR scene, the method captures a first image at a second image exposure level. The method selects a second image from the captured plurality of images. The method composites the first and second images to produce a composite image that captures the HDR scene. In some embodiments, the method captures multiple images at multiple different exposure levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Cote, Garrett M. Johnson, James Edmund Orr, IV
  • Publication number: 20180335312
    Abstract: A context-aware voice guidance method is provided that interacts with other voice services of a user device. The voice guidance does not provide audible guidance while the user is making a verbal request to any of the voice-activated services. Instead, the voice guidance transcribes its output on the screen while the verbal requests from the user are received. In some embodiments, the voice guidance only provides a short warning sound to get the user's attention while the user is speaking on a phone call or another voice-activated service is providing audible response to the user's inquires. The voice guidance in some embodiments distinguishes between music that can be ducked and spoken words, for example from an audiobook, that the user wants to pause instead of being skipped. The voice guidance ducks music but pauses spoken words of an audio book in order to provide voice guidance to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Bennett, Stephen O. Lemay, Marcel Van Os, Scott Forstall, Bradford A. Moore, Emanuele Vulcano, Seejo K. Pylappan
  • Publication number: 20180336713
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for providing audio and/or video effects based at least in part on facial features and/or voice feature characteristics of the user. For example, video and/or an audio signal of the user may be recorded by a device. Voice audio features and facial feature characteristics may be extracted from the voice audio signal and the video, respectively. The facial features of the user may be used to modify features of a virtual avatar to emulate the facial feature characteristics of the user. The extracted voice audio features may modified to generate an adjusted audio signal or an audio signal may be composed from the voice audio features. The adjusted/composed audio signal may simulate the voice of the virtual avatar. A preview of the modified video/audio may be provided at the user's device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos M. Avendano, Sean A. Ramprashad
  • Publication number: 20180338245
    Abstract: An example method includes obtaining a plurality of data items. Each data item includes an indication of a particular location, an indication that a wireless signal from a first access point was observed at that location, and an indication of a time at which the wireless signal from the first access point was observed at that location. The method also includes determining a locational stability of the first access point based on the data items. Determining the locational stability of the first access point includes clustering the plurality of data items into one or more clusters based on the locations indicated in the plurality of data items, determining whether the N most recent data items are associated with a common cluster, and determining whether a time span between the N most recent data items exceeds a threshold period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret H. Tam, David Benjamin Millman, Brian Stephen Smith, Benjamin A. Detwiler
  • Publication number: 20180335311
    Abstract: A method of providing navigation instructions in a locked mode of a device is disclosed. The method, while the display screen of the device is turned off, determines that the device is near a navigation point. The method turns on the display screen and provides navigation instructions. In some embodiments, the method identifies the ambient light level around the device and turns on the display at brightness level determined by the identified ambient light level. The method turns off the display after the navigation point is passed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel van Os, Emanuele Vulcano, Bradford A. Moore, Andrew B. Cato
  • Publication number: 20180336716
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for adjusting audio and/or video information of a video clip based at least in part on facial feature and/or voice feature characteristics extracted from hardware components. For example, in response to detecting a request to generate an avatar video clip of a virtual avatar, a video signal associated with a face in a field of view of a camera and an audio signal may be captured. Voice feature characteristics and facial feature characteristics may be extracted from the audio signal and the video signal, respectively. In some examples, in response to detecting a request to preview the avatar video clip, an adjusted audio signal may be generated based at least in part on the facial feature characteristics and the voice feature characteristics, and a preview of the video clip of the virtual avatar using the adjusted audio signal may be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sean A. Ramprashad, Carlos M. Avendano, Aram M. Lindahl
  • Publication number: 20180338330
    Abstract: Proximity of a responder device to an initiator device can be used to determine user intent for pairing the responder device with the initiator device. For example, the initiator device can measure a signal strength of an advertisement signal from the responder device. When the signal strength is sufficiently strong, a pairing process can be initiated, e.g., the user of the initiator device can automatically be prompted to begin pairing. The determination of whether the signal strength is sufficiently high can be determined based on a human interaction model, which can use measurements from various geometrical configurations of the two types of devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Ledvina, Robert William Mayor, Bob Bradley
  • Patent number: 10132340
    Abstract: A system for carrying or using a device includes the device and at least one attachment apparatus. The device may include at least one attachment element. The attachment apparatus may include a length of material and at least one attachment point arranged on an end of the length of material. The at least one attachment point may include at least one magnetic feature configured to attach and detach the device and the length of material. The material can include but is not limited to cloth, metallic (magnetic and non-magnetic), fibrous material, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Peter N. Russell-Clarke, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Matthew D. Rohrbach
  • Patent number: 10135476
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an antenna configured to receive a wireless transmission. The wireless transmission includes noise and data to be received. The electronic device includes a signal splitter that splits the wireless transmission into a first signal and a second signal. The electronic device includes a filter configured to filter the data to be received in the first signal. Furthermore, the electronic device includes merging circuitry configured to subtract the first signal from the second signal to reduce the noise in the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Mohammad Reza Ghajar, Huanyu Chen, Robert S. Sorensen
  • Patent number: D833887
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniele De Iuliis, Markus Diebel, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Christopher J. Stringer, Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: D834445
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    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: D834446
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    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: D834579
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Bataillou, Daniel J. Coster, Kevin David Gibbs, Carl R. Peterson, John Raff, Christopher J. Stringer
  • Patent number: D834586
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, 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, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Christopher J. Stringer, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: D834594
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Freddy Anzures, Imran Chaudhri, Alan C. Dye, Bradley William Griffin, Jonathan P. Ive, Tiffany Jon, Chanaka Karunamuni, Nicholas V. King, Daamun Mohseni, Hoan K. Pham, William McMillan Tyler, Wan Si Wan, Giancarlo Yerkes