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: 10123593
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a locking assembly for an attachment system of an electronic device. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an attachment unit that is configured to be inserted and removed from a housing of a consumer product. The attachment unit and/or the housing includes a catch member or other such locking assembly configured to releasably secure the attachment unit within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Perkins, Michael J. Webb, Stephen Dey, Osamu Yabe, Hsiang Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 10129826
    Abstract: A station (STA) of a wireless local area network (WLAN) transitions implicitly between power management (PM) modes or PM states, without providing an explicit indication of the PM mode/state change to an access point (AP) of the WLAN. Transitions include changes between an active mode and a power save (PS) mode, or between an awake state and a doze state of the PS mode. Transitions occur immediately after receipt of a beacon indicating pending data for the STA, after an offset time indicated in the beacon, or at a specific wake time negotiated with the AP. After data reception is complete, the STA transitions implicitly to the PS mode or a doze state of the PS mode, after a power save inactivity timeout period or after receiving an indication that data transmission is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chiu Ngok E. Wong, Syed A. Mujtaba, Christiaan A. Hartman, Joonsuk Kim
  • Patent number: 10128608
    Abstract: A plug connector for an electronic device has a deformable seal positioned on it such that when the plug connector is mated to the electronic device a liquid-tight seal is formed between the plug connector and the electronic device. A seal may also be positioned within a receptacle connector cavity of the electronic device such that it forms a liquid-tight seal to a plug connector when the plug connector is mated to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Darshan R. Kasar, Craig M. Stanley, David B. Flamholz, Phillip Qian, Matthew E. Lang, Ferdinand S. Toting, Eric S. Jol, Trent K. Do, Joel C. Yamasaki, Hani Esmaeili, Nathan A. Van Nortwick, Richard J. Blanco, Jonathan C. Lorman, Daniel Wagman, Edward S. Huo
  • Patent number: 10127644
    Abstract: A novel video system that detects events in a video sequence that causes such distortions and switch off optical flow based frame interpolation is provided. The system detects sudden changes in light intensity and switch to non-optical flow based frame interpolation when such sudden change is detected. When there is no such drastic change in light intensity, the system reverts back to using optical flow frame interpolation. Specifically, the system detects a flash event by computing a sum of differences in histograms of intensity levels between the pair of consecutive actual video frames. When the sum of differences is above a certain threshold, the video system switch to non-optical flow based frame interpolation. When the sum of differences is below the threshold, the video system reverts back to optical flow frame interpolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Angus M. Taggart, Eric S. Beale
  • Publication number: 20180322709
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for placing an asset on a three-dimensional model. Each asset can be associated with a pivot point and with an asset normal. A contact point on the surface of a model where an asset is to be positioned may be identified, and a surface normal that may be perpendicular to the surface at the contact point may also be identified. Then, the asset can be placed on the model such that the position of the pivot point of the asset may coincide with the position of the identified contact point on the surface of the model, and such that the orientation of the asset normal may match the orientation of the identified surface normal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Goossens
  • Publication number: 20180324977
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an outer housing having an upper enclosure and a foot coupled thereto, a heat generating component, and a fan assembly integrated into the foot and situated proximate a bottom surface of the heat generating component. The foot can include inlet and outlet vents. The fan assembly can include an inlet, outlet, impeller with blades, shroud and fin stack. The electronic device can also include a heat pipe, a heat transfer stage, a PCB, and a bottom shield. Airflow through the electronic device can be directed across the fin stack, heat pipe, heat transfer stage, and bottom shield. Airflow can occur over a substantially level path through the electronic device from the inlet to outlet vents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. PRATHER, Clark E. WATERFALL, Reuben J. WILLIAMS, Vinh H. DIEP
  • Publication number: 20180323475
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a housing characterized by a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The housing may include a circumferential indentation proximate the first end. The housing may define a first interior region between the first end and the circumferential indentation, and the housing may define a second interior region between the circumferential indentation and the second end. The batteries may include a set of electrodes located within the housing. The set of electrodes may be positioned within the second interior region of the housing. The batteries may include a cap at least partially contained within the first interior region of the housing. The batteries may also include a first insulator positioned within the housing. The first insulator may extend across the circumferential indentation from the cap to the set of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, YooEup Hyung, Brian K. Shiu, Stephen J. Wisler
  • Publication number: 20180323476
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a housing characterized by a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The housing may include a circumferential indentation proximate the first end. The housing may define a first interior region between the first end and the circumferential indentation, and the housing may define a second interior region between the circumferential indentation and the second end. The batteries may include a set of electrodes located within the housing. The set of electrodes may be positioned within the second interior region of the housing. The batteries may include a cap at least partially contained within the first interior region of the housing. The batteries may also include a first insulator positioned within the housing. The first insulator may extend across the circumferential indentation from the cap to the set of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, YooEup Hyung, Brian K. Shiu, Stephen J. Wisler
  • Publication number: 20180317839
    Abstract: In some implementations, a mobile device can adjust an alarm setting based on the sleep onset latency duration detected for a user of the mobile device. For example, sleep onset latency can be the amount of time it takes for the user to fall asleep after the user attempts to go to sleep (e.g., goes to bed). The mobile device can determine when the user intends or attempts to go to sleep based on detected sleep ritual activities. Sleep ritual activities can include those activities a user performs in preparation for sleep. The mobile device can determine when the user is asleep based on detected sleep signals (e.g., biometric data, sounds, etc.). In some implementations, the mobile device can determine recurring patterns of long or short sleep onset latency and present suggestions that might help the user sleep better or feel more rested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Roy J. Raymann, Wren N. Dougherty, Divya Nag, Deborah M. Lambert, Stephanie Greer, Thomas R. Gruber
  • Patent number: 10122132
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another embodiment provides a connector receptacle having a housing where a portion of the housing has been removed to save space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Steve McClure, Joshua Banko, Greg Springer, Min Chul Kim, Joshua Funamura
  • Patent number: 10121843
    Abstract: A display may have an array of pixels formed from thin-film transistor circuitry. The thin-film transistor circuitry may include thin-film layers of dielectric, semiconductor, and metal on a dielectric substrate. Test structures may be formed around the periphery of the substrate to facilitate testing of the thin-film circuitry during manufacturing. The test structures may include test pads that are coupled to the thin-film circuitry by test lines extending from the thin-film circuitry. Following testing, the outermost portions of the display and the test pads on these display portions may be removed by cutting the substrate along a substrate cut line. The test lines may be formed from parallel lines that are shorted together, semiconductor layers, multiple layers of conductive material, and other structures that resist corrosion along the cut line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tsung-Ting Tsai, Chin-Wei Lin, Jae Won Choi, Young Bae Park
  • Patent number: 10120446
    Abstract: One embodiment of a haptic input device may include a receiver configured to receive a signal from a touch-based user interface device. The signal may include a control signal or a look-up value. The haptic input device may also include a decoder coupled to the receiver and configured to decode the signal from the touch-based user interface device, at least one sensor configured to determine at least one characteristic of the haptic input device, a controller coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to transmit a control signal, a haptic actuator coupled to the controller, and a transmitter coupled to the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Omar Sze Leung
  • Patent number: 10122940
    Abstract: Techniques and devices for creating an AutoLoop output video include performing postgate operations. The AutoLoop output video is created from a set of frames. After generating the AutoLoop output video based on a plurality of loop parameters and at least a portion of the frames, postgate operations determine one or more dynamism metrics based on a variability metric and a dynamic range metric for a plurality of pixels within the video loop. Postgate operations compare the dynamism metrics to one or more postgate threshold values and reject the video loop based on the comparison of the dynamism metrics to the postgate threshold values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Arwen V. Bradley, Samuel G. Noble, Rudolph van der Merwe, Jason Klivington, Douglas P. Mitchell, Nikhil Singh, Joseph M. Triscari
  • Patent number: 10122217
    Abstract: Systems and methods for in-band communication across a wireless power interface from a load device to a source device. The load device selectively modifies the timing of switches within a voltage rectifier coupled to an output of a receive coil within the load device that receives power from a transmit coil within the source device. The source device detects changes in the power transfer (or in the relative timing of a voltage or a current) as digital information received from the load device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hrinya, Parin Patel
  • Patent number: 10121210
    Abstract: During operation, an electronic device monitors data associated with different power states received from another electronic device via an interface circuit. Using the monitored data, the electronic device calculates a time duration that the other electronic device is in an active operating mode. Moreover, the electronic device determines power states of the other electronic device based on the calculated time duration and/or a time duration between times when data is received. Next, the electronic device calculates the power-consumption history of the other electronic device based on the determined power states and at least a model of power consumption in different power states of the other electronic device. By calculating the power-consumption history of the other electronic device, the electronic device may significantly improve the accuracy of a power-usage model for the other electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Putman, Jesse M. Devine
  • Patent number: 10122391
    Abstract: Systems and method provided herein relate to reducing distortion of signals introduced by components on a phase path of a radio frequency system polar architecture. To reduce phase path distortion, a pre-distortion is introduced prior to a distortion caused by the components on the phase path. The pre-distortion in conjunction with the component distortion results in a transmission signal that forms its expected shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Navid Lashkarian, Ehsan Adabi, Albert Chia-Wen Jerng, Arya Behzad, Ali Parsa
  • Patent number: 10118560
    Abstract: An electronic device having a unitary housing is disclosed. The device can include a first housing component having an open cavity, an internal electronic part disposed within the cavity, a second housing component disposed across the cavity, and a support feature disposed within the cavity and arranged to support the second housing component. The first housing component can be formed from metal, while the second housing component can be formed from a plurality of laminated foil metal layers. The second housing component can be attached to the first housing component via one or more ultrasonic welds, such that a fully enclosed housing is created. The fully enclosed housing can be hermetically sealed, and the outside surfaces thereof can be machined or otherwise finished after the ultrasonic welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Stephen P. Zadesky, Trent Weber, Lucy E. Browning
  • Patent number: 10120566
    Abstract: An electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface displays, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch. The device receives a first input from an adaptive input device. In response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, the device displays a first menu on the display. The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, a menu of virtual multitouch contacts is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher B. Fleizach, Eric T. Seymour, James P. Craig
  • Patent number: 10120659
    Abstract: Described is a technique for creating and displaying adaptive user interfaces. The user interface may be provided to an application development environment that provides the ability to allow authoring of a user interface that adapts to a screen size with any first abstracted size class value and any second abstracted size class value. Accordingly, an application that includes the user interface may determine a screen size of a device and adapt the user interface according to the screen size including the first abstracted size clasp value and the second abstracted size class value. Thus, a developer may efficiently develop a user interface based on various abstracted size class values that may be adapted to a particular device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Cathey, Maxwell Oliver Drukman, Antonio Ricciardi, Jonathan Joseph Hess
  • Patent number: 10117587
    Abstract: This relates to an electronic device with dynamically reconfigurable apertures to account for different skin types, usage conditions, and environmental conditions and methods for measuring the user's physiological signals. The device can include one or more light emitters, one or more light sensors, and a material whose optical properties can be changed in one or more locations to adjust the optical path and the effective separation distances between the one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors or the size, location, or shape of the one or more dynamically reconfigurable apertures. In some examples, the material can be a liquid crystal material, MEMS shutter layer, or light guide, which can form the one or more dynamically reconfigurable apertures. In some examples, the light emitters or light sensors or both can be an array of individually addressable optical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Chin San Han
  • Patent number: 10121864
    Abstract: A method of transferring a micro device and an array of micro devices are disclosed. A carrier substrate carrying a micro device connected to a bonding layer is heated to a temperature below a liquidus temperature of the bonding layer, and a transfer head is heated to a temperature above the liquidus temperature of the bonding layer. Upon contacting the micro device with the transfer head, the heat from the transfer head transfers into the bonding layer to at least partially melt the bonding layer. A voltage applied to the transfer head creates a grip force which picks up the micro device from the carrier substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson, Hung-Fai Stephen Law, Hsin-Hua Hu
  • Patent number: 10120450
    Abstract: Electronic devices may use touch pads that have touch sensor arrays, force sensors, and actuators for providing tactile feedback. A touch pad may be mounted in a computer housing. The touch pad may have a rectangular planar touch pad member that has a glass layer covered with ink and contains a capacitive touch sensor array. Force sensors may be mounted under each of the four corners of the rectangular planar touch pad member. The force sensors may be used to measure how much force is applied to the surface of the planar touch pad member by a user. Processed force sensor signals may indicate the presence of button activity such as press and release events. In response to detected button activity or other activity in the device, actuator drive signals may be generated for controlling the actuator. The user may supply settings to adjust signal processing and tactile feedback parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Avi Cieplinski, Brett W. Degner, Duncan Kerr, Patrick Kessler, Paul Puskarich, Marcelo H. Coelho, Aleksandar Pance
  • Patent number: 10120728
    Abstract: Techniques and structures relating to virtual graphics processing units (VGPUs) are disclosed. A VGPU may appear to software as an independent hardware GPU. However, two or more VGPUs can be implemented on the same GPU through the use of control structures and by duplicating some (but not all) hardware elements of the GPU. For example, additional registers and storage space may be added in a GPU supporting multiple VGPUs. Different execution priorities may be set for tasks and threads that correspond to the different supported VGPUs. Memory address space for the VGPUs may also be managed, including use of virtual address space for different VGPUs. Halting and resuming execution of different VGPUs allows for fine-grained execution control in various embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Drebin, James Wang
  • Patent number: 10117504
    Abstract: A wearable band for an electronic device and a method of forming the wearable band for the electronic device. The wearable band may include a first strap portion including a loop, and a second strap portion positioned through the loop of the first strap portion. The second strap portion may include a first group of components positioned adjacent a first end of the second strap portion. The first group of components may include magnetic properties. The second strap portion may also include a second group of components positions adjacent a second end, opposite the first end, of the second strap portion. The second group of components may include magnetic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Bataillou, Richard D. Kosoglow, Sean S. Corbin
  • Patent number: 10119831
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a mapping application that has a novel way of displaying traffic congestion along roads in the map. The mapping application in some embodiments defines a traffic congestion representation to run parallel to its corresponding road portion when the map is viewed at a particular zoom level, and defines a traffic congestion representation to be placed over its corresponding road portion when the map is viewed at another zoom level. The mapping application in some embodiments differentiates the appearance of the traffic congestion representation that signifies heavy traffic congestion from the appearance of the traffic congestion representation that signifies moderate traffic congestion. In some of these embodiments, the mapping application does not generate a traffic congestion representation for areas along a road that are not congested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Moore, Aroon Pahwa, Yaohua Hu
  • Patent number: 10123005
    Abstract: A display may store extended display identification data for communicating the capabilities of the display to a source device such as a graphics processing unit. The extended display identification data may include a red primary color value, a green primary color value, and a blue primary color value. The primary color values in the extended display identification data may be determined during manufacturing. For example, a light sensor may measure the native primary colors of the display, and calibration computing equipment may determine if the native primary colors of the display are within a target color gamut. If the native primary colors of the display are outside of the target color gamut by an amount larger than a threshold, the primary color values in the extended display identification data may be adjusted to account for the color variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mingxia Gu, Andrew P. Aitken, Bongsun Lee, Gabriel Marcu, Ian C. Hendry, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Wei Chen, Yanming Li
  • Patent number: 10123037
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing motion estimation in a digital video system is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a system that quickly calculates estimated motion vectors in a very efficient manner. In one embodiment, a first multiplicand is determined by multiplying a first display time difference between a first video picture and a second video picture by a power of two scale value. This step scales up a numerator for a ratio. Next, the system determines a scaled ratio by dividing that scaled numerator by a second first display time difference between said second video picture and a third video picture. The scaled ratio is then stored calculating motion vector estimations. By storing the scaled ratio, all the estimated motion vectors can be calculated quickly with good precision since the scaled ratio saves significant bits and reducing the scale is performed by simple shifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Barin Geoffry Haskell, David William Singer, Adriana Dumitras, Atul Puri
  • Patent number: 10121374
    Abstract: Systems, methods, devices and computer-readable mediums are disclosed for parking event detection and location estimation. In some implementations, a method comprises: determining, by a processor of a mobile device, a first activity state indicative of a possible parking event; obtaining, by the processor, a speed of the mobile device from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) of the mobile device; obtaining, by the processor, pedometer data from a digital pedometer of the mobile device; determining, by the processor, a second activity state indicative of a possible parking event based at least in part on the GNSS speed and pedometer data; and responsive to the second activity state, estimating, by the processor, a location of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Pejman Lotfali Kazemi, Lili Cao, Sunny Kai Pang Chow, Gunes Dervisoglu, Anh Phan, Ryan David Shelby, Ronald K. Huang
  • Patent number: 10122500
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for efficient sparse network resource usage and connection release procedures. According to some embodiments, a wireless device may utilize techniques for efficiently releasing a radio resource control (RRC) connection, including techniques that avoid or reduce the occurrence of random access procedures when out-of-sync with the network when the RRC connection is being released. In some embodiments, a wireless device may utilize techniques for efficiently sparsely using network uplink resources, including techniques that avoid or reduce the occurrence of random access procedures to regain timing alignment to perform uplink communication when out-of-sync with the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Venkateswara Rao Manepalli, Sarma V. Vangala
  • Patent number: 10117600
    Abstract: Pacer activity data of a user may be managed. For example, historical activity data of a user corresponding to a particular time of a day prior to a current day may be received. Additionally, a user interface configured to display an activity goal of the user may be generated and the user interface may be provided for presentation. In some aspects, the user interface may be configured to display a first indicator that identifies cumulative progress towards the activity goal and a second indicator that identifies predicted cumulative progress towards the activity goal. The cumulative progress may be calculated based on monitored activity from a start of the current day to the particular time of the current day and the predicted cumulative progress may be calculated based on the received historical activity data corresponding to the particular time of the day prior to the current day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Keen, Jay C. Blahnik, Gaurav Kapoor, Michael R. Siracusa
  • Patent number: 10123372
    Abstract: Devices and methods for handling phone calls. One device is a user equipment (UE) configured to establish a connection with a first evolved Node B (eNB). A method includes transmitting an invite signal to a further UE for a Voice over LTE (VoLTE) call, receiving an accept signal from the further UE, receiving a fail signal from the first eNB that a dedicated bearer is unavailable, generating a trigger signal in response to receiving the fail signal and transmitting the trigger signal to the first eNB. Another device is a base station (e.g., eNB) that receives a VoLTE call request from a UE, determines whether the eNB has sufficient resources to provide a dedicated bearer. When it is determined the eNB has insufficient resources, the eNB determines whether a further eNB has sufficient resources to provide the dedicated bearer, and determines whether the UE can connect to the further eNB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Prateek Sharma, Sreevalsan Vallath, Deepankar Bhattacharjee
  • Patent number: 10123200
    Abstract: In some embodiments, one or more wireless stations operate according to Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN)—direct communication with neighboring wireless stations, e.g., direct communication between the wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. In a NAN system, multiple NAN devices may operate in conjunction in the form of a NAN cluster to facilitate communications processes, and may be further organized into “NAN data clusters” within NAN clusters. NAN data clusters may use a common base channel to convey communications among member NAN devices. Embodiments herein provide mechanism by which a base channel may be determined, modified, and/or distributed among NAN devices operating in a NAN data cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Maksim Shmukler, Lilach Zukerman, Yoel Boger, Oren Shani
  • Patent number: 10122275
    Abstract: A system that includes a regulator unit is disclosed. The regulator unit includes first and second phase units whose outputs are coupled to through first and second coupled inductors, respectively, to a power supply node of a circuit block. The first phase unit may be configured to discharge, for a first period of time, the power supply node through the first inductor in response to determining a sense current is greater than a demand current. The operation of the second phase unit may follow that of the first phase unit after a second period of time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Pant, Fabio Gozzini, Jay B. Fletcher, Shawn Searles
  • Patent number: 10122269
    Abstract: A system that includes a regulator circuit is disclosed. The regulator circuit includes first and second phase units whose outputs are coupled to a power supply node of a circuit block, via respective coupled inductors. The first phase unit may initiate a charge cycle of the power supply node in response to assertion of a clock signal and generate a compensated current using currents measure through both inductors and the clock signal. In response to a determination that the compensated current is greater than a demand current generated using a voltage level of the power supply node and a reference voltage, the first phase unit may halt the charge cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fabio Gozzini, Jay B. Fletcher, Shawn Searles, Sanjay Pant
  • Patent number: 10121581
    Abstract: An article having a multiple magnetic polarities and a method for making the article are disclosed. The article can be a monolithic substrate form from a metallic material or materials. The article may include a first magnetic polarity and a second magnetic polarity opposite the first magnetic polarity. Methods for making the article include provide either providing a monolithic substrate having a first magnetic polarity, or applying a first magnetic field to the monolithic substrate to impart a first magnetic polarity. The method may also include raising the temperature of the monolithic substrate in order to reduce the coercivity of the monolithic substrate. The temperature of the monolithic substrate may also be selectively raised to lower the coercivity of the monolithic substrate in associated areas. By lowering the coercivity, the second magnetic polarity may be imparted on the monolithic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, John C. DiFonzo, Sean S. Corbin
  • Patent number: 10121247
    Abstract: A method of tracking a mobile device comprising at least one camera in a real environment comprises the steps of receiving image information associated with at least one image captured by the at least one camera, generating a first geometrical model of at least part of the real environment based on environmental data or mobile system state data acquired in an acquisition process by at least one sensor of a mobile system, which is different from the mobile device, and performing a tracking process based on the image information associated with the at least one image and at least partially according to the first geometrical model, wherein the tracking process determines at least one parameter of a pose of the mobile device relative to the real environment. The invention is also related to a method of generating a geometrical model of at least part of a real environment using image information from at least one camera of a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Meier, Sebastian Lieberknecht
  • Patent number: 10122759
    Abstract: A novel security framework that is part of an operating system of a device is provided. The framework includes a security assessor that performs security policy assessments for different operations that need to be performed with respect to an application executing on the device. Examples of such operations include the installation of the application, execution of the application, and the opening of content files (e.g., opening of documents) by the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Peter Kiehtreiber, Jacques A. Vidrine, Christopher S. Linn, Randy D. Saldinger, Braden J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10120541
    Abstract: A device with a display and, optionally, a touch-sensitive surface detects a first input corresponding to a request to share first content from a first application while displaying the first application on the display. In response to detecting the first input, the device displays a sharing interface that includes a plurality of options for sharing the first content. While displaying the sharing interface, the device detects selection of an affordance in the sharing interface. In accordance with a determination that the affordance is a respective user-first sharing option for a respective user, the device initiates a process for sharing the first content with the respective user. In accordance with a determination that the affordance is a protocol-first sharing option for a respective protocol, the device initiates a process for sharing the first content using the respective protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jeremiah D. Shaw, Chanaka G. Karunamuni, Stephen O. Lemay, Martin O. Pedrick, Marcel Van Os, Imran Chaudhri
  • Patent number: 10120448
    Abstract: A method is directed to tuning a haptic actuator that includes a housing having a ferromagnetic mass, a coil carried by the housing, and a field member movable within the housing responsive to the coil. The haptic actuator is operative as a resonator and has an initial quality (Q) factor. The method may include determining whether the initial Q factor is within a desired Q factor range, and when the initial Q factor is not within the desired Q factor range, performing ferromagnetic mass change iterations until an updated Q factor is within the desired Q factor range. Each ferromagnetic mass change iteration may include changing the ferromagnetic mass of the housing, determining the updated Q factor based upon changing the ferromagnetic mass of the housing, and determining whether the updated Q factor is within the desired Q factor range. Another embodiment changes the ferromagnetic mass of the field member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Arman Hajati
  • Patent number: 10120469
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for operating a computing device including determining an amount of pressure exerted on a touch-sensitive surface of the computing device. According to the various embodiments, a touch input is received by the touch-sensitive surface. The amount of pressure exerted by the touch input on the touch-sensitive surface is then determined. The computing device operates in a first manner when a first amount of pressure is received and operates in a second manner when a second amount of pressure is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Garrone, Sean A. Mayo, Scott A. Mullin, Gordon C. Cameron
  • Patent number: 10120531
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a first electronic device, during a playlist mode, displays a plurality of representations of content items available on the first electronic device. While in the playlist mode, the first electronic device optionally receives a first input, via one or more input devices, selecting a respective representation of a respective content item from the plurality of representations of content items. In response to receiving the first input, in accordance with a determination that the respective content item was playing on the first electronic device when the first input was received, the first electronic device optionally transitions to a now playing mode. In accordance with a determination that the respective content item was not playing on the first electronic device when the first input was received, the first electronic device optionally plays the respective content item on the first electronic device while remaining in the playlist mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Lochhead, Joe Howard, Jeffrey L. Robbin, William Bachman, Benjamin W. Keighran, Elbert D. Chen, Jennifer L. C. Folse
  • Patent number: 10123277
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to wireless transmission energy budgets. In some embodiments, an apparatus is configured to determine wireless transmission energy budget for a plurality of time periods. In some embodiments, the apparatus determines budget differently depending on whether it is in a thermal mode or a peak power mode. In some embodiments, the apparatus blanks scheduled wireless transmissions that intersect with the battery signal. In some embodiments, for a time interval subsequent to assertion of the battery signal, the apparatus operates in the peak power mode and determines energy budget for periods based on an amount of energy used for wireless transmissions in a most recent period in which transmissions were blanked in response to the battery signal. In some embodiments, in the thermal mode, the energy budget is based on thermal information for the apparatus, but may also allow carryover of unused budget from previous periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Li Su
  • Patent number: 10120842
    Abstract: There is provided a method for preloading the glyphs required to display the content of a system. In accordance with an embodiment of the present technique, only those glyphs which are present in the system upon startup or synchronization of an electronic device are preloaded. The glyphs present upon startup or synchronization of the electronic device may be determined by scanning the system. In an illustrated embodiment, scanning the system may include analyzing models and views to determine the glyphs present in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Szu-Wen Huang, Valeri A. Krasnov, Jesse W. Boettcher
  • Patent number: 10122931
    Abstract: An electronic device has multiple cameras and displays a digital viewfinder user interface for previewing visual information provided by the cameras. The multiple cameras may have different properties such as focal lengths. When a single digital viewfinder is provided, the user interface allows zooming over a zoom range that includes the respective zoom ranges of both cameras. The zoom setting to determine which camera provides visual information to the viewfinder and which camera is used to capture visual information. The user interface also allows the simultaneous display of content provided by different cameras at the same time. When two digital viewfinders are provided, the user interface allows zooming, freezing, and panning of one digital viewfinder independently of the other. The device allows storing of a composite images and/or videos using both digital viewfinders and corresponding cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Lukas Robert Tom Girling, Linda L. Dong, Henrique Penha, Paulo Michaelo Lopez, Behkish J. Manzari
  • Patent number: 10120533
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for intelligently managing a playlist of digital media provide an intelligent dynamic queue that is configured to manage the playback of digital media. The queue can transition between passive playback mode, active playback mode, and mixed playback mode. The queue can handle the playback of the songs in the queue according to the playback mode and/or a queue status field that is associated with each song in the queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Sanders, Anne Jones, Jeffrey L. Robbin, William Martin Bachman, Timothy B. Martin
  • Patent number: 10121831
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display. The display may have an active region in which display pixels are used to display images. The display may have one or more openings and may be mounted in a housing associated with the electronic device. An electronic component may be mounted in alignment with the openings in the display. The electronic component may include a camera, a light sensor, a light-based proximity sensor, status indicator lights, a light-based touch sensor array, a secondary display that has display pixels that may be viewed through the openings, antenna structures, a speaker, a microphone, or other acoustic, electromagnetic, or light-based component. One or more openings in the display may form a window through which a user of the device may view an external object. Display pixels in the window region may be used in forming a heads-up display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Rappoport, Jeremy C. Franklin, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Scott A. Myers, Richard P. Howarth, Julian Hoenig, Christopher J. Stringer, John P. Ternus, Stephen Brian Lynch
  • Patent number: 10120478
    Abstract: Systems for detecting an amount and/or location of a force applied to a device using a piezoelectric film are provided. One example system can include a transparent piezoelectric film for generating an electric charge in response to a deformation of the film. Electrodes positioned on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric film can be used to detect the generated electric charge and determine an amount and/or location of force applied to the film based on the generated electric charge. In another embodiment, the system can include a capacitive touch sensor for determining a location of a touch event on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sinan Filiz, Brian Q. Huppi, Christopher J. Butler, Martin P. Grunthaner, Shahrooz Shahparnia, Sunggu Kang, Kai Wang
  • Patent number: 10121144
    Abstract: In order to validate a user to facilitate conducting a high-valued financial transaction via wireless communication between an electronic device (such as a smartphone) and another electronic device (such as a point-of-sale terminal), the electronic device may authenticate the user prior to the onset of the high-valued financial transaction. In particular, a secure enclave processor in a processor may provide local validation information that is specific to the electronic device to a secure element in the electronic device when received local authentication information that is specific to the electronic device (such as a biometric identifier of the user) matches stored authentication information. Moreover, an authentication applet in the secure element may provide the local validation information to an activated payment applet in the secure element. This may enable the payment applet to conduct the high-valued financial transaction via wireless communication, such as near-field communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Ahmer A. Khan
  • Patent number: 10120690
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for pre-computing early age indicators for a non-shifting reservation station. A reservation station may include a plurality of entries storing a plurality of instruction operations prior to issuance to an execution unit. The reservation station may include control logic for pre-computing early age indicators for specifying which entry of each adjacent pair of entries is the oldest ready instruction operation. The early age indicators may be routed through registers and then through additional levels of control logic for determining the oldest ready instruction operation in all of the entries of the reservation station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Skanda K. Srinivasa, Jonathan Jay Tyler
  • Patent number: D832836
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 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, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer