Patents by Inventor APPLE INC.

APPLE INC. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • LUMINESCENCE SHOCK AVOIDANCE IN DISPLAY DEVICES
    Publication number: 20130176293
    Abstract: A luminescence shock avoidance algorithm selectively limits the brightness level of a display device when the display device is activated in a dark environment to prevent the temporary vision impairment that can occur when a display device is activated in a dark environment. The algorithm receives the state of the display (e.g. on or in standby mode), and can optionally receive an ambient lighting value from an ambient light sensor and a user-selectable manual brightness adjustment setting to determine whether luminescence shock avoidance should even be triggered, and if it is triggered, how much should the brightness level of the display be limited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • BUTTON ASSEMBLY WITH INVERTED DOME SWITCH
    Publication number: 20130176695
    Abstract: A portable electronic device may have an inverted dome switch assembly. The switch assembly may have an inverted dome that has a base and a conductive underside. The base may be attached to a button member. Two electrical contacts in the button member may face the conductive underside. Corresponding conductive traces may be connected to the contacts. The dome may bear against a housing member. The button member may be movable with respect to the housing member from an unactuated position to an actuated position. The dome switch may form a footprint based upon the dome base area. The housing member may extend into a portion of the footprint and not into the remaining portion of the footprint allowing that space to be otherwise utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF THERMAL REQUIREMENT
    Publication number: 20130179000
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to automatically adjust a thermal requirement of a data processing system are described. One or more conditions associated with a data processing system are detected. A temperature requirement for the data processing system is determined based on the one or more conditions. The performance of the data processing system may be throttled to maintain a temperature of the data processing system below the temperature requirement. Detecting the one or more conditions associated with the data processing system may include determining a location of the data processing system based on a measured motion, a state of a peripheral device, a position of one portion of the data processing system (e.g., a lid) relative another portion of the data processing system (e.g., a bottom portion), a type of application operating on the data processing system, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • MULTI-TIERED CACHES IN DATA RENDERING
    Publication number: 20130179471
    Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for rendering data using multi-tiered caches are described. A system can render a first section of data and store the rendered first section of data in a first tier cache. The system can determine that a data field, when rendered, straddles the rendering of the first section of data and a rendering of a second section of data. The system can generate a rendering of the data field and store the rendering of the data field in a second tier cache. When rendering the second section of data, the system can use the rendered data field stored in the second tier cache instead of regenerating the rendering of the data field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLEANING ELECTRONIC JACKS OF DEBRIS
    Publication number: 20130167874
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for cleaning jacks in portable electronic components. In one embodiment of the present invention, an adaptor plug is designed having a hollow shaft and the end of the plug is designed with holes that communication with the hollow shaft. The plug can be inserted into a jack, which can operate to open one or more switches within the jack, thereby freeing any debris that may have accumulated under the switches. Compressed air can then be applied down the hollow shaft and out the holes in the plug to displace the debris and clean the jack. In another embodiment, the end of the plug can be constructed such that it rotates about an axis to increase the likelihood that the jack will be cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • INTERFACING PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICES AND SPORTS EQUIPMENT
    Publication number: 20130173746
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus allow sports or other equipment, such as gym or other cardio equipment, to write data to a media player. Examples further provide the uploading of this data to a computer and third-party website. To monitor progress, the third-party website can be used to track workout data over time. The third party-website can also collect data from other users, which is particularly useful for providing a competitive environment. This data can then be graphically displayed in various ways to provide encouragement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Detecting Illumination in Images
    Publication number: 20130170743
    Abstract: An image having m light sources, with m preferably equaling 2 or 3, is segmented into different regions, each of which is lit by only one of the m light sources, by obtaining paired imaged with different filtering, for example a filtered and an unfiltered image, applying to the image pairs sets of m pre-computed mappings at the pixel or region level, and selecting the most appropriate. The rendering of the information in the image maybe adjusted accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: APPLE INC.
  • ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH PROXIMITY-BASED RADIO POWER CONTROL
    Publication number: 20130172045
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a portable electronic device may have an antenna and associated wireless communications circuitry. A sensor such as a proximity sensor may be used to detect when the electronic device is in close proximity to a user's head. Control circuitry within the electronic device may be used to adjust radio-frequency signal transmit power levels. When it is determined that the electronic device is within a given distance from the user's head, the radio-frequency signal transmit power level may be reduced. When it is determined that the electronic device is not within the given distance from the user's head, proximity-based limits on the radio-frequency signal transmit power level may be removed. Data may be gathered from a touch sensor, accelerometer, ambient light sensor and other sources for use in determining how to adjust the transmit power level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND HEADSET WITH SPEAKER SEAL EVALUATION CAPABILITIES
    Publication number: 20130170656
    Abstract: Electronic devices and accessories for electronic devices such as headsets are provided. The electronic devices may produce audio output. The headsets may include earbuds with speakers that play the audio output for a user while the earbuds are located in the user's ears. Circuitry in an electronic device and a headset may be used in evaluating how well the earbuds are sealed to the user's ears. In response to seal quality measurements, informative messages can be generated for the user, overall earbud volume may be increased, balance adjustments may be made to correct for mismatched balance between left and right earbuds, equalization settings may be adjusted, and noise cancellation circuitry settings can be changed. Electrical impedance measurements and acoustic measurements can be used in evaluating seal quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC MODE SWITCHING
    Publication number: 20130169067
    Abstract: An electronic device for predicting or anticipating a user's operational desires. The electronic device is ready to perform the anticipated function without input from the user by using sensors to sense environmental attributes. The sensors can include an ambient light sensor, a force sensor, a temperature sensor, an ambient noise sensor, and a motion sensor. The electronic device also includes a control mechanism for switching between modes for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Configuring and Implementing Restricted Interactions with a User Interface
    Publication number: 20130172022
    Abstract: An electronic device, while in a restricted interaction mode in an application other than a call application, displays a first user interface that includes a plurality of user interface objects, and receives an incoming call. The electronic device determines whether the incoming phone call satisfies predefined signaling criteria. In accordance with a determination that the incoming call satisfies the predefined signaling criteria, the electronic device outputs a signal that indicates the incoming call. In accordance with a determination that the incoming phone call does not satisfy the predefined criteria, the electronic device foregoes outputting the signal indicating the incoming call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Remotely Configured Media Device
    Publication number: 20130174043
    Abstract: Improved techniques for controlling operation of a portable electronic device are disclosed. Portable electronic devices which interact with a host electronic device can have their operational settings (e.g., configurations or preferences) remotely controlled. As a result, a host electronic device can offer a more sophisticated user interface and portable electronic devices need less local user interface features because these operational settings can be remotely controlled. The remotely-controlled (i.e., host controlled) operational settings are transferred to the portable electronic devices, whereby the portable electronic devices can thereafter operate in accordance with such settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • INTERFACE OF A MEDIA PLAYER WITH A MEDIA DEVICE
    Publication number: 20130173035
    Abstract: A handheld media player includes a processor, a display coupled with the processor, a memory for storing media, and a first user interface. A media device includes a second user interface, a housing having a surface, and a media connector for connecting the media device to the handheld media player. The first user interface is configured to be exposed to a user after the handheld media player is connected to the media device. The first user interface of the handheld media player acts as the primary user interface of the media device when the handheld media player is connected to the media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH PROXIMITY-BASED CONTENT SYNCHRONIZATION
    Publication number: 20130173315
    Abstract: Systems are provided that support millimeter-wave wireless communications between hosts and electronic devices. A host may be formed using a personal computer associated with a user or computing equipment associated with a public establishment. Content can be automatically synchronized between the host and the user's electronic device over a millimeter-wave wireless communications link in a communications band such as a 60 GHz wireless communications band. Synchronization operations may be performed based on user content preferences. Content preference information may be gathered explicitly from a user using on-screen options or may be gathered by monitoring user media playback activities and media rating activities. The content preference information may be transmitted automatically from an electronic device to a host when the electronic device is brought within range of the host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Keyboard Mechanisms for Electronic Devices
    Publication number: 20130161171
    Abstract: An input device configured to communicate with a computing device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, and a feature plate operably connected to the support mechanism. The support mechanism includes a first support and a second support. The first support and the second support are each connected to the at least one keycap and the feature plate. The first support and second support pivot to allow vertical movement of the keycap but lateral movement of the first support and second support are restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • METHODS FOR OPTIMAL COLLABORATIVE MIMO-SDMA
    Publication number: 20130163517
    Abstract: A system and method for collaboratively designing optimized beamforming vectors is disclosed for a wireless multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) space division multiple access (SDMA) communication system to optimize an aggregate SNR performance metric across the different users, thereby permitting the flexibility to trade off computational requirements and size of control information exchanged with performance. Using adaptive vector space search methods, the space of all receive beamformers is searched to find the set which maximizes either the sum or product of SNRs of the users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • BONDED KEYBOARD AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20130164068
    Abstract: A bonded keyboard and method for making the same are disclosed. The bonded keyboard uses adhesive as the primary agent, and in some embodiments, as the sole agent for coupling various components of the keyboard stackup together. The keyboard stackup uses a skeletal adhesive to couple a top case to a backcase assembly. In one embodiment, the skeletal adhesive is an interconnected matrix of ribs dimensioned to fit within the spacing existing between adjacent keys, which are mounted on the backcase assembly. The skeletal adhesive is fixed to the backcase assembly, occupies a portion of the spacing that exists between keys, and the top case is fixed to the top of the skeletal adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Illuminated Keyboard
    Publication number: 20130162450
    Abstract: In a first embodiment, an input device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, a feature plate having at least one anchoring mechanism operably connected to the support mechanism, and an illumination panel. The illumination panel is positioned between the at least one keycap and the feature plate. The at least one anchoring member extends through a portion of the illumination panel. In a second embodiment, an input device includes a keycap, a support mechanism configured to move the keycap, a support plate operably connected to the support mechanism, and an illumination panel. The illumination panel includes a light source, a light guide, and a frame substantially surrounding the light guide. Light illuminated from the light source is directed by the light guide and the frame towards the keycap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Low-Profile Wide-Bandwidth Radio Frequency Antenna
    Publication number: 20130162498
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an RF antenna structure that includes a planar structure and a loading plate, such that the planar structure is mounted between a ground plane and the loading plate to form an RF antenna. The loading plate may be about parallel to the ground plane and the planar structure may be about perpendicular to the loading plate and the ground plane. The loading plate may allow the height of the RF antenna structure above the ground plane to be relatively small. For example, the height may be significantly less than one-quarter of a wavelength of RF signals of interest. The planar structure may include two conductive matching elements to help increase the bandwidth of the RF antenna structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • On-Device Offline Purchases Using Credits
    Publication number: 20130166442
    Abstract: This is directed to providing offline purchasing of media items using an electronic device. One or more media items that are not part of a user's media library can be stored on an electronic device. When a user later wishes to play back one of the media items, but the device cannot connect to a communications network to provide payment information for purchasing the media items, the electronic device can use pre-paid credits that were purchased and stored by the device when a communications network was available to complete the purchase. By using pre-paid credits, the media store can be assured that the user has sufficient funds for the media item purchase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.