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).

  • METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR SUPPRESSING DUPLICATE NETWORK RESOURCES
    Publication number: 20130166756
    Abstract: A duplicate suppression protocol is introduced in order to suppress duplicate entries from appearing in a list of available network resources. With the duplicate suppression protocol of the present invention, a computer that wishes to query for network resources also asks for duplicate suppression information from the responding network resources. The duplicate suppression information for a particular network resource specifies identifiers associated with that network resource for various protocols. Thus, if a particular network resource responds to more than one network resource request from a single requesting entity, that requesting entity will be able to locate duplicate network resource information. Thus, a single unified list of network resources available for various different protocols may be presented with all duplicate network resources removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Illumination of Input Device
    Publication number: 20130163223
    Abstract: Input devices having backlighting for associated input mechanisms. The backlighting may be supplied by a light source coupled to a light guide. Both the light guide and light source may be located completely beneath the input mechanism and above a mechanical support for the mechanism. Each input mechanism generally has its own dedicated light guide and light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • APPARATUSES AND METHODS THAT FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF POWER AND INFORMATION AMONG RADIO FREQUENCY-BASED DEVICES
    Publication number: 20130165046
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer readable media that can facilitate the transfer of power between at least two electrical devices. At least one of the electrical devices is preferably a battery operated device. The present invention may also be used to facilitate the transfer of information among electrical devices. For example, the present invention may be used to automatically pair two Bluetooth devices together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Selection of Views in a Three-Dimensional Map Based on Gesture Inputs
    Publication number: 20130167094
    Abstract: An electronic device displays a first map view of a map that includes one or more map objects on a touch-sensitive display. While displaying the first map view, the device detects a first gesture of a first gesture type at a first location on the touch-sensitive display. The first location corresponds to a respective map object. In response to detecting the first gesture at the first location, the device enters a map view selection mode. While in the map view selection mode, the device detects a second gesture of a second gesture type at a second location on the touch-sensitive display. The second location corresponds to a respective location on the map. In response to detecting the second gesture at the second location, the device replaces the first map view with a second map view that includes a view of the respective map object from the respective location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Keyboard with Position Sensing Mechanism
    Publication number: 20130161172
    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, a feature plate operably connected to the support mechanism, and a sensing member. The sensing member is configured to detect at least one of a change of position of the at least one keycap, a speed of the at least one keycap, an amount of force applied to the at least one keycap, or a location of a finger. The sensing member may be a capacitive sensor. In some embodiments, the input device may not include the support mechanism and the sensing member may be configured to detect the location of a finger regardless whether or not the keycap moves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • MEDIA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MANAGEMENT OF GAMES ACQUIRED FROM A MEDIA SERVER
    Publication number: 20130165222
    Abstract: A management application, or media management application, for managing game software is disclosed. In one embodiment, the media management application can also manage other types of media besides games, such other media can include music, videos, images, audiobooks, and/or podcasts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Disfavored Route Progressions or Locations
    Publication number: 20130166208
    Abstract: Adaptive route guidance can include analyzing route progressions associated with one or more routes based on multiple user preferences. The adaptive route guidance can provide one or more preferred routes based on the user preferences, which can be presented to a user for navigation purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • MULTI-MEDIA CENTER FOR COMPUTING SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20130167032
    Abstract: Various “media-components” are provided in a “multi-media center.” In modular architecture, a module-controller communicates with media-modules provided for various media-components. A media-module can include or obtain data pertaining to a particular media-component, identify media-player(s), and access information related to their media. However, the media-modules are isolated from each other, and the module-controller effectively controls output generated in response to user input. A user interface library is provided for the media-modules. Media-modules can obtain a template or other tools from the library and construct their user interface (e.g., menus). Media-modules can also identify a media-player that can be initiated in response to user input. Subsequently, the media-controller forwards user input to the media-player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple inc.
  • DISPLAY DEVICE CONTROL BASED ON INTEGRATED AMBIENT LIGHT DETECTION AND LIGHTING SOURCE CHARACTERISTICS
    Publication number: 20130161489
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a display device including one or more methods for modifying the display brightness by automatically adapting to ambient lighting conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • CONFIGURABLE OFFLINE DATA STORE
    Publication number: 20130166633
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a configurable offline data store are described. For example, a method includes receiving a request for a first set of one or more records from a client application, wherein the first set is stored in a client data store and the client application also has access to a server data store unit of a server. The method further includes determining whether a first set of records in the client data store unit is valid; and upon determining the first set is valid, deleting those records of the first set in the client data store unit that are outdated. The method further includes upon determining the first set is not valid, deleting the first set; determining whether the record is in the client data store unit; and upon determining the record is in the client data store, transmitting a version of the record to the client application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Systems and Methods for Determining the Language to Use for Speech Generated by a Text to Speech Engine
    Publication number: 20130166278
    Abstract: Algorithms for synthesizing speech used to identify media assets are provided. Speech may be selectively synthesized from text strings associated with media assets, where each text string can be associated with a native string language (e.g., the language of the string). When several text strings are associated with at least two distinct languages, a series of rules can be applied to the strings to identify a single voice language to use for synthesizing the speech content from the text strings. In some embodiments, a prioritization scheme can be applied to the text strings to identify the more important text strings. The rules can include, for example, selecting a voice language based on the prioritization scheme, a default language associated with an electronic device, the ability of a voice language to speak text in a different language, or any other suitable rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • WIRELESS HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20130162485
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Method and Apparatus for Localization of Haptic Feedback
    Publication number: 20130154814
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a haptic feedback system includes a plurality of actuators to provide tactile feedback associated with an input surface. Each actuator is adapted to be activated independently of the other actuators. The system further includes a controller to activate a first actuator of the plurality of actuators to induce a first vibration at a selected input location of the input surface and to activate one or more additional actuators to induce at least a second vibration to localize the first vibration at the selected input location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • HANDHELD COMPUTING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20130156242
    Abstract: A handheld computing device is disclosed. The handheld computing device includes a seamless housing formed from an extruded metal tube. The extruded tube includes open ends and internal rails which serve as a guide for slidably assembling an operational assembly through the open ends of the extruded tube, a reference surface for positioning the operational assembly relative to an access opening in the seamless housing, and a support structure for supporting the operational assembly during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Negotiation Between Multiple Processing Units for Switch Mitigation
    Publication number: 20130159594
    Abstract: A method for maintaining data and clock line synchronization, which may include a clock line that may be driven high after a clock line falling edge to mitigate a clock error. Additionally, the clock error may be mitigated by maintaining a saturated state of a device. Furthermore, a register may be connected to a microcontroller and/or a graphical processing unit to negotiate control of a switch and a bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • MULTI-TOUCH INPUT DISCRIMINATION
    Publication number: 20130155022
    Abstract: Techniques for identifying and discriminating between different input patterns to a multi-touch touch-screen device are described. By way of example, large objects hovering a short distance from the touch-surface (e.g., a cheek, thigh or chest) may be identified and distinguished from physical contacts to the surface. In addition, rough contacts due to, for example, ears and earlobes, may be similarly identified and distinguished from contacts due to fingers, thumbs, palms and finger clasps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Virtualization of Graphics Resources and Thread Blocking
    Publication number: 20130155084
    Abstract: Virtualization of graphics resources and thread blocking is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a system and method of a kernel in an operating system including generating a data structure having an identifier of a graphics resource assigned to a physical memory location in video memory, and blocking access to the physical memory location if a data within the physical memory location is in transition between video memory and system memory wherein a client application accesses memory in the system memory directly and accesses memory in the video memory through a virtual memory map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Adaptive Acceleration of Mouse Cursor
    Publication number: 20130154935
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for providing a user interface (UI) having a selector controllable by a physical input device. The response of the selector is adaptively adjusted to facilitate executing desired operations within the UI. A response factor defines how far the selector moves for a given movement of the physical input device. The response factor is increased so the selector can be moved a large distance, but is dynamically decreased to provide fine-tuned control of the selector for selecting densely grouped screen elements. Screen elements can be endowed with gravity, making them easy to select, or with anti-gravity, making them more difficult to select. The disclosure methods also provide tactile feedback such as vibration or braking of the physical input device to assist a user in executing desired operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • PROXIMITY DETECTOR IN HANDHELD DEVICE
    Publication number: 20130154982
    Abstract: Proximity based systems and methods that are implemented on an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes sensing an object spaced away and in close proximity to the electronic device. The method also includes performing an action in the electronic device when an object is sensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • DUAL ANODIZATION SURFACE TREATMENT
    Publication number: 20130153429
    Abstract: A metal surface treated to have two anodized layers or regions may be used in electronic devices. The surface treatment may include performing a first anodization process to create a first anodized layer, removing the first anodized layer at select locations, and performing a second anodization process to create a second anodized layer at the select locations. The first and second anodized regions may have different decorative properties, such as color, and different structural properties, such as degree of abrasion resistance. One of the anodization processes may be hard anodization and the other may be standard anodization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.