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).

  • Publication number: 20130195183
    Abstract: A system and method for using camera capture settings and related metadata to estimate the parameters for encoding a frame of the captured video data and to modify reference frames to accommodate detected camera setting changes. According to an embodiment, global brightness and color changes in video capture may be modeled by performing a sequence of transform operations on the reference frames to further improve the coding efficiency of a video coding system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130198573
    Abstract: An event logging and analysis mechanism which creates an event object for event of an application to be logged. The event logging mechanism logs into the event object the start time, end time and other information regarding the event. The analysis of the collected event objects may include hierarchical and contextual grouping as well as aggregation of events considered to be identical. The mechanism operates independent of the application whose events it logs and can be turned on and off independently. A user may define the levels of hierarchy and contexts upon which to analyze the event objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130193193
    Abstract: The described embodiment relates generally to the field of ultrasonic bonding. More specifically, an apparatus for bonding a number of wires directly to a metal substrate in a single operation without the use of any kind of adhesive or solder is disclosed. The apparatus is an ultrasonic bonder. The ultrasonic bonder has a horn with a cavity specifically sized for the number of wires to be bonded. The ultrasonic bonder is driven at a frequency that corresponds to a resonant frequency of the wires to be bonded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: APPLE INC.
  • Publication number: 20130198684
    Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for visual manipulation of database schema are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a system can display a schema view and a data view in graphic representation in an integrated GUI on a display device. The system can display a schema in the schema view, and one or more data records in the data view. The system can receive a touch input from the display device in the schema view, or the data view, or both. In response to the touch input, the system can modify the schema, or the data records, or both. The system can update the schema view and data view substantially simultaneously to reflect the modification in the schema or data records.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: APPLE INC.
  • Publication number: 20130195160
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating received error rates. In one embodiment, the estimation of received error rates is conducted in relation to a bus interface such as a high-speed High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) interface, and the method utilizes corrupted symbols that violate TMDS symbol rules, the corrupted symbols being easily detected and counted. In one exemplary implementation, a symbol error rate (SER) can be estimated from the number of detected invalid symbols. The SER can be used to diagnose the performance of the HDMI interface, and optionally as a basis for selecting or implementing corrective action(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Apple.Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130196674
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification of macro-cells and subordinate transmission nodes. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatus are configured for use within a long term evolution (LTE/LTE-A) network, and include a scrambling technique which can facilitate advanced capabilities in which the subordinate nodes possess unique cell identities from the macro-cell. The use of unique scrambling sequences allows subordinate node switching and other advanced multi-antenna techniques in heterogeneous networks. The disclosed methods and apparatus further allow for distinction and detection of signals transmitted from low-power RRHs, femto-cells, etc. and advantageously achieve greater interference randomization gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130195052
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing efficient spectral usage in extensible carrier deployments. In one embodiment, the deployment comprises a long-term evolution (LTE) or LTE-advanced (LTE-A) network, and a reference carrier resource and one or more extensible carrier resources are configured based at least in part on a time and/or frequency separation. In one exemplary implementation, one or more reference carriers are combined with one or more carrier extensions/segments. The resulting aggregated bandwidth can be used to, among other things, optimize overall network operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130195356
    Abstract: A method of removing blemishes from an image. The method receives a selection of an area of an image, divides the area into at least two interior sub-areas, and replaces the colors of each sub-area independently from each other sub-area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: APPLE INC.
  • Publication number: 20130195218
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the scrambling of control symbols. In one embodiment, the control symbols are associated with an HDMI interface, and the methods and apparatus are configured to scramble the symbols to as to mitigate the effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) created by the transmission of otherwise unscrambled sequences of symbols which may contain significant “clock pattern” or other undesirable artifact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130196183
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed at a method and system for recharging batteries for wireless electronic devices. According to one embodiment, a battery charging and monitoring system is disclosed. The system includes a host machine providing a plurality of charging slots and a plurality of wireless devices coupled to and powered by a plurality of batteries. The host machine is adapted to communicate with the plurality of wireless devices through a plurality of wireless links to monitor the plurality of batteries coupled to the wireless devices. According to another embodiment, an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device is adapted to couple with at least a rechargeable battery and to negotiate with the rechargeable battery for an agreed range of power parameters. The electronic device is further adapted to accept power from and to provide power to the rechargeable battery at the agreed range of power parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130196686
    Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for selective location determination are described. A mobile device can determine a location of the mobile device using various techniques. When there is a conflict between the locations determined using different techniques, the mobile device can select a most trustworthy location from the locations, and designate the most trustworthy location as a current location of the mobile device. The mobile device can determine a first location of the mobile device (e.g., a coarse location) using a cell identifier (cell ID) of a cellular network. The mobile device can determine a second location of the mobile device (e.g., a fine location) using one or more media access control (MAC) addresses of a WLAN. The first location and second location can be associated with confidence values that can indicate trustworthiness of the first location and second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130196692
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can perform reverse geocoding based on context, in addition to latitude and longitude coordinates. The reverse geocoding can be used to determine in which geofence among multiple geofences the mobile device is located. Thus, the mobile device can be associated with a street address, a postal code, a named land feature, or a commercial, cultural, or political entity associated with the geofence. The context can include a pattern of movement, as well as an accuracy of the latitude and longitude coordinates. Information in the context can be compared to selection criteria of the geofence. A geofence having selection criteria that match the context the best can be selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130198233
    Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems implementing integrated repository of structured and unstructured data are disclosed. An integrated environment is provided for accessing, structured data (e.g., data of a relational database) and unstructured data (e.g., data stored in a text or binary file), including creating, managing, modifying, and searching the structured data and unstructured data. The integrated environment can include an integrated user interface, a set of commands and application programming interface (API), and storage for a relational database and a document repository. The integrated environment can include a database abstraction layer that allows database operations on both the structured data and the unstructured data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: APPLE INC.
  • Publication number: 20130195056
    Abstract: A robust header compression (ROHC) controller provides for service flow processing of a ROHC channel in a WiMAX wireless communication system. The ROHC controller controls the negotiations of the MS ROHC capabilities during its registration and the negotiations of the ROHC channel parameters during ROHC enabled service flow setup; the MS ROHC capabilities including ROHC compression and decompression capabilities and ROHC channel and feedback strategies; the channel parameter negotiation covers the ROHC profile set and feedback channel information in addition to the 16e/12D standard. The ROHC controller receives a service flow request for a ROHC enabled service flow, wherein the request includes a QoS profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: APPLE INC.
  • Publication number: 20130194062
    Abstract: Active packaging for supplying power, data, or both power and data to an electronic media device while the device is housed within the active packaging is provided. The active packaging may include one or more electrical traces in-molded or printed onto the packaging that couple to a suitable connector on the device. Power may also be provided via one or more wireless power techniques. Multiple active packages may be conductively stacked to transmit power, data, or both power and data to a row or stack or devices. POM sensors integrated with or attached to the device (or the active packaging itself) may detect various movement events. Coordinated and synchronized display effects may be presented while the devices are housed within the active packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130191634
    Abstract: Resource restrictions are associated with a user identifier. A resource restriction agent receives operating system calls related for resources and provides resource request data to a resource agent. The resource agent determines whether the resource is restricted based on the resource request data and resource restriction data and generates access data based on the determination. The resource restriction agent grants or denies the system call based on the access data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130190021
    Abstract: A method includes providing a user interface, at a mobile communication device, that includes a first area to receive text input and a second area to receive an identifier associated with an addressee device. The text input and the identifier are received via the user interface. A short message service (SMS) message including the text input is transmitted to a Text to Speech (TTS) server for conversion into an audio message and for transmission of the audio message to the addressee device associated with the identifier. An acknowledge message transmitted from the TTS server permits the addressee device to allow delivery of the audio message or to decline delivery of the audio message. The TTS server transmits the audio message in response to the addressee device allowing delivery of the audio message. A confirmation message is received from the TTS server that indicates that a reply voice message has been received from the addressee device in response to the audio message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: APPLE INC.
  • Publication number: 20130186941
    Abstract: The described embodiment relates generally to the field of inductive bonding. More specifically an inductive heater designed for use in assembling electronics is disclosed. A number of methods for shaping a magnetic field are disclosed for the purpose of completing an inductive bonding process without causing harm to unshielded adjacent electrical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130190056
    Abstract: A device with a touch-sensitive display may be unlocked via gestures performed on the touch-sensitive display. The device is unlocked if contact with the display corresponds to a predefined gesture for unlocking the device. The device displays one or more unlock images with respect to which the predefined gesture is to be performed in order to unlock the device. The performance of the predefined gesture with respect to the unlock image may include moving the unlock image to a predefined location and/or moving the unlock image along a predefined path. The device may also display visual cues of the predefined gesture on the touch screen to remind a user of the gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130191911
    Abstract: A device with a touch sensitive display and a plurality of applications, including a camera application, while the device is in a locked, passcode-protected state: displays a lock screen interface, the lock screen interface including a camera access indicia; detects a gesture; in response to a determination that the gesture starts on the camera access indicia: ceases to display the lock screen interface; starts a restricted session for the camera application; displays an interface for the camera application, without displaying a passcode entry interface; and maintains the device in the locked, passcode-protected state for the applications other than the camera application; and in response to a determination that the gesture starts at a location other than the camera access indicia: displays a passcode entry interface, wherein in response to entry of a correct passcode in the passcode entry interface, the device enters an unlocked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.