Patents by Inventor Christoph H. Krah
Christoph H. Krah 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).
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Publication number: 20110255289Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a data capture device such as a camera. In one aspect, the data capture device may integrated with the housing of the computing device and further detachable therefrom. In another aspect, the data capture device may swivel and/or translate relative to the housing of the computing device. In another aspect, the computing device may include a positioning device for controlling the movement of the data capture device relative to the housing. In yet another aspect, the computing device may include a latch that is automatically positioned in a home position when a housing component of the computing device is positioned in first position, and is automatically positioned in a lock position when the housing component of the computing device is positioned in a closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Christoph H. KRAH
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Patent number: 8035481Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a data capture device such as a camera. In one aspect, the data capture device may integrated with the housing of the computing device and further detachable therefrom. In another aspect, the data capture device may swivel and/or translate relative to the housing of the computing device. In another aspect, the computing device may include a positioning device for controlling the movement of the data capture device relative to the housing. In yet another aspect, the computing device may include a latch that is automatically positioned in a home position when a housing component of the computing device is positioned in first position, and is automatically positioned in a lock position when the housing component of the computing device is positioned in a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2009Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Christoph H. Krah
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Patent number: 8018579Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging and display system is provided in which user input is optically detected in an imaging volume by measuring the path length of an amplitude modulated scanning beam as a function of the phase shift thereof. Visual image user feedback concerning the detected user input is presented.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Christoph H. Krah
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Publication number: 20110199226Abstract: A control indication assembly. A first control mounted on a surface of a computer is coupled to a first sensor, to a first sensing circuit to send an electrical signal to the first control when a user-touch occurs to the first sensor, and to a first indicator to indicate an occurrence of said user-touch. A second control mounted on a surface of a display which is coupled to the computer is coupled to a second sensor, to a second sensing circuit to send an electrical signal to said second control when said user-touch occurs to the display, and to a second indicator to indicate an occurrence of the user-touch. The first and second control are configured such that the first and second indicator are synchronized to exhibit identical behaviors when the user-touch occurs to either the first control or the second control.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventors: Andrew Gong, Brian Q. Huppi, Christoph H. Krah, Richard D. Cappels, Duncan R. Kerr, Michael Culbert
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Patent number: 7936348Abstract: A control indication assembly. A first control mounted on a surface of a computer is coupled to a first sensor, to a first sensing circuit to send an electrical signal to the first control when a user-touch occurs to the first sensor, and to a first indicator to indicate an occurrence of said user-touch. A second control mounted on a surface of a display which is coupled to the computer is coupled to a second sensor, to a second sensing circuit to send an electrical signal to said second control when said user-touch occurs to the display, and to a second indicator to indicate an occurrence of the user-touch. The first and second control are configured such that the first and second indicator are synchronized to exhibit identical behaviors when the user-touch occurs to either the first control or the second control.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Andrew Gong, Brian Q. Huppi, Christoph H. Krah, Richard D. Cappels, Duncan R. Kerr, Michael Culbert
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Patent number: 7852046Abstract: An apparatus for switching from a first power supply to a second power supply. Such an apparatus may determine which of the first and second power supplies has a greater voltage, and may power a device from the power supply having the greater voltage or charge. A single boost converter may be used regardless of which power supply is providing power.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2009Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christoph H. Krah, Ronil Patel
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Patent number: 7843449Abstract: A three-dimensional display system provides a projection screen having a predetermined angularly-responsive reflective surface function. Three-dimensional images are respectively modulated in coordination with the predetermined angularly-responsive reflective surface function to define a programmable mirror with a programmable deflection angle.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Christoph H. Krah
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Publication number: 20100201626Abstract: A mouse having improved input methods and mechanisms is disclosed. The mouse is configured with touch sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The touch sensing areas may for example be used to differentiate between left and right clicks in a single button mouse. The mouse may further be configured with force sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The force sensing areas may for example be positioned on the sides of the mouse so that squeezing the mouse generates input signals. The mouse may further be configured with a jog ball capable of generating input signals. The mouse may additionally be configured with a speaker for providing audio feedback when the various input devices are activated by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Christoph H. Krah, Jeffrey B. Doar, Sean Corbin, Shin Nishibori, Wing Kong Low
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Publication number: 20100118118Abstract: A three-dimensional display system provides a projection screen having a predetermined angularly-responsive reflective surface function. Three-dimensional images are respectively modulated in coordination with the predetermined angularly-responsive reflective surface function to define a programmable mirror with a programmable deflection angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2010Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Christoph H. KRAH
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Patent number: 7710397Abstract: A mouse having improved input methods and mechanisms is disclosed. The mouse is configured with touch sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The touch sensing areas may for example be used to differentiate between left and right clicks in a single button mouse. The mouse may further be configured with force sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The force sensing areas may for example be positioned on the sides of the mouse so that squeezing the mouse generates input signals. The mouse may further be configured with a jog ball capable of generating input signals. The mouse may additionally be configured with a speaker for providing audio feedback when the various input devices are activated by a user.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christoph H. Krah, Jeffrey B. Doar, Sean Corbin, Shin Nishibori, Wing Kong Low
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Publication number: 20100060593Abstract: Determining a compensated phase matrix for a multi-stimulus demodulation process is provided. A first drive line of a multi-stimulus sensing system is selected, and a stimulation signal is transmitted on the selected drive line. A channel gain resulting from the stimulation signal is measured from a received sense signal resulting from the stimulation signal. The measured channel gain is compared with a known channel gain to obtain an individual phase compensation for the selected drive line. A compensated phase matrix is formed of the individual phase compensation values for multiple drive lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Christoph H. Krah
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Publication number: 20090315851Abstract: A multipoint touch surface controller is disclosed herein. The controller includes an integrated circuit including output circuitry for driving a capacitive multi-touch sensor and input circuitry for reading the sensor. Also disclosed herein are various noise rejection and dynamic range enhancement techniques that permit the controller to be used with various sensors in various conditions without reconfiguring hardware.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Inventors: Steven P. Hotelling, Christoph H. Krah, Brian Quentin Huppi
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Publication number: 20090309552Abstract: An apparatus for switching from a first power supply to a second power supply. Such an apparatus may determine which of the first and second power supplies has a greater voltage, and may power a device from the power supply having the greater voltage or charge. A single boost converter may be used regardless of which power supply is providing power.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christoph H. Krah, Ronil Patel
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Publication number: 20090268401Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a data capture device such as a camera. In one aspect, the data capture device may integrated with the housing of the computing device and further detachable therefrom. In another aspect, the data capture device may swivel and/or translate relative to the housing of the computing device. In another aspect, the computing device may include a positioning device for controlling the movement of the data capture device relative to the housing. In yet another aspect, the computing device may include a latch that is automatically positioned in a home position when a housing component of the computing device is positioned in first position, and is automatically positioned in a lock position when the housing component of the computing device is positioned in a closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventor: Christoph H. Krah
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Patent number: 7598711Abstract: An apparatus for switching from a first power supply to a second power supply. The embodiment may detect the charge or voltage of both the first and second power supply, and power a device from the power supply having the greatest voltage or charge. A single boost converter is used regardless of which power supply is providing power.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christoph H. Krah, Ronil Patel
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Patent number: 7570485Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a data capture device such as a camera. In one aspect, the data capture device may integrated with the housing of the computing device and further detachable therefrom. In another aspect, the data capture device may swivel and/or a translate relative to the housing of the computing device. In another aspect, the computing device may include a positioning device for controlling the movement of the data capture device relative to the housing. IN yet another aspect, the computing device may include a latch that is automatically positioned in a home position when a housing component of the computing device is positioned in first position, and is automatically positioned in a lock position when the housing component of the computing device is positioned in a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Christoph H. Krah
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Publication number: 20090037819Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling special windows in a display comprises a window manager in an operating system that is called by application programs to create special windows. The window manager embeds static key signals including encoded special window information, such as the coordinates of a window area to be specially processed, into a video RAM. An existing video interface scans the video RAM and transmits display information, including the key signals, to the display. The present invention further comprises a window decoder in the display, that detects the key signals, extracts the encoded special window information, and controls display circuitry performing the desired special processing. The key signal encoding scheme does not create visually discernible display aberrations that could distract the user or interfere with normal window management.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard D. CAPPELS, SR., Christoph H. Krah, Johanna M. Andrews
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Patent number: 7412654Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling special windows in a display comprises a window manager in an operating system that is called by application programs to create special windows. The window manager embeds static key signals including encoded special window information, such as the coordinates of a window area to be specially processed, into a video RAM. An existing video interface scans the video RAM and transmits display information, including the key signals, to the display. The present invention further comprises a window decoder in the display, that detects the key signals, extracts the encoded special window information, and controls display circuitry performing the desired special processing. The key signal encoding scheme does not create visually discernible display aberrations that could distract the user or interfere with normal window management.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1998Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Apple, Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Cappels, Sr., Christoph H. Krah, Johanna M. Andrews
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Publication number: 20080165134Abstract: An embodiment of an improved touch surface controller for controlling a multi-point touch surface such as a touch screen or a touch pad in a computer system is disclosed. The improved touch system controller detects signal capacitance from the pixels in the touch surface digitally, and therefore is easier and simpler to implement then previous approaches relying on analog detection and processing. Specifically, signal capacitance is measured by measuring a number of clock cycles taken to discharge or charge the input node of a comparator. Embodiments of the disclosed touch surface controller are particularly useful in the context of detecting multiple simultaneous touches on the touch surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: APPLE COMPUTER, INC.Inventor: Christoph H. Krah
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Publication number: 20080068372Abstract: A three-dimensional display system provides a projection screen having a predetermined angularly-responsive reflective surface function. Three-dimensional images are respectively modulated in coordination with the predetermined angularly-responsive reflective surface function to define a programmable mirror with a programmable deflection angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2006Publication date: March 20, 2008Applicant: APPLE COMPUTER, INC.Inventor: Christoph H. Krah