Patents by Inventor Christopher D. MCKENZIE

Christopher D. MCKENZIE 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: 20260219761
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system moves a virtual object in response to input. The computer system can display feedback indicating a location of an input. The computer system can transition a manipulation point between the input and an object center, use different object behaviors based on virtual parameters, pass control of the virtual object between a first input and a second input, and/or move the virtual object based on a grabbing region and a position of the input. The computer system can move the virtual object to a resting pose based on a resting behavior. The computer system can generate audio output corresponding to an object manipulation event. The computer system can move virtual object(s) based on a pivot point associated with attention of a user. The virtual object can rotate based on a translation movement of a first input element and a second input element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2025
    Publication date: July 30, 2026
    Inventors: Yiyao NIE, Christopher D. MCKENZIE, Evgenii KRIVORUCHKO, Rosha S. D SOUZA
  • Publication number: 20260220865
    Abstract: A computer system optionally modifies a representation of a participant based on activity associated with the participant. A computer system optionally displays a self-view representation of an avatar of a user of the computer system. A computer system optionally updates a view of an avatar in a real-time communication session. A computer system optionally displays a representation of a participant in a real-time communication session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2026
    Publication date: July 30, 2026
    Inventors: Shih-Sang CHIU, Christopher D. MCKENZIE, Julien ROBERT
  • Patent number: 12688660
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system facilitates depth conflict mitigation for a virtual object that is in contact with one or more physical objects in a three-dimensional environment by changing visual properties of one or more portions of the virtual object. In some embodiments, a computer system facilitates depth conflict mitigation for a virtual object that is in contact with one or more physical objects in a three-dimensional environment by displaying the virtual object in a virtual environment within the three-dimensional environment. In some embodiments, a computer system facilitates depth conflict mitigation for a virtual object that is in contact with one or more physical objects in a three-dimensional environment by variably changing visual properties of one or more portions of the virtual object and/or by variably displaying the virtual object in a virtual environment based on one or more characteristics of the depth conflict.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Hylak, William A. Sorrentino, III, Christopher D. McKenzie, James J. Owen, Zoey C. Taylor, Miquel Estany Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20260204016
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system facilitates depth conflict mitigation for a virtual object that is in contact with one or more physical objects in a three-dimensional environment by reducing visual prominence of one or more portions of the virtual object. In some embodiments, a computer system adjusts the visibility of one or more virtual objects in a three-dimensional environment by applying a visual effect to the one or more virtual objects in response to detecting one or more portions of a user. In some embodiments, a computer system modifies visual prominence in accordance with a level of engagement with a virtual object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2026
    Publication date: July 16, 2026
    Inventors: Christopher D. MCKENZIE, Benjamin HYLAK, Conner J. BROOKS, Adrian P. LINDBERG, Bryce L. SCHMIDTCHEN
  • Publication number: 20260186621
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device enhances interactions with virtual objects in a three-dimensional environment. In some embodiments, an electronic device enhances interactions with selectable user interface elements. In some embodiments, an electronic device enhances interactions with slider user interface elements. In some embodiments, an electronic device moves virtual objects in a three-dimensional environment and facilitates accessing actions associated with virtual objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2026
    Publication date: July 2, 2026
    Inventors: Israel PASTRANA VICENTE, Jonathan R. DASCOLA, Pol PLA I CONESA, Peter L. HAJAS, Wesley M. HOLDER, Stephen O. LEMAY, Christopher D. MCKENZIE, Shih-Sang CHIU, Benjamin Hunter BOESEL, Jonathan RAVASZ, Evgenii KRIVORUCHKO
  • Publication number: 20260154168
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for providing content that utilizes environment tracking, such as environment tracking of a physical environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2026
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Inventors: Karen EL ASMAR, Christopher D. MCKENZIE, Kaely COON
  • Publication number: 20260140614
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and user interfaces for adjusting device settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2026
    Publication date: May 21, 2026
    Inventors: Christopher D. MCKENZIE, William A. SORRENTINO, III, Richard D. LYONS, Lee S. BROUGHTON, Adam L. AMADIO, Peter D. ANTON, Kristi E. BAUERLY, Stephen O. LEMAY, Karen EL ASMAR, Lynn I. STREJA, Danielle M. PRICE, Hana Z. WANG, Hugo D. VERWEIJ, Thineshan KATHIRCHELVAN
  • Publication number: 20260140616
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system enables a user to invoke display of transport controls (and/or other controls associated with controlling playback of content) using gaze inputs, gesture inputs, or a combination of these. In some embodiments, in response to detecting a first user input, the computer system displays a first set of controls in a reduced-prominence state (e.g., in a manner that is not unduly distracting to the user), and in response to detecting a second user input, the computer system displays a second set of controls in an increased-prominence state (e.g., in a more visually prominent state). The second set of controls optionally includes more controls than the first set of controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2026
    Publication date: May 21, 2026
    Inventors: Jonathan RAVASZ, Angel Suet Yan CHEUNG, Ashwin Kumar ASOKA KUMAR SHENOI, Leah M. GUM, Zoey C. TAYLOR, Evgenii KRIVORUCHKO, Christopher D. MCKENZIE
  • Patent number: 12608877
    Abstract: One or more computer systems switch a representation of a first content item at a docked position in an environment with a representation of a second content item in the environment in response to input, switch from displaying a first environment to displaying a second environment in response to input while displaying a representation of a first content item at a docked position, detect and respond to events corresponding to requests to move virtual content in an environment, detect and respond to events corresponding to requests to transition a mode of display of virtual content in the environment, display a first framing element concurrently with a representation of a content item having different degrees of transparency in response to detecting an input, and/or facilitate docking of a content item in an environment based on an input, and/or determine clusters of virtual objects and restore virtual objects after a reboot event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ravasz, Shih-Sang Chiu, Christopher D. McKenzie, Nicholas W. Henderson, James M. Dessero
  • Publication number: 20260104781
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system facilitates interaction with virtual objects associated with virtual workspaces in a three-dimensional environment. In some embodiments, a computer system facilitates multi-user collaboration with content associated with a virtual workspace in a three-dimensional environment. In some embodiments, a computer system facilitates display of content associated with a virtual workspace in different physical environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2025
    Publication date: April 16, 2026
    Inventors: Aaron M. BURNS, Charilaos PAPADOPOULOS, Jia WANG, Scott A. GREENLAY, Jamie J. MARCONI, Yik Chun Jonathan CHAN, Jonathan R. DASCOLA, Christopher D. MCKENZIE, Stephen O. LEMAY, Michael E. BUERLI, Edwin ISKANDAR, Olivier GUTKNECHT, Enrica CASUCCI, Jeffrey S. NORRIS, Shih-Sang CHIU
  • Patent number: 12602865
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system facilitates depth conflict mitigation for a virtual object that is in contact with one or more physical objects in a three-dimensional environment by reducing visual prominence of one or more portions of the virtual object. In some embodiments, a computer system adjusts the visibility of one or more virtual objects in a three-dimensional environment by applying a visual effect to the one or more virtual objects in response to detecting one or more portions of a user. In some embodiments, a computer system modifies visual prominence in accordance with a level of engagement with a virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. McKenzie, Benjamin Hylak, Conner J. Brooks, Adrian P. Lindberg, Bryce L. Schmidtchen
  • Patent number: 12578837
    Abstract: A computer system optionally displays a user interface object that reveals content based on whether the content is private or shared. A computer system optionally displays a user interface object that includes shared content based on whether participants have entitlement to the content. A computer system optionally displays a sharing indicator that indicates that the respective content is shared with one or more other participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen O. Lemay, Christopher D. Mckenzie, Matan Stauber, Rajat Bhardwaj, Shih-Sang Chiu, Connor A. Smith, Joseph P. Cerra, Willem Mattelaer, Yonghyun A. Kim, Gregory T. Scott, Lucio Moreno Rufo, Fredric R. Vinna, Brian K. Shiraishi, So Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20260050357
    Abstract: Some examples of the disclosure are directed to methods for application-based spatial refinement in a multi-user communication session including a first electronic device and a second electronic device. While the first electronic device is presenting a three-dimensional environment, the first electronic device receives an input corresponding to a request to move a shared object in the three-dimensional environment. In accordance with a determination that the shared object is an object of a first type, the first electronic device moves the shared object and an avatar of a user in the three-dimensional environment in accordance with the input. In accordance with a determination that the shared object is an object of a second type, different from the first type, and the input is a first type of input, the first electronic device moves the shared object in the three-dimensional environment in accordance with the input, without moving the avatar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2025
    Publication date: February 19, 2026
    Inventors: Connor A. SMITH, Christopher D. MCKENZIE, Nathan GITTER
  • Patent number: 12554609
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for providing content that utilizes environment tracking, such as environment tracking of a physical environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Karen El Asmar, Christopher D. Mckenzie, Kaely Coon
  • Patent number: 12530113
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and user interfaces for adjusting device settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Mckenzie, William A. Sorrentino, III, Richard D. Lyons, Lee S. Broughton, Adam L. Amadio, Peter D. Anton, Kristi E. Bauerly, Stephen O. Lemay, Karen El Asmar, Lynn I. Streja
  • Patent number: 12524142
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system enables a user to invoke display of transport controls (and/or other controls associated with controlling playback of content) using gaze inputs, gesture inputs, or a combination of these. In some embodiments, in response to detecting a first user input, the computer system displays a first set of controls in a reduced-prominence state (e.g., in a manner that is not unduly distracting to the user), and in response to detecting a second user input, the computer system displays a second set of controls in an increased-prominence state (e.g., in a more visually prominent state). The second set of controls optionally includes more controls than the first set of controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ravasz, Angel Suet Yan Cheung, Ashwin Kumar Asoka Kumar Shenoi, Leah M. Gum, Zoey C. Taylor, Evgenii Krivoruchko, Christopher D. McKenzie, Matan Stauber, Yonghyun A. Kim, Gregory T. Scott, Lucio Moreno Rufo, Fredric R. Vinna, Brian K. Shiraishi, So Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20260011070
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system selectively recenters virtual content to a viewpoint of a user, in the presence of physical or virtual obstacles, and/or automatically recenters one or more virtual objects in response to the display generation component changing state, selectively recenters content associated with a communication session between multiple users in response detected user input, changes the visual prominence of content included in virtual objects based on viewpoint and/or based on a detected user attention of a user, modifies visual prominence of one or more virtual objects to resolve apparent obscuring of the one or more virtual objects, modifies visual prominence based on user viewpoint relative to virtual objects, concurrently modifies visual prominence based various types of user interaction, and/or changes an amount of visual impact of an environmental effect in response to detected user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2025
    Publication date: January 8, 2026
    Inventors: Stephen O. LEMAY, Shih-Sang CHIU, Benjamin H. BOESEL, Jonathan PERRON, Christopher D. MCKENZIE, Dorian D. DARGAN, Jonathan RAVASZ, Nathan GITTER, Benjamin HYLAK, Zoey C. TAYLOR
  • Publication number: 20260010239
    Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods that interpret user activity as user interactions with user interface (UI) elements positioned within a three-dimensional (3D) space such as an extended reality (XR) environment. Some implementations enable user interactions with virtual elements displayed in 3D environments that utilize alternative input modalities, e.g., XR environments that interpret user activity as either direct interactions or indirect interactions with virtual elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2025
    Publication date: January 8, 2026
    Inventors: David J. Meyer, Julian K. Shutzberg, David M. Teitelbaum, Daniel J. Brewer, Bharat C. Dandu, Christopher D. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 12511847
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system changes a visual prominence of a respective virtual object in response to detecting a threshold amount of overlap between a first virtual object and a second virtual object. In some embodiments, a computer system changes a visual prominence of a respective virtual object based on a change in spatial location of a first virtual object with respect to a second virtual object. In some embodiments, a computer system applies visual effects to representations of physical objects, virtual environments, and/or physical environments. In some embodiments, a computer system changes a visual prominence of a virtual object relative to a three-dimensional environment based on display of overlapping objects of different types in the three-dimensional environment. In some embodiments, a computer system changes a level of opacity of a first virtual object overlapping a second virtual object in response to movement of the first virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Sorrentino, Benjamin Hylak, Christopher D. McKenzie, Stephen O. Lemay, Zoey C. Taylor, Miquel Estany Rodriguez, James J. Owen
  • Patent number: D1126975
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Allen, Benjamin H. Boesel, Jesse Chand, Jonathan R. Dascola, James M. Dessero, Thalia Jimena Echevarria Fiol, Nicholas W. Henderson, Benjamin Hylak, Richard D. Lyons, Christopher D. Mckenzie, Israel Pastrana Vicente, Lorena S Pazmino, William A. Sorrentino, III, Matan Stauber