Patents by Inventor Christopher T. Mullens
Christopher T. Mullens 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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Patent number: 11371953Abstract: This application relates to an electronic device that includes a processor and a display assembly overlaid by a protective cover. The display assembly can include a touch detection system capable of detecting a touch event at the protective cover. The touch detection system can include a capacitance detector capable of detecting a change in capacitance and a location corresponding to the change in capacitance, and an applied force detector capable of detecting an amount and a location of a force applied to the protective cover that is associated with the touch event. The electronic device can include a moisture detector capable of detecting an amount of moisture present at the protective cover, where when the amount of moisture is greater than a threshold amount, the processor determines a position of the touch event based on detection signals provided by the capacitance detector and the applied force detector.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2021Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ihtesham H. Chowdhury, Eric N. Nyland, Scott A. Myers, Christopher T. Mullens, Bingrui Yang
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Publication number: 20210181137Abstract: This application relates to an electronic device that includes a processor and a display assembly overlaid by a protective cover. The display assembly can include a touch detection system capable of detecting a touch event at the protective cover. The touch detection system can include a capacitance detector capable of detecting a change in capacitance and a location corresponding to the change in capacitance, and an applied force detector capable of detecting an amount and a location of a force applied to the protective cover that is associated with the touch event. The electronic device can include a moisture detector capable of detecting an amount of moisture present at the protective cover, where when the amount of moisture is greater than a threshold amount, the processor determines a position of the touch event based on detection signals provided by the capacitance detector and the applied force detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Ihtesham H. CHOWDHURY, Eric N. NYLAND, Scott A. MYERS, Christopher T. MULLENS, Bingrui YANG
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Patent number: 10976278Abstract: This application relates to an electronic device that includes a processor and a display assembly overlaid by a protective cover. The display assembly can include a touch detection system capable of detecting a touch event at the protective cover. The touch detection system can include a capacitance detector capable of detecting a change in capacitance and a location corresponding to the change in capacitance, and an applied force detector capable of detecting an amount and a location of a force applied to the protective cover that is associated with the touch event. The electronic device can include a moisture detector capable of detecting an amount of moisture present at the protective cover, where when the amount of moisture is greater than a threshold amount, the processor determines a position of the touch event based on detection signals provided by the capacitance detector and the applied force detector.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Ihtesham H. Chowdhury, Eric N. Nyland, Scott A. Myers, Christopher T. Mullens, Bingrui Yang
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Publication number: 20190064998Abstract: This application relates to an electronic device that includes a processor and a display assembly overlaid by a protective cover. The display assembly can include a touch detection system capable of detecting a touch event at the protective cover. The touch detection system can include a capacitance detector capable of detecting a change in capacitance and a location corresponding to the change in capacitance, and an applied force detector capable of detecting an amount and a location of a force applied to the protective cover that is associated with the touch event. The electronic device can include a moisture detector capable of detecting an amount of moisture present at the protective cover, where when the amount of moisture is greater than a threshold amount, the processor determines a position of the touch event based on detection signals provided by the capacitance detector and the applied force detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Ihtesham H. CHOWDHURY, Eric N. NYLAND, Scott A. MYERS, Christopher T. MULLENS, Bingrui YANG
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Patent number: 9952957Abstract: A method for dynamically modifying a characteristic for an electronic device. The method includes activating by a processor a first profile having a first characteristic setting and a first state for an input/output (IO) device. Once the first profile is activated, receiving an input by a sensor and communicating the input to the processor. The method then includes activating by the processor a second profile having a second characteristic setting and a second state for the IO device. The second profile modifies a component of the IO device to include a second characteristic setting and a second state.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher T. Mullens, Jesse Michael Devine, Marco Sebastiani, Nima Parivar
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Patent number: 9729685Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for determining information of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan R. Kerr, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Steve P. Hotelling, Christopher T. Mullens, Martin P. Grunthaner, Michael A. Cretella, Jr.
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Publication number: 20160373563Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for determining information of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Jonathan P. IVE, Duncan R. KERR, Matthew D. ROHRBACH, Steve P. HOTELLING, Christopher T. MULLENS, Martin P. GRUNTHANER, Michael A. CRETELLA, Jr.
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Patent number: 9448809Abstract: Systems and methods related to providing peripheral device functionality is described herein. In one embodiment, a method of operating a host computing device is described. The method includes communicatively coupling with a keyboard and querying the keyboard for a descriptor. Receiving the descriptor from the keyboard, wherein the descriptor includes data representative of a language, layout, and key mappings for the keyboard. Storing the data from the descriptor at the host and publishing strings for proper translation and interpretation of input received from the keyboard.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nima Parivar, Jesse Michael Devine, Christopher T. Mullens
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Publication number: 20160147629Abstract: A method for dynamically modifying a characteristic for an electronic device. The method includes activating by a processor a first profile having a first characteristic setting and a first state for an input/output (IO) device. Once the first profile is activated, receiving an input by a sensor and communicating the input to the processor. The method then includes activating by the processor a second profile having a second characteristic setting and a second state for the IO device. The second profile modifies a component of the IO device to include a second characteristic setting and a second state.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2016Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Christopher T. MULLENS, Jesse Michael DEVINE, Marco SEBASTIANI, Nima PARIVAR
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Patent number: 9262182Abstract: A method for dynamically modifying a characteristic for an electronic device. The method includes activating by a processor a first profile having a first characteristic setting and a first state for an input/output (IO) device. Once the first profile is activated, receiving an input by a sensor and communicating the input to the processor. The method then includes activating by the processor a second profile having a second characteristic setting and a second state for the IO device. The second profile modifies a component of the IO device to include a second characteristic setting and a second state.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher T. Mullens, Jesse Michael Devine, Marco Sebastiani, Nima Parivar
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Patent number: 9109952Abstract: An electronic device having one or more sensors is provided. The sensors may include any suitable type of sensor that emits or receives radiation (e.g., light waves) from the environment. The electronic device may include openings through which radiation may reach the sensors while keeping the sensors hidden from view. In some embodiments, the sensors may be placed underneath an opening used for an audio receiver such that radiation is piped to the sensors using a light path or a chamfered surface along the opening. In some embodiments, the sensors may be embedded in a screen such that the radiation emitted by the sensors exits the screen instead of being reflected on the screen. In some embodiments, the sensors may be placed along the periphery of the display, such that access to the sensors is provided via discontinuities in a gasket used to couple the display to the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Christopher T. Mullens, Ching Yu John Tam, Brian Q. Huppi
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Patent number: 9069339Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for determining a current status of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Cretella, Jr., Venu Madhav Duggineni, Michael Man-Cheung Eng, Ronald Keryuan Huang, Christopher Moore, Christopher T. Mullens
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Patent number: 8952895Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems of motion-based device operations are described. A mobile device can coordinate operations of a motion sensor and a proximity sensor. The mobile device can determine a gesture event using the motion sensor. The mobile device can determine a proximity event using the proximity sensor. The mobile device can use the gesture event and proximity event to confirm one another, and determine that the mobile device has moved in proximity to a target object following a specified gesture. Upon confirmation, the mobile device can perform a specified task.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2011Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Moore, Christopher T. Mullens, Gregory Novick, Ronald K. Huang, William Matthew Vieta, Xiaoyuan Tu
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Publication number: 20140121855Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for determining a current status of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael A. CRETELLA, JR., Venu Madhav DUGGINENI, Michael Man-Cheung ENG, Ronald Keryuan HUANG, Christopher MOORE, Christopher T. MULLENS
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Publication number: 20140077094Abstract: An electronic device having one or more sensors is provided. The sensors may include any suitable type of sensor that emits or receives radiation (e.g., light waves) from the environment. The electronic device may include openings through which radiation may reach the sensors while keeping the sensors hidden from view. In some embodiments, the sensors may be placed underneath an opening used for an audio receiver such that radiation is piped to the sensors using a light path or a chamfered surface along the opening. In some embodiments, the sensors may be embedded in a screen such that the radiation emitted by the sensors exits the screen instead of being reflected on the screen. In some embodiments, the sensors may be placed along the periphery of the display, such that access to the sensors is provided via discontinuities in a gasket used to couple the display to the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Christopher T. Mullens, Ching Yu John Tam, Brian Q. Huppi
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Publication number: 20140067293Abstract: An electronic device that includes an integrated circuit and a memory is described. This integrated circuit monitors power sub-states within different operating modes of the electronic device. These power sub-states are associated with configurations of the electronic device and average power-consumption rates. Then, the integrated circuit stores information specifying a power-sub-state history of the electronic device in the memory, where the power-sub-state history includes amounts of time the electronic device was in one or more of the power sub-states. The stored information can be used to improve a power usage model for the electronic device and/or to modify a user experience, such as changing a performance of the electronic device or a time until a battery needs to be recharged.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Nima Parivar, Christopher T. Mullens, Kelsey Y. Ho
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Patent number: 8624695Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for determining a current status of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Cretella, Jr., Venu Madhav Duggineni, Michael Man-Cheung Eng, Ronald Keryuan Huang, Christopher Moore, Christopher T. Mullens
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Patent number: 8581193Abstract: An electronic device having one or more sensors is provided. The sensors may include any suitable type of sensor that emits or receives radiation (e.g., light waves) from the environment. The electronic device may include openings through which radiation may reach the sensors while keeping the sensors hidden from view. In some embodiments, the sensors may be placed underneath an opening used for an audio receiver such that radiation is piped to the sensors using a light path or a chamfered surface along the opening. In some embodiments, the sensors may be embedded in a screen such that the radiation emitted by the sensors exits the screen instead of being reflected on the screen. In some embodiments, the sensors may be placed along the periphery of the display, such that access to the sensors is provided via discontinuities in a gasket used to couple the display to the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Christopher T. Mullens, Ching Yu John Tam, Brian Q. Huppi
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Publication number: 20130191625Abstract: A method for dynamically modifying a characteristic for an electronic device. The method includes activating by a processor a first profile having a first characteristic setting and a first state for an input/output (IO) device. Once the first profile is activated, receiving an input by a sensor and communicating the input to the processor. The method then includes activating by the processor a second profile having a second characteristic setting and a second state for the IO device. The second profile modifies a component of the IO device to include a second characteristic setting and a second state.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2012Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher T. Mullens, Jesse Michael Devine, Marco Sebastiani, Nima Parivar
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Publication number: 20130145061Abstract: Systems and methods related to providing peripheral device functionality is described herein. In one embodiment, a method of operating a host computing device is described. The method includes communicatively coupling with a keyboard and querying the keyboard for a descriptor. Receiving the descriptor from the keyboard, wherein the descriptor includes data representative of a language, layout, and key mappings for the keyboard. Storing the data from the descriptor at the host and publishing strings for proper translation and interpretation of input received from the keyboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nima Parivar, Jesse Michael Devine, Christopher T. Mullens