Patents by Inventor Duncan R. Kerr
Duncan R. Kerr 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: 10606539Abstract: The computing system includes a primary display, memory, and a housing at least partially containing a physical in put mechanism and a touch screen adjacent to the physical input mechanism: displays, on the primary display, a first user interface, the first user interface comprising one or more user interface elements; and identifies an active user interface element among the one or more user interface elements that is in focus on the primary display. In accordance with a determination that the active user interface element that is in focus on the primary display is associated with an application executed by the computing system, the computing system displays a second user interface on the touch screen, including: (A) a first set of corresponding to the application; and (B) at least one system-level affordance corresponding a system-level functionality.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Duncan R. Kerr, John B. Morrell, Lawrence Y. Yang, Eric Lance Wilson, Adam S. Meyer
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Patent number: 10602556Abstract: A wireless communication device may locate a proximate object in an environment, such as an electronic device or a resource. During this communication technique, the wireless communication device may receive a transmission that includes an identifier associated with the object. The wireless communication device may determine a range and/or a direction of the object from the wireless communication device. For example, the wireless communication device may determine the range and/or the direction, at least in part, using wireless ranging. Next, the wireless communication device may present output information that indicates the range and/or the direction. In particular, the wireless communication device may display a map of a proximate area with an indicator representative of the object shown on the map. Alternatively, the wireless communication device may display an image of the proximate area with the indicator representative of the object on the image.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James H. Foster, Duncan R. Kerr
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Publication number: 20200092925Abstract: A wireless communication device may wirelessly control an object, such as a physical device, directly or through interaction with a virtual representation (or placeholder) of the object situated at a predefined physical location. In particular, the wireless communication device may identify an intent gesture performed by a user that indicates intent to control the object. For example, the intent gesture may involve pointing or orienting the wireless communication device toward the object, with or without additional input. Then, the wireless communication device may determine the object associated with the intent gesture using wireless ranging and/or device orientation. Moreover, the wireless communication device may interpret sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the wireless communication device to determine an action gesture corresponding to a command or a command value. The wireless communication device may then transmit the command value to control the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: James H. FOSTER, Duncan R. KERR
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Publication number: 20190369823Abstract: In some embodiments, a multifunction device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface creates a plurality of workspace views. A respective workspace view is configured to contain content assigned by a user to the respective workspace view. The content includes application windows. The device displays a first workspace view in the plurality of workspace views on the display without displaying other workspace views in the plurality of workspace views and detects a first multifinger gesture on the touch-sensitive surface. In response to detecting the first multifinger gesture on the touch-sensitive surface, the device replaces display of the first workspace view with concurrent display of the plurality of workspace views.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Julian MISSIG, Jonathan KOCH, Avi E. CIEPLINSKI, B. Michael VICTOR, Jeffrey Traer BERNSTEIN, Duncan R. KERR, Myra M. HAGGERTY
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Patent number: 10368378Abstract: A wireless communication device may wirelessly control an object, such as a physical device, directly or through interaction with a virtual representation (or placeholder) of the object situated at a predefined physical location. In particular, the wireless communication device may identify an intent gesture performed by a user that indicates intent to control the object. For example, the intent gesture may involve pointing or orienting the wireless communication device toward the object, with or without additional input. Then, the wireless communication device may determine the object associated with the intent gesture using wireless ranging and/or device orientation. Moreover, the wireless communication device may interpret sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the wireless communication device to determine an action gesture corresponding to a command or a command value. The wireless communication device may then transmit the command value to control the object.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James H. Foster, Duncan R. Kerr
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Publication number: 20190220135Abstract: An example method is performed at a computing system with: a first housing that includes a primary display, and a second housing at least partially containing (i) a physical keyboard and (ii) a touch-sensitive secondary display (TSSD) that is distinct from the primary display. The example method includes: displaying, on the primary display, a user interface. The example method also includes, detecting an input directed to a user interface element in the user interface displayed on the primary display, and the input includes movement. In response to detecting the movement, the method further includes: moving the user interface element towards the TSSD; ceasing to display the respective portion of the user interface on the primary display; and displaying, on the TSSD that is integrated into the second housing that contains the physical keyboard, a representation of the user interface element that was previously displayed on the primary display.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Raymond S. Sepulveda, Chun Kin Minor Wong, Patrick L. Coffman, Dylan R. Edwards, Eric Lance Wilson, Gregg S. Suzuki, Christopher I. Wilson, Lawrence Y. Yang, Andre Souza Dos Santos, Jeffrey T. Bernstein, Duncan R. Kerr, John B. Morrell
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Publication number: 20190220134Abstract: A method is performed at a computing system including: a first housing that includes a primary display, and a second housing at least partially containing (i) a physical keyboard and (ii) a touch-sensitive secondary display (TSSD) distinct from the primary display. The method includes: receiving a request to open a file associated with a content-editing application. The method further includes, in response to receiving the request: displaying, on the primary display, content from the file within the content-editing application; and also displaying, on the TSSD, a user interface including multiple user interface elements each associated with a content-display parameter for modifying presentation of content within the content-editing application.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Raymond S. Sepulveda, Chun Kin Minor Wong, Patrick L. Coffman, Dylan R. Edwards, Eric Lance Wilson, Gregg S. Suzuki, Christopher I. Wilson, Lawrence Y. Yang, Andre Souza Dos Santos, Jeffrey T. Bernstein, Duncan R. Kerr, John B. Morrell
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Publication number: 20190213846Abstract: An electronic device receives an incoming communication and determines that the device is in a first use context. In response to receiving the incoming communication, the device provides first feedback that includes a first ongoing audio output that corresponds to the first use context and a first ongoing tactile output with a first tactile output profile that corresponds to the first use context. While providing the first ongoing audio output and the first ongoing tactile output, the device detects that the electronic device is in a second use context, different from the first use context. In response to detecting that the electronic device is in the second use context, the device provides second feedback that includes a second ongoing tactile output that has a second tactile output profile that corresponds to the second use context.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Camille Moussette, Duncan R. Kerr, Joshua B. Kopin, Miao He, Jules K. Fennis, Hugo D. Verweij, Matthew I. Brown, Marcos Alonso Ruiz, Afrooz Family
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Patent number: 10303289Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for dynamically updating a touch-sensitive secondary display. An example method includes receiving a request to open an application and, in response, (i) displaying, on a primary display, a plurality of user interface (UI) objects associated with the application, the plurality including a first UI object displayed with associated content and other UI objects displayed without associated content; and (ii) displaying, on the touch-sensitive secondary display, a set of affordances representing the plurality of UI objects. The method also includes: detecting, via the touch-sensitive secondary display, a swipe gesture in a direction from a first affordance and towards a second affordance, the first affordance representing the first UI object and the second affordance represents a distinct second UI object. In response to detecting the swipe gesture, the method includes: updating the primary display to display associated content for the second UI object.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Raymond S. Sepulveda, Chun Kin Minor Wong, Patrick L. Coffman, Dylan R. Edwards, Eric Lance Wilson, Gregg S. Suzuki, Christopher I. Wilson, Lawrence Y. Yang, Andre Souza Dos Santos, Jeffrey T. Bernstein, Duncan R. Kerr, John B. Morrell
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Patent number: 10276000Abstract: An electronic device detects a first increase in a characteristic intensity of a contact on a touch-sensitive surface, and in response the device produces a first tactile output that has a first tactile output profile. The first tactile output profile includes an output parameter that varies in accordance with a proximity of the characteristic intensity of the contact to meeting a first intensity criteria. While producing the tactile output that has the first tactile output profile, the device detects a second increase in the characteristic intensity of the contact. In response to detecting the second increase in the characteristic intensity, in accordance with a determination that the characteristic intensity meets the first intensity criteria, the device produces a second tactile output that has a second tactile output profile that is different from the first tactile output profile.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Camille Moussette, Duncan R. Kerr, Joshua B. Kopin, Miao He, Jules K. Fennis
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Patent number: 10254927Abstract: In some embodiments, a multifunction device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface creates a plurality of workspace views. A respective workspace view is configured to contain content assigned by a user to the respective workspace view. The content includes application windows. The device displays a first workspace view in the plurality of workspace views on the display without displaying other workspace views in the plurality of workspace views and detects a first multifinger gesture on the touch-sensitive surface. In response to detecting the first multifinger gesture on the touch-sensitive surface, the device replaces display of the first workspace view with concurrent display of the plurality of workspace views.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Julian Missig, Jonathan Koch, Avi E. Cieplinski, B. Michael Victor, Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Duncan R. Kerr, Myra M. Haggerty
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Publication number: 20190042078Abstract: An electronic device with a touch-sensitive display detects an input on the touch-sensitive display, which includes detecting a contact on the touch-sensitive display while the touch-sensitive display is in a low power mode. In response to detecting the input on the touch-sensitive display while the touch-sensitive display is in the low-power mode, if the input meets display-activation criteria, the device displays a respective user interface on the touch-sensitive display, wherein the respective user interface was not displayed on the touch-sensitive display when the touch-sensitive display was in the low-power mode. And, if the input does not meet the display-activation criteria, the device maintains the touch-sensitive display in the low-power mode after detecting the input without displaying the respective user interface on the touch-sensitive display.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Avi E. Cieplinski, Duncan R. Kerr, Nicholas V. King
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Publication number: 20180204425Abstract: An electronic device detects a first increase in a characteristic intensity of a contact on a touch-sensitive surface, and in response the device produces a first tactile output that has a first tactile output profile. The first tactile output profile includes an output parameter that varies in accordance with a proximity of the characteristic intensity of the contact to meeting a first intensity criteria. While producing the tactile output that has the first tactile output profile, the device detects a second increase in the characteristic intensity of the contact. In response to detecting the second increase in the characteristic intensity, in accordance with a determination that the characteristic intensity meets the first intensity criteria, the device produces a second tactile output that has a second tactile output profile that is different from the first tactile output profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Camille Moussette, Duncan R. Kerr, Joshua B. Kopin, Miao He, Jules K. Fennis
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Patent number: 9935631Abstract: 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: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Andrew Gong, Brian Q. Huppi, Christoph H. Krah, Richard D. Cappels, Duncan R. Kerr, Michael Culbert
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Publication number: 20180032203Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for dynamically updating a touch-sensitive secondary display. An example method includes receiving a request to open an application and, in response, (i) displaying, on a primary display, a plurality of user interface (UI) objects associated with the application, the plurality including a first UI object displayed with associated content and other UI objects displayed without associated content; and (ii) displaying, on the touch-sensitive secondary display, a set of affordances representing the plurality of UI objects. The method also includes: detecting, via the touch-sensitive secondary display, a swipe gesture in a direction from a first affordance and towards a second affordance, the first affordance representing the first UI object and the second affordance represents a distinct second UI object. In response to detecting the swipe gesture, the method includes: updating the primary display to display associated content for the second UI object.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Raymond S. Sepulveda, Chun Kin Minor Wong, Patrick L. Coffman, Dylan R. Edwards, Eric Lance Wilson, Gregg S. Suzuki, Christopher I. Wilson, Lawrence Y. Yang, Andre Souza Dos Santos, Jeffrey T. Bernstein, Duncan R. Kerr, John B. Morrell
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Patent number: 9797558Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light device disposed inside the housing. The light device is configured to illuminate the illuminable portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Duncan R. Kerr, Steven P. Hotelling
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Publication number: 20170228935Abstract: A wireless communication device may locate a proximate object in an environment, such as an electronic device or a resource. During this communication technique, the wireless communication device may receive a transmission that includes an identifier associated with the object. The wireless communication device may determine a range and/or a direction of the object from the wireless communication device. For example, the wireless communication device may determine the range and/or the direction, at least in part, using wireless ranging. Next, the wireless communication device may present output information that indicates the range and/or the direction. In particular, the wireless communication device may display a map of a proximate area with an indicator representative of the object shown on the map. Alternatively, the wireless communication device may display an image of the proximate area with the indicator representative of the object on the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: James H. FOSTER, Duncan R. KERR
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Publication number: 20170229009Abstract: A wireless communication device may wirelessly control an object, such as a physical device, directly or through interaction with a virtual representation (or placeholder) of the object situated at a predefined physical location. In particular, the wireless communication device may identify an intent gesture performed by a user that indicates intent to control the object. For example, the intent gesture may involve pointing or orienting the wireless communication device toward the object, with or without additional input. Then, the wireless communication device may determine the object associated with the intent gesture using wireless ranging and/or device orientation. Moreover, the wireless communication device may interpret sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the wireless communication device to determine an action gesture corresponding to a command or a command value. The wireless communication device may then transmit the command value to control the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: James H. FOSTER, Duncan R. KERR
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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: 20170010847Abstract: A method is performed at a computing system with a first housing that includes a primary display and a second housing at least partially containing (i) a physical keyboard and a touch-sensitive secondary display (“TSSD”) that is distinct from the primary display. The method includes: displaying, on the primary display, a first user interface for an application and displaying, on the TSSD, a first set of affordances corresponding to a first portion of the application. The method further includes: detecting a swipe gesture on the TSSD. If the swipe gesture was performed in a first direction, the method includes: displaying a second set of affordances corresponding to the first portion on the TSSD. If the swipe gesture was performed in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the method includes: displaying a third set of affordances corresponding to a second portion of the application on the TSSD.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Duncan R. Kerr, John B. Morrell, Lawrence Y. Yang, Eric Lance Wilson