Patents by Inventor John B. Morrell

John B. Morrell 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: 20260134852
    Abstract: A system may include electronic devices that communicate wirelessly. When positioned so that a pair of devices overlap or are adjacent to one another, the devices may operate in a linked mode. During linked operations, devices may communicate wirelessly while input gathering and content displaying operations are shared among the devices. One or both of a pair of devices may have sensors. A capacitive sensor or other sensor may be used to measure the relative position between two devices when the two devices overlap each other. Content displaying operations and other linked mode operations may be performed based on the measured relative position between the two devices and other information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2025
    Publication date: May 14, 2026
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Tianjia Sun, Chang Zhang, Dominic P. McCarthy, Eric Shyr, John B. Morrell, John P. Ternus
  • Patent number: 12547255
    Abstract: A three-dimensional control system includes an input device, a computing device, and a tracking assembly. The input device can include an input sensor, an inertial measurement unit sensor, and an ultrasonic speaker. The tracking assembly can include a plurality of ultrasonic microphones and an inertial measurement unit disposed on or with the computing device. The plurality of ultrasonic microphones can include three microphones in a first plane and at least one other ultrasonic microphone disposed out of the first plane. The ultrasonic microphones can be configured to detect ultrasonic waves output by the speaker of the input device and the computing device can triangulate the position of the input device relative to the computing device in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bart K. Andre, Brian T. Gleeson, Kristi E. Bauerly, William D. Lindmeier, Matthew J. Sundstrom, Geng Luo, Seung Wook Kim, Evangelos Christodoulou, Megan M. Sapp, Kainoa Kwon-Perez, John B. Morrell
  • Publication number: 20250377846
    Abstract: An electronic device has a first display portion, a second display portion, a hinge connecting the first display portion to the second display portion, and a fingerprint region that is adjacent to the second display portion. The electronic device displays a first user interface on the first display portion, and detects a first input directed to the first user interface. In response, the electronic device displays an instruction for providing authentication via the fingerprint region of the electronic device that is located adjacent to the second display portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2025
    Publication date: December 11, 2025
    Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Duncan R. Kerr, John B. Morrell, Lawrence Y. Yang, Eric Lance Wilson, Adam S. Meyer
  • Patent number: 12456439
    Abstract: A system may include electronic devices that communicate wirelessly. When positioned so that a pair of devices overlap or are adjacent to one another, the devices may operate in a linked mode. During linked operations, devices may communicate wirelessly while input gathering and content displaying operations are shared among the devices. One or both of a pair of devices may have sensors. A capacitive sensor or other sensor may be used to measure the relative position between two devices when the two devices overlap each other. Content displaying operations and other linked mode operations may be performed based on the measured relative position between the two devices and other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2025
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Tianjia Sun, Chang Zhang, Dominic P. McCarthy, Eric Shyr, John B. Morrell, John P. Ternus
  • Patent number: 12449270
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with control circuitry for locating lost items. The control circuitry may determine where an item is located and may use the display or other output device to guide a user to the item. The display may display a visual guide such as an arrow, a sphere, a circle, a compass, or other visual aid that points the user in the direction of the item. The control circuitry may change the size or other characteristic of the visual aid on the display as the distance between the electronic device and the object changes. The control circuitry may change the location of the visual aid on the display as the orientation of the electronic device relative to the object changes. The display may overlay the visual aid onto live images of the user's surroundings as they are captured by a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Inventors: Adam S. Meyer, Duncan Robert Kerr, Martha Evans Hankey, Peter C. Tsoi, John B. Morrell, James H. Foster
  • Patent number: 12399667
    Abstract: A computing system comprises one or more processors, memory, a first housing that includes a primary display, and a second housing at least partially containing a physical keyboard and a touch-sensitive secondary display that is distinct from the primary display. The computing system displays a first user interface on the primary display, the first user interface includes one or more user interface elements. The computing system identifies, from the one or more user interface elements, an active user interface element that is in focus on the primary display. The computer system, in accordance with a determination that the active user interface element that is in focus on the primary display is associated with the application executed by the computing system, displays, on the touch-sensitive secondary display, a second user interface that includes a first set of one or more affordances corresponding to the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Duncan R. Kerr, John B. Morrell, Lawrence Y Yang, Eric Lance Wilson, Adam S. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20250155921
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first display portion, a second display portion, and a hinge connecting the first display portion to the second display portion. The electronic device displays, on the first display portion, a calendar application. The electronic device receives a request to display information about a first event that is associated with the calendar application. The electronic device, in response to receiving the request, displays on the first display portion event details for the first event. The event details include a start time and an end time for the first event. The electronic device displays, on the second display portion, an affordance for navigating the calendar application. The affordance indicates a range of time that at least includes the start time and the end time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2025
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    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
  • Publication number: 20250130651
    Abstract: A physical keyboard can be used to collect user input in a typing mode or in a tracking mode. To use a tracking mode, first movement data is detected for a hand of a user in relation to a physical keyboard at a first location. A determination is made that the first movement data is associated with a tracking movement. In response to determining that the movement type is associated with the tracking movement, a tracking mode is initiated. User input is provided based on the movement data and in accordance with the tracking mode. Contact data and non-contact data is used to determine a user intent, and a user instruction is processed based on the user intent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Michele Stoppa, Waleed Abdulla, Henning Tjaden, Sree Harsha Kalli, Senem E. Emgin, John B. Morrell, Seung Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 12277003
    Abstract: An example method is performed at a device with a display and a biometric sensor. While the device is in a locked state, the method includes displaying a log-in user interface that is associated with logging in to a first and second user account. While displaying the log-in user interface, the method includes, receiving biometric information, and in response to receiving the biometric information: when the biometric information is consistent with biometric information for the first user account and the first user account does not have an active session, displaying a prompt to input a log-in credential for the first user account; and when the biometric information is consistent with biometric information for the second user account and the second user account does not have an active session on the device, displaying a prompt to input a log-in credential for the second user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20250113171
    Abstract: An electronic device may use information about the location of nearby devices to make sharing with those devices more intuitive for a user. When two devices are pointed towards one another, each device may automatically present the option to share information with the other device. When a user wishes to share information with one or more devices in a group of users, an array of icons representing the nearby users may be positioned on the display according to the locations of the nearby users so that the sharing user can easily select which user he or she wishes to share with. A sharing user may broadcast a signal and nearby users may elect to receive the signal by pointing their devices towards the sharing user. A user of two devices may share information between the two devices and may use one device to manipulate the information on the other device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2024
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Adam S. Meyer, Peter C. Tsoi, Stuart J. Wood, Duncan Robert Kerr, Martha Evans Hankey, John B. Morrell
  • Publication number: 20250103268
    Abstract: A computing system comprises one or more processors, memory, a first housing that includes a primary display, and a second housing at least partially containing a physical keyboard and a touch-sensitive secondary display that is distinct from the primary display. The computing system displays a first user interface on the primary display, the first user interface includes one or more user interface elements. The computing system identifies, from the one or more user interface elements, an active user interface element that is in focus on the primary display. The computer system, in accordance with a determination that the active user interface element that is in focus on the primary display is associated with the application executed by the computing system, displays, on the touch-sensitive secondary display, a second user interface that includes a first set of one or more affordances corresponding to the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Duncan R. Kerr, John B. Morrell, Lawrence Y. Yang, Eric Lance Wilson, Adam S. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20250093818
    Abstract: An electronic watch may include a tactile switch and/or one or more sensors for detecting rotational and translational inputs. The watch may include a display configured to produce graphical outputs that may change in response to rotational inputs, translational inputs, and/or touch inputs received at the display. The watch include a crown positioned along an exterior of the watch enclosure and a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the enclosure. The tactile switch and/or the one or more sensors may be used to detect rotational and/or translational inputs provided at the crown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, John B. Morrell, Duncan Kerr, Camille Moussette
  • Publication number: 20250093976
    Abstract: A computer input system includes a mouse including a housing having an interior surface defining an internal volume and a sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume. A processor is electrically coupled to the sensor assembly and a memory component having electronic instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine an orientation of the mouse relative to a hand based on a touch input from the hand detected by the sensor assembly. The mouse can also have a circular array of touch sensors or lights that detect hand position and provide orientation information to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Bart K. Andre, Brian T. Gleeson, Kristi E. Bauerly, William D. Lindmeier, Matthew J. Sundstrom, Geng Luo, Seung Wook Kim, Evangelos Christodoulou, Megan M. Sapp, Kainoa Kwon-Perez, David H. Bloom, Steven J. Taylor, John B. Morrell, Miao He, Hamza Kashif
  • Patent number: 12254142
    Abstract: An input device can include a housing defining an internal volume and a lower portion, the lower portion defining an aperture, an input sensor disposed in the internal volume, and a haptic assembly disposed in the internal volume. The haptic assembly can include an actuator and a foot coupled to the actuator and aligned with the aperture. The actuator can be configured to selectively extend the foot through the aperture to vary a sliding resistance of the input device on a support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bart K. Andre, Brian T. Gleeson, Kristi E. Bauerly, William D. Lindmeier, Matthew J. Sundstrom, Geng Luo, Seung Wook Kim, Evangelos Christodoulou, Megan M. Sapp, Kainoa Kwon-Perez, John B. Morrell, John S. Camp
  • Patent number: 12216833
    Abstract: A physical keyboard can be used to collect user input in a typing mode or in a tracking mode. To use a tracking mode, first movement data is detected for a hand of a user in relation to a physical keyboard at a first location. A determination is made that the first movement data is associated with a tracking movement. In response to determining that the movement type is associated with the tracking movement, a tracking mode is initiated. User input is provided based on the movement data and in accordance with the tracking mode. Contact data and non-contact data is used to determine a user intent, and a user instruction is processed based on the user intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Stoppa, Waleed Abdulla, Henning Tjaden, Sree Harsha Kalli, Senem E. Emgin, John B. Morrell, Seung Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 12197654
    Abstract: A computer input system includes a mouse including a housing having an interior surface defining an internal volume and a sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume. A processor is electrically coupled to the sensor assembly and a memory component having electronic instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine an orientation of the mouse relative to a hand based on a touch input from the hand detected by the sensor assembly. The mouse can also have a circular array of touch sensors or lights that detect hand position and provide orientation information to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bart K. Andre, Brian T. Gleeson, Kristi E. Bauerly, William D. Lindmeier, Matthew J. Sundstrom, Geng Luo, Seung Wook Kim, Evangelos Christodoulou, Megan M. Sapp, Kainoa Kwon-Perez, David H. Bloom, Steven J. Taylor, John B. Morrell, Miao He, Hamza Kashif
  • Patent number: 12181840
    Abstract: An electronic watch may include a tactile switch and/or one or more sensors for detecting rotational and translational inputs. The watch may include a display configured to produce graphical outputs that may change in response to rotational inputs, translational inputs, and/or touch inputs received at the display. The watch include a crown positioned along an exterior of the watch enclosure and a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the enclosure. The tactile switch and/or the one or more sensors may be used to detect rotational and/or translational inputs provided at the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, John B. Morrell, Duncan Kerr, Camille Moussette
  • Patent number: 12171043
    Abstract: An electronic device may use information about the location of nearby devices to make sharing with those devices more intuitive for a user. When two devices are pointed towards one another, each device may automatically present the option to share information with the other device. When a user wishes to share information with one or more devices in a group of users, an array of icons representing the nearby users may be positioned on the display according to the locations of the nearby users so that the sharing user can easily select which user he or she wishes to share with. A sharing user may broadcast a signal and nearby users may elect to receive the signal by pointing their devices towards the sharing user. A user of two devices may share information between the two devices and may use one device to manipulate the information on the other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Adam S. Meyer, Peter C. Tsoi, Stuart J. Wood, Duncan Robert Kerr, Martha Evans Hankey, John B. Morrell
  • Publication number: 20240196083
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with control circuitry, wireless transceiver circuitry, and a display. The electronic device may be used to provide information to a user in response to being pointed at a particular object. The control circuitry may determine when the electronic device is pointed at a particular object using wireless control circuitry and/or motion sensor circuitry. In response to determining that the electronic device is pointed at a particular object, the control circuitry may take suitable action. This may include, for example, displaying information about an object when the electronic device is pointed at the object, displaying control icons for electronic equipment when the electronic device is pointed at the electronic equipment, and/or displaying a virtual object when the electronic device is pointed at real world object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Adam S. Meyer, Peter C. Tsoi, Duncan Robert Kerr, Martha Evans Hankey, John B. Morrell, James H. Foster
  • Publication number: 20240143024
    Abstract: An example method is performed at a device with a display and a biometric sensor. While the device is in a locked state, the method includes displaying a log-in user interface that is associated with logging in to a first and second user account. While displaying the log-in user interface, the method includes, receiving biometric information, and in response to receiving the biometric information: when the biometric information is consistent with biometric information for the first user account and the first user account does not have an active session, displaying a prompt to input a log-in credential for the first user account; and when the biometric information is consistent with biometric information for the second user account and the second user account does not have an active session on the device, displaying a prompt to input a log-in credential for the second user account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    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