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).

  • Patent number: 10719167
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    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: 20200225902
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Duncan R. Kerr, John B. Morrell, Lawrence Y. Yang, Eric Lance Wilson, Adam S. Meyer
  • Patent number: 10685553
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for providing an output for an electronic device. In certain embodiments, an alert is output in accordance with a current alert mode, which are selected based on one or more environmental conditions. The environmental conditions may be detected using one or more environmental sensors. The alert can optionally include one or more of: an audio component, a haptic component and a visual component. One or more of alert components correspond to an aspect of the environmental condition detected by the one or more environmental sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Yang, Jonathan R. Dascola, Camille Moussette, Hugo D. Verweij, Jonah A. Harley, John B. Morrell
  • Patent number: 10664074
    Abstract: A method of operating a wearable electronic device having a display and a rotatable crown includes initiating a rotation-tracking mode based on a detection of a contact between a user and the rotatable crown. In response to initiating the rotation-tracking mode, the electronic device controls a graphical output of the display in accordance with rotational movement or absence of rotational movement of the rotatable crown, terminates the rotation-tracking mode based on a termination of the contact between the user and the rotatable crown, and in response to terminating the rotation-tracking mode, controls the graphical output of the display without regard to rotational movement or absence of rotational movement of the rotatable crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Camille Moussette, Duncan Kerr, Colin M. Ely, John B. Morrell
  • Patent number: 10642416
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    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: 20200110466
    Abstract: An electronic device receives a first set of one or more inputs corresponding to user interface elements displayed on the display and a first set of one or more tactile outputs, and also receives a second set of one or more inputs corresponding to one or more hardware elements and a second set of one or more tactile outputs. In response, in accordance with a determination that the first set of one or more tactile outputs and the second set of one or more tactile outputs overlap, the device outputs, with one or more tactile output generators, a modified tactile output sequence that is modified so as to emphasize the second set of one or more tactile outputs relative to the first set of one or more tactile outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Camille Moussette, Brian T. Gleeson, John B. Morrell
  • Patent number: 10613808
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Duncan R. Kerr, John B. Morrell, Lawrence Y. Yang, Eric Lance Wilson, Adam S. Meyer
  • Patent number: 10606539
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Duncan R. Kerr, John B. Morrell, Lawrence Y. Yang, Eric Lance Wilson, Adam S. Meyer
  • Patent number: 10609677
    Abstract: An electronic device that provides situationally-aware alerts determines to provide an alert output (such as haptic, audio, visual, and so on) via an output device, determines a movement pattern based on one or more signals from one or more sensors indicating information relating at least to movement of the electronic device, and adjusts the alert output to account for the movement pattern. In some implementations, the electronic device may adjust the alert output by delaying the alert output. In other implementations, the electronic device may adjust the alert output by altering the alert output to be discernible despite the movement pattern based on a cadence of the movement pattern. In still other implementations, the electronic device may determine to provide the alert output in response to receiving an incoming communication and may adjust the alert output differently based on a priority associated with the incoming communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thayne M. Miller, Hung A. Pham, John B. Morrell, Brian T. Gleeson
  • Patent number: 10528139
    Abstract: An electronic device receives a first set of one or more inputs corresponding to user interface elements displayed on the display and a first set of one or more tactile outputs, and also receives a second set of one or more inputs corresponding to one or more hardware elements and a second set of one or more tactile outputs. In response, in accordance with a determination that the first set of one or more tactile outputs and the second set of one or more tactile outputs overlap, the device outputs, with one or more tactile output generators, a modified tactile output sequence that is modified so as to emphasize the second set of one or more tactile outputs relative to the first set of one or more tactile outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Camille Moussette, Brian T. Gleeson, John B. Morrell
  • Patent number: 10490035
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a haptic actuator or a device having a haptic actuator that is capable of producing short, sharp and crisp pulses in a short amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Morrell, Jonah A. Harley, Storrs T. Hoen, Brett W. Degner, Camille Moussette, Anthony Guetta, Samuel B. Weiss, Douglas A. Scott
  • Publication number: 20190351963
    Abstract: An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, James J. Dattolo, Robert J. Duggan, J. Douglas Field, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Matthew M. McCambridge, John B. Morrell, Michael D. Piedmonte, Richard J. Rosasco
  • Publication number: 20190294117
    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: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, John B. Morrell, Duncan Kerr, Camille Moussette
  • Publication number: 20190278232
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device includes an enclosure having a sidewall with a button aperture defined therethrough, a display connected to the enclosure, and a processing element in communication with the display. The device also includes a sensing element in communication with the processing element and an input button at least partially received within the button aperture and in communication with the sensing element, the input button configured to receive two types of user inputs. During operation, the sensing element tracks movement of the input button to determine the two types of user inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Fletcher Rothkopf, Christopher Matthew Werner, John B. Morrell, Camille Moussette, Duncan Kerr, Anna-Katrina Shedletsky
  • Patent number: 10394325
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for an electronic device to control the application of friction to a rotary input control with a shaft. In one example, the apparatus may include a spring bar member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface positioned adjacent to the shaft; and a movable tension member positioned to engage the second surface of the spring bar; wherein as the tension member engages the spring bar, the spring bar engages the shaft and applies a frictional force to the shaft. In this manner, the apparatus can controllably apply a friction force of a desired amount to the rotary input control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Camille Moussette, John B. Morrell, Patrick Kessler
  • Patent number: 10394329
    Abstract: An electronic device receives a first set of one or more inputs corresponding to user interface elements displayed on the display and a first set of one or more tactile outputs, and also receives a second set of one or more inputs corresponding to one or more hardware elements and a second set of one or more tactile outputs. In response, in accordance with a determination that the first set of one or more tactile outputs and the second set of one or more tactile outputs overlap, the device outputs, with one or more tactile output generators, a modified tactile output sequence that is modified so as to emphasize the second set of one or more tactile outputs relative to the first set of one or more tactile outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Camille Moussette, Brian T. Gleeson, John B. Morrell
  • Patent number: 10370052
    Abstract: An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, James J. Dattolo, Robert J. Duggan, J. Douglas Field, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Matthew M. McCambridge, John B. Morrell, Michael D. Piedmonte, Richard J. Rosasco
  • Publication number: 20190220135
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    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: 20190220134
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    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
  • Patent number: 10331082
    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: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, John B. Morrell, Duncan Kerr, Camille Moussette