Patents by Inventor John Harper

John Harper 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: 8842133
    Abstract: Embodiments enable a graphics processor to more efficiently process graphics and compositing processing commands. In certain embodiments, a client application submits client graphics commands to a graphics driver. The client in certain embodiments can notify a window server that client graphics commands have been submitted. In response, the window server can generate compositing processing commands and provide these commands to the graphics driver. Advantageously, a graphics processor can execute the client graphics commands while the window server generates compositing processing commands. As a result, processing resource can be used more efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Harper, Kenneth C. Dyke
  • Patent number: 8836707
    Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for animating a display region, windows, or views displayed on a display of a device. The method includes starting at least two animations. The method further includes determining the progress of each animation. The method further includes completing each animation based on a single timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Platzer, John Harper
  • Publication number: 20140230455
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a layer assembly for a heat exchanger, the layer assembly comprising: at least one heat pump module, the module comprising a thermo-electric cooler (TEC) attached to an island formed from a flow-permissive material; a flow-permissive layer provided with an island-reciprocating recess for substantially corresponding to and accommodating the island; a thermal storage layer comprising a heat transfer matrix material charged with a phase-change material, and provided with a TEC-reciprocating recess for substantially corresponding to and accommodating the TEC, wherein the TEC is attached to the thermal storage layer at a surface of the TEC-reciprocating recess, and the flow-permissive layer and the thermal storage layer are arranged such that the island of flow-permissive material extends into the island-reciprocating recess and a separation exists between the island and the flow-permissive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Chandler, Richard John Harper
  • Publication number: 20140184634
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for producing images including techniques for reducing the memory and processing power required for such operations. The system provides techniques for programmatically representing a graphics problem. The system further provides techniques for reducing and optimizing graphics problems for rendering with consideration of the system resources, such as the availability of a compatible GPU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Harper, Ralph Brunner, Peter Graffagnino, Mark Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8704837
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for producing images including an application program interface. The system includes an API and techniques for creating images by defining relationships between filters and images, such relationships programmatically assembled in an object by a cooperative session between a requesting application and a graphics services resource. The system also includes aspects regarding optimization of the programmatically assembled object and techniques for rendering in multi-processor environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Harper, Ralph Brunner, Peter Graffagnino, Mark Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20140098106
    Abstract: The application programming interface operates in an environment with user interface software interacting with multiple software applications or processes in order to synchronize animations associated with multiple views or windows of a display of a device. The method for synchronizing the animations includes setting attributes of views independently with each view being associated with a process. The method further includes transferring a synchronization call to synchronize animations for the multiple views of the display. In one embodiment, the synchronization call includes the identification and the number of processes that are requesting animation. The method further includes transferring a synchronization confirmation message when a synchronization flag is enabled. The method further includes updating the attributes of the views from a first state to a second state independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Platzer, John Harper
  • Publication number: 20140063021
    Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for animating a display region, windows, or views displayed on a display of a device. The method includes starting at least two animations. The method further includes determining the progress of each animation. The method further includes completing each animation based on a single timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Platzer, John Harper
  • Patent number: 8656418
    Abstract: A window manager process hosts proxy window objects created by an application in a window manager display structure. A process in a device creates a local proxy view object within a window manager display structure for the window manager process. The process registers an identifier for a remote proxy window object which corresponds to an application display structure. The application controls processing of data used by the application. The process assigns the identifier for the remote proxy window object to the local proxy view object in the window manager display structure to create a composite display structure and renders the composite display structure to display an image on a display device. The image corresponds to the objects of the application display structure represented by the remote proxy window object. The window manager process controls rendering of the composite display structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Herz, John Harper, Christopher Marcelling
  • Patent number: 8656311
    Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for compositing media and non-media content of user interface for display on a device. The method includes constructing a data structure having a hierarchy of layers associated with the user interface of the device. The method further includes determining whether each layer of the data structure is associated with media or non-media content. The data structure or layer tree is traversed in order to determine whether each of the layers of the data structure is associated with media or non-media content. The method further includes detaching a layer associated with media content from the data structure. The method further includes storing media content in a first memory location. The method further includes storing non-media content in a second memory location. The method further includes compositing the media and non-media content for display on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Harper, Kenneth C. Dyke
  • Publication number: 20140021336
    Abstract: An optical proximity switch includes an optical transmitter for emitting a light signal, a transmitting lens with total internal reflection using the light signal to form and transmit a light beam , a receiver, an imaging receiving lens for receiving and transmitting to the receiver the light signal, and an electronic circuit for evaluating the light signal received by the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: John Harper, Yevgeniy Vinshtok, Justin Leedy
  • Publication number: 20130335443
    Abstract: Embodiments enable a graphics processor to more efficiently process graphics and compositing processing commands. In certain embodiments, a client application submits client graphics commands to a graphics driver. The client in certain embodiments can notify a window server that client graphics commands have been submitted. In response, the window server can generate compositing processing commands and provide these commands to the graphics driver. Advantageously, a graphics processor can execute the client graphics commands while the window server generates compositing processing commands. As a result, processing resource can be used more efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: John Harper, Kenneth C. Dyke
  • Patent number: 8553038
    Abstract: The application programming interface operates in an environment with user interface software interacting with multiple software applications or processes in order to synchronize animations associated with multiple views or windows of a display of a device. The method for synchronizing the animations includes setting attributes of views independently with each view being associated with a process. The method further includes transferring a synchronization call to synchronize animations for the multiple views of the display. In one embodiment, the synchronization call includes the identification and the number of processes that are requesting animation. The method further includes transferring a synchronization confirmation message when a synchronization flag is enabled. The method further includes updating the attributes of the views from a first state to a second state independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Platzer, John Harper
  • Patent number: 8531469
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a system for processing media in an electronic device. An application operative to request the display of one or more graphics elements may be implemented on the electronic device. The application may identify graphics elements for display and organize the graphics elements in a layer tree for processing and display by a render server (e.g., a core animation render server). To coordinate the processing of graphics elements of the application or of several applications, the electronic device may include a media server operative to receive media from the application and generate an image queue that includes video frames of the media. The render server may associate a slot ID with each image queue, while the media server may provide the slot ID to the application for inclusion in the layer tree. When the render server reaches a slot ID in the layer tree, the render server may identify and display the associated image queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Harper, John Samuel Bushell
  • Patent number: 8531465
    Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for animating a display region, windows, or views displayed on a display of a device. The method includes starting at least two animations. The method further includes determining the progress of each animation. The method further includes completing each animation based on a single timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Platzer, John Harper
  • Patent number: 8509074
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for controlling the rate of a network flow. In use, a rate of a network flow is monitored. In addition, it is determined whether the rate exceeds a threshold. Further, at least a portion of the network flow is conditionally discarded or marked, based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Saisei Networks PTE Ltd
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Roberts, John A. Harper
  • Patent number: 8477143
    Abstract: Embodiments enable a graphics processor to more efficiently process graphics and compositing processing commands. In certain embodiments, a client application submits client graphics commands to a graphics driver. The client in certain embodiments can notify a window server that client graphics commands have been submitted. In response, the window server can generate compositing processing commands and provide these commands to the graphics driver. Advantageously, a graphics processor can execute the client graphics commands while the window server generates compositing processing commands. As a result, processing resource can be used more efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Harper, Kenneth C. Dyke
  • Patent number: 8464452
    Abstract: A firearm maintenance system wherein a count for the number of times the firearm is fired is kept and stored in memory that is resident on the firearm. Also installed on the firearm are a shot counter device, including an inertia switch, a communication card, and an extended life battery. An epoxy resin encases the memory, shot counter device, communication card and battery to protect them from detrimental environmental effects. The life of various component parts of the weapon are tracked against the shot count of the weapon and replaced at appropriate intervals. Weapon maintenance is performed by transferring the weapon's data from the weapon's memory to an operator laptop computer wherein an algorithm analyzes the data and advises the operator to take necessary maintenance steps, such as replacing parts that have reached the end of their useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: John Harper
  • Patent number: 8446416
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for producing images including techniques for reducing the memory and processing power required for such operations. The system provides techniques for programmatically representing a graphics problem. The system further provides techniques for reducing and optimizing graphics problems for rendering with consideration of the system resources, such as the availability of a compatible GPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Harper, Ralph Brunner, Peter Graffagnino, Mark Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8446415
    Abstract: A framework for performing graphics animation and compositing operations has a layer tree for interfacing with the application and a render tree for interfacing with a render engine. Layers in the layer tree can be content, windows, views, video, images, text, media, or any other type of object for a user interface of an application. The application commits change to the state of the layers of the layer tree. The application does not need to include explicit code for animating the changes to the layers. Instead, an animation is determined for animating the change in state. The determined animation is explicitly applied to the affected layers in the render tree. A render engine renders from the render tree into a frame buffer for display on the processing device. Those portions of the render tree that have changed relative to prior versions can be tracked to improve resource management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Brunner, John Harper, Peter N. Graffagnino
  • Publication number: 20130103061
    Abstract: Devices and methods for treating an abdominal incision or hernia are described. An implant for the restoration or prophylactic treatment of an abdominal wall comprises an elongate element and at least one sheet connected to the elongate element along a longitudinal axis of the elongate element. The elongate element is positioned along the line of incision, and the at least one sheet is secured to the abdominal muscles surrounding the incision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: John Harper