Patents by Inventor Jonathan A. Topf

Jonathan A. Topf 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: 20260093340
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for low power gesture detection using FMCW signals. In some embodiments, a method comprises: emitting, by a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) sensor, an FMCW signal into an environment; receiving, by the FMCW sensor, a reflected FMCW signal from a target in the environment; processing, by the FMCW sensor, the reflected FMCW signal by: generating a time-frequency representation of the reflected FMCW signal; detecting at least one tap gesture from the time-frequency representation; and controlling, with at least one processor, a first operation of a device in response to the detected at least one tap gesture. In some embodiments, the FMCW sensor is further configured to detect a twist gesture from the time-frequency representation and control a second operation of the device in response to the detected twist gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2025
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    Inventors: Nurul Islam, Dan Nussinson, Jack E. Graves, Jack Schulze, Michael C. Wharton, Ryan J. Dunn, Jonathan A. Topf, Ethan T. Daniels, Joseph A. Malia
  • Publication number: 20260061306
    Abstract: Accessories that can improve a specific functionality of an electronic device, can readily attach to an electronic device, can be easy to use, and can have a small and efficient form factor. One example can provide a gaming accessory that can improve the game playing functionality of an electronic device, such as a phone, tablet, or other computing device. This gaming accessory can provide a physical interface for controlling game activities on the electronic device such that a screen of the electronic device remains at least largely unobstructed during game play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fiona P. O'Leary, Mylene E. Dreyer, Jonathan A. Topf, Julian K. Missig, Ian P. Colahan, Marisa R. Lu
  • Patent number: 12465846
    Abstract: Accessories that can improve a specific functionality of an electronic device, can readily attach to an electronic device, can be easy to use, and can have a small and efficient form factor. One example can provide a gaming accessory that can improve the game playing functionality of an electronic device, such as a phone, tablet, or other computing device. This gaming accessory can provide a physical interface for controlling game activities on the electronic device such that a screen of the electronic device remains at least largely unobstructed during game play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fiona P. O'Leary, Mylene E. Dreyer, Jonathan A. Topf, Julian K. Missig, Ian P. Colahan, Marisa R. Lu
  • Publication number: 20250315206
    Abstract: An audio output device (e.g., earbuds or headphones) includes one or more audio output components. While outputting, via the one or more audio output components, first audio content corresponding to a first set of one or more audio streams, the device detects an occurrence of an event involving a proximate audio source. In response to detecting the occurrence of the event, the device outputs, via the one or more audio output components, second audio content corresponding to a second set of one or more audio streams, the second set of one or more audio streams including an audio stream from the proximate audio source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2025
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Inventors: Darius A. Satongar, Claire Puginier, James H. Foster, Jonathan A. Topf, Sean B. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20250245880
    Abstract: An audio output device case includes a display device. While the display device is disabled, the display device and an exterior of the audio output device case meet similarity criteria. The audio output device case detects an occurrence of a first event. In response to detecting the occurrence of the first event and in accordance with a determination that the display device is disabled, the display device is enabled. A dynamic visual element corresponding to the first event is displayed via a first portion of the display device. The dynamic visual element changes over time. While the display device is enabled, a second portion of the display device, distinct from the first portion of the display device, and the exterior of the audio output device case meet the similarity criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2025
    Publication date: July 31, 2025
    Inventors: Darius A. Satongar, Jonathan A. Topf, Dana F. Segler, JR., Geng Luo, Anne-Marie Heck
  • Publication number: 20250199606
    Abstract: A technique for providing user selection includes obtaining first sensor data from a first device worn on a head, and obtaining second sensor data from a second device worn on the head. The first and second sensor data are collected in a same time frame. A head position is determined for the head based on the first sensor data and the second sensor data. User input is received based on an input gesture. In response to the user input, an object in the local environment is identified based on the head position and selection input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2024
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Bosheng Zhang, Noah D. Bedard, Jonathan A. Topf, Joseph A. Malia, Ethan T. Daniels, Brett D. Miller, Kathrin Berkner Cieslicki
  • Publication number: 20250110571
    Abstract: While outputting audio content, a wearable audio output device detects a gesture performed by a hand of a user of the wearable audio output device. In response to detecting the gesture, the wearable audio output device performs a first operation corresponding to the gesture in accordance with a determination that the gesture is detected within a respective distance of a side of the user's head and is a first type of hand gesture determined based at least in part on a shape of the hand during performance of the gesture. In response to detecting the gesture, the wearable audio output device forgoes performing the first operation in accordance with a determination that the gesture is not the first type of hand gesture determined based at least in part on a shape of the hand during performance of the gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2024
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: William A. Sorrentino, III, Taylor G. Carrigan, Agatha Y. Yu, Alan C. Dye, Darius A. Satongar, Hugo D. Verweij, Jack Schulze, James N. Jones, Jamie L. Myrold, Jonathan A. Topf, Joseph A. Malia, Myra Haggerty, Timo Arnall
  • Publication number: 20240404075
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods, systems, and user interfaces for camera placement and physical movement capture and methods, systems, and user interfaces for camera-based assessment of physical movement using a computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Marisa R. LU, Matthew W. CROWLEY, Mylene E. DREYER, Khristine V. GENDRON, Julian K. MISSIG, Fiona P. O'LEARY, Jonathan A. TOPF
  • Publication number: 20240333829
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device displays user interfaces associated with games in response to detecting input devices having been connected to the electronic device. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays a reduced user interface in response to detecting that a cover has covered a portion of the display of the electronic device. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays a user interface via a display generation component of an input device. In some embodiments, an electronic device projects a user interface via a projection device of an input device. In some embodiments, an electronic device directs inputs from an input device to different user interfaces depending on the mode in which the input device is operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Fiona P. O'LEARY, Jonathan A. TOPF, Mylene E. DREYER, Julian K. MISSIG
  • Patent number: 12028474
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device displays user interfaces associated with games in response to detecting input devices having been connected to the electronic device. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays a reduced user interface in response to detecting that a cover has covered a portion of the display of the electronic device. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays a user interface via a display generation component of an input device. In some embodiments, an electronic device projects a user interface via a projection device of an input device. In some embodiments, an electronic device directs inputs from an input device to different user interfaces depending on the mode in which the input device is operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fiona P. O'Leary, Jonathan A. Topf, Mylène E. Dreyer, Julian Missig
  • Publication number: 20220124191
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device displays user interfaces associated with games in response to detecting input devices having been connected to the electronic device. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays a reduced user interface in response to detecting that a cover has covered a portion of the display of the electronic device. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays a user interface via a display generation component of an input device. In some embodiments, an electronic device projects a user interface via a projection device of an input device. In some embodiments, an electronic device directs inputs from an input device to different user interfaces depending on the mode in which the input device is operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Fiona P. O'LEARY, Jonathan A. TOPF, Mylène E. DREYER, Julian MISSIG
  • Publication number: 20220096923
    Abstract: Accessories that can improve a specific functionality of an electronic device, can readily attach to an electronic device, can be easy to use, and can have a small and efficient form factor. One example can provide a gaming accessory that can improve the game playing functionality of an electronic device, such as a phone, tablet, or other computing device. This gaming accessory can provide a physical interface for controlling game activities on the electronic device such that a screen of the electronic device remains at least largely unobstructed during game play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fiona P. O'Leary, Mylene E. Dreyer, Jonathan A. Topf, Julian K. Missig, Ian P. Colahan, Marisa R. Lu