Patents by Inventor Michael A. Cretella

Michael A. Cretella 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: 20220242343
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve projecting an interactive scene onto a surface from a projecting object. In one particular embodiment, the interactive scene is projected from a vehicle and may be utilized by the vehicle to provide a scene or image that a user may interact with through various gestures detected by the system. In addition, the interactive scene may be customized to one or more preferences determined by the system, such as user preferences, system preferences, or preferences obtained through feedback from similar systems. Based on one or more user inputs (such as user gestures received at the system), the projected scene may be altered or new scenes may be projected. In addition, control over some aspects of the vehicle (such as unlocking of doors, starting of the motor, etc.) may be controlled through the interactive scene and the detected gestures of the users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel E. Potter, Bivin J. Varghese, Christopher P. Child, Mira S. Misra, Clarisse Mazuir, Malcolm J. Northcott, Albert J. Golko, Daniel J. Reetz, Matthew E. Last, Thaddeus Stefanov-Wagner, Christopher J. Sataline, Michael A. Cretella, Collin J. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20220066604
    Abstract: Devices, methods and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interfaces based on fingerprint sensor inputs are provided. While a display of an electronic device with a fingerprint sensor displays a first user interface, the device may detect movement of a fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor. In accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a first direction, the device allows navigating through the first user interface, and in accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a second direction different from the first direction, the device allows displaying a second user interface different from the first user interface on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin J. POPE, Daniel W. JARVIS, Nicholas G. MERZ, Scott A. MYERS, Michael A. CRETELLA, Michael ENG, James H. FOSTER, Terry L. GILTON, Myra HAGGERTY, Byron B. HAN, M. Evans HANKEY, Steven P. HOTELLING, Brian R. LAND, Stephen Brian LYNCH, Paul MEADE, Mushtaq A. SARWAR, John P. TERNUS, Paul M. THOMPSON, Marcel VAN OS, John A. WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 11239695
    Abstract: A wireless power system may have a wireless power transmitting device and wireless power receiving devices. The wireless power transmitting device has wireless power transmitting circuitry with coils to transmit wireless power to wireless power receiving devices. The wireless power receiving devices are placed on the wireless power transmitting device in an order. Batteries in the wireless power receiving devices are charged based at least partly on the order. Power allocation is based on utilization factor information such as information on a power draw associated with each of the power receiving devices. Measurement circuitry in the wireless power transmitting device is used to gather impedance images from the coils. Changes in the impedance images are used to temporarily halt power transmission. Power transmission is resumed depending on whether in-band communications are lost or are maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivasa V. Thirumalai Ananthan Pillai, Marco Rondinini, Michael A. Cretella, Daniel Ye, Cortland S. Tolva
  • Patent number: 11209961
    Abstract: Devices, methods and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interfaces based on fingerprint sensor inputs are provided. While a display of an electronic device with a fingerprint sensor displays a first user interface, the device may detect movement of a fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor. In accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a first direction, the device allows navigating through the first user interface, and in accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a second direction different from the first direction, the device allows displaying a second user interface different from the first user interface on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Daniel W. Jarvis, Nicholas G. Merz, Scott A. Myers, Michael A. Cretella, Michael Eng, James H. Foster, Terry L. Gilton, Myra Haggerty, Byron B. Han, M. Evans Hankey, Steven P. Hotelling, Brian R. Land, Stephen Brian Lynch, Paul Meade, Mushtaq A. Sarwar, John P. Ternus, Paul M. Thompson, Marcel Van Os, John A. Wright
  • Patent number: 11117535
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve projecting an interactive scene onto a surface from a projecting object. In one particular embodiment, the interactive scene is projected from a vehicle and may be utilized by the vehicle to provide a scene or image that a user may interact with through various gestures detected by the system. In addition, the interactive scene may be customized to one or more preferences determined by the system, such as user preferences, system preferences, or preferences obtained through feedback from similar systems. Based on one or more user inputs (such as user gestures received at the system), the projected scene may be altered or new scenes may be projected. In addition, control over some aspects of the vehicle (such as unlocking of doors, starting of the motor, etc.) may be controlled through the interactive scene and the detected gestures of the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel E. Potter, Bivin J. Varghese, Christopher P. Child, Mira S. Misra, Clarisse Mazuir, Malcolm J. Northcott, Albert J. Golko, Daniel J. Reetz, Matthew E. Last, Thaddeus Stefanov-Wagner, Christopher J. Sataline, Michael A. Cretella, Collin J. Palmer
  • Patent number: 10938252
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting device transmits wireless power signals to a wireless power receiving device. To detect foreign objects, the wireless power transmitting device has an array of temperature sensors. The array of temperature sensors may include temperature sensor components such as temperature sensitive thin-film resistors or other temperature sensitive components. A temperature sensor may have thin-film resistors formed on opposing sides of a substrate. The thin-film resistors may be formed from meandered metal traces to reduce eddy current formation during operation of the wireless power transmitting device. Signal paths coupling control circuitry on the wireless power transmitting device to the array of temperature sensors may be configured to extend along columns of the temperature sensors without running along each row of the temperature sensors, thereby reducing eddy currents from loops of signal routing lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: J. Stephen Smith, Siddharth Seth, Douglas J. Adams, Michael A. Cretella
  • Publication number: 20200266672
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting device transmits wireless power signals to a wireless power receiving device. To detect foreign objects, the wireless power transmitting device has an array of temperature sensors. The array of temperature sensors may include temperature sensor components such as temperature sensitive thin-film resistors or other temperature sensitive components. A temperature sensor may have thin-film resistors formed on opposing sides of a substrate. The thin-film resistors may be formed from meandered metal traces to reduce eddy current formation during operation of the wireless power transmitting device. Signal paths coupling control circuitry on the wireless power transmitting device to the array of temperature sensors may be configured to extend along columns of the temperature sensors without running along each row of the temperature sensors, thereby reducing eddy currents from loops of signal routing lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: J. Stephen Smith, Siddharth Seth, Douglas J. Adams, Michael A. Cretella
  • Patent number: 10658878
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting device transmits wireless power signals to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device has a rectifier and a wireless power receiving coil that receives wireless power signals. The wireless power transmitting device uses a layer of coils to transmit the wireless power signals. A dielectric layer in the wireless power transmitting device defines a charging surface that receives the wireless power receiving device. A layer of temperature sensors is interposed between the layer of coils and the dielectric layer. Control circuitry in the wireless power transmitting device uses temperature information from the temperature sensors to determine whether a foreign object such as a coin is present on the charging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: J. Stephen Smith, Behrooz Shahsavari, Jacob E. Mattingley, Joseph C. Doll, Steven P. Hotelling, Siddharth Seth, Douglas J. Adams, Michael A. Cretella
  • Publication number: 20200076244
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting device transmits wireless power signals to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device has a rectifier and a wireless power receiving coil that receives wireless power signals. The wireless power transmitting device uses a layer of coils to transmit the wireless power signals. A dielectric layer in the wireless power transmitting device defines a charging surface that receives the wireless power receiving device. A layer of temperature sensors is interposed between the layer of coils and the dielectric layer. Control circuitry in the wireless power transmitting device uses temperature information from the temperature sensors to determine whether a foreign object such as a coin is present on the charging surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: J. Stephen Smith, Behrooz Shahsavari, Jacob E. Mattingley, Joseph C. Doll, Steven P. Hotelling, Siddharth Seth, Douglas J. Adams, Michael A. Cretella
  • Publication number: 20200059113
    Abstract: A wireless power system may have a wireless power transmitting device and wireless power receiving devices. The wireless power transmitting device has wireless power transmitting circuitry with coils to transmit wireless power to wireless power receiving devices. The wireless power receiving devices are placed on the wireless power transmitting device in an order. Batteries in the wireless power receiving devices are charged based at least partly on the order. Power allocation is based on utilization factor information such as information on a power draw associated with each of the power receiving devices. Measurement circuitry in the wireless power transmitting device is used to gather impedance images from the coils. Changes in the impedance images are used to temporarily halt power transmission. Power transmission is resumed depending on whether in-band communications are lost or are maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Srinivasa V. Thirumalai Ananthan Pillai, Marco Rondinini, Michael A. Cretella, Daniel Ye, Cortland S. Tolva
  • Patent number: 10505403
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting device transmits wireless power signals to a wireless power receiving device. To detect foreign objects, the wireless power transmitting device has an array of temperature sensors. The array of temperature sensors may include temperature sensor components such as temperature sensitive thin-film resistors or other temperature sensitive components. A temperature sensor may have thin-film resistors formed on opposing sides of a substrate. The thin-film resistors may be formed from meandered metal traces to reduce eddy current formation during operation of the wireless power transmitting device. Signal paths coupling control circuitry on the wireless power transmitting device to the array of temperature sensors may be configured to extend along columns of the temperature sensors without running along each row of the temperature sensors, thereby reducing eddy currents from loops of signal routing lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: J. Stephen Smith, Siddharth Seth, Douglas J. Adams, Michael A. Cretella
  • Publication number: 20190164344
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve projecting an interactive scene onto a surface from a projecting object. In one particular embodiment, the interactive scene is projected from a vehicle and may be utilized by the vehicle to provide a scene or image that a user may interact with through various gestures detected by the system. In addition, the interactive scene may be customized to one or more preferences determined by the system, such as user preferences, system preferences, or preferences obtained through feedback from similar systems. Based on one or more user inputs (such as user gestures received at the system), the projected scene may be altered or new scenes may be projected. In addition, control over some aspects of the vehicle (such as unlocking of doors, starting of the motor, etc.) may be controlled through the interactive scene and the detected gestures of the users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel E. Potter, Bivin J. Varghese, Christopher P. Child, Mira S. Misra, Clarisse Mazuir, Malcolm J. Northcott, Albert J. Golko, Daniel J. Reetz, Matthew E. Last, Thaddeus Stefanov-Wagner, Christopher J. Sataline, Michael A. Cretella, Collin J. Palmer
  • Patent number: 9729685
    Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for determining information of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: 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.
  • Patent number: 9575555
    Abstract: A tablet device determines a spatial relationship between the tablet device and a protective cover. The tablet device operates in accordance with the spatial relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel G. Smith, Matthew I. Brown, Nicholas Zambetti, Rohan Goel, Laura Charlotte Shumaker, Jeremy C. Franklin, Michael A. Cretella, Jr., Paul Meade, Chris Mullens
  • Publication number: 20160373563
    Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for determining information of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan P. IVE, Duncan R. KERR, Matthew D. ROHRBACH, Steve P. HOTELLING, Christopher T. MULLENS, Martin P. GRUNTHANER, Michael A. CRETELLA, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9069339
    Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for determining a current status of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Cretella, Jr., Venu Madhav Duggineni, Michael Man-Cheung Eng, Ronald Keryuan Huang, Christopher Moore, Christopher T. Mullens
  • Patent number: 9035872
    Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for determining information of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Matthew I. Brown, Nicholas Zambetti, Samuel G. Smith, Michael A. Cretella, Jr., Chris Mullens
  • Publication number: 20150135108
    Abstract: Devices, methods and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interfaces based on fingerprint sensor inputs are provided. While a display of an electronic device with a fingerprint sensor displays a first user interface, the device may detect movement of a fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor. In accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a first direction, the device allows navigating through the first user interface, and in accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a second direction different from the first direction, the device allows displaying a second user interface different from the first user interface on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Daniel W. Jarvis, Nicholas G. Merz, Scott A. Myers, Michael A. Cretella, Michael Eng, James H. Foster, Terry L. Gilton, Myra Haggerty, Byron B. Han, M. Evans Hankey, Steven P. Hotelling, Brian R. Land, Stephen Brian Llynch, Paul Meade, Mushtaq A. Sarwar, John P. Ternus, Paul M. Thompson, Marcel Van Os, John A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20150077372
    Abstract: A tablet device determines a spatial relationship between the tablet device and a protective cover. The tablet device operates in accordance with the spatial relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Samuel G. Smith, Matthew I. Brown, Nicholas Zambetti, Rohan Goel, Laura Charlotte Shumaker, Jeremy C. Franklin, Michael A. Cretella, JR., Paul Meade, Chris Mullens
  • Patent number: 8847979
    Abstract: A tablet device determines a spatial relationship between the tablet device and a protective cover. The tablet device operates in accordance with the spatial relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Samuel G. Smith, Matthew I. Brown, Nicholas Zambetti, Rohan Goel, Laura Charlotte Shumaker, Jeremy C. Franklin, Michael A. Cretella, Jr., Paul Meade, Chris Mullens