Patents by Inventor Michael F. Culbert

Michael F. Culbert 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: 8138687
    Abstract: A system for displaying multiple colors individually or in combination with one another. The system may emit red, green and blue light from light emitting diodes and may additionally provide white light to brighten the color provided by the red, green and blue light emitting diodes. The white light source may also be used to increase the power efficiency of the system, thus increasing the lifetime of the system for displaying multiple colors. The white light source may be used to backlight the color provided by the red, green and blue light emitted by the light emitting diodes, or may also be used as an additional light source to the light provided by the red, green and blue light emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Duncan Kerr, Brett Bilbrey, Michael F. Culbert
  • Patent number: 8115825
    Abstract: An electronic device for producing an image of an object is disclosed. The electronic device may include a black-and-white camera having a first sensor area configured to receive luma data pertaining to the object. The first sensor area may correspond to a first pixel array, the luma data associated with the first pixel array. The electronic device may also include a color camera having a second sensor area configured to receive chroma data pertaining to the object. The second sensor area may correspond to a second pixel array. The chroma data may be associated with the second pixel array. The electronic device may also include first logic configured to correlate pixels in the first pixel array with locations on the second sensor area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F Culbert, Chris Ligtenberg
  • Publication number: 20120001960
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to operate a display device of an electronic device. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a user setting of a display control parameter, and altering, based on the user setting, an effect of an ambient light sensor value (ALS) on control of the display control parameter. Also, according to embodiments of the inventions, a method of operating a display of an electronic device includes receiving a change to one of a display brightness output level and an ambient light sensor output level, and altering, according to the change, a display contrast output level. In some embodiments, a method of operating a proximity sensor of an electronic device includes receiving a light sensor output, and altering, according to the output, an on/off setting of a proximity sensor. Other apparatuses and methods and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Scott M. Herz, Roberto G. Yepez, Michael F. Culbert, Scott Forstall
  • Patent number: 8031164
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to operate a display device of an electronic device. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a user setting of a display control parameter, and altering, based on the user setting, an effect of an ambient light sensor value (ALS) on control of the display control parameter. Also, according to embodiments of the inventions, a method of operating a display of an electronic device includes receiving a change to one of a display brightness output level and an ambient light sensor output level, and altering, according to the change, a display contrast output level. In some embodiments, a method of operating a proximity sensor of an electronic device includes receiving a light sensor output, and altering, according to the output, an on/off setting of a proximity sensor. Other apparatuses and methods and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Herz, Roberto G. Yepez, Michael F. Culbert, Scott Forstall
  • Patent number: 7982796
    Abstract: A computer readable medium for compressing video data with an edit track is provided. Generally, computer readable code for compressing video data is provided. The computer readable code for compressing comprises computer readable code for accessing the edit track to use data in the edit track during the compressing the video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Michael F. Culbert
  • Publication number: 20110074683
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that incorporate chromatic sensors in a mouse to vary the operation of the mouse. Some embodiments may include a method of modifying the programming of a mouse that includes sampling, with the chromatic sensor, an optical property of a surface upon with the mouse is operating (such as color of the surface), and then dynamically modifying the programming of the mouse based upon the sampled optical property. In this manner, the operation of the mouse, such as tracking resolution, may be customized based upon the properties of the surface upon which the mouse is operating. Other embodiments may include utilizing the mouse with the chromatic sensor as a scanner to display images on a housing of the mouse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bilbrey, Michael F. Culbert
  • Patent number: 7907738
    Abstract: A computer readable medium containing program instructions for controlling a parametric equalizer is provided. Generally, a computer readable code is provided for displaying a composite equalization curve, wherein the composite equalization curve is formed from at least a first frequency filter with a first center frequency, a second frequency filter with a second center frequency, and a third frequency filter with a third center frequency. A computer readable code is provided for allowing a dragging movement of the first center frequency, the second center frequency, and the third center frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nick King, Michael F. Culbert
  • Publication number: 20100328935
    Abstract: A system for displaying multiple colors individually or in combination with one another. The system may emit red, green and blue light from light emitting diodes and may additionally provide white light to brighten the color provided by the red, green and blue light emitting diodes. The white light source may also be used to increase the power efficiency of the system, thus increasing the lifetime of the system for displaying multiple colors. The white light source may be used to backlight the color provided by the red, green and blue light emitted by the light emitting diodes, or may also be used as an additional light source to the light provided by the red, green and blue light emitting diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Duncan Kerr, Brett Bilbrey, Michael F. Culbert
  • Publication number: 20100328936
    Abstract: A device such as a multicolor light emitting diode that emits different colors of light and that may combine the different colors emitted by individual light emitting diodes. The multicolor LED may include a common anode terminal that may be connected to each anode of the individual light emitting diodes. The multicolor LED may be a five terminal multicolor LED. Additionally, the multicolor LED may include two anode terminals, in which the first anode terminal may be a common anode terminal connected to three of the individual color LEDs and the second anode terminal may be connected to an anode of a white LED. In this embodiment, the multicolor LED may be a six terminal multicolor LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Duncan Kerr, Brett Bilbrey, Michael F. Culbert
  • Publication number: 20100220231
    Abstract: A computer readable medium for compressing video data with an edit track is provided. Generally, computer readable code for compressing video data is provided. The computer readable code for compressing comprises computer readable code for accessing the edit track to use data in the edit track during the compressing. A method of compressing video data with an edit track is provided. Generally, video data is compressed. The compressing comprises accessing the edit track to use data in the edit track during the compressing. A system for compressing video data is also provided. An edit track reader for accesses data within the edit track and generates instructions based on the data within the data track. A video compressor receives instruction from the edit track reader and receives the edited video track and audio track, and compresses the edited video according to the instructions from the edit track reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Michael F. Culbert
  • Publication number: 20100164964
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for improving graphics abilities while switching between graphics processing units (GPUs). Some embodiments may include a display system, including a plurality of graphics processing units (GPUs) and a memory buffer coupled to the GPUs via a timing controller, where the memory buffer stores data associated with a first video frame from a first GPU within the plurality of GPUs and where the timing controller is switching between the first GPU and a second GPU within the plurality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kapil V. Sakariya, Victor H. Yin, Michael F. Culbert
  • Publication number: 20100164962
    Abstract: A display system is disclosed that is capable of switching between graphics processing units (GPUs). Some embodiments may include a display system, including a display, a timing controller (T-CON) coupled to the display, the T-CON including a plurality of receivers, and a plurality of GPUs, where each GPU is coupled to at least one of the plurality of receivers, and where the T-CON selectively couples only one of the plurality of GPUs to the display at a time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kapil V. Sakariya, Michael F. Culbert, Michael Nugent
  • Patent number: 7701489
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for color correction using diffusers. At least one embodiment of the present invention seeks to perform color correction using color signals detected for the light passing through a diffuser. While typically software-based color correction methods rely on predetermined assumptions about the properties of an image, such as the averaged and/or profiled color information, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes the color signals for the light passing through a diffuser to determine the properties of the lightening environment. Instead of depending on the predetermined assumptions about the lightening environment or the image of the scene, at least one embodiment of the present invention performs the color correction according to the color information detected for the actual lightening environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Christie, Michael F. Culbert
  • Publication number: 20090299543
    Abstract: A thermal manager has a digital filter whose input is to receive raw temperature values from a sensor and whose output is to provide processed or filtered temperature values according to a filter function that correlates temperature at the sensor with temperature at another location in the device. The thermal manager has a look-up table that further correlates temperature at the sensor with temperature at said another location. The look-up table contains a list of processed temperature sensor values, and/or a list of temperatures representing the temperature at said another location, and their respective power consumption change commands. The thermal manager accesses the look-up table using selected, filtered temperature values, to identify their respective power consumption change commands. The latter are then evaluated and may be applied, to mitigate a thermal at said another location. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Cox, Andrew Bradley Just, Matthew G. Watson, Eric Albert, David Powers, Daniel Ariel West, Donald J. Novotney, Michael F. Culbert
  • Publication number: 20090207272
    Abstract: An electronic device for producing an image of an object is disclosed. The electronic device may include a black-and-white camera having a first sensor area configured to receive luma data pertaining to the object. The first sensor area may correspond to a first pixel array, the luma data associated with the first pixel array. The electronic device may also include a color camera having a second sensor area configured to receive chroma data pertaining to the object. The second sensor area may correspond to a second pixel array. The chroma data may be associated with the second pixel array. The electronic device may also include first logic configured to correlate pixels in the first pixel array with locations on the second sensor area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Michael F. Culbert, Chris Ligtenberg
  • Publication number: 20090079746
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that switches between frame buffers which are used to refresh a display. During operation, the system refreshes the display from a first frame buffer which is located in a first memory. Upon receiving a request to switch frame buffers for the display, the system reconfigures data transfers to the display so that the display is refreshed from a second frame buffer which is located in a second memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brian D. Howard, Paul A. Baker, Michael F. Culbert, David G. Conroy, William C. Athas
  • Publication number: 20080165115
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to operate a display device of an electronic device. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a user setting of a display control parameter, and altering, based on the user setting, an effect of an ambient light sensor value (ALS) on control of the display control parameter. Also, according to embodiments of the inventions, a method of operating a display of an electronic device includes receiving a change to one of a display brightness output level and an ambient light sensor output level, and altering, according to the change, a display contrast output level. In some embodiments, a method of operating a proximity sensor of an electronic device includes receiving a light sensor output, and altering, according to the output, an on/off setting of a proximity sensor. Other apparatuses and methods and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Scott M. Herz, Roberto G. Yepez, Michael F. Culbert, Scott Forstall
  • Patent number: 7123728
    Abstract: A computer readable medium containing program instructions for controlling a parametric equalizer is provided. Generally, a computer readable code is provided for displaying a composite equalization curve, wherein the composite equalization curve is formed from at least a first frequency filter with a first center frequency, a second frequency filter with a second center frequency, and a third frequency filter with a third center frequency. A computer readable code is provided for allowing a dragging movement of the first center frequency, the second center frequency, and the third center frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick King, Michael F. Culbert
  • Patent number: 6820209
    Abstract: A controller (or controller chip) providing reduced power consumption without impacting performance is disclosed. The controller monitors activity of components within the controller which require access to a local memory, and then decreases a clocking frequency for a memory interface to the local memory when the monitoring indicates that reduced amounts of activity are present. Following such a decrease in the clocking frequency, when increased amounts of activity are detected, the clocking frequency is increased for high performance operation. The controller thus tailors the clocking frequency for the memory interface in accordance with the amount of activity of these components that require access to the local memory so that overall less power is used by the controller yet the performance is essentially not hindered. In one embodiment, the controller is a graphics controller, as such controllers require access to local memories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Culbert, Brian D. Howard
  • Patent number: 6711691
    Abstract: Power management approaches for computer systems having one or more processors are disclosed. One power management approach provides hierarchical power management. The hierarchical nature of the power management provided by the invention has various levels of power management such that power consumption of the computer system is dependent upon the amount of work placed on the processing resources of the computer system. Another power management approach pertains to deterministic handshaking provided between a power manager and one or more controller units. The deterministic handshaking provides for more reliable and controllable transitions between power management states which have associated power management taking place in the controller units. The power management approaches are suitable for use with a single-processor computer system or a multi-processor computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Howard, Michael F. Culbert