Patents by Inventor Paul J. Wehrenberg

Paul J. Wehrenberg 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: 9921666
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for operating a portable device based on an accelerometer are described. According to one embodiment of the invention, it is determined whether a portable device is moving using an accelerometer. It is determined a moving pattern of the portable device based on movement data provided by the accelerometer. A media content is selected based on the moving pattern of the portable device. The selected media content is played via the portable device. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Wehrenberg, Aaron Leiba, Richard C. Williams, David R. Falkenburg, Louis G. Gerbarg, Ray L. Chang
  • Patent number: 9829999
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for operating a portable device based on an accelerometer are described. According to one embodiment of the invention, an accelerometer attached to a portable device detects a movement of the portable device. In response, a machine executable code is executed within the portable device to perform one or more predetermined user configurable operations. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Wehrenberg, Aaron Leiba, Richard C. Williams, David R. Falkenburg, Louis G. Gerbarg, Ray L. Chang
  • Patent number: 9575569
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for operating a portable device based on an accelerometer are described. According to one embodiment of the invention, an accelerometer attached to a portable device detects a movement of the portable device. In response, a machine executable code is executed within the portable device to perform one or more predetermined user configurable operations. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Wehrenberg, Aaron Leiba, Richard C. Williams, David R. Falkenburg, Louis G. Gerbarg, Ray L. Chang
  • Publication number: 20170010693
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for operating a portable device based on an accelerometer are described. According to one embodiment of the invention, an accelerometer attached to a portable device detects a movement of the portable device. In response, a machine executable code is executed within the portable device to perform one or more predetermined user configurable operations. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Paul J. Wehrenberg, Aaron Leiba, Richard C. Williams, David R. Falkenburg, Louis G, Gerbarg, Ray L. Chang
  • Patent number: 9158130
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a two-lens optical system having a focal length that can be readily switched between a first focal length and a second focal length. The system includes first and second multi-element lenses, each of which includes a cavity for a fluid. The first lens has the first focal length in the absence of the fluid in its cavity and the second focal length when the fluid is present in its cavity. The second lens has the second focal length in the absence of the fluid in its cavity and the first focal length when the fluid is present in its cavity. The focal length of the optical system is controlled by controlling which cavity of the two lenses contains the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventor: Paul J. Wehrenberg
  • Publication number: 20150168744
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a two-lens optical system having a focal length that can be readily switched between a first focal length and a second focal length. The system includes first and second multi-element lenses, each of which includes a cavity for a fluid. The first lens has the first focal length in the absence of the fluid in its cavity and the second focal length when the fluid is present in its cavity. The second lens has the second focal length in the absence of the fluid in its cavity and the first focal length when the fluid is present in its cavity. The focal length of the optical system is controlled by controlling which cavity of the two lenses contains the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventor: Paul J. Wehrenberg
  • Publication number: 20150130719
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for operating a portable device based on an accelerometer are described. According to one embodiment of the invention, an accelerometer attached to a portable device detects a movement of the portable device. In response, a machine executable code is executed within the portable device to perform one or more predetermined user configurable operations. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Paul J. Wehrenberg, Aaron Leiba, Richard C. Williams, David R. Falkenburg, Louis G. Gerbarg, Ray L. Chang
  • Patent number: 8698744
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for operating a portable device based on an accelerometer are described. According to one embodiment of the invention, a movement of a portable device is detected using an accelerometer attached to the portable device. An orientation of the portable device after the movement is determined based on movement data provided by the accelerometer. It is determined whether the portable device is held by a user after the movement based on the movement data provided by the accelerometer. Locations of the hands of the user for holding the portable device are determined based on the orientation of the portable device. At least one interface that is not within the predicted locations of the hands of the user is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Wehrenberg, Aaron Leiba, Richard C. Williams, David R. Falkenburg, Louis G. Gerbarg, Ray L. Chang
  • Patent number: 8650584
    Abstract: The embodiments herein describe an apparatus and method for a reduced Z stack slot loading optical disc drive (ODD). In one embodiment a reduced Z stack height slot loading optical disc drive (ODD) is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Wehrenberg
  • Patent number: 8587951
    Abstract: Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include connector structures. The portable computer may have a case. A portion of the connector structure may be formed by the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have a circuit board with grounding spring-loaded pins which electrically ground the circuit board to the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have an optical disk drive that is form fitted to mount to the portable computer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Raff, Stewart Shannon Fields, Ron Hopkinson, Bartley K. Andre, Chris Ligtenberg, Mi Zhou, Paul J. Wehrenberg, Brett W. Degner, John Brock, Michelle Rae Goldberg
  • Patent number: 8531296
    Abstract: A theft prevention system for protecting portable electronic devices is disclosed. An acceleration sensor detects the acceleration of a portable electronic device, and a controller analyzes this acceleration to determine whether a theft condition is present. If so, an alarm can be initiated. The theft prevention system can include a filter for attenuating irrelevant acceleration frequencies and isolating those representative of theft, and comparison hardware/software for determining whether the detected acceleration matches a known acceleration profile characteristic of theft. Various parameters of the theft prevention system can also be set by a user through mechanisms such as a graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Wehrenberg
  • Patent number: 8363523
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide various techniques for playing data from an optical media drive. The optical media drive may detect certain media access information for use in accessing optical media. This media access information is stored a non-volatile memory. The optical media drive then retrieves the media access information from the non-volatile memory once the optical media drive is reactivated after deactivation. The optical media drive may then read from the optical media using the provided media access information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Wehrenberg
  • Publication number: 20120278907
    Abstract: A theft prevention system for protecting portable electronic devices is disclosed. An acceleration sensor detects the acceleration of a portable electronic device, and a controller analyzes this acceleration to determine whether a theft condition is present. If so, an alarm can be initiated. The theft prevention system can include a filter for attenuating irrelevant acceleration frequencies and isolating those representative of theft, and comparison hardware/software for determining whether the detected acceleration matches a known acceleration profile characteristic of theft. Various parameters of the theft prevention system can also be set by a user through mechanisms such as a graphical user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Wehrenberg
  • Patent number: 8217792
    Abstract: A theft prevention system for protecting portable electronic devices is disclosed. An acceleration sensor detects the acceleration of a portable electronic device, and a controller analyzes this acceleration to determine whether a theft condition is present. If so, an alarm can be initiated. The theft prevention system can include a filter for attenuating irrelevant acceleration frequencies and isolating those representative of theft, and comparison hardware/software for determining whether the detected acceleration matches a known acceleration profile characteristic of theft. Various parameters of the theft prevention system can also be set by a user through mechanisms such as a graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Wehrenberg
  • Publication number: 20120170213
    Abstract: Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include connector structures. The portable computer may have a case. A portion of the connector structure may be formed by the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have a circuit board with grounding spring-loaded pins which electrically ground the circuit board to the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have an optical disk drive that is form fitted to mount to the portable computer case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: John Raff, Stewart Shannon Fields, Ron Hopkinson, Bartley K. Andre, Chris Ligtenberg, Mi Zhou, Paul J. Wehrenberg, Brett W. Degner, John Brock, Michelle Rae Goldberg
  • Patent number: 8144474
    Abstract: Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include connector structures. The portable computer may have a case. A portion of the connector structure may be formed by the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have a circuit board with grounding spring-loaded pins which electrically ground the circuit board to the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have an optical disk drive that is form fitted to mount to the portable computer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Raff, Stewart Shannon Fields, Ron Hopkinson, Bartley K. Andre, Chris Ligtenberg, Mi Zhou, Paul J. Wehrenberg, Brett W. Degner, John Brock, Michelle Rae Goldberg
  • Patent number: 8132197
    Abstract: The embodiments herein describe an apparatus and method for a reduced Z stack slot loading optical disc drive (ODD). In one embodiment, an optical disc mounting assembly can be used to chuck an optical disc to a turntable. The optical disc mounting assembly can include a hub spring for spring loading a hub and a clamping mechanism pivotally connected to the hub. In the described embodiment, in an extended position, the clamp is used to secure the optical disc to the turntable. The clamping mechanism can include a clamp pivotally attached to the hub at a pivot point. In the absence of the optical disc, the clamp is retracted and secured within a recess in the optical disc mounting assembly. In the presence of the optical disc, the mounting assembly chucks the optical disc to the turntable using the clamp and hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Wehrenberg
  • Publication number: 20120020644
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide various techniques for playing data from an optical media drive. The optical media drive may detect certain media access information for use in accessing optical media. This media access information is stored a non-volatile memory. The optical media drive then retrieves the media access information from the non-volatile memory once the optical media drive is reactivated after deactivation. The optical media drive may then read from the optical media using the provided media access information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Wehrenberg
  • Publication number: 20110258643
    Abstract: The embodiments herein describe an apparatus and method for a reduced Z stack slot loading optical disc drive (ODD). In one embodiment, an optical disc mounting assembly can be used to chuck an optical disc to a turntable. The optical disc mounting assembly can include a hub spring for spring loading a hub and a clamping mechanism pivotally connected to the hub. In the described embodiment, in an extended position, the clamp is used to secure the optical disc to the turntable. The clamping mechanism can include a clamp pivotally attached to the hub at a pivot point. In the absence of the optical disc, the clamp is retracted and secured within a recess in the optical disc mounting assembly. In the presence of the optical disc, the mounting assembly chucks the optical disc to the turntable using the clamp and hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Paul J. Wehrenberg
  • Publication number: 20110258649
    Abstract: The embodiments herein describe an apparatus and method for a reduced Z stack slot loading optical disc drive (ODD). In one embodiment a reduced Z stack height slot loading optical disc drive (ODD) is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Paul J. Wehrenberg