Patents by Inventor Peter H. Mahowald

Peter H. Mahowald 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: 10873704
    Abstract: The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system or method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Peter H. Mahowald
  • Publication number: 20190124246
    Abstract: The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system or method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Peter H. Mahowald
  • Patent number: 10104303
    Abstract: The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system or method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Peter H. Mahowald
  • Publication number: 20170201664
    Abstract: The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system cr method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventor: Peter H. Mahowald
  • Patent number: 9571745
    Abstract: The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system or method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Peter H. Mahowald
  • Patent number: 9355588
    Abstract: A method for controlling characteristics of an electronic device based on ambient light levels is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving light at an ambient light sensor of a device and measuring components, such as color components, of the visible light. The component levels may be weighted differently by factors that vary based on the intensity of the light received by the ambient light sensor. Also, the brightness level of a light source in the device or color output of the device may be controlled based on the weighted component levels. Additional methods, systems, and devices relating to control of an electronic device based on sensed ambient light are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Mahowald, Ulrich T. Barnhoefer
  • Patent number: 9189078
    Abstract: Techniques and apparatus to provide improved visibility to user input devices, such as keys, are disclosed. In low light conditions, key legends can be difficult to distinguish. For example, often keys have legends on them to visually distinguish them from one another, but in low light conditions it can be difficult for users to visually identify the different keys. The legends can be textual and/or graphic. Hence, according to one embodiment, light from a nearby (e.g., attached) display device can be used to provide illumination to the user input devices (e.g., keys). The user input devices can be configured to include reflective optical components to enhance reflection of light and thereby improve visibility of the keys or the legends thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Mahowald, Ronald J. Moller, M. Evans Hankey, Bart K. Andre, Rafael Dionello
  • Patent number: 9041563
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing keycap includes applying a first coating layer on a surface of a keycap layer, applying a second coating layer on top of the first coating layer, etching at least a portion of the first coating layer to a first depth to form a first etched area, and etching at least a portion of the first etched area to a second depth to form a second etched area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Mahowald, Omar Sze Leung
  • Patent number: 9025783
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses a sound sensor to adjust the audio output of a device. During operation, the system uses the sound sensor to determine an ambient sound level for the environment in the proximity of the device. The system then adjusts a volume setting for the device adaptively based on the determined ambient sound level. Adaptively adjusting the volume setting allows the device to adapt to its audio environment and ameliorates potentially-disruptive audio outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Peter H. Mahowald
  • Publication number: 20150116586
    Abstract: The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system or method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Peter H. Mahowald
  • Publication number: 20150029168
    Abstract: A method for controlling characteristics of an electronic device based on ambient light levels is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving light at an ambient light sensor of a device and measuring components, such as color components, of the visible light. The component levels may be weighted differently by factors that vary based on the intensity of the light received by the ambient light sensor. Also, the brightness level of a light source in the device or color output of the device may be controlled based on the weighted component levels. Additional methods, systems, and devices relating to control of an electronic device based on sensed ambient light are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Peter H. Mahowald, Ulrich T. Barnhoefer
  • Patent number: 8922672
    Abstract: The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system or method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Peter H. Mahowald
  • Patent number: 8860653
    Abstract: A method for controlling characteristics of an electronic device based on ambient light levels is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving light at an ambient light sensor of a device and measuring components, such as color components, of the visible light. The component levels may be weighted differently by factors that vary based on the intensity of the light received by the ambient light sensor. Also, the brightness level of a light source in the device or color output of the device may be controlled based on the weighted component levels. Additional methods, systems, and devices relating to control of an electronic device based on sensed ambient light are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Mahowald, Ulrich T. Barnhoefer
  • Patent number: 8797422
    Abstract: The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system or method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Peter H. Mahowald
  • Patent number: 8789970
    Abstract: A luminaire in which color or brightness differences of light sources are compensated is provided. The luminaire can include several LED packages providing light to a primary optical component, which directs the light out of the luminaire. Because individual LED packages may output light at slightly different colors and/or brightness, the luminaire can include a secondary optical component having different materials that modify the color, brightness, or both of the output light. The secondary optical component can serve as a filter positioned between the LED packages (e.g., between a LED module) and the primary optical component, or between the primary optical component and the user, or above the primary optical component. The secondary optical component can be constructed by providing colorfast inks, phosphors, or quantum dots on a clear substrate or on a surface of the primary optical component. The materials can be disposed in a non-uniform manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Lunera Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter H. Mahowald
  • Patent number: 8785796
    Abstract: A keyboard may be generally illuminated while also providing for key-specific illumination of one or more particular keys. The keyboard may be generally illuminated using any configuration of any number of suitable illumination sources. The keyboard may selectively illuminate any key or keys together with or apart from the general illumination of other keys. The keyboard may also variably illuminate certain keys to aid the user in navigating the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chad A. Bronstein, Peter H. Mahowald
  • Patent number: 8779345
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting ambient light with reduced sensitivity to infrared sources. An electronic device may include an infrared sensor, an ambient light sensor, a decoder, and a processor. The infrared sensor may detect an intensity of infrared light. The ambient light sensor may be configured to detect incident light and to generate an electronic signal indicative of an intensity of visible light. The decoder may be configured to receive the intensity of infrared light and to generate an intensity of decoded infrared light. The processor, which may be coupled to the decoder and the ambient light sensor, may be configured to substitute an alternate electronic signal for the electronic signal if the intensity of infrared light exceeds a threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Peter H. Mahowald
  • Patent number: 8587525
    Abstract: A computer keyboard includes a plurality of keys arranged in a pattern contained within a plane, a webbed structure defining openings for each of the keys, an illumination source, and one or more light pipes positioned along the webbed structure and arranged to deliver light from the illumination source to the keys, wherein each of the keys is illuminated thereby. Although the keys have the appearance of being backlit similar to traditional illuminated keyboards, the illumination source is actually located along at least one side of and within the same plane as the pattern of keys, rather than beneath the keys. The keyboard can thus be made thinner in such arrangements where the illumination source does not need to be located beneath the keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Mahowald, Patrick Kessler, Harold J. Welch
  • Publication number: 20130256108
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing keycap includes applying a first coating layer on a surface of a keycap layer, applying a second coating layer on top of the first coating layer, etching at least a portion of the first coating layer to a first depth to form a first etched area, and etching at least a portion of the first etched area to a second depth to form a second etched area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Mahowald, Omar Sze Leung
  • Patent number: 8451146
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing keycap includes applying a first coating layer on a surface of a keycap layer, applying a second coating layer on top of the first coating layer, etching at least a portion of the first coating layer to a first depth to form a first etched area, and etching at least a portion of the first etched area to a second depth to form a second etched area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Mahowald, Omar Sze Leung