Patents by Inventor Steve P. Hotelling

Steve P. Hotelling 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: 11036282
    Abstract: Proximity based systems and methods that are implemented on an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes sensing an object spaced away and in close proximity to the electronic device. The method also includes performing an action in the electronic device when an object is sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve P. Hotelling, Brian Q. Huppi, Joshua A. Strickon, Duncan Robert Kerr, Imran Chaudhri, Greg Christie, Jonathan P. Ive, Peter J. Kennedy, Anthony M. Faddell, Jeffrey L. Robbin
  • Patent number: 10042418
    Abstract: Proximity based systems and methods that are implemented on an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes sensing an object spaced away and in close proximity to the electronic device. The method also includes performing an action in the electronic device when an object is sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve P. Hotelling, Brian Q. Huppi, Joshua A. Strickon, Duncan Robert Kerr, Imran Chaudhri, Greg Christie, Jonathan P. Ive, Peter J. Kennedy, Anthony M. Fadell, Jeffrey L. Robbin
  • 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: 9325253
    Abstract: An AC-to-DC adapter may be provided in order to increase the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface. Such an AC-to-DC adapter may include a rectifying circuit to rectify incoming AC signals. The rectifying circuit may take the form of a diode bridge network that includes four diode branches. Stabilization circuits may be provided in parallel with each diode branch in order to decrease the impedance of the diode bridge network during particular periods of operation. The stabilization circuits may be configured such that the impedance of the diode bridge network is substantially constant during all periods of operation. As a result, the impedance of the AC-to-DC adapter may be relatively constant during all periods of operation. In turn, the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface of a device being powered by such an AC-to-DC adapter may increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Land, Steve P. Hotelling, Gus Pabon, Benjamin B. Lyon
  • Patent number: 9298311
    Abstract: A device compensating for a loss in sensitivity of a sensor, such as a trackpad. The device may be standalone, integrated with the trackpad itself, or within the associated integrated circuit designed to measure relative electrode capacitances. The embodiment generally employs a current source to negatively compensate for the current available to charge at least one capacitor (or other storage device) in the trackpad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Lyon, Steve P. Hotelling
  • Patent number: 8612856
    Abstract: Proximity based systems and methods that are implemented on an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes sensing an object spaced away and in close proximity to the electronic device. The method also includes performing an action in the electronic device when an object is sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve P. Hotelling, Brian Q. Huppi, Joshua A. Strickon, Duncan Robert Kerr, Imran Chaudhri, Greg Christie, Jonathan P. Ive, Peter J. Kennedy, Anthony M. Faddell, Jeffrey L. Robbin
  • Publication number: 20130250640
    Abstract: a An AC-to-DC adapter may be provided in order to increase the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface. Such an AC-to-DC adapter may include a rectifying circuit to rectify incoming AC signals. The rectifying circuit may take the form of a diode bridge network that includes four diode branches. Stabilization circuits may be provided in parallel with each diode branch in order to decrease the impedance of the diode bridge network during particular periods of operation. The stabilization circuits may be configured such that the impedance of the diode bridge network is substantially constant during all periods of operation. As a result, the impedance of the AC-to-DC adapter may be relatively constant during all periods of operation. In turn, the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface of a device being powered by such an AC-to-DC adapter may increase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Land, Steve P. Hotelling, Gus Pabon, Benjamin B. Lyon
  • Publication number: 20130076614
    Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for determining information of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: 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: 8395330
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light device disposed inside the housing. The light device is configured to illuminate the illuminable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Duncan R. Kerr, Steve P. Hotelling
  • Patent number: 8381135
    Abstract: Proximity based systems and methods that are implemented on an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes sensing an object spaced away and in close proximity to the electronic device. The method also includes performing an action in the electronic device when an object is sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve P. Hotelling, Brian Q. Huppi, Joshua A. Strickon, Duncan Robert Kerr, Bas Ording, Imran Chaudhri, Greg Christie, Jonathan P. Ive, Peter J. Kennedy, Anthony M. Fadell, Jeffrey L. Robbin
  • Patent number: 8264167
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light device disposed inside the housing. The light device is configured to illuminate the illuminable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Duncan R. Kerr, Steve P. Hotelling
  • Publication number: 20120133301
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light device disposed inside the housing. The light device is configured to illuminate the illuminable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Duncan R. KERR, Steve P. Hotelling
  • Patent number: 8148913
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light device disposed inside the housing. The light device is configured to illuminate the illuminable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Duncan R. Kerr, Steve P. Hotelling
  • Publication number: 20120075255
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive device is disclosed having a touch-sensitive surface that includes first and second touch-sensitive areas. A force feedback unit can be coupled to the second touch-sensitive area to provide force feedback at the second touch-sensitive area in response to a touch input detected at the second touch-sensitive area. In some embodiments, the first touch-sensitive area can be the surface of a mouse, and the second touch-sensitive area can be a member protruding from the surface of the mouse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Christoph H. Krah, Steve P. Hotelling
  • Patent number: 8077147
    Abstract: A mouse with an extended optical sensing surface is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph H. Krah, Steve P. Hotelling
  • Patent number: 8033695
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light device disposed inside the housing. The light device is configured to illuminate the illuminable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Duncan R. Kerr, Steve P. Hotelling
  • Patent number: 8029166
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light device disposed inside the housing. The light device is configured to illuminate the illuminable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Duncan R. Kerr, Steve P. Hotelling
  • Patent number: 8022935
    Abstract: A touch sensing device is disclosed. The touch sensing device includes one or more multifunctional nodes each of which represents a single touch pixel. Each multifunctional node includes a touch sensor with one or more integrated I/O mechanisms. The touch sensor and integrated I/O mechanisms share the same communication lines and I/O pins of a controller during operation of the touch sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Steve P. Hotelling
  • Patent number: 7766517
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light device disposed inside the housing. The light device is configured to illuminate the illuminable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Duncan R. Kerr, Steve P. Hotelling
  • Patent number: 7653883
    Abstract: Proximity based systems and methods that are implemented on an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes sensing an object spaced away and in close proximity to the electronic device. The method also includes performing an action in the electronic device when an object is sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve P. Hotelling, Duncan Robert Kerr, Bas Ording, Jonathan P. Ive, Peter J. Kennedy, Anthony M. Fadell, Jeffrey L. Robbin