Patents by Inventor William D. LINDMEIER

William D. LINDMEIER 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: 20250224811
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system performs virtual object manipulation operations using respective portions of the user's body and/or input device(s). In some embodiments, a computer system manipulates a virtual object based on input from a hand of a user and/or a handheld device. In some embodiments, a computer system manipulates a virtual object directly or indirectly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2025
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Inventors: William D. LINDMEIER, Tony KOBAYASHI, Alexis H. PALANGIE, Carmine ELVEZIO, Matthew J. SUNDSTROM
  • Publication number: 20250150742
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing defining an internal volume and an external surface. The electronic device can also include a cavity and a charging system disposed within the internal volume and electrically connected to the cavity. A user interface touchpad of the electronic device defines a portion of the exterior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Darius A. Satongar, Per Haakan Linus Persson, Thomas S. Hulbert, William D. Lindmeier
  • Patent number: 12287921
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system performs virtual object manipulation operations using respective portions of the user's body and/or input device(s). In some embodiments, a computer system manipulates a virtual object based on input from a hand of a user and/or a handheld device. In some embodiments, a computer system manipulates a virtual object directly or indirectly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Lindmeier, Tony Kobayashi, Alexis H. Palangie, Carmine Elvezio, Matthew J. Sundstrom
  • Publication number: 20250117081
    Abstract: One or more techniques for managing virtual objects between one or more displays are described. In accordance with some embodiments, exemplary techniques for displaying a virtual object are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Devin W. CHALMERS, William D. LINDMEIER, Gregory LUTTER, Jonathan C. MOISANT-THOMPSON, Rahul NAIR
  • Publication number: 20250093976
    Abstract: A computer input system includes a mouse including a housing having an interior surface defining an internal volume and a sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume. A processor is electrically coupled to the sensor assembly and a memory component having electronic instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine an orientation of the mouse relative to a hand based on a touch input from the hand detected by the sensor assembly. The mouse can also have a circular array of touch sensors or lights that detect hand position and provide orientation information to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Bart K. Andre, Brian T. Gleeson, Kristi E. Bauerly, William D. Lindmeier, Matthew J. Sundstrom, Geng Luo, Seung Wook Kim, Evangelos Christodoulou, Megan M. Sapp, Kainoa Kwon-Perez, David H. Bloom, Steven J. Taylor, John B. Morrell, Miao He, Hamza Kashif
  • Patent number: 12254142
    Abstract: An input device can include a housing defining an internal volume and a lower portion, the lower portion defining an aperture, an input sensor disposed in the internal volume, and a haptic assembly disposed in the internal volume. The haptic assembly can include an actuator and a foot coupled to the actuator and aligned with the aperture. The actuator can be configured to selectively extend the foot through the aperture to vary a sliding resistance of the input device on a support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bart K. Andre, Brian T. Gleeson, Kristi E. Bauerly, William D. Lindmeier, Matthew J. Sundstrom, Geng Luo, Seung Wook Kim, Evangelos Christodoulou, Megan M. Sapp, Kainoa Kwon-Perez, John B. Morrell, John S. Camp
  • Patent number: 12206980
    Abstract: A device displays, in a first display region of a camera user interface, a first live view from a first camera. While displaying the first live view from the first camera, the device detects movement of a first user input (e.g., a first contact on a touch-sensitive surface). In accordance with a determination that the movement of the first user input meets first movement criteria, the device moves the first live view in the first display region in accordance with the movement of the first user input, displays a second live view from a second camera, and moves the second live view in the first display region in accordance with the movement of the first user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Matthew I. Brown, Jeffrey T. Bernstein, William D. Lindmeier, Lukas Robert Tom Girling
  • Patent number: 12197654
    Abstract: A computer input system includes a mouse including a housing having an interior surface defining an internal volume and a sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume. A processor is electrically coupled to the sensor assembly and a memory component having electronic instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine an orientation of the mouse relative to a hand based on a touch input from the hand detected by the sensor assembly. The mouse can also have a circular array of touch sensors or lights that detect hand position and provide orientation information to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bart K. Andre, Brian T. Gleeson, Kristi E. Bauerly, William D. Lindmeier, Matthew J. Sundstrom, Geng Luo, Seung Wook Kim, Evangelos Christodoulou, Megan M. Sapp, Kainoa Kwon-Perez, David H. Bloom, Steven J. Taylor, John B. Morrell, Miao He, Hamza Kashif
  • Patent number: 12189848
    Abstract: One or more techniques for managing virtual objects between one or more displays are described. In accordance with some embodiments, exemplary techniques for displaying a virtual object are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Devin W. Chalmers, William D. Lindmeier, Gregory Lutter, Jonathan C. Moisant-Thompson, Rahul Nair
  • Publication number: 20240406368
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and interfaces for capturing and viewing immersive media. In some examples, in response to a hardware input, immersive media is captured and generated using multiple sensors of a head-mounted display device. In some examples, while displaying a media item, additional information related to the media item is displayed in response to detecting a viewer's attention departing from the media item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Stephen O. LEMAY, Wesley M. HOLDER, Seung Wook KIM, Nathan DE VRIES, Marcel VAN OS, William D. LINDMEIER, Matthew W. BROWN, Johnnie B. MANZARI, Chia Yang LIN, William A. SORRENTINO, III, Tobias RICK, Earl M. OLSON, Alan C. DYE
  • Publication number: 20240319867
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device is configured to present user interfaces to facilitate tracing of objects within a three-dimensional environment of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the objects are physical and/or virtual. In some embodiments, the electronic device detects input directed to an input object and displays virtual ink tracing objects in accordance with the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: William D. LINDMEIER, Laura SUGDEN
  • Publication number: 20240311074
    Abstract: An audio output device case that includes one or more input devices and a display component, and is communication with at least one or more audio output devices and an audio source, performs a method that includes displaying information corresponding to a functionality associated with outputting audio at the one or more audio output devices. While displaying the information, the audio output device case receives, via the one or more input devices, an input, and in response to receiving the input communicates instructions for outputting, via the one or more audio output devices, audio associated with the functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Darius A. Satongar, William D. Lindmeier, Per Haakan Linus Persson
  • Patent number: 12079458
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to using avatars and image data for enhanced user interactions. In some examples, user status dependent avatars are generated and displayed with a message associated with the user status. In some examples, a device captures image information to scan an object to create a 3D model of the object. The device determines an algorithm for the 3D model based on the capture image information and provides visual feedback on additional image data that is needed for the algorithm to build the 3D model. In some examples, an application's operation on a device is restricted based on whether an authorized user is identified as using the device based on captured image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marek Bereza, Adi Berenson, Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Lukas Robert Tom Girling, Mark Hauenstein, Amir Hoffnung, William D. Lindmeier, Joseph A. Malia, Julian Missig
  • Patent number: 12001753
    Abstract: An audio output device case that includes one or more input devices and is in communication with at least one or more audio output devices and an audio source, performs a method, while the audio source is in communication with the one or more audio output devices, that includes receiving an input via the one or more input devices of the audio output device case, and in response to receiving the input, causes the one or more audio output devices to perform an operation associated with the received input while maintaining communication of the audio source with the one or more audio output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Darius A. Satongar, William D. Lindmeier, Per Haakan Linus Persson
  • Publication number: 20240171932
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device may include a microphone for receiving voice commands, a speaker for providing audio feedback, a display for providing visual output and receiving touch input, and a motion sensor for receiving gesture input. The handheld electronic device may include control circuitry that processes voice commands differently depending on the application running on the handheld electronic device and the icon being displayed on the display. The control circuitry may determine the location of the handheld electronic device and may provide content based on the location. For example, a remote control interface for controlling an external device may be displayed when the handheld electronic device approaches the external device. A head-mounted device may display virtual images based on the location of the handheld electronic device. The virtual images may include a live video feed from a video call, virtual images associated with voice commands, or other virtual images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Per Haakan Linus Persson, Seung Wook Kim, William D. Lindmeier, Paul G. Puskarich, Peter C. Tsoi
  • Publication number: 20240144533
    Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods that track a movement of an input device. For example, an example process may include determine a pose of a tracking device in a physical environment based on first sensor data from an image sensor. The process then may receive, from the tracking device, first positional data corresponding to a first relative positioning between the tracking device and an input device in the physical environment, where the first positional data is determined based on second sensor data obtained via a sensor on the tracking device. The process then may track movement of the input device in the physical environment based at least in part on the first positional data and the pose of the tracking device. The process then may determine an input for the electronic device based at least in part on tracking the movement of the input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Norris, Michael J. Rockwell, Tony Kobayashi, William D. Lindmeier
  • Publication number: 20240143071
    Abstract: One or more techniques for managing virtual objects between one or more displays are described. In accordance with some embodiments, exemplary techniques for displaying a virtual object are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Devin W. CHALMERS, William D. LINDMEIER, Gregory LUTTER, Jonathan C. MOISANT-THOMPSON, Rahul NAIR
  • Publication number: 20240103642
    Abstract: A three-dimensional control system includes an input device, a computing device, and a tracking assembly. The input device can include an input sensor, an inertial measurement unit sensor, and an ultrasonic speaker. The tracking assembly can include a plurality of ultrasonic microphones and an inertial measurement unit disposed on or with the computing device. The plurality of ultrasonic microphones can include three microphones in a first plane and at least one other ultrasonic microphone disposed out of the first plane. The ultrasonic microphones can be configured to detect ultrasonic waves output by the speaker of the input device and the computing device can triangulate the position of the input device relative to the computing device in space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Bart K. Andre, Brian T. Gleeson, Kristi E. Bauerly, William D. Lindmeier, Matthew J. Sundstrom, Geng Luo, Seung Wook Kim, Evangelos Christodoulou, Megan M. Sapp, Kainoa Kwon-Perez, John B. Morrell
  • Publication number: 20240103645
    Abstract: A computer input system includes a mouse including a housing having an interior surface defining an internal volume and a sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume. A processor is electrically coupled to the sensor assembly and a memory component having electronic instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine an orientation of the mouse relative to a hand based on a touch input from the hand detected by the sensor assembly. The mouse can also have a circular array of touch sensors or lights that detect hand position and provide orientation information to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Bart K. Andre, Brian T. Gleeson, Kristi E. Bauerly, William D. Lindmeier, Matthew J. Sundstrom, Geng Luo, Seung Wook Kim, Evangelos Christodoulou, Megan M. Sapp, Kainoa Kwon-Perez, David H. Bloom, Steven J. Taylor, John B. Morrell, Maio He, Hamza Kashif
  • Publication number: 20240104876
    Abstract: A three-dimensional computer-generated environment can be presented to a user. The user can create a virtual representation of a real-world object within the computer-generated environment by directing an input device towards the real-world object and tracing contours of the real-world object. The virtual representation can include voxels. The user can edit the virtual representation or create a new virtual object formed of voxels by depositing or removing voxels at virtual locations within the computer-generated environment based on selection inputs, release inputs, and optionally movement inputs detected by the input device. In some cases, the user can provide inputs via another input source, such as a hand of the user, that are detected by additional sensors or devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Guillaume COUCHE, Jonny YEO, William D. LINDMEIER, Tony KOBAYASHI