Apple Patents

Apple Inc. designs, manufactures and markets smartphones, tablets and personal computers, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac. It also produces the iPod, Apple Watch and Apple TV, as well as the operating systems and applications that support these devices. The company also sells digital content and applications through its iTunes Store, App Store, Mac App Store, iBooks Store and Apple Music.

Apple Patents by Type
  • Apple Patents Granted: Apple patents that have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Apple Patent Applications: Apple patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Publication number: 20200259522
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a system and method for enabling communicating Ultra Wideband (UWB) devices to collaborate by exchanging pulse shape information. The UWB devices use the pulse shape information to improve ranging accuracy. The improved ranging accuracy can be used in complex multipath environments where advanced estimation schemes are used to extract an arriving path for time-of-flight estimation. To determine the pulse shape information to be shared, some embodiments include determining location information of a UWB device and selecting the pulse shape information that satisfies regional aspects. The pulse shape information includes a time-zero index specific to a ranging signal that is used by UWB receivers to establish timestamps time-of-flight calculations. Some embodiments include measuring performance characteristics and selecting different pulse shape information based on the performance characteristics for improved accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. HAMMERSCHMIDT, Eren SASOGLU
  • Publication number: 20200259993
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera voice coil motor (VCM) actuator that includes an additive coil structure for shifting a lens along one or multiple axes. The additive coil structure may include a base portion configured to couple with a lens carrier and at least partially surround a perimeter of the lens carrier. In various examples, the additive coil structure may include folded portions that individually include a respective coil that is located proximate a respective magnet. According to various embodiments, the additive coil structure may be formed using an additive process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brodie, Aurelien R. Hubert, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20200258480
    Abstract: An augmented reality display system included in a vehicle generates an augmented reality display, on one or more transparent surfaces of the vehicle. The augmented reality display can include an indicator of the vehicle speed which is spatially positioned according to the speed of the vehicle relative to the local speed limit. The augmented reality display can include display elements which conform to environmental objects and can obscure and replace content displayed on the objects. The augmented reality display can include display elements which indicate a position of environmental objects which are obscured from direct perception through the transparent surface. The augmented reality display can include display elements which simulate one or more particular environmental objects in the environment, based on monitoring manual driving performance of the vehicle by a driver. The augmented reality display can include display elements which identify environmental objects and particular zones in the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kjell F. Bronder, Scott M. Herz, Karlin Y. Bark
  • Publication number: 20200255002
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a vehicle that includes a protection system configured to mitigate hazards to vehicle occupants posed by dynamic elements located within proximity of the vehicle. The vehicle can, in response to determining that a dynamic element is moving along a trajectory that intersects a sweep volume of a vehicle portal, can selectively restrict operation of the portal so that an occupant is restricted from opening the portal into a volume through which the dynamic element may pass. The vehicle can restrict portal operation in response to detecting external dynamic elements that are not within an occupant's field of vision. The vehicle can communicate a limited selection of vehicle sensor data, including representations of a detected dynamic element, to a user device supporting an authorized user in response to detecting that the dynamic element is located within a certain proximity of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tie-Qi Chen, Benjamin B. Lyon, Byron B. Han, Ahmad Al-Dahle
  • Publication number: 20200256692
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for an application executing on a mobile device. The method renders an animated navigation presentation for output to an external display screen not part of the mobile device. The navigation presentation includes an animated map showing at least a portion of a route to a destination. The method simultaneously displays information regarding a maneuver along the route on a display screen of the mobile device without displaying a same animated map on the mobile device. In some embodiments, the displayed information regarding the maneuver comprises a graphical instruction and a text instruction for a next maneuver along the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford A. Moore, Emanuele Vulcano, Jorge Fino, Marcel van Os
  • Publication number: 20200258311
    Abstract: A VR system for vehicles that may implement methods that address problems with vehicles in motion that may result in motion sickness for passengers. The VR system may provide virtual views that match visual cues with the physical motions that a passenger experiences. The VR system may provide immersive VR experiences by replacing the view of the real world with virtual environments. Active vehicle systems and/or vehicle control systems may be integrated with the VR system to provide physical effects with the virtual experiences. The virtual environments may be altered to accommodate a passenger upon determining that the passenger is prone to or is exhibiting signs of motion sickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Rober, Sawyer I. Cohen, Daniel Kurz, Tobias Holl, Benjamin B. Lyon, Peter Georg Meier, Jeffrey M. Riepling, Holly Gerhard
  • Patent number: 10743371
    Abstract: Embodiments of an Evolved Node-B (eNB), a MulteFire narrowband internet-of-things User Equipment (MF NB-IoT UE), and methods of communication are described herein. The eNB may transmit an unlicensed narrowband primary synchronization signal (U-NPSS) in a plurality of subframes. The eNB may, for the U-NPSS, for each subframe of the plurality of subframes, and for each of the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of the subframe: repeat a sequence of length-11; and map the sequence to 11 resource elements (REs) of a physical resource block (PRB) of 12 REs. The eNB may process the U-NPSS by an orthogonal cover code (OCC) over the plurality of subframes. The sequence in each of the OFDM symbols of each of the subframes of the plurality of subframes may be multiplied by a different element of the OCC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Huaning Niu, Wenting Chang, Salvatore Talarico
  • Patent number: 10739159
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable storage media storing instructions and computer systems for labeling significant locations based on contextual data can be implemented to perform operations that include determining a location of a computing device, and determining a label for the determined location based on contextual data associated with the significant location. The location can be a significant location that has meaning to a user of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Dal Santo, Hyo Jeong Shin, Krishna M. Behara, Marcos R. Vescovi, Patrick Thomas Dillon, Richard B. Warren, Ronald K. Huang, Xufeng Han
  • Patent number: 10740117
    Abstract: Providing a bridge interface for managing virtual workspaces is disclosed. A plurality of workspace images is presented in a user interface, each workspace image corresponding to a different virtual workspace available to a user of a computer system. A user input is received indicating a selection of a presented workspace image. The user interface is updated to display a plurality of application windows associated with the selected virtual workspace. The displayed application windows are visually grouped into one or more clusters, each cluster corresponding to one or more application windows sharing a common characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bas Ording, John O. Louch
  • Patent number: 10739142
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium related to determining the position of a device, for example determining the pose of a camera. Varying embodiments discuss the use of sensors and captured images to construct an environment property map, which provides reference information in the form of environment properties that are associated with positions, such as camera poses. Embodiments of the disclosure discuss using the environment property map online (e.g. in real time) in order to determine the position of a device. In some embodiments, the environment property map provides a coarse position that is used to refine or limit the necessary work for determining a more precise position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Meier, Christian Lipski
  • Patent number: 10743206
    Abstract: Techniques discussed herein can facilitate measurement gap configuration and/or determination of activation or deactivation delays for NR (New Radio) UEs (User Equipments). A first set of aspects can involve coordination of measurement gap configuration for a UE between a MN (Master Node) and SN (Secondary Node). A second set of aspects can involve estimation of timing for activation and/or deactivation of SCell(s) (Secondary Cell(s)) in DC (Dual Connectivity) scenarios. Various embodiments can employ techniques of the first set of aspects and/or the second set of aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Candy Yiu, Jie Cui, Youn Hyoung Heo, Seau Lim, Yang Tang
  • Patent number: 10743255
    Abstract: Power optimization modes for communication between a device and a server is disclosed. The device can dynamically change between communication modes based on an application or quality of service, battery life, an amount of noise associated with the communications link, a frequency of messages, and a type of message received in a given time period. In some examples, the device can determine if the number of pull messages is greater than the number of push messages. The device can select a push mode where a pull message can accompany a push message. In some examples, the device can determine that the number of push messages is greater than the number of pull messages, and the device can select a low-power associated sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ziv Wolkowicki, Daniel B. Pollack, Justin Wood
  • Patent number: 10743095
    Abstract: A contextual audio system configured to adjust audio playback in response to positional data. The contextual audio system may include a wearable audio device and, optionally, a sensing device. In some embodiments, the sensing device and the wearable audio device are the same. Generally, the contextual audio system employs different types of data to determine a user's location and/or activity (both of which are examples of “context”) and adjust audio output of the wearable audio device portion of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen A. Bergeron, Jay K. Blahnik
  • Patent number: 10739140
    Abstract: A device implementing a system for estimating device location includes at least one processor configured to receive a first and second set of signals, each set corresponding to location data and being received based on a sampling interval. The at least one processor is configured to, for each sampling period defined by the sampling interval, obtain sensor data corresponding to device motion during the sampling period, determine an orientation of the device relative to that of the vehicle based on the sensor data, calculate a non-holonomic constraint based on the orientation of the device relative to that of the vehicle such that the non-holonomic constraint is iteratively updated, and estimate a device state based on the non-holonomic constraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Changlin Ma, Isaac T. Miller
  • Patent number: 10739599
    Abstract: A Predictive, Foveated Virtual Reality System may capture views of the world around a user using multiple resolutions. The Predictive, Foveated Virtual Reality System may include one or more cameras configured to capture lower resolution image data for a peripheral field of view while capturing higher resolution image data for a narrow field of view corresponding to a user's line of sight. Additionally, the Predictive, Foveated Virtual Reality System may also include one or more sensors or other mechanisms, such as gaze tracking modules or accelerometers, to detect or track motion. A Predictive, Foveated Virtual Reality System may also predict, based on a user's head and eye motion, the user's future line of sight and may capture image data corresponding to a predicted line of sight. When the user subsequently looks in that direction the system may display the previously captured (and augmented) view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Shpunt
  • Patent number: 10743387
    Abstract: An invisible, light-transmissive display system with a light resistant material is provided. Substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes are penetrated in a lighttransmissive pattern through at least a portion of the light resistant material using a laser beam having a focal width less than the smallest diameter of the tapered holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Richard P. Howarth, Daniele de Iuliis, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Douglas B. Satzger, Calvin Q. Seid, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Anthony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer, David Morgenstern, Paul C. L. Chow
  • Patent number: 10739947
    Abstract: This application relates to performing organizational tasks using a variety of physical operations in a message application. The physical operations can include swiping actions performed by the user of the message application. By performing certain types of swipes on a user interface of the message application, the user can more readily organize messages stored by the message application. The types of swipes can include full swipes, which can execute one or more functions on a message, and partial swipes, which can open up a menu that includes multiple buttons for executing various operations on the message being swiped. Additionally, the direction of the swipe can also determine the functions and operations to be performed on the messag2018_02_13_Pe being swiped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammed N. Jisrawi, Cristobal Baray, Stephen O. Lemay, Tiffany S. Jon, Chanaka G. Karunamuni, Lawrence Y. Yang
  • Patent number: 10738787
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate to improving efficiency of a low-profile cooling fan. In one embodiment, an impeller of the cooling fan includes a shroud which covers a central portion of the impeller, thereby allowing a central inlet portion of the blades to have an increased fan blade height when compared to a cooling fan constrained by minimum part tolerances between the fan blades and a portion of the fan housing. In some embodiments, the impeller includes splitter blades that can improve performance of the low-profile cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse T. Dybenko, Anthony Joseph Aiello, Nicholas D. Mancini, Jay S. Nigen, Arash Naghib Lahouti
  • Patent number: 10739460
    Abstract: Apparatus for mapping includes an illumination assembly, which projects a line of radiation extending in a first direction across a scene. A detection assembly receives the radiation reflected from the scene within a sensing area that contains at least a part of the line of the radiation, and includes a linear array of detector elements and objective optics, which focus the reflected radiation from the sensing area onto the linear array. A scanning mirror scans the line of radiation and the sensing area together over the scene in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction. Processing circuitry processes signals output by the detector elements in response to the received radiation in order to construct a three-dimensional (3D) map of an object in the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Yuval Gerson
  • Patent number: 10739292
    Abstract: A system such as a vehicle may have windows with one or more conductive layers. The conductive layers may form part of an infrared-light-blocking layer or other layer. The infrared-light-blocking layer or other layer may be formed as a coating on a transparent structural window layer such as an outer or inner glass layer in a laminated window or may be embedded in a polymer layer between the outer and inner layers. Segmented terminals and elongated terminals that may extend past two or more segmented terminals may be coupled to the edges of the conductive layers. Using these terminals, control circuitry can apply localized ohmic heating currents and can make resistance measurements on the conductive layers to detect cracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Melcher, Christopher D. Jones, James R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10739157
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide several novel methods for generating a navigation presentation that displays a device navigating a route on a map. The method of some embodiments uses a virtual camera that, based on detected changes in the navigation context, dynamically modifies the way it captures portions of the map to produce different navigation scenes in the navigation presentation. To generate the navigation scenes, the method of some embodiments (1) identifies different sets of attributes that describe the different navigation contexts at different times during the navigation presentation, and (2) uses these different sets of attributes to identify different styles for operating the virtual camera. In some embodiments, the method uses an identified style to specify the virtual camera's positional attributes, which, in turn, define the portions of the map that the virtual camera identifies for rendering to produce several navigation scenes for a period of time (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Adam B. Findley, Nathan L. Fillhardt, Justin M. Strawn, Brian J. Andrich, Usama M. Hajj, Tadayasu Sasada
  • Patent number: 10739855
    Abstract: An input device can be integrated within an electronic device and/or operably connected to an electronic device through a wired or wireless connection. The input device can include one or more force sensors positioned below a cover element of the input device or an input surface of the electronic device. The input device can include other components and/or functionality, such as a biometric sensor and/or a switch element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sora Kim, Martin P. Grunthaner, Rui Jin, Michael B. Wittenberg, Michael K. McCord, Henric Larsson, Giovanni Gozzini, Lucy Browning, Scott A. Myers
  • Patent number: 10739221
    Abstract: A water detecting pressure-sensing device includes a metal housing including a cavity. A pressure sensor is disposed on a die and configured to generate a signal in response to a pressure variation. A protection medium at least partially fills the cavity and covers the die. One or more electrodes are disposed on the die and are used to detect a presence of a water droplet on the protection medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ashwin Balasubramanian, William Scott Lee
  • Patent number: 10739870
    Abstract: An input device, such as a hand-held, wireless stylus, can be used to measure coordinates of a three-dimensional object. Position data can be calculated based on, for example, acceleration, orientation, and static parameters of a stylus. As the stylus contacts contours of the object, the position data of the stylus can allow mapping of the object as well as digital rendering thereof. The stylus can also be used to virtually create three-dimensional illustrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Collin A. Huston, Joel N. Ruscher, Kevin C. Armendariz
  • Patent number: 10736543
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for monitoring a workout and for generating improved interfaces for the same. One example user interface detects when a workout of a particular type is started and begins generating activity data related to workout metrics associated with the type of workout selected. Using determined current values for the workout metrics, the example user interface displays a pro-view display that includes indicators for the workout metrics associated with the selected workout type. The pro-view display also includes a focus indicator that highlights a selected indicator representative of a focused workout metric. The focus indicator is movable among the indicators representative of the workout metrics based on user input. Upon detection of a gesture, the example user interface transitions to a simple-view display that includes an indicator representative of the focused workout metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Will Chen, Jay Blahnik, Gary Ian Butcher, Jules K. Fennis, David Chance Graham, Lawrence Y. Yang
  • Patent number: 10739899
    Abstract: A device configured to sense a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a cover and a force-sensing structure disposed below the cover. The force-sensing structure may be positioned below a display and used in combination with other force-sensing elements to estimate the force of a touch on the cover of a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sinan Filiz, Martin P. Grunthaner, John Stephen Smith, Charley T. Ogata, Christian M. Sauer, Shin John Choi, Christopher J. Butler, Steven J. Martisauskas
  • Patent number: 10739882
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display. The display may be formed by an array of light-emitting diodes mounted to the surface of a substrate. The substrate may be a silicon substrate. Circuitry may be located in spaces between the light-emitting diodes. Circuitry may also be located on the rear surface of the silicon substrate and may be coupled to the array of light-emitting diodes using through-silicon vias. The circuitry may include integrated circuits and other components that are attached to the substrate and may include transistors and other circuitry formed within the silicon substrate. Touch sensor electrodes, light sensors, and other components may be located in the spaces between the light-emitting diodes. The substrate may be formed from a transparent material that allows image light to reach a lens and image sensor mounted below the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Steven P. Hotelling, John Z. Zhong, William C. Athas, Wei H. Yao
  • Patent number: 10739904
    Abstract: A touch sensor panel is disclosed. The touch sensor panel includes a first set of touch electrodes configured to operate as drive lines and that are disposed in a first layer of the touch sensor panel. The touch sensor panel also includes a second set of touch electrodes configured to operate as sense lines and that are disposed in a second layer of the touch sensor panel, different than the first layer of the touch sensor panel, such that one or more mutual capacitance touch nodes are formed by the first set of touch electrodes and the second set of touch electrodes. The touch sensor panel also includes a third set of touch electrodes configured to operate as self-capacitance electrodes and that are disposed in the first layer or the second layer of the touch sensor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Blondin, Jean-Marie Bussat, Robert Leo Sheridan, Sagar Rajiv Vaze
  • Patent number: 10739868
    Abstract: There are provided systems, devices and methods for operating a housing for an electronic device as an input/output (I/O) device. In one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing configured to function as an integrated housing and I/O device and one or more sensors obscured by a panel of the housing. The one or more sensors being configured to sense via the panel of the housing. The electronic device further includes a processing unit communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to interpret electrical signals generated by the one or more sensors. One or more output devices are communicatively coupled to the processing unit and configured to provide an output in response to the one or more sensors generating an electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Nicholas Vincent King, Duncan Kerr, Brett Bilbrey
  • Patent number: 10739911
    Abstract: A method of emulating an input device. The method receives a set of data associated with a touch input. The set of data includes a set of coordinates of each data point, the force applied at each data point, and the time the data for each data point is received. The method adds several data points to the first set of data points to create a second set of data points. For each data point in the second set of data points, the method calculates a set of parameters based on the set of data associated with the data point. The method provides a subset of the calculated parameters and the data associated with a subset of the second set of data to an application to emulate the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon M. Tennant, Conrad R. Carlen, Bradley W. Griffin, William J. Thimbleby, Patrick O. Heynen, Ryan S. Dixon
  • Patent number: 10739638
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display with a backlight. The backlight provides backlight illumination for an array of pixels that is displaying images. The backlight may include an array of cells. Each cell may contain a light source with one or more light-emitting diodes and a cavity reflector that reflects light from the light source outwardly through a diffuser for use in forming the backlight illumination. The light sources may be mounted to a printed circuit. Support posts on the printed circuit may be used to maintain the diffuser at a fixed distance from the printed circuit. Sensors on the printed circuit may be used to measure separation distances between the printed circuit and diffuser. Adjustments to pixel gain profiles can be made based on the measured separation distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Rong Liu, Yu P. Sun, Erik A. Zweigle, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Ziruo Hong, Sungwon Bae
  • Patent number: 10739924
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive textile device that is configured to detect the occurrence of a touch, the location of a touch, and/or the force of a touch on the touch-sensitive textile device. In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive textile device includes a first set of conductive threads oriented along a first direction, and a second set of conductive threads interwoven with the first set of conductive threads and oriented along a second direction. The device may also include a sensing circuit that is operatively coupled to the first and second set of conductive threads. The sensing circuit may be configured to apply a drive signal to the first and second set of conductive threads. The sensing circuit may also be configured to detect a touch or near touch based on a variation in an electrical measurement using the first or second set of conductive threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Podhajny, Kathryn P. Crews, Daniel D. Sunshine
  • Patent number: 10739908
    Abstract: Flexible electronic devices may be provided. A flexible electronic device may include a flexible display, a flexible housing and one or more flexible internal components configured to allow the flexible electronic device to be deformed. Flexible displays may include flexible display layers, flexible touch-sensitive layers, and flexible display cover layers. The flexible housing may be a multi-stable flexible housing having one or more stable positions. The flexible housing may include a configurable support structure that, when engaged, provides a rigid support structure for the flexible housing. The flexible internal components may include flexible batteries, flexible printed circuits or other flexible components. A flexible battery may include flexible and rigid portions or may include a lubricious separator layer that provides flexibility for the flexible battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Scott A. Myers, Benjamin M. Rappoport, Stephen Brian Lynch, John P. Ternus, Justin R. Wodrich
  • Patent number: 10739825
    Abstract: An accessory device for an electronic device is described. The accessory device may include a cover section and a keyboard section. The cover section may include a receiving surface that engages the electronic device. The cover section may include electrical contacts designed to electrically couple with contacts on the electronic device. The cover section may include several magnets designed to magnetically couple with magnets within the electronic device. The keyboard section may include a keyboard and one or more channels designed to receive and position the electronic device in a usable configuration with the keyboard. Several magnets may surround each channel, and may magnetically couple with magnets within (and along an edge of) the electronic device. The magnetic circuits formed between the channel magnets and the device magnets may counter, or offset, forces that otherwise remove the electronic device from the channel in an undesired manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Harrison Gilbert, Kristine S. Tom, Elvis M. Kibiti, Jaime G. Chavez Ruiz Garza, Thomas R. Matzinger, Zhengyu Li, Charles A. Bates, III, Shih-Hsiang Hsiao, Johan E. Lyon
  • Patent number: 10741588
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display having an array of display pixels on a substrate. The display pixels may be organic light-emitting diode display pixels or display pixels in a liquid crystal display. In an organic light-emitting diode display, hybrid thin-film transistor structures may be formed that include semiconducting oxide thin-film transistors, silicon thin-film transistors, and capacitor structures. The capacitor structures may overlap the semiconducting oxide thin-film transistors. Organic light-emitting diode display pixels may have combinations of oxide and silicon transistors. In a liquid crystal display, display driver circuitry may include silicon thin-film transistor circuitry and display pixels may be based on oxide thin-film transistors. A single layer or two different layers of gate metal may be used in forming silicon transistor gates and oxide transistor gates. A silicon transistor may have a gate that overlaps a floating gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Vasudha Gupta, Jae Won Choi, Shih Chang Chang, Tsung-Ting Tsai, Young Bae Park
  • Patent number: 10739820
    Abstract: A system may include ring devices. A ring device may have a housing that is configured to be worn on a finger of a user. Sensors such as force sensors, ultrasonic sensors, inertial measurement units, optical sensors, touch sensors, and other components may be used in gathering input from a user. Control circuitry may wirelessly transmit information gathered from sensors and other input devices to an associated electronic device. The information may be used in controlling operation of the electronic device. The housing of the ring device may have an annular main body and an expandable portion coupled to the main body. The expandable portion may include a flap with a hinge, a rotatable housing member, a housing with an internal adjustable frame and a cover, an expandable housing formed from an expandable tube coupled between first and second annular devices, and other expandable structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew
  • Patent number: 10739980
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a mapping application that includes a novel compass control that can be used to navigate a presentation of a map. The mapping application displays one of a two-dimensional (2D) presentation of the map and a three-dimensional (3D) presentation of the map at a given time. The compass control may be used to rotate a view of the map based on a first type of input to the compass control and transition between the 2D presentation and the 3D presentation based on a second type of input to the compass control. In addition to causing the application to perform the various operations, the compass control in some embodiments serves as (1) an indicator as to whether the mapping application is currently in a 2D mode or a 3D mode and (2) an indicator that continuously points to north.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Moha, Alexandre Carlhian, Edouard D. Godfrey, Guillaume Borios, Laurent Baumann, Marcel van Os
  • Patent number: 10739971
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to techniques accessing and displaying information pertaining to past times and future times. In some embodiments, a device displays a first current-time indicator and a user interface object configured to display information corresponding to a first information source and to the current time. In some embodiments, in response to and in accordance with detecting a rotation of a rotatable input mechanism, the device displays a non-current-time indicator indicating a non-current time, and updates the first user interface object to display information corresponding to the first information source and the non-current time. In some embodiments, the device continues to display an indication of the current time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Lance Wilson, Aurelio Guzman, Paul W. Salzman, Kevin Will Chen, Lee S. Broughton, Christopher Wilson
  • Patent number: 10739974
    Abstract: Techniques for configuring context-specific user interfaces for use with a portable multifunction device are disclosed. The context-specific user interfaces provide indications of time and, optionally, a variety of additional information. The methods provided herein allow for configuring such user interfaces, e.g., at a first electronic device coupled via wireless communication to a second electronic device. Further disclosed are non-transitory computer-readable storage media, systems, and devices configured to perform the methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Lance Wilson, Lee S. Broughton, Christopher Wilson
  • Patent number: 10739972
    Abstract: An electronic device: displays a plurality of representations of electronic communications associated with a first grouping and a filter affordance that corresponds to a set of filter criteria; and detects a selection input selecting the filter affordance. In response to detecting the selection input, and in accordance with a determination that the selection input corresponds to a first input type, the electronic device: ceases to display a first set of representations of electronic communications from the first grouping that do not match the set of one or more filter criteria; displays a second set of representations of electronic communications from the first grouping that match the set of one or more filter criteria; and displays an indication of the set of filter criteria that have been applied to the electronic communications associated with the first grouping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany Jon, Stephen Olivier Lemay, Patrick Lee Coffman
  • Patent number: 10740383
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for determining at least one valid mood for a collection of media content items of a media library are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Eric Circlaeys, James Alan Queen, Killian Huyghe, Zachary H. Smith
  • Patent number: 10740476
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an interface and storage circuitry. The interface is configured to communicate with a memory including multiple memory cells that store data as respective analog values. The memory is addressable using physical addresses. The storage circuitry is configured to perform a first read operation from a physical address, and determine a first sequence of analog values retrieved by the first read operation, to further perform a second read operation from the physical address, and determine a second sequence of analog values retrieved by the second read operation, to evaluate a variation between the first sequence and the second sequence, and to determine that an unauthorized re-programming to the physical address has occurred between the first read operation and the second read operation, in response to the evaluated variation exceeding a predefined variation level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Assaf Shappir, Itay Sagron
  • Patent number: 10740015
    Abstract: The embodiments set forth a technique for managing file nodes within a storage device. According to some embodiments, the method can include the steps of (1) receiving a transaction request that involves modifying a plurality of file nodes, (2) analyzing the plurality of file nodes against temporal transaction information to identify, among the plurality of file nodes, at least one group of file nodes that were previously modified in conjunction with at least one previously-executed transaction request, (3) modifying each file node in the at least one group of file nodes in accordance with the transaction request to establish a modified group of file nodes, (4) allocating, within the storage device, physical storage space for storing the modified group of file nodes, and (5) contiguously writing the modified group of file nodes into the allocated physical storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Dominic B. Giampaolo
  • Patent number: 10741121
    Abstract: A display may have an array of organic light-emitting diode display pixels operating at a low refresh rate. Each display pixel may have six thin-film transistors and one capacitor. One of the six transistors may serve as the drive transistor and may be compensated using the remaining five transistors and the capacitor. One or more on-bias stress operations may be applied before threshold voltage sampling to mitigate first frame dimming. Multiple anode reset and on-bias stress operations may be inserted during vertical blanking periods to reduce flicker and maintain balance and may also be inserted between successive data refreshes to improve first frame performance. Two different emission signals controlling each pixel may be toggled together using a pulse width modulation scheme to help provide darker black levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Wei Lin, Shyuan Yang, Chuang Qian, Abbas Jamshidi Roudbari, Ting-Kuo Chang
  • Patent number: 10741181
    Abstract: Speech recognition is performed on a received utterance to determine a plurality of candidate text representations of the utterance, including a primary text representation and one or more alternative text representations. Natural language processing is performed on the primary text representation to determine a plurality of candidate actionable intents, including a primary actionable intent and one or more alternative actionable intents. A result is determined based on the primary actionable intent. The result is provided to the user. A recognition correction trigger is detected. In response to detecting the recognition correction trigger, a set of alternative intent affordances and a set of alternative text affordances are concurrently displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ashish Garg, Harry J. Saddler, Shweta Grampurohit, Robert A. Walker, Rushin N. Shah, Matthew S. Seigel, Matthias Paulik
  • Patent number: 10739871
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission system may include a wireless power transmitting device such as a tablet computer and a wireless power receiving device such as a computer stylus. A wireless power transmitting capacitor electrode may be formed in the tablet computer. A wireless power receiving capacitor electrode may be formed in the computer stylus. The transmitting capacitor electrode may be driven by a drive signal having a frequency of 900 MHz or greater to produce wireless power. The wireless power may be transmitted from the transmitting capacitor electrode to the receiving capacitor electrode on the stylus via near field capacitive coupling. The transmitting and receiving capacitor electrodes may each include conductive traces on dielectric substrates. The conductive traces may follow meandering paths to maximize the possible capacitive coupling efficiency between the capacitor electrodes and thus the end-to-end charging efficiency of the wireless power transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Jiang, Blake R. Marshall, Indranil S. Sen, Liquan Tan, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Yi Jiang, Mohit Narang
  • Patent number: D892732
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniele De Iuliis, Markus Diebel, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Christopher J. Stringer, Joe Sung Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: D892821
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastian Johannes Bauer, Samuel Howard Bebbington, Gary Butcher, Joseph Chan, Alan C. Dye, Aurelio Guzmán, Jonathan P. Ive, Behkish Johnnie Manzari, Pedro Mari, Henrique Penha, Aled Williams, Christopher Wilson
  • Patent number: D892823
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Butcher, Alan C. Dye, Chance Graham
  • Patent number: D892861
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Imran Chaudhri, Jonathan P. Ive, Chanaka Karunamuni