| Apple Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120131510 | Location Based Tracking - Location information is used to build a database of locations having associated audio, video, image or text data. In some implementations, a device includes a touch-sensitive display and collects data associated with a geographic location of interest. The geographic location of interest can be displayed on a map using an indicator. A touch selection of the indicator provides access to the data through an interface displayed on the touch-sensitive display. One or more locations of interest can be displayed and grouped together by an attribute. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120131496 | Grouping and Browsing Open Windows - Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for managing open windows in a desktop GUI are disclosed. In various implementations, open windows displayed within a 2D desktop plane can be organized into one or more 3D browsable stacks in a 3D desktop space, where each stack includes open windows associated with a common value for a grouping property. A graphical representation indicating the respective value of the grouping property associated with each 3D browsable stack can be displayed in proximity to the 3D browsable stack. As the user browses through the open windows in the browsable stack, one window is displayed in a frontal view at a time while the other windows are displayed in a side view. When the user selects an open window from the stack, the 3D desktop can be restored to the 2D desktop showing the selected window as the current active window of the 2D desktop. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120131495 | Browsing and Interacting with Open Windows - Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for managing open windows in a desktop GUI are disclosed. In various implementations, within a three-dimensional desktop, the open windows can be displayed in a three-dimensional browsable parade. As the user browses through the open windows in the browsable parade, the open window passing through a designated primary location of the three-dimensional desktop becomes the current active window of the desktop. An application menu bar of the current active window can be displayed on the three-dimensional desktop. The application menu bar and the active window together provide the full range of interactive capabilities that the native application environment of the open window would allow, even though the open window is currently displayed within the browsable parade. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120131494 | System and Method for Tagging Data - A system and related methods for tagging data, especially in the context of a web-based application, includes various features associated with a tag bar. A text field is displayable in conjunction with such tag bar, as is a list of any potential tags. Data can be received corresponding to a tag to be added to the tag bar. Once the tag bar has been added, it is displayed in the tag bar. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120131479 | Resolution Independent User Interface Design - Graphical user interface material map objects are specified by a collection of attribute-value pairs, the collection of which comprises a complete description of the material map and may be used by a rendering engine to create a visual representation of the material map at any resolution. That is, material map representations in accordance with the invention are resolution independent. Another benefit of representing material maps in accordance with the invention is that they may be encrypted to prevent unauthorized inspection or use. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120131352 | INCREMENTAL AND BULK STORAGE SYSTEM - A method for storing electronic data. A first set of electronic data may be copied from a computing device to a capsule. The capsule then may be transferred or located to a location other than that of the computing device. The capsule and the computing device may be in electronic communication. The first set of electronic data may be updated on the capsule when changes are made to the first set of electronic data on the computing device. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120131081 | Hybrid Fast Fourier Transform - A hybrid fast Fourier transform (FFT) combines a prime-factor algorithm (PFA) with a Cooley-Tukey algorithm (CTA). The combining includes performing combined permutations and combined weight multiplications during CTA processing using permutations and weights derived from the PFA processing and the CTA processing to improve efficiency. The combined permutations can include the last permutation of the PFA processing combined with the first permutation of the CTA processing. The combined weights can include multiplying weights resulting from a permutation that was omitted during PFA processing by “twiddle” factors generated during CTA processing. The combined weights can be pre-computed and stored in table where they can be applied during CTA processing. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120131048 | Location Based Tracking - Location information is used to build a database of locations having associated audio, video, image or text data. In some implementations, a device includes a touch-sensitive display and collects data associated with a geographic location of interest. The geographic location of interest can be displayed on a map using an indicator. A touch selection of the indicator provides access to the data through an interface displayed on the touch-sensitive display. One or more locations of interest can be displayed and grouped together by an attribute. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120129580 | PROXIMITY SENSOR ARRANGEMENT HAVING A COLD MIRROR IN A MOBILE DEVICE - A radiation passing layer has a top surface and a bottom surface below which a proximity sensor is positioned. A visible light opaque layer covers the bottom surface of the radiation passing layer except for an opening therein that allows radiation from the emitter to pass, and scattered radiation to pass to the detector. A radiation shield is between the emitter and the detector, and extends to the bottom of the radiation passing layer. A cold mirror is between the shield and the bottom surface of the radiation passing layer, covering the opening in the opaque layer. A radiation absorber being a separate piece and a different material than the shield provides a radiation seal between the top surface of the shield and the bottom surface of the cold mirror. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120129579 | PROXIMITY SENSOR ARRANGEMENT IN A MOBILE DEVICE - A radiation passing layer has a top surface and a bottom surface below which a proximity sensor is positioned. A radiation shield is between the emitter and the detector, and extends to the bottom of the radiation passing layer. A radiation absorber being a separate piece and of a different material than the shield is positioned to provide a radiation seal between the top surface of the shield and the bottom surface of the radiation passing layer. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120129548 | LOCATION ESTIMATION - A current location of a mobile system in a wireless network can be determined by using information provided by a base station in communication with the mobile system. The information can include a system identifier (SID) table and a local time offset (LTM_OFF) value and a daylight savings time (DAYLT) value. The SID table is used to provide a mobile country code (MCC) associated with a country in which the mobile device is located. The LTM_OFF value is used to provide a range of longitude values in which the mobile device is located. The current location of the mobile device is based upon at least the range of longitude values and the current country. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120129520 | GEO TAGGING USING LOCATION ESTIMATION - A current location of a mobile system in a wireless network can be determined by using information provided by a base station in communication with the mobile system. The location information can be used to index a GEO Locate Table to determine a list of SIDs to populate an optimized scan list. The optimized scan list being used for system selection. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120129487 | OPTIMIZED SYSTEM SELECTION USING LOCATION ESTIMATION - A current location of a mobile system in a wireless network can be determined by using information provided by a base station in communication with the mobile system. The information can include a system identifier (SID) table and a local time offset (LTM_OFF) value and a daylight savings time (DAYLT) value. The SID table is used to provide a mobile country code (MCC) associated with a country in which the mobile device is located. The LTM_OFF value is used to provide a range of longitude values in which the mobile device is located. The current location of the mobile device is based upon at least the range of longitude values and the current country. The current location is used to build an optimized scan list that is used, in turn, to identify and acquire access to the preferred system by a mobile device. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120128262 | REPRESENTING HIGH-RESOLUTION MEDIA CONTENT IN A LOWER RESOLUTION SYSTEM - Representing high-resolution media content in a lower resolution system is disclosed. For a first portion of a high-resolution media content which is associated with a content boundary that does not align with an interval boundary of the lower resolution system, a new media content file that includes at least said first portion of the high-resolution media content is created. The new media content file and a second file comprising at least a second portion of the original media content file, which second portion begins at a first interval boundary and ends at a second interval boundary of the lower resolution system, are provided to the lower resolution system. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120128190 | GAS FILLED SPEAKER VOLUME - A speaker enclosure includes a gas cavity and an air cavity separated by a flexible membrane. A diaphragm is located roughly in an opening of the enclosure surrounding the gas cavity and attached to the enclosure by an outer suspension member. The enclosure, the flexible membrane, the diaphragm, and the outer suspension member are gas and air impermeable. The enclosure surrounding the air cavity has a vent hole to allow air to travel into and out of the air cavity for barometric pressure equalization of the gas cavity. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120128189 | INTEGRATED SPEAKER ASSEMBLY FOR PERSONAL MEDIA DEVICE - Systems and methods are provided for media devices including a housing, a frame disposed adjacent to the housing, and an acoustic source that is integrated with the frame for emitting sound from the media device. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120127156 | Presenting and Browsing Items in a Tilted 3D Space - Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for presenting and browsing items in a tilted 3D space are disclosed. In tilted viewing mode, groups of items from several consecutive levels of a hierarchy can be presented in respective browsable parades shown at different depths into a viewable region of the tilted 3D space. The user can browse laterally across each browsable parade, and browse up and down the hierarchy within the tilted 3D space. With the combination of browsing laterally across the parades presented in the viewable region of the tilted 3D space and browsing up and down the hierarchy along the depth dimension of the 3D space, the user can navigate the entirety of the hierarchy in the tilted 3D space. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120127110 | OPTICAL STYLUS - An optical stylus and host computing system is provided, as are methods related to the operation thereof. In particular, in an example embodiment, a method of operating the optical stylus is provided that includes determining when the optical stylus is in contact with a surface based on signals received by a processor from a pressure sensor of the optical stylus and capturing an image while the optical stylus is in contact with the surface using a camera of the optical stylus. The captured image is then transmitted to a host system. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120127088 | HAPTIC INPUT DEVICE - One embodiment of a haptic input device may include a receiver configured to receive a signal from a touch-based user interface device. The signal may include a control signal or a look-up value. The haptic input device may also include a decoder coupled to the receiver and configured to decode the signal from the touch-based user interface device, at least one sensor configured to determine at least one characteristic of the haptic input device, a controller coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to transmit a control signal, a haptic actuator coupled to the controller, and a transmitter coupled to the at least one sensor. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125810 | DISPLAY APPARATUS - The present invention includes a display apparatus including an item retention wall defining a cavity, and a suspension member coupled to the item retention wall, wherein the item retention wall is configured to retain an item within the cavity by a retention seal between the item and the item retention wall. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120124507 | ELECTRONIC BACKUP OF APPLICATIONS - Systems and methods are provided for storing and restoring digital data. In some implementations, a method is provided. The method includes receiving, while a current view of an application is displayed in a user interface, a first user input requesting that a history view associated with the current view of the application be displayed, retrieve data associated with the history view, determining a presentation format for the data, and displaying the history view in response to the first user input in accordance with the presentation format, the history view including data associated with at least a first visual representation of an earlier version of the current view of the application. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120124392 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STREAM/BLOCK CIPHER WITH INTERNAL RANDOM STATES - Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for performing data encryption and decryption using a stream or block cipher with internal random states. The method includes splitting the input data into a predetermined number of blocks and processing each block. The processing includes creating sub-blocks, permuting the sub-blocks, replacing bytes using a lookup table, rotating bits, performing expansion and combining sets of bits. The element of randomness employed in this process allows for the same input to yield the same output, with differing internal states. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120124366 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A DERIVATION FUNCTION FOR KEY PER PAGE - Disclosed herein are systems, methods and computer-readable media to perform data encryption and decryption using a derivation function to obtain a key per page of data in a white-box environment. The method includes sharing a master key with the sender and receiver, splitting the input data into blocks and sub-blocks, and utilizing a set of keys and a master key to derive a page key. In another aspect of this disclosure, the key validation and shuffling operations are included. This method allows for the derivation of a key instead of storing a predetermined key, thus maintaining system security in a white-box environment. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120124244 | MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE WITH ADAPTIVE RESPONSE BASED ON ACCESSORY FIRMWARE - Techniques for predicting accessory behavior and techniques for responding based on the predicted behavior are provided. A mobile computing device (MCD) determines firmware being used by an accessory. Based on the determination, the MCD can predict a command most likely to be received next from the accessory. After the MCD determines the command most likely to be received next from the accessory, the MCD can retrieve the information to be sent in response to the command and/or initiate an operation to be performed in response to the command prior to actually receiving the command from the accessory. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120124157 | REMOTELY CONFIGURED MEDIA DEVICE - Improved techniques for controlling operation of a portable electronic device are disclosed. Portable electronic devices which interact with a host electronic device can have their operational settings (e.g., configurations or preferences) remotely controlled. As a result, a host electronic device can offer a more sophisticated user interface and portable electronic devices need less local user interface features because these operational settings can be remotely controlled. The remotely-controlled (i.e., host controlled) operational settings are transferred to the portable electronic devices, whereby the portable electronic devices can thereafter operate in accordance with such settings. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120122426 | Separating Attachments Received From A Mobile Device - A computer-implemented method includes receiving a message from a mobile device over a wireless network, the message including several attachments, wherein the several attachments include one or more mobile device attachments corresponding to content captured using the mobile device, identifying the one or more mobile device attachments; and separating the one or more mobile device attachments from the plurality of attachments. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121178 | Image Representation Method and Apparatus - A colour image comprises colour values in each of one or more colour channels for each of a plurality of points, or pixels, within the image. The image is represented by rank ordering the values in each colour channel. The image representation generated in this way is usable for automated-vision or computer-vision tasks, for example. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121121 | SPEAKER HAVING A HORIZONTAL FORMER - A speaker includes a frame, a sound radiating surface, and a suspension that couples the sound radiating surface to the frame. A horizontal former is coupled to the radiating surface. The former extends substantially horizontally outward of a peripheral portion of the radiating surface, to a peripheral portion that is separate from the suspension. A coil is coupled to the peripheral portion of the horizontal former. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121096 | INTELLIGIBILITY CONTROL USING AMBIENT NOISE DETECTION - A communications device is configured to control the intelligibility of speech in a downlink voice signal during a call. The device determines a current noise level based on sampling ambient acoustic noise and based on a previously determined noise level. The device then determines an overall output gain and a frequency response based on the current noise level and based on a user-selected volume setting of the device. The device modifies the downlink voice signal during the call in accordance with the determined overall output gain and the determined frequency response. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120922 | CELL RESELECTION USING ACCESS POINT INFORMATION - Data provided by an access point of a wireless local area network (“WLAN”) is used to assist a mobile device in cell reselection. If a serving cell of a cellular communications network is unsuitable for providing cellular service, a candidate cell co-located with the serving cell can be selected as the serving cell based on quality of service metrics associated with the serving cell and the candidate cell. The mobile device can be proactively commanded to switch to the candidate cell for receiving cellular service. In some implementations, the quality of service metrics are calculated from call logs collected from mobile devices operating in the cellular communications network. In some implementations, network information regarding serving cell performance can be used with the call logs to generate the quality of service metrics. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120633 | DISPLAY SYSTEM WITH DISTRIBUTED LED BACKLIGHT - A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120562 | UNITARY HOUSING FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device having a unitary housing is disclosed. The device can include a first housing component having an open cavity, an internal electronic part disposed within the cavity, a second housing component disposed across the cavity, and a support feature disposed within the cavity and arranged to support the second housing component. The first housing component can be formed from metal, while the second housing component can be formed from a plurality of laminated foil metal layers. The second housing component can be attached to the first housing component via one or more ultrasonic welds, such that a fully enclosed housing is created. The fully enclosed housing can be hermetically sealed, and the outside surfaces thereof can be machined or otherwise finished after the ultrasonic welding. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120277 | Multi-point Touch Focus - A camera includes a lens arranged to focus an image on an image sensor and a touch sensitive visual display for freely selecting two or more regions of interest on a live preview image by touch input. An image processor is coupled to the image sensor and the touch sensitive visual display. The image processor displays the live preview image according to the image focused on the image sensor by the lens. The image processor further receives the selection the regions of interest and controls acquisition of the image from the image sensor based on the characteristics of the image in regions that correspond to at least two of the regions of interest on the live preview image. The image processor may optimize sharpness and/or exposure of the image in at least two of the regions of interest. The image processor may track movement of the selected regions of interest. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120076 | User-Interface Design - Graphical user interface objects are specified by a collection of attribute-value pairs, the collection of which comprise a complete description of the object and may be used by a rendering element to create a visual representation of the object. In practice, each of a first portion of attributes may be associated with two or more values—each value (for a given attribute) specifying that attribute's value for a unique resolution. A second portion of attributes are associated with a single value and are, therefore, display resolution independent. Accordingly, the target object may be displayed at any of the specified design display resolutions or accurately displayed at any resolution between the specified design display resolutions. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120118950 | Combined Business/Gift Card with Redemption Notification - A calling card includes a gift code that can be used to redeem a gift online (e.g., songs, ring tones, coupons, physical merchandise) using an electronic communications device (e.g., a personal computer, mobile phone, electronic tablet). When a user attempts to redeem the gift online, the user can be provided with a web page, email, text message or other electronic document that provides the user with information about the card provider and allows the user to perform certain actions for the benefit of the card provider or a third party. The card provider can be electronically notified during or after an attempt by the user to redeem the gift online. The identity or other personal information of the user is not shared with the card provider unless the user volunteers to share such information. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120117509 | Intelligent Data Caching - Methods, program products, and systems implementing intelligent data caching are disclosed. A client can send a request for data to a server. The request can include a query and a query context. The query can retrieve more data than can be displayed in a current page. The query context can specify a quantity of data records that can be displayed in the current page. The client can receive from the server two sets of data in response to the request. The first set of data can include row identifiers of data records that satisfy the query. The second set of data can include data records that can be displayed in the current page. The client can store the two sets of data in one or more buffers (e.g., two buffers) and update buffer(s) when different data records are displayed (e.g., when a user scrolls through pages). | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120117504 | User Interface for Application Management for a Mobile Device - This specification describes technologies relating to user interfaces for mobile devices. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of receiving a touch input to access an application management interface on a mobile device; presenting an application management interface; receiving one or more inputs within the application management interface including an input to install a particular application; installing the selected application; and presenting the installed application. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120117462 | Dynamic Data Association - Methods, program products, and systems implementing dynamic data association are described. Relations between a first data item and a second data item can be created in an ad hoc manner. The first data item can include a row of data in a table in a relational database. The second data item can include a row of data in the same table, in another table in the relational database, or a document outside the relational database. Configurable metadata can be created to link the first data item and the second data item. The link can be directional. The configurable metadata can include data specified by a user. The configurable metadata can be stored in one or more system tables in the relational database. The configurable metadata can be specific to the user, or to a work group of the user. The configurable metadata can change when the first data item or the second data item is modified. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120117454 | PREVENTING THE INCLUSION OF A REFERENCE TO A HOST CELL IN A FORMULA - Preventing the inclusion of a reference to a host cell in a formula to avoid a circular reference in the formula is disclosed. In some embodiments, an indication of an attempted user gesture for inserting into a formula being entered into a host cell a reference to the host cell is received, and the attempted user gesture for inserting a reference to the host cell is disallowed to prevent a circular reference from being inserted into the formula being entered into the host cell. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120117400 | EFFICIENT SERVICE ADVERTISEMENT AND DISCOVERY IN A PEER-TO-PEER NETWORKING ENVIRONMENT - A local device broadcasts a service advertisement in a wireless network, where the service advertisement includes one or more service identifiers (IDs) identifying one or more services being advertised and an availability schedule of the local device. Optionally, the local device reduces power to at least a portion of the local device and wakes up at a time according to the availability schedule. The local device listens in the wireless network according to the availability schedule of the local device. In response to a service request received from a remote device during the availability window, the local device transmits a service response to the remote device. The service request includes one or more service IDs identifying one or more services being inquired by the remote device and the service response includes detailed information associated with one or more services identified by the one or more service IDs. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120117282 | DATA FILTERING USING CENTRAL DMA MECHANISM - A method and system is disclosed for passing data processed by a DMA controller through a transmission filter. The method includes the DMA controller accessing data for transfer between an origination location in the system and a destination location in the system. The accessed data is passed through the DMA controller before being sent to the destination location. While the data is being passed through the DMA controller, it is passed through a transmission filter for processing. This processing may include the addition or removal of transmission protocol headers and footers, and determination of the destination of the data. This processing may also include hash-based packet classification and checksum generation and checking. Upon completion of the processing, the data is sent directly to a prescribed destination location, typically either a memory circuit or an I/O device. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120117274 | Communication Protocol For Use With Portable Electronic Devices - Improved techniques for communicating between a portable electronic device and an accessory (or auxiliary) device are disclosed. The accessory device can augment or supplement the functionality or capabilities of the portable electronic device. For example, in one embodiment, the accessory device can provide wireless communication capabilities to the portable electronic device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device pertains to a portable media player and thus provide media data for storage, playback or transmission. In one embodiment, the accessory device is attachable to the portable electronic device. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120117121 | Browser-Based Database Manipulation - Methods, program products, and systems implementing browser-based database manipulation are described. A browser on a client device can receive a form definition that is generated based on a schema of a relational database and a layout. The schema in the form definition can specify properties of data fields. The browser can display the data fields and other components of the layout in a list. The browser can receive a drag-and-drop input, the drag-and-drop input selecting a data field or a layout component from the list and dropping the selected data field or layout component in a drop zone in a form area in the browser. The browser can determine the drop location, and use the drop location as a parameter to modify the form definition. The layout and the schema can be modified based on the modified form definition. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120117120 | Integrated Repository of Structured and Unstructured Data - Methods, program products, and systems implementing integrated repository of structured and unstructured data are disclosed. An integrated environment is provided for accessing, structured data (e.g., data of a relational database) and unstructured data (e.g., data stored in a text or binary file), including creating, managing, modifying, and searching the structured data and unstructured data. The integrated environment can include an integrated user interface, a set of commands and application programming interface (API), and storage for a relational database and a document repository. The integrated environment can include a database abstraction layer that allows database operations on both the structured data and the unstructured data. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120117116 | Extended Database Search - Methods, program products, and systems implementing integrated repository of structured and unstructured data are disclosed. An integrated environment is provided for accessing, structured data (e.g., data of a relational database) and unstructured data (e.g., data stored in a text or binary file), including creating, managing, modifying, and searching the structured data and unstructured data. The integrated environment can include an integrated user interface, a set of commands and application programming interface (API), and storage for a relational database and a document repository. The integrated environment can include a database abstraction layer that allows database operations on both the structured data and the unstructured data. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120117105 | Collaborative Database Operations - Methods, program products, and systems implementing collaborative database operations are disclosed. Collaborative database operations can be facilitated by data notification, where a server notifies a client when data being viewed at the client are updated. Notification can be achieved through registration and polling. A client of a database can request data from a server. The request can include a data request and a registration request. The data request can include a query into a database. The registration request can include a specification on conditions upon which the client is to be notified. The condition can include an event type. Upon registration, the client can poll the server periodically to determine whether a result of the query has changed, and if so, what data record in the result has changed. If a data record has changed, the client can request the changed data using an identifier of the data record. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120116778 | Assisted Media Presentation - A system and method is disclosed that uses screen reader like functionality to speak information presented on a graphical user interface displayed by a media presentation system, including information that is not navigable by a remote control device. Information can be spoken in an order that follows a relative importance of the information based on a characteristic of the information or the location of the information within the graphical user interface. A history of previously spoken information is monitored to avoid speaking information more than once for a given graphical user interface. A different pitch can be used to speak information based on a characteristic of the information. Information that is not navigable by the remote control device can be spoken after time delay. Voice prompts can be provided for a remote-driven virtual keyboard displayed by the media presentation system. The voice prompts can be spoken with different voice pitches. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120116684 | SUPPORTING THE MONITORING OF A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY - Improved techniques and systems for utilizing a portable electronic device to monitor, process, present and manage data captured by a remote sensor during a physical activity session are disclosed. The portable electronic device offers a convenient user interface that can be visual and/or audio based customized to a particular application, user-friendly and/or dynamic. The portable electronic device can pertain to a personal media device and thus also provide media playback. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120115512 | Beacon-Based Geofencing - A mobile device can monitor a current location using a multi-tier approach. A baseband subsystem can monitor a coarse location of the mobile device using various course location parameters, such as a mobile country code (MCC), a location area code (LAC), or a cell identifier (cell ID), as the mobile device moves closer to the geographic region. Upon determining that the mobile device is in a cell that intersects the geographic region, the baseband subsystem can transfer the monitoring to the application subsystem. The task can be performed when the application subsystem determines that the mobile device is currently located in the geographic region. A beacon network can provide more accurate estimates of mobile device location and advertise location based services available to the mobile device. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120115414 | Wireless tramsmission of media from a media player - Wireless transmission of media from a media player is provided. A handheld media player includes a storage medium for storing a plurality of media items, a user interface for selecting one or more of the media items, a playback device for playing a selected media item for a user of the handheld media player, and a wireless transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the selected media item to one or more media devices. The wireless transmitter can be configured to wirelessly transmit the selected media item while the playback device plays the selected media item for the user of the handheld media player. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114251 | 3D Object Recognition - A method, device, system, and computer program for object recognition of a 3D object of a certain object class using a statistical shape model for recovering 3D shapes from a 2D representation of the 3D object and comparing the recovered 3D shape with known 3D to 2D representations of at least one object of the object class. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114236 | Gamma Adjustment for Maximizing Information in Images - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, are described for transforming an image at least in part by using a gamma transformation that maximizes information in the transformed image. In one aspect, a digital image is received and brightness of the digital image is determined. The brightness of the digital image can include luminance or color. Maximum available detail in the digital image is brought out at least in part by applying to the brightness of the digital image a first gamma exponent that is equal to one divided by a negative of an average logarithm of the brightness of the digital image. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114227 | OPPONENT COLOR DETAIL ENHANCEMENT FOR SATURATED COLORS - A method, system and device for enhancing detail in areas of saturated color in an image are described. As areas of saturated color are detected in an image the opponent color channel is used to calculate a factor to apply to the original pixel value. By calculating this factor to adjust the pixel values of the image detail may be enhanced in the color saturated areas. A user supplied value may also be included to control the amount of automatic adjustment to the pixel values. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114133 | DETECTING THE REPOSITIONING OF AN EARPHONE USING A MICROPHONE AND ASSOCIATED ACTION - A system detects the repositioning of an earphone that is worn by a user, and changes an operation mode of a host coupled to the earphone. Within the earphone is a pressure transducer that detects a pressure change caused by the repositioning of the earphone. A signaling mechanism sends a repositioning detection signal to the host in response to a signal from the pressure transducer indicating the detection of the pressure change. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113154 | COLUMN INVERSION TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVED TRANSMITTANCE - Present techniques involve methods and systems of inversion patterns for pixels in a display. Inversion techniques involve driving image signals having a first polarity to data lines of a pixel matrix during a first time period and driving image signals having an opposite polarity to the data lines during a second time period. In some embodiments, the pixels may be configured to have electrodes having only two finger electrodes, thus widening the distance between electrodes and decreasing the susceptibility for crosstalk between pixels. In some embodiments, horizontal cross-talk of electromagnetic fields between pixels may be further reduced by configuring the data line driving scheme such that voltage polarity is flipped for the pixels along every two, three, or more data line columns. Furthermore, a Z inversion pattern may be employed to reduce the occurrence of undesirable display artifacts. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120110323 | METHODS FOR PROCESSING PRIVATE METADATA - According to one aspect of the invention, a file received from a first user is stored in a storage device, where the file includes private metadata encrypted by a secret key associated with a second user. A private metadata identifier is stored in a predetermined storage location, indicating that private metadata of the file has not been decrypted and indexed. In response to an inquiry subsequently received from the second user, the predetermined storage location is scanned to identify the private metadata identifier based on the inquiry. The encrypted metadata identified by the private metadata identifier is transmitted to the second user for decryption. In response to the metadata that has been decrypted by the second user, the decrypted metadata is indexed for the purpose of subsequent searches of at least one of the metadata and the file. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109970 | METHODS FOR INDEXING AND SEARCHING BASED ON LANGUAGE LOCALE - In response to a search query having a search term received from a client, a current language locale is determined. A state machine is built based on the current language locale, where the state machine includes one or more nodes to represent variance of the search term having identical meaning of the search term. Each node of the state machine is traversed to identify one or more postings lists of an inverted index corresponding to each node of the state machine. One or more item identifiers obtained from the one or more postings list are returned to the client, where the item identifiers identify one or more files that contain the variance of the search term represented by the state machine. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109967 | METHODS FOR PREFIX INDEXING - According to one aspect of the invention, in response to one or more terms to be indexed, each of the terms is indexed in a regular index. In addition, for each of the terms having multiple characters, at least one prefix portion of the term is indexed in a prefix index, where the regular index is used for regular searches and the prefix index is used for prefix searches without having to combine a plurality of postings lists of the regular index at the point in time. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109349 | Media Management And Routing Within An Electronic Device - A method and apparatus for intelligently routing and managing audio signals within an electronic device is disclosed. The routing is responsive to a set of logical and physical policies which are stored in data tables which can be updated as needed. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107654 | RECHARGEABLE BATTERY WITH A JELLY ROLL HAVING MULTIPLE THICKNESSES - The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a battery cell with multiple thicknesses. This battery cell includes a jelly roll enclosed in a pouch, wherein the jelly roll includes layers which are wound together, including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating. The jelly roll also includes a first conductive tab coupled to the cathode and a second conductive tab coupled to the anode. The jelly roll is enclosed in a flexible pouch, and the first and second conductive tabs are extended through seals in the pouch to provide terminals for the battery cell. Furthermore, the battery cell has two or more thicknesses, wherein the different thicknesses are created by removing material from one or more of the layers before winding the layers together. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120106632 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ERROR RESILIENT LONG TERM REFERENCING BLOCK REFRESH - A system and method for coding video data wherein a pixel block may be coded for refresh with reference to an LTR frame that was successfully transmitted, or has a high probability of having been successfully transmitted from the encoder to the decoder. Not all pixel blocks in the frame may be refreshed at the same rate. Pixel blocks containing edge details, containing a significant object, or containing foreground image data may be refreshed more often than pixel blocks containing smooth, background, or relatively less significant image data. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120106067 | SMALL FORM FACTOR DESK TOP COMPUTER - An aesthetically pleasing small form factor desktop computer is described. The small form factor desktop computer can be formed of a single piece seamless housing that in the described embodiment is machined from a single billet of aluminum. The single piece seamless housing includes an aesthetically pleasing foot support having at least a portion formed of RF transparent material that provides easy user access to selected internal components as well as offers electromagnetic (EM) shielding. This simplicity of design can accrue many advantages to the small form factor desktop computer besides those related to aesthetic look and feel. Fewer components and less time and effort can be required for assembly of the small form factor desktop computer and the absence of seams in the single piece housing can provide good protection against environmental contamination of internal components as well as EM shielding. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120106018 | SPARK GAP FOR HIGH-SPEED CABLE CONNECTORS - Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide low-capacitance protection from electrostatic discharges. One example protects a circuit in a cable connector that is connected to cable connector contacts. This example may include a number of spark gaps that may be used for electrostatic discharge protection. These spark gaps may be formed using traces a printed circuit board. Signal traces to be protected may be routed such that they pass in close proximity to a ground pad, line, plane, area, or connection. When excessive electrostatic energy builds up on the signal trace, the energy may spark across a gap from the signal trace to the ground pad. The gap and parts of the signal traces and ground may be uncovered such that the electrostatic discharge may dissipate through the air. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120105672 | Auto Exposure Blowout Prevention - Systems, methods, and a computer readable medium for performing an improved blowout prevention process in an image capture device are provided to compensate for occurrences of exposure “blowouts,” i.e., areas in a captured image where pixel brightness exceeds the sensor's dynamic range of capturing capability. In one embodiment, the captured image's histogram may be analyzed to determine if the image is indicative of the presence of exposure blowouts. Once it has been determined that there likely are blowouts in the image, an exposure bias for the image capture device may be set accordingly. Particularly, the exposure value (EV) for the image capture device may be gradually corrected, e.g., by one-eighth of a stop per captured frame, until the image histogram is no longer indicative of blown out regions, at which point the image capture device's exposure value may gradually be corrected back to “normal,” i.e., non-exposure bias compensated, levels. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120105348 | TECHNIQUES FOR INTERACTIVE INPUT TO PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Techniques for providing touch input to interactive and multitasking applications are disclosed. An input surface area receives input for multiple applications including interactive applications. The input received is directed to the appropriate application based on one or more locations of the input area effectively identified when input is received. In addition, the manner in which input is received can be used to determine which application should receive the input. Input can be provided in a simple and more intuitive manner by effectively allowing the user to interact with the input area in a way that mimics or approximates a desired action. Examples of such interaction include positional, directional (e.g., rotational), press or pressure input (or movement) which can easily be provided by a thumb or a finger, for example, on a touch screen. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120105333 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING HAPTIC CONTROL - Haptic systems are disclosed which may provide increased resolution in tactile feedback. A tiered haptic system may be formed by stacking of haptic elements. One or more arrays of shape change elements such as, for example, piezoelectric elements may be used to actuate a screen surface. Arrays may also be used to sense tactile interactions and stimuli on a screen surface. An embedded haptic system may be formed by inserting haptic elements into a contoured elastic sheet. The embedded haptic system may provide tactile interactions to a user. In some embodiments, both tiered and embedded haptic arrangements may be used. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120105162 | RESONANT OSCILLATOR WITH START UP AND SHUT DOWN CIRCUITRY - A system which starts up and shuts down a resonant oscillator circuit. During start up, the system operates a driving circuit, which is external to the resonant oscillator circuit, wherein the driving circuit uses a first clock signal to control a first phase output of the resonant oscillator circuit. At the same time, the driving circuit uses a second clock signal to control a second phase output of the resonant oscillator circuit, wherein the first and second clock signals have opposite phases. While the first and second phase outputs are being controlled, the system ramps up an input voltage, which is used to power the resonant oscillator circuit, wherein the ramping takes place across multiple initial oscillation periods. During shut down, the system shuts down the resonant oscillator circuit by ramping down the input voltage. Next, the system clamps the first and second phase outputs to a fixed voltage. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120104543 | HIGH-SPEED MEMORY SOCKETS AND INTERPOSERS - High-speed memory systems that consume a reduced amount of board space, have a low height or profile, or both. This reduction in board space and height may result in shorter signal paths from a board to a memory device, thereby improving the high-speed performance of the high-speed memory system. One example may provide a space-efficient memory system that consumes a reduced amount of board space. Space efficiency may gained by arraying memory devices on an interposer that mates with a socket attached to a board. Another example may provide a memory system that has a reduced height or profile. This reduced height may be achieved by employing a socket that accepts an interposer in a lateral or rotational direction. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103651 | HIGH-SPEED CABLE CONFIGURATIONS - Cables that are capable of high-speed data transmission. One example provides a cable having conductors that have a low insertion loss. These cables may also be manufactured such that differential signals may be conveyed with minimal skew. The conductors may also be arranged in a manner that allows the cables to be bent and twisted with a reduced amount of damage. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120102301 | PREDICATE COUNT AND SEGMENT COUNT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROCESSING VECTORS - The described embodiments comprise a PredCount instruction and a SegCount instruction. When executed by a processor, the PredCount instruction causes the processor to analyze a predicate vector to determine a number of active elements in the predicate vector that exhibit a predetermined condition (e.g., that are set to a predetermined value) and to return a result indicating that number. When executed by a processor, the segCount instruction causes the processor to determine a number of times that a GeneratePredicates instruction would be executed to generate a full set of predicates using active elements of an input vector. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120102236 | COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AN ACCESSORY AND A MEDIA PLAYER WITH MULTIPLE PROTOCOL VERSIONS - An interface and protocol allow a media player to communicate with external accessories over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a number of accessory lingoes. Examples of accessory lingoes include a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an RF transmitter lingo, and an extended interface lingo. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101944 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING MEDIA GIFTS - Various techniques are provided for the gifting between multiple electronic devices of media content provided by an online digital media provider. An offer and acceptance of a selected gift file is accomplished between a gifter device and a receiving giftee device using a near-field communication (NFC) connection. If a connection to the online provider is available, the gifter device may transmit a gift request by which the gifter's account is charged for the gift file. Thereafter, a gift file created using DRM keys associated with the giftee's account may be downloaded to the giftee device. If a network connection is unavailable, the giftee device may transfer a locked gift file and a corresponding gift license to the giftee device using a peer-to-peer connection. The giftee device may authenticate the license and unlock the gift file once a connection to the online provider is available. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099264 | PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE - A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120098870 | OLED DRIVING TECHNIQUE - Systems, methods, and devices for efficient brightness control for an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display are provided. In one embodiment, such a method may include receiving image data into a data driver of an organic light emitting diode display and transforming the image data into a logarithmic domain. A dimming control value may be subtracted from this log-encoded image data. The resulting log-encoded dimmed image data may represent a darker version of the originally received image data. Thereafter, a pixel of the organic light emitting diode display may be driven based at least in part on the dimmed image data. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120096777 | Support Structure And Building Including Same - The present invention relates to support structures including truss assemblies and purlins, the truss assemblies including struts, wherein utilities such as pipes and cables can be contained within the purlins, and can pass through openings in the struts, to thereby be retained by the support structures so as to be hidden from view. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120096361 | Presenting Media Content Items Using Geographical Data - Systems and techniques are disclosed for generating a geographically based slideshow of a user's digital media items such as photos or videos. A slideshow framework receives user-specified digital images, ordering them according to time of capture, organizing the ordered images into groups, each group corresponding to a different geographical region, and generating a slideshow of the user-specified images using maps of the different geo-graphical regions and visual transitions between the different geographical regions. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120096356 | Visual Presentation Composition - Methods, systems and/or computer program products are disclosed that help facilitate visual presentation composition. A method includes analyzing a plurality of video clips, each video clip comprising a plurality of frames, to determine a subset of the plurality of video clips that have at least one frame depicting one or more faces. The method further includes presenting, in a user interface of a video editing application, the determined subset of video clips along with indicia indicating one or more face-related characteristics of each of the subset of video clips. Furthermore, the method includes receiving, from a user of the video editing application, a selection of one or more frames of at least one of the subset of video clips to populate a shot placeholder in a movie-building template, and generating a playable media file representing a movie based at least in part on the selection received from the user. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120096343 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR PROVIDING A DYNAMIC LOUPE FOR DISPLAYED INFORMATION - Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for providing a dynamic loupe for displayed information of a document. The displayed information can be provided in various sub-regions of the document. Based on the position of an input relative to a particular sub-region, the loupe can be sized and positioned such that a portion of information from the sub-region is displayed in the loupe. The portion of information can be displayed using a loupe scale factor that may differ from a scale factor used for the rest of the displayed information. The loupe position can be selected such that the contents and or position of the loupe may be biased towards a particular sub-region. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120096189 | Method and System for Allowing a Media Player to Determine if it Supports the Capabilities of an Accessory - A method and system for allowing a media player to determine if it supports the capabilities of an accessory are disclosed. The method and system comprise requesting information about the capabilities of the accessory by the media player and providing information about the capabilities of the accessory by the accessory to the media player. The method and system further include utilizing the information to determine if the capabilities of the accessory are supported by the media player. Accordingly, a method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a media player to obtain information from an accessory about the accessory's capability. A media player can then utilize this information to allow for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the media player. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120095877 | APPLICATION USAGE POLICY ENFORCEMENT - Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for enforcing application usage policies. As part of an application purchase transaction, the application distributor creates a unique proof of purchase receipt. This receipt can be bundled with the application and delivered to the purchaser. Each machine can maintain an authorization file that lists the users authorized to use applications on that machine. A system configured to practice the method verifies that a user is authorized to use an application on a machine based on an application proof of purchase receipt and the authorization file. If the application proof of purchase receipt and the authorization file are both valid, the system checks if the user account identifier in the receipt is contained in the authorization file. If so, the user can be considered authorized to use the application on the machine. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120094684 | LOCATION BASED OPERATION OF A WIRELESS MOBILE SYSTEM - Operating parameters of a wireless mobile communication device can be adjusted to comply with requirements defined by a local regulatory regime. Location information can be received by the wireless mobile communication device and be used to determine local operating requirements. In one embodiment, location information in the form of MCC-MNC information can be used to query a local database to determine values of local operating limits such as, for example, a local value of a maximum allowable transmission power limit. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120094517 | CONNECTOR HAVING SELF-WIPING CONTACTS - Connectors that may be incorporated and used in electronic devices in a reliable manner. One example may provide a connector that may receive a memory card, such as a Secure Digital, SmartMedia, Compact Flash, or other type of memory card. One example may provide a connector that may connect to other electronic circuits and components in an electronic device in a reliable manner. Another may provide a connector that may reliably form a connection for electromagnetic interference protection during device assembly. Another may provide a connector that may be resistant to damage from debris or other particulate matter that may enter the connector. Another example may provide a connector that has a back that is reinforced to prevent damage caused by the insertion of a card with excessive force. Another may provide a connector having a raised portion arranged to fit in an opening in a printed circuit board. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120094513 | SHALLOW DEPTH CONNECTOR HAVING CONTACT PROTECTION - Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles having a smaller size. One example provides this smaller size by decreasing the depth of the connector receptacle. Contacts in the connector receptacle may be protected from damage due to improper insertion of a second electronic device or connection to a second electronic device. This protection may be achieved in various ways. In some examples, one or more components or one or more contacts may be used to block the improper insertion of a second electronic device or connection to a second electronic device. In other examples, one or more contacts may avoid damage by being located outside of an insertion path until a second electronic device or connection to a second electronic device is inserted. In other examples, instead of blocking or avoiding an improper insertion, the contacts may avoid damage by bending out of the way. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120093409 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR CAPTURING A SIGNATURE FOR USE IN A DOCUMENT - Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for capturing a signature, and placing a representation of the captured signature in an appropriate field of a document. A camera or other appropriate sensor can capture an image of a signature provided by a user on a piece of paper. The signature can be digitized to create a representation that a device may use in a displayed document. To determine where to place the representation, a horizontal line of a document can be identified by selectively rendering portions of the document adjacent to an input position, and identifying one or more boundaries for a detected horizontal line. The representation can be scaled to fit in a detected field of the document. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092991 | ADAPTING TRANSMISSION TO IMPROVE QOS IN A MOBILE WIRELESS DEVICE - A method and apparatus for adapting transmission to improve quality of service in a mobile wireless device that includes an application processor and a transceiver. An application service connection is established between the mobile wireless device and a remote device. The transceiver in the mobile wireless device monitors real time properties of a radio frequency access link that transports packets for the application service between the mobile wireless device and a wireless communication network. The transceiver provides local feedback to the application processor of updated values of the monitored real time properties. The application processor adjusts packet data generation and transmission in response to the updated values to manage quality of service for the application service connection. Packet data transmission adjustment includes active management of queues in the transceiver by the application processor, selectively dropping packets based on packet classifications and the local feedback information provided to the application processor. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092821 | COMPUTER HOUSING - A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092701 | DIAGNOSTIC TARGETS FOR EVALUATING PRINTING PERFORMANCE - Print performance is evaluated by printing a diagnostic image comprising color patches. Colorant usage in the printed image is measured by, for instance, scanning each patch. Measured color values are then compared to target color values. Based on the comparison, groups of patches whose color values vary significantly from expectations are identified. Variant groups are then analyzed to identify, in addition to color quality control problems, spatial problems that affect only a localized area of a printed page. Such spatial problems may include, for example, problems with contrast or streaks. A heat map illustrating the differences may be generated to help an operator visualize the spatial problem. A template for the diagnostic image may be selected from a plurality of randomly generated diagnostic targets based on total colorant usage for at least one colorant in each column of color patches. Certain patches may be predefined across for each candidate target. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092559 | Rolling Shutter Distortion Correction - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for performing rolling shutter distortion corrections are described. A video clip captured by a user is received and each of a plurality of predefined affine transforms for rolling shutter distortion correction is applied to the received video clip. Further, a visual indication of results from each of the plurality of the predefined affine transforms is presented to the user and input is received from the user selecting one of the visual indications. Furthermore, the predefined affine transform corresponding to the selected visual indication is associated with a device that acquired the received video clip. Additionally, the association can be stored, and the stored association can be used later to automatically perform a rolling shutter distortion correction on another video clip upon detecting that the other video clip comes from same device that already went through a calibration sequence. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092378 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR INTEGRATING A FIT-TO-SIZE SCALE FACTOR IN A SEQUENCE OF SCALE FACTORS - Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for integrating a fit-to-size scale factor in a sequence of scale factors. A fit-to-size scale factor can be determined based on original dimensions of information to be displayed and on dimensions of a window in which to display the information. The determined fit-to-size scale factor can be integrated in a listing of scale factors such that when a user steps through the sequence of scale factors, the user can select from the sequence the fit-to-size scale factor with which to display the information. In some cases, a auto-resize mode can be seamlessly enabled such that the information may automatically scale to its fit-to-size scale factor when the window is re-sized. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092376 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOTION BLUR USING VELOCITY VECTORS - A system and method for applying motion blur to an application window. Motion blur may be applied to pixel in a window by calculating a velocity vector for each pixel in the window with reference to velocity vectors calculated for each corner of the window. Motion blur may be implemented by placing a number of blur samples in a frame along the pixel velocity vector according to the size of the pixel vector, or by directionally downsampling then re-upsampling the content of the window. For a frame having multiple windows, the motion blur for each window may be determined independent of the motion of other windows or as a composite for windows moving together. According to an embodiment, for each pixel in the frame, the associated application window may be identified and the pixel blurred with reference to the corner velocities of the associated application window. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092374 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR PLACING A REPRESENTATION OF THE CAPTURED SIGNATURE IN A DOCUMENT - Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for capturing a signature, and placing a representation of the captured signature in an appropriate field of a document. A camera or other appropriate sensor can capture an image of a signature provided by a user on a piece of paper. The signature can be digitized to create a representation that a device may use in a displayed document. To determine where to place the representation, a horizontal line of a document can be identified by selectively rendering portions of the document adjacent to an input position, and identifying one or more boundaries for a detected horizontal line. The representation can be scaled to fit in a detected field of the document. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092351 | FACILITATING ATOMIC SWITCHING OF GRAPHICS-PROCESSING UNITS - The disclosed embodiments provide a system that configures a computer system to switch between two graphics-processing units (GPUs). During operation, the system receives a request to switch from using a first GPU to using a second GPU to drive the display. In response to this request, the system executes a user thread that copies pixel values from a first framebuffer for the first GPU to a second framebuffer for the second GPU. Next, the user thread initiates a switch from the first framebuffer to the second framebuffer as a signal source for driving the display. Finally, the user thread sends an asynchronous notification of the switch to one or more applications, wherein the asynchronous notification allows the applications to transition from rendering graphics using the first GPU to rendering graphics using the second GPU. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092346 | GROUPING ITEMS IN A FOLDER - User interface changes and file system operations related to grouping items in a destination folder are disclosed. A user can group multiple items displayed on a user interface into a destination folder using an input command. An animation can be presented in the user interface illustrating the creation of the destination folder and the movement of each selected item into the newly created folder. The movement of each selected item can be along a respective path starting from an initial location on the user interface and terminating at the destination folder, and initiation of the movement of each selected item can be asynchronous with respect to the other selected items. Implementations showing the animations in various types of user interfaces are also disclosed. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092340 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR MANIPULATING GRAPHICAL OBJECTS - Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for manipulating graphical objects are provided. For example, a polygonal mesh may be modeled based on graphical object content, and then both a graphical object based on the graphical object content and a map of control points based on the polygonal mesh may be rendered on a display. A user may activate one or more of the displayed control points and may provide one or more user movements to reposition the activated control points. The polygonal mesh may be physically simulated in response to the user movements of the control points, and then the graphical object and the map of control points may be re-rendered based on the physical simulation of the polygonal mesh. The graphical object content may include multiple character glyphs of a text string, and the polygonal mesh for that content may include one or more intra-character polygons per character glyph. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092305 | RESOLUTION-INDEPENDENT VIRTUAL DISPLAY - The disclosed embodiments provide a system that drives a first display and a second display with a higher pixel density than the first display from a computer system. During operation, the system provides a set of backing stores for windows in the computer system. Next, the system enables a first set of clients to draw to the backing stores using a virtual coordinate system. Finally, the system uses the backing stores to drive the first and second displays so that a given distance in the virtual coordinate system is substantially the same size on the first and second displays. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120090251 | Glass Building Panel And Building Made Therefrom - A building panel and a building formed therefrom, where the building includes a plurality of building panels arranged to form a cylindrical shape, where each panel comprises a single, or monolithic, glass piece, where each glass piece is substantially rectangular and includes two opposing long sides extending in a height direction and two opposing short sides extending substantially in a width direction, and where each glass piece forms an identical circular arc when viewed from either of the two opposing short sides. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120089933 | CONTENT CONFIGURATION FOR DEVICE PLATFORMS - The present technology includes a digital content authoring tool for authoring digital content without the need to understand or access computer code. The present technology further includes creating digital content that can be modified with animation of assets. Each animation can be controlled by an action, and the actions can be tied to a time axis for execution. By relating actions to a time axis, animations based on the actions can be more easily viewed and reviewed. In some embodiments, the system can clear a page of all but a selected asset so that it may be more easily worked with. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120089712 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING NETWORK RESOURCE ADDRESS MANAGEMENT - Systems and methods are provided for allowing a user to obtain an intended network resource address. An undesired network resource address (NRA) which had been mistakenly entered by a user may be identified as being undesired. In response, an intended NRA may be determined and provided to the user. For example, a database of undesired NRAs may be access to determine an intended NRA (e.g., based on an association of the undesired NRA with an intended NRA). The undesired NRA database may be located local to or remote from the user equipment. The NRA database may be updated in response to, for example, receiving an undesired address command from the user. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120088556 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE IN A POWER-LIMITED MANNER - Improved techniques to manage operation of a portable electronic device having a substantially depleted battery when power is available from an external, power-limited source are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the substantially depleted battery can be initially charged while a power-intensive operation is delayed. Once the battery has adequate charge to assist the external, power-limited source in powering the portable electronic device, the power-intensive operation can be performed. In this manner, power consumption of a portable electronic device can be managed so that reliable operation is achieved without exceeding limits on power being drawn from an external, power-limited source. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120088488 | METHOD TO CONTROL CONFIGURATION CHANGE TIMES IN A WIRELESS DEVICE - A method to control configuration change times is performed at a mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is connected to a wireless network. The mobile wireless device is connected in a first configuration mode. The mobile wireless communication device receives a control message from a radio network subsystem in the wireless network at a local receive time. The received control message includes a time indication for when to start a configuration mode change of the mobile wireless communication device, which the device extracts from the control message. The mobile wireless communication device reconfigures to a second configuration mode, different from the first configuration mode, based on the extracted time indication and the local receive time. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120088059 | CURVED PLASTIC OBJECT AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DEBURRING THE SAME - Curved plastic objects and systems and methods for deburring the same are disclosed. The curved plastic object can be the cap or grill of a headphone or earbud. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087531 | ULTRASONICALLY WELDED STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - Ultrasonically welded structures and methods for manufacturing welded structures are disclosed. The welded structures can be earbuds or headphones. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087411 | INTERNAL BIT DEPTH INCREASE IN DEBLOCKING FILTERS AND ORDERED DITHER - A dither processing system processes pixel data having an integer component and a fractional component. The system may parse picture data into a plurality of blocks having a size corresponding to a dither matrix. Fractional components of each pixel may be compared to a corresponding dither value from the dither matrix. Based on the comparison, the processing system may determine whether or not to increment the integer components of the respective pixels. By performing such comparisons on a pixel-by-pixel basis, it is expected that this dithering will be more effective than this other dither processing. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087066 | ATTACHMENT MECHANISM - An attachment mechanism for attaching a first component and a second component includes at least a body integrally formed with the first component. In the described embodiment, the body includes at least a first portion, and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion where the first portion is deflectable in at least a first direction and the second portion is deflectable in at least a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The second portion secures the second component to the first component with a securing force proportional to an amount of deflection of the first portion and the first portion and the second portion remain apart. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086812 | DIGITAL CAMERA IMAGING EVALUATION MODULE - An operator friendly camera testing module is described. The camera testing module includes at least a color shift evaluation unit and a color non-uniformity evaluation unit. The color shift evaluation unit providing a color shift metric and the color non-uniformity evaluation unit providing a color non-uniformity metric each used to characterize a digital camera. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086438 | Magnetometer Calibration - A real-time calibration system and method for a mobile device having an onboard magnetometer uses an estimator to estimate magnetometer calibration parameters and a magnetic field external to the mobile device (e.g., the earth magnetic field). The calibration parameters can be used to calibrate uncalibrated magnetometer readings output from the onboard magnetometer. The external magnetic field can be modeled as a weighted combination of a past estimate of the external magnetic field and the asymptotic mean of that magnetic field, perturbed by a random noise (e.g., Gaussian random noise). The weight can be adjusted based on a measure of the statistical uncertainty of the estimated calibration parameters and the estimated external magnetic field. The asymptotic mean of the external magnetic field can be modeled as a time average of the estimated external magnetic field. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086426 | SINGLE-INDUCTOR MULTIPLE-OUTPUT POWER SUPPLY WITH DEFAULT PATH - The disclosed embodiments relate to a power supply for a portable electronic device. This power supply includes a power source, an inductor, a control circuit, and an input switch that couples the input terminal of the inductor to either the power source or a reference voltage. The power supply also includes a first output path that produces a first output voltage and a second output path that produces a second output voltage. The first output path includes a first diode coupled between the output terminal of the inductor and the first output voltage, and a first output capacitor coupled between the first output voltage and the reference voltage. The second output path includes a second diode and an output switch coupled between the output terminal and the second output voltage, and a second output capacitor coupled between the second output voltage and the reference voltage. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120084627 | DATA RECOVERY USING OUTER CODEWORDS STORED IN VOLATILE MEMORY - Systems and methods are disclosed for data recovery using outer codewords stored in volatile memory. Outer codewords can be associated with one or more horizontal portions or vertical portions of a non-volatile memory (“NVM”). In some embodiments, an NVM interface of an electronic device can program user data to a super block of the NVM. The NVM interface can then determine if a program disturb has occurred in the super block. In response to detecting that a program disturb has occurred in the super block, the NVM interface can perform garbage collection on the super block. The NVM interface can then use outer codewords associated with the super block to recover from any uncorrectable error correction code errors detected in the super block. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120084484 | SELECTIVELY COMBINING COMMANDS FOR A SYSTEM HAVING NON-VOLATILE MEMORY - Systems and methods are disclosed for selectively combining commands for a system having non-volatile memory (“NVM”). In some embodiments, a command dispatcher of a system can receive multiple commands to access a NVM for a period of time. After receiving the multiple commands, the command dispatcher can determine a set of commands that are naturally combinable. In some embodiments, the command dispatcher can select commands that are fairly distributed across different chip enables (“CEs”) and/or buses. After selecting the set of commands, the command dispatcher can combine the set of commands into a multi-access command. Finally, the command dispatcher can dispatch the multi-access command to the NVM. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120084478 | STACKED DIE WITH VERTICALLY-ALIGNED CONDUCTORS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - Stacked die having vertically-aligned conductors and methods for making the same are disclosed for providing a non-volatile memory, such as flash memory (e.g., NAND flash memory), for use in an electronic device. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083911 | COMMUNICATING SENSOR DATA BETWEEN ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Sensor data is communicated between two electronic devices under control of the receiving device. For example, one device is equipped with one or more sensors that can produce a stream of real-time readings. The other device can request the sensor data from the first device and can also specify to the first device one or more throttling criteria to control or limit the amount of sensor data that is sent. Each throttling criterion can specify both a category of criterion (e.g., time-based, value-based, etc.) and a throttling parameter specific to the category. The first device can monitor the sensor data to determine when a throttling criterion specified by the second device is satisfied; when the throttling criterion is satisfied, the first device can send the current sensor reading as sensor data to the second device. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083294 | INTEGRATED IMAGE DETECTION AND CONTEXTUAL COMMANDS - An image is received by a data processing system. A text recognition module identifies textual information in the image. A data detection module identifies a pattern in the textual information and determines a data type of the pattern. A user interface provides a user with a contextual processing command option based on the data type of the pattern in the textual information. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083264 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORT FORMAT SELECTION IN A MOBILE WIRELESS DEVICE - A method and apparatus for transport format selection in a mobile wireless communication device. During a simultaneous voice and data call, the mobile wireless communication device selects a transport format for proper uplink data transmission. Simultaneous voice and data calls require higher uplink transmit power than voice only calls. The mobile wireless communication device selects a transport format based on the uplink transmit power level. At higher transmit power levels, minimum or zero data rates are chosen to maintain sufficient power for simultaneous voice. Transmit format is specified using a transmit format combination indicator. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083209 | WIRELESS ACCESSORY DEVICE PAIRING DETERMINATION FOR MULTIPLE HOST DEVICES - A wireless communications system includes an accessory device and multiple host devices. A host device pairs wirelessly with an accessory device using a unique link key, detects a primary trigger event and responds by transferring automatically its pairing with the accessory device to a second host device while all devices remain within wireless range of each other. The pairing transfer involves communicating the link key to the second host device, unpairing the accessory device from the first host device, and establishing a wireless pairing of the accessory device to the second host device. The primary trigger event can involve establishing a ported connection between host devices. A secondary trigger event results in the first host device automatically reclaiming its pairing with the accessory device. An accessory device can also select and pair with one of multiple host devices in response to a specific user gesture detected by the accessory device. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083208 | WIRELESS ACCESSORY DEVICE PAIRING TRANSFER BETWEEN MULTIPLE HOST DEVICES - A wireless communications system includes an accessory device and multiple host devices. A host device pairs wirelessly with an accessory device using a unique link key, detects a primary trigger event and responds by transferring automatically its pairing with the accessory device to a second host device while all devices remain within wireless range of each other. The pairing transfer involves communicating the link key to the second host device, unpairing the accessory device from the first host device, and establishing a wireless pairing of the accessory device to the second host device. The primary trigger event can involve establishing a ported connection between host devices. A secondary trigger event results in the first host device automatically reclaiming its pairing with the accessory device. An accessory device can also select and pair with one of multiple host devices in response to a specific user gesture detected by the accessory device. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083170 | BATTERY CONNECTOR WITH LID FOR EASY DISCONNECT - Battery connectors that have a small size, are easily connected and disconnected during manufacturing and repair, are resistant to misconnection, and during connection, form electrical contact for one or both power pins before a signal pin. In one example, size may be reduced by providing a lid having a flat surface. Another example may provide a lid that extends beyond an edge of the socket in one or more directions to allow the lid to be pried with a finger during removal. Another example may provide a socket that is keyed using a negative space, which may mate with an open space in the lid. This mating may prevent the lid from being misconnected with the socket during manufacturing or repair. Another example may provide signal pins having a lower height than power and ground pins, such that power and ground connections are formed first when a battery is connected. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083164 | HIGH-SPEED CARD CONNECTOR HAVING WIDE POWER CONTACT - Connectors to connect optional or daughter cards or boards to main or motherboards. One example provides a connector that is capable of supporting high-speed data rates by employing contacts that provide short signal paths and a ground plane to improve signal quality. The space consumed in electronic devices may be reduced by providing a connector having a low profile, while another example may provide a connector having mechanical stability. Another example provides a connector having an increased manufacturability. Other examples include wider contacts for increased current capabilities. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083158 | INTERNAL EDGE CONNECTOR - Edge connectors to connect a daughter or optional board to an edge of a main or motherboard. These connectors may have a low profile or height to save space in electronic devices, and allow electronic devices incorporating the connector have a thin form factor. These connectors may also provide for reliable manufacturing by providing a robust connection to a motherboard and easy insertion of a daughter card. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083157 | HIGH-SPEED CARD CONNECTOR - Connectors to connect optional or daughter cards or boards to main or motherboards. One example provides a connector that is capable of supporting high-speed data rates by employing contacts that provide short signal paths and a ground plane to improve signal quality. The space consumed in electronic devices may be reduced by providing a connector having a low profile, while another example may provide a connector having mechanical stability. Another example provides a connector having an increased manufacturability. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083145 | MINI-SIM CONNECTOR - Connectors that may allow SIM cards to be easily removed and replaced, may be resistant to damage by an improper insertion of a SIM card, and may provide reliable mechanical performance. One example may provide a plunger system where a user can push on a plunger rod and eject a SIM card. Another example may provide contacts that are not damaged by improper insertion of a SIM card. Another example may provide a plastic housing, the housing reinforced by a metallic shield and having a relatively uniform thickness | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083137 | MAGNETIC CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one of the plug or receptacle can be a magnet or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic element on the other of the plug or receptacle is an electromagnet. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082417 | CLEANABLE AND SELF-CLEANING FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR - An optical connector having a body with an outer surface, a first cavity extending within the body from the outer surface and a second cavity spaced apart from the first cavity and extending within the body of the connector from the outer surface. An optical component is positioned within the first cavity and an ejector, which extents into the second cavity, is coupled to the optical component. A biasing mechanism is operatively coupled to apply a biasing force to the ejector to secure the optical component within the first cavity. When a force greater than the biasing force is applied to the ejector within the second cavity, the ejector ejects the optical component from the first cavity so that it extends beyond the outer surface. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082317 | ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH IMPROVED AUDIO - An electronic device having an enclosure including an upper panel and a bottom panel operably connected to the upper panel. A transducer is operably connected to the enclosure and the transducer is configured to mechanically vibrate the enclosure. The transducer includes an electromagnet, a magnet in communication with the electromagnet and a bracket substantially surrounding the electromagnet and the magnet, the bracket substantially secures the transducer to the bottom panel. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082236 | OPTIMIZED DEBLOCKING FILTERS - An encoder executes an iterative search method for selecting deblocking parameters for coded video. According to the method, a decoded picture may be deblocked according to parameters associated with a multi-dimensional deblocking vector and an error, called the “deblocking error” may be estimated therefrom. If the estimated error exceeds a predetermined threshold, then alternate deblocking vectors may be created, each advanced from the current deblocking vector in a respective dimension. The method may deblock the decoded picture according to each advanced vector and may estimate errors from each of the deblocking of each advanced vector. Finally, the deblocking vector may be revised for a next iteration according to a gradient derived from the estimated deblocking errors of the vector dimensions. This gradient-based search method may converge on a final set of deblocking parameters in an efficient manner. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082217 | MOTION COMPENSATION USING DECODER-DEFINED VECTOR QUANTIZED INTERPOLATION FILTERS - The present disclosure describes use of dynamically assignable interpolation filters as part of motion compensated prediction. An encoder and a decoder each may store common codebooks that define a variety of interpolation filters that may be applied to predicted video data. During runtime coding, an encoder calculates characteristics of an ideal interpolation filter to be applied to a reference block that would minimize prediction error when the reference block would be used to predict an input block of video data. Once the characteristics of the ideal filter are identified, the encoder may search its local codebook to find a filter that best matches the ideal filter. The encoder may filter the reference block by the best matching filter stored in the codebook as it codes the input block. The encoder also may transmit an identifier of the best matching filter to a decoder, which will use the interpolation filter on predicted block as it decodes coded data for the block. The encoder and decoder may build their codebooks and maintain them independently from the other but in synchronism. The encoder and decoder may use decoded pixel block data as source data for calculation of interpolation filters. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081580 | OVERFLOW CONTROL TECHNIQUES FOR IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING - Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to an image signal processing system includes overflow control logic that detects an overflow condition when a destination unit when a sensor input queue and/or front-end processing unit receives back pressure from a downstream destination unit. In one embodiment, pixels of a current frame are dropped when an overflow condition occurs. The number of dropped pixels may be tracked using a counter. Upon recovery of the overflow condition, the remaining pixels of the frame are received and each dropped pixel may be replaced using a replacement pixel value. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081579 | High Dynamic Range Transition - In personal electronic devices including digital imaging capability, methods, devices and computer readable media are described for determining when image capture operations may benefit from using high dynamic range imaging (HDRI) operations. In general, techniques are disclosed for analyzing an image's luminosity and/or color/tonal histograms to automatically determine when HDRI operations can benefit scene capture. If the determination that HDRI operations can improve scene capture, the user is so notified. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081578 | IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSOR LINE BUFFER CONFIGURATION FOR PROCESSING RAW IMAGE DATA - The present disclosure provides techniques relates to the implementation of a raw pixel processing unit using a set of line buffers. In one embodiment, the set of line buffers may include a first subset and second subset. Various logical units of the raw pixel processing unit may be implemented using the first and second subsets of line buffers in a shared manner. For instance, in one embodiment, defective pixel correction and detection logic may be implemented using the first subset of line buffers. The second subset of line buffers may be used to implement lens shading correction logic, gain, offset, and clamping logic, and demosaicing logic. Further, noise reduction may also be implemented using at least a portion of each of the first and second subsets of line buffers. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081577 | IMAGE SENSOR DATA FORMATS AND MEMORY ADDRESSING TECHNIQUES FOR IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING - Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a flexible memory input/output controller that is configured to the storing and reading of multiple types of pixels and pixel memory formats. For instance, the memory I/O controller may support the storing and reading of raw image pixels at various bits of precision, such as 8-bit, 10-bit, 12-bit, 14-bit, and 16-bit. Pixel formats that are unaligned with memory bytes (e.g., not being a multiple of 8-bits) may be stored in a packed manner. The memory I/O controller may also support various formats of RGB pixel sets and YCC pixel sets. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081567 | TECHNIQUES FOR SYNCHRONIZING AUDIO AND VIDEO DATA IN AN IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEM - The present disclosure provides techniques for performing audio-video synchronization using an image signal processing system. In one embodiment, a time code register provides a current time stamp when sampled. The value of the time code register may be incremented at regular intervals based on a clock of the image signal processing system. At the start of a current frame acquired by an image sensor, the time code register is sampled, and a timestamp is stored into a timestamp register associated with the image sensor. The timestamp is then read from the time stamp register and written to a set of metadata associated with the current frame. The timestamp stored in the frame metadata may then be used to synchronize the current frame with a corresponding set of audio data. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081566 | FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION USING IMAGE SENSOR INTERFACE TIMING SIGNAL - Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to an image signal processing system that includes a flash controller that is configured to activate a flash device prior to the start of a target image frame by using a sensor timing signal. In one embodiment, the flash controller receives a delayed sensor timing signal and determines a flash activation start time by using the delayed sensor timing signal to identify a time corresponding to the end of the previous frame, increasing that time by a vertical blanking time, and then subtracting a first offset to compensate for delay between the sensor timing signal and the delayed sensor timing signal. Then, the flash controller subtracts a second offset to determine the flash activation time, thus ensuring that the flash is activated prior to receiving the first pixel of the target frame. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081553 | SPATIAL FILTERING FOR IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING - Systems and methods are disclosed for applying spatial filtering to raw image data. In one embodiment, a spatial filter may identify an n×n block of pixels from the current image frame, the n×n block including a plurality of neighboring pixels being centered about a current input pixel and being of the same color component as the current input pixel. The spatial filter may include a plurality of filter taps, with one filter tap corresponding to each of the pixels within the n×n block. A set of filtering coefficients for each filter tap, which may be based on a Gaussian function, may be determined. A pixel difference value between the current input pixel and each of the plurality of neighboring pixels in the n×n block are determined, and the pixel differences may be used to determine an attenuation factor for each filter tap. In one embodiment, the attenuation factor is based upon the pixel difference value between the raw input pixel and the neighboring pixel at the filter tap and brightness of the current input pixel. An attenuated set of filtering coefficients may be obtained thereafter by applying the attenuation factors to their respective filtering taps. Subsequently, the attenuated filtering coefficients may be applied to obtain a set of filtered pixel values. By normalizing the sum of the filtered pixel values using the sum of the attenuated filtering coefficients, a spatially filtered output value corresponding to the current input pixel (e.g., located at the center of the n×n block) may be determined. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081392 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE OPERATION ADJUSTMENT BASED ON FACE DETECTION - An electronic device and methods of use thereof are described. The electronic device having at least a front facing image capture device and a front facing display device arranged to display visual content is described. In one embodiment, the front facing camera can capture an image that can include at least image content. The image content can process in such a way that an operational state of the electronic device is modified in accordance with processed image content. In a particular embodiment, the modification of the current operating state can include aligning an orientation of visual content presented by the front facing display with a current facial orientation of a user. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081385 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE DATA USING AN IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSOR HAVING BACK-END PROCESSING LOGIC - Disclosed embodiments provide for a an image signal processing system that includes back-end pixel processing unit that receives pixel data after being processed by at least one of a front-end pixel processing unit and a pixel processing pipeline. In certain embodiments, the back-end processing unit receives luma/chroma image data and may be configured to apply face detection operations, local tone mapping, bright, contrast, color adjustments, as well as scaling. Further, the back-end processing unit may also include a back-end statistics unit that may collect frequency statistics. The frequency statistics may be provided to an encoder and may be used to determine quantization parameters that are to be applied to an image frame. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081382 | IMAGE ALTERATION TECHNIQUES - Various techniques relating to the alteration of image data are provided herein. An electronic device capable of carrying out such techniques may include data processing circuitry configured to receive image data and detect the occurrence of a device operation event (e.g., an audio event, a motion event, a location event, or an image event, and so forth). The data processing circuitry may alter the image data using a full-quality version or a reduced-quality version of an image alteration effect associated with the device operation event, depending on currently available resources. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081347 | LOW POWER INVERSION SCHEME WITH MINIMIZED NUMBER OF OUTPUT TRANSITIONS - A method and system for an inversion driving scheme for pixels in a display. Column drivers may drive first voltages to columns of a pixel array in a display during a first period of a frame and drive inverses of the first voltages to columns of the pixel array during a second period of a frame. Row drivers may alternately drive even and odd rows during the first and seconds periods. Additionally, data for display on the display may be arranged such that data is transmitted to the odd and even rows of pixels in conjunction with the alternate activation of the rows and columns. This data rearrangement may be accomplished through the use of a graphics processing unit or local frame buffer coupled with a timing controller. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081279 | Dynamic Display Adjustment Based on Ambient Conditions - The techniques disclosed herein use a display device, in conjunction with various optical sensors, e.g., an ambient light sensor or image sensors, to collect information about the ambient conditions in the environment of a viewer of the display device. Use of these optical sensors, in conjunction with knowledge regarding characteristics of the display device, can provide more detailed information about the effects the ambient conditions in the viewer's environment may have on the viewing experience. A processor in communication with the display device may create an ambient model based at least in part on the predicted effects of the ambient environmental conditions on the viewing experience. The ambient model may be used to adjust the gamma, black point, white point, or a combination thereof, of the display device's tone response curve, such that the viewer's perception remains relatively independent of the ambient conditions in which the display is being viewed. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081213 | ACTIVE ELECTRONIC MEDIA DEVICE PACKAGING - Active packaging for supplying power, data, or both power and data to an electronic media device while the device is housed within the active packaging is provided. The active packaging may include one or more electrical traces in-molded or printed onto the packaging that couple to a suitable connector on the device. Power may also be provided via one or more wireless power techniques. Multiple active packages may be conductively stacked to transmit power, data, or both power and data to a row or stack or devices. POM sensors integrated with or attached to the device (or the active packaging itself) may detect various movement events. Coordinated and synchronized display effects may be presented while the devices are housed within the active packaging. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081207 | APPLICATION LAUNCHING IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN ACCESSORY - Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for launching an application in response to a launch request from an accessory. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device can determine whether it is in a state that allows launching of an application and/or can determine whether the application or application type requested in the launch command is available for launching. In response to the request, and if the mobile computing device is capable, the mobile computing device can launch the application. The mobile computing device can also send a positive acknowledgment message to the accessory indicating that the application may be launched. An open communication session message may also be sent to the accessory. In response thereto the accessory can open a communication session and interoperate with the application. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081102 | AUDIO JACK WITH GROUND DETECT - Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide an audio receptacle that can detect the presence of an audio jack without using mechanical switches or other such mechanical mechanisms. One example provides an audio receptacle having two contacts that may be electrically connected when an audio jack is inserted. When no audio jack is inserted into the audio receptacle, the two ground contacts may not be connected. When an audio jack is inserted into the audio receptacle, the resulting closed circuit may be detected and used to activate or otherwise turn on one or more audio circuits in or associated with the audio receptacle. Conversely, when no audio jack is inserted, the resulting open circuit may be detected and used to deactivate or otherwise turn off or reduce power in one or more audio circuits in or associated with the audio receptacle. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080515 | Barcode Recognition Using Data-Driven Classifier - A barcode decoding system and method are disclosed that use a data-driven classifier for transforming a potentially degraded barcode signal into a digit sequence. The disclosed implementations are robust to signal degradation through incorporation of a noise model into the classifier construction phase. The run-time computational cost is low, allowing for efficient implementations on portable devices. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080301 | CONTAMINENT RESISTANT MEMBRANE IN A DOME SWITCH AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - A dome switch can include a dome mounted to a circuit board and secured by a sheet constructed from a material that is impermeable to air. To allow air enclosed by a volume between the dome and the circuit board to be expelled when the dome is depressed, the sheet can include at least one venting hole through which air can flow to the environment of the switch. To prevent contaminants from accessing the volume between the dome and the circuit board through the at least one venting hole, the dome switch can include a membrane positioned over the venting hole. The membrane can be constructed from a material that is permeable to air, but impermeable to contaminants. In some cases, the membrane can be constructed from a mesh material. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080225 | CABLE FOR ELECTRICAL AND OPTICAL TRANSMISSION - Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide cables capable of high-speed transmission while remaining compatible with legacy signals. Other examples may have shielding that may be easily manipulated during manufacturing, they may have good tensile strength, and they may be less likely to be damaged by twisting and bending that may occur during use. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079589 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTHENTICATION USING A SHARED TABLE AND SORTING EXPONENTIATION - Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for authentication using a shared table. The method receives an authentication challenge from a first entity including an accumulator with an initial value, lists of elements in a shared table, and a list of sorting algorithms, each sorting algorithm is associated with one of the lists of elements and modified to include embedded instructions operating on the accumulator. The method then generates a temporary table for each list of elements in the shared table by copying elements from the shared table as indicated in each respective list of elements, each temporary table being associated with one sorting algorithm in the list of sorting algorithms. The method sorts each generated temporary table with the associated sorting algorithm, thereby updating the accumulator with the embedded instructions. Finally, the method transmits the updated accumulator to the first entity for verification. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120079416 | Displaying Image Thumbnails in Re-Used Screen Real Estate - Methods, system and computer-readable media are disclosed to facilitate presenting a plurality of digital images in a user interface window that includes an image display region and at least one other region available for re-use, receiving input from a user indicating a selection of at least one of the digital images, and modifying the presentation of the user interface window to present the selected at least one digital image in the image display region and to present the non-selected digital images as thumbnail images displayed within the at least one other region available for re-use. The thumbnail images displayed in the re-use region may be selectively displayed in a more prominent manner to facilitate user interaction. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120079410 | SCROLLING VIRTUAL MUSIC KEYBOARD - Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for scrolling a virtual keyboard on a touch screen device including a display. A first aspect allows detecting a user contact swipe motion in a predetermined direction along said keyboard, scrolling said keyboard across said display in accordance with said motion, and stopping said scrolling upon termination of user contact swipe motion. A second aspect allows scrolling of a virtual keyboard to snap to an intelligent position based on a song key or relative minor of the song key. A third aspect allows a note to be held when a user's finger remains in contact with the display even though the finger is no longer in contact with a key linked to the note on the keyboard as a result of scrolling. A fourth aspect displays a second musical instrument keyboard adjacent to a first musical instrument keyboard, wherein said second musical instrument keyboard is linked to said first musical instrument keyboard such that scrolling of one keyboard causes automatic scrolling of the other keyboard. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120079378 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR INTEGRATING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL ASSET WITH A THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODEL - Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for integrating a three-dimensional asset with a three-dimensional model. Each asset can include a base surface and either a protrusion or a projection extending from the base. Once the asset is placed at a particular position with respect to the model, one or more vertices defining a periphery of the base surface can be projected onto an external surface of the model. Then, one or more portions of the asset can be deformed to provide a smooth transition between the external surface of the asset and the external surface of the model. In some cases, the asset can include a hole extending through the external surface of the model for defining a cavity. A secondary asset can be placed in the cavity such as, for example, an eyeball asset placed in an eye socket asset. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120079377 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR PLACING AN ASSET ON A THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODEL - Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for placing an asset on a three-dimensional model. Each asset can be associated with a pivot point and with an asset normal. A contact point on the surface of a model where an asset is to be positioned may be identified, and a surface normal that may be perpendicular to the surface at the contact point may also be identified. Then, the asset can be placed on the model such that the position of the pivot point of the asset may coincide with the position of the identified contact point on the surface of the model, and such that the orientation of the asset normal may match the orientation of the identified surface normal. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120079374 | RENDERING WEB PAGE TEXT IN A NON-NATIVE FONT - Techniques are described herein for causing a browser to render text of a web page in a non-native font that do not require the browser to obtain font rendering information for characters defined in the non-native font that are not rendered on the web page in the non-native font. According to one embodiment, for example, a subset of the characters defined in a non-native font that are to be rendered on a web page in the non-native font is determined. Font rendering information is obtained from a remote resource for just the subset of characters and not for characters defined in the non-native font that are not in the subset. The font rendering information obtained for the subset is used to render each character in the subset on the web page in the non-native font. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120079018 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR SHARING AWARENESS INFORMATION - Systems, methods, and computer readable media for sharing awareness information are provided. A non-aware electronic device can require awareness information including, for example, information about its environment or information about its status within its environment, in order to perform a particular device operation. When the non-aware device lacks an awareness component for detecting the required type of awareness information, the non-aware device can establish a communications path with an aware device that includes such an appropriate awareness component. The aware device can share the required type of awareness information as captured by its awareness component with the non-aware device. The distance between the non-aware device and the aware device can be less than a threshold distance to ensure that the shared awareness information is relevant to the non-aware device. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078635 | VOICE CONTROL SYSTEM - One embodiment of a voice control system includes a first electronic device communicatively coupled to a server and configured to receive a speech recognition file from the server. The speech recognition file may include a speech recognition algorithm for converting one or more voice commands into text and a database including one or more entries comprising one or more voice commands and one or more executable commands associated with the one or more voice commands. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078570 | MULTIPLE ACCELEROMETER SYSTEM - Systems and methods for approximating angular velocity using a plurality of accelerometers are disclosed. In particular, in one embodiment, a method of approximating angular velocity including receiving linear acceleration information from a plurality of accelerometers and calculating a relative acceleration for at least one pair of the plurality of accelerometers is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a distance value for the at least one pair of the plurality of accelerometers and approximating the angular velocity by multiplying the distance value by the relative acceleration to obtain. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120077353 | INTEGRATED NOISE REDUCTION CONNECTOR - An electrical connector comprising an insulative body, a plurality of pins carried by the body and a ferromagnetic element that rides on one of the plurality of the pins. The ferromagnetic element provides a low pass filter capability for signals transmitted over the one pin. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076573 | FORMATION OF STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS USING CERAMIC FIBERS - Materials, apparatus and methods of forming structural components for consumer electronics devices are described. In one embodiment, ceramic fibers, such as alumina, are mixed with a thermoplastic, such as nylon, to form a composite material usable in an injection molding process. The volume percent of ceramic fibers used with the thermoplastic can be selected to improve the strength properties of the composite material. Pigments can be added to the composite material to affect its aesthetic appeal. In one embodiment, the composite material including the ceramic fibers can be used to form frame components usable in a consumer electronic device. The frame components can be load bearing structures that are externally visible or used within the interior of the device. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076471 | IMAGE CAPTURE AND MANIPULATION - Systems and techniques to provide image capture and manipulation. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes receiving an input stream including image data from a source, displaying the input stream in real-time including displaying a plurality of instantiations of the stream at a same time, each stream different, the step of displaying including applying a filter to each instantiation of the input stream, and receiving a prompt to select one of the instantiations of the stream. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076363 | COMPONENT CONCENTRICITY - System and methods for determining a concentricity of a component mounted within an aperture of an electronic device housing. In particular, a method for determining concentricity of a camera includes obtaining an image of a camera mounted within the aperture of the housing and identifying a plurality of circular shapes within the image using a processor. One of the circular shapes represents the aperture in the housing and the other circular shape represents the camera. An offset between two of the plurality of circular shapes is calculated. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075814 | SUPPORT TABS FOR PROTECTING A CIRCUIT BOARD FROM APPLIED FORCES - The present invention can relate to an electronic device having one or more support tabs that protect a circuit board disposed inside the device from externally applied compressive forces. In particular, when a force is applied to a housing of the device, the support tabs can buttress the housing of the device, either directly or through other intervening components disposed within the device, to reduce the likelihood that the housing or intervening components will contact and damage the circuit board. The present invention also can relate to methods for manufacturing such an electronic device. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075521 | MECHANICAL CAMERA SHUTTER MECHANISM - A camera shutter mechanism for covering and exposing an imaging sensor array is disclosed. The camera shutter mechanism includes a rotary motor, a crank mechanism, a cover, a guide, and a drive circuit. The rotary motor is coupled to the crank mechanism to rotate the crank mechanism about a central axis. The cover is coupled to the crank mechanism at a point away from the central axis. The drive circuit controls the rotary motor so that the cover moves back and forth repeatedly in a substantially linear motion along the guide between a shutter closed position and a shutter open position over the imaging sensor array. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075473 | POLARIZED IMAGES FOR SECURITY - One embodiment may take the form of a method for providing security for access to a goal including storing a first image and receiving a second image comprising polarized data. The method also includes comparing the first image with the second image to determine if the first image and the second image are substantially the same. In the event the first and second images are not substantially the same, the method includes denying access to the goal. In the event the first and second images are substantially the same, the method includes determining, utilizing the polarized information, if the second image is of a three-dimensional object. Further, in the event the second image is not of a three-dimensional object, the method includes denying access to the goal and, in the event the second image is of a three-dimensional object, permitting access to the goal. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075432 | IMAGE CAPTURE USING THREE-DIMENSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION - Embodiments may take the form of three-dimensional image sensing devices configured to capture an image including one or more objects. In one embodiments, the three-dimensional image sensing device includes a first image device configured to capture a first image and extract depth information for the one or more objects. Additionally, the image sensing device includes a second imaging device configured to capture a second image and determine an orientation of a surface of the one or more objects. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075328 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR CHANGING COLORS OF DISPLAYED ASSETS - Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for changing a color of an asset used as part of a displayed avatar from an initial color to an destination color. An indexed color can be defined for the asset, where initial colors of the asset that are sufficiently similar to the indexed color can be changed to replacement colors. In particular, the replacement colors can include gradients or other optical effects that may be similar to those of the initial colors. A model encoding color information for each pixel of an asset can include a color index indicating whether the color of the pixel is changeable. In some cases, the model for a particular pixel may be converted from a RGB model to a HSV model for reducing the processing that may be required to define replacement colors when a selection of a destination color is received. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075242 | CAPACITANCE SENSING ELECTRODE WITH INTEGRATED I/O MECHANISM - 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. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075082 | SYSTEM FOR LEARNING CONTROL CODES OF A REMOTE CONTROLLER - One embodiment of an electronic device configured for supplying control codes to a programmable device may include a first receiver configured to receive a first command signal from a remote control device, a processing device coupled to the first receiver, and a transmitter configured to transmit a second command signal to a programmable device. The transmitter may be coupled to the processing device. The electronic device may further include a storage device coupled to the processing device. The storage device may be configured to store one or more control codes associated with the first command signal. The processing device may be configured to determine if the one or more control codes associated with the first command signal are stored on the storage device, and to transmit the second command signal to the programmable device via the transmitter if the processing device determines that the one or more control codes are stored on the storage device. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120073115 | ASSEMBLY OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device is provided. The electronic device may include a plate placed behind a screen formed from a window and a display module to provide the screen with additional stiffness (e.g., to resist dropping events). The window may be maintained in the electronic device by trapping the window between a bezel and the display module. In some embodiments, the window may include a chamfered edge operative to be received by a recessed edge in the bezel. In some embodiments, the input mechanism of the electronic device may be metallic and need to be grounded, but may be surrounded by plastic components or other non-grounding components. The electronic device may include screws operative to pass through a circuit board to reach a frame, which may serve as a ground, where the screws are located in proximity of the button. In some embodiments, the circuit board may include an additional component for grounding the button | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120072867 | PRESENTING POP-UP CONTROLS IN A USER INTERFACE - Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for presenting pop-up controls in a user interface are disclosed. When input instructing presentation of a pop-up control within a display area of the device is received, a display object that has current input focus in the display area can be identified. A content area of the display object and a location of the display object in the display area can be determined. Then, the pop-up control can be displayed in proximity to the location of the display object while avoiding the content area of the display object. In some implementations, the pop-up control includes the menu hierarchy of an application-level menu bar. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120072749 | MULTI-CORE POWER MANAGEMENT - The disclosed embodiments provide a system that operates a processor in a multi-core processor system. During operation, the system detects the creation of an asynchronous wakeup event for the processor. In response to detecting the creation of the asynchronous wakeup event, when the processor is subsequently placed into an idle state, the system configures the processor to resume operation at a reduced frequency that is a fraction of an operating frequency for the multi-core processor system, wherein the reduced frequency allows more power to be allocated to other processors in the multi-core processor system. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120072746 | FACILITATING POWER MANAGEMENT IN A MULTI-CORE PROCESSOR - The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates power management in a multi-core processor. During operation, the system detects a change related to a number of active processor cores in the multi-core processor. (Within this system, a given processor core can reside in an active state, wherein the given processor core can draw an active power, or alternatively in a constrained state, wherein the given processor core can draw a constrained power, which is less than the active power.) In response to detecting the change, the system computes a new current limit I | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120072167 | SENSOR FUSION - Accurate and reliable techniques for determining a current status of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120071994 | ALTERING SOUND OUTPUT ON A VIRTUAL MUSIC KEYBOARD - Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for altering pitch of a note played on a musical instrument keyboard of a touch-sensitive electronic display. An exemplary method includes playing a note of a key of the keyboard on the touch-sensitive display touched by a user. The method includes continuously altering the pitch of the played note as the user slides a point of contact on the touch-sensitive display horizontally from the key being played across adjacent keys to a second key, in accordance with the keys being contacted during the sliding of the point of contact. In a further aspect, the method includes detecting motion of user contact in a direction other than horizontally across keys of the keyboard, such as vertical, and activating a sound effect in addition to pitch alteration in response to the detection. Example sound effects include tremolo, vibrato, echo, and sound filter effects. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070140 | LIGHT ISOLATING PROTECTIVE COVER FOR SMALL FORM FACTOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A portable device has a rear facing camera assembly and a front facing display assembly that includes at least a protective cover layer, a display stack that includes a plurality of display components arranged in a plurality of interconnected layers, the display stack providing an imaging service, and a flat support chassis arranged to provide support for the display stack. In the described embodiment, a protective cover can wrap around and protect at least the rear portion of the portable device without adversely affecting an image capture process carried out by the rear facing camera assembly. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070017 | MEDIA DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED INTERACTION - Methods and systems for improved interaction between media devices and accessory devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the improved interaction can operate to configure a user interface of a media device dependent on the type or condition of an accessory device. In the same or another embodiment, the improved interaction can exchange status information between a media device and an accessory device that can influence operation of either or both of the devices. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069750 | METHOD TO CONTROL RECONFIGURATION OF MULTIPLE RADIO ACCESS BEARERS IN A WIRELESS DEVICE - Methods to control reconfiguration of multiple radio access bearers in a mobile wireless device connected to a wireless network are described. The mobile wireless device is connected to the wireless network through a voice connection and a data connection simultaneously. The data connection is concurrently active with the voice connection. Transmission of one or more signaling messages for the data connection is delayed until the voice connection terminates. Representative signaling messages include messages that reconfigure a radio access bearer supporting the data connection and messages estimated to exceed a pre-determined transmission time interval. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069540 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT - A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069517 | GLASS ENCLOSURE - A handheld computing device that includes an enclosure having structural walls formed from a glass material that can be radio-transparent. The enclosure can be formed from a hollow glass tube or two glass members bonded together. A laser frit bonding process may be used to hermetically seal the two glass members together to create a water resistant electronic device. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069503 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT - A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069502 | MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT - A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068978 | BACKLIGHT SYSTEM FOR A DISPLAY - A method and system for modifying a pulse width modulation signal for controlling the backlit illumination intensity of a liquid crystal display. The modified pulse width modulated signal may be selected to operate with at least one pulse having a first duty cycle with the remaining pulses in the pulse width modulation signal having a second duty cycle across a selected number of pulses making up a given time period (i.e., frame). By utilizing more than one duty cycle for the pulses of the pulse width modulated signal to drive light sources in a display during a given frame, the overall number of backlit illumination intensities for the liquid crystal display may be increased. By distributing the differing pulse duty cycles within a group of pulses of within a frame, visible artifacts may be reduced. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068957 | TOUCH-BASED USER INTERFACE WITH HAPTIC FEEDBACK - One embodiment of a touch-based user interface may include a haptic feedback layer with one or more actuators configured to supply a haptic feedback. The one or more actuators may be embedded in a nonconductive material. The touch-based user interface may further include a printed circuit board layer underlying the haptic feedback layer. The printed circuit board layer may include one or more conductive traces configured to supply a voltage to the one or more actuators. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068942 | CONSUMER ELECTRONIC PRODUCT - A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasable attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068919 | SENSOR - A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068857 | CONFIGURABLE REMOTE CONTROL - An electronic device self-configurable for remote control functionality and related methods are disclosed herein. In particular, in one embodiment, a method for configuring a multifunctional electronic device to operate as a remote control is provided that includes capturing an image of an electronic device and comparing the image with data stored in a database. The manufacturer of the electronic device is determined based on one or more identifying characteristics in the captured image and information related to remote control of the electronic device is retrieved. The method also includes populating a screen of the multifunctional electronic device for remote control of the electronic device. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068833 | CLOSED LOOP UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL - An electronic device configured for closed loop remote control functionality and related methods are disclosed herein. In particular, in one embodiment, an electronic device configured for closed loop remote control functionality is provided. The device includes a processor and a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit instructions to a remotely controlled device. Additionally, the device includes an input device configured to allow a user to provide input to the electronic device related to remote control and one or more sensors configured to obtain information related to a state of the remotely controlled device. The processor is configured to use the information obtained by the one or more sensors to determine the state of the remote controlled devices upon receiving the input from a user to transmit instructions. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068799 | ACCESSORY DEVICE WITH MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT - A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068798 | ACCESSORY DEVICE WITH MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT - A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068797 | MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT SYSTEM - A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067961 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTEGRATING RADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION CIRCUITRY INTO FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS - Systems and methods for integrating RFID circuitry into flexible circuits are provided. An RFID integrated circuit can be embedded within a dielectric layer of a flexible circuit or between a dielectric layer and a conductive layer of the flexible circuit. Additionally or alternatively, an RFID antenna may be integrated into a conductive layer of the flexible circuit. Alternatively, both the integrated circuit and antenna of RFID circuitry may be provided off of the flexible circuit but an RFID connector coupling the integrated circuit and antenna may be integrated into the flexible circuit. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120066873 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING A MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT SYSTEM - A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120066865 | FOLDABLE ACCESSORY DEVICE - A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120066601 | CONTENT CONFIGURATION FOR DEVICE PLATFORMS - The present technology includes a digital content authoring tool for authoring digital content without the need to understand or access computer code. The present technology further includes creating digital content that is compatible with a diverse population of end user devices without the need for separate versions of the completed content. Instead, the digital authoring tool can manage versions of assets, which individually, can be compatible with different device criteria. Additionally, the present technology contemplates methods of delivering packages of the digital content that are configured to be compatible with the hardware configuration of each requesting device, despite the diverse capabilities of end user devices. Accordingly, the technology described herein provides a simple method for creating and delivering digital content that is configured for presentation on a user's specific device. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120066304 | CONTENT CONFIGURATION FOR DEVICE PLATFORMS - The present technology includes a digital content authoring tool for authoring digital content without the need to understand or access computer code. The present technology further includes creating digital content that is compatible with a diverse population of end user devices without the need for separate versions of the completed content. Instead, the digital authoring tool can manage versions of assets, which individually, can be compatible with different device criteria. Additionally, the present technology contemplates methods of delivering packages of the digital content that are configured to be compatible with the hardware configuration of each requesting device, despite the diverse capabilities of end user devices. Accordingly, the technology described herein provides a simple method for creating and delivering digital content that is configured for presentation on a user's specific device. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120064971 | DYNAMIC DISPLAY OF VIRTUAL CONTENT ON SEVERAL DEVICES USING REFERENCE TAGS - This is directed to determining the relative position of several devices by capturing representations of the device environments in which a tag is located. The devices can compare the captured representations to determine a perspective of the tag corresponding to each device. In some cases, a device can determine an absolute position relative to a coordinate system integrated in a tag. Using the positioning information, several devices can receive directions to come together at a particular meeting point. In some cases, several devices can operate an application that requires the interaction of several users of the devices (e.g., multi-player games). The application can control the time or manner in which inputs are provided based on the relative positions of the devices. In some cases, the devices can display virtual content that is shared across several devices, where the different devices can each interact with the virtual content. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120063115 | ULTRASONIC BONDING OF DISCRETE PLASTIC PARTS TO METAL - Electronic devices and other apparatuses that include plastic parts ultrasonically bonded to metal parts are disclosed. A first component or part includes a metallic surface region having a surface roughness with one or more surface irregularities. A second component or part formed from a plastic material that can include an energy director is attached to the metallic surface region via an ultrasonic bond, such that a portion of the plastic material is melted or otherwise formed into the surface irregularities to attach the two components or parts together. The parts can be housings, internal components or other items. The surface irregularities can be formed as a result of a chemical etching process, a machining process, or a combination thereof, and can result in the creation of undercuts or cavities in the metallic surface region. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120062758 | RELATIVE POSITIONING OF DEVICES BASED ON CAPTURED IMAGES OF TAGS - This is directed to determining the relative position of several devices by capturing representations of the device environments in which a tag is located. The devices can compare the captured representations to determine a perspective of the tag corresponding to each device. In some cases, a device can determine an absolute position relative to a coordinate system integrated in a tag. Using the positioning information, several devices can receive directions to come together at a particular meeting point. In some cases, several devices can operate an application that requires the interaction of several users of the devices (e.g., multi-player games). The application can control the time or manner in which inputs are provided based on the relative positions of the devices. In some cases, the devices can display virtual content that is shared across several devices, where the different devices can each interact with the virtual content. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120062206 | MOMENTARILY ENABLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A method and apparatus for providing intermittent or interruptible power to an electronic device. The circuit may provide power upon user initiation and interrupt that power in response to a user command, fault state, period of inactivity and so forth. As one example, interruptible power may be initially provided to activate or “power up” an electronic device and constant power provided after the initial activation. The initial powering up of the device may be facilitated by closing two contacts. The circuit may continue to provide power after the button is released through a monitoring and/or feedback mechanism. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120060668 | GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR MUSIC SEQUENCE PROGRAMMING - An example graphical programming interface system includes a processor. A grid matrix defined by a plurality of coordinate axes, having selectable matrix positions is displayed on a display device. Multiple movable object icons, each representing an object having a predefined output sound are also displayed on the display device. In one aspect, a single object data file is associated with each matrix position on said grid matrix. In this aspect, once a user places an object icon on a matrix position, the processor causes the predefined output sound associated with the object icon in accordance with the object data file associated with the matrix position at which the object icon is placed, and outputs the processed sound to an output device. This allows a user to program musical sequences by placing one or more object icons each on the selectable matrix positions. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120060118 | PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE WITH WORKOUT SUPPORT - Improved techniques and systems for utilizing a portable electronic device to monitor, process, present and manage data captured by a remote sensor are disclosed. The portable electronic device offers a convenient user interface that can be visual and/or audio based customized to a particular application, user-friendly and/or dynamic. The portable electronic device can pertain to a portable media player and thus also provide media playback. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120060020 | VECTOR INDEX INSTRUCTION FOR PROCESSING VECTORS - The described embodiments include a processor that executes a vector instruction. The processor starts by receiving a start value and an increment value, and optionally receiving a predicate vector with N elements as inputs. The processor then executes the vector instruction. Executing the vector instruction causes the processor to generate a result vector. When generating the result vector, if the predicate vector is received, for each element in the result vector for which a corresponding element of the predicate vector is active, otherwise, for each element in the result vector, the processor sets the element in the result vector equal to the start value plus a product of the increment value multiplied by a specified number of elements to the left of the element in the result vector. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120058803 | DECISIONS ON AMBIENT NOISE SUPPRESSION IN A MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS HANDSET DEVICE - A method in a communications device includes the following operations. During a call, a process automatically detects that the device has moved from an at-the-ear position to an away-from-the-ear position. Based on the detection, a noise suppressor that operates upon an uplink signal for the call is signaled to change its noise suppression performance. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120057303 | HEAT VALVE FOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT IN A MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE - A thermal valve for controlling heat transfer between two electronic components is disclosed. The thermal valve includes a first thermally conductive strip that is secured to the first electronic component and a second thermally conductive strip that is secured to the second electronic component. The first strip and the second strip are located between the two electronic components. The first strip changes its shape toward making contact with the second strip in response to a temperature increase of the first electronic component, and the second strip changes its shape away from making contact with the first strip in response to a temperature increase of the second electronic component. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120057297 | HEAT DISSIPATION IN COMPUTING DEVICE - A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat. | 03-08-2012 |
