US Patent Application Review Series

Apple

Week of 29 April 2010 Issue

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Apple - Week of 29 April 2010 USPTO Patent Applications 1

A few words from the editor

A few words from the editor

If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.
- Issac Newton

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Structure of this review IPC Catchword Index is an alphabetical sorted list of

catchwords of the IPC appeared in the review.
The Table of Contents is created based on
alphabetical order of IPC. The patent applications
are also sorted by alphabetical order of IPC. A brief How to use this review?
description of each IPC is shown. We find that the IPC
description could help ‘deciphering’ the abstract of an For creativity stimulation purpose:
patent application. If a patent application belongs to • quickly flip the pages and write down the page
multiple IPC, the patent application will only be shown number of the diagrams that interests you for
under the section of first IPC. later review.
For each patent application, the following information
will be shown: • look up the IPC Catchword Index and go to the
IPC that you are interested
1. App. No. – patent application no. – it is unique
to each patent application. For business intelligent purpose:
2. Assignee – this is owner of the patent • quickly flip the pages and identify the IPC that
application. If there is no assignee being could “ring a bell”
specified, either the inventor of the patent
application own the patent application or the • study all patent applications belong to the
owner of the patent application did not record identified IPC.
such information when the patent application
was filed. For engineering design purpose:

3. Title – this is the title of the patent application. • quickly flip the pages and identify the diagrams
that may be similar to your work.
4. Abstract – this is the abstract of the patent
application. There are rules on how an abstract • click on the patent application link and visit the
should be drafted. Most patent attorneys like to US server for more detailed information of the
have the abstract based on the first claim of the patent application.
patent application.
• read the description of IPC carefully.
5. Pri. Date – priority date – it is the date
of filing of the first application of the patent • if you are interested in IPC, compare the patent
application (a patent application could have applications belong to it.
multiple application dates because of divisional
patents as well as overseas patent applications). Copyright
It is considered to be the effective date of filing
for the examination of novelty and inventive Patent applications are free of copyrights unless the
step or non-obviousness for the subsequent inventor specifically stated so in the patent application.
application claiming the priority of the first However, this review is protected by copyright law due
application. to the editing effort we have invested in. We hope you
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Apple - Week of 29 April 2010 USPTO Patent Applications 2

Table of Contents

G06F 03/033 - Pointing devices displaced

or positioned by the user, e.g. mice,
trackballs, pens or joysticks . . . . . . . 5
G06F 03/038 - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
G06F 03/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch
screens or touch pads, characterised
by the transducing means . . . . . . . . 6
Table of Contents G06F 09/44 - Arrangements for executing
specific programmes . . . . . . . . . . . 8
G06F 13/14 - Handling requests for
interconnection or transfer . . . . . . . . 9
G06F 17/30 - Information retrieval . . . . . . 9
G06T 15/60 - Shadowing . . . . . . . . . . . 10
A few words from the editor 2 H01 - Aerials 10
H01Q 01/38 - formed by a conductive layer
Table of Contents 3 on an insulating support . . . . . . . . . 10

G06 - Electric digital data processing 4 H04 - Pictorial communication, e.g. television 10
H04N 07/04 - Systems for the transmission
G06F 01/16 - Constructional details or of one television signal, i.e. both picture
arrangements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
and sound, by a single carrier . . . . . . 10
G06F 03/00 - Input arrangements for
transferring data to be processed into Patent Index 11
a form capable of being handled by the
computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 IPC Catchword Index 12

Apple - Week of 29 April 2010 USPTO Patent Applications 3

G06F 03/00

G06F 01/16: Electric digital data processing Ü Details not covered by

groups and Ü Constructional details or arrangements
App. No. 20100103612 Assignee APPLE INC.
Title Thermal spray coating for seamless and radio-transparent electronic device housing
Abstract Electronic devices and other apparatuses adapted to receive electromagnetic wave
communications are disclosed. An outer housing encloses various device components, including
at least an internal antenna located fully therewithin and adapted to receive/send communications
from/to an outside source via RF or other electromagnetic waves. A ceramic coating can be a
thermal spray coating that covers at least a portion of the outer surface proximate to the internal
antenna, and can be x201c;RF transparentx201d;x2014;adapted to allow communications to/from
the internal antenna via electromagnetic waves. The outer housing can be plastic, metal or a
combination thereof. For metal or other non-RF transparent housings, an RF-transparent insert
can be fitted into a window in the housing to permit communications to the internal antenna. The
ceramic coating covers some or all of the metal, plastic and/or insert that comprise the outer
housing and surface for a final aesthetic finish to the device.
Pri. Date 20081024 App. Date 20081223 Pub. Date 20100429

G06F 03/00: Electric digital data processing Ü Input arrangements for

transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled
by the computer
App. No. 20100106879 Assignee Apple Inc.
Title Method and system for controlling video selection and playback in a portable media player
Abstract A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a
portable media player to control settings of portable media player when receiving video from an
accessory, to control playback of the portable media player and to provide for navigation between
video tracks in a hierarchical fashion. In so doing, a portable media player can then utilize this
information to provide for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the
portable media player.
Pri. Date 20081024 App. Date 20100108 Pub. Date 20100429

Apple - Week of 29 April 2010 USPTO Patent Applications 4

G06F 03/033

G06F 03/033: Electric digital data processing Ü Input arrangements for

transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled
by the computer Ü Input arrangements or combined input and output
arrangements for interaction between user and computer Ü Arrangements
for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a
coded form Ü Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user,
e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks
App. No. 20100103108 Assignee APPLE INC.
Title Hybrid low power computer mouse
Abstract Operating a pointing device in a low power manner by receiving first tracking information from a
first tracking device, de-activating the first tracking device when the accuracy of the first tracking
information is determined to be inadequate, activating a second tracking device in order to acquire
second tracking information when the first tracking device is deactivated, wherein the first tracking
device is substantially lower power device that the second tracking device.
Pri. Date 20081023 App. Date 20091221 Pub. Date 20100429

Apple - Week of 29 April 2010 USPTO Patent Applications 5

G06F 03/041

G06F 03/038:
App. No. 20100103147 Assignee Apple Inc.
Title Graphics controllers with increased thermal management granularity
Abstract Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that may provide graphics controllers with increased
thermal granularity. The graphics controller may comprise a display memory, at least one display
engine coupled to the display memory, and at least one execution unit coupled to the display
memory, where the at least one execution unit may begin an idle period that varies based upon a
thermal event.
Pri. Date 20081028 App. Date 20081028 Pub. Date 20100429

G06F 03/041: Electric digital data processing Ü Input arrangements for

transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled
by the computer Ü Input arrangements or combined input and output
arrangements for interaction between user and computer Ü Arrangements
for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a
coded form Ü Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised
by the transducing means
App. No. 20100103116 Assignee Apple Inc.
Title Disappearing button or slider
Abstract An input device is disclosed. The input is a deflection based capacitive sensing input. Deflection of
a metal fame of the input device causes a change in capacitance that is used to control a function
of an electrical device. The input appears invisible because it is made of the same material as the
housing it is contained in. Invisible backlit holes may make the input selectively visible or invisible
to the user.
Pri. Date 20080422 App. Date 20081024 Pub. Date 20100429

Apple - Week of 29 April 2010 USPTO Patent Applications 6

G06F 03/041

Apple - Week of 29 April 2010 USPTO Patent Applications 7

G06F 09/44

G06F 09/44: Electric digital data processing Ü Arrangements for programme

control, e.g. control unit Ü using stored programme, i.e. using internal
store of processing equipment to receive and retain programme Ü Arrangements
for executing specific programmes
App. No. 20100107145 Assignee Apple Inc.
Title Software performance analysis using data mining
Abstract A system, method, and computer program for analyzing code execution and software performance
characteristics are disclosed. Samples of code during run-time or from crash logs can be
displayed as both a top-down tree of calls from a particular function and a bottom-up tree of
calls to the particular function. Data mining techniques, including filtering and focusing, remove
code that is not of interest and display code that is more relevant to performance analysis. In
particular, functions contained in libraries such as system libraries can be stripped from view. The
cost associated with an excluded function can be propagated to a calling function, in either the
top-down or bottom-up tree.
Pri. Date 20081029 App. Date 20091120 Pub. Date 20100429

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G06F 17/30

G06F 13/14: Electric digital data processing Ü Interconnection of, or

transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output
devices or central processing units Ü Handling requests for interconnection
or transfer
Patent applications also belong to this classification and have been already shown:
20100106879 page 4

G06F 17/30: Electric digital data processing Ü Digital computing or

data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific
functions Ü Information retrieval
App. No. 20100106687 Assignee APPLE INC.
Title N-way synchronization of data
Abstract The invention relates to the use of history information as an aid to synchronization in a peer-to-
peer system. In particular, node trees are used to represent portions of files systems designated
for synchronization. The nodes in the node tree embody history information regarding associated
objects. The history information includes version vectors that are used to simplify synchronization-
related comparisons and create job lists that may be used to bring participating peers into
synchronization.
Pri. Date 20070205 App. Date 20091217 Pub. Date 20100429

Apple - Week of 29 April 2010 USPTO Patent Applications 9

H04N 07/04

G06T 15/60: Image data processing or generation, in general Ü Three

dimensional (3D) image rendering, e.g. from a model to a bit-mapped
image Ü Lighting effects, e.g. shading Ü Shadowing
App. No. 20100103172 Assignee Apple Inc.
Title System and method for rendering ambient light affected appearing imagery based on sensed
ambient lighting
Abstract A method for rendering ambient light affected appearing imagery on a two-dimensional display
screen in dependence on sensed ambient lighting conditions about the display screen is
disclosed. The method includes processing, on a microprocessor in control communication with
the display screen, data defining sensed ambient lighting conditions about the display screen, and
based on said data, determining at least one light source’s location relative to the display screen
and an intensity of light from that at least one light source at the display screen. The method
then includes rendering an image of a constructed scene on the display screen based on the
determined location of the at least one light source relative to the display screen and the intensity
of light from that at least one light source at the display screen and thereby presenting an ambient
light affected image of the constructed scene on the display screen.
Pri. Date 20081029 App. Date 20081028 Pub. Date 20100429

H01Q 01/38: Aerials Ü Details of, or arrangements associated with,

aerials Ü Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella
Ü formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support
Patent applications also belong to this classification and have been already shown:
20100103612 page 4

H04N 07/04: Pictorial communication, e.g. television Ü Television systems

Ü Systems for the transmission of one television signal, i.e. both picture
and sound, by a single carrier

Apple - Week of 29 April 2010 USPTO Patent Applications 10

Patent Index

Patent Index
Patent Application Page Patent Application Page Patent Application Page
20100103108 5 20100103116 6 20100103147 6
20100103172 10 20100103612 4 20100106687 9
20100106879 4 20100107145 8

Apple - Week of 29 April 2010 USPTO Patent Applications 11

IPC Catchword Index

IPC Catchword Index

Catch Word IPC Page

COMPILERS G06F 09/44 8
COMPILING statistics G06 4
COMPUTER(S) G06 4
DATA processing G06 4
EMULATION G06F 09/44 8
EQUATIONS solving EQUATIONS G06 4
FUNCTIONS evaluating FUNCTIONS G06 4
INFORMATION electric digital computers for INFORMATION retrieval G06F 17/30 9
INPUT for electric digital computers G06F 03/00 4
JOYSTICK, JOY STICK JOYSTICK for data input in electric digital computers G06F 03/033 5
LIGHT-PEN(S) for electric digital computers G06F 03/033 5
MOUSE used as input device in computers G06F 03/033 5
OUTPUT for electric digital computers G06F 03/00 4

Apple - Week of 29 April 2010 USPTO Patent Applications 12