Apple Inc. patent applications on 2025-05-29
Patent Applications by Apple Inc. on May 29th, 2025
Apple Inc.: 33 patent applications
Apple Inc. has applied for patents in the areas of G02B27/0176 (Head-up displays, 2), G06T19/006 ({Mixed reality (object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality )}, 2), H04W72/1268 (of uplink data flows, 2), A61B5/681 ({Wristwatch-type devices}, 1), H04N19/119 (Adaptive subdivision aspects, e.g. subdivision of a picture into rectangular or non-rectangular coding blocks, 1), H04W72/40 (WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication ; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions ), 1), H04W72/25 (WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication ; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions ), 1), H04W72/21 (in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network, 1), H04W72/1273 (of downlink data flows, 1), H04W72/121 (for groups of terminals or users, 1)
With keywords such as: first, device, electronic, such, housing, surface, which, watch, carrier, attached in patent application abstracts.
Top Inventors:
- Sameer Pandya of Sunnyvale CA US (1 patents)
- Adam T. Clavelle of San Francisco CA US (1 patents)
- Erik G. de Jong of San Francisco CA US (1 patents)
- Michael B. Wittenberg of Sunnyvale CA US (2 patents)
- Tobias J. Harrison-Noonan of San Francisco CA US (1 patents)
Patent Applications by Apple Inc.
20250169758. Wearable Electronic Device Electrodes Sensing Biological Parameters (Apple .)
Abstract: an electronic device, such as a watch, has a housing to which a carrier is attached. the carrier has a first surface interior to the electronic device, and a second surface exterior to the electronic device. a set of electrodes is deposited on the exterior surface of the carrier. an additional electrode is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while the first electrode is positioned against skin of the user. the additional electrode may be positioned on a user-rotatable crown of the electronic device, on a button of the electronic device, or on another surface of the housing of the electronic device. a processor of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter of the user based on voltages at the electrodes. the biological parameter may be an electrocardiogram.
Abstract: a device for skin-contact biological measurement includes one or more electrodes to enable signal transmission through a skin contact and a control mechanism coupled to the one or more electrodes to adjust an electrode-to-skin impedance (esi). the control mechanism is configured to implement the esi adjustment using a thermal actuator.
20250170626. Automated Cleaning Optical Element (Apple .)
Abstract: a device includes a first cleaning element and a second cleaning element positioned opposite the first cleaning element. an optical device can be placed between the first cleaning element and the second cleaning element. a sensor is configured to output a force signal that represents a force applied by the first cleaning element, and a controller is operable to control operation of the first cleaning element based on the force signal.
20250172813. Electronic Devices Movable Components (Apple .)
Abstract: electronic devices such as head-mounted electronic devices may include displays for presenting images to users. to accommodate variations in the interpupillary distances associated with different users, a head-mounted device may have left-eye and right-eye optical modules that move with respect to each other with actuators. the actuators may include motors, compound planetary gearboxes, and lead screws that move the optical modules. in particular, the compound planetary gearboxes may have high reduction ratios to reduce the size of the actuators while providing sufficient torque to move the optical modules. the compound planetary gearboxes may include first and second planet gears coupled to common shafts, and carriers that carry the planet gears and that drive the lead screws. the second planet gears may have smaller diameters than the first planet gears, and the second planet gears may mesh with teeth on a ring gear, to provide the high reduction ratio.
20250172814. Optical Systems Adjustable Light Engines (Apple .)
Abstract: an electronic device, such as a head-mounted device, may include a support structure and a display system coupled to the support structure. the display system may include a light engine that emits light into a waveguide, which in turn guides the light to an eye box. to reposition the light engine relative to the waveguide, a positioner may be included in the display system. in particular, the positioner may rotate and/or laterally translate the light engine relative the waveguide. the positioner may be a fastener that moves the light engine about a pivot point, a flexure, a hinge, a curved rail, a cam and screw, a rack and pinion, or a piezoelectric actuator, as examples. multiple positioners may be used to move the light engine in multiple directions. the light engine may be moved manually or using a motor, such as in response to a sensor measurement.
20250173008. INPUT DEVICE (Apple .)
Abstract: a keyboard of the present disclosure has a keyboard housing with a base plate defining a trackpad opening. the keyboard can also include a trackpad assembly disposed within the trackpad opening, the trackpad assembly including: a touch input plate configured to receive a user touch input and positioned above the base plate; and a flexure positioned below the base plate. in some examples the flexure includes: a first attachment portion attached to the touch input plate; a second attachment portion attached to the base plate; and at least one flexible portion connecting the first attachment portion to the second attachment portion and biasing the first attachment portion upward relative to the second attachment portion.
Abstract: a computer system detects presence of a respective portion of a user. in response to detecting the presence of the respective portion of the user, and in accordance with a determination that first criteria are met by the presence of the respective portion of the user, wherein the first criteria require an inner side of the respective portion of the user is facing toward a viewpoint corresponding to the view of the three-dimensional environment that is provided via the display generation component, the computer system displays a first user interface object. after displaying the first user interface object, the computer system detects that the respective portion of the user has changed from satisfying the first criteria to satisfying second criteria different than the first criteria, and in response, the computer system switches to displaying status information for the computer system.
20250173054. Devices, Methods, Graphical User Interfaces Adjusting Provision Notifications (Apple .)
Abstract: a computer system displays via the display generation component, a first user interface that includes a first affordance associated with a first activity mode, a second affordance associated with modifying settings for the first activity mode, and a third affordance associated with a second activity mode. while displaying the first user interface, the computer system detects a first user input, and in response: in accordance with a determination that the first user input activates the first affordance, the computer system initiates activation of the first activity mode; in accordance with a determination that the first user input activates the second affordance, the computer system displays a first settings interface for modifying settings of the first activity mode; and in accordance with a determination that the first user input activates the third affordance, the computer system initiates activation of the second activity mode.
Abstract: a computer system displays a user interface object in a three-dimensional environment with background content behind the user interface object in the three-dimensional environment. a first portion of the user interface object has an appearance based on an appearance of background content behind the first portion of the first user interface object, and has content between the first portion and a front of the first user interface object. when moving the content within the first user interface object in response to a user request, the content remains between the first portion of the first user interface object and the front of the first user interface object, and is displayed with a visual effect that is applied to the content based on a simulated thickness of the first user interface object.
20250173980. Synchronized, Interactive Augmented Reality Displays Multifunction Devices (Apple .)
Abstract: a device can receive live video of a real-world, physical environment on a touch sensitive surface. one or more objects can be identified in the live video. an information layer can be generated related to the objects. in some implementations, the information layer can include annotations made by a user through the touch sensitive surface. the information layer and live video can be combined in a display of the device. data can be received from one or more onboard sensors indicating that the device is in motion. the sensor data can be used to synchronize the live video and the information layer as the perspective of video camera view changes due to the motion. the live video and information layer can be shared with other devices over a communication link.
20250173989. Intelligently Placing Labels (Apple .)
Abstract: some embodiments provide a mapping application that displays a rotation of a 3d map and corresponding rotation of a set of map labels overlaying the 3d map in response to receiving input to rotate the 3d map. when a particular map label in the set of map labels rotates towards an upside down orientation, the mapping application also replaces the particular map label with a version of the particular map label arranged in a right side up orientation to prevent the particular map label from being displayed in the upside down orientation in the 3d map.
20250174142. EXERCISED-BASED WATCH FACE COMPLICATIONS (Apple .)
Abstract: exercise-based watch faces and complications for use with a portable multifunction device are disclosed. the methods described herein for exercise-based watch faces and complications provide indications of time and affordances representing applications (e.g., a workout application or a weather application). in response to detecting a user input corresponding to a selection of the affordance (e.g., representing a workout application), a workout routine can optionally be begun. further disclosed are non-transitory computer-readable storage media, systems, and devices configured to perform the methods described herein, as well as electronic devices related thereto.
20250174205. Displays Content-Specific Headroom (Apple .)
Abstract: an electronic device may be provided with a display. the display may be configured to display standard dynamic range image content and high dynamic range image content at the same time. the control circuitry may dynamically adjust an amount of headroom for the high dynamic range image content to avoid washing out the standard dynamic range image content. for example, the control circuitry may reduce the amount of headroom available for high dynamic range image content with high average pixel luminance levels and low screen coverage. the headroom may be increased as the average pixel luminance levels decrease and/or as screen coverage increases. different high dynamic range images that are displayed at the same time may be assigned different amounts of headroom (e.g., different peak brightness levels) based on average pixel luminance values, screen coverage, whether or not the content is within an active window on the display, etc.
20250174878. COUPLING STRUCTURES ELECTRONIC DEVICE HOUSINGS (Apple .)
Abstract: a housing for an electronic device is disclosed. the housing comprises a first component and a second component separated from the first component by a gap. the housing also includes a first molded element disposed at least partially within the gap and defining at least a portion of an interlock feature, and a second molded element disposed at least partially within the gap and mechanically engaging the interlock feature. the first component, the second component, and the second molded element form a portion of an exterior surface of the housing. a method of forming the housing is also disclosed.
20250175183. WIRELESS TRANSMITTER IMPROVED DATA RATE (Apple .)
Abstract: this disclosure is directed to a transmitter including a phase locked loop (pll), a modulator, and a power amplifier (pa). a controller including programmable and/or hardened logic circuitry may be coupled to the pll and the modulator. the controller may provide encoded signals based on quadrature phase shift keying (qpsk) scheme for transmission by the transmitter. in particular, the controller may provide multiple bursts of pulses indicative of data packets to the modulator. moreover, the controller may provide instructions indicative of generating clock signals with in-phase and quadrature phases to the pll. the pll may generate clock signals corresponding to the in-phase and quadrature phases. as such, the transmitter may generate in-phase and quadrature output signals based on receiving each burst of pulses with either in-phase or quadrature phases.
20250175211. Next-Generation Ultra-Wideband Frame Formats (Apple .)
Abstract: methods, systems, and apparatuses are presented to transmit fragmented communication frames, such as fragmented ultra-wideband (uwb) frames. in some implementations, a communication frame may be divided into a plurality of fragments, and the fragments may be transmitted across a plurality of regulatory test intervals. e.g., each fragment may be transmitted within a mutually-exclusive regulatory test interval. in some implementations, each fragment may be constrained in time and/or transmission power, such that the total energy emitted during transmission of the fragment remains within a maximum energy limit defined for the regulatory test interval, e.g., by a regulatory entity. in some implementations, the sum of the energy emitted during transmission of two or more fragments may exceed the maximum energy limit defined for the regulatory test interval.
20250175236. Optimized Beam Search Alignment Directive Systems (Apple .)
Abstract: disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-readable medium to perform operations including: receiving, from a device, a beacon request; generating a transmission beacon pattern associated with the beacon request; transmitting a plurality of beams according to the transmission beacon pattern; receiving a message that identifies one or more strongest transmission beams of the plurality of beams; generating a reception beacon pattern associated with the beacon request; transmitting the one or more strongest transmission beams according to the reception beacon pattern; and communicating, with the device, using at least one of the one or more strongest transmission beams and a reception beam of the device.
20250175300. Sounding Reference Signal Capacity Enhancement (Apple .)
Abstract: a user equipment (ue) is configured to receive a sounding reference signal (srs) configuration for srs resources including time domain orthogonal cover code (td-occ) parameters for applying td-occ to the srs resources, the td-occ parameters including a td-occ pattern and a td-occ length for the td-occ pattern, apply the td-occ to the srs resources in accordance with the configured parameters and perform uplink (ul) transmissions based on a power control scheme for srs td-occ and a collision handling scheme for srs td-occ.
20250175502. Enabling UDP/TCP Encapsulation Baseband (Apple .)
Abstract: an apparatus configured to negotiate with an internet security protocol (ipsec) host device to determine whether both a user equipment (ue) and the ipsec host device are capable of supporting synchronization of ipsec information and when both the ue and the ipsec host device are capable of supporting synchronization of ipsec information, receive ipsec information from the ipsec host device over a dedicated channel, the ipsec information being configured to support encapsulation.
20250175601. IMAGE SIGNAL ENCODING/DECODING METHOD APPARATUS THEREFOR (Apple .)
Abstract: an image signal decoding method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises the steps of: partitioning the current picture into a plurality of tiles; decoding partition information indicating a slice type, the partition information indicating whether a rectangular slice is to be applied; determining the number of slices in the current picture; and defining the slices using the tiles.
20250175664. User Interfaces Video Editing Application Touch Screen Device (Apple .)
Abstract: in one or more embodiments, a computing device is configured to display a first frame, of a media composition, corresponding to a first position of a moveable playhead along a timeline. the first frame is displayed in a first display area of a gui, while the timeline is concurrently displayed in a second display area of the gui. the computing device also detects an initiation of a hover user input associated with a second position along the timeline. responsive to detecting the initiation of the hover user input, the computing device replaces, in the first display area of the gui, the display of the first frame with a display of the second frame of the media composition. thereafter, responsive to detecting termination of the hover user input, the computing device resumes a display of the first frame of the media composition in the first display area of the gui.
20250175727. IN-EAR HEADPHONE (Apple .)
Abstract: a low-profile earbud is disclosed that sits securely within an ear of a user. the earbud includes a protruding portion that passes through a channel defined by the tragus and anti-tragus of the ear. in some embodiments, the protruding portion can take the form of a cable configured to supply power and transfer data to the earbud. in some embodiments, the protruding portion can provide additional space for electrical components and sensors supporting the earbud.
20250175785. PRIMARY eSIM ACTIVATION WIRELESS DEVICE PHYSICAL SIM (Apple .)
Abstract: this application sets forth techniques for provisioning and activating an electronic subscriber identity module (esim) as a primary sim for a mobile wireless device that includes a limited functionality physical sim (psim) associated with a particular mobile network operator (mno) and installed in the mobile wireless device at a time of manufacture. an esim associated with the particular mno is reserved during a sales order process and later activated during device activation after receipt by a user using a secure over-the-air (ota) cellular connection enabled by the limited functionality psim, when a non-cellular connection or other internet accessible connection is available. dual sim device configuration processes can be suppressed during activation of the esim. after successful attachment of the mobile wireless device to a cellular wireless network of the particular mno using credentials of the esim, the limited functionality psim is disabled.
Abstract: systems and methods for global navigation satellite system (gnss)-less operation modes for non-terrestrial networks (ntns) are disclosed. a user equipment (ue) of an ntn identifies a gnss data acquisition failure; sends, to a base station, a request to transition from operating in a first timing advance (ta) mode where the ue determines a first ta value using gnss data to operating in a second ta mode where the ue determines a second ta value without using any gnss data; receives, from the base station, a reply indicating that the ue may transition to operating in the second ta mode; performs the transition; determines a timing of an uplink (ul) transmission using a correspondingly calculated second ta value; and sends the ul transmission per the timing. analogous base station behaviors are discussed. in some cases, a ue determines to make the transition based on factors other than gnss (e.g., power saving).
20250175945. PAGING ALERT DESIGN NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORKS (NTNS) (Apple .)
Abstract: aspects are described for a user equipment (ue) comprising a transceiver configured to enable wireless communication with a base station and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver. the processor is configured to receive a paging alert (pa) from the base station. the processor is further configured to generate a notification for a user of the ue to physically move the ue based on the pa and receive a paging message from the base station based on the pa.
20250175972. SYSTEMS, METHODS, DEVICES MAC LAYER INTER-UE COORDINATION (IUC) (Apple .)
Abstract: techniques, described herein, include solutions for enabling inter-user equipment (ue) coordination (iuc) using media access control (mac) control elements (ce). a first ue may send an iuc request to a second ue, and the second ue may respond with a mac ce that includes iuc information. the iuc information may indicated one or more wireless resources that the first ue may use to communicate with the second ue. the iuc information may also include a time-domain validity for wireless resources, which may include one or more durations of time the wireless resources may be used for communication. the first ue may also implement a latency bound during which the second ue is to respond with the iuc information. in some implementations, discontinuous reception (drx) may be used by the first and second ues, and drx active times of the ues may be modified or configured to facilitate iuc.
Abstract: systems and methods for throughput enhancement in non-terrestrial networks (ntns) using orthogonal cover code (occ) spreading are discussed. a user equipment (ue) of an ntn that communicates with a base station over a service link of the ntn receives, from the base station, a downlink control information (dci) that indicates a dynamic uplink grant for a physical uplink shared channel (pusch), where the dci communicates an occ sequence index; identifies, using the occ sequence index, a first occ sequence for the first pusch from a set of occ sequences of an occ size corresponding to the occ sequence index; spreads data for the pusch into the pusch using the first occ sequence; and sends, to the base station, over the service link, the pusch according to the dynamic uplink grant. cases using configuration information for a configured uplink grant are also discussed. corresponding base station behaviors are discussed.
20250175981. SIDELINK PHYSICAL LAYER PRIORITY BASED PROCEDURES (Apple .)
Abstract: a sidelink transmission and an uplink transmission that is carrying a sidelink hybrid automatic repeat request (harq) are both scheduled for transmission in a shared time window. if a priority associated with the sidelink harq is considered to be higher than a priority associated with the sidelink transmission, then a higher priority is assigned to the uplink transmission, regardless of whether the uplink transmission contains other uplink data. otherwise, if the uplink transmission does not carry other uplink data, then the higher priority is assigned to the sidelink transmission. greater transmission resources are given to the transmission with the higher priority.
20250175984. SYSTEM METHOD UE PROCESSING TIME RELAXATION MULTI-TRP TRANSMISSION (Apple .)
Abstract: systems, devices, and techniques for adjusting a user equipment (ue) processing time parameter in a wireless communication system that include transmission and reception points (trps) are described. a described technique performed by ue includes receiving a first physical downlink shared channel (pdsch) from a first trp corresponding to a first scheduling physical downlink control channel (pdcch) and a second pdsch from a second trp corresponding to a second scheduling pdcch. the technique further includes transmitting a first hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (harq-ack) message and a second harq-ack message based on the first pdsch and the second pdsch in accordance with a first processing time parameter and a second processing time parameter, respectively. the first processing time parameter can be based on a pdsch mapping type, a processing capability of the ue, and one or more timing characteristics of the first pdsch and the second pdsch.
Abstract: systems and methods for throughput enhancement in non-terrestrial networks (ntns) using orthogonal cover code (occ) spreading are discussed. a user equipment (ue) of an ntn that communicates with a base station over a service link of the ntn receives, from the base station, a downlink control information (dci) that indicates a dynamic uplink grant for a physical uplink shared channel (pusch), where the dci communicates an occ sequence index; identifies, using the occ sequence index, a first occ sequence for the first pusch from a set of occ sequences of an occ size corresponding to the occ sequence index; spreads data for the pusch into the pusch using the first occ sequence; and sends, to the base station, over the service link, the pusch according to the dynamic uplink grant. cases using configuration information for a configured uplink grant are also discussed. corresponding base station behaviors are discussed.
20250175997. EXPLICIT REQUEST DESIGN INTER-UE COORDINATION (Apple .)
Abstract: disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-readable medium to perform operations including: detecting one or more triggers for transmitting an explicit request for inter-ue coordination from an assisting ue; in response to detecting the one or more triggers, generating the explicit request to be sent to the assisting ue; and transmitting the explicit request to the assisting ue.
20250176002. SYSTEMS METHODS RESOURCE ALLOCATION ENCODING INTER-UE COORDINATION MESSAGES (Apple .)
Abstract: disclosed are methods and systems to coordinate resource allocation between two ues for sidelink communication. a receiving ue receiving sidelink communication from a transmitting ue may configure coordination resources used to coordinate sidelink communication between the two ues. the receiving ue may receive from the transmitting ue data indicating resources reserved and intended to be used by the transmitting ue to transmit sidelink data to the receiving ue. the receiving ue may determine a coordination message used to indicate whether the resources reserved by the transmitting ue are available for use by the receiving ue to receive the sidelink data from the transmitting ue. the receiving ue may determine resources from the coordination resources to be used to carry the coordination message and may transmit the coordination message carried on the selected resources to indicate to the transmitting ue whether to use the reserved resources for the sidelink data.
20250176065. DRX Cycle Determination (Apple .)
Abstract: apparatuses, systems, and methods for inactive mode drx cycle and/or measurement cycle determination, e.g., such as for radio resource management (rrm) in inactive mode, e.g., in 5g nr systems and beyond, including systems, methods, and mechanisms for determining a drx cycle for cell detection and measurement. an inactive mode drx cycle periodicity may be determined by scaling a periodicity of an idle mode drx cycle, an inactive mode edrx cycle, an idle mode edrx cycle, and/or by a paging occasion cycle. the scale factor may be predefined, specified by a standard, and/or configured via higher layer signaling. additionally, whether an inactive mode drx cycle is determined by scaling a periodicity of an idle mode drx cycle, a paging occasion cycle, an inactive mode edrx cycle, or an idle mode edrx cycle may depend on one or more conditions associated with a ue.