Apple patents range from video streaming to audio plugs
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Apple patents range from video streaming to audio plugs

Patent number 2010001117 is for video streaming using multiple channels. Systems and methods for streaming video over multiple HTTP channels are provided. The client may have control over the channels, allowing the client to control the amount and source of data received. Data requested by the client may be separated into a set of layers, with each layer being assigned to a separate channel. The client may adjust the number of layers requested based on a variety of factors. Layers may be requested from multiple remote sources, providing the client with additional control over the specific bandwidth profile of received data. The inventors are Ionut Hristodorescu, James Oliver Normile and Hsi-Jung Wu.

Patent number 20100011135 involves synchronization of real-time media playback status. According to the patent, in a system comprising a content performance device, multiple status display devices can communicate with the performance device to receive messages updating status of content being performed by the performance device, or being transmitted to one or more other performance devices. Content performance devices can include computers configured with software for managing media libraries, for obtaining Internet-based media, as well as more purpose-specific devices, such as digital video recorders, settop boxes, Apple TV, TiVo, and so on. Status display devices, remote controls or client devices can make standing requests to receive status updates as status changes. Status display devices also can function as remote controls for the performance device, and can submit control requests to it, which when effected, are acknowledged to all status display devices, which responsively update their displays. Each status display device can interpret content sent for communicating status updates, and can make changes to a respective display, or to other features or functions according to its programming. Status display devices can include personal information managers, smart phones, laptops, palm tops and other electronic devices capable of displaying playback status information received from the content performance device. The inventors are Amandeep Jawa, Alan Cannistratro and Daniel Davis.

Patent number 2010001117 involves auto-station tuning. In various embodiments, a media player or portable media device can enable a user to navigate and discover content or other media assets. The media player may analyze broadcasts and other content streams to determine currently playing and forthcoming content. The media player may switch from one source of content to another to find content that matches user preferences or criteria. The media player may generate playlists based on the matching content, and switch between sources of the matching content automatically. In some embodiments, the media player may receive user input to browse content using a navigation stream. Content associated with stations within the navigation stream may be output. As if the user were tuning a radio dial, the media player may determine what content to played back for each station. The media player may procure content and generate playlists to represent each station focus on by the user. The inventors are William Bull and Ben Rottler.

Patent number 20100008030 is for microperforated and backlit displays having alternative display capabilities. A visual display having microperforations, backlighting and contrasting surface finishes is disclosed. The visual display includes an opaque base object having a front surface and a plurality of microperforations therethrough from the front surface to a back surface. Each microperforation has a diameter of about 100 microns or less, and numerous microperforations are arranged into an overall pattern, such as a logo, text or advertisement. A light source placed proximate to the back surface passes light through the microperforations to be visible at the front surface, such that the overall pattern can be visibly perceived when the light source is turned on. A contrasting surface finish formed on the front surface includes at least two visibly distinguishable shades, with one shade covering at least a portion of the front surface defined by the overall pattern, such that the overall pattern can be seen when the light source is turned off. The inventors are Douglas Weber and Naoto Matsuyuki.

Patent number 20100011306 is for a data-driven layout engine. Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables. The inventors are Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston Jr. and Robert Ulrich.

Patent number 20100011299 involves a system and method for syncing a user interface on a server device to a user interface on a client device. A system, method, and computer-readable medium for method for syncing a user interface on a server device to a user interface on a client device are disclosed. The method includes broadcasting a signal from a server device to a client device when the server device presents an active user input interface on a display screen, wherein the active user input interface illustrates input from a user via a remote control that is separate from the client device, wherein the remote control requires multiple steps for inputting a character. The method next includes establishing a connection between the server device and the client device if certain pre-defined criteria are met. Next the method includes transmitting parameters for displaying a client user input interface on the connected client device that is associated with the active user input interface, including loading existing data in an input field of the active user input interface into a client input field on the client device. The method then includes receiving character input sent from the connected client device to the server device via the client user input interface, wherein the character is received via a single step. The method then includes updating the input field of the active user input interface with the received character input from the client user input interface, and removing the client user input interface on the client device upon the occurrence of an event. The inventors are Rainer Broderson, Amandeep Jawa, Alan Cannistraro and Daniel Davis.

Patent number 20100011292 involves collaborative media production. Methods, systems, and apparatus for collaborative media editing. In one aspect, a method includes presenting, to an originator, an originator interface including multiple media panes; establishing a connection with a collaborator; receiving from the originator a selection indicating an item of media content associated with at least one of the multiple media panes; transmitting to the collaborator the selected item of media content; and enabling inter-user communication relating to the selected item of media content in the originator interface with the collaborator. Further, a connection can be established with a second collaborator, the item of media content can be transmitted to the second collaborator, and communication can occur in the originator interface with the second collaborator. The inventors are Mike Marinkovich, Gregory Charles Lindsey, Alan Cannistraro, Evan Doll and Gary Johnson.

Patent number 2010008419 is for hierarchical bi-directional P frames. Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and apparatuses for generating forward, backward or bi-directional P frames. Prior to encoding a sequence of video frames, P frames within the video sequence can be reordered to include causal and/or non-causal references to one or more reference frames. This allows any block partition of a bi-directional P frame to include a single reference to a reference frame that is temporally displayed either before or after the bi-directional P frame. Compression and visual quality can therefore be improved. Hierarchical frame structures can be constructed using bi-directional P frames to better accommodate low complexity decoding profiles. Multilayered encoded video bitstreams can be generated based on the hierarchical frame structures and can include a first layer of anchor frames and one or more second layers that include bi-directional P frames that reference the anchor frames and/or any frame in any lower level layer. The inventors are Hsi-Jung Wu, James Oliver Normile, Xiaojin Shi, Xiaosong, Gianluca and Ionut Hristodorescu.

Patent number 20100011258 involves coordinating the execution of system and database scripts in a database server. Per the patent an administrator can specify a script sequence including one or more system scripts and database scripts. A graphical user interface is provided to allow the administrator to specify an execution order of individual scripts in the script sequence and a timeout interval for when the script sequence will complete. Once the script sequence is specified, the script sequence can be run without further intervention by the administrator. The inventors are Erwin Hom, Jonathan Thatcher and Mark Davidson.

Patent number 20100011304 involves adding a contact to a home screen. According to the patent,a n icon can be created for a contact (e.g., an individual(s) or an entity) and presented on a user interface of a mobile device, such as a "home screen." The icon can be used to retrieve and display contact information. The icon can also be used to invoke one or more applications that are personalized to the contact. The icon can be modified to display information related to the contact. In one aspect, an icon associated with an entity can be temporarily displayed on the mobile device based on the proximity of the mobile device to the entity. The icon can be used to retrieve and display information related to the entity. Additionally, the icon can be removed from the display on the mobile device when the mobile device is no longer within a certain proximity of the entity. The inventor is Marcel MWA van Os.

Patent number 20100011354 is for a system and method for localizing the display of applications for download. The patent involves systems, methods, and computer readable-media for localizing display of applications for download, the method including receiving from a developer and ingesting into an online store an application localized in different languages, including a designated default language, determining a local language of a user desiring to download the application from the online store, presenting to the user an interface to download a version of the application in the user's local language if the application is available in the user's local language, and presenting to the user an interface to download the version of the application in the designated default language if the application is unavailable in the user's local language. In one aspect, a list of all available localized versions is presented to the user. In another aspect, statistics about when the user desires an unavailable localized version are recorded and reported to the developer. One variation includes receiving from the user a request for an unavailable localized version, and forwarding the request to the developer. To assist a customer in selecting a proper localized version, the method can display to the user one or more representative screenshots of the localized application. In the case of people who speak more than one language, determining a local language of a user further includes determining one or more secondary local languages and/or assigning an order of priority to the secondary languages. The inventors are Sam Gharabally, Ricardo Cortes, David Makower and Yoon Sub Hwang.

Patent number 20100011415 is for a system and method for processing an upload of a program with export compliance information. Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for processing a program with export compliance information, the method including in a process of ingesting a program from a developer to an online store, presenting a request to the developer to indicate if the program contains encryption, upon indication that the program contains encryption, presenting an interface for the developer to upload an appropriate export compliance form, blocking the program from the online store if the appropriate export compliance form is not received, and upon receipt of the appropriate export compliance form, receiving and ingesting the program from the developer into the online store. In one aspect, the method further presents an interface to the developer to upload one export compliance form associated with multiple programs. In another aspect, the export compliance form is bundled with the program for distribution in the online store. The method can include blocking the program from the online store if the program does not meet one or more additional requirements. In one aspect, the appropriate export compliance form is transmitted to a reviewing body for approval before completely ingesting the program. The reviewing body may notify the developer of approval or rejection of the export compliance form. The inventors are Ricardo Cortes, Max Muller III, Jeffrey A. Clites and Jonathan B. Leffert.

Patent number 20100011258 involves updating properties of remote A/V performance nodes. Aspects include systems, computer readable media and methods for remotely updating properties of Audio/Visual (A/V) performance nodes that can receive A/V content through a wireless network from a central content source. The central content source can maintain information about properties of such nodes, providing such information to a device configured with remote control software, upon request. The remote control device can accept user inputs relating to properties updates, indications of such being provided to the central content source for distribution to nodes whose properties were updated. Examples of updatable properties include on/off toggling, and volume controls. Updating such properties can be protected by passwords. The central content source can be configured as software executing on a personal computer operable to communicate over the Internet for obtaining access to streaming and/or downloadable A/V content. Remote control device examples include phones that can be networked to receive node properties data, obtain user inputs affecting such data, and transmit that data back to the central source. The inventors are Alan Cannistraro, Jeffrey L. Robbin and Amandeep Jawa.

Patent number 2010008040 is for a cold-drawn housing for an electronic device. A primary outer housing component for an electronic device formed via a cold-drawing process is disclosed. The electronic device can include internal operational components located within an outer housing, as well as a processor and one or more user interfaces in communication therewith. A primary outer housing component substantially surrounds and protects the internal operational components and processor, and comprises a single, continuous and seamless structural wall having a cross-sectional profile that includes an outer circumference and an inner circumference, as well as openings at a top end and bottom end thereof. Top and bottom end closures fit within and close off the top and bottom end openings in the primary outer housing component, which is formed using a cold-drawing material process that includes the use of a die to form the shape of the outer circumference and a mandrel to form the shape of said inner circumference. The inventors are Douglas Weber and Naoto Matsuyuki.

Patent number 20100011258 is for an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell. An pparatus, systems and methods for assembling an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell are provided. A plug may be coupled to a cable. An inner member may be molded about an end portion of the plug and an end portion of the cable. A strain relief member may be molded about a portion of the cable such that the strain relief member is adjacent to and substantially flush with the inner member. The seam between the inner member and the strain relief member may be covered by coupling a hard, smooth outer shell over a portion of the inner member and a portion of the strain relief member. Each of the inner member, the strain relief member, and the outer shell may be formed by injection molding, be of a cylindrical shape, and be formed from the same or different materials. The inventors are Wilhelmus M.C. Crooijmans and Kurt Stiehl.

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