https://patentbrief.org/company/apple-inc Plain-English explanations of patents assigned to Apple Inc, newest first. en-us Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:20:45 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11921980/vision-pro-optic-id A patent describing how a locked smartphone displays multiple notifications from different apps and allows users to interact with them individually without unlocking the phone. Tue, 05 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11921980/vision-pro-optic-id https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11853535/vision-pro-hand-gesture-recognition A system for securely displaying digital tickets or account codes on a screen only after verifying the user's identity, and automatically hiding them once used or if time runs out. Tue, 26 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11853535/vision-pro-hand-gesture-recognition https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11809700/vision-pro-eye-tracking Apple's patent describes how to organize apps into multi-page folders and move icons between those pages by dragging them to specific screen edges. Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11809700/vision-pro-eye-tracking https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11706521/dynamic-island A system that automatically shows or hides camera exposure controls based on whether the device detects low-light conditions. Tue, 18 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11706521/dynamic-island https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11609640/stage-manager A method for managing a dynamic emoji search interface that swaps keyboards and filters emoji variations based on specific user criteria. Tue, 21 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11609640/stage-manager https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11449194/spatial-audio-with-dynamic-head-tracking Apple's patent describes the specific software logic used to let users drag, drop, and rearrange app icons on a touchscreen by entering a special 'jiggle' mode. Tue, 20 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11449194/spatial-audio-with-dynamic-head-tracking https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11204787/github-copilot-code-generation-ai This patent describes how a digital assistant on a device can understand what a user wants from a natural language command, find the right app, get a step-by-step guide from another device, and then ask the user for more details on the screen to complete the task with that app. Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11204787/github-copilot-code-generation-ai https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11188196/app-library Apple's patent describes a device that changes its screen lighting behavior, such as pulsing or strobing, based on a user's heart rate or body temperature. Tue, 30 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11188196/app-library https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10928980/ios-widgets-on-home-screen A method for navigating through a stack of music playlists on a touchscreen or dial, which automatically shifts to a menu view when you reach the end of the list. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10928980/ios-widgets-on-home-screen https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10732795/ios-dark-mode Apple's patent describes a way to quickly open a camera or photo gallery directly inside a messaging app so you can attach media without leaving your conversation. Tue, 04 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10732795/ios-dark-mode https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10579225/apple-fitness A method for pairing two electronic devices by having one device use its camera to scan a visual pattern displayed on the other device's screen. Tue, 03 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10579225/apple-fitness https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10564770/airpods-wireless-earbuds Apple's patent describes a touch controller that tracks an object's path through the air to predict where it will land on a screen before it actually makes physical contact. Tue, 18 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10564770/airpods-wireless-earbuds https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10466883/apple-arcade A method for using a physical rotating dial on a device to scroll through lists and menus while providing audio feedback for accessibility. Tue, 05 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10466883/apple-arcade https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10275117/apple-watch-heart-rate-sensor A method for rotating virtual objects on a small wearable screen by spinning the physical dial on the side of the device based on how fast you turn it. Tue, 30 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10275117/apple-watch-heart-rate-sensor https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10025401/apple-watch-digital-crown Apple's patent for a stylus design that uses specific ring-shaped sensors to accurately measure the angle and tilt of a pen against a touchscreen. Tue, 17 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10025401/apple-watch-digital-crown https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10013058/face-id A design for touchscreens that embeds vibration-producing actuators directly into a nonconductive material layer, paired with force sensors to detect how hard a user presses. Tue, 03 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10013058/face-id https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10002199/uber-driver-incentives Apple's patent for a system that automatically highlights or suggests mobile apps based on your current location or a location you are planning to visit. Tue, 19 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10002199/uber-driver-incentives https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9548050/continuity-handoff This patent describes how a digital assistant like Siri uses your spoken words and understanding of your conversation to figure out what you want and launch the right app. Tue, 17 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9548050/continuity-handoff https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9483121/force-touch-3d-touch A method for a device to decide which app should handle a user's touch gesture when multiple apps are running at the same time. Tue, 01 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9483121/force-touch-3d-touch https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9075783/alexa-voice-service Apple's patent for a system that improves text autocorrection by using a database of words the user has previously spoken into their device. Tue, 07 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9075783/alexa-voice-service https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE45559/cover-flow A patent describing how mobile devices use sensors to detect movement, allowing the screen to rotate or scroll through pages based on how you tilt or roll the device. Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE45559/cover-flow https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8831529/airplay-wireless-streaming A method for testing and calibrating a phone's wireless radio performance in a temperature-controlled chamber to ensure it stays accurate as the device heats up or cools down. Tue, 09 Sep 2014 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8831529/airplay-wireless-streaming https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8683378/scrolling-techniques-for-user-interfaces A system that automatically changes how a list scrolls based on how fast or hard you interact with the screen. Tue, 25 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8683378/scrolling-techniques-for-user-interfaces https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8675084/facetime-video-calling Apple's 2014 patent describes how a separate device, like a remote control, can talk to a phone to take pictures and videos, and show them on the remote. Tue, 18 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8675084/facetime-video-calling https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8600430/imessage Apple's patent on using light sensors to help a phone accurately detect when it is pressed against your ear, preventing accidental screen touches. Tue, 03 Dec 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8600430/imessage https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8587547/device-method-and-graphical-user-interface-for-manipulating-soft-keyboards Apple's 2013 patent describes how to split a phone's keyboard in half and move it up the screen with a swipe, making it easier to type with thumbs. Tue, 19 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8587547/device-method-and-graphical-user-interface-for-manipulating-soft-keyboards https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8493330/individual-channel-phase-delay-scheme Apple's patent describes a way for touchscreens to adjust the timing of internal electrical signals so they perfectly match the signals coming from your finger, making touch detection more accurate. Tue, 23 Jul 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8493330/individual-channel-phase-delay-scheme https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8423911/ios-control-center Apple's 2010 patent describing the logic for creating and interacting with app folders on a touchscreen device, specifically distinguishing between 'normal' use and 'editing' modes. Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8423911/ios-control-center https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/D670286/iphone-4-4s-design This is a design patent protecting the specific visual appearance and physical shape of a portable electronic device, commonly recognized as the iPhone. Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/D670286/iphone-4-4s-design https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8307004/amazon-dynamodb A method for computers to pause a large data backup and resume exactly where they left off without restarting the entire process from scratch. Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8307004/amazon-dynamodb https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8291344/ios-autocorrect-keyboard Apple's patent describes a way to switch between open apps on a touchscreen by showing a bar of app previews and selecting one with a tap. Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8291344/ios-autocorrect-keyboard https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8214768/ios-notification-center Apple's 2007 patent on using swipes, edge taps, and dedicated buttons to create and flip through multiple full-screen windows in a mobile web browser. Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8214768/ios-notification-center https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8125456/multi-touch-capacitive-scanning A power-saving method for touchscreens that puts the main processor to sleep when not in use and wakes it up only when a touch is detected. Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8125456/multi-touch-capacitive-scanning https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8074172/ios-springboard-home-screen Apple's patent on a system that displays word suggestions above a touchscreen keyboard, allowing users to accept or reject them with simple taps or keystrokes. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8074172/ios-springboard-home-screen https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8046721/unlocking-a-device-by-performing-gestures-on-an-unlock-image Apple's 2011 patent describes a method for unlocking a touchscreen device by dragging a specific graphical icon from a starting point to a designated end point. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8046721/unlocking-a-device-by-performing-gestures-on-an-unlock-image https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7957762/ios-app-store This Apple patent describes how a phone uses both a proximity sensor and an ambient light sensor to accurately detect when it's held to your ear, preventing accidental screen touches during calls. Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7957762/ios-app-store https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7844915/application-programming-interfaces-for-scrolling-operations This patent describes the software logic that allows touchscreens to distinguish between simple scrolling and multi-finger gestures, while also enabling the signature 'rubber-band' bounce effect when you reach the end of a page. Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7844915/application-programming-interfaces-for-scrolling-operations https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7812826/iphone-software-keyboard Apple's patent on using two-finger gestures to manipulate images and objects on a touchscreen, allowing for smooth zooming and rotation even if you lift your fingers briefly. Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7812826/iphone-software-keyboard https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7812828/ellipse-fitting-for-multi-touch-surfaces Apple's patent on using mathematical ellipses to track and identify individual fingers and palms on a touch-sensitive surface. Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7812828/ellipse-fitting-for-multi-touch-surfaces https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/D618677/original-iphone-design A design patent protecting the specific visual appearance and shape of the iPhone 3G as it appeared in 2008. Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/D618677/original-iphone-design https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7663607/multipoint-touchscreen Apple's 2010 patent describes a touch screen that uses two layers of transparent conductive lines to detect several fingers touching the screen simultaneously. Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7663607/multipoint-touchscreen https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7657849/slide-to-unlock Apple's 2010 patent describes unlocking a device by dragging a specific graphical image across the touchscreen along a predefined path, a gesture that became iconic with the original iPhone. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7657849/slide-to-unlock https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7653883/multi-touch-trackpad-gestures This patent describes a system for electronic devices, like phones, to detect a finger hovering just above the screen, display a specific interactive element below it, and then let you control that element with gestures without ever making contact. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7653883/multi-touch-trackpad-gestures https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7596761/os-x-dashboard-widgets A method for navigating between different screens in a music app using a fixed bar that shows where you are, where you came from, and a shortcut to the player. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7596761/os-x-dashboard-widgets https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7530026/time-machine-backup A method for letting digital widgets flip over like a physical object to reveal hidden settings or controls on the back. Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7530026/time-machine-backup https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7509588/os-x-spotlight-search This patent describes the 'jiggle mode' on iPhones, where app icons shake to show they can be moved or deleted. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7509588/os-x-spotlight-search https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7479949/iphone-multi-touch This patent describes how touchscreens use smart rules, called heuristics, to figure out if your finger movement means scrolling up, moving around a map, or flipping to the next photo, especially by looking at how you start your swipe. Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7479949/iphone-multi-touch https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7469381/iphone-rubberbanding Apple's 2008 patent describes how a touchscreen device displays a blank area when a user scrolls past the edge of a document, then smoothly snaps the document back into place when the user lifts their finger. Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7469381/iphone-rubberbanding https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7434177/itunes-digital-music-store Apple's 1999 patent on the macOS Dock, which shrinks a row of app icons to save screen space and smoothly magnifies them as your mouse pointer glides over them. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7434177/itunes-digital-music-store https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7343566/os-x-dock A method for computer systems to automatically display, fade out, and close temporary windows based on timers or system events without requiring user interaction. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7343566/os-x-dock