# Stephen O. Lemay — Patents explained on PatentBrief

Stephen O. Lemay has 11 landmark patents explained in plain English on PatentBrief.

- [How Apple's Interface Switches Between Music Playlists and Menus](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10928980/ios-widgets-on-home-screen) — granted 2021
  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.
- [How Messaging Apps Quickly Share Photos and Camera Previews](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10732795/ios-dark-mode) — granted 2020
  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.
- [How Devices Pair Automatically by Scanning Patterns with a Camera](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10579225/apple-fitness) — granted 2020
  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.
- [How the Apple Watch Uses the Digital Crown to Flip Objects](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10275117/apple-watch-heart-rate-sensor) — granted 2019
  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.
- [How the iPhone Switches and Adds Mobile Web Browser Tabs](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8214768/ios-notification-center) — granted 2012
  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.
- [How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8046721/unlocking-a-device-by-performing-gestures-on-an-unlock-image) — granted 2011
  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.
- [How Multi-Touch Gestures Like Pinch-to-Zoom Work on Smartphones](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7812826/iphone-software-keyboard) — granted 2010
  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.
- [How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7657849/slide-to-unlock) — granted 2010
  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.
- [How Apple's Navigation Bar Manages App Screens](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7596761/os-x-dashboard-widgets) — granted 2009
  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.
- [How the iPhone's Jiggling App Icons Work](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7509588/os-x-spotlight-search) — granted 2009
  This patent describes the 'jiggle mode' on iPhones, where app icons shake to show they can be moved or deleted.
- [How Touchscreens Understand Your Finger Swipes and Scrolls](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7479949/iphone-multi-touch) — granted 2009
  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.

**Full profile:** https://patentbrief.org/inventor/stephen-o-lemay

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Plain-English explanations of US patents._