On August 29, the US Patent & Trademark Office published six newly granted Apple patents which included the following: “Systems and methods for using media upon insertion into a data processing system,” “Method and apparatus for managing file extensions in a digital processing system,” “Methods and apparatus for constant-weight encoding and decoding,” two “Electronic device holder” patents and a design patent for an iPod shuffle “Protective case.”

Systems and methods for using media upon insertion into a data processing system

Apple’s Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for operating with writeable media. In one aspect of the invention, an exemplary method includes inserting a writeable media into a drive system which is coupled to a data processing system, instructing the data processing system to write or erase first data on the writeable media, and instructing the data processing system to eject the writeable media from the drive system, wherein upon the instructing of the data processing system to eject, the data processing system writes or erases the first data on the writeable media. The present invention includes other methods and apparatuses which perform at least one of these methods, including data processing systems which perform at least one of these methods and computer readable media which when executed on data processing systems cause the systems to perform at least one of these methods.

Inventor: Alexander M. Rosenberg.

Electronic device holder

Apple’s Abstract: An apparatus that can secure an electronic device and be inserted into a conventional cup holder is described. The cup holder, for example, is inside of an automobile. The electronic device being held can be a variety of devices that include a digital music player. One embodiment of the invention includes a spool about which connecting cable can be wound. Adapting sleeves that fit around the base of the apparatus can be used to adapt electronic device holder to cup holders of different sizes and shapes.

Inventors: Matthew Rohrbach

Method and apparatus for managing file extensions in a digital processing system

Apple’s Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for managing file extensions in a processing system. An exemplary method of managing file extensions in a digital processing system involves a user interface and a plurality of files, each file having a name that comprises a filename and an extension. The method includes associating a file with an indicator which is user selectable for a single file in a plurality of files in said digital processing system and which indicates how to display an extension of the file, and assigning a value to the indicator, and displaying a displayed name of the file in the user interface in a style determined by the indicator.

Inventors: Scott Forstall and Edward Voas.

Methods and apparatus for constant-weight encoding and decoding

Apple’s Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spreading and concentrating information to constant-weight encode data words on a parallel data line bus while allowing communication of information across sub-word paths. In one embodiment, data transfer rates previously obtained only with differential architectures are achieved by only a small increase in line count above single ended architectures. For example, an 18-bit data word requires 22 encoded data lines for transmission, where previously, 16 and 32 lines would be required to transmit un-coded data with single-ended and differential architectures respectively. Constant-weight parallel encoding maintains constant current in the parallel-encoded data lines and the high and low potential driver circuits for the signal lines.

Inventors: William P. Cornelius and William C. Athas.

Electronic device holder

Apple’s Claim: We claim the ornamental design for an electronic device holder, substantially as shown and described.
Note that this is the second Granted Design Patent for this device holder within a week. Last week MacNN reported on the first of the patents under Design Patent number D526777

Inventors: Barley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Luliis, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Douglas B. Satzger, Calvin Q. Seid, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer.

Protective case

Apple’s Claim: We claim the ornamental design for a protective case, substantially as shown and described.
Inventors: Barley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Luliis, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Douglas B. Satzger, Calvin Q. Seid, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer.

NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent applications and/or grants should be read in its entirety for further details.

Written and researched by Neo.