On October 4, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a new series of patent applications from Apple Inc. which covered such technical matters as Decoupling rights in a digital content unit from download, Method and apparatus for changing the clock frequency of a memory system and Interface Connector between Media Player and Computer amongst others.

Decoupling Rights in a Digital Content Unit from Download

Apple’s patent generally relates to digital content protection and, more particularly, to cryptographic techniques for obtaining a right in a legitimate copy of a digital content unit without downloading the copy.

Apple’s Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling a user to obtain rights in a legitimate copy of a digital content unit without downloading the copy from a digital content store are provided. The systems and methods provide an encrypted copy of a digital content unit to a first user and transcript the encrypted copy to generate the legitimate copy to a second user. The encrypted copy is encrypted with a first encrypt key that may be associated with the first user and the legitimate copy is encrypted with a second encrypt key that may be associated with the second user.

Apple lists Jonathan M Zweig (Cupertino, CA) and James H. Woodyatt (San Francisco, CA) as the inventors of patent 20070233606.

Method and Apparatus for Changing the Clock Frequency of a Memory System

Apple’s patent relates to power-saving techniques in computer systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for changing the clock frequency of a memory subsystem for power-saving purposes.

Apple’s Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates changing a clock frequency in a memory system. During operation, the system receives a command to change the clock frequency to a new clock frequency. The system then iteratively changes the clock frequency to the new clock frequency. More specifically, the system starts an iteration by slewing the clock frequency toward the new clock frequency by an increment to reach an intermediate frequency without interfering with normal memory-system operation. Next, the system signals a memory controller to pause normal memory system operation by completing or canceling all in-flight or outstanding memory system operations and not accepting additional memory operation requests. Upon receiving an acknowledgement from the memory controller that all in-flight or outstanding memory operations have completed or terminated, the system signals the memory controller to cause a delay-locked loop (DLL) inside the memory system to relock to the intermediate frequency. When the DLL relocks to the intermediate frequency, the system completes the iteration by resuming normal memory system operation.

Memory Clock-Frequency-Control Architecture

Apple’s patent FIG. 2 above, illustrates a system diagram of dynamic memory clock-frequency control architecture 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system is comprised of a number of components, including memory subsystem 106, phase-locked loop 218, and finite state machine (FSM) controller 222.

Apple lists Paul A Baker (Los Altos, CA) and William C. Athas (San Jose, CA) as the inventors of patent 20070234100.

Interface Connector between Media Player and Computer

Apple’s patent generally relates to a media player interface connector. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved features for connecting the media player to an external USB port using a one-piece connector.

Apple’s Abstract: An interface connector is disclosed. The connector enables a compact communication link between a media player and a CPU configured so that the interface enables the media player to operate as a USB memory drive for the CPU. In one embodiment, the invention comprises an interface that is removably engagable from a media player and another electronic device. The interface includes a rigid housing with a first and second end connectors that are configured to facilitate data and power transmission between a media player and an electronic device when connected to the interface. The interface connector can be configured to be very compact and easily transportable.

Apple’s patent FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) shown above, are top views illustrating various embodiments of connector interfaces used to enable various aspects of the present invention.

Apple lists Eliot P. Danner (Arlington, VA) as the sole inventor of patent 20070232098.

Other Apple Patents Published Today

Other Apple patents were listed today which are listed as either continuation or other forms of patents. The list included a Portable Media Delivery System; the second part of the patent above pertaining to Digital Rights; and Method and System for Authenticating an Accessory which lists Apple engineer David Tupman and others as the inventors of that patent.

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.