Thomas Elwood Dowdy

US Patent:

6812930, Nov 2, 2004

Filed:

Aug 7, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/906648

Inventors:

Thomas E. Dowdy - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

345545, 345502

Abstract:

A method aspect provides a first format, the first format compatible with a format for an application program, provides a second format, the second format compatible with a format for an output device, and transforms inputs from the application program from the first format to the second format for output on the output device to provide compatibility between the application program and the output device without altering the application program. A system aspect for improving compatibility between an application program and a display device of a computer system includes a CPU, at least one real frame buffer-coupled to the CPU and to the display device, the at least one real frame buffer having a first format compatible with the display device, and at least one alternate frame buffer coupled to the at least one real frame buffer and the CPU, the at least one alternate frame buffer having a second format compatible with the application program, wherein the CPU controls transformations from the second format to the first format transparently to the application program.

US Patent:

7180526, Feb 20, 2007

Filed:

Apr 1, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/816556

Inventors:

Thomas E. Dowdy - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G09G 5/02

US Classification:

345604, 345589, 345593, 345597, 345598

Abstract:

A method for improving compatibility between an application program and a display device of a computer system includes: providing a first format in a first frame buffer, the first format compatible with a format for an application program, providing a second format in a second frame buffer, the second format compatible with a format for an output device, and transforming inputs from the application program from the first format in the first frame buffer to the second format in the second frame buffer for output on the output device. With the present invention, new formats can be developed to reduce costs and improve performance with transparent compatibility for programs developed to correspond with old formats. Thus, improved flexibility for supporting a variety of formats developed for differing memory depths, differing resolutions, and differing color formats is realized.

US Patent:

7307641, Dec 11, 2007

Filed:

Jan 20, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/625282

Inventors:

Thomas E. Dowdy - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G09G 5/02

US Classification:

345604, 345539, 345545, 345546

Abstract:

Methods and systems for transforming data in a system are provided. In one implementation, the method includes providing a first frame buffer, and providing a second frame buffer that is separate from the first frame buffer. The first frame buffer is configured to support a first format compatible with a format associated with an application program interacting with the system, and the second frame buffer is configured to support a second format compatible with a format associated with an output device coupled to the system. The method further includes transforming data provided by the application program from the first format supported by the first frame buffer to the second format supported by the second frame buffer for output on the output device to provide compatibility between the application program and the output device.

US Patent:

7433546, Oct 7, 2008

Filed:

Oct 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/973657

Inventors:

Greg Marriott - Palo Alto CA, US
Jesse Boettcher - San Jose CA, US
Thomas Dowdy - Sunnyvale CA, US
David Heller - San Jose CA, US
Jeff Miller - Mountain View CA, US
Jeffrey L. Robbin - Los Altos CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06K 9/54
G06K 9/60
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

382305, 7071041

Abstract:

Methods and system for transferring images between devices is disclosed. For example, differently scaled images by a host device may automatically and/or selectively be transferred to a media player for display. In turn, appropriately scaled images may be transferred automatically and/or selectively to another display device for example a TV, camera or printer. The selectivity may occur either at the host level or at the player level.

US Patent:

7478323, Jan 13, 2009

Filed:

Mar 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/078583

Inventors:

Thomas Dowdy - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 15/00
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

715253, 715243, 715273, 715274, 715275, 715277

Abstract:

Techniques for producing a media asset illustration collage are disclosed. These techniques involve, for instance, obtaining a media asset list containing media asset information, obtaining one or more media asset illustrations associated with the media asset list, determining a color scheme based on the one or more media asset illustrations, and producing a media asset illustration collage according to the color scheme. Further, these techniques involve analyzing the one or more media asset illustrations, determining, based on the analysis, one or more dominant colors for each of the media asset illustrations, determining, based on one or more of the dominant colors, one or more alternate colors for each of the media asset illustrations, prioritizing the one or more media asset illustrations based on the media asset list, selecting one or more the of the determined dominant colors from the media asset illustration having the highest priority, and creating the color scheme for the media asset illustration collage based on the selected dominant color.

US Patent:

7487346, Feb 3, 2009

Filed:

Apr 7, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/400574

Inventors:

Richard Crandall - Portland OR, US
Thomas Dowdy - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 1/24

US Classification:

713100, 713 1, 713 2, 369 3008, 369 3009

Abstract:

Improved techniques and graphical user interfaces that enable users to shuffle a group of media items in accordance with categories associated with the media items are disclosed. According to one aspect, techniques can operate to categorically shuffle media items having categories associated therewith. According to another aspect, a user interface control can be graphically presented to a user to assist the user in selecting a shuffle setting. The shuffle setting provided by the user affects the nature of the shuffle. For example, the shuffle setting can impact the likelihood that two adjacent media items in the group of media items will be from the same one or more categories following the shuffle.

US Patent:

7565036, Jul 21, 2009

Filed:

May 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/749599

Inventors:

Greg Marriott - Honolulu HI, US
Jesse Boettcher - San Jose CA, US
Thomas Dowdy - Sunnyvale CA, US
David Heller - Los Altos CA, US
Jeff Miller - Mountain View CA, US
Jeffrey L. Robbin - Los Altos CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06K 9/54
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

382305, 707101

Abstract:

Methods and system for transferring images between devices is disclosed. For example, differently scaled images by a host device may automatically and/or selectively be transferred to a media player for display. In turn, appropriately scaled images may be transferred automatically and/or selectively to another display device for example a TV, camera or printer. The selectivity may occur either at the host level or at the player level.

US Patent:

7581186, Aug 25, 2009

Filed:

Sep 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/519460

Inventors:

Thomas Dowdy - Sunnyvale CA, US
David Heller - San Jose CA, US
Anne Jones - Emerald Hills CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 3/16

US Classification:

715727

Abstract:

Methods and systems that improve the way media is played, sorted, modified, stored and cataloged are disclosed. One aspect relates to a browse window that allows a user to navigate through and select images that are related to media items. Another aspect relates to a graphical user interface of a media management program that utilizes multiple browse windows. Another aspect relates to simultaneously displayed media browse windows whose operations are integrated together so that the content shown therein is automatically synched when selections are made. Another aspect relates to resetting browsed content to the currently playing media.