A new Apple patent (number 20120144297) for slide show navigation has appeared at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Per the patent, a slide show, integrated into an email application, displays images such as those included as an attachment to an email message.

The user can view the slide show without exiting the email application. Slide show navigation controls are provided. An index sheet mode can be activated wherein a number of thumbnails are displayed, allowing easy navigation to any image within the slide show. Transition animations can be provided for clarifying operations such as activating and dismissing the index sheet.

Here's Apple's background and summary of the invention: "Conventionally, there is no convenient way to browse and view a series of image attachments received via email without leaving that email application. Images can appear inline in the body of the email, but browsing through a series of image attachments is restricted to vertically scrolling the body of the email. The presentation size of these image attachments is also restricted to the size of the email application view window, which is typically small.

"Existing software applications that allow a user to browse and view images, are not generally integrated into email applications. Additionally, a user may have to download and import the images into such software applications in order to view them, but this takes time and is often not desired when the user just wants to quickly see the images in a received email message.

"In addition, it is often difficult to navigate within a series of images such as within a slide show. An image may be shown, with arrows for moving forwards and backwards. Such a display does not facilitate instantaneous movement from one image to a second image that is not adjacent to the first. Such a display also fails to provide the user with a sense of the context of the current image within the overall slide show or set of images. There is no easy and convenient way to switch between the full-sized view and a view that reveals context.

"Image navigation systems and software often provide a series of thumbnails, allowing the user to click on a thumbnail to see a full-sized version of the corresponding image. However, these schemes still provide no easy way to easily switch between a full-sized view and a view that provides context showing where the image fits within the overall slide show.

"The present invention provides an improved mechanism for navigating within a series of images such as a slide show. According to one aspect of the present invention, image attachments can be easily viewed without leaving an email application.

"According to one aspect of the present invention, images are presented in a manner that provides for easy switching between full-sized and thumbnail view, and that preserves a sense of context so that the user knows where the image fits within the overall slide show. The user can easily switch between modes, and can easily move to any image within the slide show or image series.

"According to one aspect of the present invention, the invention provides a full-screen slide show environment, with easy access to instantaneous navigation controls and thumbnails, all accessible directly within an email application."

The inventors are Stephen Lemay, Gregory N. Christie, Marcel van Os and Hans-Werner Neubrand.

Other new patents appearing today are:

° Patent number 20120140917 for active noise cancellation decisions using a degraded reference. Per the patent, active noise cancellation (ANC) circuitry is coupled to the input of an earpiece speaker in a portable audio device, to control the ambient acoustic noise outside of the device and that may be heard by a user of the device. A microphone is to pickup sound emitted from the earpiece speaker, as well as the ambient acoustic noise. The inventors are Guy C. Nicholson, Cyril Labidi, Simon E. Joran and Jae H. Lee.

° Patent number 20120144473 for the pairing of wireless devices using a wired medium. Techniques that facilitate pairing of wireless devices with other wireless devices are disclosed. According to one aspect, a pair of wireless devices can be paired for wireless data exchange using an available wired link. Advantageously, the wired link can be used to transport a pin code from one of the wireless devices to the other. Consequently, pairing of the wireless devices can be completed without necessitating user entry of a pin code so long as the wired link is available. Jeremy Wyld is the inventor.

° Patent number 20120140419 for techniques for facilitating thermal transfer in a portable electronic device. This portable electronic device may include a battery pack, which includes a battery cell and enclosure material for enclosing the battery cell. This enclosure material extends beyond the enclosure for the battery cell to facilitate thermal transfer within the portable electronic device. Carlos A. Ribas and Fletcher R. Rothkopf are the inventors.

° Patent number 20120137028 is for a method, system, and connector interface for transferring status information between a media player and an accessory. The method includes determining, by the accessory, when a button event occurs; and transmitting, by the accessory, at least one button status command to the media player, where the one or more button status commands comprise a context-specific button status command and at least one command associated with a particular media type. According to the method and system disclosed herein, the media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands in a variety of environments such as within a connector interface system environment to facilitate the transfer of status information. The inventors are Gregory T. Lydon, Lawrence G. Bolton, Emily C. Schubert, Jesse Dorogusker, Donald J. Novotney, John B. Filson and David Tupman.