Patents by Inventor Anthony P. Grazian

Anthony P. Grazian has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11917350
    Abstract: A loudspeaker having a compressible lead wire is described. The lead wire carries an electrical audio input signal to a voice coil. The electrical audio input signal drives the voice coil to oscillate in an axial direction. The compressible lead wire includes an elastic portion that stretches and compresses in the axial direction to allow the voice coil to oscillate freely. The elastic portion includes several compressible elements that are located within a cavity of the loudspeaker. The compressible elements extend through the cavity in the axial direction. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Wilk, Logan A. Rotolo, Anthony P. Grazian, Onur I. Ilkorur
  • Patent number: 11778367
    Abstract: A portable electronic device comprising: an enclosure having an enclosure wall that forms an interior chamber and a sound output port to an ambient environment; a speaker positioned within the interior chamber, the speaker having a front volume chamber coupling a sound output surface of the speaker to the sound output port and a back volume chamber acoustically coupled to the interior chamber by an aperiodic vent; and a valve operable to open and close the aperiodic vent in response to a pressure change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Onur I. Ilkorur, Christopher Wilk, Matthew A. Donarski, Pablo Seoane Vieites, Anthony P. Grazian
  • Publication number: 20220360886
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices having speakers with resonators, such as Helmholtz resonators, acoustically coupled to the front volume of the speaker. A speaker module for an electronic device may include multiple resonators, including a first resonator that is acoustically separate from, and at least partially disposed within a second resonator. An acoustic barrier between the first resonator and the second resonator may have a liquid resistance that is different from a liquid resistance that is provided between the first resonator and a back volume of the speaker module and/or between an external environment of the speaker. In one or more implementations, a third resonator may be provided, that is spatially separated from first and second nested and/or adjacent resonators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Oliver LEONHARDT, Anthony P. GRAZIAN, Claudio NOTARANGELO
  • Patent number: 11490190
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices having speakers with resonators, such as Helmholtz resonators, acoustically coupled to the front volume of the speaker. A speaker module for an electronic device may include multiple resonators, including a first resonator that is acoustically separate from, and at least partially disposed within a second resonator. An acoustic barrier between the first resonator and the second resonator may have a liquid resistance that is different from a liquid resistance that is provided between the first resonator and a back volume of the speaker module and/or between an external environment of the speaker. In one or more implementations, a third resonator may be provided, that is spatially separated from first and second nested and/or adjacent resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Oliver Leonhardt, Anthony P. Grazian, Claudio Notarangelo
  • Publication number: 20220103934
    Abstract: A portable electronic device comprising: an enclosure having an enclosure wall that forms an interior chamber and a sound output port to an ambient environment; a speaker positioned within the interior chamber, the speaker having a front volume chamber coupling a sound output surface of the speaker to the sound output port and a back volume chamber acoustically coupled to the interior chamber by an aperiodic vent; and a valve operable to open and close the aperiodic vent in response to a pressure change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Onur I. Ilkorur, Christopher Wilk, Matthew A. Donarski, Pablo Seoane Vieites, Anthony P. Grazian
  • Publication number: 20220095026
    Abstract: A loudspeaker having a compressible lead wire is described. The lead wire carries an electrical audio input signal to a voice coil. The electrical audio input signal drives the voice coil to oscillate in an axial direction. The compressible lead wire includes an elastic portion that stretches and compresses in the axial direction to allow the voice coil to oscillate freely. The elastic portion includes several compressible elements that are located within a cavity of the loudspeaker. The compressible elements extend through the cavity in the axial direction. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Wilk, Logan A. Rotolo, Anthony P. Grazian, Onur I. Ilkorur
  • Publication number: 20200223135
    Abstract: An additively manufactured component has an additively manufactured substrate and an inclusion. The substrate has a first region and a second region defining a first contour and a second contour, respectively. One or both of the first contour and the second contour is non-planar. The inclusion is positioned between the first region and the second region. The inclusion has a first major surface conforming to the first contour. The inclusion also has a second major surface. The second major surface can conform to the second contour. The inclusion can be a cavity, and the substrate can enclose the cavity or the cavity can be in open communication with an environment surrounding the substrate. The inclusion can be a member or an assembly of plural members. Modules and electronic devices incorporating an additively manufactured component also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Alison B. Shutzberg, Suzanne C. Brown, Christopher Wilk, Anthony P. Grazian
  • Patent number: 10687146
    Abstract: A speaker assembly including a frame and a magnet assembly positioned within the frame. The magnet assembly may include a magnet and a top plate. The assembly further including a sound radiating surface suspended over the magnet assembly. The sound radiating surface includes a flexible circuit. A suspension suspending the sound radiating surface over the magnet assembly is further provided. The suspension may be over molded to the sound radiating surface and the frame. A voice coil extends from a bottom side of the sound radiating surface and electrically connects to the flexible circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony P. Grazian, Christopher Wilk, Hongdan Tao, Scott P Porter, Michael Asfaw
  • Patent number: 10631096
    Abstract: A transducer assembly having a frame; a dual diaphragm and voice coil assembly suspended from the frame, the dual diaphragm and voice coil assembly having a first diaphragm and a first voice coil attached thereto and a second diaphragm and a second voice coil attached thereto, wherein the first voice coil and the second voice coil are between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, and the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are operable to move in opposite directions along an axis of vibration; a magnet assembly positioned within the frame, the magnet assembly having a first magnet and a second magnet positioned between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm; and a rigid support member dimensioned to fixedly connect the magnet assembly to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jordi Antoni Garcia Selva, Andrew M Hulva, Anthony P Grazian, Matthew A Donarski, Onur I Ilkorur, Alexander V Salvatti
  • Publication number: 20190281381
    Abstract: An acoustic enclosure has a housing at least partially defining an acoustic chamber for an acoustic radiator. The housing defines an acoustic port from the acoustic chamber to a surrounding environment. An acoustic resonator has a first resonant chamber and a second resonant chamber. The acoustic resonator also has a first duct to acoustically couple the first resonant chamber with the acoustic chamber and a second duct to acoustically couple the second resonant chamber with the first resonant chamber. An electronic device can have an electro-acoustic transducer. Circuitry in the electronic device can drive the electro-acoustic transducer to emit sound over a selected frequency bandwidth. Damping provided by the first and the second resonant chambers can de-emphasize one or more frequencies and/or extend a frequency response of the acoustic enclosure to improve perceived sound quality emitted by the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Hongdan Tao, Anthony P. Grazian, Christopher Wilk, Matthew A. Donarski, Michael J. Newman, Onur I. Ilkorur
  • Patent number: 10397693
    Abstract: An acoustic enclosure has a housing at least partially defining an acoustic chamber for an acoustic radiator. The housing defines an acoustic port from the acoustic chamber to a surrounding environment. An acoustic resonator has a first resonant chamber and a second resonant chamber. The acoustic resonator also has a first duct to acoustically couple the first resonant chamber with the acoustic chamber and a second duct to acoustically couple the second resonant chamber with the first resonant chamber. An electronic device can have an electro-acoustic transducer. Circuitry in the electronic device can drive the electro-acoustic transducer to emit sound over a selected frequency bandwidth. Damping provided by the first and the second resonant chambers can de-emphasize one or more frequencies and/or extend a frequency response of the acoustic enclosure to improve perceived sound quality emitted by the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hongdan Tao, Anthony P. Grazian, Christopher Wilk, Matthew A. Donarski, Michael J. Newman, Onur I. Ilkorur
  • Patent number: 10299032
    Abstract: A micro-speaker assembly including an enclosure having an enclosure wall separating a surrounding environment from an encased space, wherein the enclosure wall defines an acoustic port from the encased space to the surrounding environment; a sound radiating surface positioned within the encased space and dividing the encased space into a front volume chamber and a back volume chamber, wherein the front volume chamber is acoustically coupled to a first surface of the sound radiating surface and the acoustic port, and the back volume chamber acoustically coupled to a second surface of the sound radiating surface; and a resonator acoustically coupled to the front volume chamber, wherein the resonator comprises a neck acoustically coupled to an acoustic cavity, and an opening to the neck is positioned at a distance from the acoustic port that corresponds to a quarter wavelength resonance of the front volume chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony P. Grazian, Christopher Wilk, Claudio Notarangelo, Hongdan Tao, Michael J. Newman, Onur I. Ilkorur, Thomas H. Tsang
  • Publication number: 20190149925
    Abstract: A speaker assembly including a frame and a magnet assembly positioned within the frame. The magnet assembly may include a magnet and a top plate. The assembly further including a sound radiating surface suspended over the magnet assembly. The sound radiating surface includes a flexible circuit. A suspension suspending the sound radiating surface over the magnet assembly is further provided. The suspension may be over molded to the sound radiating surface and the frame. A voice coil extends from a bottom side of the sound radiating surface and electrically connects to the flexible circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony P. Grazian, Christopher Wilk, Hongdan Tao, Scott P. Porter, Michael Asfaw
  • Patent number: 10271127
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a speaker assembly suitable for use in a portable electronic device utilizing water resistant ports. The speaker assembly can have an open back that subjects a back volume of the speaker to pressure differentials within a device housing of the portable electronic device. The speaker assembly can utilize a speaker surround having a varying thickness. The varying thickness speaker surround allows the speaker to maintain an acceptable frequency response profile while limiting the travel of the diaphragm it is coupled with. The disclosure also describes how electrically conductive pathways can be integrated within a housing of the speaker assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Hurrell, Tyler B. Cater, Scott P. Porter, Salome Bavetta, Anthony P. Grazian, Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers, Ashutosh Y. Shukla, Benjamin M. Russo, Christopher Wilk, David MacNeil, Eric N. Nyland, Ihtesham H. Chowdhury, Joseph F. Maldonado, Kevin M. Froese, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Ruchir M. Dave, Teemu P. Sipila, Yang Liu
  • Publication number: 20190082252
    Abstract: A micro-speaker assembly including an enclosure having an enclosure wall separating a surrounding environment from an encased space, wherein the enclosure wall defines an acoustic port from the encased space to the surrounding environment; a sound radiating surface positioned within the encased space and dividing the encased space into a front volume chamber and a back volume chamber, wherein the front volume chamber is acoustically coupled to a first surface of the sound radiating surface and the acoustic port, and the back volume chamber acoustically coupled to a second surface of the sound radiating surface; and a resonator acoustically coupled to the front volume chamber, wherein the resonator comprises a neck acoustically coupled to an acoustic cavity, and an opening to the neck is positioned at a distance from the acoustic port that corresponds to a quarter wavelength resonance of the front volume chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony P. Grazian, Christopher Wilk, Claudio Notarangelo, Hongdan Tao, Michael J. Newman, Onur I. llkorur, Thomas H. Tsang
  • Patent number: 10219057
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed that includes one or more sealed audio modules that are unaffected by changes in the internal pressure within the electronic device. The audio modules can also include one or more features that increase the audible bandwidth of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Luce, Anthony P. Grazian, Hongdan Tao, Christopher Wilk, Daniel W. Jarvis, David A. Pakula
  • Patent number: 10194248
    Abstract: A speaker assembly including a frame and a magnet assembly positioned within the frame. The magnet assembly may include a magnet and a top plate. The assembly further including a sound radiating surface suspended over the magnet assembly. The sound radiating surface includes a flexible circuit. A suspension suspending the sound radiating surface over the magnet assembly is further provided. The suspension may be over molded to the sound radiating surface and the frame. A voice coil extends from a bottom side of the sound radiating surface and electrically connects to the flexible circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony P. Grazian, Christopher Wilk, Hongdan Tao, Scott P Porter, Michael Asfaw
  • Publication number: 20190020943
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a speaker assembly suitable for use in a portable electronic device utilizing water resistant ports. The speaker assembly can have an open back that subjects a back volume of the speaker to pressure differentials within a device housing of the portable electronic device. The speaker assembly can utilize a speaker surround having a varying thickness. The varying thickness speaker surround allows the speaker to maintain an acceptable frequency response profile while limiting the travel of the diaphragm it is coupled with. The disclosure also describes how electrically conductive pathways can be integrated within a housing of the speaker assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Hurrell, Tyler B. Cater, Scott P. Porter, Salome Bavetta, Anthony P. Grazian, Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers, Ashutosh Y. Shukla, Benjamin M. Russo, Christopher Wilk, David MacNeil, Eric N. Nyland, Ihtesham H. Chowdhury, Joseph F. Maldonado, Kevin M. Froese, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Ruchir M. Dave, Teemu P. Sipila, Yang Liu
  • Patent number: 10149078
    Abstract: A speaker assembly including a sound radiating surface suspended over a magnet assembly, a suspension member for suspending the sound radiating surface over the magnet assembly, a voice coil extending from a bottom side of the sound radiating surface, and a capacitive displacement sensor for sensing a movement of the sound radiating surface. The capacitive displacement sensor including a first conductive plate fixedly positioned over the sound radiating surface and a second conductive plate coupled to the sound radiating surface and vertically aligned with the first conductive plate, and wherein the second conductive plate is confined to an area that is entirely radially inward of the voice coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick B. Hogan, Anthony P. Grazian, Scott P. Porter, Christopher Wilk, Hongdan Tao
  • Publication number: 20180192217
    Abstract: A speaker assembly including a sound radiating surface suspended over a magnet assembly, a suspension member for suspending the sound radiating surface over the magnet assembly, a voice coil extending from a bottom side of the sound radiating surface, and a capacitive displacement sensor for sensing a movement of the sound radiating surface. The capacitive displacement sensor including a first conductive plate fixedly positioned over the sound radiating surface and a second conductive plate coupled to the sound radiating surface and vertically aligned with the first conductive plate, and wherein the second conductive plate is confined to an area that is entirely radially inward of the voice coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Roderick B. Hogan, Anthony P. Grazian, Scott P. Porter, Christopher Wilk, Hongdan Tao