Patents by Inventor Benjamin J. Pope
Benjamin J. Pope 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).
-
Publication number: 20180109659Abstract: An electronic device having liquid-resistant modifications that prevent liquid ingress into an opening (or openings) in an enclosure of the electronic device is disclosed. For example, the electronic device may include a coating formed from a liquid-resistant material that is applied internally to the enclosure. The electronic device may further include a frame that carries a protective transparent layer designed to cover a display assembly. In order to secure the frame with the enclosure, the electronic device may include an adhesive assembly disposed over an outer perimeter of the coating. The adhesive assembly may include several adhesive parts initially separate from one another. However, with the adhesive parts between the frame and the enclosure, the adhesive parts can be compressed by the frame and the enclosure, causing the adhesive parts to expand and engage each other. As a result, the coating and the adhesive parts provide a seal against liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Xiao Ying ZHAO, Timothy S. LUI, Tyler B. CATER, Rasamy PHOUTHAVONG, Scott A. MYERS, Benjamin J. POPE, David A. HURRELL, Christopher R. XYDIS, Edward S. HUO, Richard Hung Minh DINH, Michael W. FIRKA, Martin J. AUCLAIR, Kurtis J. MUNDELL, Salome BAVETTA, Paul LEUTHEUSER, Hani ESMAEILI, Kevin M. FROESE, Ihtesham H. CHOWDHURY, Tang Yew TAN, Eric W. BATES, Yaocheng ZHANG
-
Publication number: 20180110143Abstract: An electronic device having several modifications designed to prevent liquid ingress into an opening (or openings) of the electronic device is disclosed. For example, the electronic device includes a SIM tray having a sealing element designed to provide a seal at an opening that receives the SIM tray. The sealing element may include a first section and a second section extending from the first section, with the first section designed to bend with respect to (and in some cases collapse onto) the second section. The electronic device may further include an audio module fitted with a sealing element. The sealing element may include extensions extending away from a main body of the sealing element, with some extension designed to engage the audio module, and other extensions designed to engage an audio module interface. The sealing element provides a seal against liquid ingress into the audio module.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Xiao Ying ZHAO, Timothy S. LUI, Tyler B. CATER, Rasamy PHOUTHAVONG, Scott A. MYERS, Benjamin J. POPE, David A. HURRELL, Christopher R. XYDIS, Edward S. HUO, Richard Hung Minh DINH, Michael W. FIRKA, Martin J. AUCLAIR, Kurtis J. MUNDELL, Salome BAVETTA, Paul LEUTHEUSER, Hani ESMAEILI, Kevin M. FROESE, Ihtesham H. CHOWDHURY, Tang Yew TAN, Eric W. BATES, Yaocheng ZHANG
-
Publication number: 20180091892Abstract: A portable electronic device including an enclosure having an enclosure wall that forms an interior chamber. A speaker module is positioned within the interior chamber and includes a speaker and a module wall forming a back volume chamber of the speaker. The back volume chamber includes an acoustic vent port formed through the module wall to acoustically couple the back volume chamber to the interior chamber. The device further including an electromechanical valve for regulating the acoustic coupling of the back volume chamber to the interior chamber. The electromechanical valve is operable to transition between an open configuration in which the acoustic vent port is open to the interior chamber and a closed configuration in which the acoustic vent port is closed off from the interior chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Martin D. Taylor, Hongdan Tao, Claudio Notarangelo, Suzanne C. Brown, Benjamin J. Pope, Scott P. Porter, Tang Y. Tan, Christopher Wilk
-
Publication number: 20180070465Abstract: An electronic device having multiple housing components interlocked together by a molded material is disclosed. In order to provide interlocking surfaces for the molded material, the housing components can include various geometries designed to receive and retain the molded material such that the housing components are secured with one another. For example, a first housing part can undergo several material removal operations to form multiple ribs, each with through holes. When the molded material extends along the ribs and into the through holes, the molded material cures and interlocks with the first housing part. A second housing part can include several stepped indentions that receive the molded material. Also, a third housing part can include a dovetail indention to receive the molded material such that the first and second housing parts interlock with the third housing part. The indentions can provide retention in three dimensions to protect against decoupling.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Tyler B. CATER, Benjamin J. POPE, Scott A. MYERS, Benjamin Shane BUSTLE, Tseng-Mau YANG, Adam J. BRINKMAN
-
Patent number: 9870033Abstract: Sensor assemblies for electronic devices are described. According to some embodiments, the sensor assemblies include solid-state sensors, such as capacitive sensors, piezoelectric sensors or piezoresistive sensors. The sensor assemblies can include a number of features that provide a compact profile, making them well suited for integration into small spaces of electronic device enclosures. The sensor assemblies can also include features that isolate movement of various parts of the sensor assemblies, allowing for accurate detection of a sensing event. According to some embodiments, the sensor assemblies are coupled to haptic actuators, speaker, or both, which mimic the feel of a mechanical button and enhance a user's experience.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Lucy Elizabeth Browning, Benjamin J. Pope, Paul U. Leutheuser, Scott A. Myers, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Edward S. Huo
-
Publication number: 20170351902Abstract: An apparatus comprises a fingerprint sensor having a set of capacitive elements configured for capacitively coupling to a user fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed under a control button or display element of an electronic device, for example one or more of a control button and a display component. A responsive element is responsive to proximity of the user fingerprint, for example one or both of a first circuit responsive to motion of the control button, and a second circuit responsive to a coupling between the fingerprint and a surface of the display element. The fingerprint sensor is disposed closer to the fingerprint than the responsive element. The control button or display component may include an anisotropic dielectric material, for example sapphire.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Shawn Arnold, Barry J. Corlett, Terry L. Gilton, Syed Husaini, Steven Webster, Scott A. Myers, Matthew D. Hill, Benjamin B. Lyon
-
Patent number: 9832567Abstract: An electronic device having an assembly is disclosed. The assembly is designed to regulate fluid flow into the electronic device. The assembly may include a membrane having air-permeable and liquid-resistant properties. In other to protect the membrane, the assembly includes a support member and a compressible membrane. Also, the assembly may further include a first housing member and a second housing member that combine to surround the membrane. Each feature of the assembly may include an opening to allow air to pass the assembly. When disposed in an opening of the electronic device, the assembly allows the device to receive air that is used by an operational component in the electronic device. The assembly protects the operational component from liquid ingress while allowing the operational component to communicate with the environment external to the device. The operation component may include a microphone, an audio speaker, or a pressure sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yaocheng Zhang, Benjamin J. Pope, Teodor Dabov
-
Patent number: 9777398Abstract: Systems and method for creating crystalline parts having a desired primary and secondary crystallographic orientations are provided. One embodiment may take the form of a method of manufacturing a part having a crystalline structure. The method includes melting aluminum oxide and drawing the melted aluminum oxide up a slit. Additionally, the method includes orienting the seed crystal relative to a growth apparatus such that a crystalline structure grows having a desired primary plane and a desired secondary plane orientation. Moreover, the method includes pulling the crystal as it forms to create a ribbon shaped crystalline structure and cutting a part from the crystalline structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2012Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Christopher D. Prest, Dale N. Memering, Scott A. Meyers
-
Patent number: 9750152Abstract: This application relates to securing and positioning internal components within a housing of a portable computing device. In one embodiment a cowling is utilized to retain a number of board-to-board connectors within communication slots on a printed circuit board (PCB). In another embodiment a number of insert molded retaining members are utilized to prevent outward deformation of sidewalls of the portable computing device during a drop event. In another embodiment, a C-shaped washer having diametrically opposed protrusions is utilized to adjust an alignment of an internal component.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Daniel W. Jarvis, Benjamin J. Pope, Jason S. Sloey, Jonathan C. Denby, Ian A. Spraggs, Shayan Malek
-
Patent number: 9736283Abstract: An electronic device has a camera assembly disposed in a housing of the electronic device that includes a light source assembly having a primary purpose for illuminating a subject during an imaging operation. The light source assembly includes a light source and a light window. A light block can be applied to lateral surfaces of the light window to prevent light passing through the light window from propagating along an outer surface of the housing, or other components of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the light block can include multiple layers having various reflective and absorptive characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Ian A. Spraggs, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Rasamy Phouthavong, Vincent Yan
-
Publication number: 20170201826Abstract: An electronic device having an assembly is disclosed. The assembly is designed to regulate fluid flow into the electronic device. The assembly may include a membrane having air-permeable and liquid-resistant properties. In other to protect the membrane, the assembly includes a support member and a compressible membrane. Also, the assembly may further include a first housing member and a second housing member that combine to surround the membrane. Each feature of the assembly may include an opening to allow air to pass the assembly. When disposed in an opening of the electronic device, the assembly allows the device to receive air that is used by an operational component in the electronic device. The assembly protects the operational component from liquid ingress while allowing the operational component to communicate with the environment external to the device. The operation component may include a microphone, an audio speaker, or a pressure sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: Yaocheng ZHANG, Benjamin J. POPE, Teodor DABOV
-
Patent number: 9703325Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for detecting and characterizing the formation of cracks in a display cover. Various types of sensors can be used to accomplish the described embodiments. For example, a touch sensor can be utilized for detection and characterization purposes. Alternatively, a crack detection specific sensor or sensors can be added to a device. In some embodiments, when formation of a crack is detected, a device having a sensor that detects a crack can adjust its behavior depending upon how the crack is characterized. For example, the device can be configured to notify a user of the device of any or all systems of the device that will be affected by the detected crack. In some embodiments, crack characterization data can be sent to a device manufacturer to improve subsequent device models.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Miguel C. Christophy
-
Patent number: 9692113Abstract: An antenna on a sapphire structure. The antenna includes a sapphire structure having a first side, and a second side positioned opposite the first side. The antenna also includes a first antenna trace positioned on the first side of the sapphire structure, and a second antenna trace positioned on the second side of the sapphire structure. Additionally, the antenna includes at least one via formed through the sapphire structure. The at least one via electrically connects the first antenna trace to the second antenna trace.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers
-
Patent number: 9674986Abstract: A heat spreader including multiple layers of anisotropic material to conduct thermal energy. Multiple graphite sheet layers may be laminated and each sheet may be thermally connected to one or more thermal energy sources in a portable electronic device. Methods for making a heat spreader are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers, Ihtesham H. Chowdhury
-
Patent number: 9633247Abstract: An electronic device may have electrical components such as sensors. A sensor may have sensor circuitry that gathers sensor data using a conductive structure. The sensor may be a touch sensor that uses the conductive structure to form a capacitive touch sensor electrode or may be a fingerprint sensor that uses the conductive structure with a fingerprint electrode array to handle fingerprint sensor signals. Near field communications circuitry may be included in an electronic device. When operated in a sensor mode, the sensor circuitry may use the conductive structure to gather a fingerprint or other sensor data. When operated in near field communications mode, the near field communications circuitry can use the conductive structure to transmit and receive capacitively coupled or inductively coupled near field communications signals. A fingerprint sensor may have optical structures that communicate with external equipment.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Daniel W. Jarvis, Nicholas G. L. Merz, Scott A. Myers
-
Publication number: 20170109565Abstract: An apparatus comprises a fingerprint sensor having a set of capacitive elements configured for capacitively coupling to a user fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed under a control button or display element of an electronic device, for example one or more of a control button and a display component. A responsive element is responsive to proximity of the user fingerprint, for example one or both of a first circuit responsive to motion of the control button, and a second circuit responsive to a coupling between the fingerprint and a surface of the display element. The fingerprint sensor is disposed closer to the fingerprint than the responsive element. The control button or display component may include an anisotropic dielectric material, for example sapphire.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Shawn Arnold, Barry J. Corlett, Terry L. Gilton, Syed Husaini, Steven Webster, Scott A. Myers, Matthew D. Hill, Benjamin B. Lyon
-
Patent number: 9583821Abstract: Antenna related features of a mobile phone or computing device are disclosed. In one embodiment, wireless control and signal are fed separately through difference types of flexes to optimize performance and cost. In one embodiment, active switching and processing of differing conductive trace lengths are performed on an antenna flex so that antenna performance can be optimized for multiple wireless technologies covering a wide range of wavelengths. In one embodiment, a cantilever arm affixed to a ground screw can provide double grounding in a region with no available screw points due to high z constraint. In one embodiment, a device can provide double feed for antenna through a single screw. In one embodiment, a short pin can be configured to support thinner metal. In one embodiment, a “vibrator bracket/LDS short pin” structure can be used to share a common screw point.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew D. Hill, Scott A. Myers, Jared M. Kole, Liane J. Fang, Benjamin J. Pope, Daniel W. Jarvis
-
Patent number: 9576178Abstract: An apparatus comprises a fingerprint sensor having a set of capacitive elements configured for capacitively coupling to a user fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed under a control button or display element of an electronic device, for example one or more of a control button and a display component. A responsive element is responsive to proximity of the user fingerprint, for example one or both of a first circuit responsive to motion of the control button, and a second circuit responsive to a coupling between the fingerprint and a surface of the display element. The fingerprint sensor is disposed closer to the fingerprint than the responsive element. The control button or display component may include an anisotropic dielectric material, for example sapphire.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Shawn Arnold, Barry J. Corlett, Terry L. Gilton, Syed Husaini, Steven Webster, Scott A. Myers, Matthew D. Hill, Benjamin B. Lyon
-
Publication number: 20170045915Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for detecting and characterizing the formation of cracks in a display cover. Various types of sensors can be used to accomplish the described embodiments. For example, a touch sensor can be utilized for detection and characterization purposes. Alternatively, a crack detection specific sensor or sensors can be added to a device. In some embodiments, when formation of a crack is detected, a device having a sensor that detects a crack can adjust its behavior depending upon how the crack is characterized. For example, the device can be configured to notify a user of the device of any or all systems of the device that will be affected by the detected crack. In some embodiments, crack characterization data can be sent to a device manufacturer to improve subsequent device models.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Benjamin J. POPE, Miguel C. CHRISTOPHY
-
Publication number: 20170042058Abstract: A heat spreader including multiple layers of anisotropic material to conduct thermal energy. Multiple graphite sheet layers may be laminated and each sheet may be thermally connected to one or more thermal energy sources in a portable electronic device. Methods for making a heat spreader are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers, Ihtesham H. Chowdhury