Patents by Inventor Christopher Prest
Christopher Prest 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).
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Publication number: 20150116919Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for improving strength of a thin glass cover for an electronic device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the glass member can have improved strength by forming its edges with a predetermined geometry and/or by chemically strengthening the edges. Advantageously, the glass member can be not only thin but also adequately strong to limit susceptibility to damage. In one embodiment, the glass member can pertain to a glass cover for a housing for an electronic device. The glass cover can be provided over or integrated with a display, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Christopher Prest, Stephen Paul Zadesky
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Patent number: 9004149Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for counter-gravity formation of BMG-containing hollow parts. In one embodiment, the BMG-containing hollow parts may be formed by first feeding a molten metal alloy in a counter-gravity direction into a mold cavity to deposit the molten metal alloy on a surface of the mold cavity and then solidifying the deposited molten metal alloy.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Inventors: Theodore A. Waniuk, Joseph Stevick, Sean O'Keeffe, Dermot Stratton, Joseph Poole, Matthew Scott, Christopher Prest
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Patent number: 8950215Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for reducing surface roughness on surface of a glass member using a non-contact polishing process are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for processing a glass member suitable for use in a handheld electronic device includes obtaining the glass member and chemically strengthening the glass member. The glass member has at least one surface, and chemically strengthening the glass member increases roughness associated with the at least one surface. The method also includes applying a first non-contact polishing process to the glass member after chemically strengthening the glass member. Applying the first non-contact polishing process reduces the roughness associated with the at least one surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2011Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin M. Rappoport, Christopher Prest
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Patent number: 8937689Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for improving strength of a thin glass cover for an electronic device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the glass member can have improved strength by forming its edges with a predetermined geometry and/or by chemically strengthening the edges. Advantageously, the glass member can be not only thin but also adequately strong to limit susceptibility to damage. In one embodiment, the glass member can pertain to a glass cover for a housing for an electronic device. The glass cover can be provided over or integrated with a display, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Prest, Stephen Paul Zadesky
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Publication number: 20150016058Abstract: A handheld computing device that includes an enclosure having structural walls formed from a glass material that can be radio-transparent. The enclosure can be formed from a hollow glass tube or two glass members bonded together. A laser frit bonding process may be used to hermetically seal the two glass members together to create a water resistant electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Christopher Prest, Emery A. Sanford
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Publication number: 20140182804Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for counter-gravity formation of BMG-containing hollow parts. In one embodiment, the BMG-containing hollow parts may be formed by first feeding a molten metal alloy in a counter-gravity direction into a mold cavity to deposit the molten metal alloy on a surface of the mold cavity and then solidifying the deposited molten metal alloy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2014Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicants: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC, Apple Inc.Inventors: Theodore A. Waniuk, Joseph Stevick, Sean O'Keeffe, Dermot Stratton, Joseph Poole, Matthew Scott, Christopher Prest
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Patent number: 8754340Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems which provide buttons oriented at angles relative to each other as a part of a multiple function switch are described. In one embodiment, the multiple function switch is part of an inline controller that is suitable for use to control features or functions of a portable electronic device. A multiple function switch may be incorporated in a cable associated with an earpiece arranged to be interfaced with a portable electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2013Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Prest, Kurt Stiehl, Cameron Frazier, Wim Crooijmans, Michelle Yu
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Publication number: 20140161300Abstract: A monitoring system that can be placed proximate to the head or ear of a user is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the monitoring system can be used with headphones, earbuds or headsets. The monitoring system can, for example, be used to monitor user activity, such as during exercise or sporting activities. The positioning of the monitoring system can also facilitate sensing of other user characteristics (e.g., biometric data), such as temperature, perspiration and heart rate. The monitoring system can also be used to control a an electronic device. In one embodiment, the monitoring system facilitates user control of the electronic device using head gestures.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2014Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Prest, Quin C. Hoellwarth
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Publication number: 20140134429Abstract: Techniques, processes and structures are disclosed for providing markings on products, such as electronic devices. For example, the markings can be formed using physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes to deposit a layer of material. The markings or labels may be textual and/or graphic. The markings are deposited on a compliant layer that is disposed on a surface to be marked. The compliant layer is arranged to isolate the surface to be marked from the layer of material deposited using the PVD process.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: DOUGLAS WEBER, Christopher Prest, David Pakula, Stephen Paul Zadesky
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Patent number: 8715779Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for characteristics of glass components through use of one or more coatings are disclosed. The coatings are typically thin coatings, such as thin film coatings. The coatings can serve to increase strength of the glass components and/or provide durable user interfacing surfaces. Accordingly, glass articles that have received coatings are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong so as to resist damage from impact events. The coated glass articles are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices).Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, Christopher Prest
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Patent number: 8663806Abstract: Techniques, processes and structures are disclosed for providing markings on products, such as electronic devices. For example, the markings can be formed using physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes to deposit a layer of material. The markings or labels may be textual and/or graphic. The markings are deposited on a compliant layer that is disposed on a surface to be marked. The compliant layer is arranged to isolate the surface to be marked from the layer of material deposited using the PVD process.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Douglas Weber, Christopher Prest, David Pakula, Stephen Paul Zadesky
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Patent number: 8655004Abstract: A monitoring system that can be placed proximate to the head or ear of a user is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the monitoring system can be used with headphones, earbuds or headsets. The monitoring system can, for example, be used to monitor user activity, such as during exercise or sporting activities. The positioning of the monitoring system can also facilitate sensing of other user characteristics (e.g., biometric data), such as temperature, perspiration and heart rate. The monitoring system can also be used to control a an electronic device. In one embodiment, the monitoring system facilitates user control of the electronic device using head gestures.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2008Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Prest, Quin C. Hoellwarth
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Patent number: 8570729Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using an insert molding process to form a tactilely seamless overall part from component parts that are made from different materials are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a housing includes a first part formed from a first material and a second part formed from a second material that is of a different type than the first material. The first part includes a first external surface and a first bonding surface, and the second part includes a second external surface and a second bonding surface. The second bonding surface can be integrally bonded to the first bonding surface so that the first external surface and the second external surface form a gap-free overall surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Prest, Eric Wang, Bradley J. Hamel, Phillip Michael Hobson
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Patent number: 8569638Abstract: An array of domes is constructed from a single sheet of conductive material. For example, several domes can be stamped at a preset distribution within a sheet of metal. The domes can be placed at any suitable position along the surface of the material, including for example at positions defined by the locations of contact pads on a circuit board. The conductive material can be electrically coupled to the circuit board at any suitable location, including for example along an edge of the piece of material. In some embodiments, the sheet of material can extend around the side walls of the circuit board. The sheet of material can be electrically coupled to the bottom of the circuit board, for example by soldering. This approach may provide a water resistant dome switch, whereby water can be prevented from leaking between the dome and the circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Prest, Cameron Frazier
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Publication number: 20130214659Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using an insert molding process to form a tactilely seamless overall part from component parts that are made from different materials are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a housing includes a first part formed from a first material and a second part formed from a second material that is of a different type than the first material. The first part includes a first external surface and a first bonding surface, and the second part includes a second external surface and a second bonding surface. The second bonding surface can be integrally bonded to the first bonding surface so that the first external surface and the second external surface form a gap-free overall surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Prest, Erik Wang, Bradley Hamel, Phillip Michael Hobson
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Publication number: 20130077278Abstract: This invention is directed to reducing the effect of shocks on electronic device components. The electronic device component may be surrounded by a boundary element operative to deform in response to impacts. By deforming, the boundary element may be operative to absorb energy received by the shock or impact without passing the energy on to the electronic device component. To maximize the effectiveness of the boundary element over a range of different impacts (e.g., strong, instantaneous impacts and weak impacts over time), a viscoelastic material may be used. The characteristic properties of the viscoelastic material may be selected based on expected impacts to the electronic device component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Christopher Prest
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Publication number: 20130026013Abstract: An array of domes is constructed from a single sheet of conductive material. For example, several domes can be stamped at a preset distribution within a sheet of metal. The domes can be placed at any suitable position along the surface of the material, including for example at positions defined by the locations of contact pads on a circuit board. The conductive material can be electrically coupled to the circuit board at any suitable location, including for example along an edge of the piece of material. In some embodiments, the sheet of material can extend around the side walls of the circuit board. The sheet of material can be electrically coupled to the bottom of the circuit board, for example by soldering. This approach may provide a water resistant dome switch, whereby water can be prevented from leaking between the dome and the circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Prest, Cameron Frazier
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Patent number: 8350167Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems which provide buttons oriented at angles relative to each other as a part of a multiple function switch are described. In one embodiment, the multiple function switch is part of an inline controller that is suitable for use to control features or functions of a portable electronic device. A multiple function switch may be incorporated in a cable associated with an earpiece arranged to be interfaced with a portable electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Prest, Kurt Stiehl, Cameron Frazier, Michelle Yu, Wim Crooijmans
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Patent number: 8346183Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using an insert molding process to form a tactilely seamless overall part from component parts that are made from different materials are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a housing includes a first part formed from a first material and a second part formed from a second material that is of a different type than the first material. The first part includes a first external surface and a first bonding surface, and the second part includes a second external surface and a second bonding surface. The second bonding surface can be integrally bonded to the first bonding surface so that the first external surface and the second external surface form a gap-free overall surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Prest, Erik Wang, Bradley Hamel, Phillip Michael Hobson
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Publication number: 20120327567Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for characteristics of glass components through use of one or more coatings are disclosed. The coatings are typically thin coatings, such as thin film coatings. The coatings can serve to increase strength of the glass components and/or provide durable user interfacing surfaces. Accordingly, glass articles that have received coatings are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong so as to resist damage from impact events. The coated glass articles are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, Christopher Prest