Patents by Inventor Nicholas G. Merz

Nicholas G. Merz 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: 20230421679
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display and an enclosure. The enclosure may include a housing, a front cover coupled to the housing and comprising a front cover member positioned over the display, and a rear cover coupled to the housing and including a rear cover member. The rear cover member may be formed from a glass material including metal nanoparticles configured to impart color to the glass material and having a dielectric constant from 5.5 to 7.5 in a frequency band from 5 GHz to 45 GHz. The rear cover member may include a first portion defining a first thickness and characterized by a first color, and a second portion defining a second thickness, greater than the first thickness, and characterized by a second color, different from the first color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Jiachen Xu, Jason M. Gillier, Matthew S. Rogers, Michael D. Quinones, Nicholas G. Merz, Que Anh S. Nguyen, Weidi Zhu, Zirui Wang
  • Publication number: 20230421683
    Abstract: A mobile phone may include an enclosure including a housing component and a front cover coupled to the housing component and defining a front exterior surface of the mobile phone. The mobile phone may further include a display positioned below the front cover and a sensor module positioned below a front-facing sensor region of the front cover and including a biometric sensing system. The biometric sensing system may include a first lens, a light emitter positioned below the first lens and configured to emit light onto an object, a second lens, and a light sensor below the second lens and configured to capture an image of the object. The sensor module may further include a proximity sensing system positioned between the first lens of the biometric sensing system and the second lens of the biometric sensing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew R. McGuire, Tieier A. Callazo, Samuel J. Pliska, Juliettle L. Paige, Michael D. Quinones, Nicholas G. Merz
  • Publication number: 20220066604
    Abstract: Devices, methods and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interfaces based on fingerprint sensor inputs are provided. While a display of an electronic device with a fingerprint sensor displays a first user interface, the device may detect movement of a fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor. In accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a first direction, the device allows navigating through the first user interface, and in accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a second direction different from the first direction, the device allows displaying a second user interface different from the first user interface on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin J. POPE, Daniel W. JARVIS, Nicholas G. MERZ, Scott A. MYERS, Michael A. CRETELLA, Michael ENG, James H. FOSTER, Terry L. GILTON, Myra HAGGERTY, Byron B. HAN, M. Evans HANKEY, Steven P. HOTELLING, Brian R. LAND, Stephen Brian LYNCH, Paul MEADE, Mushtaq A. SARWAR, John P. TERNUS, Paul M. THOMPSON, Marcel VAN OS, John A. WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 11209961
    Abstract: Devices, methods and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interfaces based on fingerprint sensor inputs are provided. While a display of an electronic device with a fingerprint sensor displays a first user interface, the device may detect movement of a fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor. In accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a first direction, the device allows navigating through the first user interface, and in accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a second direction different from the first direction, the device allows displaying a second user interface different from the first user interface on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Daniel W. Jarvis, Nicholas G. Merz, Scott A. Myers, Michael A. Cretella, Michael Eng, James H. Foster, Terry L. Gilton, Myra Haggerty, Byron B. Han, M. Evans Hankey, Steven P. Hotelling, Brian R. Land, Stephen Brian Lynch, Paul Meade, Mushtaq A. Sarwar, John P. Ternus, Paul M. Thompson, Marcel Van Os, John A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20200310489
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a portable electronic device is described. The portable electronic device includes a housing having side walls and a back wall that define a cavity, where the back wall includes (i) a first section having a first exterior surface, and (ii) a second section having a second exterior surface that is parallel to and vertically displaced from the first exterior surface. The portable electronic device further includes a brace structure joined to the back wall, a trim structure welded to the brace structure, where the trim structure has an external surface that is vertically displaced from the second exterior surface, and a camera module disposed within the cavity and carried by the brace structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Ian A. SPRAGGS, Stoyan P. HRISTOV, Daniel W. JARVIS, Jason B. NEEVEL, Nicholas G. MERZ, Garrett R. OWOC, David A. PAKULA
  • Patent number: 10585524
    Abstract: An input control for controlling various features of an electronic device is described. The input control can be positioned along an exterior surface of the electronic device and cover an opening leading into the electronic device. A pressure sensor can then be positioned within the electronic device and adjacent to the covered opening. The pressure sensor is able to measure a pressure of a volume of air positioned between the pressure sensor and the input control. When movement of the input control changes the pressure of the volume of air, the sensor readings from the pressure sensor can be used to register a user input. The input control can take many forms including rocker buttons, slider switches and input regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan D. Keen, Nicholas G. Merz
  • Patent number: 10295770
    Abstract: Embodiments describe an apparatus for magnetic charging and optical data transferring. The apparatus includes an inductive transmitting coil disposed within a housing, an optically transparent window disposed at a surface of the housing and above the inductive transmitting coil, and a first optical data transfer module disposed within the housing below the optically transparent window. The first optical data transfer module may be to perform at least one of emitting optical signals through the optically transparent window or detecting optical signals passing through the optically transparent window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander W. Williams, Nicholas G. Merz
  • Publication number: 20190102028
    Abstract: An input control for controlling various features of an electronic device is described. The input control can be positioned along an exterior surface of the electronic device and cover an opening leading into the electronic device. A pressure sensor can then be positioned within the electronic device and adjacent to the covered opening. The pressure sensor is able to measure a pressure of a volume of air positioned between the pressure sensor and the input control. When movement of the input control changes the pressure of the volume of air, the sensor readings from the pressure sensor can be used to register a user input. The input control can take many forms including rocker buttons, slider switches and input regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan D. Keen, Nicholas G. Merz
  • Publication number: 20180239097
    Abstract: Embodiments describe an apparatus for magnetic charging and optical data transferring. The apparatus includes an inductive transmitting coil disposed within a housing, an optically transparent window disposed at a surface of the housing and above the inductive transmitting coil, and a first optical data transfer module disposed within the housing below the optically transparent window. The first optical data transfer module may be to perform at least one of emitting optical signals through the optically transparent window or detecting optical signals passing through the optically transparent window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander W. Williams, Nicholas G. Merz
  • Patent number: 10015297
    Abstract: An electronic device having a cover glass secured with a frame is disclosed. The electronic device includes a masking layer positioned between the cover glass and the frame. The masking layer may include several ink layers. The pigment composition of one of the ink layers may be altered in order to improve an adhesive bond between the ink layer and the cover glass. The frame can be modified to enhance an adhesive bond between the masking layer and the frame. For example, the frame can be altered to include a porous region to increase the surface area of the frame such that the adhesive can bond to the additional surface area. The frame may also include an extension, or rib, that may increase the surface area of the frame that receives an adhesive. The frame may include an opening or a cavity that assists in assembly between an insert-molded feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lee E. Hooton, Daniel W. Jarvis, Marwan Rammah, Ian A. Spraggs, Nicholas G. Merz
  • Patent number: 9977205
    Abstract: Embodiments describe an apparatus for magnetic charging and optical data transferring. The apparatus includes an inductive transmitting coil disposed within a housing, an optically transparent window disposed at a surface of the housing and above the inductive transmitting coil, and a first optical data transfer module disposed within the housing below the optically transparent window. The first optical data transfer module may be to perform at least one of emitting optical signals through the optically transparent window or detecting optical signals passing through the optically transparent window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander W. Williams, Nicholas G. Merz
  • Patent number: 9720462
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas G. Merz, John C. Difonzo, Stephen P. Zadesky, Michael J. Prichard
  • Patent number: 9713851
    Abstract: A method and system for securing a flexible circuit to a mounting structure is disclosed. The system can include a surface-mount device, flexible circuit, stiffener, and bracket. The stiffener is used as an intermediate coupling device between the flexible circuit and bracket. The flexible circuit is coupled to the stiffener with a heat-activated adhesive. Next, the surface-mount device is mounted to the flexible circuit with surface-mounting techniques. A peripheral area of the stiffener is then welded to the bracket. The bracket in turn can be fastened to the enclosure of an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas G. Merz, Shayan Malek, Sawyer I. Cohen, Timothy Lui
  • Publication number: 20170090134
    Abstract: Embodiments describe an apparatus for magnetic charging and optical data transferring. The apparatus includes an inductive transmitting coil disposed within a housing, an optically transparent window disposed at a surface of the housing and above the inductive transmitting coil, and a first optical data transfer module disposed within the housing below the optically transparent window. The first optical data transfer module may be to perform at least one of emitting optical signals through the optically transparent window or detecting optical signals passing through the optically transparent window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander W. Williams, Nicholas G. Merz
  • Publication number: 20170071064
    Abstract: An electronic device having a cover glass secured with a frame is disclosed. The electronic device includes a masking layer positioned between the cover glass and the frame. The masking layer may include several ink layers. The pigment composition of one of the ink layers may be altered in order to improve an adhesive bond between the ink layer and the cover glass. The frame can be modified to enhance an adhesive bond between the masking layer and the frame. For example, the frame can be altered to include a porous region to increase the surface area of the frame such that the adhesive can bond to the additional surface area. The frame may also include an extension, or rib, that may increase the surface area of the frame that receives an adhesive. The frame may include an opening or a cavity that assists in assembly between an insert-molded feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Lee E. HOOTON, Daniel W. JARVIS, Marwan RAMMAH, Ian A. SPRAGGS, Nicholas G. MERZ
  • Patent number: 9518333
    Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing composite parts that include anodizable portions and non-anodizable portions such that an interface between the anodizable portions and non-anodizable portions are free of visible defects are described. The non-anodizable portions can be made of anodizable metals such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. The non-anodizable portions are made of material that do not generally form an anodic film, such as plastic, ceramic or glass materials. In particular, the methods described relate to manufacturing methods that are compatible with anodizing processes and avoid defects related to anodizing processes. In particular embodiments, the methods involve avoiding trapping of anodizing chemicals within a gap between an anodizable portion and a non-anodizable portion, which prevents the anodizing chemicals from disrupting the uptake of dye in a post-anodizing dyeing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan C. Mag, Derek C. Krass, Nicholas G. Merz, Daniel W. Jarvis, Matthew P. Rao, Vincent Yan, Michael Ngo, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Thomas Johannessen
  • Patent number: 9404842
    Abstract: Damage to conductive material that serves as bridging connections between conductive structures within an electronic device may result in deficiencies in radio-frequency (RF) and other wireless communications. A test system for testing device structures under test is provided. Device structures under test may include substrates and a conductive material between the substrates. The test system may include a test fixture for increasing tensile or compressive stress on the device structures under test to evaluate the resilience of the conductive material. The test system may also include a test unit for transmitting RF test signals and receiving test data from the device structures under test. The received test data may include scattered parameter measurements from the device structures under test that may be used to determine if the device structures under test meet desired RF performance criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua G. Nickel, Chun-Lung Chen, Tseng-Mau Yang, Nicholas G. Merz, Robert W. Schlub, Boon W. Shiu, Erica J. Tong
  • Publication number: 20160089834
    Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing composite parts that include anodizable portions and non-anodizable portions such that an interface between the anodizable portions and non-anodizable portions are free of visible defects are described. The non-anodizable portions can be made of anodizable metals such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. The non-anodizable portions are made of material that do not generally form an anodic film, such as plastic, ceramic or glass materials. In particular, the methods described relate to manufacturing methods that are compatible with anodizing processes and avoid defects related to anodizing processes. In particular embodiments, the methods involve avoiding trapping of anodizing chemicals within a gap between an anodizable portion and a non-anodizable portion, which prevents the anodizing chemicals from disrupting the uptake of dye in a post-anodizing dyeing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Stefan C. Mag, Derek C. Krass, Nicholas G. Merz, Daniel W. Jarvis, Matthew P. Rao, Vincent Yan, Michael Ngo, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Thomas Johannessen
  • Patent number: 9232672
    Abstract: A control mechanism for an electronic device comprises a cover glass having an aperture defined therein. The aperture extends from an interior to an exterior of the device. A control member is positioned within the aperture, coupled to an actuator. The control member comprises a ceramic insert having a contact surface exposed to the exterior of the housing, operable to actuate the actuator in response to a force on the contact surface. A bearing member is molded about the insert. The bearing member has a hardness less than that of the ceramic insert, and less than that of the cover glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kelvin Kwong, Benjamin J. Pope, Nicholas G. Merz
  • Publication number: 20150323966
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas G. Merz, John C. Difonzo, Stephen P. Zadesky, Michael J. Prichard