Patents by Inventor Nikolas T. Vitt
Nikolas T. Vitt 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: 20220053281Abstract: A method for self-calibrating a sound pickup process that uses a microphone array in a wearable device that also includes a loudspeaker, where the microphone array being in a physical arrangement with respect to the loudspeaker. The method obtains, for each of several microphones of the microphone array, one or more transfer functions that each represent a response of the microphone to sound from a position in an acoustic space. The method determines whether a physical arrangement of the microphone array with respect to the loudspeaker has changed and adjusts the transfer function, for at least one of the microphones of the several microphones, in response to determining that the current physical arrangement of the microphone array with respect to the loudspeaker has changed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Jonathan D. Sheaffer, Daniel K. Boothe, Martin E. Johnson, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher T. Eubank, Peter V. Jupin, Symeon Delikaris Manias, Shai Messingher Lang
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Patent number: 11227623Abstract: Audio processing with audio transparency can include receiving a user content audio signal and receiving a microphone signal. The microphone signal can contain sensed sound of a user environment. Strength of the sensed sound can be increased based on strength of the user content audio signal, to reduce a masking of the sensed sound during playback. The sensed sound and the user content audio signal can be combined in a composite output audio signal used to drive a speaker. Other aspects are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2020Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher T. Eubank, Jonathan D. Sheaffer, Tomlinson Holman
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Patent number: 11188151Abstract: A portable electronic device is described in this disclosure. The portable electronic device can take many forms including for example a smart watch, a smart phone, or a tablet computing device. The portable electronic device can include a device housing component; and a display assembly coupled to the device housing component. The display assembly includes a protective cover that shields a display component from damage. The portable electronic device also includes an actuator configured to apply a vibratory input to the display assembly. In some embodiments, the actuator contacts both the device housing component and the protective cover of the display assembly. In some embodiments, the actuator is affixed only to an interior-facing surface of the display component.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2019Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Justin D. Crosby, Kevin Truong, Nikolas T. Vitt, Daniel Corona
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Patent number: 11176925Abstract: A method for routing audio content through an electronic device that is to be worn by a user. The method obtains a communication and determines whether the communication is private. In response to determining that the communication is private, the method drives a bone conduction transducer of the electronic device with an audio signal associated with the communication. In response to determining that the communication is not private, however, the method drives a speaker of the electronic device with the audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Robert D. Silfvast, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt, Jonathan D. Sheaffer
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Publication number: 20200396539Abstract: A method for detecting wind using a microphone and a speaker of an electronic device. The method obtains a microphone signal produced by the microphone. The method obtains a speaker input signal produced by the speaker that is emulating a microphone capturing ambient sound in an environment through the speaker. The method determines a coherence between the microphone signal and the speaker input signal and determines whether the coherence is below a coherence intensity threshold. In response to determining that the coherence is below the coherence intensity threshold, the method determines a presence of wind in the environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Joyce E. Gorny, Thomas M. Jensen, Jeffrey N. Gleason, Tyrone T. Chen
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Patent number: 10848864Abstract: A liquid-resistant module can be formed as a laminated construct having a housing, a cap, and a port membrane to inhibit liquid from passing across the membrane. The housing defines an internal duct extending from an inlet port to an outlet region. The cap defines an acoustic port and extends across the outlet region of the housing. The port membrane is attached to the cap and extends across the acoustic passage. The port membrane inhibits passage of liquid water through the membrane at differential pressures across the membrane less than a threshold pressure differential, and yet is gas permeable. The module can provide a liquid-resistant seal with an enclosure of an electronic device, and an enclosed microphone transducer or an enclosed loudspeaker transducer can be attached to the cap such that a port opening to or from the transducer is aligned with the acoustic port.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Shannon X. Yang, William Lukens, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 10750287Abstract: An acoustic module, such as a microphone or speaker module, includes an acoustic membrane that vibrates to produce acoustic waves and an acoustic cavity through which acoustic waves produced by the membrane travel. A liquid removal mechanism removes liquid from the acoustic cavity. Such a liquid removal mechanism may include the acoustic membrane, heating elements, hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic surfaces, and so on. In some cases, the liquid removal mechanism may remove liquid from the acoustic cavity upon connection of the acoustic module and/or an associated electronic device to an external power source.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher Wilk, Rex T. Ehman
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Publication number: 20200107096Abstract: A liquid-resistant microphone assembly includes a substrate defining a sound-entry region and a microphone transducer coupled with the substrate. The transducer has a sound-responsive region acoustically coupled with the sound-entry opening defined by the substrate. A liquid-resistant port membrane spans across the sound-entry opening defined by the substrate. The membrane is gas-permeable. An adhesive layer is positioned between the substrate and the liquid-resistant port membrane, coupling the liquid-resistant port membrane with the substrate and spacing the liquid-resistant port membrane from the substrate to form a gap between the membrane and the substrate. The adhesive layer defines an aperture having a periphery extending around and positioned outward of the sound-entry region. Modules and electronic devices incorporating such a microphone transducer also are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Anthony D. Minervini, David S. Wilkes, JR., Nikolas T. Vitt, Peter C. Hrudey, Ruchir M. Dave, Amin M. Younes
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Publication number: 20200097086Abstract: A portable electronic device is described in this disclosure. The portable electronic device can take many forms including for example a smart watch, a smart phone, or a tablet computing device. The portable electronic device can include a device housing component; and a display assembly coupled to the device housing component. The display assembly includes a protective cover that shields a display component from damage. The portable electronic device also includes an actuator configured to apply a vibratory input to the display assembly. In some embodiments, the actuator contacts both the device housing component and the protective cover of the display assembly. In some embodiments, the actuator is affixed only to an interior-facing surface of the display component.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Justin D. Crosby, Kevin Truong, Nikolas T. Vitt, Daniel Corona
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Patent number: 10595107Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing having an opening comprising an audio port and a speaker assembly carried by the device housing. The speaker assembly includes a water ejection system having a diaphragm coupled to a magnetic driver and a mesh that covers the audio port where the diaphragm and the mesh together define an acoustic volume. When a water ejection signal is received at the magnetic driver, the magnetic driver is caused to move the diaphragm in a manner that ejects water contained within the acoustic volume out of the acoustic volume and through the mesh.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, David M. Pelletier, Miodrag Pejin, Christopher Wilk, Mark A. Murphy, Brad G. Boozer
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Patent number: 10595131Abstract: An audio speaker having a magnet assembly for directing a magnetic field through a magnetic circuit, and an electrical circuit for carrying an electrical audio signal current through at least part of the magnet assembly, are disclosed. More particularly, a voicecoil in the electrical circuit may be in electrical contact with a magnetic plate of the magnet assembly. The voicecoil may be electrically connected with a speaker driver circuit at least partly through the magnetic plate. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher Wilk, David M. Pelletier
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Patent number: 10587942Abstract: A liquid-resistant microphone assembly includes a substrate defining a sound-entry region and a microphone transducer coupled with the substrate. The transducer has a sound-responsive region acoustically coupled with the sound-entry opening defined by the substrate. A liquid-resistant port membrane spans across the sound-entry opening defined by the substrate. The membrane is gas-permeable. An adhesive layer is positioned between the substrate and the liquid-resistant port membrane, coupling the liquid-resistant port membrane with the substrate and spacing the liquid-resistant port membrane from the substrate to form a gap between the membrane and the substrate. The adhesive layer defines an aperture having a periphery extending around and positioned outward of the sound-entry region. Modules and electronic devices incorporating such a microphone transducer also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Anthony D. Minervini, David S. Wilkes, Jr., Nikolas T. Vitt, Peter C. Hrudey, Ruchir M. Dave, Amin M. Younes
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Publication number: 20200073338Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing at least partially defining an interior cavity divided into at least a first volume and a second volume, a pressure-sensing component positioned within the first volume, a speaker positioned within the first volume, a processor positioned within the second volume, a battery positioned within the second volume, and a barometric vent that allows air pressure equalization between the first volume and an external environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Shannon X. Yang, William C. Lukens, Mandeep Gill, Jeanny Wang, William S. Lee, Stephen P. Jackson, Rex T. Ehman, Colin M. Ely, Nikolas T. Vitt, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 10469941Abstract: An acoustic transducer can have an acoustic diaphragm defining a barometric vent configured to equalize a barometric pressure-gradient across the acoustic diaphragm. Such a barometric vent can be formed by an aperture through the acoustic diaphragm. A gas-permeable vent membrane can be coupled with the acoustic diaphragm and extend across the aperture. The vent membrane can inhibit movement of liquid across the vent membrane. An acoustic-transducer module can include a chassis a chassis configured to mount the acoustic-transducer module to another module, and a suspension system can movably couple the acoustic diaphragm with the chassis. Such an acoustic-transducer module can sealably couple with a housing of a water-resistant electronic device to inhibit a flow of liquid into the housing while providing a water-resistant barometric vent to the housing, as well as an acoustic diaphragm having a sufficient size to meet or exceed selected acoustic-performance targets.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ruchir M. Dave, Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Scott P. Porter, Eugene Fox
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Patent number: 10425738Abstract: An acoustic module, such as a microphone or speaker module, includes an acoustic membrane that vibrates to produce acoustic waves and an acoustic cavity through which acoustic waves produced by the membrane travel. A liquid removal mechanism removes liquid from the acoustic cavity. Such a liquid removal mechanism may include the acoustic membrane, heating elements, hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic surfaces, and so on. In some cases, the liquid removal mechanism may remove liquid from the acoustic cavity upon connection of the acoustic module and/or an associated electronic device to an external power source.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2018Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher Wilk, Rex T. Ehman
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Patent number: 10271121Abstract: An electronic device comprising having an enclosure with an enclosure wall separating a surrounding environment from an encased space. The enclosure wall includes a top portion having an acoustic channel extending from the encased space to the surrounding environment and a bottom portion. A microphone assembly module positioned within the encased space, and having a microphone acoustically coupled to a sound inlet port that is aligned with the acoustic channel and an air permeable water resistant membrane. A first support member is dimensioned to translatably couple the microphone assembly module to the top portion of the enclosure wall and translate the microphone assembly in response to a pressure change within the acoustic channel, and a second support member is dimensioned to translatably couple the microphone assembly module to the bottom portion of the enclosure wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Neal D. Evans, Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt
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Publication number: 20190098415Abstract: An acoustic module, such as a microphone or speaker module, includes an acoustic membrane that vibrates to produce acoustic waves and an acoustic cavity through which acoustic waves produced by the membrane travel. A liquid removal mechanism removes liquid from the acoustic cavity. Such a liquid removal mechanism may include the acoustic membrane, heating elements, hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic surfaces, and so on. In some cases, the liquid removal mechanism may remove liquid from the acoustic cavity upon connection of the acoustic module and/or an associated electronic device to an external power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher Wilk, Rex T. Ehman
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Patent number: 10209123Abstract: An acoustic module is coupled to an acoustic passage. The acoustic module includes an acoustic transducer coupled to a diaphragm. A controller or other circuitry measures an impedance of the acoustic transducer. Based on the impedance, the controller determines whether the impedance indicates that the acoustic passage is blocked. The controller may determine that the acoustic passage is blocked by liquid that is present in the acoustic passage. When the controller determines based on the impedance that liquid is present in the acoustic passage, the controller may drive out, purge, and/or otherwise remove the liquid, such as by using the acoustic transducer to vibrate the diaphragm.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Ruchir M Dave, Jesse A. Lippert, Brad G. Boozer, Neal D. Evans, David S. Wilkes, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180262840Abstract: An acoustic module, such as a microphone or speaker module, includes an acoustic membrane that vibrates to produce acoustic waves and an acoustic cavity through which acoustic waves produced by the membrane travel. A liquid removal mechanism removes liquid from the acoustic cavity. Such a liquid removal mechanism may include the acoustic membrane, heating elements, hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic surfaces, and so on. In some cases, the liquid removal mechanism may remove liquid from the acoustic cavity upon connection of the acoustic module and/or an associated electronic device to an external power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher Wilk, Rex T. Ehman
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Patent number: 10044232Abstract: A first electronic device includes a first coil that is operative in at least two modes. In a first mode, the first coil may be utilized to moves a membrane to produce one or more sound waves, register movement of a membrane to detect one or more sound waves, or generates one or more haptic outputs. In the second mode, the first coil may be used to inductively transmit power to and/or inductively receive power from a second coil included in a second electronic device. In various cases, the second coil may be a dedicated inductive power transmission coil. In other cases, the second coil may be capable of multimode operation similar to the first coil.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2014Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Justin D. Crosby, Nikolas T. Vitt, Gary P. Geaves