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).

  • Patent number: 10034073
    Abstract: An electronic device having a composite acoustic membrane to inhibit water ingress and to allow sound transmission, is disclosed. Embodiments include an electroacoustic transducer within an encased space of a casing, and a composite acoustic membrane between the electroacoustic transducer and an acoustic port in the casing. The acoustic membrane may include a nonporous region at least partly covering the acoustic port, and a porous region to vent the electroacoustic transducer volume to the encased space and/or to an environment surrounding the casing. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Neal Evans, Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt
  • Publication number: 20180091881
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Neal D. Evans, Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt
  • Publication number: 20180084324
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, David M. Pelletier, Miodrag Pejin, Christopher Wilk, Mark A. Murphy, Brad G. Boozer
  • Publication number: 20180058918
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Ruchir M. Dave, Jesse A. Lippert, Brad G. Boozer, Neal D. Evans, David S. Wilkes, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180063634
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Ruchir M. Dave, Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Scott P. Porter, Eugene Fox
  • Patent number: 9888307
    Abstract: An electronic device having a microphone behind a water resistant, air-impermeable membrane is disclosed. Embodiments include a trapped volume of air between the membrane and the microphone. A barometric equalization element may define an acoustic leak path, e.g., a tortuous leak path, between the trapped volume of air and an encased space within a casing of the electronic device. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Neal D. Evans, Jesse A. Lippert, Ruchir M. Dave, Christopher Wilk, Brad G. Boozer, Dennis R. Pyper, Daniel K. Boothe
  • Patent number: 9820038
    Abstract: A waterproof speaker module may include a membrane formed from at least one waterproof and elastic material and a supporting structure. The membrane may include an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one concave region that is indented toward the inner surface. The supporting structure may be coupled to the membrane and include a support structure that mates with the concave region of the membrane when the speaker is subjected to a hydrostatic load. When the speaker is not subjected to a hydrostatic load, the support structure may contact the concave region. In this way, the membrane may be resistant to tearing or rupture due to hydrostatic load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander V. Salvatti, Andrew Bright, Christopher Wilk, Justin D. Crosby, Nikolas T. Vitt, Pablo Seoane Vieites, Ruchir M. Dave, Samuel Bruce Weiss, Teemu P. Sipila
  • Patent number: 9681210
    Abstract: A liquid-tolerant acoustic device assembly includes a housing with an acoustic aperture connected to a through hole in the housing. An acoustic device such as a microphone or speaker that includes a liquid resistant membrane is coupled to the through hole utilizing a gasket. A protrusion is positioned between the through hole and the gasket. The configuration of the assembly may be tuned such that liquid present in the through hole is allowed to exit and/or functioning of the acoustic device is not impaired by the presence of the liquid in the through hole. The assembly may be incorporated into an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Rex T. Ehman
  • Publication number: 20170164084
    Abstract: An electronic device having a microphone behind a water resistant, air-impermeable membrane is disclosed. Embodiments include a trapped volume of air between the membrane and the microphone. A barometric equalization element may define an acoustic leak path, e.g., a tortuous leak path, between the trapped volume of air and an encased space within a casing of the electronic device. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Neal D. Evans, Jesse A. Lippert, Ruchir M. Dave, Christopher Wilk, Brad G. Boozer, Dennis R. Pyper, Daniel K. Boothe
  • Publication number: 20170085992
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher Wilk, David M. Pelletier
  • Publication number: 20170041706
    Abstract: An electronic device having a composite acoustic membrane to inhibit water ingress and to allow sound transmission, is disclosed. Embodiments include an electroacoustic transducer within an encased space of a casing, and a composite acoustic membrane between the electroacoustic transducer and an acoustic port in the casing. The acoustic membrane may include a nonporous region at least partly covering the acoustic port, and a porous region to vent the electroacoustic transducer volume to the encased space and/or to an environment surrounding the casing. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Neal Evans, Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt
  • Publication number: 20170041712
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher Wilk, Rex T. Ehman
  • Publication number: 20160212526
    Abstract: A waterproof speaker module may include a membrane formed from at least one waterproof and elastic material and a supporting structure. The membrane may include an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one concave region that is indented toward the inner surface. The supporting structure may be coupled to the membrane and include a support structure that mates with the concave region of the membrane when the speaker is subjected to a hydrostatic load. When the speaker is not subjected to a hydrostatic load, the support structure may contact the concave region. In this way, the membrane may be resistant to tearing or rupture due to hydrostatic load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander V. Salvatti, Andrew Bright, Christopher Wilk, Justin D. Crosby, Nikolas T. Vitt, Pablo Seoane Vieites, Ruchir M. Dave, Samuel Bruce Weiss, Teemu P. Sipila
  • Patent number: 9363589
    Abstract: An acoustic port of acoustic device is covered with a mesh and/or other structure that resists entry of liquid and/or other materials into the acoustic device. Apertures of a housing that are separated by an umbrella section are coupled to the acoustic port such that the umbrella section may cover the acoustic port. In this way, when liquid enters one or more of the apertures, the umbrella section may direct the liquid away from the mesh such that pressure from the liquid upon the mesh may be reduced. As such, potential damage to the mesh and/or internal acoustic device components may be mitigated. In some implementations, the apertures may be covered with an additional mesh. Such additional mesh may further reduce the pressure of entering liquid on the mesh covering the acoustic port of the acoustic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Anthony S. Montevirgen, Brad G. Boozer, Nikolas T. Vitt, Rex T. Ehman
  • Patent number: 9363587
    Abstract: A speaker or microphone module includes an acoustic membrane and at least one pressure vent. The pressure vent equalizes barometric pressure on a first side of the acoustic membrane with barometric pressure on a second side of the acoustic membrane. Further, the pressure vent is located in an acoustic path of the speaker or microphone module. In this way, differences between barometric pressures on the different sides of the acoustic membrane may not hinder movement of the acoustic membrane. In one or more implementations, the pressure vent may be acoustically opaque. As the pressure vent is located in the acoustic path of the speaker or microphone module, being acoustically opaque may ensure that the pressure vent itself does not interfere with the operation of the speaker or microphone module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Weiss, David M. Pelletier, Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt
  • Publication number: 20160037243
    Abstract: An acoustic port of acoustic device is covered with a mesh and/or other structure that resists entry of liquid and/or other materials into the acoustic device. Apertures of a housing that are separated by an umbrella section are coupled to the acoustic port such that the umbrella section may cover the acoustic port. In this way, when liquid enters one or more of the apertures, the umbrella section may direct the liquid away from the mesh such that pressure from the liquid upon the mesh may be reduced. As such, potential damage to the mesh and/or internal acoustic device components may be mitigated. In some implementations, the apertures may be covered with an additional mesh. Such additional mesh may further reduce the pressure of entering liquid on the mesh covering the acoustic port of the acoustic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Anthony S. Montevirgen, Brad G. Boozer, Nikolas T. Vitt, Rex T. Ehman
  • Patent number: 9226076
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher Wilk, Rex Tyler Ehman
  • Publication number: 20150319534
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher Wilk, Rex Tyler Ehman
  • Publication number: 20150288193
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Justin D. Crosby, Nikolas T. Vitt, Gary P. Geaves
  • Publication number: 20150163572
    Abstract: A speaker or microphone module includes an acoustic membrane and at least one pressure vent. The pressure vent equalizes barometric pressure on a first side of the acoustic membrane with barometric pressure on a second side of the acoustic membrane. Further, the pressure vent is located in an acoustic path of the speaker or microphone module. In this way, differences between barometric pressures on the different sides of the acoustic membrane may not hinder movement of the acoustic membrane. In one or more implementations, the pressure vent may be acoustically opaque. As the pressure vent is located in the acoustic path of the speaker or microphone module, being acoustically opaque may ensure that the pressure vent itself does not interfere with the operation of the speaker or microphone module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Weiss, David M. Pelletier, Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt