Patents by Inventor Patrick S. Wieler

Patrick S. Wieler 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: 11157043
    Abstract: This application relates to a system for disassembling a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can include a housing that carries a display assembly including a cover glass in a front opening, a battery, and operational components. The system can include (i) a first module capable of: receiving the portable electronic device, characterizing physical attributes of the portable electronic device, separating the display assembly from the housing, and binning the housing; and (ii) a second module operably coupled to the first module and capable of: receiving the binned housing, separating the battery from the housing without damaging the battery, and isolating the separated battery in a thermal event containment compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Charissa Rujanavech, Patrick S. Wieler, Mark Lewis, Thomas Loeper, Roy Mahalas, Dan Powell, Jason Schwarz, John Sever, Darragh Staunton
  • Patent number: 11136191
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method is described that can include based on dimensions of a first housing of a first portable electronic device, adjusting a position of an adjustable supporting member capable of supporting the first housing relative to a disassembly station. The method can further include using the disassembly station, separating a first display from the first housing while the first housing is supported by the adjustable support member. The method can further include receiving a second portable electronic device, where the second portable electronic device includes a second housing having dimensions that are different than the first housing. The method can further include based on the dimensions of the second housing, adjusting the position of the adjustable supporting member. The method can further include using the disassembly station, separating a second display from the second housing while the second housing is supported by the adjustable support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Charissa Rujanavech, Patrick S. Wieler, Mark Lewis, Thomas Loeper, Roy Mahalas, Dan Powell, Jason Schwarz, John Sever, Darragh Staunton
  • Patent number: 11129318
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method operable by an electronic component recovery system for detaching an electronic component adhesively bonded to a housing by way of an adhesive bond, is described. The electronic component is carried within a cavity defined by the housing of a portable electronic device. The method can include while the housing having the electronic component attached thereto is located at an electronic component detaching module, where the electronic component detaching module includes a movable arm capable of rotating about a hinge: cooling the housing and the electronic component attached thereto to a temperature that is low enough to weaken the adhesive bond, and causing the movable arm to rotate about the hinge such that a portion of the housing strikes a detachment element with sufficient force to separate the electronic component from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Charissa Rujanavech, Patrick S. Wieler, Sean P. Shannon, Thomas Loeper, David Novak, Dan Powell, Jason Schwarz, John Sever, Darragh Staunton
  • Patent number: 11045913
    Abstract: This application relates to a method for disassembling a portable electronic device. The method can include generating data associated with disassembling the portable electronic device based on measurements of a housing of the portable electronic device, removing a display assembly from the housing using a first module of a modular system based on the measurements of the housing, and removing an energy storage component from the housing using a second module of the modular system based on the measurements of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Patrick S. Wieler, Charissa Rujanavech, Mark Lewis, Thomas Loeper, Dan Powell, Jason Schwarz, John Sever, Darragh Staunton
  • Patent number: 11051441
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for processing an electronic component associated with a portable electronic device by a conveyor system subsequent to removing the electronic component from a housing of the portable electronic device, where the conveyor system includes a container that is capable of carrying the electronic component, is described. The method can include depositing, at a receiving station of the conveyor system, the electronic component within a cavity of the container. The method can further include while moving the container that carries the electronic component from the receiving station in a direction towards a removal station of the conveyor system: monitoring a temperature of the electronic component, and in response to determining that the temperature of the electronic component exceeds a temperature threshold range associated with a thermal event: cooling the electronic component by dissipating thermal energy associated with the thermal event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Patrick S. Wieler, Charissa Rujanavech, Sean P. Shannon, James Fikert, Roy Mahalas, Dan Powell, Jason Schwarz
  • Patent number: 9725819
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to anodic oxides and methods for forming anodic oxides. The methods involve incorporating an ultraviolet (UV) light absorbing compounds into anodic oxides to prevent color fading of the anodic oxides caused by exposure to UV light. In some embodiments, the UV light absorbing compound includes para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). The UV light absorbing compound can be incorporated within the anodic oxide during a sealing process. The UV light absorbing compound becomes infused within a seal layer, which is formed during the sealing process. The resultant anodic oxide has a UV light absorbing seal layer that can block UV light from reaching any underlying colorant existing within the anodic oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jude Mary Runge, Patrick S. Wieler, John Murray Thornton, III, Max A. Maloney
  • Patent number: 9553625
    Abstract: A wearable device is coupled to a band including multiple modular functional band links that are each electrically and mechanically connected to one or more other of the band links and/or the wearable device and include one or more electronic components. In various implementations, the wearable device may receive identifiers from each of the band links, determine functionality available using the identifiers, and communicate with the band links to utilize the determine functionality. In some implementations, the band links may include multiple different output devices and the wearable device may determine to provide an output pattern and signal the respective output devices according to the output pattern. In various implementations, the band links may include multiple different input devices and the wearable device may receive input indications from the input devices and perform an action based on a pattern in which the input indications were detected by the respective input devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Motohide Hatanaka, Douglas J. Weber, Brian Shadle, Alex M. Lee, David S. Herman, Patrick S. Wieler, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque
  • Publication number: 20160094259
    Abstract: A wearable device is coupled to a band including multiple modular functional band links that are each electrically and mechanically connected to one or more other of the band links and/or the wearable device and include one or more electronic components. In various implementations, the wearable device may receive identifiers from each of the band links, determine functionality available using the identifiers, and communicate with the band links to utilize the determine functionality. In some implementations, the band links may include multiple different output devices and the wearable device may determine to provide an output pattern and signal the respective output devices according to the output pattern. In various implementations, the band links may include multiple different input devices and the wearable device may receive input indications from the input devices and perform an action based on a pattern in which the input indications were detected by the respective input devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Motohide Hatanaka, Douglas J. Weber, Brian Shadle, Alex M. Lee, David S. Herman, Patrick S. Wieler, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque
  • Publication number: 20150093563
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to anodic oxides and methods for forming anodic oxides. The methods involve incorporating an ultraviolet (UV) light absorbing compounds into anodic oxides to prevent color fading of the anodic oxides caused by exposure to UV light. In some embodiments, the UV light absorbing compound includes para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). The UV light absorbing compound can be incorporated within the anodic oxide during a sealing process. The UV light absorbing compound becomes infused within a seal layer, which is formed during the sealing process. The resultant anodic oxide has a UV light absorbing seal layer that can block UV light from reaching any underlying colorant existing within the anodic oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jude Mary Runge, Patrick S. Wieler, John Murray Thornton, III, Max A. Maloney