Patents by Inventor Sameer Pandya

Sameer Pandya 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: 20240087527
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display mounted in a housing. The display may have a pixel array that produces images. A display cover layer may overlap the pixel array. The display cover layer may have a planar central area surrounded by a peripheral edge area with a curved cross-sectional profile. From an on-axis viewing angle, an image on the pixel array is fully viewable through the planar central area and the peripheral edge area. From an off-axis viewing angle, the image is partly viewable through the peripheral edge area and not through the central area. To avoid an undesired color cast in the partly viewable image seen through the peripheral edge area of the display cover layer, the display may be provided with color cast compensation structures such as a guest-host liquid crystal layer that exhibits an anisotropic colored light absorption characteristic, a diffuser layer, and/or other optical structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Daniel J. Barrett, Erik G. de Jong, James P. Landry, David A. Doyle, Jean-Pierre S. Guillou, Jung Yun Seuh, Yi Qiao
  • Publication number: 20240053707
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a crown assembly having a shaft and a user-rotatable crown. The user-rotatable crown may include a conductive cap that is mechanically and electrically coupled to the shaft and functions as an electrode. The conductive cap may be coupled to the shaft using solder or another conductive attachment mechanism. The shaft may electrically couple the conductive cap to a processing unit of the electronic device. One or more additional electrodes may be positioned on the exterior surface of the electronic device. The conductive cap is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while another electrode is positioned against skin of the user. The processing unit of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter, such as an electrocardiogram, of the user based on voltages at the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Sameer Pandya, Steven C. Roach
  • Publication number: 20240045383
    Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing defining a side wall having a through-hole and a crown assembly including an actuation member. The actuation member may include a crown shaft extending through the through-hole and having an exterior portion defining an input surface and a crown ring coupled to the exterior portion of the crown shaft and electrically isolated from the crown shaft. The crown assembly may further include an optical encoder component attached to the actuation member and defining a group of optical features. The electronic watch may further include an optical detector configured to detect rotation of the crown assembly by detecting motion of the group of optical features and an electrocardiograph sensor comprising a sensing component. The sensing component may be conductively coupled to the actuation member via a conductive path at least partially defined by the crown shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Steven C. Roach, Sameer Pandya, Erik G. de Jong, Erik L. Wang, Peter J. Kardassakis, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Publication number: 20240036523
    Abstract: A switch module for an electronic device detects translational inputs and defines at least portion of a conductive path from an input surface of the electronic device to a processing unit of the electronic device. The switch module may be a component of a crown assembly for detecting rotational inputs, translational inputs, touch inputs and/or biological signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The switch module may include a conductive dome and a friction guard that is positioned between the conductive dome and the actuation member of the crown assembly. The conductive dome and/or the friction guard may define at least a portion of the conductive path from the input surface to the processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Antonio Herrera, Colin M. Ely
  • Patent number: 11862083
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display mounted in a housing. The display may have a pixel array that produces images. A display cover layer may overlap the pixel array. The display cover layer may have a planar central area surrounded by a peripheral edge area with a curved cross-sectional profile. From an on-axis viewing angle, an image on the pixel array is fully viewable through the planar central area and the peripheral edge area. From an off-axis viewing angle, the image is partly viewable through the peripheral edge area and not through the central area. To avoid an undesired color cast in the partly viewable image seen through the peripheral edge area of the display cover layer, the display may be provided with color cast compensation structures such as a guest-host liquid crystal layer that exhibits an anisotropic colored light absorption characteristic, a diffuser layer, and/or other optical structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Daniel J. Barrett, Erik G. de Jong, James P. Landry, David A. Doyle, Jean-Pierre S. Guillou, Jung Yun Seuh, Yi Qiao
  • Publication number: 20230413442
    Abstract: A display assembly for an electronic device can include a printed circuit board, a display panel, and a support structure affixed to the display panel and disposed between the display panel and the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Kiran S. Pillai, Kyle M. Zampaglione
  • Patent number: 11815860
    Abstract: A switch module for an electronic device detects translational inputs and defines at least portion of a conductive path from an input surface of the electronic device to a processing unit of the electronic device. The switch module may be a component of a crown assembly for detecting rotational inputs, translational inputs, touch inputs and/or biological signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The switch module may include a conductive dome and a friction guard that is positioned between the conductive dome and the actuation member of the crown assembly. The conductive dome and/or the friction guard may define at least a portion of the conductive path from the input surface to the processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Antonio Herrera, Colin M Ely
  • Patent number: 11803162
    Abstract: Wearable electronic devices, such as watches, can provide a seal member to form a fluid barrier between an inner chamber therein and outer chambers, as well as an external environment. Components within the sealed inner chamber can be protected from elements from the external environment (e.g., water ingress, etc.). The components outside of the inner chamber can include sensor modules and the like. Such components can be operatively connected to components within the inner chamber, for example, by a flex circuit that extends across the seal member. The component can interact with a watchband when coupled to a watch housing of the watch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Daniel J. Hiemstra, Zaki Moustafa
  • Patent number: 11796968
    Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing defining a side wall having a through-hole and a crown assembly including an actuation member. The actuation member may include a crown shaft extending through the through-hole and having an exterior portion defining an input surface and a crown ring coupled to the exterior portion of the crown shaft and electrically isolated from the crown shaft. The crown assembly may further include an optical encoder component attached to the actuation member and defining a group of optical features. The electronic watch may further include an optical detector configured to detect rotation of the crown assembly by detecting motion of the group of optical features and an electrocardiograph sensor comprising a sensing component. The sensing component may be conductively coupled to the actuation member via a conductive path at least partially defined by the crown shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Roach, Sameer Pandya, Erik G. de Jong, Erik L. Wang, Peter J. Kardassakis, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Patent number: 11796961
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a crown assembly having a shaft and a user-rotatable crown. The user-rotatable crown may include a conductive cap that is mechanically and electrically coupled to the shaft and functions as an electrode. The conductive cap may be coupled to the shaft using solder or another conductive attachment mechanism. The shaft may electrically couple the conductive cap to a processing unit of the electronic device. One or more additional electrodes may be positioned on the exterior surface of the electronic device. The conductive cap is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while another electrode is positioned against skin of the user. The processing unit of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter, such as an electrocardiogram, of the user based on voltages at the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Sameer Pandya, Steven C. Roach
  • Patent number: 11785719
    Abstract: A display assembly for an electronic device can include a printed circuit board, a display panel, and a support structure affixed to the display panel and disposed between the display panel and the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Kiran S. Pillai, Kyle M. Zampaglione
  • Publication number: 20230210461
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a housing to which a carrier is attached. The carrier has a first surface interior to the electronic device, and a second surface exterior to the electronic device. A set of electrodes is deposited on the exterior surface of the carrier. An additional electrode is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while the first electrode is positioned against skin of the user. The additional electrode may be positioned on a user-rotatable crown of the electronic device, on a button of the electronic device, or on another surface of the housing of the electronic device. A processor of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter of the user based on voltages at the electrodes. The biological parameter may be an electrocardiogram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Adam T. Clavelle, Erik G. de Jong, Michael B. Wittenberg, Tobias J. Harrison-Noonan, Martin Melcher, Zhipeng Zhang, Steven C. Roach, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Publication number: 20230132590
    Abstract: A display assembly for an electronic device can include a printed circuit board, a display panel, and a support structure affixed to the display panel and disposed between the display panel and the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Kiran S. Pillai, Kyle M. Zampaglione
  • Patent number: 11640144
    Abstract: A watch can include a user input component that employs an optical sensor to receive input from a user. The input components provide an ability for a user to interact with the watch in a manner similar to how a user would interact with a crown that is rotatable and/or translatable. The user can provide motions and gestures near the input component that the input component can detect and interpret and user inputs to control an aspect of the watch. The motions and gestures provided by the user can be directly detected with optical systems of the input component, so that the number of moving parts are reduced and space within the watch is more efficiently utilized. While providing these benefits, the input component provides a user experience that simulates user interactions with a crown that is rotatable and/or translatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Sameer Pandya, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Patent number: 11630537
    Abstract: An electronic device may have light-emitting devices. A light-emitting device may include light-emitting diodes, a display, or other components that emit visual output. One or more image transport layers may be included in the electronic device. An image transport layer may have an input surface that receives an image and an output surface to which the image transport layer transports the image for viewing by a user. The image transport layers may have areas with compound curvature and other shapes. Deformed image transport layer structures such as deformed fibers in a coherent fiber bundle may be configured to hide gaps in displays and other structures. Displays may include light detectors that serve as a two-dimensional touch sensor. The touch sensor may detect touch input on an output surface of an image transport layer. Image transport layer material may be incorporated into buttons, elongated housings, wearable devices, and other equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Daniel J. Barrett, Erik G. de Jong, Lucy E. Browning, Marwan Rammah, Rasamy Phouthavong, Sameer Pandya
  • Publication number: 20230098960
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a housing to which a carrier is attached. The carrier has a first surface interior to the electronic device, and a second surface exterior to the electronic device. A set of electrodes is deposited on the exterior surface of the carrier. An additional electrode is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while the first electrode is positioned against skin of the user. The additional electrode may be positioned on a user-rotatable crown of the electronic device, on a button of the electronic device, or on another surface of the housing of the electronic device. A processor of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter of the user based on voltages at the electrodes. The biological parameter may be an electrocardiogram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Adam T. Clavelle, Erik G. de Jong, Michael B. Wittenberg, Tobias J. Harrison-Noonan, Martin Melcher, Zhipeng Zhang, Steven C. Roach, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Publication number: 20230077241
    Abstract: A switch module for an electronic device detects translational inputs and defines at least portion of a conductive path from an input surface of the electronic device to a processing unit of the electronic device. The switch module may be a component of a crown assembly for detecting rotational inputs, translational inputs, touch inputs and/or biological signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The switch module may include a conductive dome and a friction guard that is positioned between the conductive dome and the actuation member of the crown assembly. The conductive dome and/or the friction guard may define at least a portion of the conductive path from the input surface to the processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Antonio F. Herrera, Colin M. Ely
  • Patent number: 11573450
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display and other optical components such as optical sensors. The display and other components may be overlapped by chemically strengthened glass coherent fiber bundles. The surfaces of a coherent fiber bundle may include ion-exchanged glass that places theses surfaces under compressive stress. In some configurations, the coherent fiber bundle is symmetrically stressed and has equal amounts of compressive stress on opposing surfaces. In other configurations, the coherent fiber bundle is asymmetrically stressed and has more compressive stress on one surface than the other. The coherent fiber bundle may have areas with curved cross-sectional profiles, planar areas, and/or areas with compound curvature. Sensor windows may be formed in the coherent fiber bundle that are surrounded by an opaque area. When overlapping a display, the coherent fiber bundle may serve as a display cover glass layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Jones, Dale N. Memering, Daniel J. Barrett, Erik G. de Jong, Sameer Pandya, Tyler A. Marshall
  • Patent number: 11561342
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display overlapped by an image transport layer such as a coherent fiber bundle or layer of Anderson localization material. The image transport layer may have an input surface that receives an image from the display and a corresponding output surface to which the image is transported. The input surface and output surface may have different shapes. During fabrication of the image transport layer, a peripheral portion of the image transport layer may be laterally indented to form a peripheral recess. Electrical components such as optical and radio-frequency components may be mounted in the recess and may be overlapped by peripheral portions of the image transport layer and/or may be mounted under the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Michael B. Wittenberg, Sameer Pandya
  • Patent number: 11550268
    Abstract: A switch module for an electronic device detects translational inputs and defines at least portion of a conductive path from an input surface of the electronic device to a processing unit of the electronic device. The switch module may be a component of a crown assembly for detecting rotational inputs, translational inputs, touch inputs and/or biological signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The switch module may include a conductive dome and a friction guard that is positioned between the conductive dome and the actuation member of the crown assembly. The conductive dome and/or the friction guard may define at least a portion of the conductive path from the input surface to the processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Antonio Herrera, Colin M. Ely