Patents by Inventor Stephen E. Dey
Stephen E. Dey 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: 20210085245Abstract: A wearable electronic device including a housing that is worn by a user and a SMI sensor contained within the housing. The SMI sensor may include an emitter that outputs coherent light toward the skin of a user when the housing is worn by the user. The SMI sensor may also include a detector that detects a portion of the coherent light reflected towards the sensor and generates electrical signals that indicate displacements of the skin based on the portion of coherent light received at the detector. The housing may include a transmitter that is operatively coupled with the SMI sensor and is configured to transmit physiological data to a receiving device based on electrical signals output from the SMI sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2019Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Ahmet Fatih Cihan, Adrian Z. Harb, Mehmet Mutlu, Mengshu Huang, Stephen E. Dey, Yuhao Pan
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Publication number: 20210055367Abstract: A head-mountable device can include multiple microphones for directional audio detection. The head-mountable device can also include a speaker for audio output and/or a display for visual output. The head-mountable device can be configured to provide visual outputs based on audio inputs by displaying an indicator on a display based on a location of a source of a sound. The head-mountable device can be configured to audio outputs based on audio inputs by modifying an audio output of the speaker based on a detected sound and a target characteristic. Such characteristics can be based on a direction of a gaze of the user, as detected by an eye sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Killian J. POORE, Stephen E. Dey, Trevor J. Ness
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Publication number: 20210033874Abstract: A wearable display system includes a housing, a display module positioned within the housing and including a lens and a display panel, and a seal extending between the housing and the display module. The seal is configured to allow relative movement between the lens and the display panel to adjust focus of the display panel. In one aspect, the seal includes first and second segments with generally linear configurations and a third segment with an arcuate configuration that is positioned between the first and second segments. In another aspect, the seal includes a first portion with an arcuate configuration and a second portion with a linear configuration and a bellows portion. In another aspect, the seal includes corrugations to facilitate controlled deformation of the seal during relative movement of the display module.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Onur I. Ilkorur, Jia Tao, Kuldeep P. Lonkar, Stephen E. Dey, Phil M. Hobson, Jeremy C. Franklin
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Publication number: 20210011559Abstract: An input device includes an enclosure defining a three-dimensional input space and one or more self-mixing interferometry sensors coupled to the enclosure and configured to produce a self-mixing interferometry signal resulting from reflection of backscatter of emitted light by a body part in the three-dimensional input space. In various examples, movement of the body part may be determined using the self-mixing interferometry signal, which may in turn be used to determine an input. In some examples, a body part displacement or a body part speed and an absolute distance to the body part may be determined using the self-mixing interferometry signal and used to determine an input. In a number of examples, multiple self-mixing interferometry sensors may be used and the movement may be determined by analyzing differences between the respective produced self-mixing interferometry signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Mehmet Mutlu, Yuhao Pan, Stephen E. Dey
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Publication number: 20210011298Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a display with first and second pixel arrays that display content for a user. A head-mounted support structure in the device supports the pixel arrays on the head of the user. A left positioner may be used to position a left lens module that includes a left lens and the first pixel array. A right positioner may be used to position a right lens module that includes a right lens and the second pixel array. Sensing circuitry such as proximity sensing circuitry may be used to detect relative positions between the left and right lens modules and facing surfaces of a user's nose while the user is wearing the head-mounted support structure. Control circuitry may adjust the positions of the left and right lens modules using interpupillary distance information for the user and using information from the sensing circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Jia Tao, Phil M. Hobson, Stephen E. Dey
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Publication number: 20200400948Abstract: A display and vision correction system includes a head-mounted display unit, a glasses frame, and a removable lens assembly. The head-mounted display unit is configured to be worn on a head of a user and includes a display for providing graphical content to the user. The glasses frame is configured to be worn on the head of the user. The removable lens assembly is removably coupleable to the head-mounted display unit and to the glasses frame. The removable lens assembly includes a corrective lens element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Andreas G. Weber, Anna V. Mirabella, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Forrest C. Wang, Jason C. Sauers, Jeremy C. Franklin, Julian Hoenig, Julian Jaede, Kristi E. Bauerly, Stephen E. Dey, Wey-Jiun Lin
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Patent number: 10849392Abstract: A watch can include a watch body and a watch band that is capable of housing batteries and transferring power from the batteries to the watch body to power the watch. The watch band can include an inner frame that has multiple slots, each slot configured to house a corresponding battery. The watch band can further include an outer covering that encompasses the inner structure and hermetically seals the batteries. A battery connector operatively connects each of the batteries to each other and to the watch body.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2017Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Scott W. Slabaugh, Stephen E. Dey, Benjamin J. Kallman, Erik G. De Jong
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Publication number: 20200367613Abstract: A wristband can comfortably secure an electronic device, such as a wristwatch or fitness/health tracking device, to a wrist of a user. The wristband can include a number of magnets that allow the wristband to be magnetically coupled to itself when folded over or when separate band portions are overlapping. The magnets can include a polymer mixed with a magnetic material to provide magnetic properties and flexibility. The magnets can be joined together by a continuous support structure that extends through opposing pairs of the magnets. The support structure can provide substantial and ability as well as tensile strength. The magnets and the support structure can be surrounded by a flexible cover to protect the components within.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Zaki MOUSTAFA, Qigen JI, Caitlin M. MCLAIN, Clayton J MCCOY, Hao ZHU, Hsiang Hung CHEN, Stephen E. DEY, Fernando F. CUNHA
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Patent number: 10823970Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a display with first and second pixel arrays that display content for a user. A head-mounted support structure in the device supports the pixel arrays on the head of the user. A left positioner may be used to position a left lens module that includes a left lens and the first pixel array. A right positioner may be used to position a right lens module that includes a right lens and the second pixel array. Sensing circuitry such as proximity sensing circuitry may be used to detect relative positions between the left and right lens modules and facing surfaces of a user's nose while the user is wearing the head-mounted support structure. Control circuitry may adjust the positions of the left and right lens modules using interpupillary distance information for the user and using information from the sensing circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Jia Tao, Phil M. Hobson, Stephen E. Dey
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Patent number: 10823971Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a display system (e.g., a wearable HMD) is described that includes an internal housing; a lens that is positioned within the internal housing; a display module including a display panel that is positioned within the internal housing to allow for relative movement between the lens and the display module to adjust focus of the display panel; and a seal that extends between the internal housing and the display module to define an enclosed interior space accommodating the lens and relative movement between the lens and the display module.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Onur I. Ilkorur, Jia Tao, Kuldeep P. Lonkar, Stephen E. Dey, Phil M. Hobson, Jeremy C. Franklin
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Publication number: 20200337396Abstract: A metallic mesh material used to form a portion of a band or securing strap for a wearable electronic device. The band may include a magnetic tab for securing a wearable device to the wrist of a user. The tab may include one or magnetic elements that are configured to engage a surface of the mesh to secure the wearable device to the wrist of a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Stephen E. DEY, Xingyu WAN, Justin T. SAWYER, Matthew N. VAN DYKE, Hsiang Hung CHEN
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Publication number: 20200341563Abstract: A display system includes a controller and a head-mounted display. The head-mounted display includes a display, a head support coupled to the display for supporting the display on a head of a user to be viewed by the user, and sensors coupled to the head support for sensing an environment from the head-mounted display unit in low light. The sensors include one or more of an infrared sensor for sensing the environment with infrared electromagnetic radiation, or a depth sensor for sensing distances to objects of the environment, and also include an ultrasonic sensor for sensing the environment with ultrasonic sound waves. The controller determines graphical content according to the sensing of the environment with the one or more of the infrared sensor or the depth sensor and with the ultrasonic sensor, and operates the display to provide the graphical content concurrent with the sensing of the environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Killian J. Poore, Stephen E. Dey, Trevor J. Ness, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
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Publication number: 20200333891Abstract: A tracking system includes a stylus comprising a light emitter, a head-mounted device comprising an optical sensor configured to detect the light emitter, and a processor communicatively coupled to the optical sensor and configured to determine a position of the stylus based on detection of the light emitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Killian J. POORE, Stephen E. DEY, Trevor J. NESS
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Patent number: 10716344Abstract: A metallic mesh material used to form a portion of a band or securing strap for a wearable electronic device. The band may include a magnetic tab for securing a wearable device to the wrist of a user. The tab may include one or magnetic elements that are configured to engage a surface of the mesh to secure the wearable device to the wrist of a user.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Dey, Xingyu Wan, Justin T. Sawyer, Matthew N. Van Dyke, Hsiang Hung Chen
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Publication number: 20200089007Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a display system (e.g., a wearable HMD) is described that includes an internal housing; a lens that is positioned within the internal housing; a display module including a display panel that is positioned within the internal housing to allow for relative movement between the lens and the display module to adjust focus of the display panel; and a seal that extends between the internal housing and the display module to define an enclosed interior space accommodating the lens and relative movement between the lens and the display module.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Onur I. Ilkorur, Jia Tao, Kuldeep P. Lonkar, Stephen E. Dey, Phil M. Hobson, Jeremy C. Franklin
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Publication number: 20200064635Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a display with first and second pixel arrays that display content for a user. A head-mounted support structure in the device supports the pixel arrays on the head of the user. A left positioner may be used to position a left lens module that includes a left lens and the first pixel array. A right positioner may be used to position a right lens module that includes a right lens and the second pixel array. Sensing circuitry such as proximity sensing circuitry may be used to detect relative positions between the left and right lens modules and facing surfaces of a user's nose while the user is wearing the head-mounted support structure. Control circuitry may adjust the positions of the left and right lens modules using interpupillary distance information for the user and using information from the sensing circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Jia Tao, Phil M. Hobson, Stephen E. Dey
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Publication number: 20200026352Abstract: A system may include finger devices. A touch sensor may be mounted in a finger device housing to gather input from an external object as the object moves along an exterior surface of the housing. The touch sensor may include capacitive sensor electrodes. Sensors such as force sensors, ultrasonic sensors, inertial measurement units, optical sensors, and other components may be used in gathering finger input from a user. Finger input from a user may be used to manipulate virtual objects in a mixed reality or virtual reality environment while a haptic output device in a finger device provides associated haptic output. A user may interact with real-world objects while computer-generated content is overlaid over some or all of the objects. Object rotations and other movements may be converted into input for a mixed reality or virtual reality system using force measurements or other sensors measurements made with the finger devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Nicolai Georg, Benjamin R. Blachnitzky, Alhad A. Palkar, Minhazul Islam, Alex J. Lehmann, Madeleine S. Cordier, Joon-Sup Han, Hongcheng Sun, Sang E. Lee, Kevin Z. Lo, Lilli Ing-Marie Jonsson, Luis Deliz Centeno, Yuhao Pan, Stephen E. Dey, Paul N. DuMontelle, Jonathan C. Atler, Tianjia Sun, Jian Li, Chang Zhang
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Publication number: 20190369353Abstract: A head-mounted display may include a display system and a lens system in a housing. The head-mounted display may include control circuitry that operates the head-mounted display in an active use mode and a protected mode. In the protected mode, the display system may be protected from collisions with the lens system. Placing the head-mounted display in the protected mode may include using an actuator to increase the distance between the display system and the lens system, may include injecting fluid between the display system and the lens system, and/or may include deploying a protective layer between the display system and the lens system. The control circuitry may determine whether to operate the head-mounted display in protected mode or active use mode based on sensor data, on/off status information, location information, and/or other information.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Stephen E. Dey, Phil M. Hobson, Wey-Jiun Lin, Ivan S. Maric, Andreas G. Weber
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Patent number: 10448711Abstract: A first connector assembly may be connectable to a second connector assembly using a sliding attachment process, in which a front portion of the first connector assembly is inserted into an end of a slot in the second connector assembly and slides laterally along the slot until electrical contacts on the two connector assemblies are aligned. Electrical contacts of the first connector assembly may be biased proud to make contact with recessed electrical contacts in the second connector assembly. A retraction mechanism may be provided to retract the electrical contacts of the first connector assembly during lateral sliding. An interlock mechanism may be provided to prevent unwanted operation of the retraction mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Kallman, Eric S. Jol, Michael B. Wittenberg, Stephen E. Dey
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Publication number: 20180084873Abstract: A first connector assembly may be connectable to a second connector assembly using a sliding attachment process, in which a front portion of the first connector assembly is inserted into an end of a slot in the second connector assembly and slides laterally along the slot until electrical contacts on the two connector assemblies are aligned. Electrical contacts of the first connector assembly may be biased proud to make contact with recessed electrical contacts in the second connector assembly. A retraction mechanism may be provided to retract the electrical contacts of the first connector assembly during lateral sliding. An interlock mechanism may be provided to prevent unwanted operation of the retraction mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Kallman, Michael B. Wittenberg, Stephen E. Dey, Eric S. Jol