Patents by Inventor Steven M. Scardato

Steven M. Scardato 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: 11892701
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may have optical modules that present images to the user's left and right eyes. The optical modules may move with respect to each other to accommodate different user interpupillary distances. Each optical module may have a lens barrel, a display coupled to the lens barrel that generates an image, and a lens mounted to the lens barrel through which the image is viewable from an eye box. The lens may be a multi-element lens formed from molded lens elements such as molded polymer lens elements. A lens element may be provided with protrusions that form lens tabs. The lens tabs may have coplanar lens tab surfaces that mate with corresponding coplanar mounting surfaces in the lens barrel. Alignment marks may be formed on the protrusions and/or other portions of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Forrest C. Wang, Jan K. Quijalvo, John N. Border, Steven M. Scardato, Wey-Jiun Lin
  • Publication number: 20240036238
    Abstract: A privacy film may have a light-blocking layer that is interposed between first and second transparent substrates. The light-blocking layer may have a plurality of opaque portions and a plurality of transparent portions. The opaque portions may be shaped to ensure light from the display is directed only to the primary viewer of the display. Each opaque portion of the light-blocking layer may extend along a respective longitudinal axis between the first and second transparent substrates. Privacy films used to cover curved displays may have opaque portions that extend along longitudinal axes that have different angles relative to the transparent substrates. Opaque portions in the edge of the privacy film may have longitudinal axes that are at non-perpendicular angles with respect to the transparent substrates. A privacy film for a curved display may also include a light-redirecting layer such as a prism layer or a liquid crystal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Yi Huang, Steven M. Scardato, ByoungSuk Kim, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Wenyong Zhu
  • Patent number: 11822103
    Abstract: A privacy film may have a light-blocking layer that is interposed between first and second transparent substrates. The light-blocking layer may have a plurality of opaque portions and a plurality of transparent portions. The opaque portions may be shaped to ensure light from the display is directed only to the primary viewer of the display. Each opaque portion of the light-blocking layer may extend along a respective longitudinal axis between the first and second transparent substrates. Privacy films used to cover curved displays may have opaque portions that extend along longitudinal axes that have different angles relative to the transparent substrates. Opaque portions in the edge of the privacy film may have longitudinal axes that are at non-perpendicular angles with respect to the transparent substrates. A privacy film for a curved display may also include a light-redirecting layer such as a prism layer or a liquid crystal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Huang, Steven M. Scardato, ByoungSuk Kim, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Wenyong Zhu
  • Patent number: 11803276
    Abstract: An electronic device with a force sensing device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a user input surface defining an exterior surface of the electronic device, a first capacitive sensing element, and a second capacitive sensing element capacitively coupled to the first capacitive sensing element. The electronic device also comprises a first spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements, and a second spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements. The first and second spacing layers have different compositions. The electronic device also comprises sensing circuitry coupled to the first and second capacitive sensing elements configured to determine an amount of applied force on the user input surface. The first spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is below a force threshold, and the second spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is above the force threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dhaval C. Patel, Eugene C. Cheung, Pey-Jiun Ko, Po-Jui Chen, Robert W. Rumford, Steve L. Terry, Wei Lin, Xiaofan Niu, Xiaoqi Zhou, Yi Gu, Yindar Chuo, Rasmi R. Das, Steven M. Scardato, Se Hyun Ahn, Victor H. Yin, Wookyung Bae, Christopher L. Boitnott, Chun-Hao Tung, Mookyung Son, Sunggu Kang, Nathan K. Gupta, John Z. Zhong
  • Publication number: 20230062202
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display. The display may include an array of pixels formed on a silicon substrate. Display driver circuitry may be formed in a display driver integrated circuit that outputs display data and other control signals for operating the display. An interposer structure may be included in the electronic device. The interposer structure may be attached to the silicon display substrate and may only partially overlap the silicon display substrate. The display driver integrated circuit may be attached to the interposer structure and provide signals to the display pixels through the interposer structure. In another possible arrangement, the display driver integrated circuit may bridge a gap between the silicon display substrate and the flexible printed circuit. The display driver integrated circuit only partially overlaps the silicon display substrate in this arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Steven M Scardato, Baris Cagdaser, Patrick B Bennett, Michael Slootsky, Alejandro X Levander, Henry C Jen
  • Publication number: 20210325625
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may have optical modules that present images to the user's left and right eyes. The optical modules may move with respect to each other to accommodate different user interpupillary distances. Each optical module may have a lens barrel, a display coupled to the lens barrel that generates an image, and a lens mounted to the lens barrel through which the image is viewable from an eye box. The lens may be a multi-element lens formed from molded lens elements such as molded polymer lens elements. A lens element may be provided with protrusions that form lens tabs. The lens tabs may have coplanar lens tab surfaces that mate with corresponding coplanar mounting surfaces in the lens barrel. Alignment marks may be formed on the protrusions and/or other portions of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Forrest C. Wang, Jan K. Quijalvo, John N. Border, Steven M. Scardato, Wey-Jiun Lin
  • Patent number: 11129284
    Abstract: A rigid flex printed circuit board (PCB), method of manufacture, and display system incorporating the same are described. In an embodiment, a rigid flex PCB includes a flexible area extending from an adjacent routing area that is thicker than the flexible area. A flexible inner core spans the flexible area and the adjacent routing area. Outer stack-up layers are on the flexible inner core in the adjacent routing area. A cavity is formed in the outer stack-up layers in the routing area and exposes the flexible inner core. In an embodiment, a display system including such a circuit board may include an electronic component mounted on the flexible inner core within the cavity, and a distal end of the flexible area is bonded to a display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Adjiwibawa, Shaowei Qin, Victor H. Yin, Wenyong Zhu, Steven M. Scardato
  • Publication number: 20210208313
    Abstract: A privacy film may have a light-blocking layer that is interposed between first and second transparent substrates. The light-blocking layer may have a plurality of opaque portions and a plurality of transparent portions. The opaque portions may be shaped to ensure light from the display is directed only to the primary viewer of the display. Each opaque portion of the light-blocking layer may extend along a respective longitudinal axis between the first and second transparent substrates. Privacy films used to cover curved displays may have opaque portions that extend along longitudinal axes that have different angles relative to the transparent substrates. Opaque portions in the edge of the privacy film may have longitudinal axes that are at non-perpendicular angles with respect to the transparent substrates. A privacy film for a curved display may also include a light-redirecting layer such as a prism layer or a liquid crystal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Yi Huang, Steven M. Scardato, ByoungSuk Kim, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Wenyong Zhu
  • Patent number: 10983256
    Abstract: A privacy film may have a light-blocking layer that is interposed between first and second transparent substrates. The light-blocking layer may have a plurality of opaque portions and a plurality of transparent portions. The opaque portions may be shaped to ensure light from the display is directed only to the primary viewer of the display. Each opaque portion of the light-blocking layer may extend along a respective longitudinal axis between the first and second transparent substrates. Privacy films used to cover curved displays may have opaque portions that extend along longitudinal axes that have different angles relative to the transparent substrates. Opaque portions in the edge of the privacy film may have longitudinal axes that are at non-perpendicular angles with respect to the transparent substrates. A privacy film for a curved display may also include a light-redirecting layer such as a prism layer or a liquid crystal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Huang, Steven M. Scardato, ByoungSuk Kim, Jun Qi, Victor H Yin, Wenyong Zhu
  • Patent number: 10964235
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display. The display includes display driver circuitry for driving data lines routed across the display. The electronic device may have a recessed device housing region, where at least some of the data lines are routed around the recessed region. The data lines being routed around the recessed region may be formed in at least two different metal routing layers. The electronic device may further include additional display driver circuitry for driving data lines from another peripheral housing edge to obviate the need to route around the recessed region. The data lines from the two display driver circuitries can be disconnected at random locations or can be interlaced to achieve spatial interleaving. The display driver circuitry may include demultiplexing circuitry having smaller switches coupled in parallel with larger demultiplexer routing switches to reduce voltage kick and charge injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ho Yu, Xiaofeng Wang, ByoungSuk Kim, Chun-Yao Huang, Fenghua Zheng, Hopil Bae, Patrick B. Bennett, Steven M. Scardato, Yi Huang
  • Publication number: 20210089168
    Abstract: An electronic device with a force sensing device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a user input surface defining an exterior surface of the electronic device, a first capacitive sensing element, and a second capacitive sensing element capacitively coupled to the first capacitive sensing element. The electronic device also comprises a first spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements, and a second spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements. The first and second spacing layers have different compositions. The electronic device also comprises sensing circuitry coupled to the first and second capacitive sensing elements configured to determine an amount of applied force on the user input surface. The first spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is below a force threshold, and the second spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is above the force threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Dhaval C. Patel, Eugene C. Cheung, Pey-Jiun Ko, Po-Jui Chen, Robert W. Rumford, Steve L. Terry, Wei Lin, Xiaofan Niu, Xiaoqi Zhou, Yi Gu, Yindar Chuo, Rasmi R. Das, Steven M. Scardato, Se Hyun Ahn, Victor H. Yin, Wookyung Bae, Christopher L. Boitnott, Chun-Hao Tung, Mookyung Son, Sunggu Kang, Nathan K. Gupta, John Z. Zhong
  • Publication number: 20210084777
    Abstract: A rigid flex printed circuit board (PCB), method of manufacture, and display system incorporating the same are described. In an embodiment, a rigid flex PCB includes a flexible area extending from an adjacent routing area that is thicker than the flexible area. A flexible inner core spans the flexible area and the adjacent routing area. Outer stack-up layers are on the flexible inner core in the adjacent routing area. A cavity is formed in the outer stack-up layers in the routing area and exposes the flexible inner core. In an embodiment, a display system including such a circuit board may include an electronic component mounted on the flexible inner core within the cavity, and a distal end of the flexible area is bonded to a display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Adam Adjiwibawa, Shaowei Qin, Victor H. Yin, Wenyong Zhu, Steven M. Scardato
  • Publication number: 20200049864
    Abstract: A privacy film may have a light-blocking layer that is interposed between first and second transparent substrates. The light-blocking layer may have a plurality of opaque portions and a plurality of transparent portions. The opaque portions may be shaped to ensure light from the display is directed only to the primary viewer of the display. Each opaque portion of the light-blocking layer may extend along a respective longitudinal axis between the first and second transparent substrates. Privacy films used to cover curved displays may have opaque portions that extend along longitudinal axes that have different angles relative to the transparent substrates. Opaque portions in the edge of the privacy film may have longitudinal axes that are at non-perpendicular angles with respect to the transparent substrates. A privacy film for a curved display may also include a light-redirecting layer such as a prism layer or a liquid crystal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Yi Huang, Steven M. Scardato, ByoungSuk Kim, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Wenyong Zhu
  • Patent number: 9851593
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for rear assembly of a display with a frame assembly having a frame joined to a liquid crystal layer (e.g., cell), initially forming a front of the display. The frame may be substantially continuous with the cell and formed without an adhesive layer, reducing a thickness of the display. The frame may be injection molded about the cell with a thermoplastic or thermoset material. Molding the frame about the cell may enable the frame to uniformly support the cell and/or support the cell with less material or structure. Various layers may be added to the frame assembly from a rear of the display. Rear assembly may further reduce the thickness of the display by removing one or more adhesive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Steven M. Scardato
  • Publication number: 20170242506
    Abstract: An electronic device with a force sensing device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a user input surface defining an exterior surface of the electronic device, a first capacitive sensing element, and a second capacitive sensing element capacitively coupled to the first capacitive sensing element. The electronic device also comprises a first spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements, and a second spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements. The first and second spacing layers have different compositions. The electronic device also comprises sensing circuitry coupled to the first and second capacitive sensing elements configured to determine an amount of applied force on the user input surface. The first spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is below a force threshold, and the second spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is above the force threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Dhaval C. Patel, Eugene C. Cheung, Pey-Jiun Ko, Po-Jui Chen, Robert W. Rumford, Steve L. Terry, Wei Lin, Xiaofan Niu, Xiaoqi Zhou, Yi Gu, Yindar Chuo, Rasmi R. Das, Steven M. Scardato, Se Hyun Ahn, Victor H. Yin, Wookyung Bae, Christopher L. Boitnott, Chun-Hao Tung, Mookyung Son, Sunggu Kang, Nathan K. Gupta, John Z. Zhong
  • Patent number: 9057808
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for using a textured surface of a light guide plate to reduce friction between the light guide plate and an adjacent film. A textured surface across an interior region of the light guide may guide light towards a top surface of the textured light guide. A film positioned on the bottom surface of the textured light guide may reflect light towards the top surface. The film may be positioned within the interior region as a substantially flat (e.g., planar) layer. The surface features may reduce the friction to enable the textured light guide plate and/or film to expand or contract independently from one another due to varying temperatures without forming wrinkles on the film or changing the planarity of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Steven M. Scardato
  • Publication number: 20140071377
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for rear assembly of a display with a frame assembly having a frame joined to a liquid crystal layer (e.g., cell), initially forming a front of the display. The frame may be substantially continuous with the cell and formed without an adhesive layer, reducing a thickness of the display. The frame may be injection molded about the cell with a thermoplastic or thermoset material. Molding the frame about the cell may enable the frame to uniformly support the cell and/or support the cell with less material or structure. Various layers may be added to the frame assembly from a rear of the display. Rear assembly may further reduce the thickness of the display by removing one or more adhesive layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Steven M. Scardato
  • Publication number: 20140071382
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for using a textured surface of a light guide plate to reduce friction between the light guide plate and an adjacent film. A textured surface across an interior region of the light guide may guide light towards a top surface of the textured light guide. A film positioned on the bottom surface of the textured light guide may reflect light towards the top surface. The film may be positioned within the interior region as a substantially flat (e.g., planar) layer. The surface features may reduce the friction to enable the textured light guide plate and/or film to expand or contract independently from one another due to varying temperatures without forming wrinkles on the film or changing the planarity of the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: Steven M. Scardato