Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Luce

Thomas R. Luce 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: 10219057
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed that includes one or more sealed audio modules that are unaffected by changes in the internal pressure within the electronic device. The audio modules can also include one or more features that increase the audible bandwidth of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Luce, Anthony P. Grazian, Hongdan Tao, Christopher Wilk, Daniel W. Jarvis, David A. Pakula
  • Patent number: 10015574
    Abstract: A portable electronic device is described and includes a device housing, an acoustic housing disposed within the device housing and defining an interior volume, a speaker diaphragm assembly disposed within the interior volume and in fluid communication with a first opening leading out of the housing, and a microphone disposed within the interior volume and in fluid communication with a second opening leading out of the acoustic housing. Placing both the speaker diaphragm assembly and microphone within the same acoustic housing allows both components to share common power and data transfer circuitry. Furthermore, the additional volume of the acoustic housing used to accommodate the microphone can improve the acoustic performance of the speaker diaphragm assembly by increasing the back volume associated with the speaker diaphragm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Luce, Robert I. Luan, Thomas H. Tsang
  • Publication number: 20180084323
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed that includes one or more sealed audio modules that are unaffected by changes in the internal pressure within the electronic device. The audio modules can also include one or more features that increase the audible bandwidth of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas R. Luce, Anthony P. Grazian, Hongdan Tao, Christopher Wilk, Daniel W. Jarvis, David A. Pakula
  • Publication number: 20170068279
    Abstract: This application relates to a portable electronic device includes at least a device housing having walls that define a cavity, the walls having edges that define an opening that leads into the cavity. Component assembly features used to secure components received through the opening to each other and/or to the walls during an assembly operation, and a protective cover formed of transparent material and disposed within the opening and secured to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel W. JARVIS, James B. SMITH, Kuldeep P. LONKAR, Timothy S. LUI, Robert F. MEYER, Michael W. FIRKA, Lee E. HOOTON, Thomas R. LUCE
  • Publication number: 20150333545
    Abstract: An interconnection unit disposed between an electric device (ED) and a host power source, including an isolation unit, an ED connector that is configured to electrically interconnect the ED and the isolation unit, and a power connector that is configured to electrically interconnect the host power source and the isolation unit. The isolation unit prevents unauthorized access of the ED by the host power source during the charging process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Luce
  • Patent number: 8408745
    Abstract: Systems and methods that incorporate a variable liquid lens are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, a light projecting system includes a light source, and a light processing assembly configured to receive a light beam from the light source and to project an output field. The light processing assembly includes at least one liquid lens configured to controllably process the light beam such that the output field is variable between a relatively-broader illuminating field and a relatively-narrower targeting field. In some embodiments, a controller may controllably adjust the at least one liquid lens to alternately provide the illuminating field and the targeting field, and may controllably adjust at least one dwell time to adjust a brightness of at least one of the illuminating and targeting fields, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: B.E. Meyers & Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Cameron, Thomas R. Luce
  • Publication number: 20120063142
    Abstract: Systems and methods that incorporate a variable liquid lens are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, a light projecting system includes a light source, and a light processing assembly configured to receive a light beam from the light source and to project an output field. The light processing assembly includes at least one liquid lens configured to controllably process the light beam such that the output field is variable between a relatively-broader illuminating field and a relatively-narrower targeting field. In some embodiments, a controller may controllably adjust the at least one liquid lens to alternately provide the illuminating field and the targeting field, and may controllably adjust at least one dwell time to adjust a brightness of at least one of the illuminating and targeting fields, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Mark Cameron, Thomas R. Luce