Patents by Inventor Trevor J. Ness
Trevor J. Ness 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: 20220269221Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing at least partially defining an interior cavity divided into at least a first volume and a second volume, a pressure-sensing component positioned within the first volume, a speaker positioned within the first volume, a processor positioned within the second volume, a battery positioned within the second volume, and a barometric vent that allows air pressure equalization between the first volume and an external environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Shannon X. Yang, William C. Lukens, Mandeep Gill, Jeanny Wang, William S. Lee, Stephen P. Jackson, Rex T. Ehman, Colin M. Ely, Nikolas T. Vitt, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 11379011Abstract: A biometric button assembly may be disposed in an opening of an enclosure of an electronic device. The biometric button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device. The biometric button assembly may further include a biometric sensor for detecting the received inputs and transmitting a signal to a processor of the electronic device. The signal may correspond to a biometric characteristic, such as a fingerprint. A flexible conduit may transmit the signal to the processor. A portion of the flexible conduit and a seal may be positioned between the button assembly and the enclosure that prevents contaminants from entering the button housing and the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 11334032Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing at least partially defining an interior cavity divided into at least a first volume and a second volume, a pressure-sensing component positioned within the first volume, a speaker positioned within the first volume, a processor positioned within the second volume, a battery positioned within the second volume, and a barometric vent that allows air pressure equalization between the first volume and an external environment.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Shannon X. Yang, William C. Lukens, Mandeep Gill, Jeanny Wang, William S. Lee, Stephen P. Jackson, Rex T. Ehman, Colin M. Ely, Nikolas T. Vitt, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 11218824Abstract: A head-mounted device can effectively manage heat while also managing noise output levels in a manner that preserves the user's desired experience with the head-mounted device. The head-mounted device can manage sound levels of a cooling system based on detected a sound level of ambient noise in a vicinity of the head-mounted device. For example, the head-mounted device can operate a fan at a speed that produces noise at a sound level that is low enough to be masked by the ambient noise perceived by the user. By further example, the sound level of a cooling system can be based on a sound level of a speaker of the head-mounted device providing audio to the user. By further example, other operational parameters of a cooling system can be controlled to manage noise at a sound level that is sufficiently low.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Edward S. Huo, Trevor J. Ness, Sivesh Selvakumar, Anna V. Mirabella, Phil M. Hobson
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Publication number: 20210383657Abstract: A connectible component is connected to a housing. A sensor of the housing is utilized to detect an identity element of the at connectible component. The connectible component is identified utilizing the at least one sensor. In some implementations, identification of the connectible component may identify whether or not a connectible component is connected to the housing. In other implementations, identification of the connectible component may identify the type of connectible component that is connected. In such implementations, the housing may house an electronic device and the electronic device may be configured based on the type of connectible component that is connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 11196148Abstract: An electronic device such as a wristwatch may have a housing with metal portions such as metal sidewalls. The housing may form an antenna ground for an antenna. An antenna resonating element for the antenna may be formed from a stack of capacitively coupled component layers such as a display layer, touch sensor layer, and near-field communications antenna layer at a front face of the device. An additional antenna may be formed from a peripheral resonating element that runs along a peripheral edge of the device and the antenna ground. A rear face antenna may be formed using a wireless power receiving coil as a radio-frequency antenna resonating element or may be formed from metal antenna traces on a plastic support for light-based components.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Rex T. Ehman, Jayesh Nath, Carlo Di Nallo, James G. Horiuchi, Erik G. de Jong, Jason C. Sauers, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Siwen Yong, Lijun Zhang, Yi Jiang, Zheyu Wang, Mario Martinis, Eduardo Da costa Bras Lima, Xu Han, Mattia Pascolini, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 11150474Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a display for displaying image content. Head-mounted support structures in the device may be used to support the display. The head-mounted device or external equipment may include a three-dimensional image sensor. The three-dimensional image sensor may capture a three-dimensional image of a user's face. Control circuitry may analyze the three-dimensional image to identify which of multiple versions of a customizing face-fit module should be used in the electronic device to fit the device to the user's face. An appropriate face-fit module may be identified based on facial features such as facial size and the shapes of a user's forehead, nose, and cheeks. After identifying which version of the face-fit module is to be used by the user, that version of the face-fit module may be coupled to a non-custom portion of a main unit for the head-mounted device using magnets or other coupling structures.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 11107334Abstract: A connectible component is connected to a housing. A sensor of the housing is utilized to detect an identity element of the at connectible component. The connectible component is identified utilizing the at least one sensor. In some implementations, identification of the connectible component may identify whether or not a connectible component is connected to the housing. In other implementations, identification of the connectible component may identify the type of connectible component that is connected. In such implementations, the housing may house an electronic device and the electronic device may be configured based on the type of connectible component that is connected.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 11079812Abstract: A modular button assembly includes a button housing that may be disposed in an opening of an enclosure of an electronic device. The modular button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device. The modular button assembly may further include a sensor for detecting the received inputs and transmitting a signal to a processor of the electronic device. The modular button assembly may be configured such that disposing the button housing in the opening of the enclosure forms a seal that prevents contaminants from entering the button housing and the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Trevor J. Ness, James G. Horiuchi, Steven P. Cardinali
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Patent number: 11011943Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe a wireless power receiving system for an electronic device includes: a first inductor coil configured to receive power primarily at a first frequency and from magnetic fields propagating in a first direction; and a second inductor coil configured to receive power primarily at a second frequency and from magnetic fields propagating in a second direction, wherein the first frequency is different than the second frequency.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Stefan A. Kowalski, Christopher S. Graham, Morgan T. McClure, Erik G. de Jong, Trevor J. Ness, Peter J. Kardassakis, Jayesh Nath, Adam T. Clavelle, Rex Tyler Ehman
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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: 20200409147Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a display for displaying image content. Head-mounted support structures in the device may be used to support the display. The head-mounted device or external equipment may include a three-dimensional image sensor. The three-dimensional image sensor may capture a three-dimensional image of a user's face. Control circuitry may analyze the three-dimensional image to identify which of multiple versions of a customizing face-fit module should be used in the electronic device to fit the device to the user's face. An appropriate face-fit module may be identified based on facial features such as facial size and the shapes of a user's forehead, nose, and cheeks. After identifying which version of the face-fit module is to be used by the user, that version of the face-fit module may be coupled to a non-custom portion of a main unit for the head-mounted device using magnets or other coupling structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 10866619Abstract: A biometric button assembly may be disposed in an opening of an enclosure of an electronic device. The biometric button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device. The biometric button assembly may further include a biometric sensor for detecting the received inputs and transmitting a signal to a processor of the electronic device. The signal may correspond to a biometric characteristic, such as a fingerprint. A flexible conduit may transmit the signal to the processor. A portion of the flexible conduit and a seal may be positioned between the button assembly and the enclosure that prevents contaminants from entering the button housing and the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2017Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 10855110Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe a wireless power receiving system for an electronic device includes: a first inductor coil configured to receive power primarily at a first frequency and from magnetic fields propagating in a first direction; and a second inductor coil configured to receive power primarily at a second frequency and from magnetic fields propagating in a second direction, wherein the first frequency is different than the second frequency.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Stefan A. Kowalski, Christopher S. Graham, Morgan T. McClure, Erik G. de Jong, Trevor J. Ness, Peter J. Kardassakis, Jayesh Nath, Adam T. Clavelle, Rex Tyler Ehman
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Patent number: 10848864Abstract: A liquid-resistant module can be formed as a laminated construct having a housing, a cap, and a port membrane to inhibit liquid from passing across the membrane. The housing defines an internal duct extending from an inlet port to an outlet region. The cap defines an acoustic port and extends across the outlet region of the housing. The port membrane is attached to the cap and extends across the acoustic passage. The port membrane inhibits passage of liquid water through the membrane at differential pressures across the membrane less than a threshold pressure differential, and yet is gas permeable. The module can provide a liquid-resistant seal with an enclosure of an electronic device, and an enclosed microphone transducer or an enclosed loudspeaker transducer can be attached to the cap such that a port opening to or from the transducer is aligned with the acoustic port.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Shannon X. Yang, William Lukens, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 10838203Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a display for displaying image content. Head-mounted support structures in the device may be used to support the display. The head-mounted device or external equipment may include a three-dimensional image sensor. The three-dimensional image sensor may capture a three-dimensional image of a user's face. Control circuitry may analyze the three-dimensional image to identify which of multiple versions of a customizing face-fit module should be used in the electronic device to fit the device to the user's face. An appropriate face-fit module may be identified based on facial features such as facial size and the shapes of a user's forehead, nose, and cheeks. After identifying which version of the face-fit module is to be used by the user, that version of the face-fit module may be coupled to a non-custom portion of a main unit for the head-mounted device using magnets or other coupling structures.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Trevor J. Ness
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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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Patent number: 10818149Abstract: A connectible component is connected to a housing. A sensor of the housing is utilized to detect an identity element of the at connectible component. The connectible component is identified utilizing the at least one sensor. In some implementations, identification of the connectible component may identify whether or not a connectible component is connected to the housing. In other implementations, identification of the connectible component may identify the type of connectible component that is connected. In such implementations, the housing may house an electronic device and the electronic device may be configured based on the type of connectible component that is connected.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Trevor J. Ness
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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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Publication number: 20200286344Abstract: A connectible component is connected to a housing. A sensor of the housing is utilized to detect an identity element of the at connectible component. The connectible component is identified utilizing the at least one sensor. In some implementations, identification of the connectible component may identify whether or not a connectible component is connected to the housing. In other implementations, identification of the connectible component may identify the type of connectible component that is connected. In such implementations, the housing may house an electronic device and the electronic device may be configured based on the type of connectible component that is connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Trevor J. Ness