Patents by Inventor Tyler S. Bushnell

Tyler S. Bushnell 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: 20220391063
    Abstract: An electronic device disclosed herein is adapted to determine a location of touch input when liquid is present. The electronic device may include a force detection assembly having force detection units. When a touch input is applied to the display layer, the force detection units generates a differential capacitance that is used to determine a location of the touch input. The electronic device may further include a confidence interval algorithm that uses the location and builds a confidence interval around the location. The electronic device may include a touch input components that can determine whether the liquid is present. The confidence interval algorithm determines whether the liquid is present within the confidence interval and provides an updated location of the touch input. The electronic device further includes a machine learning algorithm designed predict a software application the user intends to select using the touch input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Maegan K. SPENCER, Tyler S. BUSHNELL
  • Patent number: 11520550
    Abstract: Device localization (e.g., ultra-wideband device localization) may be used to provide coordinated outputs and/or receive coordinated inputs using multiple devices. Providing coordinated outputs may include providing partial outputs using multiple devices, modifying an output of a device based on its position and/or orientation relative to another device, and the like. In some cases, each device of a set of multiple devices may provide a partial output, which combines with partial outputs of the remaining devices to produce a coordinated output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Erik G. de Jong
  • Patent number: 11513613
    Abstract: An input mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Collin R. Petty, Adam T. Clavelle
  • Publication number: 20220300041
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
  • Patent number: 11442505
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display. The display may have a flexible display layer covered by a protective display cover layer. The flexible display layer may be an organic light-emitting diode display layer or other layer with a flexible substrate. The flexible display layer may have a central region with peripheral edges. The central region may be rectangular, may be octagonal, or may have other shapes. Strip-shaped protrusions may extend along each of the peripheral edges of the central region. The strip-shaped protrusions may be bent to provide the protrusions with curved surface profiles. The display cover layer may have a cushion shape with bowed edges that overlap parts of the strip-shaped protrusions, may have curved inner and outer surfaces and/or planar surfaces, may have rounded corners with compound curvature, may have edges with curved surface profiles, and/or may have other configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler S. Bushnell
  • Patent number: 11422689
    Abstract: An electronic device disclosed herein is adapted to determine a location of touch input when liquid is present. The electronic device may include a force detection assembly having force detection units. When a touch input is applied to the display layer, the force detection units generates a differential capacitance that is used to determine a location of the touch input. The electronic device may further include a confidence interval algorithm that uses the location and builds a confidence interval around the location. The electronic device may include a touch input components that can determine whether the liquid is present. The confidence interval algorithm determines whether the liquid is present within the confidence interval and provides an updated location of the touch input. The electronic device further includes a machine learning algorithm designed predict a software application the user intends to select using the touch input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Maegan K. Spencer, Tyler S. Bushnell
  • Publication number: 20220240859
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a body, a housing component, a band operable to attach the body to a body part of a user, and a force sensor coupled to the housing component. The force sensor is operable to produce a force signal based on a force exerted between the body part of the user and the housing component. A processing unit of the wearable electronic device receives the force signal from the force sensor and determines the force exerted on the housing component based thereon. The processing unit may use that force to determine a tightness of the band, determine health information for the user, adjust determined force exerted on a cover glass, and/or to perform various other actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Steven J. Martisauskas, Erik G. de Jong, Andrzej T. Baranski, Serhan O. lsikman, Steven J. Banaska, Todd K. Whitehurst, Ming L. Sartee
  • Publication number: 20220233146
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a body, a housing component, a band operable to attach the body to a body part of a user, and a force sensor coupled to the housing component. The force sensor is operable to produce a force signal based on a force exerted between the body part of the user and the housing component. A processing unit of the wearable electronic device receives the force signal from the force sensor and determines the force exerted on the housing component based thereon. The processing unit may use that force to determine a tightness of the band, determine health information for the user, adjust determined force exerted on a cover glass, and/or to perform various other actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Steven J. Martisauskas, Erik G. de Jong, Andrzej T. Baranski, Serhan O. Isikman, Steven J. Banaska, Todd K. Whitehurst, Ming L. Sartee
  • Patent number: 11379011
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
  • Publication number: 20220179265
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display. The display may be mounted in a housing. Electronic components may be mounted in an interior region of the device. The display may have an array of pixels configured to display an image. A border region such as a ring-shaped border may run along the outermost peripheral edge of the array of pixels. The display may be covered by a transparent display cover layer. The transparent display cover layer may have opposing inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface may face the interior region of the device. A laser-marked light-scattering structure may be embedded within an interior portion of the display cover layer between the inner and outer surfaces. The light-scattering structure may be located in the border region and may be illuminated by a light-emitting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Richard A. Davis, Christopher M. Werner
  • Patent number: 11344258
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a body, a housing component, a band operable to attach the body to a body part of a user, and a force sensor coupled to the housing component. The force sensor is operable to produce a force signal based on a force exerted between the body part of the user and the housing component. A processing unit of the wearable electronic device receives the force signal from the force sensor and determines the force exerted on the housing component based thereon. The processing unit may use that force to determine a tightness of the band, determine health information for the user, adjust determined force exerted on a cover glass, and/or to perform various other actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Steven J. Martisauskas, Erik G. de Jong, Andrzej T. Baranski, Serhan O. Isikman, Steven J. Banaska, Todd K. Whitehurst, Ming L. Sartee
  • Patent number: 11347189
    Abstract: A watch having a camera is disclosed. The watch can include a housing having a front side, a back side, and an attachment interface configured to couple to a watch band. A camera can be mounted to the housing and configured to capture a picture of a scene through the back side of the housing. A display can be visible through the front side of the housing and configured to display the picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Antonio F. Herrera, Tyler S. Bushnell
  • Patent number: 11337654
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a body, a housing component, a band operable to attach the body to a body part of a user, and a force sensor coupled to the housing component. The force sensor is operable to produce a force signal based on a force exerted between the body part of the user and the housing component. A processing unit of the wearable electronic device receives the force signal from the force sensor and determines the force exerted on the housing component based thereon. The processing unit may use that force to determine a tightness of the band, determine health information for the user, adjust determined force exerted on a cover glass, and/or to perform various other actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Steven J. Martisauskas, Erik G. de Jong, Andrzej T. Baranski, Serhan O. Isikman, Steven J. Banaska, Todd K. Whitehurst, Ming L. Sartee
  • Patent number: 11313935
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a magnetometer of an electronic device can include detecting a change in a magnetism of the electronic device, collecting a first magnetic field data from the magnetometer at sampling frequency of at least 1 hertz, generating an elliptical calibration model based at least partially on the collected first magnetic field data, collecting a second magnetic field data from the magnetometer, and fitting the collected second magnetic field data to a sphere using the elliptical calibration model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gunes Dervisoglu, Christopher D. Guichet, Adam S. Howell, Alexander J. Wiens, Christopher E. Balcells, Erik L. Wang, Jonathan M. Beard, Tang Y. Tan, Theodore Lao, Tyler S. Bushnell, Hung A. Pham
  • Patent number: 11287697
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display. The display may be mounted in a housing. Electronic components may be mounted in an interior region of the device. The display may have an array of pixels configured to display an image. A border region such as a ring-shaped border may run along the outermost peripheral edge of the array of pixels. The display may be covered by a transparent display cover layer. The transparent display cover layer may have opposing inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface may face the interior region of the device. A laser-marked light-scattering structure may be embedded within an interior portion of the display cover layer between the inner and outer surfaces. The light-scattering structure may be located in the border region and may be illuminated by a light-emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Richard A. Davis, Christopher M. Werner
  • Publication number: 20220075327
    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: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Tyler S. BUSHNELL, Sameer PANDYA, Steven P. CARDINALI
  • Patent number: 11209783
    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: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Sameer Pandya, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Patent number: 11188151
    Abstract: A portable electronic device is described in this disclosure. The portable electronic device can take many forms including for example a smart watch, a smart phone, or a tablet computing device. The portable electronic device can include a device housing component; and a display assembly coupled to the device housing component. The display assembly includes a protective cover that shields a display component from damage. The portable electronic device also includes an actuator configured to apply a vibratory input to the display assembly. In some embodiments, the actuator contacts both the device housing component and the protective cover of the display assembly. In some embodiments, the actuator is affixed only to an interior-facing surface of the display component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Justin D. Crosby, Kevin Truong, Nikolas T. Vitt, Daniel Corona
  • Publication number: 20210360100
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing damping analyses on a device are disclosed. The damping analyses may be used by a device in numerous ways. For example, in some embodiments, damping analyses are used to determine whether a device is being worn or held by a user. In some embodiments, damping analyses are used to determine which user of multiple users is wearing a device. In some embodiments, damping analyses are used to determine the body composition of a user who is holding or wearing the device. In some embodiments, damping analyses are used to determine how much force a user is applying to a device via a touch input. In some embodiments, damping analyses are used to determine whether and to what extent a sensor is in contact with a body of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: David I. Nazzaro, Erik G. De Jong, Steven J. Martisauskas, Tyler S. Bushnell
  • Publication number: 20210325932
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display. The display may have a flexible display layer covered by a protective display cover layer. The flexible display layer may be an organic light-emitting diode display layer or other layer with a flexible substrate. The flexible display layer may have a central region with peripheral edges. The central region may be rectangular, may be octagonal, or may have other shapes. Strip-shaped protrusions may extend along each of the peripheral edges of the central region. The strip-shaped protrusions may be bent to provide the protrusions with curved surface profiles. The display cover layer may have a cushion shape with bowed edges that overlap parts of the strip-shaped protrusions, may have curved inner and outer surfaces and/or planar surfaces, may have rounded corners with compound curvature, may have edges with curved surface profiles, and/or may have other configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventor: Tyler S. Bushnell