Patents Assigned to ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
  • Patent number: 10021226
    Abstract: Techniques are described for mounting a display and/or display cover to a housing of a display device, such as a mobile phone. In an embodiment, the housing and display cover include chamfered edges at complementary angles to allow for an “edge-to-edge” display. The display cover and housing are affixed to each other at the chamfered edges using curable liquid adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Sean Gagne-Keats, Matthew Hershenson, Xinrui Jiang, Xiaoyu Miao, Andrew E. Rubin, Joseph Anthony Tate, David John Evans, V, Rebecca Schultz Zavin
  • Patent number: 10013979
    Abstract: The present disclosure contemplates a variety of methods and systems for enabling users to automatically expand the set of commands a user can issue. An assistant device can receive a user instruction via microphone and determine a voice activatable command and device description. The assistant device can then identify that no adapter associated with the voice activatable command and device description is available. The user can be prompted to provide a second voice activatable command or a second device description which can then be used to identify an adapter. The assistant device can store the voice activatable command or the device description in association with the identified adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Manuel Roman, Mara Clair Segal, Dwipal Desai, Andrew E. Rubin
  • Patent number: 9998642
    Abstract: The technology disclosed here maximizes the size of the display area associated with the mobile device by various camera placement. In one embodiment, the camera is placed inside the mobile device, and can pop outside the mobile device when the camera is activated. When the camera is inactive the camera retracts inside the mobile device, and becomes unnoticeable to the user. In another embodiment, the camera is integrated into the mobile device display as a camera icon. The integrated camera serves two purposes: to record pictures, and to act as a camera icon, that when selected activates the camera. By removing the camera from the front side of the mobile device, or by integrating the camera into the display screen of the mobile device, the size of the mobile device display screen can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Xinrui Jiang, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Xiaoyu Miao
  • Patent number: 9996158
    Abstract: Introduced here are methods and systems to create a relief on an electronic display. In one embodiment, the relief is created by micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) placed above a cover layer of the electronic display. Each MEMS when activated can protrude or depress, thus creating the relief on the electronic display. In another embodiment, the relief is created by a plurality of resistors placed beneath the cover layer. The cover layer is made out of an elastically deformable material that, when heated, expands, thus creating a protrusion on the electronic display. Each resistor when activated heats a section of the cover layer, causing the cover layer to protrude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Andrew E. Rubin, Xinrui Jiang, Xiaoyu Miao, Joseph Anthony Tate, Matthew Hershenson, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats, Michael Kolb
  • Patent number: 9989757
    Abstract: Disclosed here are methods and systems to vary geometry of an optical lens, so that a single lens can assume various geometries, and change from a portrait lens, to a standard lens, to a wide-angle lens, to a fisheye lens, etc. The lens is made out of piecewise linear elements of polygonal shape, that can move in relation to forcing members laid out on a plane. The forcing members can exert a force on the corresponding piecewise linear elements to cause them to move in relation to the forcing members. The force can be electrical, magnetic, mechanical, etc. As a result, the optical lens can assume various shapes such as concave, convex, and planar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Xinrui Jiang, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Xiaoyu Miao, Joseph Anthony Tate, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats
  • Patent number: 9986424
    Abstract: Management of devices on a wireless network is described. An assistant device can determine that another device is missing configuration settings to use a wireless network. Using another wireless network employing a different protocol, the missing configuration settings can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Manuel Roman, Mara Clair Segal, Dwipal Desai, Andrew E. Rubin
  • Patent number: 9985846
    Abstract: Management of devices on a wireless network is described. An assistant device can determine how a user used resources and/or devices outside of an environment. Based on how the user used those resources and/or devices, configuration settings of local devices within the environment can be updated to provide new resources or settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Manuel Roman, Mara Clair Segal, Dwipal Desai, Andrew E. Rubin
  • Patent number: 9980183
    Abstract: Facilitating a conversation using resources of devices within an environment is described. A user within an environment can be determined to be engaged in a conversation with another person via a mobile device. Characteristics of the environment can be determined and devices that can provide playback of content of the conversation or receive content of the conversation can be identified based on the characteristics of the environment. Playback of content and receiving of content can then be provided using the resources of the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Mara Clair Segal, Manuel Roman, Dwipal Desai, Andrew E. Rubin
  • Patent number: 9973919
    Abstract: A handheld device can include antenna elements and a housing. The housing can include a processor, communications circuitry communicatively coupled to the plurality of antenna elements and the processor, and memory including instructions executable by the processor. The executable instructions can cause the handheld device to estimate a geographic location of the handheld device, configure the communications circuitry and/or the antenna elements for a communications resource. The communications resource can be selected based on the geographic location of the handheld device. The handheld device can be further caused to enable access to a wireless network by using the communication circuitry and the antenna elements as configured in accordance with the communications resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Tate, Xinrui Jiang, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Xiaoyu Miao, David John Evans, V, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats, Rebecca Schultz Zavin
  • Patent number: 9967374
    Abstract: A mobile device can include a unibody component (e.g. chassis shell) with at least a co-mold feature that isolates a contiguous portion of the unibody component from an outer portion of the unibody component. For example, the outer portion and the contiguous portion can be made of an electrically conductive material. The co-mold feature can be made of non-conductive material that electrically isolates the contiguous portion from the outer portion. The co-mold feature can be made by co-molding a resin material in a channel cut into a piece of metal and later exposing the cured resin material on two sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Xinrui Jiang, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Xiaoyu Miao, Joseph Anthony Tate, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats
  • Patent number: 9965869
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a light sensor, such as a camera, records an image through the surface with the residue to produce a stained image. A processor associated with the camera identifies object outlines within the image using a machine learning model, and smooth the colors within the object outlines. In another embodiment, the light sensor is placed beneath a dual-mode region of a display containing the residue. The dual-mode region can be opaque and function as part of the display, or can be transparent and allow environment light to reach the light sensor. Initially, the processor determines the position of the residue by causing the dual-mode region to display a predetermined pattern, while the light sensor records the predetermined pattern. Using the determined position of the residue, the processor corrects the pixels within the residue in the recorded image, by interpolating the values of the pixels outside of the residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Xinrui Jiang, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Xiaoyu Miao, Joseph Anthony Tate, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats
  • Patent number: 9959027
    Abstract: Presented here are systems and methods to enable software applications to display images on irregular screen shapes containing the shape without display functionality. In one embodiment, the shape without display functionality is confined within a bounding shape, which, when subtracted from the irregular screen shape leaves a rectangular area of the screen where the image can be displayed. The area within the bounding shape can be occupied by images provided by the operating system associated with the irregular screen, such as a status bar and/or navigation bar. In another embodiment, the image can be displayed on the full irregular screen, such that the shape without display functionality covers a part of the image. When the occluded part of the image contains a critical object, such as a menu item, a button, etc., the image can be modified to move the critical object out of the area occluded by the shape without display functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Adithya Gajulapally, Michael Kolb, Rebecca Schultz Zavin
  • Patent number: 9961283
    Abstract: In one embodiment, coloring artifacts of a color image output by a camera are minimized by taking into account a distortion introduced by the lens. Based on the distortion, the color reconstruction determines which pixels in the grayscale image to include in the reconstruction process. Additionally, the color reconstruction can take into account edges depicted in the grayscale image to determine which pixels to include in the reconstruction process. In another embodiment, coloring artifacts in a 360 degree color image are minimized by performing the color reconstruction process on a three-dimensional surface. Before the color reconstruction takes place, the two-dimensional grayscale image is projected onto a three-dimensional surface, and the color reconstruction is performed on the three-dimensional surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Kolb, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Rebecca Schultz Zavin
  • Patent number: 9906721
    Abstract: The technology disclosed herein combines wide angle lenses with normal lenses to create an undistorted 360° view of the surrounding environment. The normal lenses record an image of the surrounding environment in the areas where the wide angle lenses provide a distorted view. The wide angle lenses and the normal lenses can be part of a stand-alone imaging device, can be accessories to a mobile device, or can be integrated into a mobile device. Various ways to integrate the wide lenses and/or the normal lenses into the camera are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Xinrui Jiang, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Xiaoyu Miao
  • Patent number: 9896777
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method of integrating metal elements separated by gaps with a structure that conceals the metal elements and gaps. The method includes treating a metal substrate to a plasma electrolytic oxidation process to form a ceramic layer from a portion of the metal substrate, thereby providing the ceramic layer and an underlying metal portion of the metal substrate. The method further includes etching gap(s) in the underlying metal portion of the metal substrate to form metal elements separated by the gap(s), and backfilling the gap(s) with a non-conductive substance. As such, the metal elements, the non-conductive substance filling the gap(s), and the ceramic layer collectively form a structure whereby the ceramic layer at least partially conceals the metal elements and the gap(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Xinrui Jiang, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Xiaoyu Miao, Joseph Anthony Tate, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats, Rebecca Schultz Zavin
  • Patent number: 9881943
    Abstract: Presented here are manufacturing techniques to create an irregularly shaped electronic display, including a hollow within which a sensor, such as a camera, can be placed. The manufacturing techniques enable the creation of the hollow anytime during the manufacturing process. The resulting electronic display occupies the full side of the mobile device, with the sensors placed within and surrounded by the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, Xinrui Jiang, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Xiaoyu Miao, Joseph Anthony Tate, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats, Rebecca Schultz Zavin
  • Patent number: 9882275
    Abstract: A handheld device can include an encasing, one or more appurtenances associated with the encasing, communications circuitry contained within the encasing, and antenna elements. The antenna elements can be electrically coupled to the communications circuitry and integrated with the encasing and the one or more appurtenances. The appurtenances can include any of a touch-sensitive display screen, a button, a joystick, a click wheel, a scrolling wheel, a touchpad, a keypad, a keyboard, a microphone, a speaker, a camera, a sensor, a light-emitting diode, a data port, or a power port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, David John Evans, V, Xiaoyu Miao, Xinrui Jiang, Joseph Anthony Tate, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats
  • Patent number: 9870024
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the technology disclosed herein integrate a camera with an electronic display. An electronic display includes several layers, such as a cover layer, a color filter layer, a display layer including light emitting diodes or organic light emitting diodes, a thin film transistor layer, etc. In one embodiment, the layers include a substantially transparent region disposed above the camera. The substantially transparent region allows light from outside to reach the camera, enabling the camera to record an image. In another embodiment, the color filter layer does not include a substantially transparent region, and the camera records the light from the outside colored by the color filter layer. According to another embodiment, while none of the layers include a substantially transparent region, the layers are all substantially transparent, and the camera disposed beneath the layers records light reaching the camera from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Xinrui Jiang, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Xiaoyu Miao, Joseph Anthony Tate, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats
  • Patent number: 9869584
    Abstract: Presented here are devices and methods to correct ambient light measurements made in the presence of optical elements, such as the curved edge of the cover glass associated with the mobile device. In one embodiment, a film with optical properties is placed within the ambient light sensor to diffuse the high-intensity light beam coming from the optical element. In another embodiment, an aperture associated with the ambient light sensor is disposed to prevent the high-intensity light beam from entering the ambient light sensor. In another embodiment, a processor coupled to the ambient light sensor smoothes the peak associated with the high intensity light beam produced by the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Xinrui Jiang, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Xiaoyu Miao, Joseph Anthony Tate, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats, Rebecca Schultz Zavin
  • Patent number: 9864400
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the technology disclosed herein integrate a camera with an electronic display. An electronic display includes several layers, such as a cover layer, a color filter layer, a display layer including light emitting diodes or organic light emitting diodes, a thin film transistor layer, etc. In one embodiment, the layers include a substantially transparent region disposed above the camera. The substantially transparent region allows light from outside to reach the camera, enabling the camera to record an image. In another embodiment, the color filter layer does not include a substantially transparent region, and the camera records the light from the outside colored by the color filter layer. According to another embodiment, while none of the layers include a substantially transparent region, the layers are all substantially transparent, and the camera disposed beneath the layers records light reaching the camera from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Xinrui Jiang, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Xiaoyu Miao, Joseph Anthony Tate, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats