Patents by Inventor Benjamin J. Pope

Benjamin J. Pope 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: 11460746
    Abstract: An electronic device has an electrically adjustable shutter. The shutter may be placed in a transparent state or a nontransparent state. The shutter may overlap a portion of a display, may overlap a liquid contact indictor or a structure with text in a device, or may overlap an optical component such as an optical proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, visible light-emitting diode or laser, infrared light-emitting diode or laser, visible light image sensor, or infrared light image sensor. Control circuitry in the electronic device may place the shutter in an opaque state to hide an overlapped component from view or may place the shutter in a transparent state to allow the overlapped component to transmit or receive light. The adjustable shutter may exhibit changes in its transmission spectrum in different modes of operation and may be used as a camera filter or neutral density filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Firka, Ashley E. Fletcher, Benjamin J. Pope, Lee E. Hooton, Scott A. Myers, Benjamin Shane Bustle, Garam Young, Blake M. Coughenour
  • Patent number: 11429158
    Abstract: Sensor assemblies for electronic devices are described. According to some embodiments, the sensor assemblies include solid-state sensors, such as capacitive sensors, piezoelectric sensors or piezoresistive sensors. The sensor assemblies can include a number of features that provide a compact profile, making them well suited for integration into small spaces of electronic device enclosures. The sensor assemblies can also include features that isolate movement of various parts of the sensor assemblies, allowing for accurate detection of a sensing event. According to some embodiments, the sensor assemblies are coupled to haptic actuators, speaker, or both, which mimic the feel of a mechanical button and enhance a user's experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Lucy Elizabeth Browning, Benjamin J. Pope, Paul U. Leutheuser, Scott A. Myers, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Edward S. Huo
  • Publication number: 20220180667
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates techniques for audio-assisted enrollment of biometric features. In some embodiments, methods and devices for assisting users with enrollment of biometric features, using spatial audio cues, are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Sawyer I. COHEN, Justin D. CROSBY, Ruchir M. DAVE, Martin E. JOHNSON, Benjamin J. POPE, Darius A. SATONGAR
  • Publication number: 20220066604
    Abstract: Devices, methods and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interfaces based on fingerprint sensor inputs are provided. While a display of an electronic device with a fingerprint sensor displays a first user interface, the device may detect movement of a fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor. In accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a first direction, the device allows navigating through the first user interface, and in accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a second direction different from the first direction, the device allows displaying a second user interface different from the first user interface on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin J. POPE, Daniel W. JARVIS, Nicholas G. MERZ, Scott A. MYERS, Michael A. CRETELLA, Michael ENG, James H. FOSTER, Terry L. GILTON, Myra HAGGERTY, Byron B. HAN, M. Evans HANKEY, Steven P. HOTELLING, Brian R. LAND, Stephen Brian LYNCH, Paul MEADE, Mushtaq A. SARWAR, John P. TERNUS, Paul M. THOMPSON, Marcel VAN OS, John A. WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20220061166
    Abstract: An electronic device including a housing defining an aperture, a display component positioned in the aperture, and a filler material at least partially surrounding a periphery of the display component. The filler material can contact the display component and a portion of the housing defining the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Kodiak D. Burke, John J. Baker, Tyler B. Cater, Christopher J. Durning, Benjamin J. Pope, Richard H. Dinh
  • Patent number: 11209961
    Abstract: Devices, methods and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interfaces based on fingerprint sensor inputs are provided. While a display of an electronic device with a fingerprint sensor displays a first user interface, the device may detect movement of a fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor. In accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a first direction, the device allows navigating through the first user interface, and in accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a second direction different from the first direction, the device allows displaying a second user interface different from the first user interface on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Daniel W. Jarvis, Nicholas G. Merz, Scott A. Myers, Michael A. Cretella, Michael Eng, James H. Foster, Terry L. Gilton, Myra Haggerty, Byron B. Han, M. Evans Hankey, Steven P. Hotelling, Brian R. Land, Stephen Brian Lynch, Paul Meade, Mushtaq A. Sarwar, John P. Ternus, Paul M. Thompson, Marcel Van Os, John A. Wright
  • Patent number: 11212605
    Abstract: An electronic device including a housing comprising one or more walls that define an interior cavity and that include a first wall having an audio opening extending through the first wall from an exterior surface of the housing to the interior cavity; a bracket disposed within the interior cavity and having first and second opposing surfaces, a first channel extending along the first surface and having a first end spaced apart from and surrounding the audio opening, and a second channel fluidly coupled to and extending perpendicular to the first channel through the second surface at a location laterally displaced from the audio opening; and a microphone disposed within the interior cavity and coupled to the second surface of the bracket over the second channel, wherein the bracket cooperates with the first wall to create an acoustic pathway that extends from the audio opening through the first wall, through the first channel and through the second channel to the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael K. Mondry, Allegra Shum, Brian A. Argyres, Benjamin J. Pope, Sherry Cao
  • Patent number: 11165273
    Abstract: Embodiments describe a portable electronic device that includes a housing having an interface surface and an inductor coil disposed within the housing and comprising a conductive wire wound in a plurality of turns about a center point and in increasing radii such that the inductor coil is substantially planar. The portable electronic device further includes charging circuitry coupled to the inductor coil and configured to operate the inductor coil to wirelessly receive power and wirelessly transmit power, control circuitry coupled to the charging circuitry and configured to instruct the charging circuitry to operate the inductor coil to wirelessly receive power and to wirelessly transmit power, and a device detection coil coupled to the control circuitry and configured to detect the presence of an external device on the charging surface, the device detection coil is configured to operate at a different frequency from the inductor coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Graham, Karl Ruben F. Larsson, Grant S. Haug, Aaron A. Oro, Benjamin J. Pope, Sherry Lee, Tang Yew Tan, Richard Hung Minh Dinh
  • Patent number: 11099439
    Abstract: A disclosed display device assembly includes a panel substrate, multiple light transmitting pixels disposed over the panel substrate, a backlight unit disposed under the panel substrate, a flexible substrate attached to the panel substrate, and a display integrated circuit mounted to the flexible substrate and disposed under the backlight unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Bustle, Rasamy Phouthavong, Benjamin J. Pope, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Michael W. Firka
  • Patent number: 11100349
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates techniques for audio-assisted enrollment of biometric features. In some embodiments, methods and devices for assisting users with enrollment of biometric features, using spatial audio cues, are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sawyer I. Cohen, Justin D. Crosby, Ruchir M. Dave, Martin E. Johnson, Benjamin J. Pope, Darius A. Satongar
  • Publication number: 20210191458
    Abstract: Sensor assemblies for electronic devices are described. According to some embodiments, the sensor assemblies include solid-state sensors, such as capacitive sensors, piezoelectric sensors or piezoresistive sensors. The sensor assemblies can include a number of features that provide a compact profile, making them well suited for integration into small spaces of electronic device enclosures. The sensor assemblies can also include features that isolate movement of various parts of the sensor assemblies, allowing for accurate detection of a sensing event. According to some embodiments, the sensor assemblies are coupled to haptic actuators, speaker, or both, which mimic the feel of a mechanical button and enhance a user's experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Lucy Elizabeth Browning, Benjamin J. Pope, Paul U. Leutheuser, Scott A. Myers, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Edward S. Huo
  • Publication number: 20210168231
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing member. The portable electronic device also includes a front cover coupled to the housing member and defining a top surface defining a portion of an exterior front surface of the portable electronic device, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a peripheral side surface, and a chamfered edge extending from the bottom surface to the peripheral side surface. The portable electronic device further includes a display stack attached to the bottom surface of the front cover, an opaque coating positioned on at least a portion of each of the peripheral side surface, the chamfered edge, and the bottom surface and configured to absorb light emitted by the display stack, and a rear cover coupled to the housing member and defining a second portion of the exterior rear surface of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: John J. Baker, Yaocheng Zhang, Paul U. Leutheuser, Kevin M. Froese, Tushar Deshpande, Kai Wu, Marta M. Giachino, Sean Suri, Matthew D. Hill, Tyler B. Cater, Benjamin J. Pope, Jun Sik Ham
  • Publication number: 20210168229
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing, a display at least partially within the housing, a front cover coupled to the housing and positioned over the display, a rear cover coupled to the housing and defining a first portion of a rear exterior surface of the portable electronic device, a protrusion defining a sensor array region of the rear cover and a second portion of the rear exterior surface, and an internal surface opposite the second portion of the rear exterior surface. The portable electronic device also includes a sensor array mounted within the housing along the sensor array region and comprising a frame member coupled to the rear cover along the internal surface and defining a wall structure defining a first container region and a second container region, a camera module positioned in the first container region, and a depth sensor module positioned in the second container region and attached to the internal surface of the rear cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Kallman, Luman Zhang, Hugh J. Jay, Trent Canales, Lindsay M. Alanen, Christopher B. Lyons, Bryan A. Argyres, Sherry Cao, Jaden A. Barney, Lucy E. Browning, Sawyer I. Cohen, Benjamin J. Pope
  • Publication number: 20210168230
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing member defining a first portion of an exterior front surface of the portable electronic device, a first portion of an exterior rear surface of the portable electronic device, at least a portion of an exterior side surface of the portable electronic device, a recess along an interior side of the housing member, and a ledge feature along the interior side of the housing member. The device also includes a top module coupled to the housing member and including a front cover defining a second portion of the exterior front surface of the portable electronic device, a display stack attached to the front cover, and a frame member extending at least partially around a periphery of the display stack and set apart from a surface of the recess by a gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: John J. Baker, Eric W. Bates, Lucy E. Browning, Kodiak Burke, Benjamin S. Bustle, Trent Canales, Tyler B. Cater, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Michael Firka, Kevin M. Froese, Jun Sik Ham, Matthew D. Hill, Hugh J. Jay, Benjamin J. Kallman, Paul U. Leutheuser, Matthew W. Miller, Michael K. Mondry, Donald J. Parr, Benjamin J. Pope, Matthew P. Rao, Griffin Schmitt, Allegra Shum, Christopher R. Xydis, Luman Zhang, Yaocheng Zhang, Zhipeng Zhang, Xiao Ying Zhao
  • Patent number: D929319
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Bryan D. Keen, Benjamin J. Pope
  • Patent number: D938429
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Tyler B. Cater, Abidur Rahman Chowdhury, Clara Geneviève Marine Courtaigne, Markus Diebel, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Jonathan Gomez Garcia, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Benjamin J. Pope, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: D957401
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Kodiak D. Burke, Benjamin S. Bustle, Markus Diebel, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Benjamin Jordan Kallman, Duncan Robert Kerr, Michael K. Mondry, Rasamy Phouthavong, Benjamin J. Pope, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: D957402
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Trent J. Canales, Abidur Rahman Chowdhury, Clara Geneviève Marine Courtaigne, Markus Diebel, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Michael Walter Firka, Jonathan Gomez Garcia, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Benjamin J. Pope, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: D960166
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Abidur Rahman Chowdhury, Clara Geneviève Marine Courtaigne, Markus Diebel, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Christopher E. Glazowski, Jonathan Gomez Garcia, Jean-Pierre S. Guillou, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Paul U. Leutheuser, Benjamin J. Pope, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: D963652
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, John J. Baker, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Markus Diebel, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Michael Walter Firka, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Benjamin J. Pope, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Yaocheng Zhang, Rico Zörkendörfer