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).
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Publication number: 20210168226Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing defining an internal volume and a circuit board assembly within the internal volume. The circuit board assembly includes a first circuit board, a wall structure soldered to the first circuit board, and a second circuit board soldered to the wall structure and supported above the first circuit board by the wall structure. The second circuit board defines an exterior top surface of the circuit board assembly. A processor is coupled to the first circuit board and positioned within an internal volume defined between the first circuit board and the second circuit board and at least partially surrounded by the wall structure. A memory module is coupled to the exterior top surface of the circuit board assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Bryan D. Keen, Devon A. Monaco, Sherry Lee, Ihtesham H. Chowdhury, Eric N. Nyland, Matthew D. Hill, Arun R. Varma, Lucy E. Browning, Sawyer I. Cohen, Benjamin J. Pope
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Patent number: 10969834Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Lucy Elizabeth Browning, Benjamin J. Pope, Paul U. Leutheuser, Scott A. Myers, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Edward S. Huo
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Publication number: 20210096417Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Michael W. Firka, Ashley E. Fletcher, Benjamin J. Pope, Lee E. Hooton, Scott A. Myers, Benjamin Shane Bustle, Garam Young, Blake M. Coughenour
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Patent number: 10942412Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 4, 2020Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 10881015Abstract: This application relates to securing and positioning internal components within a housing of a portable computing device. In one embodiment, a number of insert molded retaining members are utilized to inhibit outward deformation of a sidewall of the housing during a drop event. In another embodiment, a cowling is utilized to retain a number of board-to-board connectors within communication slots on a printed circuit board (PCB). In another embodiment, a C-shaped washer having diametrically opposed protrusions is utilized to adjust an alignment of an internal component.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Daniel W. Jarvis, Benjamin J. Pope, Jason Sloey, Jonathan C. Denby, Ian A. Spraggs, Shayan Malek
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Patent number: 10783347Abstract: An apparatus comprises a fingerprint sensor having a set of capacitive elements configured for capacitively coupling to a user fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed under a control button or display element of an electronic device, for example one or more of a control button and a display component. A responsive element is responsive to proximity of the user fingerprint, for example one or both of a first circuit responsive to motion of the control button, and a second circuit responsive to a coupling between the fingerprint and a surface of the display element. The fingerprint sensor is disposed closer to the fingerprint than the responsive element. The control button or display component may include an anisotropic dielectric material, for example sapphire.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Shawn Arnold, Barry J. Corlett, Terry L. Gilton, Syed Husaini, Steven Webster, Scott A. Myers, Matthew D. Hill, Benjamin B. Lyon
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Patent number: 10707032Abstract: Electronic devices having input structures that are operative to translate a relatively small travel of an input surface to a larger travel elsewhere. For example, force exerted on an input surface of an input body may cause a corresponding input body to move a first distance. An arm, lever mechanism, or the like may have an end or other portion that moves a second distance in response to the input body's motion. The second distance may be greater than the first; in some embodiments, the second distance may be an order of magnitude or more than the first distance. The travel may close or open a switch in response to the force exerted on the input surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Daniel William Jarvis, Benjamin J. Pope, Erik G. de Jong, Tyler S. Bushnell, Christopher T. Cheng, Trevor J. Ness, William C. Lukens, Steven P. Cardinali, Robert D. Turner
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Publication number: 20200201103Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2020Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Michael W. Firka, Ashley E. Fletcher, Benjamin J. Pope, Lee E. Hooton, Scott A. Myers, Benjamin Shane Bustle, Garam Young, Blake M. Coughenour
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Patent number: 10690986Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 2, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20200110920Abstract: An apparatus comprises a fingerprint sensor having a set of capacitive elements configured for capacitively coupling to a user fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed under a control button or display element of an electronic device, for example one or more of a control button and a display component. A responsive element is responsive to proximity of the user fingerprint, for example one or both of a first circuit responsive to motion of the control button, and a second circuit responsive to a coupling between the fingerprint and a surface of the display element. The fingerprint sensor is disposed closer to the fingerprint than the responsive element. The control button or display component may include an anisotropic dielectric material, for example sapphire.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Shawn Arnold, Barry J. Corlett, Terry L. Gilton, Syed Husaini, Steven Webster, Scott A. Myers, Matthew D. Hill, Benjamin B. Lyon
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Publication number: 20200104620Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Sawyer I. COHEN, Justin D. CROSBY, Ruchir M. DAVE, Martin E. JOHNSON, Benjamin J. POPE, Darius A. SATONGAR
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Patent number: 10606355Abstract: According to some embodiments, an electronic device can include a processor and a haptic feedback system. The haptic feedback system can include a mass that is coupled to a magnetic element and variable magnetic elements capable of establishing a magnetic field in communication with the magnetic element that varies in accordance with the processor receiving a signal that indicates that a touch event is detected at a touch sensitive layer, where the magnetic field causes displacement of the magnetic element. The haptic feedback system can further include a magnetic field sensor in communication with the processor, where the magnetic field sensor is capable of (i) detecting a change in the magnetic field that is induced by the displacement of the magnetic element, and (ii) providing a detection signal to the processor that corresponds to a current position of the mass that is coupled to the magnetic element.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Yaocheng Zhang, Kevin M. Froese, Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers
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Publication number: 20200081288Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Benjamin S. BUSTLE, Rasamy Phouthavong, Benjamin J. Pope, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Michael W. Firka
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Publication number: 20200042040Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Lucy Elizabeth Browning, Benjamin J. Pope, Paul U. Leutheuser, Scott A. Myers, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Edward S. Huo
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Publication number: 20190363565Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 10488891Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Lucy Elizabeth Browning, Benjamin J. Pope, Paul U. Leutheuser, Scott A. Myers, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Edward S. Huo
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Patent number: 10469940Abstract: A portable electronic device including an enclosure having an enclosure wall that forms an interior chamber. A speaker module is positioned within the interior chamber and includes a speaker and a module wall forming a back volume chamber of the speaker. The back volume chamber includes an acoustic vent port formed through the module wall to acoustically couple the back volume chamber to the interior chamber. The device further including an electromechanical valve for regulating the acoustic coupling of the back volume chamber to the interior chamber. The electromechanical valve is operable to transition between an open configuration in which the acoustic vent port is open to the interior chamber and a closed configuration in which the acoustic vent port is closed off from the interior chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Martin D. Taylor, Hongdan Tao, Claudio Notarangelo, Suzanne C. Brown, Benjamin J. Pope, Scott P. Porter, Tang Y. Tan, Christopher Wilk
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Patent number: D873832Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, M. Evans Hankey, Matthew David Hill, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Jared Kole, Stefan Mag, Nicholas George LeBreton Merz, Scott A. Myers, Benjamin J. Pope, Matthew Rao, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Mikael Silvanto, Christopher J. Stringer, Tang Yew Tan, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
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Patent number: D906306Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Jeremy Bataillou, Miguel Christophy, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Daniel W. Jarvis, Duncan Robert Kerr, Jared Kole, Kelvin Kwong, Shayan Malek, Benjamin J. Pope, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Mikael Silvanto, Christopher J. Stringer, Tang Yew Tan, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
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Patent number: D910545Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Sherry Lee, Shayan Malek, Kurtis James Mundell, Benjamin J. Pope