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).

  • Publication number: 20170013738
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel W. JARVIS, Benjamin J. POPE, Jason SLOEY, Jonathan C. DENBY, Ian A. SPRAGGS, Shayan MALEK
  • Publication number: 20160372825
    Abstract: An antenna on a sapphire structure. The antenna includes a sapphire structure having a first side, and a second side positioned opposite the first side. The antenna also includes a first antenna trace positioned on the first side of the sapphire structure, and a second antenna trace positioned on the second side of the sapphire structure. Additionally, the antenna includes at least one via formed through the sapphire structure. The at least one via electrically connects the first antenna trace to the second antenna trace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers
  • Publication number: 20160321493
    Abstract: An electronic device may have electrical components such as sensors. A sensor may have sensor circuitry that gathers sensor data using a conductive structure. The sensor may be a touch sensor that uses the conductive structure to form a capacitive touch sensor electrode or may be a fingerprint sensor that uses the conductive structure with a fingerprint electrode array to handle fingerprint sensor signals. Near field communications circuitry may be included in an electronic device. When operated in a sensor mode, the sensor circuitry may use the conductive structure to gather a fingerprint or other sensor data. When operated in near field communications mode, the near field communications circuitry can use the conductive structure to transmit and receive capacitively coupled or inductively coupled near field communications signals. A fingerprint sensor may have optical structures that communicate with external equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Daniel W. Jarvis, Scott A. Myers, Nicholas G. L. Merz
  • Patent number: 9472917
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jarvis, Benjamin J. Pope, Jason S. Sloey, Jonathan C. Denby, Ian A. Spraggs, Shayan Malek
  • Patent number: 9461357
    Abstract: An antenna on a sapphire structure. The antenna includes a sapphire structure having a first side, and a second side positioned opposite the first side. The antenna also includes a first antenna trace positioned on the first side of the sapphire structure, and a second antenna trace positioned on the second side of the sapphire structure. Additionally, the antenna includes at least one via formed through the sapphire structure. The at least one via electrically connects the first antenna trace to the second antenna trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers
  • Publication number: 20160267313
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    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
  • Patent number: 9445520
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with an ejectable component assembly having a connector that can receive and retain a removable module within a housing of the electronic device. The ejectable component assembly may also be provided with an ejector mechanism for at least partially ejecting the removable module from the connector. The ejector mechanism may receive a user input force at an ejector user interface, translate that user input force into an ejection force, and apply that ejection force onto the removable module for ejecting the module. The ejector user interface may be provided at any suitable position of the housing that may not interfere with other functions of the device. The path along which the ejector mechanism translates the user input force into the ejection force between the ejector user interface and the removable module may be provided in any suitable way throughout the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ashutosh Y. Shukla, Benjamin J. Pope, Kenneth A. Jenks, Scott A. Myers
  • Publication number: 20160218432
    Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided that have antenna traces. The antenna traces may be configured to form an inductive loop that serves as a near field communications antenna. A layer of ferrite may be provided to reduce interference between the antenna and internal device components. The layer of ferrite and the antenna traces may be deposited on a common substrate such as a layer of polymer or a dielectric electronic device housing. A protective layer of polymer may be used to form a coating on the layer of ferrite. Ferrite may be formed on the same side of a substrate as the antenna traces or may be formed on an opposing side of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers, Mattia Pascolini
  • Publication number: 20160087332
    Abstract: An antenna on a sapphire structure. The antenna includes a sapphire structure having a first side, and a second side positioned opposite the first side. The antenna also includes a first antenna trace positioned on the first side of the sapphire structure, and a second antenna trace positioned on the second side of the sapphire structure. Additionally, the antenna includes at least one via formed through the sapphire structure. The at least one via electrically connects the first antenna trace to the second antenna trace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers
  • Patent number: 9268989
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20160044816
    Abstract: This application relates to securing and positioning internal components within a housing of a portable computing device. In one 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 number of insert molded retaining members are utilized to prevent outward deformation of sidewalls of the portable computing device during a drop event. In another embodiment, a C-shaped washer having diametrically opposed protrusions is utilized to adjust an alignment of an internal component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jarvis, Benjamin J. Pope, Jason S. Sloey, Jonathan C. Denby, Ian A. Spraggs, Shayan Malek
  • Publication number: 20160044800
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jarvis, Benjamin J. Pope, Jason S. Sloey, Jonathan C. Denby, Ian A. Spraggs, Shayan Malek
  • Patent number: 9258906
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with electronic device structures such as housing structures, antenna structures, printed circuits, and structures associated with electrical components. The structures may be attached to each other using adhesive. A liquid pressure sensitive adhesive precursor material is deposited onto one or more surfaces of structures to be bonded. Light or heat can be applied to cure the liquid adhesive material and form pressure sensitive adhesive layers. During curing, chemical bonds are formed between the adhesive material and the structures. Assembly equipment may press the structures together to form pressure sensitive adhesive bonds that can be reworked without disturbing the chemically bonded portions of the adhesive material. The pressure sensitive adhesive may include conductive particles for forming conductive paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Krogdahl, Benjamin J. Pope, Dennis R. Pyper, Nicholas G. L. Merz, Scott A. Myers
  • Patent number: 9246214
    Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided that have antenna traces. The antenna traces may be configured to form an inductive loop that serves as a near field communications antenna. A layer of ferrite may be provided to reduce interference between the antenna and internal device components. The layer of ferrite and the antenna traces may be deposited on a common substrate such as a layer of polymer or a dielectric electronic device housing. A protective layer of polymer may be used to form a coating on the layer of ferrite. Ferrite may be formed on the same side of a substrate as the antenna traces or may be formed on an opposing side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers, Mattia Pascolini
  • Patent number: 9235267
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing touch inputs are disclosed. The invention in one respect includes reading data from a multi-touch sensing device such as a multi-touch touch screen where the data pertains to touch input with respect to the multi-touch sensing device, and identifying at least one multi-touch gesture based on the data from the multi-touch sensing device and providing an appropriate multi-haptic response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby G. Burrough, Benjamin J. Pope
  • Publication number: 20160004896
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    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
  • Patent number: 9232672
    Abstract: A control mechanism for an electronic device comprises a cover glass having an aperture defined therein. The aperture extends from an interior to an exterior of the device. A control member is positioned within the aperture, coupled to an actuator. The control member comprises a ceramic insert having a contact surface exposed to the exterior of the housing, operable to actuate the actuator in response to a force on the contact surface. A bearing member is molded about the insert. The bearing member has a hardness less than that of the ceramic insert, and less than that of the cover glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kelvin Kwong, Benjamin J. Pope, Nicholas G. Merz
  • Patent number: 9225056
    Abstract: An antenna on a sapphire structure. The antenna includes a sapphire structure having a first side, and a second side positioned opposite the first side. The antenna also includes a first antenna trace positioned on the first side of the sapphire structure, and a second antenna trace positioned on the second side of the sapphire structure. Additionally, the antenna includes at least one via formed through the sapphire structure. The at least one via electrically connects the first antenna trace to the second antenna trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers
  • Patent number: 9135495
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: D765084
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: 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