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: 20150242675
    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: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    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: 20150229018
    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: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers
  • Publication number: 20150135108
    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: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: 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 Llynch, Paul Meade, Mushtaq A. Sarwar, John P. Ternus, Paul M. Thompson, Marcel Van Os, John A. Wright
  • Patent number: 9030440
    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: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 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: 9001081
    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: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 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: 8993899
    Abstract: Various systems of an electronic deice and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. In some embodiments, a routing assembly is provided that may not only route a cable along a circuit board, but that may also shield and electronic component or secure an electronic component to the circuit board. In some other embodiments, there is provided a mechanism for electrically coupling two components of an electronic device that may also be visually appealing in the context of other portions of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shayan Malek, Benjamin J. Pope, Daniel W. Jarvis, Tang Yew Tan, Richard H. Dinh, Robert J. Steinfeld, Ramachandran Chundru
  • Publication number: 20150072727
    Abstract: An electronic device has a camera assembly disposed in a housing of the electronic device that includes a light source assembly having a primary purpose for illuminating a subject during an imaging operation. The light source assembly includes a light source and a light window. A light block can be applied to lateral surfaces of the light window to prevent light passing through the light window from propagating along an outer surface of the housing, or other components of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the light block can include multiple layers having various reflective and absorptive characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Ian A. Spraggs, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Rasamy Phouthavong, Vincent Yan
  • Publication number: 20150061941
    Abstract: Antenna related features of a mobile phone or computing device are disclosed. In one embodiment, wireless control and signal are fed separately through difference types of flexes to optimize performance and cost. In one embodiment, active switching and processing of differing conductive trace lengths are performed on an antenna flex so that antenna performance can be optimized for multiple wireless technologies covering a wide range of wavelengths. In one embodiment, a cantilever arm affixed to a ground screw can provide double grounding in a region with no available screw points due to high z constraint. In one embodiment, a device can provide double feed for antenna through a single screw. In one embodiment, a short pin can be configured to support thinner metal. In one embodiment, a “vibrator bracket/LDS short pin” structure can be used to share a common screw point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. HILL, Scott A. MYERS, Jared M. KOLE, Liane J. FANG, Benjamin J. POPE, Daniel W. JARVIS
  • Patent number: 8961231
    Abstract: An improved electrical connector retainer employs a shell having a cavity. A pair of mated electrical connectors are received within the cavity and at least a portion of an upper wall of the shell is deflected towards a lower wall of the shell. The shell is configured to retain the upper wall in the deflected position, maintaining the pair of connectors in the mated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Derek W. Wright, Alex Yeung, Steve McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John B. Ardisana, II, Benjamin J. Pope, Shayan Malek
  • Patent number: 8917577
    Abstract: A mobile communications device contains at least two microphones. One microphone is located away from the handset receiver and serves to pick up voice of a near end user of the device for transmission to the other party during a call. Another microphone is located near the handset receiver and serves to pick up acoustic output of the handset receiver (a far end signal). A signal processor measures the frequency response of the receiver. The signal processor performs spectral analysis of the receiver frequency response to determine whether or not the device is being held at the ear of the user. On that basis, the device automatically changes its operating mode, e.g., turns on or off a touch sensitive display screen during the call. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shaohai Chen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Jae Lee, Chad G. Seguin, Benjamin J. Pope
  • Patent number: 8912480
    Abstract: The underside of an inactive portion of a display cover layer in an electronic device may be covered with an opaque masking material. Openings in the opaque masking material may be form ambient light sensor and proximity sensor windows. An ambient light sensor window may be filled with a material that transmits at least some visible light. A proximity sensor window may be filled with a material that transmits more infrared light relative to visible light than the material in the ambient light sensor window. The materials in the ambient light sensor window and proximity sensor window may include one or more layers of ink, patterns of holes, layers of material that are shared with the opaque masking layer, and materials that are black, white, or other colors. A light guide structure may be used to route light received from a sensor window to an associated sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Kelvin Kwong, Richard P. Howarth, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Richard Ruh, Matt Waldon, Daniel W. Jarvis, Brian R. Land, Steven P. Hotelling
  • Patent number: 8886031
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing. A camera window assembly may be mounted in a hole within the housing. The housing may be formed from a structure such as a planar glass member. The hole in which the camera window assembly is formed may be circular. A mating circular trim member in the camera window assembly may be mounted in the hole. A flange structure on the trim member may help retain the trim member within the housing. A shelf portion of the trim member may receive a ring of adhesive. The camera window assembly may have a clear disk-shaped lens with planar opposing front and rear surfaces that is mounted on the shelf portion using the adhesive. An elastomeric ring may be compressed between sidewall portions of the trim member and the lens to help retain the lens within the camera window assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, David A. Pakula
  • Publication number: 20140308465
    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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Krogdahl, Benjamin J. Pope, Dennis R. Pyper, Nicholas G.L. Merz, Scott A. Myers
  • Publication number: 20140307372
    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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Ashutosh Y. Shukla, Benjamin J. Pope, Kenneth A. Jenks, Scott A. Myers
  • Publication number: 20140216914
    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: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: 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: 20140218606
    Abstract: Various systems of an electronic deice and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. In some embodiments, a routing assembly is provided that may not only route a cable along a circuit board, but that may also shield and electronic component or secure an electronic component to the circuit board. In some other embodiments, there is provided a mechanism for electrically coupling two components of an electronic device that may also be visually appealing in the context of other portions of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shayan Malek, Benjamin J. Pope, Daniel W. Jarvis, Tang Yew Tan, Richard H. Dinh, Robert J. Steinfeld, Ramachandran Chundru
  • Publication number: 20140192459
    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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kelvin Kwong, Benjamin J. Pope, Nicholas G. Merz
  • Publication number: 20140170866
    Abstract: An improved electrical connector retainer employs a shell having a cavity. A pair of mated electrical connectors are received within the cavity and at least a portion of an upper wall of the shell is deflected towards a lower wall of the shell. The shell is configured to retain the upper wall in the deflected position, maintaining the pair of connectors in the mated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Derek W. Wright, Alex Yeung, Steve McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John B. Ardisana, II, Benjamin J. Pope, Shayan Malek
  • Publication number: 20140145994
    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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby G. Burrough, Benjamin J. Pope
  • Patent number: 8686952
    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: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby Burrough, Benjamin J. Pope