Patents by Inventor Brad G. Boozer
Brad G. Boozer 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: 20190141430Abstract: Headphone eartips with internal support components and methods for making the same are provided. Different support components may provide specific amounts and types of additional rigidity at specific portions of an exterior surface of an outer eartip body that may be expected to interface with specific portions of an ear canal geometry when an eartip subassembly is positioned within the ear canal, such that the eartip subassembly may conform to the various shapes of the ear canal while maintaining an acoustic seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Ethan L. Huwe, Brad G. Boozer, Erik L. Wang, Phillip Qian
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Patent number: 10251008Abstract: An audio system that adjusts one or more beam patterns emitted by one or more loudspeaker arrays based on the preferences of users/listeners is described. The audio system includes an audio receiver that contains a listener location estimator, a listener identifier, and a voice command processor. Inputs from the listener location estimator, the listener identifier, and the voice command processor are fed into an array processor. The array processor drives the one or more loudspeaker arrays to emit beam patterns into the listening area based on inputs from each of these devices. By examining the location, preferred usage settings, and voice commands from listeners, the generated beam patterns are customized to the explicit and implicit preferences of the listeners with minimal direct input. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John J. Baker, Martin E. Johnson, Afrooz Family, Michael B. Howes, Craig M. Stanley, Brad G. Boozer
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Publication number: 20190098383Abstract: An electronic device includes a concealed electrical connector positioned within a speaker opening defined by an enclosure of the electronic device. A mating connector is configured to fit through the speaker opening and couple to the concealed electrical connector to form a bidirectional communications path with circuitry within the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Brad G. Boozer, Benjamin J. Kallman
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Publication number: 20190079564Abstract: This application relates to a portable electronic device including a first sensing module and a second sensing module that are both in communication with a processor. The portable electronic device can include access ports that are formed in the housing, where the first and second sensing modules are capable of receiving an external stimulus by way of the access ports. A plate is positioned in the housing between a wall of the housing and the sensing modules. The plate and the wall define non-linear flow paths between the access ports to the first and second sensing modules. The non-linear flow paths can transmit the external stimulus to cause at least one of the first or second sensing modules to provide a detection signal to the processor that causes a display unit to present a notification that corresponds to the external stimulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: Amin M. YOUNES, James G. HORIUCHI, Ryan C. PERKINS, Brad G. BOOZER, Christopher M. WERNER, Maegan K. SPENCER, Sherry TANG, Eugene H. FOX, Mark A. MURPHY, Molly J. ANDERSON, Rico L. ZORKENDORFER, Baris OZGEN
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Publication number: 20190082547Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a portable electronic device having a substantially concealed barometric vent. The vent may be used to equalize air pressure within the enclosure while forming a barrier between external contaminants, moisture, and so on and various internal component and assemblies of the device. In one embodiment, the vent may include a screen configured to impede ingress of particulates and an air-permeable membrane configured to impede ingress of moisture.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: Christopher M. Werner, Maegan K. Spencer, Daniel J. Barrett, Brad G. Boozer, Daniel J. Hiemstra, Christopher D. Guichet, Amin M. Younes, James G. Horiuchi, Eugene H. Fox
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Publication number: 20190059152Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a circuit assembly for an electronic device having an electromagnetic shield that defines a sensing element or contact pad along an outer surface of the assembly. The circuit assembly includes a group of electrical components attached to a surface of a printed circuit board. A molded structure may encapsulate the group of electrical components and at least a portion of the surface of the printed circuit board. A metal layer may be formed over an outer surface of the molded structure. The metal layer may define both a shield portion configured to provide shielding for one or more of the group of electrical components and an electrode configured to detect an input applied to the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2017Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: Brad G. Boozer, Colin M. Ely, Steven P. Cardinali
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Patent number: 10209123Abstract: An acoustic module is coupled to an acoustic passage. The acoustic module includes an acoustic transducer coupled to a diaphragm. A controller or other circuitry measures an impedance of the acoustic transducer. Based on the impedance, the controller determines whether the impedance indicates that the acoustic passage is blocked. The controller may determine that the acoustic passage is blocked by liquid that is present in the acoustic passage. When the controller determines based on the impedance that liquid is present in the acoustic passage, the controller may drive out, purge, and/or otherwise remove the liquid, such as by using the acoustic transducer to vibrate the diaphragm.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Ruchir M Dave, Jesse A. Lippert, Brad G. Boozer, Neal D. Evans, David S. Wilkes, Jr.
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Patent number: 10184586Abstract: An electronic device having an interior volume, the electronic device including a sealing mechanism to prevent ingress of water into the interior cavity. The sealing mechanism having a channel having a first opening at an external environment and a second opening that leads to the interior volume, a membrane that covers the second opening, the membrane being air permeable and water resistant such that the membrane allows air to pass and prevents passage of water up to an upper pressure threshold, a stopper mechanism, and a diaphragm comprising a surface arranged to receive an external water pressure and that is air and water impermeable, the diaphragm being coupled to the stopper mechanism that deflects in response to the water pressure such that the diaphragm actuates the stopper mechanism and seals off the channel from at the first opening preventing water pressure at the membrane from exceeding the upper pressure threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Brad G. Boozer, William C. Lukens, David M. Pelletier, Eugene Fox
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Patent number: 10165694Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a portable electronic device having a substantially concealed barometric vent. The vent may be used to equalize air pressure within the enclosure while forming a barrier between external contaminants, moisture, and so on and various internal component and assemblies of the device. In one embodiment, the vent may include a screen configured to impede ingress of particulates and an air-permeable membrane configured to impede ingress of moisture.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Christopher M. Werner, Maegan K. Spencer, Daniel J. Barrett, Brad G. Boozer, Daniel J. Hiemstra, Christopher D. Guichet, Amin M. Younes, James G. Horiuchi, Eugene H. Fox
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Patent number: 10129625Abstract: Headphone eartips with internal support components and methods for making the same are provided. Different support components may provide specific amounts and types of additional rigidity at specific portions of an exterior surface of an outer eartip body that may be expected to interface with specific portions of an ear canal geometry when an eartip subassembly is positioned within the ear canal, such that the eartip subassembly may conform to the various shapes of the ear canal while maintaining an acoustic seal.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Ethan L. Huwe, Brad G. Boozer, Erik L. Wang, Phillip Qian
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Patent number: 10102985Abstract: A sealed button assembly including a button cap, a push rod, a button retainer, and a bracket is described. The bracket can couple to the button retainer which itself can interlock with the button cap and push rod through a counterbore, the counterbore being defined in a sidewall of the housing of an electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: David M. Pelletier, Brad G. Boozer, Colin M. Ely
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Patent number: 10045461Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with electrical components such as a power supply that produce heat. Speakers and other components may be controlled using control circuitry within the electronic device. The electronic device may play audio signals through the speakers. Audio data may be received from external equipment or may be maintained locally within the device. A speaker such as a subwoofer may be mounted in a device housing above the power supply so that airflow from the speaker cools the power supply. To enhance cooling, the control circuitry may supply inaudible signals to the speaker that enhance airflow produced by the speaker. The inaudible signals may be supplied in response to detecting current heat-producing audio playback conditions, to predicting future heat-producing conditions, or real-time temperature measurements.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brad G. Boozer, Craig M. Stanley, John J. Baker, Phillip Michael Hobson, Nathan P. Bosscher
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Publication number: 20180084324Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing having an opening comprising an audio port and a speaker assembly carried by the device housing. The speaker assembly includes a water ejection system having a diaphragm coupled to a magnetic driver and a mesh that covers the audio port where the diaphragm and the mesh together define an acoustic volume. When a water ejection signal is received at the magnetic driver, the magnetic driver is caused to move the diaphragm in a manner that ejects water contained within the acoustic volume out of the acoustic volume and through the mesh.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, David M. Pelletier, Miodrag Pejin, Christopher Wilk, Mark A. Murphy, Brad G. Boozer
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Publication number: 20180058918Abstract: An acoustic module is coupled to an acoustic passage. The acoustic module includes an acoustic transducer coupled to a diaphragm. A controller or other circuitry measures an impedance of the acoustic transducer. Based on the impedance, the controller determines whether the impedance indicates that the acoustic passage is blocked. The controller may determine that the acoustic passage is blocked by liquid that is present in the acoustic passage. When the controller determines based on the impedance that liquid is present in the acoustic passage, the controller may drive out, purge, and/or otherwise remove the liquid, such as by using the acoustic transducer to vibrate the diaphragm.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Ruchir M. Dave, Jesse A. Lippert, Brad G. Boozer, Neal D. Evans, David S. Wilkes, JR.
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Patent number: 9886057Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a sealing element between a protective cover and a housing of the electronic device. The sealing element may provide a seal between the protective cover and the enclosure, as well as monitor or detect a force to the protective cover. Also, one or more support members may surround the sealing element to provide protection against a material (such as liquid) entering an opening between the protective cover and the enclosure. Alternatively, or in combination, the sealing element may include several openings, each of which may include a restraining element to limit movement of the sealing element. Also, a blocking element may be placed at or near an edge of the enclosure to provide additional reinforcement if the sealing element is laterally displaced. The blocking element may include an operational component of the electronic device, such as an antenna.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, William C. Lukens, Brad G. Boozer, Jason C. Sauers
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Patent number: 9888307Abstract: An electronic device having a microphone behind a water resistant, air-impermeable membrane is disclosed. Embodiments include a trapped volume of air between the membrane and the microphone. A barometric equalization element may define an acoustic leak path, e.g., a tortuous leak path, between the trapped volume of air and an encased space within a casing of the electronic device. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Neal D. Evans, Jesse A. Lippert, Ruchir M. Dave, Christopher Wilk, Brad G. Boozer, Dennis R. Pyper, Daniel K. Boothe
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Patent number: 9860660Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing. The housing may enclose an interior cavity. A speaker may be mounted in an opening in the housing. The interior cavity may serve as a sealed back volume for the speaker during normal operation of the speaker. During normal operation, control circuitry in the interior cavity plays audio content through the speaker. When it is desired to cool the control circuitry and the speaker, the control circuitry supplies a subaudible signal to the speaker. Airflow regulators having one-way valves and valves that are controlled by the control circuitry are mounted in the housing. Movement of a diaphragm in the speaker when the subaudible speaker is applied causes the diaphragm to pump air through the airflow regulators, creating a cooling airflow through the interior cavity.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nathan P. Bosscher, Brad G. Boozer, Craig M. Stanley, Jeffrey C. Olson, John J. Baker, Phillip Michael Hobson, Stephen Brian Lynch
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Patent number: 9769929Abstract: An array of electrical components may be mounted in openings in an electronic device housing. The housing may have a cylindrical shape or other curved shape. A support structure such as a hollow cylindrical tube may be mounted within the interior of the housing. The electrical components may have terminals that mate with corresponding contacts on a flexible printed circuit. Interconnect paths on the flexible printed circuit may be used to route signals for the electrical components. The flexible printed circuit may be wrapped into the shape of a cylindrical tube and may be mounted on an interior surface of the cylindrical housing or on the exterior surface of the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Craig M. Stanley, Phillip Michael Hobson, Nathan P. Bosscher, John J. Baker, Brad G. Boozer
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Patent number: 9730340Abstract: An array of electrical components may be mounted in openings in an electronic device housing. Gaskets may be used to seal the electrical components to a housing wall. The housing wall may be planar or may have a cylindrical shape or other curved shape. The electrical components may be mounted to the housing wall by rotating the electrical components so that portions of the components bear against an inner surface of the housing wall. Component mounting structures that receive the electrical components may be used in mounting the electrical components. Component cover structures with openings may overlap the components. Engagement features may help prevent relative rotational motion between the electrical components and the housing wall of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Phillip Michael Hobson, Nathan P. Bosscher, John J. Baker, Craig M. Stanley, Brad G. Boozer
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Patent number: D813239Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Jeremy Bataillou, Brad G. Boozer, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Colin Ely, M. Evans Hankey, Phillip M. Hobson, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Marc A. Newson, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Fletcher Rothkopf, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Michael Benjamin Wittenberg, Rico Zörkendörfer