Patents by Inventor Chad J. Miller
Chad J. Miller 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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Patent number: 11979721Abstract: A wearable device can provide an audio module that is operable to provide audio output from a distance away from the ears of the user. For example, the wearable device can be worn on clothing of the user and direct audio waves to the ears of the user. Such audio waves can be focused by a parametric array of speakers that limit audibility by others. Thus, the privacy of the audio directed to the user can be maintained without requiring the user to wear audio headsets on, over, or in the ears of the user. The wearable device can further include microphones and/or connections to other devices that facilitate calibration of the audio module of the wearable device. The wearable device can further include user sensors that are configured to detect, measure, and/or track one or more properties of the user.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Daniel A. Podhajny, Joshua A. Hoover, Nicholas R. Trincia, Yue Chen, Seul Bi Kim, Chad J. Miller, Kristen L. Cretella, Yi Zou, William Leith
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Publication number: 20240125014Abstract: A creel system includes a plurality of tension controller apparatuses that hold spools of wire. The tension controller apparatuses apply tension to the wire and may be manipulated to fine-tune or control the tension applied to the wire. The creel system may further include a plurality of sensors that measure operation of the creel system as well as the condition of the wire. In such embodiments, the creel system may include a user-interface that provides data to the operator in real time and with which the operator may interact to control operation of the creel system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2020Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Frederick A. SLEZAK, Charles WINAFELD, Brent C. CRONEBACH, Chad ZIVICH, Margaret MANNING, Clinton A. HILL, Lee W. MILLER, Eric J. WHITTAKER
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Publication number: 20240040298Abstract: Wireless earbuds may be provided with adjustable-shape housings. The housings may have bendable portions. Bendable metal members, hinges, or other flexible structures may be used in forming bendable structures for the earbuds. Electrical components may be covered by a layer of molded foam. A cover such as a fabric cover may be used to cover the molded foam. Spacer fabric or other soft material may be interposed between the fabric cover and the foam. The housing may be bent or otherwise adjusted between two or more states such as a normal, non-sleep, walking state in which the housing is expanded for normal operation while a user is sitting or walking and a sleep state in which the housing is bent to enhance comfort while sleeping. The wireless earbuds may have illumination systems, sensors, and other components.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Yi Zou, Chad J. Miller, Daniel A. Podhajny, Joshua A. Hoover, Kristen L. Cretella, Nicholas R. Trincia, Seul Bi Kim, William Leith, Yue Chen
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Patent number: 11838716Abstract: An electronic device such as a pair of headphones may be configured to be worn on a head of a user. The headphones may have a headband and earcups that are coupled to the headband. The headband may have a frame and a headband frame cover that is removably attached to the frame. The cover may have protrusions, may be inflated using a pump, may include a battery and other components, and may include sensors. An earcup movement synchronization mechanism may be used to synchronize movement of a left earcup with a right earcup. A torsion spring with a stop mechanisms or other bend limiter may be configured to prevent overbending of the headband.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Kendall L. Helbert, Benjamin C. Creed, Chad J. Miller, Jenna L. Withrow, Joshua A. Hoover, Lee M. Panecki, Donald L. Olmstead, Bryan A. Cloyd
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Patent number: 11818528Abstract: Wireless earbuds may be provided with adjustable-shape housings. The housings may have bendable portions. Bendable metal members, hinges, or other flexible structures may be used in forming bendable structures for the earbuds. Electrical components may be covered by a layer of molded foam. A cover such as a fabric cover may be used to cover the molded foam. Spacer fabric or other soft material may be interposed between the fabric cover and the foam. The housing may be bent or otherwise adjusted between two or more states such as a normal, non-sleep, walking state in which the housing is expanded for normal operation while a user is sitting or walking and a sleep state in which the housing is bent to enhance comfort while sleeping. The wireless earbuds may have illumination systems, sensors, and other components.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2021Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yi Zou, Chad J. Miller, Daniel A. Podhajny, Joshua A. Hoover, Kristen L. Cretella, Nicholas R. Trincia, Seul Bi Kim, William Leith, Yue Chen
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Patent number: 11792575Abstract: An electronic device may be formed from acoustically permeable textile layers and voice coil layers. The voice coil layers may output sound through the textile layers. The textile layers and voice coil layers may be foldable or bent in one or more directions to allow the electronic device to be placed in expanded, collapsed, or folded configurations to allow for improved portability. Additionally, the textile layers and voice coil layers may be folded or bent to place the electronic device in cylindrical, conical, and other configurations to allow for improved sound output from the voice coil layers. The electronic device may also include light-emitting components between the textile layers that emit light through one of the textile layers to form indicators or images for a user of the device. The electronic device may have a plurality of sensors to allow user interactions to control the output of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yue Chen, Joshua A. Hoover, Daniel A. Podhajny, Nicholas R. Trincia, Seul Bi Kim, Chad J. Miller, Kristen L. Cretella, Yi Zou, William Leith
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Publication number: 20230319471Abstract: A wearable device can provide an audio module that is operable to provide audio output from a distance away from the ears of the user. For example, the wearable device can be worn on clothing of the user and direct audio waves to the ears of the user. Such audio waves can be focused by a parametric array of speakers that limit audibility by others. Thus, the privacy of the audio directed to the user can be maintained without requiring the user to wear audio headsets on, over, or in the ears of the user. The wearable device can further include microphones and/or connections to other devices that facilitate calibration of the audio module of the wearable device. The wearable device can further include user sensors that are configured to detect, measure, and/or track one or more properties of the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Daniel A. PODHAJNY, Joshua A. HOOVER, Nicholas R. TRINCIA, Yue CHEN, Seul Bi KIM, Chad J. MILLER, Kristen L. CRETELLA, Yi ZOU, William LEITH
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Patent number: 11716567Abstract: A wearable device can provide an audio module that is operable to provide audio output from a distance away from the ears of the user. For example, the wearable device can be worn on clothing of the user and direct audio waves to the ears of the user. Such audio waves can be focused by a parametric array of speakers that limit audibility by others. Thus, the privacy of the audio directed to the user can be maintained without requiring the user to wear audio headsets on, over, or in the ears of the user. The wearable device can further include microphones and/or connections to other devices that facilitate calibration of the audio module of the wearable device. The wearable device can further include user sensors that are configured to detect, measure, and/or track one or more properties of the user.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Daniel A. Podhajny, Joshua A. Hoover, Nicholas R. Trincia, Yue Chen, Seul Bi Kim, Chad J. Miller, Kristen L. Cretella, Yi Zou, William Leith
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Patent number: 11716560Abstract: An accessory for wireless earbuds can include a first receiving portion defining a first cavity sized to receive and retain a first earbud and a second receiving portion defining a second cavity sized to receive and retain a second earbud. Each receiving portion can include a charging component to electrically couple with the respective earbud. The accessory can include a flexible portion connected to the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion, the flexible portion at least partially defining an internal volume, and a battery disposed in the internal volume and electrically coupled with the charging components.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Kristen L. Cretella, Chad J. Miller, Daniel A. Podhajny, Joshua A. Hoover, Nicholas R. Trincia, Seul Bi Kim, William Leith, Yi Zou, Yue Chen
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Patent number: 11504945Abstract: An item may be formed from structures that include holes. Stitching may be used to form a seam that joins the structures. The stitching may be formed from a chain stitch that passes through the holes. The holes may be formed from loops of knit fabric or other holes. Leather layers, polymer layers, fabric layers, and other structures with holes may be joined using the stitching. During fabrication, a layer of material with holes may be placed on an adjustable-shape fixture having a bed of needles. The shape of the bed of nails in the adjustable-shape fixture may then be changed. After the fixture has been used to transform the shape of one or more of the structures, the structures may be placed on needles in an assembly fixture and the stitching between the structures may be formed. The item may be an electronic device cover or other item.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sofiane Berlat, Aedhan M. Loomis, Peter F. Coxeter, Sarah J. Montplaisir, Timon A. Wright, Yohji Hamada, Patrick Perry, Chad J. Miller, Andrew L. Rosenberg, Daniel A. Podhajny, Daniel D. Sunshine, Jessica J. Lu, Lia M. Uesato, Donald L. Olmstead
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Publication number: 20220095049Abstract: A wearable device can provide an audio module that is operable to provide audio output from a distance away from the ears of the user. For example, the wearable device can be worn on clothing of the user and direct audio waves to the ears of the user. Such audio waves can be focused by a parametric array of speakers that limit audibility by others. Thus, the privacy of the audio directed to the user can be maintained without requiring the user to wear audio headsets on, over, or in the ears of the user. The wearable device can further include microphones and/or connections to other devices that facilitate calibration of the audio module of the wearable device. The wearable device can further include user sensors that are configured to detect, measure, and/or track one or more properties of the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Daniel A. PODHAJNY, Joshua A. HOOVER, Nicholas R. TRINCIA, Yue CHEN, Seul Bi KIM, Chad J. MILLER, Kristen L. CRETELLA, Yi ZOU, William LEITH
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Publication number: 20190344536Abstract: An item may be formed from structures that include holes. Stitching may be used to form a seam that joins the structures. The stitching may be formed from a chain stitch that passes through the holes. The holes may be formed from loops of knit fabric or other holes. Leather layers, polymer layers, fabric layers, and other structures with holes may be joined using the stitching. During fabrication, a layer of material with holes may be placed on an adjustable-shape fixture having a bed of needles. The shape of the bed of nails in the adjustable-shape fixture may then be changed. After the fixture has been used to transform the shape of one or more of the structures, the structures may be placed on needles in an assembly fixture and the stitching between the structures may be formed. The item may be an electronic device cover or other item.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Sofiane Berlat, Aedhan M. Loomis, Peter F. Coxeter, Sarah J. Montplaisir, Timon A. Wright, Yohji Hamada, Patrick Perry, Chad J. Miller, Andrew L. Rosenberg, Daniel A. Podhajny, Daniel D. Sunshine, Jessica J. Lu, Lia M. Uesato, Donald L. Olmstead
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Patent number: 10299553Abstract: An accessory case that can be used for protecting a separate portable electronic device may include a structural shell configured to contain the electronic device, a camera opening to align with a camera on the electronic device, and a button cover that can be used for actuating a button on the electronic device. The structural shell can include an outer layer, an internal layer, and a microfiber lining. The camera opening can include a chamfered or angled edge that reduces the effects of camera flash on the camera. The button cover can include an outer button cover component that is coupled to the outer layer. The outer button cover component, which may be anodized aluminum, can be a different material than the outer layer, which may include leather.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joshua A. Hoover, Jeremy C. Franklin, Chad J. Miller, Candace A. Marbury, Heidi Williamson, Kristine S. Tom, Michael B. Velez
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Patent number: 7602486Abstract: A vehicle cylinder head coolant passage inspection device and a method for inspecting vehicle cylinder head coolant passages therewith. A device and method of the present invention can be used to detect blockages present within such coolant passages. A device and method of the present invention uses one or more fiber-optic probes that can both emit and receive light. The probe(s) are used with a sensor that can register light reflected by a blockage and received by a probe(s) while in a coolant passage. Reflected light readings registered by the sensor can be used to determine whether a blockage is present.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Marc McDaniel, Charles Hoke, Chad J. Miller, Stephen A. Schumann
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Publication number: 20080239303Abstract: A vehicle cylinder head coolant passage inspection device and a method for inspecting vehicle cylinder head coolant passages therewith. A device and method of the present invention can be used to detect blockages present within such coolant passages. A device and method of the present invention uses one or more fiber-optic probes that can both emit and receive light. The probe(s) are used with a sensor that can register light reflected by a blockage and received by a probe(s) while in a coolant passage. Reflected light readings registered by the sensor can be used to determine whether a blockage is present.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Marc McDaniel, Charles Hoke, Chad J. Miller, Stephen A. Schumann