Patents by Inventor Christopher D. Prest

Christopher D. Prest 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).

  • Patent number: 11963425
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display overlapped by a cover layer. Portions of the surface of the display and cover layer may have curved profiles. The display may include a flexible substrate and may have bent edge portions protruding from a central region. Gaps may be formed between regions of pixels on a common substrate or between separate display panels. Gap-overlapping structures may overlap the gaps to hide internal components from view or to blend the appearance of gaps with the appearance of adjoining portions of a display layer. The gap-overlapping structures may include light sources such as crystalline semiconductor light-emitting diodes. The diodes may emit light through light diffusing structures. Protruding display layer fingers and other structures may be used to accommodate display cover layer surfaces with curved profiles such as corner surfaces of compound curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Jean-Pierre S. Guillou, Tyler R. Kakuda, Christopher D. Prest, Marwan Rammah, Rasamy Phouthavong, Richard H. Dinh, David A. Pakula
  • Patent number: 11921300
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with optical markers. A marker may be formed from a coating. The coating may be patterned to form a two-dimensional optical code or may be patterned to form an outline or other recognizable marker structure that helps provide information about an electronic device. A device with a sensor such as a depth sensor or other sensor may gather information on the electronic device and its markers. This information may include information on images captured with an image sensor while the electronic device is illuminated by one or more light beams from the depth sensor or other light sources. Markers may be configured to serve as mixed reality optical markers in a mixed reality system. Analysis of the mixed reality marker images or other sensor data may reveal information on device type, device location, device size, device orientation, and other information on a marked device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Marta M. Giachino, Matthew S. Rogers, Que Anh S. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20240073580
    Abstract: An in-ear listening device having a device housing including a speaker housing and an elongated tube protruding away from the speaker housing, an audio port formed through the speaker housing, a speaker disposed in the speaker housing and aligned to emit sound through the audio port, a microphone port formed through the elongated tube, a microphone disposed in the elongated tube and operatively coupled to receive sound through the microphone port, a rechargeable battery and a wireless antenna disposed within the device housing, wireless circuitry coupled to the wireless antenna and configured to input and output radio frequency signals for wireless communications, a user-interface touch control disposed on the device housing and operable to control a function of the earbud, and battery charging circuitry coupled to the rechargeable battery and positioned within the device housing and operable to charge the rechargeable battery when coupled to receive power from an external power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: M. Evans Hankey, Emery A. Sanford, Christopher D. Prest, Way Chet Lim
  • Patent number: 11877112
    Abstract: An in-ear listening device having a device housing including a speaker housing and an elongated tube protruding away from the speaker housing, an audio port formed through the speaker housing, a speaker disposed in the speaker housing and aligned to emit sound through the audio port, a microphone port formed through the elongated tube, a microphone disposed in the elongated tube and operatively coupled to receive sound through the microphone port, a rechargeable battery and a wireless antenna disposed within the device housing, wireless circuitry coupled to the wireless antenna and configured to input and output radio frequency signals for wireless communications, a user-interface touch control disposed on the device housing and operable to control a function of the earbud, and battery charging circuitry coupled to the rechargeable battery and positioned within the device housing and operable to charge the rechargeable battery when coupled to receive power from an external power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: M. Evans Hankey, Emery A. Sanford, Christopher D. Prest, Way Chet Lim
  • Patent number: 11864304
    Abstract: An electronic device may include electrical components and other components mounted within an interior of a housing. The device may have a display on a front face of the device and may have a glass layer that forms part of the housing on a rear face of the device. The glass layer may be provided with regions having different appearances. The regions may be textured, may have coatings such as thin-film interference filter coatings formed from stacks of dielectric material having alternating indices of refraction, may have metal coating layers, and/or may have ink coating layers. Textured surfaces may be formed on thin glass layers and polymer films that are coupled to the glass layer. A glass layer may be formed from a pair of coupled glass layers. The coupled layers may have one or more recesses or other structures to visually distinguish different regions of the glass layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Wilson, Christopher D. Prest, Marta M. Giachino, Matthew S. Rogers, Que Anh S. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11860409
    Abstract: A display may have an array of display pixels that generate an image. A coherent fiber bundle may be mounted on the display pixels. The coherent fiber bundle may have a first surface that is adjacent to the display pixels and a second surface that is visible to a viewer. The coherent fiber bundle may contain fibers that carry light from the first surface to the second surface. The second surface may be planar or may have a central planar region and curved edge regions that run along opposing sides of the central planar region. The fibers may have cross-sectional surface areas with a first aspect ratio on the first surface and a second aspect ratio that is greater than the first aspect ratio on the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tseng-Mau Yang, Christopher D. Prest, Dale N. Memering
  • Patent number: 11772354
    Abstract: A glass fastening system includes a glass portion, a support structure defining a recess, a first adhesive layer disposed on an exterior surface of the glass portion facing the recess in the support structure, a second adhesive layer disposed within the recess of the support structure, and a fastener having a first portion secured to the first adhesive layer and a second portion extending away from the first portion and into the second adhesive layer to secure the glass portion to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David E. Kingman, Derek C. Scott, Donald R. Monroe, Phil M. Hobson, Juan A. Lazaro, Ibuki Kamei, John Raff, Stephen B. Lynch, Albert J. Golko, Christopher D. Prest, Dale N. Memering, James A. Yurko, Christopher D. Jones
  • Publication number: 20230209880
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a housing. The display may have an array of display pixels that provide image light to a user. The array of display pixels may form an active display structure with a rectangular shape. The rectangular active display structure may be surrounded by an inactive border region. Optical structures such as a sheet of glass or another optical member may have portions that are configured to bend light from the display pixels along the periphery of the active display structure. The optical member may have an area that is larger than the area of the active display structure, so that the presence of the optical member may serve to enlarge the apparent size of the display. Solidified liquid polymer may be used to support the optical structures and may be interposed between the optical structures and the active display structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Tseng-Mau Yang, Christopher D. Prest, Dale N. Memering
  • Patent number: 11678445
    Abstract: A housing of an electronic device includes a substrate defining an external surface and internal surface of the housing, at least one sidewall extending from the substrate, and abrasion-resistant members at least partly embedded in the substrate and extending beyond the external surface. The abrasion-resistant members may be formed from metal or ceramic. The substrate comprises a moldable matrix. The abrasion-resistant members are harder than the moldable matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Stephen B. Lynch, Teodor Dabov
  • Publication number: 20230167021
    Abstract: Asymmetrically strengthened glass articles, methods for producing the same, and use of the articles in portable electronic device is disclosed. The asymmetrically strengthened glass articles include glass articles having a deeper compressive stress layer in a thicker portion of the glass article. Using a budgeted amount of compressive stress and tensile stress, asymmetric chemical strengthening is optimized for the utility of a glass article. In some aspects, the strengthened glass article can be designed for reduced damage, or damage propagation, when dropped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Victor Luzzato, Christopher D. Prest, Dale N. Memering, Matthew S. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20230122975
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a portable wearable device having a housing that includes a shell formed from a sheet metal material and defining an outer surface of the portable wearable device and a frame formed from a polymer material molded to an inner surface of the shell. The housing also includes a cover glass coupled to a ledge of the frame, where the frame and the cover glass define at least a portion of a sealed cavity. The portable wearable device may include a display assembly coupled to an inner surface of the cover glass such that the display assembly is positioned within the sealed cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Jagbir S. Dhillon, Christopher D. Prest, Tyler S. Atura Bushnell, William A. Counts
  • Patent number: 11626578
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a housing. The display may have an array of display pixels that provide image light to a user. The array of display pixels may form an active display structure with a rectangular shape. The rectangular active display structure may be surrounded by an inactive border region. Optical structures such as a sheet of glass or another optical member may have portions that are configured to bend light from the display pixels along the periphery of the active display structure. The optical member may have an area that is larger than the area of the active display structure, so that the presence of the optical member may serve to enlarge the apparent size of the display. Solidified liquid polymer may be used to support the optical structures and may be interposed between the optical structures and the active display structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tseng-Mau Yang, Christopher D. Prest, Dale N. Memering
  • Patent number: 11573603
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a housing. The display may have an array of display pixels that provide image light to a user. The array of display pixels may form an active display structure with a rectangular shape. The rectangular active display structure may be surrounded by an inactive border region. Optical structures such as upper structures formed from a sheet of glass and lower optical structures that lie beneath the sheet of glass may be configured to bend light from the display pixels along the periphery of the active display structure. The upper optical structures may have an area that is larger than the area of the active display structure, so that the presence of the optical structures may serve to enlarge the apparent size of the display. The lower and upper optical structures may have curved surfaces for bending the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Tseng-Mau Yang, Dale N. Memering
  • Patent number: 11565506
    Abstract: Glass articles and methods for producing glass articles for a portable electronic device are disclosed. Properties of the glass articles, such as cover members, are improved through chemical strengthening, thermoforming, or a combination thereof. The glass articles may include barrier layers to prevent diffusion of ions between glass layers of the glass article, internal compressive stress regions, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Victor Luzzato, Christopher D. Prest, Matthew S. Rogers, Dale N. Memering, Christopher C. Bartlow
  • Patent number: 11565969
    Abstract: Asymmetrically strengthened glass articles, methods for producing the same, and use of the articles in portable electronic device is disclosed. The asymmetrically strengthened glass articles include glass articles having a deeper compressive stress layer in a thicker portion of the glass article. Using a budgeted amount of compressive stress and tensile stress, asymmetric chemical strengthening is optimized for the utility of a glass article. In some aspects, the strengthened glass article can be designed for reduced damage, or damage propagation, when dropped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Victor Luzzato, Christopher D. Prest, Dale N. Memering, Matthew S. Rogers
  • Patent number: 11505131
    Abstract: An electronic device having a unitary housing is disclosed. The device can include a first housing component having an open cavity, an internal electronic part disposed within the cavity, a second housing component disposed across the cavity, and a support feature disposed within the cavity and arranged to support the second housing component. The first housing component can be formed from metal, while the second housing component can be formed from a plurality of laminated foil metal layers. The second housing component can be attached to the first housing component via one or more ultrasonic welds, such that a fully enclosed housing is created. The fully enclosed housing can be hermetically sealed, and the outside surfaces thereof can be machined or otherwise finished after the ultrasonic welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Stephen P. Zadesky, Trent Weber, Lucy E. Browning
  • Publication number: 20220304175
    Abstract: A component for an electronic device can include a pre-formed substrate comprising a first metal and an additively manufactured portion bonded to the pre-formed substrate. The additively manufactured portion can include a first portion comprising a second metal and defining a volume, the first portion having a first value of a material property, and a second portion disposed in the volume, the second portion having a second value of the material property that is different from the first value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Eric W. Hamann, Abhijeet Misra, Anthony D. Prescenzi, Brian M. Gable, Christopher D. Prest, Hoishun Li, James A. Yurko, Lee E. Hooton, Michael B. Wittenberg, Richard H. Dinh, Jennifer D. Schuler
  • Publication number: 20220279265
    Abstract: An in-ear listening device having a device housing including a speaker housing and an elongated tube protruding away from the speaker housing, an audio port formed through the speaker housing, a speaker disposed in the speaker housing and aligned to emit sound through the audio port, a microphone port formed through the elongated tube, a microphone disposed in the elongated tube and operatively coupled to receive sound through the microphone port, a rechargeable battery and a wireless antenna disposed within the device housing, wireless circuitry coupled to the wireless antenna and configured to input and output radio frequency signals for wireless communications, a user-interface touch control disposed on the device housing and operable to control a function of the earbud, and battery charging circuitry coupled to the rechargeable battery and positioned within the device housing and operable to charge the rechargeable battery when coupled to receive power from an external power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: M. Evans Hankey, Emery A. Sanford, Christopher D. Prest, Way Chet Lim
  • Patent number: 11419231
    Abstract: A cover for an electronic device includes a glass cover defining a substantially planar first surface, a substantially planar second surface opposite the first surface, an opening extending through the glass cover, and a raised wall surrounding the opening and defining a portion of an interior surface of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Robert Y. Cao, Dinesh C. Mathew, A C Manjunath, Christopher D. Jones, Christopher D. Prest, Ari P. Miller, Karan Bir, Genie Kim
  • Patent number: 11402669
    Abstract: A glass component of an electronic device housing may define a textured surface having micro-scale tactile friction features that provide a specified friction between a user's finger and the glass component. More specifically, the tactile friction features may reduce a contact surface area that is in contact with the user's finger in order to produce a reduced or specified coefficient of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Poole, Christopher D. Prest, Kyle J. Nekimken, Samuel O. Schneider