Patents by Inventor Christopher R. Wilk

Christopher R. Wilk 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: 20150036866
    Abstract: A speaker driver including a frame and a magnet assembly positioned within the frame. A sound radiating surface may be suspended over the magnet assembly. The sound radiating surface may include a top face and a bottom face, and the bottom face may face the magnet assembly. A suspension member may suspend the sound radiating surface over the magnet assembly. The suspension member may include a top side connected to the bottom face of the sound radiating surface and a bottom side connected to the magnet assembly. A voice coil extends from the bottom face of the sound radiating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Suzanne Hardy, Christopher R. Wilk, Alexander V. Salvatti, Scott P. Porter, Justin D. Crosby
  • Patent number: 8942410
    Abstract: An electronic device having an enclosure having a top panel and a bottom panel. An electromagnet is mounted within the enclosure, the electromagnet having a core portion attached to the top panel and a coil connected to the core portion. An attractor plate is attached to the bottom panel, the attractor plate forming part of a magnetic circuit of the electromagnet such that when an electrical audio signal is applied to the electromagnet, the bottom panel vibrates and produces a sound. A permanent magnet is further attached to the core portion, the permanent magnet is configured to create a bias in the magnetic circuit so as to modify a distortion in the sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Wilk, Martin E. Johnson, Patrick Kessler, Nathan A. Johanningsmeier
  • Publication number: 20140185859
    Abstract: An electronic device having an enclosure having a top panel and a bottom panel. An electromagnet is mounted within the enclosure, the electromagnet having a core portion attached to the top panel and a coil connected to the core portion. An attractor plate is attached to the bottom panel, the attractor plate forming part of a magnetic circuit of the electromagnet such that when an electrical audio signal is applied to the electromagnet, the bottom panel vibrates and produces a sound. A permanent magnet is further attached to the core portion, the permanent magnet is configured to create a bias in the magnetic circuit so as to modify a distortion in the sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Wilk, Martin E. Johnson, Patrick Kessler, Nathan A. Johanningsmeier
  • Patent number: 8724841
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having an outer case having a substantially planar face in which a microphone associated acoustic port is formed. The device also has a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone positioned within the outer case, the MEMS microphone having a diaphragm facing the microphone associated acoustic port. An acoustic mesh is positioned between the front face of the outer case and the diaphragm, the acoustic mesh having a non-linear acoustic resistance so as to minimize an effect of an incoming air burst on the diaphragm. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Bright, Christopher R. Wilk, Jae Han Lee, Ruchir M. Dave, Scott P. Porter, Sawyer Isaac Cohen
  • Publication number: 20140064542
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having an outer case having a substantially planar face in which a microphone associated acoustic port is formed. The device also has a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone positioned within the outer case, the MEMS microphone having a diaphragm facing the microphone associated acoustic port. An acoustic mesh is positioned between the front face of the outer case and the diaphragm, the acoustic mesh having a non-linear acoustic resistance so as to minimize an effect of an incoming air burst on the diaphragm. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Bright, Christopher R. Wilk, Jae Han Lee, Ruchir M. Dave, Scott P. Porter, Sawyer Isaac Cohen
  • Publication number: 20130343594
    Abstract: An earphone having an earphone housing including a tip portion dimensioned to be inserted into an ear canal of a wearer, a body portion extending outward from the tip portion, and a tube portion extending from the body portion. The body portion has a face portion that faces a pinna region of the ear when the tip portion is inserted into the ear canal. A primary output opening, that outputs sound from a driver in the housing to the ear canal, is formed in the tip portion. A secondary output opening, that outputs air from the ear canal to the surrounding environment, is formed in the face portion. The primary output opening and the secondary output opening are horizontally aligned when the tube portion is positioned vertically downward and an angle formed between the primary output opening, the tube portion and the secondary output opening is less than 90 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Howes, Yacine Azmi, Scott P. Porter, Jonathan S. Aase, Andrew P. Bright, Christopher R. Wilk