Patents by Inventor David A. Pakula

David A. Pakula 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: 20160072996
    Abstract: An electronic device having a lens and a lens retaining member is disclosed. The lens and the lens retaining member may both be molded in a single mold cavity. However, the lens includes a first material that is clear and translucent, while the lens retaining member includes a second material that is opaque. The lens retaining member may include an alignment such that the lens and lens retaining member, when secured to a flexible circuit, may self-align with a window. The window allows a light source to emit light while the lens retaining member blocks or reflects light. In another embodiment, a container having a first member and a second member may be positioned around a camera module. The container may act as an EMI shield for the camera module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Marwan Rammah, Ashutosh Y. Shukla, David A. Pakula, Jared M. Kole, Eric N. Nyland
  • Publication number: 20160073183
    Abstract: An electronic device has a speaker housing secured within the device housing. The speaker housing has a cavity with a speaker at one end and a port at the other configured to communicate through an aperture in the housing of the electronic device. A panel of acoustic mesh is integrally formed within the cavity of the housing and is disposed between the port and the speaker. In other embodiments flexible structures are integrally molded onto a plate or the acoustic device and used to secure and acoustically seal the acoustic device within the device housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Martin J. Auclair, Jared M. Kole, Marwan Rammah, David A. Pakula, Scott P. Porter
  • Publication number: 20160071668
    Abstract: The embodiments discussed herein relate to electrical switches. Specifically, the embodiments include a pivoting switch that translates a rotational movement of a portion of the pivoting switch into a linear movement for toggling a button. The pivoting switch can include a pin that extends into a bracket in order to define and limit a rotational movement of the pivoting switch. The pivoting switch can further include a switch cavity that can force a knob of the button to move with the pivoting switch. The embodiments can further include an electrical switch having a welded cover plate. The welded cover plate can include arms that extend across and are welded to one or more surfaces of the electrical switch. The welded cover plate provides a more secure retaining mechanism for the electrical switch in order to reduce bending of certain portions of the electrical switch when the electrical switch is toggled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Edward S. HUO, Yaocheng ZHANG, Ashutosh Y. SHUKLA, David A. PAKULA, Matthew D. HILL, Michael Benjamin WITTENBERG, Scott A. MYERS
  • Publication number: 20160071660
    Abstract: This application relates to various button related embodiments for use with a portable electronic device. In some embodiments, a snap clip can be integrated with a button bracket to save space where two separate brackets would take up too much space in the portable electronic device. In other embodiments, a tactile switch can be waterproofed by welding a polymeric layer atop a tactile switch assembly. In this way water can be prevented from contacting moisture sensitive components of the tactile switch assembly. The weld joining the polymeric layer to the tactile switch can include at least one gap to trapped gas surrounding the tactile switch assembly to enter and exit during heat excursions caused by various operating and/or assembly operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Ashutosh Y. Shukla, Tyler B. Cater, Sawyer I. Cohen, Edward S. Huo, David A. Pakula, Benjamin Shane Bustle, Dhaval N. Shah, Yaocheng Zhang, Vivek Katiyar
  • Publication number: 20160073194
    Abstract: An acoustically permeable material is disposed within an aperture of an electronic device to provide aesthetic appeal for the electronic device and protection for an acoustic device mounted within the electronic device. A stiffener is used in conjunction with the acoustically permeable material to improve its ability to resist permanent mechanical deformation from external forces. In some embodiments the stiffener may have multiple cavities enabling improved isolation between multiple acoustic devices within the same aperture. Other methods of employing acoustically permeable materials are disclosed that improve the aesthetic appeal, acoustic performance and/or manufacturability of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Martin J. Auclair, Jared M. Kole, Ashutosh Y. Shukla, Scott A. Myers, David A. Pakula, Marwan Rammah
  • Publication number: 20160070414
    Abstract: An electronic device may include electrical components. The electrical components may be calibrated. Calibration data may be stored in non-volatile memory on a component assembly or may be stored in a remote databased while a subassembly identifier is stored in the non-volatile memory. If a subassembly in a device becomes damaged, a replacement subassembly may be installed in the device. Control circuitry in the device may retrieve calibration data for the replacement subassembly from non-volatile memory on the subassembly or from the remote database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Ashutosh Y. Shukla, Bingrui Yang, David A. Pakula, David Stronks
  • Publication number: 20160062213
    Abstract: An electronic device having a securing member for a camera module is disclosed. The securing member may include several flexible spring elements extending around the camera module to maintain the position of the camera module during an assembly process of the electronic device. The securing member and the housing may be made from an electrically conductive material or materials. In this manner, the securing member may further provide the camera module with an electrical ground to prevent excessive electric charge within the camera module. In some embodiments, an alignment member is positioned on the housing and aligns the camera module and/or securing member with an aperture of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Marwan Rammah, Eric N. Nyland, Matthew D. Hill, Sawyer I. Cohen, Scott A. Myers, David A. Pakula, Michael Benjamin Wittenberg, Ashutosh Y. Shukla
  • Publication number: 20160062398
    Abstract: Improved housings for electronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic device housing can have one or more outer members (e.g., exposed major surfaces), such as front or back surfaces, that are formed of glass. The one or more glass surfaces can be part of outer member assemblies that can be secured to other portions of the electronic device housing. In other embodiments, apparatus, systems and methods for robustly attaching a cover portion of an electronic device to a bottom portion, e.g., a housing portion, of the electronic device are described. The electronic device can be portable and in some cases handheld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: David Pakula, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Scott Myers
  • Publication number: 20160066481
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a printed circuit to which electrical components are mounted. Electromagnetic shields may be mounted to the printed circuit over the components to suppress interference. A shield may have a metal frame covered with a conductive fabric. The conductive fabric may cover an opening in the top of the frame. An insulating layer may be formed on the lower surface of the conductive fabric to prevent shorts between components on the printed circuit and the conductive fabric. An insulating cap such as an elastomeric polymer cap may also be formed over each component to provide electrical isolation between the components and the conductive fabric. Shields may be formed by coupling shield cans to subscriber identity module shields or other metal structures in a device. Intervening wall structures may be removed to help provide additional shielding volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Shayan Malek, David A. Pakula, Gregory N. Stephens, Jason Sloey
  • Publication number: 20160066438
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a printed circuit to which electrical components are mounted. The electrical components may include a thermal sensor and a pressure sensor. A through hole in the printed circuit may receive the shaft of a standoff The standoff may be soldered to plated metal on the sides of the through hole. A screw or other fastener may secure the printed circuit to a housing for the electronic device. A ring-shaped metal member may be soldered to the printed circuit. The ring-shaped metal member may form a bumper that surrounds the screw or other fastener and the thermal sensor. The pressure sensor may have a port through which ambient pressure measurements are made. A dust protection cover such as a fabric or other porous layer may cover the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Shayan Malek, David A. Pakula, Gregory N. Stephens, Sawyer I. Cohen, Scott A. Myers, Tyler B. Cater, Eric W. Bates
  • Publication number: 20160054537
    Abstract: Improved housings for electronic devices are disclosed. An electronic device housing can make use of at least one outer member (e.g., cover) that can be aligned, protected and/or secured with respect to other portions of the housing for the electronic device. In one embodiment, an electronic device housing can have one or more outer members (e.g., exposed major surfaces), such as front or back surfaces, that are formed of glass. Protective sides can be provided in some embodiments to protect the edges of the one or more glass surfaces so as to dissipate impact forces and thus reduce damage to the electronic device housing. The one or more glass surfaces can be part of outer member assemblies that can be secured to other portions of the electronic device housing. The electronic device can be portable and in some cases handheld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: David Pakula, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan
  • Patent number: 9235240
    Abstract: An electronic device having an enclosure formed from at least one glass cover and a peripheral structure formed adjacent the periphery of the glass cover is disclosed. The peripheral structure can be secured adjacent to the glass cover with an adhesive. The peripheral structure can be molded adjacent the glass cover so that a gapless interface is formed between the peripheral structure and the periphery of the glass cover. In one embodiment, the peripheral structure includes at least an inner peripheral structure and an outer peripheral structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David Pakula, Stephen Brian Lynch, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Lee Hua Tan
  • Publication number: 20160004284
    Abstract: This application relates to efficiently distributing heat within a portable computing device. More specifically an apparatus for conducting heat between internal components of the portable computing device is disclosed. The apparatus, referred to as a thermal gap pad, is configured to bridge a variably sized gap between internal components. This is accomplished by wrapping a resilient core in a layer of highly thermally conductive material. The resilient core allows a shape of the thermal gap pad to vary in accordance with a size of the gap. A resilience of the thermal gap pad can be adjusted to account for an amount of variance in the gap. In some embodiments, an electrically conductive layer can be added to facilitate the passage of electrical current through the thermal gap pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Sawyer I. Cohen, David A. Pakula, Tseng-Mau Yang, Tyler B. Cater, Ashutosh Y. Shukla
  • Patent number: 9232670
    Abstract: Improved housings for electronic devices are disclosed. An electronic device housing can make use of at least one outer member (e.g., cover) that can be aligned, protected and/or secured with respect to other portions of the housing for the electronic device. In one embodiment, an electronic device housing can have one or more outer members (e.g., exposed major surfaces), such as front or back surfaces, that are formed of glass. Protective sides can be provided in some embodiments to protect the edges of the one or more glass surfaces so as to dissipate impact forces and thus reduce damage to the electronic device housing. The one or more glass surfaces can be part of outer member assemblies that can be secured to other portions of the electronic device housing. The electronic device can be portable and in some cases handheld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David Pakula, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan
  • Publication number: 20150370376
    Abstract: A device configured to determine the location and magnitude of a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a transparent touch sensor that is configured to detect a location of a touch on the transparent touch sensor. The device also includes a force-sensing structure disposed at the periphery of the transparent touch sensor. The force sensor includes an upper capacitive plate and a compressible element disposed on one side of the upper capacitive plate. The force sensor also includes a lower capacitive plate disposed on a side of the compressible element that is opposite the upper capacitive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Jonah A. HARLEY, Peter W. RICHARDS, Brian Q. HUPPI, Omar Sze LEUNG, Dhaval N. SHAH, Martin P. GRUNTHANER, Steven P. HOTELLING, Miguel C CHRISTOPHY, Vivek KATIYAR, Tang Yew TAN, Christopher J. BUTLER, Erik G. DE JONG, Ming SARTEE, Rui QIAO, Steven J. MARTISAUSKAS, Storrs T. HOEN, Richard Hung Minh DINH, Lee E. HOOTON, Ian A. SPRAGGS, Sawyer I. COHEN, David A. PAKULA
  • Publication number: 20150351273
    Abstract: Various components of an electronic device housing and methods for their assembly are disclosed. The housing can be formed by assembling and connecting two or more different sections together. The sections of the housing may be coupled together using one or more coupling members. The coupling members may be formed using a two-shot molding process in which the first shot forms a structural portion of the coupling members, and the second shot forms cosmetic portions of the coupling members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Bryan P. KIPLE, Charles B. WOODHULL, David A. PAKULA, Tang Y. TAN
  • Patent number: 9185816
    Abstract: Improved housings for electronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic device housing can have one or more outer members (e.g., exposed major surfaces), such as front or back surfaces, that are formed of glass. The one or more glass surfaces can be part of outer member assemblies that can be secured to other portions of the electronic device housing. In other embodiments, apparatus, systems and methods for robustly attaching a cover portion of an electronic device to a bottom portion, e.g., a housing portion, of the electronic device are described. The electronic device can be portable and in some cases handheld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David Pakula, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Scott Myers
  • Patent number: 9114487
    Abstract: Various components of an electronic device housing and methods for their assembly are disclosed. The housing can be formed by assembling and connecting two or more different sections together. The sections of the housing may be coupled together using one or more coupling members. The coupling members may be formed using a two-shot molding process in which the first shot forms a structural portion of the coupling members, and the second shot forms cosmetic portions of the coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan P. Kiple, Charles B. Woodhull, David A. Pakula, Tang Y. Tan
  • Patent number: D741333
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shota Aoyagi, Martin Auclair, Richard P. Howarth, Jared Kole, Scott A. Myers, David A. Pakula
  • Patent number: D749590
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Richard P. Howarth, Scott A. Myers, David A. Pakula, Tang Yew Tan