Patents by Inventor David W. Robison

David W. Robison 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: 12604138
    Abstract: Underwater communication using sensing fusion can include one or more electronic devices. The electronic device can include a housing defining an internal volume. The electronic device can include a speaker sealed to the housing and tuned for water use (e.g., to produce/detect audible and/or sonar frequency noise underwater). The speaker can include a diaphragm configured to resonate at one or more frequencies underwater. The electronic device can include a pressure compensator associated with the speaker to compensate for hydrostatic pressure acting on the diaphragm. The speaker can include a water permeable membrane to equalize pressure underwater within the speaker, while still maintaining a seal with the housing. The speaker can include multiple seals to prevent water ingress to the internal volume. The electronic device can include another speaker for land communication (e.g., to produce/detect audible noise on land).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Daniela M. Deschamps, David W. Robison, Tyler S. Atura Bushnell, Christopher S. Larson, Rebecca J. Russell
  • Patent number: 12604139
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices having speakers. An electronic device may operate the speaker to generate audio output at one or more resonance frequencies of the speaker and/or the electronic device. This can allow the electronic device to generate particularly loud audio outputs while reducing the power consumption used to generate those audio outputs. In order, for example, to help ensure that the audio output is generated at the resonance frequencies, the electronic device can determine the resonance frequencies prior to generating the audio outputs. For example, the electronic device may determine resonance frequencies by obtaining one or more electrical characteristics of an electronic component while operating the speaker, and determine the resonance frequencies based on the obtained electrical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Robison, Charles C. Hoyt, Justin D. Crosby, Teemu P. Sipila, Thomas M. Jensen, Bryce D. Wolfson, Kevin M. Lynch
  • Patent number: 12556860
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing sidewall defining an opening and a display component, such as a display cover, disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing sidewall and the display component. In at least one example, the cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover with the cavity in fluid communication with an external environment through the gap. In at least one example, an epoxy component at least partially defines the cavity and can be in direct contact with the housing sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: APPLE, INC
    Inventors: Eric T. Chiang, David W. Robison, Nikolas T. Vitt, Tyler S. Atura Bushnell
  • Patent number: 12501217
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices having speakers. An electronic device may operate the speaker at or near one or more resonance frequencies of the speaker and/or the electronic device. This can allow the electronic device to efficiently eject an occlusion when the speaker is occluded by a fluid or other debris. For example, the electronic device may determine a resonance frequency by obtaining one or more electrical characteristics of an electronic component while the speaker is occluded, determine the resonance frequency based on the obtained electrical characteristic(s), and operate the speaker at a frequency that is based on the resonance frequency to eject the occlusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Ashwat Kandasamy Amirthalingam, Onur I. Ilkorur, Thomas M. Jensen, Oliver Leonhardt, David W. Robison, Teemu P. Sipila
  • Patent number: 12455717
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to providing audio alerts with electronic devices. An audio alert may be provided, in part, using power management operations that manage one or more both of the instantaneous power usage for providing the audio alert, and the long-term power usage for providing the audio alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bryce D. Wolfson, Charles C. Hoyt, David W. Robison, Douglas A. MacKay
  • Publication number: 20250330744
    Abstract: A transducer assembly comprising: an enclosure having an enclosure wall that defines a sound output port from an interior chamber of the enclosure; a sound radiating surface having a voice coil coupled thereto and dividing the interior chamber into a front volume chamber coupling a first side of the sound radiating surface to the sound output port and a back volume chamber coupled to a second side of the sound radiating surface; a magnet assembly having a magnet coupled to a yoke that defines in part the back volume chamber and an acoustic port from the back volume chamber; and a valve coupled to the acoustic port to close or open the acoustic port depending on whether the transducer assembly is in a distress mode or a non-distress mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2025
    Publication date: October 23, 2025
    Inventors: David W. Robison, Teemu P. Sipila, Rebecca J. Russell, Onur I. Ilkorur
  • Publication number: 20250310711
    Abstract: An apparatus of the subject technology includes a housing, an audio sensor configured to detect an acoustic pressure in a cavity of the housing, and a processor configured to determine a level of a leak of the housing based at least in part on the acoustic pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2025
    Publication date: October 2, 2025
    Inventors: Vincenzo COSTANZA, Gautam NARASIMHAN, Roberto M. RIBEIRO, Ankur AGRAWAL, David W. ROBISON, Eric T. CHIANG
  • Patent number: 12411459
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing sidewall defining an opening and a display component, such as a display cover, disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing sidewall and the display component. In at least one example, the cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover with the cavity in fluid communication with an external environment through the gap. In at least one example, an epoxy component at least partially defines the cavity and can be in direct contact with the housing sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Molly J. Anderson, Clement C. Tissandier, Tyler S. Atura Bushnell, Christopher M. Werner, Brad G. Boozer, Daniela M. Deschamps, David W. Robison, Michael R. Parker
  • Publication number: 20250037549
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to providing audio alerts with electronic devices. An audio alert may be provided, in part, using power management operations that manage one or more both of the instantaneous power usage for providing the audio alert, and the long-term power usage for providing the audio alert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Bryce D. WOLFSON, Charles C. HOYT, David W. ROBISON, Douglas A. MACKAY
  • Publication number: 20250036352
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to providing audio alerts with electronic devices. An audio alert may be provided, in part, using power management operations that manage one or more both of the instantaneous power usage for providing the audio alert, and the long-term power usage for providing the audio alert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Bryce D. WOLFSON, Charles C. HOYT, David W. ROBISON, Douglas A. MACKAY
  • Patent number: 12212906
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing, an audio component, and a gasket. The housing can define a first internal volume and the audio component can define a second internal volume. The audio component can include membrane and a venting element having a fluid impermeable layer. The venting element can define a fluid path placing the first internal volume and the second internal volume in fluid communication. At least a portion of the fluid path can extend parallel to the fluid impermeable layer. The gasket can define a seal between the first internal volume and an ambient environment adjacent the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Andrew L. Doyle, Nikolas T. Vitt, Yingyi Wang, David W. Robison
  • Patent number: 12153477
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing sidewall defining an opening and a display component, such as a display cover, disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing sidewall and the display component. In at least one example, the cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover with the cavity in fluid communication with an external environment through the gap. In at least one example, an epoxy component at least partially defines the cavity and can be in direct contact with the housing sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Daniela M. Deschamps, Brad G. Boozer, Stephen P. Jackson, Nikolas T. Vitt, David W. Robison, Rebecca J. Russell, Megan L. Banh, Ryan C. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20240210519
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to determining a location of a device using sound that is output from the device. For example, an audio output from one or more speakers of an electronic device may be received at one or more microphones of another electronic device, and used by the other electronic device to determine the location of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Jian YU, Alessandro TOSO, Andrew L. DOYLE, David W. ROBISON, Joyce E. GORNY, Prateek MURGAI
  • Publication number: 20240121541
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing, an audio component, and a gasket. The housing can define a first internal volume and the audio component can define a second internal volume. The audio component can include membrane and a venting element having a fluid impermeable layer. The venting element can define a fluid path placing the first internal volume and the second internal volume in fluid communication. At least a portion of the fluid path can extend parallel to the fluid impermeable layer. The gasket can define a seal between the first internal volume and an ambient environment adjacent the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Andrew L. Doyle, Nikolas T. Vitt, Yingyi Wang, David W. Robison
  • Patent number: 11889249
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing, an audio component, and a gasket. The housing can define a first internal volume and the audio component can define a second internal volume. The audio component can include membrane and a venting element having a fluid impermeable layer. The venting element can define a fluid path placing the first internal volume and the second internal volume in fluid communication. At least a portion of the fluid path can extend parallel to the fluid impermeable layer. The gasket can define a seal between the first internal volume and an ambient environment adjacent the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Andrew L. Doyle, Nikolas T. Vitt, Yingyi Wang, David W. Robison
  • Publication number: 20230379625
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices having speakers. An electronic device may operate the speaker to generate audio output at one or more resonance frequencies of the speaker and/or the electronic device. This can allow the electronic device to generate particularly loud audio outputs while reducing the power consumption used to generate those audio outputs. In order, for example, to help ensure that the audio output is generated at the resonance frequencies, the electronic device can determine the resonance frequencies prior to generating the audio outputs. For example, the electronic device may determine resonance frequencies by obtaining one or more electrical characteristics of an electronic component while operating the speaker, and determine the resonance frequencies based on the obtained electrical characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: David W. ROBISON, Charles C. HOYT, Justin D. CROSBY, Teemu P. SIPILA, Thomas M. JENSEN, Bryce D. WOLFSON
  • Publication number: 20230379626
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices having speakers. An electronic device may operate the speaker at or near one or more resonance frequencies of the speaker and/or the electronic device. This can allow the electronic device to efficiently eject an occlusion when the speaker is occluded by a fluid or other debris. For example, the electronic device may determine a resonance frequency by obtaining one or more electrical characteristics of an electronic component while the speaker is occluded, determine the resonance frequency based on the obtained electrical characteristic(s), and operate the speaker at a frequency that is based on the resonance frequency to eject the occlusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Yang LIU, Ashwat Kandasamy AMIRTHALINGAM, Onur I. ILKORUR, Thomas M. JENSEN, Oliver LEONHARDT, David W. ROBISON, Teemu P. SIPILA
  • Publication number: 20230232151
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing sidewall defining an opening and a display component, such as a display cover, disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing sidewall and the display component. In at least one example, the cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover with the cavity in fluid communication with an external environment through the gap. In at least one example, an epoxy component at least partially defines the cavity and can be in direct contact with the housing sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Eric T. Chiang, David W. Robison, Nikolas T. Vitt, Tyler S. Atura Bushnell
  • Publication number: 20230229117
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing sidewall defining an opening and a display component, such as a display cover, disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing sidewall and the display component. In at least one example, the cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover with the cavity in fluid communication with an external environment through the gap. In at least one example, an epoxy component at least partially defines the cavity and can be in direct contact with the housing sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Molly J. Anderson, Clement C. Tissandier, Tyler S. Atura Bushnell, Christopher M. Werner, Brad G. Boozer, Daniela M. Deschamps, David W. Robison, Michael R. Parker
  • Publication number: 20230229205
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing sidewall defining an opening and a display component, such as a display cover, disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing sidewall and the display component. In at least one example, the cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover with the cavity in fluid communication with an external environment through the gap. In at least one example, an epoxy component at least partially defines the cavity and can be in direct contact with the housing sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Daniela M. Deschamps, Brad G. Boozer, Stephen P. Jackson, Nikolas T. Vitt, David W. Robison, Rebecca J. Russell, Megan L. Banh, Ryan C. Perkins