Patents by Inventor Eric W. Bates

Eric W. Bates 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: 20240079778
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with an antenna having a resonating element formed from a segment of peripheral conductive housing structures. A speaker may be aligned with first openings in the segment. A vent may be aligned with second openings in the segment. A connector may protrude through the segment. A trace combiner for the antenna may be patterned onto the speaker and may be coupled to the segment. Tuners for the antenna may be disposed on first and second flexible printed circuits that extend along opposing sides of the connector. The tuners may be controlled through the speaker. The second flexible printed circuit may extend along the vent. The vent may have a vent cowling with a cut-out region next to the tuner on the second flexible printed circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Enrique Ayala Vazquez, Ming-Ju Tsai, Yiren Wang, Yuan Tao, Hao Xu, Sidharath Jain, Haozhan Tian, Yuancheng Xu, Eric W. Bates, Peter A. Dvorak, Harlan S. Dannenberg, Rees S. Parker, Obinna O. Onyemepu, Victor C. Lee, Han Wang, Hongfei Hu
  • Publication number: 20240080976
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) printed circuit having conductive trace and a hole. A conductive flange may be soldered to the conductive trace and may extend into the hole. The end of the conductive flange may laterally surround a central opening within the hole. A conductive contact may be inserted into the central opening. Solder may be deposited over the conductive flange and in the central opening. The solder may couple the conductive contact to the conductive flange and thus the conductive trace. This may ensure a robust mechanical and electrical connection between the conductive contact and the conductive trace on the printed circuit despite the printed circuit being formed from LCP, which may not support copper-plated through vias for coupling to the conductive contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Peter A. Dvorak, Eric W. Bates, Ana Papio Toda, Yiren Wang, Hao Xu, Yuan Tao, Han Wang, Jack R Lanzi, Ronald Lam
  • Publication number: 20240079777
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with an antenna having a resonating element formed from a segment of peripheral conductive housing structures. A speaker may be aligned with first openings in the segment. A vent may be aligned with second openings in the segment. A connector may protrude through the segment. A trace combiner for the antenna may be patterned onto the speaker and may be coupled to the segment. Tuners for the antenna may be disposed on first and second flexible printed circuits that extend along opposing sides of the connector. The tuners may be controlled through the speaker. The second flexible printed circuit may extend along the vent. The vent may have a vent cowling with a cut-out region next to the tuner on the second flexible printed circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Yiren Wang, Yuan Tao, Hao Xu, Hongfei Hu, Enrique Ayala Vazquez, Ming-Ju Tsai, Sidharath Jain, Haozhan Tian, Yuancheng Xu, Harlan S Dannenberg, Eric W Bates, Peter A Dvorak, Nicole E Cazares, Obinna O Onyemepu, Victor C Lee, Han Wang
  • Publication number: 20240079790
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with peripheral conductive housing structures having a segment that forms a resonating element for an antenna. A speaker may be mounted to a mid-chassis of the electronic device. A printed circuit may be mounted to the speaker and may have a ground trace for the antenna. A conductive spring may extend through the printed circuit and the speaker to couple the ground trace to the mid-chassis. A conductive contact pad may be welded to an aluminum layer such as an aluminum layer used to form the mid-chassis. A conductive spring such as the conductive spring coupled to the ground traces may press against the contact pad. The contact pad may include gold or nickel-plated stainless steel. The contact pad may provide a strong electrical connection between the conductive spring and the aluminum layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Peter A Dvorak, Eric W Bates, McKinley McQuaide, Ronald Lam, Ana Papio Toda, Yiren Wang, Hao Xu, Han Wang, Yuan Tao, Jack R Lanzi, Jingni Zhong
  • Publication number: 20240079779
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a sensor module and an antenna having an antenna arm, ground structures, and a tuner. The tuner may be mounted to a printed circuit overlapping the sensor module. A spring may be mounted to the printed circuit and may couple the tuner to a conductive chassis of the sensor module. The sensor module may include optical sensors that gather sensor data through a display and may form ground paths from the tuner to the ground structures. Conductive interconnect structures such as springs may exert biasing forces in different directions to couple the ground paths to different layers of the ground structures. This may serve to couple the antenna to the ground structures as close as possible to the tuner, thereby maximizing antenna performance, despite the presence of the sensor module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Yuan Tao, Yiren Wang, Ana Papio Toda, Jingni Zhong, Han Wang, Hao Xu, Hongfei Hu, Mattia Pascolini, Eric W. Bates, Peter A. Dvorak, Allegra Shum
  • Publication number: 20240079785
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with an antenna having a resonating element formed from a segment of peripheral conductive housing structures. A speaker may be aligned with first openings in the segment. A vent may be aligned with second openings in the segment. A connector may protrude through the segment. A trace combiner for the antenna may be patterned onto the speaker and may be coupled to the segment. Tuners for the antenna may be disposed on first and second flexible printed circuits that extend along opposing sides of the connector. The tuners may be controlled through the speaker. The second flexible printed circuit may extend along the vent. The vent may have a vent cowling with a cut-out region next to the tuner on the second flexible printed circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Yiren Wang, Yuan Tao, Hao Xu, Yuancheng Xu, Enrique Ayala Vazquez, Nikolaj P. Kammersgaard, Eric W. Bates, Peter A. Dvorak, Victor C. Lee, Han Wang
  • Patent number: 11889647
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing that defines an aperture, and a display assembly positioned in the aperture. The display assembly can include a display layer having a first portion, and a second portion bending at least partially below the first portion. The first portion and the second portion can define a bend volume, and a potting material can be disposed in the bend volume, such that the potting material contacts the first portion and the second portion. An internal enclosure can be contoured to the display assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Izhar Z. Ahmed, John J. Baker, Bulong Wu, Daniel W. Jarvis, Douglas G. Fournier, Eric W. Bates, Hao Dong, Isabel S Gueble, Jason C. Law, Jingjing Xu, Kikue S. Burnham, Paul U. Leutheuser, Sarah Trabia, Sawyer I. Cohen, Shaorui Yang, Shaowei Qin, Siddharth Avachat, Yaocheng Zhang, Ying-Chih Wang, Zhen Zhang, Benjamin R. Pope
  • Patent number: 11837383
    Abstract: A cable includes cable one or more conductors and a covering surrounding the one or more conductors. The covering is formed from a composition including polyethylene and a polyolefin elastomer, where the composition is crosslinked. A method of forming the cable is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Prysmian S.p.A.
    Inventors: Elliot Byunghwa Lee, Timothy John Clancy, Eric W. Bates
  • Publication number: 20230224388
    Abstract: A mobile phone may include a display, wireless communication circuitry, a battery, and an enclosure enclosing the display, the wireless communication circuitry, and the battery. The enclosure may include a front cover formed from a transparent material and defining a front exterior surface of the mobile phone, a rear cover formed from a glass material and defining a rear exterior surface of the mobile phone, and a first housing component including a first wall section defining a first side exterior surface of the mobile phone, a second wall section defining a second side exterior surface opposite to the first side exterior surface, and a mid-chassis section extending between the first wall section and the second wall section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Eric W. Bates, Arun R. Varma, Benjamin J. Pope, Griffin L. Schmitt, Zonghao Liu, Michael W. Firka, Christopher J. Durning, Douglas G. Fournier, Yaocheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 11637919
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing member defining a first portion of an exterior front surface of the portable electronic device, a first portion of an exterior rear surface of the portable electronic device, at least a portion of an exterior side surface of the portable electronic device, a recess along an interior side of the housing member, and a ledge feature along the interior side of the housing member. The device also includes a top module coupled to the housing member and including a front cover defining a second portion of the exterior front surface of the portable electronic device, a display stack attached to the front cover, and a frame member extending at least partially around a periphery of the display stack and set apart from a surface of the recess by a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: John J. Baker, Eric W. Bates, Lucy E. Browning, Kodiak Burke, Benjamin S. Bustle, Trent Canales, Tyler B. Cater, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Michael Firka, Kevin M. Froese, Jun Sik Ham, Matthew D. Hill, Hugh J. Jay, Benjamin J. Kallman, Paul U. Leutheuser, Matthew W. Miller, Michael K. Mondry, Donald J. Parr, Benjamin J. Pope, Matthew P. Rao, Griffin Schmitt, Allegra Shum, Christopher R. Xydis, Luman Zhang, Yaocheng Zhang, Zhipeng Zhang, Xiao Ying Zhao
  • Patent number: 11522983
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a front cover, a rear cover, and a housing structure between and coupled to the front cover and the rear cover. The housing structure includes a first housing member defining and a first interlock feature formed along a first end surface. The portable electronic device also includes a second housing member defining a second interlock feature formed along a second end surface. The portable electronic device also includes a nonconductive joining element engaged with the first interlock feature and the second interlock feature, thereby structurally coupling the first housing member to the second housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Eric W. Bates, Xiao Ying Zhao, Luman Zhang, Christopher R. Xydis, Michael Firka, Benjamin J. Kallman, Ihtesham H. Chowdhury, Matthew D. Hill, Hugh J. Jay, Trent Canales, Lucy E. Browning
  • Publication number: 20220061179
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing that defines an aperture, and a display assembly positioned in the aperture. The display assembly can include a display layer having a first portion, and a second portion bending at least partially below the first portion. The first portion and the second portion can define a bend volume, and a potting material can be disposed in the bend volume, such that the potting material contacts the first portion and the second portion. An internal enclosure can be contoured to the display assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Izhar Z. Ahmed, John J. Baker, Bulong Wu, Daniel W. Jarvis, Douglas G. Fournier, Eric W. Bates, Hao Dong, Isabel S. Gueble, Jason C. Law, Jingjing Xu, Kikue S. Burnham, Paul U. Leutheuser, Sarah Trabia, Sawyer I. Cohen, Shaorui Yang, Shaowei Qin, Siddharth Avachat, Yaocheng Zhang, Ying-Chih Wang, Zhen Zhang, Benjamin R. Pope
  • Publication number: 20210304916
    Abstract: A cable includes cable one or more conductors and a covering surrounding the one or more conductors. The covering is formed from a composition including polyethylene and a polyolefin elastomer, where the composition is crosslinked. A method of forming the cable is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Elliot Byunghwa LEE, Timothy John CLANCY, Eric W. BATES
  • Publication number: 20210168225
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a front cover, a rear cover, and a housing structure between and coupled to the front cover and the rear cover. The housing structure includes a first housing member defining and a first interlock feature formed along a first end surface. The portable electronic device also includes a second housing member defining a second interlock feature formed along a second end surface. The portable electronic device also includes a nonconductive joining element engaged with the first interlock feature and the second interlock feature, thereby structurally coupling the first housing member to the second housing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Eric W. Bates, Xiao Ying Zhao, Luman Zhang, Christopher R. Xydis, Michael Firka, Benjamin J. Kallman, Ihtesham H. Chowdhury, Matthew D. Hill, Hugh J. Jay, Trent Canales, Lucy E. Browning
  • Publication number: 20210168230
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing member defining a first portion of an exterior front surface of the portable electronic device, a first portion of an exterior rear surface of the portable electronic device, at least a portion of an exterior side surface of the portable electronic device, a recess along an interior side of the housing member, and a ledge feature along the interior side of the housing member. The device also includes a top module coupled to the housing member and including a front cover defining a second portion of the exterior front surface of the portable electronic device, a display stack attached to the front cover, and a frame member extending at least partially around a periphery of the display stack and set apart from a surface of the recess by a gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: John J. Baker, Eric W. Bates, Lucy E. Browning, Kodiak Burke, Benjamin S. Bustle, Trent Canales, Tyler B. Cater, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Michael Firka, Kevin M. Froese, Jun Sik Ham, Matthew D. Hill, Hugh J. Jay, Benjamin J. Kallman, Paul U. Leutheuser, Matthew W. Miller, Michael K. Mondry, Donald J. Parr, Benjamin J. Pope, Matthew P. Rao, Griffin Schmitt, Allegra Shum, Christopher R. Xydis, Luman Zhang, Yaocheng Zhang, Zhipeng Zhang, Xiao Ying Zhao
  • Patent number: 10616387
    Abstract: Electronic devices, such as mobile communication devices, may include several enhancements and modification not found on traditional electronic devices. An electronic device can include a circuit board assembly that includes stacked layers of circuit components that are retained in a stacked configuration and operably connected to each other by retention features such as solder joints. Features can be provided for structural support and thermal mitigation. A battery assembly can accommodate nesting of other components, such as display components, within one or more recesses defined by variable thickness along different regions of the battery assemblies. The battery assembly can further provide a slim profile by including notches to accommodate the increased thickness of a pouch having folded flaps to seal a cell module of the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bryan D. Keen, Sina Bigdeli, Sawyer I. Cohen, William A. Counts, Lucy E. Browning, Devon A. Monaco, Jian Yang, Eric W. Bates
  • Publication number: 20200084310
    Abstract: Electronic devices, such as mobile communication devices, may include several enhancements and modification not found on traditional electronic devices. An electronic device can include a circuit board assembly that includes stacked layers of circuit components that are retained in a stacked configuration and operably connected to each other by retention features such as solder joints. Features can be provided for structural support and thermal mitigation. A battery assembly can accommodate nesting of other components, such as display components, within one or more recesses defined by variable thickness along different regions of the battery assemblies. The battery assembly can further provide a slim profile by including notches to accommodate the increased thickness of a pouch having folded flaps to seal a cell module of the battery assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Bryan D. Keen, Sina Bigdeli, Sawyer I. Cohen, William A. Counts, Lucy E. Browning, Devon A. Monaco, Jian Yang, Eric W. Bates
  • Patent number: 10028397
    Abstract: An electronic device having several modifications designed to prevent liquid ingress into an opening (or openings) of the electronic device is disclosed. For example, the electronic device includes a SIM tray having a sealing element designed to provide a seal at an opening that receives the SIM tray. The sealing element may include a first section and a second section extending from the first section, with the first section designed to bend with respect to (and in some cases collapse onto) the second section. The electronic device may further include an audio module fitted with a sealing element. The sealing element may include extensions extending away from a main body of the sealing element, with some extension designed to engage the audio module, and other extensions designed to engage an audio module interface. The sealing element provides a seal against liquid ingress into the audio module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiao Ying Zhao, Timothy S. Lui, Tyler B. Cater, Rasamy Phouthavong, Scott A. Myers, Benjamin J. Pope, David A. Hurrell, Christopher R. Xydis, Edward S. Huo, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Michael W. Firka, Martin J. Auclair, Kurtis J. Mundell, Salome Bavetta, Paul Leutheuser, Hani Esmaeili, Kevin M. Froese, Ihtesham H. Chowdhury, Tang Yew Tan, Eric W. Bates, Yaocheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 9974180
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shayan Malek, David A. Pakula, Gregory N. Stephens, Sawyer I. Cohen, Scott A. Myers, Tyler B. Cater, Eric W. Bates
  • Patent number: 9967375
    Abstract: An electronic device having liquid-resistant modifications that prevent liquid ingress into an opening (or openings) in an enclosure of the electronic device is disclosed. For example, the electronic device may include a coating formed from a liquid-resistant material that is applied internally to the enclosure. The electronic device may further include a frame that carries a protective transparent layer designed to cover a display assembly. In order to secure the frame with the enclosure, the electronic device may include an adhesive assembly disposed over an outer perimeter of the coating. The adhesive assembly may include several adhesive parts initially separate from one another. However, with the adhesive parts between the frame and the enclosure, the adhesive parts can be compressed by the frame and the enclosure, causing the adhesive parts to expand and engage each other. As a result, the coating and the adhesive parts provide a seal against liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiao Ying Zhao, Timothy S. Lui, Tyler B. Cater, Rasamy Phouthavong, Scott A. Myers, Benjamin J. Pope, David A. Hurrell, Christopher R. Xydis, Edward S. Huo, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Michael W. Firka, Martin J. Auclair, Kurtis J. Mundell, Salome Bavetta, Paul Leutheuser, Hani Esmaeili, Kevin M. Froese, Ihtesham H. Chowdhury, Tang Yew Tan, Eric W. Bates, Yaocheng Zhang