Patents by Inventor Erik G. DE JONG
Erik G. DE JONG 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).
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Patent number: 12265248Abstract: An electronic device may have image transport layer material such as coherent fiber bundle material or Anderson localization material. The image transport layer material may overlap optical components. Optical sensor components can emit and/or detect light passing through the image transport layer material. Optical components such as light-emitting diodes may emit light through image transport layers. An image from a display may pass through an image transport layer. Infrared light-emitting diodes, infrared photodetectors, and/or other optical sensor components may be used to form a two-dimensional optical touch sensor that is configured to gather touch input from an external object such as a finger of a user. The optical touch sensor may operate through an image transport layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2020Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Jean-Pierre S. Guillou, Michael B. Wittenberg, Ueyn L Block, Vivek Venugopal
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Publication number: 20250099035Abstract: A wearable electronic device may include a display and a housing. The housing may include a chassis defining a first portion of a rear exterior surface of the wearable electronic device, a first portion of a side exterior surface of the wearable electronic device, and an internal wall. The housing may also include a glass shell defining a front wall positioned over the display and defining a front exterior surface of the wearable electronic device and a side wall extending from the front wall and overlapping the internal wall, the side wall defining a second portion of the side exterior surface of the wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device may also include a touch sensing system within the housing and configured to detect a touch input applied to the front exterior surface of the wearable electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2024Publication date: March 27, 2025Inventors: Daniel J. Hiemstra, Erik G. de Jong, Sameer Pandya
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Patent number: 12259690Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has an input mechanism, such as a crown, that may receive translational inputs, rotational inputs, and/or touch inputs. Inputs received at the crown may result in changes in operation of the electronic device and/or outputs, such as graphical outputs, provided by the electronic device. In various embodiments, the crown includes a retainer that couples an outer crown body to an inner crown body and secures an isolator between the outer crown body and the inner crown body. The embodiments of the crown described herein provide a simple and robust input mechanism for receiving rotational, translational, and touch inputs as described above, while simplifying part alignment, ensuring consistent rotation, and allowing for efficient manufacturing.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Steven C. Roach, Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong
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Patent number: 12257078Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a body, a housing component, a band operable to attach the body to a body part of a user, and a force sensor coupled to the housing component. The force sensor is operable to produce a force signal based on a force exerted between the body part of the user and the housing component. A processing unit of the wearable electronic device receives the force signal from the force sensor and determines the force exerted on the housing component based thereon. The processing unit may use that force to determine a tightness of the band, determine health information for the user, adjust determined force exerted on a cover glass, and/or to perform various other actions.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2024Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Steven J. Martisauskas, Erik G. de Jong, Andrzej T. Baranski, Serhan O. Isikman, Steven J. Banaska, Todd K. Whitehurst, Ming L. Sartee
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Publication number: 20250084282Abstract: An apparatus is designed to secure a component (e.g., battery) to a housing of an electronic device and to remove the power supply from the electronic device with minimal or no breaking. The apparatus may include an adhesive layer and a reinforcement layer (e.g., wire) that extends throughout the adhesive layer. When a force is applied to the adhesive layer, the reinforcement layer allows the adhesive layer to stretch and lengthen without breaking. The apparatus may further include an extension where the applied force can be initiated, and the reinforcement layer may extend into the extension. The reinforcement layer may also be used to sever the adhesive layer. For example, an applied force to the reinforcement layer can cut the adhesive layer. Alternatively, thermal energy may be applied to the reinforcement layer, causing the reinforcement layer to change shape and separate the adhesive layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2024Publication date: March 13, 2025Inventors: Erik G. DE JONG, Antonio F. HERRERA, Daniela M. DESCHAMPS, Yi Lin CHEN
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Publication number: 20250040344Abstract: An electronic device is provided with a display and a light sensor that receives light that passes through the display. The display includes features that increase the amount of light that passes through the display. The features may be translucency enhancement features that allow light to pass directly through the display onto a light sensor mounted behind the display or may include a light-guiding layer that guides light through the display onto a light sensor mounted along an edge of the display. The translucency enhancement features may be formed in a reflector layer or an electrode layer for the display. The translucency enhancement features may include microperforations in a reflector layer of the display, a light-filtering reflector layer of the display, or a reflector layer of the display that passes a portion of the light and reflects an additional portion of the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2024Publication date: January 30, 2025Inventors: Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, Paul S. Drzaic, Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
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Patent number: 12213260Abstract: A portable or wearable electronic device can include a device housing defining an internal volume, and an electronic component disposed in the internal volume. The electronic component can be an input component and can have a component housing. The electronic device can also include an antenna feed assembly disposed in the internal volume. The antenna feed assembly can include a conductive grounding component electrically connected to the component housing and the device housing, and an antenna feed component electrically connected to the grounding component and disposed adjacent to the component housing. The conductive grounding component can surround a first major surface and a second major surface of the component housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2021Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Dakota A. Bass, Daniel J. Barrett, Erik G. de Jong, Xuan Liu, Kiran S. Pillai, Mario Martinis
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Publication number: 20250030794Abstract: Systems and methods for performing damping analyses on a device are disclosed. The damping analyses may be used by a device in numerous ways. For example, in some embodiments, damping analyses are used to determine whether a device is being worn or held by a user. In some embodiments, damping analyses are used to determine which user of multiple users is wearing a device. In some embodiments, damping analyses are used to determine the body composition of a user who is holding or wearing the device. In some embodiments, damping analyses are used to determine how much force a user is applying to a device via a touch input. In some embodiments, damping analyses are used to determine whether and to what extent a sensor is in contact with a body of a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2024Publication date: January 23, 2025Inventors: David I. Nazzaro, Erik G. de Jong, Steven J. Martisauskas, Tyler S. Bushnell
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Patent number: 12193839Abstract: A wearable electronic device may include a display and a housing. The housing may include a chassis defining a first portion of a rear exterior surface of the wearable electronic device, a first portion of a side exterior surface of the wearable electronic device, and an internal wall. The housing may also include a glass shell defining a front wall positioned over the display and defining a front exterior surface of the wearable electronic device and a side wall extending from the front wall and overlapping the internal wall, the side wall defining a second portion of the side exterior surface of the wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device may also include a touch sensing system within the housing and configured to detect a touch input applied to the front exterior surface of the wearable electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2021Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Daniel J. Hiemstra, Erik G. de Jong, Sameer Pandya
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Publication number: 20250013202Abstract: An input mechanism, such as a crown, detects amounts of applied force. In various examples, an assembly including an input mechanism has an enclosure; a stem coupled to the enclosure such that the stem is rotatable, translatable, and transversely moveable with respect to the enclosure; a sensor, coupled between the stem and the housing, to which force is transferred when the stem moves with respect to the housing; and a processing unit coupled to the sensor. The processing unit is operable to determine a measurement of the force, based on a signal from the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2024Publication date: January 9, 2025Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
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Publication number: 20250004426Abstract: An electronic watch includes a housing and a crown assembly including a rotatable actuation member. The rotatable actuation member includes a knob external to the housing and configured to receive a rotational input and a shaft assembly coupled to the knob and positioned at least partially within the housing, the shaft assembly defining a sensing surface configured to rotate in response to the rotational input. The electronic watch further includes an optical sensing system configured to detect the rotational input, the detecting including directing light onto the sensing surface, receiving reflected light from the sensing surface, and producing a signal corresponding to a rotational motion of the sensing surface, the signal based at least in part on an interference between the light directed onto the sensing surface and the reflected light.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2024Publication date: January 2, 2025Inventors: Antonio F. Herrera, Erik G. de Jong, Jiahui Liang
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Patent number: 12175855Abstract: A connectible component is connected to a housing. A sensor of the housing is utilized to detect an identity element of the at connectible component. The connectible component is identified utilizing the at least one sensor. In some implementations, identification of the connectible component may identify whether or not a connectible component is connected to the housing. In other implementations, identification of the connectible component may identify the type of connectible component that is connected. In such implementations, the housing may house an electronic device and the electronic device may be configured based on the type of connectible component that is connected.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2023Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Trevor J. Ness
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Publication number: 20240393747Abstract: An input device includes a movable input surface protruding from an electronic device. The input device enables force inputs along three axes relative to the electronic device: first lateral movements, second lateral movements, and axial movements. The input device includes force or displacement sensors which can detect a direction and magnitude of input forces.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2024Publication date: November 28, 2024Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Steven P. Cardinali
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Patent number: 12150339Abstract: An electronic device is provided with a display and a light sensor that receives light that passes through the display. The display includes features that increase the amount of light that passes through the display. The features may be translucency enhancement features that allow light to pass directly through the display onto a light sensor mounted behind the display or may include a light-guiding layer that guides light through the display onto a light sensor mounted along an edge of the display. The translucency enhancement features may be formed in a reflector layer or an electrode layer for the display. The translucency enhancement features may include microperforations in a reflector layer of the display, a light-filtering reflector layer of the display, or a reflector layer of the display that passes a portion of the light and reflects an additional portion of the light.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, Paul S. Drzaic, Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
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Publication number: 20240365488Abstract: An electronic device may have a display mounted in a housing. The display may have a display panel with an array of pixels on a flexible substrate. A display cover layer may overlap the display panel. The flexible substrate may have a protruding portion that forms a tail. When the display is mounted in the housing, the tail may be bent back on itself to create a bend. The bend may be embedded in molded polymer. The device may have structures that help prevent the display cover layer from being compressed inwardly towards the rear of the housing such as frame structures embedded in the molded polymer and/or housing sidewall structures. Optical components and optical waveguides may be embedded within the molded polymer. Mating chamfers on the display cover layer and housing may help seat the display cover layer in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2024Publication date: October 31, 2024Inventors: Dakota A Bass, Erik G de Jong, Sameer Pandya, Shang L Tsuei, Trent J Canales
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Patent number: 12130672Abstract: A modular button assembly includes a button housing that may be disposed in an opening of an enclosure of an electronic device. The modular button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device. The modular button assembly may further include a sensor to detect the received inputs and transmit a signal to a processor of the electronic device. The modular button assembly may be configured such that disposing the button housing in the opening of the enclosure forms a seal that prevents contaminants from entering the button housing and the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2021Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Trevor J. Ness, James G. Horiuchi, Steven P. Cardinali
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Patent number: 12105479Abstract: An input mechanism, such as a crown, detects amounts of applied force. In various examples, an assembly including an input mechanism has an enclosure; a stem coupled to the enclosure such that the stem is rotatable, translatable, and transversely moveable with respect to the enclosure; a sensor, coupled between the stem and the housing, to which force is transferred when the stem moves with respect to the housing; and a processing unit coupled to the sensor. The processing unit is operable to determine a measurement of the force, based on a signal from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2023Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
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Patent number: 12108547Abstract: An electronic device may have a display mounted in a housing. The display may have a display panel with an array of pixels on a flexible substrate. A display cover layer may overlap the display panel. The flexible substrate may have a protruding portion that forms a tail. When the display is mounted in the housing, the tail may be bent back on itself to create a bend. The bend may be embedded in molded polymer. The device may have structures that help prevent the display cover layer from being compressed inwardly towards the rear of the housing such as frame structures embedded in the molded polymer and/or housing sidewall structures. Optical components and optical waveguides may be embedded within the molded polymer. Mating chamfers on the display cover layer and housing may help seat the display cover layer in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dakota A Bass, Erik G de Jong, Sameer Pandya, Shang L Tsuei, Trent J Canales
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Patent number: 12092996Abstract: An electronic watch includes a housing and a crown assembly including a rotatable actuation member. The rotatable actuation member includes a knob external to the housing and configured to receive a rotational input and a shaft assembly coupled to the knob and positioned at least partially within the housing, the shaft assembly defining a sensing surface configured to rotate in response to the rotational input. The electronic watch further includes an optical sensing system configured to detect the rotational input, the detecting including directing light onto the sensing surface, receiving reflected light from the sensing surface, and producing a signal corresponding to a rotational motion of the sensing surface, the signal based at least in part on an interference between the light directed onto the sensing surface and the reflected light.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2021Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Antonio F. Herrera, Erik G. de Jong, Jiahui Liang
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Patent number: 12079036Abstract: An electronic device may have a display mounted in a housing. The display may have a display panel with an array of pixels on a flexible substrate. A display cover layer may overlap the display panel. The flexible substrate may have a protruding portion that forms a tail. The tail may be coupled to a printed circuit on which a display driver integrated circuit and/or other circuitry is mounted. When the display is mounted in the housing, the tail may be bent back on itself to create a bend. The bend may be embedded in a molded polymer member. The molded polymer member may be attached to the housing with adhesive and may directly contact an inner surface of the display cover layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2021Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Barrett, Dakota A. Bass, Sameer Pandya, Shang L Tsuei, Elizabeth C. Porter, Erik G. de Jong, Jingjing Xu, Jacquelynn M. Pok, Kiran S. Pillai, Xuan Liu, Adam J. Brinkman, Paul Choiniere, Daniel W. Jarvis, Jia Liu