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).

  • Patent number: 10936071
    Abstract: One embodiment described herein takes the form of a watch, comprising: a housing; a crown comprising: a crown body outside the housing; and a shaft extending from the crown body into the housing; and an actuator coupled to the crown and configured to provide haptic output through the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Erik G. de Jong, Colin M. Ely, Benjamin G. Jackson, Lei Ma, Steven C. Roach, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Publication number: 20210026450
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure having a transparent cover defining a touch-sensitive surface, a display positioned within the enclosure and below the transparent cover, and a haptic device configured to produce a haptic output along the touch-sensitive surface. The haptic device may include a battery element electrically coupled to the display, a magnetic element, and a coil assembly fixed with respect to the enclosure and configured to induce an oscillatory movement of the battery element parallel to the display to produce the haptic output. In other examples, the coil assembly may be coupled to the battery element and the first and second magnetic elements may be fixed with respect to the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Jody C. Fu, Erik G. de Jong, Christopher R. Pasma, Katharine R. Chemelewski, Rex T. Ehman, Brad w. Simeral
  • Patent number: 10855110
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe a wireless power receiving system for an electronic device includes: a first inductor coil configured to receive power primarily at a first frequency and from magnetic fields propagating in a first direction; and a second inductor coil configured to receive power primarily at a second frequency and from magnetic fields propagating in a second direction, wherein the first frequency is different than the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Stefan A. Kowalski, Christopher S. Graham, Morgan T. McClure, Erik G. de Jong, Trevor J. Ness, Peter J. Kardassakis, Jayesh Nath, Adam T. Clavelle, Rex Tyler Ehman
  • Patent number: 10849392
    Abstract: A watch can include a watch body and a watch band that is capable of housing batteries and transferring power from the batteries to the watch body to power the watch. The watch band can include an inner frame that has multiple slots, each slot configured to house a corresponding battery. The watch band can further include an outer covering that encompasses the inner structure and hermetically seals the batteries. A battery connector operatively connects each of the batteries to each other and to the watch body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Scott W. Slabaugh, Stephen E. Dey, Benjamin J. Kallman, Erik G. De Jong
  • Patent number: 10841174
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display system and control circuitry. The user's environment may be presented on the display system. The environment on the display system may be a captured image of the environment, may be the actual real world viewed through an optical combiner, or may be a completely virtual image representing the environment. The control circuitry may gather information about external electronic devices in the user's environment, including determining a type and location of each external electronic device and a status of wireless communications links between external electronic devices. The display system may overlay computer-generated display elements onto the user's environment to indicate the status of wireless communications links between the external electronic devices. In response to touch or gesture input, the control circuitry may send control signals to the external electronic devices to establish or break wireless communications links between external electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Stephen Brian Lynch, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Patent number: 10840739
    Abstract: Embodiments describe a housing for an electronic device that includes a non-conductive filament wound around a least a first portion of a perimeter of the housing, and a conductive filament wound around a least a second portion of the perimeter of the housing. The non-conductive filament and the conductive filament are adhered together to form the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Slabaugh, Kevin M. Kenney, Michael B. Wittenberg, Erik G. de Jong, Christopher S. Graham
  • Patent number: 10818149
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Trevor J. Ness
  • Publication number: 20200333421
    Abstract: A holder for a wirelessly locatable tag may include a snap assembly coupling a first element of the holder to a second element of the holder thereby securing the wirelessly locatable tag within a recess of the holder, the snap assembly including a male assembly having a protrusion component, a female assembly defining an opening that is configured to receive the protrusion component, a groove defined in one of either the male assembly or the female assembly, a compression ring positioned in the groove and configured to retain the male assembly to the female assembly, and a compliant member positioned in the groove and providing a biasing force on the compression ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan C. Perkins, Erik G. de Jong, Tirshathah A. Hunter
  • Patent number: 10782742
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a sensing component positioned in an enclosure. The sensing component can determine ambient air pressure. In order for the sensing component to access ambient air, the electronic device includes a through hole in the enclosure. The through hole allows communication from the ambient air to the sensing component. In some instances, liquid becomes lodges in the through hole and reduces or inhibits the ability of the sensing component to determine the ambient air pressure. In order to expel the liquid from the through hole, the electronic device may include an air accumulation module designed to receive air from the internal volume, causing an increased air pressure within the air accumulation module. The air accumulation module can subsequently release the air in a direction toward the through hole. In this manner, the air can expel the liquid from the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Maegan K. Spencer, Ryan C. Perkins, Shannon X. Yang, Erik G. De Jong
  • Publication number: 20200286344
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Trevor J. Ness
  • Publication number: 20200229761
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a housing to which a carrier is attached. The carrier has a first surface interior to the electronic device, and a second surface exterior to the electronic device. A set of electrodes is deposited on the exterior surface of the carrier. An additional electrode is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while the first electrode is positioned against skin of the user. The additional electrode may be positioned on a user-rotatable crown of the electronic device, on a button of the electronic device, or on another surface of the housing of the electronic device. A processor of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter of the user based on voltages at the electrodes. The biological parameter may be an electrocardiogram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Adam T. Clavelle, Erik G. de Jong, Michael B. Wittenberg, Tobias J. Harrison-Noonan, Martin Melcher, Zhipeng Zhang, Steven C. Roach, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Patent number: 10720030
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Trevor J. Ness
  • Patent number: 10707032
    Abstract: Electronic devices having input structures that are operative to translate a relatively small travel of an input surface to a larger travel elsewhere. For example, force exerted on an input surface of an input body may cause a corresponding input body to move a first distance. An arm, lever mechanism, or the like may have an end or other portion that moves a second distance in response to the input body's motion. The second distance may be greater than the first; in some embodiments, the second distance may be an order of magnitude or more than the first distance. The travel may close or open a switch in response to the force exerted on the input surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Daniel William Jarvis, Benjamin J. Pope, Erik G. de Jong, Tyler S. Bushnell, Christopher T. Cheng, Trevor J. Ness, William C. Lukens, Steven P. Cardinali, Robert D. Turner
  • Patent number: 10691169
    Abstract: A cover for an electronic device and methods of forming a cover is disclosed. The electronic device may include a housing, and a cover coupled to the housing. The cover may have an inner surface having at least one of an intermediate polish and a final polish, a groove formed on the inner surface, and an outer surface positioned opposite the inner surface. The outer surface may have at least one of the intermediate polish and the final polish. The cover may also have a rounded perimeter portion formed between the inner surface and the outer surface. The rounded perimeter portion may be positioned adjacent the groove. The method for forming the cover may include performing a first polishing process on the sapphire component using a polishing tool, and performing a second polishing process on the groove of the sapphire component forming the cover using blasting media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Mylvaganam, Erik G. de Jong, Dale N. Memering, Xiao Bing Cai, Palaniappan Chinnakaruppan, Jong Kong Lee, Srikanth Kamireddi, Sawako Kamei, Feng Min, Jing Zhang, Xiang Du, Sai Feng Liu
  • Publication number: 20200150815
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Patent number: 10610157
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a housing to which a carrier is attached. The carrier has a first surface interior to the electronic device, and a second surface exterior to the electronic device. A set of electrodes is deposited on the exterior surface of the carrier. An additional electrode is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while the first electrode is positioned against skin of the user. The additional electrode may be positioned on a user-rotatable crown of the electronic device, on a button of the electronic device, or on another surface of the housing of the electronic device. A processor of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter of the user based on voltages at the electrodes. The biological parameter may be an electrocardiogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Adam T. Clavelle, Erik G. de Jong, Michael B. Wittenberg, Tobias J. Harrison-Noonan, Martin Melcher, Zhipeng Zhang, Steven C. Roach, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Publication number: 20200073477
    Abstract: One embodiment described herein takes the form of a watch, comprising: a housing; a crown comprising: a crown body outside the housing; and a shaft extending from the crown body into the housing; and an actuator coupled to the crown and configured to provide haptic output through the crown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Erik G. de Jong, Colin M. Ely, Benjamin G. Jackson, Lei Ma, Steven C. Roach, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Publication number: 20200073339
    Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing defining a side wall having a through-hole and a crown assembly including an actuation member. The actuation member may include a crown shaft extending through the through-hole and having an exterior portion defining an input surface and a crown ring coupled to the exterior portion of the crown shaft and electrically isolated from the crown shaft. The crown assembly may further include an optical encoder component attached to the actuation member and defining a group of optical features. The electronic watch may further include an optical detector configured to detect rotation of the crown assembly by detecting motion of the group of optical features and an electrocardiograph sensor comprising a sensing component. The sensing component may be conductively coupled to the actuation member via a conductive path at least partially defined by the crown shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Steven C. Roach, Sameer Pandya, Erik G. de Jong, Erik L. Wang, Peter J. Kardassakis, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Publication number: 20200064779
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Steven C. Roach, Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong
  • Patent number: 10572053
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf