Patents by Inventor Erik Utterman

Erik Utterman 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: 20170308123
    Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs, Jeremy C. Franklin, Elvis M. Kibiti, John Raff, Jules B. Henry, Benjamin Rappoport, Derek W. Wright, Erik A. Utterman, Ming Yu, Carl R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9710017
    Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs, Jeremy C. Franklin, Elvis M. Kibiti, John Raff, Jules B. Henry, Benjamin Rappoport, Derek W. Wright, Erik A. Utterman, Ming Yu, Carl R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9380369
    Abstract: A microphone includes elements to protect against overpressure, such as from sudden physical shock. A cavity between ambient atmosphere and the microphone diaphragm includes a movable seal, which blocks overpressure from reaching the diaphragm when closed, and allows ordinary pressure to reach the diaphragm when open. The cavity can also have an entrance from ambient atmosphere offset from an exit to the diaphragm, and can include a valve which vents overpressure, or balloons in response to overpressure, so that overpressure does not directly reach the diaphragm. The seal or valve can be kept open or kept closed, and moved between states in response to whether the microphone should be in use or protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Erik Utterman, Melody Kuna
  • Patent number: 9012055
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a battery cell. The battery cell includes a set of layers including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating. The battery cell also includes a pouch enclosing the layers, wherein the pouch is flexible. The resistance of the battery cell to mechanical stress may be improved by removing material from one or more of the layers to form one or more apertures within the battery cell and placing a mechanical support in each of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik A. Utterman, Justin R. Wodrich, Sheba Devan
  • Publication number: 20140226826
    Abstract: A microphone includes elements to protect against overpressure, such as from sudden physical shock. A cavity between ambient atmosphere and the microphone diaphragm includes a movable seal, which blocks overpressure from reaching the diaphragm when closed, and allows ordinary pressure to reach the diaphragm when open. The cavity can also have an entrance from ambient atmosphere offset from an exit to the diaphragm, and can include a valve which vents overpressure, or balloons in response to overpressure, so that overpressure does not directly reach the diaphragm. The seal or valve can be kept open or kept closed, and moved between states in response to whether the microphone should be in use or protected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Utterman, Melody Kuna
  • Publication number: 20140075743
    Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs, Jeremy C. Franklin, Elvis M. Kibiti, John Raff, Jules B. Henry, Benjamin Rappoport, Derek W. Wright, Erik A. Utterman, Ming Yu, Carl R. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20130330585
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a battery cell. The battery cell includes a set of layers including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating. The battery cell also includes a pouch enclosing the layers, wherein the pouch is flexible. The resistance of the battery cell to mechanical stress may be improved by removing material from one or more of the layers to form one or more apertures within the battery cell and placing a mechanical support in each of the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Erik A. Utterman, Justin R. Wodrich, Sheba Devan