Patents by Inventor Fletcher R. Rothkopf

Fletcher R. Rothkopf 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: 20250044834
    Abstract: A head-mountable device includes a display portion a facial interface, a stiffness profile modifier, a sensor, and a securement assembly. The display portion includes a display. The facial interface has a variable stiffness profile. The stiffness profile modifier is configured to automatically change the facial interface from having a first stiffness profile to having a second stiffness profile in response to sensor data. The sensor is configured to generate the sensor profile data. The securement assembly is connectable to the display portion. The securement assembly includes a removable strap and a retention band that is connectable to the removable strap. The removable strap includes electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Grant H. Mulliken, Javier Mendez, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Nikola Vukovic
  • Publication number: 20250040061
    Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided that contain multiple housing portions. The housing portions may be coupled together using hinges. The hinges may include hinges based on a three-bar linkage, hinges based on a four-bar linkage, hinges with slotted members, hinges formed from flexible support structures, and hinges based on flexible housing structures. Flexible displays may be mounted to the housing portions overlapping the hinges. When the housing portions in a device are rotated relative to each other, the flexible display may bend. The hinge may be configured to allow the flexible display to be placed in a front-to-front configuration in which an active side of the display faces itself or a back-to-back configuration. Engagement structures may be used to help the housing grip external objects and to hold the housing portions together. The hinges may be provided with rotational detents to help hold the flexible display in desired positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Andrew J. M. Janis, Teodor Dabov
  • Publication number: 20250040344
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, Paul S. Drzaic, Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Patent number: 12210378
    Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided having internal components mounted to a structural glass support member. The structural glass support member may have a planar front surface that forms a front surface of the device. The structural glass support member may have bent portions that form sidewall surfaces of the device. Portions of the structural glass support member may form a transparent display cover layer. A rigid or flexible display may be mounted to the structural glass support member. Additional internal device components may be mounted to the display. A thin enclosure for enclosing the internal components in the device may be mounted to the structural glass support member. The thin enclosure may be mounted to the structural glass support member using a peripheral member. The thin enclosure may be free from attachments to internal components or may be adhesively bonded to one or more internal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20250013202
    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: September 19, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Publication number: 20250004545
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted support structure, a gaze tracker in the head-mounted support structure, and one or more displays in the head-mounted support structure. For example, two displays may display images to two eye boxes. The display may display a virtual keyboard and may display a text input in response to a gaze location that is determined by the gaze tracker. The gaze tracker may additionally determine a gaze swipe input, or a camera in the support structure may determine a hand swipe input, and the swipe input may be used with the gaze location to determine the text input. In particular, the swipe input may create a swipe input curve that is fit to the text input to determine the text input. A user's hand may be used as a secondary input to indicate the start or end of a text input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Ashwin Kumar Asoka Kumar Shenoi, Shuxin Yu, Benjamin R. Blachnitzky, Jie Gu, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Publication number: 20240430561
    Abstract: A head-mountable display device includes a housing defining a front opening and a rear opening, a display screen disposed in the front opening, a display assembly disposed in the rear opening, a first securement strap coupled to the housing, the first securement strap including a first electronic component, a second securement strap coupled to the housing, the second securement strap including a second electronic component, and a securement band extending between and coupled to the first securement strap and the second securement strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Michael J. Rockwell, Oriel Y. Bergig, Geoffrey Stahl, Thibaut Weise, Peter Kaufmann, Branko Petljanski, Jason L. Slupeiks, Tom Sengelaub, Kathrin Berkner Cieslicki, Yanghai Tsin, Hesam Najafi, Arthur Y. Zhang, Cheng Chen, Graham B. Myhre, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Marinus Meursing, Phil M. Hobson, Jason C. Sauers, Jan K. Quijalvo, Jia Tao, Ivan S. Maric, Jeremy C. Franklin, Wey-Jiun Lin, William A. Sorrentino, III, Jonathan Ive, Alan C. Dye, Stephen O. Lemay
  • Patent number: 12175855
    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: July 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Trevor J. Ness
  • Patent number: 12174396
    Abstract: Fiducial patterns that produce 2D Barker code-like diffraction patterns at a camera sensor are etched or otherwise provided on a cover glass in front of a camera. 2D Barker code kernels, when cross-correlated with the diffraction patterns captured in images by the camera, provide sharp cross-correlation peaks. Misalignment of the cover glass with respect to the camera can be derived by detecting shifts in the location of the detected peaks with respect to calibrated locations. Devices that include multiple cameras behind a cover glass with one or more fiducials on the cover glass in front of each camera are also described. The diffraction patterns caused by the fiducials at the various cameras may be analyzed to detect movement or distortion of the cover glass in multiple degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tushar Gupta, Aleksandr M. Movshovich, Arthur Y. Zhang, Ray L. Chang, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Publication number: 20240411361
    Abstract: A head-mountable display device includes a housing defining a front opening and a rear opening, a display screen disposed in the front opening, a display assembly disposed in the rear opening, a first securement strap coupled to the housing, the first securement strap including a first electronic component, a second securement strap coupled to the housing, the second securement strap including a second electronic component, and a securement band extending between and coupled to the first securement strap and the second securement strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Michael J. Rockwell, Oriel Y. Bergig, Geoffrey Stahl, Thibaut Weise, Peter Kaufmann, Branko Petljanski, Jason L. Slupeiks, Tom Sengelaub, Yanghai Tsin, Hesam Najafi, Arthur Y. Zhang, Cheng Chen, Graham B. Myhre, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Marinus Meursing, Phil M. Hobson, Jason C. Sauers, Jan K. Quijalvo, Jia Tao, Ivan S. Maric, Jeremy C. Franklin, Wey-Jiun Lin
  • Patent number: 12164687
    Abstract: One exemplary implementation provides an improved user experience on a device by using physiological data to initiate a user interaction for the user experience based on an identified interest or intention of a user. For example, a sensor may obtain physiological data (e.g., pupil diameter) of a user during a user experience in which content is displayed on a display. The physiological data varies over time during the user experience and a pattern is detected. The detected pattern is used to identify an interest of the user in the content or an intention of the user regarding the content. The user interaction is then initiated based on the identified interest or the identified intention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Avi Bar-Zeev, Devin W. Chalmers, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Grant H. Mulliken, Holly E. Gerhard, Lilli I. Jonsson
  • Publication number: 20240402500
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a left display and a right display that provide respective left and right images. Left and right optical combiner systems may be configured to pass real-world light to left and right eye boxes while directing the left and right images respectively to the left and right eye boxes. Misalignment of the left and right images with respect to the left and right eye boxes may be detected using gaze tracking systems, using cameras such as front-facing cameras in conjunction with a database of known real-world object properties, using visual inertial odometry systems formed from cameras and inertial measurement units, or using one or more sensors in a portable head-mounted device case or other item with a receptacle configured to receive a head-mounted device. Compensating adjustments may be made to the images based on the measured misalignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: David A. Kalinowski, Brian S. Lau, Cameron A. Harder, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Publication number: 20240397032
    Abstract: A head-mountable display device includes a housing defining a front opening and a rear opening, a display screen disposed in the front opening, a display assembly disposed in the rear opening, a first securement strap coupled to the housing, the first securement strap including a first electronic component, a second securement strap coupled to the housing, the second securement strap including a second electronic component, and a securement band extending between and coupled to the first securement strap and the second securement strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Michael J. Rockwell, Oriel Y. Bergig, Geoffrey Stahl, Thibaut Weise, Peter Kaufmann, Branko Petljanski, Jason L. Slupeiks, Tom Sengelaub, Kathrin Berkner Cieslicki, Yanghai Tsin, Hesam Najafi, Arthur Y. Zhang, Cheng Chen, Graham B. Myhre, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Marinus Meursing, Phil M. Hobson, Jason C. Sauers, Jan K. Quijalvo, Jia Tao, Ivan S. Maric, Jeremy C. Franklin, Wey-Jiun Lin, Muhammad F. Hossain
  • Publication number: 20240394921
    Abstract: Fiducial patterns that include sub-patterns of dot-like markers are generated or applied on or in transparent glass or plastic material, for example an optical element such as a cover glass or lens attachment. A camera may capture multiple images through the glass or plastic element that include diffraction patterns caused by the fiducial patterns. The diffraction patterns from multiple images may be processed and analyzed to extract information including but not limited to centroids of the sub-patterns of the fiducial patterns. This information may, for example, be used to estimate location of the fiducial 10 patterns with respect to the camera, and thus to estimate pose of the glass or lens element with respect to the camera. Information such as serial numbers and prescriptions can also be encoded in the fiducial patterns and extracted from the respective diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tushar Gupta, Arthur Y Zhang, Aleksandr M Movshovich, Ray L Chang, Fletcher R Rothkopf
  • Publication number: 20240388687
    Abstract: A head-mountable display device includes a housing defining a front opening and a rear opening, a display screen disposed in the front opening, a display assembly disposed in the rear opening, a first securement strap coupled to the housing, the first securement strap including a first electronic component, a second securement strap coupled to the housing, the second securement strap including a second electronic component, and a securement band extending between and coupled to the first securement strap and the second securement strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Michael J. Rockwell, Geoffrey Stahl, Thibaut Weise, Peter Kaufmann, Branko Petljanski, Jason L. Slupeiks, Tom Sengelaub, Kathrin Berkner Cieslicki, Yanghai Tsin, Hesam Najafi, Arthur Y. Zhang, Amanda R. Rainer, Cheng Chen, Graham B. Myhre, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Marinus Meursing, Phil M. Hobson, Jason C. Sauers, Jan K. Quijalvo, Jia Tao, Ivan S. Maric, Jeremy C. Franklin, Wey-Jiun Lin, William A. Sorrentino, III, Jonathan Ive, Alan C. Dye, Stephen O. Lemay, Seung Wook Kim, Ray L. Chang
  • Publication number: 20240385647
    Abstract: An electronic device having a housing structure that is configured to receive at least one glass cover is disclosed. The glass cover serves to cover a display assembly provided within the electronic device. The glass cover can be secured to the housing structure so as to facilitate providing a narrow border between an active display area and an outer edge of the housing structure. The enclosure for the electronic device can be thin yet be sufficiently strong to be suitable for use in electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher M. Werner, Emery A. Sanford, Stephen Brian Lynch, Teodor Dabov, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Publication number: 20240386817
    Abstract: A head-mountable display device includes a housing defining a front opening and a rear opening, a display screen disposed in the front opening, a display assembly disposed in the rear opening, a first securement strap coupled to the housing, the first securement strap including a first electronic component, a second securement strap coupled to the housing, the second securement strap including a second electronic component, and a securement band extending between and coupled to the first securement strap and the second securement strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Jason C. Sauers, Amanda R. Rainer, Cheng Chen, Graham B. Myhre, Michael J. Rockwell, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Marinus Meursing, Phil M. Hobson, Jan K. Quijalvo, Jia Tao, Ivan S. Maric, Jeremy C. Franklin, Wey-Jiun Lin, William A. Sorrentino, III, Jonathan Ive, Alan C. Dye, Stephen O. Lemay, Jeffrey M. Faulkner, Seung Wook Kim, Ray L. Chang
  • Publication number: 20240386679
    Abstract: A head-mountable display device includes a housing defining a front opening and a rear opening, a display screen disposed in the front opening, a display assembly disposed in the rear opening, a first securement strap coupled to the housing, the first securement strap including a first electronic component, a second securement strap coupled to the housing, the second securement strap including a second electronic component, and a securement band extending between and coupled to the first securement strap and the second securement strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Michael J. Rockwell, Geoffrey Stahl, Thibaut Weise, Peter Kaufmann, Branko Petljanski, Jason L. Slupeiks, Tom Sengelaub, Kathrin Berkner Cieslicki, Yanghai Tsin, Hesam Najafi, Arthur Y. Zhang, Julian Hoenig, Julian Jaede, Jason C. Sauers, James W. Vandyke, Yoonhoo Jo, Forrest C. Wang, Cheng Chen, Graham B. Myhre, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Marinus Meursing, Phil M. Hobson, Jan K. Quijalvo, Jia Tao, Ivan S. Maric, Jeremy C. Franklin, Wey-Jiun Lin, Bertrand Nepveu, Muhammad F. Hossain, William A. Sorrentino, III, Jonathan Ive, Alan C. Dye, Stephen O. Lemay
  • Publication number: 20240385453
    Abstract: A head-mountable display device includes a housing defining a front opening and a rear opening, a display screen disposed in the front opening, a display assembly disposed in the rear opening, a first securement strap coupled to the housing, the first securement strap including a first electronic component, a second securement strap coupled to the housing, the second securement strap including a second electronic component, and a securement band extending between and coupled to the first securement strap and the second securement strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Trevor J. Ness, Jason C. Sauers, Jeffrey C. Olson, Edward S. Huo, Samuel G. Smith, James W. Vandyke, Claire E. Dalke, Jeremy C. Franklin, Muhammad F. Hossain, Jia Tao, Wey-Jiun Lin, Jan K. Quijalvo, Ivan S. Maric, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Stephen E. Dey, Phil M. Hobson, Anthony S. Montevirgen, Ritu Shah, Marinus Meursing, Matthew A. Mayer, Julian Hoenig, Julian Jaede, Yoonhoo Jo, Forrest C. Wang, Michael J. Rockwell, Neal D. Evans, Paul Meade
  • Publication number: 20240385442
    Abstract: A head-mountable display device includes a housing defining a front opening and a rear opening, a display screen disposed in the front opening, a display assembly disposed in the rear opening, a first securement strap coupled to the housing, the first securement strap including a first electronic component, a second securement strap coupled to the housing, the second securement strap including a second electronic component, and a securement band extending between and coupled to the first securement strap and the second securement strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Jason C. Sauers, Amanda R. Rainer, Cheng Chen, Graham B. Myhre, Michael J. Rockwell, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Marinus Meursing, Phil M. Hobson, Jan K. Quijalvo, Jia Tao, Ivan S. Maric, Jeremy C. Franklin, Wey-Jiun Lin, Trevor J. Ness, Ray L. Chang