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).

  • Patent number: 12079032
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Werner, Emery A. Sanford, Stephen Brian Lynch, Teodor Dabov, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Patent number: 12064791
    Abstract: Examples of portable electronic devices including a piezo actuated vibrator for providing tactile feedback to the user are described. Portable electronic devices according to the present disclosure may include tactile feedback devices, which may be driven by a piezoelectric actuator/vibrator that is operatively coupled to or embedded into the housing of a portable electronic device. In some examples, the housing of the electronic device itself can be made of piezoelectric ceramic material. The piezoelectric element may be coupled to the housing of the product to cause the housing to deflect and/or vibrate. In some examples, the housing of the portable electronic device, which may be a portable media player device, may be configured for placement directly or indirectly in contact with the user's skin such that vibrations of the housing may be felt directly (without audible feedback) by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Zadesky, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Stephen B. Lynch, Martin Auclair
  • Publication number: 20240268682
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring biometric data including temperature in head-mounted devices (HMDs). Thermal sensors may also be integrated into the HMD and used to collect thermal data from the surface of the user's face. This thermal data may, for example, be processed to determine core body temperature of the user, or be processed to generate estimates of the user's respiration. The temperature data and/or respiration rate and changes to respiration rate derived from signals from the sensors may be used to generate and present biometric data to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicants: Apple Inc., DATHOMIR LABORATORIES LLC.
    Inventors: Grant H Mulliken, Cameron A Harder, Fletcher R Rothkopf, Izzet B Yildiz, Nicholas C Soldner
  • Patent number: 12056178
    Abstract: Management or coordination of playback of digital media assets by an electronic device (e.g., a computing device), that supports media playback is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the electronic device can be controlled such that a user is able to schedule playback of distinct digital media assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, John Benjamin Filson, Kyle Yeates
  • Publication number: 20240192488
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a head-mounted device may have gaze tracking sensors and other circuits that include packaged light-emitting devices. The packaged light-emitting devices may each include a light-emitting component such as a light-emitting diode or laser that emits infrared light or light of other wavelengths. The packaged light-emitting devices may have protection circuitry. The protection circuitry of each device may include one or more sensors such as a package integrity sensor, a proximity sensor, a photodetector for measuring emitted light intensity, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature associated with the light-emitting component, and a current sensor. A control circuit such as an integrated circuit containing a comparator or other analog circuitry and/or a digital control circuit may gather information from one or more of the sensors and may control the light-emitting component based on the sensor information to prevent elevated light emission intensities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, James W. Vandyke
  • Patent number: 12008178
    Abstract: A device including a mechanical input and a touch-sensitive surface for detecting one or more touch inputs and an input from the mechanical input. The touch-sensitive surface can include a first portion for detecting at least the touch inputs, and a second portion for detecting at least the mechanical input. The touch-sensitive surface can include a first portion for detecting at least the touch inputs and the mechanical input. The mechanical input can comprise an electrically conductive material, and the mechanical input can be detected based on capacitance measurements between the mechanical input and the touch-sensitive surface. The device can include a sensing element, the mechanical input can comprise an electrically insulating material, and the mechanical input can be detected based on capacitance measurements between the touch-sensitive surface and the sensing element. The device can include logic to differentiate between the touch inputs and the mechanical input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, Christopher Werner, Colin M. Ely, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Publication number: 20240176152
    Abstract: A head-mounted display configured to be worn by a user includes a housing and a headband configured to secure the housing to a head of the user. The headband includes a proximal end coupled to the housing and a distal end that is free from connection to the housing. The head-mounted display includes an adjustment mechanism configured to change a fit of the headband relative to the head of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2024
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Killian J. Poore, Marinus Meursing, Jeffrey C. Olson, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Jason C. Sauers
  • Publication number: 20240171478
    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: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Stephen Brian Lynch, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Publication number: 20240143103
    Abstract: Display layers and touch sensor layers may be overlapped by enclosure walls in an electronic device. The electronic device may have a front wall and opposing rear wall and curved sidewalls. The front wall and the curved sidewalls may be formed from a glass layer or other transparent member. A touch sensor layer and display layer may extend under the glass layer with curved sidewalls. A touch sensor layer may also extend under the opposing rear wall. A foldable electronic device may have a flexible transparent wall portion that joins planar transparent walls. Components may be interposed between the transparent planar walls and opaque walls. Display and touch layers may be overlapped by the transparent walls and the transparent flexible wall portion. Touch sensor structures may also be overlapped by the opaque walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Isaac W. Chan, Chun-Hao Tung, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Sunggu Kang, John Z. Zhong
  • Patent number: 11924055
    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: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Stephen Brian Lynch, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Patent number: 11914141
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a head-mounted device may have gaze tracking sensors and other circuits that include packaged light-emitting devices. The packaged light-emitting devices may each include a light-emitting component such as a light-emitting diode or laser that emits infrared light or light of other wavelengths. The packaged light-emitting devices may have protection circuitry. The protection circuitry of each device may include one or more sensors such as a package integrity sensor, a proximity sensor, a photodetector for measuring emitted light intensity, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature associated with the light-emitting component, and a current sensor. A control circuit such as an integrated circuit containing a comparator or other analog circuitry and/or a digital control circuit may gather information from one or more of the sensors and may control the light-emitting component based on the sensor information to prevent elevated light emission intensities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, James W. Vandyke
  • Patent number: 11914158
    Abstract: A head-mounted display to be worn by a user includes a housing, and an eye chamber to be positioned adjacent to eyes of the user. A support assembly includes a headband and an adjustment mechanism that is operable to change fit of the headband relative to the head of the user in response to a control signal, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a feedback component, and the control signal is generated based on output from the feedback component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Killian J. Poore, Marinus Meursing, Jeffrey C. Olson, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Jason C. Sauers
  • Patent number: 11908086
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an exemplary process for initializing members of a shared enhanced reality setting is described. In accordance with some embodiments, an exemplary process for forming a private sub-space and example features of the private sub-space is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Grant H. Mulliken, James Williams Charles Vandyke
  • Patent number: 11907465
    Abstract: Display layers and touch sensor layers may be overlapped by enclosure walls in an electronic device. The electronic device may have a front wall and opposing rear wall and curved sidewalls. The front wall and the curved sidewalls may be formed from a glass layer or other transparent member. A touch sensor layer and display layer may extend under the glass layer with curved sidewalls. A touch sensor layer may also extend under the opposing rear wall. A foldable electronic device may have a flexible transparent wall portion that joins planar transparent walls. Components may be interposed between the transparent planar walls and opaque walls. Display and touch layers may be overlapped by the transparent walls and the transparent flexible wall portion. Touch sensor structures may also be overlapped by the opaque walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac W. Chan, Chun-Hao Tung, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Sunggu Kang, John Z. Zhong
  • Publication number: 20240029661
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a head-mounted device may have displays. The display may have regions of lower and higher resolution to reduce data bandwidth and power consumption for the display while preserving satisfactory image quality. Data lines may be shared by lower and higher resolution portions of a display or different portions of a display with different resolutions may be supplied with different numbers of data lines. Data line length may be varied in transition regions between lower resolution and higher resolution portions of a display to reduce visible discontinuities between the lower and higher resolution portions. The lower and higher resolution portions of the display may be dynamically adjusted using dynamically adjustable gate driver circuitry and dynamically adjustable data line driver circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Cheng Chen, Jason C. Sauers, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, David W. Lum, Chun-Yao Huang, Enkhamgalan Dorjgotov, Graham B. Myhre, Bennett S. Wilburn, Paolo Sacchetto, Shih Chang Chang, Wonjae Choi, Cheuk Chi Lo
  • Publication number: 20240015999
    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: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, Paul S. Drzaic, Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Publication number: 20240012257
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may be provided with displays. The displays and lenses through which images on the displays are viewed may be mounted in optical modules. Lens positioners may be used to move the optical modules toward and away from eye boxes to adjust eye relief distance. Control circuitry may gather sensor data such as motion sensor data from a motion sensor indicating whether the head-mounted device is in free fall and/or image sensor data from a front-facing camera indicating whether the head-mounted device is headed toward a collision with an external surface. The control circuitry may use the lens positioners to automatically increase the eye relief distance in response to sensor data if a collision is predicted. The lens positioners may include solenoids or other actuators. The positions of the lenses may be adjusted without necessarily adjusting a distance between the lens and the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X Wang, Fletcher R Rothkopf
  • Publication number: 20230400697
    Abstract: A head-mounted display includes a housing. A support member is connected to the housing. A sensor is located on a front surface of the support member and is configured to measure a characteristic of a user. A compressible material is configured to be compressed against the front surface of the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Jason C. Sauers, Phil M. Hobson, Edward S. Huo, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Publication number: 20230384824
    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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20230377536
    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: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Kalinowski, Brian S. Lau, Cameron A. Harder, Fletcher R. Rothkopf