Patents by Inventor James E. Pedder

James E. Pedder 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: 20180211582
    Abstract: Display panel redundancy schemes and methods of operation are described. In an embodiment, and display panel includes an array of drivers (e.g. microdrivers), each of which including multiple portions to independently receive control and pixel bits. In an embodiment, each driver portion is to control a group of redundant emission elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kapil V. SAKARIYA, Tore NAUTA, Hopil BAE, Henry C. JEN, James E. PEDDER, Sunggu KANG, Shingo HATANAKA, Xiang LU, Mahdi Farrokh BAROUGHI, Hasan AKYOL, Saif CHOUDHARY, Ion BITA
  • Publication number: 20180190625
    Abstract: Display panels and methods of manufacture are described for down converting a peak emission wavelength of a pump LED within a subpixel with a quantum dot layer. In some embodiments, pump LEDs with a peak emission wavelength below 500 nm, such as between 340 nm and 420 nm are used. QD layers in accordance with embodiments can be integrated into a variety of display panel structures including a wavelength conversion cover arrangement, QD patch arrangement, or QD layers patterned on the display substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Steckel, Jean-Jacques P. Drolet, Roland van Gelder, Kelly C. McGroddy, Ion Bita, James Michael Perkins, Andreas Bibl, Sajjad A. Khan, James E. Pedder, Elmar Gehlen
  • Patent number: 10006820
    Abstract: A strain-responsive sensor incorporating a strain-sensitive element is disclosed. The strain-sensitive element includes a matched-pair of resistive structures disposed on opposite sides of a substrate. One resistive structure of the matched pair is coupled to a crossover, either a physical crossover or a soft crossover, such that current within the resistive structures of the matched pair flows in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Vosgueritchian, Sinan Filiz, John Stephen Smith, Anshuman Bhuyan, James E. Pedder, Vikram Garg
  • Publication number: 20180157363
    Abstract: One or more transparent transistor force sensitive structures can be included in an electronic device. The transistor force sensitive structures(s) is used to detect a force that is applied to the electronic device, to a component in the electronic device, and/or to an input region of the electronic device. As one example, the one or more transparent transistor force sensitive structures may be included in a display stack of a display in an electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Vosgueritchian, James E. Pedder, John Stephen Smith, Xiaonan Wen
  • Publication number: 20180081441
    Abstract: An electronic device is configured to provide localized haptic feedback to a user on one or more regions or sections of a surface of the electronic device. The localized haptic feedback is provided by an array of piezoelectric haptic actuators below the surface of the electronic device. Actuators within the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators are separately controllable by a control circuit layer. The control circuit layer includes control circuitry, a master flexible circuit which passes between rows of actuators, and an array of slave flexible circuits. Each slave flexible circuit is connected to the master flexible circuit and an actuator. In further examples, the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators provides a unified structure for detecting touch and force inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: James E. Pedder, Supratik Datta, Karan Jain, Jui-Ming Yang, Pavan O. Gupta, Robert W. Rumford, Wei Lin, Xiaofan Niu, Xiaonan Wen
  • Patent number: 9886118
    Abstract: One or more transparent transistor force sensitive structures can be included in an electronic device. The transistor force sensitive structures(s) is used to detect a force that is applied to the electronic device, to a component in the electronic device, and/or to an input region of the electronic device. As one example, the one or more transparent transistor force sensitive structures may be included in a display stack of a display in an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Vosgueritchian, James E. Pedder, John Stephen Smith, Xiaonan Wen
  • Patent number: 9874965
    Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more transparent strain sensors configured to detect strain based on an amount of force applied to the electronic device, a component in the electronic device, and/or an input surface of the electronic device. The one or more transparent strain sensors may be included in or positioned below an input surface that is configured to receive touch inputs from a user. The area below the input surface can be visible to a user when the user is viewing the input surface. The one or more transparent strain sensors are formed with a nanostructure, including a nanomesh or nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Pedder, Sunggu Kang, David J. Meyer, John Z. Zhong
  • Patent number: 9864241
    Abstract: An optically transparent conductive layer for a display stack. In some cases, the optically transparent conductive layer is a metal nanowire layer that is disposed on or near a polarizing layer within the display stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Pedder
  • Publication number: 20170364158
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a haptic actuator includes piezoelectric material and a pattern of voltage electrodes coupled to a surface of the piezoelectric material. The voltage electrodes are individually controllable to supply voltage to different portions of the piezoelectric material. Different sections of the piezoelectric material are operable to deflect, producing haptic output at those locations, in response to the application of the voltage. Differing voltages may be provided to one or more of the voltage electrodes to affect the location of the deflection, and thus the haptic output. In various embodiments, a haptic output system incorporates a sealed haptic element. The sealed haptic element includes a piezoelectric component that is coupled to one or more flexes and is sealed and/or enclosed by the flex(es) and an encapsulation or sealing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Xiaonan Wen, Wei Lin, James E. Pedder, Xiaofan Niu, Nathan K. Gupta, Po-Jui Chen, Robert W. Rumford, Pavan O. Gupta, Jui-Ming Yang
  • Publication number: 20170357325
    Abstract: An electronic device configured to provide localized haptic feedback to a user on one or more regions or sections of a surface of the electronic device. A support structure is positioned below the surface, and one or more haptic actuators are coupled to the support structure. In some examples, the support structure is shaped or configured to amplify a response to a haptic actuator. When a haptic actuator is actuated, the support structure deflects, which causes the surface to bend or deflect at a location that substantially corresponds to the location of the activated haptic actuator. In some examples, prior to providing haptic feedback, at least one haptic actuator is electrically pre-stressed to place the haptic actuator(s) in a pre-stressed state. When haptic feedback is to be provided, at least one haptic actuator transitions from the pre-stressed state to a haptic output state to produce one or more deflections in the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jui-Ming Yang, Nathan K. Gupta, Po-Jui Chen, Teera Songatikamas, Kyle J. Campiotti, Robert L. Sheridan, Xiaonan Wen, Xiaofan Niu, James E. Pedder
  • Patent number: 9832868
    Abstract: An electronic device may have layers of glass for forming components such as a display. A display cover glass layer may overlap an array of pixels. A touch sensor may be formed under the display cover glass layer. Conductive structures such as transparent conductive electrodes or other conductive layers of material may be formed on the outer surface of the display cover glass layer. The electrodes on the outer surface of the display cover glass layer may be coupled to metal contacts and other circuitry on the inner surface of the display cover glass layer using conductive vias. Vias may be provided with barrier layers, opaque coatings, tapers, and other structures and may be formed using techniques that enhance compatibility with chemical strengthening processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Derek W. Wright, James E. Pedder, Soyoung Kim, Stephen R. McClure, Elmar Gehlen, Sudirukkuge T. Jinasundera, Tingjun Xu, Michael Vosgueritchian, Xiaonan Wen, Wei Lin, Prithu Sharma
  • Publication number: 20170300161
    Abstract: An optical force sensor that may compensate for environmental effects, including, for example, variations in temperature of the device or the surroundings. In some examples, two force-sensitive layers are separated by a compliant layer. The relative electrical response of the two force-sensitive layers may be used to compute an estimate of the force of a touch that reduces the effect of variations in temperature. In some examples, piezoelectric films having anisotropic strain properties are used to reduce the effects of temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Sinan Filiz, James E. Pedder, Charley T. Ogata, John Stephen Smith, Dhaval Chandrakant Patel, Shin John Choi, Brian Q. Huppi, Christopher J. Butler, Martin P. Grunthaner
  • Publication number: 20170285864
    Abstract: A force sensor is disclosed. The force sensor includes a force-sensitive structure that compensates for temperature and other environmental changes through the use of a strain-sensitive element and one or more reference elements. An array of such force-sensitive structures forms a force-sensing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: James E. Pedder, John Stephen Smith, Michael Vosgueritchian, Vikram Garg, Sinan Filiz, Miguel C. Christophy
  • Publication number: 20170268942
    Abstract: A transparent force sensor for detecting an applied force on a surface of a device. The transparent force sensor includes a transparent force-sensitive film having an array of strain-relief features oriented along a first direction. The transparent force-sensitive film is formed from a transparent piezoelectric material that exhibits a substantially reduced net charge when strained along a primary direction. The force sensor also includes a display element disposed on one side of the transparent force-sensitive film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: James E. Pedder, John Stephen Smith
  • Publication number: 20170269757
    Abstract: An optically transparent force sensor, which may be used as input to an electronic device. The optically transparent force sensor may be configured to compensate for variations in temperature using two or more force-sensitive components that are formed from materials having different temperature- and strain-dependent responses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Sinan Filiz, James E. Pedder, Charley T. Ogata, John Stephen Smith, Dhaval Chandrakant Patel, Shin John Choi, Brian Q. Huppi, Christopher J. Butler, Martin P. Grunthaner
  • Publication number: 20170261387
    Abstract: A strain-responsive sensor incorporating a strain-sensitive element is disclosed. The strain-sensitive element includes a matched-pair of resistive structures disposed on opposite sides of a substrate. One resistive structure of the matched pair is coupled to a crossover, either a physical crossover or a soft crossover, such that current within the resistive structures of the matched pair flows in the same direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Vosgueritchian, Sinan Filiz, John Stephen Smith, Anshuman Bhuyan, James E. Pedder, Vikram Garg
  • Publication number: 20170191884
    Abstract: One or more strain sensors can be included in an electronic device. Each strain sensor includes a strain sensitive element and one or more strain signal lines connected directly to the strain sensitive element. The strain sensor(s) are used to detect a force that is applied to the electronic device, to a component in the electronic device, and/or to an input region or surface of the electronic device. A strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first gauge factor and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second gauge factor. Additionally or alternatively, a strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first conductance and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second conductance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Vosgueritchian, John Stephen Smith, Sinan Filiz, James E. Pedder, Tingjun Xu, Xiaonan Wen
  • Patent number: 9690413
    Abstract: An optically transparent force sensor that may compensate for environmental effects, including, for example, variations in temperature of the device or the surroundings. In some examples, two force-sensitive layers are separated by a compliant layer. The relative electrical response of the two force-sensitive layers may be used to compute an estimate of the force of a touch that reduces the effect of variations in temperature. In some examples, piezoelectric films having anisotropic strain properties are used to reduce the effects of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sinan Filiz, James E. Pedder, Charley T. Ogata, John Stephen Smith, Dhaval Chandrakant Patel, Shin John Choi, Brian Q. Huppi, Christopher J. Butler, Martin P. Grunthaner
  • Patent number: 9665200
    Abstract: An optically transparent force sensor, which may be used as input to an electronic device. The optically transparent force sensor may be configured to compensate for variations in temperature using two or more force-sensitive components that are formed from materials having different temperature- and strain-dependent responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sinan Filiz, James E. Pedder, Charley T. Ogata, John Stephen Smith, Dhaval Chandrakant Patel, Shin John Choi, Brian Q. Huppi, Christopher J. Butler, Martin P. Grunthaner
  • Patent number: 9612170
    Abstract: One or more strain sensors can be included in an electronic device. Each strain sensor includes a strain sensitive element and one or more strain signal lines connected directly to the strain sensitive element. The strain sensor(s) are used to detect a force that is applied to the electronic device, to a component in the electronic device, and/or to an input region or surface of the electronic device. A strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first gauge factor and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second gauge factor. Additionally or alternatively, a strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first conductance and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second conductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Vosgueritchian, John Stephen Smith, Sinan Filiz, James E. Pedder, Tingjun Xu, Xiaonan Wen