Patents by Inventor James G. Horiuchi
James G. Horiuchi 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).
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Publication number: 20240105089Abstract: Electronic displays and electronic devices including such electronic displays and antennas are provided for improved transmission of signals through circuitry of the electronic display. The electronic display may include multiple power supply tiles that are separated with non-conductive gaps to reduce circulation of eddy currents induced by the transmission signals. Moreover, voltage supply routing paths within the power supply tiles may be grouped to provide non-conductive gaps within the power supply tiles. Accordingly, the antenna may provide the transmission signals through the electronic display with improved efficiency based on reducing surface currents (e.g., eddy currents) on the electronic display.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: William Matthew Pender Paul, Mario Martinis, Jiayi Jin, Yongjie Jiang, Baris Posat, Mojtaba Fallahpour, Haitao Li, James G. Horiuchi, Giovanni Azzellino, Weijun Yao, Stanley B. Wang, Mahdi Farrokh Baroughi
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Publication number: 20240004435Abstract: A biometric button assembly may be disposed in an opening of an enclosure of an electronic device. The biometric button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device. The biometric button assembly may further include a biometric sensor for detecting the received inputs and transmitting a signal to a processor of the electronic device. The signal may correspond to a biometric characteristic, such as a fingerprint. A flexible conduit may transmit the signal to the processor. A portion of the flexible conduit and a seal may be positioned between the button assembly and the enclosure that prevents contaminants from entering the button housing and the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 11797057Abstract: A biometric button assembly may be disposed in an opening of an enclosure of an electronic device. The biometric button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device. The biometric button assembly may further include a biometric sensor for detecting the received inputs and transmitting a signal to a processor of the electronic device. The signal may correspond to a biometric characteristic, such as a fingerprint. A flexible conduit may transmit the signal to the processor. A portion of the flexible conduit and a seal may be positioned between the button assembly and the enclosure that prevents contaminants from entering the button housing and the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 11626898Abstract: An electronic device housing may be formed from housing members. A first housing member may form a display cover layer that overlaps pixels. During operation, the pixels may display an image that is viewable through the display cover layer. The second housing member may have a rear wall portion and a sidewall. A band may be coupled to the sidewall or other portion of the second housing member. The first and second housing members may be attached together using a housing member attachment structure. The housing member attachment structure may have layers of adhesive and printed circuit structures. The printed circuit structures may include metal traces that form an antenna and that form capacitive force sensor electrodes on opposing sides of a compressible member.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James G. Horiuchi, Tyler S. Bushnell, Brad G. Boozer, Mario Martinis, YoungHoon Kim
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Patent number: 11561144Abstract: An electronic device, such as a smart watch, incorporating a fluid-based pressure-sensing device is disclosed. The fluid-based pressure-sensing device includes an enclosure, a pressure sensor, a diaphragm and a sensing medium. The enclosure includes an opening and the pressure sensor is disposed inside the enclosure. The diaphragm hermetically seals the opening, and the sensing medium transfers a pressure exerted on the diaphragm to the pressure sensor. The sensing medium can be liquid oil filling a space of the enclosure, and the diaphragm is a polymer material. The pressure-sensing device may sense an environmental pressure, which may be used by the electronic device to modify its operations, change information that is displayed, and so on.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Caleb C. Han, Brad G. Boozer, Mark G. Walsh, William S. Lee, Tongbi T. Jiang, Jun Zhai, Yun X. Ma, James G. Horiuchi, David MacNeil, Ashwin Balasubramanian, Wei Chen, Jie-Hua Zhao
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Publication number: 20220300041Abstract: A biometric button assembly may be disposed in an opening of an enclosure of an electronic device. The biometric button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device. The biometric button assembly may further include a biometric sensor for detecting the received inputs and transmitting a signal to a processor of the electronic device. The signal may correspond to a biometric characteristic, such as a fingerprint. A flexible conduit may transmit the signal to the processor. A portion of the flexible conduit and a seal may be positioned between the button assembly and the enclosure that prevents contaminants from entering the button housing and the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
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Publication number: 20220271419Abstract: A portable or wearable electronic device can include a device housing defining an internal volume, and an electronic component disposed in the internal volume. The electronic component can be an input component and can have a component housing. The electronic device can also include an antenna feed assembly disposed in the internal volume. The antenna feed assembly can include a conductive grounding component electrically connected to the component housing and the device housing, and an antenna feed component electrically connected to the grounding component and disposed adjacent to the component housing. The conductive grounding component can surround a first major surface and a second major surface of the component housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Junlin Mu, Sameer Pandya, Patrick J. Crowley, Antonio F. Herrera, James G. Horiuchi, Sherry Tang, Mario Martinis
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Patent number: 11422104Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing defining an internal volume and a pressure sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume and in communication with an ambient environment. The pressure sensor assembly can include a structure at least partially enclosing a sensor volume, a pressure sensor affixed to a die disposed in the sensor volume, and an exposed moisture detection conductor positioned in the sensor volume.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Caleb C. Han, Brad G. Boozer, David MacNeil, Gregory B. Arndt, Patrick E. O'Brien, Roham Solasi, Tongbi T. Jiang, Ashwin Balasubramanian, William S. Lee, Manoj K. Bhattacharyya, Jiahui Liang, James G. Horiuchi, Savas Gider
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Patent number: 11379011Abstract: A biometric button assembly may be disposed in an opening of an enclosure of an electronic device. The biometric button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device. The biometric button assembly may further include a biometric sensor for detecting the received inputs and transmitting a signal to a processor of the electronic device. The signal may correspond to a biometric characteristic, such as a fingerprint. A flexible conduit may transmit the signal to the processor. A portion of the flexible conduit and a seal may be positioned between the button assembly and the enclosure that prevents contaminants from entering the button housing and the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 11196148Abstract: An electronic device such as a wristwatch may have a housing with metal portions such as metal sidewalls. The housing may form an antenna ground for an antenna. An antenna resonating element for the antenna may be formed from a stack of capacitively coupled component layers such as a display layer, touch sensor layer, and near-field communications antenna layer at a front face of the device. An additional antenna may be formed from a peripheral resonating element that runs along a peripheral edge of the device and the antenna ground. A rear face antenna may be formed using a wireless power receiving coil as a radio-frequency antenna resonating element or may be formed from metal antenna traces on a plastic support for light-based components.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Rex T. Ehman, Jayesh Nath, Carlo Di Nallo, James G. Horiuchi, Erik G. de Jong, Jason C. Sauers, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Siwen Yong, Lijun Zhang, Yi Jiang, Zheyu Wang, Mario Martinis, Eduardo Da costa Bras Lima, Xu Han, Mattia Pascolini, Trevor J. Ness
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Publication number: 20210273671Abstract: An electronic device housing may be formed from housing members. A first housing member may form a display cover layer that overlaps pixels. During operation, the pixels may display an image that is viewable through the display cover layer. The second housing member may have a rear wall portion and a sidewall. A band may be coupled to the sidewall or other portion of the second housing member. The first and second housing members may be attached together using a housing member attachment structure. The housing member attachment structure may have layers of adhesive and printed circuit structures. The printed circuit structures may include metal traces that form an antenna and that form capacitive force sensor electrodes on opposing sides of a compressible member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: James G. Horiuchi, Tyler S. Bushnell, Brad G. Boozer, Mario Martinis, YoungHoon Kim
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Patent number: 11079812Abstract: A modular button assembly includes a button housing that may be disposed in an opening of an enclosure of an electronic device. The modular button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device. The modular button assembly may further include a sensor for detecting the received inputs and transmitting a signal to a processor of the electronic device. The modular button assembly may be configured such that disposing the button housing in the opening of the enclosure forms a seal that prevents contaminants from entering the button housing and the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Trevor J. Ness, James G. Horiuchi, Steven P. Cardinali
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Patent number: 11050452Abstract: An electronic device housing may be formed from housing members. A first housing member may form a display cover layer that overlaps pixels. During operation, the pixels may display an image that is viewable through the display cover layer. The second housing member may have a rear wall portion and a sidewall. A band may be coupled to the sidewall or other portion of the second housing member. The first and second housing members may be attached together using a housing member attachment structure. The housing member attachment structure may have layers of adhesive and printed circuit structures. The printed circuit structures may include metal traces that form an antenna and that form capacitive force sensor electrodes on opposing sides of a compressible member.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James G. Horiuchi, Tyler S. Bushnell, Brad G. Boozer, Mario Martinis, YoungHoon Kim
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Publication number: 20210072176Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing defining an internal volume and a pressure sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume and in communication with an ambient environment. The pressure sensor assembly can include a structure at least partially enclosing a sensor volume, a pressure sensor affixed to a die disposed in the sensor volume, and an exposed moisture detection conductor positioned in the sensor volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Caleb C. Han, Brad G. Boozer, David MacNeil, Gregory B. Arndt, Patrick E. O'Brien, Roham Solasi, Tongbi T. Jiang, Ashwin Balasubramanian, William S. Lee, Manoj K. Bhattacharyya, Jiahui Liang, James G. Horiuchi, Savas Gider
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Patent number: 10866619Abstract: A biometric button assembly may be disposed in an opening of an enclosure of an electronic device. The biometric button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device. The biometric button assembly may further include a biometric sensor for detecting the received inputs and transmitting a signal to a processor of the electronic device. The signal may correspond to a biometric characteristic, such as a fingerprint. A flexible conduit may transmit the signal to the processor. A portion of the flexible conduit and a seal may be positioned between the button assembly and the enclosure that prevents contaminants from entering the button housing and the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2017Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
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Patent number: 10765019Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a portable electronic device having a substantially concealed barometric vent. The vent may be used to equalize air pressure within the enclosure while forming a barrier between external contaminants, moisture, and so on and various internal component and assemblies of the device. In one embodiment, the vent may include a screen configured to impede ingress of particulates and an air-permeable membrane configured to impede ingress of moisture.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Werner, Maegan K. Spencer, Daniel J. Barrett, Brad G. Boozer, Daniel J. Hiemstra, Christopher D. Guichet, Amin M. Younes, James G. Horiuchi, Eugene H. Fox
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Publication number: 20200186179Abstract: An electronic device housing may be formed from housing members. A first housing member may form a display cover layer that overlaps pixels. During operation, the pixels may display an image that is viewable through the display cover layer. The second housing member may have a rear wall portion and a sidewall. A band may be coupled to the sidewall or other portion of the second housing member. The first and second housing members may be attached together using a housing member attachment structure. The housing member attachment structure may have layers of adhesive and printed circuit structures. The printed circuit structures may include metal traces that form an antenna and that form capacitive force sensor electrodes on opposing sides of a compressible member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2019Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: James G. Horiuchi, Tyler S. Bushnell, Brad G. Boozer, Mario Martinis, YoungHoon Kim
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Patent number: 10599192Abstract: This application relates to a portable electronic device including a first sensing module and a second sensing module that are both in communication with a processor. The portable electronic device can include access ports that are formed in the housing, where the first and second sensing modules are capable of receiving an external stimulus by way of the access ports. A plate is positioned in the housing between a wall of the housing and the sensing modules. The plate and the wall define non-linear flow paths between the access ports to the first and second sensing modules. The non-linear flow paths can transmit the external stimulus to cause at least one of the first or second sensing modules to provide a detection signal to the processor that causes a display unit to present a notification that corresponds to the external stimulus.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Amin M. Younes, James G. Horiuchi, Ryan C. Perkins, Brad G. Boozer, Christopher M. Werner, Maegan K. Spencer, Sherry Tang, Eugene H. Fox, Mark A. Murphy, Molly J. Anderson, Rico L. Zorkendorfer, Baris Ozgen
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Patent number: 10411329Abstract: A packaged device may include electrical components such as integrated circuits that are mounted to a substrate such as a printed circuit substrate. Plastic may be molded to the printed circuit substrate over the integrated circuits. The molded plastic may include one or more shots of plastic and may include laser-sensitizable plastic material. Antenna structures may be supported by molded plastic such as molded plastic in a packaged device. The antenna structures may be formed from metal foil, flexible printed circuit substrate material with metal antenna traces, and metal traces that are formed on exposed surfaces of the plastic. The metal traces may be electroplated metal traces that are formed on regions of a laser-sensitizable plastic material that have been exposed to laser light. A package may have a protrusion that supports an antenna structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven P. Cardinali, James G. Horiuchi
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Patent number: 10367252Abstract: An electronic device such as a wristwatch may have a housing with metal portions such as metal sidewalls. The housing may form an antenna ground for an antenna. An antenna resonating element for the antenna may be formed from a stack of capacitively coupled component layers such as a display layer, touch sensor layer, and near-field communications antenna layer at a front face of the device. An additional antenna may be formed from a peripheral resonating element that runs along a peripheral edge of the device and the antenna ground. A rear face antenna may be formed using a wireless power receiving coil as a radio-frequency antenna resonating element or may be formed from metal antenna traces on a plastic support for light-based components.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Rex T. Ehman, Jayesh Nath, Carlo Di Nallo, James G. Horiuchi, Erik G. de Jong, Jason C. Sauers, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Siwen Yong, Lijun Zhang, Yi Jiang, Zheyu Wang, Mario Martinis, Eduardo Da Costa Bras Lima, Xu Han, Mattia Pascolini, Trevor J. Ness