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).

  • Publication number: 20240105089
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20240004435
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
  • Patent number: 11797057
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
  • Patent number: 11626898
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Horiuchi, Tyler S. Bushnell, Brad G. Boozer, Mario Martinis, YoungHoon Kim
  • Patent number: 11561144
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20220300041
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
  • Publication number: 20220271419
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Junlin Mu, Sameer Pandya, Patrick J. Crowley, Antonio F. Herrera, James G. Horiuchi, Sherry Tang, Mario Martinis
  • Patent number: 11422104
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 11379011
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
  • Patent number: 11196148
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20210273671
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: James G. Horiuchi, Tyler S. Bushnell, Brad G. Boozer, Mario Martinis, YoungHoon Kim
  • Patent number: 11079812
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Trevor J. Ness, James G. Horiuchi, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Patent number: 11050452
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Horiuchi, Tyler S. Bushnell, Brad G. Boozer, Mario Martinis, YoungHoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20210072176
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    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
  • Patent number: 10866619
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
  • Patent number: 10765019
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20200186179
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: James G. Horiuchi, Tyler S. Bushnell, Brad G. Boozer, Mario Martinis, YoungHoon Kim
  • Patent number: 10599192
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 10411329
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Cardinali, James G. Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 10367252
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: 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