Patents by Inventor Jesse A. Lippert

Jesse A. Lippert 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: 20170041706
    Abstract: An electronic device having a composite acoustic membrane to inhibit water ingress and to allow sound transmission, is disclosed. Embodiments include an electroacoustic transducer within an encased space of a casing, and a composite acoustic membrane between the electroacoustic transducer and an acoustic port in the casing. The acoustic membrane may include a nonporous region at least partly covering the acoustic port, and a porous region to vent the electroacoustic transducer volume to the encased space and/or to an environment surrounding the casing. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Neal Evans, Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt
  • Patent number: 9363587
    Abstract: A speaker or microphone module includes an acoustic membrane and at least one pressure vent. The pressure vent equalizes barometric pressure on a first side of the acoustic membrane with barometric pressure on a second side of the acoustic membrane. Further, the pressure vent is located in an acoustic path of the speaker or microphone module. In this way, differences between barometric pressures on the different sides of the acoustic membrane may not hinder movement of the acoustic membrane. In one or more implementations, the pressure vent may be acoustically opaque. As the pressure vent is located in the acoustic path of the speaker or microphone module, being acoustically opaque may ensure that the pressure vent itself does not interfere with the operation of the speaker or microphone module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Weiss, David M. Pelletier, Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt
  • Patent number: 9363589
    Abstract: An acoustic port of acoustic device is covered with a mesh and/or other structure that resists entry of liquid and/or other materials into the acoustic device. Apertures of a housing that are separated by an umbrella section are coupled to the acoustic port such that the umbrella section may cover the acoustic port. In this way, when liquid enters one or more of the apertures, the umbrella section may direct the liquid away from the mesh such that pressure from the liquid upon the mesh may be reduced. As such, potential damage to the mesh and/or internal acoustic device components may be mitigated. In some implementations, the apertures may be covered with an additional mesh. Such additional mesh may further reduce the pressure of entering liquid on the mesh covering the acoustic port of the acoustic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Anthony S. Montevirgen, Brad G. Boozer, Nikolas T. Vitt, Rex T. Ehman
  • Publication number: 20160037243
    Abstract: An acoustic port of acoustic device is covered with a mesh and/or other structure that resists entry of liquid and/or other materials into the acoustic device. Apertures of a housing that are separated by an umbrella section are coupled to the acoustic port such that the umbrella section may cover the acoustic port. In this way, when liquid enters one or more of the apertures, the umbrella section may direct the liquid away from the mesh such that pressure from the liquid upon the mesh may be reduced. As such, potential damage to the mesh and/or internal acoustic device components may be mitigated. In some implementations, the apertures may be covered with an additional mesh. Such additional mesh may further reduce the pressure of entering liquid on the mesh covering the acoustic port of the acoustic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Anthony S. Montevirgen, Brad G. Boozer, Nikolas T. Vitt, Rex T. Ehman
  • Patent number: 9226076
    Abstract: An acoustic module, such as a microphone or speaker module, includes an acoustic membrane that vibrates to produce acoustic waves and an acoustic cavity through which acoustic waves produced by the membrane travel. A liquid removal mechanism removes liquid from the acoustic cavity. Such a liquid removal mechanism may include the acoustic membrane, heating elements, hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic surfaces, and so on. In some cases, the liquid removal mechanism may remove liquid from the acoustic cavity upon connection of the acoustic module and/or an associated electronic device to an external power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher Wilk, Rex Tyler Ehman
  • Publication number: 20150319534
    Abstract: An acoustic module, such as a microphone or speaker module, includes an acoustic membrane that vibrates to produce acoustic waves and an acoustic cavity through which acoustic waves produced by the membrane travel. A liquid removal mechanism removes liquid from the acoustic cavity. Such a liquid removal mechanism may include the acoustic membrane, heating elements, hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic surfaces, and so on. In some cases, the liquid removal mechanism may remove liquid from the acoustic cavity upon connection of the acoustic module and/or an associated electronic device to an external power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher Wilk, Rex Tyler Ehman
  • Publication number: 20150163572
    Abstract: A speaker or microphone module includes an acoustic membrane and at least one pressure vent. The pressure vent equalizes barometric pressure on a first side of the acoustic membrane with barometric pressure on a second side of the acoustic membrane. Further, the pressure vent is located in an acoustic path of the speaker or microphone module. In this way, differences between barometric pressures on the different sides of the acoustic membrane may not hinder movement of the acoustic membrane. In one or more implementations, the pressure vent may be acoustically opaque. As the pressure vent is located in the acoustic path of the speaker or microphone module, being acoustically opaque may ensure that the pressure vent itself does not interfere with the operation of the speaker or microphone module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Weiss, David M. Pelletier, Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt