Patents by Inventor Jody R. AKANA

Jody R. AKANA 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: 11616896
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a portable electronic device is described. The portable electronic device includes a housing member defining an external sidewall, a first glass cover and a second glass cover, where the second glass cover includes a first region having a first exterior surface, a second region having a second exterior surface vertically displaced from the first exterior surface, where the second region includes a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening, and a transition region having an exterior surface that extends between the first exterior surface to the second exterior surface. The portable electronic device further includes a first camera module disposed within the first opening, a second camera module disposed within the second opening, a strobe module disposed within the third opening, and a trim structure having an edge that overlays the second region of the second glass cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jody R. Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Markus Diebel, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: 11597226
    Abstract: Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on sub-surfaces of the housings. For example, a housing for a particular product can include an outer housing surface and the markings can be provided on a sub-surface of the outer housing surface yet still be visible from the outside of the housing. Since the markings are beneath the surface of the housing, the markings are durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael S. Nashner, John T. Payne, Jody R. Akana
  • Publication number: 20220014657
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a portable electronic device is described. The portable electronic device includes a housing member defining an external sidewall, a first glass cover and a second glass cover, where the second glass cover includes a first region having a first exterior surface, a second region having a second exterior surface vertically displaced from the first exterior surface, where the second region includes a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening, and a transition region having an exterior surface that extends between the first exterior surface to the second exterior surface. The portable electronic device further includes a first camera module disposed within the first opening, a second camera module disposed within the second opening, a strobe module disposed within the third opening, and a trim structure having an edge that overlays the second region of the second glass cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Jody R. AKANA, Molly ANDERSON, Bartley K. ANDRE, Shota AOYAGI, Anthony Michael ASHCROFT, Marine C. BATAILLE, Jeremy BATAILLOU, Markus DIEBEL, M. Evans HANKEY, Julian HOENIG, Richard P. HOWARTH, Jonathan P. IVE, Julian JAEDE, Duncan Robert KERR, Peter RUSSELL-CLARKE, Benjamin Andrew SHAFFER, Mikael SILVANTO, Sung Ho Tan, Clement TISSANDIER, Eugene Antony WHANG, Rico ZÖRKENDÖRFER
  • Patent number: 11172110
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a portable electronic device is described. The portable electronic device includes a housing member defining an external sidewall, a first glass cover and a second glass cover, where the second glass cover includes a first region having a first exterior surface, a second region having a second exterior surface vertically displaced from the first exterior surface, where the second region includes a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening, and a transition region having an exterior surface that extends between the first exterior surface to the second exterior surface. The portable electronic device further includes a first camera module disposed within the first opening, a second camera module disposed within the second opening, a strobe module disposed within the third opening, and a trim structure having an edge that overlays the second region of the second glass cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jody R. Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Markus Diebel, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Sung Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: 11131036
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to anodizing and anodized films. The methods described can be used to form opaque and white anodized films on a substrate. In some embodiments, the methods involve forming anodized films having branched pore structures. The branched pore structure provides a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, the methods involve infusing metal complex ions within pores of an anodized. Once within the pores, the metal complex ions undergo a chemical change forming metal oxide particles. The metal oxide particles provide a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, aspects of the methods for creating irregular or branched pores and methods for infusing metal complex ions within pores are combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Masashige Tatebe, Jody R. Akana, Takahiro Oshima, Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Ayumi Hongou, Kenji Hara
  • Publication number: 20210181395
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing surrounding an interior in which electrical components are mounted. A display may be mounted to housing structures in the device. The housing may have a rear wall. The display cover layer and rear wall of the housing may be formed from transparent glass layers. Coatings may be formed on inwardly facing surfaces of the transparent glass layers. A coating on a transparent glass layer may be formed from a thin-film interference filter having a stack of dielectric layers. The coating may include an ink layer on the thin-film interference filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Que Anh S. Nguyen, Christopher D. Prest, Jody R. Akana, Marta M. Giachino, Matthew S. Rogers, Ove Lyngnes
  • Patent number: 10969526
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing surrounding an interior in which electrical components are mounted. A display may be mounted to housing structures in the device. The housing may have a rear wall. The display cover layer and rear wall of the housing may be formed from transparent glass layers. Coatings may be formed on inwardly facing surfaces of the transparent glass layers. A coating on a transparent glass layer may be formed from a thin-film interference filter having a stack of dielectric layers. The coating may include an ink layer on the thin-film interference filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Que Anh S. Nguyen, Christopher D. Prest, Jody R. Akana, Marta M. Giachino, Matthew S. Rogers, Ove Lyngnes
  • Patent number: 10941503
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to forming anodized films that have a white appearance. In some embodiments, an anodized film having pores with light diffusing pore walls created by varying the current density during an anodizing process is described. In some embodiments, an anodized film having light diffusing micro-cracks created by a laser cracking procedure is described. In some embodiments, a sputtered layer of light diffusing aluminum is provided below an anodized film. In some embodiments, light diffusing particles are infused within openings of an anodized layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Lucy E. Browning, Stephen B. Lynch, Christopher D. Prest, Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Masashige Tatebe, Michael S. Nashner, Daniel T. McDonald, Brian S. Tryon, Jody R. Akana
  • Patent number: 10781529
    Abstract: Anodizing techniques for providing highly opaque colorized anodic films are described. According to some embodiments, the methods involve depositing a pigment having a particle diameter of about 20 nanometers or greater into an anodic film. Additionally or alternatively, a barrier layer smoothing operation is used to flatten an interface between the anodic film and underlying metal substrate so as to maximize light reflection off the interface, thereby maximizing light reflected off the pigment that is deposited within pores of the anodic film. The resulting anodic films have an opaque or saturated colored appearance. In some embodiments, the methods involve increasing a thickness of a non-porous barrier layer of the anodic film so as to create thin film interference effects that can add a particular hue to the anodic film. The methods can be used form cosmetically appealing coatings for consumer products, such as housings for electronic products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Masashige Tatebe, Takahiro Oshima, Jody R. Akana, James A. Curran, Yutaka Nakagishi, Junichi Katayama, Kenji Hara, Yasuhiro Ito, Ayumi Hongou
  • Patent number: 10760175
    Abstract: Anodic films that have a white color, and methods for forming the same, are described. According to some embodiments, the anodic films have multiple metal oxide layers. A first layer can provide scratch and chemical resistance and a second layer can provide a light diffusing pore structure that diffusely reflects incoming light and provides a white appearance to the anodic film. According to some embodiments, the anodic films also include a smoothed barrier layer that specularly reflects incoming light so as to brighten the appearance and enhance the white color of the anodic film. The resulting anodic films have an opaque white appearance not achievable using conventional techniques. The anodic films are well suited for providing cosmetically appealing coatings for consumer products, such as housings for electronic products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Masashige Tatebe, Takahiro Oshima, Jody R. Akana, Yutaka Nakagishi, Junichi Katayama, Kenji Hara, Yasuhiro Ito, Ayumi Hongou
  • Publication number: 20200221002
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a portable electronic device is described. The portable electronic device includes a housing member defining an external sidewall, a first glass cover and a second glass cover, where the second glass cover includes a first region having a first exterior surface, a second region having a second exterior surface vertically displaced from the first exterior surface, where the second region includes a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening, and a transition region having an exterior surface that extends between the first exterior surface to the second exterior surface. The portable electronic device further includes a first camera module disposed within the first opening, a second camera module disposed within the second opening, a strobe module disposed within the third opening, and a trim structure having an edge that overlays the second region of the second glass cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Jody R. AKANA, Molly ANDERSON, Bartley K. ANDRE, Shota AOYAGI, Anthony Michael ASHCROFT, Marine C. BATAILLE, Jeremy BATAILLOU, Markus DIEBEL, M. Evans HANKEY, Julian HOENIG, Richard P. HOWARTH, Jonathan P. IVE, Julian JAEDE, Duncan Robert KERR, Peter RUSSELL-CLARKE, Benjamin Andrew SHAFFER, Mikael SILVANTO, Sung Ho TAN, Clement TISSANDIER, Eugene Antony WHANG, Rico ZÖRKENDÖRFER
  • Publication number: 20190106803
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to forming anodized films that have a white appearance. In some embodiments, an anodized film having pores with light diffusing pore walls created by varying the current density during an anodizing process is described. In some embodiments, an anodized film having light diffusing micro-cracks created by a laser cracking procedure is described. In some embodiments, a sputtered layer of light diffusing aluminum is provided below an anodized film. In some embodiments, light diffusing particles are infused within openings of an anodized layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Lucy E. BROWNING, Stephen B. LYNCH, Christopher D. PREST, Peter N. RUSSELL-CLARKE, Masashige TATEBE, Michael S. NASHNER, Daniel T. MCDONALD, Brian S. TRYON, Jody R. AKANA
  • Publication number: 20190079230
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing surrounding an interior in which electrical components are mounted. A display may be mounted to housing structures in the device. The housing may have a rear wall. The display cover layer and rear wall of the housing may be formed from transparent glass layers. Coatings may be formed on inwardly facing surfaces of the transparent glass layers. A coating on a transparent glass layer may be formed from a thin-film interference filter having a stack of dielectric layers. The coating may include an ink layer on the thin-film interference filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Que Anh S. Nguyen, Christopher D. Prest, Jody R. Akana, Marta M. Giachino, Matthew S. Rogers, Ove Lyngnes
  • Patent number: 10184190
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to forming anodized films that have a white appearance. In some embodiments, an anodized film having pores with light diffusing pore walls created by varying the current density during an anodizing process is described. In some embodiments, an anodized film having light diffusing micro-cracks created by a laser cracking procedure is described. In some embodiments, a sputtered layer of light diffusing aluminum is provided below an anodized film. In some embodiments, light diffusing particles are infused within openings of an anodized layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lucy E. Browning, Stephen B. Lynch, Christopher D. Prest, Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Masashige Tatebe, Michael S. Nashner, Daniel T. McDonald, Brian S. Tryon, Jody R. Akana
  • Publication number: 20180345708
    Abstract: Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on sub-surfaces of the housings. For example, a housing for a particular product can include an outer housing surface and the markings can be provided on a sub-surface of the outer housing surface yet still be visible from the outside of the housing. Since the markings are beneath the surface of the housing, the markings are durable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Michael S. Nashner, John T. Payne, Jody R. Akana
  • Patent number: 10071584
    Abstract: Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on sub-surfaces of the housings. For example, a housing for a particular product can include an outer housing surface and the markings can be provided on a sub-surface of the outer housing surface yet still be visible from the outside of the housing. Since the markings are beneath the surface of the housing, the markings are durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael S. Nashner, John T. Payne, Jody R. Akana
  • Patent number: 9969199
    Abstract: Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on sub-surfaces of the housings. For example, a housing for a particular product can include an outer housing surface and the markings can be provided on a sub-surface of the outer housing surface yet still be visible from the outside of the housing. Since the markings are beneath the surface of the housing, the markings are durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael S. Nashner, John T. Payne, Jody R. Akana
  • Publication number: 20180066374
    Abstract: A high gloss deep black housing for a handheld electronic device is disclosed having either a textured or a mirror finish. Methods for preparing a housing having the high gloss deep black finish are also disclosed, including housings for mobile phones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Duy P. Le, Masashige Tatebe, Jody R. Akana, Jeremy D. Bataillou, Shota Aoyagi, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Ricky C. Lee, Thomas Johannessen, Benjamin S. Bustle, Rasamy Phouthavong, Zechariah D. Feinberg, Tiffany Hu, Dandan Wan, Chuanyou Su, Phillip W. Hum, Michael P. Coleman, Jong Kong Lee
  • Publication number: 20170253986
    Abstract: A surface treatment for metal surfaces can be used to create one or more desired effects, such as functional, tactile, or cosmetic effects. In one embodiment, the treatment involves selectively masking a portion of the surface using a photolithographic process. The mask can protect the masked portion of the surface during subsequent treatment processes such as texturizing and anodization. The mask can result in the creation of a surface having contrasting effects. A pattern can be formed by the contrasting effects in the shape of a distinct graphic, such as a logo or text.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jody R. AKANA, Peter N. RUSSELL-CLARKE, Masashige TATEBE
  • Patent number: 9683305
    Abstract: A surface treatment for metal surfaces can be used to create one or more desired effects, such as functional, tactile, or cosmetic effects. In one embodiment, the treatment involves selectively masking a portion of the surface using a photolithographic process. The mask can protect the masked portion of the surface during subsequent treatment processes such as texturizing and anodization. The mask can result in the creation of a surface having contrasting effects. A pattern can be formed by the contrasting effects in the shape of a distinct graphic, such as a logo or text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody R. Akana, Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Masashige Tatebe