Patents by Inventor John Raff

John Raff 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: 20250093667
    Abstract: A head-mountable device can include a frame, a window secured to the frame, and a securement arm. The securement arm of the device can include a proximal end secured to the frame, and a distal tip opposite the proximal end. A waveguide can be disposed in the securement arm and configured to direct light displayed at the window. Furthermore, an electronic port can be disposed at the distal tip and can also be electrically coupled to the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Josiah C. Frye, Ibuki Kamei, John Raff, Varun K. Sanghvi
  • Publication number: 20250093666
    Abstract: A head-mountable device can include a frame, a window secured to the frame, and a securement arm extending from the frame. The securement arm can include a proximal end a distal tip opposite the proximal end. The securement arm can further include a waveguide, which can be configured to direct light at the window, and an electronic port disposed at the distal tip and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The securement arm can also include a housing that can include a proximal portion and a distal portion disposed at an angle to define an aperture. A battery, as well as a port, can be disposed in the housing, wherein the port can include the aperture and a contact electrically coupled to the battery. The contact, along with a retention feature, can further define the aperture. The securement arm can include an electronic port disposed at the distal tip, wherein the electronic port can be a selectively translatable electrical contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Josiah C. Frye, Ibuki Kamei, John Raff, Varun K. Sanghvi
  • Publication number: 20250013274
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure formed of a plurality of layers cooperating to define an interior volume. The enclosure includes a first layer formed of a first material and defining a user input surface of the enclosure and a first portion of a side surface of the enclosure. The enclosure also includes a second layer, formed of a second material different from the first material, positioned below the first layer and defining a second portion of the side surface of the enclosure. The enclosure also includes a third layer, formed of a third material different from the first and second materials, positioned below the second layer and defining a bottom surface of the enclosure and a third portion of the side surface of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Mikael M. Silvanto, Simon J. Trivett, Matthew S. Theobald, Dinesh C. Mathew, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Robert Y. Cao, Ari P. Miller, Kevin M. Robinson, Houtan R. Farahani, Francesco Ferretti, John Raff, Robert J. Lockwood, Genie Kim, Karan Bir, Keith J. Hendren, Gurshan Deol, Antonio Clarke, Prabhu Sathyamurthy, William A. Counts
  • Patent number: 12189439
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure formed of a plurality of layers cooperating to define an interior volume. The enclosure includes a first layer formed of a first material and defining a user input surface of the enclosure and a first portion of a side surface of the enclosure. The enclosure also includes a second layer, formed of a second material different from the first material, positioned below the first layer and defining a second portion of the side surface of the enclosure. The enclosure also includes a third layer, formed of a third material different from the first and second materials, positioned below the second layer and defining a bottom surface of the enclosure and a third portion of the side surface of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Mikael M. Silvanto, Simon J. Trivett, Matthew S. Theobald, Dinesh C. Mathew, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Robert Y. Cao, Ari P. Miller, Kevin M. Robinson, Houtan R. Farahani, Francesco Ferretti, John Raff, Robert J. Lockwood, Genie Kim, Karan Bir, Keith J. Hendren, Gurshan Deol, Antonio Clarke, Prabhu Sathyamurthy, William A. Counts
  • Patent number: 12162331
    Abstract: A system such as a vehicle may have adjustable structures such as adjustable windows. Adjustable windows may have adjustable layers such as adjustable tint layers, adjustable reflectivity layers, and adjustable haze layers. Adjustable window layers may be incorporated into a window with one or more transparent structural layers such as a pair of glass window layers. Adjustable components such as adjustable reflectivity layers, adjustable haze layers, and adjustable tint layers may be interposed between the pair of glass window layers. Fixed partially reflective mirrors, fixed tint layers, and/or fixed haze layers may be used in place of adjustable tint, haze, and reflectivity layers and/or may be incorporated into windows in addition to adjustable tint, haze, and reflectivity layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Jones, Ibuki Kamei, James R. Wilson, Clarisse Mazuir, John Raff, Budhadipta Dan, David E. Kingman, Martin Melcher
  • Publication number: 20240393614
    Abstract: Wearable electronic devices can include connection mechanisms for adjustable and exchangeable connections with selected modules other devices to enhance performance of the wearable electronic device. Such connections can provide both mechanical engagement and operable communication between the connected devices. Arms, earpieces, accessory devices, and/or other external devices can be easily connected to provide different components and functions at different times as desired. Accordingly, a main portion of the wearable electronic device need not include permanent components that provide every function that will later be desired by the user. Instead, the wearable electronic device can have expanded and customizable capabilities by the use of one or more arms, earpieces, accessory devices, and/or other external devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Brian S. LAU, John RAFF, Cameron A. HARDER, David A. KALINOWSKI, Michael J. OUDENHOVEN
  • Publication number: 20240370059
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display having a flexible substrate with fastened bent edges. The flexible substrate may have an active region that includes an array of light-emitting elements such as organic light-emitting diodes. The flexible substrate may also have inactive regions that lie outside of the active region. The bent edges may include portions of the inactive regions and portions of the active region. The bent edges may be wrapped to conform to the shape of an internal support structure. The bent edges may be fastened to the support structure with fastening members that attach a housing member or an internal clamp to the support structure. The bent edges may be secured between the housing member or the internal clamp and the support structure. The fastening members may be engaged in openings in the support structure and may pass through or alongside the bent edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: John Raff, Scott A. Myers, Christopher Stringer
  • Patent number: 12066867
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display having a flexible substrate with fastened bent edges. The flexible substrate may have an active region that includes an array of light-emitting elements such as organic light-emitting diodes. The flexible substrate may also have inactive regions that lie outside of the active region. The bent edges may include portions of the inactive regions and portions of the active region. The bent edges may be wrapped to conform to the shape of an internal support structure. The bent edges may be fastened to the support structure with fastening members that attach a housing member or an internal clamp to the support structure. The bent edges may be secured between the housing member or the internal clamp and the support structure. The fastening members may be engaged in openings in the support structure and may pass through or alongside the bent edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Raff, Scott A. Myers, Christopher Stringer
  • Publication number: 20240210728
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device, including a display, and a support arm connected to the display, the support arm including a static portion connected to the display, a dynamic portion connected to the static portion, and an adjustment mechanism positioned in the dynamic portion and configured to change a thickness of the dynamic portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Alison B. Schutzberg, Austin S. Young, John Raff, Kristine S. Atom
  • Publication number: 20240184117
    Abstract: A display system may include a waveguide, an input coupler with a first surface relief grating (SRG), and an output coupler with a second SRG. A display module may produce image light that is coupled into the waveguide by the first SRG. The first SRG may have an input vector non-parallel with respect to a normal axis of the waveguide. The display module may have an optical axis tilted with respect to the input vector by a non-zero angle. A prism may redirect the image light from the module to the first SRG in a direction parallel to the input vector. The module may include lens elements with an optical axis offset with respect to the center of the field of the image light. This may cause the lens elements to output the image light in a direction parallel to the input vector of the first SRG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Scott M. DeLapp, Vikrant Bhakta, Di Hu, Guolin Peng, Darshan R Kasar, John Raff
  • Publication number: 20240184134
    Abstract: Eyewear includes a frame connected to an arm using a hinge mechanism that enables movement of the arm to a folded position, a nominal position, and a hyperextended position. In the nominal position, gaps and exposure of any electronic components of the eyewear are minimized or eliminated. A hinge with multiple axes of rotation of different parts allows the arm to automatically snap between multiple stable positions relative to the frame while also being able to flex and apply a clamping force to a wide array of heads. A cable or other electrical connector can extend through a portion of the hinge to protect and guide the cable between electronic parts in the arm and frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Anderson, John Raff, Teodor Dabov
  • Publication number: 20240112494
    Abstract: An elongated biometric device provides a slim solution for capturing biometric data, and may be placed on a portion of an electronic device having limited space, such as a side of the electronic device. The elongated biometric device may include a force sensor, which may be positioned within a housing of the electronic device and actuated through posts extending from the elongated biometric device through the housing to transfer an applied force to the force sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel B. Sargent, Dale Setlak, Giovanni Gozzini, John Raff, Michael B. Wittenberg, Richard H. Koch, Ron A. Hopkinson
  • Publication number: 20240103280
    Abstract: A display may include a waveguide having an output coupler that couples image light out of the waveguide and towards a lens, which imparts a first power to the image light. A cover layer may have an outer surface with a three-dimensional curvature and an inner surface. A portion of the inner surface overlapping the output coupler may have a different three-dimensional curvature that forms an additional lens in the cover layer that transmits world light to the output coupler. The output coupler may transmit the world light to the lens, which transmits the world and image light to the eye box. The curvature of the portion of the inner surface may impart power to the world light that reverses the first power and/or a power imparted to the world light by the outer surface of the cover layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Barbara J. Kruse, Vikrant Bhakta, John Raff, Cameron A. Harder, Nawaf Al-Baghly
  • Publication number: 20240103303
    Abstract: A wearable apparatus can include a head-mountable device that includes: a display, a display frame housing the display, arms connected to the display frame, a processor, and a battery electrically coupled to the processor. In addition, the wearable apparatus can include a wearable power device connectable to the battery of the head-mountable device when the head-mountable device is worn on a person or a clothing of the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Alison B. Shutzberg, Christopher W. Sarli, Darshan R. Kasar, Cameron A. Harder, John Raff
  • Patent number: 11875592
    Abstract: An elongated biometric device provides a slim solution for capturing biometric data, and may be placed on a portion of an electronic device having limited space, such as a side of the electronic device. The elongated biometric device may include a force sensor, which may be positioned within a housing of the electronic device and actuated through posts extending from the elongated biometric device through the housing to transfer an applied force to the force sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Sargent, Dale Setlak, Giovanni Gozzini, John Raff, Michael B Wittenberg, Richard H. Koch, Ron A. Hopkinson
  • Patent number: 11772466
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof opening, a front window that is located forward from the roof opening, and a rear window that is located rearward from the roof opening. The vehicle also includes a first panel and a second panel. The first panel and the second panel obstruct the roof opening in a closed position and are movable to an open position in which the first panel is positioned adjacent to an exterior surface of the front window and the second panel is positioned adjacent to an exterior surface of the rear window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Philipp J. Wolf, John Raff, Donald R. Monroe, Samuel G. Fowle, Antonio B. Martinez, Albert J. Golko, Ali Tavakoli Targhi, David J. Donohue, David E. Kingman, Ibuki Kamei, Christopher L. Porritt
  • Patent number: 11772354
    Abstract: A glass fastening system includes a glass portion, a support structure defining a recess, a first adhesive layer disposed on an exterior surface of the glass portion facing the recess in the support structure, a second adhesive layer disposed within the recess of the support structure, and a fastener having a first portion secured to the first adhesive layer and a second portion extending away from the first portion and into the second adhesive layer to secure the glass portion to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David E. Kingman, Derek C. Scott, Donald R. Monroe, Phil M. Hobson, Juan A. Lazaro, Ibuki Kamei, John Raff, Stephen B. Lynch, Albert J. Golko, Christopher D. Prest, Dale N. Memering, James A. Yurko, Christopher D. Jones
  • Publication number: 20230305301
    Abstract: Head-mountable devices can include connection mechanisms that provide adjustable and exchangeable connections with other devices to enhance performance of the head-mountable device. Such connections can provide both mechanical engagement and operable communication between the connected devices. Accessory devices and/or external devices can be easily connected to provide different components and functions at different times as desired. Accordingly, a main portion of the head-mountable device need not include permanent components that provide every function that will later be desired by the user. Instead, the head-mountable device can have expanded and customizable capabilities by the use of one or more accessory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Darshan R. KASAR, Leah M. Cohen, Cameron A. Harder, John Raff, Paul X. Wang, David A. Kalinowski
  • Patent number: 11731555
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof panel, an opening defined by the roof panel and a movable panel assembly that is configured to move between a closed position and an open position with respect to the opening. A first track is located above the roof panel at a first lateral side of the movable panel, and a second track located above the roof panel at a second lateral side of the movable panel, wherein the movable panel is supported by the first track and the second track for movement between the closed position and the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Philipp J. Wolf, Samuel G. Fowle, Donald R. Monroe, John Raff, Antonio B. Martinez, Albert J. Golko, Ali Tavakoli Targhi, David J. Donohue, David E. Kingman, Ibuki Kamei
  • Patent number: 11726522
    Abstract: A computing system includes an electronic device, a cover or case for the electronic device, and an input device that is slidably movable yet attached to the cover or case. By positioning the electronic device on top of the input device, rotation of the electronic device which changes its vertical viewing angle also translates the input device. These can provide improved overall possible viewing angle adjustability, increased system stability at high viewing angles, laptop-like opening and closing behavior, lighter weight, and implementation using low-cost components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Santhana K. Balaji, Guangtao Zhang, John Raff, Ryan P. Brooks