Patents by Inventor John S. Camp

John S. Camp 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: 20260147421
    Abstract: Computing systems and input devices can include a chassis with a computing device and an input tool with a sensor, such as a pen- or rod-like input tool, that can be positioned relative to the chassis in multiple configurations. In one configuration, the tool can be spaced away from the chassis and its sensor output can cause a first output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. In another configuration, the tool can be contacting the chassis and its sensor output can cause a second output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. For example, an input tool can be stowed in a recess of a keyboard housing or device chassis, and the input tool can produce a first output when it is in the recess and a second input when it has been removed from the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2025
    Publication date: May 28, 2026
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, John S. Camp
  • Patent number: 12601924
    Abstract: A securement band for a head-mountable device can include a variable length strap, a first load spreader connected to the variable length strap, and a second load spreader connected to and separated from the first load spreader by the variable length strap. The first and second load spreaders can be fixed in length. The variable length strap can include elastic material and the first and second load spreaders can be rigid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: John Cagle, Adam Y. Kollgaard, John S. Camp, Paul X. Wang, Venkata Narayana Murthy Arelekatti
  • Publication number: 20260093157
    Abstract: An accessory device functions to enhance image capturing events by an electronic device. The accessory device may include a button that is positioned to provide relative ease for depressing whether the electronic device, including a camera, is in a portrait mode or a landscape mode. The button of the accessory device may be offset with respect to a button of the electronic device. However, the button of the accessory device may nonetheless provide an input (e.g., actuation, touch input, force sensing) to the button of the electronic device. Some accessory devices include a stand that allows for rotation of a receptacle of an accessory device, thus facilitating capturing a panoramic image by the electronic device. Also, some buttons may take the form of lockable buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2025
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    Inventors: Holly GERHARD, Cierra A. JAGAN, John S. CAMP
  • Patent number: 12591137
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may be provided with displays. The displays and lenses through which images on the displays are viewed may be mounted in optical modules. Positioners may be used to move the optical modules towards and away from each other to adjust the head-mounted device to accommodate different user interpupillary distances. To support and guide the optical modules, the optical modules may be slidably mounted to guide rails. The guide rails may be biased against the optical modules using biasing systems. By using the biasing systems, misalignment between the optical modules can be reduced. If desired, guide rail sensors may be used to monitor the positions of the guide rails. In some configurations, the optical modules may be mounted to the guide rails using kinematic mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Jason C. Sauers, Jia Tao, John S. Camp, Phil M. Hobson, Jacob L. Smith, Evan D. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20250377553
    Abstract: A head mountable display (HMD) can include a display unit, a facial engagement that can be selectively coupled to the display unit, and a securement that can be selectively coupled to the display unit. The facial engagement can be configured to engage a face of a user, such as to fit the HMD to the user's face. The securement can be configured to position the facial engagement against the user's face, such as to position the display unit for viewing by the user. A first coupling can removably couple the facial engagement to the display unit for modularity. A second coupling can removably couple the securement to the display unit for modularity. The display unit, a first facial engagement, a second facial engagement, a first securement, and a second securement can be mixed and matched to configure the HMD based on user preference, form factor, or use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2024
    Publication date: December 11, 2025
    Inventors: Samuel O. Schneider, John S. Camp, Daniel A. Henneh, Megan Grant, John A. Porcella, Michael E. Savery
  • Publication number: 20250377546
    Abstract: A head-mounted display device can include a display assembly including a window, and a light source configured to produce content displayed at the window. In some examples, The head-mounted display device can also include a securement band defining a closed loop, the closed loop including a first connection point, a second connection point, and a third connection point. In some examples, the head-mounted display device can also include a first connection arm coupling the display assembly to the first connection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2024
    Publication date: December 11, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel A. Henneh, Megan Grant, John S. Camp, Michael E. Savery, Samuel O. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20250271672
    Abstract: A head-mountable device can facilitate comfort, guidance, and alertness of the user by providing visual and other outputs with one or more user interface devices. Such outputs can encourage awareness, alertness, and knowledge of the user's movement, features of the environment, and/or the conditions of the user. The actions can be performed by an output of the head-mountable device, such as a display, a speaker, a haptic feedback device, and/or another output device that interacts with the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Inventors: Scott M. LEINWEBER, John CAGLE, John S. CAMP, Paul X. WANG, Denise R. CRUISE
  • Publication number: 20250216686
    Abstract: A securement band for a head-mountable device can include a variable length strap, a first load spreader connected to the variable length strap, and a second load spreader connected to and separated from the first load spreader by the variable length strap. The first and second load spreaders can be fixed in length. The variable length strap can include elastic material and the first and second load spreaders can be rigid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Inventors: John Cagle, Adam Y. Kollgaard, John S. Camp, Paul X. Wang, Venkata Narayana Murthy Arelekatti
  • Patent number: 12299215
    Abstract: Computing systems and input devices can include a chassis with a computing device and an input tool with a sensor, such as a pen- or rod-like input tool, that can be positioned relative to the chassis in multiple configurations. In one configuration, the tool can be spaced away from the chassis and its sensor output can cause a first output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. In another configuration, the tool can be contacting the chassis and its sensor output can cause a second output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. For example, an input tool can be stowed in a recess of a keyboard housing or device chassis, and the input tool can produce a first output when it is in the recess and a second input when it has been removed from the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, John S. Camp
  • Publication number: 20250103096
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may include optical assemblies for presenting images to a user. The optical assemblies may be mounted in a head-mounted device housing. The head-mounted device housing may be supported at the front of the head of a user in front of the user's eyes using head-mounted support structures such as straps. The straps may include a rear strap and an overhead strap. A counterweight may be provided at the rear of the user's head to counterbalance the weight of the head-mounted device housing. The counterweight may be coupled to a rigid portion of the head-mounted housing at a connection. A clutch may be provided to allow the rotational orientation of the counterweight to be adjusted about the connection. A sliding mass in the counterweight may also be adjusted. These adjustments alter the amount of counterbalancing created by the counterweight to counterbalance the head-mounted device housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: James T. Smith, Jered Singleton, John S. Camp, Venkata Narayana Murthy Arelekatti
  • Publication number: 20250102815
    Abstract: Wearable electronic devices including counterbalances for adjusting balance points thereof and methods of using the same are disclosed. In an example, head-mountable electronic device includes a display unit, a securement band connected to the display unit, an overhead band including a first end secured to the securement band and a second end secured to the securement band, and a counterbalance connected to the securement band between the first end and the second end. A distance between the counterbalance and the first end can be adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: John S. Camp, Adam Y. Kollgaard
  • Publication number: 20250093911
    Abstract: A wearable device includes a display including a display weight, a connecting band including a battery and a processor, a fulcrum strap positioned above the connecting band, a counterbalance strap positioned above the connecting band, and a weighted pad attached to the counterbalance strap. The weighted pad is at least partially counterbalancing a weight of the display about the fulcrum strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: John S. Camp, Megan Grant, Michael E. Savery, John A. Porcella
  • Patent number: 12254142
    Abstract: An input device can include a housing defining an internal volume and a lower portion, the lower portion defining an aperture, an input sensor disposed in the internal volume, and a haptic assembly disposed in the internal volume. The haptic assembly can include an actuator and a foot coupled to the actuator and aligned with the aperture. The actuator can be configured to selectively extend the foot through the aperture to vary a sliding resistance of the input device on a support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bart K. Andre, Brian T. Gleeson, Kristi E. Bauerly, William D. Lindmeier, Matthew J. Sundstrom, Geng Luo, Seung Wook Kim, Evangelos Christodoulou, Megan M. Sapp, Kainoa Kwon-Perez, John B. Morrell, John S. Camp
  • Patent number: 12248152
    Abstract: Systems of the present disclosure can provide a head-mountable device with a head securement element that allows a user to adjust how the head securement element fits near the ears of the user. Examples of adjustment mechanisms described herein allow a user to control the size, shape, flexibility, and/or position of certain regions of the head securement element with respect to the ears of the user. Accordingly, the user can select a configuration that distributes forces evenly, maximizes comfort, and allows the user to enjoy the head-mountable device for longer durations of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X Wang, Scott M. Leinweber, John S. Camp
  • Patent number: 12201227
    Abstract: A product display stand for reducing displayed product movement can be used in a retail environment to reduce movement of a product displayed by the product display stand. Such product display stand includes a damping assembly configured to attach to a display platform. The damping assembly includes a housing configured to attach to the display platform. The housing defines a damping chamber. The assembly also includes within the chamber a damping flange and damping material. The product display stand also includes a display post fixed to the damping flange. The display post extends above the display platform and to retain and display a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Weijia Wang, Gregory R. Ritter, Joshua Adams, Olivia Ching, Priya K. Nambiar, Charles A. Schwalbach, David S. Herman, John S. Camp, Samuel O. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20240377647
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device can include an optical assembly that supports a display and is moveable within the wearable electronic device. A compliant tracking assembly can be provided to facilitate precision alignment to allow the tracking assembly to operate as an encoder system. For example, the sensor of the tracking assembly can be consistently aligned with a scale so that movement of the optical assembly relative to the chassis can be tracked and controlled accurately and precisely. Such a compliant mechanism can provide protection of the sensor throughout the life of the wearable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Matin SEADAT BEHESHTI, Jia TAO, Aidan N. ZIMMERMAN, John S. CAMP, David R. CRAMER, Evan D. CHRISTENSEN, Ivan S. MARIC, Kristina A. BABIARZ, Jeremy C. FRANKLIN
  • Patent number: 12096829
    Abstract: Bands for electronic devices, including wearable devices, are designed to dynamically alter their shape (e.g., lengthen) in response to an external force. A band may include one or more interior structures disposed in an exterior structure. The interior structure(s) is/are pulled in tension by the exterior structure. When the interior structure(s) is/are pulled in tension, an additional force (e.g., by a user) that applies tension to the interior structure(s) may cause a relatively small change in tension to the interior structure(s). As a result, the band may appear to provide the same amount to users, despite users having a different wrist size/diameter. A similar phenomenon may occur to a single user when the user's wrist changes in size. Accordingly, based on the interior structure(s) being placed in tension by the exterior structure(s), the force provided by the band may appear constant to users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William Leith, Camille I. Henrot, Donald L. Olmstead, Jessica J. Lu, John S. Camp, Seul Bi Kim, Joseph B. Walker
  • Publication number: 20240152218
    Abstract: Computing systems and input devices can include a chassis with a computing device and an input tool with a sensor, such as a pen- or rod-like input tool, that can be positioned relative to the chassis in multiple configurations. In one configuration, the tool can be spaced away from the chassis and its sensor output can cause a first output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. In another configuration, the tool can be contacting the chassis and its sensor output can cause a second output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. For example, an input tool can be stowed in a recess of a keyboard housing or device chassis, and the input tool can produce a first output when it is in the recess and a second input when it has been removed from the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, John S. Camp
  • Publication number: 20240094549
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may include optical assemblies for presenting images to a user. Actuators may be used to adjust the spacing between the optical assemblies to accommodate different interpupillary distances. Upon detection of a power-down event or drop event, the device may be placed into an impact-safe mode. During the safe mode, the optical assemblies may be moved to predetermined impact-safe positions, brakes such as optical guide rail brakes may be adjusted, cushioning springs may be deployed, clutches may be adjusted, and/or other safety mechanisms may be activated to help protect the optical assemblies or other sensitive components from damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Matin Seadat Beheshti, Aidan N. Zimmerman, John S. Camp
  • Publication number: 20240094832
    Abstract: An input device can include a housing defining an internal volume and a lower portion, the lower portion defining an aperture, an input sensor disposed in the internal volume, and a haptic assembly disposed in the internal volume. The haptic assembly can include an actuator and a foot coupled to the actuator and aligned with the aperture. The actuator can be configured to selectively extend the foot through the aperture to vary a sliding resistance of the input device on a support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Bart K. Andre, Brian T. Gleeson, Kristi E. Bauerly, William D. Lindmeier, Matthew J. Sundstrom, Geng Luo, Seung Wook Kim, Evangelos Christodoulou, Megan M. Sapp, Kainoa Kwon-Perez, John B. Morrell, John S. Camp