Patents by Inventor Mark Kraz

Mark Kraz 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: 20260050178
    Abstract: An electronic eyewear device having temples that are lightweight, aesthetically pleasant, and include thermal management. The temples each have a thermally conductive stiffener with a non-thermally conductive overmolded material forming a window. The window in each temple exposes interior components, such the stiffener to ambient air, and allows heat generated by electronic components to be released to ambient air to cool the components through convection. The windows also allow the stiffeners to be coupled to tooling and are easily overmolded. The windows provide both an aesthetic feature and a functional feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2025
    Publication date: February 19, 2026
    Inventors: Muye Guang, Stoyan Hristov, Mathias Hintermann, Nicholas Streets, Mark Kraz
  • Publication number: 20260024712
    Abstract: A button-switch assembly provides a preloaded force design with an enhanced tactile feel while also providing a non-wobbly (stabilized) configuration and water/dust protection functions. Features of the button-switch assembly include excellent tactile feel through a stack up of a soft rubber layer of a deflection web and a hard PET film shim layer, a consistent pre-loaded push force through use of an angled deflection web, a button flange that minimizes rotation of the button while providing a consistent tactile feel even when the edge of the button is depressed, double sided sealing adhesive layers that seal off the opening in the housing for accepting the button to prevent water/dust from entering the opening, and gluing the button to the rubber deflection web in variable thicknesses to provide a stable tension force to minimize wobble of the button when depressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2025
    Publication date: January 22, 2026
    Inventors: Chao Chen, Mark Kraz, Nicholas Streets
  • Patent number: 12474596
    Abstract: An electronic eyewear device having temples that are lightweight, aesthetically pleasant, and include thermal management. The temples each have a thermally conductive stiffener with a non-thermally conductive overmolded material forming a window. The window in each temple exposes interior components, such the stiffener to ambient air, and allows heat generated by electronic components to be released to ambient air to cool the components through convection. The windows also allow the stiffeners to be coupled to tooling and are easily overmolded. The windows provide both an aesthetic feature and a functional feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Muye Guang, Stoyan Hristov, Mathias Hintermann, Nicholas Streets, Mark Kraz
  • Patent number: 12451307
    Abstract: A button-switch assembly provides a preloaded force design with an enhanced tactile feel while also providing a non-wobbly (stabilized) configuration and water/dust protection functions. Features of the button-switch assembly include excellent tactile feel through a stack up of a soft rubber layer of a deflection web and a hard PET film shim layer, a consistent pre-loaded push force through use of an angled deflection web, a button flange that minimizes rotation of the button while providing a consistent tactile feel even when the edge of the button is depressed, double sided sealing adhesive layers that seal off the opening in the housing for accepting the button to prevent water/dust from entering the opening, and gluing the button to the rubber deflection web in variable thicknesses to provide a stable tension force to minimize wobble of the button when depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Chao Chen, Mark Kraz, Nicholas Streets
  • Publication number: 20250198434
    Abstract: A protective case for a device includes a cover portion configured to fit over the device, and a latch mechanism to secure the cover portion to the device. The latch mechanism has a latch rotatable about a first axis, and a ring spring rotatable about a second axis different from the first axis. Rotation of the latch about the first axis causes a deformation of the ring spring to generate a variable latch closing force that varies with rotation of the latch. In some embodiments, rotation of the latch compresses the ring spring to generate the variable latch closing force which increases to a maximum at a maximum compression point of the ring spring at a predetermined latch rotation angle. The ring spring then biases the latch open or closed depending on direction of rotation. The variable latch closing force is sufficient to adhere the cover portion to the device upon an impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Chao Chen, Dinh Tu Huynh, Mark Kraz, Chirag Somani
  • Publication number: 20250168477
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Kraz, Kevin Edward Booth, Tyler Scott Wilson, Nicholas Webb, Jason Evans Goulden, William Dong, Jeffrey Law, Rochus Jacob, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Oliver Mueller
  • Patent number: 12244914
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Kraz, Kevin Edward Booth, Tyler Scott Wilson, Nicholas Webb, Jason Evans Goulden, William Dong, Jeffrey Law, Rochus Jacob, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Oliver Mueller
  • Patent number: 12167112
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor encased in the housing and configured to capture activity of the smart home environment; (3) a wireless radio configured to transmit video frames captured by the image sensor to an electronic device via a remote server; (4) at least one infrared transmitter configured to selectively illuminate the smart home environment; (5) one or more circuit boards encased in the housing, the one or more circuit boards including at least one processor mounted thereon; and (6) a heating component coupled to the image sensor, the heating component configured to continuously maintain the image sensor at a temperature above a threshold temperature while the image sensor is capturing the activity of the smart home environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Jason Rukes, Tyler Wilson, Amber Volmering, William Dong, Jeffrey Law, Jason Goulden, Guangxun Liao, Kevin Edward Booth, Dietrich Ho, Daniel Patrick Foran, Oliver Mueller, Mark Kraz
  • Publication number: 20240280355
    Abstract: A system for correcting for frame bending of an augmented reality system is provided. A combination of strain gauges and visual inertial odometry is used to determine strains in the frame. An initial model between strain gauge measurements and actual frame spatial relationships is based on finite element analysis or calibration. During an initial visual inertial odometry data calculation phase, the augmented reality system calculates bending or strains of the frame using strain data from the strain gauges mounted to the frame. Subsequent visual inertial odometry data calculations are used to generate a corrected frame model of the frame. The corrected frame model is used for calculating corrected tracking data and corrected virtual overlays that are used to generate virtual overlays used in an AR experience provided by the augmented reality system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Matthias Kalkgruber, Tiago Miguel Pereira Torres, Chao Chen, Jason Heger, John Recchio, Mark Kraz, Michael Ryner
  • Patent number: 12033288
    Abstract: A method for guiding installation of smart-home devices may include capturing, by a camera of a mobile computing device, a view of an installation location for a smart-home device; rendering, by the mobile computing device, a view of a virtual object that represents a real-world obstruction that will interfere with the operation or installation of the smart-home device; and displaying, by the mobile computing device, the view of a virtual object that represents real-world obstruction with the view of the installation location on the display of the mobile computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Adam Mittleman, Jason Chamberlain, Jacobi Grillo, Daniel Biran, Mark Kraz, Lauren Chanen, Daniel Foran, David Fichou, William Dong, Bao-Tram Phan Nguyen, Brian Silverstein, Yash Modi, Alex Finlayson, Dongeek Shin
  • Publication number: 20240147035
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Kraz, Kevin Edward Booth, Tyler Scott Wilson, Nicholas Webb, Jason Evans Goulden, William Dong, Jeffrey Law, Rochus Jacob, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Oliver Mueller
  • Publication number: 20240080538
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor encased in the housing and configured to capture activity of the smart home environment; (3) a wireless radio configured to transmit video frames captured by the image sensor to an electronic device via a remote server; (4) at least one infrared transmitter configured to selectively illuminate the smart home environment; (5) one or more circuit boards encased in the housing, the one or more circuit boards including at least one processor mounted thereon; and (6) a heating component coupled to the image sensor, the heating component configured to continuously maintain the image sensor at a temperature above a threshold temperature while the image sensor is capturing the activity of the smart home environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Jason Rukes, Tyler Wilson, Amber Volmering, William Dong, Jeffrey Law, Jason Goulden, Guangxun Liao, Kevin Edward Booth, Dietrich Ho, Daniel Patrick Foran, Oliver Mueller, Mark Kraz
  • Patent number: 11924532
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Kraz, Kevin Edward Booth, Tyler Scott Wilson, Nicholas Webb, Jason Evans Goulden, William Dong, Jeffrey Law, Rochus Jacob, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Oliver Mueller
  • Patent number: 11873952
    Abstract: A light ring assembly for a smart-home device may include a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a light guide, where the light guide may include a plurality of cutouts that receive the plurality of LEDs, and a plurality of transmissive sections between the plurality of cutouts where a thickness of the transmissive sections tapers as the transmissive sections extend away from the plurality of cutouts. The light ring assembly may also include an output surface that receives light emitted from the plurality of LEDs through the plurality of transmissive sections, where the output surface is substantially circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Kraz, Amber Volmering, Bryan Macomber, Jacobi Grillo, Adam Kilgore
  • Patent number: 11849198
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor encased in the housing and configured to capture activity of the smart home environment; (3) a wireless radio configured to transmit video frames captured by the image sensor to an electronic device via a remote server; (4) at least one infrared transmitter configured to selectively illuminate the smart home environment; (5) one or more circuit boards encased in the housing, the one or more circuit boards including at least one processor mounted thereon; and (6) a heating component coupled to the image sensor, the heating component configured to continuously maintain the image sensor at a temperature above a threshold temperature while the image sensor is capturing the activity of the smart home environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Jason Rukes, Tyler Wilson, Amber Volmering, William Dong, Jeffrey Law, Jason Goulden, Guangxun Liao, Kevin Edward Booth, Dietrich Ho, Daniel Patrick Foran, Oliver Mueller, Mark Kraz
  • Publication number: 20230281935
    Abstract: A method for guiding installation of smart-home devices may include capturing, by a camera of a mobile computing device, a view of an installation location for a smart-home device; rendering, by the mobile computing device, a view of a virtual object that represents a real-world obstruction that will interfere with the operation or installation of the smart-home device; and displaying, by the mobile computing device, the view of a virtual object that represents real-world obstruction with the view of the installation location on the display of the mobile computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Adam Mittleman, Jason Chamberlain, Jacobi Grillo, Daniel Biran, Mark Kraz, Lauren Chanen, Daniel Foran, David Fichou, William Dong, Bao-Tram Phan Nguyen, Brian Silverstein, Yash Modi, Alex Finlayson, Dongeek Shin
  • Publication number: 20230108250
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Kraz, Kevin Edward Booth, Tyler Scott Wilson, Nicholas Webb, Jason Evans Goulden, William Dong, Jeffrey Law, Rochus Jacob, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Oliver Mueller
  • Patent number: 11593999
    Abstract: A method for guiding installation of smart-home devices may include capturing, by a camera of a mobile computing device, a view of an installation location for a smart-home device; determining, by the mobile computing device, an instruction for installing the smart-home device at the location; and displaying, by a display of the mobile computing device, the view of the installation location for a smart-home device with the instruction for installing the smart-home device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Adam Mittleman, Jason Chamberlain, Jacobi Grillo, Daniel Biran, Mark Kraz, Lauren Chanen, Daniel Foran, David Fichou, William Dong, Bao-Tram Phan Nguyen, Brian Silverstein, Yash Modi, Alex Finlayson, Dongeek Shin
  • Patent number: 11546491
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a camera device that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; (3) at least one infrared (IR) illuminator positioned with the housing, the IR illuminator configured to selectively illuminate the scene; and (4) a front face that is at least partially concave-shaped and coupled to the housing, the front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor, and the front face positioned in front of the IR illuminator such that IR light from the IR illuminator is directed through the front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Kraz, Kevin Edward Booth, Tyler Scott Wilson, Nicholas Webb, Jason Evans Goulden, William Dong, Jeffrey Law, Rochus Jacob, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Oliver Mueller
  • Publication number: 20220243874
    Abstract: A light ring assembly for a smart-home device may include a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a light guide, where the light guide may include a plurality of cutouts that receive the plurality of LEDs, and a plurality of transmissive sections between the plurality of cutouts where a thickness of the transmissive sections tapers as the transmissive sections extend away from the plurality of cutouts. The light ring assembly may also include an output surface that receives light emitted from the plurality of LEDs through the plurality of transmissive sections, where the output surface is substantially circular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Kraz, Amber Volmering, Bryan Macomber, Jacobi Grillo, Adam Kilgore