Patents by Inventor Melody L. Kuna
Melody L. Kuna 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).
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Patent number: 10747274Abstract: A portable electronic device, having a single piece housing to carry operational components having a front opening, an integral bottom and sidewalls that cooperate to form a cavity in cooperation with the front opening. The operational components can include a display to present visual content disposed within the front opening and having an outermost protective layer, a main logic board that extends along a central portion of the cavity having a size and shape that bisects the cavity into a first portion and a second portion each having substantially the same size and shape, a power storage system supported at the bottom wall and comprising a first power storage unit located in the first portion and second power storage unit located in the second portion, each being coupled to the main logic board, and self-contained audio components positioned at each corner of the single piece housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Erik A. Uttermann, John Raff, Melody L. Kuna, Jason S. Keats, G. Kyle Lobisser, John R. Kamorowski, Oliver C. Ross, Guangtao Zhang, Santhana Krishnan Balaji, Jiang Ai, Robert Scritzky, Stephen R. McClure
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Publication number: 20200241598Abstract: Electronic devices and accessory devices for electronic devices are described. In some instances, an accessory device includes a keyboard and a cover rotatable with respect to the keyboard. In some instances, an accessory device includes a back panel and a foldable cover rotatable with respect to the back panel. These accessory devices may include several magnetic elements designed to magnetically couple with, and retain, an electronic device without any additional mechanical or other interlocking devices. In this regard, the magnetic elements in the accessory devices provide an external magnetic field sufficiently strong enough to retain the electronic device, and can counter gravitational forces and/or the weight of the electronic device. However, some accessory devices include additional magnetic elements that provide an external magnetic field that repels magnetic elements in the electronic device. Also, the magnetic elements may also be used to hold different sections of the accessory device together.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Hao ZHU, Yang ZHOU, Thomas R. MATZINGER, Guangtao ZHANG, Ming YU, Jaime G. CHAVEZ RUIZ GARZA, Florence W. OW, James A. STRYKER, Travis C. PEDLEY, Melody L. KUNA, Taylor Harrison GILBERT
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Publication number: 20200241595Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include an enclosure and a transparent cover. The electronic device may include a display assembly. The electronic device may further include an inductive charging unit designed to inductively charge a stylus, or other object suitable for use with the display assembly. The electronic device may further include audio modules, at least some of which are designed to cause resonation of the enclosure to produce acoustical energy in the form of audible sound. Some audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively low frequencies, while other audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively high frequencies. The electronic device may further include a vision system designed for facial recognition. The display assembly may include a metal chassis as well as antennae for wireless communication. In order to prevent antennae interference, the metal chassis can be electrically grounded to the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Melody L. KUNA, Ryan J. MIHELICH, Taylor Harrison GILBERT, Joel N. RUSCHER, Carli E. OSTER, Alex Chun Lap YEUNG
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Patent number: 10705570Abstract: An electronic device may include a display, a housing member at least partially surrounding the display and including a first segment defining a first portion of an exterior surface of the electronic device, a second segment defining a second portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device and configured to function as an antenna, and a bridge segment structurally and conductively coupling the first segment to the second segment. The electronic device may also include a molded element positioned between the first segment and the second segment and defining a third portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Melody L. Kuna, Carlo Catalano, Lee B. Hamstra, Ross Errett, Devin Williams, Florence W. Ow, Alex Chung Lap Yeung, Carli Oster
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Patent number: 10671121Abstract: Electronic devices and accessory devices for electronic devices are described. In some instances, an accessory device includes a keyboard and a cover rotatable with respect to the keyboard. In some instances, an accessory device includes a back panel and a foldable cover rotatable with respect to the back panel. These accessory devices may include several magnetic elements designed to magnetically couple with, and retain, an electronic device without any additional mechanical or other interlocking devices. In this regard, the magnetic elements in the accessory devices provide an external magnetic field sufficiently strong enough to retain the electronic device, and can counter gravitational forces and/or the weight of the electronic device. However, some accessory devices include additional magnetic elements that provide an external magnetic field that repels magnetic elements in the electronic device. Also, the magnetic elements may also be used to hold different sections of the accessory device together.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Hao Zhu, Yang Zhou, Thomas R. Matzinger, Guangtao Zhang, Ming Yu, Jaime G. Chavez Ruiz Garza, Florence W. Ow, James A. Stryker, Travis C. Pedley, Melody L. Kuna, Taylor Harrison Gilbert
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Patent number: 10649489Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include an enclosure and a transparent cover. The electronic device may include a display assembly. The electronic device may further include an inductive charging unit designed to inductively charge a stylus, or other object suitable for use with the display assembly. The electronic device may further include audio modules, at least some of which are designed to cause resonation of the enclosure to produce acoustical energy in the form of audible sound. Some audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively low frequencies, while other audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively high frequencies. The electronic device may further include a vision system designed for facial recognition. The display assembly may include a metal chassis as well as antennae for wireless communication. In order to prevent antennae interference, the metal chassis can be electrically grounded to the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Melody L. Kuna, Ryan J. Mihelich, Taylor Harrison Gilbert, Joel N. Ruscher, Carli E. Oster, Alex Chun Lap Yeung
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Publication number: 20200089275Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include an enclosure and a transparent cover. The electronic device may include a display assembly. The electronic device may further include an inductive charging unit designed to inductively charge a stylus, or other object suitable for use with the display assembly. The electronic device may further include audio modules, at least some of which are designed to cause resonation of the enclosure to produce acoustical energy in the form of audible sound. Some audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively low frequencies, while other audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively high frequencies. The electronic device may further include a vision system designed for facial recognition. The display assembly may include a metal chassis as well as antennae for wireless communication. In order to prevent antennae interference, the metal chassis can be electrically grounded to the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Melody L. KUNA, Ryan J. MIHELICH, Taylor Harrison GILBERT, Joel N. RUSCHER, Carli E. OSTER, Alex Chun Lap YEUNG
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Publication number: 20200089276Abstract: Electronic devices and accessory devices for electronic devices are described. In some instances, an accessory device includes a keyboard and a cover rotatable with respect to the keyboard. In some instances, an accessory device includes a back panel and a foldable cover rotatable with respect to the back panel. These accessory devices may include several magnetic elements designed to magnetically couple with, and retain, an electronic device without any additional mechanical or other interlocking devices. In this regard, the magnetic elements in the accessory devices provide an external magnetic field sufficiently strong enough to retain the electronic device, and can counter gravitational forces and/or the weight of the electronic device. However, some accessory devices include additional magnetic elements that provide an external magnetic field that repels magnetic elements in the electronic device. Also, the magnetic elements may also be used to hold different sections of the accessory device together.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Hao ZHU, Yang ZHOU, Thomas R. MATZINGER, Guangtao ZHANG, Ming YU, Jaime G. CHAVEZ RUIZ GARZA, Florence W. OW, James A. STRYKER, Travis C. PEDLEY, Melody L. KUNA, Taylor Harrison GILBERT
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Publication number: 20200073445Abstract: An electronic device may include a display, a housing member at least partially surrounding the display and including a first segment defining a first portion of an exterior surface of the electronic device, a second segment defining a second portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device and configured to function as an antenna, and a bridge segment structurally and conductively coupling the first segment to the second segment. The electronic device may also include a molded element positioned between the first segment and the second segment and defining a third portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2018Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Melody L. Kuna, Carlo Catalano, Lee B. Hamstra, Ross Errett, Devin Williams, Florence W. Ow, Alex Chung Lap Yeung, Carli Oster
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Patent number: 10303209Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Samuel Gilkison Smith, Daniel J. Coster, Sean S. Corbin, Melody L. Kuna, Siddhartha Hegde, Benjamin A. Cousins, Robert Sean Murphy
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Publication number: 20180196473Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: Samuel Gilkison SMITH, Daniel J. COSTER, Sean. S. CORBIN, Melody L. KUNA, Siddhartha HEGDE, Benjamin A. COUSINS, Robert Sean MURPHY
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Patent number: 10021480Abstract: An enclosure for an electronic device is enclosed. The enclosure includes rib structures configured to improve structural support to prevent damage and to dissipate vibration throughout the enclosure. The rib structure can receive a speaker module and a cap member. The rib structure and the speaker module can combine to form a three-dimensional volume allowing the speaker module in which the speaker module may project sound, thereby enhancing acoustic performance. Also, the cap member may be adhesively attached to the rib structure to provide additional structural support against vibration and abuse caused by load forces associated with a drop event.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: G. Kyle Lobisser, Jason S. Keats, Ryan J. Mihelich, Pablo Seoane Vieites, Kevin M. Kenney, John Raff, Erik A. Uttermann, Melody L. Kuna, Oliver C. Ross
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Patent number: 9946295Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Samuel Gilkison Smith, Daniel J. Coster, Sean S. Corbin, Melody L. Kuna, Siddhartha Hegde, Benjamin A. Cousins, Robert Sean Murphy
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Patent number: 9946296Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Samuel Gilkison Smith, Daniel J. Coster, Sean S. Corbin, Melody L. Kuna, Siddhartha Hegde, Benjamin A. Cousins, Robert Sean Murphy
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Patent number: 9905964Abstract: An accessory to device coupling system can include a first magnet array adapted for assembly with respect to a surface of an electronic device and a second magnet array adapted for assembly with respect to a surface of an accessory device, the accessory device configured to interact electrically with the electronic device. The first magnet array can include a first plurality of magnets arranged in a first pattern of alternating polarities, and the second magnet array can include a second plurality of magnets arranged in a second pattern of alternating polarities that corresponds to the first pattern of alternating polarities. The corresponding alternating polarity patterns can cause the second magnet array to couple to the first magnet array with a normalized attraction force only at an intended orientation and alignment, and with less than half of the normalized attraction force at any other orientation and alignment.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brett W. Degner, David H. Narajowski, Oliver C. Ross, Hao Zhu, Erik A. Uttermann, Stephen R. McClure, Melody L. Kuna
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Publication number: 20170068288Abstract: A portable electronic device, having a single piece housing to carry operational components having a front opening, an integral bottom and sidewalls that cooperate to form a cavity in cooperation with the front opening. The operational components can include a display to present visual content disposed within the front opening and having an outermost protective layer, a main logic board that extends along a central portion of the cavity having a size and shape that bisects the cavity into a first portion and a second portion each having substantially the same size and shape, a power storage system supported at the bottom wall and comprising a first power storage unit located in the first portion and second power storage unit located in the second portion, each being coupled to the main logic board, and self-contained audio components positioned at each corner of the single piece housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Erik A. UTTERMANN, John RAFF, Melody L. KUNA, Jason S. KEATS, G. Kyle LOBISSER, John R. KAMOROWSKI, Oliver C. ROSS, Guangtao ZHANG, Santhana Krishnan BALAJI, Jiang AI, Robert SCRITZKY, Stephen R. MCCLURE
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Publication number: 20170070001Abstract: An accessory to device coupling system can include a first magnet array adapted for assembly with respect to a surface of an electronic device and a second magnet array adapted for assembly with respect to a surface of an accessory device, the accessory device configured to interact electrically with the electronic device. The first magnet array can include a first plurality of magnets arranged in a first pattern of alternating polarities, and the second magnet array can include a second plurality of magnets arranged in a second pattern of alternating polarities that corresponds to the first pattern of alternating polarities. The corresponding alternating polarity patterns can cause the second magnet array to couple to the first magnet array with a normalized attraction force only at an intended orientation and alignment, and with less than half of the normalized attraction force at any other orientation and alignment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Brett W. DEGNER, David H. NARAJOWSKI, Oliver C. ROSS, Hao ZHU, Erik A. UTTERMANN, Stephen R. MCCLURE, Melody L. KUNA
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Publication number: 20170068282Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Samuel Gilkison SMITH, Daniel J. COSTER, Sean. S. CORBIN, Melody L. KUNA, Siddhartha HEGDE, Benjamin A. COUSINS, Robert Sean MURPHY
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Publication number: 20170068281Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Samuel Gilkison SMITH, Daniel J. COSTER, Sean. S. CORBIN, Melody L. KUNA, Siddhartha HEGDE, Benjamin A. COUSINS, Robert Sean MURPHY
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Patent number: D893493Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Kristina A. Babiarz, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Carlo Catalano, Markus Diebel, Ross M. Errett, Lee B. Hamstra, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Melody L. Kuna, Carli E. Oster, Florence Wong Ow, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Devin M. Williams, Alex Chun Lap Yeung, Rico Zörkendörfer