Patents by Inventor Michael B. Wittenberg

Michael B. Wittenberg 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: 20200383219
    Abstract: An electronic device has a foldable display. First and second portions of an electronic device housing for the device may be joined using hinge structures. A flexible display may overlap the first housing portion, the hinge structures, and the second housing portion. A layer such as a layer of sheet metal may be used in supporting the display and may overlap the hinge structures. The hinge structures may include gear teeth, belts, and/or other movement synchronization structures. The hinge structures may include members that move relative to each other during bending. The moving members may include bars and links with opposing curved bearing surfaces. Stop surfaces may prevent excessive rotation of the bars and links with respect to each other. The links may rotate about pivot points that lie within the thickness of the display without the hinge structure living within the thickness of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Owen D. Hale, Tatsuya Sano, Chang-Chia Huang, Yasmin F. Afsar, Hoon Sik Kim, Michael B. Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 10855110
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe a wireless power receiving system for an electronic device includes: a first inductor coil configured to receive power primarily at a first frequency and from magnetic fields propagating in a first direction; and a second inductor coil configured to receive power primarily at a second frequency and from magnetic fields propagating in a second direction, wherein the first frequency is different than the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Stefan A. Kowalski, Christopher S. Graham, Morgan T. McClure, Erik G. de Jong, Trevor J. Ness, Peter J. Kardassakis, Jayesh Nath, Adam T. Clavelle, Rex Tyler Ehman
  • Patent number: 10849392
    Abstract: A watch can include a watch body and a watch band that is capable of housing batteries and transferring power from the batteries to the watch body to power the watch. The watch band can include an inner frame that has multiple slots, each slot configured to house a corresponding battery. The watch band can further include an outer covering that encompasses the inner structure and hermetically seals the batteries. A battery connector operatively connects each of the batteries to each other and to the watch body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Scott W. Slabaugh, Stephen E. Dey, Benjamin J. Kallman, Erik G. De Jong
  • Patent number: 10849246
    Abstract: An element for an electronic device can include a metal exterior portion including a first material, an interior portion including a second, independently selected material, and an engagement feature formed on a surface defined by the exterior and interior portions. The engagement feature can mechanically engage a material molded to the surface. A method for forming an element for an electronic device can include joining a boss to a member, forming a feature in the member while orienting the member via the boss, and at least partially removing the boss to form the element. An electronic device can include a frame defining an interior volume of the device, a display component, a transparent cover positioned adjacent to the display component, and an encapsulating material at least partially surrounding the display component and joining the display component to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Lee E. Hooten, Michael B. Wittenberg, Andrew J. Meschke, Alexander W. Williams
  • Patent number: 10840739
    Abstract: Embodiments describe a housing for an electronic device that includes a non-conductive filament wound around a least a first portion of a perimeter of the housing, and a conductive filament wound around a least a second portion of the perimeter of the housing. The non-conductive filament and the conductive filament are adhered together to form the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Slabaugh, Kevin M. Kenney, Michael B. Wittenberg, Erik G. de Jong, Christopher S. Graham
  • Patent number: 10817096
    Abstract: A force-sensitive device for electronic device. The force inputs may be detected by measuring changes in capacitance, as measured by surface flex of a device having a flexible touchable surface, causing flex at a compressible gap within the device. A capacitive sensor responsive to changes in distance across the compressible gap. The sensor can be positioned above or below, or within, a display element, and above or below, or within, a backlight unit. The device can respond to bending, twisting, or other deformation, to adjust those zero force measurements. The device can use measure of surface flux that appear at positions on the surface not directly the subject of applied force, such as when the user presses on a part of the frame or a surface without capacitive sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Charley T. Ogata, Martin P. Grunthaner, Michael B. Wittenberg, Peter W. Richards, Romain A. Teil, Steven P. Hotelling
  • Publication number: 20200329572
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing with portions that slide relative to each other. A display may be supported on a surface of the housing such as on a front face of the housing. The housing portions may slide between an unexpanded state in which the display has an unexpanded viewable area on the front face and an expanded state in which the display has an expanded viewable area on the front face that is greater than the unexpanded viewable area. The housing portions may have interior regions that contain electrical components. The display may be formed from a flexible display substrate. A portion of a flexible display may be stored in an interior region of the housing when the housing is in the unexpanded state. In the unexpanded state, the flexible display may have one or more bends and may double back on itself one or more times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Owen D. Hale, Tatsuya Sano
  • Publication number: 20200288593
    Abstract: An element for an electronic device can include a metal exterior portion including a first material, an interior portion including a second, independently selected material, and an engagement feature formed on a surface defined by the exterior and interior portions. The engagement feature can mechanically engage a material molded to the surface. A method for forming an element for an electronic device can include joining a boss to a member, forming a feature in the member while orienting the member via the boss, and at least partially removing the boss to form the element. An electronic device can include a frame defining an interior volume of the device, a display component, a transparent cover positioned adjacent to the display component, and an encapsulating material at least partially surrounding the display component and joining the display component to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Lee E. Hooton, Michael B. Wittenberg, Andrew J. Meschke, Alexander W. Williams
  • Publication number: 20200266845
    Abstract: An electronic device housing may include a display cover layer that overlaps an array of pixels. The cover layer or other portion of the housing may have an opening that forms an optical and audio port. Optical and audio components may be coupled to the port. A port cover may cover some or all of the port. The port cover may include one or more layers of mesh or other materials that allow light and sound to pass while blocking environmental contaminants. The optical components may include an ambient light sensor or other devices that receive light and/or may include devices that emit light. The audio components may include a microphone and/or a speaker. The optical component may emit or receive light that passes through the audio component. A structure in the interior of the housing may form a passageway coupled to the port through which sound and light passes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel P. Kumar, Michael B. Wittenberg, Aditya B. Nayak
  • Patent number: 10739855
    Abstract: An input device can be integrated within an electronic device and/or operably connected to an electronic device through a wired or wireless connection. The input device can include one or more force sensors positioned below a cover element of the input device or an input surface of the electronic device. The input device can include other components and/or functionality, such as a biometric sensor and/or a switch element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sora Kim, Martin P. Grunthaner, Rui Jin, Michael B. Wittenberg, Michael K. McCord, Henric Larsson, Giovanni Gozzini, Lucy Browning, Scott A. Myers
  • Patent number: 10735106
    Abstract: Mobile devices with ultrasound ranging are disclosed. A mobile device with ultrasound ranging can include a multifunctional component capable of performing multiple functions in the device, where the component can function as an ultrasound transmitter capable of transmitting an ultrasound signal to a proximate device. In some examples, the component can also function as a power button capable of powering the device up and down. In some examples, the component can also function as a home button capable of causing a home page to display on the device. The mobile device can further include an ultrasound receiver capable of receiving an ultrasound signal from the proximate device, where the device can calculate a range of the proximate device based on a time lapse associated with the received ultrasound signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David Amm, Brian Michael King, Steven P. Hotelling, Michael B. Wittenberg
  • Publication number: 20200245487
    Abstract: A composite housing of an electronic device can include a metal shell including a first material having a first set of material properties and a surface at least partially defining an exterior surface of the electronic device. The composite housing can also include an interior portion including a second material having a second set of material properties independent of the first set of material properties and at least partially defining a feature. The interior portion can be bonded to the shell and disposed interior to the surface of the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: William A. Counts, Andrew W. Meschke, Lei Gao, Abhijeet Misra, Alexander W. Williams, Hoishun Li, Lee E. Hooton, Michael B. Wittenberg, James A. Yurko
  • Publication number: 20200229761
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a housing to which a carrier is attached. The carrier has a first surface interior to the electronic device, and a second surface exterior to the electronic device. A set of electrodes is deposited on the exterior surface of the carrier. An additional electrode is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while the first electrode is positioned against skin of the user. The additional electrode may be positioned on a user-rotatable crown of the electronic device, on a button of the electronic device, or on another surface of the housing of the electronic device. A processor of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter of the user based on voltages at the electrodes. The biological parameter may be an electrocardiogram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Adam T. Clavelle, Erik G. de Jong, Michael B. Wittenberg, Tobias J. Harrison-Noonan, Martin Melcher, Zhipeng Zhang, Steven C. Roach, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Publication number: 20200205307
    Abstract: An element for an electronic device can include a metal exterior portion including a first material, an interior portion including a second, independently selected material, and an engagement feature formed on a surface defined by the exterior and interior portions. The engagement feature can mechanically engage a material molded to the surface. A method for forming an element for an electronic device can include joining a boss to a member, forming a feature in the member while orienting the member via the boss, and at least partially removing the boss to form the element. An electronic device can include a frame defining an interior volume of the device, a display component, a transparent cover positioned adjacent to the display component, and an encapsulating material at least partially surrounding the display component and joining the display component to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Lee E. Hooton, Michael B. Wittenberg, Andrew J. Meschke, Alexander W. Williams
  • Publication number: 20200153088
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic device is disclosed. The housing comprises a first component and a second component separated from the first component by a gap. The housing also includes a first molded element disposed at least partially within the gap and defining at least a portion of an interlock feature, and a second molded element disposed at least partially within the gap and mechanically engaging the interlock feature. The first component, the second component, and the second molded element form a portion of an exterior surface of the housing. A method of forming the housing is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew D. Hill, Michael B. Wittenberg, Shane Bustle, Duy P. Le
  • Patent number: 10610157
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a housing to which a carrier is attached. The carrier has a first surface interior to the electronic device, and a second surface exterior to the electronic device. A set of electrodes is deposited on the exterior surface of the carrier. An additional electrode is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while the first electrode is positioned against skin of the user. The additional electrode may be positioned on a user-rotatable crown of the electronic device, on a button of the electronic device, or on another surface of the housing of the electronic device. A processor of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter of the user based on voltages at the electrodes. The biological parameter may be an electrocardiogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer Pandya, Adam T. Clavelle, Erik G. de Jong, Michael B. Wittenberg, Tobias J. Harrison-Noonan, Martin Melcher, Zhipeng Zhang, Steven C. Roach, Steven P. Cardinali
  • Patent number: 10559872
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic device is disclosed. The housing comprises a first component and a second component separated from the first component by a gap. The housing also includes a first molded element disposed at least partially within the gap and defining at least a portion of an interlock feature, and a second molded element disposed at least partially within the gap and mechanically engaging the interlock feature. The first component, the second component, and the second molded element form a portion of an exterior surface of the housing. A method of forming the housing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Hill, Michael B. Wittenberg, Shane Bustle, Duy P. Le
  • Publication number: 20190393730
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe a wireless power receiving system for an electronic device includes: a first inductor coil configured to receive power primarily at a first frequency and from magnetic fields propagating in a first direction; and a second inductor coil configured to receive power primarily at a second frequency and from magnetic fields propagating in a second direction, wherein the first frequency is different than the second frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Stefan A. Kowalski, Christopher S. Graham, Morgan T. McClure, Erik G. de Jong, Trevor J. Ness, Peter J. Kardassakis, Jayesh Nath, Adam T. Clavelle, Rex Tyler Ehman
  • Patent number: 10495527
    Abstract: An object can depress an input device, such as, for example, a function button in an electronic device. A resistive element having a mechanically resistive force can be disposed to resist the depression or movement of the input device. One or more electrodes can be disposed to provide a measure of capacitance based on the depression of the input device. A shield can be disposed to reduce the parasitic capacitance between the one or more electrodes and the object. The electronic device can include a fingerprint sensor operably connected to at least one of the one or more electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Lyon, Dale Setlak, Michael B. Wittenberg, Shin John Choi
  • Publication number: 20190363577
    Abstract: Embodiments describe a housing for an electronic device that includes a non-conductive filament wound around a least a first portion of a perimeter of the housing, and a conductive filament wound around a least a second portion of the perimeter of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Slabaugh, Kevin M. Kenney, Michael B. Wittenberg, Erik G. de Jong, Christopher S. Graham