Patents by Inventor Michael K. Pilliod

Michael K. Pilliod 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: 20230226659
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a glass housing structures. The glass housing structures may be used to cover a display and other internal electronic device components. The glass housing structure may have multiple glass pieces that are joined using a glass fusing process. A peripheral glass member may be fused along the edge of a planar glass member to enhance the thickness of the edge. A rounded edge feature may be formed by machining the thickened edge. Raised fused glass features may surround openings in the planar glass member. Multiple planar glass members may be fused together to form a five-sided box in which electronic components may be mounted. Raised support structure ribs may be formed by fusing glass structures to a planar glass member. Opaque masking material and colored glass may be used to create portions of the glass housing structures that hide internal device components from view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Jonathan P. Ive, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Patent number: 11612975
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a glass housing structures. The glass housing structures may be used to cover a display and other internal electronic device components. The glass housing structure may have multiple glass pieces that are joined using a glass fusing process. A peripheral glass member may be fused along the edge of a planar glass member to enhance the thickness of the edge. A rounded edge feature may be formed by machining the thickened edge. Raised fused glass features may surround openings in the planar glass member. Multiple planar glass members may be fused together to form a five-sided box in which electronic components may be mounted. Raised support structure ribs may be formed by fusing glass structures to a planar glass member. Opaque masking material and colored glass may be used to create portions of the glass housing structures that hide internal device components from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Jonathan P. Ive, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Publication number: 20220161385
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a glass housing structures. The glass housing structures may be used to cover a display and other internal electronic device components. The glass housing structure may have multiple glass pieces that are joined using a glass fusing process. A peripheral glass member may be fused along the edge of a planar glass member to enhance the thickness of the edge. A rounded edge feature may be formed by machining the thickened edge. Raised fused glass features may surround openings in the planar glass member. Multiple planar glass members may be fused together to form a five-sided box in which electronic components may be mounted. Raised support structure ribs may be formed by fusing glass structures to a planar glass member. Opaque masking material and colored glass may be used to create portions of the glass housing structures that hide internal device components from view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Jonathan P. Ive, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Patent number: 11260489
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a glass housing structures. The glass housing structures may be used to cover a display and other internal electronic device components. The glass housing structure may have multiple glass pieces that are joined using a glass fusing process. A peripheral glass member may be fused along the edge of a planar glass member to enhance the thickness of the edge. A rounded edge feature may be formed by machining the thickened edge. Raised fused glass features may surround openings in the planar glass member. Multiple planar glass members may be fused together to form a five-sided box in which electronic components may be mounted. Raised support structure ribs may be formed by fusing glass structures to a planar glass member. Opaque masking material and colored glass may be used to create portions of the glass housing structures that hide internal device components from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Jonathan P. Ive, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Publication number: 20210014981
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a glass housing structures. The glass housing structures may be used to cover a display and other internal electronic device components. The glass housing structure may have multiple glass pieces that are joined using a glass fusing process. A peripheral glass member may be fused along the edge of a planar glass member to enhance the thickness of the edge. A rounded edge feature may be formed by machining the thickened edge. Raised fused glass features may surround openings in the planar glass member. Multiple planar glass members may be fused together to form a five-sided box in which electronic components may be mounted. Raised support structure ribs may be formed by fusing glass structures to a planar glass member. Opaque masking material and colored glass may be used to create portions of the glass housing structures that hide internal device components from view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Jonathan P. Ive, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Patent number: 10842031
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a glass housing structures. The glass housing structures may be used to cover a display and other internal electronic device components. The glass housing structure may have multiple glass pieces that are joined using a glass fusing process. A peripheral glass member may be fused along the edge of a planar glass member to enhance the thickness of the edge. A rounded edge feature may be formed by machining the thickened edge. Raised fused glass features may surround openings in the planar glass member. Multiple planar glass members may be fused together to form a five-sided box in which electronic components may be mounted. Raised support structure ribs may be formed by fusing glass structures to a planar glass member. Opaque masking material and colored glass may be used to create portions of the glass housing structures that hide internal device components from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Jonathan P. Ive, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Publication number: 20200093009
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a glass housing structures. The glass housing structures may be used to cover a display and other internal electronic device components. The glass housing structure may have multiple glass pieces that are joined using a glass fusing process. A peripheral glass member may be fused along the edge of a planar glass member to enhance the thickness of the edge. A rounded edge feature may be formed by machining the thickened edge. Raised fused glass features may surround openings in the planar glass member. Multiple planar glass members may be fused together to form a five-sided box in which electronic components may be mounted. Raised support structure ribs may be formed by fusing glass structures to a planar glass member. Opaque masking material and colored glass may be used to create portions of the glass housing structures that hide internal device components from view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Jonathan P. Ive, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Patent number: 10579101
    Abstract: A transparent article, such as a transparent cover, for use as a cover glass for an electronic device, as well as methods for producing transparent articles, are disclosed. The transparent article can form a part of a housing of the portable electronic device and can provide an outer surface for a portion of the housing. The transparent article can be provided over a display of portable electronic device to provide a protective outer cover over the display. In one embodiment, the transparent article can be formed with a laminate structure. In another embodiment, the transparent article can be formed with a ribbed structure. In still another embodiment, a sapphire coating can be deposited on the transparent article to improve it strength. Advantageously, the transparent article is able to be not only thin and lightweight but also provide sufficient stiffness for use as a cover glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Amy Qian, Daniel D. Sunshine, Jeremy C. Franklin, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Patent number: 10556408
    Abstract: A surface of an electronic device includes a reduced friction surface that comprises a glass beaded film. The glass beaded film includes glass beads disposed in a polymer layer or in an adhesive layer, where a portion of the glass beads protrude from a surface of the polymer or adhesive layer. The reduced friction surface is disposed over at least a portion of the surface of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: James J. Niu, Craig C. Leong, Michael K. Pilliod, Keith J. Hendren
  • Patent number: 10551722
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for windows integration with cover glass and for processing cover glass to provide windows for electronic devices are disclosed. Transparent windows such as a transparent camera window, a transparent illuminator window and/or a transparent display window can be integrated into the cover glass. The apparatus, systems and methods are especially suitable for cover glasses, or displays (e.g., LCD displays), assembled in small form factor electronic devices such as handheld electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, media players, personal digital assistants, remote controls, etc.). The apparatus, systems and methods can also be used for cover glasses or displays for other relatively larger form factor electronic devices (e.g., portable computers, tablet computers, displays, monitors, televisions, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael K. Pilliod, Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Douglas J. Weber
  • Patent number: 10512176
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a glass housing structures. The glass housing structures may be used to cover a display and other internal electronic device components. The glass housing structure may have multiple glass pieces that are joined using a glass fusing process. A peripheral glass member may be fused along the edge of a planar glass member to enhance the thickness of the edge. A rounded edge feature may be formed by machining the thickened edge. Raised fused glass features may surround openings in the planar glass member. Multiple planar glass members may be fused together to form a five-sided box in which electronic components may be mounted. Raised support structure ribs may be formed by fusing glass structures to a planar glass member. Opaque masking material and colored glass may be used to create portions of the glass housing structures that hide internal device components from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Jonathan P. Ive, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Patent number: 10496135
    Abstract: A transparent article, such as a transparent cover, for use as a cover glass for an electronic device, as well as methods for producing transparent articles, are disclosed. The transparent article can form a part of a housing of the portable electronic device and can provide an outer surface for a portion of the housing. The transparent article can be provided over a display of portable electronic device to provide a protective outer cover over the display. In one embodiment, the transparent article can be formed with a laminate structure. In another embodiment, the transparent article can be formed with a ribbed structure. In still another embodiment, a sapphire coating can be deposited on the transparent article to improve it strength. Advantageously, the transparent article is able to be not only thin and lightweight but also provide sufficient stiffness for use as a cover glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Amy Qian, Daniel D. Sunshine, Jeremy C. Franklin, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Patent number: 10278294
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a glass housing structures. The glass housing structures may be used to cover a display and other internal electronic device components. The glass housing structure may have multiple glass pieces that are joined using a glass fusing process. A peripheral glass member may be fused along the edge of a planar glass member to enhance the thickness of the edge. A rounded edge feature may be formed by machining the thickened edge. Raised fused glass features may surround openings in the planar glass member. Multiple planar glass members may be fused together to form a five-sided box in which electronic components may be mounted. Raised support structure ribs may be formed by fusing glass structures to a planar glass member. Opaque masking material and colored glass may be used to create portions of the glass housing structures that hide internal device components from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Jonathan P. Ive, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Publication number: 20190086963
    Abstract: A transparent article, such as a transparent cover, for use as a cover glass for an electronic device, as well as methods for producing transparent articles, are disclosed. The transparent article can form a part of a housing of the portable electronic device and can provide an outer surface for a portion of the housing. The transparent article can be provided over a display of portable electronic device to provide a protective outer cover over the display. In one embodiment, the transparent article can be formed with a laminate structure. In another embodiment, the transparent article can be formed with a ribbed structure. In still another embodiment, a sapphire coating can be deposited on the transparent article to improve it strength. Advantageously, the transparent article is able to be not only thin and lightweight but also provide sufficient stiffness for use as a cover glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Amy Qian, Daniel D. Sunshine, Jeremy C. Franklin, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Patent number: 10231352
    Abstract: Methods and structures for forming anodization layers that protect and cosmetically enhance metal surfaces are described. In some embodiments, methods involve forming an anodization layer on an underlying metal that permits an underlying metal surface to be viewable. In some embodiments, methods involve forming a first anodization layer and an adjacent second anodization layer on an angled surface, the interface between the two anodization layers being regular and uniform. Described are photomasking techniques and tools for providing sharply defined corners on anodized and texturized patterns on metal surfaces. Also described are techniques and tools for providing anodizing resistant components in the manufacture of electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Woodhull, Paul Choiniere, Michael Coleman, Bryan Patrick Kiple, David A. Pakula, Michael K. Pilliod, Tang Yew Tan
  • Publication number: 20190029127
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a glass housing structures. The glass housing structures may be used to cover a display and other internal electronic device components. The glass housing structure may have multiple glass pieces that are joined using a glass fusing process. A peripheral glass member may be fused along the edge of a planar glass member to enhance the thickness of the edge. A rounded edge feature may be formed by machining the thickened edge. Raised fused glass features may surround openings in the planar glass member. Multiple planar glass members may be fused together to form a five-sided box in which electronic components may be mounted. Raised support structure ribs may be formed by fusing glass structures to a planar glass member. Opaque masking material and colored glass may be used to create portions of the glass housing structures that hide internal device components from view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Jonathan P. Ive, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Publication number: 20190025673
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for windows integration with cover glass and for processing cover glass to provide windows for electronic devices are disclosed. Transparent windows such as a transparent camera window, a transparent illuminator window and/or a transparent display window can be integrated into the cover glass. The apparatus, systems and methods are especially suitable for cover glasses, or displays (e.g., LCD displays), assembled in small form factor electronic devices such as handheld electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, media players, personal digital assistants, remote controls, etc.). The apparatus, systems and methods can also be used for cover glasses or displays for other relatively larger form factor electronic devices (e.g., portable computers, tablet computers, displays, monitors, televisions, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Michael K. Pilliod, Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Douglas J. Weber
  • Patent number: 10133156
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for windows integration with cover glass and for processing cover glass to provide windows for electronic devices are disclosed. Transparent windows such as a transparent camera window, a transparent illuminator window and/or a transparent display window can be integrated into the cover glass. The apparatus, systems and methods are especially suitable for cover glasses, or displays (e.g., LCD displays), assembled in small form factor electronic devices such as handheld electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, media players, personal digital assistants, remote controls, etc.). The apparatus, systems and methods can also be used for cover glasses or displays for other relatively larger form factor electronic devices (e.g., portable computers, tablet computers, displays, monitors, televisions, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael K. Pilliod, Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Douglas J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20180150109
    Abstract: A transparent article, such as a transparent cover, for use as a cover glass for an electronic device, as well as methods for producing transparent articles, are disclosed. The transparent article can form a part of a housing of the portable electronic device and can provide an outer surface for a portion of the housing. The transparent article can be provided over a display of portable electronic device to provide a protective outer cover over the display. In one embodiment, the transparent article can be formed with a laminate structure. In another embodiment, the transparent article can be formed with a ribbed structure. In still another embodiment, a sapphire coating can be deposited on the transparent article to improve it strength. Advantageously, the transparent article is able to be not only thin and lightweight but also provide sufficient stiffness for use as a cover glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Amy Qian, Daniel D. Sunshine, Jeremy C. Franklin, Michael K. Pilliod
  • Patent number: 9908310
    Abstract: A surface of an electronic device includes a reduced friction surface that comprises a glass beaded film. The glass beaded film includes glass beads disposed in a polymer layer or in an adhesive layer, where a portion of the glass beads protrude from a surface of the polymer or adhesive layer. The reduced friction surface is disposed over at least a portion of the surface of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: James J. Niu, Craig C. Leong, Michael K. Pilliod, Keith J. Hendren