Patents by Inventor Miguel C. Christophy
Miguel C. Christophy 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: 11747950Abstract: A device configured to determine the location and magnitude of a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a transparent touch sensor that is configured to detect a location of a touch on the transparent touch sensor. The device also includes a force-sensing structure disposed at the periphery of the transparent touch sensor. The force sensor includes an upper capacitive plate and a compressible element disposed on one side of the upper capacitive plate. The force sensor also includes a lower capacitive plate disposed on a side of the compressible element that is opposite the upper capacitive plate.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonah A. Harley, Peter W. Richards, Brian Q. Huppi, Omar Sze Leung, Dhaval N. Shah, Martin P. Grunthaner, Steven P. Hotelling, Miguel C. Christophy, Vivek Katiyar, Tang Yew Tan, Christopher J. Butler, Erik G. De Jong, Ming Sartee, Rui Qiao, Steven J. Martisauskas, Storrs T. Hoen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Lee E. Hooton, Ian A. Spraggs, Sawyer I. Cohen, David A. Pakula
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Patent number: 10705358Abstract: A display may have a backlight unit that provides backlight illumination. The backlight unit may include a light guide that distributes light throughout the display and an electrically adjustable lens array. The lens array may have lenses such as liquid lenses or liquid crystal lenses. By adjusting the lenses in the lens array, the angles of rays of backlight from the backlight unit may be adjusted to adjust the angle-of-view of the display. The angle-of-view of the display may also be adjusted using an electrically controllable filter layer. The electrically controllable filter layer may have a liquid crystal layer or a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer that can be controlled using electrodes. When the electrodes apply signals to the electrically controllable filter layer, portions of the filter layer change to a dark or translucent state and restrict the angle-of-view of the display.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2016Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Apple, Inc.Inventors: Miguel C. Christophy, Ming Xu
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Publication number: 20190369779Abstract: A device configured to determine the location and magnitude of a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a transparent touch sensor that is configured to detect a location of a touch on the transparent touch sensor. The device also includes a force-sensing structure disposed at the periphery of the transparent touch sensor. The force sensor includes an upper capacitive plate and a compressible element disposed on one side of the upper capacitive plate. The force sensor also includes a lower capacitive plate disposed on a side of the compressible element that is opposite the upper capacitive plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Jonah A. Harley, Peter W. Richards, Brian Q. Huppi, Omar Sze Leung, Dhaval N. Shah, Martin P. Grunthaner, Steven P. Hotelling, Miguel C. Christophy, Vivek Katiyar, Tang Yew Tan, Christopher J. Butler, Erik G. De Jong, Ming Sartee, Rui Qiao, Steven J. Martisauskas, Storrs T. Hoen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Lee E. Hooton, Ian A. Spraggs, Sawyer I. Cohen, David A. Pakula
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Patent number: 10496212Abstract: Although embodiments have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the various embodiments as defined by the appended claims. The foregoing description has broad application. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be an example and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Storrs T. Hoen, Kristina A. Babiarz, Miguel C. Christophy, Romain A. Teil, Sinan Filiz, Vivek Katiyar
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Patent number: 10386970Abstract: A device configured to determine the location and magnitude of a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a transparent touch sensor that is configured to detect a location of a touch on the transparent touch sensor. The device also includes a force-sensing structure disposed at the periphery of the transparent touch sensor. The force sensor includes an upper capacitive plate and a compressible element disposed on one side of the upper capacitive plate. The force sensor also includes a lower capacitive plate disposed on a side of the compressible element that is opposite the upper capacitive plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonah A. Harley, Peter W. Richards, Brian Q. Huppi, Omar Sze Leung, Dhaval N. Shah, Martin P. Grunthaner, Steven P. Hotelling, Miguel C Christophy, Vivek Katiyar, Tang Yew Tan, Christopher J. Butler, Erik G. de Jong, Ming Sartee, Rui Qiao, Steven J. Martisauskas, Storrs T. Hoen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Lee E. Hooton, Ian A. Spraggs, Sawyer I. Cohen, David A. Pakula
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Patent number: 10385904Abstract: The described embodiments relate to embedding a threaded insert into a thin-walled housing. A recess can be formed with a machining tool that forms a recess in a thickened portion of the thin-walled housing. In some embodiments, the recess can be formed along one of the walls of the thin-walled housing in a location having highly a constrained amount of space available. Once the recess is formed a threaded insert can be pressed into the recess. An interference fit can be utilized to lodge the press-nut securely within the recess. Alternatively, a retaining member can be positioned across a front portion of the recess to trap the threaded insert between the retaining member and a rear surface of the recess.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Stefan C. Mag, Miguel C. Christophy, Daniel W. Jarvis
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Publication number: 20190235688Abstract: Although embodiments have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the various embodiments as defined by the appended claims. The foregoing description has broad application. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be an example and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Storrs T. Hoen, Kristina A. Babiarz, Miguel C. Christophy, Romain A. Teil, Sinan Filiz, Vivek Katiyar
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Patent number: 10275068Abstract: An electronic device has a force sensor that determines a measure of applied force from a user contacting a cover glass of the device. In one embodiment, a frame at least partially encloses an interior of the electronic device and has an open end. A cover glass covers the open end of the frame and is movably connected to the frame to allow movement of the cover glass in response to one or more forces applied to an external surface of the cover glass. A plurality of strain probes is positioned under the cover glass, between the cover glass and the frame, and is arranged to output a plurality of strain signals response to the one or more forces applied to the cover glass. A force processing module is configured to at least calculate an amount of force applied to the cover glass based on the plurality of strain signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Storrs T. Hoen, Kristina A. Babiarz, Miguel C. Christophy, Romain A. Teil, Sinan Filiz, Vivek Katiyar
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Patent number: 10209830Abstract: A force sensor is disclosed. The force sensor includes a force-sensitive structure that compensates for temperature and other environmental changes through the use of a strain-sensitive element and one or more reference elements. An array of such force-sensitive structures forms a force-sensing layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James E. Pedder, John Stephen Smith, Michael Vosgueritchian, Vikram Garg, Sinan Filiz, Miguel C. Christophy
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Patent number: 10103423Abstract: A housing for a personal electronic device is described herein. The housing may include at least one modular subassembly configured to be arranged within an internal cavity of the housing. The at least one modular subassembly is aligned with a feature external to the housing, is affixed to an interior surface of the internal cavity, and is configured to function both as an antenna and as an internal support member of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Daniel W. Jarvis, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Miguel C. Christophy, Hao Xu, Jayesh Nath, Jared M. Kole, Mattia Pascolini, Ruben Caballero, Jennifer M. Edwards, Peter I. Bevelacqua, Robert W. Schlub
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Publication number: 20180217708Abstract: An electronic device has a force sensor that determines a measure of applied force from a user contacting a cover glass of the device. In one embodiment, a frame at least partially encloses an interior of the electronic device and has an open end. A cover glass covers the open end of the frame and is movably connected to the frame to allow movement of the cover glass in response to one or more forces applied to an external surface of the cover glass. A plurality of strain probes is positioned under the cover glass, between the cover glass and the frame, and is arranged to output a plurality of strain signals response to the one or more forces applied to the cover glass. A force processing module is configured to at least calculate an amount of force applied to the cover glass based on the plurality of strain signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Inventors: Storrs T. Hoen, Kristina A. Babiarz, Miguel C. Christophy, Romain A. Teil, Sinan Filiz, Vivek Katiyar
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Patent number: 9952703Abstract: An electronic device has a force sensor that determines a measure of applied force from a user contacting a cover glass of the device. In one embodiment, a frame at least partially encloses an interior of the electronic device and has an open end. A cover glass covers the open end of the frame and is movably connected to the frame to allow movement of the cover glass in response to one or more forces applied to an external surface of the cover glass. A plurality of strain probes is positioned under the cover glass, between the cover glass and the frame, and is arranged to output a plurality of strain signals responsive to the one or more forces applied to the cover glass. A force processing module is configured to at least calculate an amount of force applied to the cover glass based on the plurality of stain signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Storrs T. Hoen, Kristina A. Babiarz, Miguel C. Christophy, Romain A. Teil, Sinan Filiz, Vivek Katiyar
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Publication number: 20170285864Abstract: A force sensor is disclosed. The force sensor includes a force-sensitive structure that compensates for temperature and other environmental changes through the use of a strain-sensitive element and one or more reference elements. An array of such force-sensitive structures forms a force-sensing layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: James E. Pedder, John Stephen Smith, Michael Vosgueritchian, Vikram Garg, Sinan Filiz, Miguel C. Christophy
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Publication number: 20170219859Abstract: A display may have a backlight unit that provides backlight illumination. The backlight unit may include a light guide that distributes light throughout the display and an electrically adjustable lens array. The lens array may have lenses such as liquid lenses or liquid crystal lenses. By adjusting the lenses in the lens array, the angles of rays of backlight from the backlight unit may be adjusted to adjust the angle-of-view of the display. The angle-of-view of the display may also be adjusted using an electrically controllable filter layer. The electrically controllable filter layer may have a liquid crystal layer or a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer that can be controlled using electrodes. When the electrodes apply signals to the electrically controllable filter layer, portions of the filter layer change to a dark or translucent state and restrict the angle-of-view of the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Miguel C. Christophy, Ming Xu
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Patent number: 9703325Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for detecting and characterizing the formation of cracks in a display cover. Various types of sensors can be used to accomplish the described embodiments. For example, a touch sensor can be utilized for detection and characterization purposes. Alternatively, a crack detection specific sensor or sensors can be added to a device. In some embodiments, when formation of a crack is detected, a device having a sensor that detects a crack can adjust its behavior depending upon how the crack is characterized. For example, the device can be configured to notify a user of the device of any or all systems of the device that will be affected by the detected crack. In some embodiments, crack characterization data can be sent to a device manufacturer to improve subsequent device models.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Miguel C. Christophy
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Patent number: 9648744Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with ejectable component assemblies. Each ejectable component assembly may include a tray that can be loaded with one or more types of removable module, such as a mini-SIM card and a micro-SIM card, and inserted into the device. Each assembly may also include a cover coupled to a circuit board. The tray may be inserted through an opening in the electronic device and into a space between the cover and the circuit board. A portion of the space is contained within the pocket. A portion of the tray may be contained within the pocket when the tray is inserted into the device for holding the module at a functional insertion position within the device.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Miguel C. Christophy, Shayan Malek
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Publication number: 20170045915Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for detecting and characterizing the formation of cracks in a display cover. Various types of sensors can be used to accomplish the described embodiments. For example, a touch sensor can be utilized for detection and characterization purposes. Alternatively, a crack detection specific sensor or sensors can be added to a device. In some embodiments, when formation of a crack is detected, a device having a sensor that detects a crack can adjust its behavior depending upon how the crack is characterized. For example, the device can be configured to notify a user of the device of any or all systems of the device that will be affected by the detected crack. In some embodiments, crack characterization data can be sent to a device manufacturer to improve subsequent device models.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Benjamin J. POPE, Miguel C. CHRISTOPHY
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Publication number: 20160363154Abstract: The described embodiments relate to embedding a threaded insert into a thin-walled housing. A recess can be formed with a machining tool that forms a recess in a thickened portion of the thin-walled housing. In some embodiments, the recess can be formed along one of the walls of the thin-walled housing in a location having highly a constrained amount of space available. Once the recess is formed a threaded insert can be pressed into the recess. An interference fit can be utilized to lodge the press-nut securely within the recess. Alternatively, a retaining member can be positioned across a front portion of the recess to trap the threaded insert between the retaining member and a rear surface of the recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Stefan C. Mag, Miguel C. Christophy, Daniel W. Jarvis
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Patent number: 9489019Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) blocking component is set forth for a computing device. The computing device can include a housing formed of non-conducting material and an overlaying display assembly supported by the housing. The display assembly can further include a plurality of display elements such as thin film transistors (TFTs) interconnected by corresponding metallic traces. The ESD block is used to block static charges associated with an ESD event so that essentially no ESD event related static charge is accumulated on the metallic traces thereby preventing ESD related damage to the plurality of TFTs.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Miguel C. Christophy, Silvio Grespan, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, John O. Ceideburg, Kingsuk Brahma
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Publication number: 20160041672Abstract: An electronic device having a force sensor that determines a measure of applied force from a user contacting a cover glass element through the use of strain probes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Storrs T. Hoen, Kristina A. Babiarz, Miguel C. Christophy, Romain A. Teil, Sinan Filiz, Vivek Katiyar