Patents by Inventor Ming Kun Shi
Ming Kun Shi 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: 12189347Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing and a crown configured to receive a rotational input. The crown may include a knob external to the housing, a rotor coupled to the knob and configured to rotate in response to the rotational input, the rotor defining a recess extending about a circumference of the rotor, and a coating positioned in the recess and configured to reflect at least a portion of light incident on the coating. The electronic watch may further include an optical sensing system configured to detect the rotational input using the reflected portion of the light.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2022Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Davis, Cole J. Bowden, Craig A. Horton, Ming Kun Shi
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Publication number: 20240045101Abstract: An electronic device may include components that emit and detect infrared light. For example, a head-mounted device may have optical modules that present images to a user's left and right eyes. Each optical module may have an infrared light-emitting diode that emits infrared light that illuminates an eye box at an infrared wavelength, and an infrared camera that captures an image from the eye box at the infrared wavelength. A low-reflectance coating may be applied to one or more electronic device housing walls to prevent interference with the infrared components or with the visibility for a user. In particular, the low-reflectance coating may be a low-visible-reflectance-and-low-infrared-reflectance coating that exhibits low-reflectance across both visible and infrared wavelengths. The low-reflectance coating may be formed from carbon nanotubes and at least one organic solvent with zero polarity to ensure a low volatile organic component in the coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2022Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Peter J Guest, Ivan S Maric, Cole Snider, Ming Kun Shi, David Carnahan, Thomas T Morgan
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Publication number: 20230400818Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing and a crown configured to receive a rotational input. The crown may include a knob external to the housing, a rotor coupled to the knob and configured to rotate in response to the rotational input, the rotor defining a recess extending about a circumference of the rotor, and a coating positioned in the recess and configured to reflect at least a portion of light incident on the coating. The electronic watch may further include an optical sensing system configured to detect the rotational input using the reflected portion of the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2022Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Richard A. Davis, Cole J. Bowden, Craig A. Horton, Ming Kun Shi
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Publication number: 20230238683Abstract: A portable electronic device can include a housing defining an internal volume and an opening. The device can also include a rear cover disposed in the opening, with an inner surface of the rear cover defining the internal volume, and a conductive antenna component embedded within the rear cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Steven C. Roach, Eric T. Chiang, YoungHoon Kim, Maegan K. Spencer, Michael R. Parker, Christopher M. Werner, Ryan C. Perkins, Bora Inci, Sherry Tang, Tyler S. Atura Bushnell, Daniela Deschamps, Colin M. Ely, Devon K. Copeland, Ming Kun Shi
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Publication number: 20230223212Abstract: An electronic device may have input-output devices such as keyboard keys or other buttons. Components such as cameras and other devices may have trim structures. A housing may be used to form an enclosure for the components. Keyboard keys, trim structures, and/or other device structures such as housing structures may be provided with wear-resistant coatings. For example, a keyboard key may have a glyph such as an alphanumeric character formed from patterned layers of ink. To prevent wear to the key and glyph, the glyph may be coated with a wear-resistant coating. The wear-resistant coating may be formed from a polymer with embedded mineral particles such as aluminosilicate particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2022Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Jing Zhang, Lei Ding, Liliya Lyandres, Peter J. Guest
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Patent number: 10953433Abstract: Methods for modifying contours of substrate surfaces are disclosed. Methods include depositing filler material on a critical mating surface of a substrate so as to render the mating surface more mateable with a matching substrate. The filler material can be deposited within or around features or defects on the mating surface such that a final desired surface contour is achieved. In some cases, the final surface contour of the mating surface is planar. This can prevent gaps associated with the features or defects from forming between the substrate and the matching substrate when they are joined together. The final surface contour of the mating surface can be determined by comparing dimensions of the mating surface to dimensions of a reference surface. In some cases, ink jet printing techniques are used to deposit the filler material accurately in prescribed locations and with precise thickness control.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: William F. Leggett, Ming Kun Shi, Christopher Bruni, Simon Regis Louis Lancaster-Larocque
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Patent number: 10897825Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
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Publication number: 20200221583Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
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Patent number: 10617016Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2019Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
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Publication number: 20190291133Abstract: Methods for modifying contours of substrate surfaces are disclosed. Methods include depositing filler material on a critical mating surface of a substrate so as to render the mating surface more mateable with a matching substrate. The filler material can be deposited within or around features or defects on the mating surface such that a final desired surface contour is achieved. In some cases, the final surface contour of the mating surface is planar. This can prevent gaps associated with the features or defects from forming between the substrate and the matching substrate when they are joined together. The final surface contour of the mating surface can be determined by comparing dimensions of the mating surface to dimensions of a reference surface. In some cases, ink jet printing techniques are used to deposit the filler material accurately in prescribed locations and with precise thickness control.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: William F. Leggett, Ming Kun Shi, Christopher Bruni, Simon Regis Louis Lancaster-Larocque
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Patent number: 10350634Abstract: Methods for modifying contours of substrate surfaces are disclosed. Methods include depositing filler material on a critical mating surface of a substrate so as to render the mating surface more mateable with a matching substrate. The filler material can be deposited within or around features or defects on the mating surface such that a final desired surface contour is achieved. In some cases, the final surface contour of the mating surface is planar. This can prevent gaps associated with the features or defects from forming between the substrate and the matching substrate when they are joined together. The final surface contour of the mating surface can be determined by comparing dimensions of the mating surface to dimensions of a reference surface. In some cases, ink jet printing techniques are used to deposit the filler material accurately in prescribed locations and with precise thickness control.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2015Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: William F. Leggett, Ming Kun Shi, Christopher Bruni, Simon Regis Louis Lancaster-Larocque
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Publication number: 20190208648Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2019Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
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Patent number: 10264685Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
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Publication number: 20180160551Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
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Patent number: 9907191Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
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Patent number: 9710023Abstract: Perforated structures and methods for forming perforated structures are disclosed. The perforated structures include partial holes or blind-holes that pass partially through the substrate. The partial holes can be positioned proximate to through-holes that pass entirely through the substrate. The partial holes add mechanical strength to the perforated substrate. Described are methods for modifying the optical appearance of the partial holes such that the partial holes appear indistinguishable from the through-holes, which allows for flexibility in designing cosmetically appealing patterns within the perforated structures.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Jason O. Mettler, Hilbert T. Kwan, Christopher Bruni, Qi Tian, Jing Zhang, Howard E. Bujtor, Stephen V. Jayanathan, Houtan R. Farahani
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Publication number: 20170094811Abstract: A housing for an electronic device that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the housing is disclosed. The housing may include a first portion having an opening, a second portion positioned within the opening, and an insert including a protrusion extending into at least a portion of a gap formed between the first portion and the second portion. The housing also may include a first ink layer disposed within the gap and substantially surrounding the protrusion, and a second ink layer disposed within the gap and over the first ink. The first portion, second ink layer, and second portion may cooperate to form a substantially contiguous surface, and the second ink layer may be positioned approximately 5 microns (?m) or less below an exposed surface of the first portion and an exposed surface of the second portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Lindsay D. Corbet, Christopher Bruni, Collin D. Chan
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Publication number: 20170028438Abstract: Methods for modifying contours of substrate surfaces are disclosed. Methods include depositing filler material on a critical mating surface of a substrate so as to render the mating surface more mateable with a matching substrate. The filler material can be deposited within or around features or defects on the mating surface such that a final desired surface contour is achieved. In some cases, the final surface contour of the mating surface is planar. This can prevent gaps associated with the features or defects from forming between the substrate and the matching substrate when they are joined together. The final surface contour of the mating surface can be determined by comparing dimensions of the mating surface to dimensions of a reference surface. In some cases, ink jet printing techniques are used to deposit the filler material accurately in prescribed locations and with precise thickness control.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2015Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: William F. Leggett, Ming Kun Shi, Christopher Bruni, Simon Regis Louis Lancaster-Larocque
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Publication number: 20160202732Abstract: Perforated structures and methods for forming perforated structures are disclosed. The perforated structures include partial holes or blind-holes that pass partially through the substrate. The partial holes can be positioned proximate to through-holes that pass entirely through the substrate. The partial holes add mechanical strength to the perforated substrate. Described are methods for modifying the optical appearance of the partial holes such that the partial holes appear indistinguishable from the through-holes, which allows for flexibility in designing cosmetically appealing patterns within the perforated structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Jason O. Mettler, Hilbert T. Kwan, Christopher Bruni, Qi Tian, Jing Zhang, Howard E. Bujtor, Stephen V. Jayanathan, Houtan R. Farahani
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Patent number: 8568849Abstract: A surface treatment for a protective plastic film and/or laminate is disclosed. Suitably, the surface treatment includes coating a major surface of the plastic film or laminate with a curable coating formulation wherein the one or more of the coating ingredients are diffused or migrated at least partially into the plastic film or plastic laminate. The migration of coating ingredients creates a gradual transition layer from the plastic film to the coating layer and leads to unique properties. Optionally, the surface treated plastic film is laminated to a release liner coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) to form the aforementioned laminate.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Inventors: Ming Kun Shi, Daniel L. Holguin, Kai Li, Prakash Mallya, Richard L. Sandt