Patents by Inventor N. Owens
N. Owens 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: 12010477Abstract: An earphone includes a speaker housing; a speaker positioned in the speaker housing; a stem extending from the speaker housing, the stem defining an input surface; a conductive object disposed within the stem; a flexible circuit positioned between the stem and the conductive object; a member positioned between the flexible circuit and the conductive object operable to allow the flexible circuit to move with respect to the stem; a force sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit; and a controller operable to determine an input to the earphone using a change in capacitance detected using the force sensor electrode, the change in capacitance corresponding to a non-binary amount of a force applied to the input surface. In some examples, the earphone further includes a touch sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2023Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nahid Harjee, Brian R. Twehues, Teera Songatikamas, Aonan Li, Travis N. Owens, Kyle J. Campiotti
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Patent number: 12008310Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for compartmentalizing a virtual assistant is executed on a computing device and includes obtaining encounter information via a compartmentalized virtual assistant during a patient encounter, wherein the compartmentalized virtual assistant includes a core functionality module. One or more additional functionalities are added to the compartmentalized virtual assistant on an as-needed basis.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2022Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Microsoft Licensing Technology, LLCInventors: Donald E. Owen, Mehmet Mert Öz, Garret N. Erskine
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Publication number: 20240147127Abstract: An earphone includes a speaker housing; a speaker positioned in the speaker housing; a stem extending from the speaker housing, the stem defining an input surface; a conductive object disposed within the stem; a flexible circuit positioned between the stem and the conductive object; a member positioned between the flexible circuit and the conductive object operable to allow the flexible circuit to move with respect to the stem; a force sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit; and a controller operable to determine an input to the earphone using a change in capacitance detected using the force sensor electrode, the change in capacitance corresponding to a non-binary amount of a force applied to the input surface. In some examples, the earphone further includes a touch sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2024Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Nahid Harjee, Brain R. Twehues, Teera Songatikamas, Aonan Li, Travis N. Owens, Kyle J. Campiotti
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Publication number: 20240103654Abstract: Electronic devices can include a textured exterior surface that is used for controlling functions associated with the electronic device or another electronic device when an object moves along the textured exterior surface. In some examples, the textured exterior surface can be a multi-directional textured surface to enable multi-directional touch functionality. In some examples, sensors of the electronic device can detect signal inputs generated by vibrations caused by the object moving along the textured exterior surface. The signal inputs can be processed to determine the directionality and/or speed of the movement input.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Travis N. OWENS, Daniel J. BECHSTEIN, Jeremy A. BAGNOL, Daniell DOKKO, Supratik DATTA
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Publication number: 20240102659Abstract: The present invention relates to a decorative coverture for a fireplace, and methods of making and using the coverture. Advantageously, the coverture is adjustable to accommodate differently sized or constructed fireplaces. The coverture is designed to reduce or even eliminate unwanted airflow between a room in which a fireplace is located. Further, the coverture is insulated to reduce the heat exchange between the room and the covered fireplace. The coverture comprises two parts: a cover assembly and a bracket assembly that are attached to each other magnetically. When properly installed, the cover assembly and bracket assembly create a tight, insulated seal over an unused fireplace opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2022Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Timothy S. Owens, Danielle N. Owens
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Publication number: 20240077968Abstract: An electronic device has sensors. More particularly, the electronic device is a small form factor electronic device such as earbuds, styluses, or electronic pencils, earphones, and so on. In some implementations, one or more touch sensors and one or more force sensors are coupled to a flexible circuit. In various implementations, the touch sensor and the force sensor are part of a single module controlled by a single controller. In a number of implementations, the flexible circuit is laminated to one or more portions of an interior surface of the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Zhiyuan Sun, Wei Lin, Ying-da Wang, Chun-Chih Chang, Nathan K. Gupta, Travis N. Owens, Karan S. Jain, Supratik Datta, Kyle J. Campiotti
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Patent number: 11910149Abstract: An earphone includes a speaker housing; a speaker positioned in the speaker housing; a stem extending from the speaker housing, the stem defining an input surface; a conductive object disposed within the stem; a flexible circuit positioned between the stem and the conductive object; a member positioned between the flexible circuit and the conductive object operable to allow the flexible circuit to move with respect to the stem; a force sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit; and a controller operable to determine an input to the earphone using a change in capacitance detected using the force sensor electrode, the change in capacitance corresponding to a non-binary amount of a force applied to the input surface. In some examples, the earphone further includes a touch sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nahid Harjee, Brian R. Twehues, Teera Songatikamas, Aonan Li, Travis N. Owens, Kyle J. Campiotti
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Publication number: 20230345166Abstract: An earphone includes a speaker housing; a speaker positioned in the speaker housing; a stem extending from the speaker housing, the stem defining an input surface; a conductive object disposed within the stem; a flexible circuit positioned between the stem and the conductive object; a member positioned between the flexible circuit and the conductive object operable to allow the flexible circuit to move with respect to the stem; a force sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit; and a controller operable to determine an input to the earphone using a change in capacitance detected using the force sensor electrode, the change in capacitance corresponding to a non-binary amount of a force applied to the input surface. In some examples, the earphone further includes a touch sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Nahid Harjee, Brian R. Twehues, Teera Songatikamas, Aonan Li, Travis N. Owens, Kyle J. Campiotti
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Publication number: 20230092946Abstract: A capacitive gap force sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a first layer of dielectric material positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a second layer of conductive material positioned between the first layer and the second electrode. The first layer has a first compression resistance less than a second compression resistance of the second layer. An effective capacitive sensing gap is defined between the first electrode and the second layer. The first layer is configured to compress or deform and alter the effective capacitive sensing gap when a force is received at the first electrode or the second electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2021Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Daniel J. Bechstein, Nahid Harjee, Travis N. Owens
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Patent number: 11592946Abstract: A capacitive gap force sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a first layer of dielectric material positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a second layer of conductive material positioned between the first layer and the second electrode. The first layer has a first compression resistance less than a second compression resistance of the second layer. An effective capacitive sensing gap is defined between the first electrode and the second layer. The first layer is configured to compress or deform and alter the effective capacitive sensing gap when a force is received at the first electrode or the second electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Bechstein, Nahid Harjee, Travis N. Owens
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Publication number: 20220417641Abstract: An earphone includes a speaker housing; a speaker positioned in the speaker housing; a stem extending from the speaker housing, the stem defining an input surface; a conductive object disposed within the stem; a flexible circuit positioned between the stem and the conductive object; a member positioned between the flexible circuit and the conductive object operable to allow the flexible circuit to move with respect to the stem; a force sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit; and a controller operable to determine an input to the earphone using a change in capacitance detected using the force sensor electrode, the change in capacitance corresponding to a non-binary amount of a force applied to the input surface. In some examples, the earphone further includes a touch sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Nahid Harjee, Brian H. Twehues, Teera Songatikamas, Aonan Li, Travis N. Owens, Kyle J. Campiotti
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Patent number: 11463797Abstract: An earphone includes a speaker housing; a speaker positioned in the speaker housing; a stem extending from the speaker housing, the stem defining an input surface; a conductive object disposed within the stem; a flexible circuit positioned between the stem and the conductive object; a member positioned between the flexible circuit and the conductive object operable to allow the flexible circuit to move with respect to the stem; a force sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit; and a controller operable to determine an input to the earphone using a change in capacitance detected using the force sensor electrode, the change in capacitance corresponding to a non-binary amount of a force applied to the input surface. In some examples, the earphone further includes a touch sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nahid Harjee, Brian R. Twehues, Teera Songatikamas, Aonan Li, Travis N. Owens, Kyle J. Campiotti
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Patent number: 11340725Abstract: A force input sensor includes a load cell to adapt a compressive force applied to the force input sensor into a strain experienced by a strain sensor in the load cell. In particular, the load cell includes two compression plates separated from one another by a gap so as to define a volume between them. A flexible substrate (a “diaphragm”)—includes a strain sensor and is disposed and supported within the volume. One of the two compression plates includes a feature (a “loading feature”) that extends toward a central region of the flexible substrate. As a result of this construction, when the compression plates receive a compressive force, the loading feature induces a bending moment in the flexible substrate, thereby straining the strain sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Andrew Deng, Travis N. Owens, Shubhaditya Majumdar, Wei Lin, Ying-Da Wang, Timothy D. Koch, Nathan K. Gupta
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Publication number: 20210219042Abstract: An earphone includes a speaker housing; a speaker positioned in the speaker housing; a stem extending from the speaker housing, the stem defining an input surface; a conductive object disposed within the stem; a flexible circuit positioned between the stem and the conductive object; a member positioned between the flexible circuit and the conductive object operable to allow the flexible circuit to move with respect to the stem; a force sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit; and a controller operable to determine an input to the earphone using a change in capacitance detected using the force sensor electrode, the change in capacitance corresponding to a non-binary amount of a force applied to the input surface. In some examples, the earphone further includes a touch sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Nahid Harjee, Brian R. Twehues, Teera Songatikamas, Aonan Li, Travis N. Owens, Kyle J. Campiotti
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Publication number: 20210004115Abstract: A force input sensor includes a load cell to adapt a compressive force applied to the force input sensor into a strain experienced by a strain sensor in the load cell. In particular, the load cell includes two compression plates separated from one another by a gap so as to define a volume between them. A flexible substrate (a “diaphragm”)—includes a strain sensor and is disposed and supported within the volume. One of the two compression plates includes a feature (a “loading feature”) that extends toward a central region of the flexible substrate. As a result of this construction, when the compression plates receive a compressive force, the loading feature induces a bending moment in the flexible substrate, thereby straining the strain sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2020Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Andrew Deng, Travis N. Owens, Shubhaditya Majumdar, Wei Lin, Ying-da Wang, Timothy D. Koch, Nathan K. Gupta
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Patent number: 10782818Abstract: A force input sensor includes a load cell to adapt a compressive force applied to the force input sensor into a strain experienced by a strain sensor in the load cell. In particular, the load cell includes two compression plates separated from one another by a gap so as to define a volume between them. A flexible substrate (a “diaphragm”)—includes a strain sensor and is disposed and supported within the volume. One of the two compression plates includes a feature (a “loading feature”) that extends toward a central region of the flexible substrate. As a result of this construction, when the compression plates receive a compressive force, the loading feature induces a bending moment in the flexible substrate, thereby straining the strain sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Andrew Deng, Travis N. Owens, Shubhaditya Majumdar, Wei Lin, Ying-da Wang, Timothy D. Koch, Nathan K. Gupta
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Publication number: 20200073504Abstract: A force input sensor includes a load cell to adapt a compressive force applied to the force input sensor into a strain experienced by a strain sensor in the load cell. In particular, the load cell includes two compression plates separated from one another by a gap so as to define a volume between them. A flexible substrate (a “diaphragm”)—includes a strain sensor and is disposed and supported within the volume. One of the two compression plates includes a feature (a “loading feature”) that extends toward a central region of the flexible substrate. As a result of this construction, when the compression plates receive a compressive force, the loading feature induces a bending moment in the flexible substrate, thereby straining the strain sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2018Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Andrew Deng, Travis N. Owens, Shubhaditya Majumdar, Wei Lin, Ying-da Wang, Timothy D. Koch, Nathan K. Gupta
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Patent number: 10416772Abstract: An electronic device that is operable to provide electrical haptic output includes a touch surface and multiple haptic cells disposed on the touch surface. The multiple haptic cells include capacitors that are operable to store charges independently of each other and independently provide haptic output when touched by a body by discharging the stored charge to create a current. In this way, a wide variety of dynamically configurable haptic outputs can be provided without moving parts and without consuming the space and/or power used for haptic actuators that vibrate and/or otherwise move a mass.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yi-Heng Sen, Travis N. Owens
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Patent number: 10293770Abstract: Provided is a load-carrying or non-load carrying structural component for a vehicle having improved impact resistance, such as a gas tank protection shield, an underbody shield, a structural panel, an interior floor, a floor pan, a roof, an exterior surface, a storage area, a glove box, a console box, a trunk, a trunk floor, a truck bed, and combinations thereof. The component has a support structure with ridges, each spaced apart from one another at predetermined intervals, to form a corrugated surface capable of load-carrying. The ridges are longitudinally extending, raised ridges. The corrugated designs provide support structures that are impact resistant.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Teijin LimitedInventors: John N. Owens, Mark A. Voss, Bhavesh Shah, Venkateshwar R. Aitharaju, Chris James Tadeusz Wisniewski, Yutaka Yagi, Tsukasa Arai
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Publication number: 20190073033Abstract: An electronic device that is operable to provide electrical haptic output includes a touch surface and multiple haptic cells disposed on the touch surface. The multiple haptic cells include capacitors that are operable to store charges independently of each other and independently provide haptic output when touched by a body by discharging the stored charge to create a current. In this way, a wide variety of dynamically configurable haptic outputs can be provided without moving parts and without consuming the space and/or power used for haptic actuators that vibrate and/or otherwise move a mass.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2017Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Yi-Heng Sen, Travis N. Owens