Patents by Inventor Ryan J. Mihelich

Ryan J. Mihelich 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).

  • Patent number: 11907426
    Abstract: An electronic device has a housing that forms an exterior surface of the electronic device. An array of actuators is coupled to the housing and is operable to move the housing in order to produce sound waves and/or haptic output via the exterior surface. In this way, less space is consumed by acoustic and haptic devices as compared to similar conventional devices, thereby allowing for thinner electronic devices and/or room for other components within the housing. The actuators may be operable to move different regions of the housing to produce sound waves and/or haptic output within different frequency ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ari P. Miller, Justin D. Crosby, Daniel K. Boothe, Houtan R. Farahani, Kevin M. Robinson, Ryan J. Mihelich, Robert J. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 11487322
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include an enclosure and a transparent cover. The electronic device may include a display assembly. The electronic device may further include an inductive charging unit designed to inductively charge a stylus, or other object suitable for use with the display assembly. The electronic device may further include audio modules, at least some of which are designed to cause resonation of the enclosure to produce acoustical energy in the form of audible sound. Some audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively low frequencies, while other audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively high frequencies. The electronic device may further include a vision system designed for facial recognition. The display assembly may include a metal chassis as well as antennae for wireless communication. In order to prevent antennae interference, the metal chassis can be electrically grounded to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Melody L. Kuna, Ryan J. Mihelich, Taylor Harrison Gilbert, Joel N. Ruscher, Carli E. Oster, Alex Chun Lap Yeung
  • Publication number: 20220214751
    Abstract: An electronic device has a housing that forms an exterior surface of the electronic device. An array of actuators is coupled to the housing and is operable to move the housing in order to produce sound waves and/or haptic output via the exterior surface. In this way, less space is consumed by acoustic and haptic devices as compared to similar conventional devices, thereby allowing for thinner electronic devices and/or room for other components within the housing. The actuators may be operable to move different regions of the housing to produce sound waves and/or haptic output within different frequency ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Ari P. Miller, Justin D. Crosby, Daniel K. Boothe, Houtan R. Farahani, Kevin M. Robinson, Ryan J. Mihelich, Robert J. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 11307661
    Abstract: An electronic device has a housing that forms an exterior surface of the electronic device. An array of actuators is coupled to the housing and is operable to move the housing in order to produce sound waves and/or haptic output via the exterior surface. In this way, less space is consumed by acoustic and haptic devices as compared to similar conventional devices, thereby allowing for thinner electronic devices and/or room for other components within the housing. The actuators may be operable to move different regions of the housing to produce sound waves and/or haptic output within different frequency ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ari P. Miller, Justin D. Crosby, Daniel K. Boothe, Houtan R. Farahani, Kevin M. Robinson, Ryan J. Mihelich, Robert J. Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20200241595
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include an enclosure and a transparent cover. The electronic device may include a display assembly. The electronic device may further include an inductive charging unit designed to inductively charge a stylus, or other object suitable for use with the display assembly. The electronic device may further include audio modules, at least some of which are designed to cause resonation of the enclosure to produce acoustical energy in the form of audible sound. Some audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively low frequencies, while other audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively high frequencies. The electronic device may further include a vision system designed for facial recognition. The display assembly may include a metal chassis as well as antennae for wireless communication. In order to prevent antennae interference, the metal chassis can be electrically grounded to the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Melody L. KUNA, Ryan J. MIHELICH, Taylor Harrison GILBERT, Joel N. RUSCHER, Carli E. OSTER, Alex Chun Lap YEUNG
  • Patent number: 10649489
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include an enclosure and a transparent cover. The electronic device may include a display assembly. The electronic device may further include an inductive charging unit designed to inductively charge a stylus, or other object suitable for use with the display assembly. The electronic device may further include audio modules, at least some of which are designed to cause resonation of the enclosure to produce acoustical energy in the form of audible sound. Some audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively low frequencies, while other audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively high frequencies. The electronic device may further include a vision system designed for facial recognition. The display assembly may include a metal chassis as well as antennae for wireless communication. In order to prevent antennae interference, the metal chassis can be electrically grounded to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Melody L. Kuna, Ryan J. Mihelich, Taylor Harrison Gilbert, Joel N. Ruscher, Carli E. Oster, Alex Chun Lap Yeung
  • Patent number: 10645521
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes several speakers spaced apart from one another on opposite sides of the device. An audio processor attenuates high frequency portions of a first audio signal and a second audio signal to provide a processed first audio signal and a processed second audio signal. An audio router directs the first audio signal to only a first speaker on a first side of the device, and directs the second audio signal to only a second speaker on a second side of the device. The audio signals may be directed according to an orientation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Mihelich, Tomlinson Holman, Alexander P. Niemeyer, Timothy E. Sandrik
  • Publication number: 20200089275
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include an enclosure and a transparent cover. The electronic device may include a display assembly. The electronic device may further include an inductive charging unit designed to inductively charge a stylus, or other object suitable for use with the display assembly. The electronic device may further include audio modules, at least some of which are designed to cause resonation of the enclosure to produce acoustical energy in the form of audible sound. Some audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively low frequencies, while other audio modules produce acoustical energy in relatively high frequencies. The electronic device may further include a vision system designed for facial recognition. The display assembly may include a metal chassis as well as antennae for wireless communication. In order to prevent antennae interference, the metal chassis can be electrically grounded to the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Melody L. KUNA, Ryan J. MIHELICH, Taylor Harrison GILBERT, Joel N. RUSCHER, Carli E. OSTER, Alex Chun Lap YEUNG
  • Publication number: 20190094973
    Abstract: An electronic device has a housing that forms an exterior surface of the electronic device. An array of actuators is coupled to the housing and is operable to move the housing in order to produce sound waves and/or haptic output via the exterior surface. In this way, less space is consumed by acoustic and haptic devices as compared to similar conventional devices, thereby allowing for thinner electronic devices and/or room for other components within the housing. The actuators may be operable to move different regions of the housing to produce sound waves and/or haptic output within different frequency ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Ari P. Miller, Justin D. Crosby, Daniel K. Boothe, Houtan R. Farahani, Kevin M. Robinson, Ryan J. Mihelich, Robert J. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 10237660
    Abstract: An electronic device including a frame member suitable for use with an audio driver is disclosed. The frame member may include a recessed region that receives the audio driver. The frame member may further include a flange member surrounding the recessed region. The frame member may be formed from a material having a relatively high coefficient of thermal conductivity. Accordingly, the frame member can dissipate thermal energy (heat) generated from the audio driver. In addition, the frame member may be seated in an enclosure of an electronic device in a manner that allows the frame member to pass the thermal energy to the enclosure. Also, the frame member may include a ferromagnetic material, which may cause the frame member to direct magnetic flux from a magnet of the audio driver in a desired manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. McBroom, Bartley K. Andre, Mikael M. Silvanto, Matthew A. Donarski, Alexander V. Salvatti, Daniel K. Boothe, Ryan J. Mihelich, Sabrina K. Paseman
  • Publication number: 20180249278
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes several speakers spaced apart from one another on opposite sides of the device. An audio processor attenuates high frequency portions of a first audio signal and a second audio signal to provide a processed first audio signal and a processed second audio signal. An audio router directs the first audio signal to only a first speaker on a first side of the device, and directs the second audio signal to only a second speaker on a second side of the device. The audio signals may be directed according to an orientation of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Ryan J. Mihelich, Tomlinson Holman, Alexander P. Niemeyer, Timothy E. Sandrik
  • Patent number: 10021480
    Abstract: An enclosure for an electronic device is enclosed. The enclosure includes rib structures configured to improve structural support to prevent damage and to dissipate vibration throughout the enclosure. The rib structure can receive a speaker module and a cap member. The rib structure and the speaker module can combine to form a three-dimensional volume allowing the speaker module in which the speaker module may project sound, thereby enhancing acoustic performance. Also, the cap member may be adhesively attached to the rib structure to provide additional structural support against vibration and abuse caused by load forces associated with a drop event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: G. Kyle Lobisser, Jason S. Keats, Ryan J. Mihelich, Pablo Seoane Vieites, Kevin M. Kenney, John Raff, Erik A. Uttermann, Melody L. Kuna, Oliver C. Ross
  • Patent number: 9949057
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes at least four speakers spaced apart from one another. An audio processor attenuates a high frequency portion of a left audio signal and a right audio signal to provide a processed left audio signal and a processed right audio signal. An audio router directs the left audio signal to only a first speaker, the right audio signal to only a second speaker, the processed left audio signal to a third speaker, and the processed right audio signal to a fourth speaker. The audio signals may be directed according to the orientation of the device. The cutoff frequency for attenuating the high frequency portion of the audio signals may be responsive to the orientation of the device. In other embodiments, the high frequency portion of the audio signals may be decorrelated to produce signals with high frequency portions for all speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Mihelich, Tomlinson Holman, Alexander P. Niemeyer, Timothy E. Sandrik
  • Patent number: 9870055
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a housing, a display carried by the housing, and audio output transducer and passive radiator pairs carried by the housing. The electronic device may also include a controller capable of selectively operating the audio output transducers. In another embodiment, the electronic device may include audio output transducer and serpentine tuning port pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Mihelich, Inna Lobel
  • Patent number: 9723399
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a housing having an audio output port therein, a display carried by the housing, and a baffle enclosure carried within the housing. The electronic device may also include an audio output transducer carried by the baffle enclosure and acoustically coupled to the audio output port, and a passive radiator carried by the baffle enclosure, acoustically coupled between the audio output transducer and the display, and acoustically isolated from the audio output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Mihelich, Inna Lobel
  • Patent number: 9681216
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a housing having an audio output port therein, a display carried by the housing, and an internal partition carried within the housing and defining a baffle space behind at least a portion of the display. The electronic device may also include an audio output transducer carried by the internal partition and acoustically coupled to the audio output port, and a passive radiator within the baffle space, acoustically coupled between the audio output transducer and the display, and acoustically isolated from the audio output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Mihelich, Inna Lobel
  • Patent number: 9681217
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a housing having an audio output port therein, a display carried by the housing, and a baffle enclosure carried within the housing. The electronic device may also include an audio output transducer carried by the baffle enclosure and acoustically coupled to the audio output port, and internal partitions carried by the baffle enclosure to define a serpentine tuning port therein acoustically coupled between the audio output transducer and the display, and acoustically isolated from the audio output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Mihelich, Inna Lobel
  • Publication number: 20170070809
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a housing having an audio output port therein, a display carried by the housing, and a baffle enclosure carried within the housing. The electronic device may also include an audio output transducer carried by the baffle enclosure and acoustically coupled to the audio output port, and a passive radiator carried by the baffle enclosure, acoustically coupled between the audio output transducer and the display, and acoustically isolated from the audio output port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan J. MIHELICH, Inna LOBEL
  • Publication number: 20170070811
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a housing having an audio output port therein, a display carried by the housing, and a baffle enclosure carried within the housing. The electronic device may also include an audio output transducer carried by the baffle enclosure and acoustically coupled to the audio output port, and internal partitions carried by the baffle enclosure to define a serpentine tuning port therein acoustically coupled between the audio output transducer and the display, and acoustically isolated from the audio output port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan J. MIHELICH, Inna LOBEL
  • Publication number: 20170068317
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a housing, a display carried by the housing, and audio output transducer and passive radiator pairs carried by the housing. The electronic device may also include a controller capable of selectively operating the audio output transducers. In another embodiment, the electronic device may include audio output transducer and serpentine tuning port pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan J. MIHELICH, Inna Lobel