Patents by Inventor Samuel G. Smith

Samuel G. Smith 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: 20250063304
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device may be formed from a layer of fabric having opposing first and second ends. The ends may have first and second respective ear openings that receive a user's ears and may have speakers for playing audio. A soft central portion of the fabric between the ends may overlap the user's eyes. The wearable electronic device may have control circuitry that receives power from a power source. Sensors may be used to gather sensor information such as biometric sensor information. The sensors, control circuitry, and power source may be mounted in a stiff edge portion of the fabric. The stiff edge portion of the fabric may have an elongated strip shape and may extend along an upper edge of the central and the electronic device. Stiffener structures sandwiched between inner and outer layers of the fabric may be used to support speakers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Andrea L. Blakemore, Amit S. Barve, Donald L. Olmstead, Joshua A. Hoover, Samuel G. Smith, Seulbi Kim, James G. Griffin, II, Linda D. Benavente-Notaro
  • Patent number: 12177639
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device may be formed from a layer of fabric having opposing first and second ends. The ends may have first and second respective ear openings that receive a user's ears and may have speakers for playing audio. A soft central portion of the fabric between the ends may overlap the user's eyes. The wearable electronic device may have control circuitry that receives power from a power source. Sensors may be used to gather sensor information such as biometric sensor information. The sensors, control circuitry, and power source may be mounted in a stiff edge portion of the fabric. The stiff edge portion of the fabric may have an elongated strip shape and may extend along an upper edge of the central and the electronic device. Stiffener structures sandwiched between inner and outer layers of the fabric may be used to support speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea L. Blakemore, Amit S. Barve, Donald L. Olmstead, Joshua A. Hoover, Samuel G. Smith, Seulbi Kim, James G. Griffin, II, Linda D. Benavente-Notaro
  • Publication number: 20240393601
    Abstract: A head-mountable display device includes a housing defining a front opening and a rear opening, a display screen disposed in the front opening, a display assembly disposed in the rear opening, a first securement strap coupled to the housing, the first securement strap including a first electronic component, a second securement strap coupled to the housing, the second securement strap including a second electronic component, and a securement band extending between and coupled to the first securement strap and the second securement strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Samuel G. Smith, Claire E. Dalke, James W. Vandyke, Trevor J. Ness, Jeremy C. Franklin, Heidi Williamson, Javier Mendez, Julian Hoenig, Julian Jaede, Jonathan Ive, Marc Newson
  • Publication number: 20240385453
    Abstract: A head-mountable display device includes a housing defining a front opening and a rear opening, a display screen disposed in the front opening, a display assembly disposed in the rear opening, a first securement strap coupled to the housing, the first securement strap including a first electronic component, a second securement strap coupled to the housing, the second securement strap including a second electronic component, and a securement band extending between and coupled to the first securement strap and the second securement strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Trevor J. Ness, Jason C. Sauers, Jeffrey C. Olson, Edward S. Huo, Samuel G. Smith, James W. Vandyke, Claire E. Dalke, Jeremy C. Franklin, Muhammad F. Hossain, Jia Tao, Wey-Jiun Lin, Jan K. Quijalvo, Ivan S. Maric, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Stephen E. Dey, Phil M. Hobson, Anthony S. Montevirgen, Ritu Shah, Marinus Meursing, Matthew A. Mayer, Julian Hoenig, Julian Jaede, Yoonhoo Jo, Forrest C. Wang, Michael J. Rockwell, Neal D. Evans, Paul Meade
  • Patent number: 12147053
    Abstract: A removable facial interface for a head-mountable device (HMD) is disclosed. In an example, an HMD includes a display; a facial interface frame at least partially surrounding the display; a removable facial interface attached to the facial interface frame; a first attachment mechanism attached to one of the facial interface frame or the removable facial interface; and a second attachment mechanism attached to the other of the facial interface frame or the removable facial interface, the removable facial interface being attached to the facial interface frame by the first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Erin M. Bosch, Darshan R. Kasar, Timon A. Wright, Nicholas R. Trincia, Jonathan M. Anderson, Liam R. Martinez, Ian A. Guy, Paul X. Wang, Samuel G. Smith, Jeffrey A. Griffis, Andrew Gallaher
  • Publication number: 20240377638
    Abstract: A head-mountable device can include adaptable components, which move to comfortably engage the face of the user and to exclude light from an external environment. A head-mountable device can include a light seal that includes discrete portions that bend and/or pivot as needed to conform to a face of the user. Such mobility allows the portions to be oriented with respect to corresponding regions of the face, so that an engagement surface of each portion directly engages the corresponding region of the face to maximize the surface area of contact. Such a configuration can be provided while also providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance by providing one or more covers that form continuous, breathable surfaces with the desired opacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: PAUL X. WANG, Benjamin A. SHAFFER, Adam Y. KOLLGAARD, Liam R. MARTINEZ, Rex T. EHMAN, Samuel G. SMITH, Timon A. WRIGHT, Evan A. CERNOKUS
  • Publication number: 20240369847
    Abstract: A component for a wearable electronic device can include a housing defining an internal volume, a first connector that is removably attachable to a head-mounted display. the first connector configured to electrically connect to the head-mounted display. and a second connector that is removably attachable to a supplemental unit. the second connector configured to electrically connect to the supplemental unit. The component can include a stiffener disposed in the internal volume, and the stiffener can be flexible along a first axis and rigid along two axes that are perpendicular to the first axis and to each other. An operational component can be disposed in the internal volume, and the operational component can be electrically connected to at least one of the first connector or the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Kendall L. Helbert, Heidi Williamson, James W. Vandyke, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt, Samuel G. Smith, Nicolas Lylyk, Richard P. Howarth, Trevor J. Ness, Darshan R. Kasar, Muhammad F. Hossain, Christopher S. Graham, Daniel C. Wagman
  • Publication number: 20240213724
    Abstract: An electronic device can include an enclosure and a receptacle connector coupled to the enclosure. The receptacle connector can include a housing defining an aperture and an internal volume. In some examples, the housing is configured to receive a plug connector of a support within the internal volume. The receptacle connector can include one or more electrical contacts at least partially disposed within the internal volume and contacting one or more correlating electrical contacts on the plug connector. In some examples, the plug connector and the receptacle connector can define respective convex surfaces and respective concave surfaces such that a cross-sectional shape of the plug connector and/or the receptacle connector has a curved longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Joshua A. Mendoza, Daniel C. Wagman, Ibuki Kamei, Muhammad F. Hossain, Samuel G. Smith, Christopher S. Graham
  • Publication number: 20240210710
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a band that having a bifurcated rear portion. The bifurcated rear portion can include an upper elongate structure and a lower elongate structure that extend between bifurcation points of the band. In one example, each of the upper and lower elongate structures includes an outer tube, one or more inner tubes at least partially disposed within the outer tubes, and a biasing member, such as an elastic cord, disposed within both the upper and lower elongate portions. The inner tubes can be anchored to another portion of the electronic device such that the outer tubes, which slidably engage respective inner tubes, can be moved or pulled backward from the inner tubes and the display portion to adjust the size of the band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew Gallaher, Aiden D. Mossop, Samuel G. Smith
  • Patent number: 11994907
    Abstract: A head mounted device includes a housing, lenses connected to the housing, and a lens cover that is connected to the housing and is movable between a connected position and a disconnected position with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Inventors: Samuel G. Smith, Jae Hwang Lee, David A. Kalinowski, Claire E. Dalke
  • Publication number: 20240103285
    Abstract: A head-mountable device including a frame, a display positioned in the frame, a processor, and a facial interface connected to the frame. The facial interface can include a sensor electrically coupled to the processor. The sensor can collect biometric information from a nasal region of a user and generate a signal based on the biometric information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Javier Mendez, Grant H. Mulliken, Trevor J. Ness, Samuel G. Smith, Xinsheng Chu
  • Publication number: 20240103572
    Abstract: In at least one example of the present disclosure, a head mountable display includes a display module, a band including a first end and a second end, a first electrical connector disposed at the first end, the first electrical connector removably attachable to the display module, a second electrical connector disposed at the second end, the second electrical connector removably attachable to the display module, a battery electrically attachable to the band, a cable positioned within the band electrically connecting the battery to the first electrical connector, and an elastomeric cover disposed around the cable, the elastomeric cover imparting a tension force to the band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Liam R. Martinez, Javier Mendez, Samuel G. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240103287
    Abstract: A removable facial interface for a head-mountable device (HMD) is disclosed. In an example, an HMD includes a display; a facial interface frame at least partially surrounding the display; a removable facial interface attached to the facial interface frame; a first attachment mechanism attached to one of the facial interface frame or the removable facial interface; and a second attachment mechanism attached to the other of the facial interface frame or the removable facial interface, the removable facial interface being attached to the facial interface frame by the first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Erin M. Bosch, Darshan R. Kasar, Timon A. Wright, Nicholas R. Trincia, Jonathan M. Anderson, Liam R. Martinez, Ian A. Guy, Paul X. Wang, Samuel G. Smith, Jeffrey A. Griffis, Andrew Gallaher
  • Publication number: 20240097423
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a first portion, a securement strap, and an electrical cable. The securement strap includes a track having a first terminus and a second terminus, a pulley translatably secured to the track, and an elastic member having a first end secured to the securement strap and a second end secured to the pulley. The electrical cable has a first end connected to the first portion and a second end connected to the securement strap, the electrical cable routed at least partially around the pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Liam R. Martinez, Javier Mendez, Samuel G. Smith, Scott W. Slabaugh
  • Publication number: 20240090818
    Abstract: A head-mountable device including a housing, a display positioned in the housing, a processor positioned in the housing, and a retention band connected to the housing, the retention band comprising a sensor configured to monitor a brain activity of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Javier Mendez, Samuel G. Smith, Grant H. Mulliken, Trevor J. Ness
  • Publication number: 20240085949
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a display, a facial interface, and a connector between the display and the facial interface. The facial interface can at least translate or rotate relative to the display via the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Darshan R. Kasar, Samuel G. Smith, Jonathan M. Anderson, Erin M. Bosch, Muhammad F. Hossain, Liam R. Martinez, Andrew Gallaher, Ian A. Guy, Brian Baillargeon, Keith W. Kirkwood, Timothy J. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20240061255
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a display, a facial interface, and a connector between the display and the facial feature. The connector can include a stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Darshan R. Kasar, Samuel G. Smith, Paul X. Wang, Liam R. Martinez, Jonathan M. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20240035892
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a display, a facial interface, interface material positioned on the facial interface, the interface material including a first surface that abuts the facial interface and a second opposing the first surface, and a sensor positioned on the facial interface or within the interface material, the sensor being oriented towards the second surface, and at least a portion of the interface material being sensorally transparent and positioned between the sensors and the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Javier Mendez, Darshan R. Kasar, Grant H. Mulliken, Samuel G. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240004206
    Abstract: A head-mountable device includes a display portion having a housing and a display, a light seal extending from the housing and including offset from the housing by a distance, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the housing and the light seal and configured to alter the distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Liam R. Martinez, Samuel G. Smith, Adam Y. Kollgaard
  • Publication number: 20230288711
    Abstract: A head-mounted display includes a display assembly and a head. The head support includes a first hinge portion coupled to a first side of the head-mounted display and a second hinge portion coupled to a second side of the head-mounted display, which are movable between a first and second states. The head support also includes a first elongated portion coupled to the first hinge portion and a second elongated portion coupled to the second hinge portion, which are rigid and movable with the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion, respectively, between the first and second states. A strap portion is flexible, elastic, and extends between the first elongated portion and the second elongated portion. The first elongated portion and the second elongated portion, when in the second state, extend along a rearward side of the display assembly toward each other and do not overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Gallaher, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Julian Jaede, Samuel G. Smith, Trevor J. Ness