Patents by Inventor Sawyer I. Cohen
Sawyer I. Cohen 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: 9974180Abstract: An electronic device may have a printed circuit to which electrical components are mounted. The electrical components may include a thermal sensor and a pressure sensor. A through hole in the printed circuit may receive the shaft of a standoff. The standoff may be soldered to plated metal on the sides of the through hole. A screw or other fastener may secure the printed circuit to a housing for the electronic device. A ring-shaped metal member may be soldered to the printed circuit. The ring-shaped metal member may form a bumper that surrounds the screw or other fastener and the thermal sensor. The pressure sensor may have a port through which ambient pressure measurements are made. A dust protection cover such as a fabric or other porous layer may cover the port.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shayan Malek, David A. Pakula, Gregory N. Stephens, Sawyer I. Cohen, Scott A. Myers, Tyler B. Cater, Eric W. Bates
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Patent number: 9972454Abstract: An electronic device includes a tactile switch assembly. The tactile switch assembly includes a tactile switch structure. A grounding structure can be included in an electrostatic discharge path in the tactile switch structure. The grounding structure can result in a shorter electrostatic discharge path that minimizes damage caused by an electrostatic discharge event. Additionally, different grounding connectors are disclosed that can attach to a grounded component in the electronic device and to a tactile switch bracket associated with the tactile switch assembly. The grounding connector provides a grounding connection to the tactile switch bracket.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sawyer I. Cohen, Tyler B. Cater, Ramachandran Chundru, Vivek Katiyar, Marwan Rammah, Ashutosh Y. Shukla
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Publication number: 20180089900Abstract: A VR system for vehicles that may implement methods that address problems with vehicles in motion that may result in motion sickness for passengers. The VR system may provide augmented or virtual views that match visual cues with the physical motions that a passenger experiences. The VR system may project virtual content so that the content appears as a distant object stabilized or fixed in the external environment. The VR system may aid in productivity, as passengers may perform work while riding in the vehicle without experiencing motion sickness. In addition, the VR system may provide enhanced virtual experiences to passengers in moving vehicles by matching accelerations and motions of the vehicle to accelerations and motions in the virtual experiences.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Rober, Sawyer I. Cohen, Daniel Kurz, Tobias Holl, Benjamin B. Lyon, Peter Georg Meier, Jeffrey M. Riepling, Holly Gerhard
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Publication number: 20180089901Abstract: A VR system for vehicles that may implement methods that address problems with vehicles in motion that may result in motion sickness for passengers. The VR system may provide virtual views that match visual cues with the physical motions that a passenger experiences. The VR system may provide immersive VR experiences by replacing the view of the real world with virtual environments. Active vehicle systems and/or vehicle control systems may be integrated with the VR system to provide physical effects with the virtual experiences. The virtual environments may be altered to accommodate a passenger upon determining that the passenger is prone to or is exhibiting signs of motion sickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Rober, Sawyer I. Cohen, Daniel Kurz, Tobias Holl, Benjamin B. Lyon, Peter Georg Meier, Jeffrey M. Riepling, Holly Gerhard
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Patent number: 9888562Abstract: Electrical components in an electronic device are mounted on substrates such as printed circuits. Printed circuits contain signal paths formed from metal traces. The signal lines in the signal paths of the printed circuits are coupled together using electrical connection structures such as printed circuit board-to-board connectors, contacts joined by anisotropic conductive film, or contacts joined using solder. Electrical connection structures may be surrounded by conductive resilient ring-shaped structures such as conductive foam structures or spring structures. The conductive foam structures may be provided with a metal layer with which the conductive foam structures are soldered to a ring of metal on a printed circuit. Strain relief structures may be formed from an elastomeric ring that surrounds the electrical connection structures or an overmolded plastic structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2012Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shayan Malek, Michael B. Wittenberg, Sawyer I. Cohen, Ashutosh Y. Shukla
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Patent number: 9780827Abstract: This application relates to various button related embodiments for use with a portable electronic device. In some embodiments, a snap clip can be integrated with a button bracket to save space where two separate brackets would take up too much space in the portable electronic device. In other embodiments, a tactile switch can be waterproofed by welding a polymeric layer atop a tactile switch assembly. In this way water can be prevented from contacting moisture sensitive components of the tactile switch assembly. The weld joining the polymeric layer to the tactile switch can include at least one gap to trapped gas surrounding the tactile switch assembly to enter and exit during heat excursions caused by various operating and/or assembly operations.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ashutosh Y. Shukla, Tyler B. Cater, Sawyer I. Cohen, Edward S. Huo, David A. Pakula, Benjamin Shane Bustle, Dhaval N. Shah, Yaocheng Zhang, Vivek Katiyar
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Patent number: 9779894Abstract: Systems and methods for forming button assemblies for electronic devices are disclosed. According to some embodiments, the button assemblies include one or more sound improvement features to improve the sound that the button assemblies make when pressed by users of the electronic devices. According to some embodiments, the button assemblies include shims that provide proper alignment of the various components of the button assemblies and to accommodate any tolerance stack up of the various components of the button assemblies. The shims can include alignment features to prevent the shims from shifting within the button assemblies. According to some embodiments, thicknesses of the shims are customized to accommodate varying tolerance stack ups of the components of the button assemblies. In some embodiments, the button assemblies include a combination of sound improvement features and shims.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sawyer I. Cohen, Tyler B. Cater, Marwan Rammah, Yaocheng Zhang, Edward S. Huo, Dhaval N. Shah, Scott A. Myers, Vivek Katiyar
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Patent number: 9759988Abstract: An electronic device having a securing member for a camera module is disclosed. The securing member may include several flexible spring elements extending around the camera module to maintain the position of the camera module during an assembly process of the electronic device. The securing member and the housing may be made from an electrically conductive material or materials. In this manner, the securing member may further provide the camera module with an electrical ground to prevent excessive electric charge within the camera module. In some embodiments, an alignment member is positioned on the housing and aligns the camera module and/or securing member with an aperture of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Marwan Rammah, Eric N. Nyland, Matthew D. Hill, Sawyer I. Cohen, Scott A. Myers, David A. Pakula, Michael Benjamin Wittenberg, Ashutosh Y. Shukla
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Patent number: 9753490Abstract: An enclosure having an indicium (e.g., logo) and a method for securing an indicium to an enclosure is disclosed. The enclosure includes an aperture extending through an interior portion and an exterior portion of the enclosure. The aperture may include concentric portions. For example, the aperture may include a first opening formed on an interior portion and a second opening smaller than the first opening formed on the exterior portion. The indicium may include a flange member such that the indicium may extend through the first opening but not the second opening. Also, in some embodiments, a plate is adhesively secured to the indicium and the enclosure; however, the indicium is not directly adhesively secured to the enclosure. This may prevent adhesives from protruding from an interface region between the indicium and the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Matthew D. Hill, Michael Benjamin Wittenberg, Sawyer I. Cohen, Benjamin Shane Bustle, Duy P. Le
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Publication number: 20170235403Abstract: Input members with capacitive sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment of an electronic button, a first circuit is configured to capture a fingerprint of a user's finger placed on the electronic button, and a second circuit is configured to sense a force applied to the electronic button by the user's finger. The first circuit is further configured to provide temperature information to compensate for temperature sensitivities of the second circuit, and the second circuit is further configured to provide force information to the first circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Thayne M. Miller, Jean-Marie Bussat, Steven P. Hotelling, Sawyer I. Cohen, Tyler B. Cater
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Patent number: 9713851Abstract: A method and system for securing a flexible circuit to a mounting structure is disclosed. The system can include a surface-mount device, flexible circuit, stiffener, and bracket. The stiffener is used as an intermediate coupling device between the flexible circuit and bracket. The flexible circuit is coupled to the stiffener with a heat-activated adhesive. Next, the surface-mount device is mounted to the flexible circuit with surface-mounting techniques. A peripheral area of the stiffener is then welded to the bracket. The bracket in turn can be fastened to the enclosure of an electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas G. Merz, Shayan Malek, Sawyer I. Cohen, Timothy Lui
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Patent number: 9680975Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a display frame assembly that includes a plastic structure overmolded over a display frame. A housing midplate may be used to provide the electronic device with mechanical rigidity and strength, and may also be used as a sensor plane. For sensor plane applications, accurate placement and assembly of the midplate in the housing can be critical. The housing midplate may be accurately assembled to the display frame using connections formed using welded tabs, welded and screwed nuts, overmolded plastic heat stake structures, or overmolded plastic structures and adhesive. Rework and repair operations may be performed by disconnecting connections such as welds using cutting equipment, by using solvent to dissolve adhesive, by unscrewing welded nuts, or by removing heat stake structures. Following rework or repair, a fresh midplate and associated components may be attached to the display frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sinan Filiz, Richard M. Comer, Romain A. Teil, Sawyer I. Cohen, Steven J. Martisauskas
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Patent number: 9671889Abstract: Input members with capacitive sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment of an electronic button, a first circuit is configured to capture a fingerprint of a user's finger placed on the electronic button, and a second circuit is configured to sense a force applied to the electronic button by the user's finger. The first circuit is further configured to provide temperature information to compensate for temperature sensitivities of the second circuit, and the second circuit is further configured to provide force information to the first circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thayne M. Miller, Jean-Marie Bussat, Steven P. Hotelling, Sawyer I. Cohen, Tyler B. Cater
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Patent number: 9608685Abstract: An electronic device that includes a deformable feature designed to seal two or more parts of the electronic device is disclosed. The deformable feature may be designed to deform, in response to a force applied to the deformable feature, with little or no compression. The deformable feature may include a cavity or relief volume extending along the deformable feature to define a space or void in the deformable feature. In response to a force, the deformable feature may deform such that a material (or materials) defining the deformable feature occupies or extends into the space or void, or in a location previously occupied by the space or void. The deformable feature may provide a protective seal between two or more parts that prevents ingress of contaminants, such as a liquid.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ashutosh Y. Shukla, Sawyer I. Cohen, Scott A. Myers, David A. Pakula
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Publication number: 20170063420Abstract: An electronic device that includes a deformable feature designed to seal two or more parts of the electronic device is disclosed. The deformable feature may be designed to deform, in response to a force applied to the deformable feature, with little or no compression. The deformable feature may include a cavity or relief volume extending along the deformable feature to define a space or void in the deformable feature. In response to a force, the deformable feature may deform such that a material (or materials) defining the deformable feature occupies or extends into the space or void, or in a location previously occupied by the space or void. The deformable feature may provide a protective seal between two or more parts that prevents ingress of contaminants, such as a liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Ashutosh Y. SHUKLA, Sawyer I. COHEN, Scott A. MYERS, David A. PAKULA
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Publication number: 20170003575Abstract: An electronic device having a securing member for a camera module is disclosed. The securing member may include several flexible spring elements extending around the camera module to maintain the position of the camera module during an assembly process of the electronic device. The securing member and the housing may be made from an electrically conductive material or materials. In this manner, the securing member may further provide the camera module with an electrical ground to prevent excessive electric charge within the camera module. In some embodiments, an alignment member is positioned on the housing and aligns the camera module and/or securing member with an aperture of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Marwan RAMMAH, Eric N. NYLAND, Matthew D. HILL, Sawyer I. COHEN, Scott A. MYERS, David A. PAKULA, Michael Benjamin WITTENBERG, Ashutosh Y. SHUKLA
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Publication number: 20160380663Abstract: This application relates to various button related embodiments for use with a portable electronic device. In some embodiments, a snap clip can be integrated with a button bracket to save space where two separate brackets would take up too much space in the portable electronic device. In other embodiments, a tactile switch can be waterproofed by welding a polymeric layer atop a tactile switch assembly. In this way water can be prevented from contacting moisture sensitive components of the tactile switch assembly. The weld joining the polymeric layer to the tactile switch can include at least one gap to trapped gas surrounding the tactile switch assembly to enter and exit during heat excursions caused by various operating and/or assembly operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Ashutosh Y. SHUKLA, Tyler B. CATER, Sawyer I. COHEN, Edward S. HUO, David A. PAKULA, Benjamin Shane BUSTLE, Dhaval N. SHAH, Yaocheng ZHANG, Vivek KATIYAR
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Patent number: 9494845Abstract: An electronic device having a securing member for a camera module is disclosed. The securing member may include several flexible spring elements extending around the camera module to maintain the position of the camera module during an assembly process of the electronic device. The securing member and the housing may be made from an electrically conductive material or materials. In this manner, the securing member may further provide the camera module with an electrical ground to prevent excessive electric charge within the camera module. In some embodiments, an alignment member is positioned on the housing and aligns the camera module and/or securing member with an aperture of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Marwan Rammah, Eric N. Nyland, Matthew D. Hill, Sawyer I. Cohen, Scott A. Myers, David A. Pakula, Michael Benjamin Wittenberg, Ashutosh Y. Shukla
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Patent number: 9473609Abstract: This application relates to various button related embodiments for use with a portable electronic device. In some embodiments, a snap clip can be integrated with a button bracket to save space where two separate brackets would take up too much space in the portable electronic device. In other embodiments, a tactile switch can be waterproofed by welding a polymeric layer atop a tactile switch assembly. In this way water can be prevented from contacting moisture sensitive components of the tactile switch assembly. The weld joining the polymeric layer to the tactile switch can include at least one gap to trapped gas surrounding the tactile switch assembly to enter and exit during heat excursions caused by various operating and/or assembly operations.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ashutosh Y. Shukla, Tyler B. Cater, Sawyer I. Cohen, Edward S. Huo, David A. Pakula, Benjamin Shane Bustle, Dhaval N. Shah, Yaocheng Zhang, Vivek Katiyar
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Patent number: 9445528Abstract: This application relates to efficiently distributing heat within a portable computing device. More specifically an apparatus for conducting heat between internal components of the portable computing device is disclosed. The apparatus, referred to as a thermal gap pad, is configured to bridge a variably sized gap between internal components. This is accomplished by wrapping a resilient core in a layer of highly thermally conductive material. The resilient core allows a shape of the thermal gap pad to vary in accordance with a size of the gap. A resilience of the thermal gap pad can be adjusted to account for an amount of variance in the gap. In some embodiments, an electrically conductive layer can be added to facilitate the passage of electrical current through the thermal gap pad.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sawyer I. Cohen, David A. Pakula, Tseng-Mau Yang, Tyler B. Cater, Ashutosh Y. Shukla