Patents by Inventor Simon S. Lee
Simon S. Lee 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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Publication number: 20230188877Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing defining an aperture and a display positioned in the aperture. The display and the housing can define an internal volume in which a speaker assembly is positioned. The speaker assembly can include a speaker module and a speaker enclosure in fluid communication, with the speaker enclosure at least partially defining a speaker volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Chanjuan Feng, Christopher Wilk, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Stuart M. Nevill, Daniel K. Boothe, Nicholas A. Rundle, Simon S. Lee, Xiang Zhang, Thomas H. Tsang, Rebecca J. Mikolajczyk
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Patent number: 11672089Abstract: Support systems for electronic devices such as display screens are described and have support connector portions configured to connect to support devices such as adjustable mount supports. The support devices have magnetic elements, and the display devices have magnetic sensors configured to detect the magnetic fields emitted from the support devices. A relationship between the magnetic fields detected and target magnetic field values is determined to provide an output signal or indicator of the propriety of the support device used or the propriety of its connection to the display device.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventor: Simon S. Lee
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Patent number: 11606633Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing defining an aperture and a display positioned in the aperture. The display and the housing can define an internal volume in which a speaker assembly is positioned. The speaker assembly can include a speaker module and a speaker enclosure in fluid communication, with the speaker enclosure at least partially defining a speaker volume.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Chanjuan Feng, Christopher Wilk, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Stuart M. Nevill, Daniel K. Boothe, Nicholas A. Rundle, Simon S. Lee, Xiang Zhang, Thomas H. Tsang, Rebecca J. Mikolajczyk
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Patent number: 11588961Abstract: A lighting module which provides adjustably controllable illumination of a camera field of view of a camera module includes an adjustable collimator which can be adjustably positioned such that the emitted light beam is adjustably directed to illuminate various regions of various camera fields of view. The collimator can be adjusted via an actuator which adjustably positions the collimator relative to static components of the lighting module, including the light emitter. The light beam can be directed to illuminate a selected limited region of a camera field of view, based on identification of a subject within the limited region. The light beam can be adjustably directed based on user interactions with a user interface, including adjusting the light beam according to user-commanded beam angle, intensity, and direction. The light beam can be adjustably directed to illuminate a region according to different fields of view of different camera modules.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Miodrag Scepanovic, Angelo M. Alaimo, Florian R. Fournier, Andreas G. Weber, Simon S. Lee
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Patent number: 11513383Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing that at least partially defines an exterior surface and an internal volume of the electronic device, and a display assembly at least partially disposed in the internal volume. The display assembly can include a transparent cover that at least partially defines the exterior surface of the electronic device, a backlight unit disposed between the cover and the housing, a frame coupling the cover to the backlight unit, a portion of the frame at least partially defining an aperture, and an electronic component disposed in the internal volume and extending through the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Lauren M. Farrell, Adam T. Garelli, Brian P. Graves, David P. Tarkington, Eric L. Benson, Erik A. Zweigle, Kwonil D. Fleischman, Paul X. Wang, Simon S. Lee, Tingjun Xu, Nicholas A. Rundle
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Patent number: 11388826Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a display or desktop computing device with a display. The electronic device may be part of a system that includes a stand designed to support the electronic device, and further allow the electronic device to rotate to different positions. In order to control the relative rotational movement of the electronic device, a friction member is secured with the electronic device by an adhesive. The rotation, however, exerts shear forces on the friction member and the adhesive. In order to prevent delamination of the friction member from the housing due to the shear forces, the housing is modified to include protruding elements that penetrate, or extend into, the adhesive. The protruding elements can mechanically interlock with the adhesive to offset the shear forces, and also created additional surface with which the adhesive can bond.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Simon S. Lee, Lauren M. Farrell, Raisul Haque
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Patent number: 11381747Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit includes an autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator includes a first plurality of magnets for autofocus motion control of components of a first optical package. The first plurality of magnets is positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned in parallel with a first magnetic axis at a right angle to the optical axis of the first optical package. The second camera unit includes an optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator. The optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator includes a second plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a second magnet axis at 45-degrees to the first magnetic axis. The second camera unit includes a third plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a third magnetic axis at 135-degrees to the first magnetic axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2021Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Simon S. Lee
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Publication number: 20220104368Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a display or desktop computing device with a display. The electronic device may be part of a system that includes a stand designed to support the electronic device, and further allow the electronic device to rotate to different positions. In order to control the relative rotational movement of the electronic device, a friction member is secured with the electronic device by an adhesive. The rotation, however, exerts shear forces on the friction member and the adhesive. In order to prevent delamination of the friction member from the housing due to the shear forces, the housing is modified to include protruding elements that penetrate, or extend into, the adhesive. The protruding elements can mechanically interlock with the adhesive to offset the shear forces, and also created additional surface with which the adhesive can bond.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2020Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Simon S. LEE, Lauren M. FARRELL, Raisul HAQUE
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Publication number: 20220095466Abstract: Support systems for electronic devices such as display screens are described and have support connector portions configured to connect to support devices such as adjustable mount supports. The support devices have magnetic elements, and the display devices have magnetic sensors configured to detect the magnetic fields emitted from the support devices. A relationship between the magnetic fields detected and target magnetic field values is determined to provide an output signal or indicator of the propriety of the support device used or the propriety of its connection to the display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2020Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventor: Simon S. Lee
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Publication number: 20220091457Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing that at least partially defines an exterior surface and an internal volume of the electronic device, and a display assembly at least partially disposed in the internal volume. The display assembly can include a transparent cover that at least partially defines the exterior surface of the electronic device, a backlight unit disposed between the cover and the housing, a frame coupling the cover to the backlight unit, a portion of the frame at least partially defining an aperture, and an electronic component disposed in the internal volume and extending through the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2020Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Lauren M. Farrell, Adam T. Garelli, Brian P. Graves, David P. Tarkington, Eric L. Benson, Erik A. Zweigle, Kwonil D. Fleischman, Paul X. Wang, Simon S. Lee, Tingjun Xu, Nicholas A. Rundle
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Publication number: 20220050513Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a shield that provides thermal and electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) shielding benefits. The shield is secured with fan assemblies by airtight seals to prevent air leakage and promote a pressured volume when the fan assemblies are running. Further, the shield can direct airflow from the fan assemblies to one or more thermally conductive components, where the airflow can convectively cool the thermally conductive components and exit the electronic device. The shield is made from a metal, and when the shield covers a circuit board, the shield protects an EMI barrier for integrated circuits located on the circuit board. Moreover, the shield can provide a single-piece, monolithic body that provides advantages over multiple shields, such as eliminating gaps in the shield for air leakage and EMI intrusion, increasing air circulation efficiency, and decreasing costs.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2020Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Adam T. GARELLI, Paul X. WANG, Pooja B. PATEL, Nicholas A. RUNDLE, Eric R. PRATHER, Simon S. LEE
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Publication number: 20210409582Abstract: A lighting module which provides adjustably controllable illumination of a camera field of view of a camera module includes an adjustable collimator which can be adjustably positioned such that the emitted light beam is adjustably directed to illuminate various regions of various camera fields of view. The collimator can be adjusted via an actuator which adjustably positions the collimator relative to static components of the lighting module, including the light emitter. The light beam can be directed to illuminate a selected limited region of a camera field of view, based on identification of a subject within the limited region. The light beam can be adjustably directed based on user interactions with a user interface, including adjusting the light beam according to user-commanded beam angle, intensity, and direction. The light beam can be adjustably directed to illuminate a region according to different fields of view of different camera modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Miodrag Scepanovic, Angelo M. Alaimo, Florian R. Fournier, Andreas G. Weber, Simon S. Lee
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Patent number: 11122193Abstract: A lighting module which provides adjustably controllable illumination of a camera field of view of a camera module includes an adjustable collimator which can be adjustably positioned such that the emitted light beam is adjustably directed to illuminate various regions of various camera fields of view. The collimator can be adjusted via an actuator which adjustably positions the collimator relative to static components of the lighting module, including the light emitter. The light beam can be directed to illuminate a selected limited region of a camera field of view, based on identification of a subject within the limited region. The light beam can be adjustably directed based on user interactions with a user interface, including adjusting the light beam according to user-commanded beam angle, intensity, and direction. The light beam can be adjustably directed to illuminate a region according to different fields of view of different camera modules.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Miodrag Scepanovic, Angelo M. Alaimo, Florian R. Fournier, Andreas G. Weber, Simon S. Lee
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Patent number: 11108130Abstract: An electronic device such as a desktop computer may have a housing with a conductive housing wall and a display mounted to the housing opposite the conductive housing wall. A conductive tongue may extend through an opening in the housing wall to secure the housing to a hinge barrel on a desktop stand. A slot antenna may be formed from a slot element in the conductive tongue. The antenna may be fed by a flexible printed circuit coupled across the slot element or by a feed printed circuit in the housing that is coupled to the conductive tongue by a conductive screw. A conductive sleeve may be placed over the conductive tongue. The stand may be replaced with a mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Bradley J. Hamel, Jerzy S. Guterman, Joel D. Barrera, Nicholas A. Rundle, Nikolaos Chiotellis, Simon S. Lee
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Publication number: 20210265719Abstract: An electronic device such as a desktop computer may have a housing with a conductive housing wall and a display mounted to the housing opposite the conductive housing wall. A conductive tongue may extend through an opening in the housing wall to secure the housing to a hinge barrel on a desktop stand. A slot antenna may be formed from a slot element in the conductive tongue. The antenna may be fed by a flexible printed circuit coupled across the slot element or by a feed printed circuit in the housing that is coupled to the conductive tongue by a conductive screw. A conductive sleeve may be placed over the conductive tongue. The stand may be replaced with a mounting bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2020Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Bradley J. Hamel, Jerzy S. Guterman, Joel D. Barrera, Nicholas A. Rundle, Nikolaos Chiotellis, Simon S. Lee
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Publication number: 20210176400Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit includes an autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator includes a first plurality of magnets for autofocus motion control of components of a first optical package. The first plurality of magnets is positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned in parallel with a first magnetic axis at a right angle to the optical axis of the first optical package. The second camera unit includes an optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator. The optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator includes a second plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a second magnet axis at 45-degrees to the first magnetic axis. The second camera unit includes a third plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a third magnetic axis at 135-degrees to the first magnetic axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2021Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Simon S. Lee
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Publication number: 20210176547Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing defining an aperture and a display positioned in the aperture. The display and the housing can define an internal volume in which a speaker assembly is positioned. The speaker assembly can include a speaker module and a speaker enclosure in fluid communication, with the speaker enclosure at least partially defining a speaker volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2020Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Chanjuan Feng, Christopher Wilk, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Stuart M. Nevill, Daniel K. Boothe, Nicholas A. Rundle, Simon S. Lee, Xiang Zhang, Thomas H. Tsang, Rebecca J. Mikolajczyk
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Patent number: 10931877Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit includes an autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator includes a first plurality of magnets for autofocus motion control of components of a first optical package. The first plurality of magnets is positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned in parallel with a first magnetic axis at a right angle to the optical axis of the first optical package. The second camera unit includes an optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator. The optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator includes a second plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a second magnet axis at 45-degrees to the first magnetic axis. The second camera unit includes a third plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a third magnetic axis at 135-degrees to the first magnetic axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Simon S. Lee
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Patent number: 10855895Abstract: A light source module includes an array of illumination elements and a light diffusing material. The light source module is configured to receive a control signal for adjusting diffusion of light emitted from the light source module and in response adjust the amount of diffusion of light emitted from the light source module. A light source module may include a segmented light diffusing material where each segment is associated with an illumination element. And individual segments may have light diffusing properties that are different than other segments of the light diffusing material. Some illumination elements may emit light of a different color spectrum than other illumination elements, and a light diffusing material may scatter the different colored light to illuminate a scene with combinations of light of different colors. A light source module may be embedded in a mobile computing device.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Florian R. Fournier, Angelo M. Alaimo, Simon S. Lee, Miodrag Scepanovic, Andreas G. Weber
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Publication number: 20200128184Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit includes an autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator includes a first plurality of magnets for autofocus motion control of components of a first optical package. The first plurality of magnets is positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned in parallel with a first magnetic axis at a right angle to the optical axis of the first optical package. The second camera unit includes an optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator. The optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator includes a second plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a second magnet axis at 45-degrees to the first magnetic axis. The second camera unit includes a third plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a third magnetic axis at 135-degrees to the first magnetic axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Simon S. Lee