Patents by Inventor Steven J. MARTISAUSKAS
Steven J. MARTISAUSKAS 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: 9532450Abstract: An electronic device can include a substrate and a conductive layer. The conductive layer can be disposed over at least a portion of the substrate and a patterned conductive material can be disposed over at least a portion of the conductive layer. Alternatively, the patterned conductive layer can be disposed over at least a portion of a surface of the substrate and the conductive layer can be disposed over a portion of the surface of the substrate and in between the patterned conductive material. The conductive layer can be disposed over at least a portion of the patterned conductive material. The patterned conductive material can have a resistivity that is lower than a resistivity of the conductive layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ehsan Farkhondeh, Joshua G. Wurzel, Romain A. Teil, Steven J. Martisauskas
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Publication number: 20160349123Abstract: A sensor is disposed between a first component and a second component of an electronic device. The sensor includes a first surface having a first dimension and a second surface having a second dimension that is less than the first dimension such that the sensor has a tapered profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Steven J. Martisauskas, Richard D. Shuma
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Publication number: 20160277054Abstract: An electronic device may include a mechanical structure that mechanically supports the electronic device. One or more traces may be formed on one or more surfaces of the mechanical structure. Other electrical components may also be mounted on the surface of the mechanical structure and may or may not be connected to one or more of the traces. Additionally, one or more passivation layers may be formed on one or more of the surfaces, traces, and/or other electrical components and one or more traces and/or other electrical components may be intermixed with such passivation layers. In this way, the mechanical structure may be operable to function as an electrical component of the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Romain A. Teil, Michael B. Wittenberg, Steven J. Martisauskas, Kuo-Hua Sung
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Patent number: 9443672Abstract: Touch sensitive mechanical keyboards and processes for routing the drive and sense lines of the touch sensitive keyboard using patterned dome-switches are provided. The keyboard can include one or more mechanical keys having a touch sensor located within or beneath a keycap. The keyboard can further include a dome-switch beneath each keycap to detect a depression of the corresponding key. The dome-switch can be formed from an elastic (or malleable) material and can include patterned conductive traces within the elastic material. The patterned conductive traces can be used to route stimulation signals and sense signals to and from the touch sensor. In some examples, a first end of the patterned conductive traces can be coupled to the drive and sense lines of the touch sensor and a second end of the patterned conductive traces can be coupled to a flexible circuit or PCB.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Steven J. Martisauskas
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Publication number: 20160255944Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically adjusting the fit of a wearable electronic device are disclosed. In many embodiments, a tensioner associated with a wearable electronic device can control one or more actuators that are mechanically coupled to either the housing or to a band attached to the wearable electronic device. In one example, in response to a signal to increase the tightness of the band, the tensioner can cause the actuator(s) to increase the tension within the band.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2015Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Andrzej T. Baranski, Serhan O. Isikman, Tyler S. Bushnell, Steven J. Martisauskas, David I. Nazzaro
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Publication number: 20160139716Abstract: A device configured to sense a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a cover and a force-sensing structure disposed below the cover. The force-sensing structure may be positioned below a display and used in combination with other force-sensing elements to estimate the force of a touch on the cover of a device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Sinan Filiz, Martin P. Grunthaner, John Stephen Smith, Charley T. Ogata, Christian M. Sauer, Shin John Choi, Christopher J. Butler, Steven J. Martisauskas
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Publication number: 20160103544Abstract: A device configured to sense a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a cover and a force-sensing structure disposed below the cover. The force-sensing structure may be positioned below a display and used in combination with other force-sensing elements to estimate the force of a touch on the cover of a device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Sinan Filiz, Martin P. Grunthaner, John Stephen Smith, Charley T. Ogata, Christian M. Sauer, Shin John Choi, Christopher J. Butler, Steven J. Martisauskas
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Publication number: 20160077647Abstract: Flexible circuits for routing signals of a device, such as a touch sensor panel of a touch sensitive device, are provided. The flexible circuit can include a first set of traces for routing a first set of lines and a second set of traces for routing a second set of lines. The first set of traces can couple together the ends of at least a portion of the first set of lines. Additionally, the first set of traces can be non-intersecting or non-overlapping with the second set of traces. The flexible circuit can have a T-shape configuration and can be incorporated within a touch sensitive device, display device, printed circuit board, or the like. The flexible circuit can be placed over another flexible circuit, and can extend onto the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Steven P. HOTELLING, Joshua G. WURZEL, Steven J. MARTISAUSKAS, Thayne M. MILLER, Kuo-Hua SUNG
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Publication number: 20150370376Abstract: A device configured to determine the location and magnitude of a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a transparent touch sensor that is configured to detect a location of a touch on the transparent touch sensor. The device also includes a force-sensing structure disposed at the periphery of the transparent touch sensor. The force sensor includes an upper capacitive plate and a compressible element disposed on one side of the upper capacitive plate. The force sensor also includes a lower capacitive plate disposed on a side of the compressible element that is opposite the upper capacitive plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Jonah A. HARLEY, Peter W. RICHARDS, Brian Q. HUPPI, Omar Sze LEUNG, Dhaval N. SHAH, Martin P. GRUNTHANER, Steven P. HOTELLING, Miguel C CHRISTOPHY, Vivek KATIYAR, Tang Yew TAN, Christopher J. BUTLER, Erik G. DE JONG, Ming SARTEE, Rui QIAO, Steven J. MARTISAUSKAS, Storrs T. HOEN, Richard Hung Minh DINH, Lee E. HOOTON, Ian A. SPRAGGS, Sawyer I. COHEN, David A. PAKULA
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Patent number: 9201461Abstract: Flexible circuits for routing signals of a device, such as a touch sensor panel of a touch sensitive device, are provided. The flexible circuit can include a first set of traces for routing a first set of lines and a second set of traces for routing a second set of lines. The first set of traces can couple together the ends of at least a portion of the first set of lines. Additionally, the first set of traces can be non-intersecting or non-overlapping with the second set of traces. The flexible circuit can have a T-shape configuration and can be incorporated within a touch sensitive device, display device, printed circuit board, or the like. The flexible circuit can be placed over another flexible circuit, and can extend onto the device.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven P. Hotelling, Joshua G. Wurzel, Steven J. Martisauskas, Thayne M. Miller, Kuo-Hua Sung
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Patent number: 9041652Abstract: Touch sensitive mechanical keyboards for detecting touch events and key depressions on the keyboard are provided. The keyboard can include a set of individually depressible mechanical keys having a touch sensitive area located on their surface. A touch sensor can be included to detect touch events on the surface of the keys. A keypad can also be included to detect a depression of the mechanical keys. One or more of the depressible mechanical keys can be multi-purpose keys capable of being depressed to multiple levels. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can receive key depression input, touch event input, or combinations thereof at the same time. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can further include a processor for distinguishing detected touch events from detected key depressions. The processor can generate a key depression command or a touch event command in response to the detected touch events and key depressions.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John Greer Elias, Steven J. Martisauskas
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Patent number: 8988628Abstract: A coated chassis is disclosed. The chassis can be made from a non-conductive material and can be operable to support a display. A conductive material can be applied to at least a portion of the chassis to form a continuous strip on the chassis frame. The conductive material can further form a closed-loop around the chassis frame. The chassis frame can be included within a device, such as a mobile phone, touchpad, portable computer, portable media player, and the like. The conductive material on the chassis can be coupled to the system ground of the device. Processes for making a coated chassis are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Martisauskas, Joshua G. Wurzel, David A. Pakula, Pinida J. Moolsintong
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Publication number: 20150077909Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sinan Filiz, Richard M. Corner, Romain A. Teil, Sawyer I. Cohen, Steven J. Martisauskas
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Patent number: 8958028Abstract: The patterning of objects (e.g., protective poly-films, heat-spreaders, and other components placed proximate to the backlight of an LCD) with multiple beads or raised protrusions is disclosed. The beads or protrusions can have a uniform or non-uniform size and can be arranged such that they have a uniform or non-uniform pattern density. The beads or protrusions can be patterned on a surface of the object to provide separation between a non-raised surface of the object and a surface of an adjacent item, such as a reflector film.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2011Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joshua G. Wurzel, Steven J. Martisauskas
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Publication number: 20140333858Abstract: A circuit panel of an electronic device is disclosed. The circuit panel includes a substantially flat surface including an active area of the electronic device; a bent border area contiguous with and extending from the active area of the substantially flat surface; and a plurality of traces coupled to the active area and routed in the bent border area.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventor: Steven J. Martisauskas
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Publication number: 20140262466Abstract: An electronic device can include a substrate and a conductive layer. The conductive layer can be disposed over at least a portion of the substrate and a patterned conductive material can be disposed over at least a portion of the conductive layer. Alternatively, the patterned conductive layer can be disposed over at least a portion of a surface of the substrate and the conductive layer can be disposed over a portion of the surface of the substrate and in between the patterned conductive material. The conductive layer can be disposed over at least a portion of the patterned conductive material. The patterned conductive material can have a resistivity that is lower than a resistivity of the conductive layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ehsan Farkhondeh, Joshua G. Wurzel, Romain A. Teil, Steven J. Martisauskas
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Patent number: 8804347Abstract: A circuit panel of an electronic device is disclosed. The circuit panel includes a substantially flat surface including an active area of the electronic device; a bent border area contiguous with and extending from the active area of the substantially flat surface; and a plurality of traces coupled to the active area and routed in the bent border area.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Steven J. Martisauskas
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Publication number: 20140192276Abstract: Flexible circuits for routing signals of a device, such as a touch sensor panel of a touch sensitive device, are provided. The flexible circuit can include a first set of traces for routing a first set of lines and a second set of traces for routing a second set of lines. The first set of traces can couple together the ends of at least a portion of the first set of lines. Additionally, the first set of traces can be non-intersecting or non-overlapping with the second set of traces. The flexible circuit can have a T-shape configuration and can be incorporated within a touch sensitive device, display device, printed circuit board, or the like. The flexible circuit can be placed over another flexible circuit, and can extend onto the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven P. HOTELLING, Joshua G. Wurzel, Steven J. Martisauskas, Thayne M. Miller, Kuo-Hua Sung
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Patent number: 8711570Abstract: Flexible circuits for routing signals of a device, such as a touch sensor panel of a touch sensitive device, are provided. The flexible circuit can include a first set of traces for routing a first set of lines and a second set of traces for routing a second set of lines. The first set of traces can couple together the ends of at least a portion of the first set of lines. Additionally, the first set of traces can be non-intersecting or non-overlapping with the second set of traces. The flexible circuit can have a T-shape configuration and can be incorporated within a touch sensitive device, display device, printed circuit board, or the like. The flexible circuit can be placed over another flexible circuit, and can extend onto the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven Porter Hotelling, Joshua G. Wurzel, Steven J. Martisauskas, Thayne M. Miller, Kuo-Hua Sung
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Publication number: 20140008196Abstract: Touch sensitive mechanical keyboards and processes for routing the drive and sense lines of the touch sensitive keyboard using patterned dome-switches are provided. The keyboard can include one or more mechanical keys having a touch sensor located within or beneath a keycap. The keyboard can further include a dome-switch beneath each keycap to detect a depression of the corresponding key. The dome-switch can be formed from an elastic (or malleable) material and can include patterned conductive traces within the elastic material. The patterned conductive traces can be used to route stimulation signals and sense signals to and from the touch sensor. In some examples, a first end of the patterned conductive traces can be coupled to the drive and sense lines of the touch sensor and a second end of the patterned conductive traces can be coupled to a flexible circuit or PCB.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2012Publication date: January 9, 2014Inventor: Steven J. MARTISAUSKAS