Patents by Inventor Timon A. Wright
Timon A. Wright 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: 12147053Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 19, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20240377638Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2022Publication date: November 14, 2024Inventors: PAUL X. WANG, Benjamin A. SHAFFER, Adam Y. KOLLGAARD, Liam R. MARTINEZ, Rex T. EHMAN, Samuel G. SMITH, Timon A. WRIGHT, Evan A. CERNOKUS
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Publication number: 20240184329Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a main housing containing displays that display images to eye boxes for a user when the head-mounted device is worn by the user. The head-mounted device may include a light-shielding structure coupled to the main housing and configured to rest on the nasal region of the user. The light-shielding structure may include rigid members, flexible members, and/or fabric members. The light-shielding structure may conform to the facial features of the user around the nasal region to block environmental light from entering the eye boxes when the head-mounted device is worn by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2024Publication date: June 6, 2024Inventors: Timon A. Wright, Evan A. Cernokus
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Publication number: 20240184330Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted housing containing rear-facing displays that display images for a user when the head-mounted housing is worn by the user. The head-mounted device may have an adjustable-tension headband coupled between first and second sides of the head-mounted housing. The adjustable-tension headband may be operable in a stretch fabric tensioned mode in which tension for the headband is provided by stretching a length of stretchable fabric in the headband and may be operable in a cable-tensioned mode in which tension for the headband is applied by a tensioned cable. A knob or other adjustable cable tensioning mechanism may be used to adjust cable tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2024Publication date: June 6, 2024Inventors: Aiden D Mossop, Jenna L Withrow, Ryan M David, Zebinah P Masse, Christopher Sa Glaister, Heidi Williamson, Timon A Wright, Evan A Cernokus
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Publication number: 20240168294Abstract: A head-mounted device may include a main housing portion with displays that display images and optical modules through which the images are viewable from eye boxes. A light seal may be coupled to the main housing portion and may surround the eye boxes to prevent outside light from reaching the viewing area of the head-mounted device. The light seal may include inner and outer fabric layers. The outer fabric layer may be a seamless tube of knit fabric. The inner fabric layer may be an opaque fabric that lines the inner surface of the outer fabric layer. The outer fabric layer may have a modified bird's eye pattern that incorporates alternating knit stitches and tuck stitches. The tuck stitches allow the outer fabric layer to stretch in the lengthwise direction of the fabric to prevent buckling when the light seal is pressed against the user's face.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2023Publication date: May 23, 2024Inventors: Vedant A Dhandhania, Ian A Guy, Timon A Wright
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Publication number: 20240103287Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20240077698Abstract: Electronic devices such as head-mounted electronic devices may include displays for presenting images to users. To accommodate variations in the interpupillary distances associated with different users, a head-mounted device may have left-eye and right-eye optical modules that move with respect to each other. To hide internal structures from view, the rear of a head-mounted device may be provided with a cover. The cover may have a stretchable layer that is coupled to a frame. Openings in the stretchable layer may be aligned with the optical modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Yiwei Tao, Vedant A. Dhandhania, Timon A. Wright
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Publication number: 20240053795Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a housing containing displays that display images a user when the head-mounted device is worn by the user. The head-mounted device may include a light-shielding structure or light seal coupled to the housing and configured to rest on a nasal region of the user. The light-shielding structure may include flexible members and/or fabric members. For example, the flexible members may be elastomeric members having perforations that allow the light-shielding structure to conform to the facial features of the user around the nasal region, while maintaining rigidity. Additionally, the light-shielding structure may block environmental light from entering the eye boxes when the head-mounted device is worn by the user. Rigid or semi-rigid members may be added on or within the light-shielding structure to provide additional rigidity and support as the device is worn by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Nicholas R Trincia, Michael Y Cheung, Timon A Wright
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Publication number: 20240036324Abstract: A head-mounted device may include a main housing portion and a temple housing portion. Displays in the main housing portion may be configured to present images that are viewable from eye boxes. A light-blocking cover may extend between the main housing portion and the temple housing portion and may be configured to prevent outside light from reaching the eye boxes. The light-blocking cover may have a stretchable outer fabric layer and an inner light-blocking layer formed from fabric or other suitable materials. The light-blocking cover may include slack in the inner light-blocking layer so that the inner light-blocking layer can accommodate movement of the main housing portion relative to the temple housing portion without sacrificing opacity. The slack may be heat-set, molded, or covered with a layer of elastic so that the slack returns to a retracted state within the temple housing portion after being expanded.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Darshan R. Kasar, Nicholas R. Trincia, Timon A. Wright, Vedant A. Dhandhania
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Patent number: 11860444Abstract: Electronic devices such as head-mounted electronic devices may include displays for presenting images to users. To accommodate variations in the interpupillary distances associated with different users, a head-mounted device may have left-eye and right-eye optical modules that move with respect to each other. To hide internal structures from view, the rear of a head-mounted device may be provided with a cover. The cover may have a stretchable layer that is coupled to a frame. Openings in the stretchable layer may be aligned with the optical modules.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yiwei Tao, Vedant A. Dhandhania, Timon A. Wright
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Patent number: 11504945Abstract: An item may be formed from structures that include holes. Stitching may be used to form a seam that joins the structures. The stitching may be formed from a chain stitch that passes through the holes. The holes may be formed from loops of knit fabric or other holes. Leather layers, polymer layers, fabric layers, and other structures with holes may be joined using the stitching. During fabrication, a layer of material with holes may be placed on an adjustable-shape fixture having a bed of needles. The shape of the bed of nails in the adjustable-shape fixture may then be changed. After the fixture has been used to transform the shape of one or more of the structures, the structures may be placed on needles in an assembly fixture and the stitching between the structures may be formed. The item may be an electronic device cover or other item.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sofiane Berlat, Aedhan M. Loomis, Peter F. Coxeter, Sarah J. Montplaisir, Timon A. Wright, Yohji Hamada, Patrick Perry, Chad J. Miller, Andrew L. Rosenberg, Daniel A. Podhajny, Daniel D. Sunshine, Jessica J. Lu, Lia M. Uesato, Donald L. Olmstead
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Patent number: 11259107Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that include earpad assemblies that improve acoustic isolation are discussed. User convenience features that include automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Mike B. Minerbi, Edward Siahaan, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Eugene A. Whang, Miikka O. Tikander, Derek W. Wright, Jared M. Kole, Esge B. Andersen, Daniel R. Bloom, Edwin J. Corona Aparicio, Timon A. Wright
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Publication number: 20210325631Abstract: Electronic devices such as head-mounted electronic devices may include displays for presenting images to users. To accommodate variations in the interpupillary distances associated with different users, a head-mounted device may have left-eye and right-eye optical modules that move with respect to each other. To hide internal structures from view, the rear of a head-mounted device may be provided with a cover. The cover may have a stretchable layer that is coupled to a frame. Openings in the stretchable layer may be aligned with the optical modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Yiwei Tao, Vedant A. Dhandhania, Timon A. Wright
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Patent number: 11137612Abstract: A head-mounted device may include a housing structure, a display module mounted in the housing structure, and adjustable support structures coupled to the housing structure. The adjustable support structures may include a first portion that rests against a user's forehead and second and third portions that rest against the user's cheeks or temples. In some arrangements, the adjustable support structures include posts with adjustable lengths, telescoping layers of material, inflatable structures, and/or elastomeric materials that expand and retract to accommodate different face shapes and sizes. In some arrangements, the adjustable support structures include a cable located in a flexible member. When pressure is applied to a forehead portion of the flexible member, the cable pulls the temple portions of the flexible member towards each other. In some arrangements, the adjustable support structures include a movable member that pivots about a pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yoonhoo Jo, Thomas E. Degen, Julian Hoenig, Julian Jaede, Aiden D. Mossop, Atif H. Naqvi, Scott Y. Oshita, Heidi Williamson, Edward W. Wong, Timon A. Wright
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Publication number: 20200081259Abstract: A head-mounted device may include a housing structure, a display module mounted in the housing structure, and adjustable support structures coupled to the housing structure. The adjustable support structures may include a first portion that rests against a user's forehead and second and third portions that rest against the user's cheeks or temples. In some arrangements, the adjustable support structures include posts with adjustable lengths, telescoping layers of material, inflatable structures, and/or elastomeric materials that expand and retract to accommodate different face shapes and sizes. In some arrangements, the adjustable support structures include a cable located in a flexible member. When pressure is applied to a forehead portion of the flexible member, the cable pulls the temple portions of the flexible member towards each other. In some arrangements, the adjustable support structures include a movable member that pivots about a pivot axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Yoonhoo Jo, Thomas E. Degen, Julian Hoenig, Julian Jaede, Aiden D. Mossop, Atif H. Naqvi, Scott Y. Oshita, Heidi Williamson, Edward W. Wong, Timon A. Wright
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Publication number: 20190344536Abstract: An item may be formed from structures that include holes. Stitching may be used to form a seam that joins the structures. The stitching may be formed from a chain stitch that passes through the holes. The holes may be formed from loops of knit fabric or other holes. Leather layers, polymer layers, fabric layers, and other structures with holes may be joined using the stitching. During fabrication, a layer of material with holes may be placed on an adjustable-shape fixture having a bed of needles. The shape of the bed of nails in the adjustable-shape fixture may then be changed. After the fixture has been used to transform the shape of one or more of the structures, the structures may be placed on needles in an assembly fixture and the stitching between the structures may be formed. The item may be an electronic device cover or other item.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Sofiane Berlat, Aedhan M. Loomis, Peter F. Coxeter, Sarah J. Montplaisir, Timon A. Wright, Yohji Hamada, Patrick Perry, Chad J. Miller, Andrew L. Rosenberg, Daniel A. Podhajny, Daniel D. Sunshine, Jessica J. Lu, Lia M. Uesato, Donald L. Olmstead
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Patent number: 10469939Abstract: Headphones are disclosed that include a first earcup assembly. The first earcup assembly includes a first speaker and a plurality of tunable acoustic dampeners at least partially surrounding the first speaker. The plurality of acoustic dampeners are configured to dampen standing wave resonances. The headphones include a second earcup assembly and a headband extending between the first and second earcup assemblies. The headband includes first and second opposing ends attached to the first and second earcup assemblies, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Miikka O. Tikander, Timon A. Wright, Esge B. Andersen