Patents by Inventor Tyler B. CATER
Tyler B. CATER 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: 20240008188Abstract: An electronic device including a housing defining an aperture, a display component positioned in the aperture, and a filler material at least partially surrounding a periphery of the display component. The filler material can contact the display component and a portion of the housing defining the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Kodiak D. Burke, John J. Baker, Tyler B. Cater
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Patent number: 11800649Abstract: An electronic device including a housing defining an aperture, a display component positioned in the aperture, and a filler material at least partially surrounding a periphery of the display component. The filler material can contact the display component and a portion of the housing defining the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Kodiak D. Burke, John J. Baker, Tyler B. Cater, Christopher J. Durning, Benjamin J. Pope, Richard H. Dinh
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Publication number: 20230224389Abstract: A mobile phone may include a display, an enclosure enclosing the display and including a front cover positioned over the display and defining a front exterior surface, and a rear cover defining a rear exterior surface and a raised sensor array region along the rear exterior surface. The raised sensor array region may define a first hole and a second hole. The second hole may be defined by a first opening along an interior surface of the rear cover and having a first opening size and a second opening along the rear exterior surface of the rear cover and having a second opening size smaller than the first opening size. The mobile phone may further include a first camera having a first lens assembly extending into the first hole, and a second camera having a second lens assembly extending into the second hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2022Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Matthew D. Hill, David A. Hurrell, Nicholas D. Rath, Tyler B. Cater, James A. Bertin, Sawyer I. Cohen
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Patent number: 11637919Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing member defining a first portion of an exterior front surface of the portable electronic device, a first portion of an exterior rear surface of the portable electronic device, at least a portion of an exterior side surface of the portable electronic device, a recess along an interior side of the housing member, and a ledge feature along the interior side of the housing member. The device also includes a top module coupled to the housing member and including a front cover defining a second portion of the exterior front surface of the portable electronic device, a display stack attached to the front cover, and a frame member extending at least partially around a periphery of the display stack and set apart from a surface of the recess by a gap.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: John J. Baker, Eric W. Bates, Lucy E. Browning, Kodiak Burke, Benjamin S. Bustle, Trent Canales, Tyler B. Cater, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Michael Firka, Kevin M. Froese, Jun Sik Ham, Matthew D. Hill, Hugh J. Jay, Benjamin J. Kallman, Paul U. Leutheuser, Matthew W. Miller, Michael K. Mondry, Donald J. Parr, Benjamin J. Pope, Matthew P. Rao, Griffin Schmitt, Allegra Shum, Christopher R. Xydis, Luman Zhang, Yaocheng Zhang, Zhipeng Zhang, Xiao Ying Zhao
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Patent number: 11632448Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing member. The portable electronic device also includes a front cover coupled to the housing member and defining a top surface defining a portion of an exterior front surface of the portable electronic device, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a peripheral side surface, and a chamfered edge extending from the bottom surface to the peripheral side surface. The portable electronic device further includes a display stack attached to the bottom surface of the front cover, an opaque coating positioned on at least a portion of each of the peripheral side surface, the chamfered edge, and the bottom surface and configured to absorb light emitted by the display stack, and a rear cover coupled to the housing member and defining a second portion of the exterior rear surface of the portable electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: John J. Baker, Yaocheng Zhang, Paul U. Leutheuser, Kevin M. Froese, Tushar Deshpande, Kai Wu, Marta M. Giachino, Sean Suri, Matthew D. Hill, Tyler B. Cater, Benjamin J. Pope, Jun Sik Ham
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Patent number: 11579024Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices having sensors such as pressure sensors. A pressure sensor may be integrated into an audio component of an electronic device such that the pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to an environment external to a device housing via at least a portion of an internal cavity of the audio component housing. The audio component housing may include an opening. The pressure sensor may be mounted adjacent to or within the opening. The opening may be sealed to prevent passage of gas or liquid through the opening. The pressure sensor may be integrally formed with an inner wall of the audio component housing. The audio component may be a speaker or a microphone.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2018Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: William S. Lee, Tyler B. Cater, Shannon X. Yang, Justin D. Crosby, Timothy S. Lui, Eric N. Nyland
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Publication number: 20220061166Abstract: An electronic device including a housing defining an aperture, a display component positioned in the aperture, and a filler material at least partially surrounding a periphery of the display component. The filler material can contact the display component and a portion of the housing defining the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2020Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Kodiak D. Burke, John J. Baker, Tyler B. Cater, Christopher J. Durning, Benjamin J. Pope, Richard H. Dinh
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Publication number: 20210168230Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing member defining a first portion of an exterior front surface of the portable electronic device, a first portion of an exterior rear surface of the portable electronic device, at least a portion of an exterior side surface of the portable electronic device, a recess along an interior side of the housing member, and a ledge feature along the interior side of the housing member. The device also includes a top module coupled to the housing member and including a front cover defining a second portion of the exterior front surface of the portable electronic device, a display stack attached to the front cover, and a frame member extending at least partially around a periphery of the display stack and set apart from a surface of the recess by a gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: John J. Baker, Eric W. Bates, Lucy E. Browning, Kodiak Burke, Benjamin S. Bustle, Trent Canales, Tyler B. Cater, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Michael Firka, Kevin M. Froese, Jun Sik Ham, Matthew D. Hill, Hugh J. Jay, Benjamin J. Kallman, Paul U. Leutheuser, Matthew W. Miller, Michael K. Mondry, Donald J. Parr, Benjamin J. Pope, Matthew P. Rao, Griffin Schmitt, Allegra Shum, Christopher R. Xydis, Luman Zhang, Yaocheng Zhang, Zhipeng Zhang, Xiao Ying Zhao
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Publication number: 20210168231Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing member. The portable electronic device also includes a front cover coupled to the housing member and defining a top surface defining a portion of an exterior front surface of the portable electronic device, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a peripheral side surface, and a chamfered edge extending from the bottom surface to the peripheral side surface. The portable electronic device further includes a display stack attached to the bottom surface of the front cover, an opaque coating positioned on at least a portion of each of the peripheral side surface, the chamfered edge, and the bottom surface and configured to absorb light emitted by the display stack, and a rear cover coupled to the housing member and defining a second portion of the exterior rear surface of the portable electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: John J. Baker, Yaocheng Zhang, Paul U. Leutheuser, Kevin M. Froese, Tushar Deshpande, Kai Wu, Marta M. Giachino, Sean Suri, Matthew D. Hill, Tyler B. Cater, Benjamin J. Pope, Jun Sik Ham
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Patent number: 10767927Abstract: This application relates to a portable electronic device including a processor and an operational component assembly, the operational component assembly including a frame. The frame carries a sensor that is coupled to the frame, where the sensor is capable of (i) receiving an environmental stimulus, and (ii) subsequently, generating an environmental parameter based on the environmental stimulus. The operational components further include a speaker that includes a magnetic driver that is capable of generating a magnetic field in response to receiving the instructions, and a diaphragm that is capable of actuating in response to the magnetic field being generated by the magnetic driver. An opening is disposed at an external surface of the frame such that when an amount of moisture is present within the volume, the magnetic driver receives the instructions from the processor to generate a magnetic field that actuates the diaphragm so as to expel the moisture.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Brian A. Argyres, Matthew A. Donarski, Eric N. Nyland, Tyler B. Cater, Oliver Leonhardt
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Patent number: 10706252Abstract: 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: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thayne M. Miller, Jean-Marie Bussat, Steven P. Hotelling, Sawyer I. Cohen, Tyler B. Cater
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Patent number: 10674254Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing that at least partially defines an internal volume. The portable electronic device further includes a cover secured to the housing and that is and capable of enclosing the internal volume. The cover having a cover opening capable of passing an audible sound provided by an audio module located within the internal volume. The audible sound passing from the audio module to the cover opening along an audible sound path. The portable electronic device further includes a bracket assembly positioned in the internal volume and having: (i) a bracket opening that is aligned with and between the audio module with the cover opening, and (ii) a fin element that spans the bracket opening, the fin element having at least a portion positioned within the audible sound path.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Tyler B. Cater, Mu-Hua Cheng, Teemu P. Sipila
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Patent number: 10596736Abstract: Compound structures and methods for forming the same are described. The compound structures can be used to form an enclosure. The enclosure may be formed from metal, such as aluminum, and further include one or more non-metal regions that allow for transmission and receipt of electromagnetic waves, such as radio frequency waves. The non-metal region can include a first section, a second section, and an optional cosmetic section. The first section can be firmly molded onto a metal section of the enclosure by small pores formed within the metal section. The second section can engage with interlock features of the first section. The optional cosmetic section can cover the first section and the second section such that the first section and the second section are not visible from an exterior of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Benjamin Shane Bustle, Tyler B. Cater, Derek C. Krass, Scott A. Myers
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Publication number: 20200080775Abstract: This application relates to a portable electronic device including a processor and an operational component assembly, the operational component assembly including a frame. The frame carries a sensor that is coupled to the frame, where the sensor is capable of (i) receiving an environmental stimulus, and (ii) subsequently, generating an environmental parameter based on the environmental stimulus. The operational components further include a speaker that includes a magnetic driver that is capable of generating a magnetic field in response to receiving the instructions, and a diaphragm that is capable of actuating in response to the magnetic field being generated by the magnetic driver. An opening is disposed at an external surface of the frame such that when an amount of moisture is present within the volume, the magnetic driver receives the instructions from the processor to generate a magnetic field that actuates the diaphragm so as to expel the moisture.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Brian A. Argyres, Matthew A. Donarski, Eric N. Nyland, Tyler B. Cater, Oliver Leonhardt
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Publication number: 20190254185Abstract: An electronic device having multiple housing components interlocked together by a molded material is disclosed. In order to provide interlocking surfaces for the molded material, the housing components can include various geometries designed to receive and retain the molded material such that the housing components are secured with one another. For example, a first housing part can undergo several material removal operations to form multiple ribs, each with through holes. When the molded material extends along the ribs and into the through holes, the molded material cures and interlocks with the first housing part. A second housing part can include several stepped indentions that receive the molded material. Also, a third housing part can include a dovetail indention to receive the molded material such that the first and second housing parts interlock with the third housing part. The indentions can provide retention in three dimensions to protect against decoupling.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Tyler B. CATER, Benjamin J. POPE, Scott A. MYERS, Benjamin Shane BUSTLE, Tseng-Mau YANG, Adam J. BRINKMAN
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Publication number: 20190217513Abstract: Compound structures and methods for forming the same are described. The compound structures can be used to form an enclosure. The enclosure may be formed from metal, such as aluminum, and further include one or more non-metal regions that allow for transmission and receipt of electromagnetic waves, such as radio frequency waves. The non-metal region can include a first section, a second section, and an optional cosmetic section. The first section can be firmly molded onto a metal section of the enclosure by small pores formed within the metal section. The second section can engage with interlock features of the first section. The optional cosmetic section can cover the first section and the second section such that the first section and the second section are not visible from an exterior of the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Benjamin Shane Bustle, Tyler B. Cater, Derek C. Krass, Scott A. Myers
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Publication number: 20190213377Abstract: 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: March 14, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Thayne M. Miller, Jean-Marie Bussat, Steven P. Hotelling, Sawyer I. Cohen, Tyler B. Cater
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Patent number: 10321590Abstract: An electronic device having multiple housing components interlocked together by a molded material is disclosed. In order to provide interlocking surfaces for the molded material, the housing components can include various geometries designed to receive and retain the molded material such that the housing components are secured with one another. For example, a first housing part can undergo several material removal operations to form multiple ribs, each with through holes. When the molded material extends along the ribs and into the through holes, the molded material cures and interlocks with the first housing part. A second housing part can include several stepped indentions that receive the molded material. Also, a third housing part can include a dovetail indention to receive the molded material such that the first and second housing parts interlock with the third housing part. The indentions can provide retention in three dimensions to protect against decoupling.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Tyler B. Cater, Benjamin J. Pope, Scott A. Myers, Benjamin Shane Bustle, Tseng-Mau Yang, Adam J. Brinkman
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Patent number: 10272605Abstract: Compound structures and methods for forming the same are described. The compound structures can be used to form an enclosure. The enclosure may be formed from metal, such as aluminum, and further include one or more non-metal regions that allow for transmission and receipt of electromagnetic waves, such as radio frequency waves. The non-metal region can include a first section, a second section, and an optional cosmetic section. The first section can be firmly molded onto a metal section of the enclosure by small pores formed within the metal section. The second section can engage with interlock features of the first section. The optional cosmetic section can cover the first section and the second section such that the first section and the second section are not visible from an exterior of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Benjamin Shane Bustle, Tyler B. Cater, Derek C. Krass, Scott A. Myers
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Patent number: D938429Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Tyler B. Cater, Abidur Rahman Chowdhury, Clara Geneviève Marine Courtaigne, Markus Diebel, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Jonathan Gomez Garcia, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Benjamin J. Pope, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer