公开(公告)号：US11818528B1

公开(公告)日：2023-11-14

申请号：US17407691

申请日：2021-08-20

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Yi Zou ,  Chad J. Miller ,  Daniel A. Podhajny ,  Joshua A. Hoover ,  Kristen L. Cretella ,  Nicholas R. Trincia ,  Seul Bi Kim ,  William Leith ,  Yue Chen

IPC: H04R1/10 ,  H04R31/00 ,  H04R1/04 ,  H04R1/02 ,  F21V33/00

CPC classification number: H04R1/1016 ,  H04R1/04 ,  H04R1/1041 ,  H04R31/00 ,  F21V33/0056 ,  H04R1/028 ,  H04R2420/07

Abstract: Wireless earbuds may be provided with adjustable-shape housings. The housings may have bendable portions. Bendable metal members, hinges, or other flexible structures may be used in forming bendable structures for the earbuds. Electrical components may be covered by a layer of molded foam. A cover such as a fabric cover may be used to cover the molded foam. Spacer fabric or other soft material may be interposed between the fabric cover and the foam. The housing may be bent or otherwise adjusted between two or more states such as a normal, non-sleep, walking state in which the housing is expanded for normal operation while a user is sitting or walking and a sleep state in which the housing is bent to enhance comfort while sleeping. The wireless earbuds may have illumination systems, sensors, and other components.

公开(公告)号：US20220004725A1

公开(公告)日：2022-01-06

申请号：US17478262

申请日：2021-09-17

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Ryan C. Perkins ,  Anthony M. Ashcroft ,  Erik G. de Jong ,  Tirshathah A. Hunter ,  Seul Bi Kim ,  Erik L. Wang ,  Christopher M. Werner

IPC: G06K7/10 ,  G06K7/00 ,  E05B73/00

Abstract: A holder for a wirelessly locatable tag may be used with a wirelessly locatable tag comprising a housing member defining a region of an exterior surface of the wirelessly locatable tag configured to act as a speaker diaphragm. The holder may include a receptacle portion configured to at least partially surround the wirelessly locatable tag, the receptacle portion defining a first opening configured to allow the wirelessly locatable tag to be positioned in the receptacle portion, a second opening configured to at least partially surround an outer periphery of a battery door of the wirelessly locatable tag, and a third opening aligned with the region of the exterior surface configured to act as the speaker diaphragm. The holder may further include a fastener coupled to the receptacle portion and configured to releasably secure the first opening in a closed configuration to retain the wirelessly locatable tag in the receptacle portion.

公开(公告)号：US12096829B2

公开(公告)日：2024-09-24

申请号：US17849487

申请日：2022-06-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： William Leith ,  Camille I. Henrot ,  Donald L. Olmstead ,  Jessica J. Lu ,  John S. Camp ,  Seul Bi Kim ,  Joseph B. Walker

IPC: A44C5/00 ,  A44C5/14

CPC classification number: A44C5/14

Abstract: Bands for electronic devices, including wearable devices, are designed to dynamically alter their shape (e.g., lengthen) in response to an external force. A band may include one or more interior structures disposed in an exterior structure. The interior structure(s) is/are pulled in tension by the exterior structure. When the interior structure(s) is/are pulled in tension, an additional force (e.g., by a user) that applies tension to the interior structure(s) may cause a relatively small change in tension to the interior structure(s). As a result, the band may appear to provide the same amount to users, despite users having a different wrist size/diameter. A similar phenomenon may occur to a single user when the user's wrist changes in size. Accordingly, based on the interior structure(s) being placed in tension by the exterior structure(s), the force provided by the band may appear constant to users.

公开(公告)号：US12029292B1

公开(公告)日：2024-07-09

申请号：US18114912

申请日：2023-02-27

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Tirshathah A. Hunter ,  Seul Bi Kim ,  Nicholas A. Treadwell ,  Johan E. Lyon ,  Erik G. de Jong

IPC: A45C11/32 ,  A45C11/00 ,  A45F5/02 ,  A45C13/34 ,  A45F5/00

CPC classification number: A45C11/00 ,  A45F5/02 ,  A45C2011/002 ,  A45C13/34 ,  A45F2005/008

Abstract: A case for a round electronic device may have a device holding portion and an attachment portion for attaching the case to an item such as a suitcase or a key chain. The case may include upper and lower case portions that form a pocket. On a first side of the pocket, the upper and lower case portions may be stitched together or may be integrally formed. On a second side of the pocket, a snap may attach the upper case portion to the lower case portion and may be opened to provide access to the pocket. The attachment portion may have an opening for attaching the case to a key ring, suitcase, or other item. The case may include leather, polymer, and/or fabric. Openings may be surrounded by reinforcement material such as strands of non-elastic material. Snaps may be flush with surrounding portions of the case.

公开(公告)号：US20240074550A1

公开(公告)日：2024-03-07

申请号：US18134474

申请日：2023-04-13

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Timothy S. Lui ,  Clement C. Tissandier ,  Donald L. Olmstead ,  Molly J. Anderson ,  Osamu Yabe ,  Seul Bi Kim ,  Yoji Hamada

IPC: A44C5/14 ,  A44B18/00 ,  A44C5/00 ,  A44C5/18 ,  D04C1/06

CPC classification number: A44C5/145 ,  A44B18/0034 ,  A44C5/0069 ,  A44C5/147 ,  A44C5/185 ,  D04C1/06

Abstract: A watchband can comfortably secure an electronic device to a wrist of a user. The watchband can include a base having a contact surface opposite an engagement surface and an engagement ribbon forming loops on the engagement surface of the base for receiving a hook of a buckle. The engagement ribbon can be interwoven with the base to provide secure anchoring for the hook within one of the loops. The woven portions of the watchband can be securely coupled to end structures, such as the buckle, retaining rings, and/or a connector. The watchband provides adjustable lengths to accommodate different fit configurations as desired.

公开(公告)号：US11716567B2

公开(公告)日：2023-08-01

申请号：US17383260

申请日：2021-07-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Daniel A. Podhajny ,  Joshua A. Hoover ,  Nicholas R. Trincia ,  Yue Chen ,  Seul Bi Kim ,  Chad J. Miller ,  Kristen L. Cretella ,  Yi Zou ,  William Leith

IPC: H04R3/12 ,  H04R1/40 ,  G10L25/78 ,  H04R3/00 ,  H04R1/02

CPC classification number: H04R3/12 ,  G10L25/78 ,  H04R1/023 ,  H04R1/403 ,  H04R1/406 ,  H04R3/005 ,  H04R2201/025 ,  H04R2201/401 ,  H04R2420/07

Abstract: A wearable device can provide an audio module that is operable to provide audio output from a distance away from the ears of the user. For example, the wearable device can be worn on clothing of the user and direct audio waves to the ears of the user. Such audio waves can be focused by a parametric array of speakers that limit audibility by others. Thus, the privacy of the audio directed to the user can be maintained without requiring the user to wear audio headsets on, over, or in the ears of the user. The wearable device can further include microphones and/or connections to other devices that facilitate calibration of the audio module of the wearable device. The wearable device can further include user sensors that are configured to detect, measure, and/or track one or more properties of the user.

公开(公告)号：US20210087719A1

公开(公告)日：2021-03-25

申请号：US16985042

申请日：2020-08-04

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Benjamin J. Grena ,  Didio V. Gomes ,  Joshua A. Hoover ,  Seul Bi Kim ,  David M. Kindlon ,  Kevin T. Pham ,  Daniel A. Podhajny ,  Robert J. Rose ,  Andrew L. Rosenberg ,  Miikka O. Tikander

IPC: D03D1/00 ,  B32B5/26 ,  B32B5/02 ,  B32B3/08 ,  D03D7/00 ,  D03D11/00 ,  D03D15/08 ,  D03D17/00 ,  H01B7/06

Abstract: A stretchable fabric signal path may include a conductive strand located between first and second outer fabric layers. The outer fabric layers may be formed from intertwined strands of elastic material. The conductive strand may have a wavy shape to accommodate stretching of the stretchable fabric signal path. First and second inner fabric layers may be located between the outer stretchable fabric layers. The inner fabric layers may be formed from intertwined strands of non-elastic material. The inner fabric layers may have strands that are intertwined with the outer fabric layers to serve as anchor points for maintaining the shape of the conductive strand as the stretchable fabric signal path expands and contracts. The outer fabric layers and inner fabric layers may be woven. The conductive strand may convey electrical signals such as audio signals, power signals, data signals, or other suitable signals.