公开(公告)号：US09784717B2

公开(公告)日：2017-10-10

申请号：US14462092

申请日：2014-08-18

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Dale N. Memering ,  Matthew Rogers ,  Theodore A. Waniuk

IPC: G01R31/28 ,  G01N29/04

CPC classification number: G01N29/041 ,  G01N2291/0232 ,  G01N2291/0289 ,  G01N2291/0423 ,  G01N2291/101 ,  G01N2291/2632 ,  Y10T29/49004

Abstract: In some embodiments, processes for testing for structural flaws in sapphire parts such as display cover plates used in the manufacturing of electronic devices are disclosed. A process may include transmitting a destructive acoustic signal onto a sapphire part, and determining whether the sapphire part failed in response to the destructive signal. The destructive acoustic signal may include a Rayleigh acoustic wave, wherein the destructive acoustic signal breaks the sapphire part if the sapphire part has a surface flaw larger than a specified size. In this manner, only sapphire parts that can withstand the destructive acoustic signal are used in manufacturing of the electronic device.

公开(公告)号：US09632537B2

公开(公告)日：2017-04-25

申请号：US14033981

申请日：2013-09-23

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Dale N. Memering ,  Erik G. de Jong ,  Fletcher R. Rothkopf ,  Samuel Weiss

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  H01Q1/22 ,  B32B17/06 ,  H04M1/02 ,  H01Q1/12

CPC classification number: G06F1/1637 ,  B32B17/06 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G06F1/1613 ,  G06F1/1626 ,  G06F1/1698 ,  H01Q1/1271 ,  H01Q1/2258 ,  H04M1/0202 ,  H04M1/026 ,  H04M1/0266

Abstract: A ceramic material having an electronic component embedded therein, and more particularly to a sapphire surface having an electrically energized component embedded within. In some embodiments, the sapphire surface may take the form of a portion of a housing for an electronic device. Since sapphire may be substantially transparent, it may form a cover glass for a display within or forming part of the electronic device, as one example. The cover glass may be bonded, affixed, or otherwise attached to a remainder of the housing, thereby forming an enclosure for the electronic device.

公开(公告)号：US20170059463A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-02

申请号：US14841652

申请日：2015-08-31

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Victor Luzzato ,  Dale N. Memering

IPC: G01N3/20

CPC classification number: G01N3/20 ,  G01N3/24 ,  G01N2203/0282 ,  G01N2203/0494

Abstract: A material testing apparatus and methods of testing material are disclosed. The material testing apparatus may include a support ring contacting a test material and a moveable contact component positioned adjacent to the support ring. The moveable contact component may include a substantially curved contact surface comprising a radius-varying curvature profile formed between a center and a perimeter of the substantially curve contact surface. The curvature profile may be based on a predetermined deflection-force profile specific to the test material. Additionally, the curvature profile may also be based on the material characteristics of the test material, the physical characteristics of the test material, the physical characteristics of the support ring and/or a testing process performed on the test material.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种材料测试装置和材料测试方法。 材料测试装置可以包括接触测试材料的支撑环和邻近支撑环定位的可移动接触部件。 可移动接触部件可以包括基本上弯曲的接触表面，其包括在基本上曲线的接触表面的中心和周边之间形成的半径变化的曲率轮廓。 曲率轮廓可以基于对测试材料特有的预定偏转力分布。 此外，曲率分布也可以基于测试材料的材料特性，测试材料的物理特性，支撑环的物理特性和/或在测试材料上执行的测试过程。

公开(公告)号：US20160368808A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-22

申请号：US14744893

申请日：2015-06-19

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： Matthew S. Rogers ,  Christopher D. Jones ,  Dale N. Memering ,  Alexander M. Hoffman ,  Ping Chung Chen ,  Chien-Wei Huang

IPC: C03B25/02

CPC classification number: F27B17/0016 ,  C30B29/20 ,  C30B33/02 ,  F27D5/0006 ,  F27D5/005 ,  F27D5/0056

Abstract: A system for heat treating sapphire components to increase strength while maintaining the optical finish and/or transparency of the component. The system may include a fixture positioned in a furnace and configured to suspend an array or group of sapphire components. The fixture may include notches or other features to assist in locating and positioning the sapphire components. Shield elements or enclosures may also be interspersed with the sapphire components and may help produce a more uniform heat distribution and protect the sapphire components from emissions or deposits. Some aspects are directed to a sleeve tool and fixture jig that can be used to assemble the sapphire components onto the fixture in a way that reduces the risk of marring or otherwise damaging the sapphire components.

Abstract translation: 用于在保持组件的光学整理和/或透明度的同时增强强度的蓝宝石部件的热处理系统。 该系统可以包括定位在炉中并被配置为悬挂阵列或一组蓝宝石部件的夹具。 固定装置可以包括凹槽或其他特征以帮助定位和定位蓝宝石部件。 屏蔽元件或外壳也可以散布有蓝宝石部件，并且可以帮助产生更均匀的热分布并且保护蓝宝石部件不被排放或沉积。 一些方面涉及套筒工具和夹具夹具，其可以用于将蓝宝石部件组装到固定装置上，以降低损坏或损坏蓝宝石部件的风险。

公开(公告)号：US20160351855A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-01

申请号：US15234955

申请日：2016-08-11

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Tseng-Mau Yang ,  Christopher D. Prest ,  Dale N. Memering

IPC: H01L51/52 ,  H01L27/32

CPC classification number: H01L51/5275 ,  G02F1/133308 ,  G02F1/133526 ,  G02F2001/133331 ,  H01L27/323 ,  H01L51/5237 ,  H01L51/525

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a housing. The display may have an array of display pixels that provide image light to a user. The array of display pixels may form an active display structure with a rectangular shape. The rectangular active display structure may be surrounded by an inactive border region. Optical structures such as a sheet of glass or another optical member may have portions that are configured to bend light from the display pixels along the periphery of the active display structure. The optical member may have an area that is larger than the area of the active display structure, so that the presence of the optical member may serve to enlarge the apparent size of the display. Solidified liquid polymer may be used to support the optical structures and may be interposed between the optical structures and the active display structures.

Abstract translation: 电子设备可以设置有安装在壳体中的显示器。 显示器可以具有向用户提供图像光的显示像素阵列。 显示像素阵列可以形成具有矩形形状的活动显示结构。 矩形有源显示结构可以被非活动边界区域包围。 诸如玻璃片或其它光学构件的光学结构可以具有被配置为沿着主动显示结构的周边弯曲来自显示像素的光的部分。 光学构件可以具有大于有源显示结构的面积的面积，使得光学构件的存在可以用于扩大显示器的表观尺寸。 可以使用固化的液体聚合物来支撑光学结构，并且可以介于光学结构和活性显示结构之间。

公开(公告)号：US20160341892A1

公开(公告)日：2016-11-24

申请号：US15227873

申请日：2016-08-03

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Tseng-Mau Yang ,  Christopher D. Prest ,  Dale N. Memering

IPC: G02B6/08

CPC classification number: G02B6/08 ,  G02B6/0078 ,  G02B2006/12145 ,  G02F1/3137 ,  G02F2001/0142

Abstract: A display may have an array of display pixels that generate an image. A coherent fiber bundle may be mounted on the display pixels. The coherent fiber bundle may have a first surface that is adjacent to the display pixels and a second surface that is visible to a viewer. The coherent fiber bundle may contain fibers that carry light from the first surface to the second surface. The second surface may be planar or may have a central planar region and curved edge regions that run along opposing sides of the central planar region. The fibers may have cross-sectional surface areas with a first aspect ratio on the first surface and a second aspect ratio that is greater than the first aspect ratio on the second surface.

Abstract translation: 显示器可以具有生成图像的显示像素阵列。 相干光纤束可以安装在显示像素上。 相干光纤束可以具有与显示像素相邻的第一表面和观察者可见的第二表面。 相干纤维束可以包含携带从第一表面到第二表面的光的纤维。 第二表面可以是平面的或者可以具有中心平面区域和沿着中心平面区域的相对侧延伸的弯曲边缘区域。 纤维可以具有在第一表面上具有第一纵横比的横截面表面区域，并且第二纵横比大于第二表面上的第一长宽比。

公开(公告)号：US20160064800A1

公开(公告)日：2016-03-03

申请号：US14469882

申请日：2014-08-27

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： Erik G. de Jong ,  Dale N. Memering ,  Jeffrey C. Mylvaganam

IPC: H01Q1/24

CPC classification number: H01Q1/243 ,  H01Q1/273 ,  H01Q7/00

Abstract: An electronic device including a signal transmission system. The electronic device may include a housing, and a cover coupled to the housing and defining a groove formed in the cover. The electronic device may also include a signal transmission system positioned within the housing. The signal transmission system may include an antenna at least partially received within the groove formed in the cover. The antenna may have an antenna body, and a contact pad in electrical communication with the antenna body. The signal transmission system may also have a flexible member positioned adjacent the antenna body. The flexible member may contact the contact pad of the antenna.

Abstract translation: 一种包括信号传输系统的电子设备。 电子设备可以包括壳体和联接到壳体并限定形成在盖中的凹槽的盖。 电子设备还可以包括位于壳体内的信号传输系统。 信号传输系统可以包括至少部分地容纳在形成在盖中的凹槽内的天线。 天线可以具有天线体，以及与天线体电连通的接触垫。 信号传输系统还可以具有邻近天线体定位的柔性构件。 柔性构件可以接触天线的接触垫。

公开(公告)号：US20160062405A1

公开(公告)日：2016-03-03

申请号：US14836943

申请日：2015-08-26

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Jeffrey C. Mylvaganam ,  Erik G. de Jong ,  Dale N. Memering ,  Xiao Bing Cai ,  Palaniappan Chinnakaruppan ,  Jong Kong Lee ,  Srikanth Kamireddi ,  Sawako Kamei ,  Feng Min ,  Jing Zhang ,  Xiang Du ,  Sai Feng Liu

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  B23K26/402 ,  B23K26/364 ,  B05D1/02 ,  B24C1/08

CPC classification number: G06F1/1637 ,  B05D1/02 ,  B23K26/364 ,  B23K26/402 ,  B23K2103/50 ,  B23K2103/54 ,  B24B7/228 ,  B24B29/005 ,  B24B37/04 ,  B24C1/08 ,  B24C11/00 ,  G04B37/0008 ,  G04B39/006 ,  G06F1/163 ,  H01Q1/243

Abstract: A cover for an electronic device and methods of forming a cover is disclosed. The electronic device may include a housing, and a cover coupled to the housing. The cover may have an inner surface having at least one of an intermediate polish and a final polish, a groove formed on the inner surface, and an outer surface positioned opposite the inner surface. The outer surface may have at least one of the intermediate polish and the final polish. The cover may also have a rounded perimeter portion formed between the inner surface and the outer surface. The rounded perimeter portion may be positioned adjacent the groove. The method for forming the cover may include performing a first polishing process on the sapphire component using a polishing tool, and performing a second polishing process on the groove of the sapphire component forming the cover using blasting media.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于电子设备的盖和形成盖的方法。 电子设备可以包括壳体和联接到壳体的盖。 盖可以具有内表面，其具有中间抛光剂和最终抛光剂中的至少一种，形成在内表面上的凹槽和与内表面相对定位的外表面。 外表面可以具有中间抛光剂和最终抛光剂中的至少一种。 盖子还可以具有形成在内表面和外表面之间的圆形周边部分。 圆形的周边部分可以邻近凹槽定位。 用于形成盖的方法可以包括使用抛光工具对蓝宝石部件进行第一抛光处理，并且使用喷砂介质对形成盖的蓝宝石部件的凹槽进行第二抛光处理。

公开(公告)号：US20150274585A1

公开(公告)日：2015-10-01

申请号：US14226695

申请日：2014-03-26

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Matthew S. Rogers ,  Dale N. Memering ,  Christopher D. Prest

IPC: C03C21/00 ,  G06F1/16

CPC classification number: C03C21/002 ,  G06F1/1637 ,  G06F1/1656

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for increasing the strength of glass are disclosed. The strengthening of one portion of the glass article can be performed to a greater degree than another portion. Additionally, to mitigate against any distortion, such as warpage, physical manipulation of the glass article can be performed prior to or during strengthening, namely chemical strengthening. For example, in accordance with one embodiment, an outer surface of a glass article (e.g., cover glass) can be chemically strengthened to a greater degree than an inner surface of the glass article, yet the asymmetric strengthening does not induce distortion of the glass article because the glass article was physically manipulated, such as being bent, to counter any such distortion. Accordingly, glass articles that have undergone chemical strengthening processing are able to be not only thin and undistorted but also sufficiently strong and resistant to damage. The strengthened glass articles are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., portable electronic devices).

Abstract translation: 公开了用于增加玻璃强度的装置，系统和方法。 玻璃制品的一部分的加强可以比另一部分更大程度地进行。 另外，为了减轻任何扭曲，例如翘曲，玻璃制品的物理操作可以在加强之前或期间进行，即化学强化。 例如，根据一个实施例，玻璃制品（例如，盖玻璃）的外表面可以化学强化到比玻璃制品的内表面更大的程度，但不对称强化不会引起玻璃变形 因为玻璃制品被物理地操纵，例如弯曲，以抵抗任何这种变形。 因此，经过化学强化处理的玻璃制品不仅能够薄而且不变形，而且还能够足够坚固并且不会损坏。 加强的玻璃制品非常适合用于诸如消费电子设备（例如便携式电子设备）的消费产品中。

公开(公告)号：US20150209903A1

公开(公告)日：2015-07-30

申请号：US14168285

申请日：2014-01-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Michael M. Li ,  Anthony J. Richter ,  Dale N. Memering

IPC: B23K26/12 ,  B23K26/38 ,  B23K26/14 ,  B23K26/40

CPC classification number: B23K26/125 ,  B23K26/142 ,  B23K26/38 ,  B23K26/402 ,  B23K2103/172 ,  B23K2103/50

Abstract: A system and a method for manufacturing a sapphire part. A sapphire substrate is obtained for performing a laser cutting operation. The sapphire substrate is cut along a cut profile using a laser and a first gas medium. The first gas medium is substantially comprised of an inert gas. The sapphire substrate is then irradiated at or near the cut profile using the laser and a second gas medium. The second gas medium is different than the first gas medium comprising oxygen.

Abstract translation: 一种用于制造蓝宝石部件的系统和方法。 获得用于进行激光切割操作的蓝宝石基板。 使用激光和第一气体介质沿着切割轮廓切割蓝宝石衬底。 第一气体介质基本上由惰性气体组成。 然后使用激光和第二气体介质在切割轮廓处或附近照射蓝宝石衬底。 第二气体介质与包含氧气的第一气体介质不同。