Apple Inc.

James G Griffin, Ii

Samuel Gilkison Smith

Daniel J Coster

Yoonhoo Jo

Lukas Satas

Benjamin Andrew Shaffer

Daniel A Podhajny

Edward Siahaan

Michael S Nashner

John J Baker

Joshua A Hoover

Zachary Segraves

Linda D Benavente-Notaro

Jun Jeong

Andrew W Kooker

Donald L Olmstead

Craig S Ogden

Jonathon R Folks

Amit S Barve

Andrea L Blakemore

David Yates

Seulbi Kim

Ben Walker

Jason T Parker

Zuguang Chen

A wearable electronic device may be formed from a layer of fabric having opposing first and second ends. The ends may have first and second respective ear openings that receive a user's ears and may have speakers for playing audio. A soft central portion of the fabric between the ends may overlap the user's eyes. The wearable electronic device may have control circuitry that receives power from a power source. Sensors may be used to gather sensor information such as biometric sensor information. The sensors, control circuitry, and power source may be mounted in a stiff edge portion of the fabric. The stiff edge portion of the fabric may have an elongated strip shape and may extend along an upper edge of the central and the electronic device. Stiffener structures sandwiched between inner and outer layers of the fabric may be used to support speakers.

Wearable electronic device

A system such as a vehicle, building, vessel, aircraft, or electronic device system may have a layer of material with invisible laser-drilled openings. The layer of material may include an outer layer of fabric overlapping an inner layer such as an inner foam layer. Laser-drilled openings may include outer openings in the fabric layer and inner openings in the foam layer. Each of the inner openings may be overlapped by multiple outer openings. The exposed surface of the fabric layer may have strands of material of different appearances and/or may otherwise be configured to help visually hide the laser-drilled openings. Laser-drilled openings may also have small sizes to help make the laser-drilled openings invisible. Laser-drilled openings may overlap components such as audio components, heating and cooling components, and/or light-emitting components.

Systems with hidden openings

Three-dimensional weaving, knitting, or braiding tools may be used to create three-dimensional fabric () with internal pockets (). The pockets () may be shaped to receive electrical components such as switch electrodes (A,B) for a switch (). The fabric () may have adjacent first and second layers that are interposed between the switch electrodes (A,B). The switch electrodes (A,B) may be biased apart using magnets (A-B-) or other biasing structure. In a region of the fabric () that overlaps the first and second switch electrodes (A,B), the first and second layers of fabric may be disconnected from each other. This allows the first and second layers to pull away from each other so that the electrodes (A,B) are separated by the biasing force from the biasing structure. The switch () can be closed by pressing the electrodes (A,B) together.

Three-dimensional fabric with embedded input-output devices

An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include multiple layers. One layer may be formed from a plastic. Other layers may include a fabric layer and a silicone layer. The accessory device may further include a retaining feature designed to hold or carry an object, such as a stylus for use with the electronic device. The accessory device may include a recessed region suited to receive the retaining feature. This allows the retaining feature to be stored in the accessory device when the retaining feature is not in use. Further, the retaining feature may be co-planar with an interior region of the accessory device such that the electronic device is not disturbed when positioned in the accessory device. In this manner, the retaining feature may be hidden. Also, the retaining feature may be deployed from the recessed region and receive the object.

Accessory device having a retaining feature

An adaptive tensile control system includes a covering couple to a motorized retractor operable to release and retract the covering in response to control signals. An adaptive seat suspension includes a flexible suspension mat coupled to a motorized retractor operable to release and retract the flexible suspension mat in response to control signals. A method includes adapting the size of a support in a seat and adapting a covering overlying the support. A device includes an inflatable bolster within a seat having a covering. An apparatus includes a seat back and a seat that includes foam having a variable surface and a seamless covering.

Adaptive tensile surface

A wearable band formed from two or more pieces of material is disclosed. The wearable band may include a first material having a thinned portion formed on an inner surface and adjacent an end of the first material, and a second material positioned adjacent to the first material. The second material may include a thinned portion formed on an inner surface and adjacent an end of the second material. The wearable band may also include a coupling component configured to couple the first material to the second material. The thinned portion of the first material may be folded onto itself, and the thinned portion of the second material may be folded onto itself.

Band with folded seam for an electronic device

Attachment features for an accessory device

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

James G Griffin, Ii