Patents Examined by Hung Duong
  • Patent number: 9307657
    Abstract: A display cover to housing interface system includes a display screen fronted by a display cover having front and obverse faces and a distal edge between the faces around a circumference thereof (i.e., edge thickness), and also an outer housing that provides support for the display cover. A portion of the display cover distal edge or thickness is fully exposed to outside, such that the display cover is exposed and substantially visible when viewed directly from the front and at least one side while installed. The display cover can be glass, while the housing is metal. A protective layer located between the housing and display cover protects the display cover from the housing. Various support components hold the display cover in place, and can include magnets and/or a stabilizer assembly affixed along a bottom edge of the display cover and adapted to couple to a bottom chin of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Todd F. Gotham, Shin Nishibori, Christopher J. Stringer, Michael McBroom, Daniel McBroom, Brian Sudderth, Jonathan Ternus
  • Patent number: 9301418
    Abstract: In a waterproof control unit (100A) in which a part of a connector housing (330A) mounted on a circuit board (300A) is exposed and the circuit board (300A) is hermetically housed in a casing including a base (200A) and a cover (400A), in a gap between the cover and the connector housing, a waterproof sealing material (501) is applied to a first sealing gap defined by outer-step flat portions (401a,301a), slope portions (401b,301b), and inner-step flat portions (401c,301c), and in a gap between the base (200A) and the connector housing (330A) or between the base (200A) and the cover (400A), a waterproof sealing material (502,503) is applied to a second or third sealing gap defined by convexoconcave sealing surfaces having a convex thread loosely fitted into a concave thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuaki Nuriya, Mitsunori Nishida, Osamu Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 9292043
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides flat panel monitor stands and related systems and methods. The flat panel monitor stands can comprise a base including a pedestal and a support arm extending upwardly from the pedestal, the top portion being distally positioned with respect to the pedestal. The stand can also include a tilt mechanism connected to the top portion of the support arm. A bracket can be pivotally attached to the tilt mechanism at an off-center location on the bracket so that the bracket has a low position and a high position when pivoted about the tilt mechanism. The bracket can also be attachable to a flat panel monitor in both the low position and the high position without reorienting the flat panel monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul L. Drew
  • Patent number: 9289044
    Abstract: A tablet bumper assembly is disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a bumper assembly having a first opening, a second opening, and a first protruding region at a first corner, where the first opening is configured to position the bumper assembly around a peripheral edge of a tablet computer, the second opening is configured to expose a display screen of the tablet computer, and the first protruding region prevents the tablet computer from lying flat on a support surface to allow air-cooling of the tablet computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Robb Fujioka
  • Patent number: 9292044
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display. Inactive portions of the display such as peripheral portions of the display may be masked using an opaque masking layer. An opening may be provided in the opaque masking layer to allow light to pass. For example, a logo may be viewed through an opening in the opaque masking layer and a camera may receive light through an opening in the opaque masking layer. The display may include upper and lower polarizers, a color filter layer, and a thin-film transistor layer. The opaque masking layer may be formed on the upper polarizer, may be interposed between the upper polarizer and the color filter layer, or may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin-film transistor layer. The upper polarizer may have unpolarized windows for cameras, logos, or other internal structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Thomas Wilson, Jr., Adam T. Garelli
  • Patent number: 9280178
    Abstract: An expanding platform for a portable electronic apparatus is disclosed. The expanding platform includes a base, a moving element, an elastic element and a magnetic element. The moving element and the magnetic element are respectively and movably combined with the base. When the moving element is at an initial position, the moving element limits the movement of the magnetic element by a blocking portion. When the moving element moves to an unlocking position with respect to the base, the magnetic element disengages from the blocking portion and is attracted to move by a corresponding magnetic element of a main device combined with the base, so that the moving element is fixed at the unlocking position by the magnetic element blocking the blocking portion. After the magnetic element returns to its original position, the moving element returns to the initial position by the elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: WISTRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hung-Chih Chen, Chen-Yi Liang
  • Patent number: 9279597
    Abstract: Method and apparatus provide for cooling a system. For example, a network communication system may include a central processing unit (CPU) and a fan controller. A chassis includes a plurality of receiving portions, each portion configured to receive a field replaceable unit (FRU). The chassis may also include a fan and a temperature sensor. The system CPU is configured to load a plurality of environmental profiles into fan controller memory, each profile indicating a fan speed for the fan based on a temperature reading from the temperature sensor. The fan controller is to determine a first configuration of the network communication device as to which FRUs are installed in the chassis and to select an environmental profile from the fan controller memory to use based on the determined first configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael K. T. Lee
  • Patent number: 9274570
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a computer chassis and a positioning device. The computer chassis secures a plurality of expansion cards and includes a cover. The cover comprises a first flange and a second flange opposite to the first flange. The positioning device includes a securing member and a positioning member secured to the securing member. The securing member is secured to the first flange and a second flange. The positioning member is pressed on the plurality of expansion cards to prevent the plurality of expansion cards from moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: ScienBiziP Consulting(Shenzhen)Co.,Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-He Li, Chang-Ke Ke, Xiao-Wen Duan, Da-Long Sun
  • Patent number: 9274571
    Abstract: A segmented frame adapted to receive a storage drive is provided. The segmented frame in one example includes a plurality of linked frame segments configured to pivot with respect to each other and wrap around the storage drive, with a first frame segment and a last frame segment of the plurality of linked frame segments latching together to form a joined segmented frame and hold the storage drive, and a plurality of isolator cups trapped within the joined segmented frame and fitting over a corresponding plurality of mounting wings extending from the storage drive, wherein the plurality of isolator cups suspend the storage drive within the joined frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Glenn Douglas Albert, Michael Stephen Bell, David William Niss, Jeffrey David Wilke
  • Patent number: 9271407
    Abstract: A display module having an improved assembly structure is provided. The display module includes a frame, a display panel, and a glue. The frame has a side wall and a supporting part, wherein the supporting part has a supporting surface and the side wall is formed on the periphery of the supporting surface. A groove is formed on the supporting surface adjacent to the side wall and is distributed along the side wall. The display panel is disposed within the frame and has a bottom face and a side face. The bottom face is supported by the supporting surface of the supporting part. The side face faces the side wall and forms a gap with the side wall. The glue is filled in the gap and adheres the side wall to the side face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jia-Lang Hsu, Chih-Wei Wen, Ching-Chieh Pai, Cheng-Wei Li
  • Patent number: 9261918
    Abstract: Low profile portable information handling systems rotationally couple a lid and chassis portion with a dual axis hinge that couples at one axis with an extension and countersink engagement to enhance system strength. For example, a conical boss in a lid support frame extends into a countersink formed in a hinge axis and includes threads to accept a screw inserted from the hinge axis into the conical boss. The conical boss inner diameter extends the space available for placement of threads to engage a screw to provide enhanced coupling strength between the hinge axis and lid support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Jason T. Franz, Charles D. Hood, III, Deeder M. Aurongzeb, Chiu-Jung Tsen
  • Patent number: 9261923
    Abstract: A system can include a chassis; a board operatively coupled to the chassis where the board includes card slots aligned along respective parallel planes and circuitry operatively coupled to the slots; a processor operatively coupled to the circuitry of the board; memory accessible by the processor; a bracket operatively coupled to the chassis where the bracket includes parallel recesses corresponding to the parallel planes; and a retainer operatively coupled to the bracket where the retainer includes parallel recesses where in an open orientation the parallel recesses of the retainer align with the parallel recesses of the bracket and where in a retention orientation the parallel recesses of the retainer misalign with the parallel recesses of the bracket. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy Samuel Farrow, Ali Kathryn Ent, Shuang Li, Albert Vincent Makley
  • Patent number: 9263204
    Abstract: A housing of an electronic device encloses and supports at least one operational component and includes at least one opening sized to accommodate a mechanical input assembly. The mechanical input assembly includes a feature arranged to receive an input event, at least a portion of the feature exposed at an outside surface of the housing, an operational indicia visible on the exposed portion and having a preferred orientation with respect to the housing, the operational indicial providing an indication of how an operation of the operational component is influenced, and a shaft having a size and shape in accordance with the opening, the shaft attached to the external feature at a first end and an integrally formed self-capturing feature at the second end. The self-capturing feature is inserted into the opening until activated. The indicia is then properly aligned and the mechanical input assembly is locked to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Felix Jose Alvarez Rivera, Wey-Jiun Lin, Emery Sanford
  • Patent number: 9256257
    Abstract: An electronic device, including: a first body, a second body, a first coupling member and a second coupling member; in the case where the first body and the second body are located in a first relative position, the first body and the second body are coupled together by cooperation between the first coupling member and the second coupling member; and in the case where the first body and the second body are located in a second relative position different from the first relative position, the first body and the second body are decoupled from each other by cooperation between the first coupling member and the second coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaosong Xia, Liang Han
  • Patent number: 9256091
    Abstract: A display device includes a front side and a rear side. A screen is mounted on the front side. A stand is mounted on the rear side. The stand includes a first supporting piece and a second supporting piece obtusely connected to the first supporting piece. The first supporting piece is pivotably connected to the rear side of the display device. A circuit board is mounted on the first supporting piece of the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Quan Liao, Chih-Kang Cho, Zhan-Ao Yu
  • Patent number: 9258914
    Abstract: In one embodiment chassis for an electronic device comprises a first section and a second section and an assembly to connect a first section of the chassis to a second section of the chassis, comprising a hinge assembly to be coupled between the first section of the chassis and the second section of the chassis to allow rotation of the second section of the chassis with respect to the first section of the chassis, and a translation assembly to be coupled to the hinge assembly of the chassis for the electronic device to allow translation of the second section of the chassis with respect to the first section of the chassis, wherein rotation of the hinge assembly activates the translation assembly. Other embodiments may be described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Alanna M. Koser, Robert R. Atkinson, Jr., Ralph V. Miele, Anthony P. Valpiani
  • Patent number: 9256250
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display having a flexible substrate with fastened bent edges. The flexible substrate may have an active region that includes an array of light-emitting elements such as organic light-emitting diodes. The flexible substrate may also have inactive regions that lie outside of the active region. The bent edges may include portions of the inactive regions and portions of the active region. The bent edges may be wrapped to conform to the shape of an internal support structure. The bent edges may be fastened to the support structure with fastening members that attach a housing member or an internal clamp to the support structure. The bent edges may be secured between the housing member or the internal clamp and the support structure. The fastening members may be engaged in openings in the support structure and may pass through or alongside the bent edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Raff, Scott A. Myers, Christopher Stringer
  • Patent number: 9253915
    Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided, including a rack having a restricting structure and a linkage assembly connected to an electronic device in the rack. The linkage assembly includes a fixed frame, connected to the electronic device; a sliding frame, movable along a first direction relative to the fixed frame; a handle, connected to the sliding frame; a trigger, movably disposed between the handle and the sliding frame; and a latch member, connected to the fixed frame and the restricting structure to restrict the electronic device in the rack. When an external force is exerted on the trigger and the handle to move the sliding frame along the first direction relative the fixed frame, the trigger pushes the latch member to separate from the restricting structure along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, such that the electronic device can be drawn out of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Wistron Corp.
    Inventor: Zhong-Hui Mao
  • Patent number: 9250650
    Abstract: A computer *display is pivotally connected to at least one *display arm, which in turn is pivotally connected to a base. When the *display arm(s) points upward from the base, the *display may hang in a vertical position. When the *display arm is lowered a torque is exerted on the *display to tilt the *display away from the base. When the *display reaches a *horizontal position an open space will exist under the *display that can be used to place items such as a mouse, keyboard, notepad, pens or other low profile devices. One or more feet are attached to the *display such that that when the *display is in the horizontal position the foot or feet contact a stable surface such as a desk, table or other suitably stable object, and further provides for such open space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Myerchin Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian P. Myerchin
  • Patent number: 9244492
    Abstract: Docking stations that may interface with various types of accessories. One example may physically and electrically support a connection to a portable computing device in either one or two orientations. One or more receptacles or dedicated or tethered cables may provide connections to one or more accessories. Examples may be able to authenticate and identify themselves to portable computing devices such that the devices know how to configure data outputs provided to the docking stations. An audio channel that converts digital audio signals and provides an analog audio signal at an audio jack may be included. Multiplexing circuitry that allows reversible connectors to be used may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard A. Schneider, Scott Krueger, Robert D. Watson, Alexei Kosut, Tony Chi Wang Ng