Patents by Inventor Brandon S. SMITH

Brandon S. SMITH 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).

  • Patent number: 10228720
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for providing internal components for portable computing devices having a thin profile. More particularly, the present application describes internal components configured to fit within a relatively thin outer enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Patrick Kessler, Bradley J. Hamel, Dinesh C. Mathew, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Joss N. Giddings, Matthew C. Waldon, Cina Hazegh, Matthew P. Casebolt, Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith, William F. Leggett, Gavin J. Reid, Tom Tate, Gary Thomason
  • Patent number: 10133312
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The portable computing device can include a case snap system configured to movably attach two portions of a base of the computing device together. The portable computing device can include a lid portion with a support structure having a shaped profile configured to support a display. The portable computing device can include locating features disposed within the base portion configured to locate internal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Brandon S. Smith, Charles A. Schwalbach, Gavin J. Reid, Houtan R. Farahani, Zheng Gao, Michael D. McBroom, Hilbert T. Kwan, Joss N. Giddings
  • Patent number: 10049251
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a device housing having a topside and an underside. The electronic device may also include a mounting frame movable above the topside of the device housing and a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame. A flexure member may be coupled to the underside of the device housing and configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing. A pushbutton switch may be operatively coupled between the finger biometric sensor and the topside of the device housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Robert Y. Cao, Ran Xu, Stephen K. Pomes, Brandon S. Smith, Dinesh C. Mathew
  • Patent number: 10007829
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a device housing having a topside and an underside, a mounting frame movable above the topside of the device housing, and a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame. The electronic device may also include an electrically conductive flexure member carried by the underside of the device housing and configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically coupled between the mounting frame and the electrically conductive flexure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brandon S. Smith, Brian N. Lerner, Ran Xu, Stephen K. Pomes, Michael K. McCord
  • Publication number: 20180075275
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a device housing having a topside and an underside, a mounting frame movable above the topside of the device housing, and a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame. The electronic device may also include an electrically conductive flexure member carried by the underside of the device housing and configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically coupled between the mounting frame and the electrically conductive flexure member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Brandon S. SMITH, Brian N. Lerner, Ran Xu, Stephen K. Pomes, Michael K. McCord
  • Publication number: 20180075274
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a device housing having a topside and an underside. The electronic device may also include a mounting frame movable above the topside of the device housing and a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame. A flexure member may be coupled to the underside of the device housing and configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing. A pushbutton switch may be operatively coupled between the finger biometric sensor and the topside of the device housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Y. CAO, Ran XU, Stephen K. POMES, Brandon S. SMITH, Dinesh C. MATHEW
  • Patent number: 9766662
    Abstract: A shield feature and method of forming to prevent transmission of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. The shield feature may include a first protrusion and a second protrusion, both of which are formed from an electrically conductive material. A non-electrically conductive material may cover the electrically conductive material in certain regions. The first protrusion, the second protrusion, and an extension between the first protrusion and the second protrusion are free of non-electrically conductive material, allowing the electrically conductive material to engage an enclosure of an electronic device. Also, a distance separates the first protrusion and the second protrusion that is less than a distance defined by a wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation, allowing the shield feature to prevent the electromagnetic radiation from passing through the shield feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon S. Smith, Thomas R. Tate, Mark A. Salvador, Alexander C. Calkins
  • Publication number: 20160313767
    Abstract: A shield feature and method of forming to prevent transmission of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. The shield feature may include a first protrusion and a second protrusion, both of which are formed from an electrically conductive material. A non-electrically conductive material may cover the electrically conductive material in certain regions. The first protrusion, the second protrusion, and an extension between the first protrusion and the second protrusion are free of non-electrically conductive material, allowing the electrically conductive material to engage an enclosure of an electronic device. Also, a distance separates the first protrusion and the second protrusion that is less than a distance defined by a wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation, allowing the shield feature to prevent the electromagnetic radiation from passing through the shield feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Brandon S. SMITH, Thomas R. TATE, Mark A. SALVADOR, Alexander C. CALKINS
  • Patent number: 9379037
    Abstract: This application relates to a low profile, small footprint cooling stack that does not extend substantially beyond a footprint of an integrated circuit to which it is affixed. The cooling stack utilizes a number of beam springs that supply a seating force to the integrated circuit by way of a metal slug. In some embodiments, a bottom surface of the metal slug can be contoured in accordance with a top surface of the integrated circuit and/or socket. In other embodiments a gap between peripheral portion of a bottom surface of the metal slug and an associated printed circuit board can be filled by a layer of foam to reduce auditory signals generated by the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Gavin J. Reid, Brandon S. Smith, Raymond S. Shan
  • Patent number: 9280177
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The laptop computer can include a uni-body top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Jay S. Nigen, Matthew S. Theobald, Matthew P. Casebolt, Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith, William F. Leggett
  • Publication number: 20160048163
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for providing internal components for portable computing devices having a thin profile. More particularly, the present application describes internal components configured to fit within a relatively thin outer enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Patrick Kessler, Bradley J. Hamel, Dinesh C. Mathew, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Joss N. Giddings, Matthew C. Waldon, Cina Hazegh, Matthew P. Casebolt, Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith, William F. Leggett, Gavin J. Reid, Tom Tate, Gary Thomason
  • Patent number: 9223352
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing. Components such as keys may be mounted in openings in the housing. The housing may include a display housing portion and a base portion that are coupled using hinge structures. The keys may be used to form a keyboard in the base portion of the housing. Sensitive circuitry such as sensitive wireless circuitry may be shielded from electromagnetic interference by shielding the openings with a layer of conductive material. The layer of conductive material may be a metal layer that forms part of a reflector for a backlight structure. The backlight structure may be used to provide backlight for keys in the keyboard. The keyboard may include a support structure having openings through which the backlight passes to reach the keys. The openings may be bridged using conductive paths so that the support structure serves as a radio-frequency shielding structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon S. Smith, Matthew Casebolt
  • Publication number: 20150262907
    Abstract: This application relates to a low profile, small footprint cooling stack that does not extend substantially beyond a footprint of an integrated circuit to which it is affixed. The cooling stack utilizes a number of beam springs that supply a seating force to the integrated circuit by way of a metal slug. In some embodiments, a bottom surface of the metal slug can be contoured in accordance with a top surface of the integrated circuit and/or socket. In other embodiments a gap between peripheral portion of a bottom surface of the metal slug and an associated printed circuit board can be filled by a layer of foam to reduce auditory signals generated by the integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Gavin J. Reid, Brandon S. Smith, Raymond S. Shan
  • Patent number: 8897007
    Abstract: A portable computing device can include one or more clutch assemblies that can include a conductive elastomer configured to contact at least a portion of the clutch assembly of the portable computing device. The conductive elastomer can be configured to also contact at least one region of the base portion of the portable computing device and can include highly conductive regions. A USB grounding plate can be attached to a portion of a case for the portable computing device and can be configured to provide a ground pathway between the case and a ground sheath of a USB connector inserted into an opening in a side wall of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventors: Brandon S. Smith, Cheryl P. Espiritu, Houtan R. Farahani, Charles A. Schwalbach
  • Patent number: 8897002
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for providing internal components for portable computing devices having a thin profile. More particularly, the present application describes internal components configured to fit within a relatively thin outer enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Patrick Kessler, Bradley J. Hamel, Dinesh C. Mathew, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Joss N. Giddings, Matthew C. Waldon, Cina Hazegh, Matthew P. Casebolt, Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith, William F. Leggett, Gavin J. Reid, Tom Tate, Gary Thomason
  • Patent number: 8837128
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding an apparatus and method for providing an electrical component for a portable computing device. More specifically a method and apparatus are disclosed for mounting the electrical component to machined mounts extending from an interior sidewall of the portable computing device housing. The machined mounts allow the electrical component to be suspended above an inner surface of the portable computing device so that the electrical component does not interfere with audio output or aesthetics of a speaker grill drilled into the portable computing device housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith
  • Patent number: 8811005
    Abstract: A portable computing device can include one or more clutch assemblies that can include a conductive elastomer configured to contact at least a portion of the clutch assembly of the portable computing device. The conductive elastomer can be configured to also contact at least one region of the base portion of the portable computing device. In one embodiment, the conductive elastomer can be disposed on the clutch assembly. The conductive elastomer can enhance an electrical coupling between two or more regions of the base portion, especially in the region near the conductive elastomer and the clutch assembly. The enhanced coupling can increase a performance of an electrical shield provided by the two or more regions of the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Casebolt, Gavin J. Reid, Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith
  • Patent number: D841651
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Robert Y. Cao, James M. Cuseo, Daniele De Iuliis, Markus Diebel, Kevin Scott Fetterman, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Dinesh Mathew, Sabrina Paseman, Gavin J. Reid, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Brandon S. Smith, Christopher J. Stringer, Joe Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: D853392
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Robert Y. Cao, James M. Cuseo, Daniele De Iuliis, Markus Diebel, Kevin Scott Fetterman, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Dinesh Mathew, Sabrina Paseman, Gavin J. Reid, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Brandon S. Smith, Christopher J. Stringer, Joe Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: D870117
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniele De Iuliis, Markus Diebel, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Chun Chit Lam, Scott Jacob McEuen, Con Phan, Joonas Ilmari Ponkala, Gavin J. Reid, Peter Russell-Clarke, Mark Alan Salvador, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Brandon S. Smith, Christopher J. Stringer, Joe Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer