Patents by Inventor Daniel P. Rodgers
Daniel P. Rodgers 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: 9559456Abstract: Electrical connection systems (100) for electronic devices (102) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a male electrical connector (104) includes a male housing portion (138) and at least a first magnet (134a) carried by the male housing portion (138). The first magnet (134a) includes a curved contact surface (1200) configured to abut with a female electrical receptacle (106). At least a first resilient electrical contact (136a) is carried by the male housing portion (138) for making an electrical connection with the female electrical receptacle (106). The first magnet (134a) and the first resilient electrical contact (136a) are disposed in a parallel configuration along a transverse axis of the male housing portion (138).Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Roger W Harmon, Kenneth W Carlson, Daniel P Rodgers, Glenn S Schultz, Frank H Stone
-
Patent number: 9335877Abstract: A user interface (301) comprises a layered structure defining one or more keys (302,303,304). The layers can include a top layer (331), a base layer (335), and an interior layer (332) disposed therebetween. One or more layers are pliant and can be compressed. Magnetically permeable materials (308,309) form a closed loop (310). A corresponding coil (311) is operable with the loop. Electrical properties of the closed loop change in response to user input. A control unit (312) is then configured to detect a change in the electrical properties when the pliant material is compressed. Where the change is greater than a predefined threshold, the control unit (312) discharges an energy storage device into the coil to provide a haptic response (109).Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Inventors: Itisha C. Deokar, Chris J. Grivas, Mitchell J. Hodges, Daniel P. Rodgers
-
Patent number: 8854309Abstract: A user interface (301) comprises a layered structure defining one or more keys (302,303,304). The layers can include a top layer (331), a base layer (335), and an interior layer (332) disposed therebetween. One or more layers are pliant and can be compressed. Magnetically permeable materials (308,309) form a closed loop (310). A corresponding coil (311) is operable with the loop. Electrical properties of the closed loop change in response to user input. A control unit (312) is then configured to detect a change in the electrical properties when the pliant material is compressed. Where the change is greater than a predefined threshold, the control unit (312) discharges an energy storage device into the coil to provide a haptic response (109).Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLCInventors: Itisha C. Deokar, Chris J. Grivas, Mitchell J. Hodges, Daniel P. Rodgers
-
Publication number: 20140273546Abstract: Electrical connection systems (100) for electronic devices (102) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a male electrical connector (104) includes a male housing portion (138) and at least a first magnet (134a) carried by the male housing portion (138). The first magnet (134a) includes a curved contact surface (1200) configured to abut with a female electrical receptacle (106). At least a first resilient electrical contact (136a) is carried by the male housing portion (138) for making an electrical connection with the female electrical receptacle (106). The first magnet (134a) and the first resilient electrical contact (136a) are disposed in a parallel configuration along a transverse axis of the male housing portion (138).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Motorola Mobility LLCInventors: Roger W. Harmon, Kenneth W. Carlson, Daniel P. Rodgers, Glenn S. Schultz, Frank H. Stone
-
Publication number: 20140071052Abstract: A user interface (301) comprises a layered structure defining one or more keys (302,303,304). The layers can include a top layer (331), a base layer (335), and an interior layer (332) disposed therebetween. One or more layers are pliant and can be compressed. Magnetically permeable materials (308,309) form a closed loop (310). A corresponding coil (311) is operable with the loop. Electrical properties of the closed loop change in response to user input. A control unit (312) is then configured to detect a change in the electrical properties when the pliant material is compressed. Where the change is greater than a predefined threshold, the control unit (312) discharges an energy storage device into the coil to provide a haptic response (109).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLCInventors: Itisha C. Deokar, Chris J. Grivas, Mitchell J. Hodges, Daniel P. Rodgers
-
Patent number: 8144451Abstract: An improved mobile electronic device is disclosed. The mobile electronic device (10) can include: a housing (12) including a front cover (14) and a rear cover (16), the rear cover (16) configured to interconnect with the front cover (14), defining an enclosure (18) for electrical components; a plurality of connectors (20) located on walls (22) of the front cover (14) and rear cover (16); the plurality of connectors (20) including a male portion (24) and a female portion (26) being substantially complementarily configured to receive the male portion (24). Advantageously, the connectors (20): provide a resilient interconnection, forming a robust housing; take up a minimal amount of room in the enclosure (18), for maximizing the area available for electronic component placement therein; and help to allow the profile, from the front cover (14) to rear cover (16), to be designed ultra thin.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.Inventors: Daniel P. Rodgers, Simon F. Vollmer
-
Publication number: 20110096472Abstract: An improved mobile electronic device is disclosed. The mobile electronic device (10) can include: a housing (12) including a front cover (14) and a rear cover (16), the rear cover (16) configured to interconnect with the front cover (14), defining an enclosure (18) for electrical components; a plurality of connectors (20) located on walls (22) of the front cover (14) and rear cover (16); the plurality of connectors (20) including a male portion (24) and a female portion (26) being substantially complementarily configured to receive the male portion (24). Advantageously, the connectors (20): provide a resilient interconnection, forming a robust housing; take up a minimal amount of room in the enclosure (18), for maximizing the area available for electronic component placement therein; and help to allow the profile, from the front cover (14) to rear cover (16), to be designed ultra thin.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.Inventors: Daniel P. Rodgers, Simon F. Vollmer
-
Patent number: 7404682Abstract: A method for a keypad assembly including a keycap layer 110 having multiple user interface key caps flexibly coupled to a carrier portion, a luminescent layer 120 disposed toward a backside of the plurality of key caps, the luminescent layer carrying a plurality of switch domes each aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of key caps of the key cap layer. In some embodiments, a backing material is applied to a backside of the user interface key caps.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Motorola Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Dombrowski, Ryszard J. Gordecki, Daniel P. Rodgers, Patrick J. Cauwels, Steve C. Emmert
-
Publication number: 20080175644Abstract: A keypad including a plurality of user interface key caps flexibly coupled to a carrier and forming a substantially planar unitary member. The user interface key caps defined by and located between nested slots formed in the substantially planar unitary member wherein the nested slots are devoid of a material from which the plurality of user interface key caps and the carrier are formed. A flexible web is disposed the slots between the plurality of user interface key caps, wherein the plurality of user interface key caps, the carrier and the flexible web constitute a unitary member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Applicant: MOTOROLA INCInventors: RICHARD J. DOMBROWSKI, Ryszard J. Gordecki, Daniel P. Rodgers, Patrick J. Cauwels, Steve C. Emmert
-
Patent number: 7360957Abstract: A keypad assembly, the keypad assembly including a keycap layer 110 having multiple user interface key caps flexibly coupled to a carrier portion, a luminescent layer 120 disposed toward a backside of the plurality of key cap layer, the luminescent layer carrying a plurality of switch domes aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of key caps of the key cap layer. In some embodiments, a backing material is applied to a backside of the user interface keycaps.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Dombrowski, Ryszard J. Gordecki, Daniel P. Rodgers, Patrick J. Cauwels, Steve C. Emmert
-
Patent number: 7070349Abstract: A keypad assembly, the keypad assembly including a keycap layer 110 having multiple user interface key caps flexibly coupled to a carrier portion, a luminescent layer 120 disposed toward a backside of the plurality of key caps, the luminescent layer carrying a plurality of switch domes each aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of key caps of the key cap layer. In some embodiments, a backing material is applied to a backside of the user interface key caps.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Dombrowski, Ryszard J. Gordecki, Daniel P. Rodgers, Patrick J. Cauwels, Steve C. Emmert