Patents by Inventor James J. NIU
James J. NIU 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).
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Patent number: 11023081Abstract: Multi-functional keyboard assemblies include an array of keys formed from stacked component layers. A top portion of the key may be capable of travelling vertically with respect to a base of the key. The top portion can include a keycap and a circuitry module coupled to the keycap. The keys may be capable of receive at least two distinct types of inputs and/or receiving at least one type of input and providing at least one type of output. Such output may include use of one or more light sources, displays, and/or haptic feedback devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Bartley K. Andre, Mikael Silvanto, Dinesh C. Mathew
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Patent number: 10699856Abstract: A key mechanism including one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge may include a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. Hinged coupling mechanisms couple respective arms of the wings together. Additionally or alternatively, a key mechanism can include one or more half-butterfly hinges. Each half-butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. A hinged coupling mechanism couples one set of corresponding arms of the wings together, while the other set of corresponding arms are not coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, Craig C. Leong, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Bruce E. Berg, John M. Brock
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Patent number: 10556408Abstract: A surface of an electronic device includes a reduced friction surface that comprises a glass beaded film. The glass beaded film includes glass beads disposed in a polymer layer or in an adhesive layer, where a portion of the glass beads protrude from a surface of the polymer or adhesive layer. The reduced friction surface is disposed over at least a portion of the surface of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: James J. Niu, Craig C. Leong, Michael K. Pilliod, Keith J. Hendren
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Publication number: 20190196603Abstract: Multi-functional keyboard assemblies include an array of keys formed from stacked component layers. A top portion of the key may be capable of travelling vertically with respect to a base of the key. The top portion can include a keycap and a circuitry module coupled to the keycap. The keys may be capable of receive at least two distinct types of inputs and/or receiving at least one type of input and providing at least one type of output. Such output may include use of one or more light sources, displays, and/or haptic feedback devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Bartley K. Andre, Mikael Silvanto, Dinesh C. Mathew
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Publication number: 20190180955Abstract: A key mechanism including one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge may include a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. Hinged coupling mechanisms couple respective arms of the wings together. Additionally or alternatively, a key mechanism can include one or more half-butterfly hinges. Each half-butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. A hinged coupling mechanism couples one set of corresponding arms of the wings together, while the other set of corresponding arms are not coupled together.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, Craig C. Leong, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Bruce E. Berg, John M. Brock
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Patent number: 10262814Abstract: A low travel switch assembly and systems and methods for using the same are disclosed. The low travel dome may include a domed surface having upper and lower portions, and a set of tuning members integrated within the domed surface between the upper and lower portions. The tuning members may be operative to control a force-displacement curve characteristic of the low travel dome.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., John M. Brock, Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, Satoshi Okuma, Shinsuke Watanabe
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Patent number: 10254851Abstract: Multi-functional keyboard assemblies include an array of keys formed from stacked component layers. A top portion of the key may be capable of travelling vertically with respect to a base of the key. The top portion can include a keycap and a circuitry module coupled to the keycap. The keys may be capable of receive at least two distinct types of inputs and/or receiving at least one type of input and providing at least one type of output. Such output may include use of one or more light sources, displays, and/or haptic feedback devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Bartley K. Andre, Mikael Silvanto, Dinesh C. Mathew
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Patent number: 10211008Abstract: A key mechanism including one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge may include a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. Hinged coupling mechanisms couple respective arms of the wings together. Additionally or alternatively, a key mechanism can include one or more half-butterfly hinges. Each half-butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. A hinged coupling mechanism couples one set of corresponding arms of the wings together, while the other set of corresponding arms are not coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, Craig C. Leong, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Bruce E. Berg, John M. Brock
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Publication number: 20180197696Abstract: A key mechanism including one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge may include a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. Hinged coupling mechanisms couple respective arms of the wings together. Additionally or alternatively, a key mechanism can include one or more half-butterfly hinges. Each half-butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. A hinged coupling mechanism couples one set of corresponding arms of the wings together, while the other set of corresponding arms are not coupled together.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, Craig C. Leong, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Bruce E. Berg, John M. Brock
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Patent number: 10002727Abstract: An illuminated metal keycap having a legend diffuser material that may diffuse light through a legend opened in a background layer. The background layer may be opaque and the legend may be transparent. The metal keycap is adhered to a scissor mechanism positioned above electrical switch circuitry. Included within, below, or adjacent to the scissor mechanism may be one or more light sources positioned to emit light through the metal keycap, around the perimeter of the metal keycap, and/or through the background layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Hilbert T. Kwan, Jeffrey L. Yen, Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, Yanyang Yuan, Feng Zhao, Wanshan Li, Derrick T. Jue, Ze Hong
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Patent number: 9972453Abstract: A keyswitch mechanism having reduced key rattle and a keyboard having reduced key rattle. A rattle suppression mechanism may be formed on a portion of the scissor mechanism or on a portion of the keycap. The rattle suppression mechanism is configured to maintain force on the portion of the scissor mechanism abutting the keycap.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Harold J. Welch, Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Robert L. Coish, Robert S. Murphy, William P. Yarak, III
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Patent number: 9916945Abstract: A key mechanism including one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge may include a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. Hinged coupling mechanisms couple respective arms of the wings together. Additionally or alternatively, a key mechanism can include one or more half-butterfly hinges. Each half-butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. A hinged coupling mechanism couples one set of corresponding arms of the wings together, while the other set of corresponding arms are not coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, Craig C. Leong, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Bruce E. Berg, John M. Brock
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Patent number: 9908310Abstract: A surface of an electronic device includes a reduced friction surface that comprises a glass beaded film. The glass beaded film includes glass beads disposed in a polymer layer or in an adhesive layer, where a portion of the glass beads protrude from a surface of the polymer or adhesive layer. The reduced friction surface is disposed over at least a portion of the surface of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2014Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: James J. Niu, Craig C. Leong, Michael K. Pilliod, Keith J. Hendren
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Publication number: 20180029339Abstract: A surface of an electronic device includes a reduced friction surface that comprises a glass beaded film. The glass beaded film includes glass beads disposed in a polymer layer or in an adhesive layer, where a portion of the glass beads protrude from a surface of the polymer or adhesive layer. The reduced friction surface is disposed over at least a portion of the surface of the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: James J. Niu, Craig C. Leong, Michael K. Pilliod, Keith J. Hendren
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Patent number: 9870880Abstract: A dome switch utilized in a keyboard assembly is disclosed. The keyboard assembly may include a printed circuit board having a first electrical connector formed in the printed circuit board, and a second electrical connector formed in the printed circuit board adjacent the first electrical connector. The keyboard assembly may also include an inner contact component contacting the second electrical connector of the printed circuit board. The inner contact component may be in electrical communication with the second electrical connector of the printed circuit board. Additionally, the keyboard assembly can include a dome switch surrounding the inner contact component. The dome switch may contact and may be in electrical communication with the first electrical connector of the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Bradford J. Zercoe, Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren
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Publication number: 20170315624Abstract: Multi-functional keyboard assemblies include an array of keys formed from stacked component layers. A top portion of the key may be capable of travelling vertically with respect to a base of the key. The top portion can include a keycap and a circuitry module coupled to the keycap. The keys may be capable of receive at least two distinct types of inputs and/or receiving at least one type of input and providing at least one type of output. Such output may include use of one or more light sources, displays, and/or haptic feedback devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Bartley K. Andre, Mikael Silvanto, Dinesh C. Mathew
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Patent number: 9793066Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a low travel switch mechanism. The low travel switch mechanism may include a substrate, a dome coupled to the substrate, a keycap, and an integrated pivot component disposed between the keycap and the dome. The integrated pivot component may include a hinge assembly coupled to a light guide structure. The hinge assembly may secure to the substrate, via one or more hinge interconnects, joints, or interlock features to form a pivot point. When the keycap receives a keystroke, the integrated pivot component may be operative to pivot about the pivot point and contact the dome to cause a switching event or operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: John M. Brock, Patrick Kessler, Craig C. Leong, Keith J. Hendren, James J. Niu
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Patent number: 9779888Abstract: An input device configured to communicate with a computing device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, a feature plate operably connected to the support mechanism, and a sensing member. The sensing member is configured to detect at least one of a change of position of the at least one keycap, a speed of the at least one keycap, an amount of force applied to the at least one keycap, or a location of a finger. The sensing member may be a capacitive sensor. In some embodiments, the input device may not include the support mechanism and the sensing member may be configured to detect the location of a finger regardless whether or not the keycap moves.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, John M. Brock, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Brad Patton, Omar Sze Leung
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Patent number: 9761389Abstract: A key mechanism can include one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. Hinged coupling mechanisms couple respective arms of the wings together.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Bruce E. Berg
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Patent number: 9710069Abstract: Multi-functional keyboard assemblies include an array of keys formed from stacked component layers. A top portion of the key may be capable of travelling vertically with respect to a base of the key. The top portion can include a keycap and a circuitry module coupled to the keycap. The keys may be capable of receive at least two distinct types of inputs and/or receiving at least one type of input and providing at least one type of output. Such output may include use of one or more light sources, displays, and/or haptic feedback devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2013Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Bartley K. Andre, Mikael Silvanto, Dinesh C. Mathew