Patents by Inventor Keith J. Hendren
Keith J. Hendren 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: 10228720Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 10228721Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Houtan R. Farahani, Craig C. Leong, Matthew W. Blum, Zheng Gao, Kevin M. Robinson, Keith J. Hendren
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Patent number: 10224157Abstract: An illuminated glass keycap having a glyph diffuser layer that may diffuse light through a glyph window opened in a background layer. The background layer may be opaque and the glyph window may be transparent. The 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 keycap, around the perimeter of the keycap, and/or through the background layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, Derrick T. Jue, Hilbert T. Kwan, Keith J. Hendren
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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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Patent number: 10192696Abstract: A light-emitting assembly positioned within a switch housing of a keyboard assembly for an electronic device is disclosed. The light-emitting assembly may include a phosphor structure, a transparent material positioned on opposing side surfaces of the phosphor structure, and an epoxy layer formed over an entire back surface of the phosphor structure and the transparent material. The light-emitting assembly may also include a mask layer formed over an entire top surface of: the phosphor structure, the transparent material, and the epoxy layer. The light-emitting assembly may further include a light source positioned within the phosphor structure for emitting a light.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Bradford J. Zercoe, Craig C. Leong, Keith J. Hendren
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Patent number: 10134539Abstract: A venting system for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A keyboard assembly including a printed circuit board defining a set of apertures, and a group of switch housings coupled to the printed circuit board. Each switch housing of the group of switch housings may define a switch opening positioned above one of the set of apertures of the printed circuit board. The keyboard assembly may also include a shield defining at least one channel of a venting system formed below the printed circuit board. The at least one channel may be in fluid communication with at least one aperture, and at least one of the switch openings positioned above the at least one aperture.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, Bradford J. Zercoe, Thai Quoc La, Nicholas I Reid, Keith J. Hendren, John M. Brock, Matthew W. Blum
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Patent number: 10133314Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Houtan R. Farahani, Craig C. Leong, Matthew W. Blum, Zheng Gao, Kevin M. Robinson, Keith J. Hendren
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Patent number: 10126783Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Houtan R. Farahani, Craig C. Leong, Matthew W. Blum, Zheng Gao, Kevin M. Robinson, Keith J. Hendren
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Patent number: 10128061Abstract: A key and a switch housing for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A switch housing for the keyboard assembly may include a body having a switch opening and a light source recess formed adjacent the switch opening. The switch opening may house or receive a dome switch for the keyboard assembly and the light source recess may house or receive a light source assembly configured to illuminate a keycap of the keyboard assembly. The switch housing also can include a top panel integrally formed and molded to a portion of the body. The top panel covers the switch opening formed in the body and the top panel is a light guide.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Bradford J. Zercoe, Craig C. Leong, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren
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Publication number: 20180241101Abstract: A portable computer may include battery indicator light structures. Battery status information in the portable computer may be presented to a user using an array of light-emitting diodes or other light emitters. Light-emitting diodes may be mounted on a printed circuit board. A stiffener may provide the printed circuit board with rigidity. The printed circuit board may include a connector that allows the board to be connected to a main logic board. A switch on the printed circuit board may be actuated by a power button on the portable computer. An opaque member with an array of holes may be used to reduce light bleed between adjacent light-emitting diodes. Diffusing plastic may be mounted within the array of holes. Bumps in the diffusing plastic may mate with corresponding holes on a portable computer housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Bartley K. Andre, Duncan Robert Kerr, Christopher J. Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, John Brock, Thomas W. Wilson, Dinesh C. Mathew, Brett W. Degner, Tomas E. Ponce
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Publication number: 20180232009Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing in which a display is mounted. A gasket may be mounted in a groove between the display and housing. The gasket may contain an embedded stiffener. Corner brackets may be installed in the corners of the housing. The housing may have inner and outer concentric ribs. Recesses in the housing may be configured to receive the corner brackets. The recesses may be formed between the inner and outer concentric ribs. Gap filling structures such as a foam layer may be interposed between a rear housing wall and a display backlight unit. Display color variations may be corrected by using a backlight unit having an array of light-emitting diodes of different colors. An electrostatic discharge protection layer may be grounded to a housing using conductive tape. Black edge coatings and adhesive-based structures may block stray light. Camera window regions may be supported using adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Joss Nathan Giddings, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Victor H. Yin, Jun Qi, Paul Xiaopeng Wang
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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: 10016933Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to methods of assembly of electronic devices. In particular, a rotationally induced pressure is used to activate a securing mechanism positioned between a component and an enclosure. The component and the securing mechanism may be located in an inaccessible region of the enclosure such that traditional, direct, assembly processes may not be feasible. The securing mechanism may take the form of a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive or a fastener between the component and an interior surface of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fabio T. Campos, Keith J. Hendren, Laura M. DeForest, Michelle R. Goldberg, Kelsey J. MacMillan, Bryan J. Licata
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Patent number: 10009525Abstract: A camera may be mounted under a display in an electronic device. The display may include a polarizer layer, a color filter layer, and a thin-film-transistor layer. A layer of material such as a glass insert may be attached to an edge of the display. Openings may be formed in the layers of the display and the insert to accommodate the camera. A sleeve structure may be mounted within an opening. The camera may include lens structures formed from a stack of lens elements. One or more layers of the display may be interposed within the lens structures. The glass insert may be mounted within a notch in the color filter layer and thin-film transistor layer or along a straight edge of the color filter layer and thin-film transistor layer. The edge of the color filter layer may be recessed with respect to form a mounting shelf for the insert.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Adam T. Garelli
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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: 9990001Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing in which a display is mounted. A gasket may be mounted in a groove between the display and housing. The gasket may contain an embedded stiffener. Corner brackets may be installed in the corners of the housing. The housing may have inner and outer concentric ribs. Recesses in the housing may be configured to receive the corner brackets. The recesses may be formed between the inner and outer concentric ribs. Gap filling structures such as a foam layer may be interposed between a rear housing wall and a display backlight unit. Display color variations may be corrected by using a backlight unit having an array of light-emitting diodes of different colors. An electrostatic discharge protection layer may be grounded to a housing using conductive tape. Black edge coatings and adhesive-based structures may block stray light. Camera window regions may be supported using adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Joss Nathan Giddings, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Victor H. Yin, Jun Qi, Meizi Jiao, Paul Xiaopeng Wang
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Patent number: 9985323Abstract: A portable computer may include battery indicator light structures. Battery status information in the portable computer may be presented to a user using an array of light-emitting diodes or other light emitters. Light-emitting diodes may be mounted on a printed circuit board. A stiffener may provide the printed circuit board with rigidity. The printed circuit board may include a connector that allows the board to be connected to a main logic board. A switch on the printed circuit board may be actuated by a power button on the portable computer. An opaque member with an array of holes may be used to reduce light bleed between adjacent light-emitting diodes. Diffusing plastic may be mounted within the array of holes. Bumps in the diffusing plastic may mate with corresponding holes on a portable computer housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2015Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Keith J Hendren, Bartley K. Andre, Duncan Robert Kerr, Christopher J. Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, John Brock, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Dinesh C. Mathew, Brett W. Degner, Tomas E. Ponce
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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: 9928950Abstract: A polarized electromagnetic actuator includes a movable armature, a stator, and at least one coil wrapped around the stator. At least one permanent magnet is disposed over the stator. When a current is applied to the at least one coil, the at least one coil is configured to reduce a magnetic flux of at least one permanent magnet in one direction and increase a magnetic flux of at least one permanent magnet in another direction. The movable armature moves in the direction of the increased magnetic flux.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholaus Ian Lubinski, James E. Wright, Jonah A. Harley, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Storrs T. Hoen
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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