Patents by Inventor Phillip M. Hobson
Phillip M. Hobson 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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Publication number: 20130335899Abstract: Portable electronic devices are provided. Each device may be formed from two parts. A first part may be provided with components such as a display, a touch screen, a cover glass, and a frame. A second part may be provided with a plastic housing, circuit boards containing electrical components, and a bezel. Engagement members may be connected to the first and second parts. The engagement members may be formed from metal clips with holes and springs with flexible spring prongs that mate with the holes in the clips. The metal clips may be welded to frame struts on the frame and the springs may be welded to the bezel. Hard stop structures may be used to vertically align the first and second parts. A frame in the device may have an integral gasket.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Erik L. Wang, Phillip M. Hobson, Kenneth A. Jenks, Adam D. Mittleman
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Publication number: 20130258575Abstract: Methods for forming PCBs that can be used in a portable computing device are described. The PCBs can be installed in the portable computing device in a bent configuration. In a particular embodiment, a contiguously formed PCB can be shaped with two large regions connected a thin connector portion. The thin connector portion can connect components one each of the two large regions and can be used in lieu of a flex connector. In one embodiment, the PCB can be formed from multiple layers including trace and substrate layers. The trace and substrate layer can be adjusted to affect the stiffness of the PCB in various regions, such as to allow the PCB to hold a bent configuration after a bending moment is applied.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Phillip M. Hobson, Adam Mittleman, Anna-Katrina Shedletsky
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Patent number: 8537543Abstract: Portable electronic devices are provided. Each device may be formed from two parts. A first part may be provided with components such as a display, a touch screen, a cover glass, and a frame. A second part may be provided with a plastic housing, circuit boards containing electrical components, and a bezel. Engagement members may be connected to the first and second parts. The engagement members may be formed from metal clips with holes and springs with flexible spring prongs that mate with the holes in the clips. The metal clips may be welded to frame struts on the frame and the springs may be welded to the bezel. Hard stop structures may be used to vertically align the first and second parts. A frame in the device may have an integral gasket.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2008Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Erik L. Wang, Phillip M. Hobson, Kenneth A. Jenks, Adam D. Mittleman
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Patent number: 8515113Abstract: A microphone assembly for an electronic device is described. The microphone assembly can include a microphone, a microphone boot and a printed circuit board. The microphone boot can be a composite microphone boot that is formed from multiple materials. A hardness of the each of the materials used in the microphone boot can be selected to improve sealing integrity and reduce shock transmission. In one embodiment, the composite microphone boot can be formed using a double-shot injection molding process.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Phillip M. Hobson, Adam Mittleman, Anna-Katrina Shedletsky
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Patent number: 8477492Abstract: Methods for forming PCBs that can be used in a portable computing device are described. The PCBs can be installed in the portable computing device in a bent configuration. In a particular embodiment, a contiguously formed PCB can be shaped with two large regions connected a thin connector portion. The thin connector portion can connect components one each of the two large regions and can be used in lieu of a flex connector. In one embodiment, the PCB can be formed from multiple layers including trace and substrate layers. The trace and substrate layer can be adjusted to affect the stiffness of the PCB in various regions, such as to allow the PCB to hold a bent configuration after a bending moment is applied.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Phillip M. Hobson, Adam Mittleman, Anna-Katrina Shedletsky
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Patent number: 8427379Abstract: A modular material antenna assembly is provided that includes an antenna block having a portion with a shape that interlocks with a corresponding portion of an electrically non-conductive frame and secures the antenna block to the electrically non-conductive frame. The electrically non-conductive frame is attached to an interior of an electrically conductive housing so that the electrically non-conductive frame and the electrically conductive housing form an integrated structure. An antenna flex is then mechanically secured to the antenna block. The antenna flex may also be electrically connected to a circuit board. The frame is designed to support a cover glass for the portable electronic device and may be affixed to a housing. The dielectric constant of the antenna block is substantially less than the dielectric constant of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Phillip M. Hobson, Adam Mittleman, Anna-Katrina Shedletsky
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Patent number: 8395555Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2011Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Phillip M. Hobson, Stephen P. Zadesky, Erik L. Wang, Tang Yew Tan, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Adam D. Mittleman, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub
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Patent number: 8391010Abstract: A thin portable electronic device with a display is described. The components of the electronic device can be arranged in stacked layers within an external housing where each of the stacked layers is located at a different height relative to the thickness of the device. One of the stacked layers can be internal metal frame. The internal metal frame can be configured to act as a heat spreader for heat generating components located in layers adjacent to the internal frame. Further, the internal metal frame can be configured to add to the overall structural stiffness of the device. In addition, the internal metal frame can be configured to provide attachment points for device components, such as the display, so that the device components can be coupled to the external housing via the internal metal frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Phillip M. Hobson, Adam Mittleman, Anna-Katrina Shedletsky
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Patent number: 8385060Abstract: A handheld computing device is disclosed. The handheld computing device includes a seamless housing formed from an extruded tube. The extruded tube includes open ends and internal rails which serve as a guide for slidably assembling an operational assembly through the open ends of the extruded tube, a reference surface for positioning the operational assembly relative to an access opening in the seamless housing, and a support structure for supporting the operational assembly during use.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Teodor Dabov, Phillip M. Hobson, Anthony Montevirgen
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Publication number: 20120257341Abstract: Portable electronic devices are provided. Each device may be formed from two parts. A first part may be provided with components such as a display, a touch screen, a cover glass, and a frame. A second part may be provided with a plastic housing, circuit boards containing electrical components, and a bezel. Engagement members may be connected to the first and second parts. The engagement members may be formed from metal clips with holes and springs with flexible spring prongs that mate with the holes in the clips. The metal clips may be welded to frame struts on the frame and the springs may be welded to the bezel. During assembly, the first part may be rotated into place within the second part. Retention clips attached to the frame may be used to secure the two parts together. Assembly instructions and associated connector numbers may be provided within the devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Inventors: Erik L. Wang, Phillip M. Hobson, Kenneth A. Jenks, Adam D. Mittleman
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Patent number: 8243442Abstract: An integrated switch assembly is described, the integrated switch assembly including at least an actuator and a flexible membrane mechanically coupled to the actuator, the flexible membrane formed of a resilient, electrically conductive material. In the described embodiment, the flexible membrane is held at a first electrical potential. The integrated switch assembly also includes at least an electrical contact at a second electrical potential connected to an electrical circuit. The integrated switch assembly is engaged when the actuator applies a mechanical force to the flexible membrane causing the flexible membrane to deflect to a point of contact with the electrical contact causing the electrical potential of the electrical contact to change from the second potential to the first potential. The electrical circuit detects the change in potential of the electrical contact as a signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2010Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Phillip M. Hobson, Stephen Brian Lynch
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Patent number: 8233950Abstract: A handheld device may include one or more antennas and a connector both disposed at a base of the handheld device. The connector may have a shell comprising a conductive material. The connector shell may include at least one opening in a portion of the conductive material to reduce electromagnetic interference between the connector shell and the one or more antennas.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Phillip M. Hobson, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Juan Zavala, Tang Yew Tan, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert Sean Murphy, Erik L. Wang
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Patent number: 8210032Abstract: An electronic device having an enclosure is disclosed. The electronic device includes a hole disposed at least partially through the enclosure. The electronic device also includes a detector configured to provide at least one visual indication after being immersed in water. The detector may include a moisture-indicating portion and a light-permitting moisture-proof membrane. The detector may be disposed inside at least one of the enclosure and the hole such that at least a portion of the detector is visible through the hole from outside of the enclosure without dismantling or opening the electronic device. The distance between the light-permitting moisture-proof membrane and an opening of the hole in the enclosure may be less than the distance between the moisture-indicating portion and the opening of the hole.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Emery Sanford, Stephen P. Zadesky, Phillip M. Hobson, M. Evans Hankey, Stephen Brian Lynch, Tang Yew Tan, Erik L. Wang
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Publication number: 20120053711Abstract: An integrated audible sound output system incorporated in a personal media device is described. The integrated audible sound output system includes a first audio output port, the first audio output port acoustically coupled with the audible sound generator unit by way of a first air path and a second audio output port. In the described embodiments, the second audio output port is acoustically coupled with the audible sound generator unit by way of a second air path. The first and the second air paths cooperate to pass the audible sound generated by the audible sound generator unit to the external environment by way of the first audio port and the second audio port.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, Adam D. Mittleman, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Phillip M. Hobson, Eric S. Jol, Stephen Brian Lynch
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Publication number: 20120050988Abstract: A display assembly includes at least a protective cover layer, a display stack that includes a plurality of display components arranged in a plurality of interconnected layers, the display stack providing an imaging service, and a flat support chassis arranged to provide support for the display stack. In the described embodiment, the display stack is positioned between the protective cover layer and the flat support chassis. The display assembly can be disposed within a housing with sides sloping inwards where a portion the display assembly is proximate to the inward sloping sides. To allow the display assembly to fit closer to the edges of the housing, material can be removed from the flat support chassis. For example, edges of the flat support chassis can be chamfered.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Phillip M. Hobson
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Patent number: D662503Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Evans Hankey, Phillip M. Hobson, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Steve Jobs, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer
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Patent number: D686625Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Evans Hankey, Phillip M. Hobson, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer
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Patent number: D695316Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2013Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, John B. Ardisana, II, Jeremy Bataillou, John Oskar Ceideburg, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Trent Do, Colin Ely, M. Evans Hankey, Phillip M. Hobson, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Eric Steven Jol, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Fletcher Rothkopf, Peter Russell-Clarke, Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, Mikael Silvanto, Christopher J. Stringer, Hua Lee Tan, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
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Patent number: D697068Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Phillip M. Hobson, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Kenneth Arthur Jenks, Duncan Robert Kerr, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Douglas B. Satzger, Christopher J. Stringer, Tang Yew Tan, Erik Li Wang, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer, Vincent Keane Seid
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Patent number: D697511Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Phillip M. Hobson, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Kenneth Arthur Jenks, Duncan Robert Kerr, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Douglas B. Satzger, Christopher J. Stringer, Tang Yew Tan, Erik Li Wang, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer, Vincent Keane Seid