Patents by Inventor Rafael Dionello

Rafael Dionello 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: 9189078
    Abstract: Techniques and apparatus to provide improved visibility to user input devices, such as keys, are disclosed. In low light conditions, key legends can be difficult to distinguish. For example, often keys have legends on them to visually distinguish them from one another, but in low light conditions it can be difficult for users to visually identify the different keys. The legends can be textual and/or graphic. Hence, according to one embodiment, light from a nearby (e.g., attached) display device can be used to provide illumination to the user input devices (e.g., keys). The user input devices can be configured to include reflective optical components to enhance reflection of light and thereby improve visibility of the keys or the legends thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Mahowald, Ronald J. Moller, M. Evans Hankey, Bart K. Andre, Rafael Dionello
  • Publication number: 20120154289
    Abstract: Techniques and apparatus to provide improved visibility to user input devices, such as keys, are disclosed. In low light conditions, key legends can be difficult to distinguish. For example, often keys have legends on them to visually distinguish them from one another, but in low light conditions it can be difficult for users to visually identify the different keys. The legends can be textual and/or graphic. Hence, according to one embodiment, light from a nearby (e.g., attached) display device can be used to provide illumination to the user input devices (e.g., keys). The user input devices can be configured to include reflective optical components to enhance reflection of light and thereby improve visibility of the keys or the legends thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Peter H. Mahowald, Ronald J. Moller, M. Evans Hankey, Bart K. Andre, Rafael Dionello