Patents by Inventor Shawn R. Gettemy

Shawn R. Gettemy 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: 8743335
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes a liquid-crystal display (LCD) and a plurality of driver integrated circuits (ICs) coupled to the LCD. The driver ICs may be disposed near non-central locations along a side of the LCD, and in some embodiments, one of the driver ICs may be a master driver IC and the other driver IC or driver ICs may be slave driver ICs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Gettemy, Carlin J. Vieri, Yongman Lee, Wei H. Yao
  • Patent number: 8717293
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a user-interface feature, a detection mechanism and one or more internal components. The user-interface feature is configurable to have a selected orientation about one or more axes. The detection mechanism can detect orientation information about the electronic device. The one or more components may select the orientation of the user-interface feature based on the detected orientation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy
  • Patent number: 8692948
    Abstract: Displays such as liquid crystal displays may be used in electronic devices. During operation of a display, electrostatic charges on the surface of the display may give rise to electric fields. One or more electric field shielding layers may be provided in the display to prevent the electric fields from disrupting operation of the liquid crystals material in the display. The shielding layers may be formed at a location in the stack of layers that make up the display that is above the liquid crystal material of the display. Touch sensors and thin film transistors may be located below the shielding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Young-Bae Park, Ming Xu, Zhibing Ge, Cheng Chen, Shih Chang Chang, Shawn R. Gettemy, Joshua G. Wurzel, John Z. Zhong
  • Publication number: 20140063393
    Abstract: An electronic device display may have a color filter layer, a thin-film-transistor layer, and a layer of liquid crystal material. The display may have a display cover layer such as a layer of glass or plastic. Adhesive may be used to attach the upper polarizer to the display cover layer. The thin-film transistor layer may have a substrate with upper and lower surfaces. Thin-film-transistor circuitry may be formed on the upper surface. A display driver integrated circuit may be mounted to the lower surface or a flexible printed circuit and may be coupled to the thin-film-transistor circuitry using wire bonding wires. Through vias that are formed through the thin-film-transistor layer substrate may be used in coupling the thin-film-transistor circuitry to the display driver integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: John Z. Zhong, Cheng Chen, Shih-Chang Chang, Victor H. Yin, Shawn R. Gettemy, Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20140036204
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display having backlight structures that include a light guide plate formed from a clear polymer film. The polymer film may have an edge into which light is emitted from an adjacent array of light-emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes may each include a semiconductor device that emits light. The semiconductor device in each diode may be mounted on lead frame structures and wirebonded to the lead frame structures with first and second wire bonds. To improve backlight homogeneity and thereby reduce the mixing distance for light in the light guide plate, the diodes may be spaced closely together using diode packages having end faces that are free of lead frame structures. Exposed lead frame structures for soldering the light-emitting diodes to a substrate may be formed under the light-emitting diodes and on rear surfaces of the light-emitting diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: David A. Doyle, Shawn R. Gettemy
  • Publication number: 20140036203
    Abstract: Utilization of quantum dots in displays and the location of the quantum dot sheet within the stackup of the backlight can lead to issues such as non-uniform light mixing, non-uniform brightness, and off-axis changes in color. The mismatch between the isotropic nature of light emitted from the quantum dots and the light emitted directly from the light source can be alleviated by utilization of diffusers and prism sheets. The diffusers and prism sheets can be further utilized to change the angle of light such that it is directed upwards towards the top of the display for improved uniformity in brightness and enhanced performance. Placement of the diffuser sheets, prism sheets, and changes in the design of the components, such as the light guide path, can alleviate the issues by properly mixing the colors together in order to achieve a uniform distribution of colors in the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre S. GUILLOU, Shawn R. GETTEMY, David A. DOYLE
  • Publication number: 20140036536
    Abstract: A display that utilizes a microelectromechanical (MEMS) shutter module in order to accommodate a quantum dot sheet outside of the display backlight is provided. The MEMS shutter module can be placed either above or below the quantum dot sheet in order to more efficiently control the color at each individual pixel, when the color is being rendered from the isotropic emissions of the quantum dot sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn R. GETTEMY, Jean-Pierre S. Guillou, David A. Doyle
  • Patent number: 8558977
    Abstract: Electronic devices such as handheld electronic devices may have display modules. The display modules may be covered with a layer of protective cover glass. Peripheral portions of the cover glass may be coated with an opaque masking layer to block interior portions of the device from view. An opening in the opaque masking layer can be formed over an active portion of the display module. To facilitate alignment of the display module active area with the opening in the cover glass masking layer, the display module may be provided with alignment marks. The alignment marks may be formed in opposing corners at an end of the display module. The alignment marks may be formed from metal structures on one of the glass layers in the display module. An opaque masking layer that blocks stray backlight may have openings that are formed over the metal structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Gettemy, Joshua G. Wurzel
  • Publication number: 20130201429
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a liquid crystal display having a backlight and color mixing prevention structures. The color mixing prevention structures may, in part, be formed from one or more arrays of color filter elements. The liquid crystal display may include first and second transparent substrate layers on opposing sides of a liquid crystal layer. The display may include a first array of color filter elements on the first transparent substrate layer and a second array of color filter elements on the second transparent substrate layer. One or more of the arrays of color filter elements may include a black matrix formed over portions of the color filter elements. The color filter elements may fill or partially fill openings in the black matrix. The display may include a collimating layer on the second transparent substrate layer. The color filter elements may include cholesteric color filter elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Ming Xu, Shawn R. Gettemy, Young Cheol Yang, Zhibing Ge, Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 8493370
    Abstract: A portable computer system that comprises adjustable brightness settings and brightness control for providing improved user readability and prolonged life of the display screen is disclosed. The main processor can change the brightness range settings in response to a change in ambient light conditions. The user can also control the brightness of the display. The time required to implement a brightness change can be set to a value which can be configured by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn R. Gettemy
  • Patent number: 8493371
    Abstract: A portable computer system that comprises dynamically adjustable brightness range settings and brightness control for providing improved user readability and prolonged component lifetime of the display screen. The main processor can change the range settings based on ambient light conditions or the user can perform the changes. The brightness level of the display changes according to a user selected setting within the range selected. The time required to implement the brightness change can be set to a value which can be configured by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn R. Gettemy
  • Patent number: 8482686
    Abstract: Display ground plane structures may contain slits. Image pixel electrodes in the display may be arranged in rows and columns. Image pixels in the display may be controlled using gate lines that are associated with the rows and data lines that are associated with the columns. An electric field may be produced by each image pixel electrode that extends through a liquid crystal layer to an associated portion of the ground plane. The slits in the ground plane may have a slit width. Data lines may be located sufficiently below the ground plane and sufficiently out of alignment with the slits to minimize crosstalk from parasitic electric fields. A three-column inversion scheme may be used when driving data line signals into the display, so that pairs of pixels that straddle the slits are each driven with a common polarity. Gate line scanning patterns may be used that enhance display uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng Ho Yu, Ming Xu, Young Bae Park, Zhibing Ge, Daisuke Nozu, Cheng Chen, Abbas Jamshidi Roudbari, Shih Chang Chang, Shawn R. Gettemy
  • Publication number: 20130063978
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display. Backlight structures may be used to provide backlight for the display. The backlight structures may include a light guide plate. A rectangular ring-shaped chassis may have a rectangular opening that receives the light guide plate. One or more edges of the chassis may be provided with an array of notches that receive light-emitting diodes or other light sources. The light sources may launch light into edge portions of the light guide plate. The chassis may include a first plastic structure such as a light reflecting structure formed from a material such as white plastic. The first plastic structure may surround two or more peripheral edges of the light guide plate. The chassis may also include a second plastic structure such as a light blocking structure formed from a material such as black plastic that helps prevent light leakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Shawn R. Gettemy, Joshua G. Wurzel, David A. Doyle, Alexander D. Schlaupitz
  • Patent number: 8395715
    Abstract: Display ground plane structures may contain slits. Image pixel electrodes in the display may be arranged in rows and columns. Image pixels in the display may be controlled using gate lines that are associated with the rows and data lines that are associated with the columns. An electric field may be produced by each image pixel electrode that extends through a liquid crystal layer to an associated portion of the ground plane. The slits in the ground plane may have a slit width. Data lines may be located sufficiently below the ground plane and sufficiently out of alignment with the slits to minimize crosstalk from parasitic electric fields. A three-column inversion scheme may be used when driving data line signals into the display, so that pairs of pixels that straddle the slits are each driven with a common polarity. Gate line scanning patterns may be used that enhance display uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng Ho Yu, Ming Xu, Young-Bae Park, Zhibing Ge, Daisuke Nozu, Cheng Chen, Abbas Jamshidi Roudbari, Shih Chang Chang, Shawn R. Gettemy
  • Patent number: 8390759
    Abstract: A display may be based on a display unit that is mounted within a chassis. The display unit may be a liquid crystal display unit. A backlight may be used to illuminate the display unit. The backlight may include a light guide plate. Light from a light source may be launched into an edge of the light guide plate. Scattered light from the light guide plate may travel vertically along a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the plane that contains the light guide plate. The scattered light may pass through the display unit and may serve as backlight for the display. The light guide plate may be mounted within a rectangular opening in the chassis. The edges of the rectangular opening and the edges of the light guide plate may be configured to reduce excessive reflections. These edges may have reflection-reducing coatings, non-planar surfaces, and other reflection-reducing configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Doyle, Joshua G. Wurzel, Shawn R. Gettemy
  • Patent number: 8358273
    Abstract: Improved techniques for controlling power utilization of a display device are disclosed. The improved techniques reduce power consumption by lowering display intensity at appropriate times. In one embodiment, the display intensity can be controlled depending on the type of content being displayed. In another embodiment, the display intensity can be controlled depending on the characteristics of the content being displayed. In still another embodiment, the display intensity can be controlled depending on the type and characteristics of content being displayed. The improved techniques are well suited for use with portable media devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Bert Hodge, Guy Bar-Nahum, Shawn R. Gettemy, David John Tupman
  • Publication number: 20130009899
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes a liquid-crystal display (LCD) and a plurality of driver integrated circuits (ICs) coupled to the LCD. The driver ICs may be disposed near non-central locations along a side of the LCD, and in some embodiments, one of the driver ICs may be a master driver IC and the other driver IC or driver ICs may be slave driver ICs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Gettemy, Carlin J. Vieri, Yongman Lee, Wei H. Yao
  • Patent number: 8325309
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes a liquid-crystal display (LCD) and a plurality of driver integrated circuits (ICs) coupled to the LCD. The driver ICs may be disposed near non-central locations along a side of the LCD, and in some embodiments, one of the driver ICs may be a master driver IC and the other driver IC or driver ICs may be slave driver ICs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Gettemy, Carlin J. Vieri, Yongman Lee, Wei H. Yao
  • Publication number: 20120195066
    Abstract: A display may be based on a display unit that is mounted within a chassis. The display unit may be a liquid crystal display unit. A backlight may be used to illuminate the display unit. The backlight may include a light guide plate. Light from a light source may be launched into an edge of the light guide plate. Scattered light from the light guide plate may travel vertically along a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the plane that contains the light guide plate. The scattered light may pass through the display unit and may serve as backlight for the display. The light guide plate may be mounted within a rectangular opening in the chassis. The edges of the rectangular opening and the edges of the light guide plate may be configured to reduce excessive reflections. These edges may have reflection-reducing coatings, non-planar surfaces, and other reflection-reducing configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: David A. Doyle, Joshua G. Wurzel, Shawn R. Gettemy
  • Patent number: 8212781
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a bezel feature, a connector and a processor. The bezel feature is rotatable amongst a plurality of positions on an arc length that defines a path of motion for the bezel feature. The plurality of positions are distributed along the entire arc length of the path of motion. An interface or connector couples the bezel feature to the processor of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy