Patents by Inventor Brandon S. SMITH
Brandon S. SMITH 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: 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
-
Patent number: 10133312Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The portable computing device can include a case snap system configured to movably attach two portions of a base of the computing device together. The portable computing device can include a lid portion with a support structure having a shaped profile configured to support a display. The portable computing device can include locating features disposed within the base portion configured to locate internal components.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2013Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Brandon S. Smith, Charles A. Schwalbach, Gavin J. Reid, Houtan R. Farahani, Zheng Gao, Michael D. McBroom, Hilbert T. Kwan, Joss N. Giddings
-
Patent number: 10049251Abstract: An electronic device may include a device housing having a topside and an underside. The electronic device may also include a mounting frame movable above the topside of the device housing and a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame. A flexure member may be coupled to the underside of the device housing and configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing. A pushbutton switch may be operatively coupled between the finger biometric sensor and the topside of the device housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Robert Y. Cao, Ran Xu, Stephen K. Pomes, Brandon S. Smith, Dinesh C. Mathew
-
Patent number: 10007829Abstract: An electronic device may include a device housing having a topside and an underside, a mounting frame movable above the topside of the device housing, and a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame. The electronic device may also include an electrically conductive flexure member carried by the underside of the device housing and configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically coupled between the mounting frame and the electrically conductive flexure member.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Brandon S. Smith, Brian N. Lerner, Ran Xu, Stephen K. Pomes, Michael K. McCord
-
Publication number: 20180075274Abstract: An electronic device may include a device housing having a topside and an underside. The electronic device may also include a mounting frame movable above the topside of the device housing and a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame. A flexure member may be coupled to the underside of the device housing and configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing. A pushbutton switch may be operatively coupled between the finger biometric sensor and the topside of the device housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Robert Y. CAO, Ran XU, Stephen K. POMES, Brandon S. SMITH, Dinesh C. MATHEW
-
Publication number: 20180075275Abstract: An electronic device may include a device housing having a topside and an underside, a mounting frame movable above the topside of the device housing, and a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame. The electronic device may also include an electrically conductive flexure member carried by the underside of the device housing and configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically coupled between the mounting frame and the electrically conductive flexure member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Brandon S. SMITH, Brian N. Lerner, Ran Xu, Stephen K. Pomes, Michael K. McCord
-
Patent number: 9766662Abstract: A shield feature and method of forming to prevent transmission of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. The shield feature may include a first protrusion and a second protrusion, both of which are formed from an electrically conductive material. A non-electrically conductive material may cover the electrically conductive material in certain regions. The first protrusion, the second protrusion, and an extension between the first protrusion and the second protrusion are free of non-electrically conductive material, allowing the electrically conductive material to engage an enclosure of an electronic device. Also, a distance separates the first protrusion and the second protrusion that is less than a distance defined by a wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation, allowing the shield feature to prevent the electromagnetic radiation from passing through the shield feature.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brandon S. Smith, Thomas R. Tate, Mark A. Salvador, Alexander C. Calkins
-
Publication number: 20160313767Abstract: A shield feature and method of forming to prevent transmission of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. The shield feature may include a first protrusion and a second protrusion, both of which are formed from an electrically conductive material. A non-electrically conductive material may cover the electrically conductive material in certain regions. The first protrusion, the second protrusion, and an extension between the first protrusion and the second protrusion are free of non-electrically conductive material, allowing the electrically conductive material to engage an enclosure of an electronic device. Also, a distance separates the first protrusion and the second protrusion that is less than a distance defined by a wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation, allowing the shield feature to prevent the electromagnetic radiation from passing through the shield feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2015Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: Brandon S. SMITH, Thomas R. TATE, Mark A. SALVADOR, Alexander C. CALKINS
-
Patent number: 9379037Abstract: This application relates to a low profile, small footprint cooling stack that does not extend substantially beyond a footprint of an integrated circuit to which it is affixed. The cooling stack utilizes a number of beam springs that supply a seating force to the integrated circuit by way of a metal slug. In some embodiments, a bottom surface of the metal slug can be contoured in accordance with a top surface of the integrated circuit and/or socket. In other embodiments a gap between peripheral portion of a bottom surface of the metal slug and an associated printed circuit board can be filled by a layer of foam to reduce auditory signals generated by the integrated circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Gavin J. Reid, Brandon S. Smith, Raymond S. Shan
-
Patent number: 9280177Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The laptop computer can include a uni-body top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Jay S. Nigen, Matthew S. Theobald, Matthew P. Casebolt, Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith, William F. Leggett
-
Publication number: 20160048163Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: February 18, 2016Applicant: 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
-
Patent number: 9223352Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing. Components such as keys may be mounted in openings in the housing. The housing may include a display housing portion and a base portion that are coupled using hinge structures. The keys may be used to form a keyboard in the base portion of the housing. Sensitive circuitry such as sensitive wireless circuitry may be shielded from electromagnetic interference by shielding the openings with a layer of conductive material. The layer of conductive material may be a metal layer that forms part of a reflector for a backlight structure. The backlight structure may be used to provide backlight for keys in the keyboard. The keyboard may include a support structure having openings through which the backlight passes to reach the keys. The openings may be bridged using conductive paths so that the support structure serves as a radio-frequency shielding structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brandon S. Smith, Matthew Casebolt
-
Publication number: 20150262907Abstract: This application relates to a low profile, small footprint cooling stack that does not extend substantially beyond a footprint of an integrated circuit to which it is affixed. The cooling stack utilizes a number of beam springs that supply a seating force to the integrated circuit by way of a metal slug. In some embodiments, a bottom surface of the metal slug can be contoured in accordance with a top surface of the integrated circuit and/or socket. In other embodiments a gap between peripheral portion of a bottom surface of the metal slug and an associated printed circuit board can be filled by a layer of foam to reduce auditory signals generated by the integrated circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Gavin J. Reid, Brandon S. Smith, Raymond S. Shan
-
Patent number: 8897007Abstract: A portable computing device can include one or more clutch assemblies that can include a conductive elastomer configured to contact at least a portion of the clutch assembly of the portable computing device. The conductive elastomer can be configured to also contact at least one region of the base portion of the portable computing device and can include highly conductive regions. A USB grounding plate can be attached to a portion of a case for the portable computing device and can be configured to provide a ground pathway between the case and a ground sheath of a USB connector inserted into an opening in a side wall of the case.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2013Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Inventors: Brandon S. Smith, Cheryl P. Espiritu, Houtan R. Farahani, Charles A. Schwalbach
-
Patent number: 8897002Abstract: 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: November 25, 2014Assignee: 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
-
Patent number: 8837128Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding an apparatus and method for providing an electrical component for a portable computing device. More specifically a method and apparatus are disclosed for mounting the electrical component to machined mounts extending from an interior sidewall of the portable computing device housing. The machined mounts allow the electrical component to be suspended above an inner surface of the portable computing device so that the electrical component does not interfere with audio output or aesthetics of a speaker grill drilled into the portable computing device housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2014Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith
-
Patent number: 8811005Abstract: A portable computing device can include one or more clutch assemblies that can include a conductive elastomer configured to contact at least a portion of the clutch assembly of the portable computing device. The conductive elastomer can be configured to also contact at least one region of the base portion of the portable computing device. In one embodiment, the conductive elastomer can be disposed on the clutch assembly. The conductive elastomer can enhance an electrical coupling between two or more regions of the base portion, especially in the region near the conductive elastomer and the clutch assembly. The enhanced coupling can increase a performance of an electrical shield provided by the two or more regions of the base portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew P. Casebolt, Gavin J. Reid, Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith
-
Patent number: D841651Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Robert Y. Cao, James M. Cuseo, Daniele De Iuliis, Markus Diebel, Kevin Scott Fetterman, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Dinesh Mathew, Sabrina Paseman, Gavin J. Reid, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Brandon S. Smith, Christopher J. Stringer, Joe Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
-
Patent number: D853392Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Robert Y. Cao, James M. Cuseo, Daniele De Iuliis, Markus Diebel, Kevin Scott Fetterman, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Dinesh Mathew, Sabrina Paseman, Gavin J. Reid, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Brandon S. Smith, Christopher J. Stringer, Joe Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
-
Patent number: D870117Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniele De Iuliis, Markus Diebel, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Chun Chit Lam, Scott Jacob McEuen, Con Phan, Joonas Ilmari Ponkala, Gavin J. Reid, Peter Russell-Clarke, Mark Alan Salvador, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Brandon S. Smith, Christopher J. Stringer, Joe Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer