Patents by Inventor Chris Ligtenberg
Chris Ligtenberg 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: 8770857Abstract: Circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a connector system that can supply both power and data to a mobile computing or other type of device using a single connection. Further examples also provide a power and data adapter that can provide power and data to a mobile computing device using a single cable. Further examples provide an easy disengagement when a cable connected to the connector is pulled. One such example provides a magnetic connector that uncouples without binding when its cord is pulled. Another example prevents power from being provided at a connector insert until the connector insert is placed in a connector receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Chris Ligtenberg, Michael Culbert
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Patent number: 8767141Abstract: An electronic device display may have a color filter layer and a thin film transistor layer. A layer of liquid crystal material may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin film transistor layer. A layer of polarizer may be laminated onto the surface of the color filter layer. Laser trimming may ensure that the edges of the polarizer are even with the edges of the color filter layer. The thin film transistor layer may have an array of thin film transistors that control pixels of the liquid crystal material in the display. Driver circuitry may be used to control the array. The driver circuitry may be encapsulated in a planarized encapsulant on the thin film transistor layer or may be mounted to the underside of the color filter layer. Conductive structures may connect driver circuitry on the color filter layer to the thin film transistor layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs, John Z. Zhong, Steve Hotelling, Lynn Youngs, Kuo-Hua Sung
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Publication number: 20140168877Abstract: A top case assembly for a portable computer is disclosed. The assembly may include an integral unified (e.g., homogenous) top case formed from a single part. The integral top case provides an enclosure, frame and cosmetic exterior of the portable computer. The integral top case also serves as the primary structure of the portable computer. The assembly may include a variety of subassemblies such as keyboards, touchpads, circuit boards, and drives that are carried by the underside of the integral top case. The integral top case may be formed from aluminum slab that has been machined to form walls, openings, attachment areas and cosmetic areas of the top case.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew THEOBALD, Jonathan P. IVE, Bartley K. ANDRE, Christopher STRINGER, Daniel J. COSTER, John RAFF, Ron HOPKINSON, John BROCK, Chris LIGTENBERG, Michelle Rae GOLDBERG
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Patent number: 8743309Abstract: An electronic device display may have a color filter layer and a thin film transistor layer. A layer of liquid crystal material may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin film transistor layer. A layer of polarizer may be laminated onto the surface of the color filter layer. Laser trimming may ensure that the edges of the polarizer are even with the edges of the color filter layer. The thin film transistor layer may have an array of thin film transistors that control pixels of the liquid crystal material in the display. Driver circuitry may be used to control the array. The driver circuitry may be encapsulated in a planarized encapsulant on the thin film transistor layer or may be mounted to the underside of the color filter layer. Conductive structures may connect driver circuitry on the color filter layer to the thin film transistor layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs, John Z. Zhong, Steve Hotelling, Lynn Youngs, Kuo-Hua Sung
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Patent number: 8711304Abstract: An electronic device housing may have upper and lower portions that are attached with a hinge. At least one portion of the housing may have a rear planar surface and peripheral sidewalls having edges. A display module may be mounted in the housing. The display module may have glass layers such as a color filter glass layer and a thin-film transistor substrate. The color filter glass layer may serve as the outermost glass layer in the display module. The edges of the display module may be aligned with the edges of the peripheral housing sidewalls to create the appearance of a borderless display for the electronic device. The display module may be provided with an opening that allows a camera or other electronic components to receive light. Traces may be provided on the underside of the thin-film transistor substrate to serve as signal paths for the electrical components.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs
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Patent number: 8702316Abstract: Circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a connector system that can supply both power and data to a mobile computing or other type of device using a single connection. Further examples also provide a power and data adapter that can provide power and data to a mobile computing device using a single cable. Further examples provide an easy disengagement when a cable connected to the connector is pulled. One such example provides a magnetic connector that uncouples without binding when its cord is pulled. Another example prevents power from being provided at a connector insert until the connector insert is placed in a connector receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Chris Ligtenberg, Michael Culbert
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Publication number: 20140098484Abstract: Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include hard drive mounting structures. The hard drive mounting structures may include elastomeric support members. Each elastomeric support member may have a relatively rigid inner portion. The inner portion may include a hole that receives a hard drive mounting pin. Each elastomeric support member may also have a relatively flexible outer portion. The relatively flexible outer portion may be mounted within an opening in a plastic support member. The rigid inner portion may have a square outline and may be mounted within a square opening in the flexible outer portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Gavin Reid, Ron Hopkinson, Cheng Ping Tan, John Brock, Chris Ligtenberg, Bartley A. Andre
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Patent number: 8687359Abstract: A top case assembly for a portable computer is disclosed. The assembly may include an integral unified (e.g., homogenous) top case formed from a single part. The integral top case provides an enclosure, frame and cosmetic exterior of the portable computer. The integral top case also serves as the primary structure of the portable computer. The assembly may include a variety of subassemblies such as keyboards, touchpads, circuit boards, and drives that are carried by the underside of the integral top case. The integral top case may be formed from aluminum slab that has been machined to form walls, openings, attachment areas and cosmetic areas of the top case.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew Theobald, Jonathan P. Ive, Bartley K. Andre, Christopher Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, John Raff, Ron Hopkinson, John Brock, Chris Ligtenberg, Michelle Rae Goldberg
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Patent number: 8681250Abstract: An electronic device for producing an image of an object is disclosed. The electronic device may include a black-and-white camera having a first sensor area configured to receive luma data pertaining to the object. The first sensor area may correspond to a first pixel array, the luma data associated with the first pixel array. The electronic device may also include a color camera having a second sensor area configured to receive chroma data pertaining to the object. The second sensor area may correspond to a second pixel array. The chroma data may be associated with the second pixel array. The electronic device may also include first logic configured to correlate pixels in the first pixel array with locations on the second sensor area.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael F. Culbert, Chris Ligtenberg
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Publication number: 20140076607Abstract: A multi-layered cable consisting of three or more conductive layers separated by layers of dielectric and/or adhesive material. The bottom layer and the top layer may act as return path for the transmitted signals and as a shield to prevent interference between these and external electrical signals. Located between the bottom layer and the top layer, the middle layer may transmit desired signals through the flexible cable. The material selection and specifics of each of the layers should be selected so as to achieve a balance in which the desired electrical impedance and mechanical flexibility requirements are met. The cable may also include one or more vias connecting the bottom layer to the top layer, providing shielding all the way around the flex cable. An additional conductive sock may be used to improve shielding effectiveness of the top and bottom layer and to connect to I/O connector shells and the system Faraday cage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: John M. Brock, Brett William Degner, Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Chris Ligtenberg, Keith J. Hendren, Stever D. Keiper, Eugene Y. Kim
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Patent number: 8619421Abstract: Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include hard drive mounting structures. The hard drive mounting structures may include elastomeric support members. Each elastomeric support member may have a relatively rigid inner portion. The inner portion may include a hole that receives a hard drive mounting pin. Each elastomeric support member may also have a relatively flexible outer portion. The relatively flexible outer portion may be mounted within an opening in a plastic support member. The rigid inner portion may have a square outline and may be mounted within a square opening in the flexible outer portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Gavin Reid, Ron Hopkinson, Cheng P. Tan, John Brock, Chris Ligtenberg, Bartley K. Andre
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Patent number: 8591246Abstract: Connector receptacles having a reduced height or z-dimension that are capable of accepting standard sized connector inserts. One example provides a connector having a reduction in the amount of height consumed by the deflection of a number of fingers. Specifically, the amount of deflection is reduced by eliminating one or more of these fingers on one or both sides of the connector receptacle. Instead of fingers, bumps may be used. These bumps fit into the connector insert cutouts or slots when the connector insert is fully inserted in the connector receptacle. Another example uses a rail, which may be referred to as speed rail. This speed rail can be formed along the seam of connector receptacle. The speed rail can run either a portion or the entire depth of the connector receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joshua Banko, Brett William Degner, John Raff, Chris Ligtenberg
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Patent number: 8587953Abstract: A multi-layered cable consisting of three or more conductive layers separated by layers of dielectric and/or adhesive material. The bottom layer and the top layer may act as return path for the transmitted signals and as a shield to prevent interference between these and external electrical signals. Located between the bottom layer and the top layer, the middle layer may transmit desired signals through the flexible cable. The material selection and specifics of each of the layers should be selected so as to achieve a balance in which the desired electrical impedance and mechanical flexibility requirements are met. The cable may also include one or more vias connecting the bottom layer to the top layer, providing shielding all the way around the flex cable. An additional conductive sock may be used to improve shielding effectiveness of the top and bottom layer and to connect to I/O connector shells and the system Faraday cage.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John Brock, Brett William Degner, Dinesh Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Chris Ligtenberg, Keith Hendren, Steven Keiper, Eugene Kim
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Patent number: 8587951Abstract: Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include connector structures. The portable computer may have a case. A portion of the connector structure may be formed by the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have a circuit board with grounding spring-loaded pins which electrically ground the circuit board to the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have an optical disk drive that is form fitted to mount to the portable computer case.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John Raff, Stewart Shannon Fields, Ron Hopkinson, Bartley K. Andre, Chris Ligtenberg, Mi Zhou, Paul J. Wehrenberg, Brett W. Degner, John Brock, Michelle Rae Goldberg
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Patent number: 8587955Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a component made of a ceramic material. The electronic device may also include circuitry configured to transmit signals. The signals may pertain to input received through the component.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John DiFonzo, Chris Ligtenberg
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Patent number: 8562886Abstract: A composite laminate includes a plurality of sheets of prepreg stacked one over another, and a scrim layer provided on an exterior surface of the sheets of prepreg. Each prepreg sheet is formed of fibers preimpregnated with resin. The scrim layer and the sheets of prepreg form a composite laminate whereby the scrim layer constitutes an outer, exposed surface of the composite laminate. The scrim layer may be a nonwoven carbon or glass fiber scrim that has absorbed resin from the sheets of prepreg. A method of making a composite laminate includes placing into a mold a scrim and a plurality of sheets of prepreg, with the scrim extending between an exterior surface of the sheets of prepreg and an inner surface of the mold; forming a composite laminate whereby the scrim is adhered to the sheets of prepreg; and removing the composite laminate from the mold. An outer layer of the composite laminate includes the scrim.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John DiFonzo, Chris Ligtenberg
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Publication number: 20130210244Abstract: Magnetic connectors that may be readily manufactured and provide a high landed force and labels for magnetic connectors that may protect magnets or magnetic elements in the connectors, provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and improve the magnetic performance of the connectors. In various examples, power and signal paths may be formed using contacts that are separate from magnets or magnetic elements, paths may be formed using magnets or magnetic elements, or paths may be formed using a combination of contacts and magnets and magnetic elements. The magnets may have various arrangements. One or more magnets may be used in conjunction with magnetic elements. The interface surface of these magnets and magnetic elements may have various contours, such as flat, spline, or involute.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, George V. Anastas, David Narajowski, Bradley J. Hamel, Brett William Degner, Chris Ligtenberg
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Patent number: 8506322Abstract: Portable computer battery structures are provided. The portable computer battery structures may include a battery with a metal enclosure and a battery cable with a floating end. The battery may have six cells. Three pairs of parallel-connected cells may be connected together in series. The six cells may be substantially planar in shape. The battery may have a connector with at least five conductive pins and six recesses. The battery cable may have a cable with at least five conductive pins that mate with the five pins of the battery's connector and with six support pins that slide into the six recesses of the battery's connector. The batter connector may be formed on a printed circuit board substrate that folds over on itself.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Michael D. Hillman, Robert L. Coish, Chris Ligtenberg
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Patent number: D697479Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Robert L. Coish, Brett William Degner, Ron Alan Hopkinson, Chris Ligtenberg, R. Sean Murphy, John Raff
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Patent number: D708128Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Matthew Phillip Casebolt, Brett Degner, Ron Alan Hopkinson, Chris Ligtenberg, Robert Sean Murphy, Mikael Silvanto