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).

  • Battery connector structures for electronic devices
    Patent number: 7965495
    Abstract: A portable computer is provided that has a housing. A removable battery may provide power to the portable computer. A connector on the battery may mate with a corresponding battery connector in the portable computer housing. The battery connector may be mounted in the portable computer housing using a floating arrangement. This allows the position of the connector to move slightly to accommodate variations in the position of the battery. A cable may be used to route power between the battery and a main logic board. A cover may be used to hold the battery connector and cable to the housing of the portable computer without excessively impeding movement of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Daniel J. Coster, John Brock, Michelle Rae Goldberg, Dinesh Mathew, Chris Ligtenberg, Hank D. Ching, Glenn E. Wheelock
  • METHODS FOR FABRICATING DISPLAY STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20110109829
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    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
  • PORTABLE COMPUTER HOUSING WITH INTEGRAL DISPLAY
    Publication number: 20110103041
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a portable computer may have a housing with a rectangular recess in which layers of display structures such as a light guide panel layer and other light guide structures are directly mounted without intervening chassis members. Mating alignment features in the housing and display structures may be used to align the display structures relative to the housing. A display may be formed from glass layers such as a color filter glass layer and a thin-film transistor glass layer. Backlight for the display may be generated by an array of light-emitting diodes. The light guide panel may direct light from the light-emitting diodes through the glass layers. A clamp may be used to hold the light-emitting diodes and light guide structures in place in the recess. An undercut in the housing may also hold the light guide structures in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Adam Garelli
  • COMPUTER HOUSING
    Publication number: 20110090627
    Abstract: A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a clutch barrel. The clutch barrel encloses a connector assembly, the connector assembly providing support for a lid. The clutch barrel is configured such that a junction formed by the clutch barrel and a top layer of the lid is not visible to a user when the computer housing is on a horizontal surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: John Raff, Bartley K. Andre, Laura DeForest, John C. DiFonzo, Zheng Gao, Michelle Goldberg, Bradley J. Hamel, Timothy S. Hibbard, Ron Hopkinson, William F. Leggett, Chris Ligtenberg, Gavin J. Reid, Charles A. Schwalbach
  • COMPUTER HOUSING
    Publication number: 20110090632
    Abstract: A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: John Raff, Bartley K. Andre, Laura DeForest, John C. DiFonzo, Zheng Gao, Michelle Goldberg, Bradley J. Hamel, Timothy S. Hibbard, Ron Hopkinson, William F. Leggett, Chris Ligtenberg, Gavin J. Reid, Charles A. Schwalbach
  • WEBBED KEYBOARD ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20110067990
    Abstract: A keyboard assembly configured for converting keystroke activation into electrical signals. The keyboard assembly includes a plurality of key caps, each of the plurality of key caps being configured to transition between a rest position and a depressed position. The keyboard assembly also includes a web-like structure having a plurality of interconnected ribs defining a plurality of apertures. The plurality of key caps are disposed such that the plurality of key caps move within the plurality of apertures and traverse a plane formed by an upper surface of the web-like structure when the plurality of key caps transition between the rest position and the depressed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Chris Ligtenberg, Bart Andre
  • Electronic device with a metal-ceramic composite component
    Patent number: 7911771
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a first component. The electronic device may also include a metal-ceramic composite component coupled to the first component and configured to reinforce at least a portion of the first component in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John DiFonzo, Chris Ligtenberg
  • MAGNETIC CONNECTOR WITH OPTICAL SIGNAL PATH
    Publication number: 20110038582
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Chris Ligtenberg, Michael Culbert
  • ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND MAGNETIC LATCHING MECHANISM THEREFORE
    Publication number: 20110026203
    Abstract: A magnetic latch for a display of a laptop computer is disclosed. The latch uses magnetic attraction to maintain the display closed and uses magnetic repelling forces to pop-up the display when opened. The latch includes one or more magnetic elements in the body of the laptop and at least one magnetic element in the display. When the display is closed, the magnet element in the display is positioned adjacent the magnet element in the body having an opposite polarity so that the magnet elements are attracted to one another. To pop-up the display, the user moves the magnetic element in the display so that it meets the magnetic pole in the body having the same polarity. When these meet, the repelling force between them causes the display to open slightly so that a user can then readily open the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Chris Ligtenberg, Brett Degner
  • Removable antennas for electronic devices
    Patent number: 7880678
    Abstract: A removable antenna is provided for an electronic device such as a laptop computer. An antenna resonating element is mounted within the antenna. Magnetic coupling structures are used to magnetically attach the antenna to the electronic device. The magnetic coupling structures couple the antenna resonating element to circuitry in the electronic device. The electronic device may have an antenna receptacle that holds the antenna in a stowed position and allows the antenna to extend to an extended position. A user may extend the antenna by sliding the antenna or by rotating the antenna to its extended position. The coupling structures may allow the antenna to break away from the electronic device without damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett William Degner, Chris Ligtenberg, Bartley K. Andre, Douglas Blake Kough
  • PORTABLE COMPUTER DISPLAY STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20100315570
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs
  • Webbed keyboard assembly
    Patent number: 7850378
    Abstract: A keyboard assembly configured for converting keystroke activation into electrical signals. The keyboard assembly includes a plurality of key caps, each of the plurality of key caps being configured to transition between a rest position and a depressed position. The keyboard assembly also includes a web-like structure having a plurality of interconnected ribs defining a plurality of apertures. The plurality of key caps are disposed such that the plurality of key caps move within the plurality of apertures and traverse a plane formed by an upper surface of the web-like structure when the plurality of key caps transition between the rest position and the depressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Ligtenberg, Bart Andre
  • BATTERY
    Publication number: 20100310916
    Abstract: By being embedded in a portable computing device, a battery pack is made essentially inaccessible to unauthorized users, thereby allowing for a battery pack that can be made smaller and of lighter construction material, thereby facilitating greater component density within the portable computing device, lower cost to manufacture, and more environmentally secure. In another embodiment, the battery pack can take the form of a battery assembly formed of a single piece housing having a cantilever portion to provide additional stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Coish, Ron Hopkinson, John Raff, Chris Ligtenberg
  • BATTERY PACK AND CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20100310931
    Abstract: By being embedded in a portable computing device, a battery pack is made essentially inaccessible to unauthorized users, thereby allowing for a battery pack that can be made smaller and of lighter construction material, thereby facilitating greater component density within the portable computing device, lower cost to manufacture, and more environmentally secure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Coish, Chris Ligtenberg, Ron Hopkinson, John Raff
  • Input/output connector and housing
    Patent number: 7845953
    Abstract: A movable I/O port and housing therefore. The I/O port housing may be hinged to pivot between an open and closed position. The pivot point may be a low- or zero-friction pivot. The I/O port housing may include an opening mechanism to facilitate pivoting the port between the open and closed positions, and/or vice versa. For example, the opening mechanism may take the form of paired magnets of like polarities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Brock, Brett William Degner, Dinesh Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Chris Ligtenberg
  • KEYBOARD WITH INCREASED CONTROL OF BACKLIT KEYS
    Publication number: 20100302169
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that provide increased control of backlit keys for a keyboard. Some embodiments may include controllers within the keyboard that are capable of dynamically programming illumination of the keyboard based upon interaction, where each key of the keyboard may be individually programmed in a dynamic manner. For example, a spell checking function may be executing on a computer system, and as the user types various words, the keyboard may dynamically program the illumination of keyboard controllers such that the next letter of the word being typed is illuminated by the keyboard. Also, different keyboard illumination schemes may be generated based upon mouse movements by the user and/or based upon which application is currently executing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Alex J. Crumlin, Nicholas Vincent King, Duncan Kerr, Chris Ligtenberg, James E. Orr, IV
  • Magnetic connector with optical signal path
    Patent number: 7841776
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Chris Ligtenberg, Michael Culbert
  • Electronic device
    Patent number: D637157
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K Andre, Robert L. Coish, Brett William Degner, Ron Alan Hopkinson, Chris Ligtenberg, R. Sean Murphy, John Raff
  • Electronic device
    Patent number: D637192
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, John M. Brock, Matthew Phillip Casebolt, Brett William Degner, Ron Alan Hopkinson, Eugene Kim, Chris Ligtenberg, John Raff, David Yeh
  • Electronic device
    Patent number: D637193
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, John M. Brock, Matthew Phillip Casebolt, Brett William Degner, Ron Alan Hopkinson, Eugene Kim, Chris Ligtenberg, John Raff, David Yeh