Patents by Inventor Christiaan A. Ligtenberg

Christiaan A. 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).

  • Publication number: 20140085556
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display that has a layer of liquid crystal material interposed between a color filter layer and a thin-film-transistor layer. The thin-film-transistor layer may have a substrate with an upper surface and a lower surface. A circular polarizer may be formed on the upper surface. Thin-film transistor circuitry such as gate driver circuitry may be formed on the lower surface. A display driver circuit may be mounted on an inactive border region of the lower surface of the thin-film transistor substrate. Display pixels may form an array in a central active region of the display. A grid of metal gate and data lines may distribute signals from the display driver circuit and gate driver circuitry to the display pixels. A grid of non-reflecting lines may be interposed between the grid of metal lines and the lower surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Victor H. Yin, Jun Qi, Dinesh C. Mathew, Shih-Chang Chang, Cheng Chen, John Z. Zhong, Wei Chen, Adam T. Garelli, Bryan W. Posner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg
  • Publication number: 20140077670
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: 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: 20140063433
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and more particularly to methods for extending a glass portion of a display to an edge of a display housing. In one embodiment, a thin cover glass layer is provided between a color filter glass layer and an upper polarizer. The thin cover glass layer is supported along an edge of the display by a filler material that can include a foam dam and a glass spacer or adhesive filler. The filler material allows the cover glass layer to be supported without damaging any drivers or circuits located on an underlying thin film transistor glass layer. In another embodiment, a glass spacer circuit with integrated drivers and circuitry on its lower surface can support the cover glass along the edge of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Lee Benson, Bryan W. Posner, Jun Qi, Victor Hao-En Yin, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Dinesh C. Mathew, Adam T. Garelli
  • Patent number: 8616748
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: 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: 20130329349
    Abstract: A portable electronic device is described. This portable electronic device includes an external housing with a cavity defined by an edge. A keyboard, having a front surface and a back surface, is disposed in the cavity with the front surface facing the external housing. Moreover, a tray is disposed over the back surface of the keyboard, and is mechanically coupled to the external housing adjacent to the edge. Furthermore, battery cells are mechanically coupled to an opposite side of the tray from the back surface of the keyboard. The tray may allow the battery cells to be removed from the portable electronic device without damaging the keyboard. In addition, the tray may increase the compression strength and/or the bending strength of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ron A. Hopkinson, Brett W. Degner, Robert S. Murphy, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Matthew P. Casebolt, Peter M. Arnold, Eric A. Knopf
  • Publication number: 20130329934
    Abstract: A portable computing device can include one or more speakers integrated with internal components. In one embodiment, the speakers can be configured to produce audio output signals and direct at least a portion of the audio signals through vents disposed on a base portion of the portable computing device. In one embodiment, the vents can also direct cooling air into the base portion. In one embodiment, the speakers can also be configured to direct a portion of the audio signal through a speaker grille disposed on the base portion. One embodiment of a speaker enclosure can include a resonant cavity for a first audio transducer formed by the speaker enclosure in cooperation with the base portion of the portable computing device and a second audio transducer configured to direct an audio signal beneath a keyboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew P. CASEBOLT, Ron A. Hopkinson, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Charles A. Schwalbach, Derek J. Yap
  • Publication number: 20130329354
    Abstract: Absorbers for a mass storage device are provided. The absorbers may be configured to protect the mass storage device from drop events and reduce the transmission of vibrations from and/or to the mass storage device. Additionally, the absorbers may occupy a smaller amount of space than traditional snubber mounting arrangements. The absorbers may include major surface absorbers formed from a first elastomeric material that engage major surfaces of the mass storage device. Corner absorbers formed from a second elastomeric material may engage the corners of the mass storage device and the side walls of a compartment in a case. The major surface absorbers and the corner absorbers may distribute and absorb load applied during a drop event. A related portable computing device and a related method are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Knopf, John M. BROCK, Robert L. Coish, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson
  • Publication number: 20130327507
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments related to a component for use in a portable electronic device. The component includes a wall of the portable electronic device, containing an intake zone that includes a set of intake vents directed at a first angle toward one or more heat-generating components of the portable electronic device. The wall also includes an exhaust zone containing a set of exhaust vents directed at a second angle out of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy D. Bataillou, Jay S. Nigen, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Charles A. Schwalbach, Matthew P. Casebolt, Nicholas A. Rundle, Frank F. Liang
  • Publication number: 20130328785
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for internal components for portable computing devices relating to keyboard components and keyboard backlighting. In one embodiment, a keyboard module can include a rectangular light guide panel and a driver board including discrete light sources mounted on the driver board where the driver board is disposed along one edge of the light guide panel and light emitted for the discrete light sources is captured by the light guide panel and distributed to predetermined locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Ryan P. Brooks, Robert S. Murphy, John M. Brock, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Charles A. Schwalbach
  • Publication number: 20130329450
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: 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: 20130328521
    Abstract: A power supply for use in a portable electronic device is described. This power supply includes battery cells in separate locations that are electrically coupled by a power bus to a battery-management circuit board, which includes an integrated circuit with control logic that monitors the battery cells and that regulates charging and discharging of the battery cells. The battery cells are not enclosed in a common battery-pack housing so that the battery cells are mechanically separate from each other. Moreover, the battery-management circuit board is external to the battery cells and is not enclosed in the battery-pack housing. By excluding the battery-pack housing from the power supply, there may be more space available to expand the sizes, and thus the total capacities, of the battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Robert S. Murphy, Brett W. Degner, Eugene Kim, Peter M. Arnold, Jim Hwang
  • Publication number: 20130329359
    Abstract: Magnetic elements and attractors may be employed to secure a top case and a bottom case of a housing of a personal computing device. The magnetic elements may include a magnet that produces a magnetic field and a shunt. The shunt may direct the magnetic field through an opening to a pocket in which the magnet is received. Accordingly, flux leakage may be reduced and the bottom case may be secured to the top case. Magnetic elements and attractors may also be employed to secure a lid portion of the portable computing device to the housing thereof. These magnetic elements and attractors may be centered with respect to proximal and distal edges thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. ANDRE, Brett W. DEGNER, Bradley J. HAMEL, William F. LEGGETT, Christiaan A. LIGTENBERG, Charles A. SCHWALBACH
  • Publication number: 20130328741
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20130285984
    Abstract: An input device is disclosed. The input device includes a movable touch-sensitive track pad capable of detecting an object in close proximity thereto so as to generate a tracking control signal. The input device also includes a movement indicator capable of detecting the movements of the movable track pad so as to generate one or more other control signals (e.g., button signals). The control signals can be used to perform actions in an electronic device operatively coupled to the input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. DEGNER, Patrick KESSLER, Christiaan A. LIGTENBERG, Thomas W. WILSON, JR., Bartley K. ANDRE, Matthew P. CASEBOLT
  • Publication number: 20130071683
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for electroforming a dome for use in a dome switch. A mandrel having several dome shapes incorporated in a planar surface is provided. The mandrel can serve as a cathode in an electroforming process to construct a sheet of domes, for example by enabling the deposition of a sheet of nickel on the mandrel. The domes can be singulated from the sheet for use as part of dome switches. The electroforming process may ensure that the domes have a uniform thickness and no internal stresses that may affect the performance of the domes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Michael Hillman, Christiaan Ligtenberg, Gregory Tice
  • Publication number: 20120049702
    Abstract: Electronic device frames may be formed from fiber composites. Carbon fiber material may be formed into frame members using pultrusion tools. Notches may be machined into the frame members. The machined frame members may be assembled to form a rectangular frame assembly using lap joints. Fiber tape may be wound around the periphery of the frame assembly. Following curing, additional parts such as a metal blank may be bonded to the frame assembly and machined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Kevin Kenney, Adam T. Garelli, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg
  • Patent number: 7331666
    Abstract: An eyewear having a frame, at least one temple attached to the frame, and a radio frequency transceiver for short-distance wireless communication. The radio frequency transceiver is mounted on either the frame or the temple and is configured to form an ad hoc wireless network with a plurality of devices. The radio frequency transceiver communicates with these devices within a frequency band of 2.45 gigahertz (GHz).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Q.R. Spex, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Swab, James E. Malackowski, Mikal Greaves, Rolf Milesi, Christiaan Ligtenberg, Thomas Meier
  • Patent number: 7092254
    Abstract: A cooling system, the system comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a liquid to be flown from the inlet into the housing and out of outlet to exit the housing. The housing further has an interior portion for an electronic device to reside therein and a vibration transducer coupling to the housing. The liquid is flown across the electronic device to dissipate heat from the electronic device. The vibration transducer causes turbulent or agitation in the liquid as the liquid is flown across the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Monsef, Christiaan Ligtenberg, Zach Zeliff, Ihab A. Ali
  • Publication number: 20050239502
    Abstract: An eyewear having a frame, at least one temple attached to the frame, and a radio frequency transceiver for short-distance wireless communication. The radio frequency transceiver is mounted on either the frame or the temple and is configured to form an ad hoc wireless network with a plurality of devices. The radio frequency transceiver communicates with these devices within a frequency band of 2.45 gigahertz (GHz).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Applicant: Q.R. Spex, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Swab, James Malackowski, Mikal Greaves, Rolf Milesi, Christiaan Ligtenberg, Thomas Meier
  • Publication number: 20040239874
    Abstract: A wireless ad hoc pico network is formed by eyewear and other devices such as a computer, a bracelet and a telephone having similar transceivers mounted on them. Master slave relationships are configurable. Other devices, such as a radio, a CD player, a hand held global positioning satellite system and a heart rate monitor, having similar transceivers, can also be connected with the transceiver of the eyewear. The transceivers operate on globally available, unlicensed radio band, 2.45 gigahertz (GHz). The eyewear includes a frame and two temples connected to the frame via hinges. Temples have a male portion of a connector incorporated in them. Female portion of the connector is made integral with the hinges. When the male portion is inserted in the female portion the temple is attached to the frame. The temples can be removed by pulling the connector apart, and a temple with different apparatus within it can be inserted in place of the removed temples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Q.R. Spex, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Swab, James E. Malackowski, Mikal Greaves, Rolf Milesi, Christiaan Ligtenberg, Thomas Meier