Patents by Inventor Christiaan Ligtenberg

Christiaan 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).

  • Patent number: 9664955
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: 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: 9612674
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett William Degner, Patrick Kessler, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Bartley K. Andre, Matthew P. Casebolt
  • Publication number: 20170090105
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display including an array of display pixels and a backlight assembly that provides backlight for the array of pixels. The backlight assembly may include a light guide layer having first and second opposing sides. The first side of the light guide layer may receive light from a first light source and the second side of the light guide layer may receive light from a second light source. To avoid overheating the first light source, the light emitted by the first light source may be less bright than the light emitted by the second light source. To compensate for the reduced brightness of the first light source, light leakage promotion features on the light guide layer may have a peak density that is closer to the first side of the light guide layer than the second side of the light guide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Victor H. Yin
  • Publication number: 20170093099
    Abstract: Interconnect devices are described. In some examples, an interconnect device can be aligned in a first plane and can include a printed circuit board having a tongue portion and a pin portion. The pin portion can include a plurality of pins extending away from the printed circuit board. The interconnect device can be configured to electrically couple with a main logic board aligned in a second plane. In particular, the plurality of pins can be inserted into corresponding electrical contact locations within the main logic board to form a biplanar connection. The biplanar connection can be made in way that minimizes signal loss for high speed data transfers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anton Talalayev, David H. Narajowski, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Mahmoud R. Amini, William F. Leggett, Mikael M. Silvanto, Christopher J. Stringer, George Tziviskos, Edward Cooper
  • Publication number: 20170090596
    Abstract: Embodiments related to an electronic device having an adaptive input row. The adaptive input row may be positioned within an opening of a device and include a cover for receiving a touch and a display that is configured to present an adaptable set of indicia. The adaptive input row may also include one or more sensors for detecting the location of a touch and/or the magnitude of a force of the touch. The adaptive input row may be positioned adjacent or proximate to a keyboard of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Mikael M. Silvanto, Erik A. Zweigle, Jun Qi, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Robert Y. Cao, Bartley K. Andre, Molly J. Anderson, ByoungSuk Kim, Dinesh C. Mathew, Victor H. Yin
  • Publication number: 20170090654
    Abstract: Embodiments related to an electronic device having an adaptive input row. The adaptive input row may be positioned within an opening of a device and include a cover for receiving a touch and a display that is configured to present an adaptable set of indicia. The adaptive input row may also include one or more sensors for detecting the location of a touch and/or the magnitude of a force of the touch. The adaptive input row may be positioned adjacent or proximate to a keyboard of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Mikael M. Silvanto, Erik A. Zweigle, Jun Qi, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Robert Y. Cao, Bartley K. Andre, Molly J. Anderson, ByoungSuk Kim, Dinesh C. Mathew, Victor H. Yin
  • Publication number: 20170090597
    Abstract: Embodiments related to an electronic device having an adaptive input row. The adaptive input row may be positioned within an opening of a device and include a cover for receiving a touch and a display that is configured to present an adaptable set of indicia. The adaptive input row may also include one or more sensors for detecting the location of a touch and/or the magnitude of a force of the touch. The adaptive input row may be positioned adjacent or proximate to a keyboard of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Mikael M. Silvanto, Erik A. Zweigle, Jun Qi, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Robert Y. Cao, Bartley K. Andre, Molly J. Anderson, ByoungSuk Kim, Dinesh C. Mathew, Victor H. Yin
  • Publication number: 20170060201
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a portable computer may be provided with a lower housing and an upper housing. The electronic device may include hinge structures which allow the upper housing to rotate about a rotational axis relative to the lower housing. The electronic device may include a ventilation port structure with intake openings that allow air to be drawn into the electronic device. The ventilation structure may also include exhaust openings that are used to expel air from the lower housing. When the electronic device is in an open position, it may be desirable for the ventilation structure to form more exhaust openings than when the electronic device is in a closed position. The ventilation structure may form lower exhaust openings when the electronic device is in the closed position and form upper and lower exhaust openings when the electronic device is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Eric R. Prather, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Jay S. Nigen, Laura M. Campo, Nicholas D. Mancini, Brett W. Degner
  • Patent number: 9575524
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a portable computer may be provided with a lower housing and an upper housing. The electronic device may include hinge structures which allow the upper housing to rotate about a rotational axis relative to the lower housing. The electronic device may include a ventilation port structure with intake openings that allow air to be drawn into the electronic device. The ventilation structure may also include exhaust openings that are used to expel air from the lower housing. When the electronic device is in an open position, it may be desirable for the ventilation structure to form more exhaust openings than when the electronic device is in a closed position. The ventilation structure may form lower exhaust openings when the electronic device is in the closed position and form upper and lower exhaust openings when the electronic device is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Prather, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Jay S. Nigen, Laura M. Campo, Nicholas D. Mancini, Brett W. Degner
  • Patent number: 9541959
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed that redirects light escaping from a display assembly light source to an illuminable region of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes a light guide panel arranged along a rear surface of the display assembly and configured to receive light escaping from a lateral side of the light source. The light guide panel can then be arranged to transport that light to a position behind the illuminable region and emit it back out in a focused beam having a size about the same as the illuminable region. In some embodiments the illuminable region can be a logo or device identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Sfarzo, Joss N. Giddings, Bradley J. Hamel, Matthew P. Casebolt, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg
  • Patent number: 9480155
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing. Electrical components such as a display and other circuitry may be mounted in the housing. The housing may have portions that move with respect to each other such as a lid that rotates relative to a base. A flexible printed circuit may have metal lines that couple components in one portion of the housing to components in another portion of the housing. As the housing portions move with respect to each other, the flexible printed circuit bends. Reliability may be enhanced for the flexible printed circuit by providing the metal layer that forms the metal lines with upper and lower coating layers. The coating layers may be formed from metal with a higher Young's modulus than a metal core in the metal layer. A slot may be formed along the length of the flexible printed circuit to help increase the minimum bend radius exhibited by the flexible printed circuit. Upper and lower metal shield layers may be provided above and below the metal traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan W. Posner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Dinesh C. Mathew, Eric L. Benson, Robert Y. Cao, Valerie S. Chang, Victor H. Yin
  • Publication number: 20160109729
    Abstract: A wireless ad hoc network may be formed by eyewear having a radio frequency transceiver with other devices having compatible radio frequency transceivers. The transceivers may operate in an unlicensed radio frequency band at 2.45 GHz. The eyewear may include at least one detachable temple, and the radio frequency transceiver of the eyewear may be embedded in the at least one detachable temple. Other devices may also be embedded in the at least one detachable temple. The at least one detachable temple may be electrically connected to a frame of the eyewear when in an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory SWAB, James E. MALACKOWSKI, Mikal GREAVES, Rolf MILESI, Christiaan LIGTENBERG, Thomas MEIER
  • Publication number: 20160103496
    Abstract: A dynamic input surface for an electronic device and a method of reconfiguring the same is disclosed. The input surface has a partially-flexible metal contact portion defining an input area, and a group of indicators. The indicators may be group of holes extending through the contact portion. The group of holes may be selectively illuminated based on a gesture performed on the contact portion. A size of the input area may be dynamically varied based on the gesture. Additionally, the group of indicators indicates a boundary of the input area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Daniel D. Sunshine, Ron A. Hopkinson, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, William F. Leggett, Patrick Kessler
  • Publication number: 20160087316
    Abstract: A portable computer may include battery indicator light structures. Battery status information in the portable computer may be presented to a user using an array of light-emitting diodes or other light emitters. Light-emitting diodes may be mounted on a printed circuit board. A stiffener may provide the printed circuit board with rigidity. The printed circuit board may include a connector that allows the board to be connected to a main logic board. A switch on the printed circuit board may be actuated by a power button on the portable computer. An opaque member with an array of holes may be used to reduce light bleed between adjacent light-emitting diodes. Diffusing plastic may be mounted within the array of holes. Bumps in the diffusing plastic may mate with corresponding holes on a portable computer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Bartley K. Andre, Duncan Robert Kerr, Christopher J. Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, John Brock, Thomas W. Wilson, Dinesh C. Mathew, Brett W. Degner, Tomas E. Ponce
  • Patent number: 9280177
    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: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    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
  • Patent number: 9282652
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Brett W. Degner, Bradley J. Hamel, William F. Leggett, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Charles A. Schwalbach
  • Patent number: 9277661
    Abstract: Magnetic latch mechanisms are provided. The latch mechanisms may be employed to releasably hold a portable computing device in a closed configuration. The latch mechanism may include first and second magnetic members that may be respectively coupled to the base and lid of the portable computing device. One of the magnetic members may be moveable. Accordingly, when the moveable magnetic member is moved, the position of the magnetic members relative to one another changes, which alters a magnetic interaction therebetween. For example, attractive portions of the magnetic members may be moved away from one another. Additionally, repulsive portions of the magnetic members may be moved into proximity. Thus, opening of the lid of the portable computing device may be facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg
  • Publication number: 20160048163
    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: February 18, 2016
    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: 20160042891
    Abstract: Embodiments of keyboards having variations of electrically connecting keys to an internal component of an electronic device are described. Some embodiments include positioning several rows of conductive layers below several rows of keys. The conductive layers may be configured to receive a signal indicating a key has been depressed. Also, the internal component may be configured to scan the conductive layers to determine whether a key or keys have been depressed. In some embodiments, the conductive layers lie outside a portion of the electronic device in which internal components are traditionally located. In some embodiments, a substrate may be integrally connected with the keyboard. The substrate may receive some internal components of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Mikael M. Silvanto, Ron A. Hopkinson, Nicholas Alan Rundle
  • Patent number: 9244292
    Abstract: A wireless ad hoc pico network is formed by eyewear having a radio frequency transceiver 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 a globally available, unlicensed radio band of 2.45 gigahertz (GHz).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: III Holdings 4, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Swab, James E. Malackowski, Mikal Greaves, Rolf Milesi, Christiaan Ligtenberg, Thomas Meier