Patents by Inventor Christopher Stringer

Christopher Stringer 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: 8687359
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20130279088
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display having a flexible substrate with fastened bent edges. The flexible substrate may have an active region that includes an array of light-emitting elements such as organic light-emitting diodes. The flexible substrate may also have inactive regions that lie outside of the active region. The bent edges may include portions of the inactive regions and portions of the active region. The bent edges may be wrapped to conform to the shape of an internal support structure. The bent edges may be fastened to the support structure with fastening members that attach a housing member or an internal clamp to the support structure. The bent edges may be secured between the housing member or the internal clamp and the support structure. The fastening members may be engaged in openings in the support structure and may pass through or alongside the bent edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: John Raff, Scott A. Myers, Christopher Stringer
  • Publication number: 20130094126
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display. The display may have an active region in which display pixels are used to display images. The display may have one or more openings and may be mounted in a housing associated with the electronic device. An electronic component may be mounted in alignment with the openings in the display. The electronic component may include a camera, a light sensor, a light-based proximity sensor, status indicator lights, a light-based touch sensor array, a secondary display that has display pixels that may be viewed through the openings, antenna structures, a speaker, a microphone, or other acoustic, electromagnetic, or light-based component. One or more openings in the display may form a window through which a user of the device may view an external object. Display pixels in the window region may be used in forming a heads-up display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Rappoport, Jeremy C. Franklin, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Scott A. Myers, Richard P. Howarth, Julian Hoenig, Christopher Stringer, John P. Ternus, Stephen Brian Lynch
  • Publication number: 20130083491
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display cover layer mounted to the device using an adhesive bond with a display. The display may be a flexible display. The flexible display may include Organic Light Emitting Diode display technology. The display may be mounted to a rigid support structure. The rigid support structure may be mounted to a device housing member. Mounting the display cover layer to the display may eliminate the need to mount the display cover layer to the device housing and may allow active display pixels to be visible under the display cover layer closer to the device housing than in conventional devices. Providing the electronic device with active display pixels closer to the device housing may reduce the need for an inactive border around the display and may improve the aesthetic appeal of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Rappoport, Jeremy C. Franklin, Stephen Brian Lynch, Scott A. Myers, John Raff, Richard P. Howarth, Wei Chen, Christopher Stringer, Julian Hoenig
  • Patent number: 8341832
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20120139738
    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: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Bartley K. Andre, Duncan R. Kerr, Christopher Stringer, Daniel J. Costar, Chris Ligtenberg, John Brock, Tom Wilson, Dinesh Mathew, Brett W. Begner, Tomas E. Ponce
  • Patent number: 8125344
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Bartley K Andre, Duncan R. Kerr, Christopher Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, Chris Ligtenberg, John Brock, Tom Wilson, Dinesh Mathew, Brett W. Degner, Tomas E. Ponce
  • Publication number: 20120030930
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    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
  • Publication number: 20110119973
    Abstract: An invisible, light-transmissive display system with a light resistant material is provided. Substantially invisible holes penetrate through at least a portion of the light resistant material in a predetermined light-transmissive display pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Daniel Coster, Richard Howarth, Daniele de Iuliis, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Kerr, Jivan Kumar Khosla, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Rohrbach, Doug B. Satzger, Calvin Seid, Christopher Stringer, Eugene Whang, Rico Zorkendorer
  • Patent number: 7773371
    Abstract: The present invention is a computer controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data. Additionally, a moveable assembly may be coupled to the display. The moveable assembly may provide at least three degrees of freedom of movement for the flat panel display device. Additionally, the moveable assembly may have a cross-sectional area, which is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a display structure of the flat panel display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hillman, Frank Tsai, Michael D. McBroom, Daniel L. McBroom, Brian T. Sudderth, Bartley K. Andre, Christopher Stringer, Daniel Riccio, Sung Kim, Clifford Jue, Bryan Thomas White
  • Publication number: 20100090847
    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: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Bartley K. Andre, Duncan R. Kerr, Christopher Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, Chris Ligtenberg, John Brock, Tom Wilson, Dinesh Mathew, Brett W. Degner, Tomas E. Ponce
  • Publication number: 20100091442
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    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
  • Patent number: 7632146
    Abstract: Various embodiments of connectors and connector assemblies provide modified structural features to meet evolving industrial design requirements while maintaining backward compatibility. In one embodiment, alignment posts on the two sides of a plug connector are substantially removed and the remaining connector shell reshaped so as to preserve alignment capability. Other pre-existing features such as alignment grooves and some or all springy raised tabs can be eliminated resulting in a more compact and monolithic structure for the connector without impacting functionality or backward compatibility. In another embodiment, a trim ring is molded to the base of the connector to form an integrated unit. The integrated unit results in a reduced size of the connector when it is incorporated into other devices such as a docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: R. Sean Murphy, Wim Crooijmans, Richard Howarth, Christopher Stringer
  • Publication number: 20090209131
    Abstract: Various embodiments of connectors and connector assemblies provide modified structural features to meet evolving industrial design requirements while maintaining backward compatibility. In one embodiment, alignment posts on the two sides of a plug connector are substantially removed and the remaining connector shell reshaped so as to preserve alignment capability. Other pre-existing features such as alignment grooves and some or all springy raised tabs can be eliminated resulting in a more compact and monolithic structure for the connector without impacting functionality or backward compatibility. In another embodiment, a trim ring is molded to the base of the connector to form an integrated unit. The integrated unit results in a reduced size of the connector when it is incorporated into other devices such as a docking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: R. Sean Murphy, Wim Croojimans, Richard Howarth, Christopher Stringer
  • Patent number: 7540788
    Abstract: Various embodiments of connectors and connector assemblies provide modified structural features to meet evolving industrial design requirements while maintaining backward compatibility. In one embodiment, alignment posts on the two sides of a plug connector are substantially removed and the remaining connector shell reshaped so as to preserve alignment capability. Other pre-existing features such as alignment grooves and some or all springy raised tabs can be eliminated resulting in a more compact and monolithic structure for the connector without impacting functionality or backward compatibility. In another embodiment, a trim ring is molded to the base of the connector to form an integrated unit. The integrated unit results in a reduced size of the connector when it is incorporated into other devices such as a docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: R. Sean Murphy, Wim Crooijmans, Richard Howarth, Christopher Stringer
  • Publication number: 20090040703
    Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with a protective housing having one or more housing components. A housing component can be formed from a single sheet of material to appear as if the housing component had been formed from a hollowed out solid block of material. The sheet of material may be deep drawn, forged, and machined to form the housing component. One or more holes may be formed through a portion of the housing component to provide an I/O interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Todd F. Gotham, Andrew David Lauder, Tang Yew Tan, Erik L. Wang, Phillip Michael Hobson, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Christopher Stringer, Richard Howarth, John Ternus, Rico Zorkendorfer
  • Publication number: 20080166905
    Abstract: Various embodiments of connectors and connector assemblies provide modified structural features to meet evolving industrial design requirements while maintaining backward compatibility. In one embodiment, alignment posts on the two sides of a plug connector are substantially removed and the remaining connector shell reshaped so as to preserve alignment capability. Other pre-existing features such as alignment grooves and some or all springy raised tabs can be eliminated resulting in a more compact and monolithic structure for the connector without impacting functionality or backward compatibility. In another embodiment, a trim ring is molded to the base of the connector to form an integrated unit. The integrated unit results in a reduced size of the connector when it is incorporated into other devices such as a docking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: R. Sean Murphy, Wim Crooijmans, Richard Howarth, Christopher Stringer
  • Publication number: 20080084404
    Abstract: An invisible, light-transmissive display system with a light resistant material is provided. Substantially invisible holes penetrate through at least a portion of the light resistant material in a predetermined light-transmissive display pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: APPLE COMPUTER, INC.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Daniel Coster, Richard Howarth, Daniele de Iuliis, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Kerr, Jivan Kumar Khosla, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Rohrbach, Doug B. Satzger, Calvin Seid, Christopher Stringer, Eugene Whang, Rico Zorkendorer
  • Patent number: 7289315
    Abstract: A computer-controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display coupled to one end of a moveable assembly. A base containing computer components is coupled to an opposite end of the moveable assembly. Power and data cables linking the flat panel display to one or more of the computer components are positioned within an interior portion of the moveable assembly. In one embodiment, the moveable assembly includes a first arm coupled to a second arm and provides movement in two or more dimensions simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hillman, Frank Tsai, Michael D. McBroom, Daniel L. McBroom, Brian T. Sudderth, Bartley K. Andre, Christopher Stringer, Daniel Riccio, Clifford Jue, Theo Mann, Opher Doron Yom-Tov, Jesse Arnold Fourt, Ben Tarbell, Tony Lawson
  • Patent number: 7264491
    Abstract: Methods and systems for insertion of a memory module into a computer system are provided. The method includes removing an access door of the computer system to make a connector accessible, the access door having a size substantially smaller than a footprint of the memory module, and linearly inserting the memory module into the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Apple, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lynn McBroom, Michael David McBroom, Brett William Degner, Brian Thomas Sudderth, Todd F. Gotham, Ethan Crumlin, Gavin J. Reid, John Ternus, Steven G. Siefert, Christopher Stringer, Chris Ligtenberg