Patents by Inventor Craig C. Leong
Craig C. Leong 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: 11699558Abstract: An illuminated glass keycap having a glyph diffuser layer that may diffuse light through a glyph window opened in a background layer. The background layer may be opaque and the glyph window may be transparent. The keycap is adhered to a scissor mechanism positioned above electrical switch circuitry. Included within, below, or adjacent to the scissor mechanism may be one or more light sources positioned to emit light through the keycap, around the perimeter of the keycap, and/or through the background layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2020Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, Derrick T. Jue, Hilbert T. Kwan, Keith J. Hendren
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Patent number: 11513611Abstract: An interface device includes a movable button connected to a frame structure by resilient structures positioned laterally between the button and the frame structure. Multiple layers or diaphragms of material can be used to make the button, frame, and resilient structures. Movement of the button can trigger a switch or sensor in a manner allowing an electronic device to detect interaction with the button. The interface device can be implemented in an electronic device such as a keyboard that has a low number of parts yet also providing tactile, stabilized key travel, support for various sensor or switch types for the keys, and, in some cases, haptic feedback.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Craig C. Leong, Alex J. Lehmann
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Publication number: 20210166895Abstract: An illuminated glass keycap having a glyph diffuser layer that may diffuse light through a glyph window opened in a background layer. The background layer may be opaque and the glyph window may be transparent. The keycap is adhered to a scissor mechanism positioned above electrical switch circuitry. Included within, below, or adjacent to the scissor mechanism may be one or more light sources positioned to emit light through the keycap, around the perimeter of the keycap, and/or through the background layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Craig C. Leong, Derrick T. Jue, Hilbert T. Kwan, Keith J. Hendren
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Patent number: 11023081Abstract: Multi-functional keyboard assemblies include an array of keys formed from stacked component layers. A top portion of the key may be capable of travelling vertically with respect to a base of the key. The top portion can include a keycap and a circuitry module coupled to the keycap. The keys may be capable of receive at least two distinct types of inputs and/or receiving at least one type of input and providing at least one type of output. Such output may include use of one or more light sources, displays, and/or haptic feedback devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Bartley K. Andre, Mikael Silvanto, Dinesh C. Mathew
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Patent number: 10879019Abstract: A light-emitting assembly positioned within a switch housing of a keyboard assembly for an electronic device is disclosed. The light-emitting assembly may include a phosphor structure, a transparent material positioned on opposing side surfaces of the phosphor structure, and an epoxy layer formed over an entire back surface of the phosphor structure and the transparent material. The light-emitting assembly may also include a mask layer formed over an entire top surface of: the phosphor structure, the transparent material, and the epoxy layer. The light-emitting assembly may further include a light source positioned within the phosphor structure for emitting a light.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Bradford J. Zercoe, Craig C. Leong, Keith J. Hendren
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Publication number: 20200341559Abstract: An interface device includes a movable button connected to a frame structure by resilient structures positioned laterally between the button and the frame structure. Multiple layers or diaphragms of material can be used to make the button, frame, and resilient structures. Movement of the button can trigger a switch or sensor in a manner allowing an electronic device to detect interaction with the button. The interface device can be implemented in an electronic device such as a keyboard that has a low number of parts yet also providing tactile, stabilized key travel, support for various sensor or switch types for the keys, and, in some cases, haptic feedback.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Craig C. Leong, Alex J. Lehmann
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Patent number: 10804051Abstract: An illuminated glass keycap having a glyph diffuser layer that may diffuse light through a glyph window opened in a background layer. The background layer may be opaque and the glyph window may be transparent. The keycap is adhered to a scissor mechanism positioned above electrical switch circuitry. Included within, below, or adjacent to the scissor mechanism may be one or more light sources positioned to emit light through the keycap, around the perimeter of the keycap, and/or through the background layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, Derrick T. Jue, Hilbert T. Kwan, Keith J. Hendren
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Patent number: 10784062Abstract: Keyboards include mechanisms that prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress. In some embodiments, a keyboard assembly includes a substrate, a key cap, a movement mechanism moveably coupling the key cap to the substrate, and a guard structure coupled to the key cap operable to direct contaminants away from the movement mechanism. In other embodiments, a keyboard includes a base; a web that defines apertures; keys moveably coupled to the base within the apertures; and a gasket coupled to the keys, the gasket fixed between the web and the base, operable to block passage of contaminants into the apertures.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Zheng Gao, Craig C. Leong, Robert J. Lockwood, Bryan W. Posner, Robert Y. Cao, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Dinesh C. Mathew, Alex J. Lehmann, Denis Endisch, Karan Bir
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Patent number: 10747332Abstract: An interface device includes a movable button connected to a frame structure by resilient structures positioned laterally between the button and the frame structure. Multiple layers or diaphragms of material can be used to make the button, frame, and resilient structures. Movement of the button can trigger a switch or sensor in a manner allowing an electronic device to detect interaction with the button. The interface device can be implemented in an electronic device such as a keyboard that has a low number of parts yet also providing tactile, stabilized key travel, support for various sensor or switch types for the keys, and, in some cases, haptic feedback.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Craig C. Leong, Alex J. Lehmann
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Patent number: 10741344Abstract: An input mechanism is disclosed. The input mechanism includes a dome support structure defining an opening that extends through the dome support structure, a collapsible dome positioned in the opening and engaged with the dome support structure, and a cover member coupled to the dome support structure and covering the collapsible dome, thereby retaining the collapsible dome within the opening of the dome support structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Eric A. Knopf, Matthew P. Casebolt, Craig C. Leong, Robert Y. Cao, Bradford J. Zercoe, Dinesh C. Mathew, Zheng Gao, Ryan P. Brooks, Paul X. Wang, Bruce E. Berg
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Patent number: 10725722Abstract: Electronic computer systems are described. In particular embodiments, the electronic systems include a first electronic device having a first display and first computing resources and a second electronic device having a second display and second computing resources. The electronic systems also include a coupling element that is configured to mechanically couple and provide a communication path between the first electronic device and the second electronic device. In a coupled configuration, the first computing resources are available for use by the second electronic device via the communication path such that the first display is operable as a primary display capable of presenting visual content in accordance with the first and second computing resources, and the second display is operable as a secondary display that is capable of providing data for operation of the coupled configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Blake R. Koelmel, Craig C. Leong
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Patent number: 10699856Abstract: A key mechanism including one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge may include a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. Hinged coupling mechanisms couple respective arms of the wings together. Additionally or alternatively, a key mechanism can include one or more half-butterfly hinges. Each half-butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. A hinged coupling mechanism couples one set of corresponding arms of the wings together, while the other set of corresponding arms are not coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, Craig C. Leong, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Bruce E. Berg, John M. Brock
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Patent number: 10637977Abstract: An item such as a leather-based item may have a layer of leather with one or more transparent portions that are illuminated by a light source. The transparent portions of the leather may be formed by a single continuous opening in the leather or may be formed by an array of smaller openings. A flexible light guide may be attached to a lower surface of the leather. The light guide may be used to add structure and heft to a thinned portion of the leather while still allowing the leather to remain flexible and soft. The light guide may be attached to a lower surface of the leather and may diffuse and guide light from a light source towards the leather. The light guide may be formed from one or more waveguide “pipes” or may be formed form a plate-light light guide layer that extends continuously under the leather.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Whitney D. Mattson, Christopher T. Lebedeff, Craig C. Leong, James C. Whitley
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Publication number: 20200089328Abstract: An interface device includes a movable button connected to a frame structure by resilient structures positioned laterally between the button and the frame structure. Multiple layers or diaphragms of material can be used to make the button, frame, and resilient structures. Movement of the button can trigger a switch or sensor in a manner allowing an electronic device to detect interaction with the button. The interface device can be implemented in an electronic device such as a keyboard that has a low number of parts yet also providing tactile, stabilized key travel, support for various sensor or switch types for the keys, and, in some cases, haptic feedback.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Craig C. Leong, Alex J. Lehmann
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Patent number: 10556408Abstract: A surface of an electronic device includes a reduced friction surface that comprises a glass beaded film. The glass beaded film includes glass beads disposed in a polymer layer or in an adhesive layer, where a portion of the glass beads protrude from a surface of the polymer or adhesive layer. The reduced friction surface is disposed over at least a portion of the surface of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: James J. Niu, Craig C. Leong, Michael K. Pilliod, Keith J. Hendren
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Patent number: 10468211Abstract: A key mechanism for an electronic device includes a switch housing and a hinged structure. As one example, the hinged structure can be a butterfly hinge. The switch housing includes switch pin retaining mechanisms on opposing sides of the switch housing. The hinged structure includes two separate wings that are positioned adjacent to each other such that a cavity is formed between the two wings. The two wings are coupled together by coupling elements. The wings of the hinged structure can include switch housing pins on each arm of the wing that extend into the cavity and couple to the switch pin retaining mechanisms in the switch housing. Various configurations of switch pin retaining mechanisms and switch housing pins can be used to attach the hinged structure to the switch housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, Robert Y. Cao, Bradford J. Zercoe, Dinesh C. Mathew, Bruce E. Berg
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Patent number: 10437359Abstract: An interface system may include an electronic device defining an input surface, a stylus comprising a magnetic component and configured to provide input to the electronic device via the input surface, and a magnetic field generator coupled to the electronic device and configured to produce a magnetic field to impart a force on the magnetic component of the stylus.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Joel N. Ruscher, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Craig C. Leong, David L. Christensen
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Patent number: 10424446Abstract: Keyboard assemblies having reduced thicknesses and methods of forming the same. A keyboard assembly may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a single membrane sheet adhered directly to the PCB. The single membrane sheet may substantially cover the PCB. The keyboard assembly may also include a group of dome switches coupled directly to the single membrane sheet. Another keyboard assembly may include a group of conductive pads and a group of membrane pads. Each of the group of membrane pads may be adhered directly to a corresponding one of the group of conductive pads. The keyboard assembly may also include a group of dome switches coupled directly to the membrane pads. Each of the group of dome switches may be coupled directly to a corresponding one of the group of membrane pads.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, Bradford J. Zercoe, Thai Q. La, Robert Y. Cao, Alex J. Lehmann, Dinesh C. Mathew
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Publication number: 20190214201Abstract: An illuminated glass keycap having a glyph diffuser layer that may diffuse light through a glyph window opened in a background layer. The background layer may be opaque and the glyph window may be transparent. The keycap is adhered to a scissor mechanism positioned above electrical switch circuitry. Included within, below, or adjacent to the scissor mechanism may be one or more light sources positioned to emit light through the keycap, around the perimeter of the keycap, and/or through the background layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Craig C. Leong, Derrick T. Jue, Hilbert T. Kwan, Keith J. Hendren
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Publication number: 20190196603Abstract: Multi-functional keyboard assemblies include an array of keys formed from stacked component layers. A top portion of the key may be capable of travelling vertically with respect to a base of the key. The top portion can include a keycap and a circuitry module coupled to the keycap. The keys may be capable of receive at least two distinct types of inputs and/or receiving at least one type of input and providing at least one type of output. Such output may include use of one or more light sources, displays, and/or haptic feedback devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Bartley K. Andre, Mikael Silvanto, Dinesh C. Mathew