Patents by Inventor Derek W. Wright

Derek W. Wright 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: 20170308123
    Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs, Jeremy C. Franklin, Elvis M. Kibiti, John Raff, Jules B. Henry, Benjamin Rappoport, Derek W. Wright, Erik A. Utterman, Ming Yu, Carl R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9710017
    Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs, Jeremy C. Franklin, Elvis M. Kibiti, John Raff, Jules B. Henry, Benjamin Rappoport, Derek W. Wright, Erik A. Utterman, Ming Yu, Carl R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9651319
    Abstract: Laminated rolls of sealed graphite pouches and methods for making the same are provided. The laminated roll can include a first substrate having a length and a plurality of sealed pouches disposed on the substrate at predetermined intervals along its length. Each sealed pouch can include a graphite sheet having first and second sides, the first side affixed to the substrate, and a second substrate affixed to at least the second side of the graphite sheet and to a portion of the substrate to fully seal the graphite sheet within an enclosed space. In one embodiment, the roll of sealed graphite sheet pouches can be fixed to a roll of another substrate in a roll-to-roll fashion and the combined rolls can be cut into discrete portions for use in a particular application. For example, the roll of the other substrate can be a roll of enhanced spectral reflector (ESR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Rappoport, Derek W. Wright
  • Publication number: 20170090576
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing localized tactile output and systems and methods for obtaining localized physical characteristic information are disclosed. An electronic device can include a friction transducer configured to augment and/or detect friction between a surface of an electronic device and an object in contact with that electronic device. The electronic device may also include a force transducer configured to detect the force with which an object contacts a display. The force transducer may also provide mechanical output. The electronic device can also include a thermal transducer to augment and/or detect the temperature of various locations on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Carl R. Peterson, Derek W. Wright, Kevin D. Gibbs, Soyoung Kim, Stephen R. McClure
  • Publication number: 20170068318
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a housing in which display structures are mounted. Additional input-output devices such as a track pad may also be mounted in the housing. These input-output devices may include components such as touch sensors and force sensors for gathering input from a user. The display structures may include a display such as a flexible organic light-emitting diode display or a liquid crystal display that can present visual information to the user. To provide the user with tactile output, an output device such as a display or track pad may be provided with electroactive polymer structures, electromagnetic actuators, and other tactile output devices. The tactile output devices may provide protrusions, indentations, selectively stiffened and softened areas, and other tactile output for a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Derek W. Wright, Paul S. Drzaic, Soyoung Kim, Yung-Yu Hsu, Que Anh S. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20170048365
    Abstract: Transparent structures for portions of electronic device housings are disclosed. The transparent structures are formed from multiple layers of transparent (optically clear) materials. The multiple layers can include at least an outer glass layer and one or more other transparent layers that can be either glass or polymer layers. The multiple layers can be bonded together with one or more lamination layers. Accordingly, multi-layer transparent structures that are formed from multiple layers bonded together are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong and resistant to damage. The multi-layer transparent structures are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., portable electronic devices).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Derek W. Wright, Justin R. Wodrich, Benjamin M. Rappoport
  • Patent number: 9516149
    Abstract: Transparent structures for portions of electronic device housings are disclosed. The transparent structures are formed from multiple layers of transparent (optically clear) materials. The multiple layers can include at least an outer glass layer and one or more other transparent layers that can be either glass or polymer layers. The multiple layers can be bonded together with one or more lamination layers. Accordingly, multi-layer transparent structures that are formed from multiple layers bonded together are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong and resistant to damage. The multi-layer transparent structures are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., portable electronic devices).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Derek W. Wright, Justin R. Wodrich, Benjamin M. Rappoport
  • Publication number: 20160306423
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for providing haptic output on an electronic device. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes an actuator configured to move in a first direction. The electronic device also includes a substrate coupled to the actuator. When the actuator moves in the first direction, the substrate or a portion of the substrate, by virtue of being coupled to the actuator, moves in a second direction. In some implementations, the movement of the substrate is perpendicular to the movement of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Erik A. Uttermann, Kevin D. Gibbs, Dhaval Chandrakant Patel, Florence W. Ow, Derek W. Wright, Stephen R. McClure, Inna Lobel
  • Patent number: 9453976
    Abstract: An electronic device having an optical connector that provides and/or receives optical signals through openings or perforations formed at an external surface of the electronic device. These openings can serve as the interface of the optical connector through which the electronic device can engage in one-way or two-way communication with corresponding optical connectors of other electronic devices. These openings can be sized such that they are not visible or not easily visible with the naked human eye. As such, these openings can be too small for communicating with corresponding optical connectors using any single one of these openings. But light that is collectively transmitted through or received through a group of these openings can provide optical signals that can be used to communicate with corresponding optical connectors using optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Qian, Derek W. Wright, John Raff
  • Patent number: 9389029
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a heat transfer structure that is positioned between a first component that generates heat and a second component that dissipates heat. The heat transfer structure transfers heat from the first component to the second component. The heat transfer structure can include a heat transfer member including a thermal conductive layer attached to at least one flexible layer and at least one deformable region created by a shape of the heat transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ihtesham H. Chowdhury, Henry H. Lam, Derek W. Wright, Amaury J. Heresztyn
  • Patent number: 9361609
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a liquid crystal display with backlight structures. The backlight structures may produce backlight that passes through the display layers in the display. The display layers may include a layer of liquid crystal material interposed between a color filter layer and a thin-film transistor layer. The backlight structures may include a light guide plate. A plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted on a flexible printed circuit may be coupled to an edge of the light guide plate. The flexible printed circuit may be curled into a spring element to bias the light-emitting diodes against the edge of the light guide plate. A plurality of gaps may be formed in the flexible printed circuit and may be used to separate and mechanically decouple adjacent light-emitting diodes. Individual light-emitting diodes may independently register to the light guide plate to maximize optical efficiency in the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Derek W. Wright, Wenyong Zhu
  • Patent number: 9338832
    Abstract: The described embodiment relates generally to the field of inductive heating. More specifically an inductive heater designed for use in assembling electronics is disclosed. A number of methods for shaping a radio-frequency (RF) receiver structure are disclosed for the purpose of completing an inductive bonding process without causing harm to adjacent electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Derek W. Wright, Erik A. Uttermann, Stephen R. McClure
  • Patent number: 9335187
    Abstract: Pressure indicator pressure sensitive adhesive may contain microspheres that burst and release indicator when subjected to pressure and thereby produce a detectable indication of how much pressure has been applied when forming an adhesive joint between opposing structures. Electronic device structures can be assembled using the pressure indicator pressure sensitive adhesive. A camera or other sensor may monitor joint formation. The camera can gather infrared image data, visible light image data, or ultraviolet light image data. Sensor data such as magnetic or ultrasonic sensor data can also be collected on an adhesive joint. Joint inspection can be performed on test structures and production structures and corresponding adjustments made to the joint formation process. Positioners and other equipment that compresses the pressure indicator pressure sensitive adhesive can be adjusted in real time or calibrated using information about the condition of the pressure indicator pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Derek W. Wright, Carl R. Peterson, Kristina A. Babiarz
  • Publication number: 20160091678
    Abstract: An electronic device having an optical connector that provides and/or receives optical signals through openings or perforations formed at an external surface of the electronic device. These openings can serve as the interface of the optical connector through which the electronic device can engage in one-way or two-way communication with corresponding optical connectors of other electronic devices. These openings can be sized such that they are not visible or not easily visible with the naked human eye. As such, these openings can be too small for communicating with corresponding optical connectors using any single one of these openings. But light that is collectively transmitted through or received through a group of these openings can provide optical signals that can be used to communicate with corresponding optical connectors using optical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Amy Qian, Derek W. Wright, John Raff
  • Publication number: 20160088692
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display. The display may be an organic light-emitting diode display. The organic light-emitting diode display may have a substrate layer, a layer of organic light-emitting diode structures, and a layer of sealant. Vias may be formed in the substrate layer. The vias may be formed before completion of the display or after completion of the display. The vias may be filled with metal using electroplating or other metal deposition techniques. The vias may be connected to contacts on the rear surface of the display. The vias may be located in active regions of the display or inactive regions of the display. The display may include a top surface emission portion and a bottom surface emission portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas J. Weber, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Paul S. Drzaic, Teodor Dabov, Derek W. Wright, Scott A. Myers
  • Patent number: 9257218
    Abstract: Methods and tools for positioning cables using magnets during assembly of a consumer electronic product are described. Methods described are well suited in the manufacture of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, computer tablets and the like. Methods involve attaching magnetic components to cables and to one or more surfaces within the enclosure of the electronic devices. During assembly, the magnetic components on the cables magnetically couple with corresponding magnetic components on the surfaces within the enclosure. In this way, the cables can be secured in certain positions and out of the way during the assembly of the electronic device. In some instances, the cables can remain magnetically secured after assembly and during the operation of the electronic device. In other instances, the magnetic components are decoupled after assembly thereby releasing the cables from their secured positions during operation of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Gibbs, Derek W. Wright, John Raff
  • Publication number: 20160033994
    Abstract: A wearable accessory device is disclosed. The wearable accessory device includes a flexible display coupled to a bi-stable spring. Coupling the display to the bi-stable spring allows the accessory device to be easily worn in a number of convenient locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Fletcher R. ROTHKOPF, Derek W. WRIGHT, Scott A. MYERS
  • Patent number: 9242429
    Abstract: Structures and methods for providing a liquid adhesive between substrates of a composite structure are described. Methods include providing a liquid adhesive having a thread disposed therein between two substrates of a composite structure. In some embodiments, the thread has a fixed diameter which acts to provide a consistent gap between the two substrates. In some embodiments, the thread is configured to be activated during the assembly process to facilitate curing of the liquid adhesive. In some embodiments the thread is configured to be activated after the composite structure is formed to facilitate separation of the two substrates and disassembly of the composite structure. The thread can be made of a conductive or non-conductive material. In some embodiments, the thread is activated by passing a voltage through the thread to heat the thread. In some embodiments, the thread is activated by passing ultraviolet light through the thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel T. Reineman, Kevin D. Gibbs, Amy Qian, Derek W. Wright
  • Patent number: 9226347
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display. The display may be an organic light-emitting diode display. The organic light-emitting diode display may have a substrate layer, a layer of organic light-emitting diode structures, and a layer of sealant. Vias may be formed in the substrate layer. The vias may be formed before completion of the display or after completion of the display. The vias may be filled with metal using electroplating or other metal deposition techniques. The vias may be connected to contacts on the rear surface of the display. The vias may be located in active regions of the display or inactive regions of the display. The display may include a top surface emission portion and a bottom surface emission portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Weber, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Paul S. Drzaic, Teodor Dabov, Derek W. Wright, Scott A. Myers
  • Publication number: 20150355682
    Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided with conductive structures and antennas mounted near a gap between the conductive structures. A conductive member may be used to at least partially fill the gap in order to prevent emission from the antenna from entering the gap and interfering with the operation of the antenna. The conductive gap-filling member may include a conductive outer layer and a non-conductive inner layer. The inner layer may have opposing edge portions that are attached to each other or may be a continuous tubular insulating layer. The outer layer may be a layer of conductive fabric having opposing edge portions that are attached to each other or to opposing edge portions of the inner layer. An edge portion of the outer layer may be attached to a conductive structure. An insulating material may be formed between another edge portion of the outer layer and a second conductive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Taylor H. Gilbert, Derek W. Wright