Patents by Inventor Forrest W. Liau

Forrest W. Liau 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).

  • Rigid trackpad for an electronic device
    Patent number: 10310686
    Abstract: A laminated stack, such as a trackpad, is assembled by coupling components using an adhesive system. Assembly of the laminated stack includes forming an adhesive-spacing component on a first substrate, forming an adhesive-alignment-holding component on the first substrate in a perimeter around the adhesive-spacing component, forming a bonding component by filling an area within the perimeter with liquid adhesive, and bonding the first substrate to a second substrate by curing the bonding component. The first substrate and the second substrate may each be one of a touch-sensing component and a cover component. The adhesive-spacing component maintains a space between the first substrate and the second substrate while the bonding component cures. The adhesive-alignment-holding component maintains alignment of the first substrate and the second substrate while the bonding component cures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kyle J. Nekimken, Scott J. McEuen, Forrest W. Liau, Joonas I. Ponkala, Sanjay C. Sheth, Alex J. Lehmann, Nathan N. Ng, Matthew B. Frazer
  • RIGID TRACKPAD FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20180011565
    Abstract: A laminated stack, such as a trackpad, is assembled by coupling components using an adhesive system. Assembly of the laminated stack includes forming an adhesive-spacing component on a first substrate, forming an adhesive-alignment-holding component on the first substrate in a perimeter around the adhesive-spacing component, forming a bonding component by filling an area within the perimeter with liquid adhesive, and bonding the first substrate to a second substrate by curing the bonding component. The first substrate and the second substrate may each be one of a touch-sensing component and a cover component. The adhesive-spacing component maintains a space between the first substrate and the second substrate while the bonding component cures. The adhesive-alignment-holding component maintains alignment of the first substrate and the second substrate while the bonding component cures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Kyle J. Nekimken, Scott J. McEuen, Forrest W. Liau, Joonas I. Ponkala, Sanjay C. Sheth, Alex J. Lehmann, Nathan N. Ng, Matthew B. Frazer
  • Thermal-mechanical positioning for radiation tracking
    Patent number: 8499756
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for controlling angular position of a pivotable platform relative to a radiation source. In one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling angular position of a pivotable platform relative to a radiation source includes a frame, a thermal actuation element coupled to the frame, a pivotable platform positioned between the radiation source and the thermal actuation element so as to at least partially block energy from the radiation source from impinging on the thermal actuation element, and apparatus for pivoting the pivotable platform in response to a thermally controlled deformation of the thermal actuation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: SunPoint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Bathurst, Andrew W. Carvey, Eric D. Cohen, Jordan V. Etra, Forrest W. Liau, George C. Whitfield
  • THERMAL-MECHANICAL POSITIONING FOR RADIATION TRACKING
    Publication number: 20100275904
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for controlling angular position of a pivotable platform relative to a radiation source. In one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling angular position of a pivotable platform relative to a radiation source includes a frame, a thermal actuation element coupled to the frame, a pivotable platform positioned between the radiation source and the thermal actuation element so as to at least partially block energy from the radiation source from impinging on the thermal actuation element, and apparatus for pivoting the pivotable platform in response to a thermally controlled deformation of the thermal actuation element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: SunPoint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Bathurst, Andrew W. Carvey, Eric D. Cohen, Jordan V. Etra, Forrest W. Liau, George C. Whitfield