Patents by Inventor Keith J. Hendren

Keith J. Hendren 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: 11698663
    Abstract: A computing device can include a housing including a peripheral housing defining an aperture, the peripheral housing having a constant cross-sectional area. The computing device can also include a display having a first major surface and a second major surface opposing the first major surface, the display disposed within the aperture defined by the peripheral housing and attached to the housing at one or more locations such that the first major surface and the second major surface of the display are substantially unobstructed by any other portion of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Bryan W. Posner, Denis H. Endisch, Dinesh C. Mathew, Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20230188877
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing defining an aperture and a display positioned in the aperture. The display and the housing can define an internal volume in which a speaker assembly is positioned. The speaker assembly can include a speaker module and a speaker enclosure in fluid communication, with the speaker enclosure at least partially defining a speaker volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Chanjuan Feng, Christopher Wilk, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Stuart M. Nevill, Daniel K. Boothe, Nicholas A. Rundle, Simon S. Lee, Xiang Zhang, Thomas H. Tsang, Rebecca J. Mikolajczyk
  • Publication number: 20230142264
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an electronic device that includes a cover and a haptic module positioned below the cover. The haptic module includes a substrate positioned below the cover and offset from the cover, a spacer positioned between the substrate and the cover and coupling the substrate to the cover, and a piezoelectric element positioned on a surface of the substrate and offset from the cover to define a gap between the piezoelectric element and the cover. The electronic device can also include a sensor coupled to the cover and configured to detect an input, and a processing unit operably coupled to the piezoelectric element and configured to cause the piezoelectric element to deflect the cover in response to the sensor detecting the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Alex J. Lehmann, Joonas I. Ponkala, Keith J. Hendren, Xian Wang, Yu-Lin Kao, Kevin C. Armendariz
  • Publication number: 20230091389
    Abstract: A display may have a pixel array such as a liquid crystal pixel array. The pixel array may be illuminated with backlight illumination from a direct-lit backlight unit. The backlight unit may include an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on a printed circuit board. The display may have a notch to accommodate an input-output component. Reflective layers may be included in the notch. The backlight may include a color conversion layer with a property that varies as a function of position. The light-emitting diodes may be covered by a slab of encapsulant with recesses in an upper surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Meizi Jiao, Joshua A. Spechler, Jie Xiang, Zhenyue Luo, Chungjae Lee, Morteza Amoorezaei, Mengyang Liang, Xinyu Zhu, Mingxia Gu, Jun Qi, Eric L. Benson, Victor H. Yin, Youchul Jeong, Xiang Fang, Yanming Li, Michael J. Lee, Marianna C. Sbordone, Ari P. Miller, Edward J. Cooper, Michael C. Sulkis, Francesco Ferretti, Seth G. McFarland, Mary M. Morrison, Eric N. Vergo, Terence Chan, Ian A. Guy, Keith J. Hendren
  • Publication number: 20230088181
    Abstract: Low-profile computer supports include features to reduce the thickness and improve the portability or storage capability of a computer system while it is disassembled, packaged, shipped, or moved. Some computer systems have a computing device and a dock device that can be stored and moved separately or that can store or support accessories associated with the computer system. Some computer systems have a movable stand configured to transition between a collapsed state and a deployed or standing state. Some stands include handles or grips for moving the computer systems while collapsed. Other computer systems include handles or grips to provide areas to more easily carry the computer systems. The handles or grips can have features such as a flexible material to hide or mask their appearance on the computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Abidur R. Chowdhury, Adam T. Garelli, Bart K. Andre, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren
  • Patent number: 11610476
    Abstract: A remote control device includes a housing and an upper element. The top surface of the upper element can be partitioned to include different frictionally engaging surfaces. At least one frictionally engaging surface can be used as an input surface that receives user inputs such as touch or force inputs. An input device, such as a force sensing switch, can be positioned in the housing and used in determining an amount of force applied to the input surface. The bottom surface of the upper element below the second surface can be affixed to the housing in a manner that permits the input surface to bend based on the applied force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Bataillou, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholaus Lubinski, Ryan P. Brooks, John M. Brock, Wayne W. Huang
  • Patent number: 11604491
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to computing devices including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and more particularly to methods for attaching a cover glass layer to a structural housing while minimizing an amount of stress transferred through the cover glass layer to the LCD module. A continuous and compliant foam adhesive can be used to bond the cover glass layer to a structural. The compliant bond can absorb and distribute local stress concentrations caused by structural loads, mismatched surfaces and differing thermal expansion rates between various structures and cover glass layer. This can reduce stress concentrations in the cover glass layer that can lead to stress induced birefringence in the LCD cell. In other embodiments, the cover glass layer can be attached using magnets or a tongue and groove design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Edward J. Cooper, Brett W. Degner, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Dave Tarkington
  • Patent number: 11606633
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing defining an aperture and a display positioned in the aperture. The display and the housing can define an internal volume in which a speaker assembly is positioned. The speaker assembly can include a speaker module and a speaker enclosure in fluid communication, with the speaker enclosure at least partially defining a speaker volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Chanjuan Feng, Christopher Wilk, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Stuart M. Nevill, Daniel K. Boothe, Nicholas A. Rundle, Simon S. Lee, Xiang Zhang, Thomas H. Tsang, Rebecca J. Mikolajczyk
  • Publication number: 20230049811
    Abstract: A foldable display device may have housing portions coupled by a hinge. The hinge may have a series of interconnected links. The links may be formed from interdigitated fingers in a friction clutch. The fingers or other portions of the links may be provided with crescent-shaped slots that receive pins. During folding of the device, the pins may slide along the crescent-shaped slots, thereby ensuring that adjacent links rotate relative to each other about a rotation axis that lies outside of the hinge and within a flexible display panel. Links may also be formed from link members with curved mating bearing surfaces that slide relative to each other as adjacent links are rotated relative to each other. A housing rotation synchronization mechanism may be formed using a set of gears that extends between the first and second housing portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Scott J Krahn, Adam T Garelli, Bradley J Hamel, Dinesh C Mathew, Hoon Sik Kim, Keith J Hendren, Robert Y Cao, Terry C Lam, Kevin M Robinson, Houtan R Farahani, Tatsuya Sano
  • Patent number: 11550369
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure formed of a plurality of layers cooperating to define an interior volume. The enclosure includes a first layer formed of a first material and defining a user input surface of the enclosure and a first portion of a side surface of the enclosure. The enclosure also includes a second layer, formed of a second material different from the first material, positioned below the first layer and defining a second portion of the side surface of the enclosure. The enclosure also includes a third layer, formed of a third material different from the first and second materials, positioned below the second layer and defining a bottom surface of the enclosure and a third portion of the side surface of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Mikael M. Silvanto, Simon J. Trivett, Matthew S. Theobald, Dinesh C. Mathew, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Robert Y. Cao, Ari P. Miller, Kevin M. Robinson, Houtan R. Farahani, Francesco Ferretti, John Raff, Robert J. Lockwood, Genie Kim, Karan Bir, Keith J. Hendren, Gurshan Deol, Antonio Clarke, Prabhu Sathyamurthy, William A. Counts
  • Patent number: 11528820
    Abstract: Low-profile computer supports include features to reduce the thickness and improve the portability or storage capability of a computer system while it is disassembled, packaged, shipped, or moved. Some computer systems have a computing device and a dock device that can be stored and moved separately or that can store or support accessories associated with the computer system. Some computer systems have a movable stand configured to transition between a collapsed state and a deployed or standing state. Some stands include handles or grips for moving the computer systems while collapsed. Other computer systems include handles or grips to provide areas to more easily carry the computer systems. The handles or grips can have features such as a flexible material to hide or mask their appearance on the computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Abidur R. Chowdhury, Adam T. Garelli, Bart K. Andre, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren
  • Publication number: 20220357802
    Abstract: Keyboards and other input devices are provided with membranes that extend under the keycaps or buttons. The membranes are flexible and can support conductive structures, traces, and electrical switch connections to enable effective key switches, lighting, and fluid-tightness for the keyboard. The flexible membrane is positioned near the keycaps to prevent ingress of fluids and debris into the lower portions of the key assemblies. In some cases, the flexible membrane also provides support for an interstitial layer that extends between keycaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Shan Wu, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque
  • Publication number: 20220359133
    Abstract: Keycaps for keyboards that have transparent top portions have a set of layered components to define a top surface that provides key definition by curvature, texture, ridges, or other external structural features. Other portions of the keycaps define a glyph or support structure for the top layer. Features such as angle filters and partially reflective materials are implemented to improve the visibility, contrast, and reflectivity of the keycaps. Multiple methods are used to bend or otherwise modify rigid transparent materials such as glass in order to add surface features and to improve aesthetics of the keycaps of a keyboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Christopher D. Jones, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Martin Melcher, Matthew S. Rogers, Naoto Matsuyuki, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Avianne Marie B. Tuano
  • Publication number: 20220357773
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a glass housing member that includes an upper portion defining a display area, a lower portion defining an input area, and a transition portion joining the upper portion and the lower portion and defining a continuous, curved surface between the upper portion and the lower portion. The electronic device may include a display coupled to the glass housing member and configured to provide a visual output at the display area. The electronic device may include an input device coupled to the glass housing member and configured to detect inputs at the input area. The electronic device may include a support structure coupled to the glass housing member and configured to support the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Paul X. Wang, Adam T. Garelli, Brett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Dinesh C. Mathew
  • Publication number: 20220345604
    Abstract: A portable electronic device can have a housing including a wall, the wall at least partially defining an external surface, and the housing defining an aperture disposed opposite the wall. A display assembly can be positioned at the aperture and a retention component can be positioned at least partially in an internal volume defined by the housing. The portable electronic device can also have an optical component that includes an optical component housing defining a camera aperture and a camera module positioned at the camera aperture. The optical component can be configured to be removably retained against the wall by the retention component and to be removably retained against the display assembly by the retention component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Alex J. Lehmann, Dinesh C. Mathew
  • Publication number: 20220326777
    Abstract: A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Ron A. Hopkinson, Asif Hussain, Dinesh C. Mathew, Mikael M. Silvanto, Chang Zhang, Zheng Gao, Robert Y. Cao, Keith J. Hendren, Bryan W. Posner, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Alex J. Lehmann
  • Patent number: 11397449
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a glass housing member that includes an upper portion defining a display area, a lower portion defining an input area, and a transition portion joining the upper portion and the lower portion and defining a continuous, curved surface between the upper portion and the lower portion. The electronic device may include a display coupled to the glass housing member and configured to provide a visual output at the display area. The electronic device may include an input device coupled to the glass housing member and configured to detect inputs at the input area. The electronic device may include a support structure coupled to the glass housing member and configured to support the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Paul X. Wang, Adam T. Garelli, Brett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Dinesh C. Mathew
  • Patent number: 11397473
    Abstract: Keyboards and other input devices are provided with membranes that extend under the keycaps or buttons. The membranes are flexible and can support conductive structures, traces, and electrical switch connections to enable effective key switches, lighting, and fluid-tightness for the keyboard. The flexible membrane is positioned near the keycaps to prevent ingress of fluids and debris into the lower portions of the key assemblies. In some cases, the flexible membrane also provides support for an interstitial layer that extends between keycaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Shan Wu, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque
  • Patent number: 11398359
    Abstract: Keycaps for keyboards that have transparent top portions have a set of layered components to define a top surface that provides key definition by curvature, texture, ridges, or other external structural features. Other portions of the keycaps define a glyph or support structure for the top layer. Features such as angle filters and partially reflective materials are implemented to improve the visibility, contrast, and reflectivity of the keycaps. Multiple methods are used to bend or otherwise modify rigid transparent materials such as glass in order to add surface features and to improve aesthetics of the keycaps of a keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Christopher D. Jones, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Martin Melcher, Matthew S. Rogers, Naoto Matsuyuki, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Avianne Marie B. Tuano
  • Publication number: 20220214724
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a base portion and a display portion rotatably mounted to the base portion. The display portion can have a display housing including a trim that at least partially defines an orifice and a portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device. A display call can be positioned at the orifice in contact with the trim and can be secured to the display housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Adam T. Garelli