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: 10671127
    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: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Bryan W. Posner, Denis H. Endisch, Dinesh C. Mathew, Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20200159284
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display. Inactive portions of the display such as peripheral portions of the display may be masked using an opaque masking layer. An opening may be provided in the opaque masking layer to allow light to pass. For example, a logo may be viewed through an opening in the opaque masking layer and a camera may receive light through an opening in the opaque masking layer. The display may include upper and lower polarizers, a color filter layer, and a thin-film transistor layer. The opaque masking layer may be formed on the upper polarizer, may be interposed between the upper polarizer and the color filter layer, or may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin-film transistor layer. The upper polarizer may have unpolarized windows for cameras, logos, or other internal structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Thomas Wilson, JR., Adam T. Garelli
  • Patent number: 10656714
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    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
  • Publication number: 20200097747
    Abstract: This application relates to a laptop computer. The laptop computer includes a base portion pivotally coupled to a lid portion is described. The laptop computer includes a display assembly carried by the lid portion, where the display assembly includes a light-transmissive cover, a display layer overlaid by the light-transmissive cover, a display stack electrically coupled to and overlaid by the display layer, and a light pattern recognition module adjacent to the display stack and overlaid by the display layer. The light pattern recognition module includes (i) a light pattern projector that projects a light pattern directly through the display layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. WANG, Keith J. HENDREN, Adam T. GARELLI, Antonio CLARKE, Joshua L. DAIGLE, Dinesh C. MATHEW
  • Publication number: 20200097048
    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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Bryan W. Posner, Denis H. Endisch, Dinesh C. Mathew, Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20200090885
    Abstract: Keyboards and other input devices are provided with at least one flexible layer that extends over or under the keycaps. The flexible layer spans interkey spaces and provides finger support and key definition as the user feels the top surface of the keycaps and flexible layer. The flexible layer therefore smooths the top surface of the keyboard, supports fingers during key travel, prevents ingress of contaminants, fluids, or debris into the keyboard, and provides a surface that can be used as a touch interface that coincides with the keyboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren
  • Patent number: 10571957
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display. Inactive portions of the display such as peripheral portions of the display may be masked using an opaque masking layer. An opening may be provided in the opaque masking layer to allow light to pass. For example, a logo may be viewed through an opening in the opaque masking layer and a camera may receive light through an opening in the opaque masking layer. The display may include upper and lower polarizers, a color filter layer, and a thin-film transistor layer. The opaque masking layer may be formed on the upper polarizer, may be interposed between the upper polarizer and the color filter layer, or may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin-film transistor layer. The upper polarizer may have unpolarized windows for cameras, logos, or other internal structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Thomas Wilson, Jr., Adam T. Garelli
  • Patent number: 10556408
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: James J. Niu, Craig C. Leong, Michael K. Pilliod, Keith J. Hendren
  • Publication number: 20200026327
    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: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Paul X. Wang, Adam T. Garelli, Brett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Dinesh C. Mathew
  • Publication number: 20200004337
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an electronic device that provides discrete haptic output in separate regions of a device housing. These regions may both accept input and provide haptic output. Typically, a haptic output provided in a first region is imperceptible to a user touching an abutting region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Denis H. Endisch, Alex J. Lehmann, Robert Y. Cao
  • Patent number: 10466749
    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: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Bryan W. Posner, Denis H. Endisch, Dinesh C. Mathew, Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20190220065
    Abstract: This application relates to hidden fasteners within an electronic device. An electronic device can include a top portion and a base portion that includes a housing and a cover attached to the housing by at least one fastener that is not visible through an external surface of the cover. Each fastener includes a receiver housing that retrains spherical components and a pin that can be inserted into an opening in the receiver housing. The pin is retained in the receiver housing by a force imparted against a surface of the pin by the spherical components, which are biased towards an inner surface of the receiver housing sloped towards the opening. The pin can be released when an external magnetic field from a magnet placed proximate the bottom surface of the receiver housing retracts the spherical components away from the opening, thereby reducing the force against the surface of the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Simon Regis Louis LANCASTER-LAROCQUE, Kent JOHNSTON, Michael MALONEY, John C. DIFONZO, Gurshan DEOL, Kamal H. HABBOUB, Keith J. HENDREN, Karan BIR, Steven J. OSBORNE, Christiaan A. LIGTENBERG
  • Publication number: 20190214201
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Craig C. Leong, Derrick T. Jue, Hilbert T. Kwan, Keith J. Hendren
  • Publication number: 20190196603
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    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
  • Publication number: 20190180955
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, Craig C. Leong, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Bruce E. Berg, John M. Brock
  • Publication number: 20190172341
    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: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Bataillou, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholaus Lubinski, Ryan P. Brooks, John M. Brock, Wayne W. Huang
  • Publication number: 20190122836
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Bradford J. Zercoe, Craig C. Leong, Keith J. Hendren
  • Patent number: 10262814
    Abstract: A low travel switch assembly and systems and methods for using the same are disclosed. The low travel dome may include a domed surface having upper and lower portions, and a set of tuning members integrated within the domed surface between the upper and lower portions. The tuning members may be operative to control a force-displacement curve characteristic of the low travel dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., John M. Brock, Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, Satoshi Okuma, Shinsuke Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10254851
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20190101960
    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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Mikael M. Silvanto, Simon R. 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