Patents by Inventor Matthew W. Blum
Matthew W. Blum 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: 10228721Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Houtan R. Farahani, Craig C. Leong, Matthew W. Blum, Zheng Gao, Kevin M. Robinson, Keith J. Hendren
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Patent number: 10134539Abstract: A venting system for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A keyboard assembly including a printed circuit board defining a set of apertures, and a group of switch housings coupled to the printed circuit board. Each switch housing of the group of switch housings may define a switch opening positioned above one of the set of apertures of the printed circuit board. The keyboard assembly may also include a shield defining at least one channel of a venting system formed below the printed circuit board. The at least one channel may be in fluid communication with at least one aperture, and at least one of the switch openings positioned above the at least one aperture.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, Bradford J. Zercoe, Thai Quoc La, Nicholas I Reid, Keith J. Hendren, John M. Brock, Matthew W. Blum
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Patent number: 10133314Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Houtan R. Farahani, Craig C. Leong, Matthew W. Blum, Zheng Gao, Kevin M. Robinson, Keith J. Hendren
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Patent number: 10126783Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Houtan R. Farahani, Craig C. Leong, Matthew W. Blum, Zheng Gao, Kevin M. Robinson, Keith J. Hendren
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Patent number: 9955570Abstract: The subject matter of this disclosure relates to a flexible circuit for carrying a signal between electrical components that includes boosting circuitry for mitigating the effects of signal degradation. More particularly the flexible circuit can carry a signal between a main logic board and an input/output board supporting input/output ports of a portable electronic device. The flexible circuit can be configured with bends in order to meet packaging constraints such as avoiding contact with components obstructing a direct path between connectors of the electrical components. Additional bends can also be included in the flexible that facilitate the assembly of the portable electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew W. Blum, Christine A. Laliberte, Corey N. Axelowitz, James Y. Yap
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Patent number: 9882323Abstract: Connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are easy to manufacture. One example may provide a connector receptacle having one or more movable portions. These movable portions may move relative to an enclosure for an electronic device housing the connector receptacle. When a connector insert is inserted into the receptacle, the movable portions may move to help absorb insertion forces thereby protecting the connector receptacle from damage.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: George Tziviskos, Paul J. Hack, Matthew W. Blum
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Patent number: 9841787Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device includes a retention member that provides a force to a flexible circuit disposed in a top portion and a bottom portion of the portable computing device. The retention member limits movement of the flexible circuit when, for example, the flexible circuit receives a force in response to the top portion pivoting with respect to the bottom portion. The bottom portion of the portable computing devices includes a bottom case having multiple terraced regions. The terraced regions allow the bottom portion to receive additional internal components, such as one or more battery packs, a main logic board, and/or one or more speaker modules. The battery packs are secured to the terraced region via adhesive rings. Although the terraced regions require additional material removed from the bottom case, the internal components secured to the bottom case provide structural support.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas I. Reid, Matthew W. Blum, Fabio T. Campos, Houtan R. Farahani
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Publication number: 20170003718Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Houtan R. FARAHANI, Craig C. LEONG, Matthew W. BLUM, Zheng GAO, Kevin M. ROBINSON, Keith J. HENDREN
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Publication number: 20160327980Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Houtan R. FARAHANI, Craig C. LEONG, Matthew W. BLUM, Zheng GAO, Kevin M. ROBINSON, Keith J. HENDREN
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Publication number: 20160327986Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Houtan R. FARAHANI, Craig C. LEONG, Matthew W. BLUM, Zheng GAO, Kevin M. ROBINSON, Keith J. HENDREN
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Patent number: 9461390Abstract: An externally accessible component in an electronic device is described. The component may be installed within an enclosure without being properly aligned with an opening of the enclosure. A tool external to the electronic device may be inserted into the component and into a rear member located behind the component. The tool may actuate the rear member in a manner that actuates the component to move in a direction toward the opening, in order to align the component with the opening. A method of aligning the component is also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew W. Blum, Stephen V. Jayanathan
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Patent number: 9411380Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Houtan R. Farahani, Craig C. Leong, Matthew W. Blum, Zheng Gao, Kevin M. Robinson, Keith J. Hendren
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Publication number: 20160216735Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device includes a retention member that provides a force to a flexible circuit disposed in a top portion and a bottom portion of the portable computing device. The retention member limits movement of the flexible circuit when, for example, the flexible circuit receives a force in response to the top portion pivoting with respect to the bottom portion. The bottom portion of the portable computing devices includes a bottom case having multiple terraced regions. The terraced regions allow the bottom portion to receive additional internal components, such as one or more battery packs, a main logic board, and/or one or more speaker modules. The battery packs are secured to the terraced region via adhesive rings. Although the terraced regions require additional material removed from the bottom case, the internal components secured to the bottom case provide structural support.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2015Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Nicholas I. REID, Matthew W. BLUM, Fabio T. CAMPOS, Houtan R. FARAHANI
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Publication number: 20160205766Abstract: The subject matter of this disclosure relates to a flexible circuit for carrying a signal between electrical components that includes boosting circuitry for mitigating the effects of signal degradation. More particularly the flexible circuit can carry a signal between a main logic board and an input/output board supporting input/output ports of a portable electronic device. The flexible circuit can be configured with bends in order to meet packaging constraints such as avoiding contact with components obstructing a direct path between connectors of the electrical components. Additional bends can also be included in the flexible that facilitate the assembly of the portable electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Matthew W. BLUM, Christine A. LALIBERTE, Corey N. AXELOWITZ, James Y. YAP
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Publication number: 20160189890Abstract: A venting system for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A keyboard assembly including a printed circuit board defining a set of apertures, and a group of switch housings coupled to the printed circuit board. Each switch housing of the group of switch housings may define a switch opening positioned above one of the set of apertures of the printed circuit board. The keyboard assembly may also include a shield defining at least one channel of a venting system formed below the printed circuit board. The at least one channel may be in fluid communication with at least one aperture, and at least one of the switch openings positioned above the at least one aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Craig C. Leong, Bradford J. Zercoe, Thai Quoc La, Nicholas I Reid, Keith J. Hendren, John M. Brock, Matthew W. Blum
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Patent number: 9214268Abstract: Method, system, and apparatus for optimizing kinematics of a magnetic latch having a magnetic element is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Fabio T. Campos, Jonathan E. Borkowski, Chee How Chong, Matthew W. Blum, William A. Tashman, Michelle R. Goldberg, Stefano Tizianel, Noemi Novello
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Publication number: 20150338887Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Houtan R. Farahani, Craig C. Leong, Matthew W. Blum, Zheng Gao
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Publication number: 20150338883Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Houtan R. FARAHANI, Craig C. LEONG, Matthew W. BLUM, Zheng GAO
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Publication number: 20150316090Abstract: An externally accessible component in an electronic device is described. The component may be installed within an enclosure without being properly aligned with an opening of the enclosure. A tool external to the electronic device may be inserted into the component and into a rear member located behind the component. The tool may actuate the rear member in a manner that actuates the component to move in a direction toward the opening, in order to align the component with the opening. A method of aligning the component is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew W. Blum, Stephen V. Jayanathan
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Publication number: 20150295356Abstract: Connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are easy to manufacture. One example may provide a connector receptacle having one or more movable portions. These movable portions may move relative to an enclosure for an electronic device housing the connector receptacle. When a connector insert is inserted into the receptacle, the movable portions may move to help absorb insertion forces thereby protecting the connector receptacle from damage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: George Tziviskos, Paul J. Hack, Matthew W. Blum