Patents by Inventor Minh Dinh

Minh Dinh 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).

  • Electronic Device with Orientation-based Alert Adjustment
    Publication number: 20150348397
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that allow an electronic device to autonomously adapt one or more user alerts to the current operating environment of the electronic device. For example, some embodiments may include a method comprising providing a plurality of alert devices in an electronic device, determining an operating environment of the electronic device using a sensor of the electronic device, and actuating at least one of the plurality of alert devices that corresponds to the determined operating environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Dave Pakula, Matthew Hill, Ethan Larry Huwe, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Richard Hung Minh Dinh
  • Transparent electronic device components with opaque edge coverings
    Patent number: 9182789
    Abstract: An electronic device may have components such as button members, display cover glass layers, structures associated with connector ports, and other components. The components may have transparent and opaque structures. The transparent structures may be formed on top of the opaque structures. The transparent structures may have peripheral edges through which light may pass. To help prevent the appearance of the components from becoming degraded by the presence of dirt, at least some of the edge portions of the transparent structures may be covered with an opaque covering material. The opaque covering material may be formed from paint or sidewall structures that are formed as an integral part of the opaque structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Hill, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Lucy E. Browning, Lee Hua Tan, Tang Yew Tan
  • Portable electronic device housing with outer glass surfaces
    Patent number: 9185816
    Abstract: Improved housings for electronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic device housing can have one or more outer members (e.g., exposed major surfaces), such as front or back surfaces, that are formed of glass. The one or more glass surfaces can be part of outer member assemblies that can be secured to other portions of the electronic device housing. In other embodiments, apparatus, systems and methods for robustly attaching a cover portion of an electronic device to a bottom portion, e.g., a housing portion, of the electronic device are described. The electronic device can be portable and in some cases handheld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David Pakula, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Scott Myers
  • Printed Circuit Board Components for Electronic Devices
    Publication number: 20150243937
    Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided that include mechanical and electronic components. Connectors may be used to interconnect printed circuits and devices mounted to printed circuits. Printed circuits may include rigid printed circuit boards and flexible printed circuit boards. Heat sinks and other thermally conductive structures may be used to remove excess component heat. Structures may also be provided in an electronic device to detect moisture. Integrated circuits and other circuitry may be mounted on a printed circuit board under a radio-frequency shielding can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Richard P. Howarth, Peggy J. Jensen, John Chan, Patrick Kwok-Yeung Ng
  • Hidden sensors in an electronic device
    Patent number: 9109952
    Abstract: An electronic device having one or more sensors is provided. The sensors may include any suitable type of sensor that emits or receives radiation (e.g., light waves) from the environment. The electronic device may include openings through which radiation may reach the sensors while keeping the sensors hidden from view. In some embodiments, the sensors may be placed underneath an opening used for an audio receiver such that radiation is piped to the sensors using a light path or a chamfered surface along the opening. In some embodiments, the sensors may be embedded in a screen such that the radiation emitted by the sensors exits the screen instead of being reflected on the screen. In some embodiments, the sensors may be placed along the periphery of the display, such that access to the sensors is provided via discontinuities in a gasket used to couple the display to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Christopher T. Mullens, Ching Yu John Tam, Brian Q. Huppi
  • STRETCH RELEASE CONDUCTIVE ADHESIVE
    Publication number: 20150218425
    Abstract: This application relates to adhesives for use in electronic devices. Specifically, the embodiments discussed herein set forth stretch release conductive adhesives for adhering an electrical component to the surface of a housing of a computing device while also allowing current to flow through the electrical component. A stretch release conductive adhesive can include a graspable portion for providing a means to stretch and remove the stretch release conductive adhesive from an electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Julian MALINSKI, Richard Hung Minh DINH, Daniel W. JARVIS
  • Wireless Handheld Electronic Device
    Publication number: 20150214602
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Phillip M. Hobson, Stephen P. Zadesky, Erik L. Wang, Tang Yew Tan, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Adam D. Mittleman, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub
  • ULTRASONIC BONDING OF A COVER GLASS SUB-ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150158245
    Abstract: A method of using ultrasonic energy to secure a first and a second component is described, and an apparatus formed therefrom. A first layer is bonded to a second layer by converting ultrasonic energy into thermal energy. The energy conversions means is an energy director. A thermally sensitive layer receives the thermal energy and at least a portion of the thermally sensitive layer melts. The resultant melting bonds the first layer with the second layer. A different energy director may also be included and used to convert thermal energy in order to de-bond the first layer from the second layer in order to perform, for example, a rework.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: DANIEL W. JARVIS, Ian A. Spraggs, Lee E. Hooton, Miguel C. Christophy, Richard Hung Minh Dinh
  • Proximity sensor for electronic device
    Patent number: 9030832
    Abstract: A compact proximity sensor for use in a portable computing device is described. In particular various embodiments of a proximity sensor which fits in an extremely small portion of a cellular phone, and accurately determine the presence of a user's head in close proximity to a surface of the cellular phone. In particular, a high yield assembly process for installing the compact proximity sensor is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kelvin Kwong, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Jared Mitchell Kole
  • HIGH TOLERANCE CONNECTION BETWEEN ELEMENTS
    Publication number: 20150122540
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a ring-shaped housing member defining an interior volume. The ring-shaped housing member may be configured to receive electronic device components. The ring-shaped housing member may include a first element comprising an angled region, and a second element comprising an angled region. A first intermediate element may be placed between the first and second elements, where the intermediate element is secured to internal surfaces of each of the first and second elements such that the first and second elements do not overlap. The first intermediate element may fasten the first and second elements to one another, and electrically isolate the first and second elements from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Scott A. Myers, Mattia Pascolini, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Trent Weber, Robert Schlub, Josh Nickel, Robert Hill, Nanbo Jin, Tang Yew Tan
  • Electronic devices with improved switch assembly constructions
    Patent number: 8989824
    Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with housings that can have smoother profiles and with switch assembly input components with knobs that can move along tracks in directions at least partially offset from the directions of anticipated resistive forces. The housings can include switch assembly input components with knobs that may move along linear tracks and switch assembly input components with knobs that may move along curved tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik L. Wang, Tang Yew Tan, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Philip Michael Hobson, Andrew Lewis Johnston
  • LIGHT SOURCE WINDOW PAINT
    Publication number: 20150072727
    Abstract: An electronic device has a camera assembly disposed in a housing of the electronic device that includes a light source assembly having a primary purpose for illuminating a subject during an imaging operation. The light source assembly includes a light source and a light window. A light block can be applied to lateral surfaces of the light window to prevent light passing through the light window from propagating along an outer surface of the housing, or other components of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the light block can include multiple layers having various reflective and absorptive characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Ian A. Spraggs, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Rasamy Phouthavong, Vincent Yan
  • HYBRID ANTENNA FOR A PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20150070219
    Abstract: A housing for a personal electronic device is described herein. The housing may include at least one modular subassembly configured to be arranged within an internal cavity of the housing. The at least one modular subassembly is aligned with a feature external to the housing, is affixed to an interior surface of the internal cavity, and is configured to function both as an antenna and as an internal support member of the housing. A hybrid antenna is also described herein. The hybrid antenna can include first and second flexible members capable of facilitating wireless communication, where the first and second flexible members are affixed to one another via a metal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Hao XU, Jayesh NATH, Peter I. BEVELACQUA, Jennifer M. EDWARDS, Daniel W. JARVIS, Jared M. KOLE, Mattia PASCOLINI, Robert W. SCHLUB, Ruben CABALLERO
  • ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION IN CONSUMER ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
    Publication number: 20150070622
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) blocking component is set forth for a computing device. The computing device can include a housing formed of non-conducting material and an overlaying display assembly supported by the housing. The display assembly can further include a plurality of display elements such as thin film transistors (TFTs) interconnected by corresponding metallic traces. The ESD block is used to block static charges associated with an ESD event so that essentially no ESD event related static charge is accumulated on the metallic traces thereby preventing ESD related damage to the plurality of TFTs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Miguel C. CHRISTOPHY, Silvio GRESPAN, Richard Hung Minh DINH, John O. CEIDEBURG, Kingsuk BRAHMA
  • Devices and methods for providing access to internal component
    Patent number: 8965449
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for applying concealment of components of an electronic device. In one embodiment, an electronic device may include a component that is disposed behind a window configured to selectively become transparent or opaque, such as a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PLDC) window. The component includes an image capture device, a strobe flash, a biometric sensor, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, or a solar panel, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the electronic device includes data processing circuitry configured to determine when an event requesting that the component be exposed occurs. Furthermore, the electronic device includes a window controller that may control the window to become transparent, to expose the component upon the occurrence of the event requesting that the component be exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Felix Jose Alvarez Rivera, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Scott A. Myers
  • Microphone proximity detection
    Patent number: 8917577
    Abstract: A mobile communications device contains at least two microphones. One microphone is located away from the handset receiver and serves to pick up voice of a near end user of the device for transmission to the other party during a call. Another microphone is located near the handset receiver and serves to pick up acoustic output of the handset receiver (a far end signal). A signal processor measures the frequency response of the receiver. The signal processor performs spectral analysis of the receiver frequency response to determine whether or not the device is being held at the ear of the user. On that basis, the device automatically changes its operating mode, e.g., turns on or off a touch sensitive display screen during the call. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shaohai Chen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Jae Lee, Chad G. Seguin, Benjamin J. Pope
  • Light sensor systems for electronic devices
    Patent number: 8912480
    Abstract: The underside of an inactive portion of a display cover layer in an electronic device may be covered with an opaque masking material. Openings in the opaque masking material may be form ambient light sensor and proximity sensor windows. An ambient light sensor window may be filled with a material that transmits at least some visible light. A proximity sensor window may be filled with a material that transmits more infrared light relative to visible light than the material in the ambient light sensor window. The materials in the ambient light sensor window and proximity sensor window may include one or more layers of ink, patterns of holes, layers of material that are shared with the opaque masking layer, and materials that are black, white, or other colors. A light guide structure may be used to route light received from a sensor window to an associated sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Kelvin Kwong, Richard P. Howarth, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Richard Ruh, Matt Waldon, Daniel W. Jarvis, Brian R. Land, Steven P. Hotelling
  • MODULAR STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL SUBASSEMBLIES
    Publication number: 20140361935
    Abstract: A housing for a personal electronic device is described herein. The housing may include at least one modular subassembly configured to be arranged within an internal cavity of the housing. The at least one modular subassembly is aligned with a feature external to the housing, is affixed to an interior surface of the internal cavity, and is configured to function both as an antenna and as an internal support member of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. JARVIS, Richard Hung Minh DINH, Miguel C. CHRISTOPHY, Hao XU, Jayesh NATH, Jared M. KOLE, Mattia PASCOLINI, Ruben CABALLERO, Jennifer M. EDWARDS, Peter I. BEVELACQUA, Robert W. SCHLUB
  • Component of an electronic device
    Patent number: D723567
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, M. Evans Hankey, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Steve Jobs, Duncan Robert Kerr, Nicholas George LeBreton Merz, Scott A. Myers, Shin Nishibori, David A. Pakula, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Christopher J. Stringer, Tang Yew Tan, Trent Weber, Eugene Antony Whang, Michael Benjamin Wittenberg, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Housing for an electronic device
    Patent number: D730361
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Jeremy Bataillou, Lucy E. Browning, Miguel Christophy, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Jonathan Corbin Denby, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Daniel W. Jarvis, Duncan Robert Kerr, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Mikael Silvanto, Jason Sloey, Ian Spraggs, Christopher J. Stringer, Tang Yew Tan, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer