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).

  • MODULAR STRUCTURAL STIFFENERS
    Publication number: 20140361669
    Abstract: A housing for a personal electronic device is described herein. The housing may include at least structural member configured to be arranged within an internal cavity of the housing. The at least structural member is aligned with a feature external to the housing. The at least one structural member is affixed to an interior surface of the internal cavity. Furthermore, the at least structural member and housing are co-machined to define a coaxial aperture for accepting the feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jarvis, Miguel C. Christophy, Richard Hung Minh Dinh
  • Camera window assembly for electronic device
    Patent number: 8886031
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing. A camera window assembly may be mounted in a hole within the housing. The housing may be formed from a structure such as a planar glass member. The hole in which the camera window assembly is formed may be circular. A mating circular trim member in the camera window assembly may be mounted in the hole. A flange structure on the trim member may help retain the trim member within the housing. A shelf portion of the trim member may receive a ring of adhesive. The camera window assembly may have a clear disk-shaped lens with planar opposing front and rear surfaces that is mounted on the shelf portion using the adhesive. An elastomeric ring may be compressed between sidewall portions of the trim member and the lens to help retain the lens within the camera window assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, David A. Pakula
  • Systems and method for providing a graphite layer in an electronic device
    Patent number: 8879269
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a sheet of graphite material on an electromagnetic interference shield for enhanced heat transfer. An electronic device component may be enclosed by an EMI shield, which may retain heat generated by the component. To help dissipate heat, a sheet of material selected for its heat transfer properties may be disposed over the EMI shield. A portion of the sheet may be folded over an edge of the EMI shield such that the sheet may cover a top surface of the sheet as well as tabs extending perpendicular to the top surface of the EMI shield. To facilitate the adhesion of the sheet to a smaller surface area of tabs, the sheet may include features forming a discontinuity in regions of the sheet aligned with the edge of the shield to facilitate folding the sheet. The discontinuity can include, for example, one or more holes or windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Hill, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Tan
  • Thin multi-layered structures providing rigidity and conductivity
    Patent number: 8879266
    Abstract: Electronic devices having a multi-layer structure that provides enhanced conductivity (thermal and/or electrical conductivity) are disclosed. The multi-layer structure can have a plurality of adjacent layers. At least one layer can primarily provide structural rigidity, and at least another layer can primarily provide enhanced conductivity. The layer of high conductivity can serve to provide the electronic device with greater ability to disperse generated heat and/or to provide an accessible voltage potential (e.g., ground plane). Advantageously, the multi-layer structure can provide enhanced conductivity using an otherwise required structural component and without necessitating an increase in thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jarvis, Richard Hung Minh Dinh
  • HOUSING COMPONENTS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES
    Publication number: 20140307377
    Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with a protective housing having one or more housing components. A housing component can be formed from a single sheet of material to appear as if the housing component had been formed from a hollowed out solid block of material. The sheet of material may be deep drawn, forged, and machined to form the housing component. One or more holes may be formed through a portion of the housing component to provide an I/O interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Todd F. GOTHAM, Andrew David LAUDER, Tang Yew TAN, Erik L. WANG, Phillip Michael HOBSON, Richard Hung Minh DINH, Christopher STRINGER, Richard HOWARTH, John TERNUS, Rico ZORKENDORFER
  • Self adapting alert device
    Patent number: 8836499
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Pakula, Matthew Hill, Ethan Larry Huwe, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Richard Hung Minh Dinh
  • DOME SWITCH STACK AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20140252882
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing input component assemblies for dome switches are provided. In some embodiments, an input component assembly may include a contact area coupled to a circuit board for a switch, a conductive covering for enclosing the circuit board, and a dome positioned over the conductive covering, where the dome is operative to close at least one circuit of the switch when the dome is depressed towards the conductive covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc,
    Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Lee E. Hooton
  • DOME SWITCH STACK AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20140252881
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing input component assemblies for dome switches are provided. In some embodiments, an input component assembly may include a first conductive contact pad coupled to a first board of a switch, a second conductive contact pad coupled to a second board of the switch, and a layer of conductive adhesive between the first conductive pad and the second conductive pad, where the layer is operative to provide a seal for the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Lee E. Hooton
  • DOME SWITCH STACK AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20140252883
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing input component assemblies for dome switches are provided. In some embodiments, an input component assembly includes a switch, a button positioned over the switch, where the button is operative to close at least one circuit of the switch when the button is depressed towards the switch, an actuator positioned underneath the button to at least partially enclose at least one switch element, where the actuator is operative to deform when the button is depressed, and a weld plate welded to an underside surface of the button with at least one sonic weld joint to create a seal around the actuator and the at least one switch element, where a portion of the actuator is secured between the underside surface of the button and the weld plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Lee E. Hooton
  • Electronic devices with moisture resistant openings
    Patent number: 8830662
    Abstract: Electronic devices may have openings that serve as potential pathways for moisture intrusion into interior portions of the devices. An electronic device may be provided with moisture repelling coatings in the vicinity of these openings to help prevent moisture from reaching the interior of the device. The openings may be associated with gaps between adjacent housing structures, openings for buttons, openings for audio and connector ports or other openings in device structures. The moisture repelling coatings may be applied to housing surfaces, button members, structures associated with audio and connector ports, and other device structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Myers, Douglas Weber, Tang Yew Tan, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, David A. Pakula, Jason Sloey
  • Portable electronic device housing with outer glass surfaces
    Patent number: 8797721
    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: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David Pakula, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Scott Myers
  • Housing components for electronic devices
    Patent number: 8776358
    Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with a protective housing having one or more housing components. A housing component can be formed from a single sheet of material to appear as if the housing component had been formed from a hollowed out solid block of material. The sheet of material may be deep drawn, forged, and machined to form the housing component. One or more holes may be formed through a portion of the housing component to provide an I/O interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Todd F. Gotham, Andrew David Lauder, Tang Yew Tan, Erik L. Wang, Phillip Michael Hobson, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Christopher Stringer, Richard Howarth, John Ternus, Rico Zorkendorfer
  • INTEGRATED SPEAKER ASSEMBLY FOR PERSONAL MEDIA DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140153763
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for media devices including a housing, a frame disposed adjacent to the housing, and an acoustic source that is integrated with the frame for emitting sound from the media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Derek B. Barrentine
  • Apparatus for fingerprint sensing and other measurements
    Patent number: 8724860
    Abstract: Apparatus for measuring a pattern in a surface of an object, comprising a plurality of pixel or sensor elements being responsive to a physical parameter of the object surface, and means for establishing an overall, segmented picture related to said pattern, and also comprising at least one diode functionally associated with each sensor element for contributing to one or more of the following functions: selectively addressing said sensor element; activating said sensor element; and sensing of said physical parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Next Biometrics Group AS
    Inventor: Ngoc Minh Dinh
  • Systems of an electronic device and methods for manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 8710376
    Abstract: Various systems of an electronic device and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. In some embodiments, a routing assembly is provided that may not only route a cable along a circuit board, but that may also shield an electronic component or secure an electronic component to the circuit board. In some other embodiments, there is provided a mechanism for electrically coupling two components of an electronic device that may also be visually appealing in the context of other portions of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shayan Malek, Benjamin John Pope, Daniel William Jarvis, Tang Tan, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Robert Steinfeld, Ramachandran Chundru
  • Handheld electronic device with cable grounding
    Patent number: 8681056
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Hobson, Erik L. Wang, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Adam D. Mittleman
  • HIDDEN SENSORS IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140077094
    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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Christopher T. Mullens, Ching Yu John Tam, Brian Q. Huppi
  • Front cover of an electronic device
    Patent number: D703633
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    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, Scott A. Myers, Shin Nishibori, David A. Pakula, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Christopher J. Stringer, Tang Yew Tan, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Housing plate
    Patent number: D714294
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Richard P. Howarth, Scott A. Myers, David A. Pakula, Tang Yew Tan
  • Battery for an electronic device
    Patent number: D719085
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shota Aoyagi, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Richard P. Howarth, Daniel W. Jarvis, Shayan Malek, Gregory Stephens