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).

  • Patent number: 10838462
    Abstract: This application relates to adjusting an operation of a portable electronic device based on the detection of a protective case. A processor of the portable electronic device is configured to receive a signal that indicates the portable electronic device is in contact with and retained by the protective case. Responsive to receiving the signal, the processor is configured to allow the component to transition from a first operating state to a second operating state. The first operating state is associated with a first operating temperature that corresponds to a first temperature range at a surface of a housing for the portable electronic device. The second operating state is associated with a second operating temperature that corresponds to a second temperature range at the surface of the housing. The second operating temperature is greater than the first operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Devon A. Monaco, Stephen T. Schooley, Lian Zhang, Ross D. Arriens, Lucy Elizabeth Browning, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Sawyer I. Cohen
  • Patent number: 10754388
    Abstract: This is directed to an electronic device enclosure. The enclosure includes an outer periphery member forming an outer surface of a device, and to which an internal platform is connected. Electronic device components can be assembled to one or both surfaces of the internal platform. The enclosure can include front and back cover assemblies assembled to the opposite surfaces of the outer periphery member to retain electronic device components. One or both of the cover assemblies can include a window through which display circuitry can provide content to a user of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Scott Myers, Matthew Theobald, Richard Heley, Adam Stagnaro, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, David A. Pakula, Tang Yew Tan
  • Publication number: 20200249724
    Abstract: This is directed to connecting two or more elements using an intermediate element constructed from a material that changes between states. An electronic device can include one or more components constructed by connecting several elements. To provide a connection having a reduced or small size or cross-section and construct a component having high tolerances, a material can be provided in a first state in which it flows between the elements before changing to a second state in which it adheres to the elements and provides a structurally sound connection. For example, a plastic can be molded between the elements. As another example, a composite material can be brazed between the elements. In some cases, internal surfaces of the elements can include one or more features for enhancing a bond between the elements and the material providing the interface between the elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Scott A. Myers, Mattia Pascolini, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Trent Weber, Robert Schlub, Josh Nickel, Robert Hill, Nanbo Jin, Tang Yew Tan
  • Publication number: 20200250960
    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: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Dave Pakula, Matthew Hill, Ethan Larry Huwe, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Richard Hung Minh Dinh
  • Patent number: 10707561
    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: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    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
  • Patent number: 10664019
    Abstract: This is directed to connecting two or more elements using an intermediate element constructed from a material that changes between states. An electronic device can include one or more components constructed by connecting several elements. To provide a connection having a reduced or small size or cross-section and construct a component having high tolerances, a material can be provided in a first state in which it flows between the elements before changing to a second state in which it adheres to the elements and provides a structurally sound connection. For example, a plastic can be molded between the elements. As another example, a composite material can be brazed between the elements. In some cases, internal surfaces of the elements can include one or more features for enhancing a bond between the elements and the material providing the interface between the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Scott A. Myers, Mattia Pascolini, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Trent Weber, Robert Schlub, Josh Nickel, Robert Hill, Nanbo Jin, Tang Yew Tan
  • Publication number: 20200154586
    Abstract: An electronic device having an enclosure formed from at least one glass cover and a peripheral structure formed adjacent the periphery of the glass cover is disclosed. The peripheral structure can be secured adjacent to the glass cover with an adhesive. The peripheral structure can be molded adjacent the glass cover so that a gapless interface is formed between the peripheral structure and the periphery of the glass cover. In one embodiment, the peripheral structure includes at least an inner peripheral structure and an outer peripheral structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: David Pakula, Stephen Brian Lynch, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Lee Hua Tan
  • Patent number: 10651879
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. Transceiver circuitry, such as radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry configured to transmit and receive RF signals, may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. The electronic device may have an integrated touch screen display in which a user can control the device by interacting directly with the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Michael Hobson, Erik L. Wang, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Adam D. Mittleman, Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele de Iuliis, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Steven P. Jobs, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Douglas B. Satzger, Calvin Q. Seid, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico L. Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: 10629060
    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: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Pakula, Matthew Hill, Ethan Larry Huwe, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Richard Hung Minh Dinh
  • Publication number: 20200079127
    Abstract: This application relates to ring-shaped adhesives for use during the manufacturing of a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can have a small form factor, such as being a tablet computer or a mobile phone. A printable adhesive is dispensed on a release liner in a shape that conforms with a surface of the portable electronic device. The shape of the printable adhesive follows a path characterized by a continuous closed curve and encloses an area on the release liner without printable adhesive dispensed therein. The width of the printable adhesive along the continuous closed curve can vary to conform to features in one or more surfaces of the portable electronic device. The features can have dimensions of less than one millimeter. The printable adhesive can be can be applied to the release liner by a screen printing process or by dispensing the printable adhesive through a nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Lee E. HOOTON, Ashley E. FLETCHER, Daniel W. JARVIS, Marwan RAMMAH, Richard Hung Minh DINH
  • Publication number: 20200080908
    Abstract: This application relates to a portable electronic device that includes an integrated pressure sensor. The portable electronic device includes a housing that defines a cavity with a number of components disposed therein. The cavity is sealed to form a volume of air within the cavity that is vented to the external environment through a barometric vent fluidly coupled to a first opening in the housing. A sensor measures a characteristic of a second volume of air within an isolated chamber that is vented to the external environment through a second opening in the housing. The second volume of air is isolated from the first volume of air within the housing of the portable electronic device. In some embodiments, the portable electronic device is a mobile phone and the sensor is a pressure transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Eric N. NYLAND, Christopher R. XYDIS, Alan WU, Dominic P. CINCIONE, Timothy S. LUI, Aaron H. SQUIER, Lindsay M. ALANEN, Lucy Elizabeth BROWNING, Richard Hung Minh DINH, Devon A. MONACO
  • Publication number: 20200081288
    Abstract: A disclosed display device assembly includes a panel substrate, multiple light transmitting pixels disposed over the panel substrate, a backlight unit disposed under the panel substrate, a flexible substrate attached to the panel substrate, and a display integrated circuit mounted to the flexible substrate and disposed under the backlight unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin S. BUSTLE, Rasamy Phouthavong, Benjamin J. Pope, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Michael W. Firka
  • Publication number: 20200076057
    Abstract: A device includes a display and a housing. The housing at least partially surrounds the display. The housing includes a first housing segment defining at least a first portion of an exterior surface of the device and a first interlock feature having an interlock surface that is offset with respect to an end surface of the first housing segment. The first interlock feature has a first opening formed in the interlock surface. The housing further includes a second housing segment defining at least a second portion of the exterior surface of the device and a second interlock feature having a second opening aligned with the first opening, and a non-conductive housing component defining a third portion of the exterior surface of the device and extending into the first opening and the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Paul U. Leutheuser, Martin J. Auclair, Kevin M. Froese, Christopher J. Durning, Jun Ham, Lucy E. Browning, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Donald J. Parr
  • Publication number: 20200076056
    Abstract: A device includes a display and a housing. The housing surrounds the display and has four corners defining portions of an exterior surface of the device. The housing includes a first housing segment defining at least part of a first corner of the four corners and configured to operate as an antenna; a second housing segment defining at least part of a second corner of the four corners; and a third housing segment defining at least part of a third corner of the four corners. The third corner forms part of the housing diagonally opposite the second corner. The housing further includes a non-conductive housing component that structurally couples the first housing segment to another portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin M. Froese, Paul U. Leutheuser, Martin J. Auclair, Christopher J. Durning, Jun Ham, Lucy E. Browning, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Donald J. Parr
  • Patent number: 10575421
    Abstract: An electronic device having an enclosure formed from at least one glass cover and a peripheral structure formed adjacent the periphery of the glass cover is disclosed. The peripheral structure can be secured adjacent to the glass cover with an adhesive. The peripheral structure can be molded adjacent the glass cover so that a gapless interface is formed between the peripheral structure and the periphery of the glass cover. In one embodiment, the peripheral structure includes at least an inner peripheral structure and an outer peripheral structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David Pakula, Stephen Brian Lynch, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Lee Hua Tan
  • Publication number: 20200042040
    Abstract: Sensor assemblies for electronic devices are described. According to some embodiments, the sensor assemblies include solid-state sensors, such as capacitive sensors, piezoelectric sensors or piezoresistive sensors. The sensor assemblies can include a number of features that provide a compact profile, making them well suited for integration into small spaces of electronic device enclosures. The sensor assemblies can also include features that isolate movement of various parts of the sensor assemblies, allowing for accurate detection of a sensing event. According to some embodiments, the sensor assemblies are coupled to haptic actuators, speaker, or both, which mimic the feel of a mechanical button and enhance a user's experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Lucy Elizabeth Browning, Benjamin J. Pope, Paul U. Leutheuser, Scott A. Myers, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Edward S. Huo
  • Publication number: 20200021012
    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: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    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
  • Publication number: 20190369779
    Abstract: A device configured to determine the location and magnitude of a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a transparent touch sensor that is configured to detect a location of a touch on the transparent touch sensor. The device also includes a force-sensing structure disposed at the periphery of the transparent touch sensor. The force sensor includes an upper capacitive plate and a compressible element disposed on one side of the upper capacitive plate. The force sensor also includes a lower capacitive plate disposed on a side of the compressible element that is opposite the upper capacitive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Jonah A. Harley, Peter W. Richards, Brian Q. Huppi, Omar Sze Leung, Dhaval N. Shah, Martin P. Grunthaner, Steven P. Hotelling, Miguel C. Christophy, Vivek Katiyar, Tang Yew Tan, Christopher J. Butler, Erik G. De Jong, Ming Sartee, Rui Qiao, Steven J. Martisauskas, Storrs T. Hoen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Lee E. Hooton, Ian A. Spraggs, Sawyer I. Cohen, David A. Pakula
  • Publication number: 20190363565
    Abstract: Embodiments describe a portable electronic device that includes a housing having an interface surface and an inductor coil disposed within the housing and comprising a conductive wire wound in a plurality of turns about a center point and in increasing radii such that the inductor coil is substantially planar. The portable electronic device further includes charging circuitry coupled to the inductor coil and configured to operate the inductor coil to wirelessly receive power and wirelessly transmit power, control circuitry coupled to the charging circuitry and configured to instruct the charging circuitry to operate the inductor coil to wirelessly receive power and to wirelessly transmit power, and a device detection coil coupled to the control circuitry and configured to detect the presence of an external device on the charging surface, the device detection coil is configured to operate at a different frequency from the inductor coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Graham, Karl Ruben F. Larsson, Grant S. Haug, Aaron A. Oro, Benjamin J. Pope, Sherry Lee, Tang Yew Tan, Richard Hung Minh Dinh
  • Patent number: 10488891
    Abstract: Sensor assemblies for electronic devices are described. According to some embodiments, the sensor assemblies include solid-state sensors, such as capacitive sensors, piezoelectric sensors or piezoresistive sensors. The sensor assemblies can include a number of features that provide a compact profile, making them well suited for integration into small spaces of electronic device enclosures. The sensor assemblies can also include features that isolate movement of various parts of the sensor assemblies, allowing for accurate detection of a sensing event. According to some embodiments, the sensor assemblies are coupled to haptic actuators, speaker, or both, which mimic the feel of a mechanical button and enhance a user's experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Lucy Elizabeth Browning, Benjamin J. Pope, Paul U. Leutheuser, Scott A. Myers, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Edward S. Huo