Patents by Inventor Nicholas Alan Rundle
Nicholas Alan Rundle 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: 11604491Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to computing devices including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and more particularly to methods for attaching a cover glass layer to a structural housing while minimizing an amount of stress transferred through the cover glass layer to the LCD module. A continuous and compliant foam adhesive can be used to bond the cover glass layer to a structural. The compliant bond can absorb and distribute local stress concentrations caused by structural loads, mismatched surfaces and differing thermal expansion rates between various structures and cover glass layer. This can reduce stress concentrations in the cover glass layer that can lead to stress induced birefringence in the LCD cell. In other embodiments, the cover glass layer can be attached using magnets or a tongue and groove design.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Edward J. Cooper, Brett W. Degner, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Dave Tarkington
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Patent number: 10642361Abstract: A haptic electromagnetic actuator for track pad is provided. The actuator includes an array of electromagnets with alternating South and North poles on a first end, each magnet comprising a metal core and an electrical wire around the metal core. The array of magnets is coupled to a base plate on a second end opposite to the first end. The actuator also includes an attraction plate at a distance from the first end of the array of the magnets such that the attraction plate moves toward the magnets when an electrical current flows through the electrical wire around the metal core and moves away from the magnets when the current becomes zero. The array of magnets is configured to form a uniform gap from the attraction plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Patrick Kessler, Dhaval Chandrakant Patel, Jonah A. Harley, Brett W. Degner, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Nicholaus Lubinski, Kenneth L Staton, Omar Sze Leung
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Patent number: 10086484Abstract: Examples of tooling fixtures and methods for manufacturing computing devices are described. According to some examples, a computer component may be shaped using successive steps of forging after deep drawing. In some examples, certain components may be assembled to form sub-assemblies of computer components and the sub-assembly may then be machined to drive closer tolerances. According to other examples, a work holding tool is described which may include a first plurality of individually movable pins for supporting a first surface of a work piece, the tool also having a second plurality of individually movable pins for applying a restraining force over a second opposite surface of the work piece to retain the work piece in position while maintaining it in its natural state.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David J. Morgenstern, Laura M. DeForest, Michelle R. Goldberg, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Yuna Hu, Michael K. Morishita, Jacek M. Kolodziejski
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Publication number: 20180120940Abstract: A haptic electromagnetic actuator for track pad is provided. The actuator includes an array of electromagnets with alternating South and North poles on a first end, each magnet comprising a metal core and an electrical wire around the metal core. The array of magnets is coupled to a base plate on a second end opposite to the first end. The actuator also includes an attraction plate at a distance from the first end of the array of the magnets such that the attraction plate moves toward the magnets when an electrical current flows through the electrical wire around the metal core and moves away from the magnets when the current becomes zero. The array of magnets is configured to form a uniform gap from the attraction plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Patrick Kessler, Dhaval Chandrakant Patel, Jonah A. Harley, Brett W. Degner, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Nicholaus Lubinski, Kenneth L. Staton, Omar Sze Leung
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Publication number: 20180068811Abstract: Embodiments of keyboards having variations of electrically connecting keys to an internal component of an electronic device are described. Some embodiments include positioning several rows of conductive layers below several rows of keys. The conductive layers may be configured to receive a signal indicating a key has been depressed. Also, the internal component may be configured to scan the conductive layers to determine whether a key or keys have been depressed. In some embodiments, the conductive layers lie outside a portion of the electronic device in which internal components are traditionally located. In some embodiments, a substrate may be integrally connected with the keyboard. The substrate may receive some internal components of the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Christiaan A. LIGTENBERG, Mikael M. SILVANTO, Ron A. HOPKINSON, Nicholas Alan RUNDLE
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Patent number: 9842711Abstract: Embodiments of keyboards having variations of electrically connecting keys to an internal component of an electronic device are described. Some embodiments include positioning several rows of conductive layers below several rows of keys. The conductive layers may be configured to receive a signal indicating a key has been depressed. Also, the internal component may be configured to scan the conductive layers to determine whether a key or keys have been depressed. In some embodiments, the conductive layers lie outside a portion of the electronic device in which internal components are traditionally located. In some embodiments, a substrate may be integrally connected with the keyboard. The substrate may receive some internal components of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Mikael M. Silvanto, Ron A. Hopkinson, Nicholas Alan Rundle
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Publication number: 20170308124Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to computing devices including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and more particularly to methods for attaching a cover glass layer to a structural housing while minimizing an amount of stress transferred through the cover glass layer to the LCD module. A continuous and compliant foam adhesive can be used to bond the cover glass layer to a structural. The compliant bond can absorb and distribute local stress concentrations caused by structural loads, mismatched surfaces and differing thermal expansion rates between various structures and cover glass layer. This can reduce stress concentrations in the cover glass layer that can lead to stress induced birefringence in the LCD cell. In other embodiments, the cover glass layer can be attached using magnets or a tongue and groove design.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Edward J. Cooper, Brett W. Degner, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Dave Tarkington
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Patent number: 9785185Abstract: Examples of computing devices including a processor, memory, and a display device housed within the same enclosure are described. In examples, the display device, which may include a cover glass, may be attached to the enclosure using a multilayer adhesive member, the multilayer adhesive including a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer disposed on opposite sides of a foam layer. The first and/or second adhesive layers may include two or more layers of a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), which may be separated using one or more adhesive carrier films. In examples, the first and/or second adhesive layers may include a low tack (e.g. removable) PSA for adhering to surfaces of the display and enclosure and for facilitation removal and re-workability of the adhesive joint.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Alan Rundle, David Phillip Tarkington, Michelle Goldberg, Matthew Casebolt, Robert Sean Murphy, James R. Krogdahl
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Patent number: 9733670Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to computing devices including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and more particularly to methods for attaching a cover glass layer to a structural housing while minimizing an amount of stress transferred through the cover glass layer to the LCD module. A continuous and compliant foam adhesive can be used to bond the cover glass layer to a structural. The compliant bond can absorb and distribute local stress concentrations caused by structural loads, mismatched surfaces and differing thermal expansion rates between various structures and cover glass layer. This can reduce stress concentrations in the cover glass layer that can lead to stress induced birefringence in the LCD cell. In other embodiments, the cover glass layer can be attached using magnets or a tongue and groove design.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Edward J. Cooper, Brett W. Degner, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Dave Tarkington
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Publication number: 20160042891Abstract: Embodiments of keyboards having variations of electrically connecting keys to an internal component of an electronic device are described. Some embodiments include positioning several rows of conductive layers below several rows of keys. The conductive layers may be configured to receive a signal indicating a key has been depressed. Also, the internal component may be configured to scan the conductive layers to determine whether a key or keys have been depressed. In some embodiments, the conductive layers lie outside a portion of the electronic device in which internal components are traditionally located. In some embodiments, a substrate may be integrally connected with the keyboard. The substrate may receive some internal components of the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2014Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Mikael M. Silvanto, Ron A. Hopkinson, Nicholas Alan Rundle
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Patent number: 9207484Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and more particularly to thermal management of heat produced by an illumination source in an LCD module. High temperatures generated by the illumination source can cause color shifts in the LCD due to changes in any included LEDs and liquid crystals. One solution is to house the LCD module in a metal chassis and thermally couple the LED light bar to the metal chassis. Furthermore, the LCD module can be kept at a uniform temperature by transferring heat from a region near the LED light bar to a relatively cooler region of the LCD module. These approaches can minimize any alterations or shifts in color resulting from heat from the LED light bar.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Dinesh C. Mathew, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Brett W. Degner
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Patent number: 9186470Abstract: The three dimensional surface shape of one or more layers of a reflective object is determined by examining one or more captured images reflected from the reflective object. Curved surfaces reflect a distorted image altered by the surface shape. By analyzing one or more captured images of the distorted reflected images, the shape of the surface that caused the distortion is estimated. A captured distorted image is compared to a reference undistorted image having known geometric properties. A system to capture and process such images is assembled from components including an image capture assembly such as a digital camera to capture reflected images and a positioning assembly on which to orient the components with respect to each other. Multiple surface layers of the reflective object are separately estimated using polarizations, luminance levels, chroma values or combinations thereof contained in one or more captured images.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Patrick Kessler, Nicholas Alan Rundle
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Publication number: 20150109223Abstract: A haptic electromagnetic actuator for track pad is provided. The actuator includes an array of electromagnets with alternating South and North poles on a first end, each magnet comprising a metal core and an electrical wire around the metal core. The array of magnets is coupled to a base plate on a second end opposite to the first end. The actuator also includes an attraction plate at a distance from the first end of the array of the magnets such that the attraction plate moves toward the magnets when an electrical current flows through the electrical wire around the metal core and moves away from the magnets when the current becomes zero. The array of magnets is configured to form a uniform gap from the attraction plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Patrick Kessler, Dhaval Chandrakant Patel, Jonah A. Harley, Brett W. Degner, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Nicholaus Lubinski, Kenneth L. Staton, Omar Sze Leung
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Patent number: 8848130Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to computing devices including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and more particularly to methods for attaching a backlight assembly to a cover glass layer while minimizing an amount of stress transferred through the cover glass layer to the LCD module. A continuous and compliant foam adhesive can be used to bond the cover glass layer to the backlight assembly. The compliant bond can absorb and distribute local stress concentrations caused by structural loads, mismatched surfaces and differing thermal expansion rates between various structures and cover glass layer. This can reduce stress concentrations in the cover glass layer that can lead to stress induced birefringence in the LCD cell. In another embodiment, a series of rigid plates can be bonded to the cover glass layer and attached to the backlight assembly. Point loads applied from the backlight assembly can be distributed over a larger area due to the resilience of the rigid plates.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Edward J. Cooper, Brett W. Degner, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholas Alan Rundle
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Publication number: 20140102162Abstract: Examples of tooling fixtures and methods for manufacturing computing devices are described. According to some examples, a computer component may be shaped using successive steps of forging after deep drawing. In some examples, certain components may be assembled to form sub-assemblies of computer components and the sub-assembly may then be machined to drive closer tolerances. According to other examples, a work holding tool is described which may include a first plurality of individually movable pins for supporting a first surface of a work piece, the tool also having a second plurality of individually movable pins for applying a restraining force over a second opposite surface of the work piece to retain the work piece in position while maintaining it in its natural state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: David J. Morgenstern, Laura M. DeForest, Michelle R. Goldberg, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Yuna Hu, Michael K. Morishita, Jacek M. Kolodziejski
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Publication number: 20140085564Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and more particularly to thermal management of heat produced by an illumination source in an LCD module. High temperatures generated by the illumination source can cause color shifts in the LCD due to changes in any included LEDs and liquid crystals. One solution is to house the LCD module in a metal chassis and thermally couple the LED light bar to the metal chassis. Furthermore, the LCD module can be kept at a uniform temperature by transferring heat from a region near the LED light bar to a relatively cooler region of the LCD module. These approaches can minimize any alterations or shifts in color resulting from heat from the LED light bar.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Dinesh C. Mathew, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Brett W. Degner
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Publication number: 20140085563Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to computing devices including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and more particularly to methods for attaching a backlight assembly to a cover glass layer while minimizing an amount of stress transferred through the cover glass layer to the LCD module. A continuous and compliant foam adhesive can be used to bond the cover glass layer to the backlight assembly. The compliant bond can absorb and distribute local stress concentrations caused by structural loads, mismatched surfaces and differing thermal expansion rates between various structures and cover glass layer. This can reduce stress concentrations in the cover glass layer that can lead to stress induced birefringence in the LCD cell. In another embodiment, a series of rigid plates can be bonded to the cover glass layer and attached to the backlight assembly. Point loads applied from the backlight assembly can be distributed over a larger area due to the resilience of the rigid plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. MATHEW, Edward J. COOPER, Brett W. DEGNER, Keith J. HENDREN, Nicholas Alan RUNDLE
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Patent number: D721338Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Brett Degner, Jesse Thomas Dybenko, William Francis Leggett, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Mikael Silvanto
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Patent number: D730308Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Peter N. Jeziorek, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Peter Russell-Clarke, Christopher J. Stringer, David P. Tarkington, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
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Patent number: D755134Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Brett Degner, Jesse Thomas Dybenko, William Francis Leggett, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Mikael Silvanto