Patents by Inventor Reuben J. WILLIAMS

Reuben J. WILLIAMS 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: 11972083
    Abstract: Touch input devices are provided with the capability of sensing a capacitive load in a two-dimensional array while also being able to sense deflection or movement of the input device in multiple different locations under an input pad. A touch input device can beneficially be used in a remote control device and can be used with multiple input buttons or platforms overlaying multiple capacitive touch input regions on a capacitive touch sensor substrate. Movement and position of a capacitive load can be tracked and calculated via output signals from a set of electrodes or other capacitance sensors with irregular shapes, with inconsistent distances from the capacitive load, and which are positioned below variable materials and material compositions. Thus, tracking gestures and taps can be detected using the capacitance sensing devices, and deflection input can be detected using switches or other actuators situated under the capacitance sensing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Reuben J. Williams, Clark E. Waterfall, Eng Eow Goh, Karan S. Jain
  • Publication number: 20230205383
    Abstract: Touch input devices are provided with the capability of sensing a capacitive load in a two-dimensional array while also being able to sense deflection or movement of the input device in multiple different locations under an input pad. A touch input device can beneficially be used in a remote control device and can be used with multiple input buttons or platforms overlaying multiple capacitive touch input regions on a capacitive touch sensor substrate. Movement and position of a capacitive load can be tracked and calculated via output signals from a set of electrodes or other capacitance sensors with irregular shapes, with inconsistent distances from the capacitive load, and which are positioned below variable materials and material compositions. Thus, tracking gestures and taps can be detected using the capacitance sensing devices, and deflection input can be detected using switches or other actuators situated under the capacitance sensing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Reuben J. Williams, Clark E. Waterfall, Eng Eow Goh, Karan S. Jain
  • Patent number: 11625131
    Abstract: Touch input devices are provided with the capability of sensing a capacitive load in a two-dimensional array while also being able to sense deflection or movement of the input device in multiple different locations under an input pad. A touch input device can beneficially be used in a remote control device and can be used with multiple input buttons or platforms overlaying multiple capacitive touch input regions on a capacitive touch sensor substrate. Movement and position of a capacitive load can be tracked and calculated via output signals from a set of electrodes or other capacitance sensors with irregular shapes, with inconsistent distances from the capacitive load, and which are positioned below variable materials and material compositions. Thus, tracking gestures and taps can be detected using the capacitance sensing devices, and deflection input can be detected using switches or other actuators situated under the capacitance sensing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Reuben J. Williams, Clark E. Waterfall, Eng Eow Goh, Karan S. Jain
  • Publication number: 20220291778
    Abstract: Touch input devices are provided with the capability of sensing a capacitive load in a two-dimensional array while also being able to sense deflection or movement of the input device in multiple different locations under an input pad. A touch input device can beneficially be used in a remote control device and can be used with multiple input buttons or platforms overlaying multiple capacitive touch input regions on a capacitive touch sensor substrate. Movement and position of a capacitive load can be tracked and calculated via output signals from a set of electrodes or other capacitance sensors with irregular shapes, with inconsistent distances from the capacitive load, and which are positioned below variable materials and material compositions. Thus, tracking gestures and taps can be detected using the capacitance sensing devices, and deflection input can be detected using switches or other actuators situated under the capacitance sensing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Reuben J. Williams, Clark E. Waterfall, Eng Eow Goh, Karan S. Jain
  • Patent number: 11297732
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an outer housing having an upper enclosure and a foot coupled thereto, a heat generating component, and a fan assembly integrated into the foot and situated proximate a bottom surface of the heat generating component. The foot can include inlet and outlet vents. The fan assembly can include an inlet, outlet, impeller with blades, shroud and fin stack. The electronic device can also include a heat pipe, a heat transfer stage, a PCB, and a bottom shield. Airflow through the electronic device can be directed across the fin stack, heat pipe, heat transfer stage, and bottom shield. Airflow can occur over a substantially level path through the electronic device from the inlet to outlet vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Prather, Clark E. Waterfall, Reuben J. Williams, Vinh H. Diep
  • Publication number: 20210059071
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an outer housing having an upper enclosure and a foot coupled thereto, a heat generating component, and a fan assembly integrated into the foot and situated proximate a bottom surface of the heat generating component. The foot can include inlet and outlet vents. The fan assembly can include an inlet, outlet, impeller with blades, shroud and fin stack. The electronic device can also include a heat pipe, a heat transfer stage, a PCB, and a bottom shield. Airflow through the electronic device can be directed across the fin stack, heat pipe, heat transfer stage, and bottom shield. Airflow can occur over a substantially level path through the electronic device from the inlet to outlet vents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Prather, Clark E. Waterfall, Reuben J. Williams, Vinh H. Diep
  • Patent number: 10653034
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an outer housing having an upper enclosure and a foot coupled thereto, a heat generating component, and a fan assembly integrated into the foot and situated proximate a bottom surface of the heat generating component. The foot can include inlet and outlet vents. The fan assembly can include an inlet, outlet, impeller with blades, shroud and fin stack. The electronic device can also include a heat pipe, a heat transfer stage, a PCB, and a bottom shield. Airflow through the electronic device can be directed across the fin stack, heat pipe, heat transfer stage, and bottom shield. Airflow can occur over a substantially level path through the electronic device from the inlet to outlet vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Prather, Clark E. Waterfall, Reuben J. Williams, Vinh H. Diep
  • Patent number: 10285303
    Abstract: An exemplary electronic device with integrated passive and active cooling includes a main logic board, a heat sink, and a cooling fan. A first surface of the heat sink faces the main logic board and contacts a heat-generating component of the main logic board. A second surface of the heat sink faces away from the main logic board and has a recess formed thereon. The heat sink further includes a plurality of fins that surround the recess. The cooling fan is at least partially enclosed within the recess by a fan shroud. The cooling fan is operable to draw air into the recess via channels defined by a first subset of the plurality of fins, and expel air from the recess via channels defined by a second subset of the plurality of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben J. Williams, Vinh H. Diep, Jonathan Matheson
  • Publication number: 20190021184
    Abstract: An exemplary electronic device with integrated passive and active cooling includes a main logic board, a heat sink, and a cooling fan. A first surface of the heat sink faces the main logic board and contacts a heat-generating component of the main logic board. A second surface of the heat sink faces away from the main logic board and has a recess formed thereon. The heat sink further includes a plurality of fins that surround the recess. The cooling fan is at least partially enclosed within the recess by a fan shroud. The cooling fan is operable to draw air into the recess via channels defined by a first subset of the plurality of fins, and expel air from the recess via channels defined by a second subset of the plurality of fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Reuben J. WILLIAMS, Vinh H. DIEP, Jonathan MATHESON
  • Publication number: 20180324977
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an outer housing having an upper enclosure and a foot coupled thereto, a heat generating component, and a fan assembly integrated into the foot and situated proximate a bottom surface of the heat generating component. The foot can include inlet and outlet vents. The fan assembly can include an inlet, outlet, impeller with blades, shroud and fin stack. The electronic device can also include a heat pipe, a heat transfer stage, a PCB, and a bottom shield. Airflow through the electronic device can be directed across the fin stack, heat pipe, heat transfer stage, and bottom shield. Airflow can occur over a substantially level path through the electronic device from the inlet to outlet vents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. PRATHER, Clark E. WATERFALL, Reuben J. WILLIAMS, Vinh H. DIEP
  • Patent number: 10063001
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are arranged to avoid inadvertent connections. One example may provide contacts for a first connector receptacle that may be located behind a movable gate. The first connector receptacle may be combined with a second connector receptacle that is user accessible to save space and simplify device assembly. Combining the first connector receptacle and a second connector receptacle may also remove the movable gate from a surface of an electronic device, thereby further preventing inadvertent connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben J. Williams, James M. Jeon, Jonathan A. Matheson, Mahmoud R. Amini, Daniele G. De Iuliis
  • Patent number: 10034411
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an outer housing having an upper enclosure and a foot coupled thereto, a heat generating component, and a fan assembly integrated into the foot and situated proximate a bottom surface of the heat generating component. The foot can include inlet and outlet vents. The fan assembly can include an inlet, outlet, impeller with blades, shroud and fin stack. The electronic device can also include a heat pipe, a heat transfer stage, a PCB, and a bottom shield. Airflow through the electronic device can be directed across the fin stack, heat pipe, heat transfer stage, and bottom shield. Airflow can occur over a substantially level path through the electronic device from the inlet to outlet vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Prather, Clark E. Waterfall, Reuben J. Williams, Vinh H. Diep
  • Publication number: 20180090869
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are arranged to avoid inadvertent connections. One example may provide contacts for a first connector receptacle that may be located behind a movable gate. The first connector receptacle may be combined with a second connector receptacle that is user accessible to save space and simplify device assembly. Combining the first connector receptacle and a second connector receptacle may also remove the movable gate from a surface of an electronic device, thereby further preventing inadvertent connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben J. Williams, James M. Jeon, Jonathan A. Matheson, Mahmoud R. Amini, Daniele G. Iuliis
  • Publication number: 20170094835
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an outer housing having an upper enclosure and a foot coupled thereto, a heat generating component, and a fan assembly integrated into the foot and situated proximate a bottom surface of the heat generating component. The foot can include inlet and outlet vents. The fan assembly can include an inlet, outlet, impeller with blades, shroud and fin stack. The electronic device can also include a heat pipe, a heat transfer stage, a PCB, and a bottom shield. Airflow through the electronic device can be directed across the fin stack, heat pipe, heat transfer stage, and bottom shield. Airflow can occur over a substantially level path through the electronic device from the inlet to outlet vents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Eric R. PRATHER, Clark E. WATERFALL, Reuben J. WILLIAMS, Vinh H. DIEP