Patents by Inventor Robert M. Proie, JR.

Robert M. Proie, JR. 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: 10068727
    Abstract: An illuminator may be coupled to the key cap of a key. The key cap may include a portion that is operable to be illuminated and one or more illuminators may be coupled thereto. In particular embodiments, keys may include power delivery systems that are operable to wirelessly transmit power from a power source to illuminators. Such power delivery systems can include inductive transmitters and/or receivers, ultrasonic transmitters and/or receivers, laser diodes and photodiodes, electrodes that capacitively couple to wirelessly transfer power, and so on. In various embodiments, keys may include interconnects that connect an illuminator with a power source. The interconnect may be a flexible material that includes one or more traces and is configured with a shape that bends and twists to allow movement without stretching. The interconnect may also be part of a movement or support mechanism of a key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ray L. Chang, Robert M. Proie, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170040127
    Abstract: An illuminator may be coupled to the key cap of a key. The key cap may include a portion that is operable to be illuminated and one or more illuminators may be coupled thereto. In particular embodiments, keys may include power delivery systems that are operable to wirelessly transmit power from a power source to illuminators. Such power delivery systems can include inductive transmitters and/or receivers, ultrasonic transmitters and/or receivers, laser diodes and photodiodes, electrodes that capacitively couple to wirelessly transfer power, and so on. In various embodiments, keys may include interconnects that connect an illuminator with a power source. The interconnect may be a flexible material that includes one or more traces and is configured with a shape that bends and twists to allow movement without stretching. The interconnect may also be part of a movement or support mechanism of a key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Ray L. Chang, Robert M. Proie, JR.