Patents by Inventor Ron Hopkinson
Ron Hopkinson 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: 11963288Abstract: An assembly for heat-generating components includes a metal and a non-metal layer. To secure to a circuit board that carries a heat-generating component, a metal standoff is secured on a perimeter of the circuit board. Multiple protruding elements of the metal layer of the assembly secure within a respective opening of the standoff. The assembly secures, through metal-to-metal contact, to the standoff by multiple mechanical couplings. The assembly not only covers the circuit board, but also extends laterally beyond the circuit board (and the circuit board components). As a result, the assembly receives thermal energy from a heat-generating component(s) on the circuit board and allows the thermal energy to flow through assembly from one portion of the assembly covering the heat-generating component(s) to the lateral portion of the assembly that does not cover the heat-generating component(s).Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Trevor J. Edmonds, Jay S. Nigen, Richard D. Kosoglow, Ron A. Hopkinson
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Publication number: 20240112494Abstract: An elongated biometric device provides a slim solution for capturing biometric data, and may be placed on a portion of an electronic device having limited space, such as a side of the electronic device. The elongated biometric device may include a force sensor, which may be positioned within a housing of the electronic device and actuated through posts extending from the elongated biometric device through the housing to transfer an applied force to the force sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Daniel B. Sargent, Dale Setlak, Giovanni Gozzini, John Raff, Michael B. Wittenberg, Richard H. Koch, Ron A. Hopkinson
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Patent number: 11875592Abstract: An elongated biometric device provides a slim solution for capturing biometric data, and may be placed on a portion of an electronic device having limited space, such as a side of the electronic device. The elongated biometric device may include a force sensor, which may be positioned within a housing of the electronic device and actuated through posts extending from the elongated biometric device through the housing to transfer an applied force to the force sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2021Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Daniel B. Sargent, Dale Setlak, Giovanni Gozzini, John Raff, Michael B Wittenberg, Richard H. Koch, Ron A. Hopkinson
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Publication number: 20230413416Abstract: An assembly for heat-generating components includes a metal and a non-metal layer. To secure to a circuit board that carries a heat-generating component, a metal standoff is secured on a perimeter of the circuit board. Multiple protruding elements of the metal layer of the assembly secure within a respective opening of the standoff. The assembly secures, through metal-to-metal contact, to the standoff by multiple mechanical couplings. The assembly not only covers the circuit board, but also extends laterally beyond the circuit board (and the circuit board components). As a result, the assembly receives thermal energy from a heat-generating component(s) on the circuit board and allows the thermal energy to flow through assembly from one portion of the assembly covering the heat-generating component(s) to the lateral portion of the assembly that does not cover the heat-generating component(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Trevor J. EDMONDS, Jay S. NIGEN, Richard D. KOSOGLOW, Ron A. HOPKINSON
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Publication number: 20230333658Abstract: A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Ron A. Hopkinson, Asif Hussain, Dinesh C. Mathew, Mikael M. Silvanto, Chang Zhang, Zheng Gao, Robert Y. Cao, Keith J. Hendren, Bryan W. Posner, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Alex J. Lehmann
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Patent number: 11720176Abstract: A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Ron A. Hopkinson, Asif Hussain, Dinesh C. Mathew, Mikael M. Silvanto, Chang Zhang, Zheng Gao, Robert Y. Cao, Keith J. Hendren, Bryan W. Posner, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Alex J. Lehmann
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Publication number: 20230247349Abstract: In at least one example, an electronic device can include a lower base portion including a housing. The housing can define an internal volume of the lower portion and a rear side defining an aperture. The device can also include an upper portion rotatably connected to the lower portion at the rear side, an audio component disposed in the internal volume, and a channel extending from the audio component to the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2022Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Houtan R. Farahani, Richard D. Kosoglow, Trevor J. Edmonds, Vanessa M. Wijaya, Keith J. Hendren, Zachary Sorscher, Ron A. Hopkinson, Chi Xu, Ari P. Miller, Rodrigo Dutervil Mubarak
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Patent number: 11675388Abstract: A top case assembly for a portable computer is disclosed. The assembly may include an integral unified (e.g., homogenous) top case formed from a single part. The integral top case provides an enclosure, frame and cosmetic exterior of the portable computer. The integral top case also serves as the primary structure of the portable computer. The assembly may include a variety of subassemblies such as keyboards, touchpads, circuit boards, and drives that are carried by the underside of the integral top case. The integral top case may be formed from aluminum slab that has been machined to form walls, openings, attachment areas and cosmetic areas of the top case.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Matthew Theobald, Jonathan P. Ive, Bartley K. Andre, Christopher Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, John Raff, Ron Hopkinson, John Brock, Chris Ligtenberg, Michelle Rae Goldberg
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Publication number: 20220326777Abstract: A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Ron A. Hopkinson, Asif Hussain, Dinesh C. Mathew, Mikael M. Silvanto, Chang Zhang, Zheng Gao, Robert Y. Cao, Keith J. Hendren, Bryan W. Posner, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Alex J. Lehmann
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Patent number: 11366523Abstract: A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2020Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Ron A. Hopkinson, Asif Hussain, Dinesh C. Mathew, Mikael M. Silvanto, Chang Zhang, Zheng Gao, Robert Y. Cao, Keith J. Hendren, Bryan W. Posner, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Alex J. Lehmann
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Patent number: 11360631Abstract: A configurable, force-sensitive input structure for an electronic device is disclosed. The input structure has a metal contact layer, a sense layer positioned below the metal contact layer, and a drive layer capacitively coupled to the sense layer. The input structure may also have a compliant layer positioned between and coupled to the sense layer and the drive layer, a rigid base layer positioned below the drive layer, and a set of supports positioned between the metal contact layer and the rigid base layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John B. Morrell, Ron A. Hopkinson, Peter M. Arnold, Mikael M. Silvanto, William F. Leggett
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Patent number: 11275920Abstract: An elongated biometric device provides a slim solution for capturing biometric data, and may be placed on a portion of an electronic device having limited space, such as a side of the electronic device. The elongated biometric device may include a force sensor, which may be positioned within a housing of the electronic device and actuated through posts extending from the elongated biometric device through the housing to transfer an applied force to the force sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Daniel B. Sargent, Dale Setlak, Giovanni Gozzini, John Raff, Michael B Wittenberg, Richard H. Koch, Ron A. Hopkinson
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Publication number: 20220012451Abstract: An elongated biometric device provides a slim solution for capturing biometric data, and may be placed on a portion of an electronic device having limited space, such as a side of the electronic device. The elongated biometric device may include a force sensor, which may be positioned within a housing of the electronic device and actuated through posts extending from the elongated biometric device through the housing to transfer an applied force to the force sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Daniel B. Sargent, Dale Setlak, Giovanni Gozzini, John Raff, Michael B. Wittenberg, Richard H. Koch, Ron A. Hopkinson
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Publication number: 20210373597Abstract: A top case assembly for a portable computer is disclosed. The assembly may include an integral unified (e.g., homogenous) top case formed from a single part. The integral top case provides an enclosure, frame and cosmetic exterior of the portable computer. The integral top case also serves as the primary structure of the portable computer. The assembly may include a variety of subassemblies such as keyboards, touchpads, circuit boards, and drives that are carried by the underside of the integral top case. The integral top case may be formed from aluminum slab that has been machined to form walls, openings, attachment areas and cosmetic areas of the top case.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Matthew Theobald, Jonathan P. Ive, Bartley K. Andre, Christopher Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, John Raff, Ron Hopkinson, John Brock, Chris Ligtenberg, Michelle Rae Goldberg
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Patent number: 11112825Abstract: A top case assembly for a portable computer is disclosed. The assembly may include an integral unified (e.g., homogenous) top case formed from a single part. The integral top case provides an enclosure, frame and cosmetic exterior of the portable computer. The integral top case also serves as the primary structure of the portable computer. The assembly may include a variety of subassemblies such as keyboards, touchpads, circuit boards, and drives that are carried by the underside of the integral top case. The integral top case may be formed from aluminum slab that has been machined to form walls, openings, attachment areas and cosmetic areas of the top case.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Matthew Theobald, Jonathan P. Ive, Bartley K. Andre, Christopher Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, John Raff, Ron Hopkinson, John Brock, Chris Ligtenberg, Michelle Rae Goldberg
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Patent number: 11099649Abstract: A device includes a display portion that includes a display housing and a display within the display housing. The device also includes a base portion flexibly coupled to the display portion and comprising a glass member defining a keyboard region configured to receive user input, a first haptic actuator configured to produce a first haptic output at a first area of the keyboard region, and a second haptic actuator configured to produce a second haptic output at a second area of the keyboard region that is different from the first area.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Ron A. Hopkinson, Asif Hussain, Dinesh C. Mathew, Mikael M. Silvanto, Chang Zhang, Zheng Gao, Robert Y. Cao, Keith J. Hendren, Bryan W. Posner, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Alex J. Lehmann
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Publication number: 20210200385Abstract: A configurable, force-sensitive input structure for an electronic device is disclosed. The input structure has a metal contact layer, a sense layer positioned below the metal contact layer, and a drive layer capacitively coupled to the sense layer. The input structure may also have a compliant layer positioned between and coupled to the sense layer and the drive layer, a rigid base layer positioned below the drive layer, and a set of supports positioned between the metal contact layer and the rigid base layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: John B. Morrell, Ron A. Hopkinson, Peter M. Arnold, Mikael M. Silvanto, William F. Leggett
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Patent number: 10983650Abstract: A dynamic input surface for an electronic device and a method of reconfiguring the same is disclosed. The input surface has a partially-flexible metal contact portion defining an input area, and a group of indicators. The indicators may be group of holes extending through the contact portion. The group of holes may be selectively illuminated based on a gesture performed on the contact portion. A size of the input area may be dynamically varied based on the gesture. Additionally, the group of indicators indicates a boundary of the input area.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Daniel D. Sunshine, Ron A. Hopkinson, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, William F. Leggett, Patrick Kessler
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Patent number: 10963117Abstract: A configurable, force-sensitive input structure for an electronic device is disclosed. The input structure has a metal contact layer, a sense layer positioned below the metal contact layer, and a drive layer capacitively coupled to the sense layer. The input structure may also have a compliant layer positioned between and coupled to the sense layer and the drive layer, a rigid base layer positioned below the drive layer, and a set of supports positioned between the metal contact layer and the rigid base layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John B. Morrell, Ron A. Hopkinson, Peter M. Arnold, Mikael M. Silvanto, William F. Leggett
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Patent number: 10948953Abstract: The disclosed embodiments related to a component for use in a portable electronic device. The component includes a wall of the portable electronic device, containing an intake zone that includes a set of intake vents. The wall also includes an exhaust zone containing a set of exhaust vents.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy D. Bataillou, Jay S. Nigen, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Charles A. Schwalbach, Matthew P. Casebolt, Nicholas A. Rundle, Frank F. Liang