Patents by Inventor Ruben Caballero

Ruben Caballero 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: 8368602
    Abstract: Electronic devices such as handheld devices may have wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include a broadband antenna and circuitry that covers multiple communications bands. The broadband antenna may be formed from a parallel-fed dipole. The antenna may have first and second antenna resonating element regions on opposing sides of a slot. The slot may be an open slot that has one open end and one closed end. The slot may be formed from an opening in conductive housing structures in a conductive housing for an electronic device. The conductive housing structures may include sidewall structures, rear housing wall structures, and other conductive structures. The antenna may have a feed with a feed line that crosses the slot. An interposed dielectric substrate member may separate the feed line from the conductive structures. The feed line may have sections with different widths to minimize feed line length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
  • Publication number: 20130009828
    Abstract: Electronic devices are provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. A parallel-fed loop antenna may be formed from portions of an electronic device bezel and a ground plane. The antenna may operate in multiple communications bands. An impedance matching circuit for the antenna may be formed from a parallel-connected inductive element and a series-connected capacitive element. The bezel may surround a peripheral portion of a display that is mounted to the front of an electronic device. The bezel may contain a gap. Antenna feed terminals for the antenna may be located on opposing sides of the gap. The inductive element may bridge the gap and the antenna feed terminals. The capacitive element may be connected in series between one of the antenna feed terminals and a conductor in a transmission line located between the transceiver circuitry and the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Mattia Pascolini, Robert J. Hill, Juan Zavala, Nanbo Jin, Qingxiang Li, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
  • Patent number: 8350761
    Abstract: Handheld electronic devices are provided that contain wireless communications circuitry having at least one antenna. The antenna may have a planar ground element and a planar resonating element. The planar ground element may have a rectangular shape that matches a rectangular housing shape for a handheld electronic device. A dielectric-filled slot may be formed in one end of the planar ground element. The planar resonating element may be located above the slot. The antenna may be a hybrid antenna that contains both a slot antenna structure formed from the slot and a planar inverted-F structure formed from the planar resonating element and the planar ground element. The antenna may be fed using a single transmission line or two transmission lines. With two transmission lines, one transmission line may be associated with the slot antenna structure and one transmission line may be associated with the planar inverted-F antenna structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Juan Zavala, Ruben Caballero
  • Patent number: 8325094
    Abstract: Logo antennas are provided for electronic devices such as portable computers. An electronic device may have a housing with conductive housing walls. A logo antenna may be formed from an antenna resonating element such as a patch antenna resonating element, a monopole antenna resonating element, or other antenna resonating element structure. A conductive cavity may be placed behind the antenna resonating element. A dielectric antenna window that serves as a logo may be used to cover the antenna resonating element. The dielectric antenna window may be mounted in an opening in the conductive housing walls. A positive antenna feed terminal may be coupled to the antenna resonating element. A ground antenna feed terminal may be coupled to the cavity and portions of the conductive housing walls. The dielectric antenna window may be shaped in the form of a logo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Enrique Ayala Vazquez, Gregory A. Springer, Bing Chiang, Douglas B. Kough, Robert W. Schlub, Yi Jiang, Rodney Andres Gomez Angulo, Ruben Caballero
  • Patent number: 8270914
    Abstract: Electronic devices are provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. A parallel-fed loop antenna may be formed from portions of an electronic device bezel and a ground plane. The antenna may operate in multiple communications bands. An impedance matching circuit for the antenna may be formed from a parallel-connected inductive element and a series-connected capacitive element. The bezel may surround a peripheral portion of a display that is mounted to the front of an electronic device. The bezel may contain a gap. Antenna feed terminals for the antenna may be located on opposing sides of the gap. The inductive element may bridge the gap and the antenna feed terminals. The capacitive element may be connected in series between one of the antenna feed terminals and a conductor in a transmission line located between the transceiver circuitry and the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mattia Pascolini, Robert J. Hill, Juan Zavala, Nanbo Jin, Qingxiang Li, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
  • Patent number: 8269677
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing with conductive housing walls. A dielectric antenna window may be formed in an opening in one of the conductive housing walls. A dielectric logo may form the dielectric antenna window. A dielectric support structure may have an outline that matches the dielectric logo. An antenna resonating element for an antenna may be formed on the dielectric support structure. An antenna cavity for the antenna may be formed by a conductive cavity structure. A pattern of voids in the dielectric support structure may reduce dielectric loading for the antenna. The conductive cavity structure may be formed from solderable plated metal. The conductive cavity structure may have a planar lip that is attached to the conductive housing walls using conductive adhesive. Rear wall portions of the conductive cavity structure may be oriented at a non-perpendicular non-zero angle with respect to the planar lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jerzy Guterman, Eduardo Lopez Camacho, Mattia Pascolini, Enrique Ayala Vazquez, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
  • Publication number: 20120229347
    Abstract: A wireless electronic device may include antenna structures and antenna tuning circuitry. The device may include a display mounted within a housing. A peripheral conductive member may run around the edges of the display and housing. Dielectric-filled gaps may divide the peripheral conductive member into individual segments. A ground plane may be formed within the housing. The ground plane and the segments of the peripheral conductive member may form antennas in upper and lower portions of the housing. The antenna tuning circuitry may include switchable inductor circuits and variable capacitor circuits for the upper and lower antennas. The switchable inductor circuits associated with the upper antenna may be tuned to provide coverage in at least two high-band frequency ranges of interest, whereas the variable capacitor circuits associated with the upper antenna may be tuned to provide coverage in at least two low-band frequency ranges of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Nanbo Jin, Mattia Pascolini, Matt A. Mow, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
  • Publication number: 20120231750
    Abstract: Electronic devices are provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. A parallel-fed loop antenna may be formed from portions of a conductive bezel and a ground plane. The antenna may operate in multiple communications bands. The bezel may surround a peripheral portion of a display that is mounted to the front of an electronic device. The bezel may contain a gap. Antenna feed terminals for the antenna may be located on opposing sides of the gap. A variable capacitor may bridge the gap. An inductive element may bridge the gap and the antenna feed terminals. A switchable inductor may be coupled in parallel with the inductive element. Tunable matching circuitry may be coupled between one of the antenna feed terminals and a conductor in a coaxial cable connecting the transceiver circuitry to the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Nanbo Jin, Mattia Pascolini, Matt A. Mow, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
  • Publication number: 20120214412
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing in which an antenna is mounted. An antenna window may be mounted in the housing to allow radio-frequency signals to be transmitted from the antenna and to allow the antenna to receive radio-frequency signals. Near-field radiation limits may be satisfied by reducing transmit power when an external object is detected in the vicinity of the dielectric antenna window and the antenna. A capacitive proximity sensor may be used in detecting external objects in the vicinity of the antenna. The proximity sensor and the antenna may be formed using integral antenna resonating element and proximity sensor capacitor electrode structures. These structures may be formed from identical first and second patterned conductive layers on opposing sides of a dielectric substrate. A transceiver and proximity sensor may be coupled to the structures through respective high-pass and low-pass circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Robert W. Schlub, Yi Jiang, Qingxiang Li, Jiang Zhu, Ruben Caballero
  • Publication number: 20120178386
    Abstract: An electronic device may transmit and receive wireless signals using wireless circuitry that is controlled by control circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include adjustable components such as adjustable antenna structures, adjustable front end circuitry, and adjustable transceiver circuitry. During characterization operations, the electronic device may be tested to identify operating settings for the wireless circuitry that lead to potential wireless interference between aggressor transmitters and victim receivers. The control circuitry can adjust the wireless circuitry to mitigate the effects of interference based on settings identified during characterization operations or real time signal quality measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Mattia Pascolini, Matt A. Mow, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
  • Publication number: 20120112969
    Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. An electronic device may include a display mounted within a housing. A peripheral conductive member may run around the edges of the display and housing. Dielectric-filled gaps may divide the peripheral conductive member into individual segments. A ground plane may be formed within the housing from conductive housing structures, printed circuit boards, and other conductive elements. The ground plane and the segments of the peripheral conductive member may form antennas in upper and lower portions of the housing. The radio-frequency transceiver circuitry may implement receiver diversity using both the upper and lower antennas. The lower antenna may be used in transmitting signals. The upper antenna may be tuned using a tunable matching circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Ruben Caballero, Mattia Pascolini, Mohit Narang, Matt A. Mow, Robert W. Schlub
  • Publication number: 20120112970
    Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and first and second antennas. An electronic device may include a housing. The first antenna may be located at an upper end of the housing and the second antenna may be located at a lower end of the housing. A peripheral conductive member may run around the edges of the housing and may be used in forming the first and second antennas. The radio-frequency transceiver circuitry may have a transmit-receive port and a receive port. Switching circuitry may connect the first antenna to the transmit-receive port and the second antenna to the receiver port or may connect the first antenna to the receive port and the second antenna to the transmit-receive port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Ruben Caballero, Mattia Pascolini, Mohit Narang, Matt A. Mow, Robert W. Schlub
  • Patent number: 8169374
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains wireless communications circuitry. The handheld electronic device may have a housing and a display. The display may be attached to the housing using a conductive bezel. The handheld electronic device may have one or more antennas for supporting wireless communications. A ground plane in the handheld electronic device may serve as ground for one or more of the antennas. The ground plane and bezel may define a opening. A rectangular slot antenna or other suitable slot antenna may be formed from or within the opening. One or more antenna resonating elements may be formed above the slot. An electrical switch that bridges the slot may be used to modify the perimeter of the slot so as to tune the communications bands of the handheld electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
  • Publication number: 20120100813
    Abstract: A test system for testing multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) systems is provided. The test system may convey radio-frequency (RF) signals bidirectionally between a device under test (DUT) and at least one base station. The DUT may be placed within a test chamber during testing. An antenna mounting structure may surround the DUT. Multiple antennas may be mounted on the antenna mounting structure to transmit and receive RF signals to and from the DUT. A first group of dual-polarized antennas may be coupled to the base station through downlink circuitry. A second group of dual-polarized antennas may be coupled to the base station through uplink circuitry. The uplink and downlink circuitry may each include a splitter/combiner, channel emulators, amplifier circuits, and switch circuitry. The channel emulators and amplifier circuits may be configured to provide desired path loss, spatial interference, and channel characteristics to model real-world wireless network transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Matt A. Mow, Robert W. Schlub, Rocco V. Dragone, JR., Ruben Caballero, Thomas E. Biedka
  • Publication number: 20120098713
    Abstract: A test system for testing multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) systems is provided. The test system may convey radio-frequency (RF) signals bidirectionally between a base station emulator and a device under test (DUT). The DUT may be placed within a test chamber during testing. An antenna mounting structure may surround the DUT. Multiple antennas may be mounted on the antenna mounting structure to transmit and receive RF signals to and from the DUT. A first group of antennas may be coupled to the base station emulator through downlink circuitry. A second group of antennas may be coupled to the base station emulator through uplink circuitry. The uplink and downlink circuitry may each include a splitter, channel emulators, and amplifier circuits. The channel emulators and amplifier circuits may be configured to provide desired path loss and channel characteristics to model real-world wireless network transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Matt A. Mow, Robert W. Schlub, Rocco V. Dragone, JR., Ruben Caballero
  • Publication number: 20120068893
    Abstract: Electronic devices may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. The antenna structures may include antenna resonating elements such as dual-band antenna resonating elements that resonate in first and second communications bands. The antenna structures may also contain parasitic antenna elements such as elements that are operative in only the first or second communications band and elements that are operative in both the first and second communications bands. The antenna resonating elements and parasitic elements may be mounted on a common dielectric carrier. The dielectric carrier may be mounted within a slot or other opening in a conductive element. The conductive element may be formed from conductive housing structures in an electronic device such as a portable computer. The portable computer may have a clutch barrel with a dielectric cover. The dielectric cover may overlap and cover the slot and the dielectric carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Jerzy Guterman, Hao Xu, Douglas Blake Kough, Eduardo Lopez Camacho, Mattia Pascolini, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
  • Patent number: 8138977
    Abstract: Handheld electronic devices are provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include antenna structures. An antenna may be located in an upper right corner of the handheld device as the handheld device is operated in a portrait mode. When the handheld device is rotated counterclockwise and operated in a landscape mode, the antenna is located in an unobstructed upper left corner of the device. The antenna may be formed from a strip of conductor. A proximal end of the strip of conductor may be connected to a transmission line. A distal end of the strip of conductor may be routed away from housing surfaces by bends formed in the strip. A printed circuit board in the handheld electronic device may have a hole. The distal end of the strip of conductor may be located adjacent to the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zhijun Zhang, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
  • Publication number: 20120046002
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains wireless communications circuitry. The handheld electronic device may have a housing and a display. The display may be attached to the housing using a conductive bezel. The handheld electronic device may have one or more antennas for supporting wireless communications. A ground plane in the handheld electronic device may serve as ground for one or more of the antennas. The ground plane and bezel may define an opening. A rectangular slot antenna or other suitable slot antenna may be formed from or within the opening. One or more antenna resonating elements may be formed above the slot. An electrical switch that bridges the slot may be used to modify the perimeter of the slot so as to tune the communications bands of the handheld electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
  • Publication number: 20120009983
    Abstract: An electronic device has wireless communications circuitry including an adjustable antenna system coupled to a radio-frequency transceiver. The adjustable antenna system may include one or more adjustable electrical components that are controlled by storage and processing circuitry in the electronic device. The adjustable electrical components may include switches and components that can be adjusted between numerous different states. The adjustable electrical components may be coupled between antenna system components such as transmission line elements, matching network elements, antenna elements and antenna feeds. By adjusting the adjustable electrical components, the storage and processing circuitry can tune the adjustable antenna system to ensure that the adjustable antenna system covers communications bands of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Matt A. Mow, Robert W. Schlub, Mattia Pascolini, Robert J. Hill, Ruben Caballero
  • Patent number: 8094079
    Abstract: Handheld electronic devices are provided that contain wireless communications circuitry having at least first and second antennas. An antenna isolation element reduces signal interference between the antennas, so that the antennas may be used in close proximity to each other. A planar ground element may be used as a ground by the first and second antennas. The first antenna may be formed using a hybrid planar-inverted-F and slot arrangement in which a planar resonating element is located above a rectangular slot in the planar ground element. The second antenna may be formed from an L-shaped strip. The planar resonating element of the first antenna may have first and second arms. The first arm may resonate at a common frequency with the second antenna and may serve as the isolation element. The second arm may resonate at approximately the same frequency as the slot portion of the hybrid antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Schlub, Robert J. Hill, Juan Zavala, Ruben Caballero