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).
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Patent number: 7893883Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 2009Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Schlub, Robert J. Hill, Juan Zavala, Ruben Caballero
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Publication number: 20110012794Abstract: Antennas are provided for electronic devices such as portable computers. An electronic device may have a housing in which an antenna is mounted. The housing may be formed of conductive materials. A dielectric 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 proximity sensor may be used in detecting external objects. A parasitic antenna resonating element may be interposed between the antenna resonating element and the dielectric antenna window to minimize near-field radiation hotspots. The parasitic antenna resonating element may be formed using a capacitor electrode for the proximity sensor. A ferrite layer may be interposed between the parasitic element and the antenna window.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Robert W. Schlub, David T. Amm, Omar S. Leung, Brian M. King, Qingxiang Li, Enrique Ayala Vazquez, Rodney Andres Gomez Angulo, Yi Jiang, Ruben Caballero
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Publication number: 20110012793Abstract: 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 may have conductive layers separated by a dielectric. A capacitance-to-digital converter may be coupled to the proximity sensor by inductors. The capacitive proximity sensor may be interposed between an antenna resonating element and the antenna window. The capacitive proximity sensor may serve as a parasitic antenna resonating element and may be coupled to the housing by a capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: David T. Amm, Robert W. Schlub, Omar S. Leung, Brian M. King, Qingxiang Li, Enrique Ayala Vazquez, Rodney Andres Gomez Angulo, Yi Jiang, Ruben Caballero
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Publication number: 20110006953Abstract: Antennas are provided for electronic devices such as portable computers. An electronic device may have a housing in which an antenna is mounted. The housing may have an antenna window for the antenna. The antenna window may be formed from dielectric or from antenna window slots in a conductive member such as a conductive wall of the electronic device housing. An antenna may have an antenna resonating element that is backed by a conductive antenna cavity. The antenna resonating element may have antenna resonating element slots or may be formed using other antenna configurations such as inverted-F configurations. The antenna cavity may have conductive vertical sidewalls and a conductive rear wall. The antenna cavity walls may be formed from conductive layers on a dielectric antenna support structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Bing Chiang, Douglas B. Kough, Enrique Ayala Vazquez, Gregory A. Springer, Hao Xu, Robert W. Schlub, Eduardo Lopez Camacho, Mattia Pascolini, Jerzy Guterman, Yi Jiang, Rodney Andres Gomez Angulo, Ruben Caballero
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Publication number: 20100321253Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Enrique Ayala Vazquez, Gregory A. Springer, Bing Chiang, Douglas B. Kough, Robert W. Schlub, Yi Jiang, Rodney Andres Gomez Angulo, Ruben Caballero
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Patent number: 7843396Abstract: 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 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: GrantFiled: September 22, 2009Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
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Patent number: 7808438Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 2009Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Schlub, Robert J. Hill, Juan Zavala, Ruben Caballero
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Patent number: 7768462Abstract: A handheld electronic device is provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include antenna structures. A first antenna may handle first and second communications bands. A second antenna may handle additional communications bands. The first and second antennas may be located at opposite ends of the handheld electronic device. Conductive structures in the handheld electronic device may form an antenna ground plane. The antenna ground plane may have portions defining an antenna slot. An L-shaped antenna resonating element may be located adjacent to the slot. In the first communications band, the L-shaped antenna resonating element may serve as a non-radiating coupling stub that excites the antenna slot. In the second communications band, the L-shaped antenna resonating element may transmit and receive radio-frequency signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zhijun Zhang, Robert W. Schlub, Robert J. Hill, Ruben Caballero
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Patent number: 7764236Abstract: Broadband antennas and handheld electronic devices with broadband antennas are provided. A handheld electronic device has integrated circuits, a display, and a battery mounted within a housing. The housing has a planar inner surface. A broadband antenna for the handheld electronic device has a ground element and a resonating element. The ground element and resonating element may have the same shape and may have the same size. The ground element and resonating element may lie in a common plane and be separated by a gap that lies in the common plane. The plane in which the ground element and resonating element lie may be parallel to the planar inner surface of the housing. Electronic components such as the integrated circuits, display, and battery can be mounted in the handheld device so that they do not overlap the gap between the ground element and the resonating element.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Hill, Ruben Caballero
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Publication number: 20100123632Abstract: An electronic device such as a portable electronic device may have an antenna and associated wireless communications circuitry. The antenna may be a slot antenna having a dielectric slot opening. The slot opening may have a shape such as a U shape or an L shape in which elongated regions of the slot run parallel to the edges of the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may have a housing with conductive sidewalls. The conductive sidewalls may help define the shape of the slot. Antenna feed arrangements may be used to feed the slot antenna in a way that excites harmonic frequencies and that supports multiband operation while being shielded from proximity effects.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Inventors: Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
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Publication number: 20100057359Abstract: An electronic device such as a portable electronic device is provided. The device may have wireless circuitry such as a global satellite navigation system receiver for receiving global satellite navigation system signals and for producing corresponding global satellite navigation system data. The global satellite navigation system data may include information on the current position of the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may also have one or more sensors that are used to gather data in addition to the global satellite navigation system data. The sensors may include accelerometers and other devices capable of determining how the portable electronic device is oriented with respect to the Earth's magnetic field and how the device is being moved. When the device is moved, the movement and resulting change in orientation may be used in conjunction with the global satellite navigation system data to compute a current geographic location.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Inventors: Ruben Caballero, Robert J. Hill
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Patent number: 7671804Abstract: A compact tunable antenna for a handheld electronic device and methods for calibrating and using compact tunable antennas are provided. The antenna can have multiple ports. Each port can have an associated feed and ground. The antenna design can be implemented with a small footprint while covering a large bandwidth. The antenna can have a radiating element formed from a conductive structure such as a patch or helix. The antenna can be shaped to accommodate buttons and other components in the handheld device. The antenna may be connected to a printed circuit board in the handheld device using springs, pogo pins, and other suitable connecting structures. Radio-frequency switches and passive components such as duplexers and diplexers may be used to couple radio-frequency transceiver circuitry to the different feeds of the antenna. Antenna efficiency can be enhanced by avoiding the use of capacitive loading for antenna tuning.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2006Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zhijun Zhang, Ruben Caballero
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Publication number: 20100007564Abstract: 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 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
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Patent number: 7639187Abstract: Antennas, handheld electronic devices containing antennas, and methods for using antennas and handheld electronic devices are provided. A handheld device may have a conductive case. The antenna can be formed as part of a button such as a pushbutton. The pushbutton may protrude from the conductive case sufficiently to allow good transmission and reception of wireless signals. The protruding antenna contains a radiating element, while the conductive case serves as a ground. The radiating element may be formed from a low-profile antenna structure such as a planar antenna structure formed on a circuit board substrate. The pushbutton may be used to control operation of the handheld electronic device. With one suitable arrangement, actuation of the pushbutton antenna causes the antenna to protrude from the case and turns on transceiver circuitry in the handheld device.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ruben Caballero, Teodor Dabov, Zhijun Zhang, John Benjamin Filson, Emery Artemus Sanford
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Publication number: 20090303139Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2009Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: Robert W. Schlub, Robert J. Hill, Juan Zavala, Ruben Caballero
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Publication number: 20090305742Abstract: An electronic device such as a portable electronic device may have an antenna and associated wireless communications circuitry. A sensor such as a proximity sensor may be used to detect when the electronic device is in close proximity to a user's head. Control circuitry within the electronic device may be used to adjust radio-frequency signal transmit power levels. When it is determined that the electronic device is within a given distance from the user's head, the radio-frequency signal transmit power level may be reduced. When it is determined that the electronic device is not within the given distance from the user's head, proximity-based limits on the radio-frequency signal transmit power level may be removed. Data may be gathered from a touch sensor, accelerometer, ambient light sensor and other sources for use in determining how to adjust the transmit power level.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2008Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: Ruben Caballero, Robert W. Schlub
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Publication number: 20090298440Abstract: A wireless electronic device such as a portable electronic device may contain a baseband module. Power amplifier circuitry in the device may amplify radio-frequency signals for transmission. During calibration measurements, a computer directs the baseband module to generate control signals that adjust the gain of the power amplifier circuitry. The computer may also direct the baseband module to generate a series of modulated or unmodulated test tones at one or more communications channel frequencies. A power sensor may be connected to the output of the power amplifier circuitry using a transmission line path. The computer and power sensor may be used in making power measurements on radio-frequency signals at the output of the power amplifier while power amplifier gain and test tone frequency adjustments are being made. Power amplifier calibration data may be produced and stored in the electronic device based on the power measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Tomoki Takeya, Justin Gregg, Ruben Caballero
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Publication number: 20090278753Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Inventors: Robert W. Schlub, Robert J. Hill, Juan Zavala, Ruben Caballero
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Publication number: 20090273526Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Inventors: Robert W. Schlub, Robert J. Hill, Juan Zavala, Ruben Caballero
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Publication number: 20090275370Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Inventors: Robert W. Schlub, Robert J. Hill, Juan Zavala, Ruben Caballero