Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Wilson, Jr.

Thomas W. Wilson, 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: 8941795
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a liquid crystal display with backlight structures. The backlight structures may produce backlight that passes through display layers in the display. The display layers may include color filter elements, a liquid crystal layer, and a thin-film transistor layer. The color filter elements may be interposed between the thin-film transistor layer and the backlight structures or the thin-film transistor layer may be interposed between the color filter elements and the backlight structures. The backlight structures may be formed from optical fiber, a two-dimensional array of light-emitting diodes, a light guide plate that includes a rectangular recess for receiving optical films, or light guide plate structures that include internal light scattering structures. A light guide plate may be provided with alignment features that mate with alignment features on optical films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Adam T. Garelli, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Keith J. Hendren, Peteris K. Augenbergs
  • Publication number: 20140346025
    Abstract: A low travel switch assembly and systems and methods for using the same are disclosed. The low travel dome may include a domed surface having upper and lower portions, and a set of tuning members integrated within the domed surface between the upper and lower portions. The tuning members may be operative to control a force-displacement curve characteristic of the low travel dome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., John M. Brock, Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, Satoshi Okuma, Shinsuke Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20140340831
    Abstract: An electronic device display may have a color filter layer and a thin film transistor layer. A layer of liquid crystal material may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin film transistor layer. A layer of polarizer may be laminated onto the surface of the color filter layer. Laser trimming may ensure that the edges of the polarizer are even with the edges of the color filter layer. The thin film transistor layer may have an array of thin film transistors that control pixels of the liquid crystal material in the display. Driver circuitry may be used to control the array. The driver circuitry may be encapsulated in a planarized encapsulant on the thin film transistor layer or may be mounted to the underside of the color filter layer. Conductive structures may connect driver circuitry on the color filter layer to the thin film transistor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs, John Z. Zhong, Steve Hotelling, Lynn Youngs, Kuo-Hua Sung
  • Patent number: 8867015
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display such as a liquid crystal display. The display may have an array of display pixels. The array of display pixels may display images for a user in an active area of the display. An inactive area of the display may surround the active area. An opaque masking layer may be provided in the inactive area to block internal components in the electronic device from view. An optical component such as a light-based proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, image sensor, or light-emitting status indicator may be aligned with an opening in the opaque masking layer. A liquid crystal shutter may be provided in the display. The liquid crystal shutter may be controlled by control circuitry in the electronic device. The liquid crystal shutter may be aligned with the opening in the opaque masking layer in the inactive area and with the optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan W. Posner, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Adam T. Garelli, Stephen R. McClure, Carl R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8866989
    Abstract: An electronic device housing may have upper and lower portions that are attached with a hinge. At least one portion of the housing may have a rear planar surface and peripheral sidewalls having edges. A display module may be mounted in the housing. The display module may have glass layers such as a color filter glass layer and a thin-film transistor substrate. The color filter glass layer may serve as the outermost glass layer in the display module. The edges of the display module may be aligned with the edges of the peripheral housing sidewalls to create the appearance of a borderless display for the electronic device. The display module may be provided with an opening that allows a camera or other electronic components to receive light. Traces may be provided on the underside of the thin-film transistor substrate to serve as signal paths for the electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs
  • Patent number: 8767141
    Abstract: An electronic device display may have a color filter layer and a thin film transistor layer. A layer of liquid crystal material may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin film transistor layer. A layer of polarizer may be laminated onto the surface of the color filter layer. Laser trimming may ensure that the edges of the polarizer are even with the edges of the color filter layer. The thin film transistor layer may have an array of thin film transistors that control pixels of the liquid crystal material in the display. Driver circuitry may be used to control the array. The driver circuitry may be encapsulated in a planarized encapsulant on the thin film transistor layer or may be mounted to the underside of the color filter layer. Conductive structures may connect driver circuitry on the color filter layer to the thin film transistor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs, John Z. Zhong, Steve Hotelling, Lynn Youngs, Kuo-Hua Sung
  • Patent number: 8743309
    Abstract: An electronic device display may have a color filter layer and a thin film transistor layer. A layer of liquid crystal material may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin film transistor layer. A layer of polarizer may be laminated onto the surface of the color filter layer. Laser trimming may ensure that the edges of the polarizer are even with the edges of the color filter layer. The thin film transistor layer may have an array of thin film transistors that control pixels of the liquid crystal material in the display. Driver circuitry may be used to control the array. The driver circuitry may be encapsulated in a planarized encapsulant on the thin film transistor layer or may be mounted to the underside of the color filter layer. Conductive structures may connect driver circuitry on the color filter layer to the thin film transistor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs, John Z. Zhong, Steve Hotelling, Lynn Youngs, Kuo-Hua Sung
  • Publication number: 20140118264
    Abstract: Multi-functional keyboard assemblies include an array of keys formed from stacked component layers. A top portion of the key may be capable of travelling vertically with respect to a base of the key. The top portion can include a keycap and a circuitry module coupled to the keycap. The keys may be capable of receive at least two distinct types of inputs and/or receiving at least one type of input and providing at least one type of output. Such output may include use of one or more light sources, displays, and/or haptic feedback devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Bartley K. Andre, Mikael Silvanto, Dinesh C. Mathew
  • Publication number: 20140116865
    Abstract: A key mechanism can include one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. Hinged coupling mechanisms couple respective arms of the wings together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, JR.
  • Patent number: 8711304
    Abstract: An electronic device housing may have upper and lower portions that are attached with a hinge. At least one portion of the housing may have a rear planar surface and peripheral sidewalls having edges. A display module may be mounted in the housing. The display module may have glass layers such as a color filter glass layer and a thin-film transistor substrate. The color filter glass layer may serve as the outermost glass layer in the display module. The edges of the display module may be aligned with the edges of the peripheral housing sidewalls to create the appearance of a borderless display for the electronic device. The display module may be provided with an opening that allows a camera or other electronic components to receive light. Traces may be provided on the underside of the thin-film transistor substrate to serve as signal paths for the electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs
  • Publication number: 20140076607
    Abstract: A multi-layered cable consisting of three or more conductive layers separated by layers of dielectric and/or adhesive material. The bottom layer and the top layer may act as return path for the transmitted signals and as a shield to prevent interference between these and external electrical signals. Located between the bottom layer and the top layer, the middle layer may transmit desired signals through the flexible cable. The material selection and specifics of each of the layers should be selected so as to achieve a balance in which the desired electrical impedance and mechanical flexibility requirements are met. The cable may also include one or more vias connecting the bottom layer to the top layer, providing shielding all the way around the flex cable. An additional conductive sock may be used to improve shielding effectiveness of the top and bottom layer and to connect to I/O connector shells and the system Faraday cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Brock, Brett William Degner, Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Chris Ligtenberg, Keith J. Hendren, Stever D. Keiper, Eugene Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 8638549
    Abstract: Electronic devices may have housings. A housing may contain a display on its front face and a rear plate such as a plate formed from glass on its rear face. A peripheral housing member may surround the display and rear plate. An antenna may be formed in the peripheral housing member. The rear plate may be formed from laminated layers including a light guide layer. Device hinges may include hinge structures that are integral to the peripheral housing member. A logo may be formed by coating the rear plate with a patterned masking layer. Display structures for the display and the rear plate may be mounted to opposing sides of a shelf portion of the peripheral housing member. The rear plate may be formed from electrochromic glass and may cover photovoltaic cells and touch sensors. Driver boards may be mounted within a clutch barrel perpendicular to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Adam T. Garelli, Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Keith J. Hendren, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Brett W. Degner, Bradley J. Hamel, Michael A. Damlanakis, Patrick Kessler
  • Patent number: 8605232
    Abstract: A display may include a backlight structure. The backlight structure may include a light guide plate. Holes in the light guide plate may be configured to receive corresponding light-emitting diodes. The holes may separate an edge portion of the light guide plate from a main central portion of the light guide plate. Adhesive may be attached to the lower surface of the edge portion. The adhesive may be attached to a device housing or may be attached to a flex circuit that is attached to the housing with additional adhesive. The light-emitting diodes may be mounted within packages in pairs. The packages may be mounted on the flex circuit. Traces on part of the flex circuit may be covered by part of the light guide plate without any intervening adhesive. A reflective structure may be interposed between the traces and parts of the main portion of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Qi, Bryan W. Posner, Dinesh C. Mathew, Adam T. Garelli, Victor H. Yin, Keith J. Hendren, Laura M. DeForest, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8587953
    Abstract: A multi-layered cable consisting of three or more conductive layers separated by layers of dielectric and/or adhesive material. The bottom layer and the top layer may act as return path for the transmitted signals and as a shield to prevent interference between these and external electrical signals. Located between the bottom layer and the top layer, the middle layer may transmit desired signals through the flexible cable. The material selection and specifics of each of the layers should be selected so as to achieve a balance in which the desired electrical impedance and mechanical flexibility requirements are met. The cable may also include one or more vias connecting the bottom layer to the top layer, providing shielding all the way around the flex cable. An additional conductive sock may be used to improve shielding effectiveness of the top and bottom layer and to connect to I/O connector shells and the system Faraday cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Brock, Brett William Degner, Dinesh Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Chris Ligtenberg, Keith Hendren, Steven Keiper, Eugene Kim
  • Publication number: 20130285984
    Abstract: An input device is disclosed. The input device includes a movable touch-sensitive track pad capable of detecting an object in close proximity thereto so as to generate a tracking control signal. The input device also includes a movement indicator capable of detecting the movements of the movable track pad so as to generate one or more other control signals (e.g., button signals). The control signals can be used to perform actions in an electronic device operatively coupled to the input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. DEGNER, Patrick KESSLER, Christiaan A. LIGTENBERG, Thomas W. WILSON, JR., Bartley K. ANDRE, Matthew P. CASEBOLT
  • Publication number: 20130250202
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a liquid crystal display with backlight structures. The backlight structures may produce backlight that passes through an array of display pixels. The display pixels may include electrode structures and thin-film transistor structures for controlling electric fields in a layer of liquid crystal material. The liquid crystal material may be formed between an outer display layer and an inner display layer. The inner display layer may be interposed between the backlight structures and the liquid crystal material. Thin-film transistor structures, electrodes, and conductive interconnection lines may be deposited in a layer on the inner surface of the outer display layer. A layer of color filter elements may be used to provide the display with color pixels. The color filter elements may be formed on top of the thin-film transistor layer or on a separate color filter array substrate such as the inner display layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Jun Qi, Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Keith J. Hendren, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Adam T. Garelli, Victor H. Yin, Thomas W. Wilson, JR.
  • Patent number: 8518569
    Abstract: An electrolyte containment structure for an electrode jelly roll and electrolyte in a portable power source is described. The electrolyte containment structure comprises metal foil, such as metal foil sleeve, coupled to and partially surrounding a rigid frame. The rigid frame can protect the electrode jelly roll edges from crush events. To prevent shorts, the metal foil can be coated in plastic, which can insulate the metal foil from the electrode jelly roll. Further, the plastic can serve as a bonding and sealing agent. For instance, the metal foil can be coupled to the rigid frame using a thermal bonding method involving melting of the plastic. The rigid frame can provide a platform for connector pads and safety circuitry associated with the portable power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: R. Sean Murphy, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130176512
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display such as a liquid crystal display. The display may have an array of display pixels. The array of display pixels may display images for a user in an active area of the display. An inactive area of the display may surround the active area. An opaque masking layer may be provided in the inactive area to block internal components in the electronic device from view. An optical component such as a light-based proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, image sensor, or light-emitting status indicator may be aligned with an opening in the opaque masking layer. A liquid crystal shutter may be provided in the display. The liquid crystal shutter may be controlled by control circuitry in the electronic device. The liquid crystal shutter may be aligned with the opening in the opaque masking layer in the inactive area and with the optical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Bryan W. Posner, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Adam T. Garelli, Stephen R. McClure, Carl R. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20130155351
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a liquid crystal display with backlight structures. The backlight structures may produce backlight that passes through display layers in the display. The display layers may include color filter elements, a liquid crystal layer, and a thin-film transistor layer. The color filter elements may be interposed between the thin-film transistor layer and the backlight structures or the thin-film transistor layer may be interposed between the color filter elements and the backlight structures. The backlight structures may be formed from optical fiber, a two-dimensional array of light-emitting diodes, a light guide plate that includes a rectangular recess for receiving optical films, or light guide plate structures that include internal light scattering structures. A light guide plate may be provided with alignment features that mate with alignment features on optical films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Adam T. Garelli, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Keith J. Hendren, Peteris K. Augenbergs
  • Patent number: 8467177
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display. Inactive portions of the display such as peripheral portions of the display may be masked using an opaque masking layer. An opening may be provided in the opaque masking layer to allow light to pass. For example, a logo may be viewed through an opening in the opaque masking layer and a camera may receive light through an opening in the opaque masking layer. The display may include upper and lower polarizers, a color filter layer, and a thin-film transistor layer. The opaque masking layer may be formed on the upper polarizer, may be interposed between the upper polarizer and the color filter layer, or may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin-film transistor layer. The upper polarizer may have unpolarized windows for cameras, logos, or other internal structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Adam T. Garelli