Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Wilson

Thomas W. Wilson 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).

  • Publication number: 20170174874
    Abstract: Curable rubber compositions and cured articles are based on the use of zinc activator compositions for the sulfur cure. Activator compositions contain zinc and a polymeric component having a plurality of COOH groups, at least some of which are neutralized with the zinc. With polymeric zinc activators, sulfur cure can be activated at levels of zinc below those used in conventional systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wilson, III
  • Publication number: 20170147036
    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: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    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: 9624360
    Abstract: Curable rubber compositions and cured articles are based on the use of zinc activator compositions for the sulfur cure. Activator compositions contain zinc and a polymeric component having a plurality of COOH groups, at least some of which are neutralized with the zinc. With polymeric zinc activators, sulfur cure can be activated at levels of zinc below those used in conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wilson, III
  • Patent number: 9612674
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett William Degner, Patrick Kessler, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Bartley K. Andre, Matthew P. Casebolt
  • Publication number: 20170076880
    Abstract: A key mechanism including one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge may include 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. Additionally or alternatively, a key mechanism can include one or more half-butterfly hinges. Each half-butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. A hinged coupling mechanism couples one set of corresponding arms of the wings together, while the other set of corresponding arms are not coupled together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, Craig C. Leong, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Bruce E. Berg, John M. Brock
  • Patent number: 9575354
    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: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    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: 20170004937
    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: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Bruce E. Berg
  • Publication number: 20160355672
    Abstract: Curable rubber compositions and cured articles are based on the use of zinc activator compositions for the sulfur cure. Activator compositions contain zinc and a polymeric component having a plurality of COOH groups, at least some of which are neutralized with the zinc. With polymeric zinc activators, sulfur cure can be activated at levels of zinc below those used in conventional systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wilson, III
  • Patent number: 9504292
    Abstract: A method for bonding PEBA plastic composition with dissimilar materials. Also, composite articles made in accordance with the method. The method uses only water-borne adhesive compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wilson, III
  • Publication number: 20160343523
    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: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., John M. Brock, Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, Satoshi Okuma, Shinsuke Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9502193
    Abstract: A key mechanism including one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge may include 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. Additionally or alternatively, a key mechanism can include one or more half-butterfly hinges. Each half-butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. A hinged coupling mechanism couples one set of corresponding arms of the wings together, while the other set of corresponding arms are not coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, Craig C. Leong, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., John M. Brock
  • Publication number: 20160320655
    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: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    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: 9449769
    Abstract: A low travel switch and systems for using the same. A low travel switch may include a key cap and an elastomeric dome configured to provide a predefined tactile feedback over a predefined travel distance of the key cap when the key cap is depressed by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9447271
    Abstract: Curable rubber compositions and cured articles are based on the use of zinc activator compositions for the sulfur cure. Activator compositions contain zinc and a polymeric component having a plurality of COOH groups, at least some of which are neutralized with the zinc. With polymeric zinc activators, sulfur cure can be activated at levels of zinc below those used in conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wilson, III
  • Patent number: 9449772
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Bruce E. Berg
  • Patent number: 9412533
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: 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: 20160212311
    Abstract: A camera may be mounted under a display in an electronic device. The display may include a polarizer layer, a color filter layer, and a thin-film-transistor layer. A layer of material such as a glass insert may be attached to an edge of the display. Openings may be formed in the layers of the display and the insert to accommodate the camera. A sleeve structure may be mounted within an opening. The camera may include lens structures formed from a stack of lens elements. One or more layers of the display may be interposed within the lens structures. The glass insert may be mounted within a notch in the color filter layer and thin-film transistor layer or along a straight edge of the color filter layer and thin-film transistor layer. The edge of the color filter layer may be recessed with respect to form a mounting shelf for the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Adam T. Garelli
  • Patent number: 9395589
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    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.
  • Publication number: 20160090478
    Abstract: Curable rubber compositions and cured articles are based on the use of zinc activator compositions for the sulfur cure. Activator compositions contain zinc and a polymeric component having a plurality of COOH groups, at least some of which are neutralized with the zinc. With polymeric zinc activators, sulfur cure can be activated at levels of zinc below those used in conventional systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wilson, III
  • Publication number: 20160087316
    Abstract: A portable computer may include battery indicator light structures. Battery status information in the portable computer may be presented to a user using an array of light-emitting diodes or other light emitters. Light-emitting diodes may be mounted on a printed circuit board. A stiffener may provide the printed circuit board with rigidity. The printed circuit board may include a connector that allows the board to be connected to a main logic board. A switch on the printed circuit board may be actuated by a power button on the portable computer. An opaque member with an array of holes may be used to reduce light bleed between adjacent light-emitting diodes. Diffusing plastic may be mounted within the array of holes. Bumps in the diffusing plastic may mate with corresponding holes on a portable computer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Bartley K. Andre, Duncan Robert Kerr, Christopher J. Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, John Brock, Thomas W. Wilson, Dinesh C. Mathew, Brett W. Degner, Tomas E. Ponce