Mi I Zhou

US Patent:

8212162, Jul 3, 2012

Filed:

Mar 15, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/724143

Inventors:

Mi Zhou - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H01H 9/26

US Classification:

200 5A

Abstract:

Keys may be formed for keyboards. The keyboards may be attached to electronic devices such as computers or may be formed within a portable computer or other electronic equipment. A keyboard may be provided with a planar housing member such as a top plate. The top plate may have openings through which key caps protrude. Each key cap may be attached to a respective spring mechanism. The spring mechanism for each key may have first and second diving-board structures that flex about respective parallel flex axes. A dome switch may be mounted under each spring mechanism. The dome switch is compressed when the key cap is pressed and the first diving-board structure moves towards the dome switch. The top plate may have edge portions surrounding each key opening that form upstop structures that prevent the key caps and spring mechanisms from tilting when the dome switch is compressed.

US Patent:

8362373, Jan 29, 2013

Filed:

Jul 2, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/540179

Inventors:

Mi Zhou - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H01H 9/26

US Classification:

200 5A

Abstract:

Keys may be formed for keyboards. The keyboards may be attached to electronic devices such as computers or may be formed within a portable computer or other electronic equipment. A keyboard may be provided with a planar housing member such as a top plate. The top plate may have openings through which key caps protrude. Each key cap may be attached to a respective spring mechanism. The spring mechanism for each key may have first and second diving-board structures that flex about respective parallel flex axes. A dome switch may be mounted under each spring mechanism. The dome switch is compressed when the key cap is pressed and the first diving-board structure moves towards the dome switch. The top plate may have edge portions surrounding each key opening that form upstop structures that prevent the key caps and spring mechanisms from tilting when the dome switch is compressed.

US Patent:

8587951, Nov 19, 2013

Filed:

Mar 5, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/412381

Inventors:

John Raff - Menlo Park CA, US
Stewart Shannon Fields - Belmont CA, US
Ron Hopkinson - Campbell CA, US
Bartley K. Andre - Menlo Park CA, US
Chris Ligtenberg - San Carlos CA, US
Mi Zhou - San Jose CA, US
Paul J. Wehrenberg - Palo Alto CA, US
Brett W. Degner - Menlo Park CA, US
John Brock - San Francisco CA, US
Michelle Rae Goldberg - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 5/00

US Classification:

361752

Abstract:

Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include connector structures. The portable computer may have a case. A portion of the connector structure may be formed by the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have a circuit board with grounding spring-loaded pins which electrically ground the circuit board to the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have an optical disk drive that is form fitted to mount to the portable computer case.

US Patent:

20100091452, Apr 15, 2010

Filed:

Dec 19, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/340621

Inventors:

John Raff - Menlo Park CA, US
Stewart Shannon Fields - Belmont CA, US
Ron Hopkinson - Campbell CA, US
Bartley K. Andre - Menlo Park CA, US
Chris Ligtenberg - San Carlos CA, US
Mi Zhou - San Jose CA, US
Paul J. Wehrenberg - Palo Alto CA, US
Brett W. Degner - Menlo Park CA, US
John Brock - San Francisco CA, US
Michelle Rae Goldberg - Sunnyvale CA, US

International Classification:

H05K 7/00
H01R 13/625
H01R 12/00

US Classification:

36167955, 439346, 439 84, 36167901

Abstract:

Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include connector structures. The portable computer may have a case. A portion of the connector structure may be formed by the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have a circuit board with grounding spring-loaded pins which electrically ground the circuit board to the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have an optical disk drive that is form fitted to mount to the portable computer case.

US Patent:

20130169575, Jul 4, 2013

Filed:

Dec 31, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/731686

Inventors:

SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB - Lund, SE
Mi Zhou - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/041

US Classification:

345173

Abstract:

A mobile information display terminal narrows a width from the outermost portion of a chassis to an outermost portion of the effective display area by using a sealing part between the chassis and a flat surface of the display panel. The chassis has a panel facing wall that faces a main face of a touch-equipped display panel. The sealing part has an annular shape that substantially matches a periphery of an inner surface of said glass sheet.

US Patent:

20130233686, Sep 12, 2013

Filed:

Dec 20, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/721644

Inventors:

Mi Zhou - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H01H 13/7073
F16F 3/02
H01H 13/14

US Classification:

200 5 A, 200513, 267158

Abstract:

Keys may be formed for keyboards. The keyboards may be attached to electronic devices such as computers or may be formed within a portable computer or other electronic equipment. A keyboard may be provided with a planar housing member such as a top plate. The top plate may have openings through which key caps protrude. Each key cap may be attached to a respective spring mechanism. The spring mechanism for each key may have first and second diving-board structures that flex about respective parallel flex axes. A dome switch may be mounted under each spring mechanism. The dome switch is compressed when the key cap is pressed and the first diving-board structure moves towards the dome switch. The top plate may have edge portions surrounding each key opening that form upstop structures that prevent the key caps and spring mechanisms from tilting when the dome switch is compressed.

US Patent:

20210029308, Jan 28, 2021

Filed:

Oct 9, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/067367

Inventors:

- Mountain View CA, US
Michael Brickner - Mountain View CA, US
Mi Zhou - Mountain View CA, US
Amber Luttmann Volmering - Cupertino CA, US

International Classification:

H04N 5/33
H04N 5/225
H04N 5/235
G02B 5/20

Abstract:

A camera assembly includes an image sensor having a field of view corresponding to a scene, an infrared (IR) illuminator configured to selectively illuminate the scene, and a single-piece cover element positioned in front of the image sensor and the IR illuminator such that light from the IR illuminator is directed through the cover element along a first light path and light from the scene passes through the cover element along a second light path prior to entering the image sensor, the cover element including a first portion between the first light path and the second light path, the first portion being substantially opaque to IR and/or visible light.

US Patent:

20180343402, Nov 29, 2018

Filed:

May 26, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/607368

Inventors:

- Mountain View CA, US
Michael Brickner - Mountain View CA, US
Mi Zhou - Mountain View CA, US
Amber Luttmann Volmering - Cupertino CA, US

International Classification:

H04N 5/33
H04N 5/225
H04N 5/235

Abstract:

The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for illuminating and capturing scenes. In one aspect, a video camera assembly includes: (1) an image sensor having a field of view corresponding to a scene; (2) infrared illuminators to selectively illuminate the scene; and (3) a single-piece cover positioned in front of the image sensor and the illuminators such that light from the illuminators is directed through the cover and light from the scene passes through the cover prior to entering the image sensor, including: (a) a first portion corresponding to the image sensor and substantially transparent to visible light and IR light; (b) a second portion corresponding to the one or more IR illuminators and coated to be substantially transparent to IR light; and (c) a third portion between the first portion and the second portion and coated to be substantially opaque to IR and visible light.