Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Pinciuc

Christopher M. Pinciuc 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: 11887775
    Abstract: Electronic devices according to embodiments of the present technology may include a battery. The devices may include a nanocrystalline foil. The devices may include a wireless charging coil seated on the nanocrystalline foil. The devices may also include an integrated circuit configured to operate the wireless charging coil in a wireless charging transmission mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Daniel T. McDonald, Tao Pan
  • Publication number: 20230384821
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a device magnet designed to magnetically couple with an accessory device magnet. The electronic device further includes a display assembly and a magnetic field sensor configured to detect the accessory device magnet, thereby providing an indication that the accessory device is covering the display assembly. The electronic device further includes a shunt assembly designed to reduce the magnitude of the magnetic field of the device magnet, as determined by the magnetic field sensor, while allowing the magnetic field from the accessory device to sufficiently reach the magnetic field sensor. As such, the magnetic field sensor can be placed near the device magnet without triggering the magnetic field sensor. The electronic device may further include a microphone. Communication between the microphone and an integrated circuit can cease based on the magnetic field sensor detecting the accessory device magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher M. PINCIUC, Zhen ZHANG
  • Patent number: 11775006
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a device magnet designed to magnetically couple with an accessory device magnet. The electronic device further includes a display assembly and a magnetic field sensor configured to detect the accessory device magnet, thereby providing an indication that the accessory device is covering the display assembly. The electronic device further includes a shunt assembly designed to reduce the magnitude of the magnetic field of the device magnet, as determined by the magnetic field sensor, while allowing the magnetic field from the accessory device to sufficiently reach the magnetic field sensor. As such, the magnetic field sensor can be placed near the device magnet without triggering the magnetic field sensor. The electronic device may further include a microphone. Communication between the microphone and an integrated circuit can cease based on the magnetic field sensor detecting the accessory device magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Zhen Zhang
  • Patent number: 11611239
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting device may transmit wireless power signals to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device may have a housing. A display may be mounted in the housing on a front face of the device. A rear housing wall on a rear face of the device may be provided with a wireless power receiving solenoid. The solenoid may have a linear strip shape that extends along a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis may extend perpendicularly to a wrist strap coupled to the housing. The wireless power receiving solenoid may have opposing first and second ends. The wireless power transmitting device may have a wireless power transmitting solenoid with opposing first and second ends that are configured to transmit the wireless power signals respectively to the first and second ends of the wireless power receiving device when the wireless power receiving solenoid is within the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Publication number: 20230075207
    Abstract: Electronic devices according to embodiments of the present technology may include a battery. The devices may include a nanocrystalline foil. The devices may include a wireless charging coil seated on the nanocrystalline foil. The devices may also include an integrated circuit configured to operate the wireless charging coil in a wireless charging transmission mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Daniel T. McDonald, Tao Pan
  • Patent number: 11515083
    Abstract: Electronic devices according to embodiments of the present technology may include a battery. The devices may include a nanocrystalline foil. The devices may include a wireless charging coil seated on the nanocrystalline foil. The devices may also include an integrated circuit configured to operate the wireless charging coil in a wireless charging transmission mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Daniel T. McDonald, Tao Pan
  • Patent number: 11303155
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting device may transmit wireless power signals to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device may have a housing. A display may be mounted in the housing on a front face of the device. A rear housing wall on a rear face of the device may be provided with a wireless power receiving solenoid. The solenoid may have a linear strip shape that extends along a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis may extend perpendicularly to a wrist strap coupled to the housing. The wireless power receiving solenoid may have opposing first and second ends. The wireless power transmitting device may have a wireless power transmitting solenoid with opposing first and second ends that are configured to transmit the wireless power signals respectively to the first and second ends of the wireless power receiving device when the wireless power receiving solenoid is within the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Publication number: 20220103013
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting device may transmit wireless power signals to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device may have a housing. A display may be mounted in the housing on a front face of the device. A rear housing wall on a rear face of the device may be provided with a wireless power receiving solenoid. The solenoid may have a linear strip shape that extends along a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis may extend perpendicularly to a wrist strap coupled to the housing. The wireless power receiving solenoid may have opposing first and second ends. The wireless power transmitting device may have a wireless power transmitting solenoid with opposing first and second ends that are configured to transmit the wireless power signals respectively to the first and second ends of the wireless power receiving device when the wireless power receiving solenoid is within the cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Patent number: 11159054
    Abstract: A power system has a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device. Coils in the transmitting device may include a circular coil overlapped by first and second rectangular coils at a charging surface. The rectangular coils each include straight segments extending over a central region of the circular coil. Control circuitry can activate the circular coil to transmit wireless power to a first type of wireless power receiving coil using vertical components of the magnetic field generated by the circular coil. The control circuitry can activate the rectangular coils to transmit wireless power to a second type of wireless power receiving coil using horizontal components of the magnetic field generated by the rectangular coils. The circular and rectangular coils wirelessly charge the power receiving device while located at the same position on the charging surface, regardless of the type of wireless power receiving coil that is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Dmitry Berdnikov, Jukka-pekka J. Sjoeroos, Sumant Ranganathan, Weihong Qiu, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Publication number: 20210311524
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a device magnet designed to magnetically couple with an accessory device magnet. The electronic device further includes a display assembly and a magnetic field sensor configured to detect the accessory device magnet, thereby providing an indication that the accessory device is covering the display assembly. The electronic device further includes a shunt assembly designed to reduce the magnitude of the magnetic field of the device magnet, as determined by the magnetic field sensor, while allowing the magnetic field from the accessory device to sufficiently reach the magnetic field sensor. As such, the magnetic field sensor can be placed near the device magnet without triggering the magnetic field sensor. The electronic device may further include a microphone. Communication between the microphone and an integrated circuit can cease based on the magnetic field sensor detecting the accessory device magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher M. PINCIUC, Zhen ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20210175749
    Abstract: A power system has a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device. Coils in the power transmitting and receiving devices are used to transmit and receive wireless power signals. The coils may include pot core coils, figure eight coils, solenoids, and other coils. A solenoid array may extend under a charging surface in a wireless power transmitting device. Solenoids in the array may be separated from each other by small gaps. Solenoids may have rectangular outlines, hexagonal outlines, or other shapes. Pot core coils may have a magnetic material with a circular groove of a groove of other suitable shapes that contains wire windings. Figure eight coils may have first and second adjacent magnetic cores with respective counterclockwise and clockwise wire windings. Magnets and other alignment structures can be used to help align coils in transmitting and receiving devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Patent number: 10965162
    Abstract: A power system has a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device. Coils in the power transmitting and receiving devices are used to transmit and receive wireless power signals. The coils may include pot core coils, figure eight coils, solenoids, and other coils. A solenoid array may extend under a charging surface in a wireless power transmitting device. Solenoids in the array may be separated from each other by small gaps. Solenoids may have rectangular outlines, hexagonal outlines, or other shapes. Pot core coils may have a magnetic material with a circular groove of a groove of other suitable shapes that contains wire windings. Figure eight coils may have first and second adjacent magnetic cores with respective counterclockwise and clockwise wire windings. Magnets and other alignment structures can be used to help align coils in transmitting and receiving devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Publication number: 20200343768
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting device may transmit wireless power signals to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device may have a housing. A display may be mounted in the housing on a front face of the device. A rear housing wall on a rear face of the device may be provided with a wireless power receiving solenoid. The solenoid may have a linear strip shape that extends along a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis may extend perpendicularly to a wrist strap coupled to the housing. The wireless power receiving solenoid may have opposing first and second ends. The wireless power transmitting device may have a wireless power transmitting solenoid with opposing first and second ends that are configured to transmit the wireless power signals respectively to the first and second ends of the wireless power receiving device when the wireless power receiving solenoid is within the cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Patent number: 10790699
    Abstract: A wireless transmitter device is configurable and operable to transfer energy to multiple receiver devices at the same time. The transmitter device is configured to enable one or more sections of a charging surface to transfer energy by selectively choosing one or more conductive traces in the transmitter device based on the position of the receiver device on the charging surface. The size and shape of each section of the charging surface that is used to transfer energy to a receiver device can change dynamically based on each receiver device. Additionally, the process of transferring energy to each receiver device may be adjusted during energy transfer based on conditions specific to each receiver device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Brandon R. Garbus, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Chad A. Bossetti, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham
  • Patent number: 10651685
    Abstract: A wireless transmitter device is configurable and operable to transfer energy to multiple receiver devices at the same time. The transmitter device includes at least one layer of discrete transmitter coils. The wireless transmitter device is configured to enable one or more sections of a charging surface to transfer energy by selectively choosing one or more discrete transmitter coils in the wireless transmitter device based on the position of the receiver device on the charging surface. The size and shape of each section of the charging surface that is used to transfer energy to a receiver device can change dynamically based on each receiver device. Additionally, the process of transferring energy to each receiver device may be adjusted during energy transfer based on conditions specific to each receiver device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham, Christopher M. Pinciuc, Brandon R. Garbus
  • Publication number: 20200105465
    Abstract: Electronic devices according to embodiments of the present technology may include a battery. The devices may include a nanocrystalline foil. The devices may include a wireless charging coil seated on the nanocrystalline foil. The devices may also include an integrated circuit configured to operate the wireless charging coil in a wireless charging transmission mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Daniel T. McDonald, Tao Pan
  • Publication number: 20200036229
    Abstract: A power system has a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device. Coils in the transmitting device may include a circular coil overlapped by first and second rectangular coils at a charging surface. The rectangular coils each include straight segments extending over a central region of the circular coil. Control circuitry can activate the circular coil to transmit wireless power to a first type of wireless power receiving coil using vertical components of the magnetic field generated by the circular coil. The control circuitry can activate the rectangular coils to transmit wireless power to a second type of wireless power receiving coil using horizontal components of the magnetic field generated by the rectangular coils. The circular and rectangular coils wirelessly charge the power receiving device while located at the same position on the charging surface, regardless of the type of wireless power receiving coil that is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Dmitry Berdnikov, Jukka-pekka J. Sjoeroos, Sumant Ranganathan, Weihong Qiu, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Publication number: 20190348864
    Abstract: A power system has a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device. Coils in the power transmitting and receiving devices are used to transmit and receive wireless power signals. The coils may include pot core coils, figure eight coils, solenoids, and other coils. A solenoid array may extend under a charging surface in a wireless power transmitting device. Solenoids in the array may be separated from each other by small gaps. Solenoids may have rectangular outlines, hexagonal outlines, or other shapes. Pot core coils may have a magnetic material with a circular groove of a groove of other suitable shapes that contains wire windings. Figure eight coils may have first and second adjacent magnetic cores with respective counterclockwise and clockwise wire windings. Magnets and other alignment structures can be used to help align coils in transmitting and receiving devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Publication number: 20190319475
    Abstract: A wireless transmitter device is configurable and operable to transfer energy to multiple receiver devices at the same time. The transmitter device is configured to enable one or more sections of a charging surface to transfer energy by selectively choosing one or more conductive traces in the transmitter device based on the position of the receiver device on the charging surface. The size and shape of each section of the charging surface that is used to transfer energy to a receiver device can change dynamically based on each receiver device. Additionally, the process of transferring energy to each receiver device may be adjusted during energy transfer based on conditions specific to each receiver device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Brandon R. Garbus, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Chad A. Bossetti, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham
  • Patent number: 10158244
    Abstract: A wireless transmitter device is configurable and operable to transfer energy to multiple receiver devices at the same time. The transmitter device is configured to enable one or more sections of a charging surface to transfer energy by selectively choosing one or more conductive traces in the transmitter device based on the position of the receiver device on the charging surface. The size and shape of each section of the charging surface that is used to transfer energy to a receiver device can change dynamically based on each receiver device. Additionally, the process of transferring energy to each receiver device may be adjusted during energy transfer based on conditions specific to each receiver device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Brandon R. Garbus, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Chad A. Bossetti, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham