Patents by Inventor Joshua J. Pong

Joshua J. Pong 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: 20240006821
    Abstract: Connector inserts and connector receptacles having a reduced number of individual parts and that can be manufactured with a reduced number of manufacturing steps and tools. An example provides connector inserts and connector receptacles having a reduced number of individual parts by including one or more parts that can be used more than once in each connector. In another example, connector inserts or connector receptacles can be formed with a reduced number of different manufacturing steps and tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert V. Weber, Min Chul Kim, Joshua J. Pong
  • Patent number: 11298611
    Abstract: A user input device may include a shaft carried by a housing and having a first end extending outwardly beyond the housing for manipulation by a user and a second end within the housing. A set of one or more sensors may be carried by the housing to sense shaft movement. A first contact member may be within the housing, and a spring may be coupled between the first contact member and the shaft to urge the first contact member and the shaft apart. A motor may be carried within the housing and may have a rotatable output extending therefrom. A second contact member may be coupled to the rotatable output and may be in contact with the first contact member to be selectively moveable based upon motor rotation to set a spring compression and thereby set a return-to-center bias for the shaft while being manipulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb J. Flori, Colin J. Abraham, Min C. Kim, Xuan Liu, Joshua J. Pong
  • Publication number: 20210402290
    Abstract: A user input device may include a shaft carried by a housing and having a first end extending outwardly beyond the housing for manipulation by a user and a second end within the housing. A set of one or more sensors may be carried by the housing to sense shaft movement. A first contact member may be within the housing, and a spring may be coupled between the first contact member and the shaft to urge the first contact member and the shaft apart. A motor may be carried within the housing and may have a rotatable output extending therefrom. A second contact member may be coupled to the rotatable output and may be in contact with the first contact member to be selectively moveable based upon motor rotation to set a spring compression and thereby set a return-to-center bias for the shaft while being manipulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Caleb J. Flori, Colin J. Abraham, Min C. Kim, Xuan Liu, Joshua J. Pong
  • Patent number: 11065534
    Abstract: A thumbstick user input device may include a shaft carried by a housing and having an upper end extending outwardly beyond the housing for manipulation by the user's thumb and a lower end within the housing. Sensors may be carried by the housing to sense shaft movement. A first contact member may be within the housing, and a spring may be between the first contact member and the shaft to urge the first contact member and the shaft apart. A motor may be carried at a bottom of the housing and may have a rotatable output extending upwardly therefrom. A second contact member may be coupled to the rotatable output and in contact with the first contact member to be selectively moveable upward or downward based upon motor rotation to set a spring compression and thereby set a return-to-center bias for the shaft while being manipulated by the user's thumb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb J. Flori, Colin J. Abraham, Min C. Kim, Xuan Liu, Joshua J. Pong
  • Patent number: 10199778
    Abstract: High speed connector inserts and cables having improved heat conduction, high strength, and may be manufactured in a reliable manner. One example may provide a connector insert having several paths by which heat may be removed from circuitry in the cable insert. In one example, heat may be removed from one or more circuits by forming a thermal path between a circuit and a shield of the connector insert. Another path may include one or more pads on a side of an integrated circuit board that are soldered directly to the shield. A braiding surrounding a cable may be soldered or otherwise thermally connected to the shield. Another example may provide a cable having a braiding that includes one or more types of fibers, such as aramid fibers. Another example may provide for increased manufacturability by using a wire comb and a solder bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Paul Yuan, Joshua J. Pong, Joseph Tang
  • Publication number: 20170221604
    Abstract: Cable assemblies that may convey high speed signals while providing reduced signal noise, radiation, and susceptibility to interference. These and other examples may be readily manufactured. These and other examples may provide cables having a reduced thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua J. Pong, Colin J. Abraham, Jay E. Sha, Jongbae Park, Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 9660376
    Abstract: A magnetic connector system having a durable and reliable construction and a reduced height while maintaining sufficient holding strength. A connector insert may utilize a crimping piece to crimp a braiding of a cable. The crimping piece may be fixed to an attraction plate and a board in the insert for mechanical reliability. Retention clips may be used to fix a shell to the attraction plate. A connector receptacle may employ a magnetically conductive label to improve holding strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Joshua J. Pong, Chris Ligtenberg, Bartley K. Andre, Bradley J. Hamel, John DiFonzo, Dave Narajowski, Greg Springer, Eric Monsef, Min Chul Kim
  • Publication number: 20170133798
    Abstract: High speed connector inserts and cables having improved heat conduction, high strength, and may be manufactured in a reliable manner. One example may provide a connector insert having several paths by which heat may be removed from circuitry in the cable insert. In one example, heat may be removed from one or more circuits by forming a thermal path between a circuit and a shield of the connector insert. Another path may include one or more pads on a side of an integrated circuit board that are soldered directly to the shield. A braiding surrounding a cable may be soldered or otherwise thermally connected to the shield. Another example may provide a cable having a braiding that includes one or more types of fibers, such as aramid fibers. Another example may provide for increased manufacturability by using a wire comb and a solder bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Paul Yuan, Joshua J. Pong, Joseph Tang