Patents by Inventor Nathan N. Ng

Nathan N. Ng 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: 20220256922
    Abstract: A vaporizer device may include a shell, a cartridge receptacle, and a skeleton. The cartridge receptacle may be formed from a cartridge interface disposed at least partially inside a sheath. The cartridge interface may be configured to provide a plurality of electrical couplings with a vaporizer cartridge when the vaporizer cartridge is disposed inside the cartridge receptacle. The plurality of electrical couplings may include a first electrical coupling with a heating element of the vaporizer cartridge. The plurality of electrical couplings may further include a second electrical coupling with a cartridge identification chip of the vaporizer cartridge. The skeleton may be coupled with the cartridge interface. The skeleton may be configured to secure the cartridge interface inside the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Mackenzie Paige Belt, Christopher L. Belisle, Tsuey Choo Lily Chang, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Dylan E. Entelis, Nicholas J. Hatton, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, YongChao Li, Huei-Huei Liang, Kevin Lomeli, Matthew J. Malone, James Monsees, Nathan N. Ng, Claire O'Malley, Matthew Rios, Christopher James Rosser, Zachary T. Scott, Nihir B. Shah, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, Val Valentine, Norbert Wesely, James P. Westley, Hao Yin, XueHai Zhang, XueQing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220117300
    Abstract: A cartridge may include a cartridge housing, a reservoir and a wick housing disposed inside the cartridge housing, a heating element, and a wicking element. The cartridge housing may be configured to extend below an open top of a receptacle in the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device. The reservoir may be configured to contain a vaporizable material. The heating element may include a heating portion disposed at least partially inside the wick housing and a contact portion disposed at least partially outside the wick housing. The contact portion may include cartridge contacts that form an electric coupling with receptacle contacts in the receptacle. The wicking element may be disposed within the wick housing and proximate to the heating portion of the heating element. The wicking element may be configured to draw the vaporizable material to the wick housing for vaporization by the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Christopher L. Belisle, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Dylan E. Entelis, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, Matthew J. Malone, James Monsees, Nathan N. Ng, Claire O' Malley, Matthew Rios, Christopher James Rosser, Zachary T. Scott, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, Norbert Wesely, James P. Westley
  • Patent number: 11253001
    Abstract: A cartridge may include a cartridge housing, a reservoir and a wick housing disposed inside the cartridge housing, a heating element, and a wicking element. The cartridge housing may be configured to extend below an open top of a receptacle in the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device. The reservoir may be configured to contain a vaporizable material. The heating element may include a heating portion disposed at least partially inside the wick housing and a contact portion disposed at least partially outside the wick housing. The contact portion may include cartridge contacts that form an electric coupling with receptacle contacts in the receptacle. The wicking element may be disposed within the wick housing and proximate to the heating portion of the heating element. The wicking element may be configured to draw the vaporizable material to the wick housing for vaporization by the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Christopher L. Belisle, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Dylan E. Entelis, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, Matthew J. Malone, James Monsees, Nathan N. Ng, Claire O'Malley, Matthew Rios, Christopher James Rosser, Zachary T. Scott, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, Norbert Wesely, James P. Westley
  • Publication number: 20200275696
    Abstract: A cartridge may include a cartridge housing, a reservoir and a wick housing disposed inside the cartridge housing, a heating element, and a wicking element. The cartridge housing may be configured to extend below an open top of a receptacle in the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device. The reservoir may be configured to contain a vaporizable material. The heating element may include a heating portion disposed at least partially inside the wick housing and a contact portion disposed at least partially outside the wick housing. The contact portion may include cartridge contacts that form an electric coupling with receptacle contacts in the receptacle. The wicking element may be disposed within the wick housing and proximate to the heating portion of the heating element. The wicking element may be configured to draw the vaporizable material to the wick housing for vaporization by the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Christopher L. Belisle, Tsuey Chang, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Dylan E. Entelis, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, YongChao Li, Huei-Huei Liang, Matthew J. Malone, James Monsees, Nathan N. Ng, Claire O'Malley, Matthew Rios, Christopher James Rosser, Zachary T. Scott, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, Norbert Wesely, James P. Westley, Hao Yin, XueHai Zhang, XueQing Zhang
  • Patent number: 10516225
    Abstract: Connector systems may include a connector receptacle and connector plug or insert. The connector receptacle may include a tongue. The tongue may be formed using a printed circuit board. Contacts may be plated on top and bottom surfaces of the tongue. Retention features may also be located on top and bottom surfaces of tongue. These retention features may be speed bumps or other features. The connector insert may include a leading edge portion formed of plastic, a conductive shield around the insert behind the leasing edge portion, a plurality of spring contacts attached to an inside of the conductive shield, a top row of contacts; and a bottom row of contacts. Other connector receptacles may include a tongue having side ground contacts. The side ground contacts may engage an inside of a plug shield and have contacting portion to fit in openings in the plug shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Zheng Gao, Nathan N. Ng
  • Patent number: 10418763
    Abstract: Connector inserts having retention features with good reliability and holding force. These connector inserts may include ground contacts that provide an insertion portion having a reduced length. These connector inserts may be reliable, have an attractive appearance, and be readily manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Paul J. Hack, Samuel W. Yuen, Nathan N. Ng, Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Min Chul Kim, Colin J. Abraham
  • Patent number: 10355419
    Abstract: Connector systems may include a connector receptacle and connector plug or insert. The connector receptacle may include a tongue. A first plurality of contacts may be formed on a top surface of the tongue. A first ground pad may be located on a top surface of tongue, and a shield may be formed around the tongue. The connector insert may include a housing and a conductive shield around the housing behind a leading edge of the connector insert. A front edge of the shield may be folded into an opening at the leading edge. In other examples, the receptacle shield may include one or more fingers. These fingers may contact the connector insert shield to form a ground path. One or more of these fingers may engage openings in the insert shield to provide a retention force between the connector insert and receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Nathan N Ng, Min Chul Kim, Colin Abraham
  • Patent number: 10310686
    Abstract: A laminated stack, such as a trackpad, is assembled by coupling components using an adhesive system. Assembly of the laminated stack includes forming an adhesive-spacing component on a first substrate, forming an adhesive-alignment-holding component on the first substrate in a perimeter around the adhesive-spacing component, forming a bonding component by filling an area within the perimeter with liquid adhesive, and bonding the first substrate to a second substrate by curing the bonding component. The first substrate and the second substrate may each be one of a touch-sensing component and a cover component. The adhesive-spacing component maintains a space between the first substrate and the second substrate while the bonding component cures. The adhesive-alignment-holding component maintains alignment of the first substrate and the second substrate while the bonding component cures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kyle J. Nekimken, Scott J. McEuen, Forrest W. Liau, Joonas I. Ponkala, Sanjay C. Sheth, Alex J. Lehmann, Nathan N. Ng, Matthew B. Frazer
  • Publication number: 20190123465
    Abstract: Connector systems may include a connector receptacle and connector plug or insert. The connector receptacle may include a tongue. The tongue may be formed using a printed circuit board. Contacts may be plated on top and bottom surfaces of the tongue. Retention features may also be located on top and bottom surfaces of tongue. These retention features may be speed bumps or other features. The connector insert may include a leading edge portion formed of plastic, a conductive shield around the insert behind the leasing edge portion, a plurality of spring contacts attached to an inside of the conductive shield, a top row of contacts; and a bottom row of contacts. Other connector receptacles may include a tongue having side ground contacts. The side ground contacts may engage an inside of a plug shield and have contacting portion to fit in openings in the plug shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Zheng Gao, Nathan N. Ng
  • Patent number: 10229770
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may reduce the number of connector receptacles that are needed on an electronic device. One example may provide a unified connector and circuitry that may be capable of communicating with more than one interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: William P. Cornelius, Paul A. Baker, William O. Ferry, Min Chul Kim, Nathan N. Ng
  • Patent number: 10103465
    Abstract: Connector systems may include a connector receptacle and connector plug or insert. The connector receptacle may include a tongue. The tongue may be formed using a printed circuit board. Contacts may be plated on top and bottom surfaces of the tongue. Retention features may also be located on top and bottom surfaces of tongue. These retention features may be speed bumps or other features. The connector insert may include a leading edge portion formed of plastic, a conductive shield around the insert behind the leasing edge portion, a plurality of spring contacts attached to an inside of the conductive shield, a top row of contacts; and a bottom row of contacts. Other connector receptacles may include a tongue having side ground contacts. The side ground contacts may engage an inside of a plug shield and have contacting portion to fit in openings in the plug shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Zheng Gao, Nathan N. Ng
  • Publication number: 20180233867
    Abstract: Connector inserts having retention features with good reliability and holding force. These connector inserts may include ground contacts that provide an insertion portion having a reduced length. These connector inserts may be reliable, have an attractive appearance, and be readily manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Paul J. Hack, Samuel W. Yuen, Nathan N. Ng, Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Min Chul Kim, Colin J. Abraham
  • Patent number: 9948042
    Abstract: Connector inserts having retention features with good reliability and holding force. These connector inserts may include ground contacts that provide an insertion portion having a reduced length. These connector inserts may be reliable, have an attractive appearance, and be readily manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan N. Ng, Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Min Chul Kim, Colin J. Abraham
  • Patent number: 9876318
    Abstract: Connector inserts having a high signal integrity and low insertion loss by shielding signal contacts. One example may provide one or more ground contacts between a front opening and signal pins of a connector insert. These ground contacts may have sufficient lever arm to provide a good contact to a corresponding contact in a connector receptacle. To avoid excessive length in the connector insert, embodiments of the present invention may stack a portion of the ground contact above the signal contacts in the connector insert. To reduce excessive capacitance that would otherwise reduce signal impedance, one or more openings may be formed in the ground contacts. To prevent signal contacts from shorting to a shield through this opening, the opening may be covered by tape. The ground contacts may be positioned to avoid encountering power contacts in the receptacle when the insert is inserted into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Nathan N. Ng, Min Chul Kim
  • Publication number: 20180011565
    Abstract: A laminated stack, such as a trackpad, is assembled by coupling components using an adhesive system. Assembly of the laminated stack includes forming an adhesive-spacing component on a first substrate, forming an adhesive-alignment-holding component on the first substrate in a perimeter around the adhesive-spacing component, forming a bonding component by filling an area within the perimeter with liquid adhesive, and bonding the first substrate to a second substrate by curing the bonding component. The first substrate and the second substrate may each be one of a touch-sensing component and a cover component. The adhesive-spacing component maintains a space between the first substrate and the second substrate while the bonding component cures. The adhesive-alignment-holding component maintains alignment of the first substrate and the second substrate while the bonding component cures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Kyle J. Nekimken, Scott J. McEuen, Forrest W. Liau, Joonas I. Ponkala, Sanjay C. Sheth, Alex J. Lehmann, Nathan N. Ng, Matthew B. Frazer
  • Publication number: 20170338577
    Abstract: Connector systems may include a connector receptacle and connector plug or insert. The connector receptacle may include a tongue. The tongue may be formed using a printed circuit board. Contacts may be plated on top and bottom surfaces of the tongue. Retention features may also be located on top and bottom surfaces of tongue. These retention features may be speed bumps or other features. The connector insert may include a leading edge portion formed of plastic, a conductive shield around the insert behind the leasing edge portion, a plurality of spring contacts attached to an inside of the conductive shield, a top row of contacts; and a bottom row of contacts. Other connector receptacles may include a tongue having side ground contacts. The side ground contacts may engage an inside of a plug shield and have contacting portion to fit in openings in the plug shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Zheng Gao, Nathan N. Ng
  • Patent number: 9806446
    Abstract: Connecting structures to mechanically connect to a connector receptacle tongue and a printed circuit board and to electrically connect contacts on the connector receptacle tongue to traces on the printed circuit board. One example may provide an interposer having a housing and a plurality of contacts to connect a vertical tongue to a horizontal printed circuit board. The contacts may have a side or tongue connecting portion extending beyond a side of the housing and a bottom or board contacting portion extending beyond a bottom of the housing. The contacts may form a ninety-degree bend. A shield may at least substantially surround a vertical side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hwang Lee, Mahmoud R. Amini, Zheng Gao, Nathan N. Ng
  • Publication number: 20170237202
    Abstract: Connector systems may include a connector receptacle and connector plug or insert. The connector receptacle may include a tongue. A first plurality of contacts may be formed on a top surface of the tongue. A first ground pad may be located on a top surface of tongue, and a shield may be formed around the tongue. The connector insert may include a housing and a conductive shield around the housing behind a leading edge of the connector insert. A front edge of the shield may be folded into an opening at the leading edge. In other examples, the receptacle shield may include one or more fingers. These fingers may contact the connector insert shield to form a ground path. One or more of these fingers may engage openings in the insert shield to provide a retention force between the connector insert and receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Nathan N. Ng, Min Chul Kim, Colin Abraham
  • Publication number: 20170155213
    Abstract: Connector inserts having a high signal integrity and low insertion loss by shielding signal contacts. One example may provide one or more ground contacts between a front opening and signal pins of a connector insert. These ground contacts may have sufficient lever arm to provide a good contact to a corresponding contact in a connector receptacle. To avoid excessive length in the connector insert, embodiments of the present invention may stack a portion of the ground contact above the signal contacts in the connector insert. To reduce excessive capacitance that would otherwise reduce signal impedance, one or more openings may be formed in the ground contacts. To prevent signal contacts from shorting to a shield through this opening, the opening may be covered by tape. The ground contacts may be positioned to avoid encountering power contacts in the receptacle when the insert is inserted into the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Nathan N. Ng, Min Chul Kim
  • Publication number: 20170141522
    Abstract: Connector inserts having retention features with good reliability and holding force. These connector inserts may include ground contacts that provide an insertion portion having a reduced length. These connector inserts may be reliable, have an attractive appearance, and be readily manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan N. Ng, Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Min Chul Kim, Colin J. Abraham