Patents by Inventor QIGEN JI
QIGEN JI 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).
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Patent number: 11944167Abstract: A wristband can comfortably secure an electronic device, such as a wristwatch or fitness/health tracking device, to a wrist of a user. The wristband can include a number of magnets that allow the wristband to be magnetically coupled to itself when folded over or when separate band portions are overlapping. The magnets can include a polymer mixed with a magnetic material to provide magnetic properties and flexibility. The magnets can be joined together by a continuous support structure that extends through opposing pairs of the magnets. The support structure can provide substantial and ability as well as tensile strength. The magnets and the support structure can be surrounded by a flexible cover to protect the components within.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zaki Moustafa, Qigen Ji, Caitlin M. McLain, Clayton J. McCoy, Hao Zhu, Hsiang Hung Chen, Stephen E. Dey, Fernando F. Cunha
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Patent number: 11923134Abstract: A flexible magnetic component can include a magnetizable powder including a rare earth element. The flexible magnetic component can also include a polymer binder. The flexible magnetic component can define a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A first magnetic field adjacent to the first surface can have a field strength at least 3 times greater than a field strength of a second magnetic field adjacent to the second surface, and the flexible magnetic component can elongate greater than 20% before a permanent deformation occurs.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventor: Qigen Ji
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Publication number: 20240073576Abstract: An in-ear headphone that includes a device housing that defines an interior cavity; a primary acoustic port formed through the device housing; an acoustic driver disposed within the device housing and aligned to emit sound through the primary acoustic port; a deformable ear tip having a sound channel formed through its length and coupled to the device housing such that the sound channel is aligned with the primary acoustic port; and a magnetic alignment system comprising a first set of magnets coupled to the device housing and a second set of magnets coupled to the deformable ear tip, the magnetic alignment system configured to removably couple the deformable ear tip to the device housing and align the ear tip so that it can only be coupled to the device housing in a single orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Geng Luo, Shota Aoyagi, Timothy Emmott Torres, Sarah B. Gysbers, Qigen Ji
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Publication number: 20230078725Abstract: A wristband can comfortably secure an electronic device, such as a wristwatch or fitness/health tracking device, to a wrist of a user. The wristband can include a number of magnets that allow the wristband to be magnetically coupled to itself when folded over or when separate band portions are overlapping. The magnets can include a polymer mixed with a magnetic material to provide magnetic properties and flexibility. The magnets can be joined together by a continuous support structure that extends through opposing pairs of the magnets. The support structure can provide substantial and ability as well as tensile strength. The magnets and the support structure can be surrounded by a flexible cover to protect the components within.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Zaki MOUSTAFA, Qigen JI, Caitlin M. MCLAIN, Clayton J. MCCOY, Hao ZHU, Hsiang Hung CHEN, Stephen E. DEY, Fernando F. CUNHA
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Patent number: 11589657Abstract: A wristband can comfortably secure an electronic device, such as a wristwatch or fitness/health tracking device, to a wrist of a user. The wristband can include a number of magnets that allow the wristband to be magnetically coupled to itself when folded over or when separate band portions are overlapping. The magnets can include a polymer mixed with a magnetic material to provide magnetic properties and flexibility. The magnets can be joined together by a continuous support structure that extends through opposing pairs of the magnets. The support structure can provide substantial and ability as well as tensile strength. The magnets and the support structure can be surrounded by a flexible cover to protect the components within.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Zaki Moustafa, Hsiang Hung Chen, Stephen E. Dey, Qigen Ji, Hao Zhu
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Patent number: 11553766Abstract: A wristband can comfortably secure an electronic device, such as a wristwatch or fitness/health tracking device, to a wrist of a user. The wristband can include a number of magnets that allow the wristband to be magnetically coupled to itself when folded over or when separate band portions are overlapping. The magnets can include a polymer mixed with a magnetic material to provide magnetic properties and flexibility. The magnets can be joined together by a continuous support structure that extends through opposing pairs of the magnets. The support structure can provide substantial and ability as well as tensile strength. The magnets and the support structure can be surrounded by a flexible cover to protect the components within.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zaki Moustafa, Qigen Ji, Caitlin M. McLain, Clayton J. McCoy, Hao Zhu, Hsiang Hung Chen, Stephen E. Dey, Fernando F. Cunha
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Patent number: 11206473Abstract: Embodiments describe a magnetic securing component including a set of magnets positioned laterally adjacent to one another and having a curved top surface defined by individual curved top surfaces of each magnet in the set of magnets. The set of magnets includes: first and second magnets positioned laterally adjacent to one another, where the first and second magnets each have a polarity that is oriented parallel to a vertical dimension; and third and fourth magnets laterally positioned from the first and second magnets, where the third magnet is positioned adjacent to the first magnet and the fourth magnet is positioned adjacent to the second magnet, the third and fourth magnets each having a magnetic polarity that is oriented at an angle with respect to the vertical dimension.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2019Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Qigen Ji, Hao Zhu, Haochuan Sang, Benjamin A. Cousins, Meiting Wu
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Publication number: 20210267325Abstract: A wristband can comfortably secure an electronic device, such as a wristwatch or fitness/health tracking device, to a wrist of a user. The wristband can include a number of magnets that allow the wristband to be magnetically coupled to itself when folded over or when separate band portions are overlapping. The magnets can include a polymer mixed with a magnetic material to provide magnetic properties and flexibility. The magnets can be joined together by a continuous support structure that extends through opposing pairs of the magnets. The support structure can provide substantial and ability as well as tensile strength. The magnets and the support structure can be surrounded by a flexible cover to protect the components within.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Zaki MOUSTAFA, Hsiang CHEN, Stephen E. DEY, Qigen JI, Hao ZHU
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Patent number: 11033083Abstract: A wristband can comfortably secure an electronic device, such as a wristwatch or fitness/health tracking device, to a wrist of a user. The wristband can include a number of magnets that allow the wristband to be magnetically coupled to itself when folded over or when separate band portions are overlapping. The magnets can include a polymer mixed with a magnetic material to provide magnetic properties and flexibility. The magnets can be joined together by a continuous support structure that extends through opposing pairs of the magnets. The support structure can provide substantial and ability as well as tensile strength. The magnets and the support structure can be surrounded by a flexible cover to protect the components within.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zaki Moustafa, Hsiang Hung Chen, Stephen E. Dey, Qigen Ji, Hao Zhu
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Patent number: 11031164Abstract: Embodiments describe a receiving element that includes a ferromagnetic structure axially symmetrical around a central axis disposed along a length of the ferromagnetic structure. The ferromagnetic structure includes a groove region defining two end regions on opposing sides of the groove region, where the groove region has a smaller length than the two end regions. The receiving element also includes an inductor coil wound about the groove region of the ferromagnetic structure and in between the two end regions.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Blake R. Marshall, Florence W. Ow, Joel N. Ruscher, Liquan Tan, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Hao Zhu, Qigen Ji, Madhusudanan Keezhveedi Sampath, Nan Liu, Robert Scritzky, Gianpaolo Lisi
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Publication number: 20210074459Abstract: A flexible magnetic component can include a magnetizable powder including a rare earth element. The flexible magnetic component can also include a polymer binder. The flexible magnetic component can define a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A first magnetic field adjacent to the first surface can have a field strength at least 3 times greater than a field strength of a second magnetic field adjacent to the second surface, and the flexible magnetic component can elongate greater than 20% before a permanent deformation occurs.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventor: Qigen Ji
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Publication number: 20200367613Abstract: A wristband can comfortably secure an electronic device, such as a wristwatch or fitness/health tracking device, to a wrist of a user. The wristband can include a number of magnets that allow the wristband to be magnetically coupled to itself when folded over or when separate band portions are overlapping. The magnets can include a polymer mixed with a magnetic material to provide magnetic properties and flexibility. The magnets can be joined together by a continuous support structure that extends through opposing pairs of the magnets. The support structure can provide substantial and ability as well as tensile strength. The magnets and the support structure can be surrounded by a flexible cover to protect the components within.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Zaki MOUSTAFA, Qigen JI, Caitlin M. MCLAIN, Clayton J MCCOY, Hao ZHU, Hsiang Hung CHEN, Stephen E. DEY, Fernando F. CUNHA
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Patent number: 10725515Abstract: Embodiments describe a receiving element that includes a ferromagnetic structure axially symmetrical around a central axis disposed along a length of the ferromagnetic structure. The ferromagnetic structure includes a groove region defining two end regions on opposing sides of the groove region, where the groove region has a smaller length than the two end regions. The receiving element also includes an inductor coil wound about the groove region of the ferromagnetic structure and in between the two end regions.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Blake R. Marshall, Florence W. Ow, Joel N. Ruscher, Liquan Tan, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Hao Zhu, Qigen Ji, Madhusudanan Keezhveedi Sampath, Nan Liu, Robert Scritzky, Gianpaolo Lisi
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Publication number: 20200107106Abstract: Embodiments describe a magnetic sensing and retaining system including: a magnet generating magnetic field; a ferrous structure interactable with the magnetic field and allowing the magnet to generate force to draw the magnet toward the ferrous structure from above the ferrous structure, the magnet being movable toward the ferrous structure into a first position and away from the ferrous structure into a second position; and a sensor positioned below the ferrous structure and generating a first signal upon a detection of a presence of the magnetic field from the magnet below the ferrous structure, the magnetic field propagating through the ferrous structure from above to below the ferrous structure before reaching the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Haochuan Sang, Qigen Ji, Benjamin A. Cousins
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Publication number: 20200107110Abstract: Embodiments describe a magnetic securing component including a set of magnets positioned laterally adjacent to one another and having a curved top surface defined by individual curved top surfaces of each magnet in the set of magnets. The set of magnets includes: first and second magnets positioned laterally adjacent to one another, where the first and second magnets each have a polarity that is oriented parallel to a vertical dimension; and third and fourth magnets laterally positioned from the first and second magnets, where the third magnet is positioned adjacent to the first magnet and the fourth magnet is positioned adjacent to the second magnet, the third and fourth magnets each having a magnetic polarity that is oriented at an angle with respect to the vertical dimension.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Qigen Ji, Hao Zhu, Haochuan Sang, Benjamin A. Cousins, Meiting Wu
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Publication number: 20190278349Abstract: Embodiments describe a receiving element that includes a ferromagnetic structure axially symmetrical around a central axis disposed along a length of the ferromagnetic structure. The ferromagnetic structure includes a groove region defining two end regions on opposing sides of the groove region, where the groove region has a smaller length than the two end regions. The receiving element also includes an inductor coil wound about the groove region of the ferromagnetic structure and in between the two end regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Blake R. Marshall, Florence W. Ow, Joel N. Ruscher, Liquan Tan, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Hao Zhu, Qigen Ji, Madhusudanan Keezhveedi Sampath, Nan Liu, Robert Scritzky, Gianpaolo Lisi
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Publication number: 20190138073Abstract: Embodiments describe a receiving element that includes a ferromagnetic structure axially symmetrical around a central axis disposed along a length of the ferromagnetic structure. The ferromagnetic structure includes a groove region defining two end regions on opposing sides of the groove region, where the groove region has a smaller length than the two end regions. The receiving element also includes an inductor coil wound about the groove region of the ferromagnetic structure and in between the two end regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Blake R. Marshall, Florence W. Ow, Joel N. Ruscher, Liquan Tan, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Hao Zhu, Qigen Ji, Madhusudanan Keezhveedi Sampath, Nan Liu, Robert Scritzky, Gianpaolo Lisi
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Publication number: 20190103764Abstract: Embodiments describe a receiving element that includes a ferromagnetic structure axially symmetrical around a central axis disposed along a length of the ferromagnetic structure. The ferromagnetic structure includes a groove region defining two end regions on opposing sides of the groove region, where the groove region has a smaller length than the two end regions. The receiving element also includes an inductor coil wound about the groove region of the ferromagnetic structure and in between the two end regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: April 4, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Blake R. Marshall, Florence W. Ow, Joel N. Ruscher, Liquan Tan, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Hao Zhu, Qigen Ji, Madhusudanan Keezhveedi Sampath, Nan Liu, Robert Scritzky, Gianpaolo Lisi
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Patent number: 10225384Abstract: An electronic device and accessory device are disclosed. The devices may be designed to magnetically couple together. Accordingly, each device may include one or more magnets that magnetically couple. In order to maintain the magnetic coupling and resist some at least some force or forces acting on, for example, the accessory device, the magnets may include a shape designed to increase the amount of force required to move the magnets in the accessory device relative to the magnets in the electronic device. The shape of the magnets may include polygonal shapes such as a trapezoid or a triangle. Magnets, having a trapezoidal or a triangular shape, magnetically couple with one another, may provide a stronger counterforce to lateral forces acting on the magnets.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Qigen Ji
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Patent number: 10210975Abstract: This application relates to a case for a portable electronic device. The case includes a magnetic boosting device, carried in a cover of the case. The magnetic boosting device includes a layer of magnetic elements including: (i) a primary magnetic element, and (ii) a secondary magnetic element. The primary magnetic element, characterized by having magnetic poles that are aligned perpendicular to the plane of the cover, provides a first magnetic field. The secondary magnetic element, characterized by having magnetic poles that are aligned parallel to the plane of the cover, provides a second magnetic field. The first magnetic field and the second magnetic field contribute to a resultant magnetic field that is asymmetrically disposed about the plane of the cover. The electronic device can include a sensor and a controller for placing the electronic device in a power saving mode when the cover is in a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Qigen Ji, Hao Zhu