Patents by Inventor Samuel G. Smith
Samuel G. Smith 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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Publication number: 20180168027Abstract: An electronic device such as a cover for a portable device may be provided with a body having hinge portions. The hinge portions may allow the body to bend about one or more bend axes. The cover may have electrical components such as a keyboard. A keyboard may be mounted at one end of the cover and a connector may be mounted at an opposing end of the cover. A flexible fabric signal path structure may be formed from metal traces on a flexible fabric substrate. At one end of the cover, the flexible fabric signal path structure may be coupled to a printed circuit in the keyboard using conductive adhesive. At the opposing end of the cover, the metal traces on the flexible fabric substrate may be coupled to the connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2018Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Benjamin A. Cousins, Kurt R. Stiehl, Samuel G. Smith, Kirk M. Mayer, Siddhartha Hegde, Melody Kuna
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Patent number: 9954571Abstract: A cover is described that is magnetically attached to a tablet device. The cover includes at least as flap. In the described embodiment, the flap includes a plurality of segments where the first segment includes a first plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a first edge of the flap and where a second segment includes a second plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a second edge of the flap opposite the first edge.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jared A. Sartee, Samuel G. Smith, Santhana K. Balaji
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Patent number: 9929767Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing, a motion sensor configured to sense motion of the housing, and a processor configured to determine an impact geometry based on the motion. A countermeasure system comprises an actuator coupled to an actuated member. The actuated member is operable by the actuator to modify the impact geometry, so that impact energy is redirected away from an impact sensitive component of the electronic device to an energy absorbing component of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Carl R. Peterson, Justin R. Wodrich, Kevin D. Gibbs, Samuel G. Smith
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Patent number: 9883583Abstract: An electronic device such as a cover for a portable device may be provided with a body having hinge portions. The hinge portions may allow the body to bend about one or more bend axes. The cover may have electrical components such as a keyboard. A keyboard may be mounted at one end of the cover and a connector may be mounted at an opposing end of the cover. A flexible fabric signal path structure may be formed from metal traces on a flexible fabric substrate. At one end of the cover, the flexible fabric signal path structure may be coupled to a printed circuit in the keyboard using conductive adhesive. At the opposing end of the cover, the metal traces on the flexible fabric substrate may be coupled to the connector.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Benjamin A. Cousins, Kurt R. Stiehl, Samuel G. Smith, Kirk M. Mayer, Siddhartha Hegde, Melody Kuna
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Publication number: 20170352459Abstract: An oblique angle polarized magnet includes a rectangular magnetized permanent magnet having a grain direction, an attraction surface, and a magnetic primary field line that is orthogonal to the grain direction but non-orthogonal to the attraction surface. The oblique angle polarized magnet may be used in a magnetically positioned apparatus, such as a tablet computing device cover operable as a stand for the tablet computing device. The magnetically positioned apparatus may be configured to assume a position where first and second magnets are oriented in a non-parallel orientation such that the first and second surfaces of the magnets oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other. The magnets may facilitate the position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2016Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventors: Timothy W. Scales, Hao Zhu, Samuel G. Smith
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Publication number: 20170317707Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing, a motion sensor configured to sense motion of the housing, and a processor configured to determine an impact geometry based on the motion. A countermeasure system comprises an actuator coupled to an actuated member. The actuated member is operable by the actuator to modify the impact geometry, so that impact energy is redirected away from an impact sensitive component of the electronic device to an energy absorbing component of the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Carl R. Peterson, Justin R. Wodrich, Kevin D. Gibbs, Samuel G. Smith
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Patent number: 9749000Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing, a motion sensor configured to sense motion of the housing, and a processor configured to determine an impact geometry based on the motion. A countermeasure system comprises an actuator coupled to an actuated member. The actuated member is operable by the actuator to modify the impact geometry, so that impact energy is redirected away from an impact sensitive component of the electronic device to an energy absorbing component of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Carl R. Peterson, Justin R. Wodrich, Kevin D. Gibbs, Samuel G. Smith
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Publication number: 20170178840Abstract: An electronic device such as a cover for a portable device or other electronic equipment may have circuitry mounted in a housing. The housing may be formed from layers of material such as fabric and polymer layers. The fabric may be formed from woven polymer yarn. The fabric may be treated with chemicals to improve stain resistance and wear resistance, may be provided with a polymer backing layer, and may receive molded plastic structures. Patterned areas ma be woven into the fabric, may be formed by placing coatings on selected portions of the fabric, or may be formed by embroidering or otherwise locally processing the fabric. The patterned, areas may tot labels for keyboard keys, logos, key trim patterns, and other features for an electronic device. Patterned areas may have locally enhanced light transmission characteristics and may be backlit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Siddhartha Hegde, Benjamin A. Cousins, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Samuel G. Smith, Melody Kuna
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Patent number: 9588551Abstract: An electronic device such as a cover for a portable device or other electronic equipment may have circuitry mounted in a housing. The housing may be formed from layers of material such as fabric and polymer layers. The fabric may be formed from woven polymer yarn. The fabric may be treated with chemicals to improve stain resistance and wear resistance, may be provided with a polymer backing layer, and may receive molded plastic structures. Patterned areas may be woven into the fabric, may be formed by placing coatings on selected portions of the fabric, or may be formed by embroidering or otherwise locally processing the fabric. The patterned areas may form labels for keyboard keys, logos, key trim patterns, and other features for an electronic device. Patterned areas may have locally enhanced light transmission characteristics and may be backlit.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Siddhartha Hegde, Benjamin A. Cousins, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Samuel G. Smith, Melody Kuna
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Publication number: 20170060190Abstract: An electronic device such as a cover for a portable device or other electronic equipment may have circuitry mounted in a housing. The housing may be formed from layers of material such as fabric and polymer layers. The fabric may be formed from woven polymer yarn. The fabric may be treated with chemicals to improve stain resistance and wear resistance, may be provided with a polymer backing layer, and may receive molded plastic structures. Patterned areas may be woven into the fabric, may be formed by placing coatings on selected portions of the fabric, or may be formed by embroidering or otherwise locally processing the fabric. The patterned areas may form labels for keyboard keys, logos, key trim patterns, and other features for an electronic device. Patterned areas may have locally enhanced light transmission characteristics and may be backlit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Siddhartha Hegde, Benjamin A. Cousins, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Samuel G. Smith, Melody Kuna
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Publication number: 20170060192Abstract: An electronic device such as a cover for a portable device may be provided with a body having hinge portions. The hinge portions may allow the body to bend about one or more bend axes. The cover may have electrical components such as a keyboard. A keyboard may be mounted at one end of the cover and a connector may be mounted at an opposing end of the cover. A flexible fabric signal path structure may be formed from metal traces on a flexible fabric substrate. At one end of the cover, the flexible fabric signal path structure may be coupled to a printed circuit in the keyboard using conductive adhesive. At the opposing end of the cover, the metal traces on the flexible fabric substrate may be coupled to the connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Benjamin A. Cousins, Kurt R. Stiehl, Samuel G. Smith, Kirk M. Mayer, Siddhartha Hegde, Melody Kuna
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Patent number: 9575555Abstract: A tablet device determines a spatial relationship between the tablet device and a protective cover. The tablet device operates in accordance with the spatial relationship.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Samuel G. Smith, Matthew I. Brown, Nicholas Zambetti, Rohan Goel, Laura Charlotte Shumaker, Jeremy C. Franklin, Michael A. Cretella, Jr., Paul Meade, Chris Mullens
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Publication number: 20170012661Abstract: A cover is described that is magnetically attached to a tablet device. The cover includes at least as flap. In the described embodiment, the flap includes a plurality of segments. The cover includes a number of magnets formed into a number of magnetic arrangements that provide a number of useful features associated with the cover and the tablet device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Samuel G. SMITH, Taylor Harrison GILBERT
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Publication number: 20160344440Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing, a motion sensor configured to sense motion of the housing, and a processor configured to determine an impact geometry based on the motion. A countermeasure system comprises an actuator coupled to an actuated member. The actuated member is operable by the actuator to modify the impact geometry, so that impact energy is redirected away from an impact sensitive component of the electronic device to an energy absorbing component of the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Carl R. Peterson, Justin R. Wodrich, Kevin D. Gibbs, Samuel G. Smith
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Publication number: 20160323006Abstract: A cover is described that is magnetically attached to a tablet device. The cover includes at least as flap. In the described embodiment, the flap includes a plurality of segments where the first segment includes a first plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a first edge of the flap and where a second segment includes a second plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a second edge of the flap opposite the first edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Jared A. Sartee, Samuel G. Smith, Santhana K. Balaji
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Patent number: 9474345Abstract: A cover is described that is magnetically attached to a tablet device. The cover includes at least as flap. In the described embodiment, the flap includes a plurality of segments. The cover includes a number of magnets formed into a number of magnetic arrangements that provide a number of useful features associated with the cover and the tablet device.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Samuel G. Smith, Taylor Harrison Gilbert
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Patent number: 9432492Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing, a motion sensor configured to sense motion of the housing, and a processor configured to determine an impact geometry based on the motion. A countermeasure system comprises an actuator coupled to an actuated member. The actuated member is operable by the actuator to modify the impact geometry, so that impact energy is redirected away from an impact sensitive component of the electronic device to an energy absorbing component of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Carl R. Peterson, Justin R. Wodrich, Kevin D. Gibbs, Samuel G. Smith
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Patent number: 9326576Abstract: A cover is described that is magnetically attached to a tablet device. The cover includes at least as flap. In the described embodiment, the flap includes a plurality of segments where the first segment includes a first plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a first edge of the flap and where a second segment includes a second plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a second edge of the flap opposite the first edge.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jared A. Sartee, Samuel G. Smith, Santhana K. Balaji
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Patent number: 9072352Abstract: A cover is described that is magnetically attached to a tablet device. The cover includes at least as flap. In the described embodiment, the flap includes a plurality of segments where the first segment includes a first plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a first edge of the flap and where a second segment includes a second plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a second edge of the flap opposite the first edge.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jared A. Sartee, Samuel G. Smith, Santhana K. Balaji, Florence W. Ow
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Patent number: 9071672Abstract: A cover is described that is magnetically attached to a tablet device. The cover includes at least as flap. In the described embodiment, the flap includes a plurality of segments where the first segment includes a first plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a first edge of the flap and where a second segment includes a second plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a second edge of the flap opposite the first edge.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Samuel G. Smith, Jared A. Sartee, Florence W. Ow, Andrew D. Lauder, Jeremy C. Franklin