Patents by Inventor Santhana K. Balaji

Santhana K. Balaji 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: 11726522
    Abstract: A computing system includes an electronic device, a cover or case for the electronic device, and an input device that is slidably movable yet attached to the cover or case. By positioning the electronic device on top of the input device, rotation of the electronic device which changes its vertical viewing angle also translates the input device. These can provide improved overall possible viewing angle adjustability, increased system stability at high viewing angles, laptop-like opening and closing behavior, lighter weight, and implementation using low-cost components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Santhana K. Balaji, Guangtao Zhang, John Raff, Ryan P. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20210341967
    Abstract: A computing system includes an electronic device, a cover or case for the electronic device, and an input device that is slidably movable yet attached to the cover or case. By positioning the electronic device on top of the input device, rotation of the electronic device which changes its vertical viewing angle also translates the input device. These can provide improved overall possible viewing angle adjustability, increased system stability at high viewing angles, laptop-like opening and closing behavior, lighter weight, and implementation using low-cost components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Santhana K. Balaji, Guangtao Zhang, John Raff, Ryan P. Brooks
  • Patent number: 11092997
    Abstract: A computing system includes an electronic device, a cover or case for the electronic device, and an input device that is slidably movable yet attached to the cover or case. By positioning the electronic device on top of the input device, rotation of the electronic device which changes its vertical viewing angle also translates the input device. These can provide improved overall possible viewing angle adjustability, increased system stability at high viewing angles, laptop-like opening and closing behavior, lighter weight, and implementation using low-cost components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Santhana K. Balaji, Guangtao Zhang, John Raff, Ryan P. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20210096597
    Abstract: A computing system includes an electronic device, a cover or case for the electronic device, and an input device that is slidably movable yet attached to the cover or case. By positioning the electronic device on top of the input device, rotation of the electronic device which changes its vertical viewing angle also translates the input device. These can provide improved overall possible viewing angle adjustability, increased system stability at high viewing angles, laptop-like opening and closing behavior, lighter weight, and implementation using low-cost components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Santhana K. Balaji, Guangtao Zhang, John Raff, Ryan P. Brooks
  • Patent number: 9954571
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jared A. Sartee, Samuel G. Smith, Santhana K. Balaji
  • Patent number: 9819378
    Abstract: An accessory unit includes a front flap and a rear cover. The rear cover includes a recessed portion that defines a chamber and a frame that extends about an opening of the chamber. The chamber is configured to receive a consumer electronic device, and the frame is configured to hold the consumer electronic device therein. For example, the frame may define a multi-sided cross-section with an inner edge thereof configured to engage a chamfered edge of the consumer electronic device. The front flap may include segments formed from panels with folding regions therebetween, which allow the front flap to fold. Further, an end region of the front flap hingedly couples the front flap to the rear cover, such that the front flap may be moved between open and closed configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Kenney, Robert Michael Merritt, Andrew D. Lauder, Santhana K. Balaji, Jared A. Sartee
  • Publication number: 20160323006
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Jared A. Sartee, Samuel G. Smith, Santhana K. Balaji
  • Patent number: 9326576
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jared A. Sartee, Samuel G. Smith, Santhana K. Balaji
  • Patent number: 9072352
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jared A. Sartee, Samuel G. Smith, Santhana K. Balaji, Florence W. Ow
  • Publication number: 20150076185
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jared A. Sartee, Samuel G. Smith, Santhana K. Balaji, Florence W. Ow
  • Patent number: 8878637
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventors: Jared A. Sartee, Samuel G. Smith, Santhana K. Balaji, Florence W. Ow
  • Publication number: 20140283979
    Abstract: An accessory unit includes a front flap and a rear cover. The rear cover includes a recessed portion that defines a chamber and a frame that extends about an opening of the chamber. The chamber is configured to receive a consumer electronic device, and the frame is configured to hold the consumer electronic device therein. For example, the frame may define a multi-sided cross-section with an inner edge thereof configured to engage a chamfered edge of the consumer electronic device. The front flap may include segments formed from panels with folding regions therebetween, which allow the front flap to fold. Further, an end region of the front flap hingedly couples the front flap to the rear cover, such that the front flap may be moved between open and closed configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin Kenney, Robert Michael Merritt, Andrew D. Lauder, Santhana K. Balaji, Jared A. Sartee
  • Patent number: 8790758
    Abstract: An accessory unit includes a front flap and a rear cover. The rear cover includes a recessed portion that defines a chamber and a frame that extends about an opening of the chamber. The chamber is configured to receive a consumer electronic device, and the frame is configured to hold the consumer electronic device therein. For example, the frame may define a multi-sided cross-section with an inner edge thereof configured to engage a chamfered edge of the consumer electronic device. The front flap may include segments formed from panels with folding regions therebetween, which allow the front flap to fold. Further, an end region of the front flap hingedly couples the front flap to the rear cover, such that the front flap may be moved between open and closed configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Kenney, Robert Michael Merritt, Andrew D. Lauder, Santhana K. Balaji, Jared A. Sartee
  • Publication number: 20140043748
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jared A. Sartee, Samuel G. Smith, Santhana K. Balaji
  • Publication number: 20140043121
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jared A. SARTEE, Samuel G. Smith, Santhana K. Balaji, Florence W. Ow