Patents by Inventor Sean S. Corbin
Sean S. Corbin 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: 10024689Abstract: This application relates to devices that utilize magnets and associated magnetic sensors. A magnetic sensor can be positioned and oriented with respect to a magnetic element such that the magnetic sensor is capable of detecting a horizontal magnetic field component in contrast to the conventional paradigm of detecting a vertical magnetic field component. This can be accomplished by orienting a magnetically sensitive surface of the magnetic sensor about ninety degrees with respect to a magnetic vector of the magnetic element.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Hao Zhu, John C. DiFonzo, Guangtao Zhang, Rizal Johari, Samuel Gilkison Smith, Sean S. Corbin, Erik A. Uttermann
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Publication number: 20180196473Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: Samuel Gilkison SMITH, Daniel J. COSTER, Sean. S. CORBIN, Melody L. KUNA, Siddhartha HEGDE, Benjamin A. COUSINS, Robert Sean MURPHY
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Patent number: 9946296Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Samuel Gilkison Smith, Daniel J. Coster, Sean S. Corbin, Melody L. Kuna, Siddhartha Hegde, Benjamin A. Cousins, Robert Sean Murphy
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Patent number: 9946295Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Samuel Gilkison Smith, Daniel J. Coster, Sean S. Corbin, Melody L. Kuna, Siddhartha Hegde, Benjamin A. Cousins, Robert Sean Murphy
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Publication number: 20180101274Abstract: A portable input device is described. The portable input device can wirelessly send control signals to an external circuit. The control signals can derive from touch or gestures applied to a touch sensitive surface. The control signals can also include a mouse click equivalent control signal generated by mechanical manipulation of the portable input device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Erik A. Uttermann, Rico Zorkendorfer, Andrew Lauder, Sean S. Corbin
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Patent number: 9870861Abstract: An efficient magnetic assembly having magnetic regions is formed by applying a magnetic field from a magnetizer to predefined portions of a monolithic substrate corresponding to the magnetized regions. In the described embodiment, the magnetic field is of sufficient strength and is applied for a sufficient amount of time to magnetize the corresponding portions of the monolithic substrate. A distance between at least two adjacent magnetized regions corresponding to a neutral zone is determined and based upon the determination, the monolithic substrate is shifted an amount less than the distance corresponding to the neutral zone and the magnetic field is re-applied to at least the shifted portion of the monolithic substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Hao Zhu, Sean S. Corbin, Amy Qian, Richard D. Kosoglow
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Patent number: 9857912Abstract: A portable input device is described. The portable input device can wirelessly send control signals to an external circuit. The control signals can derive from touch or gestures applied to a touch sensitive surface. The control signals can also include a mouse click equivalent control signal generated by mechanical manipulation of the portable input device.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Erik A. Uttermann, Rico Zorkendorfer, Andrew Lauder, Sean S. Corbin
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Publication number: 20170308123Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs, Jeremy C. Franklin, Elvis M. Kibiti, John Raff, Jules B. Henry, Benjamin Rappoport, Derek W. Wright, Erik A. Utterman, Ming Yu, Carl R. Peterson
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Patent number: 9741509Abstract: Slide input component assemblies of an electronic device and methods for making the same are provided. In some embodiments, a slide input component assembly may include a slide button subassembly that may have a knob, a base, a retention mechanism that may couple the knob to the base, and a shell part that may be provided about at least a portion of the base. The slide input component assembly may also include a slide switch subassembly that may have a switch that may be configured to move along a switch path when the slide button subassembly moves along a button path.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Elvis M. Kibiti, Luen-Chiou Lin, Sean S. Corbin, Shih-Ning Kao, Stephen R. McClure
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Patent number: 9710017Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs, Jeremy C. Franklin, Elvis M. Kibiti, John Raff, Jules B. Henry, Benjamin Rappoport, Derek W. Wright, Erik A. Utterman, Ming Yu, Carl R. Peterson
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Publication number: 20170084389Abstract: An efficient magnetic assembly having magnetic regions is formed by applying a magnetic field from a magnetizer to predefined portions of a monolithic substrate corresponding to the magnetized regions. In the described embodiment, the magnetic field is of sufficient strength and is applied for a sufficient amount of time to magnetize the corresponding portions of the monolithic substrate. A distance between at least two adjacent magnetized regions corresponding to a neutral zone is determined and based upon the determination, the monolithic substrate is shifted an amount less than the distance corresponding to the neutral zone and the magnetic field is re-applied to at least the shifted portion of the monolithic substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Hao Zhu, Sean S. Corbin, Amy Qian, Richard D. Kosoglow
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Publication number: 20170082458Abstract: This application relates to devices that utilize magnets and associated magnetic sensors. A magnetic sensor can be positioned and oriented with respect to a magnetic element such that the magnetic sensor is capable of detecting a horizontal magnetic field component in contrast to the conventional paradigm of detecting a vertical magnetic field component. This can be accomplished by orienting a magnetically sensitive surface of the magnetic sensor about ninety degrees with respect to a magnetic vector of the magnetic element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Hao Zhu, John C. DiFonzo, Guangtao Zhang, Rizal Johari, Samuel Gilkison Smith, Sean S. Corbin, Erik A. Uttermann
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Publication number: 20170068281Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Samuel Gilkison SMITH, Daniel J. COSTER, Sean. S. CORBIN, Melody L. KUNA, Siddhartha HEGDE, Benjamin A. COUSINS, Robert Sean MURPHY
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Publication number: 20170068282Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Samuel Gilkison SMITH, Daniel J. COSTER, Sean. S. CORBIN, Melody L. KUNA, Siddhartha HEGDE, Benjamin A. COUSINS, Robert Sean MURPHY
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Publication number: 20170010633Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Sean S. Corbin, Andrew D. Lauder
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Publication number: 20170003818Abstract: A portable input device is described. The portable input device can wirelessly send control signals to an external circuit. The control signals can derive from touch or gestures applied to a touch sensitive surface. The control signals can also include a mouse click equivalent control signal generated by mechanical manipulation of the portable input device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Erik A. Uttermann, Rico Zorkendorfer, Andrew Lauder, Sean S. Corbin
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Publication number: 20160380333Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and no on. The portable computing device can include a single piece housing formed from a radio opaque material with a cover formed from a radio transparent material. To implement a wireless interface, an antenna stack-up can be provided that allows an antenna to be mounted to a bottom of the cover. Methods and apparatus are provided for improving wireless performance. For instance, in one embodiment, a metal housing can be thinned to improve antenna performance. As another example, a faraday cage can be formed around speaker drivers to improve antenna performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Erik A. Uttermann, Jeremy C. Franklin, Stephen C. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, Qingxiang Li, Rodney A. Gomez Angulo
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Patent number: 9507455Abstract: A portable input device is described. The portable input device can wirelessly send control signals to an external circuit. The control signals can derive from touch or gestures applied to a touch sensitive surface. The control signals can also include a mouse click equivalent control signal generated by mechanical manipulation of the portable input device.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Erik A. Uttermann, Rico Zorkendorfer, Andrew Lauder, Sean S. Corbin
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Patent number: 9494980Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sean S. Corbin, Andrew D. Lauder
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Patent number: 9444131Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include a single piece housing formed from a radio opaque material with a cover formed from a radio transparent material. To implement a wireless interface, an antenna stack-up can be provided that allows an antenna to be mounted to a bottom of the cover. Methods and apparatus are provided for improving wireless performance. For instance, in one embodiment, a metal housing can be thinned to improve antenna performance. As another example, a faraday cage can be formed around speaker drivers to improve antenna performance.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Erik A. Uttermann, Jeremy C. Franklin, Stephen C. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, Qingxiang Li, Rodney A. Gomez Angulo