Patents by Inventor Blake R. MARSHALL
Blake R. MARSHALL 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: 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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Publication number: 20190103715Abstract: Hybrid connectors that may transfer power and data with a variety of electronic devices having different types of connector interfaces, may consume a minimal amount of surface area, depth, and volume in an electronic device, and may be readily manufactured.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2018Publication date: April 4, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Blake R. Marshall, Liquan Tan, Florence W. Ow, Alex C. Yeung, John Raff, Robert Scritzky, Wei-Hsuan Chen, Eric S. Jol, Madhusudanan Keezhveedi Sampath, Nan Liu, Gianpaolo Lisi, YiBo Liu
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Patent number: 10241590Abstract: Disclosed herein is an input device having variable make points. More specifically, the various embodiments described herein are directed to an input device having a key, a first button member and a second button member. A dielectric may be positioned between the first button member and the second button member. The key is also associated with a capacitive sensor that is configured to determine a change in capacitance as a distance between the first button member and the second button member changes.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Blake R. Marshall, Liquan Tan
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Publication number: 20190056803Abstract: Input device power consumption can be reduced with a magnetic drive system. In some examples, the input device can include a transformer configured to generate a desired high output voltage from logic-level input pulses. In some examples, the distributed capacitance and associated resonance of the transformer can act as a low-pass filter, and can create a relatively clean output waveform from input logic signal waveforms. In some examples, the transformer can be an autotransformer. In some examples, to stabilize an amplitude of the output by sampling the output of the transformer and adjusting the input to the transformer based on the sampled output.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2017Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: Michael NUSSBAUM, Blake R. MARSHALL, Jason P. MARINI, Li-Quan TAN
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Patent number: 10198089Abstract: An electrode for an input device can be designed to reduce wobble over a range of input device orientations. The electrode can include a spherical portion and a tapered portion. In some examples, the electrode can linearly taper away from the spherical portion. In other examples, the electrode can non-linearly taper away forming an elliptical flare. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode can include a spring-loaded member that can couple the electrode to other circuitry of the input device. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode can include a neck portion coupled to the tapered portion, and part of the neck portion can be shielded. The input device can include a first non-conductive material disposed on part of the spherical portion of the electrode and a second non-conductive material disposed between part of the electrode and the first non-conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Priyanka Bhandari, Blake R. Marshall, Li-Quan Tan, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Ryan P. Brooks, Kevin C. Armendariz
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Publication number: 20180314349Abstract: A wireless power transmission system may include a wireless power transmitting device such as a tablet computer and a wireless power receiving device such as a computer stylus. A wireless power transmitting capacitor electrode may be formed in the tablet computer. A wireless power receiving capacitor electrode may be formed in the computer stylus. The transmitting capacitor electrode may be driven by a drive signal having a frequency of 900 MHz or greater to produce wireless power. The wireless power may be transmitted from the transmitting capacitor electrode to the receiving capacitor electrode on the stylus via near field capacitive coupling. The transmitting and receiving capacitor electrodes may each include conductive traces on dielectric substrates. The conductive traces may follow meandering paths to maximize the possible capacitive coupling efficiency between the capacitor electrodes and thus the end-to-end charging efficiency of the wireless power transmission system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Bing Jiang, Blake R. Marshall, Indranil S. Sen, Liquan Tan, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Yi Jiang, Mohit Narang
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Patent number: 10025401Abstract: A ring electrode to determine the orientation of the stylus relative to the surface. The stylus can include a ring electrode configuration which can improve capacitive coupling between the ring electrode and the touch panel. The ring electrode configuration can include a ring electrode and ground ring, and ground plate. By varying the lengths of ring electrode, ground ring, ground plate, and the distance between these elements, the electric field emanating from the ring electrode can be tuned to optimize the capacitive coupling between the ring electrode and surface. In some examples, the ring electrode can include multiple sub-rings. In some examples, the ring electrode can comprise a crown shape including projections, each having a width that tapers to a minimum width along the length of the ring electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Priyanka Bhandari, Blake R. Marshall, Li-Quan Tan, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Ryan P. Brooks, Kevin C. Armendariz
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Patent number: 9904379Abstract: A level of wear of a stylus tip can be estimated and in accordance with a determination that the level of wear of the stylus tip exceeds a threshold, the stylus input functionality of an electronic device can be disabled. The threshold can be set such that the stylus can be disabled before the stylus sensing performance degrades to a degree perceptible to a human and/or before exposing internal portions of the stylus that can scratch a touch screen. Additionally or alternatively, a notification can be provided to indicate to a user that the stylus tip should be replaced. In some examples, the estimated level of wear can also be used to provide warning notifications. Stylus tip wear can be estimated, for example, based on a detected total signal strength or based on an estimated total distance traversed by the stylus tip across a surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Blake R. Marshall, Apexit Shah, Ari Y. Benbasat, Li-Quan Tan, Priyanka Bhandari, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Sarah M. Bolton
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Publication number: 20170308177Abstract: Disclosed herein is an input device having variable make points. More specifically, the various embodiments described herein are directed to an input device having a key, a first button member and a second button member. A dielectric may be positioned between the first button member and the second button member. The key is also associated with a capacitive sensor that is configured to determine a change in capacitance as a distance between the first button member and the second button member changes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Blake R. Marshall, Liquan Tan
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Publication number: 20170249028Abstract: A level of wear of a stylus tip can be estimated and in accordance with a determination that the level of wear of the stylus tip exceeds a threshold, the stylus input functionality of an electronic device can be disabled. The threshold can be set such that the stylus can be disabled before the stylus sensing performance degrades to a degree perceptible to a human and/or before exposing internal portions of the stylus that can scratch a touch screen. Additionally or alternatively, a notification can be provided to indicate to a user that the stylus tip should be replaced. In some examples, the estimated level of wear can also be used to provide warning notifications. Stylus tip wear can be estimated, for example, based on a detected total signal strength or based on an estimated total distance traversed by the stylus tip across a surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Blake R. MARSHALL, Apexit SHAH, Ari Y. BENBASAT, Li-Quan TAN, Priyanka BHANDARI, Reza NASIRI MAHALATI, Sarah M. BOLTON
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Patent number: 9632591Abstract: Disclosed herein is an input device having variable make points. More specifically, the various embodiments described herein are directed to an input device having a key, a first button member and a second button member. A dielectric may be positioned between the first button member and the second button member. The key is also associated with a capacitive sensor that is configured to determine a change in capacitance as a distance between the first button member and the second button member changes.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Blake R. Marshall, Liquan Tan
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Publication number: 20170068344Abstract: An electrode for an input device can be designed to reduce wobble over a range of input device orientations. The electrode can include a spherical portion and a tapered portion. In some examples, the electrode can linearly taper away from the spherical portion. In other examples, the electrode can non-linearly taper away forming an elliptical flare. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode can include a spring-loaded member that can couple the electrode to other circuitry of the input device. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode can include a neck portion coupled to the tapered portion, and part of the neck portion can be shielded. The input device can include a first non-conductive material disposed on part of the spherical portion of the electrode and a second non-conductive material disposed between part of the electrode and the first non-conductive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2015Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Priyanka BHANDARI, Blake R. MARSHALL, Li-Quan TAN, Reza NASIRI MAHALATI, Aidan N. ZIMMERMAN, Ryan P. BROOKS, Kevin C. ARMENDARIZ
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Publication number: 20170068337Abstract: A ring electrode to determine the orientation of the stylus relative to the surface. The stylus can include a ring electrode configuration which can improve capacitive coupling between the ring electrode and the touch panel. The ring electrode configuration can include a ring electrode and ground ring, and ground plate. By varying the lengths of ring electrode, ground ring, ground plate, and the distance between these elements, the electric field emanating from the ring electrode can be tuned to optimize the capacitive coupling between the ring electrode and surface. In some examples, the ring electrode can include multiple sub-rings. In some examples, the ring electrode can comprise a crown shape including projections, each having a width that tapers to a minimum width along the length of the ring electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2015Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Priyanka BHANDARI, Blake R. MARSHALL, Li-Quan TAN, Reza NASIRI MAHALATI, Aidan N. ZIMMERMAN, Ryan P. BROOKS, Kevin C. ARMENDARIZ