Patents by Inventor Christos Kinezos Ioannou

Christos Kinezos Ioannou 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: 11950914
    Abstract: Multiple circuits in a computing device can share one or more conductive elements. The use of the conductive element can vary by circuit, such as an antenna radiator for a radio frequency (RF) circuit or an electrode for an electrocardiography (ECG) circuit. The circuitry sharing a conductive element can utilize signals obtained over different frequency ranges. Those ranges can be used to select decoupling circuitry, or elements, that can enable the respective circuits to obtain signals over a respective frequency range, excluding signals over one or more other frequency ranges corresponding to other circuitry sharing the circuit. Such an approach allows for concurrent independent operation of the circuitry sharing a conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Faton Tefiku, Yonghua Wei, Kevin Li, Man-Chi Liu, Lindsey Michelle Sunden, Peter W. Richards, Dennis Jacob McCray, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kyung Nim Noh
  • Publication number: 20230157610
    Abstract: Multiple circuits in a computing device can share one or more conductive elements. The use of the conductive element can vary by circuit, such as an antenna radiator for a radio frequency (RF) circuit or an electrode for an electrocardiography (ECG) circuit. The circuitry sharing a conductive element can utilize signals obtained over different frequency ranges. Those ranges can be used to select decoupling circuitry, or elements, that can enable the respective circuits to obtain signals over a respective frequency range, excluding signals over one or more other frequency ranges corresponding to other circuitry sharing the circuit. Such an approach allows for concurrent independent operation of the circuitry sharing a conductive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Faton Tefiku, Yonghua Wei, Kevin Li, Man-Chi Liu, Lindsey Michelle Sunden, Peter W. Richards, Dennis Jacob McCray, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kyung Nim Noh
  • Patent number: 11504043
    Abstract: Multiple circuits in a computing device can share one or more conductive elements. The use of the conductive element can vary by circuit, such as an antenna radiator for a radio frequency (RF) circuit or an electrode for an electrocardiography (ECG) circuit. The circuitry sharing a conductive element can utilize signals obtained over different frequency ranges. Those ranges can be used to select decoupling circuitry, or elements, that can enable the respective circuits to obtain signals over a respective frequency range, excluding signals over one or more other frequency ranges corresponding to other circuitry sharing the circuit. Such an approach allows for concurrent independent operation of the circuitry sharing a conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: FITBIT, INC.
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Kevin Li, Man-Chi Liu, Lindsey Michelle Sunden, Peter W. Richards, Dennis Jacob McCray, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kyung Nim Noh
  • Patent number: 11482773
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a ring antenna forming a portion of an outer perimeter of the housing, the ring antenna including a plurality of connections coupled the PCB, the plurality of connections. The plurality of connections include at least one feed connection coupled to at least one signal source on the PCB, respectively, and at least one ground connection coupled to a ground point on the PCB. In some embodiments, the connections may be inductively or capacitively loaded. The ring antenna may include a single feed connection or multiple feed connections respectively coupled to different signal sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: FITBIT, INC.
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Patent number: 11394129
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a slot and patch antenna design to support multiple frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a slot and inverted “F” antenna (IFA) assembly, hybrid slot antenna assembly, or external slot antenna assembly. A split ring antenna assembly can also be used, where individual segments of the ring antenna can support specific frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a dielectrically loaded planar inverted “F” antenna (PIFA) assembly to support various frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: FITBIT, INC.
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Publication number: 20220085487
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a ring antenna forming a portion of an outer perimeter of the housing, the ring antenna including a plurality of connections coupled the PCB, the plurality of connections. The plurality of connections include at least one feed connection coupled to at least one signal source on the PCB, respectively, and at least one ground connection coupled to a ground point on the PCB. In some embodiments, the connections may be inductively or capacitively loaded. The ring antenna may include a single feed connection or multiple feed connections respectively coupled to different signal sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Patent number: 11095048
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a slot and patch antenna design to support multiple frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a slot and inverted “F” antenna (IFA) assembly, hybrid slot antenna assembly, or external slot antenna assembly. A split ring antenna assembly can also be used, where individual segments of the ring antenna can support specific frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a dielectrically loaded planar inverted “F” antenna (PIFA) assembly to support various frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Publication number: 20210137439
    Abstract: Multiple circuits in a computing device can share one or more conductive elements. The use of the conductive element can vary by circuit, such as an antenna radiator for a radio frequency (RF) circuit or an electrode for an electrocardiography (ECG) circuit. The circuitry sharing a conductive element can utilize signals obtained over different frequency ranges. Those ranges can be used to select decoupling circuitry, or elements, that can enable the respective circuits to obtain signals over a respective frequency range, excluding signals over one or more other frequency ranges corresponding to other circuitry sharing the circuit. Such an approach allows for concurrent independent operation of the circuitry sharing a conductive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Kevin Li, Man-Chi Liu, Lindsey Michelle Sunden, Peter W. Richards, Dennis Jacob McCray, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kyung Nim Noh
  • Patent number: 10992029
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a ring antenna forming a portion of an outer perimeter of the housing, the ring antenna including a plurality of connections coupled the PCB, the plurality of connections. The plurality of connections include at least one feed connection coupled to at least one signal source on the PCB, respectively, and at least one ground connection coupled to a ground point on the PCB. In some embodiments, the connections may be inductively or capacitively loaded. The ring antenna may include a single feed connection or multiple feed connections respectively coupled to different signal sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Patent number: 10892565
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a primary conductive ring embedded in the walls of the housing as antennas for various forms of wireless communication. The conductive ring includes a plurality of conductive elements separated from each other by portions of the housing, the plurality of conductive elements coupled respectively to the one or more signal sources on the PCB. Embodiments may additionally utilize a ground extension element positioned a distance away from the primary conductive ring in an opposite direction from the display module, in which the ground extension element is coupled to a ground connection of the PCB and boosting the antenna signal strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: FITBIT, INC.
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Publication number: 20200365974
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a ring antenna forming a portion of an outer perimeter of the housing, the ring antenna including a plurality of connections coupled the PCB, the plurality of connections. The plurality of connections include at least one feed connection coupled to at least one signal source on the PCB, respectively, and at least one ground connection coupled to a ground point on the PCB. In some embodiments, the connections may be inductively or capacitively loaded. The ring antenna may include a single feed connection or multiple feed connections respectively coupled to different signal sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Patent number: 10806362
    Abstract: Multiple circuits in a computing device can share one or more conductive elements. The use of the conductive element can vary by circuit, such as an antenna radiator for a radio frequency (RF) circuit or an electrode for an electrocardiography (ECG) circuit. The circuitry sharing a conductive element can utilize signals obtained over different frequency ranges. Those ranges can be used to select decoupling circuitry, or elements, that can enable the respective circuits to obtain signals over a respective frequency range, excluding signals over one or more other frequency ranges corresponding to other circuitry sharing the circuit. Such an approach allows for concurrent independent operation of the circuitry sharing a conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Kevin Li, Man-Chi Liu, Lindsey Michelle Sunden, Peter W. Richards, Dennis Jacob McCray, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kyung Nim Noh
  • Patent number: 10797383
    Abstract: A band latch mechanism that is configured to connect a wristband to a fitness tracker is provided. The band latch mechanism may be configured to be inserted into a cavity of a housing of the fitness tracker and configured so that any metallic body of the band latch mechanism does not contact metallic surfaces of the cavity in order to prevent an electrical ground from being positioned within a keep-out zone of an antenna of the fitness tracker. A housing with integrated antenna structures is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Nan Xu, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li, Chadwick John Harber, Eric John Fairbanks, Jonah Avram Becker
  • Publication number: 20200192424
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a slot and patch antenna design to support multiple frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a slot and inverted “F” antenna (IFA) assembly, hybrid slot antenna assembly, or external slot antenna assembly. A split ring antenna assembly can also be used, where individual segments of the ring antenna can support specific frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a dielectrically loaded planar inverted “F” antenna (PIFA) assembly to support various frequency bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Publication number: 20200192425
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a primary conductive ring embedded in the walls of the housing as antennas for various forms of wireless communication. The conductive ring includes a plurality of conductive elements separated from each other by portions of the housing, the plurality of conductive elements coupled respectively to the one or more signal sources on the PCB. Embodiments may additionally utilize a ground extension element positioned a distance away from the primary conductive ring in an opposite direction from the display module, in which the ground extension element is coupled to a ground connection of the PCB and boosting the antenna signal strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Publication number: 20200194905
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a slot and patch antenna design to support multiple frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a slot and inverted “F” antenna (IFA) assembly, hybrid slot antenna assembly, or external slot antenna assembly. A split ring antenna assembly can also be used, where individual segments of the ring antenna can support specific frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a dielectrically loaded planar inverted “F” antenna (PIFA) assembly to support various frequency bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Patent number: 10637129
    Abstract: A wearable computing device can include a monopole-excited slot antenna formed by a gap between a housing (such as a highly conductive housing) and a bracket (such as a highly conductive bracket) within the highly conductive housing and by a back cavity between the highly conductive bracket and the PCB. The antenna configuration can include a monopole antenna electrically coupled to a printed circuit board and a slot antenna that is excited through coupled electromagnetic fields. The highly conductive bracket is positioned near a display window of the device, mostly below and partially enclosing a battery. The highly conductive bracket is positioned above the printed circuit board. This configuration allows for a relatively small dead band in the display window, a larger battery, compact and mechanically simple configuration, and superior water resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Kevin Li, Patrick James Markan, Allen Yu-Li Wang, Teemu Taneli Raafael Kaiponen, Christos Kinezos Ioannou
  • Publication number: 20200015701
    Abstract: Multiple circuits in a computing device can share one or more conductive elements. The use of the conductive element can vary by circuit, such as an antenna radiator for a radio frequency (RF) circuit or an electrode for an electrocardiography (ECG) circuit. The circuitry sharing a conductive element can utilize signals obtained over different frequency ranges. Those ranges can be used to select decoupling circuitry, or elements, that can enable the respective circuits to obtain signals over a respective frequency range, excluding signals over one or more other frequency ranges corresponding to other circuitry sharing the circuit. Such an approach allows for concurrent independent operation of the circuitry sharing a conductive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Yonghua WEI, Faton TEFIKU, Kevin LI, Man-Chi LIU, Lindsey Michelle SUNDEN, Peter W. RICHARDS, Dennis Jacob McCRAY, Christos Kinezos IOANNOU, Kyung Nim NOH
  • Publication number: 20200014098
    Abstract: A band latch mechanism that is configured to connect a wristband to a fitness tracker is provided. The band latch mechanism may be configured to be inserted into a cavity of a housing of the fitness tracker and configured so that any metallic body of the band latch mechanism does not contact metallic surfaces of the cavity in order to prevent an electrical ground from being positioned within a keep-out zone of an antenna of the fitness tracker. A housing with integrated antenna structures is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Nan Xu, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li, Chadwick John Harber, Eric John Fairbanks, Jonah Avram Becker
  • Patent number: 10418693
    Abstract: A band latch mechanism that is configured to connect a wristband to a fitness tracker is provided. The band latch mechanism may be configured to be inserted into a cavity of a housing of the fitness tracker and configured so that any metallic body of the band latch mechanism does not contact metallic surfaces of the cavity in order to prevent an electrical ground from being positioned within a keep-out zone of an antenna of the fitness tracker. A housing with integrated antenna structures is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Nan Xu, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li, Chadwick John Harber, Eric John Fairbanks, Jonah Avram Becker