Patents by Inventor David W. Ritter

David W. Ritter 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).

  • Publication number: 20210359556
    Abstract: A wireless charging mat and method of operating the same. The wireless charging mat includes a detection system configured to determine a location and an orientation of an electronic device on the wireless charging mat. The location and orientation are determined based on detected locations of one or more structural features of the electronic device. The wireless charging mat is operated according to the detected location and orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Chad A. Bossetti, Christopher S. Graham, David W. Ritter, Todd K. Moyer, Steven G. Herbst, Shimon Elkayam, Nileshbhai J. Shah, Stephen C. Terry, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Patent number: 11159065
    Abstract: A wireless charging mat and method of operating the same. The wireless charging mat includes a detection system configured to determine a location and an orientation of an electronic device on the wireless charging mat. The location and orientation are determined based on detected locations of one or more structural features of the electronic device. The wireless charging mat is operated according to the detected location and orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chad A. Bossetti, Christopher S. Graham, David W. Ritter, Todd K. Moyer, Steven G. Herbst, Shimon Elkayam, Nileshbhai J. Shah, Stephen C. Terry, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Patent number: 10720789
    Abstract: A wireless charging system including a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is formed of a coil of wire that includes a first loop portion, a second loop portion, and a crossing portion. The crossing portion electrically couples the first loop portion and the second loop portion such that when current is generated in the coil, electrical current flows through the first loop portion in a different rotational direction than in the second loop portion. The receiver is formed of a ferromagnetic core and multiple (e.g., three) coils disposed about the ferromagnetic core. Each coil may be disposed about a different axis of the core such that current may be induced in at least one of the coils by a magnetic field in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Ritter, David B. Kosecoff, David S. Kumka, Madhusudanan Keezhveedi Sampath, Steven Charles Michalske, Tavys Q. Ashcroft, Aditya Rao, Ariadne Smith
  • Patent number: 10593291
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a color sensing ambient light sensor. The color sensing ambient light sensor may measure the color of ambient light. Control circuitry in the electronic device may use information from the color sensing ambient light sensor in adjusting a display in the electronic device or taking other action. The color sensing ambient light sensor may have light detectors with different spectral responses. A test system may be used to calibrate the color sensing light sensor. The test system may have a tunable light source with light-emitting diodes that are turned on in sequence while gathering measured responses from the detectors. Numerical optimization techniques may be used to produce final versions of the spectral responses for the light detectors from the measured responses and corresponding calibration data that is stored in the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zhang Jia, Amy M. Winkler, Christopher S. Erickson, Zhen Zhang, David W. Ritter
  • Publication number: 20190222052
    Abstract: A wireless charging system including a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is formed of a coil of wire that includes a first loop portion, a second loop portion, and a crossing portion. The crossing portion electrically couples the first loop portion and the second loop portion such that when current is generated in the coil, electrical current flows through the first loop portion in a different rotational direction than in the second loop portion. The receiver is formed of a ferromagnetic core and multiple (e.g., three) coils disposed about the ferromagnetic core. Each coil may be disposed about a different axis of the core such that current may be induced in at least one of the coils by a magnetic field in any direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Ritter, David B. Kosecoff, David S. Kumka, Madhusudanan Keezhveedi Sampath, Steven Charles Michalske, Tavys Q. Ashcroft, Aditya Rao, Ariadne Smith
  • Patent number: 10333333
    Abstract: A wireless charging table comprising a table top having an upper surface upon which one or more electronic devices can be placed, a wireless charging transmitter positioned under the upper surface of the table top, the wireless charging transmitter comprising a plurality of transmitter coils that define a charging region at the upper surface of the table top, and a power distribution system operatively coupled to the wireless charging transmitter, the power distribution system configured to receive power from an alternating current (AC) power source and distribute power to the wireless charging transmitter. The plurality of transmitter coils include at least a first transmitter coil comprising: a first loop portion; a second loop portion; and a crossing portion comprising overlapping conductive paths that electrically couple the first loop portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Ritter, David B. Kosecoff, David S. Kumka, Madhusudanan Keezhveedi Sampath, Steven Charles Michalske, Tavys Q. Ashcroft, Aditya Rao, Ariadne Smith
  • Publication number: 20190190324
    Abstract: A wireless charging mat and method of operating the same. The wireless charging mat includes a detection system configured to determine a location and an orientation of an electronic device on the wireless charging mat. The location and orientation are determined based on detected locations of one or more structural features of the electronic device. The wireless charging mat is operated according to the detected location and orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Chad A. Bossetti, Christopher S. Graham, David W. Ritter, Todd K. Moyer, Steven G. Herbst, Shimon Elkayam, Nileshbhai J. Shah, Stephen C. Terry, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Patent number: 10277056
    Abstract: A wireless charging system including a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is formed of a coil of wire that includes a first loop portion, a second loop portion, and a crossing portion. The crossing portion electrically couples the first loop portion and the second loop portion such that when current is generated in the coil, electrical current flows through the first loop portion in a different rotational direction than in the second loop portion. The receiver is formed of a ferromagnetic core and multiple (e.g., three) coils disposed about the ferromagnetic core. Each coil may be disposed about a different axis of the core such that current may be induced in at least one of the coils by a magnetic field in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Ritter, David B. Kosecoff, David S. Kumka, Madhusudanan Keezhveedi Sampath, Steven Charles Michalske, Tavys Q. Ashcroft, Aditya Rao, Ariadne Smith
  • Publication number: 20190089183
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for communicating across an inductive charging interface. Methods and apparatuses for improved efficiency of power transfer across an inductive charging interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Alves, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Todd K. Moyer, Steven G. Herbst, David W. Ritter, Chad Bossetti, Terry Tikalsky
  • Patent number: 10116279
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for improved efficiency of power transfer across an inductive charging interface by adaptively changing the impedance of the receive coil in response to changes in load conditions during inductive power transfer are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Ritter, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Todd K. Moyer, Jeffrey M. Alves, Steven G. Herbst
  • Patent number: 10031078
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying a position of a moving object, regardless of static objects present in the optical field of an active infrared (IR) proximity detector, is provided. Moreover, a modulated light emitting diode (LED) signal is captured and processed through I/Q demodulation. Specifically, the reflections received at an IR sensor are demodulated to generate in-phase (I) and quadrature phase (Q) signals and the derivative of I/Q signals is obtained to isolate motion. For example, an I/Q domain differentiator or a high pass filter is employed to calculate the derivative, which actively remove the effects of all forms of static interference. Further, the phase of the derivative I/Q signals is determined and is utilized to reconstruct the distance at which the motion occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERSIL AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: David W. Ritter, Itaru Hiromi
  • Patent number: 9923383
    Abstract: A receiver device in a coupled coil system for wireless energy transfer includes a receiver coil and a load device operatively connected to the receiver coil and configured to receive a signal from the receiver coil. As one example, the load device is a rechargeable battery. An adjusting filter is included in the receiver device and is operatively connected between the receiver coil and the load device. The adjusting filter can be used to transform the effective resistance or impedance of the load as presented to the transformer during energy transfer so that the effective resistant or impedance of the load is maintained at a substantially constant level, and the signal received by the load device is maintained at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Ritter, Jeffrey M Alves, Todd K. Moyer, Steven G. Herbst
  • Patent number: 9837866
    Abstract: In an inductive energy transfer system, the phase of a signal that is applied to a transmitter coil to transfer energy is adjusted while energy is transferred from the transmitter device to a receiver device. The phase of the signal can be adjusted by changing a state of a DC-to-AC converter from a converting state to a non-converting state. The DC-to-AC converter outputs a signal that is applied to the transmitter coil when the DC-to-AC converter is in a converting state. A signal is not applied to the transmitter coil when the DC-to-AC converter is in a non-converting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Todd K. Moyer, Jeffrey M. Alves, Steven G. Herbst, David W. Ritter, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Patent number: 9813041
    Abstract: Wireless power transfer systems having improved power transfer efficiency are disclosed. A wireless power receiver may include an automatic impedance regulator that adjusts the effective input impedance of the receiver depending upon the power requirements of the receiver. For example, in certain embodiments, the impedance regulator is a boost converter. The boost converter may exploit the leakage inductance of the receive coil to boost the voltage output from the terminals of the receive coil. The effective input impedance may be substantially matched to the output impedance of the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Ritter
  • Publication number: 20170084250
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a color sensing ambient light sensor. The color sensing ambient light sensor may measure the color of ambient light. Control circuitry in the electronic device may use information from the color sensing ambient light sensor in adjusting a display in the electronic device or taking other action. The color sensing ambient light sensor may have light detectors with different spectral responses. A test system may be used to calibrate the color sensing light sensor. The test system may have a tunable light source with light-emitting diodes that are turned on in sequence while gathering measured responses from the detectors. Numerical optimization techniques may be used to produce final versions of the spectral responses for the light detectors from the measured responses and corresponding calibration data that is stored in the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Zhang Jia, Amy M. Winkler, Christopher S. Erickson, Zhen Zhang, David W. Ritter
  • Publication number: 20160372961
    Abstract: A wireless charging table comprising a table top having an upper surface upon which one or more electronic devices can be placed, a wireless charging transmitter positioned under the upper surface of the table top, the wireless charging transmitter comprising a plurality of transmitter coils that define a charging region at the upper surface of the table top, and a power distribution system operatively coupled to the wireless charging transmitter, the power distribution system configured to receive power from an alternating current (AC) power source and distribute power to the wireless charging transmitter. The plurality of transmitter coils include at least a first transmitter coil comprising: a first loop portion; a second loop portion; and a crossing portion comprising overlapping conductive paths that electrically couple the first loop portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Ritter, David B. Kosecoff, David S. Kumka, Madhusudanan Keezhveedi Sampath, Steven Charles Michalske, Tavys Q. Ashcroft, Aditya Rao, Ariadne Smith
  • Publication number: 20160372960
    Abstract: A wireless charging system including a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is formed of a coil of wire that includes a first loop portion, a second loop portion, and a crossing portion. The crossing portion electrically couples the first loop portion and the second loop portion such that when current is generated in the coil, electrical current flows through the first loop portion in a different rotational direction than in the second loop portion. The receiver is formed of a ferromagnetic core and multiple (e.g., three) coils disposed about the ferromagnetic core. Each coil may be disposed about a different axis of the core such that current may be induced in at least one of the coils by a magnetic field in any direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Ritter, David B. Kosecoff, David S. Kumka, Madhusudanan Keezhveedi Sampath, Steven Charles Michalske, Tavys Q. Ashcroft, Aditya Rao, Ariadne Smith
  • Publication number: 20160094074
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for communicating across an inductive charging interface. Methods and apparatuses for improved efficiency of power transfer across an inductive charging interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Alves, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Todd K. Moyer, Steven G. Herbst, David W. Ritter, Chad Bossetti, Terry Tikalsky
  • Patent number: 9250714
    Abstract: Described herein are optical proximity detectors, methods for use therewith, and systems including an optical proximity detector. Such optical proximity detectors include an analog front-end and a digital back-end. In certain embodiments, the digital back-end includes a dynamic gain and phase offset corrector, a cross-talk corrector, a phase and magnitude calculator, and a static phase offset corrector. The dynamic gain and phase offset corrector corrects for dynamic variations in gain and phase offset of the analog front-end due to changes in temperature and/or operating voltage levels. The crosstalk corrector corrects for electrical and/or optical crosstalk associated with the analog front-end. The phase and magnitude calculator calculates phase and magnitude values in dependence on the corrected versions of digital in-phase and quadrature-phase signals received from the analog front-end. The static phase offset corrector corrects for a static phase offset of the optical proximity detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: INTERSIL AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Itaru Hiromi, Philip V. Golden, David W. Ritter, Pradeep Bhardwaj, Steven Herbst, Warren Craddock
  • Publication number: 20150244341
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for improved efficiency of power transfer across an inductive charging interface by adaptively changing the impedance of the receive coil in response to changes in load conditions during inductive power transfer are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: David W. Ritter, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Todd K. Moyer, Jeffrey M. Alves, Steven G. Herbst