Patents by Inventor Federico P. Centola
Federico P. Centola 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: 11923702Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
-
Patent number: 11824377Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
-
Publication number: 20230017571Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
-
Patent number: 10965142Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
-
Publication number: 20210013740Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
-
Patent number: 10256036Abstract: A system includes a circuit board, an inductor including windings mounted on the circuit board, and a plurality of magnetic field containment devices. Each magnetic field containment device includes an independent electrical circuit that is not directly electrically connected via a conductor to any other magnetic field containment device. Each magnetic field containment device also includes a material of a certain relative permeability. Each magnetic field containment device at least partially surrounds the inductor and, in operation, at least partially contains a magnetic B-Field generated by electrical current in the windings of the inductor. The plurality of magnetic field containment devices, in operation, enables a certain saturation current in the inductor.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Paul A. Martinez, Ming Y. Tsai, Federico P. Centola, Martin Schauer, Cheung-Wei Lam, Jason C. Sauers
-
Patent number: 10199172Abstract: Methods and devices related to fabrication and utilization of multilayer capacitors presenting coaxially arranged electrode layers. The capacitors may be self-shielded against electromagnetic interference with neighboring components. The capacitors may have reduced losses from fringing effects when compared to conventional capacitors. The coaxial capacitors may be two-terminal multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC). The design of the capacitors may facilitate an improved relationship between the electric and magnetic fields generated by the capacitor within the dielectric in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the placement of the terminals may lead to a cancelation of mutual inductances between the electrodes. Terminations that facilitate the coupling of the capacitor to a circuit board, as well as methods for fabrication of the capacitors are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Martinez, Jason C. Sauers, Cheung-Wei Lam, Federico P. Centola, Andro Radchenko, Martin Schauer
-
Publication number: 20180090970Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
-
Publication number: 20180068784Abstract: A system includes a circuit board, an inductor including windings mounted on the circuit board, and a plurality of magnetic field containment devices. Each magnetic field containment device includes an independent electrical circuit that is not directly electrically connected via a conductor to any other magnetic field containment device. Each magnetic field containment device also includes a material of a certain relative permeability. Each magnetic field containment device at least partially surrounds the inductor and, in operation, at least partially contains a magnetic B-Field generated by electrical current in the windings of the inductor. The plurality of magnetic field containment devices, in operation, enables a certain saturation current in the inductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Paul A. Martinez, Ming Y. Tsai, Federico P. Centola, Martin Schauer, Cheung-Wei Lam, Jason C. Sauers
-
Publication number: 20170207028Abstract: Methods and devices related to fabrication and utilization of multilayer capacitors presenting coaxially arranged electrode layers. The capacitors may be self-shielded against electromagnetic interference with neighboring components. The capacitors may have reduced losses from fringing effects when compared to conventional capacitors. The coaxial capacitors may be two-terminal multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC). The design of the capacitors may facilitate an improved relationship between the electric and magnetic fields generated by the capacitor within the dielectric in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the placement of the terminals may lead to a cancelation of mutual inductances between the electrodes. Terminations that facilitate the coupling of the capacitor to a circuit board, as well as methods for fabrication of the capacitors are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2016Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Paul A. Martinez, Jason C. Sauers, Cheung-Wei Lam, Federico P. Centola, Andro Radchenko, Martin Schauer