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: 11923702
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
  • Patent number: 11824377
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
  • Publication number: 20230017571
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
  • Patent number: 10965142
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
  • Publication number: 20210013740
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
  • Patent number: 10256036
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul A. Martinez, Ming Y. Tsai, Federico P. Centola, Martin Schauer, Cheung-Wei Lam, Jason C. Sauers
  • Patent number: 10199172
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Martinez, Jason C. Sauers, Cheung-Wei Lam, Federico P. Centola, Andro Radchenko, Martin Schauer
  • Publication number: 20180090970
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
  • Publication number: 20180068784
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Paul A. Martinez, Ming Y. Tsai, Federico P. Centola, Martin Schauer, Cheung-Wei Lam, Jason C. Sauers
  • Publication number: 20170207028
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Paul A. Martinez, Jason C. Sauers, Cheung-Wei Lam, Federico P. Centola, Andro Radchenko, Martin Schauer