Patents by Inventor Ibuki Kamei

Ibuki Kamei 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: 20180351393
    Abstract: An inductive coupling assembly for an electronic device is disclosed. The system may include an electronic device having an enclosure, and an internal inductive charging assembly positioned within the enclosure. The internal inductive charging assembly may include a receive inductive coil positioned within the enclosure. The system may also include a charger in electrical communication with the internal inductive charging assembly of the electronic device. The charger may include a transmit inductive coil aligned with the receive inductive coil. The transmit inductive coil may be configured to be in electrical communication with the receive inductive coil. Additionally, the system can include an inductive coupling assembly positioned between the electronic device and the charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Graham, Ibuki Kamei, Timothy J. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 10082840
    Abstract: An accessory device including a foldable cover, a keyboard assembly coupled to the foldable cover and including a plurality of individually depressible keys, an attachment feature connected to the enclosure and configured to magnetically couple the accessory device with the electronic device. The attachment feature includes an exterior surface, a plurality of openings formed through the exterior surface, a plurality of movable contacts corresponding in number to the plurality of openings, each movable contact extending out of one of the plurality of openings, and an alignment feature comprising at least one magnet positioned adjacent to the plurality of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hani Esmaeili, Oliver Ross, Brett Degner, Daniel Wagman, Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Mahmoud R. Amini
  • Patent number: 10062492
    Abstract: The following examples and embodiments are directed to an induction coil that can be used in a variety of applications, including, for example, induction charging systems. In one example, an induction coil is configured to couple an electrical field between a base device and a mobile device in an inductive charge system. The induction coil includes a coil substrate formed by a molding process. The induction coil also includes a shield element disposed within the coil substrate. The shield element may be formed within the coil substrate as part of the molding process. A conductive winding is also formed within a surface of the coil substrate. In some cases, the coil substrate is formed by an injection-molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Wagman, Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei
  • Publication number: 20180226747
    Abstract: This application relates to magnetically actuated electrical connectors. The electrical connectors includes movable magnetic elements that move in response to an externally applied magnetic field. In some embodiments, the electrical connectors includes recessed contacts that move from a recessed position to an engaged position in response to an externally applied magnetic field associated with an electronic device to which the connector is designed to be coupled. In some embodiments, the external magnetic field has a particular polarity pattern configured to draw contacts associated with a matching polarity pattern out of the recessed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hani Esmaeili, Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Daniel C. Wagman, Albert J. Golko, Mahmoud R. Amini, Mani Razaghi Kashani
  • Patent number: 9977460
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a device enclosure having an exterior surface; a contact area positioned at the exterior surface and having first and second ends, the contact area having a plurality of contacts arranged between the first and second ends and substantially flush with the exterior surface; and an alignment feature within the enclosure comprising first and second magnets positioned on opposing sides of the contact area, the first magnet positioned adjacent to the first end of the contact area and the second magnet positioned adjacent to the second end of the contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Wagman, Oliver Ross, Eric S. Jol, Hani Esmaeili, Brett Degner, Ibuki Kamei
  • Patent number: 9941627
    Abstract: This application relates to magnetically actuated electrical connectors. The electrical connectors includes movable magnetic elements that move in response to an externally applied magnetic field. In some embodiments, the electrical connectors includes recessed contacts that move from a recessed position to an engaged position in response to an externally applied magnetic field associated with an electronic device to which the connector is designed to be coupled. In some embodiments, the external magnetic field has a particular polarity pattern configured to draw contacts associated with a matching polarity pattern out of the recessed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hani Esmaeili, Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Daniel C. Wagman, Albert J. Golko, Mahmoud R. Amini, Mani Razaghi Kashani
  • Publication number: 20180092241
    Abstract: An electronic device case with a thermal dissipation system is disclosed. The electronic device case is configured to draw heat out of an electronic device disposed therein. The electronic device case includes a connector plug configured to engage a connector receptacle of the electronic device. The thermal dissipation system includes a thermally conductive pathway that both transfers heat to a heat spreader and electrically couples the electronic device to an electrical component within the electronic device case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Timothy J. Rasmussen, Ibuki Kamei, Ian P. Colahan
  • Patent number: 9853507
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically aligning a power-transmitting inductor with a power-receiving inductor. One embodiment includes multiple permanent magnets coupled to and arranged on a surface of a movable assembly accommodating a power-transmitting inductor. The permanent magnets encourage the movable assembly to freely move and/or rotate via magnetic attraction to correspondingly arranged magnets within an accessory containing a power-receiving inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Warren Z. Jones
  • Publication number: 20170364125
    Abstract: An accessory device including a foldable cover, a keyboard assembly coupled to the foldable cover and including a plurality of individually depressible keys, an attachment feature connected to the enclosure and configured to magnetically couple the accessory device with the electronic device. The attachment feature includes an exterior surface, a plurality of openings formed through the exterior surface, a plurality of movable contacts corresponding in number to the plurality of openings, each movable contact extending out of one of the plurality of openings, and an alignment feature comprising at least one magnet positioned adjacent to the plurality of openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Hani Esmaeili, Oliver Ross, Brett Degner, Daniel Wagman, Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Mahmoud R. Amini
  • Patent number: 9778705
    Abstract: An accessory device comprising: an enclosure; one or more electrical components positioned within or attached to the enclosure; an attachment feature connected to the enclosure and configured to magnetically couple the accessory device with the electronic device, the attachment feature comprising: an exterior surface; a corresponding plurality of openings formed through the exterior surface; a plurality of movable contacts corresponding in number to the plurality of openings, each movable contact extending out of one of the plurality of openings; one or more biasing members operatively coupled to the plurality of movable contacts to bias the contacts such that a contacting portion of each contact protrudes beyond the exterior surface of the attachment feature through its respective opening; and an alignment feature comprising at least one magnet positioned adjacent to the plurality of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Hani Esmaeili, Oliver Ross, Brett Degner, Daniel Wagman, Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Mahmoud R. Amini
  • Publication number: 20170205847
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a device enclosure having an exterior surface; a contact area positioned at the exterior surface and having first and second ends, the contact area having a plurality of contacts arranged between the first and second ends and substantially flush with the exterior surface; and an alignment feature within the enclosure comprising first and second magnets positioned on opposing sides of the contact area, the first magnet positioned adjacent to the first end of the contact area and the second magnet positioned adjacent to the second end of the contact area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel Wagman, Oliver Ross, Eric S. Jol, Hani Esmaeili, Brett Degner, Ibuki Kamei
  • Patent number: 9692186
    Abstract: A high-speed electrical connector employs a plurality of electrical contacts held together by a dielectric frame. The contacts are electrically coupled to a substrate within the connector. A gasket may be disposed between the dielectric frame and the substrate and configured to block the flow of an overmold material between the dielectric frame and the substrate such that voids are formed between the contacts. The dielectric frame and the overmold may be made from materials containing silica aerogel. The voids and the aerogel materials result in reduced parasitic capacitance between the contacts enabling higher data transfer speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric T. SooHoo, Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei
  • Patent number: 9643272
    Abstract: A method for connecting or terminating wires to a printed circuit is disclosed. The method includes applying layers, such as a first layer and a second layer, to the printed circuit. The first layer is applied over several active components on the printed circuit, and provides a sealant against ingress of contaminants in the active components. The second layer is a rigid layer applied over the first layer. When the printed circuit is placed in a fixture, a metallic element, such as a thermode or hot bar, presses against the wires to hold the wires against several terminals on the printed circuit. The metallic element is heated to melt solder between the wires and the terminals. The second layer is configured to resist compressive forces from the metallic element and the fixture, such that the printed circuit and the active components are not damaged during the connection process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Chiu-Yu Tang, Ibuki Kamei, Timothy J. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 9634426
    Abstract: An electronic device has a self-healing elastomer applied over one or more external electronic connectors. The self-healing elastomer may obscure the electronic connectors from the user as well as provide environmental protection for the connector and the electronic device. Electronic probes may temporarily penetrate the self-healing elastomer to mate with the electronic connector. After removal of the probes the self-healing elastomer may elastically reform and self-heal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David I. Nazzaro, Tyler S. Bushnell, Ibuki Kamei
  • Publication number: 20170093087
    Abstract: This application relates to magnetically actuated electrical connectors. The electrical connectors includes movable magnetic elements that move in response to an externally applied magnetic field. In some embodiments, the electrical connectors includes recessed contacts that move from a recessed position to an engaged position in response to an externally applied magnetic field associated with an electronic device to which the connector is designed to be coupled. In some embodiments, the external magnetic field has a particular polarity pattern configured to draw contacts associated with a matching polarity pattern out of the recessed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Hani Esmaeili, Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Daniel C. Wagman, Albert J. Golko, Mahmoud R. Amini, Mani Razaghi Kashani
  • Publication number: 20170068276
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a device enclosure having an exterior surface; a contact area positioned at the exterior surface and having first and second ends, the contact area having a plurality of contacts arranged between the first and second ends and substantially flush with the exterior surface; and an alignment feature within the enclosure comprising first and second magnets positioned on opposing sides of the contact area, the first magnet positioned adjacent to the first end of the contact area and the second magnet positioned adjacent to the second end of the contact area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Wagman, Oliver Ross, Eric S. Jol, Hiva Esmaeili, Brett Degner, Ibuki Kamei
  • Publication number: 20170068286
    Abstract: An accessory device comprising: an enclosure; one or more electrical components positioned within or attached to the enclosure; an attachment feature connected to the enclosure and configured to magnetically couple the accessory device with the electronic device, the attachment feature comprising: an exterior surface; a corresponding plurality of openings formed through the exterior surface; a plurality of movable contacts corresponding in number to the plurality of openings, each movable contact extending out of one of the plurality of openings; one or more biasing members operatively coupled to the plurality of movable contacts to bias the contacts such that a contacting portion of each contact protrudes beyond the exterior surface of the attachment feature through its respective opening; and an alignment feature comprising at least one magnet positioned adjacent to the plurality of openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Hiva Esmaeili, Oliver Ross, Brett Degner, Daniel Wagman, Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Mahmoud R. Amini
  • Patent number: 9485862
    Abstract: An electronic device has structures such as substrates and internal housing structures. The substrates may be rigid substrates such as rigid printed circuit boards and flexible substrates such as flexible printed circuits, flexible touch sensor substrates, and flexible display substrates. Carbon nanotubes may be patterned to form carbon nanotube signal paths on the substrates. The signal paths may resist cracking when bent. A flexible structure such as a flexible printed circuit may have carbon nanotube signal paths interposed between polymer layers. Openings in a polymer layer may expose metal solder pads on the carbon nanotube signal paths. A stiffener may be provided under the metal solder pads. Polymer materials in the flexible structure may be molded to form bends. Bends may be formed along edges of a touch sensor or display or may be formed in a flexible printed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ibuki Kamei, Timothy J. Rasmussen, Trent K. Do
  • Patent number: 9479007
    Abstract: An inductive charging system and method is disclosed. A ferrofluid layer is disposed between the charging coil and the receiving coil. The ferrofluid layer directs and focuses the magnetic flux field flowing between the charging coil and the receiving coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Warren Z. Jones
  • Publication number: 20160204537
    Abstract: An electronic device has a self-healing elastomer applied over one or more external electronic connectors. The self-healing elastomer may obscure the electronic connectors from the user as well as provide environmental protection for the connector and the electronic device. Electronic probes may temporarily penetrate the self-healing elastomer to mate with the electronic connector. After removal of the probes the self-healing elastomer may elastically reform and self-heal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David I. Nazzaro, Tyler S. Bushnell, Ibuki Kamei