Patents by Inventor Jahan Minoo

Jahan Minoo 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: 11601756
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a pair of headphones may be provided with left and right speakers for playing audio to a user. Control circuitry in the electronic device may play audio through the speakers in an unreversed configuration in which left channel audio is played through a first of the speakers that is adjacent to a left ear of the user and right channel audio is played through a second of the speakers that is adjacent to a right ear of the user or a reversed configuration in which these channel assignments are reversed. The headphones may have ear cups that house the speakers. Capacitive touch sensors, force sensors, and other sensors on the ear cups may measure ear shapes and finger grip positions on the ear cups to determine whether to operate in the unreversed or reversed configuration. Sensors may gather gestures and other user touch input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Peterson, Daniel D. Sunshine, Yohji Hamada, Daniel A. Podhajny, Kathryn P. Crews, Jahan Minoo, David M. Kindlon
  • Patent number: 10637192
    Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias W. Schmidt, Eric S. Jol, Jahan Minoo, Ian Spraggs, Cameron Frazier, Fletcher Rothkopf, Jonathan Aase, Wendell Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Publication number: 20200037077
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a pair of headphones may be provided with left and right speakers for playing audio to a user. Control circuitry in the electronic device may play audio through the speakers in an unreversed configuration in which left channel audio is played through a first of the speakers that is adjacent to a left ear of the user and right channel audio is played through a second of the speakers that is adjacent to a right ear of the user or a reversed configuration in which these channel assignments are reversed. The headphones may have ear cups that house the speakers. Capacitive touch sensors, force sensors, and other sensors on the ear cups may measure ear shapes and finger grip positions on the ear cups to determine whether to operate in the unreversed or reversed configuration. Sensors may gather gestures and other user touch input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Peterson, Daniel D. Sunshine, Yohji Hamada, Daniel A. Podhajny, Kathryn P. Crews, Jahan Minoo
  • Publication number: 20180367881
    Abstract: Two connected electronic devices may use a controller and two power converters to share battery charge. The two electronic devices may share charge after one electronic device's battery is completely discharged. In the alternative, the two electronic devices may compare the relative age of the two batteries and if the age difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, the younger battery may share charge until it is insufficiently charged to power both electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Zupke, Crystal Knodel, Jahan Minoo, Roderick Bacon, Shiying Zhang, Lionel Barrow
  • Publication number: 20180366872
    Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias W. Schmidt, Eric S. Jol, Jahan Minoo, Ian Spraggs, Cameron Frazier, Fletcher Rothkopf, Jonathan Aase, Wendell Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Patent number: 10090619
    Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias W. Schmidt, Eric S. Jol, Jahan Minoo, Ian Spraggs, Cameron Frazier, Fletcher Rothkopf, Jonathan Aase, Wendell Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Publication number: 20180145452
    Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias W. Schmidt, Eric S. Jol, Jahan Minoo, Ian Spraggs, Cameron Frazier, Fletcher Rothkopf, Jonathan Aase, Wendell Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Patent number: 9871319
    Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias Schmidt, Eric S. Jol, Jahan Minoo, Ian Spraggs, Cameron Frazier, Fletcher Rothkopf, Jonathan Aase, Wendell Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Patent number: 9857872
    Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable media, and other means are described for utilizing touch-based input components that provide localized haptic feedback to a user. The touch-based input components can be used and/or integrated into any type of electronic device, including laptop computers, cellular telephones, and portable media devices. The touch-based input components can use, for example, a grid of piezoelectric actuators to provide vibrational feedback to a user, while the user scrolls around a click wheel, slides across a trackpad, or touches a multi-touch display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Jahan Minoo
  • Patent number: 9667007
    Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring contacts of a first connector includes detecting mating of a second connector with the first connector and in response to the detection, sending a command over one of the contacts and waiting for a response to the command. If a valid response to the command is received, the system determines the orientation of the second connector. The response also includes configuration information for contacts in the second connector. The system then configures some of the other contacts of the first connector based on the determined orientation and configuration information of the contacts of the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jahan Minoo
  • Publication number: 20170033496
    Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias Schmidt, Eric S. Jol, Jahan Minoo, Ian Spraggs, Cameron Frazier, Fletcher Rothkopf, Jonathan Aase, Wendell Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Patent number: 9478905
    Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias Schmidt, Eric Jol, Jahan Minoo, Ian Spraggs, Cameron Frazier, Fletcher Rothkopf, Jonathan Aase, Wendell Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Patent number: 9293876
    Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring contacts of a first connector includes detecting mating of a second connector with the first connector and in response to the detection, sending a command over one of the contacts and waiting for a response to the command. If a valid response to the command is received, the system determines the orientation of the second connector. The response also includes configuration information for contacts in the second connector. The system then configures some of the other contacts of the first connector based on the determined orientation and configuration information of the contacts of the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jahan Minoo
  • Patent number: 9237401
    Abstract: Electronic devices may provide microphone bias voltages to accessories. The accessories may include circuitry powered from the microphone bias voltages. The output impedances and the voltages of the microphone bias voltages may be adjusted during operation of the electronic devices. An electronic device may provide a bias voltage to an accessory, may lower the output impedance of the bias voltage, and may increase the voltage of the bias voltage during operation of the electronic device. Accessories that received bias voltages with lowered impedances or raised voltage levels may exhibit greater tolerance to faults such as moisture-based shorts and may be able to continue operating even in the presence of some faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yash Modi, Brian Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Jahan Minoo, Wendell B. Sander
  • Patent number: 9232302
    Abstract: Microphone assemblies may be provided that have microelectromechanical systems microphones and associated application-specific integrated circuits mounted to printed circuit boards. The application-specific integrated circuits may contain amplifier circuitry for amplifying microphone signals from the microphone. One or more though-silicon vias may be formed in the application-specific integrated circuit that serve as an acoustic port through which sound may pass. The application-specific integrated circuit may be embedded in the printed circuit board and the microphone may be mounted to the upper surface of the printed circuit board, the application-specific integrated circuit and microphone may be stacked on the upper surface of the printed circuit board, or the microphone and application-specific integrated circuit may be mounted to the printed circuit board so that the microphone is received within an opening in the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jahan Minoo, Nicholas C. Seroff
  • Patent number: 9166345
    Abstract: A system that detects electrical disconnection of one connector from another connector includes a detection circuitry and a protection circuitry. The detection circuitry detects that a plug connector has been electrically disconnected from a corresponding receptacle connector. In response to the detection, the detection circuitry sends a signal to the protection circuitry. In response to the signal, the protection circuitry lowers or terminates power being supplied to a host device via one of the contacts of the plug connector. This helps to prevent shocks/shorts that may be caused by accidental disconnection of the plug connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Jahan Minoo
  • Publication number: 20150155657
    Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias Schmidt, Eric Jol, Jahan Minoo, Ian Spraggs, Cameron Frazier, Fletcher Rothkopf, Jonathan Aase, Wendell Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Patent number: 8998632
    Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias W. Schmidt, Eric S. Jol, Jahan Minoo, Ian Spraggs, Cameron Frazier, Fletcher Rothkopf, Jonathan Aase, Wendell Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Publication number: 20150004840
    Abstract: A system that detects electrical disconnection of one connector from another connector includes a detection circuitry and a protection circuitry. The detection circuitry detects that a plug connector has been electrically disconnected from a corresponding receptacle connector. In response to the detection, the detection circuitry sends a signal to the protection circuitry. In response to the signal, the protection circuitry lowers or terminates power being supplied to a host device via one of the contacts of the plug connector. This helps to prevent shocks/shorts that may be caused by accidental disconnection of the plug connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Jahan Minoo
  • Patent number: 8898348
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting connection of a host device by an accessory device are provided. The accessory device outputs a pulsed voltage/current on its power contact and measure the voltage at the power contact in response to the pulsed voltage/current. If the measured voltage reaches a certain value at or after the expiration of a predetermined time, then the accessory concludes that a host device is connected to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jahan Minoo, Zachary Rich