Patents by Inventor Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
Jeffrey J. Terlizzi 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).
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Publication number: 20180013312Abstract: An inductive charging system can include a transmitter device and a receiver device. The transmitter device may be adapted to detect when a receiver coil in the receiver device is coupled to a transmitter coil in the transmitter device. For example, the current input into a DC-to-AC converter in the transmitter device can be measured and coil coupling detected when the current equals or exceeds a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Todd K. Moyer, Chad A. Bossetti, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Patent number: 9866016Abstract: Power converters are provided that convert alternating current (AC) power to direct current (DC) power. A power converter may have multiple ports. Each port may have an associated connector with multiple power and data terminals. When an electronic device is connected to a given port, the electronic device draws DC power from the power converter. To ensure that the capacity of the power converter is not exceeded when multiple devices are connected to the ports of the power converter, the power converter may actively monitor its ports for active loads. Load detection circuitry can determine what number of ports are active. Control circuitry can compute a per-port available DC power level based on the number of active ports and can provide this information to connected devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Nicholas A. Sims
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Patent number: 9857872Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Jahan Minoo
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Patent number: 9838085Abstract: A stackable connector interface with magnetic retention for electronic devices and accessories can allow power and data to be transferred between one or more stacked connectors. Each interconnected stackable connector includes one or more magnetic elements, which magnetic elements have poles arranged to facilitate mating with other stackable connectors. The magnetic elements provide a magnetic retention force that holds mated connectors in contact with each other. In some embodiments, the connectors include connection detection circuitry for determining whether the connectors are mated with other connectors, thereby allowing the connectors to prevent live contacts from being exposed at an unmated surface of the connectors. In some embodiments, routing circuitry is included to determine how signals should be transferred between the interconnected stackable connectors and/or corresponding devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nathan P. Bosscher, Eric S. Jol, Albert J. Golko, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Jahan C. Minoo
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Patent number: 9837866Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Todd K. Moyer, Jeffrey M. Alves, Steven G. Herbst, David W. Ritter, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Publication number: 20170338603Abstract: An electronic device that includes a plug connector having a tab adapted to be inserted into a receptacle connector of a second device during a mating event, the tab including first and second opposing surfaces and a contact region formed at the first surface of the tab, the contact region including a plurality of contacts spaced apart along a first row, the plurality of contacts including a first contact, a power contact and a ground contact; a computer-readable memory having identification, configuration and authentication information relevant to the electronic device that can be communicated to the second device during a mating event stored therein; circuitry coupled to the first contact and configured to, after a mating event in which the plug connector is inserted into the receptacle connector, participate in a handshaking algorithm that includes receiving a command over the first contact from the second device and sending a response to the command that includes contact configuration information for theType: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Mathias W. Schmidt, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Patent number: 9806772Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer readable media that can facilitate the transfer of power between at least two electrical devices. At least one of the electrical devices is preferably a battery operated device. The present invention may also be used to facilitate the transfer of information among electrical devices. For example, the present invention may be used to automatically pair two Bluetooth devices together.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John Tang, Gregory Christie, Jesse L. Dorogusker, Donald Novotney, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Terry Tikalsky, Christopher D. McKillop, Stanley Rabu
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Publication number: 20170219641Abstract: An alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power converter may have a connector with a pair of power supply contacts and a pair of data contacts. An electronic device may be connected to the connector of the power converter. The power converter may supply DC power to the electronic device using the power supply contacts. The power converter may include control circuitry that has a resistor coupled across the data contacts. When the electronic device and the power converter are connected to each other, each may advertise to the other that capabilities are present that exceed industry standards. At the same time, standard-compliant discovery operations may be performed to probe the value of the resistance of the resistor that is coupled across the data contacts. When extended capabilities are discovered, extended functions may be performed including accelerated charging functions and data communications functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Alexei Kosut, Timothy Johnson, Barry Corlett
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Patent number: 9685814Abstract: An inductive charging system can include a transmitter device and a receiver device. The transmitter device may be adapted to detect when a receiver coil in the receiver device is coupled to a transmitter coil in the transmitter device. For example, the current input into a DC-to-AC converter in the transmitter device can be measured and coil coupling detected when the current equals or exceeds a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Todd K. Moyer, Chad A. Bossetti, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Patent number: 9680980Abstract: Electronic devices and accessories such as headsets for electronic devices are provided. A microphone may be included in an accessory to capture sound for an associated electronic device. Buttons and other user interfaces may be included in the accessories. An accessory may have an audio plug that connects to a mating audio jack in an electronic device, thereby establishing a wired communications link between the accessory and the electronic device. The electronic device may include power supply circuitry for applying bias voltages to the accessory. The bias voltages may bias a microphone and may adjust settings in the accessory such as settings related to operating modes. User input information may be conveyed between the accessory and the electronic device using ultrasonic tone transmission. The electronic device may also gather input from the accessory using a voltage detector coupled to lines in the communications path.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Wendell B. Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Douglas M. Farrar, Timothy Johnson, Brian Sander, Brian J. Conner, Jesse L. Dorogusker
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Patent number: 9667007Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jahan Minoo
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Patent number: 9652194Abstract: In an embodiment, a host computing device includes an internal display and also includes a connector to connect to an external display. A cable is provided to connect to the connector and to connect to the external display. The cable includes video processing capabilities. For example, the cable may include a memory configured to store a frame buffer. The frame buffer may store a frame of video data for further processing by the video processing device in the cable. The video processing device may manipulate the frame in a variety of ways, e.g. scaling, rotating, gamma correction, dither correction, etc.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2012Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Anup K. Sharma, Scott P. Krueger, James M. Hollabaugh, Roberto G. Yepez, Brijesh Tripathi, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Patent number: 9651593Abstract: An alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power converter may have a connector with a pair of power supply contacts and a pair of data contacts. An electronic device may be connected to the connector of the power converter. The power converter may supply DC power to the electronic device using the power supply contacts. The power converter may include control circuitry that has a resistor coupled across the data contacts. When the electronic device and the power converter are connected to each other, each may advertise to the other that capabilities are present that exceed industry standards. At the same time, standard-compliant discovery operations may be performed to probe the value of the resistance of the resistor that is coupled across the data contacts. When extended capabilities are discovered, extended functions may be performed including accelerated charging functions and data communications functions.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Alexei Kosut, Timothy Johnson, Barry Corlett
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Publication number: 20170133792Abstract: Connector systems that may facilitate the insertion of connector inserts into connector receptacles, may eliminate the need for dedicated contacts to detect a connection, and may provide connector inserts that are rotatable even when the functions of the contacts on the connector inserts are not symmetrical.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Charles W. Werley, George V. Anastas, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Robert D. Zupke, Scott Krueger, Todd K. Moyer, Zachary C. Rich, Jahan C. Minoo
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Patent number: 9647398Abstract: 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. Each individual contact in the first plurality of contacts is electrically connected within the tab or body to a corresponding contact in the second plurality of contacts. In some embodiments contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are directly opposite each other are coupled together. In some other embodiments, contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are in a cater cornered relationship with each other are coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Mathias W. Schmidt, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Publication number: 20170115743Abstract: A docking station configured to mate to an electronic device enables methods of interacting with the electronic device by impacting (e.g., knocking) on a table on which the device and/or the docking station are disposed and by means of contactless gestures. The electronic device may remain in a powered off state while the docking station continuously monitors for user input. The docking station may have a processor that is capable of detecting a user's impact and contactless gesture inputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2017Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Darshan R. Kasar, Greg Nayman, Robert Doran Watson, James L. McPeak, Edwin Foo, Albert Golko, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Patent number: 9575508Abstract: A docking station configured to mate to an electronic device enables methods of interacting with the electronic device by impacting (e.g., knocking) on a table on which the device and/or the docking station are disposed and by means of contactless gestures. The electronic device may remain in a powered off state while the docking station continuously monitors for user input. The docking station may have a processor that is capable of detecting a user's impact and contactless gesture inputs.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Darshan R. Kasar, Greg Nayman, Robert Doran Watson, James L. McPeak, Edwin Foo, Albert Golko, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Publication number: 20170033496Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 9535456Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing universal dock may support a variety of electronic devices of different shapes and designs while appearing to be customized to individually support each electronic device. The universal dock may support an electronic device using a support layer that may include any suitable material, including, for example, an array of vertical members, an elastic sponge-like substance, or any other suitable material. The compression of the support layer may be retained for future use with the electronic device, or the compression may be relieved, once the electronic device is removed from the universal dock.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Patent number: 9537353Abstract: Methods and systems for improved efficiency when an inductive power transmitter associated with an inductive power transfer system experiences a low-load or no-load condition. More particularly, methods and systems for detecting when an inductive power receiver is absent or poorly connected to an inductive power transmitter. The inductive power transmitter includes, in one example, a current peak monitor coupled to an inductive power transmit coil. The current peak monitor waits for a current peak resulting from spatial displacement of a magnetic field source within the inductive power receiver, indicating to the inductive power transmitter that the inductive power receiver is moving, or has moved, toward the inductive power transmitter. Other examples include one or more Hall effect sensors within the inductive power transmitter to monitor for the magnetic field source of the inductive power receiver.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Chad A. Bossetti, Jeffrey M. Alves, Albert J. Golko, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Christopher S. Graham, Steven G. Herbst