Patents by Inventor Joseph R. Fisher, Jr.
Joseph R. Fisher, Jr. 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: 20140218045Abstract: Techniques for detecting mating and un-mating of a first connector with a second connector include providing a pulsed voltage signal at a contact of the second connector and measuring a rate of rise of voltage at the contact. If the measured voltage at the contact exceeds a threshold voltage during the time the pulsed voltage signal is applied, then it is concluded that the first connector is not present and not mated with the second connector. If the measured voltage is lower than or equal to the threshold voltage during the time of application of the voltage pulse, it is concluded that the first connector is present and mated with the second connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Eugene L. Shoykhet, Brian C. Menzel, Yehonatan Perez, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Jahan C. Minoo, Kevin M. Keeler
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Publication number: 20140085850Abstract: Electronic devices may contain electrical systems in which electrical components are mounted on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. The electrical components may include surface mount technology components. Multiple surface mount technology components may be stacked on top of each other and beside each other to form an electrical component that minimizes the amount of area that is consumed on a printed circuit board. Noise suppression circuits and other circuits may be implemented using stacked surface mount technology components. Surface mount technology components placed on the printed circuit board may be pushed together and subsequently injection molded to form packed component groups. An integrated circuit may be mounted to the printed circuit board via an interposer and may cover components mounted to the printed circuit board. An integrated circuit may be mounted over a recessed portion of the printed circuit board on which components are mounted.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Inventors: Xingqun Li, Carlos Ribas, Dennis R. Pyper, James H. Foster, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Scott P. Mullins, Sean A. Mayo, Wyeman Chen
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Publication number: 20140035856Abstract: A touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds is provided. When the button is depressed to a first depression threshold, the touch sensor can be switched from a low-power, non-sensing state to a sensing state. When the button is depressed to a second depression threshold, the touch sensor can sense the touch context and input can be generated based on the depression and the touch context. In this way, the touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds can facilitate timely switching of the touch sensor to a sensing state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Louis W. BOKMA, Joseph R. FISHER, JR., Saket VORA
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Patent number: 8581870Abstract: A touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds is provided. When the button is depressed to a first depression threshold, the touch sensor can be switched from a low-power, non-sensing state to a sensing state. When the button is depressed to a second depression threshold, the touch sensor can sense the touch context and input can be generated based on the depression and the touch context. In this way, the touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds can facilitate timely switching of the touch sensor to a sensing state.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Louis W. Bokma, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Saket Vora
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Patent number: 8581449Abstract: A portable power source is configured for use with an electronic device. The portable power source cooperates and communicates with the electronic device via a peripheral bus to which the electronic device is attachable. The portable power source includes circuitry to process a power request signal from the electronic device to determine whether a device connected to a bus interface of the portable power source is requesting power from the portable power source.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2010Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David John Tupman, Doug M. Farrar, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Jesse L. Dorogusker, Donald J. Novotney
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Publication number: 20130141342Abstract: A touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds is provided. When the button is depressed to a first depression threshold, the touch sensor can be switched from a low-power, non-sensing state to a sensing state. When the button is depressed to a second depression threshold, the touch sensor can sense the touch context and input can be generated based on the depression and the touch context. In this way, the touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds can facilitate timely switching of the touch sensor to a sensing state.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Inventors: Louis W. BOKMA, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Saket Vora
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Publication number: 20130108065Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided with audio circuits and controller circuitry configured to support test mode operations. A connector such as a reversible connector may be inserted into a mating device connector in an electronic device. The reversible connector may be connected to the device connector in either a normal orientation or a reversed orientation in which the reversible connector is rotated 180° with respect to the normal orientation. During test mode operations, a tester may be coupled to the device connector using the reversible connector. The tester may generate voltages, resistances, time-varying signals, or other input that directs the device to configure switching circuitry to support testing. Monitoring circuitry in the device may be used to detect input from the tester. In response to detected input from the tester, the switching circuitry may be adjusted to couple the controller to the device connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Inventors: Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Brian J. Conner, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Dustin J. Verhoeve, Saket R. Vora, Erturk D. Kocalar, Casey Hardy, Adriane S. Niehaus
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Publication number: 20130108063Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided with audio circuits and circuitry configured to support communications and test mode operations. During normal operation, a connector such as an audio connector may be inserted into a connector port in an electronic device. The audio connector may be associated with a headset or other accessory and may be used to carry audio signals. During test mode operations, a tester may be coupled to the connector port using an audio connector. The tester may generate voltages, resistances, time-varying signals, or other input that directs the device to configure switching circuitry to support testing. Monitoring circuitry in the device may be used to detect input from the tester. In response to detected input from the tester, the switching circuitry may be adjusted to couple a control circuit that supports test mode operations to the audio connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Inventors: Dustin J. Verhoeve, Saket R. Vora, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Erturk D. Kocalar, Casey Hardy, Brian J. Conner, Adriane S. Niehaus
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Publication number: 20130108064Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided with audio circuits and circuitry configured to support communications and test mode operations. During normal operation, a standards-compliant connector such as an audio connector may be inserted into a connector port in an electronic device. The audio connector may be associated with a headset or other accessory and may be used to carry audio signals. During test mode operations, a nonstandard test connector may be inserted into the connector port. The electronic device may detect the presence of the nonstandard connector and may direct the electronic device to operate in a testing mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Inventors: Erturk D. Kocalar, Dustin J. Verhoeve, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Brian J. Conner, Casey Hardy, Adriane S. Niehaus, Saket R. Vora
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Patent number: 8171318Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems, methods and computer program products relate to using information stored in a flash memory to adjust the operating voltage supplied to the flash memory. The voltage information indicates a minimum operating voltage at which to operate the flash memory device. In general, operating a flash memory device near a minimal operating voltage may substantially minimize power consumption. The minimum operating voltage for individual flash memory devices may vary from IC to IC, by manufacturing lot, and by manufacturer. In a product, the minimum operating voltage for a particular flash memory may be determined, for example, by a controller built-in to a flash memory reporting (automatically or in response to a query) the minimum operating voltage (e.g., 2.5 V, 3.15 V) to a memory controller or microprocessor. The stored voltage information may further include information to adjust the operating voltage based on temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Cornwell, Christopher P. Dudte, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100327664Abstract: A portable power source is configured for use with an electronic device. The portable power source cooperates and communicates with the electronic device via a peripheral bus to which the electronic device is attachable. The portable power source includes circuitry to process a power request signal from the electronic device to determine whether a device connected to a bus interface of the portable power source is requesting power from the portable power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: David John Tupman, Doug M. Farrar, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Jesse L. Dorogusker, Donald J. Novotney
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Publication number: 20100162012Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems, methods and computer program products relate to using information stored in a flash memory to adjust the operating voltage supplied to the flash memory. The voltage information indicates a minimum operating voltage at which to operate the flash memory device. In general, operating a flash memory device near a minimal operating voltage may substantially minimize power consumption. The minimum operating voltage for individual flash memory devices may vary from IC to IC, by manufacturing lot, and by manufacturer. In a product, the minimum operating voltage for a particular flash memory may be determined, for example, by a controller built-in to a flash memory reporting (automatically or in response to a query) the minimum operating voltage (e.g., 2.5 V, 3.15 V) to a memory controller or microprocessor. The stored voltage information may further include information to adjust the operating voltage based on temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2010Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Cornwell, Christopher P. Dudte, Joseph R. Fisher, JR.
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Patent number: 7702935Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems, methods and computer program products relate to using information stored in a flash memory to adjust the operating voltage supplied to the flash memory. The voltage information indicates a minimum operating voltage at which to operate the flash memory device. In general, operating a flash memory device near a minimal operating voltage may substantially minimize power consumption. The minimum operating voltage for individual flash memory devices may vary from IC to IC, by manufacturing lot, and by manufacturer. In a product, the minimum operating voltage for a particular flash memory may be determined, for example, by a controller built-in to a flash memory reporting (automatically or in response to a query) the minimum operating voltage (e.g., 2.5 V, 3.15 V) to a memory controller or microprocessor. The stored voltage information may further include information to adjust the operating voltage based on temperature.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Cornwell, Christopher P. Dudte, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090189460Abstract: A portable power source is configured for use with an electronic device. The portable power source cooperates and communicates with the electronic device via a peripheral bus to which the electronic device is attachable. The portable power source includes circuitry to process a power request signal from the electronic device to determine whether a device connected to a bus interface of the portable power source is requesting power from the portable power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2009Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: David John Tupman, Doug M. Farrar, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Jesse L. Dorogusker, Donald J. Novotney
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Patent number: 7525216Abstract: A portable power source is configured for use with an electronic device. The portable power source cooperates and communicates with the electronic device via a peripheral bus to which the electronic device is attachable. The portable power source includes circuitry to process a power request signal from the electronic device to determine whether a device connected to a bus interface of the portable power source is requesting power from the portable power source.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David John Tupman, Doug M. Farrar, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Jesse L. Dorogusker, Donald J. Novotney