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).

  • Publication number: 20140218045
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene L. Shoykhet, Brian C. Menzel, Yehonatan Perez, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Jahan C. Minoo, Kevin M. Keeler
  • Publication number: 20140085850
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Xingqun Li, Carlos Ribas, Dennis R. Pyper, James H. Foster, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Scott P. Mullins, Sean A. Mayo, Wyeman Chen
  • Publication number: 20140035856
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Louis W. BOKMA, Joseph R. FISHER, JR., Saket VORA
  • Patent number: 8581870
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Louis W. Bokma, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Saket Vora
  • Patent number: 8581449
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David John Tupman, Doug M. Farrar, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Jesse L. Dorogusker, Donald J. Novotney
  • Publication number: 20130141342
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Louis W. BOKMA, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Saket Vora
  • Publication number: 20130108065
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20130108063
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Dustin J. Verhoeve, Saket R. Vora, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Erturk D. Kocalar, Casey Hardy, Brian J. Conner, Adriane S. Niehaus
  • Publication number: 20130108064
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Erturk D. Kocalar, Dustin J. Verhoeve, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Brian J. Conner, Casey Hardy, Adriane S. Niehaus, Saket R. Vora
  • Patent number: 8171318
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Cornwell, Christopher P. Dudte, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100327664
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David John Tupman, Doug M. Farrar, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Jesse L. Dorogusker, Donald J. Novotney
  • Publication number: 20100162012
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Cornwell, Christopher P. Dudte, Joseph R. Fisher, JR.
  • Patent number: 7702935
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Cornwell, Christopher P. Dudte, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090189460
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David John Tupman, Doug M. Farrar, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Jesse L. Dorogusker, Donald J. Novotney
  • Patent number: 7525216
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David John Tupman, Doug M. Farrar, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Jesse L. Dorogusker, Donald J. Novotney