Patents by Inventor Joshua Funamura

Joshua Funamura 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: 8465329
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus for improved audio connectors. One example provides an audio connector, that, for purposes of activating circuitry to receive signals from a microphone, does not detect the presence of an audio jack until the audio jack is inserted far enough into the audio connector that a microphone contact on the audio jack comes into contact with a microphone signal pin on the audio connector. To prevent the redirection of audio signals away from an audio jack when the audio jack is partially extracted from the audio connector, such partial extractions are not detected by audio signal pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stewart Shannon Fields, Joshua Funamura
  • Publication number: 20130149878
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that have a reduced height when combined with a printed circuit board and reduce wasted space inside an electronic device. One example provides a connector receptacle having contacts that may connect to edge contacts along an edge of a printed circuit board. This edge may be formed along a side of printed circuit board, by a hole or opening in a printed circuit board, or by a notch in a printed circuit board. Edge contacts may have straight surfaces, rounded surfaces, or they may have other types of surfaces. Connector receptacle contacts may have a “U,” fishhook, or other shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Joshua Funamura, Phillip Satterfield, Bartley K. Andre, Greg Springer, Jason Richard Minahan
  • Patent number: 8337253
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted, or are very thin or have a low profile. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another example provides a super-thin connector receptacle by removing fingers and portions of a shell along one or more sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, John Raff, Bartley K. Andre, Laura DeForest, Greg Springer, Min Chul Kim, Joshua Funamura
  • Publication number: 20120282802
    Abstract: Wirefree, unibody jumpers that may be used with crimp terminals. These jumpers may connect two or more adjacent or nearby crimp terminal openings in a plug housing. One example may provide a jumper that is formed from a single piece of metal or other conductive material. In this example, a form may be stamped from a sheet of metal or other conductive material. A jumper may be made by folding or bending the stamped form. The jumper may then be inserted into two or more adjacent or nearby crimp terminal openings in a crimp terminal plug housing. In various examples, the folding or bending of the stamped form may be done in various ways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Funamura
  • Patent number: 8292664
    Abstract: Edge connectors to connect a daughter or optional board to an edge of a main or motherboard. These connectors may have a low profile or height to save space in electronic devices, and allow electronic devices incorporating the connector have a thin form factor. These connectors may also provide for reliable manufacturing by providing a robust connection to a motherboard and easy insertion of a daughter card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Funamura, Zheng Gao, Steve McClure
  • Publication number: 20120178279
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Greg Springer, Joshua Funamura, Stewart Shannon Fields
  • Patent number: 8162688
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Greg Springer, Joshua Funamura, Stewart Shannon Fields
  • Publication number: 20120094513
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles having a smaller size. One example provides this smaller size by decreasing the depth of the connector receptacle. Contacts in the connector receptacle may be protected from damage due to improper insertion of a second electronic device or connection to a second electronic device. This protection may be achieved in various ways. In some examples, one or more components or one or more contacts may be used to block the improper insertion of a second electronic device or connection to a second electronic device. In other examples, one or more contacts may avoid damage by being located outside of an insertion path until a second electronic device or connection to a second electronic device is inserted. In other examples, instead of blocking or avoiding an improper insertion, the contacts may avoid damage by bending out of the way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Funamura, Min Chul Kim
  • Publication number: 20120083158
    Abstract: Edge connectors to connect a daughter or optional board to an edge of a main or motherboard. These connectors may have a low profile or height to save space in electronic devices, and allow electronic devices incorporating the connector have a thin form factor. These connectors may also provide for reliable manufacturing by providing a robust connection to a motherboard and easy insertion of a daughter card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Funamura, Zheng Gao, Steve McClure
  • Publication number: 20110250768
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide sockets or connectors that are capable of operating at high data rates. One example provides a connector that uses a flex board to form a connection between pins of a socket or connector and a printed circuit board. In another example, one or more flex boards are used to provide a signal path between a memory device, such as an SODIMM, and a printed circuit board. Another example provides a stack of wafers, each formed of an insulated material and supporting one or more conductive pins for making an electrical connection between a memory device and a flex board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Springer, Vince Duperron, Marc Simmel, Peter Mitchell, Joshua Funamura
  • Publication number: 20110237134
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another embodiment provides a connector receptacle having a housing where a portion of the housing has been removed to save space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Steve McClure, Joshua Banko, Greg Springer, Min Chul Kim, Joshua Funamura
  • Publication number: 20110237131
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus for improved audio connectors. One example provides an audio connector, that, for purposes of activating circuitry to receive signals from a microphone, does not detect the presence of an audio jack until the audio jack is inserted far enough into the audio connector that a microphone contact on the audio jack comes into contact with a microphone signal pin on the audio connector. To prevent the redirection of audio signals away from an audio jack when the audio jack is partially extracted from the audio connector, such partial extractions are not detected by audio signal pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Apple, Inc.
    Inventors: Stewart Shannon Fields, Joshua Funamura
  • Publication number: 20110104945
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted, or are very thin or have a low profile. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another example provides a super-thin connector receptacle by removing fingers and portions of a shell along one or more sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, John Raff, Bartley K. Andre, Laura DeForest, Greg Springer, Min Chul Kim, Joshua Funamura
  • Publication number: 20110076891
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Greg Springer, Joshua Funamura, Stewart Shannon Fields
  • Patent number: 7794263
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Greg Springer, Joshua Funamura, Stewart Shannon Fields