Patents by Inventor Mahmoud R. Amini

Mahmoud R. Amini 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: 11283219
    Abstract: Mechanisms that may help to secure connector inserts in place when they are plugged into a connector receptacle on an electronic device. One example may provide a connector receptacle having a friction mechanism to provide friction between a connector insert and a connector receptacle when the connector insert is inserted in the connector receptacle. Other examples may provide a connector receptacle having a locking mechanism to hinder or prevent extraction of a connector insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou, Adam H. Herzog
  • Publication number: 20220085560
    Abstract: Connector inserts and connector receptacles that have a small form factor and where when a connector insert and connector receptacle are mated, the connector insert can rotate and articulate relative to an electronic device housing the connector receptacle. The connector receptacle can be connected to components in the electronic device through a flexible circuit board having an amount of slack or excess length to allow the connector receptacle and the connector insert to rotate relative to the connected components. A bearing supporting the connector receptacle can articulate about an axis to allow the connector receptacle and connector insert to articulate relative to the connected components. The bearing can further support a locking mechanism to lock the connector insert in place in the connector receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric T. SooHoo, Mahmoud R. Amini, Daniel R. Bloom, Sean T. McIntosh, Tian Shi Li, Jared M. Kole, Jason Joseph LeBlanc, Colin M. Ely, Peter J. Cameron, Michael A. Kinney, Eric S. Jol, Edward Siahaan, Robert D. Zupke, Rohan Gupta, Jordan J. Francis
  • Patent number: 11152752
    Abstract: Audio jacks and device enclosures that provide proper grounding, are readily reworkable, provide improved ventilation, and have an aesthetically pleasing appearance. An example can include a device enclosure including an enclosure wall and a sleeve for an audio jack. The sleeve can connect to ground through various paths. The audio jack housing can be inserted in the sleeve and kept in place using a fastener. This arrangement can allow the audio jack to be readily reworkable. The sleeve can be narrow at the enclosure wall for improved ventilation and an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou, Ameya V. Nilkanth, James E. Harper, Mariel L. Lanas
  • Patent number: 11114781
    Abstract: Connectors for connecting traces on one or more flexible circuit boards to traces on a printed circuit board. These connectors can include gaskets, potting material, and other structures or materials to seal electrical connections in the connector from moisture ingress to prevent damage. The connectors can be locked to secure the one or more flexible circuit board in place in the connector. The connectors can be unlocked and then opened to remove the flexible circuit boards to remove components or to rework the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric B. Wankoff, Mahmoud R. Amini, Peter J. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20210249806
    Abstract: Connectors that support high-speed data transfers and have a high signal quality, good reliability, and are readily manufactured. One example can provide a connector receptacle that supports high-speed data transfers and has a high signal quality by employing connector contacts that include multiple structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Nikhil S. Pansare, William P. Cornelius, Seungyong Baek
  • Patent number: 10978819
    Abstract: Sockets that have a simplified design and are readily manufactured, and also provide easy access for users to change cards while allowing the use of thinner device enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, James M. Jeon
  • Publication number: 20210098928
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that can provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high-speed data transfers, can be reliably manufactured, can be durable and have good wear performance, and can be positioned in nonstandard locations in an electronic device. One example can provide connector receptacles that can provide a high signal quality or signal integrity by utilizing a comprehensive grounding scheme. These connector receptacles can be located in a hinge of an electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil S. Pansare, Mahmoud R. Amini, John J. Sekerak, II
  • Publication number: 20210098944
    Abstract: An accessory for an electronic device includes a plug connector that is configured to connect to an electronic device when the electronic device is received by the accessory. The accessory also includes a receptacle connector at an exterior surface for coupling the accessory to a charging system when a mating connector is received within a receiving cavity of the receptacle connector. A bracket electrically and mechanically couples the plug connector to the receptacle connector. A ground spring is coupled to an exterior metallic shell of the receptacle connector and has a pair of spring arms that each have a distal end positioned within the receiving cavity such that when a mating plug connector is received within the receiving cavity a low-impedance ground path is formed between the mating connector and the plug connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Michael A. Kinney, Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou, Brock A. Zekany
  • Patent number: 10950984
    Abstract: An accessory for an electronic device includes a plug connector that is configured to connect to an electronic device when the electronic device is received by the accessory. The accessory also includes a receptacle connector at an exterior surface for coupling the accessory to a charging system when a mating connector is received within a receiving cavity of the receptacle connector. A bracket electrically and mechanically couples the plug connector to the receptacle connector. A ground spring is coupled to an exterior metallic shell of the receptacle connector and has a pair of spring arms that each have a distal end positioned within the receiving cavity such that when a mating plug connector is received within the receiving cavity a low-impedance ground path is formed between the mating connector and the plug connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Kinney, Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou, Brock A. Zekany
  • Patent number: 10938147
    Abstract: This application relates to magnetically actuated electrical connectors. The electrical connectors includes movable magnetic elements that move in response to an externally applied magnetic field. In some embodiments, the electrical connectors includes recessed contacts that move from a recessed position to an engaged position in response to an externally applied magnetic field associated with an electronic device to which the connector is designed to be coupled. In some embodiments, the external magnetic field has a particular polarity pattern configured to draw contacts associated with a matching polarity pattern out of the recessed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hani Esmaeili, Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Daniel C. Wagman, Albert J. Golko, Mahmoud R. Amini, Mani Razaghi Kashani
  • Patent number: 10931052
    Abstract: Connector tongues that may provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high speed data transfers, may be reliably manufactured, and may be durable and have good wear performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Nikhil S. Pansare, Michael A. Kinney
  • Patent number: 10931048
    Abstract: Connectors that support high-speed data transfers and have a high signal quality, good reliability, and are readily manufactured. One example can provide a connector receptacle that supports high-speed data transfers and has a high signal quality by employing connector contacts that include multiple structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Nikhil S. Pansare, William P. Cornelius, Seungyong Baek
  • Patent number: 10862248
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are easy to manufacture. In various examples, the connector receptacle tongue or other portions may be reinforced such that they may withstand the insertion forces exerted through a connector insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Jae Hwang Lee, Mahmoud R. Amini, Paul J. Hack, Zheng Gao, Rui Zhou
  • Publication number: 20200379188
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing having a front wall and a floating connector assembly coupled to the front wall. The connector assembly includes a panel and a connector. The connector includes a frame attached to the panel and defines first and second alignment openings. A sleeve extends from the frame and extends through the front wall. A removable cover for the electronic device includes first and second connector alignment pins that align with the first and second alignment openings to align the connector sleeve with a connector aperture defined by the cover. The first and second connector alignment pins and the first and second alignment openings can each include tapered portions to move the connector assembly into alignment with the connector aperture as the cover is attached with the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: James E. Harper, Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou
  • Patent number: 10847910
    Abstract: A LIDAR sensor assembly includes a main board, a board-to-board connector assembly, and a sensor component board. The main board has an edge. The board-to-board connector assembly is located on the main board and includes a housing. The housing includes a feature that aligns an angular orientation of the housing relative to the main board by engagement of the feature of the housing with the edge of the main board. The board-to-board connector also includes connector pins that are connected to the main board and are disposed within the housing. The sensor component board is connected to the main board by the connector pins of the board-to-board connector assembly to allow pivoting of the sensor component board relative to the main board over a limited angular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, James E. Harper
  • Patent number: 10658797
    Abstract: Connector receptacles and device enclosures that can provide proper grounding, improved ventilation, and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. An example can include a device enclosure including an enclosure wall and sleeves for a number of connector receptacles. Each sleeve can electrically contact a shield of a corresponding connector receptacle via a conductive structure, such as a conductive gasket, to provide a good ground path. The sleeves can be narrow at the enclosure wall for improved ventilation and an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou, James E. Harper, Houtan R. Farahani, Sung-Ho Tan, Mariel L. Lanas
  • Publication number: 20200099169
    Abstract: Mechanisms that may help to secure connector inserts in place when they are plugged into a connector receptacle on an electronic device. One example may provide a connector receptacle having a friction mechanism to provide friction between a connector insert and a connector receptacle when the connector insert is inserted in the connector receptacle. Other examples may provide a connector receptacle having a locking mechanism to hinder or prevent extraction of a connector insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou, Adam H. Herzog
  • Publication number: 20200099150
    Abstract: Sockets that have a simplified design and are readily manufactured, and also provide easy access for users to change cards while allowing the use of thinner device enclosures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, James M. Jeon
  • Publication number: 20200099184
    Abstract: AC inlets that have a low profile, are able to withstand side-to-side and axial forces, and are readily manufactured. An example can provide an AC inlet having a low-profile by providing power and ground prongs where the power and ground prongs are attached to flanges that can extend laterally from a back end of each prong. This lateral distribution of power and ground can reduce a depth of the AC inlet and provide the AC inlet with a low profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sanju Bose, Rui Zhou, Mahmoud R. Amini, Richard P. Howarth
  • Publication number: 20200099172
    Abstract: Conductive structures that can electrically connect connector receptacles to sections of a device enclosure. The conductive structures can include a compressible material. The compressible material can be at least partially covered with a conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Rui Zhou, Mahmoud R. Amini, James E. Harper, Adam H. Herzog