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).

  • Publication number: 20180277995
    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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Jae Hwang Lee, Mahmoud R. Amini, Paul J. Hack, Zheng Gao, Rui Zhou
  • Patent number: 10082840
    Abstract: An accessory device including a foldable cover, a keyboard assembly coupled to the foldable cover and including a plurality of individually depressible keys, an attachment feature connected to the enclosure and configured to magnetically couple the accessory device with the electronic device. The attachment feature includes an exterior surface, a plurality of openings formed through the exterior surface, a plurality of movable contacts corresponding in number to the plurality of openings, each movable contact extending out of one of the plurality of openings, and an alignment feature comprising at least one magnet positioned adjacent to the plurality of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hani Esmaeili, Oliver Ross, Brett Degner, Daniel Wagman, Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Mahmoud R. Amini
  • Patent number: 10084269
    Abstract: Connector receptacle tongues having contacts arranged to disconnect from corresponding contacts in a connector insert in such a way that undesirable current pathways that damage electrical components associated with the connector receptacle are avoided. Other examples include connector receptacles having a tongue in a passage and ground spring contacts located in openings in sides of the passage, where the ground spring contacts connect to a shield of a connector insert such that these undesirable current pathways are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Cornelius, Mahmoud R. Amini
  • Patent number: 10063001
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are arranged to avoid inadvertent connections. One example may provide contacts for a first connector receptacle that may be located behind a movable gate. The first connector receptacle may be combined with a second connector receptacle that is user accessible to save space and simplify device assembly. Combining the first connector receptacle and a second connector receptacle may also remove the movable gate from a surface of an electronic device, thereby further preventing inadvertent connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben J. Williams, James M. Jeon, Jonathan A. Matheson, Mahmoud R. Amini, Daniele G. De Iuliis
  • Publication number: 20180233867
    Abstract: Connector inserts having retention features with good reliability and holding force. These connector inserts may include ground contacts that provide an insertion portion having a reduced length. These connector inserts may be reliable, have an attractive appearance, and be readily manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Paul J. Hack, Samuel W. Yuen, Nathan N. Ng, Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Min Chul Kim, Colin J. Abraham
  • Publication number: 20180226747
    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: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hani Esmaeili, Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Daniel C. Wagman, Albert J. Golko, Mahmoud R. Amini, Mani Razaghi Kashani
  • Patent number: 9991640
    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: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Jae Hwang Lee, Mahmoud R. Amini, Paul J. Hack, Zheng Gao, Rui Zhou
  • Patent number: 9992863
    Abstract: Connector inserts and other structures that have a high signal integrity and low insertion loss, are reliable, and are readily manufactured. One example may provide a connector insert formed primarily using a printed circuit board. Contacts on the connector insert may be akin to contacts on a printed circuit board and they may connect to traces having matched impedances on the printed circuit board in order to improve signal integrity and reduce insertion loss. The printed circuit board may be manufactured in a manner for increased reliability. Plating, solder block, and other manufacturing steps that are native to printed circuit board manufacturing may be employed to improve manufacturability. Specialized tools that may provide a chamfered edge on the connector inserts may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Zheng Gao, Dennis R. Pyper
  • Patent number: 9985388
    Abstract: Connector inserts and receptacles that provide signal paths having desired impedance characteristics. One example may provide a connector system having a connector insert and a connector receptacle. Contacts in the connector insert may form signal paths with corresponding contacts in the connector receptacle. Additional traces in the connector insert and receptacle may be part of these signal paths. The signal paths may have a target or a desired impedance along their lengths such that the power paths electrically appear as transmission lines. Constraints on physical dimensions of the connector insert and connector receptacle contacts may result in variations in impedance along the signal paths. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide structures to reduce these variations, to compensate for these variations, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: William Cornelius, Mahmoud R. Amini, Zheng Gao
  • Patent number: 9972943
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that may be modular, may be reliable and durable, and may provide a high signal quality. Examples may provide modular connector receptacles having a shielded housing around a tongue supporting a number of contacts. They may provide a high signal quality by using printed circuit boards as tongues and for routing signals, and they may be made durable by using through-hole contacting portions soldered to the printed circuit board and mechanically supported by a header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Jeon, Mahmoud R. Amini
  • Publication number: 20180131111
    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. One example may provide a connector tongue having contacts and traces formed on a printed circuit board. Using a printed circuit board for pathways through a connector tongue may provide low impedances for power traces, matched impedances for differential signal pairs, and shielding. This may provide a connector tongue that may provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high speed data transfers. These and other examples may provide a connector tongue that is durable and has good wear performance by including side retention features on each side of the printed circuit board. The side retention features may be metallic, ceramic, or other durable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Paul Joseph Hack, Yufan Liao, Mahmoud R. Amini, James M. Jeon, Daniel A. Bergvall
  • Patent number: 9954318
    Abstract: Combined connector receptacles that provide isolation between individual connector receptacles and have structures arranged to reduce or eliminate damage to through-hole contact portions during insertion of the combined connector into a board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jae Hwang Lee, James M. Jeon, Mahmoud R. Amini
  • Patent number: 9948042
    Abstract: Connector inserts having retention features with good reliability and holding force. These connector inserts may include ground contacts that provide an insertion portion having a reduced length. These connector inserts may be reliable, have an attractive appearance, and be readily manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan N. Ng, Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Min Chul Kim, Colin J. Abraham
  • Patent number: 9941627
    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: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hani Esmaeili, Eric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Daniel C. Wagman, Albert J. Golko, Mahmoud R. Amini, Mani Razaghi Kashani
  • Publication number: 20180090886
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that may be modular, may be reliable and durable, and may provide a high signal quality. Examples may provide modular connector receptacles having a shielded housing around a tongue supporting a number of contacts. They may provide a high signal quality by using printed circuit boards as tongues and for routing signals, and they may be made durable by using through-hole contacting portions soldered to the printed circuit board and mechanically supported by a header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Jeon, Mahmoud R. Amini
  • Publication number: 20180090869
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are arranged to avoid inadvertent connections. One example may provide contacts for a first connector receptacle that may be located behind a movable gate. The first connector receptacle may be combined with a second connector receptacle that is user accessible to save space and simplify device assembly. Combining the first connector receptacle and a second connector receptacle may also remove the movable gate from a surface of an electronic device, thereby further preventing inadvertent connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben J. Williams, James M. Jeon, Jonathan A. Matheson, Mahmoud R. Amini, Daniele G. Iuliis
  • Publication number: 20180090884
    Abstract: Connector receptacles and connector inserts that may be reliable, may readily manufactured, and may provide high signal quality for high speed signals with minimized signal noise, distortion losses, radiation, and interference. An example may provide a reliable connector receptacle by including a plurality of contacts, where each contact includes a first bend angling a contacting portion away from a tongue and a second bend angling a contacting portion towards the tongue, where the second bend is between the first bend and a front of the connector receptacle. Another example may provide a connector receptacle that may be readily manufactured by providing a tongue having tapered lead-ins for receiving contacting portions of contacts during assembly. Another example may provide a connector receptacle that provides isolation among signals by arranging through-hole portions of signal contacts in lines that are separated from each other by intervening through-hole portions of ground contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Jeon, Mahmoud R. Amini, Ruihua Ding, Alex Le Roux
  • Publication number: 20180048094
    Abstract: Connector inserts and receptacles that provide signal paths having desired impedance characteristics. One example may provide a connector system having a connector insert and a connector receptacle. Contacts in the connector insert may form signal paths with corresponding contacts in the connector receptacle. Additional traces in the connector insert and receptacle may be part of these signal paths. The signal paths may have a target or a desired impedance along their lengths such that the power paths electrically appear as transmission lines. Constraints on physical dimensions of the connector insert and connector receptacle contacts may result in variations in impedance along the signal paths. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide structures to reduce these variations, to compensate for these variations, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Cornelius, Mahmoud R. Amini, Zheng Gao
  • Patent number: 9876318
    Abstract: Connector inserts having a high signal integrity and low insertion loss by shielding signal contacts. One example may provide one or more ground contacts between a front opening and signal pins of a connector insert. These ground contacts may have sufficient lever arm to provide a good contact to a corresponding contact in a connector receptacle. To avoid excessive length in the connector insert, embodiments of the present invention may stack a portion of the ground contact above the signal contacts in the connector insert. To reduce excessive capacitance that would otherwise reduce signal impedance, one or more openings may be formed in the ground contacts. To prevent signal contacts from shorting to a shield through this opening, the opening may be covered by tape. The ground contacts may be positioned to avoid encountering power contacts in the receptacle when the insert is inserted into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Nathan N. Ng, Min Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 9853402
    Abstract: An interconnect device can be aligned in a first plane and can include a printed circuit board having a tongue portion and a pin portion. The pin portion can include a plurality of pins extending away from the printed circuit board. The interconnect device can be configured to electrically couple with a main logic board aligned in a second plane. In particular, the plurality of pins can be inserted into corresponding electrical contact locations within the main logic board to form a biplanar connection. The biplanar connection can be made in way that minimizes signal loss for high speed data transfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anton Talalayev, David H. Narajowski, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Mahmoud R. Amini, William F. Leggett, Mikael M. Silvanto, Christopher J. Stringer, George Tziviskos, Edward Cooper, Ron Alan Hopkinson, Ari Parsons Miller