Patents by Inventor Mathias W. Schmidt
Mathias W. Schmidt 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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Patent number: 9124048Abstract: The present invention relates generally to connectors such as audio connectors and in particular to flexible audio connectors that can be used in place of standard audio connectors currently used. A portion or all of the plug connector may comprise a flexible material that allows the connector to bend with respect to an insertion axis and prevent the connector from breaking when inserted or extracted improperly. A method of assembly is provided and may be used for assembling embodiments of the plug connector. The connector is configured to mate with a corresponding receptacle connector along an insertion axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias W. Schmidt, Eric S. Jol, Ian Spaggs
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Patent number: 9106031Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. Each individual contact in the first plurality of contacts is electrically connected within the tab or body to a corresponding contact in the second plurality of contacts. In some embodiments contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are directly opposite each other are coupled together. In some other embodiments, contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are in a cater cornered relationship with each other are coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Mathias W. Schmidt, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Patent number: 9059531Abstract: Frames for plug connectors capable of being a reduced size may include features to support contacts, house circuitry for coupling with the contacts, facilitate the flow of molten material during the molding of the frame, and allow for ease of insertion and removal of the plug connector to and from a corresponding receptacle connector. For example, a frame may include ledges, interlocks, and rounded and tapered openings. Methods for manufacturing the frame are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Mathias W. Schmidt, Eric S. Jol, Ian Spraggs, Albert J. Golko, Paul J. Thompson
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Patent number: 9054477Abstract: Frames for plug connectors capable of being a reduced size may include features to support contacts, house circuitry for coupling with the contacts, facilitate the flow of molten material during the molding of the frame, and allow for ease of insertion and removal of the plug connector to and from a corresponding receptacle connector. For example, a frame may include ledges, interlocks and rounded and tapered openings. Methods for manufacturing the frame are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael Brickner, Wayne Cowan, Brett A. Rosenthal, Richard Heley, Mathias W. Schmidt
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Patent number: 8998632Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias W. Schmidt, Eric S. Jol, Jahan Minoo, Ian Spraggs, Cameron Frazier, Fletcher Rothkopf, Jonathan Aase, Wendell Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Patent number: 8984188Abstract: A plug connector with external contacts is provided. The connector has one pair of contacts for transmitting data and one pair of contacts for receiving data. All data transmitted and received using the plug connector is serialized/de-serialized to enable data transmission at a very high rate. A corresponding receptacle connector has configurable contacts that are configured based on the orientation of the plug connector with respect to the receptacle connector. The receptacle connector may be included in a host device and has associated circuitry to detect orientation of the plug connector and to configure the contacts of the receptacle connector.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Jol, Albert J. Golko, Mathias W. Schmidt, Jahan C. Minoo
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Patent number: 8893952Abstract: Devices and methods for assembling co-planar electrical contacts in a connector are provided herein. In one aspect, an exemplary method of assembly comprises depositing solder in a connector plug enclosure, positioning electrical contacts on the solder deposits, advancing the hotbar toward the enclosure contacting each of the electrical contacts so as to planarize a top surface of each of the electrical contacts with the enclosure and melting the solder with the heated hotbar to solder the electrical contacts to the enclosure. In one aspect, an exemplary hotbar device includes a magnet for releasably coupling the electrical contacts to the hotbar. In another aspect, the hotbar includes metallic portions for heating the electrical contacts and insulated ceramic portions for contacting the enclosure. In another aspect, an electrically conductive hotbar includes side portions that extend away from the bottom heating surface facilitating more uniform current flow through the hotbar.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Jol, Mathias W. Schmidt, Edward Siahaan, Albert J. Golko
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Publication number: 20140313128Abstract: Embodiments of electronic wristwatches are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an electronic wristband can provide additional electrical circuitry or devices that can be made available for use as or with an electronic device. In one embodiment, the electronic device can be a mobile electronic device that can be removably coupled to the electronic wristband which provides the additional circuitry or devices. Advantageously, the electronic device can utilize the additional electrical circuitry or devices provided within the electronic wristband to augment the capabilities of the electronic device. In another embodiment, the electronic device can be integrally formed with the electronic wristband which provides the additional circuitry or devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias W. Schmidt, Felix Alvarez
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Publication number: 20140294656Abstract: Frames for plug connectors capable of being a reduced size may include features to support contacts, house circuitry for coupling with the contacts, facilitate the flow of molten material during the molding of the frame, and allow for ease of insertion and removal of the plug connector to and from a corresponding receptacle connector. For example, a frame may include ledges, interlocks and rounded and tapered openings. Methods for manufacturing the frame are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Michael Brickner, Wayne Cowan, Brett A. Rosenthal, Richard Heley, Mathias W. Schmidt
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Patent number: 8787006Abstract: Embodiments of electronic wristwatches are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an electronic wristband can provide additional electrical circuitry or devices that can be made available for use as or with an electronic device. In one embodiment, the electronic device can be a mobile electronic device that can be removably coupled to the electronic wristband which provides the additional circuitry or devices. Advantageously, the electronic device can utilize the additional electrical circuitry or devices provided within the electronic wristband to augment the capabilities of the electronic device. In another embodiment, the electronic device can be integrally formed with the electronic wristband which provides the additional circuitry or devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias W. Schmidt, Felix Alvarez
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Publication number: 20140170907Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. Each individual contact in the first plurality of contacts is electrically connected within the tab or body to a corresponding contact in the second plurality of contacts. In some embodiments contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are directly opposite each other are coupled together. In some other embodiments, contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are in a cater cornered relationship with each other are coupled together.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Mathias W. Schmidt, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Patent number: 8708745Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. Each individual contact in the first plurality of contacts is electrically connected within the tab or body to a corresponding contact in the second plurality of contacts. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Mathias W. Schmidt, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Publication number: 20140069709Abstract: Frames for plug connectors capable of being a reduced size may include features to support contacts, house circuitry for coupling with the contacts, facilitate the flow of molten material during the molding of the frame, and allow for ease of insertion and removal of the plug connector to and from a corresponding receptacle connector. For example, a frame may include ledges, interlocks, and rounded and tapered openings. Methods for manufacturing the frame are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Mathias W. Schmidt, Eric S. Jol, Ian Spraggs, Albert J. Golko, Paul J. Thompson
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Patent number: 8651879Abstract: A compact power adapter is disclosed. In one embodiment, a compact power adapter is facilitated by improved approaches to construct and assemble the power adapter. According to one aspect, connectors can serve to electrically couple blades (or prongs) of a power adapter plug to a printed circuit board assembly internal to a housing for the power adapter. The connectors serve to couple AC power to the printed circuit board assembly where the AC power can be converted to DC power. The connectors also facilitate assembly of the power adapter in that reliable interconnections can be provided without wires, soldering or other custom assembly operations. In one embodiment, a base for a power adapter plug of a power adapter can include a metal base connected to a blade (or prong) of the power adapter plug. The metal base can provide mechanical support to the blade as well as electrical connectivity to an internal terminal for the power adapter plug.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Kurt Stiehl, Cameron Frazier, Jonathan Aase, Mathias W. Schmidt
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Patent number: 8647156Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. Each individual contact in the first plurality of contacts is electrically connected within the tab or body to a corresponding contact in the second plurality of contacts. In some embodiments contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are directly opposite each other are coupled together. In some other embodiments, contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are in a cater cornered relationship with each other are coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2013Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Mathias W. Schmidt, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Publication number: 20140021243Abstract: Devices and methods for assembling co-planar electrical contacts in a connector are provided herein. In one aspect, an exemplary method of assembly comprises depositing solder in a connector plug enclosure, positioning electrical contacts on the solder deposits, advancing the hotbar toward the enclosure contacting each of the electrical contacts so as to planarize a top surface of each of the electrical contacts with the enclosure and melting the solder with the heated hotbar to solder the electrical contacts to the enclosure. In one aspect, an exemplary hotbar device includes a magnet for releasably coupling the electrical contacts to the hotbar. In another aspect, the hotbar includes metallic portions for heating the electrical contacts and insulated ceramic portions for contacting the enclosure. In another aspect, an electrically conductive hotbar includes side portions that extend away from the bottom heating surface facilitating more uniform current flow through the hotbar.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Jol, Mathias W. Schmidt, Edward Siahaan, Albert J. Golko
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Publication number: 20140004741Abstract: A plug connector with external contacts is provided. The connector has one pair of contacts for transmitting data and one pair of contacts for receiving data. All data transmitted and received using the plug connector is serialized/de-serialized to enable data transmission at a very high rate. A corresponding receptacle connector has configurable contacts that are configured based on the orientation of the plug connector with respect to the receptacle connector. The receptacle connector may be included in a host device and has associated circuitry to detect orientation of the plug connector and to configure the contacts of the receptacle connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Eric S. Jol, Albert J. Golko, Mathias W. Schmidt, Jahan C. Minoo
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Patent number: 8573995Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. Each individual contact in the first plurality of contacts is electrically connected within the tab or body to a corresponding contact in the second plurality of contacts. In some embodiments contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are directly opposite each other are coupled together. In some other embodiments, contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are in a cater cornered relationship with each other are coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Mathias W. Schmidt, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Patent number: 8561879Abstract: Devices and methods for assembling co-planar electrical contacts in a connector are provided herein. In one aspect, an exemplary method of assembly comprises depositing solder in a connector plug enclosure, positioning electrical contacts on the solder deposits, advancing the hotbar toward the enclosure contacting each of the electrical contacts so as to planarize a top surface of each of the electrical contacts with the enclosure and melting the solder with the heated hotbar to solder the electrical contacts to the enclosure. In one aspect, an exemplary hotbar device includes a magnet for releasably coupling the electrical contacts to the hotbar. In another aspect, the hotbar includes metallic portions for heating the electrical contacts and insulated ceramic portions for contacting the enclosure. In another aspect, an electrically conductive hotbar includes side portions that extend away from the bottom heating surface facilitating more uniform current flow through the hotbar.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Jol, Mathias W. Schmidt, Edward Siahaan, Albert J. Golko
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Publication number: 20130244500Abstract: A compact power adapter is disclosed. In one embodiment, a compact power adapter is facilitated by improved approaches to construct and assemble the power adapter. According to one aspect, connectors can serve to electrically couple blades (or prongs) of a power adapter plug to a printed circuit board assembly internal to a housing for the power adapter. The connectors serve to couple AC power to the printed circuit board assembly where the AC power can be converted to DC power. The connectors also facilitate assembly of the power adapter in that reliable interconnections can be provided without wires, soldering or other custom assembly operations. In one embodiment, a base for a power adapter plug of a power adapter can include a metal base connected to a blade (or prong) of the power adapter plug. The metal base can provide mechanical support to the blade as well as electrical connectivity to an internal terminal for the power adapter plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Kurt Stiehl, Cameron Frazier, Jonathan Aase, Mathias W. Schmidt