Patents by Inventor Steven G. Herbst
Steven G. Herbst 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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Publication number: 20210359556Abstract: A wireless charging mat and method of operating the same. The wireless charging mat includes a detection system configured to determine a location and an orientation of an electronic device on the wireless charging mat. The location and orientation are determined based on detected locations of one or more structural features of the electronic device. The wireless charging mat is operated according to the detected location and orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Chad A. Bossetti, Christopher S. Graham, David W. Ritter, Todd K. Moyer, Steven G. Herbst, Shimon Elkayam, Nileshbhai J. Shah, Stephen C. Terry, Zaki Moussaoui
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Patent number: 11159065Abstract: A wireless charging mat and method of operating the same. The wireless charging mat includes a detection system configured to determine a location and an orientation of an electronic device on the wireless charging mat. The location and orientation are determined based on detected locations of one or more structural features of the electronic device. The wireless charging mat is operated according to the detected location and orientation.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Chad A. Bossetti, Christopher S. Graham, David W. Ritter, Todd K. Moyer, Steven G. Herbst, Shimon Elkayam, Nileshbhai J. Shah, Stephen C. Terry, Zaki Moussaoui
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Patent number: 10879745Abstract: Various techniques for temperature management during inductive energy transfer are disclosed. A transmitter device and/or a receiver device can be turned off during energy transfer based on the temperature of the transmitter device and/or of the receiver device.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox, Eric S. Jol, Jeffrey M. Alves, Jim C. Hwang, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, John M. Ananny, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram, Robert S. Parnell, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Albert J. Golko, Frank Liang
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Patent number: 10826313Abstract: Power management systems for an electronic product demonstration fixture for demonstrating portable electronic devices. The product demonstration fixture may include an exhibition portion and a base portion. A portable electronic device offered for sale may be affixed to the exhibition portion. The base portion may include an electronic display, an auxiliary battery, and an auxiliary controller. The auxiliary controller may direct power from the auxiliary battery to the electronic display upon determining that a battery within the electronic display has fallen below a particular selected level. Similarly the auxiliary controller may direct power from the auxiliary battery to the portable electronic device offered for sale upon determining that a battery within the portable electronic device has fallen below a selected level.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Emery A. Sanford, David G. Havskjold, Steven G. Herbst, Anthony S. Montevirgen, Jeffery J. Terlizzi, Tyson B. Manullang, Charles A. Schwalbach, Glenn David Henshaw, Vikas Agrawal, Soundararajan Manthiri
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Patent number: 10790699Abstract: A wireless transmitter device is configurable and operable to transfer energy to multiple receiver devices at the same time. The transmitter device is configured to enable one or more sections of a charging surface to transfer energy by selectively choosing one or more conductive traces in the transmitter device based on the position of the receiver device on the charging surface. The size and shape of each section of the charging surface that is used to transfer energy to a receiver device can change dynamically based on each receiver device. Additionally, the process of transferring energy to each receiver device may be adjusted during energy transfer based on conditions specific to each receiver device.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Brandon R. Garbus, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Chad A. Bossetti, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham
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Patent number: 10651685Abstract: A wireless transmitter device is configurable and operable to transfer energy to multiple receiver devices at the same time. The transmitter device includes at least one layer of discrete transmitter coils. The wireless transmitter device is configured to enable one or more sections of a charging surface to transfer energy by selectively choosing one or more discrete transmitter coils in the wireless transmitter device based on the position of the receiver device on the charging surface. The size and shape of each section of the charging surface that is used to transfer energy to a receiver device can change dynamically based on each receiver device. Additionally, the process of transferring energy to each receiver device may be adjusted during energy transfer based on conditions specific to each receiver device.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2016Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham, Christopher M. Pinciuc, Brandon R. Garbus
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Patent number: 10594159Abstract: Methods and systems for improved efficiency when an inductive power transmitter associated with an inductive power transfer system experiences a low-load or no-load condition. More particularly, methods and systems for detecting when an inductive power receiver is absent or poorly connected to an inductive power transmitter. The inductive power transmitter includes, in one example, a current peak monitor coupled to an inductive power transmit coil. The current peak monitor waits for a current peak resulting from spatial displacement of a magnetic field source within the inductive power receiver, indicating to the inductive power transmitter that the inductive power receiver is moving, or has moved, toward the inductive power transmitter. Other examples include one or more Hall effect sensors within the inductive power transmitter to monitor for the magnetic field source of the inductive power receiver.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Chad A. Bossetti, Jeffrey M. Alves, Albert J. Golko, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Christopher S. Graham, Steven G. Herbst
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Publication number: 20190319475Abstract: A wireless transmitter device is configurable and operable to transfer energy to multiple receiver devices at the same time. The transmitter device is configured to enable one or more sections of a charging surface to transfer energy by selectively choosing one or more conductive traces in the transmitter device based on the position of the receiver device on the charging surface. The size and shape of each section of the charging surface that is used to transfer energy to a receiver device can change dynamically based on each receiver device. Additionally, the process of transferring energy to each receiver device may be adjusted during energy transfer based on conditions specific to each receiver device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Brandon R. Garbus, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Chad A. Bossetti, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham
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Publication number: 20190190324Abstract: A wireless charging mat and method of operating the same. The wireless charging mat includes a detection system configured to determine a location and an orientation of an electronic device on the wireless charging mat. The location and orientation are determined based on detected locations of one or more structural features of the electronic device. The wireless charging mat is operated according to the detected location and orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Chad A. Bossetti, Christopher S. Graham, David W. Ritter, Todd K. Moyer, Steven G. Herbst, Shimon Elkayam, Nileshbhai J. Shah, Stephen C. Terry, Zaki Moussaoui
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Publication number: 20190157898Abstract: A receiver device in an inductive energy transfer system can include a touch sensing device. If the input surface of the touch sensing device is touched, a transmitter device can periodically stop transferring energy to allow the touch sensing device to sense touch samples while inductive energy transfer is inactive. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can produce an averaged duty cycle by transferring energy to the receiver device for one or more periods at a first duty cycle step and for one or more periods at different second first duty cycle step. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can reduce a current level received by a DC-to-AC converter if the current received by the DC-to-AC converter equals or exceeds a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can ping a receiver device and transfer energy only after a response signal is received from the receiver device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Steven G. Herbst, Scott D. Morrison, Jeffrey M. Alves, Brandon R. Garbus, Jim C. Hwang, Robert S. Parnell, Terry L. Tikalsky
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Patent number: 10292505Abstract: A retail electronic product demonstration fixture for demonstrating portable electronic devices. The product demonstration fixture may include an exhibition portion and a base portion. A portable electronic device offered for sale may be affixed to the exhibition portion. The base portion may include an electronic display, an auxiliary battery, and an auxiliary controller. The auxiliary controller may direct power from the auxiliary battery to the electronic display upon determining that a battery within the electronic display has fallen below a particular selected level. Similarly the auxiliary controller may direct power from the auxiliary battery to the portable electronic device offered for sale upon determining that a battery within the portable electronic device has fallen below a selected level.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Emery A. Sanford, David G. Havskjold, Steven G. Herbst, Anthony S. Montevirgen, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Tyson B. Manullang, Charles A. Schwalbach
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Publication number: 20190089183Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for communicating across an inductive charging interface. Methods and apparatuses for improved efficiency of power transfer across an inductive charging interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey M. Alves, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Todd K. Moyer, Steven G. Herbst, David W. Ritter, Chad Bossetti, Terry Tikalsky
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Patent number: 10193372Abstract: A receiver device in an inductive energy transfer system can include a touch sensing device. If the input surface of the touch sensing device is touched, a transmitter device can periodically stop transferring energy to allow the touch sensing device to sense touch samples while inductive energy transfer is inactive. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can produce an averaged duty cycle by transferring energy to the receiver device for one or more periods at a first duty cycle step and for one or more periods at different second first duty cycle step. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can reduce a current level received by a DC-to-AC converter if the current received by the DC-to-AC converter equals or exceeds a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can ping a receiver device and transfer energy only after a response signal is received from the receiver device.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven G. Herbst, Scott D. Morrison, Jeffrey M. Alves, Brandon R. Garbus, Jim C. Hwang, Robert S. Parnell, Terry L. Tikalsky
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Publication number: 20190006892Abstract: Various techniques for temperature management during inductive energy transfer are disclosed. A transmitter device and/or a receiver device can be turned off during energy transfer based on the temperature of the transmitter device and/or of the receiver device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox, Eric S. Jol, Jeffrey M. Alves, Jim C. Hwang, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, John M. Ananny, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram, Robert S. Parnell, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Albert J. Golko, Frank Liang
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Patent number: 10158244Abstract: A wireless transmitter device is configurable and operable to transfer energy to multiple receiver devices at the same time. The transmitter device is configured to enable one or more sections of a charging surface to transfer energy by selectively choosing one or more conductive traces in the transmitter device based on the position of the receiver device on the charging surface. The size and shape of each section of the charging surface that is used to transfer energy to a receiver device can change dynamically based on each receiver device. Additionally, the process of transferring energy to each receiver device may be adjusted during energy transfer based on conditions specific to each receiver device.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Pinciuc, Brandon R. Garbus, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Chad A. Bossetti, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham
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Patent number: 10116279Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for improved efficiency of power transfer across an inductive charging interface by adaptively changing the impedance of the receive coil in response to changes in load conditions during inductive power transfer are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David W. Ritter, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Todd K. Moyer, Jeffrey M. Alves, Steven G. Herbst
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Patent number: 10014733Abstract: Various techniques for temperature management during inductive energy transfer are disclosed. A transmitter device and/or a receiver device can be turned off during energy transfer based on the temperature of the transmitter device and/or of the receiver device.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox, Eric S. Jol, Jeffrey M. Alves, Jim C. Hwang, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, John M. Ananny, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram, Robert S. Parnell, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Albert J. Golko, Frank Liang
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Patent number: 9923383Abstract: A receiver device in a coupled coil system for wireless energy transfer includes a receiver coil and a load device operatively connected to the receiver coil and configured to receive a signal from the receiver coil. As one example, the load device is a rechargeable battery. An adjusting filter is included in the receiver device and is operatively connected between the receiver coil and the load device. The adjusting filter can be used to transform the effective resistance or impedance of the load as presented to the transformer during energy transfer so that the effective resistant or impedance of the load is maintained at a substantially constant level, and the signal received by the load device is maintained at a substantially constant level.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David W. Ritter, Jeffrey M Alves, Todd K. Moyer, Steven G. Herbst
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Patent number: 9837866Abstract: In an inductive energy transfer system, the phase of a signal that is applied to a transmitter coil to transfer energy is adjusted while energy is transferred from the transmitter device to a receiver device. The phase of the signal can be adjusted by changing a state of a DC-to-AC converter from a converting state to a non-converting state. The DC-to-AC converter outputs a signal that is applied to the transmitter coil when the DC-to-AC converter is in a converting state. A signal is not applied to the transmitter coil when the DC-to-AC converter is in a non-converting state.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Todd K. Moyer, Jeffrey M. Alves, Steven G. Herbst, David W. Ritter, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Publication number: 20170110911Abstract: Methods and systems for improved efficiency when an inductive power transmitter associated with an inductive power transfer system experiences a low-load or no-load condition. More particularly, methods and systems for detecting when an inductive power receiver is absent or poorly connected to an inductive power transmitter. The inductive power transmitter includes, in one example, a current peak monitor coupled to an inductive power transmit coil. The current peak monitor waits for a current peak resulting from spatial displacement of a magnetic field source within the inductive power receiver, indicating to the inductive power transmitter that the inductive power receiver is moving, or has moved, toward the inductive power transmitter. Other examples include one or more Hall effect sensors within the inductive power transmitter to monitor for the magnetic field source of the inductive power receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Chad A. Bossetti, Jeffrey M. Alves, Albert J. Golko, Jeffrey Terlizzi, Christopher S. Graham, Steven G. Herbst