Patents by Inventor Zachary C. Rich

Zachary C. Rich 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: 9146888
    Abstract: Techniques for mounting contacts of a connector are provided. One technique involves actively and continuously monitoring contacts being used and the contacts not being used in a connector in order to determine potential dendrite growth and/or potential corrosion due to liquid intrusion or the like. Another technique includes lowering a bias voltage on a power contact and performing a system detect prior to enabling operational voltage/current on the contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Brian Menzel, Jahan C. Minoo, Zachary C. Rich
  • Publication number: 20150137617
    Abstract: Power transfer systems including a direct current source and a plurality of outputs operable in several modes. A ground mode may couple an output to circuit ground and a current mode may couple the output to the direct current source. The power transfer system may also include a controller configured to iteratively select a pair of outputs from the plurality of outputs. Once a pair is selected, the controller may set a first output of the pair of outputs to the current mode and the second to ground mode for a determined duration. After the duration has passed, the controller may set the first output to the ground mode and the second output to the current mode for the same duration. Thereafter the controller may select another pair of outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Menzel, Jeffrey M. Alves, Kevin M. Keeler, Zachary C. Rich
  • Patent number: 8914555
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. A host device may measure a first voltage and a second voltage received from an accessory, where the voltages are provide through the accessory from a power source. Before measuring the second voltage, the host device may send an instruction to the accessory instructing the accessory to alter an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device, and the host device may draw at least a threshold amount of current from the power source via the accessory. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Zachary C. Rich
  • Patent number: 8878484
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. A host device may measure a first voltage and a second voltage received from an accessory, where the voltages are provide through the accessory from a power source. Before measuring the second voltage, the host device may send an instruction to the accessory instructing the accessory to alter an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device, and the host device may draw at least a threshold amount of current from the power source via the accessory. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Zachary C. Rich
  • Publication number: 20140125312
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. A host device may measure a first voltage and a second voltage received from an accessory, where the voltages are provide through the accessory from a power source. Before measuring the second voltage, the host device may send an instruction to the accessory instructing the accessory to alter an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device, and the host device may draw at least a threshold amount of current from the power source via the accessory. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Zachary C. Rich
  • Patent number: 8683090
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. A host device may measure a first voltage and a second voltage received from an accessory, where the voltages are provide through the accessory from a power source. Before measuring the second voltage, the host device may send an instruction to the accessory instructing the accessory to alter an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device, and the host device may draw at least a threshold amount of current from the power source via the accessory. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Zachary C. Rich
  • Publication number: 20140075210
    Abstract: An adapter for enabling connection of a portable electronic device with an accessory includes two connectors, an identification device, a power control device, and power clamping circuitry. All of these components may be included in a single integrated housing. Another adapter may have a cable with two connectors connected to either end of the cable. One of the connectors may house the identification device and the power control device. Optionally, the adapter may also house the power clamp circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary C. Rich, Edward Siahaan, Ian Colahan
  • Publication number: 20140070774
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for charging a host device from a charging source through an accessory are described. Upon detecting an input power signal from the charging source, an accessory may send an identification request to the host device and authenticate the host device based on the identification information received from the host device. Upon authenticating the host device, the accessory may enable a power path between the charging source and the host device to supply a charging current to charge the host device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Terlizzi, Jonathan J. Andrews, Alexei Kosut, James M. Hollabaugh, Zachary C. Rich, Daniel J. Fritchman
  • Publication number: 20140013012
    Abstract: Techniques for mounting contacts of a connector are provided. One technique involves actively and continuously monitoring contacts being used and the contacts not being used in a connector in order to determine potential dendrite growth and/or potential corrosion due to liquid intrusion or the like. Another technique includes lowering a bias voltage on a power contact and performing a system detect prior to enabling operational voltage/current on the contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Brian Menzel, Jahan C. Minoo, Zachary C. Rich
  • Publication number: 20130278205
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. A host device may measure a first voltage and a second voltage received from an accessory, where the voltages are provide through the accessory from a power source. Before measuring the second voltage, the host device may send an instruction to the accessory instructing the accessory to alter an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device, and the host device may draw at least a threshold amount of current from the power source via the accessory. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Zachary C. Rich
  • Publication number: 20130279055
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. A host device may measure a first voltage and a second voltage received from an accessory, where the voltages are provide through the accessory from a power source. Before measuring the second voltage, the host device may send an instruction to the accessory instructing the accessory to alter an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device, and the host device may draw at least a threshold amount of current from the power source via the accessory. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Zachary C. Rich