Patents by Inventor Zheng Gao

Zheng Gao 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).

  • Folding SO-DIMM socket
    Patent number: 9537238
    Abstract: Sockets that provide easy access for users to change cards while allowing the use of thinner device enclosures. One example provides a socket having two positions. When the socket is in an open state, the card may be oriented in a direction substantially away from the main logic board. When the socket is in a closed state, the card moves such that it is oriented at least closer to being in parallel to the main logic board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Hack, Joshua Funamura, George V. Anastas, Zheng Gao, Gregory Springer, Erik James Shahoian
  • Connector receptacle having a shield
    Patent number: 9537263
    Abstract: Connector systems may include a connector receptacle and connector plug or insert. The connector receptacle may include a tongue. A first plurality of contacts may be formed on a top surface of the tongue. A first ground pad may be located on a top surface of tongue, and a shield may be formed around the tongue. The connector insert may include a housing and a conductive shield around the housing behind a leading edge of the connector insert. A front edge of the shield may be folded into an opening at the leading edge. In other examples, the receptacle shield may include one or more fingers. These fingers may contact the connector insert shield to form a ground path. One or more of these fingers may engage openings in the insert shield to provide a retention force between the connector insert and receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Nathan N. Ng, Min Chul Kim, Colin Abraham
  • MAGNETIC SENSING DEVICE WITH REDUCED SHIELD-TO-SHIELD SPACING
    Publication number: 20160356861
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor assembly includes first and second shields each comprised of a magnetic material. The first and second shields define a physical shield-to-shield spacing. A sensor stack is disposed between the first and second shields and includes a seed layer adjacent the first shield, a cap :layer adjacent the second shield, and a magnetic sensor between the seed layer and the cap layer. At least a portion of the seed layer and/or the cap layer comprises a magnetic material to provide an effective shield-to-shield spacing of the magnetic sensor assembly that is less than the physical shield-to-shield spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Eric W. Singleton, Qing He, Jae-Young Yi, Matt Johnson, Zheng Gao, Dimitar V. Dimitrov, Song S. Xue
  • Connector insert assembly
    Patent number: 9515439
    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: March 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan N. Ng, Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Min Chul Kim, Colin J. Abraham
  • KEYBOARD FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20160351360
    Abstract: An input mechanism is disclosed. The input mechanism includes a dome support structure defining an opening that extends through the dome support structure, a collapsible dome positioned in the opening and engaged with the dome support structure, and a cover member coupled to the dome support structure and covering the collapsible dome, thereby retaining the collapsible dome within the opening of the dome support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Eric A. Knopf, Matthew P. Casebolt, Craig C. Leong, Robert Y. Cao, Bradford J. Zercoe, Dinesh C. Mathew, Zheng Gao, Ryan P. Brooks, Paul X. Wang
  • PORTABLE COMPUTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160327986
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Houtan R. FARAHANI, Craig C. LEONG, Matthew W. BLUM, Zheng GAO, Kevin M. ROBINSON, Keith J. HENDREN
  • PORTABLE COMPUTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160327980
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Houtan R. FARAHANI, Craig C. LEONG, Matthew W. BLUM, Zheng GAO, Kevin M. ROBINSON, Keith J. HENDREN
  • Connector insert assembly
    Patent number: 9490581
    Abstract: Connector inserts having contacts with a high-impedance for good signal integrity and low insertion loss, a pleasant physical appearance, and that may be reliably manufactured. One example may provide connector inserts having signal contacts with a high impedance in order to improve signal integrity to allow high data rates. Another may provide connector inserts having a pleasant appearance by providing features to prevent light gaps from occurring between a plastic tip at a front of the connector insert and a connector insert shield. Another may provide reliable manufacturing by crimping a cap used to secure a cable to a connector insert with a multi-section die, where contacting surfaces of the die include various points or peaks along their surface. These points may effectively wrinkle or jog the perimeter of the cap, thereby reducing the dimensions of a cross-section of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan N. Ng, Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Min Chul Kim, Colin J. Abraham
  • COMPUTER HOUSING
    Publication number: 20160313766
    Abstract: A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: John RAFF, Bartley K. ANDRE, Laura DEFOREST, John C. DIFONZO, Zheng GAO, Michelle GOLDBERG, Bradley J. HAMEL, Timothy S. HIBBARD, Ron HOPKINSON, William F. LEGGETT, Chris LIGTENBERG, Gavin J. REID, Charles A. SCHWALBACH
  • Robust magnetic connector
    Patent number: 9461403
    Abstract: Connector inserts and receptacles that are robust, easily manufactured, and provide an improved connector performance. One example may provide a connector receptacle having a power contact located in a ground surface. An insulating layer may be placed between the power contact and the ground surface. The ground surface may be curved or flat, or it may have other shapes. Another example may provide a robust connector insert. This connector insert may include a crimping piece that fits over a cable braiding and is crimped. The crimping piece may then be attached to an attraction plate. A cover or shell may be attached to provide further reinforcement. Another example may provide a connector system having a ground contact and a power contact, where the ground contact is a make-first-break-last contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Joshua Pong
  • INTERPOSERS FOR CONNECTING RECEPTACLE TONGUES TO PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS
    Publication number: 20160276765
    Abstract: Connecting structures to mechanically connect to a connector receptacle tongue and a printed circuit board and to electrically connect contacts on the connector receptacle tongue to traces on the printed circuit board. One example may provide an interposer having a housing and a plurality of contacts to connect a vertical tongue to a horizontal printed circuit board. The contacts may have a side or tongue connecting portion extending beyond a side of the housing and a bottom or board contacting portion extending beyond a bottom of the housing. The contacts may form a ninety-degree bend. A shield may at least substantially surround a vertical side of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hwang Lee, Mahmoud R. Amini, Zheng Gao, Nathan N. Ng
  • Ground contacts for reduced-length connector inserts
    Patent number: 9450339
    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: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Nathan N. Ng, Min Chul Kim
  • Magnetic sensing device with reduced shield-to-shield spacing
    Patent number: 9442171
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor assembly includes first and second shields each comprised of a magnetic material. The first and second shields define a physical shield-to-shield spacing. A sensor stack is disposed between the first and second shields and includes a seed layer adjacent the first shield, a cap layer adjacent the second shield, and a magnetic sensor between the seed layer and the cap layer. At least a portion of the seed layer and/or the cap layer comprises a magnetic material to provide an effective shield-to-shield spacing of the magnetic sensor assembly that is less than the physical shield-to-shield spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Eric W. Singleton, Qing He, Jae-Young Yi, Matt Johnson, Zheng Gao, Dimitar V. Dimitrov, Song S. Xue
  • Connector retention features
    Patent number: 9431772
    Abstract: Connector systems that may include improved locking and retention features. One example includes a connector plug having an opening to accept an end of a wide portion of a connector receptacle tongue. Another connector plug may include top and bottom rails for holding a wide portion of a connector receptacle tongue. The locking and retention features may provide a large locking force. Further examples may accordingly provide unlocking features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Chia Chi Wu
  • Portable computing system
    Patent number: 9411380
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Houtan R. Farahani, Craig C. Leong, Matthew W. Blum, Zheng Gao, Kevin M. Robinson, Keith J. Hendren
  • Edge mount connector
    Patent number: 9407020
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that have a reduced height when combined with a printed circuit board and reduce wasted space inside an electronic device. One example provides a connector receptacle having contacts that may connect to edge contacts along an edge of a printed circuit board. This edge may be formed along a side of printed circuit board, by a hole or opening in a printed circuit board, or by a notch in a printed circuit board. Edge contacts may have straight surfaces, rounded surfaces, or they may have other types of surfaces. Connector receptacle contacts may have a “U,” fishhook, or other shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Joshua Funamura, Phillip Satterfield, Bartley K. Andre, Greg Springer, Jason Richard Minahan
  • Computer housing
    Patent number: 9400519
    Abstract: A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Raff, Bartley K. Andre, Laura Deforest, John C. DiFonzo, Zheng Gao, Michelle Goldberg, Bradley J. Hamel, Timothy S. Hibbard, Ron Hopkinson, William F. Leggett, Chris Ligtenberg, Gavin J. Reid, Charles A. Schwalbach
  • MAGNETIC CONNECTOR HAVING A UNITARY HOUSING
    Publication number: 20160190732
    Abstract: Power cables that include plug housings having an improved appearance as well as employ a halogen-free cable while providing adequate fire resistance. One example provides a power cable having cable plug with a substantially unitary body. Another example provides a power cable that is formed using halogen-free materials. To provide adequate fire protection, a strain relief formed using multiple materials is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, John C. DiFonzo, Joshua Banko, Min Chul Kim
  • USB3 CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20160181746
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are simple to assemble, provide a good ground contact path, avoid marring of both inserts and receptacles, and can be arranged to fit in a device enclosure. These receptacles may include a subassembly that is inserted into a hollow tongue. The subassembly may include a first number of contacts that are insert molded in a housing, as well as a second number of contacts. The tongue may further include ground contacts on its sides and top. The tongue may cover edges of at least some contacts to prevent marring of both the connector receptacle and connector insert. The shell of the connector receptacle may be formed around a portion of the connector receptacle to assist in fitting the receptacle in a device enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: George Marc Simmel, Zheng Gao
  • Electronic device
    Patent number: D759597
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Zheng Gao, Paul Joseph Hack, Bradley Joseph Hamel, William Francis Leggett, Timothy Roger Milberger, Mikael Silvanto