Patents by Inventor Zhi Qiao

Zhi Qiao 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: 20170346220
    Abstract: A device may comprise a housing having a straight rounded edge. A self-aligning connector at the straight rounded edge may comprise a cylindrical magnet oriented with its axis substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge. The cylindrical magnet is for magnetically engaging a magnet of another connector so as to align and connect the self-aligning connector with the other connector. The self-aligning connector may comprise mounting structure configured to mount the cylindrical magnet at the straight rounded edge of the housing with the axis of the cylindrical magnet being substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge of the housing. The device may include two such self-aligning connectors, spaced apart from one another, along a single straight rounded edge of the device housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Nanoport Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Jing Yin Szeto, Jeremy Zhi-Qiao Chan
  • Patent number: 9774136
    Abstract: A device may comprise a housing having a straight rounded edge. A self-aligning connector at the straight rounded edge may comprise a cylindrical magnet oriented with its axis substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge. The cylindrical magnet is for magnetically engaging a magnet of another connector so as to align and connect the self-aligning connector with the other connector. The self-aligning connector may comprise mounting structure configured to mount the cylindrical magnet at the straight rounded edge of the housing with the axis of the cylindrical magnet being substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge of the housing. The device may include two such self-aligning connectors, spaced apart from one another, along a single straight rounded edge of the device housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: NANOPORT TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Jing Yin Szeto, Jeremy Zhi-Qiao Chan
  • Publication number: 20170162980
    Abstract: A device may comprise a housing having a straight rounded edge. A self-aligning connector at the straight rounded edge may comprise a cylindrical magnet oriented with its axis substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge. The cylindrical magnet is for magnetically engaging a magnet of another connector so as to align and connect the self-aligning connector with the other connector. The self-aligning connector may comprise mounting structure configured to mount the cylindrical magnet at the straight rounded edge of the housing with the axis of the cylindrical magnet being substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge of the housing. The device may include two such self-aligning connectors, spaced apart from one another, along a single straight rounded edge of the device housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Nanoport Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Jing Yin Szeto, Jeremy Zhi-Qiao Chan
  • Patent number: 9627803
    Abstract: A connector for an electronic device has a housing with a peripheral surface and guides defining first and second paths. The second path extends from a first location proximate the peripheral surface to a second location farther from the peripheral surface and closer to the first path. A magnetic contact assembly in the housing is magnetically movable along the first path between a first position for joining the connector in data communication with an adjacent connector, and a second position withdrawn from the peripheral surface. A magnet in the housing and is movable by attraction to an adjacent connector along the second path, to magnetically hold the connector to an adjacent connector. The guides are configured so that the magnet and the magnetic contact assembly magnetically bias one another inwardly along the first and second paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NANOPORT TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Jing Yin Szeto, Jeremy Zhi-Qiao Chan
  • Publication number: 20160204545
    Abstract: A connector for an electronic device has a housing with a peripheral surface and guides defining first and second paths. The second path extends from a first location proximate the peripheral surface to a second location farther from the peripheral surface and closer to the first path. A magnetic contact assembly in the housing is magnetically movable along the first path between a first position for joining the connector in data communication with an adjacent connector, and a second position withdrawn from the peripheral surface. A magnet in the housing and is movable by attraction to an adjacent connector along the second path, to magnetically hold the connector to an adjacent connector. The guides are configured so that the magnet and the magnetic contact assembly magnetically bias one another inwardly along the first and second paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy Jing Yin SZETO, Jeremy Zhi-Qiao CHAN
  • Publication number: 20160111815
    Abstract: A connector for an electronic device has a housing with a peripheral surface and guides defining first and second paths. The second path extends from a first location proximate the peripheral surface to a second location farther from the peripheral surface and closer to the first path. A magnetic contact assembly in the housing is magnetically movable along the first path between a first position for joining the connector in data communication with an adjacent connector, and a second position withdrawn from the peripheral surface. A magnet in the housing and is movable by attraction to an adjacent connector along the second path, to magnetically hold the connector to an adjacent connector. The guides are configured so that the magnet and the magnetic contact assembly magnetically bias one another inwardly along the first and second paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy Jing Yin SZETO, Jeremy Zhi-Qiao CHAN
  • Patent number: 9312633
    Abstract: A connector for an electronic device has a housing with a peripheral surface and guides defining first and second paths. The second path extends from a first location proximate the peripheral surface to a second location farther from the peripheral surface and closer to the first path. A magnetic contact assembly in the housing is magnetically movable along the first path between a first position for joining the connector in data communication with an adjacent connector, and a second position withdrawn from the peripheral surface. A magnet in the housing and is movable by attraction to an adjacent connector along the second path, to magnetically hold the connector to an adjacent connector. The guides are configured so that the magnet and the magnetic contact assembly magnetically bias one another inwardly along the first and second paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Nanoport Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Jing Yin Szeto, Jeremy Zhi-Qiao Chan