Apple Inc.

Ian P Colahan

Timothy J Rasmussen

Paul J Thompson

Michael J Webb

Darshan R Kasar

John J Baker

Benjamin A Cousins

Shannon X Yang

Daniele De Iuliis

Fletcher R Rothkopf

Anna-Katrina Shedletsky

Trent K Do

Patrick T Ryan

Christopher K Ewy

Paul Xiaopeng Wang

Eric Steven Jol

Emery Artemus Sanford

Julian K Missig

Kurt R Stiehl

Edward Siahaan

Min Chul Kim

Ibuki Kamei

Tong Chen

Christopher T Eubank

Zachary C Rich

Robert Denton Silfvast

Kirill Kalinichev

Tian Shi Li

Eric T SooHoo

Fiona P O'leary

Trevor M Cardiff

Marisa Rei Lu

Xiaoyang Zhang

Robert V Weber

Jonathan A Topf

Fiedl Nick Vista

Fidel Vista

Eric T Soohoo

Anna-Katrino Shedletsky

Present examples are directed to systems and methods for detecting local optical occlusion on a device. Examples are also directed to devices that may detect local optical occlusion. For example, a device may include a first light emitter and a first light detector, and the device may determine that the first light emitter of the device is optically occluded by an object outside a housing of the device based on a first amount of light of one or more amounts of light detected via the first light detector.

Systems, methods, and devices including optical occlusion detection

Accessories that can improve a specific functionality of an electronic device, can readily attach to an electronic device, can be easy to use, and can have a small and efficient form factor. One example can provide a gaming accessory that can improve the game playing functionality of an electronic device, such as a phone, tablet, or other computing device. This gaming accessory can provide a physical interface for controlling game activities on the electronic device such that a screen of the electronic device remains at least largely unobstructed during game play.

Magnetically attachable gaming accessory

A system may include an electronic device such as a head-mounted device and a handheld controller for controlling the electronic device. The handheld controller may have a housing with an elongated shaft extending between first and second tip portions. The handheld controller may have power receiving circuitry configured to receive power from a power source. The power source may be incorporated into an electronic device such as a wireless charging dock or stick, a battery case, or a head-mounted device. The power source may supply power through terminals that form ohmic contacts with mating terminals in the finger device or may transmit power wirelessly using capacitive coupling or inductive charging arrangements. Magnets may be used to hold and align the elongated shaft of the handheld controller on the power source.

Handheld controllers with charging and storage systems

Accessory devices for portable electronic devices are herein described. An accessory device may include a receptacle used to receive and carry an electronic device. Further, the accessory device may include a cover that is pivotally coupled to the receptacle. The cover is designed to protect a front surface of the electronic device, including a cover glass. The accessory device may further include a power supply (such as a battery) that is located on the cover. The power supply is designed to provide power to the electronic device, and subsequently charge a battery of the electronic device. The power supply can also provide power to different devices. In this regard, the accessory device may include an inductive charging coil that can inductively charge a battery of a device located on the accessory device. The inductive charging coil can be integrated into the receptacle or the cover.

Accessory case with a power supply

An accessory device for an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a unitary body having a first region, a second region, and a hinge positioned between the first region and the second region. When a force is applied to the first region, the first region may bend or pivot at the hinge. When bent, the first region allows the electronic device to slide into or out of the accessory device. Further, the electronic device may slide into or out of the accessory device in a straight or linear manner. Also, the accessory device may further include a power supply designed to supply electrical current to a battery of the electronic device. The accessory device may further include a connector that electrically connects the power supply with the electronic device. The sliding motion of the electronic device prevents the connector from damage by bending.

Case with a hinge and multiple charging mechanisms

Single piece case with a battery and a hinge

An accessory device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a light guide assembly that directs light from a light source (or sources) through an opening of the accessory device, and in particular, in a base portion of the accessory device. The light guide assembly may be disposed in a compartment of the accessory device and include a light guide body as well as a light guide insert disposed in an opening of the light guide body. To form the opening, a single cutting operation may cut through the base portion and the light guide body so that the respective openings of the base portion and the light guide body are aligned. The light guide body may be designed to receive the light from the light source and direct or focus the light toward the light guide insert. The light guide insert may refract, scatter, and/or diffuse the light.

Multi-piece light guide for enhanced alignment through an opaque surface

An electronic device case with a thermal dissipation system is disclosed. The electronic device case is configured to draw heat out of an electronic device disposed therein. The electronic device case includes a connector plug configured to engage a connector receptacle of the electronic device. The thermal dissipation system includes a thermally conductive pathway that both transfers heat to a heat spreader and electrically couples the electronic device to an electrical component within the electronic device case.

Thermal transfer between electronic device and case

An accessory device suitable for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include an audio assembly designed to generate acoustical energy. The audio assembly may use certain components of the accessory device to generate the acoustical energy. For example, the accessory device may include a shell, or rigid body, that provides structural support for the accessory device. The accessory device may also include a flexible layer, such as silicone, disposed over the shell. The audio assembly may use part of the shell and acoustically drive that part of the shell to generate the acoustical energy. Further, the audio assembly may use part of the flexible layer as a 'surround' to allow part of the shell to move relative to other parts. The electronic device may electrically couple with the accessory device, thereby providing a means for providing an audio signal.

Integrated cosmetic audio driver

A removable case may receive an electronic device. A male connector in the case may mate with a female connector in the device. A battery in the case may supply power to the device through the male connector. The electronic device may have an antenna. The case may have a supplemental antenna that compensates for variations in performance in the antenna when the device is received within the case. The supplemental antenna may be a parasitic antenna resonating element that is formed from metal traces on a flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit, a metal trim structure, and a plastic support structure may form portions of a connector support structure in the case.

Battery case with supplemental antenna features for cellular telephone

An AC-to-DC power adapter comprises a single-piece insulator unit. The various components of the power adapter such as a transformer, other circuitry, etc. are attached to the single-piece insulator unit. The single-piece insulator unit has embedded channels to provide electrical connectivity between the circuitry, The entire assembly is placed in housing and a cap assembly having prongs to connect to a AC wall outlet is ultrasonically welded to the housing.

Power adapter with a single-piece insulator assembly

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.

Adapter for use with a portable electronic device

Split jack assemblies are constructed with a tubeless pin block. Elimination (or split) of the tube, or more particularly, a tube that is an integrally formed part of the pin block form the pin block allows for the use of a tubeless pin block design that results in a jack assembly having smaller overall dimensions than a conventional jack assembly constructed to accommodate a plug of the same dimensions. The tubeless pin block can be used in conjunction with a tube sleeve or with a curved surface of a housing for an electronic device, or both to provide a plug receptacle of the split jack assembly.

Split jack assemblies and methods for making the same

Growing community of inventors

Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Ian P Colahan