Patents by Inventor Frank C. Azor

Frank C. Azor 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: 11755081
    Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented to provide supplemental cooling air for a portable information handling system from one or more mechanically-adjustable cooling air supply outlets that may be positioned and/or repositioned at multiple different locations relative to a portable information handling system, such as notebook computer or laptop computer. In one example, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to have one or more mechanically-adjustable cooling air supply outlets that may be positioned and/or repositioned to align with differing geometries of cooling air inlet opening locations that correspond to different portable information handling system sizes and/or designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Philip J. Grossmann, Joe A. Olmsted, Francisco Santana, Charles Cameron Duncan, Frank C. Azor
  • Publication number: 20220261051
    Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented to provide supplemental cooling air for a portable information handling system from one or more mechanically-adjustable cooling air supply outlets that may be positioned and/or repositioned at multiple different locations relative to a portable information handling system, such as notebook computer or laptop computer. In one example, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to have one or more mechanically-adjustable cooling air supply outlets that may be positioned and/or repositioned to align with differing geometries of cooling air inlet opening locations that correspond to different portable information handling system sizes and/or designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Philip J. Grossmann, Joe A. Olmsted, Francisco Santana, Charles Cameron Duncan, Frank C. Azor
  • Patent number: 11347285
    Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented to provide supplemental cooling air for a portable information handling system from one or more mechanically-adjustable cooling air supply outlets that may be positioned and/or repositioned at multiple different locations relative to a portable information handling system, such as notebook computer or laptop computer. In one example, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to have one or more mechanically-adjustable cooling air supply outlets that may be positioned and/or repositioned to align with differing geometries of cooling air inlet opening locations that correspond to different portable information handling system sizes and/or designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Philip J. Grossmann, Joe A. Olmsted, Francisco Santana, Charles Cameron Duncan, Frank C. Azor
  • Patent number: 10574233
    Abstract: Key assemblies are disclosed herein that are retractable and/or that present a variable key assembly depression force to a user. In one example, one or more key assemblies may be provided that each employ one or more electro-permanent magnets (EPMs) together with permanent magnet and/or magnetically permeable (e.g., ferromagnetic) key assembly components to control key retraction and extension, and/or to control peak depression force (e.g., typing force) required to depress and displace a key assembly from an extended position to a lower position that causes the key assembly to produce a digital or analog output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Joe A. Olmsted, Philip J. Grossmann, Jason Morrison, Frank C. Azor
  • Patent number: 10491214
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that may be implemented to configure, provide and operate retractable key assemblies and/or key assemblies that present a variable key assembly depression force to a user. In one example, key assemblies may be provided that each employ one or more electro-permanent magnets (EPMs) together with permanent magnet and/or magnetically permeable (e.g., ferromagnetic) key assembly components to control key retraction and extension, and/or to control peak depression force (e.g., typing force) required to depress and displace a key assembly from an extended position to a lower position that causes the key assembly to produce a digital or analog output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Joe A. Olmsted, Philip J. Grossmann, Jason Morrison, Frank C. Azor
  • Patent number: 10481656
    Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented using an external cooling dock that is configured to provide supplemental cooling to a portable information handling system by blowing sub-ambient temperature air into one or more existing external air intake-vents of the chassis of the portable information handling system. The external cooling dock may be further configured to electronically dock or otherwise mate in bidirectional signal communication with the portable information handing system to allow the cooling dock processing device to operate cooperatively in a closed loop with the internal processing device/s of the portable information handling system so as to control operation of the cooling dock components and/or the operation of the processing devices within the portable information handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Philip J. Grossmann, Joe A. Olmsted, Francisco Santana, Charles Cameron Duncan, Frank C. Azor
  • Publication number: 20190294222
    Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented to provide supplemental cooling air for a portable information handling system from one or more mechanically-adjustable cooling air supply outlets that may be positioned and/or repositioned at multiple different locations relative to a portable information handling system, such as notebook computer or laptop computer. In one example, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to have one or more mechanically-adjustable cooling air supply outlets that may be positioned and/or repositioned to align with differing geometries of cooling air inlet opening locations that correspond to different portable information handling system sizes and/or designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Philip J. Grossmann, Joe A. Olmsted, Francisco Santana, Charles Cameron Duncan, Frank C. Azor
  • Patent number: 10416734
    Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented to provide supplemental cooling air for a portable information handling system from one or more mechanically-adjustable cooling air supply outlets that may be positioned and/or repositioned at multiple different locations relative to a portable information handling system, such as notebook computer or laptop computer. In one example, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to have one or more mechanically-adjustable cooling air supply outlets that may be positioned and/or repositioned to align with differing geometries of cooling air inlet opening locations that correspond to different portable information handling system sizes and/or designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Philip J. Grossmann, Joe A. Olmsted, Francisco Santana, Charles Cameron Duncan, Frank C. Azor
  • Publication number: 20180219551
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that may be implemented to configure, provide and operate retractable key assemblies and/or key assemblies that present a variable key assembly depression force to a user. In one example, key assemblies may be provided that each employ one or more electro-permanent magnets (EPMs) together with permanent magnet and/or magnetically permeable (e.g., ferromagnetic) key assembly components to control key retraction and extension, and/or to control peak depression force (e.g., typing force) required to depress and displace a key assembly from an extended position to a lower position that causes the key assembly to produce a digital or analog output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Joe A. Olmsted, Philip J. Grossmann, Jason Morrison, Frank C. Azor
  • Publication number: 20180219552
    Abstract: Key assemblies are disclosed herein that are retractable and/or that present a variable key assembly depression force to a user. In one example, one or more key assemblies may be provided that each employ one or more electro-permanent magnets (EPMs) together with permanent magnet and/or magnetically permeable (e.g., ferromagnetic) key assembly components to control key retraction and extension, and/or to control peak depression force (e.g., typing force) required to depress and displace a key assembly from an extended position to a lower position that causes the key assembly to produce a digital or analog output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Joe A. Olmsted, Philip J. Grossmann, Jason Morrison, Frank C. Azor
  • Patent number: 9959996
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that may be implemented to provide keycap lighting to a spring loaded mechanical key switch assembly using a light conductive structure, such as a light pipe, and without requiring a chassis housing of the mechanical key switch assembly to include a dedicated power-consuming light source mounted to or otherwise positioned at the location of the individual key switch assembly chassis housing. Additionally, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to use one or more common power-consuming light source/s to simultaneously provide key cap lighting to multiple such spring loaded mechanical key switch assemblies, for example, by feeding light to each key cap though a common light spreader and through an individual non-power consuming light pipe provided for each key switch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products LP
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Frank C. Azor, Joe A. Olmsted
  • Patent number: 9791941
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for user configurable pressure sensitive keys and techniques for controlling these keys for keyboards. User configuration information, including information for user configurable granularity scales for pressure levels, can be communicated from a host system to the keyboard and stored for later use by a keyboard controller to control the operation of the pressure sensitive keys. In this way, greater control of the pressure sensitive keys can be provided. This configurability is of particular use for applications such as where the keyboard is being used for gaming by a user running a gaming application on an information handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products LP
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Frank C. Azor
  • Publication number: 20170273214
    Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented to provide supplemental cooling air for a portable information handling system from one or more mechanically-adjustable cooling air supply outlets that may be positioned and/or repositioned at multiple different locations relative to a portable information handling system, such as notebook computer or laptop computer. In one example, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to have one or more mechanically-adjustable cooling air supply outlets that may be positioned and/or repositioned to align with differing geometries of cooling air inlet opening locations that correspond to different portable information handling system sizes and/or designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Phillip J. Grossman, Joe A. Olmsted, Francisco Santana, Charles Cameron Duncan, Frank C. Azor
  • Publication number: 20170168531
    Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented using an external cooling dock that is configured to provide supplemental cooling to a portable information handling system by blowing sub-ambient temperature air into one or more existing external air intake-vents of the chassis of the portable information handling system. The external cooling dock may be further configured to electronically dock or otherwise mate in bidirectional signal communication with the portable information handing system to allow the cooling dock processing device to operate cooperatively in a closed loop with the internal processing device/s of the portable information handling system so as to control operation of the cooling dock components and/or the operation of the processing devices within the portable information handling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Philip J. Grossmann, Joe A. Olmsted, Francisco Santana, Charles Cameron Duncan, Frank C. Azor
  • Patent number: 9665191
    Abstract: User input devices with variable pressure buttons are configured. A user may specify a range of pressure to be associated with a pressure level. In some embodiments, a user may also associate a command or other instruction to an application with an identity of a variable pressure button and a pressure level of the button. In some embodiments, the associations may be represented in a configuration profile. In further embodiments, a microcontroller for a mouse may translate signals from variable pressure buttons into pressure levels based upon the configuration file. In many embodiments, a user may associate a reporting rate with a variable pressure button. A legacy application may receive reports of the state of the variable pressure button at the associated reporting rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Carlos L. Ross, Danae Sierra, Frank C. Azor, A. Fleming Seay
  • Patent number: 9636574
    Abstract: A gaming keyboard and related methods are disclosed that provide features to enhance the computer gaming experience. A keyboard connection pod is disclosed that improves power capabilities of the keyboard thereby allowing for enhanced features that require more power. A panic mechanism is disclosed that can be triggered to cause one or more selected keys to change states. Keycap rim-lighting is disclosed that provides improved visual indication of key positions. A hand registration enhancement is disclosed including a spacebar having a thumb notch and/or WASD and spacebar keys with different tactile response than other keys. Function keys are disclosed that are positioned proximate to allow reduced movement of the left hand. An integrated cord wrap tray is disclosed for a peripheral such as a mouse. Other features and variations are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Gabriel Gonzalez, Frank C. Azor, Reginald I. Rego, David Estrada, Jacqueline F. Gutierrez
  • Publication number: 20160299573
    Abstract: User input devices with variable pressure buttons are configured. A user may specify a range of pressure to be associated with a pressure level. In some embodiments, a user may also associate a command or other instruction to an application with an identity of a variable pressure button and a pressure level of the button. In some embodiments, the associations may be represented in a configuration profile. In further embodiments, a microcontroller for a mouse may translate signals from variable pressure buttons into pressure levels based upon the configuration file. In many embodiments, a user may associate a reporting rate with a variable pressure button. A legacy application may receive reports of the state of the variable pressure button at the associated reporting rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Carlos L. Ross, Danae Sierra, Frank C. Azor, A. Fleming Seay
  • Publication number: 20160260558
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that may be implemented to provide keycap lighting to a spring loaded mechanical key switch assembly using a light conductive structure, such as a light pipe, and without requiring a chassis housing of the mechanical key switch assembly to include a dedicated power-consuming light source mounted to or otherwise positioned at the location of the individual key switch assembly chassis housing. Additionally, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to use one or more common power-consuming light source/s to simultaneously provide key cap lighting to multiple such spring loaded mechanical key switch assemblies, for example, by feeding light to each key cap though a common light spreader and through an individual non-power consuming light pipe provided for each key switch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Frank C. Azor, Joe A. Olmsted
  • Patent number: 9389711
    Abstract: User input devices with variable pressure buttons are configured. A user may specify a range of pressure to be associated with a pressure level. In some embodiments, a user may also associate a command or other instruction to an application with an identity of a variable pressure button and a pressure level of the button. In some embodiments, the associations may be represented in a configuration profile. In further embodiments, a microcontroller for a mouse may translate signals from variable pressure buttons into pressure levels based upon the configuration file. In many embodiments, a user may associate a reporting rate with a variable pressure button. A legacy application may receive reports of the state of the variable pressure button at the associated reporting rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Carlos L. Ross, Danae Sierra, Frank C. Azor, A. Fleming Seay
  • Patent number: 9368300
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that may be implemented to provide keycap lighting to a spring loaded mechanical key switch assembly using a light conductive structure, such as a light pipe, and without requiring a chassis housing of the mechanical key switch assembly to include a dedicated power-consuming light source mounted to or otherwise positioned at the location of the individual key switch assembly chassis housing. Additionally, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to use one or more common power-consuming light source/s to simultaneously provide key cap lighting to multiple such spring loaded mechanical key switch assemblies, for example, by feeding light to each key cap though a common light spreader and through an individual non-power consuming light pipe provided for each key switch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products LP
    Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Frank C. Azor, Joe A. Olmsted