Patents by Inventor Greg Springer
Greg Springer 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).
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Publication number: 20120270424Abstract: Electrical connections that provide a highly manufacturable, well-shielded path from a cable to a printed circuit board. One example provides a path that includes a card and a connector. Conductors in a cable may be attached to a card. The card may be shielded with a ground plane on one or more sides and edges. The card may insert into a connector that may be attached to a printed circuit board. The connector may include a shield that may have a top portion that forms electrical contact with a ground plane on a top of a card inserted in the connector. The connector may have an opening for accepting the card that is defined by the top portion of the shield and a plurality of rows of contacts. The rows of contacts may include an outer row of ground contacts, and an inner row of signal contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zheng Gao, George Tziviskos, Min C. Kim, Vincent D. Duperron, George V. Anastas, Greg A. Springer
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Publication number: 20120178279Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Greg Springer, Joshua Funamura, Stewart Shannon Fields
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Patent number: 8162688Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Greg Springer, Joshua Funamura, Stewart Shannon Fields
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Publication number: 20120094517Abstract: Connectors that may be incorporated and used in electronic devices in a reliable manner. One example may provide a connector that may receive a memory card, such as a Secure Digital, SmartMedia, Compact Flash, or other type of memory card. One example may provide a connector that may connect to other electronic circuits and components in an electronic device in a reliable manner. Another may provide a connector that may reliably form a connection for electromagnetic interference protection during device assembly. Another may provide a connector that may be resistant to damage from debris or other particulate matter that may enter the connector. Another example may provide a connector that has a back that is reinforced to prevent damage caused by the insertion of a card with excessive force. Another may provide a connector having a raised portion arranged to fit in an opening in a printed circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zheng Gao, Greg Springer, William Long, John Raff, Laura DeForest
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Publication number: 20110250768Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide sockets or connectors that are capable of operating at high data rates. One example provides a connector that uses a flex board to form a connection between pins of a socket or connector and a printed circuit board. In another example, one or more flex boards are used to provide a signal path between a memory device, such as an SODIMM, and a printed circuit board. Another example provides a stack of wafers, each formed of an insulated material and supporting one or more conductive pins for making an electrical connection between a memory device and a flex board.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Greg Springer, Vince Duperron, Marc Simmel, Peter Mitchell, Joshua Funamura
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Publication number: 20110237134Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another embodiment provides a connector receptacle having a housing where a portion of the housing has been removed to save space.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zheng Gao, Steve McClure, Joshua Banko, Greg Springer, Min Chul Kim, Joshua Funamura
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Publication number: 20110104945Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted, or are very thin or have a low profile. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another example provides a super-thin connector receptacle by removing fingers and portions of a shell along one or more sides.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zheng Gao, John Raff, Bartley K. Andre, Laura DeForest, Greg Springer, Min Chul Kim, Joshua Funamura
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Publication number: 20110076891Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Greg Springer, Joshua Funamura, Stewart Shannon Fields
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Patent number: 7794263Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Greg Springer, Joshua Funamura, Stewart Shannon Fields
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Patent number: 7574715Abstract: A disk drive media access system opens a media access door to the interior of a disk drive sufficiently for ejection of disk media from the disk drive but insufficiently for manually engaging and removing disk media that is operationally positioned within the disk drive. The disk media is kept substantially laterally stationary during the opening of the media access door. The disk media is moved sufficiently for manually engaging the disk media for removing the disk media from the disk drive.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Greg Springer, Chris Ligtenberg, Bartley K. Andre, Brett William Degner
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Patent number: 7532464Abstract: An access system for a portable device provides a portable computer having a bottom surface. The portable computer is accessed through an active user interface on the bottom surface of the portable computer.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2005Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Chris Ligtenberg, Greg Springer, Bartley K. Andre, Brett William Degner, Jonathan P. Ive
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Patent number: 7055215Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a hinge assembly having a counterbalance spring, a friction mechanism, and an independent pop-up element attached to a shaft. In one embodiment, a hinge assembly having a counterbalancing spring and an independent pop-up element attaches a display assembly to a base assembly of a portable computer.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Chris Ligtenberg, Greg Springer, Sung Kim, Kevin Fetterman