Patents by Inventor John C. DiFonzo
John C. DiFonzo 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: 20100035441Abstract: An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one or both of the plug and receptacle can be a magnet, which is preferably a permanent rare earth magnet although electromagnets may also be used. The magnetic element on the plug or receptacle that does not include a magnet is composed of ferromagnetic material. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Mark Edward Doutt, Bartley K. Andre, Kanye Lim, John C. DiFonzo, Jean-Marc Gery
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Patent number: 7645143Abstract: An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one or both of the plug and receptacle can be a magnet, which is preferably a permanent rare earth magnet although electromagnets may also be used. The magnetic element on the plug or receptacle that does not include a magnet is composed of ferromagnetic material. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Mark Edward Doutt, Bartley K. Andre, Kanye Lim, John C. DiFonzo, Jean-Marc Gery
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Patent number: 7641477Abstract: An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one of the plug or receptacle can be a magnet or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic element on the other of the plug or receptacle is an electromagnet. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2008Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Bartley K. Andre, Kanye Lim, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Mark Edward Doutt, Jean-Marc Gery
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Publication number: 20090181556Abstract: An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one or both of the plug and receptacle can be a magnet, which is preferably a permanent rare earth magnet although electromagnets may also be used. The magnetic element on the plug or receptacle that does not include a magnet is composed of ferromagnetic material. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Mark Edward Doutt, Bartley K. Andre, Kanye Lim, John C. DiFonzo, Jean-Marc Gery
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Patent number: 7517222Abstract: An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one or both of the plug and receptacle can be a magnet, which is preferably a permanent rare earth magnet although electromagnets may also be used. The magnetic element on the plug or receptacle that does not include a magnet is composed of ferromagnetic material. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: APPLE Inc.Inventors: Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Mark Edward Doutt, Bartley K. Andre, Kanye Lim, John C. Difonzo, Jean-Marc Gery
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Publication number: 20080280461Abstract: An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one of the plug or receptacle can be a magnet or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic element on the other of the plug or receptacle is an electromagnet. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Bartley K. Andre, Kanye Lim, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Mark Edward Doutt, Jean-Marc Gery
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Patent number: 7351066Abstract: An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one of the plug or receptacle can be a magnet or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic element on the other of the plug or receptacle is an electromagnet. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Bartley K. Andre, Kanye Lim, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Mark Edward Doutt, Jean-Marc Gery
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Patent number: 7311526Abstract: An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one or both of the plug and receptacle can be a magnet, which is preferably a permanent rare earth magnet although electromagnets may also be used. The magnetic element on the plug or receptacle that does not include a magnet is composed of ferromagnetic material. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Mark Edward Doutt, Bartley K. Andre, Kanye Lim, John C. DiFonzo, Jean-Marc Gery
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Patent number: 6659516Abstract: The invention generally pertains to a portable computer having a base and a lid. More particularly, the invention pertains to an improved locking system for securing the base relative to the lid. One aspect of the invention relates to a latch that is placed in a recess when the lid is opened so as to eliminate unsightly and harmful protrusions. Another aspect of the invention relates to a latch that is automatically extracted from the recess when the lid is closed so as to secure the lid to the base. For example, a magnetic actuator may be used to automatically extract the latch when the lid is closed. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a button for releasing the secured latch so as to allow the lid to be opened.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Shyue-Yang Wang, John C. DiFonzo, Daniele De Iuliis, Andrew L. Johnston
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Patent number: 6570757Abstract: Improved housings for computing devices are disclosed. One improvement pertains to a multi-axis ventilation system. Another improvement pertains to a push button latch for a portable computer. Still another improvement pertains to a media bay ejection system provided with a dampener. These improvements can be provided separately or in any combination in a given computing device.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Andy Johnston, Sung H. Kim, Bart Andre
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Patent number: 6493222Abstract: Improved housings for computing devices are disclosed. One improvement pertains to a multi-axis ventilation system. Another improvement pertains to a push button latch for a portable computer. Still another improvement pertains to a media bay ejection system provided with a dampener. These improvements can be provided separately or in any combination in a given computing device.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Andrew S. Healy, Mounir M. Itani
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Publication number: 20020114132Abstract: Improved housings for computing devices are disclosed. One improvement pertains to a multi-axis ventilation system. Another improvement pertains to a push button latch for a portable computer. Still another improvement pertains to a media bay ejection system provided with a dampener. These improvements can be provided separately or in any combination in a given computing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2002Publication date: August 22, 2002Applicant: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Andy Johnston, Sung H. Kim, Bart Andre
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Publication number: 20020089190Abstract: The invention generally pertains to a portable computer having a base and a lid. More particularly, the invention pertains to an improved locking system for securing the base relative to the lid. One aspect of the invention relates to a latch that is placed in a recess when the lid is opened so as to eliminate unsightly and harmful protrusions. Another aspect of the invention relates to a latch that is automatically extracted from the recess when the lid is closed so as to secure the lid to the base. For example, a magnetic actuator may be used to automatically extract the latch when the lid is closed. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a button for releasing the secured latch so as to allow the lid to be opened.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Shyue-Yang Wang, John C. DiFonzo, Daniele De Iuliis, Andrew L. Johnston
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Patent number: 6411505Abstract: Improved housings for computing devices are disclosed. One improvement pertains to a multi-axis ventilation system. Another improvement pertains to a push button latch for a portable computer. Still another improvement pertains to a media bay ejection system provided with a dampener. These improvements can be provided separately or in any combination in a given computing device.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Andrew S. Healy, Andy Johnston, Sung H. Kim, Bart Andre, Mounir M. Itani
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Publication number: 20020075647Abstract: Improved housings for computing devices are disclosed. One improvement pertains to a multi-axis ventilation system. Another improvement pertains to a push button latch for a portable computer. Still another improvement pertains to a media bay ejection system provided with a dampener. These improvements can be provided separately or in any combination in a given computing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2002Publication date: June 20, 2002Applicant: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Andrew S. Healy, Mounir M. Itani
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Patent number: 6262886Abstract: The present invention includes a portable computer having improved resistance to scratching, marring and general abuses that include shock and vibration. The computer has a computer housing that includes a display housing and a main housing. A portion integral to one side of the display housing and that portion being proximal to an operating user has an integral layer of translucent elastomer having elastic properties of materials such that of natural rubber. One side of the main housing includes a location for keyboard placement, a palm rest and a cursor-pointing device. Another side of the main housing makes contact with a generally flat surface when the computer is in use. A portion integral to that side of the main housing also includes a layer of translucent elastomer. The configuration of the translucent elastomers on the computer housing is such they cover at least the corners of the portable computer that are proximal to the operating user.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Lawrence Lam, Roy Riccomini, Christopher J. Stringer, Stephen P. Zadesky
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Patent number: 4935932Abstract: A laser beam shaper which provides polarized output with a high spatial quality, utilizing induced stress birefringence. The laser beam shaper in which light resonates along a resonant path defined by reflective surfaces includes a solid state medium, such as a Nd:YAG rod which exhibits thermally induced stress birefringence that is of known, azimuthally independent distribution in planes perpendicular to the resonant path. On either side of the medium, quarter-wave retardation plates are provided which create essentially circular polarization of the resonant light within the medium. Sandwiching the quarter-wave plates and the medium are the first and second polarizing elements, both of which are aligned along the same preferred plane. By inducing stress birefringence in the medium, an output beam is produced. A shape defined by the distribution of the birefringence is provided. With media such as YAG, the shape of the beam is round with high quality.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1988Date of Patent: June 19, 1990Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.Inventors: Bertram C. Johnson, John C. DiFonzo, Richard L. Herbst
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Patent number: 4918395Abstract: A laser amplifier with high gain and high power efficiency comprises a gain medium characterized by at least two optical paths through the gain medium. An optic supplies the input laser pulse along a first optical path, so that the laser pulse has a transverse dimension D.sub.i as it propagates along the first optical path and exits the gain medium as a first pass amplified pulse. A second optic expands the first pass amplified pulse in the transverse dimension to an expanded pulse with transverse dimension D.sub.e, and guides the expanded pulse along a second optical path through the gain medium. The laser pulse exits the gain medium as a second pass amplified pulse. A third optic in a preferred system guides the second pass amplified pulse along a third optical path through the gain medium so that the laser pulse exits the gain medium as the output pulse.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1988Date of Patent: April 17, 1990Assignee: Spectra-PhysicsInventors: John C. Difonzo, Bertram C. Johnson
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Patent number: 4894837Abstract: In a laser apparatus which includes a laser medium exhibiting thermally induced optical distortions, and flash lamp mounted near the laser medium to provide laser pumping radiation, an absorbing filter is mounted between the flash lamp and the laser medium for absorbing radiation in the output spectrum of the lamp which exhibits a low fluorescence efficiency in the laser medium. By absorbing radiation with the low fluorescence efficiency in the laser medium, heat which develops in the laser medium can be limited to control the thermally induced optical distortions.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1988Date of Patent: January 16, 1990Assignee: Spectra-PhysicsInventors: John C. DiFonzo, Bertram C. Johnson
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Patent number: 4873692Abstract: A tunable solid state laser oscillator with very narrow spectral line width for pulsed output comprises a solid state laser medium that generates a laser beam along a resonant path, a beam expander, such as a prism beam expander or cylindrical optic, and a grating mounted with an adjustable angle of incidence with respect to the laser beam. By adjusting the angle of incidence of the beam on the grating, the laser output wavelength is tuned. Further, the reflectivity of the grating provides very narrow spectral line width for oscillation in the laser over the entire tuning range.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1988Date of Patent: October 10, 1989Assignee: Spectra-PhysicsInventors: Bertram C. Johnson, John C. DiFonzo, Richard L. Herbst