Patents by Inventor Michael D. Hillman

Michael D. Hillman 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: 11465704
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wireless remote control or remote control application for controlling the lighting of an electronic personal transportation vehicle. Embodiments can solve problems related to sharing electronic personal transportation vehicles by uniquely identifying a user, and allowing that user to control the lighting of the electronic personal transportation vehicle. In this manner, other users can control the lighting at different times, depending on the specific person that is using the electronic personal transportation vehicle at any given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: NEUTRON HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hillman, Blair Williams, Paul Jackson, Matthew J. Cheung, Angus Peart, Chris Rieger, John Ulmen, Brennan Vandenhoek, Peng Peng, Levi Price
  • Publication number: 20210107582
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wireless remote control or remote control application for controlling the lighting of an electronic personal transportation vehicle. Embodiments can solve problems related to sharing electronic personal transportation vehicles by uniquely identifying a user, and allowing that user to control the lighting of the electronic personal transportation vehicle. In this manner, other users can control the lighting at different times, depending on the specific person that is using the electronic personal transportation vehicle at any given time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Michael D. HILLMAN, Blair WILLIAMS, Paul JACKSON, Matthew J. CHEUNG, Angus PEART, Chris RIEGER, John ULMEN, Brennan VANDENHOEK, Peng PENG, Levi PRICE
  • Patent number: 10790561
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a fuel source for the fuel cell stack and a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel system also includes an interface to the portable computing device, wherein the interface comprises a power link that provides power to the portable computing device, and a bidirectional communication link that provides bidirectional communication between the portable computing device and the controller for the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice, Michael D. Hillman, David I. Simon
  • Patent number: 10288937
    Abstract: A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, William Sauway Law, Sean Bailey, Ann Torres, Efrain Alcorta, Perry Anderson
  • Publication number: 20180183123
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a fuel source for the fuel cell stack and a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel system also includes an interface to the portable computing device, wherein the interface comprises a power link that provides power to the portable computing device, and a bidirectional communication link that provides bidirectional communication between the portable computing device and the controller for the fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice, Michael D. Hillman, David I. Simon
  • Patent number: 9917340
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a fuel source for the fuel cell stack and a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel system also includes an interface to the portable computing device, wherein the interface comprises a power link that provides power to the portable computing device, and a bidirectional communication link that provides bidirectional communication between the portable computing device and the controller for the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice, Michael D. Hillman, David I. Simon
  • Patent number: 9590352
    Abstract: Security devices and methods of securely coupling electronic devices and peripherals are provided. In one embodiment, a peripheral has a first coded magnet on a first surface of a first device. The first coded magnet has at least two different polarity regions on the first surface. A second coded magnet on a second surface of a second device is also provided. The first coded magnet is configured to securely provide data to a device associated with the second coded magnet, if the first and second coded magnets' patterns are keyed to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bilbrey, Aleksandar Pance, Peter Arnold, David I. Simon, Jean Lee, Michael D Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, Vijay Iyer, Bradley Spare
  • Publication number: 20160231624
    Abstract: A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Michael D. Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, William Sauway Law, Sean Bailey, Ann Torres, Efrain Alcorta, Perry Anderson
  • Patent number: 9316863
    Abstract: A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, William Sauway Law, Sean Bailey, Ann Torres, Efrain Alcorta, Perry Anderson
  • Patent number: 9165607
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having an outer housing, a component, and a shock-absorption assembly is disclosed. A shock-absorption assembly located within the outer housing and coupled to the component can include one or more elements adapted to dampen a mechanical shock to the component. The shock-absorption assembly elements can be mounted to corners and/or edges of the component. Shock-absorption assembly elements can include a first portion comprising protrusions that provide initial damping of the mechanical shock and a second portion comprising an elastic block that provides final damping of the mechanical shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng Ping Tan, Con Phan, Steven Lee Owen, Michael D. Hillman
  • Publication number: 20150249280
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a fuel source for the fuel cell stack and a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel system also includes an interface to the portable computing device, wherein the interface comprises a power link that provides power to the portable computing device, and a bidirectional communication link that provides bidirectional communication between the portable computing device and the controller for the fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice, Michael D. Hillman, David I. Simon
  • Patent number: 8980491
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a fuel source for the fuel cell stack and a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel system also includes an interface to the portable computing device, wherein the interface comprises a power link that provides power to the portable computing device, and a bidirectional communication link that provides bidirectional communication between the portable computing device and the controller for the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice, Michael D. Hillman, David I. Simon
  • Patent number: 8963666
    Abstract: Connectors and methods of coupling electronic devices and cables are provided. In one embodiment, a connector has a first coded magnet on a first surface of a first device. The first coded magnet has at least two different polarity regions on the first surface. A second coded magnet on a second surface of a second device is also provided. The second coded magnet is configured to provide identifying information regarding the device on which it is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bilbrey, Aleksandar Pance, Peter Arnold, David I. Simon, Jean Lee, Michael D. Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, Vijay Iyer, Bradley Spare
  • Patent number: 8576034
    Abstract: A plug or connector including a coded magnet and an electrical contact. As the plug approaches a corresponding port, the coded magnet interacts with a magnet within the port. The interaction between the plug coded magnet and the port coded magnet provides a force to connect and/or align the plug with the port. Once the plug is received within the port, if a process is completed, the coded magnets polarities are altered to eject the plug from the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bilbrey, Aleksandar Pance, Peter Arnold, David I. Simon, Jean Lee, Michael D. Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, Vijay Iyer, Bradley Spare
  • Patent number: 8564955
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for distributing a thermal interface material. The system includes: an integrated circuit chip; a heat sink; and a compliant thermal interface material (TIM) between the integrated circuit chip and the heat sink. During assembly of the system, a mating surface of the heat sink and a mating surface of the integrated circuit chip are shaped to distribute the TIM in the predetermined pattern as the TIM is pressed between the mating surface of heat sink and a corresponding mating surface of the integrated circuit chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chad C Schmidt, Richard Lidio Blanco, Jr., Douglas L Heirich, Michael D Hillman, Phillip L Mort, Jay S Nigen, Gregory L Tice
  • Patent number: 8506322
    Abstract: Portable computer battery structures are provided. The portable computer battery structures may include a battery with a metal enclosure and a battery cable with a floating end. The battery may have six cells. Three pairs of parallel-connected cells may be connected together in series. The six cells may be substantially planar in shape. The battery may have a connector with at least five conductive pins and six recesses. The battery cable may have a cable with at least five conductive pins that mate with the five pins of the battery's connector and with six support pins that slide into the six recesses of the battery's connector. The batter connector may be formed on a printed circuit board substrate that folds over on itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Michael D. Hillman, Robert L. Coish, Chris Ligtenberg
  • Publication number: 20120236436
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having an outer housing, a component, and a shock-absorption assembly is disclosed. A shock-absorption assembly located within the outer housing and coupled to the component can include one or more elements adapted to dampen a mechanical shock to the component. The shock-absorption assembly elements can be mounted to corners and/or edges of the component. Shock-absorption assembly elements can include a first portion comprising protrusions that provide initial damping of the mechanical shock and a second portion comprising an elastic block that provides final damping of the mechanical shock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Cheng Ping TAN, Con PHAN, Steven Lee OWEN, Michael D. HILLMAN
  • Publication number: 20120214035
    Abstract: Portable computer battery structures are provided. The portable computer battery structures may include a battery with a metal enclosure and a battery cable with a floating end. The battery may have six cells. Three pairs of parallel-connected cells may be connected together in series. The six cells may be substantially planar in shape. The battery may have a connector with at least five conductive pins and six recesses. The battery cable may have a cable with at least five conductive pins that mate with the five pins of the battery's connector and with six support pins that slide into the six recesses of the battery's connector. The batter connector may be formed on a printed circuit board substrate that folds over on itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Michael D. Hillman, Robert L. Coish, Chris Ligtenberg
  • Patent number: 8223482
    Abstract: A portable computing device having an outer housing, and internal hard disk drive and a shock damping mounting assembly is disclosed. Multiple outer dimensions of the portable computing device can be less than the width of the hard drive due to a diagonal arrangement of the hard drive within the overall device. The hard drive can comply with a standardized form factor, such as a 3.5 inch form factor. A mounting assembly located within the outer housing and coupled to the hard drive can include one or more components adapted to damp a mechanical shock to the hard drive, which components can be mounted to corners and/or edges of the hard drive. Mounting assembly components can includes a first stage spring comprising a finger geometry that provides initial damping of the mechanical shock and a second stage spring comprising an elastic block that provides final damping of the mechanical shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng Ping Tan, Con Phan, Steven Lee Owen, Michael D. Hillman
  • Publication number: 20120120633
    Abstract: A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. HILLMAN, Gregory L. Tice, William Sauway Law, Sean Bailey, Ann Torres, Efrain Alcorta, Perry Anderson