Patents by Inventor Michael Prichard

Michael Prichard 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).

  • Publication number: 20120057297
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Patent number: 8049733
    Abstract: A transfer function is provided for use with computer pointing devices such as trackpads. The transfer function includes a first component having characteristics of a positional transfer function and a second component having characteristics of a velocity-based transfer function. The first (positional) component and the second (velocity-based) component of the transfer function are blended so that the transfer function exhibits purely positional behavior in response to a first range of inputs and exhibits combined positional and velocity-based behavior in response to a second range of inputs. The first range of inputs may, for example, correspond to a region in the input coordinate space that is bounded by a circle having a predetermined threshold radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Michael Prichard
  • Patent number: 8050028
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Publication number: 20110038120
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Publication number: 20110022747
    Abstract: A computing system is provided that includes a plurality of interconnected components. The components include a processing subsystem, an input subsystem, an output subsystem, a storage subsystem, and a power subsystem. Subsets of the plurality of components may be rearranged and interconnected in various configurations to form different computing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Nicholas G. L. Merz, Jory Bell, Michael Prichard
  • Publication number: 20100318709
    Abstract: A docking station is disclosed for use with a mobile computing device. The form factor of the docking station may be similar to that of a conventional computer, such as a laptop computer or tablet computer. A mobile computing device, which may have the form factor of a personal digital assistant, may be docked in the docking station by connecting connectors on the docking station and the mobile computing device. The combined docking station and mobile computing device may form a computer which has a form factor and provide functionality similar to that of a conventional computer, such as a laptop computer or tablet computer. The docking station may, for example, include a cavity into which the mobile computing device may be inserted to dock the mobile computing device in the docking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Jory Bell, Michael Prichard, Nicholas G.L. Merz, Jonathan Betts-LaCroix
  • Patent number: 7835147
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Publication number: 20090040698
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Patent number: 7457111
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Publication number: 20080211780
    Abstract: A core component is disclosed which includes a processing module and a touch screen. The core component may operate by itself in a first mode to perform functions similar to that of a conventional personal digital assistant (PDA). In particular, the touch screen may both provide visual output and receive input from a user's finger when the core component operates in the first mode. When the core component is connected to another component including a display screen, the core component may operate in a second mode in which input received through the touch screen is provided to the other component. For example, the movement of a user's finger may control the position of a cursor displayed on a screen of the other component so that the core component exhibits the behavior of a trackpad when operating in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Jory Bell, Michael Prichard, Nicholas G.L. Merz, Jonathan Betts-LaCroix
  • Patent number: 7353053
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device having a slidable display is provided. A display unit is slidably connected to a body unit at two (or more) sliding joints. A mechanical linkage constrains motion at all of the sliding joints to be substantially equal. In this manner, binding of the slidable display is avoided, since binding occurs as a result of unequal motion at sliding joints. In one embodiment, the linkage includes a gear-axle-gear assembly disposed in a recess in the body unit and constrained to rotate as a unit about the axis of the axle. The gears of this assembly are engaged with linear gear racks on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: OQO, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Prichard, Jonathan Betts-Lacroix
  • Publication number: 20080036745
    Abstract: A transfer function is provided for use with computer pointing devices such as trackpads. The transfer function includes a first component having characteristics of a positional transfer function and a second component having characteristics of a velocity-based transfer function. The first (positional) component and the second (velocity-based) component of the transfer function are blended so that the transfer function exhibits purely positional behavior in response to a first range of inputs and exhibits combined positional and velocity-based behavior in response to a second range of inputs. The first range of inputs may, for example, correspond to a region in the input coordinate space that is bounded by a circle having a predetermined threshold radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Michael Prichard
  • Publication number: 20080018605
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device having a slidable display is provided. A display unit is slidably connected to a body unit at two (or more) sliding joints. A mechanical linkage constrains motion at all of the sliding joints to be substantially equal. In this manner, binding of the slidable display is avoided, since binding occurs as a result of unequal motion at sliding joints. In one embodiment, the linkage includes a gear-axle-gear assembly disposed in a recess in the body unit and constrained to rotate as a unit about the axis of the axle. The gears of this assembly are engaged with linear gear racks on the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Prichard, Jonathan Betts-Lacroix
  • Patent number: 7301761
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Michael Prichard
  • Patent number: 7274355
    Abstract: A transfer function is provided for use with computer pointing devices such as trackpads. The transfer function includes a first component having characteristics of a positional transfer function and a second component having characteristics of a velocity-based transfer function. The first (positional) component and the second (velocity-based) component of the transfer function are blended so that the transfer function exhibits purely positional behavior in response to a first range of inputs and exhibits combined positional and velocity-based behavior in response to a second range of inputs. The first range of inputs may, for example, correspond to a region in the input coordinate space that is bounded by a circle having a predetermined threshold radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: OQO, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Michael Prichard
  • Publication number: 20070208892
    Abstract: A computing system is provided that includes a plurality of interconnected components. The components include a processing subsystem, an input subsystem, an output subsystem, a storage subsystem, and a power subsystem. Subsets of the plurality of components may be rearranged and interconnected in various configurations to form different computing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Nicholas G. L. Merz, Jory Bell, Michael Prichard
  • Publication number: 20070165373
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Publication number: 20060149856
    Abstract: A computing system is provided that includes a plurality of interconnected components. The components include a processing subsystem, an input subsystem, an output subsystem, a storage subsystem, and a power subsystem. Subsets of the plurality of components may be rearranged and interconnected in various configurations to form different computing subsystems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Nicholas Merz, Jory Bell, Michael Prichard
  • Publication number: 20060129721
    Abstract: A computing system is provided that includes a plurality of interconnected components. The components include a processing subsystem, an input subsystem, an output subsystem, a storage subsystem, and a power subsystem. Subsets of the plurality of components may be rearranged and interconnected in various configurations to form different computing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Nicholas Merz, Jory Bell, Michael Prichard
  • Patent number: D524809
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: OQO, Inc.
    Inventors: Vince Alcouloumre, Jory Bell, Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Vance Chin, Robert Ford, Mike Furlotti, Robert Kelley, Nick Merz, Michael Prichard, Mindy Ward