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).
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Publication number: 20120057297Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Patent number: 8049733Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Michael Prichard
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Patent number: 8050028Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Publication number: 20110038120Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Publication number: 20110022747Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Nicholas G. L. Merz, Jory Bell, Michael Prichard
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Publication number: 20100318709Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: Jory Bell, Michael Prichard, Nicholas G.L. Merz, Jonathan Betts-LaCroix
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Patent number: 7835147Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Publication number: 20090040698Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Patent number: 7457111Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 17, 2007Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Publication number: 20080211780Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Inventors: Jory Bell, Michael Prichard, Nicholas G.L. Merz, Jonathan Betts-LaCroix
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Patent number: 7353053Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 23, 2004Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: OQO, Inc.Inventors: Michael Prichard, Jonathan Betts-Lacroix
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Publication number: 20080036745Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Michael Prichard
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Publication number: 20080018605Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: Michael Prichard, Jonathan Betts-Lacroix
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Patent number: 7301761Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 19, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Michael Prichard
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Patent number: 7274355Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: OQO, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Michael Prichard
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Publication number: 20070208892Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2006Publication date: September 6, 2007Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Nicholas G. L. Merz, Jory Bell, Michael Prichard
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Publication number: 20070165373Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2007Publication date: July 19, 2007Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Publication number: 20060149856Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2006Publication date: July 6, 2006Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Nicholas Merz, Jory Bell, Michael Prichard
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Publication number: 20060129721Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2006Publication date: June 15, 2006Inventors: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Nicholas Merz, Jory Bell, Michael Prichard
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Patent number: D524809Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: OQO, Inc.Inventors: Vince Alcouloumre, Jory Bell, Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Vance Chin, Robert Ford, Mike Furlotti, Robert Kelley, Nick Merz, Michael Prichard, Mindy Ward