Patents by Inventor Nicholas W. Ruhter

Nicholas W. Ruhter 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: 11838432
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing defining an internal volume and a circuit board assembly within the internal volume. The circuit board assembly includes a first circuit board, a wall structure soldered to the first circuit board, and a second circuit board soldered to the wall structure and supported above the first circuit board by the wall structure. The second circuit board defines an exterior top surface of the circuit board assembly. A processor is coupled to the first circuit board and positioned within an internal volume defined between the first circuit board and the second circuit board and at least partially surrounded by the wall structure. A memory module is coupled to the exterior top surface of the circuit board assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bryan D. Keen, Devon A. Monaco, Sherry Lee, Ihtesham H. Chowdhury, Eric N. Nyland, Matthew D. Hill, Arun R. Varma, Lucy E. Browning, Sawyer I. Cohen, Benjamin J. Pope, Abhishek Choudhury, James W. Bilanski, Yaodong Wang, Daniel J. Morizio, Nicholas W. Ruhter, David A. Karol, Sean M. Gordoni
  • Patent number: 11363133
    Abstract: A method of an electronic device that includes a power source is disclosed. The method determines a health of the power source, a temperature of the power source, and a state of charge of the power source. The method then sets a performance state cap for the electronic device based on at least the health of the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Cyril De La Cropte De Chanterac, David M. Demuro, John Ananny, Karen Eckert, Michael Eng, Nicholas W. Ruhter, Stephen D. Sterz
  • Patent number: 10599199
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method can include receiving a command to shut down an electronic device based on a measurement of power delivery to the electronic device. After receiving the command to shut down, the method can determine whether an indication of remaining power capacity at the electronic device exceeds a threshold value. The method can shut down the electronic device and, after shutting down the electronic device, in accordance with a determination that the indication of remaining power capacity exceeds the threshold value, automatically reboot the electronic device. In accordance with a determination that the indication of the remaining power capacity does not exceed the threshold value, automatically rebooting the electronic device can be foregone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Cyril De La Cropte De Chanterac, Michael Eng, Karen Eckert, Alessandro Pelosi, David M. Demuro, Stephen D. Sterz, Nicholas W. Ruhter
  • Patent number: 9746904
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering from a low power state in a computing system is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, the computing system enters the low power state from a standard power state after an activity detector indicates a user controlled peripheral device connected to the computer system has been inactive for a period of time. To enter the low power state, the method disconnects the user controlled peripheral device from a host controller, while continuing to supply power to the user controlled peripheral device and shutting off power to the host controller. The method returns the computer system to the standard power state when the activity detector indicates the user controlled peripheral device has become active. To return to the standard power state, power is restored to the host controller and the user controlled peripheral device is reconnected to the host controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Fiyinfolu O. Adewale, Paul J. Costa, David R. Cox, Michael J. Giles, Steven I. Kuo, Nicholas W. Ruhter, Steven J. Sfarzo
  • Patent number: 9152193
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing acoustic power supply noise, specifically acoustic noise related to power supply switching frequencies in a computing device, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a controller can monitor power consumed by the computing device, and an operational state of the computing device can be determined. If the computing device is in a first operational state and the power consumed is greater than a threshold amount, then the power supply can be operated at a first switching frequency or mode of operation, thereby avoiding switching frequencies that can produce acoustic noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Costa, David R. Cox, Bharat K. Patel, Nicholas W. Ruhter, Xiaoyang Zhang, Steve X. Zhou
  • Publication number: 20150227190
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering from a low power state in a computing system is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, the computing system enters the low power state from a standard power state after an activity detector indicates a user controlled peripheral device connected to the computer system has been inactive for a period of time. To enter the low power state, the method disconnects the user controlled peripheral device from a host controller, while continuing to supply power to the user controlled peripheral device and shutting off power to the host controller. The method returns the computer system to the standard power state when the activity detector indicates the user controlled peripheral device has become active. To return to the standard power state, power is restored to the host controller and the user controlled peripheral device is reconnected to the host controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Fiyinfolu O. ADEWALE, Paul J. COSTA, David R. COX, Michael J. GILES, Steven I. KUO, Nicholas W. RUHTER, Steven J. SFARZO
  • Patent number: 9021288
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering from a low power state in a computing system is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, the computing system enters the low power state from a standard power state after an activity detector indicates a user controlled peripheral device connected to the computer system has been inactive for a period of time. To enter the low power state, the method disconnects the user controlled peripheral device from a host controller, while continuing to supply power to the user controlled peripheral device and shutting off power to the host controller. The method returns the computer system to the standard power state when the activity detector indicates the user controlled peripheral device has become active. To return to the standard power state, power is restored to the host controller and the user controlled peripheral device is reconnected to the host controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fiyinfolu O. Adewale, Paul J. Costa, David R. Cox, Michael J. Giles, Steven I. Kuo, Nicholas W. Ruhter, Steven J. Sfarzo
  • Publication number: 20130332765
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing acoustic power supply noise, specifically acoustic noise related to power supply switching frequencies in a computing device, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a controller can monitor power consumed by the computing device, and an operational state of the computing device can be determined. If the computing device is in a first operational state and the power consumed is greater than a threshold amount, then the power supply can be operated at a first switching frequency or mode of operation, thereby avoiding switching frequencies that can produce acoustic noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. COSTA, David R. COX, Bharat K. PATEL, Nicholas W. RUHTER, Xiaoyang ZHANG, Steve X. ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20130326251
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering from a low power state in a computing system is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, the computing system enters the low power state from a standard power state after an activity detector indicates a user controlled peripheral device connected to the computer system has been inactive for a period of time. To enter the low power state, the method disconnects the user controlled peripheral device from a host controller, while continuing to supply power to the user controlled peripheral device and shutting off power to the host controller. The method returns the computer system to the standard power state when the activity detector indicates the user controlled peripheral device has become active. To return to the standard power state, power is restored to the host controller and the user controlled peripheral device is reconnected to the host controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fiyinfolu O. Adewale, Paul J. Costa, David R. Cox, Michael J. Giles, Steven I. Kuo, Nicholas W. Ruhter, Steven J. Sfarzo