Patents by Inventor Peter Skillman

Peter Skillman 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: 20070227079
    Abstract: A knock-down portable partition system has cover panels supported on a post and beam framework designed for quick and easy on-site manual assembly. The framework includes at least two vertical posts and at least two structural beams rigidly, yet detachably interconnecting the vertical posts. Connectors secure the beams to the posts, such that the partition system can be assembled and disassembled manually. The partition system may include utility troughs shaped to retain wires, cabling, etc. therein to provide power and/or communication to the system. The utility troughs have opposite ends shaped to be detachably mounted to the posts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Waalkes, Marcus Pressnell, Mark Slager, Michael Shields, Brian Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis Boyle, Charles Seiber, Peter Skillman, Joseph Chang, Richard Hand
  • Publication number: 20070200828
    Abstract: A keypad includes a plurality of multi-portion keys having two or more key-portions within a common footprint. Each key-portion is independently usable with respect to any other key-portion. A plurality of switches are oriented such that insertion of any key-portion will engage a respective switch associated with a particular key-portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Skillman, Richard Gioscia
  • Publication number: 20070188987
    Abstract: A portable computing device has an upper housing segment and a lower housing segment pivotably connected to each other to move between a closed position and an extended or open position. A first inward edge formation is formed along the exterior edge of the upper housing segment. A second inward edge formation is formed along the exterior edge of the lower housing segment. When the portable computing device is in a closed position, the space between the first and second inward edge formations defines a groove formation around the periphery of the portable computing device. The groove formation is dimensioned to receive a user's finger for carrying or opening the portable computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventor: Peter Skillman
  • Publication number: 20070151832
    Abstract: A keyboard for an electronic device that incorporates a flexible carrier for the keys. The flexible carrier has cutouts or slots that aid in decoupling the actions of one from its neighbors. Moreover, in addition to or instead of cutouts or slots, the flexible carrier optionally has cutouts around its outer perimeter. In some embodiments, the keys are molded as part of the flexible carrier. In other embodiments, the keys are attached to or inserted in the flexible carrier during manufacture. Various embodiments of the invention employ various key shapes to aid the user's tactile experience while typing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Yurochko, Peter Skillman
  • Publication number: 20070142078
    Abstract: Techniques to generate context information are described. An apparatus may comprise a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may include a radio sub-system, a processing sub-system to couple to the radio sub-system, and a context information management module for execution by the processing sub-system. The context information management module may search for context information associated with a contact identifier using a context information database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Lang Chen, Peter Skillman, David Champlin, Robert Haitani, Tina Tseng, Srikiran Prasad
  • Publication number: 20070143364
    Abstract: Techniques to manage contact information are described. An apparatus may comprise a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may include a contact database management module to dynamically associate different sets of contact information with different contact information databases based on changes in a contact value parameter for each set of contact information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Lang Chen, Peter Skillman, David Champlin, Robert Haitani, Tina Tseng, Srikiran Prasad
  • Publication number: 20060202967
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an effective keypad assembly and keypad layout for mobile computing devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide keyboard layouts and designs. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for stack components to make keyboards operable on small-form factor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Skillman, Michael Yurochko, Arthur Zarnowitz
  • Publication number: 20060202966
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an effective keypad assembly and keypad layout for mobile computing devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide keyboard layouts and designs. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for stack components to make keyboards operable on small-form factor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventor: Peter Skillman
  • Publication number: 20060204303
    Abstract: A stack assembly for use with a mobile computing device. In one embodiment, the stack assembly includes an electrical contact layer, and actuation member layer, and an illumination layer. The electrical contact layer includes a plurality of contact elements. The actuation member layer includes a plurality of actuation members are, wherein each actuation member is aligned so that an axial movement of that member causes a corresponding one of the plurality of contact elements to actuate. The illumination layer is configured to emit light to the keypad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Yurochko, Arthur Zarnowitz, Peter Skillman
  • Publication number: 20060202968
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an effective keypad assembly and keypad layout for mobile computing devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide keyboard layouts and designs. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for stack components to make keyboards operable on small-form factor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Skillman, Richard Gioscia, Michael Yurochko, Arthur Zarnowitz
  • Publication number: 20060103642
    Abstract: A charging and communication cable system for a handheld computer system is disclosed. The charging and communication cable system includes a first interface for connecting to the handheld computer system, a second interface for connecting to another computer system, and a third interface for coupling to a charger system. In one embodiment, the third interface used to coupled to a charger system is the same as the interface on the handheld computer system such that the charger may be coupled to the charging and communication cable system or directly to the handheld computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hawkins, Peter Skillman, Karl Townsend
  • Patent number: 6980204
    Abstract: A charging and communication cable system for a handheld computer system is disclosed. The charging and communication cable system includes a first interface for connecting to the handheld computer system, a second interface for connecting to another computer system, and a third interface for coupling to a charger system. In one embodiment, the third interface used to coupled to a charger system is the same as the interface on the handheld computer system such that the charger may be coupled to the charging and communication cable system or directly to the handheld computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Jeffrey Charles Hawkins, Peter Skillman, Karl A. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20050227635
    Abstract: A hand-held device that provides communication services and symbol processing is described. The device includes a case having a front side comprising a display and a lid having a transparent portion through which the display can be seen in a lid-closed state. In one version, the hand-held device comprises a QWERTY keyboard including an arrangement of digits as in a touch-tone telephone keypad arrangement. In another version, the display includes a handwriting area for data entry using a stylus or other screen data entry device. In a closed position, the lid extends over the display and the keyboard, leaving another user input device physically accessible to touch for receiving input wherein the device performs processing responsive to receiving input from the physically accessible user input device in the lid closed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hawkins, Peter Skillman, William Rees, Robert Haitani, Michael Yurochko, Edward Colligan
  • Publication number: 20050144855
    Abstract: A knock-down portable partition system has cover panels supported on a post and beam framework designed for quick and easy on-site manual assembly. The framework includes at least two vertical posts and at least two structural beams rigidly, yet detachably interconnecting the vertical posts. Connectors secure the beams to the posts, such that the partition system can be assembled and disassembled manually. The partition system may include utility troughs shaped to retain wires, cabling, etc. therein to provide power and/or communication to the system. The utility troughs have opposite ends shaped to be detachably mounted to the posts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Waalkes, Marcus Pressnell, Mark Slager, Michael Shields, Brian Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis Boyle, Charles Seiber, Peter Skillman, Joseph Chang, Richard Hand
  • Publication number: 20050134581
    Abstract: A charging and communication cable system for a handheld computer system is disclosed. The charging and communication cable system includes a first interface for connecting to the handheld computer system, a second interface for connecting to another computer system, and a third interface for coupling to a charger system. In one embodiment, the third interface used to coupled to a charger system is the same as the interface on the handheld computer system such that the charger may be coupled to the charging and communication cable system or directly to the handheld computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hawkins, Peter Skillman, Karl Townsend
  • Patent number: 6442637
    Abstract: An expandable mobile computer system is described. The mobile computer system includes a peripheral expansion interface that allows a large number of different sized expansion peripherals to be created and used with the mobile computer system. A pair of rails forms a first opening of the peripheral expansion interface wherein an expansion peripheral device may be inserted. Large expansion peripherals may extend in a first dimension out of that first opening. The rails also form a second opening along a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension. Large expansion peripherals may also extend outward from the peripheral expansion interface in the second dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Handspring, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Peter Skillman, Michael Wise, John Raff, Daniel Sung-Hwe Kim, Dennis Boyle, Charles R. Lewis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6411504
    Abstract: A portable computer includes a base, a display panel, a cover for housing the display panel, and a cover pivotally connected to the base. The display panel includes a front surface having an active area and an inactive area surrounding the active area. The cover includes a latch hook extending over a portion of the inactive area of the display panel. The latch hook secures the cover to the base when the cover in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Bryan F. Howell, Rick Wahl, Jeff Brostrom, Peter Skillman, Otto Deruntz
  • Patent number: D466115
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Handspring, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Peter Skillman, Martin Bone
  • Patent number: D466502
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Handspring, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Peter Skillman, Melissa Trott, Martin Bone
  • Patent number: D482359
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Peter Skillman, Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Michael Wise, John Raff, Daniel Sung-Hwe Kim, Dennis Boyle, Charles R. Lewis, Jr.