Patents by Inventor Phillip N. Smith

Phillip N. Smith 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: 11961290
    Abstract: In one implementation, a method of remedying a medical impairment of a user is performed by a device including a processor, non-transitory memory, one or more biometric sensors, an image sensor, and a display. The method includes detecting, based on data from at least one of the image sensor and the one or more biometric sensors, a medical impairment of a user of the head-mounted device from a plurality of potential medical impairments associated with a plurality of remedies. The method includes selecting, from the plurality of remedies, a remedy of the medical impairment of the user. The method includes controlling the display to effect the remedy of the medical impairment of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Anselm Grundhoefer, Pedro Manuel Da Silva Quelhas, Phillip N. Smith, Omar Elafifi, Eshan Verma, Daniele Casaburo
  • Patent number: 11818419
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a display, at least one sensor, and a wireless transceiver. The mobile device also includes control circuitry coupled to the display, the at least one sensor, and the wireless transceiver. The control circuitry is configured to obtain content primitives from the at least one sensor, to perform content provisioning operations to obtain content based at least in part on the content primitives, and to display the obtained content on the display, wherein at least some of the content is virtual content. In response to a bandwidth condition of the wireless communication channel being less than a threshold, the control circuitry is configured to perform adjusted content provisioning operations that involve increasing an amount of image processing operations performed by the mobile device to obtain the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Moinul H. Khan, Katharina Buckl, Venu M. Duggineni, Aleksandr M. Movshovich, Sreeraman Anantharaman, Phillip N. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200107068
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a display, at least one sensor, and a wireless transceiver. The mobile device also includes control circuitry coupled to the display, the at least one sensor, and the wireless transceiver. The control circuitry is configured to obtain content primitives from the at least one sensor, to perform content provisioning operations to obtain content based at least in part on the content primitives, and to display the obtained content on the display, wherein at least some of the content is virtual content. In response to a bandwidth condition of the wireless communication channel being less than a threshold, the control circuitry is configured to perform adjusted content provisioning operations that involve increasing an amount of image processing operations performed by the mobile device to obtain the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Moinul H. Khan, Katharina Buckl, Venu M. Duggineni, Aleksandr M. Movshovich, Sreeraman Anantharaman, Phillip N. Smith
  • Patent number: 9296268
    Abstract: A tire debris containment and wrapping system including a frame mountable to a vehicle or trailer. An engagement arm deploys a wrapping material that surrounds and contains the tire upon tire damage or imminent tire failure. The wrapping material prevents tire debris from separating from the tire and entering the roadway. An in-cab monitoring and alarm system is optionally provided to signal the operator of a tire failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: CLIPPERDIDIT, INC.
    Inventor: Phillip N. Smith
  • Patent number: 8860273
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods involve thrust generation by interaction of an armature field with a stator field in an arrangement with substantially reduced flux coupling from the armature to the stator coil. In an illustrative example, solenoid coil segments may be arranged as the stator along a path of motion for the armature. In some examples, each armature may surround and overlap with at least one of the toroidal coil segments. Counter-electromotive force may be substantially reduced, for example, by stopping current flow in a stator coil while overlapped by the armature or while substantial armature flux couples to the stator coil. Thrust may be generated, in some examples, by interaction of armature and stator coil flux in arc-shaped regions external to and between each of the leading and trailing edges of the armature and their respective nearby stator coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Flyback Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Babcock, David J. Babcock, Phillip N. Smith
  • Patent number: 8729842
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems and methods may relate to a process for supplying unidirectional current to a load, controlling a reverse electromotive force (REMF), capturing inductive energy from the load, and supplying the captured inductive energy to the load. In an illustrative example, an operating cycle may include a sequence of operations. First, inductive energy captured from the load on a previous cycle may be supplied to the load. Second, energy may be supplied to the load from an external power source. Third, a REMF voltage may be substantially controlled upon disconnecting the power source from the load. Fourth, the load current may be brought to zero by capturing the inductive energy for use on a subsequent cycle. In some embodiments, a single power stage may supply a DC inductive load, or a pair of power stages may be operated to supply bidirectional current to an AC load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Flyback Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Babcock, David J. Babcock, Phillip N. Smith
  • Patent number: 8638074
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods involve a controllable supply adapted for controlling switch phasing and pulse width to substantially equalize power in adjacent quadrants of a sinusoidal source voltage waveform to regulate reactive power drawn from the source. In an illustrative example, the supply may, in some embodiments, deliver power to a load at a level responsive to a commanded input signal. In some examples, the power supplied to the load may be adjusted according to the command input signal to a selected value within an operating range. In some examples, the operating range may include a portion or all of 0 to 100% of rated load. Various embodiments may be adapted to supply unipolar or bipolar load excitation. In some embodiments, high power factor may be maintained over a substantial range of commanded power to the load. Certain embodiments may enhance supply efficiency by capturing and recycling inductive load energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Flyback Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Babcock, David J. Babcock, Phillip N. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120125518
    Abstract: A tire debris containment and wrapping system including a frame mountable to a vehicle or trailer. An engagement arm deploys a wrapping material that surrounds and contains the tire upon tire damage or imminent tire failure. The wrapping material prevents tire debris from separating from the tire and entering the roadway. An in-cab monitoring and alarm system is optionally provided to signal the operator of a tire failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Phillip N. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20110157942
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods involve a controllable supply adapted for controlling switch phasing and pulse width to substantially equalize power in adjacent quadrants of a sinusoidal source voltage waveform to regulate reactive power drawn from the source. In an illustrative example, the supply may, in some embodiments, deliver power to a load at a level responsive to a commanded input signal. In some examples, the power supplied to the load may be adjusted according to the command input signal to a selected value within an operating range. In some examples, the operating range may include a portion or all of 0 to 100% of rated load. Various embodiments may be adapted to supply unipolar or bipolar load excitation. In some embodiments, high power factor may be maintained over a substantial range of commanded power to the load. Certain embodiments may enhance supply efficiency by capturing and recycling inductive load energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: FLYBACK ENERGY INC.
    Inventors: Paul M. Babcock, David J. Babcock, Phillip N. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110156522
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods involve thrust generation by interaction of an armature field with a stator field in an arrangement with substantially reduced flux coupling from the armature to the stator coil. In an illustrative example, solenoid coil segments may be arranged as the stator along a path of motion for the armature. In some examples, each armature may surround and overlap with at least one of the toroidal coil segments. Counter-electromotive force may be substantially reduced, for example, by stopping current flow in a stator coil while overlapped by the armature or while substantial armature flux couples to the stator coil. Thrust may be generated, in some examples, by interaction of armature and stator coil flux in arc-shaped regions external to and between each of the leading and trailing edges of the armature and their respective nearby stator coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: FLYBACK ENERGY INC.
    Inventors: Paul M. Babcock, David J. Babcock, Phillip N. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110149618
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide low harmonic distortion AC power for distribution by converting energy from natural or renewable sources into electrical form, and constructing a current waveform on a primary winding of a transformer by recapturing inductive energy previously stored in the transformer so as to transform the converted electrical energy into substantially sinusoidal AC voltage at a secondary winding of the transformer. For example, AC power may be supplied to a utility power grid from raw electrical energy from renewable energy sources (e.g., solar cells). An inverter may construct the primary winding current waveform using two unidirectional switches. On each half cycle, one of the switches first applies energy previously recaptured from primary winding inductance, and then applies the raw energy to the transformer primary winding at the utility power grid frequency. Accordingly, the constructed primary winding current may exhibit substantially improved total harmonic distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Flyback Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Babcock, David J. Babcock, Phillip N. Smith
  • Patent number: 7957160
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide low harmonic distortion AC power for distribution by converting energy from natural or renewable sources into electrical form, and constructing a current waveform on a primary winding of a transformer by recapturing inductive energy previously stored in the transformer so as to transform the converted electrical energy into substantially sinusoidal AC voltage at a secondary winding of the transformer. For example, AC power may be supplied to a utility power grid from raw electrical energy from renewable energy sources (e.g., solar cells). An inverter may construct the primary winding current waveform using two unidirectional switches. On each half cycle, one of the switches first applies energy previously recaptured from primary winding inductance, and then applies the raw energy to the transformer primary winding at the utility power grid frequency. Accordingly, the constructed primary winding current may exhibit substantially improved total harmonic distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Flyback Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Babcock, David J. Babcock, Phillip N. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110115462
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems and methods may relate to a process for supplying unidirectional current to a load, controlling a reverse electromotive force (REMF), capturing inductive energy from the load, and supplying the captured inductive energy to the load. In an illustrative example, an operating cycle may include a sequence of operations. First, inductive energy captured from the load on a previous cycle may be supplied to the load. Second, energy may be supplied to the load from an external power source. Third, a REMF voltage may be substantially controlled upon disconnecting the power source from the load. Fourth, the load current may be brought to zero by capturing the inductive energy for use on a subsequent cycle. In some embodiments, a single power stage may supply a DC inductive load, or a pair of power stages may be operated to supply bidirectional current to an AC load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: FLYBACK ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Paul M. Babcock, David J. Babcock, Phillip N. Smith
  • Patent number: 7898229
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems and methods may relate to a process for supplying unidirectional current to a load, controlling a reverse electromotive force (REMF), capturing inductive energy from the load, and supplying the captured inductive energy to the load. In an illustrative example, an operating cycle may include a sequence of operations. First, inductive energy captured from the load on a previous cycle may be supplied to the load. Second, energy may be supplied to the load from an external power source. Third, a REMF voltage may be substantially controlled upon disconnecting the power source from the load. Fourth, the load current may be brought to zero by capturing the inductive energy for use on a subsequent cycle. In some embodiments, a single power stage may supply a DC inductive load, or a pair of power stages may be operated to supply bidirectional current to an AC load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Flyback Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M Babcock, David J Babcock, Phillip N Smith
  • Publication number: 20100192642
    Abstract: A system comprising a portable electronic device including a lock interface member, an adapter configured to be used in the lock interface member, and a security apparatus capable of engaging the lock interface member when the adapter is attached to the lock interface member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: ACCO Brands USA LLC
    Inventors: John Hung, Ryan White, David Dobson, Thomas A. Hagerty, Phillip N. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100060246
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems and methods may relate to a process for supplying unidirectional current to a load, controlling a reverse electromotive force (REMF), capturing inductive energy from the load, and supplying the captured inductive energy to the load. In an illustrative example, an operating cycle may include a sequence of operations. First, inductive energy captured from the load on a previous cycle may be supplied to the load. Second, energy may be supplied to the load from an external power source. Third, a REMF voltage may be substantially controlled upon disconnecting the power source from the load. Fourth, the load current may be brought to zero by capturing the inductive energy for use on a subsequent cycle. In some embodiments, a single power stage may supply a DC inductive load, or a pair of power stages may be operated to supply bidirectional current to an AC load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Flyback Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Babcock, David J. Babcock, Phillip N. Smith
  • Patent number: 7602157
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems and methods may relate to a process for supplying unidirectional current to a load, controlling a reverse electromotive force (REMF), capturing inductive energy from the load, and supplying the captured inductive energy to the load. In an illustrative example, an operating cycle may include a sequence of operations. First, inductive energy captured from the load on a previous cycle may be supplied to the load. Second, energy may be supplied to the load from an external power source. Third, a REMF voltage may be substantially controlled upon disconnecting the power source from the load. Fourth, the load current may be brought to zero by capturing the inductive energy for use on a subsequent cycle. In some embodiments, a single power stage may supply a DC inductive load, or a pair of power stages may be operated to supply bidirectional current to an AC load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Flyback Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Babcock, David J. Babcock, Phillip N. Smith
  • Publication number: 20070146958
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems and methods may relate to a process for supplying unidirectional current to a load, controlling a reverse electromotive force (REMF), capturing inductive energy from the load, and supplying the captured inductive energy to the load. In an illustrative example, an operating cycle may include a sequence of operations. First, inductive energy captured from the load on a previous cycle may be supplied to the load. Second, energy may be supplied to the load from an external power source. Third, a REMF voltage may be substantially controlled upon disconnecting the power source from the load. Fourth, the load current may be brought to zero by capturing the inductive energy for use on a subsequent cycle. In some embodiments, a single power stage may supply a DC inductive load, or a pair of power stages may be operated to supply bidirectional current to an AC load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Paul M. Babcock, David J. Babcock, Phillip N. Smith