Patents Represented by Law Firm Apple Computer, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5696952
    Abstract: A software program and method to coordinate with hardware which is capable of dynamic speed switching is used to reset timing (bus and processor clock) sensitive elements such that machine speed (bus and processor clock frequencies) can be changed dynamically without interruption of I/O services or general OS and application level functions. This includes storing timing parameters for different system operating speeds. These timing parameters can be stored, then loaded into low level memory in coordination with certain service and speed changes to effect a smooth speed transition within a minimal number of clock cycles. In a preferred form, this includes examining the hardware configuration at system startup and determining timing parameters for the specific hardware installed in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Mark C. Pontarelli
  • Patent number: 5485076
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing an auxiliary voltage in a switching power supply. One or more auxiliary windings are coupled to the main inductor of the switching power supply. A synchronous switch is used in conjunction with the auxiliary winding to provide rectification and additionally provides waveform averaging which improves efficiency and voltage regulation over varying load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Schoenwald, Charles O. Forge
  • Patent number: 5466166
    Abstract: A housing and ejection mechanism for PCMCIA electronic "smart cards" is disclosed. The ejection mechanism comprises a pair of cooperating lever arms and springs. When a "smart card" is inserted into the housing, the two lever arms pivot into the housing, extending an ejection spring. As the spring is pulled back by means of the lever arms, insertion of the card requires only slightly more force than would be needed to connect a "smart card" with its socket were no spring present. Full insertion of the card leaves the two lever arms coupled, but with only one of the lever arms locked in position. When the user triggers the ejection process, the two levers are mechanically separated and one of them applies the full spring force to the "smart card", freeing it from its socket and starting to push it out of the housing. After the first arm frees the "smart card" from its socket, it frees the second lever arm from its latch. The two lever arms then cooperate to push the "smart card" further out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: David Law, Dennis Boyle, Matt Herron
  • Patent number: 5450540
    Abstract: A graphical interface for visually specifying the behavior of combinations of finite-state and continuous-state actors. The state of an actor may be controlled by the states of other actors. The motion of continuous-state actors is constrained by functions represented as, and analogous to, grooves, sockets, pins, glue, springs, and boxes. These functions may be represented graphically on the actor so that the system of constraints is readily ascertainable to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Spohrer, Tyde B. Richards, David P. Vronay, Adam M. Chipkin, Ruben J. Kleiman, Mark L. Miller
  • Patent number: D357929
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Susanne M. Pierce
  • Patent number: D363269
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kenneth D. Wood
  • Patent number: D364398
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Lam