Patents by Inventor Eric C. Gaertner

Eric C. Gaertner 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: 11741041
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor, a PCIe-compatible interface bus that includes a root that is connected to the processor, and a routing complex that is connected to the root and is controlled by the processor. The computer also includes a first interface slot that is connectable to the root by the switches, a second interface slot that is connectable to the root by the switches, and an extended interface slot that is connectable to the root by the switches. The switches are configured based on properties of a first peripheral device to define a first switching configuration when the first peripheral device is connected only to the first interface slot and to define a second switching configuration when the first peripheral device is connected to both of the first interface slot and the extended interface slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ian P. Shaeffer, Eric C. Gaertner, John T Orchard, Michael W. Murphy, Ronald P. Songco, Corey N. Axelowitz, Brett W. Degner
  • Publication number: 20220269640
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor, a PCIe-compatible interface bus that includes a root that is connected to the processor, and a routing complex that is connected to the root and is controlled by the processor. The computer also includes a first interface slot that is connectable to the root by the switches, a second interface slot that is connectable to the root by the switches, and an extended interface slot that is connectable to the root by the switches. The switches are configured based on properties of a first peripheral device to define a first switching configuration when the first peripheral device is connected only to the first interface slot and to define a second switching configuration when the first peripheral device is connected to both of the first interface slot and the extended interface slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Ian P. Shaeffer, Eric C. Gaertner, John T. Orchard, Michael W. Murphy, Ronald P. Songco, Corey N. Axelowitz, Brett W. Degner
  • Patent number: 11281619
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor, a PCIe-compatible interface bus that includes a root that is connected to the processor, and a routing complex that is connected to the root and is controlled by the processor. The computer also includes a first interface slot that is connectable to the root by the switches, a second interface slot that is connectable to the root by the switches, and an extended interface slot that is connectable to the root by the switches. The switches are configured based on properties of a first peripheral device to define a first switching configuration when the first peripheral device is connected only to the first interface slot and to define a second switching configuration when the first peripheral device is connected to both of the first interface slot and the extended interface slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ian P. Schaeffer, Eric C. Gaertner, John T. Orchard, Michael W. Murphy, Ronald P. Songco, Corey N. Axelowitz, Brett W. Degner
  • Patent number: 11188141
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may determine one or more characteristics relating to a mains power supply received by a computer system, and may then determine a maximum amount of power that may be drawn by the computer system given the determined characteristics. An example may provide a computer system having a power supply circuit that may include a detection circuit to receive a mains power supply and to detect a characteristic of the mains power supply. In response to the detected characteristic, the detection circuit may provide an output to a circuit in the computer system that sets a limit on a current that may be drawn by the circuit. In this example, the characteristic may be an RMS value of the mains power supply waveform, a location of where the mains power supply is being received, a quality of the mains power supply, or other characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Corey N. Axelowitz, William R. Allan, II, Eric C. Gaertner, Ian P. Shaeffer, Ronald P. Songco, John T. Orchard
  • Publication number: 20200311012
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor, a PCIe-compatible interface bus that includes a root that is connected to the processor, and a routing complex that is connected to the root and is controlled by the processor. The computer also includes a first interface slot that is connectable to the root by the switches, a second interface slot that is connectable to the root by the switches, and an extended interface slot that is connectable to the root by the switches. The switches are configured based on properties of a first peripheral device to define a first switching configuration when the first peripheral device is connected only to the first interface slot and to define a second switching configuration when the first peripheral device is connected to both of the first interface slot and the extended interface slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Ian P. Schaeffer, Eric C. Gaertner, John T. Orchard, Michael W. Murphy, Ronald P. Songco, Corey N. Axelowitz, Brett W. Degner
  • Publication number: 20190346911
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may determine one or more characteristics relating to a mains power supply received by a computer system, and may then determine a maximum amount of power that may be drawn by the computer system given the determined characteristics. An example may provide a computer system having a power supply circuit that may include a detection circuit to receive a mains power supply and to detect a characteristic of the mains power supply. In response to the detected characteristic, the detection circuit may provide an output to a circuit in the computer system that sets a limit on a current that may be drawn by the circuit. In this example, the characteristic may be an RMS value of the mains power supply waveform, a location of where the mains power supply is being received, a quality of the mains power supply, or other characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Corey N. Axelowitz, William R. Allan, II, Eric C. Gaertner, Ian P. Shaeffer, Ronald P. Songco, John T. Orchard