Patents by Inventor Gregory L. Tice

Gregory L. Tice 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: 11502236
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an integrated thermoelectric cooler and methods for forming thereof. The integrated thermoelectric cooler can include a plurality of thermoelectric rods located between the detector substrate and a system interposer. The detector substrate and the system interposer can directly contact ends of the thermoelectric rods. The integrated thermoelectric cooler can be formed by forming the plurality of thermoelectric rods on reels, for example, and the plurality of thermoelectric rods can be thinned down to a certain height. The thermoelectric rods can be transferred and bonded to the system substrate. An overmold can be formed around the plurality of thermoelectric rods. The height of the overmold and thermoelectric rods can be thinned down to another height. The thermoelectric rods can be bonded to the detector substrate. In some examples, the overmold can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Bishop, Gregory L. Tice, Mario J. Costello, Reid A. Black, Vijay M. Iyer
  • Patent number: 10964873
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an integrated thermoelectric cooler and methods for forming thereof. The integrated thermoelectric cooler can include a plurality of thermoelectric rods located between the detector substrate and a system interposer. The detector substrate and the system interposer can directly contact ends of the thermoelectric rods. The integrated thermoelectric cooler can be formed by forming the plurality of thermoelectric rods on reels, for example, and the plurality of thermoelectric rods can be thinned down to a certain height. The thermoelectric rods can be transferred and bonded to the system substrate. An overmold can be formed around the plurality of thermoelectric rods. The height of the overmold and thermoelectric rods can be thinned down to another height. The thermoelectric rods can be bonded to the detector substrate. In some examples, the overmold can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Bishop, Gregory L. Tice, Mario J. Costello, Reid A. Black, Vijay M. Iyer
  • Patent number: 10790561
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a fuel source for the fuel cell stack and a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel system also includes an interface to the portable computing device, wherein the interface comprises a power link that provides power to the portable computing device, and a bidirectional communication link that provides bidirectional communication between the portable computing device and the controller for the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice, Michael D. Hillman, David I. Simon
  • Patent number: 10288937
    Abstract: A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, William Sauway Law, Sean Bailey, Ann Torres, Efrain Alcorta, Perry Anderson
  • Patent number: 10164267
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a fuel cell plate. The fuel cell plate includes a substrate of electrically conductive material and a first outer layer of corrosion-resistant material bonded to a first portion of the substrate. To reduce the weight of the fuel cell plate, the electrically conductive material and the corrosion-resistant material are selected to be as light as practicable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice
  • Publication number: 20180183123
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a fuel source for the fuel cell stack and a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel system also includes an interface to the portable computing device, wherein the interface comprises a power link that provides power to the portable computing device, and a bidirectional communication link that provides bidirectional communication between the portable computing device and the controller for the fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice, Michael D. Hillman, David I. Simon
  • Patent number: 9917340
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a fuel source for the fuel cell stack and a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel system also includes an interface to the portable computing device, wherein the interface comprises a power link that provides power to the portable computing device, and a bidirectional communication link that provides bidirectional communication between the portable computing device and the controller for the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice, Michael D. Hillman, David I. Simon
  • Patent number: 9590352
    Abstract: Security devices and methods of securely coupling electronic devices and peripherals are provided. In one embodiment, a peripheral has a first coded magnet on a first surface of a first device. The first coded magnet has at least two different polarity regions on the first surface. A second coded magnet on a second surface of a second device is also provided. The first coded magnet is configured to securely provide data to a device associated with the second coded magnet, if the first and second coded magnets' patterns are keyed to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bilbrey, Aleksandar Pance, Peter Arnold, David I. Simon, Jean Lee, Michael D Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, Vijay Iyer, Bradley Spare
  • Publication number: 20160231624
    Abstract: A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Michael D. Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, William Sauway Law, Sean Bailey, Ann Torres, Efrain Alcorta, Perry Anderson
  • Patent number: 9316863
    Abstract: A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, William Sauway Law, Sean Bailey, Ann Torres, Efrain Alcorta, Perry Anderson
  • Publication number: 20150249280
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a fuel source for the fuel cell stack and a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel system also includes an interface to the portable computing device, wherein the interface comprises a power link that provides power to the portable computing device, and a bidirectional communication link that provides bidirectional communication between the portable computing device and the controller for the fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice, Michael D. Hillman, David I. Simon
  • Publication number: 20150221960
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a fuel cell plate. The fuel cell plate includes a substrate of electrically conductive material and a first outer layer of corrosion-resistant material bonded to a first portion of the substrate. To reduce the weight of the fuel cell plate, the electrically conductive material and the corrosion-resistant material are selected to be as light as practicable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice
  • Patent number: 8980491
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a fuel source for the fuel cell stack and a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel system also includes an interface to the portable computing device, wherein the interface comprises a power link that provides power to the portable computing device, and a bidirectional communication link that provides bidirectional communication between the portable computing device and the controller for the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice, Michael D. Hillman, David I. Simon
  • Patent number: 8963666
    Abstract: Connectors and methods of coupling electronic devices and cables are provided. In one embodiment, a connector has a first coded magnet on a first surface of a first device. The first coded magnet has at least two different polarity regions on the first surface. A second coded magnet on a second surface of a second device is also provided. The second coded magnet is configured to provide identifying information regarding the device on which it is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bilbrey, Aleksandar Pance, Peter Arnold, David I. Simon, Jean Lee, Michael D. Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, Vijay Iyer, Bradley Spare
  • Patent number: 8956784
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a fuel cell plate. The fuel cell plate includes a substrate of electrically conductive material and a first outer layer of corrosion-resistant material bonded to a first portion of the substrate. To reduce the weight of the fuel cell plate, the electrically conductive material and the corrosion-resistant material are selected to be as light as practicable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice
  • Patent number: 8690410
    Abstract: Methods and aparatuses disclosed herein relate to backlit visual display elements. A visual display element may include a base layer defining one or more microperforations and a light guide coupled to a light source. The light guide may be positioned adjacent the base layer and include one or more microlenses in alignment with the one or more microperforations along at least one vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Gregory L. Tice
  • Patent number: 8576034
    Abstract: A plug or connector including a coded magnet and an electrical contact. As the plug approaches a corresponding port, the coded magnet interacts with a magnet within the port. The interaction between the plug coded magnet and the port coded magnet provides a force to connect and/or align the plug with the port. Once the plug is received within the port, if a process is completed, the coded magnets polarities are altered to eject the plug from the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bilbrey, Aleksandar Pance, Peter Arnold, David I. Simon, Jean Lee, Michael D. Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, Vijay Iyer, Bradley Spare
  • Patent number: 8564955
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for distributing a thermal interface material. The system includes: an integrated circuit chip; a heat sink; and a compliant thermal interface material (TIM) between the integrated circuit chip and the heat sink. During assembly of the system, a mating surface of the heat sink and a mating surface of the integrated circuit chip are shaped to distribute the TIM in the predetermined pattern as the TIM is pressed between the mating surface of heat sink and a corresponding mating surface of the integrated circuit chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chad C Schmidt, Richard Lidio Blanco, Jr., Douglas L Heirich, Michael D Hillman, Phillip L Mort, Jay S Nigen, Gregory L Tice
  • Patent number: 8303151
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses disclosed herein relate to backlit visual display elements. A visual display element may include a base layer defining one or more microperforations and a light guide coupled to a light source. The light guide may be positioned adjacent the base layer and include one or more microlenses in alignment with the one or more microperforations along at least one vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Gregory L. Tice
  • Publication number: 20120120633
    Abstract: A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. HILLMAN, Gregory L. Tice, William Sauway Law, Sean Bailey, Ann Torres, Efrain Alcorta, Perry Anderson