Patents by Inventor Steven J. Sfarzo
Steven J. Sfarzo 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).
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Patent number: 10804243Abstract: Memory packages, memory modules, and circuit boards are described. In an embodiment, single channel memory packages are mounted on opposite sides of a circuit board designed with a first side also designed to accept dual channel memory packages. Alternatively, dual channel memory packages may be mounted on a first side of a circuit board that is also designed to accept single channel packages on opposite sides.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James D. Kelly, William H. Radke, Steven J. Sfarzo
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Publication number: 20190198480Abstract: Memory packages, memory modules, and circuit boards are described. In an embodiment, single channel memory packages are mounted on opposite sides of a circuit board designed with a first side also designed to accept dual channel memory packages. Alternatively, dual channel memory packages may be mounted on a first side of a circuit board that is also designed to accept single channel packages on opposite sides.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: James D. Kelly, William H. Radke, Steven J. Sfarzo
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Patent number: 10217721Abstract: Memory packages, memory modules, and circuit boards are described. In an embodiment, single channel memory packages are mounted on opposite sides of a circuit board designed with a first side also designed to accept dual channel memory packages. Alternatively, dual channel memory packages may be mounted on a first side of a circuit board that is also designed to accept single channel packages on opposite sides.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James D. Kelly, William H. Radke, Steven J. Sfarzo
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Publication number: 20180323169Abstract: Memory packages, memory modules, and circuit boards are described. In an embodiment, single channel memory packages are mounted on opposite sides of a circuit board designed with a first side also designed to accept dual channel memory packages. Alternatively, dual channel memory packages may be mounted on a first side of a circuit board that is also designed to accept single channel packages on opposite sides.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2017Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: James D. Kelly, William H. Radke, Steven J. Sfarzo
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Patent number: 9746904Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering from a low power state in a computing system is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, the computing system enters the low power state from a standard power state after an activity detector indicates a user controlled peripheral device connected to the computer system has been inactive for a period of time. To enter the low power state, the method disconnects the user controlled peripheral device from a host controller, while continuing to supply power to the user controlled peripheral device and shutting off power to the host controller. The method returns the computer system to the standard power state when the activity detector indicates the user controlled peripheral device has become active. To return to the standard power state, power is restored to the host controller and the user controlled peripheral device is reconnected to the host controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Fiyinfolu O. Adewale, Paul J. Costa, David R. Cox, Michael J. Giles, Steven I. Kuo, Nicholas W. Ruhter, Steven J. Sfarzo
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Publication number: 20170060211Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages power allocated through a set of bus interfaces on a computer system. During operation, the system obtains a first request for revocable current beyond a reserved current for a first bus interface from the set of bus interfaces, wherein the request is associated with a first device connected to the first bus interface. Next, the system allocates the revocable current to the first bus interface from an extra-current budget for the set of bus interfaces. Upon detecting a connection of a second device that requires non-revocable current over the extra-current budget to a second bus interface from the set of bus interfaces, the system transmits a first notification to the first device to relinquish the revocable current. Finally, the system allocates the non-revocable current to the second device from the relinquished revocable current.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Fernando A. Urbina, J. Rhoads Hollowell, II, Steven Lee, Steven J. Sfarzo, Paul M. Thompson
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Patent number: 9541959Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed that redirects light escaping from a display assembly light source to an illuminable region of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes a light guide panel arranged along a rear surface of the display assembly and configured to receive light escaping from a lateral side of the light source. The light guide panel can then be arranged to transport that light to a position behind the illuminable region and emit it back out in a focused beam having a size about the same as the illuminable region. In some embodiments the illuminable region can be a logo or device identifier.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Sfarzo, Joss N. Giddings, Bradley J. Hamel, Matthew P. Casebolt, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg
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Patent number: 9529398Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages power allocated through a set of bus interfaces on a computer system. During operation, the system obtains a first request for revocable current beyond a reserved current for a first bus interface from the set of bus interfaces, wherein the request is associated with a first device connected to the first bus interface. Next, the system allocates the revocable current to the first bus interface from an extra-current budget for the set of bus interfaces. Upon detecting a connection of a second device that requires non-revocable current over the extra-current budget to a second bus interface from the set of bus interfaces, the system transmits a first notification to the first device to relinquish the revocable current. Finally, the system allocates the non-revocable current to the second device from the relinquished revocable current.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fernando A. Urbina, J. Rhoads Hollowell, II, Steven Lee, Steven J. Sfarzo, Paul M. Thompson
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Publication number: 20150227190Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering from a low power state in a computing system is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, the computing system enters the low power state from a standard power state after an activity detector indicates a user controlled peripheral device connected to the computer system has been inactive for a period of time. To enter the low power state, the method disconnects the user controlled peripheral device from a host controller, while continuing to supply power to the user controlled peripheral device and shutting off power to the host controller. The method returns the computer system to the standard power state when the activity detector indicates the user controlled peripheral device has become active. To return to the standard power state, power is restored to the host controller and the user controlled peripheral device is reconnected to the host controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Fiyinfolu O. ADEWALE, Paul J. COSTA, David R. COX, Michael J. GILES, Steven I. KUO, Nicholas W. RUHTER, Steven J. SFARZO
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Patent number: 9021288Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering from a low power state in a computing system is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, the computing system enters the low power state from a standard power state after an activity detector indicates a user controlled peripheral device connected to the computer system has been inactive for a period of time. To enter the low power state, the method disconnects the user controlled peripheral device from a host controller, while continuing to supply power to the user controlled peripheral device and shutting off power to the host controller. The method returns the computer system to the standard power state when the activity detector indicates the user controlled peripheral device has become active. To return to the standard power state, power is restored to the host controller and the user controlled peripheral device is reconnected to the host controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fiyinfolu O. Adewale, Paul J. Costa, David R. Cox, Michael J. Giles, Steven I. Kuo, Nicholas W. Ruhter, Steven J. Sfarzo
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Patent number: 9013113Abstract: One embodiment of a display backlight driver integrated circuit can be configured for operation in at least two different ways. A first method transfers data from an EEPROM to hardware registers prior to regular operation. A second method also transfers data from an EEPROM to registers. However, hardware registers can be overwritten with data accepted from a control bus, prior to regular operation. A keyboard driver IC can detect the presence or absence of a cable to an LED. If the cable is absent, the driver IC will not supply power for the LED. One embodiment of a keyboard and display backlight control system can be configured to allow substantially independent operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alejandro Lara Ascorra, Eric G. Smith, Steven J. Sfarzo
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Patent number: 8933643Abstract: One embodiment of a display backlight driver integrated circuit can be configured for operation in at least two different ways. A first method transfers data from an EEPROM to hardware registers prior to regular operation. A second method also transfers data from an EEPROM to registers. However, hardware registers can be overwritten with data accepted from a control bus, prior to regular operation. A keyboard driver IC can detect the presence or absence of a cable to an LED. If the cable is absent, the driver IC will not supply power for the LED. One embodiment of a keyboard and display backlight control system can be configured to allow substantially independent operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Inventors: Alejandro Lara Ascorra, Shimon Elkayam, Asif Hussain, Brad Lee Patton, Steven J. Sfarzo, Eric G. Smith
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Publication number: 20140280960Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamically allocating resources to a plurality of controllers are disclosed. In one embodiment, the controllers comprise multiple types of Universal Serial Bus compliant controllers. When a USB-compliant device is detected, one or more determinations are made regarding the detected device such as the supported data transfer speed capabilities. Based on the one or more determinations, the device is directed to an appropriate controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Arulchandran Paramasivam, Barry Twycross, Edward H. Frank, Eric W. Anderson, Fernando A. Urbina, Steven J. Sfarzo, William O. Ferry
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Publication number: 20140075212Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages power allocated through a set of bus interfaces on a computer system. During operation, the system obtains a first request for revocable current beyond a reserved current for a first bus interface from the set of bus interfaces, wherein the request is associated with a first device connected to the first bus interface. Next, the system allocates the revocable current to the first bus interface from an extra-current budget for the set of bus interfaces. Upon detecting a connection of a second device that requires non-revocable current over the extra-current budget to a second bus interface from the set of bus interfaces, the system transmits a first notification to the first device to relinquish the revocable current. Finally, the system allocates the non-revocable current to the second device from the relinquished revocable current.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Fernando A. Urbina, J. Rhoads Hollowell, II, Steven Lee, Steven J. Sfarzo
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Publication number: 20130326251Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering from a low power state in a computing system is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, the computing system enters the low power state from a standard power state after an activity detector indicates a user controlled peripheral device connected to the computer system has been inactive for a period of time. To enter the low power state, the method disconnects the user controlled peripheral device from a host controller, while continuing to supply power to the user controlled peripheral device and shutting off power to the host controller. The method returns the computer system to the standard power state when the activity detector indicates the user controlled peripheral device has become active. To return to the standard power state, power is restored to the host controller and the user controlled peripheral device is reconnected to the host controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fiyinfolu O. Adewale, Paul J. Costa, David R. Cox, Michael J. Giles, Steven I. Kuo, Nicholas W. Ruhter, Steven J. Sfarzo
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Publication number: 20130278175Abstract: One embodiment of a display backlight driver integrated circuit can be configured for operation in at least two different ways. A first method transfers data from an EEPROM to hardware registers prior to regular operation. A second method also transfers data from an EEPROM to registers. However, hardware registers can be overwritten with data accepted from a control bus, prior to regular operation. A keyboard driver IC can detect the presence or absence of a cable to an LED. If the cable is absent, the driver IC will not supply power for the LED. One embodiment of a keyboard and display backlight control system can be configured to allow substantially independent operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alejandro Lara Ascorra, Eric G. Smith, Steven J. Sfarzo
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Publication number: 20130278171Abstract: One embodiment of a display backlight driver integrated circuit can be configured for operation in at least two different ways. A first method transfers data from an EEPROM to hardware registers prior to regular operation. A second method also transfers data from an EEPROM to registers. However, hardware registers can be overwritten with data accepted from a control bus, prior to regular operation. A keyboard driver IC can detect the presence or absence of a cable to an LED. If the cable is absent, the driver IC will not supply power for the LED. One embodiment of a keyboard and display backlight control system can be configured to allow substantially independent operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alejandro Lara Ascorra, Shimon Elkayam, Asif Hussain, Brad Lee Patton, Steven J. Sfarzo, Eric G. Smith
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Publication number: 20110185208Abstract: A data processing system that uses memory power reduction in a sleep state. The system can include a volatile memory and at least one data input peripheral and a logic circuit that is configured to manage power consumption of the data processing system for a sleep of the system. The logic circuit can be coupled to the volatile memory and can be configured to turn off power to the volatile memory in response to an event, occurring during the sleep state, but to otherwise remain in the sleep state. The sleep state can be an ACPI complaint S3 sleep state in which the volatile memory, such as DRAM, is powered off after a period of user inactivity during the S3 sleep state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Derek Iwamoto, Steven J. Sfarzo, Ryan Schmidt, Derrick Carty, Keith Cox
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Publication number: 20090174462Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided with one or more input components and one or more circuit boards. An input component may include sensor circuitry supported by a first circuit board and controller circuitry supported by a second circuit board. In other embodiments, the sensor circuitry may be coupled to a first portion of a first surface of a circuit board and the controller circuitry may be coupled to a second portion of the first surface of the same circuit board. The input component may be a multi-touch input component, such as a multi-touch trackpad.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Chad A. Bronstein, Chris Ligtenberg, Steven J. Sfarzo
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Publication number: 20090169977Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and responding to forces influencing batteries of electronic devices are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Sfarzo, Robert L. Bailey, Bradley L. Spare