PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7574715-B2
Application Number: US-16104005-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Disk drive media access system

Abstract:
A disk drive media access system opens a media access door to the interior of a disk drive sufficiently for ejection of disk media from the disk drive but insufficiently for manually engaging and removing disk media that is operationally positioned within the disk drive. The disk media is kept substantially laterally stationary during the opening of the media access door. The disk media is moved sufficiently for manually engaging the disk media for removing the disk media from the disk drive.

Claims:
1. A disk drive media system, comprising:
 a disk drive; 
 a media access door opening to the interior of the disk drive sufficiently for ejection of disk media from the disk drive but insufficiently for manually engaging and removing disk media that is operationally positioned within the disk drive; 
 the disk drive being configured to keep the disk media substantially laterally stationary during opening of the media access door; and 
 a disk media lifter for moving the disk media sufficiently for manually engaging the disk media for removing the disk media from the disk drive, wherein the disk media lifter further comprises a ribbon pull tab located beneath and engageable against the disk media to move the disk media outwardly toward the media access door. 
 
     
     
       2. A disk drive media system, comprising:
 a disk drive; 
 a media access door opening to the interior of the disk drive sufficiently for ejection of disk media from the disk drive but insufficiently for manually engaging and removing disk media that is operationally positioned within the disk drive; 
 the disk drive being configured to keep the disk media substantially laterally stationary during opening of the media access door; and 
 a disk media lifter for moving the disk media sufficiently for manually engaging the disk media for removing the disk media from the disk drive, wherein the disk media lifter further comprises a finger grip tab ribbon pull tab located beneath and engageable against the disk media to move the disk media outwardly toward the media access door. 
 
     
     
       3. A disk drive media system, comprising:
 a disk drive; 
 a media access door opening to the interior of the disk drive sufficiently for ejection of disk media from the disk drive but insufficiently for manually engaging and removing disk media that is operationally positioned within the disk drive; 
 the disk drive being configured to keep the disk media substantially laterally stationary during opening of the media access door; and 
 a disk media lifter for moving the disk media sufficiently for manually engaging the disk media for removing the disk media from the disk drive, wherein the disk media lifter further comprises a pop-up tab ribbon pull tab located beneath and engageable against the disk media to move the disk media outwardly toward the media access door. 
 
     
     
       4. A disk drive media system, comprising:
 a disk drive; 
 a media access door opening to the interior of the disk drive sufficiently for ejection of disk media from the disk drive but insufficiently for manually engaging and removing disk media that is operationally positioned within the disk drive; 
 the disk drive being configured to keep the disk media substantially laterally stationary during opening of the media access door; and 
 a disk media lifter for moving the disk media sufficiently for manually engaging the disk media for removing the disk media from the disk drive, wherein the disk media lifter further comprises a resiliently deformable pop-up tab ribbon pull tab located beneath and engageable against the disk media to move the disk media outwardly toward the media access door. 
 
     
     
       5. A disk drive media system, comprising:
 a disk drive; 
 a media access door opening to the interior of the disk drive sufficiently for ejection of disk media from the disk drive but insufficiently for manually engaging and removing disk media that is operationally positioned within the disk drive; 
 the disk drive being configured to keep the disk media substantially laterally stationary during opening of the media access door; and 
 a disk media lifter for moving the disk media sufficiently for manually engaging the disk media for removing the disk media from the disk drive, wherein the disk media lifter further comprises a pop-up button ribbon pull tab located beneath and engageable against the disk media to move the disk media outwardly toward the media access door. 
 
     
     
       6. A disk drive media system, comprising:
 a disk drive; 
 a media access door opening to the interior of the disk drive sufficiently for ejection of disk media from the disk drive but insufficiently for manually engaging and removing disk media that is operationally positioned within the disk drive; 
 the disk drive being configured to keep the disk media substantially laterally stationary during opening of the media access door; and 
 a disk media lifter for moving the disk media sufficiently for manually engaging the disk media for removing the disk media from the disk drive, wherein the disk media lifter further comprises a magnetic guide base located beneath and engageable against the disk media to move the disk media outwardly toward the media access door. 
 
     
     
       7. A disk drive media system, comprising:
 a disk drive; 
 a media access door opening to the interior of the disk drive sufficiently for ejection of disk media from the disk drive but insufficiently for manually engaging and removing disk media that is operationally positioned within the disk drive; 
 the disk drive being configured to keep the disk media substantially laterally stationary during opening of the media access door; and 
 a disk media lifter for moving the disk media sufficiently for manually engaging the disk media for removing the disk media from the disk drive, wherein the disk media lifter further comprises a tethered magnetic guide base located beneath and engageable against the disk media to move the disk media outwardly toward the media access door. 
 
     
     
       8. A disk drive media system, comprising:
 a disk drive; 
 a media access door opening to the interior of the disk drive sufficiently for ejection of disk media from the disk drive but insufficiently for manually engaging and removing disk media that is operationally positioned within the disk drive; 
 the disk drive being configured to keep the disk media substantially laterally stationary during opening of the media access door; and 
 a disk media lifter for moving the disk media sufficiently for manually engaging the disk media for removing the disk media from the disk drive, wherein the disk media lifter further comprises a piano key eject lever located beneath and engageable against the disk media to move the disk media outwardly toward the media access door. 
 
     
     
       9. A disk drive media system, comprising:
 a disk drive; 
 a media access door opening to the interior of the disk drive sufficiently for ejection of disk media from the disk drive but insufficiently for manually engaging and removing disk media that is operationally positioned within the disk drive; 
 the disk drive being configured to keep the disk media substantially laterally stationary during opening of the media access door; and 
 a disk media lifter for moving the disk media sufficiently for manually engaging the disk media for removing the disk media from the disk drive, wherein the disk media lifter further comprises a key pusher actuated piano key eject lever located beneath and engageable against the disk media to move the disk media outwardly toward the media access door. 
 
     
     
       10. A disk drive media access system, comprising:
 a media access door; 
 a magnetic and releasable support for opening the media access door to the interior of a disk drive for disk media access to the disk drive; 
 the magnetic and releasable support being configured to release the media access door from the vicinity of the disk drive upon application to the media access door of a predetermined force; and 
 the magnetic and releasable support being configured to reattach the media access door to the vicinity of the disk drive following cessation of the predetermined force. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10  wherein the magnetic and releasable support further comprises a hinge for pivoted movement with respect to the disk drive. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 10  wherein the magnetic and releasable support further comprises:
 at least one magnet supported in the vicinity of the disk drive; and 
 a magnetically susceptible door arm attached to and supporting the media access door and positioned to be attracted and held by the magnet. 
 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 10  wherein the magnetic and releasable support further comprises:
 at least one magnet pivotally supported in the vicinity of the disk drive; 
 a magnetically susceptible door arm attached to and supporting the media access door and positioned to be attracted and held by the magnet; and 
 a cradle having a pocket receiving the magnetically susceptible door arm therein in the vicinity of the magnet. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 10  wherein the magnetic and releasable support further comprises:
 a pivotally supported cradle in the vicinity of the disk drive, the cradle having a pocket therein; 
 at least one magnet supported in the cradle; a magnetically susceptible door arm attached to and supporting the media access door and positionable in the pocket to be attracted and held by the magnet; and 
 a spring assisting rotation of the cradle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application contains subject matter related to a concurrently filed U.S. Patent Application by Chris Ligtenberg, Greg Springer, Bartley K. Andre, and Brett William Degner entitled “Access System for a Portable Device”. The related application is assigned to Apple Computer, Inc. and is identified by docket number P3786US1. This application is being filed contemporaneously herewith, and the subject matter thereof is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to disk drives, and more particularly to disk drive media access systems such as access systems for optical disk drives in portable computers. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Computers are becoming increasingly powerful, lightweight, and portable. The computing power of a computer that once filled an entire room now resides in a computer that sits on a desktop. Due to continuing advances in technology over the past several years, the size of these personal computers has steadily decreased while the performance has steadily increased. As a result, the use of portable computers, and particularly portable “laptop” computers, has increased dramatically during that same period of time. These portable computers have become virtually as powerful as their desktop counterparts. Even smaller hand-held computers are now capable of computing tasks that just a few short years ago required much larger computing machines. 
     The portability of laptop computers enables a user to perform tasks conveniently and to access computing resources wherever and whenever desired. For example, a wirelessly networked portable computer running on a battery pack enables a user to access computational resources without the requirement of an external electrical source and free of the need to connect to a wired network link. 
     Contemporary portable computers have a lid display section that pivots or rotates with respect to a base section of the computer. The lid moves between a closed position that places the lid against the base and an open position that exposes a display screen and various other components, such as a computer keyboard. 
     The lid display section includes the display screen. The base section carries various components used for operating the portable computer. These components typically include a keyboard, a track pad or other cursor positioning device, a central processing unit (“CPU”), a power supply, memory, a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive (“ODD”), other data storage devices, network connection and interface devices, and so forth. 
     The network connection and interface devices may be, for example, connectors, ports, or wireless radio devices that enable the portable computer to communicate with external sources and peripheral devices such as a computer network, a printer, a serial device such as a mouse, a scanner, a docking station, and so forth. Connectors or ports may also enable the portable computer to interface with an electrical power source or power supply. 
     Connectors and ports associated with a portable computer are often located on the sides or the rear of the base section. Occasionally, incidental access is also provided through the bottom of the portable computer, for example for access to the computer&#39;s batteries. Often, connectors and ports are covered by manually accessed doors to protect the connectors and ports, e.g., from damage while the portable computer is being transported. 
     In portable computers, traditional ODD modules are self-contained units having their own enclosures and their own electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) shielding. If mounted within the portable computer, the ODD modules are mounted along one side or perimeter edge thereof (typically the left, front, or right side edge). Access for inserting and removing a disk (such as a compact disk (“CD”) or a digital versatile disk (“DVD”)) is then commonly provided through the adjacent side of the portable computer housing (so-called “sidewall access” or “side-access”). 
     As portable computers continue to become thinner and thinner, placement of the ODD is becoming increasingly problematic. For example, the available area on the perimeter edge surfaces of the base of the computer housing (available “real estate”) diminishes as the thickness of the portable computer diminishes. Such real estate consequently becomes increasingly valuable as other services compete for use of the same diminishing resources. However, relocating the ODD away from the perimeter edge of the computer housing base poses problems and dilemmas that require solutions that have heretofore been deficient. 
     One important consideration in the placement of the ODD is the convenience afforded to the user of the portable computer when inserting and removing a disk from the ODD. Users have become accustomed to intuitive user interfaces and convenient access to the ODD through the real estate along the side edges of the portable computer housing. Any reconfiguration, therefore, of the user interface for the ODD must take into account user expectations, efficiency, and convenience. It must not be unintuitive or counter-intuitive. 
     Side edge access involves moving the disk horizontally, parallel to the plane of the disk. Removal of the disk from the portable computer or other portable device is thus relatively simple, because major portions of the flat surfaces (top and bottom) of the disk can be easily presented to the user. Thus, even a person with large fingers can easily grasp and remove the disk from the portable computer. 
     However, when disk access is provided through a door which does not shift or move the disk laterally out of the portable computer, it can be much more difficult for the user to engage and remove the disk. Also, the disk access mechanism itself may be vulnerable to accidental damage. Therefore, to enable the user to grab the disk, such a portable device must present an opening that is large enough for the user to grasp the sides of the disk and pry it off the hub latch of the ODD. The opening must therefore be large enough to accommodate both the disk and the fingers of the user, with additional appropriate clearance to accommodate the disk removal action. This can be a substantial design burden as portable computers and portable devices become smaller and smaller. As sizes shrink, it is increasingly costly both from a design standpoint and from a functionality standpoint to have an unnecessarily large access door and open, wasted space around the periphery of the disk. 
     An access door that opens outwardly from a portable computer can also be particularly vulnerable to damage, especially damage to the door hinge mechanism. When opened, even a modest force to the door can easily and quickly damage the door hinge due to the leverage of the force as it is applied to the hinge. The vulnerability of such door hinges thus only further complicates and aggravates efforts to move away from side-access disk mechanisms. As a result, side-access continues to be a popular solution, notwithstanding the considerable disadvantages from a design, implementation, and cost standpoint. 
     Thus, a need still remains for solutions for efficiently and economically providing better user access to disk drives in an ergonomically user-friendly manner, and to readily accommodate changeable media for use with such drives. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures and consumer expectations, and the diminishing opportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to these problems. Moreover, the ever-increasing need to save costs, improve efficiencies, and meet such competitive pressures adds even greater urgency to the critical necessity that answers be found to these problems. 
     Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a disk drive media access system. The disk drive media access system opens a media access door to the interior of a disk drive sufficiently for ejection of disk media from the disk drive but insufficiently for manually engaging and removing disk media that is operationally positioned within the disk drive. The disk media is kept substantially laterally stationary during the opening of the media access door. The disk media is moved sufficiently for manually engaging the disk media for removing the disk media from the disk drive. 
     Certain embodiments of the invention have other advantages in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. The advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description when taken with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a portable computer with a display mounted and hinged to a housing base in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the structure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a view of the structures of  FIGS. 1 and 2  with the display closed and the portable computer inverted; 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 3  with the door open and providing access to the optical disk drive; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  of the structure of  FIG. 1  with the door broken away by utilizing the break-away hinge; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustrative view of the relationship between the cradle and the door arm of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the structure of  FIG. 1  in the vicinity of the break-away hinge; 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  with the door forced and rotated beyond the open position; 
         FIG. 9  is a view of a tilt tray; 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the structure of  FIG. 9  with the door and tilt tray in the open position; 
         FIG. 11  is a figurative, fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion, in the closed position, of the housing base incorporating the tilt tray shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a view similar to  FIG. 11  after releasing a latch and moving to the open position; 
         FIG. 13  is a figurative, fragmentary view of a portion of a housing base with a ribbon pull tab; 
         FIG. 14  is a view of the structure of  FIG. 13  during removal of a disk; 
         FIG. 15  is a figurative, fragmentary view of a portion of a housing base with another embodiment of a ribbon pull tab; 
         FIG. 16  is a view of the structure of  FIG. 15  during removal of a disk; 
         FIG. 17  is a view similar to  FIG. 15  of an embodiment with a disk-removal pop-up button pushed into the housing base by the door in the closed position; 
         FIG. 18  is a view of the structure of  FIG. 17  with the door in the open position; 
         FIG. 19  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the disk-removal pull tab of  FIG. 15  with the door in the closed position; 
         FIG. 20  is a view of the structure of  FIG. 19  with the door in the open position and the tab released; 
         FIG. 21  is a view similar to  FIG. 19  of an alternative tab embodiment, with the lid in the closed position; 
         FIG. 22  is a view of the structure of  FIG. 21  with the lid in the open position; 
         FIG. 23  is a figurative, fragmentary view of a portion of a housing base with an eject lever and a disk-engaging wheel; 
         FIG. 24  is a view of an eject lever similar to that of  FIG. 23  with an open finger grip; 
         FIG. 25  is a view of an eject lever with a tab finger grip and a disk-engaging pad; 
         FIG. 26  is a view of an eject lever with an open finger grip and a disk-engaging wheel; 
         FIG. 27  is a view of a pivoted eject lever and a disk-engaging pad; 
         FIG. 28  is a view of a shuttle eject lever that operates as a ramp cam disk eject; 
         FIG. 29  is a view of an internally actuated shuttle eject operating as a ramp cam disk eject; 
         FIG. 30  is a view of another embodiment of an internally actuated shuttle eject operating as a ramp cam disk eject; 
         FIG. 31  is a view of a piano key eject lever; 
         FIG. 32  is a view of the structure of  FIG. 31  after retraction of a latch and release of the door to the open position; 
         FIG. 33  is a view of a structure similar to that of  FIG. 31  assisted by a key pusher; 
         FIG. 34  is a view of the structure of  FIG. 33  after opening of the door and actuation of the key pusher; 
         FIG. 35  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 3  with a drop-and-slide door; 
         FIG. 36  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 3  with a pop-and-rotate door; 
         FIG. 37  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 3  with an iris door; 
         FIG. 38  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 3  with a garage door; 
         FIG. 39  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 3  with a sit-and-spin door; 
         FIG. 40  is a flow chart of a disk drive media access system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident based on the present disclosure, and that process or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In order to avoid obscuring the present invention, some well-known circuits, system configurations, and operational steps are not disclosed in detail. 
     Likewise, the drawings showing embodiments of the devices are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawing FIGS. Also, where multiple embodiments are disclosed and described having some features in common, for clarity and ease of illustration, description, and comprehension thereof, similar and like features one to another will ordinarily be described with like reference numerals. 
     As used herein, the term “personal computer” refers to general-purpose microcomputers that are typically designed to be operated by one person at a time. The term “portable computer” is used herein to refer very broadly to personal computers that are designed and configured to be used in a mobile context, as distinguished from, for example, a “desktop computer” which typically is not considered to be mobile but is instead designed to be used typically in a single location. As used herein, therefore, the term “portable computer” includes, but is not limited to, “laptop computers” (a portable personal computer of a size suitable to rest comfortably on one&#39;s legs), “luggable computers” (portable, but not comfortably), “personal digital assistants” (“PDAs”) and “palmtops” (easily carried in one hand or a shirt pocket), “notebook computers” (intermediate between laptop computers and palmtops), and so forth. 
     As used herein, the term “portable device” denotes a personal electronic device having mobility attributes analogous to those of a portable computer, and includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, portable personal music players, and so forth. 
     The term “bottom” as used herein is defined as that surface of a portable computer, portable device, or analogous portable system that is opposite the surface thereof that has or is generally surrounded by the device&#39;s user controls. 
     The term “horizontal” as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the bottom of the portable computer, portable device, or portable system. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms, such as “on”, “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, and “under”, are defined with respect to the horizontal plane, unless understood otherwise within and as a result of a particular context. 
     In portable computers, traditional, self-contained optical disk drive (“ODD”) modules are mounted along one side edge of the portable computer, with access for inserting and removing a disk through the side of the portable computer housing. However, as portable computers become thinner, ODD side edge placement is increasingly challenging. One reason is the diminishing and increasingly valuable perimeter edge surface real estate of the computer housing. 
     To move the ODD access to another location, however, presents unique challenges that make any such modified configuration difficult and any acceptable solution quite unobvious. As one example, users have become accustomed to convenient ODD access through the real estate along the side edges of the portable computer housing. Any reconfiguration of the ODD user interface must therefore not be unintuitive or counter-intuitive. 
     One possible solution is to configure and arrange disk drives in portable computers and other portable devices with access through the bottoms thereof, for insertion and removal of the disk media into and out of the ODDs. Unfortunately, this can require access doors for the ODD that may be vulnerable to damage when open, and that must be overly large in order to enable users to reach into the device to grasp and remove the disk. 
     It has been unexpectedly discovered, as taught herein, that bottom-access ODD configurations can be successfully and economically implemented with highly intuitive interfaces and access elements that are decidedly efficacious and convenient for the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , therein is shown a portable computer  100  having a display  102  mounted on a hinge to a housing base  104 . A keyboard  106  is located on the top surface of the housing base  104 . An ODD  108  is mounted within the housing base  104  adjacent the bottom surface  110  thereof. The perimeter edge surfaces of the housing base  104  include the front edge  112 , the right edge  114 , the left edge (not shown), and the rear edge (not shown) of the housing base  104 . Based upon this disclosure, it will also be understood and will be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that the term “perimeter edge surfaces” is thus not restricted to one or more surfaces having a particular height, and may also refer to and include a perimeter line or edge of zero height, such as would obtain if the portable device had a shape, for example, akin to a “flying saucer”. 
     The portable computer  100  also contains a mobile motion module (“MMM”)  116  that is a triaxial gravitational force (“g-force”) detector. In use, the MMM  116  provides important protection for the portable computer  100  by detecting dangerous force-related events such as dropping of the computer. Upon detecting such an event, for example, the MMM  116  can then instruct the hard drive (not shown) and the ODD  108  of the portable computer  100  to park the drive heads to protect against damage upon subsequent impact. The MMM  116  also contains circuitry that continuously reports information concerning the physical orientation of the portable computer  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , therein is shown a bottom view of the portable computer  100  of  FIG. 1 . It has been unexpectedly discovered that particularly convenient access to the ODD  108  can be provided by an active user interface  200  that is located on the bottom surface  110  of the housing base  104 . Heretofore, the bottom of a portable computer has not been utilized for such active user interface access. Instead, only passive interface utilization has been made, such as the provision of ventilation openings, of access doors for batteries, of connectors for external cables, and so forth. But the user has not actively interacted in this manner with the computer through interfaces on the bottom of such portable computers. Rather, such active user interfaces have been just on the top surface and on the side or perimeter edge surfaces of the portable computer. 
     As thus used herein, therefore, the term active user interface means that the user directly contacts and manipulates the computer during computer use and operation. In one embodiment, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the portable computer  100  is then inverted (see, for example,  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) during active use to utilize the bottom surface  110  of the portable computer  100  as a bottom-located active user interface  200 . In the embodiments illustrated and described herein, for example, the active user interface  200  includes the access that is provided for the bottom-mounted ODD  108  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Thus, the active user interface  200  that is located on the bottom surface  110  of the housing base  104  is a media access door such as a door  202  for the ODD  108  (not shown, but see  FIG. 4 ). The door  202  is shown in its closed position  302  (see  FIG. 3 ), thus covering the ODD  108 . 
     Adjacent the door  202  is an actuation button  204  and an indicator light  206 . The actuation button  204  may be, for example, a capacitative sensor for user contact to initiate opening of the door  202 . The indicator light  206  may illuminate (e.g., blink) to provide a warning that the door  202  is about to open. Thus, the actuation button  204  and the indicator light  206  provide additional forms of active user interfaces on the bottom surface  110  of the portable computer  100  that can be utilized, for example, when the portable computer  100  is oriented upside down (as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Based upon this disclosure it will also now be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that the actuation button  204  and the indicator light  206  may be utilized to perform other active user interface functions, and that additional such bottom surface active user interface buttons and indicators may be provided, jointly and/or severally, for other desired active user functions as well. 
     In order to keep the surface of the bottom surface  110  of the portable computer  100  smooth, the actuation button  204  and the indicator light  206  may each be mounted flush on the bottom surface  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , therein is shown the portable computer  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in which the display  102  has been closed and the portable computer  100  inverted. The door  202  of the portable computer  100  is shown in a closed position  302 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , therein is shown a view of the portable computer  100 , similar to that of  FIG. 3 , in which the door  202  has been pivoted on a break-away hinge  400  to an open position  402  to provide access therethrough to the ODD  108  therebeneath. A disk, such as a compact disk (“CD”) or a digital versatile disk (“DVD”), may now be inserted or removed from the ODD  108 . 
     The inversion of the ODD  108  facilitates an advantageously intuitive active user interface function through the bottom surface  110  of the portable computer  100 . That is, the inversion of the portable computer  100 , to provide access to the active user interface  200  (in this case, the door  202 ) on the bottom surface  110  of the portable computer  100 , results in a “double inversion” of the ODD  108 . As a consequence, when thus accessed by the user, the ODD  108  presents itself to the user in an apparently upright (and in fact, an actual, physically upright) position. In response, the user then correctly and naturally inserts a disk in the correct position, intuitively consistent with the user&#39;s expectations. The user interface with the ODD  108  is thus user-friendly and intuitive, and requires no special accommodation. 
     The door  202  is movably attached to the housing base  104  of the portable computer  100  by the break-away hinge  400 . As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the break-away hinge  400  is a very robust hinge that is designed to permit the door  202  to break away from the housing base  104  and not to be damaged when subjected to a force that would otherwise damage a conventional hinge. This behavior occurs in response to any abnormal forces on the door  202 , such as an effort to open the door beyond its full open position  402 , an effort to twist the door, an effort to push the door laterally along its major surface (subjecting the hinge to a twisting force on another axis) and so forth. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , therein is shown a view similar to  FIG. 4  of the portable computer  100 , but with the door  202  having been released and broken away by utilizing the break-away hinge  400 . The portion of the break-away hinge  400  that is attached to the housing base  104  and remains therewith is a cradle  500 . The portion of the break-away hinge  400  that is attached to and remains with the door  202  is a door arm  502 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , therein is shown a figurative, somewhat schematic illustration of the relationship between the cradle  500  and the door arm  502 . The cradle  500  has a pocket  600  formed therein into which the door arm  502  is received in the normal operating configuration of the break-away hinge  400 . The door arm  502  is a material of high magnetic susceptibility, such as iron or steel, and is releasably held in the pocket  600  by magnets  602  that are secured in the cradle  500  behind the pocket  600 . 
     In one embodiment, the magnetic attraction between the door arm  502  and the magnets  602  is adjusted to secure and hold the door arm  502  in the pocket  600  during normal operation of the door  202  when it is being opened and closed. However, the force between the door arm  502  and the magnets  602  is also adjusted and calibrated to permit the door arm  502  to be forced out of and released from the pocket  600 , and thus the cradle  500 , when a force is applied to the door  202  that might otherwise damage the hinge  400 . Under such stressful conditions, the magnetic force between the door arm  502  and the cradle  500  is broken and the door  202  is allowed simply to break away from the housing base  104  of the portable computer  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the cradle  500  is supported on the housing base  104  by transverse axial hinges which allow the cradle  500  to pivot with movement of the door  202  between the open position  402  and the closed position  302 . Opening of the door  202  is then assisted by a spring  604  that engages the cradle  500  to urge it to rotate to the open position  402  for the door  202  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , therein is shown a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the portable computer  100  taken in the vicinity of the break-away hinge  400 . The door  202  is shown in the open position  402 , with the door arm  502  rotated within the pocket  600  toward and against one wall thereof. Due to the spring  604  and to the attraction between the door arm  502  and the magnets  602 , the door  202  is then held and retained firmly in the open position  402 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , therein is shown a view similar to  FIG. 7 , in which the door  202  has been forced to rotate further beyond the open position  402  ( FIG. 7 ). Rather than causing damage to the hinge, however, the break-away hinge  400  has instead responded by prying the door arm  502  away from the magnets  602  and out of the pocket  600 . The break-away hinge  400  has thereby simply released the door  202  and allowed it to break away from the housing base  104  in response to application of a set force according to the configuration of the magnets  602 , the door arm  502 , and the cradle  500 . 
     It will be clear now to one of ordinary skill in the art, based on this disclosure, that normal functionality of the break-away hinge  400  is then readily and easily restored, following cessation of the applied force, by simply returning the door arm  502  to the pocket  600 . Upon thus restoring the door arm  502  to the pocket  600 , the magnets  602  will cause the door arm  502  to magnetically and releasably snap into position (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 7 ), again supporting the door  202  for opening to the interior of the ODD  108  for disk media access thereto. The break-away hinge  400  thus protects against damage to the hinge for the door  202  resulting from accidental or deliberate abuse thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , therein is shown a tilt tray  900  for tilting and lifting the ODD  108  when the door  202  is moved from the closed position  302  ( FIG. 3 ) to the open position  402  ( FIG. 4 ). The tilt tray  900  is particularly advantageous when the door  202  is sized and configured to a dimension substantially the same or not much larger than the diameter of the disks that are received in the ODD  108 . 
     In many situations and configurations, it is desirable for the size of the opening for the door  202  to be as small as practicable. This is particularly the case, for example, with modern portable devices where sizes are becoming ever smaller. It is also desirable because large doors present greater hazards when open and are more vulnerable to being damaged. Thus, a door, such as the door  202 , that is sized approximately to the size of the disk media for the ODD  108 , will present a media access door opening for insertion and ejection or removal of such disk media that is insufficient for manually engaging and removing media to and from the operational position within the ODD  108 . That is, for the user to remove a disk from the ODD  108 , it will be necessary for the user to be able to grasp the perimeter edge of the disk. However, the opening provided by the door  202  in the open position  402  does not provide sufficient breadth or width to enable grasping of such a disk. This is an unexpected difficulty with accessing an ODD in some manner other than utilizing side access. 
     It has been unexpectedly discovered that access for grasping and removing a disk (or other comparable media) can readily be provided notwithstanding that there is insufficient room for manually engaging and removing the disk directly from the ODD  108  within the housing base  104  ( FIG. 4 ). This discovery is realized by the tilt tray  900  which, upon movement of the door  202  from the closed position  302  to the open position  402  (see  FIG. 10 ), lifts essentially the entire ODD  108  (see  FIG. 12 ). The ODD  108  is lifted sufficiently to position the disk (not shown, but see the disk  1108  in  FIG. 12 ) toward, or even above, the bottom surface  110  (see  FIG. 12 ) of the housing base  104  enough for a user to grasp the edges of the disk and remove it from the ODD  108 . 
     The tilting of the disk  1108  permits reducing the diameter of the well that surrounds the disk because the tilt makes it unnecessary to make allowance for the user get an entire finger into the well in order to get a portion of the finder under the disk  1108 . For this to occur, it is not necessary for the disk to come totally out of the plane of the bottom surface  110  of the housing base  104 . It is sufficient that the disk  1108  tilts up just enough to get a finger under it. This makes it unnecessary to have a large well. Rather, by tilting the disc  1108  out of the plane of the housing base  104 , the diametrical clearance requirement for a finger is effectively removed from the design 
     For clarity of illustration of the configuration and functioning of the tilt tray  900 , the ODD  108  is not shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , but it may be seen in relation to the tilt tray  900  in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . Therefore, and referring again to  FIG. 9 , the tilt tray  900  includes a yoke  902  that is secured and held in a fixed position in the housing base  104  (see  FIG. 11 ) beneath the door  202  (see  FIG. 11 ). Pivots  904  then pivotally support a pivot tray  906  on the yoke  902 . As indicated, the ODD  108  will then be supported on and attached to the pivot tray  906  for pivoting movement around the pivots  904 . A fragment of the door  202  is also shown in phantom to show the relationship between the door  202 , the break-away hinge  400 , and the pivots  904 . The pivot tray  906  and the door  202  are in the closed position  302 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , therein is shown the structure of  FIG. 9  in the open position  402 . The door  202  has been pivoted to the open position  402  around the break-away hinge  400 . The pivot tray  906  has rotated upwardly around the pivot  904 , in response to a spring  1106  (see  FIG. 12 ) to lift the ODD  108  (not shown, but see  FIG. 12 ) that is supported thereon. Lifting the ODD  108  then moves a disk, such as the disk  1108  (not shown, but see  FIG. 12 ), when engaged on the ODD  108 , to a position outwardly and sufficiently above the bottom surface  110  of the housing base  104  to enable a user to grasp and remove the disk  1108 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , therein is shown a figurative, fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing base  104  in the closed position  302 . The door  202  is held in the closed position  302  by a latch  1102  that engages in a slot  1104  in the door  202 . The lid  202  engages and presses downwardly on the edge of the pivot tray  906 , holding it in the same lowered, operational position that is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . A spring  1106  is compressed beneath the pivot tray  906  by force from the closed door  202 . A disk  1108 , such as an optical data disc media, is mounted on the ODD  108 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , therein is shown a view similar to  FIG. 11  following release of the latch  1102 . The door  202  (not shown) has been raised by the spring  604  ( FIG. 6 ) to the open position  402 . The spring  1102  has reacted between the yoke  902  and the pivot tray  906  to raise the pivot tray  906  and the ODD  108  to the open position  402 , corresponding to the position illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , therein is shown a figurative, fragmentary view of a portion of the housing base  104  provided with a ribbon pull tab  1300  for engaging and moving the disk  1108  away and outwardly from the ODD  108  when the door  202  is in the open position  402 . The ribbon pull tab  1300  includes a tab  1302  positioned just outside the rim of the disk  1108  and connected to a ribbon  1304  that extends beneath the disk  1108  inwardly toward the center of the ODD  108 . In one embodiment, the tab  1302  is an open tab that can easily be engaged by slipping a finger thereinto or grasping it between two fingers or between a finger and a thumb. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , therein is shown the structure of  FIG. 13  during removal of the disk  1108  by grasping the tab  1302  and lifting it outwardly through the opening for the ODD  108 . Lifting the tab  1302  in this manner raises the ribbon  1304  beneath the disk  1108 , thereby also lifting the disk  1108  so that it can be readily grasped and removed by the user. That is, the disk media (the disk  1108 ) is engaged with the ribbon pull tab  1300  located therebeneath and moved toward the media access door (the door  202 ), toward and into the opening beneath the door  202 , by moving the ribbon pull tab  1300  outwardly toward the door  202  and into the door opening between the door and the ODD  108 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , therein is shown a figurative, fragmentary view of a portion of the housing base  104  provided with another embodiment of a ribbon pull tab. The embodiment of  FIG. 15  includes a ribbon pull tab  1500  that has a tab  1502  that is a pop-up tab connected to the ribbon  1304 . In the closed position  302 , the door  202  holds the tab  1502  in a depressed position just beyond the rim of the disk  1108 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16 , therein is shown the structure of  FIG. 15  in which the door  202  has been moved to the open position  402 . The door  202  has released the tab  1502  which has then sprung up to be readily engaged by the user for lifting the ribbon  1304  for removing the disk  1108  from the ODD  108 . In one embodiment, the tab  1502  is made of plastic which has a rest profile in the popped-up configuration, and is deformed to a compressed or retracted position, as shown in  FIG. 15 , when the door  202  is in the closed position  302 . In another embodiment, the tab  1502  may be formed of a springy metallic material, such as memory metal, for example. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , therein is shown a view similar to  FIG. 15 , illustrating an embodiment having a pop-up button  1702  that is pushed into the housing base  104  by the door  202  when the door  202  is in the closed position  302 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 18 , therein is shown the structure of  FIG. 17  following movement of the door  202  to the open position  402 . The pop-up button  1702  has elevated above the ribbon  1304 , upon release by the door  202 , for engagement by the user and lifting thereof to lift the ribbon  1304  beneath the disk  1108  for lifting and removing the disk  1108  from the ODD  108 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , therein is shown a fragmentary, cross-sectional detail of the ribbon pull tab  1500  (see  FIG. 15 ) in the closed position  302 . The door  202  is holding the tab  1502  in the down or retracted position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 20 , therein is shown the structure of  FIG. 19  in the open position  402 . The tab  1502  has been released, has sprung up, and has been engaged by the user (not shown) to be lifted upwardly and thereby lift the disk  1108  upwardly above the level of the bottom surface  110  for removal from the portable computer  100  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 21 , therein is shown a view similar to  FIG. 19  of an alternative embodiment of the tab  1502 . Thus, rather than being supported and guided by the ribbon  1304 , a tab  1502 ′ is configured with a magnetic guide base  2102 . In the closed position  302 , the magnetic guide base  2102  is held in position by magnets  2104  and secured by a tether  2106  against loss when the disk is ejected (see  FIG. 22 ). The tether  2106  is anchored to the housing base  104 . In one embodiment, the magnetic seat (defined, for example, by the magnets  2104 ) may be chamfered to provide for proper stowage of the tab  1502 ′. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 22 , therein is shown the structure of  FIG. 21  following movement of the lid  202  ( FIG. 21 ) to the open position  402 . The tab  1502 ′ has been pulled up by the user, breaking the magnetic retention force of the magnets  2104  and popping the disk  1108  free from the ODD  108  ( FIG. 15 ) for removal. 
     In some embodiments, the tab  1502  ( FIG. 15 ) and the pop-up button  1702  ( FIG. 17 ) may be captured and guided, for example, by guide pins or other mechanical configurations (e.g., channels) to assist with the proper up and down motion and to retain them in their proper locations. The tab  1502 ′ ( FIGS. 21 and 22 ), by virtue of the magnetic force acting between the magnetic guide base  2102  and the magnets  2104 , and by virtue of the safety feature of the tether  2106 , is not so limited in vertical movement as compared with a guided tab or guided pop-up button. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 23 , therein is shown a figurative, fragmentary view of a portion of the housing base  104  of the portable computer  100  ( FIG. 1 ) incorporating an eject lever  2300  for removal of the disk  1108 . The eject lever  2300  is pivoted for vertical rotational movement around a pivot  2302  upon being engaged when the user grasps a tab finger grip  2304  and moves the eject lever upwardly or downwardly accordingly. Thus, once the door  202  (not shown) is opened, the user simply pulls up on the tab finger grip  2304  to cause a wheel  2306  to engage beneath the disk  1108  and press the disk  1108  up and out of the portable computer  100 . 
     The wheel  2306 , which in one embodiment may be formed of compliant rubber, may be configured to rotate with modest resistance, so that if the disk  1108  is still rotating when engaged by the wheel  2306 , the wheel will remove or take the remaining energy out of the spinning disk  1108  without scratching or damaging the disk  1108 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 24 , therein is shown an eject lever  2400  similar to the eject lever  2300  ( FIG. 23 ), except that the eject lever  2400  is provided with an open finger grip  2402  rather than the tab finger grip  2304  ( FIG. 23 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 25 , therein is shown an eject lever  2500  having a tab finger grip  2304 ′ and a pad  2502 . The pad  2502  is positioned beneath the disk  1108  ( FIG. 23 ), and in one embodiment is formed of felt, to provide a breaking action similar to the wheel  2306  ( FIG. 23 ) without damaging a disk  1108  that may still be turning when engaged by the pad  2502 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 26 , therein is shown an eject lever  2600  having an open finger grip  2402  and a wheel  2306 . The eject lever  2600  is captured and guided for vertical movement by pins  2602  that pass through a channel  2604  in the eject lever  2600 . A spring  2606  may be connected between the eject lever  2600  and the housing base  104  to assist in retracting the eject lever  2600  back thereinto. Actuation of the eject lever  2600  then moves the disk  1108  (not shown) toward the door  202  and the opening therebeneath by moving the eject lever  2600  along the channel  2604  and outwardly toward the door  202 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 27 , therein is shown a pivoted eject lever  2700  that is captured by and rotates around a pivot  2302  to bring a pad  2502  against the underside of the disk  1108  (not shown) for removal thereof from the ODD  108  (not shown). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 28 , therein is shown a shuttle eject lever  2800  that operates as a ramp cam disk eject. The shuttle eject lever  2800  has a pin  2802  that is captured in and guided by a ramp  2804  to cam the shuttle eject lever  2800  upwardly, as it is rotated along the axis of rotation of the disk  1108 , to eject the disk. A spring  2806  may assist in returning the shuttle eject lever  2800 . Actuation of the shuttle eject lever  2800  then moves the disk  1108  (not shown) toward the door  202  and the opening therebeneath by moving the shuttle eject lever  2800  along the ramp  2804  and outwardly toward the door  202 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 29 , therein is shown a shuttle eject  2900  operating as a ramp cam disk eject guided by the ramp  2804  and internally actuated by an actuator  2902 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 30 , therein is shown another embodiment of an internally actuated shuttle eject  3000  operating as a ramp cam disk eject guided by the ramp  2804  and internally actuated by an actuator  3002 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 31 , therein is shown a piano key eject lever  3100  that is biased outwardly by a spring  3102 . In the closed position  302 , the door  202  presses downwardly against the piano key eject lever  3100 , against the force of the spring  3102 , to hold the piano key eject lever  3100  within the housing base  104  and away from the disk  1108 . A latch  1102 ′ engages in the slot  1104  of the door  202  to retain the door in the closed position  302 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 32 , therein is shown the structure of  FIG. 31  following retraction of the latch  1102 ′ and release, as a result, of the door  202  to the open position  402 . Upon moving to the open position  402 , the door  202  has also released the piano key eject lever  3100  which has been moved upwardly by the spring  3102  to raise the disk  1108  for removal. As will be appreciated, the piano key eject lever  3100  thus automatically presents the disk  1108  for removal without requiring separate and/or additional actions on the part of the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 33 , therein is shown the structure of  FIG. 31  except that the spring  3102  ( FIG. 31 ) has been reversed to form a spring  3102 ′ that operates to retract the piano key eject lever  3100  into the closed position  302 . Also shown is a key pusher  3300 . The key pusher  3300 , which may be actuated for example by a solenoid (not shown), is moveable to bring a camming surface  3302  thereon against the piano key eject lever  3100  to rotate the piano key eject lever  3100  from the closed position  302  ( FIG. 33 ) to the open position  402  (see  FIG. 34 ). This has the advantage that the key pusher  3300  may be actuated to retract the piano key eject lever  3100  even while the door  202  is in the open position so that the piano key eject lever  3100  can be automatically retracted prior to insertion of a disk  1108  into the ODD  108  ( FIG. 1 ), prior to closing of the door  202 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 34 , therein is shown the structure of  FIG. 33  following movement from the closed position  302  ( FIG. 33 ) to the open position  402 . The key pusher  3300  has been actuated to drive the camming surface  3302  against the piano key eject lever  3100  to move the disk  1108  outwardly. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 35 , therein is shown a view of the portable computer  100  similar to the view shown in  FIG. 3 , but equipped with a drop-and-slide door  3500  rather than the door  202  ( FIG. 3 ). The drop-and-slide door  3500  opens by dropping slightly inside the housing base  104  and traveling along a track  3502  parallel to the bottom surface  110 . In this manner, the door  202  is protected because it is positioned inside the housing base  104  when in the open position. It will now also be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure that the track  3502  of the drop-and-slide door  3500  may be configured to follow a path other than strictly linear, and the track  3502  may be configured accordingly to avoid conflicts with critical components within the housing base  104 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 36 , therein is shown a view of the portable computer  100  similar to the view shown in  FIG. 3 , but equipped with a pop-and-rotate door  3600  rather than the door  202  ( FIG. 3 ). The pop-and-rotate door  3600 , upon opening, rises above the bottom surface  110  and then rotates on a pivot  3602 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 37 , therein is shown a view of the portable computer  100  similar to the view shown in  FIG. 3 , but equipped with an iris door  3700  rather than the door  202  ( FIG. 3 ). The iris door  3700  is composed of several separate pieces that open up like the iris on a camera. Upon opening, the separate pieces rotate out of the way and are protected inside of the housing base  104 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 38 , therein is shown a view of the portable computer  100  similar to the view shown in  FIG. 3 , but equipped with a garage door  3800  rather than the door  202  ( FIG. 3 ). The garage door  3800  is sectioned similarly to a folding garage door, for example, as a series of metallic strips connected to one another by a fabric or other flexible carrier underneath the metallic strips. In one embodiment, when the garage door  3800  is opened, it is wound up on a spool on the inside of the housing base  104  and is thereby protected inside the housing base  104 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 39 , therein is shown a view of the portable computer  100  similar to the view shown in  FIG. 3 , but equipped with a sit-and-spin door  3900  rather than the door  202  ( FIG. 3 ). The sit-and-spin door  3900  has a locking configuration similar to a bayonet attachment, with tabs  3902  that pass through slots  3904 . The sit-and-spin door  3900  is then rotated between locked and unlocked positions, and when removed from the housing base  104 , is entirely separated therefrom. The sit-and-spin door  3900  thus has the advantage that it does not have a vulnerable hinge and does not require space for protection inside the housing base  104 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 40 , therein is shown a flow chart of a disk drive media access system  4000  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system  4000  includes opening a media access door to the interior of a disk drive sufficiently for ejection of disk media from the disk drive but insufficiently for manually engaging and removing disk media that is operationally positioned within the disk drive, in a block  4002 ; keeping the disk media substantially laterally stationary during the opening of the media access door, in a block  4004 ; and moving the disk media sufficiently for manually engaging the disk media for removing the disk media from the disk drive, in a block  4006 . 
     It has been discovered that the present invention thus has numerous advantages. 
     A principle advantage is that the present invention provides an access door that opens outwardly from a portable computer and that is nevertheless protected from damage. 
     Another important advantage is that the present invention provides such a door that includes a door hinge mechanism that is also protected from damage. 
     A significant advantage of the present invention is that it readily affords media access on major surfaces of a portable device other than the peripheral edge surfaces, notwithstanding the need for vertical rather than lateral access to the drive. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides solutions for efficiently and economically providing better user access to disk drives of this sort in an ergonomically user-friendly manner for readily accommodating changeable media for use with such drives. 
     Yet another important advantage of the present invention is that it valuably supports and services the historical trend of reducing costs, simplifying systems, and increasing performance. 
     These and other valuable aspects of the present invention consequently further the state of the technology to at least the next level. 
     Thus, it has been discovered that the disk drive media access system of the present invention furnishes important and heretofore unknown and unavailable solutions, capabilities, and functional advantages for efficiently and economically providing user access to disk drives in an ergonomically user-friendly manner. The resulting configurations are straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile and effective, can be implemented by adapting known technologies, and are thus readily suited for efficiently and economically manufacturing and implementing robust disk drive media access systems for portable devices. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the aforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations which fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters hithertofore set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20050720
Publication Date: 20090811
Grant Date: 20090811
Priority Date: 20050720
Inventors: SPRINGER GREG
LIGTENBERG CHRIS
ANDRE BARTLEY K.
DEGNER BRETT WILLIAM
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1684", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1684", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1616", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B17/0405", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B17/051", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B33/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B17/0405", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B33/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1616", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B17/051", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 37678847