Since I never really had enough time to do this blog on a regular basis, adding a second blog might seem like a really bad idea. But, it’s important in a work-related sense in that I hope to use it to be able to get some attention for my work. Oh, it’s called Apple IP Watch and it’s about Apple Computer-related intellectual property (IP) issues, mostly patents. And wouldn’t you know, there have been a flurry of Apple patents and publications that have been put out in the past two weeks, and I’ve fallen woefully behind. Which is not hard to do, since I actually review the stuff before writing about it. So it takes time. Maybe I’ll be able to catch up this weekend while I’m cooking chili – write for 20 minutes, run upstairs, stir the pot, run back downstairs, repeat.
Archive for February 2nd, 2007
Having two blogs is hard!
Friday, February 2nd, 2007Access system for a portable device; Disk drive media access system
Friday, February 2nd, 2007Title: Access system for a portable device; Disk drive media access system
Patent application publication number: 20070019375; 20070019374
Publication date: January 25, 2007 (for both)
Filing date: July 20, 2005 (for both)
Link to PDF: ’375 - 
; ’374 –
AIPW Summary: An access panel and system for the bottom side of a laptop computer (375) and a more specific implementation of that concept in locating a CD or DVD drive (referred to generally as optical disk drives, or ODDs) on the bottom of the computer (374). As laptops are being made thinner, available space for ODDs is becoming scarce. So the ODD is placed on the bottom of the laptop to save space.
A mobile motion module (MMM; i.e., the Sudden Motion Sensor in MacBooks) is coupled to the ODD door, so that the ODD door can only be opened if a force of -1G is detected (’375 – paragraph 0051) . An open button can be used to open the ODD, and can be disabled by the MMM unless the laptop is inverted (’375 – paragraph 0053).
The ’375 application has claims directed to the general concept of locating something usable on the bottom surface. Some claims get more narrow and specifically address an ODD.
The ’374 application describes the construction of an ODD to be mounted in the bottom of a laptop and the latching mechanisms that could be used to keep the door shut. Also disclosed are various mechanisms for holding the disk in place in the ODD. The claims are directed the disk drive and means for retaining the disk in position when the ODD door is opened.
