Patents by Inventor Benjamin W. Cook

Benjamin W. Cook 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).

  • Publication number: 20170064427
    Abstract: The wireless earphone (1) comprises a housing (2) having a bud portion abutting an elongated stem portion. The bud portion is to fit within an ear. The bud portion has a primary sound outlet (5) at its far end that is to be inserted into an outer ear canal, and abuts the stem portion at its near end. A speaker driver (6) is inside the bud portion. Electronic circuitry (7,24) inside the housing (2) includes a wireless communications interface (4) to receive audio content over-the-air and in response provides an audio signal to the speaker driver. A rechargeable battery (3) as a power source for the electronic circuitry is located inside a cavity of the stem portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Zachary C. Rich, Kurt R. Stiehl, Arun D. Chawan, Michael B. Howes, Jonathan S. Aase, Esge B. Andersen, Yacine Azmi, Jahan C. Minoo, David J. Shaw, Aarti Kumar, Augustin Prats, Robert D. Watson, Baptiste P. Paquier, Axel D. Berny, Benjamin W. Cook, Jerzy S. Guterman, Benjamin Adair Cousins
  • Publication number: 20150304770
    Abstract: A wireless speaker audio system configured to receive audio information wirelessly transmitted by an audio source including first and second wireless transceivers. The first wireless transceiver establishes a bidirectional secondary wireless link with the audio source for receiving and acknowledging receipt of the audio information. The first and second wireless transceivers communicate with each other via a primary wireless link. A wireless audio system including an audio source and first and second wireless transceivers. The first and second wireless transceivers communicate via a primary wireless link. The audio source communicates audio information to the first wireless transceiver via a secondary wireless link which is configured according to a standard wireless protocol. The first wireless transceiver is configured to acknowledge successful reception of audio information via the secondary wireless link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Clarke S. Watson, Benjamin W. Cook, Axel D. Berny, Jason A. Trachewsky
  • Patent number: 9020437
    Abstract: A wireless speaker audio system configured to receive audio information wirelessly transmitted by an audio source including first and second wireless transceivers. The first wireless transceiver establishes a bidirectional secondary wireless link with the audio source for receiving and acknowledging receipt of the audio information. The first and second wireless transceivers communicate with each other via a primary wireless link. A wireless audio system including an audio source and first and second wireless transceivers. The first and second wireless transceivers communicate via a primary wireless link. The audio source communicates audio information to the first wireless transceiver via a secondary wireless link which is configured according to a standard wireless protocol. The first wireless transceiver is configured to acknowledge successful reception of audio information via the secondary wireless link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Clarke S. Watson, Benjamin W. Cook, Axel D. Berny, Jason A. Trachewsky
  • Publication number: 20140329468
    Abstract: A wireless speaker audio system configured to receive audio information wirelessly transmitted by an audio source including first and second wireless transceivers. The first wireless transceiver establishes a bidirectional secondary wireless link with the audio source for receiving and acknowledging receipt of the audio information. The first and second wireless transceivers communicate with each other via a primary wireless link. A wireless audio system including an audio source and first and second wireless transceivers. The first and second wireless transceivers communicate via a primary wireless link. The audio source communicates audio information to the first wireless transceiver via a secondary wireless link which is configured according to a standard wireless protocol. The first wireless transceiver is configured to acknowledge successful reception of audio information via the secondary wireless link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Clarke S. Watson, Benjamin W. Cook, Axel D. Berny, Jason A. Trachewsky
  • Patent number: 8849886
    Abstract: A discrete-time analog filter including multiple storage cells each coupled to common input and output ports and each including at least one of capacitor and at least one switch. Each cell periodically samples an input signal and contributes to an output signal. At least two cells sample the input signal at different frequencies. The cells may be grouped together into one or more filter taps, where each filter tap may have a specified timing delay. Timing signals of a given tap may be non-overlapping phases of a given frequency. Cells may have a fixed or programmable capacitance associated with a corresponding weighting coefficient, and different taps may have different weighting coefficients. Taps may be coupled to implement a negative weighting coefficient. Programmable gain may be implemented with switches or by tap output coupling including sub-filter summing arrangements. Self-timed cells based on a master clock are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Cook, Axel D. Berny
  • Patent number: 8797146
    Abstract: An autonomous battery-free microwave frequency communication device which includes a capacitance, at least one antenna, a microwave energy harvesting system, a microwave frequency transceiver, and a control system. The energy harvesting system is configured to harvest and store microwave energy received via the antenna onto the capacitance. The transceiver is empowered by energy stored on the capacitance, and is configured to autonomously generate a microwave frequency carrier and to autonomously transmit information using the microwave frequency carrier according to a predetermined communications protocol via the antenna. The control system is empowered by energy stored on the capacitance, and is configured to provide information for transmission. Energy may be harvested from various communication forms, such as wireless network protocols or cellular communications. The frequency band from which energy is harvested may differ from the frequency band used for communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Cook, Axel D. Berny, Jason A. Trachewsky
  • Patent number: 8768252
    Abstract: A wireless audio system configured to receive audio information wirelessly transmitted by an audio source including first and second wireless transceivers. The first wireless transceiver establishes a bidirectional secondary wireless link with the audio source for receiving and acknowledging receipt of the audio information. The first and second wireless transceivers communicate with each other via a primary wireless link. A wireless audio system including an audio source and first and second wireless transceivers. The first and second wireless transceivers communicate via a primary wireless link. The audio source communicates audio information to the first wireless transceiver via a secondary wireless link which is configured according to a standard wireless protocol. The first wireless transceiver is configured to acknowledge successful reception of audio information via the secondary wireless link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Clarke S. Watson, Benjamin W. Cook, Axel D. Berny, Jason A. Trachewsky
  • Patent number: 8543055
    Abstract: A passive frequency translator with positive conversion voltage gain including at least one input node for receiving an input signal, at least one output node for providing an output signal, and a network which includes capacitors and switches operatively coupled the capacitors and the one or more input and output nodes. The switches are controlled by corresponding clock signals to capture charge of the input signal onto the capacitors and to develop the output signal by performing frequency translation of the input signal by a mixing frequency. The output signal has a net voltage gain relative to the input signal in which energy of the output signal is predominantly derived from energy of the input signal. Furthermore, each of at least three capacitors are configured to capture charge from the input signal and to add constructively to deliver charge to at least one other capacitor coupled to the output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Cook, Axel D. Berny
  • Patent number: 8498605
    Abstract: A passive frequency translator with positive conversion voltage gain including at least one input node for receiving an input signal, at least one output node for providing an output signal, and a network coupled to the at least one input node and to the at least one output node, in which the network includes multiple capacitors and switches operatively coupled thereto. The switches are controlled by corresponding clock signals to capture charge of the input signal onto the capacitors and to develop the output signal by performing frequency translation of the input signal by a mixing frequency in such a manner that DC energy of the input signal is substantially blocked from the output signal. The output signal has a net voltage gain relative to the input signal in which energy of the output signal is predominantly derived from energy of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Passif Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Cook, Axel D. Berny
  • Patent number: 8432219
    Abstract: An amplitude control system including one or more multi-element array power amplifiers (MEA-PA), each MEA-PA including multiple amplifiers, multiple capacitors, and multiple enable circuits. Each amplifier has an input coupled to a common input node and an output coupled to a corresponding one of multiple intermediate nodes. Each capacitor has a first end coupled to an output node and a second end coupled to a corresponding intermediate node. The enable circuits are collectively controlled by an amplitude control value, and each is operative to enable or disable a corresponding amplifier. The enable circuits may be dynamically controlled to modulate amplitude. A coupling circuit may be provided to couple an intermediate node to a reference node when a corresponding amplifier is disabled to adjust a coupling ratio. Each amplifier, when enabled, may receive one of multiple supply reference voltages. The capacitors may have equal capacitance or may be binary-weighted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Passif Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Benjamin W. Cook
  • Publication number: 20120218053
    Abstract: A discrete-time analog filter including multiple storage cells each coupled to common input and output ports and each including at least one of capacitor and at least one switch. Each cell periodically samples an input signal and contributes to an output signal. At least two cells sample the input signal at different frequencies. The cells may be grouped together into one or more filter taps, where each filter tap may have a specified timing delay. Timing signals of a given tap may be non-overlapping phases of a given frequency. Cells may have a fixed or programmable capacitance associated with a corresponding weighting coefficient, and different taps may have different weighting coefficients. Taps may be coupled to implement a negative weighting coefficient. Programmable gain may be implemented with switches or by tap output coupling including sub-filter summing arrangements. Self-timed cells based on a master clock are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: PASSIF SEMICONDUCTOR CORP
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Cook, Axel D. Berny
  • Publication number: 20120087503
    Abstract: A wireless multi-channel audio system including an audio source with a wireless transceiver configured to communicate according to a standard wireless protocol and an audio controller, which are collectively configured to establish wireless communications with multiple audio sinks via a corresponding wireless link, to assign each audio sink a corresponding audio channel, to synchronize timing with each audio sink, and to transmit audio information for each audio channel to a corresponding audio sink via a corresponding wireless link. The audio source may inquire as to supported audio parameters, such as sample rate and audio codec, and selects a commonly supported configuration. The audio source may separate audio information into queues for each audio channel for each audio sink. The audio source transmits frames with timestamps and a common start time for synchronization, and the audio sinks use this information to synchronize timing and remain virtually synchronized with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Passif Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Clarke S. Watson, Benjamin W. Cook, Axel D. Berny, Jason A. Trachewsky
  • Publication number: 20120058727
    Abstract: A wireless speaker system configured to receive stereo audio information wirelessly transmitted by an audio source including first and second loudspeakers. The first loudspeaker establishes a bidirectional secondary wireless link with the audio source for receiving and acknowledging receipt of the stereo audio information. The first and second loudspeakers communicate with each other via a primary wireless link, and the first and second loudspeakers are configured to extract first and second audio channels, respectively, from the stereo audio information. A wireless audio system including an audio source and first and second loudspeakers, each having a wireless transceiver. The first and second loudspeakers communicate via a primary wireless link. The audio source communicates audio information to the first loudspeaker via a secondary wireless link which is configured according to a standard wireless protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: PASSIF SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Cook, Axel D. Berny, Clarke S. Watson, Jason A. Trachewsky
  • Publication number: 20110260839
    Abstract: An autonomous battery-free microwave frequency communication device which includes a capacitance, at least one antenna, a microwave energy harvesting system, a microwave frequency transceiver, and a control system. The energy harvesting system is configured to harvest and store microwave energy received via the antenna onto the capacitance. The transceiver is empowered by energy stored on the capacitance, and is configured to autonomously generate a microwave frequency carrier and to autonomously transmit information using the microwave frequency carrier according to a predetermined communications protocol via the antenna. The control system is empowered by energy stored on the capacitance, and is configured to provide information for transmission. Energy may be harvested from various communication forms, such as wireless network protocols or cellular communications. The frequency band from which energy is harvested may differ from the frequency band used for communications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: PASSIF SEMICONDUCTOR CORP
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Cook, Axel D. Berny, Jason A. Trachewsky