Patents by Inventor David G. Conroy
David G. Conroy 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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Publication number: 20210318738Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhanced power delivery between devices. In one embodiment, the power delivery is enhanced relative to legacy capabilities, and a source device negotiates with a sink device to establish a high-voltage (HV) power contract. In one variant, such HV operation enables power delivery greater than the legacy USB-C standard maximum of 20 V and 100 W. In one implementation, the source, sink, and/or source and sink collectively ensure that multiple criteria relating to power delivery are met for the interface (i.e., source, the sink, and the interposed cable or power delivery medium). Multiple conditions, including enclosure construction compliance and device capabilities, must be cleared to ensure safety while operating beyond standard maximums. If the criteria are met, HV validation is complete, and the source may offer HV operation to the sink to establish the HV contract. Additional fail-safe mechanisms enable the HV contract to discontinue upon triggering.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2021Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott A. JACKSON, Alexei E. KOSUT, William O. FERRY, Reese A. SCHREIBER, Breton M. SAUNDERS, Corey LANGE, David G. CONROY, Srivatsav VENKATESAN, Steven P. HIER, Carlos M. CALDERON
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Patent number: 10318224Abstract: A display system includes a host device that provides source data to a display. The source data includes one or more data-centric blocks free from a fixed-frame size imposition, fixed-frame rate imposition, or both from the display. Further, the source data includes presentation data. The display system includes a display that receives the source data, decodes the source data to discern a presentation time, a presentation positioning, or both for the presentation data. Further, the display presents the presentation data according to the presentation time, the presentation positioning, or both.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: William P. Cornelius, Colin Whitby-Strevens, David G. Conroy, Robert L. Ridenour, Sreeraman Anantharaman
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Publication number: 20180101205Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to provide a cooling arrangement for a system are described. The system includes a component coupled to a heat sink. A signal associated with a temperature control of the component is asserted. A target temperature of the heat sink is adjusted based on the signal. In one embodiment, a temperature control loop of the heat sink is operated. The temperature of the heat sink may be monitored using one or more sensors placed on the heat sink. An operation of the component, a cooling unit coupled to the heat sink, or both, may be adjusted based on a relationship between the temperature of the heat sink and an adjusted target temperature. Adjusting the target temperature of the heat sink based on the asserted signal increases efficiency of the system while decreasing cooling.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: David G. Conroy, Michael Culbert, Keith A. Cox
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Patent number: 9727505Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for accessing I/O and memory devices utilizing a DMA controller. Each device may be connected to the DMA controller through an individual channel. Clocking circuitry in the DMA may allow the DMA controller to send signals to each device at a prescribed frequency. Furthermore, the DMA controller is capable of activating and deactivating a channel clock, used in sending signals to the devices, based on the operational status of the individual devices. The DMA controller is also capable of tuning the channel clock dependant on the capabilities of any active devices. In this manner, the amount of bandwidth used during a DMA data transfer can be tailored to the specific requirements of the devices involved with the data transfer.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Timothy J. Millet, Joseph P. Bratt
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Patent number: 9671845Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to provide a cooling arrangement for a system are described. The system includes a component coupled to a heat sink. A signal associated with a temperature control of the component is asserted. A target temperature of the heat sink is adjusted based on the signal. In one embodiment, a temperature control loop of the heat sink is operated. The temperature of the heat sink may be monitored using one or more sensors placed on the heat sink. An operation of the component, a cooling unit coupled to the heat sink, or both, may be adjusted based on a relationship between the temperature of the heat sink and an adjusted target temperature. Adjusting the target temperature of the heat sink based on the asserted signal increases efficiency of the system while decreasing cooling.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Michael Culbert, Keith A. Cox
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Publication number: 20170061923Abstract: A display system includes a host device that provides source data to a display. The source data includes one or more data-centric blocks free from a fixed-frame size imposition, fixed-frame rate imposition, or both from the display. Further, the source data includes presentation data. The display system includes a display that receives the source data, decodes the source data to discern a presentation time, a presentation positioning, or both for the presentation data. Further, the display presents the presentation data according to the presentation time, the presentation positioning, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: William P. Cornelius, Colin Whitby-Strevens, David G. Conroy, Robert L. Ridenour, Sreeraman Anantharaman
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Patent number: 9274574Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to manage a power of a system that leverage intermediate power margins are described. One or more subsystems of the system are operated at one or more performance points. A power consumed by the one or more subsystems at each of the one or more performance points is measured. An operational power of the one or more subsystems at the one or more performance points is determined. The one or more subsystems are operated at well-known conditions at the one or more performance points. The operational power may be adjusted based on data associated with the one or more subsystems. The operational power is provided to a power lookup table. The power is distributed among the one or more subsystems based on the operational power.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Michael Culbert, Keith A. Cox
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Publication number: 20160014390Abstract: An electronic device may have input-output ports. The electronic device may have control circuitry and input-output devices. The input-output devices may include sensors, camera equipment, and other input devices that the control circuitry uses to monitor the location of the plug relative to the input-output port. The input-output devices may also include a display, light-emitting diode array, speaker, or other visual or audio output device. The control circuitry can use the output device to provide a user with plug alignment assistance information. The plug alignment assistance information can be provided visually, using audio, or using other output. Plug alignment assistance information can include information that helps the user align the plug with a port and may be based on information on the location of the plug relative to the input-output ports and based on information on which ports are available.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, David G. Conroy
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Publication number: 20150278134Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for accessing I/O and memory devices utilizing a DMA controller. Each device may be connected to the DMA controller through an individual channel. Clocking circuitry in the DMA may allow the DMA controller to send signals to each device at a prescribed frequency. Furthermore, the DMA controller is capable of activating and deactivating a channel clock, used in sending signals to the devices, based on the operational status of the individual devices. The DMA controller is also capable of tuning the channel clock dependant on the capabilities of any active devices. In this manner, the amount of bandwidth used during a DMA data transfer can be tailored to the specific requirements of the devices involved with the data transfer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: David G. Conroy, Timothy J. Millet, Joseph P. Bratt
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Patent number: 9032113Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for accessing I/O and memory devices utilizing a DMA controller. Each device may be connected to the DMA controller through an individual channel. Clocking circuitry in the DMA may allow the DMA controller to send signals to each device at a prescribed frequency. Furthermore, the DMA controller is capable of activating and deactivating a channel clock, used in sending signals to the devices, based on the operational status of the individual devices. The DMA controller is also capable of tuning the channel clock dependant on the capabilities of any active devices. In this manner, the amount of bandwidth used during a DMA data transfer can be tailored to the specific requirements of the devices involved with the data transfer.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Timothy J. Millet, Joseph P. Bratt
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Patent number: 9015557Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that transfers data from a storage device to a host. The system includes a communication mechanism that receives a request to read a set of blocks from the host. Next, upon reading each block from the set of blocks from the storage device, the communication mechanism transfers the block over an interface with the host. The system also includes an error-detection apparatus that performs error detection on the block upon reading the block, and an error-correction apparatus that performs error correction on the block if an error is detected in the block. The communication mechanism may then retransfer the block to the host after the error is removed from the block.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Sarcone, David G. Conroy, Jim Keller
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Publication number: 20140351621Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to manage a power of a system that leverage intermediate power margins are described. One or more subsystems of the system are operated at one or more performance points. A power consumed by the one or more subsystems at each of the one or more performance points is measured. An operational power of the one or more subsystems at the one or more performance points is determined. The one or more subsystems are operated at well-known conditions at the one or more performance points. The operational power may be adjusted based on data associated with the one or more subsystems. The operational power is provided to a power lookup table. The power is distributed among the one or more subsystems based on the operational power.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Michael Culbert, Keith A. Cox
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Publication number: 20140195872Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that transfers data from a storage device to a host. The system includes a communication mechanism that receives a request to read a set of blocks from the host. Next, upon reading each block from the set of blocks from the storage device, the communication mechanism transfers the block over an interface with the host. The system also includes an error-detection apparatus that performs error detection on the block upon reading the block, and an error-correction apparatus that performs error correction on the block if an error is detected in the block. The communication mechanism may then retransfer the block to the host after the error is removed from the block.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christpoher J. SARCONE, David G. CONROY, Jim KELLER
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Patent number: 8751849Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to manage a power of a system that leverage intermediate power margins are described. One or more subsystems of the system are operated at one or more performance points. A power consumed by the one or more subsystems at each of the one or more performance points is measured. An operational power of the one or more subsystems at the one or more performance points is determined. The one or more subsystems are operated at well-known conditions at the one or more performance points. The operational power may be adjusted based on data associated with the one or more subsystems. The operational power is provided to a power lookup table. The power is distributed among the one or more subsystems based on the operational power.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Michael Culbert, Keith A. Cox
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Patent number: 8726055Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that operates a processor in a multi-core processor system. During operation, the system detects the creation of an asynchronous wakeup event for the processor. In response to detecting the creation of the asynchronous wakeup event, when the processor is subsequently placed into an idle state, the system configures the processor to resume operation at a reduced frequency that is a fraction of an operating frequency for the multi-core processor system, wherein the reduced frequency allows more power to be allocated to other processors in the multi-core processor system.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Guy Sotomayor
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Publication number: 20140121854Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to provide a cooling arrangement for a system are described. The system includes a component coupled to a heat sink. A signal associated with a temperature control of the component is asserted. A target temperature of the heat sink is adjusted based on the signal. In one embodiment, a temperature control loop of the heat sink is operated. The temperature of the heat sink may be monitored using one or more sensors placed on the heat sink. An operation of the component, a cooling unit coupled to the heat sink, or both, may be adjusted based on a relationship between the temperature of the heat sink and an adjusted target temperature. Adjusting the target temperature of the heat sink based on the asserted signal increases efficiency of the system while decreasing cooling.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Michael Culbert, Keith A. Cox
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Patent number: 8713214Abstract: A media processing system and device with improved power usage characteristics, improved audio functionality and improved media security is provided. Embodiments of the media processing system include an audio processing subsystem that operates independently of the host processor for long periods of time, allowing the host processor to enter a low power state while the audio data is being processed. Other aspects of the media processing system provide for enhanced audio effects such as mixing stored audio samples into real-time telephone audio. Still other aspects of the media processing system provide for improved media security due to the isolation of decrypted audio data from the host processor.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Steve Schell, Barry J. Corlett, Neil D. Warren, Aram Lindahl
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Patent number: 8681159Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that switches from a first graphics processor to a second graphics processor to drive a display. During operation, the system receives a request to switch a signal source which drives the display from the first graphics processor to the second graphics processor. In response to the request, the system first configures the second graphics processor so that the second graphics processor is ready to drive the display. Next, the system switches the signal source that drives the display from the first graphics processor to the second graphics processor, thereby causing the second graphics processor to drive the display.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2006Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael F. Culbert, David G. Conroy, William C. Athas, Brian D. Howard
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Patent number: 8662943Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to provide a cooling arrangement for a system are described. The system includes a component coupled to a heat sink. A signal associated with a temperature control of the component is asserted. A target temperature of the heat sink is adjusted based on the signal. In one embodiment, a temperature control loop of the heat sink is operated. The temperature of the heat sink may be monitored using one or more sensors placed on the heat sink. An operation of the component, a cooling unit coupled to the heat sink, or both, may be adjusted based on a relationship between the temperature of the heat sink and an adjusted target temperature. Adjusting the target temperature of the heat sink based on the asserted signal increases efficiency of the system while decreasing cooling.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Michael Culbert, Keith A. Cox
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Patent number: RE48323Abstract: A media processing system and device with improved power usage characteristics, improved audio functionality and improved media security is provided. Embodiments of the media processing system include an audio processing subsystem that operates independently of the host processor for long periods of time, allowing the host processor to enter a low power state while the audio data is being processed. Other aspects of the media processing system provide for enhanced audio effects such as mixing stored audio samples into real-time telephone audio. Still other aspects of the media processing system provide for improved media security due to the isolation of decrypted audio data from the host processor.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Apple Ine.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Steve Schell, Barry Corlett, Niel D. Warren, Aram Lindahl