Patents by Inventor Keith Alan Cox
Keith Alan Cox has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10775863Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, David Radcliffe
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Publication number: 20180232023Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, David Radcliffe
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Publication number: 20160209895Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, David Radcliffe
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Patent number: 9317090Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, David Radcliffe
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Publication number: 20150338892Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, David Radcliffe
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Patent number: 9043627Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, David Radcliffe
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Patent number: 8645740Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to dynamically manage a performance state of a data processing system are described. The data processing system includes a plurality of components; one or more buses coupled to the plurality of components, and a dynamic performance state manager unit coupled to the components. The dynamic performance state manager unit is configured to receive information about a first plurality of current states of components of the system. The dynamic performance state manager unit is configured to determine a second plurality of required system performance states for the components; and to determine a current system performance state based on the first plurality and the second plurality.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joshua de Cesare, Keith Alan Cox, Nathaniel Begeman, Jerry Hauck
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Patent number: 8578189Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for dynamically budgeting power usage in a data processing system. In one aspect, a data processing system, includes: one or more first components capable of being dynamically throttled to a plurality of different performance level settings; one or more second components; and one or more power usage sensors. The one or more power usage sensors are to determine information on power usage during a first time period of operation of the data processing system. The one or more first components and the one or more second components may include a computing element to determine one of the performance level settings of the one or more first components of the data processing system for a second time period subsequent to the first time period using the information on the power usage during the first time period.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Keith Alan Cox, Michael Culbert
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Publication number: 20130254563Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh De Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, Dave Radcliffe
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Patent number: 8448000Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, Dave Radcliffe
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Patent number: 8374730Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for dynamically budgeting power usage to control temperatures in a data processing system. In one aspect, a data processing system includes: a first sensor to determine an ambient temperature of an environment in which the data processing system is; and a controller (e.g., a microcontroller or a microprocessor) coupled to the sensor to control operations of the data processing system according to the ambient temperature. In one example, the data processing system further includes a second sensor to determine an actual temperature of a component of the data processing system. In one example, a controller is coupled to the temperature sensors to determine an operating setting of the data processing system based on a prediction of a temperature of the data processing system which is a function of the plurality of actual temperatures and the operating setting of the data processing system.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2005Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Keith Alan Cox, Michael Culbert
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Patent number: 8332665Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for dynamically budgeting power usage in a data processing system. In one aspect, a data processing system, includes: one or more first components capable of being dynamically throttled to a plurality of different performance level settings; one or more second components; and one or more power usage sensors. The one or more power usage sensors are to determine information on power usage during a first time period of operation of the data processing system. The one or more first components and the one or more second components may include a computing element to determine one of the performance level settings of the one or more first components of the data processing system for a second time period subsequent to the first time period using the information on the power usage during the first time period.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Keith Alan Cox, Michael Culbert
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Publication number: 20120284547Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, Dave Radcliffe
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Publication number: 20120226460Abstract: Temperature sensing circuitry is used for thermal management of an electronic device. The temperature sensing circuitry includes at least one thermistor placed at or near a component of the electronic device. The temperature sensing circuitry also includes a high-precision resistor for calibration purposes. The resistance of the resistor is equivalent to the resistance of the thermistor at a reference temperature. A calibration reading is obtained using a set current that is being passed through the resistor. An error present in the temperature sensing circuitry is determined based on the calibration reading and a design value. A temperature measurement associated with the component is then made using the thermistor, while the set current is being passed through the thermistor. The error is corrected in the temperature measurement of the component. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: September 6, 2012Inventors: Hugo Fiennes, Keith Alan Cox
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Patent number: 8237386Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, Dave Radcliffe
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Patent number: 8182139Abstract: Temperature sensing circuitry is used for thermal management of an electronic device. The temperature sensing circuitry includes at least one thermistor placed at or near a component of the electronic device. The temperature sensing circuitry also includes a high-precision resistor for calibration purposes. The resistance of the resistor is equivalent to the resistance of the thermistor at a reference temperature. A calibration reading is obtained using a set current that is being passed through the resistor. An error present in the temperature sensing circuitry is determined based on the calibration reading and a design value. A temperature measurement associated with the component is then made using the thermistor, while the set current is being passed through the thermistor. The error is corrected in the temperature measurement of the component. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Hugo Fiennes, Keith Alan Cox
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Publication number: 20100117579Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2008Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, Dave Radcliffe
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Publication number: 20090296769Abstract: Temperature sensing circuitry is used for thermal management of an electronic device. The temperature sensing circuitry includes at least one thermistor placed at or near a component of the electronic device. The temperature sensing circuitry also includes a high-precision resistor for calibration purposes. The resistance of the resistor is equivalent to the resistance of the thermistor at a reference temperature. A calibration reading is obtained using a set current that is being passed through the resistor. An error present in the temperature sensing circuitry is determined based on the calibration reading and a design value. A temperature measurement associated with the component is then made using the thermistor, while the set current is being passed through the thermistor. The error is corrected in the temperature measurement of the component. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Hugo Fiennes, Keith Alan Cox
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Publication number: 20090276651Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for dynamically budgeting power usage in a data processing system. In one aspect, a data processing system, includes: one or more first components capable of being dynamically throttled to a plurality of different performance level settings; one or more second components; and one or more power usage sensors. The one or more power usage sensors are to determine information on power usage during a first time period of operation of the data processing system. The one or more first components and the one or more second components may include a computing element to determine one of the performance level settings of the one or more first components of the data processing system for a second time period subsequent to the first time period using the information on the power usage during the first time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Inventors: David G. Conroy, Keith Alan Cox, Michael Culbert
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Patent number: 7562234Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for dynamically budgeting power usage in a data processing system. In one aspect, a data processing system, includes: one or more first components capable of being dynamically throttled to a plurality of different performance level settings; one or more second components; and one or more power usage sensors. The one or more power usage sensors are to determine information on power usage during a first time period of operation of the data processing system. The one or more first components and the one or more second components may include a computing element to determine one of the performance level settings of the one or more first components of the data processing system for a second time period subsequent to the first time period using the information on the power usage during the first time period.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2005Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David G. Conroy, Keith Alan Cox, Michael Culbert