Patents by Inventor Lyall Kenneth Winger
Lyall Kenneth Winger 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: 9746527Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for battery life estimation comprising an energy harvester; an energy storage apparatus, connected to the energy harvester, the energy storage apparatus representative of a unit of measure; a battery for receiving energy from the storage apparatus; and a processor for monitoring the energy provided by the storage apparatus, monitoring energy provided to the battery by other charging apparatus and monitoring the energy being delivered by the battery; wherein the processor calculates the remaining life of the battery based on the number of energy storage apparatus units that are provided to and delivered from the battery.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2011Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, David Gerard Rich, Rene Pierre Marchand
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Patent number: 9711983Abstract: A device, system and method for charging a battery are provided. The device comprises: a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port; a battery in communication with the USB port; and, circuitry in communication with the USB port and the battery, the circuitry configured to: transmit a power control signal over the USB port, the power control signal comprising data indicative of one or more of a power, a voltage and a current to be received over the USB port to charge the battery; and, responsively receive the power for charging the battery over the USB port.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: BLACKBERRY LIMITEDInventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, Ahmed Abdelsamie, Eric Schwartz
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Patent number: 9648151Abstract: A mobile device having: a keyboard; a printed circuit board having at least one contact responsive to the keyboard; and a fuel cell assembly having: a fuel cell located between the keyboard and the printed circuit board, the fuel cell having a membrane and at least one aperture corresponding with the at least one contact; a tank adapted to store a fuel for the fuel cell; and piping connecting the tank with the fuel cell, where the fuel cell ventilates through the keyboard. Alternatively, the fuel cell acts as the printed circuit board and at least one contact for the keyboard is printed onto the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2012Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Chris Wormald, Raymond Reddy, Lyall Kenneth Winger
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Publication number: 20150295441Abstract: A device, system and method for charging a battery are provided. The device comprises: a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port; a battery in communication with the USB port; and, circuitry in communication with the USB port and the battery, the circuitry configured to: transmit a power control signal over the USB port, the power control signal comprising data indicative of one or more of a power, a voltage and a current to be received over the USB port to charge the battery; and, responsively receive the power for charging the battery over the USB port.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2014Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITEDInventors: Lyall Kenneth WINGER, Ahmed ABDELSAMIE, Eric SCHWARTZ
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Patent number: 9160833Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for downloading battery data to a mobile communication device. A system for downloading battery data to a mobile communication device may include a mobile communication device and a data server. The mobile communication device may be configured to monitor a battery operating condition and to receive a battery profile, the battery profile including battery data for use by the mobile communication device to calculate battery status information. The data server may be used for storing battery data, the data server being configured to receive the battery operating condition from the mobile communication device and, based on the battery operating condition, send the battery profile to the mobile communication device.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Chee-Ming Jimmy Wu, Lyall Kenneth Winger, Christopher Simon Book
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Patent number: 9146282Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting whether a battery in an electronic device is counterfeit or defective. An actual battery characteristic profile is generated by recording the performance of the battery during use of the battery by the device. This profile is then compared to its corresponding expected characteristic profile. If the profiles are not substantially similar (i.e. if the error between the two curves exceeds a given error threshold), the battery is determined to be counterfeit or defective and responsive action is taken.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2010Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Chee-Ming Jimmy Wu, Lyall Kenneth Winger, Christopher Simon Book
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Patent number: 9026842Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein with regards to performing a selective fault recovery for an electronic device having a plurality of subsystems in which one of the subsystems has a fault. The selective fault recovery techniques described herein allow a user to use non-faulty subsystem of the electronic device while selective fault recovery is being conducted on the subsystem having the fault.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, Gregory Hall Ward, Mark David Mesaros
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Publication number: 20150091496Abstract: A first device is wirelessly charged by a second device. Bi-directional communication is performed between the first device and the second device during the wireless charging, where the bi-directional communication includes messaging from the second device to the first device, the messaging including information other than information relating to wireless charging.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITEDInventors: Marc Élis Meunier, Vahid Moosavi, Scott Douglas Rose, Lyall Kenneth Winger, Ahmed Abdelsamie
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Publication number: 20150091508Abstract: A charger that is part of a system including an electronic appliance wirelessly charges a first device. During the wireless charging, the charger sends, to the first device, a first message. In response to the first message, the electronic appliance receives a second message requesting a specified action by the electronic appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITEDInventors: Marc Élis Meunier, Vahid Moosavi, Scott Douglas Rose, Lyall Kenneth Winger, Ahmed Abdelsamie, Gerald Robert Dwyer
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Patent number: 8981749Abstract: A power converter system for managing power between a power supply and a load, the system including: a first buck-boost circuit connected to the power supply; and a capacitor provided between the buck-boost circuit and the load to buffer power supply for the load. The system may include a second buck-boost circuit between the capacitor and the load. In another embodiment, a power converter system includes: a boost circuit connected to the power supply; a buck circuit connected to the load; and a capacitor provided between the boost circuit and the buck circuit to manage the supply of power to the load.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Kai Xu, Lyall Kenneth Winger, Christopher David Bernard
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Patent number: 8822096Abstract: An electrical power source for a portable electronic device. The electrical power source includes at least one fuel cell adapted to receive fuel and generate therefrom electrical power for powering at least one component of the portable electronic device, a fuel tank adapted to provide fuel to the fuel cell, and at least one thermoelectric module in thermal contact with at least one of the fuel cell and fuel tank for regulating the temperature of the at least one fuel cell and at least one fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: David Gerard Rich, Lyall Kenneth Winger
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Patent number: 8787990Abstract: A portable electronic device that has a radio frequency communication subsystem operationally connected switch-mode power supply subsystem. The switch-mode power supply subsystem generates a pulse-width modulation electrical signal that produces electromagnetic interference. The switch-mode power supply subsystem can reduce the slew rate of the pulse-width modulation electrical signal when the radio-frequency communication subsystem is active. This reduces the level of the electromagnetic interference signal only during radio frequency communication, which improves the efficiency of the radio frequency communication. Not having the reduced slew rate when there is no radio frequency communication allows for higher modulation efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Rene Pierre Marchand, Lyall Kenneth Winger, Christopher David Bernard
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Patent number: 8760119Abstract: A mobile device adapted for dynamic power management. The mobile device includes an output power port, a voltage converter adapted to convert an input voltage to provide an output voltage to the output power port, and a processor. The processor is adapted to monitor at least one load electrically to determine when the at least one load will become active or inactive, determine a minimum required output voltage to be provided by the voltage converter based on the at least one load that will become active or inactive, control the voltage converter to provide at least the minimum required output voltage on the output power port in advance of the at least one load becoming active or after the at least one load becomes inactive, and when the input voltage is below the first threshold, control the voltage converter to reduce the output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, Dusan Veselic, Martin George Albert Guthrie
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Publication number: 20130301689Abstract: A portable electronic device that has a radio frequency communication subsystem operationally connected switch-mode power supply subsystem. The switch-mode power supply subsystem generates a pulse-width modulation electrical signal that produces electromagnetic interference. The switch-mode power supply subsystem can reduce the slew rate of the pulse-width modulation electrical signal when the radio-frequency communication subsystem is active. This reduces the level of the electromagnetic interference signal only during radio frequency communication, which improves the efficiency of the radio frequency communication. Not having the reduced slew rate when there is no radio frequency communication allows for higher modulation efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2012Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Rene Pierre MARCHAND, Lyall Kenneth WINGER, Christopher David BERNARD
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Publication number: 20130285614Abstract: A mobile device adapted for dynamic power management. The mobile device includes an output power port, a voltage converter adapted to convert an input voltage to provide an output voltage to the output power port, and a processor. The processor is adapted to monitor at least one load electrically to determine when the at least one load will become active or inactive, determine a minimum required output voltage to be provided by the voltage converter based on the at least one load that will become active or inactive, control the voltage converter to provide at least the minimum required output voltage on the output power port in advance of the at least one load becoming active or after the at least one load becomes inactive, and when the input voltage is below the first threshold, control the voltage converter to reduce the output voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, Dusan Veselic, Martin George Albert Guthrie
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Publication number: 20130254586Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein with regards to performing a selective fault recovery for an electronic device having a plurality of subsystems in which one of the subsystems has a fault. The selective fault recovery techniques described herein allow a user to use non-faulty subsystem of the electronic device while selective fault recovery is being conducted on the subsystem having the fault.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, Gregory Hall Ward, Mark David Mesaros
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Patent number: 8493029Abstract: A method of dynamic power management of a mobile device. The method includes monitoring at least one load to determine when at least one of the loads will become active or inactive, determining a minimum required output voltage level to be provided by a single voltage converter based on voltage level requirements of the at least one load that will become active or inactive, converting an input voltage level via the voltage converter to provide the minimum required output voltage level to the output power port in advance of the at least one load becoming active or after the at least one load becomes inactive, monitoring the input voltage level, determining whether the input voltage level is below a first threshold, and when the input voltage level is below the first threshold, reducing the output voltage level provided by the single voltage converter.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, Dusan Veselic, Martin George Albert Guthrie
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Patent number: 8456064Abstract: A holster for a handheld electronic device. The holster has integrated therein one or more piezoelectric elements that provide an output voltage to the handheld electronic device upon insertion of device in the holster. The output voltage can be used to charge the battery of the device, to power, at least in part, the device, or both. The output voltage is generated by harvesting vibration energy at the piezoelectric elements upon the holster being subjected to acceleration caused by a user carrying the holster when walking, running, or during any other suitable activity.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, Raymond Michael Dikun, Martin George Albert Guthrie, Rene Pierre Marchand, David Gerard Rich
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Publication number: 20130132010Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for battery life estimation comprising an energy harvester; an energy storage apparatus, connected to the energy harvester, the energy storage apparatus representative of a unit of measure; a battery for receiving energy from the storage apparatus; and a processor for monitoring the energy provided by the storage apparatus, monitoring energy provided to the battery by other charging apparatus and monitoring the energy being delivered by the battery; wherein the processor calculates the remaining life of the battery based on the number of energy storage apparatus units that are provided to and delivered from the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Lyall Kenneth WINGER, David Gerard RICH, Rene Pierre MARCHAND
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Publication number: 20130127406Abstract: An apparatus and method for inductively charging an electronic device are disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a transmitter coil and a controller. The transmitter coil includes a configurable inductive portion. The controller is configured to receive configuration information that is indicative of a receiver coil configuration in the electronic device. Based on the received configuration information, the controller configures the transmitter coil to form an active coil to substantially match the configuration of the receiver coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Lyall Kenneth WINGER, Cheng BAO, Christopher David BERNARD