Patents by Inventor Lyall Winger

Lyall 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).

  • Patent number: 7633234
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a maximum sustained flash current over the whole length of a flash using a programmable current drive in a handheld portable device powered by a battery. The method involves measuring the battery voltage before and after a flash is initiated and calculating the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the battery. The calculated ESR is then used to adjust the flash current. The process may be repeated to correct for errors in the flash current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Marc Drader, Ryan Geris, Lyall Winger
  • Patent number: 7631126
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for controlling interfacing parameters for a device when connected to a host is provided. The method comprises: monitoring for an initial connection by the device to the host; then, while the device is establishing the connection with the host, utilizing a communication bus controller contained in a microprocessor in the device to process communications with the host at a first data transmission rate; and after a predetermined condition, re-establishing the connection with the host using a second bus controller in the device that processes the communications at a second transmission rate that is higher the first data transmission rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Omar Barake, Michael Goldsmith, Maxime Matton, Jerry Mailloux, Robert Wood, Lyall Winger
  • Publication number: 20090278506
    Abstract: The present relates to a system and method for dynamic power management of a mobile device. The mobile device has a plurality of loads and a battery charger electrically connected to a voltage rail. The method comprises monitoring the plurality of loads 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 the voltage converter based on active loads and the at least one load that will become active or inactive and device operation; and adjusting an input voltage level via the voltage converter to provide the minimum required output voltage level on the voltage rail in advance of the at least one load becoming active or after the at least one load becomes inactive. The method further monitors the input voltage level, and determines whether the input voltage level is below a first predetermine threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lyall WINGER, Dusan VESELIC, Martin GUTHRIE
  • Publication number: 20090279881
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a method and related apparatus for safely operating a camera flash on a mobile device powered by a battery module. Upon determination that the camera flash needs to be activated the method comprises measuring several battery parameters including the voltage and temperature of the battery module. An equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the battery module is determined based on the battery temperature. The maximum flash current is then determined based on the battery voltage, and ESR along with potential current loads that may occur during operation of the camera flash, and a minimum battery voltage for safe operation of the mobile device where the battery voltage has been adjusted if needed. The device is then configured to draw a current from the battery module that is not greater than the maximum flash current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Ryan Geris, Lyall Winger, Christopher Book
  • Patent number: 7616882
    Abstract: An electronic device and method for power management in an electronic device is provided. In an embodiment, the electronic device includes the functionality of a personal digital assistant, wireless email paging and a camera with a flash that is operated via self-contained power supply in the form of a battery. The device also includes a supervisor circuit which causes the device to enter sleep mode, or disables the device, or certain features of the device, if the battery level falls below a certain threshold. A method in accordance with an embodiment performs, in response to a request to fire the flash, a pre-flash test which is selected so as to not trip the supervisor circuit. The battery level is examined after the pre-flash test. If the battery level meets certain criteria, the full flash is permitted to proceed, else the full flash is not permitted to proceed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Martin Guthrie, Christopher Book, Lyall Winger
  • Publication number: 20090085502
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a maximum sustained flash current over the whole length of a flash using a programmable current drive in a handheld portable device powered by a battery. The method involves measuring the battery voltage before and after a flash is initiated and calculating the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the battery. The calculated ESR is then used to adjust the flash current. The process may be repeated to correct for errors in the flash current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Ryan Geris, Lyall Winger, Christopher Book
  • Publication number: 20090073664
    Abstract: A decoupling capacitor/integrated circuit assembly including: an integrated circuit assembly comprising a carrier containing an integrated circuit, the carrier comprising connectors on a base thereof defining a space on the base having no connectors, the connectors providing an electrical connection to the integrated circuit, one of the connectors designated as a power connector and another of the connectors designated as a ground connector; and a decoupling capacitor provided in the space on the base of the carrier and electrically connected to the power and ground connectors, wherein the decoupling capacitor is sized to fit between the integrated circuit assembly and a structure to which the integrated circuit assembly is to be connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Lyall WINGER
  • Publication number: 20080294923
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for controlling interfacing parameters for a device when connected to a host is provided. The method comprises: monitoring for an initial connection by the device to the host; then, while the device is establishing the connection with the host, utilizing a communication bus controller contained in a microprocessor in the device to process communications with the host at a first data transmission rate; and after a predetermined condition, re-establishing the connection with the host using a second bus controller in the device that processes the communications at a second transmission rate that is higher the first data transmission rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Omar BARAKE, Michael Goldsmith, Maxime Matton, Jerry Mailloux, Robert Wood, Lyall Winger
  • Publication number: 20080164847
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a maximum sustained flash current over the whole length of a flash using a programmable current drive in a handheld portable device powered by a battery. The method involves measuring the battery voltage before and after a flash is initiated and calculating the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the battery. The calculated ESR is then used to adjust the flash current. The process may be repeated to correct for errors in the flash current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Marc Drader, Ryan Geris, Lyall Winger
  • Publication number: 20080037979
    Abstract: An electronic device and method for power management in an electronic device is provided. In an embodiment, the electronic device includes the functionality of a personal digita assistant, wireless email paging and a camera with a flash that is operated via self-contained power supply in the form of a battery. The device also includes a supervisor circuit which causes the device to enter sleep mode, or disables the device, or certain features of the device, if tile battery level falls below a certain threshold. A method in accordance with an embodiment performs, in response to a request to fire the flash, a pre-flash test which is selected so as to not trip the supervisor circuit. The battery level is examined as a consequence of performing the pre-flash test and, if the battery level as so examined meets certain criteria, then the full flash is either permitted to proceed. If the battery level does not meet the criteria, the full flash is not permitted to proceed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Guthrie, Christopher Book, Lyall Winger