Patents by Inventor Wayne L. Proefrock

Wayne L. Proefrock 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: 10224743
    Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for an energy harvester to power a mobile device. The energy harvester may include an energy harvesting portion to generate electrical power. At least one sensor may measure an environmental condition relating to generation of electrical power by the energy harvesting portion. A controller may generate a signal based on the measured environmental condition by the at least one sensor to the mobile device. Alternatively the signals from the at least one sensor are place in a memory on the energy harvester. In one example, the controller determines the power generated by the energy harvester and the controller signal includes this power information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lilly Huang, Wayne L. Proefrock, Michael Boyd
  • Patent number: 9798367
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to controlling the supply of power to computing devices with dynamically variable energy capacity are described. In one embodiment, logic causes modification to supply of power from a power source to one or more loads in response to a comparison of an output of the power source and a threshold value. The output of the power source may vary over a time period (e.g., oscillating) that causes the one or more loads to become inoperational. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lilly Huang, Wayne L. Proefrock, Krishnan Ravichandran, Bernd Nordhausen, Frank K. Welch, Jr., John G. Tompkins, Vaibhav Vaidya
  • Patent number: 9710422
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to low cost and/or low overhead serial interface for power management and other IC (Integrated Circuit) devices are described. In an embodiment, a unique address is assigned to each of a plurality of slave devices. The plurality of slave devices are coupled in a daisy chain configuration. And, any access directed at a first slave device from the plurality of slave devices is allowed based at least in part on comparison of an address of the first slave device and an address associated with the access. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sheldon Weng, George E. Matthew, Pavan Kumar, Wayne L. Proefrock, Harish K. Krishnamurthy, Krishnan Ravichandran
  • Publication number: 20170085115
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to methods, system and apparatus to wirelessly charge a mobile device using one of conventional or alternative power sources. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosure provides a method and apparatus to detect power source as a function of its power profile linearity. Once determination is made as to whether the incoming power is harvested from natural resources or is provided from conventional AC/DC adapter/DC source, the incoming power is conditioned and impedance-matched to wirelessly energize an external load. The external load may be a device configured for wireless charging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lilly Huang, Wayne L. Proefrock, Bernhard Raaf, Krishnan Ravichandran, Songnan Yang
  • Patent number: 9490701
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to reducing switching noise and improving transient response in voltage regulators are described. In an embodiment, one or more pulses are inserted into an output waveform of a voltage regulator. The one or more pulses introduce multiple frequencies into the output waveform of the voltage regulator (e.g., to reduce acoustic noise). In another embodiment, the output voltage of a voltage regulator is modified in response to comparison of the output voltage with at least one of a plurality of threshold values. The plurality of threshold values includes an upper trigger point voltage value and a lower trigger point voltage value. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: George E. Matthew, Jessica Gullbrand, Krishnan Ravichandran, Willem M. Beltman, Karthik Sankaranarayanan, Sheldon Weng, Wayne L. Proefrock, Harish K. Krishnamurthy, Pavan Kumar
  • Publication number: 20160170930
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to low cost and/or low overhead serial interface for power management and other IC (Integrated Circuit) devices are described. In an embodiment, a unique address is assigned to each of a plurality of slave devices. The plurality of slave devices are coupled in a daisy chain configuration. And, any access directed at a first slave device from the plurality of slave devices is allowed based at least in part on comparison of an address of the first slave device and an address associated with the access. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: SHELDON WENG, GEORGE E. MATTHEW, PAVAN KUMAR, WAYNE L. PROEFROCK, HARISH K. KRISHNAMURTHY, KRISHNAN RAVICHANDRAN
  • Publication number: 20160149439
    Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for an energy harvester to power a mobile device. The energy harvester may include an energy harvesting portion to generate electrical power. At least one sensor may measure an environmental condition relating to generation of electrical power by the energy harvesting portion. A controller may generate a signal based on the measured environmental condition by the at least one sensor to the mobile device. Alternatively the signals from the at least one sensor are place in a memory on the energy harvester. In one example, the controller determines the power generated by the energy harvester and the controller signal includes this power information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: LILLY HUANG, WAYNE L. PROEFROCK, MICHAEL BOYD
  • Patent number: 9287702
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided that may include an input port to couple to an external device, and a universal power interface to determine a type of the external device connected to the input port based at least on a voltage of a voltage supply line. The universal power interface may provide a power delivery path based on the determined type of the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne L. Proefrock, Lilly Huang, Krishnan Ravichandran
  • Patent number: 9281699
    Abstract: A mobile device may be provided that includes an input port, an adjusting device, and a voltage regulator. The input port may receive power from an alternative power source or a DC power supply. The mobile device may receive the power from the input port, adjust a power characteristic of the power, and provide the power having the adjusted power characteristic. The voltage regulator may receive the adjusted power and provide a regulated voltage to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lilly Huang, Wayne L. Proefrock, Krishnan Ravichandran
  • Publication number: 20160006350
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to reducing switching noise and improving transient response in voltage regulators are described. In an embodiment, one or more pulses are inserted into an output waveform of a voltage regulator. The one or more pulses introduce multiple frequencies into the output waveform of the voltage regulator (e.g., to reduce acoustic noise). In another embodiment, the output voltage of a voltage regulator is modified in response to comparison of the output voltage with at least one of a plurality of threshold values. The plurality of threshold values includes an upper trigger point voltage value and a lower trigger point voltage value. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: GEORGE E. MATTHEW, JESSICA GULLBRAND, KRISHNAN RAVICHANDRAN, WILLEM M. BELTMAN, KARTHIK SANKARANARAYANAN, SHELDON WENG, WAYNE L. PROEFROCK, HARISH K. KRISHNAMURTHY, PAVAN KUMAR
  • Patent number: 9184627
    Abstract: A charging system may include a switching device to receive an output voltage from an alternative power source and to provide an output voltage of the charging system, and an algorithm device to provide a control signal to the switching device based on a sensed power from the power source and a sensed output voltage from the charging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lilly Huang, Wayne L. Proefrock, Krishnan Ravichandran
  • Patent number: 9166434
    Abstract: A charging apparatus may be provided that includes a first charger part and a second charger part. The first charger part to receive first power from a first power source and second power from a second power source. The first charger part to determine a type of the second power source and to provide a first output power based on the determined type of the second power source. The second charger part to receive the first output power from the first charger part and to provide power to a load and/or a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lilly Huang, Krishnan Ravichandran, Wayne L. Proefrock
  • Publication number: 20140304528
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to controlling the supply of power to computing devices with dynamically variable energy capacity are described. In one embodiment, logic causes modification to supply of power from a power source to one or more loads in response to a comparison of an output of the power source and a threshold value. The output of the power source may vary over a time period (e.g., oscillating) that causes the one or more loads to become inoperational. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Lilly Huang, Wayne L. Proefrock, Krishnan Ravichandran, Bernd Nordhausen, Frank K. Welch, JR., John G. Tompkins, Vaibhav Vaidya
  • Patent number: 8826417
    Abstract: A processor-based system, including systems without keyboards, may receive user inputs prior to booting. This may done using the graphics controller to generate a window which allows the user to input information. The system firmware may then compare any user inputs, such as passwords, and may determine whether or not to actually initiate system booting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Wah Yiu Kwong, Wayne L. Proefrock
  • Publication number: 20140183974
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided that may include an input port to couple to an external device, and a universal power interface to determine a type of the external device connected to the input port based at least on a voltage of a voltage supply line. The universal power interface may provide a power delivery path based on the determined type of the external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Wayne L. PROEFROCK, Lilly Huang, Krishnan Ravichandran
  • Publication number: 20140184160
    Abstract: A mobile device may be provided that includes an input port, an adjusting device, and a voltage regulator. The input port may receive power from an alternative power source or a DC power supply. The mobile device may receive the power from the input port, adjust a power characteristic of the power, and provide the power having the adjusted power characteristic. The voltage regulator may receive the adjusted power and provide a regulated voltage to a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Lilly HUANG, Wayne L. PROEFROCK, Krishnan RAVICHANDRAN
  • Publication number: 20140184137
    Abstract: A charging system may include a switching device to receive an output voltage from an alternative power source and to provide an output voltage of the charging system, and an algorithm device to provide a control signal to the switching device based on a sensed power from the power source and a sensed output voltage from the charging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Lilly HUANG, Wayne L. Proefrock, Krishnan Ravichandran
  • Publication number: 20140001849
    Abstract: A charging apparatus may be provided that includes a first charger part and a second charger part. The first charger part to receive first power from a first power source and second power from a second power source. The first charger part to determine a type of the second power source and to provide a first output power based on the determined type of the second power source. The second charger part to receive the first output power from the first charger part and to provide power to a load and/or a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Lilly HUANG, Krishnan Ravichandran, Wayne L. Proefrock
  • Publication number: 20120159219
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a control interface and associated control entity are provided to synchronize CPU activities to CPU power delivery network such as VR mode of operation, based on CPU power demands or the prediction of actual CPU current consumption. In some embodiments, the synchronization is controlled in such timely fashion so that the power states or power-related events are entered by a CPU (or core) based on characteristics of a VR supplying power to the CPU (or core).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Lilly Huang, Krishnan Ravichandran, Wayne L. Proefrock, Harish K. Krishnamurthy, Ruchika Singh
  • Publication number: 20110078786
    Abstract: A processor-based system, including systems without keyboards, may receive user inputs prior to booting. This may done using the graphics controller to generate a window which allows the user to input information. The system firmware may then compare any user inputs, such as passwords, and may determine whether or not to actually initiate system booting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Wah Yiu Kwong, Wayne L. Proefrock