Patents by Inventor William O. Ferry

William O. Ferry 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: 8516238
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that allow signals that are compliant with multiple standards to share a common connector on an electronic device. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a connector that provides signals compatible with a legacy standard in one mode and a newer standard in another mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Cornelius, William O. Ferry, James E. Orr
  • Publication number: 20130173936
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide for the powering of active components in connector inserts at each end of a cable may in various ways. For example, where a host is coupled to a device that is not self-powered, the host may provide power for circuitry at each end of the cable. In various embodiments of the present invention, the device may request higher voltage from the host, such that more power can be delivered. In these cases, the device may regulate the voltage received from the host to a lower voltage, and then provide the lower voltage to circuitry at one or both ends of the cable. Where the host is connected to a device that is self-powered, the host and the self-powered device may power their respective connector insert circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Baker, William O. Ferry, James Orr
  • Patent number: 8312302
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide for the powering of active components in connector inserts at each end of a cable may in various ways. For example, where a host is coupled to a device that is not self-powered, the host may provide power for circuitry at each end of the cable. In various embodiments of the present invention, the device may request higher voltage from the host, such that more power can be delivered. In these cases, the device may regulate the voltage received from the host to a lower voltage, and then provide the lower voltage to circuitry at one or both ends of the cable. Where the host is connected to a device that is self-powered, the host and the self-powered device may power their respective connector insert circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Baker, William O. Ferry, James Orr
  • Publication number: 20120278645
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates synchronization between a first component and a second component connected to the first component via an interface in a computer system. During an active state of the interface, the system uses a local time base in the second component to generate a local clock signal that tracks a host clock signal from the first component. Next, during an inactive state of the interface, the system uses the local time base to maintain the local clock signal at the second component. Finally, during a subsequent active state of the interface after the inactive state, the system adjusts the local clock signal to remove clock drift between the local clock signal and the host clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: William P. Cornelius, William O. Ferry, Girault W. Jones
  • Publication number: 20120233489
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that allow signals that are compliant with multiple standards to share a common connector on an electronic device. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a connector that provides signals compatible with a legacy standard in one mode and a newer standard in another mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Cornelius, William O. Ferry, James E. Orr
  • Publication number: 20120005496
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide for the powering of active components in connector inserts at each end of a cable may in various ways. For example, where a host is coupled to a device that is not self-powered, the host may provide power for circuitry at each end of the cable. In various embodiments of the present invention, the device may request higher voltage from the host, such that more power can be delivered. In these cases, the device may regulate the voltage received from the host to a lower voltage, and then provide the lower voltage to circuitry at one or both ends of the cable. Where the host is connected to a device that is self-powered, the host and the self-powered device may power their respective connector insert circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Baker, William O. Ferry, James Orr
  • Publication number: 20120000705
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that allow signals that are compliant with multiple standards to share a common connector on an electronic device. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a connector that provides signals compatible with a legacy standard in one mode and a newer standard in another mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Cornelius, William O. Ferry, James E. Orr