Patents Examined by Dennis M. Butler
  • Patent number: 9110667
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a control system includes a processing device; a main storage device to store the data; a cache memory to store part of the data stored; a prefetch unit to predict data highly likely to be accessed and execute prefetch, reading out data in advance onto the cache memory; and a power supply unit. The system further includes: a detecting unit to detect whether the processing device is in an idle state; a determining unit that determines whether to stop the supply of power to the cache memory in accordance with the state of the prefetch when determined as idle state; and a power supply control unit that controls the power supply unit so as to stop the supply of power, or controls the power supply unit so as to continue the supply of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yusuke Shirota, Tetsuro Kimura, Tatsunori Kanai, Haruhiko Toyama, Koichi Fujisaki, Junichi Segawa, Masaya Tarui, Satoshi Shirai, Hiroyoshi Haruki, Akihiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 9104467
    Abstract: Systems and methods that enable a reduction of the power consumption involved in measuring a user's affective response to content. The reduction in power consumption is achieved by utilizing eye tracking to determine when a user is paying attention to content, and accordingly setting a mode of operation of a device that measures the user. Thus, by using different modes of operation, which are characterized by different energy consumption rates, the total power consumption of the device may be reduced, without loss of relevant measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventors: Ari M Frank, Gil Thieberger
  • Patent number: 9104390
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus, includes a power management controller configured to perform power management of the apparatus, a power supply circuit configured to supply an operational power to components of the apparatus using power supplied from a rechargeable battery, and a power supply controller configured to control the circuit in response to a request from the power management controller. The power supply controller is coupled to two or more switches, and is configured to cause the power management controller to execute an initialization process in response to a first operation of the two or more switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Tomonori Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 9104396
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus performs a communication with a portable device detachably attached to a port of the apparatus. The apparatus supplies bus power to the portable device through the port. The apparatus includes a notification module configured to execute an operation of notifying the portable device whether the port is a first type port configured to supply a first charging current or a second type port configured to supply a second charging current higher than the first charging current. The apparatus controls, when a remaining level of a battery of the apparatus is lower than a threshold, an operation of the notification module such that the portable device recognizes the port as the first type port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kinji Taki
  • Patent number: 9092209
    Abstract: A framework that enables a local computing cloud infrastructure for rural (and third world) populations with the ability to connect into the global cloud. The framework include is a low cost architecture of long distance, wireless based, renewable energy powered, and small datacenter (DC) (referred to as a pico-DC) nodes that can fully operate off-grid, both power-wise and Internet connection-wise at a very low cost. Additionally, the framework includes power management and storage techniques that effectively enable low power and efficient power use. Thus, systems are self-sufficient, low maintenance and weather proof with no need for power or data connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Suyash Sinha, Sreenivas Addagatla, Christian L. Belady, Charles Joseph Williams, Shaun L. Harris, Eric C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9075594
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes a first device providing a first power to a second device using a first set of conductors out of a plurality of conductors. The method includes the first device providing, in response to receiving a notification, a second power to the second device using the first and a second set of conductors out of a plurality of conductors. The notification indicates that the second device can be supplied with a second power using the first set of conductors and a second set of conductors out of the plurality of conductors, and can also specify the configuration for enabling the second power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vaibhav S. Katkade, Premkumar Jonnala, Anoop Vetteth
  • Patent number: 9063732
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for limiting power consumption of a non-volatile memory (NVM) using a power limiting scheme that distributes a number of concurrent NVM operations over time. This provides a “current consumption cap” that fixes an upper limit of current consumption for the NVM, thereby eliminating peak power events. In one embodiment, power consumption of a NVM can be limited by receiving data suitable for use as a factor in adjusting a current threshold from at least one of a plurality of system sources. The current threshold can be less than a peak current capable of being consumed by the NVM and can be adjusted based on the received data. A power limiting scheme can be used that limits the number of concurrent NVM operations performed so that a cumulative current consumption of the NVM does not exceed the adjusted current threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Byom, Vadim Khmelnitsky, Hugo B. Fiennes, Arjun Kapoor
  • Patent number: 9047090
    Abstract: In the various aspects, virtualization techniques may be used to improve performance and reduce the amount of power consumed by translating virtual memory addresses into physical addresses on a computing system having hybrid memory. In a first stage of memory translation, an operating system translates virtual addresses to intermediate physical addresses. In a second stage of memory translation, a chip or virtualization software translates the intermediate physical address to physical addresses based on the characteristics of the physical memory and the characteristics of the processes associated with the physical memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Sudeep Ravi Kottilingal, Ramesh Ramaswamy, Suhail Jalil, Azzedine Touzni
  • Patent number: 9037841
    Abstract: A control circuit for a terminal electronic device includes a network card, a wakeup circuit, a south bridge, a restart circuit, and a controller. The network card receives a remote control command from a remote apparatus, and generates a wakeup signal if the terminal electronic device is turned off. The wakeup circuit activates the terminal electronic device according to the wakeup signal. The south bridge provides a low voltage power signal if the terminal electronic device is turned off. The controller receives the wakeup signal and the low voltage power signal, and outputs a first control signal to the restart circuit to disable the restart circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kang Wu, Bo Tian
  • Patent number: 9026770
    Abstract: A method including receiving control profile information that controls one or more operations of a user device during an event associated with a user; generating a control profile based on the control profile information; controlling the one or more operations of the user device based on the control profile for a duration of the event; and automatically setting the user device to a previous state or a new state after the event transpires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Paul V. Hubner, Robert A. Clavenna, Kristopher Pate, Steven T. Archer
  • Patent number: 9026821
    Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing power consumption of a digital circuit which provides operational functionality based upon operating demands. The digital circuit is subject to a supply voltage level and a clock frequency. The method includes determining an acceptable delay value, from a plurality of predetermined acceptable delay values, for the digital circuit based upon current operating demands and the clock frequency. The supply voltage level and the clock frequency are applied to a delay monitor circuit. The delay experienced by the delay monitoring circuit is measured. The measured delay is compared with the determined acceptable delay value. Based on the outcome of the comparing step, the supply voltage level applied to the digital circuit is selectively adjusted. An arrangement for implementing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Van Assche Tom, Van Straaten Bram, Janssens Mark
  • Patent number: 9015509
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a low power standby mode control circuit. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a processor, an interface for a connection with a second apparatus, and an operational circuit, wherein the processor is to disable one or more power connections to the operational circuit in a standby mode. The apparatus further includes a standby mode control circuit, the standby control circuit to operate using a standby power source, wherein the standby mode control circuit is to detect a stimulus signal from the second apparatus and in response to the stimulus signal the standby control circuit is to signal the processor, the processor to enable the one or more power connections of the operational circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Image, Inc.
    Inventors: Gyudong Kim, Eungu Kim, Min-Kyu Kim, Daeyun Shim, Ravi Sharma, Myounghwan Kim, Jaeryon Lee
  • Patent number: 9009519
    Abstract: Provided is a timing control device including: a storage unit that stores multiple pieces of timing control information including identification information and expected value data; a first selector that selectively outputs any of the multiple pieces of timing control information; a second selector that selectively outputs any of data items output from data output devices based on the identification information; a reference data generation unit that generates reference data based on expected value data and a data item output from the second selector in synchronization with a switching of the timing control information; a comparator that compares the reference data with the data item output from the second selector and outputs a coincidence signal when the reference data and the data item coincide with each other; and an output control unit that outputs a timing signal according to the coincidence signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8996900
    Abstract: An example method includes communicating a first signal to a remote computer element, the first signal can be used to establish a link between the remote computer element and a local computer element. The method also includes evaluating whether the remote computer element is configured to support a low-power protocol in which low-power IDLE signals are exchanged between the local computer element and the remote computer element, the evaluating occurs using a link layer protocol. In detailed embodiments, the method includes negotiating a wake-up time for the remote computer element to shift from a low-power mode to an active mode. The method can also include evaluating buffer parameters to confirm the wake-up time for the remote computer element to shift to the active mode. In still other embodiments, the method can include delaying a data transmission on the link for at least the wake-up time that was negotiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Anoop Vetteth
  • Patent number: 8996901
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as an e-book, for displaying information includes a power source; a display having a high power mode and a low power mode, said display being powered by said power source; and a power control arrangement for switching the display to a low power mode when no changes to selected regions of the display are required for at least a predetermined time. The power control arrangement switches said display from said low power mode to said high power mode when changes of said display are required in display portions other than said selected portions. A method for operating the electronic device. A computer readable medium having computer readable instructions thereon for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Seethaler, Howard Locker, Randall Scott Springfield
  • Patent number: 8996852
    Abstract: An electronic device and a method of booting the electronic device is provided. The electronic device and method include a power supply unit, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and a controller which, in response to power being supplied by the power supply unit, performs booting in a first booting mode that uses a suspend image stored in the volatile memory; and, in response to an error occurring in the first booting mode, performs a next booting in a second booting mode that uses a suspend image stored in the non-volatile memory. In response to power being supplied by the power supply unit, performing booting in a first booting mode that uses a suspend image stored in the volatile memory; and in response to an error occurring in the first booting mode, performing a next booting in a second booting mode using a suspend image stored in the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hye-yeong Seo, Hak-bong Lee
  • Patent number: 8990593
    Abstract: A mobile device communicates with an authenticator affiliated with a recharging facility, to identify itself. To confirm that the mobile device is connected to the correct facility, the authenticator instructs the mobile device to draw electrical charge according to an identifiable pattern. Upon detecting a charge being drawn according to that pattern, the authenticator has confirmation that the identified device is connected to the facility, and permits the charging to proceed. The amount of electricity drawn during the charging procedure can be metered, and then billed to a party associated with the identified mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Eli Marlin, Cristina Seibert
  • Patent number: 8977882
    Abstract: A system for transferring data between asynchronous domains in an SOC includes a slave request generation and data latch circuit, a busy signal generator, a positive edge detector, and a cascaded synchronizer. A host device transmits a host request signal and host data to the slave request generation and data latch circuit for execution by a slave device, which operates at a different frequency than the host device. The slave request generation and data latch circuit stores the host data and transmits it to the slave device based on a synchronized slave clock signal. The host device can perform other tasks while the slave device executes the host request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Free Scale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandeep Garg, Asif Iqbal, Rajan Kapoor
  • Patent number: 8972762
    Abstract: Computing devices and methods for resetting an inactivity timer of each of a first and second computing device are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises establishing a communication channel between the first computing device and the second computing device, receiving activity input responsive to a user interaction at the first computing device, resetting the inactivity timer of the first computing device, and transmitting a notification via the communication channel to the second computing device that the activity input was received at the first computing device, the inactivity timer of the second computing device being reset in response to receipt of the notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Michael Joseph DeLuca
  • Patent number: 8972757
    Abstract: In a wired data telecommunication network power sourcing equipment (PSE) coupled to a powered device (PD) carries out an inline power discovery process to verify that the PD is adapted to receive inline power, then a plurality of classification cycles are carried out to convey a series of inline power classes back to the PSE. The series of inline power classes may all be the same, in which case the PD is legacy equipment and is adapted to receive the power level corresponding to that class. If they are not all the same, information is thus conveyed to the PSE which may, for example, correspond to a specific power level to be applied or to other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger A. Karam, John F. Wakerly