Patents by Inventor Alan C. Cooney

Alan C. Cooney 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: 10845398
    Abstract: Interface circuits that may utilize a limited number of pins to detect a presence of an accessory, determine whether the accessory can provide or receive power, communicate with the accessory regarding at least that transfer of power, and transfer power accordingly. One example may provide detection circuitry for a host that may detect the presence of a pull-down resistor on a data pin of an accessory. The pull-down may indicate that a power consuming accessory has been connected. This example may detect the presence of power on a power pin. The presence of the power on the power pin may indicate that a power providing accessory has been connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Thompson, Parin Patel, Alan C. Cooney, Alexei E. Kosut, Glen A. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20190361056
    Abstract: Interface circuits that may utilize a limited number of pins to detect a presence of an accessory, determine whether the accessory can provide or receive power, communicate with the accessory regarding at least that transfer of power, and transfer power accordingly. One example may provide detection circuitry for a host that may detect the presence of a pull-down resistor on a data pin of an accessory. The pull-down may indicate that a power consuming accessory has been connected. This example may detect the presence of power on a power pin. The presence of the power on the power pin may indicate that a power providing accessory has been connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Thompson, Parin Patel, Alan C. Cooney, Alexei E. Kosut, Glen A. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 10404088
    Abstract: Methods, circuits, and apparatus to distribute power among devices in an electronic system where a device may receive power from more than one source, may have a bidirectional power connector, or both. One example may resolve conflicts when an electronic device receives power from more than one source. In this example, the device may determine which source may provide the most power, and may select to receive power from the power source that may deliver the most power. Other examples may have a preference to receive power from a particular source or via a specific connector. Other examples may switch from receiving power over a first connector to providing power over the first connector, while others may receive and provide power over different connectors at the same time. Another may be connected to a battery, and may draw power from the battery or not depending on the type of battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei E. Kosut, Paul M. Thompson, Parin Patel, Alan C. Cooney, Glen A. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 10317436
    Abstract: Interface circuits that may utilize a limited number of pins to detect a presence of an accessory, determine whether the accessory can provide or receive power, communicate with the accessory regarding at least that transfer of power, and transfer power accordingly. One example may provide detection circuitry for a host that may detect the presence of a pull-down resistor on a data pin of an accessory. The pull-down may indicate that a power consuming accessory has been connected. This example may detect the presence of power on a power pin. The presence of the power on the power pin may indicate that a power providing accessory has been connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul M. Thompson, Parin Patel, Alan C. Cooney, Alexei E. Kosut, Glen A. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20170025879
    Abstract: Interface circuits that may utilize a limited number of pins to detect a presence of an accessory, determine whether the accessory can provide or receive power, communicate with the accessory regarding at least that transfer of power, and transfer power accordingly. One example may provide detection circuitry for a host that may detect the presence of a pull-down resistor on a data pin of an accessory. The pull-down may indicate that a power consuming accessory has been connected. This example may detect the presence of power on a power pin. The presence of the power on the power pin may indicate that a power providing accessory has been connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul M. Thompson, Parin Patel, Alan C. Cooney, Alexei E. Kosut, Glen A. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20170025862
    Abstract: Methods, circuits, and apparatus to distribute power among devices in an electronic system where a device may receive power from more than one source, may have a bidirectional power connector, or both. One example may resolve conflicts when an electronic device receives power from more than one source. In this example, the device may determine which source may provide the most power, and may select to receive power from the power source that may deliver the most power. Other examples may have a preference to receive power from a particular source or via a specific connector. Other examples may switch from receiving power over a first connector to providing power over the first connector, while others may receive and provide power over different connectors at the same time. Another may be connected to a battery, and may draw power from the battery or not depending on the type of battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei E. Kosut, Paul M. Thompson, Parin Patel, Alan C. Cooney, Glen A. Rhodes