Patents by Inventor David A. Hardell

David A. Hardell 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: 11088567
    Abstract: Examples of the disclosure are directed to methods of managing power of various modules of an electronic device to prevent the voltage of the battery from falling to an undervoltage lockout (UVLO) threshold. In some examples, software operating on the electronic device or an associated electronic device (e.g., a paired electronic device) may assign power budgets to one or more modules, thereby preventing each module from drawing its maximum current capacity and causing the battery's voltage level to fall to the UVLO threshold. In some examples, a pre-UVLO threshold (i.e., a threshold higher than the UVLO threshold) may be used to modify the states of one or more modules to save power as the voltage of the battery approaches the UVLO threshold, but before the device must be fully powered off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Cyril De La Cropte De Chanterac, David A. Hardell, Matthew L. Semersky, Yehonatan Perez
  • Publication number: 20190326776
    Abstract: Examples of the disclosure are directed to methods of managing power of various modules of an electronic device to prevent the voltage of the battery from falling to an undervoltage lockout (UVLO) threshold. In some examples, software operating on the electronic device or an associated electronic device (e.g., a paired electronic device) may assign power budgets to one or more modules, thereby preventing each module from drawing its maximum current capacity and causing the battery's voltage level to fall to the UVLO threshold. In some examples, a pre-UVLO threshold (i.e., a threshold higher than the UVLO threshold) may be used to modify the states of one or more modules to save power as the voltage of the battery approaches the UVLO threshold, but before the device must be fully powered off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Cyril DE LA CROPTE DE CHANTERAC, David A. HARDELL, Matthew L. SEMERSKY, Yehonatan PEREZ
  • Patent number: 9980232
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that react to brownout or near brownout conditions and mitigate complications that may result. Examples may turn off one or more circuits, such as a Wi-Fi transceiver when a brownout condition is reached or neared. Other examples may provide circuits, methods, and apparatus that proactively avoid brownout conditions. These examples may detect that a brownout condition may occur and take steps, such as Wi-Fi traffic shaping, to avoid them. Still further examples may react to brownout or near brownout conditions one or more times, then preemptively act to avoid further brownout conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Semersky, David A. Hardell, Cyril de la Cropte de Chanterac, Yehonantan Perez
  • Patent number: 9839041
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mitigating the effects of interference between multiple air interfaces located on an electronic device. In one embodiment, the air interfaces include a WLAN interface and PAN (e.g., Bluetooth) interface, and information such as Receiver Signal Strength Index (RSSI) as well as system noise level information are used in order to intelligently execute interference mitigation methodologies, including the selective application of modified frequency selection, variation of transmitter power, and/or change of operating mode (e.g., from multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) to single-in, single-out (SISO)) so as to reduce isolation requirements between the interfaces. These methods and apparatus are particularly well suited to use cases where the WLAN interface is operating with high data transmission rates. Business methods associated with the foregoing technology are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime Tolentino, Camille Chen, Michael Jason Giles, Huy Le, Gary Thomason, David A. Hardell
  • Publication number: 20170346333
    Abstract: Examples of the disclosure are directed to methods of managing power of various modules of an electronic device to prevent the voltage of the battery from falling to an undervoltage lockout (UVLO) threshold. In some examples, software operating on the electronic device or an associated electronic device (e.g., a paired electronic device) may assign power budgets to one or more modules, thereby preventing each module from drawing its maximum current capacity and causing the battery's voltage level to fall to the UVLO threshold. In some examples, a pre-UVLO threshold (i.e., a threshold higher than the UVLO threshold) may be used to modify the states of one or more modules to save power as the voltage of the battery approaches the UVLO threshold, but before the device must be fully powered off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Cyril DE LA CROPTE DE CHANTERAC, David A. HARDELL, Matthew L. SEMERSKY, Yehonatan PEREZ
  • Patent number: 9647489
    Abstract: Examples of the disclosure are directed to methods of managing power of various modules of an electronic device to prevent the voltage of the battery from falling to an undervoltage lockout (UVLO) threshold. In some examples, software operating on the electronic device or an associated electronic device (e.g., a paired electronic device) may assign power budgets to one or more modules, thereby preventing each module from drawing its maximum current capacity and causing the battery's voltage level to fall to the UVLO threshold. In some examples, a pre-UVLO threshold (i.e., a threshold higher than the UVLO threshold) may be used to modify the states of one or more modules to save power as the voltage of the battery approaches the UVLO threshold, but before the device must be fully powered off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Cyril De La Cropte De Chanterac, David A. Hardell, Matthew L. Semersky, Yehonatan Perez
  • Publication number: 20160091960
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for reducing current transients of a power supply are disclosed. Specifically, the embodiments discussed herein include a control system configured to throttle a processor of a computing device when the current demanded by the processor from the power supply exceeds a reference current value. Throttling can include reducing or limiting the performance state that the processor can be operable in. Additionally, the control system can be operated according to multiple time domains, allowing the sampling of an input current to be performed at a higher rate than a rate at which analysis on the sampled input current is performed. The processor can remain throttled depending on a delayed release filter, which determines when a processor can return to a performance state that was previously removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: James S. ISMAIL, David A. HARDELL, Karen S. ECKERT, Keith COX
  • Publication number: 20160064940
    Abstract: Examples of the disclosure are directed to methods of managing power of various modules of an electronic device to prevent the voltage of the battery from falling to an undervoltage lockout (UVLO) threshold. In some examples, software operating on the electronic device or an associated electronic device (e.g., a paired electronic device) may assign power budgets to one or more modules, thereby preventing each module from drawing its maximum current capacity and causing the battery's voltage level to fall to the UVLO threshold. In some examples, a pre-UVLO threshold (i.e., a threshold higher than the UVLO threshold) may be used to modify the states of one or more modules to save power as the voltage of the battery approaches the UVLO threshold, but before the device must be fully powered off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Cyril DE LA CROPTE DE CHANTERAC, David A. HARDELL, Matthew L. SEMERSKY, Yehonatan PEREZ
  • Publication number: 20160057707
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that react to brownout or near brownout conditions and mitigate complications that may result. Examples may turn off one or more circuits, such as a Wi-Fi transceiver when a brownout condition is reached or neared. Other examples may provide circuits, methods, and apparatus that proactively avoid brownout conditions. These examples may detect that a brownout condition may occur and take steps, such as Wi-Fi traffic shaping, to avoid them. Still further examples may react to brownout or near brownout conditions one or more times, then preemptively act to avoid further brownout conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Semersky, David A. Hardell, Cyril de la Cropte de Chanterac, Yehonantan Perez
  • Publication number: 20160050681
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mitigating the effects of interference between multiple air interfaces located on an electronic device. In one embodiment, the air interfaces include a WLAN interface and PAN (e.g., Bluetooth) interface, and information such as Receiver Signal Strength Index (RSSI) as well as system noise level information are used in order to intelligently execute interference mitigation methodologies, including the selective application of modified frequency selection, variation of transmitter power, and/or change of operating mode (e.g., from multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) to single-in, single-out (SISO)) so as to reduce isolation requirements between the interfaces. These methods and apparatus are particularly well suited to use cases where the WLAN interface is operating with high data transmission rates. Business methods associated with the foregoing technology are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Jaime Tolentino, Camille Chen, Michael Jason Giles, Huy Le, Gary Thomason, David A. Hardell
  • Patent number: 9208774
    Abstract: A system to eliminate acoustic noise caused by a first Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitor (MLCC) array positioned on a printed circuit board (PCB) is disclosed. The first MLCC array generates a first vibration responsible for the acoustic noise in response to receiving a varying input voltage. A third MLCC array senses the first vibration and generates a feedback signal. An adaptive filter then uses the feedback signal to generate an output signal that is used by a second MLCC to generate a second vibration that acts as a counter to dampen the first vibration. Because the input voltage signal is varying in time, the adaptive filter continually samples the varying input voltage and the feedback signal to generate the output signal that minimizes the acoustic noise. The second and third MLCC arrays are selectively positioned and oriented on the PCB for optimum performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Hardell
  • Patent number: 9113349
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mitigating the effects of interference between multiple air interfaces located on an electronic device. In one embodiment, the air interfaces include a WLAN interface and PAN (e.g., Bluetooth) interface, and information such as Receiver Signal Strength Index (RSSI) as well as system noise level information are used in order to intelligently execute interference mitigation methodologies, including the selective application of modified frequency selection, variation of transmitter power, and/or change of operating mode (e.g., from multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) to single-in, single-out (SISO)) so as to reduce isolation requirements between the interfaces. These methods and apparatus are particularly well suited to use cases where the WLAN interface is operating with high data transmission rates. Business methods associated with the foregoing technology are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime Tolentino, Camille Chen, Michael Jason Giles, Huy Le, Gary Thomason, David A. Hardell
  • Publication number: 20140307889
    Abstract: A system to eliminate acoustic noise caused by a first MLCC (Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitor) array positioned on a PCB (printed circuit board) is disclosed. The first MLCC array generates a first vibration responsible for the acoustic noise in response to receiving a varying input voltage. A third MLCC array senses the first vibration and generates a feedback signal. An adaptive filter then uses the feedback signal to generate an output signal that is used by a second MLCC to generate a second vibration that acts as a counter to dampen the first vibration. Because the input voltage signal is varying in time, the adaptive filter continually samples the varying input voltage and the feedback signal to generate the output signal that minimizes the acoustic noise. The second and third MLCC arrays are selectively positioned and oriented on the PCB for optimum performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Hardell
  • Patent number: 8340578
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mitigating the effects of interference between multiple air interfaces located on an electronic device. In one embodiment, the air interfaces include a WLAN interface and PAN (e.g., Bluetooth) interface, and information such as Receiver Signal Strength Index (RSSI) as well as system noise level information are used in order to intelligently execute interference mitigation methodologies, including the selective application of modified frequency selection, variation of transmitter power, and/or change of operating mode (e.g., from multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) to single-in, single-out (SISO)) so as to reduce isolation requirements between the interfaces. These methods and apparatus are particularly well suited to use cases where the WLAN interface is operating with high data transmission rates. Business methods associated with the foregoing technology are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime Tolentino, Camille Chen, Michael Jason Giles, Huy Le, Gary Thomason, David A. Hardell
  • Publication number: 20110081858
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mitigating the effects of interference between multiple air interfaces located on an electronic device. In one embodiment, the air interfaces include a WLAN interface and PAN (e.g., Bluetooth) interface, and information such as Receiver Signal Strength Index (RSSI) as well as system noise level information are used in order to intelligently execute interference mitigation methodologies, including the selective application of modified frequency selection, variation of transmitter power, and/or change of operating mode (e.g., from multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) to single-in, single-out (SISO)) so as to reduce isolation requirements between the interfaces. These methods and apparatus are particularly well suited to use cases where the WLAN interface is operating with high data transmission rates. Business methods associated with the foregoing technology are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Jaime Tolentino, Camille Chen, Michael Jason Giles, Huy Le, Gary Thomason, David A. Hardell
  • Patent number: 7819685
    Abstract: A card connector that allows a card to be at least partially coplanar with a logic board is described herein. A system having a card at least partially coplanar with a logic board is also disclosed. A card connector that allows at least one longitudinal plane through the logic board to intersect at least a point of the card is also disclosed. The card may be a memory module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Hardell
  • Patent number: 7714423
    Abstract: A chip package for a computer system includes a substrate having a first region and a second region on a first surface, at least one die coupled to the first region on the first surface of the substrate and a main logic board coupled to the second region on the first surface of the substrate. By coupling the die and the main logic board on the first surface of the substrate, an overall thickness of the chip package is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin Reid, Ihab Ali, Chris Ligtenberg, Ron Hopkinson, David Hardell
  • Publication number: 20090221155
    Abstract: A card connector that allows a card to be at least partially coplanar with a logic board is described herein. A system having a card at least partially coplanar with a logic board is also disclosed. A card connector that allows at least one longitudinal plane through the logic board to intersect at least a point of the card is also disclosed. The card may be a memory module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: David A. Hardell
  • Patent number: 7540742
    Abstract: A card connector that allows a card to be at least partially coplanar with a logic board is described herein. A system having a card at least partially coplanar with a logic board is also disclosed. A card connector that allows at least one longitudinal plane through the logic board to intersect at least a point of the card is also disclosed. The card may be a memory module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Hardell
  • Publication number: 20070075412
    Abstract: A chip package for a computer system includes a substrate having a first region and a second region on a first surface, at least one die coupled to the first region on the first surface of the substrate and a main logic board coupled to the second region on the first surface of the substrate. By coupling the die and the main logic board on the first surface of the substrate, an overall thickness of the chip package is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Gavin Reid, Ihab Ali, Chris Ligtenberg, Ron Hopkinson, David Hardell