Patents by Inventor Erik P. Staats

Erik P. Staats 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: 8762446
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bridged distributed driver messaging system. This system is especially applicable in IEEE 1394 architectures and AV/C devices, but not limited to such applications. The distributed driver message system includes a means for mapping transports to device IDs without regard to protocols. The bridge aspect disclosed also allows for disparate cabling media to be utilized in a multinode system without regard to protocols, but only with regard to transports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Patent number: 8667023
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data management system for AV/C descriptor data. The system includes a data container hierarchical structure. The system also includes a methodology for compiling data from the containers into a read buffer upon receipt of a request from a requestor. The data presented to the requestor will preferably be in a format that may be understood by other device requestors that may or may not be utilizing this same container system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Publication number: 20120317086
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data management system for AV/C descriptor data. The system includes a data container hierarchical structure. The system also includes a methodology for compiling data from the containers into a read buffer upon receipt of a request from a requestor. The data presented to the requestor will preferably be in a format that may be understood by other device requestors that may or may not be utilizing this same container system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Patent number: 8250100
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data management system for AV/C descriptor data. The system includes a data container hierarchical structure. The system also includes a methodology for compiling data from the containers into a read buffer upon receipt of a request from a requestor. The data presented to the requestor will preferably be in a format that may be understood by other device requestors that mayor may not be utilizing this same container system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Publication number: 20100070840
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data management system for AV/C descriptor data. The system includes a data container hierarchical structure. The system also includes a methodology for compiling data from the containers into a read buffer upon receipt of a request from a requestor. The data presented to the requestor will preferably be in a format that may be understood by other device requestors that mayor may not be utilizing this same container system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Erik P. STAATS
  • Patent number: 7653755
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for determining communication paths, especially for AV/C devices. The system includes gathering pertinent information about drivers in each available communication between nodes in the system and ordering the driver information in a communication path list string. The system may be employed with multiple nodes having one or more communication paths between nodes. The system may also be employed with multiple nodes where at least one of the nodes is a bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Patent number: 7574650
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data management system for AV/C descriptor data. The system includes a data container hierarchical structure. The system also includes a methodology for compiling data from the containers into a read buffer upon receipt of a request from a requester. The data presented to the requester will preferably be in a format that may be understood by other device requesters that may or may not be utilizing this same container system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Patent number: 7484013
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic ID allocation technique for use in AV/C device applications. The method allows ID assignment without manual user intervention. The method includes assigning an ID to an entity when called to do so upon detection of a new entity. Furthermore, old IDs are reallocated for later use upon disconnection of the associated entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Patent number: 7421507
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for transmitting AV/C data over one or more transports. Further disclosed is a system and method for transmitting AV/C data over non-FCP communication media. The disclosed system and method includes an AV/C transaction delivery system which operates in conjunction with communicatively coupled AV/C protocol layers, AV/C transport layers, and AV/C transport controllers to effectuate transmission of AV/C transaction data without regard to protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Patent number: 7003590
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic ID allocation technique for use in AV/C device applications. The method allows ID assignment without manual user intervention. The method includes assigning an ID to an entity when called to do so upon detection of a new entity. Furthermore, old IDs are reallocated for later use upon disconnection of the associated entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Patent number: 6829225
    Abstract: Within a digital network having a bus architecture that complies with the IEEE-1394 Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus a speed map for the digital network is computed by first, computing a first speed between a first node and a second node of the digital network; and second, computing a second speed between the first node and a third node of the digital network using the computed first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Patent number: 6691096
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data management system for AV/C descriptor data. The system includes a data container hierarchical structure. The system also includes a methodology for compiling data from the containers into a read buffer upon receipt of a request from a requester. The data presented to the requestor will preferably be in a format that may be understood by other device requesters that may or may not be utilizing this same container system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Patent number: 6631426
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic ID allocation technique for use in AV/C device applications. The method allows ID assignment without manual user intervention. The method includes assigning an ID to an entity when called to do so upon detection of a new entity. Furthermore, old IDs are reallocated for later use upon disconnection of the associated entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Patent number: 6621832
    Abstract: A cycle master in a digital network having a bus architecture that complies with the IEEE-1394 Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus is calibrated by first computing a clock offset representing a difference between a first time synchronized to each of a plurality of packet arrival events and a second time synchronized to periodic ones of said plurality of packet arrival events; and then adjusting a frame rate of said packet arrival events to compensate for said clock offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Patent number: 6618750
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for determining communication paths, especially for AV/C devices. The system includes gathering pertinent information about drivers in each available communication between nodes in the system and ordering the driver information in a communication path list string. The system may be employed with multiple nodes having one or more communication paths between nodes. The system may also be employed with multiple nodes where at least one of the nodes is a bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Publication number: 20020172226
    Abstract: A cycle master in a digital network having a bus architecture that complies with the IEEE-1394 Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus is calibrated by first computing a clock offset representing a difference between a first time synchronized to each of a plurality of packet arrival events and a second time synchronized to periodic ones of said plurality of packet arrival events; and then adjusting a frame rate of said packet arrival events to compensate for said clock offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: APPLE COMPUTER, INC.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Patent number: 6418150
    Abstract: A cycle master in a digital network having a bus architecture that complies with the IEEE-1394 Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus is calibrated by first computing a clock offset representing a difference between a first time synchronized to each of a plurality of packet arrival events and a second time synchronized to periodic ones of said plurality of packet arrival events; and then adjusting a frame rate of said packet arrival events to compensate for said clock offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik P. Staats
  • Publication number: 20020057655
    Abstract: Within a digital network having a bus architecture that complies with the IEEE-1394 Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus a speed map for the digital network is computed by first, computing a first speed between a first node and a second node of the digital network; and second, computing a second speed between the first node and a third node of the digital network using the computed first speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: ERIK P. STAATS
  • Patent number: RE38641
    Abstract: A computer system consists of a plurality of nodes, each with an associated local host, coupled together with a plurality of point-to-point links. An isochronous data channel is established within the computer system between a first subset of the plurality of nodes. The isochronous data channel includes a linked list of buffers which are used as temporary storage locations for data transmitted on the isochronous data channel. Each node which is part of the isochronous data channel is configured as a sender or a receiver and data transmissions are commenced. The presence of isochronous data in the channel generates an interrupt which signals a central processing unit (CPU) that data is available. The data is transferred to an associated location within the linked list of buffers and the CPU then moves on to other tasks. In other embodiments, data is transferred using DMA techniques rather than interrupt driven events. Buffers can also be used to transmit isochronous data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik P. Staats, Robin D. Lash
  • Patent number: RE44443
    Abstract: A computer system consists of a plurality of nodes, each with an associated local host, coupled together with a plurality of point-to-point links. An isochronous data channel is established within the computer system between a first subset of the plurality of nodes. The isochronous data channel includes a linked list of buffers which are used as temporary storage locations for data transmitted on the isochronous data channel. Each node which is part of the isochronous data channel is configured as a sender or a receiver and data transmissions are commenced. The presence of isochronous data in the channel generates an interrupt which signals a central processing unit (CPU) that data is available. The data is transferred to an associated location within the linked list of buffers and the CPU then moves on to other tasks. In other embodiments, data is transferred using DMA techniques rather than interrupt driven events. Buffers can also be used to transmit isochronous data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik P. Staats, Robin D. Lash