Patents by Inventor Ian Hendry

Ian Hendry 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: 8607144
    Abstract: A display mode can be selected by identifying a plurality of display modes supported by a media client, wherein the plurality of display modes comprise safe display modes; generating a user interface including a test image and a plurality of commands in accordance with a selected display mode of the plurality of display modes, wherein the user interface is output to a display device; receiving user input selecting one of the plurality of commands; and configuring an operating display mode of the media client in accordance with the received user input. Configuring an operating display mode further can comprise determining that the received user input confirms the selected display mode and configuring the media client to set the selected display mode as the operating display mode. Further, generating a user interface can comprise presenting a display timer indicating a time remaining until a display mode change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Brodersen, Jeffrey Robbin, Thomas Michael Madden, Kevin Arnold, Ian Hendry
  • Patent number: 8600850
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for dynamic resource allocation is provided, where a network resource shared by a plurality of electronic devices having unique service profiles and unique billing profiles is monitored. Allocation of the shared network resource as well as the service profiles and billing profiles are dynamically modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Redknee Inc.
    Inventors: Bohdan K. Zabawskyj, Rushabhdev Gudka, Vinay Kumar, Ian Hendry
  • Publication number: 20130283290
    Abstract: A technique for processing instructions in an electronic system is provided. In one embodiment, a processor of the electronic system may submit a unit of work to a queue accessible by a coprocessor, such as a graphics processing unit. The coprocessor may process work from the queue, and write a completion record into a memory accessible by the processor. The electronic system may be configured to switch between a polling mode and an interrupt mode based on progress made by the coprocessor in processing the work. In one embodiment, the processor may switch from an interrupt mode to a polling mode upon completion of a threshold amount of work by the coprocessor. Various additional methods, systems, and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Anthony G. Sumpter
  • Patent number: 8525840
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a graphics processing with thermal management capabilities. The graphics processing unit may include a display controller, a microprocessing engine coupled to the display controller, and a clock circuit coupled to the display controller and the microprocessing engine. The clock circuit may further include a raw clock signal coupled to the display controller, a divider coupled to the raw clock signal, and a multiplexer coupled to the divider. The divider may generate a divided version of the raw clock signal, which may be coupled to the multiplexer along with the raw clock signal. The multiplexer may selectively provide the raw clock signal and/or the divided version of the clock signal to the microprocessing engine such that the microprocessing engine may receive a timing signal that is independent of operations of the graphics processing unit and result in fewer glitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Anthony Graham Sumpter
  • Patent number: 8484647
    Abstract: A technique for processing instructions in an electronic system is provided. In one embodiment, a processor of the electronic system may submit a unit of work to a queue accessible by a coprocessor, such as a graphics processing unit. The coprocessor may process work from the queue, and write a completion record into a memory accessible by the processor. The electronic system may be configured to switch between a polling mode and an interrupt mode based on progress made by the coprocessor in processing the work. In one embodiment, the processor may switch from an interrupt mode to a polling mode upon completion of a threshold amount of work by the coprocessor. Various additional methods, systems, and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Anthony G. Sumpter
  • Patent number: 8453063
    Abstract: A display manager determines if a change to one configuration parameter of the display system will affect any of the other configuration parameters of the display system, i.e., whether there is a dependency. If such a dependency exists, the display manager evaluates each of the modes of operation of the display component whose settings will be affected, to identify whether it has any modes that are compatible with the changed configuration of the display system. If so, the display manager selects the configuration mode that is closest to the current mode of the affected component and provides compatibility with the changed configuration. By means of such an approach, the user continues to have access to all components, rather than having to reconfigure and/or restart the computer system due to a change which occurs in the display configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Eric Anderson
  • Publication number: 20130084003
    Abstract: Psychovisual image compression techniques are disclosed that compress pixel data by a fixed compression ratio with little or no perceptual loss of detail. In some implementations, a psychovisual compression process is selected among several psychovisual compression processes based on characteristics of the pixel data. Compression is achieved during encoding by discarding psychovisually unnecessary bits from the pixel data. The psychovisual compression processes can be implemented in hardware and operate on scan lines of pixels captured by the image sensor. The psychovisual compression techniques can be used with image compression techniques to compress further the pixel data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Richard E. Crandall, Rudolph van der Merwe, Douglas P. Mitchell, Ian Hendry, Bertrand Serlet
  • Publication number: 20130046665
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for dynamic resource allocation is provided, where a network resource shared by a plurality of electronic devices having unique service profiles and unique billing profiles is monitored. Allocation of the shared network resource as well as the service profiles and billing profiles are dynamically modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: REDKNEE INC.
    Inventors: Bohdan K. Zabawskyj, Rushabhdev Gudka, Vinay Kumar, Ian Hendry
  • Publication number: 20130009975
    Abstract: A method and electronic device employing the method of processing a frame of graphics for display is provided that includes developing a frame in a first software frame processing stage following a first vertical blanking (VBL) heartbeat, issuing a command indicating the first stage is complete, and performing a final software frame processing stage without waiting for a subsequent VBL heartbeat. The method may alternatively include performing the final software frame processing stage regardless as to whether a target framebuffer is available, performing all but final hardware frame processing stages regardless as to whether the target framebuffer is in use, and performing the final hardware processing stage if the target framebuffer is not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Jeffry Gonion, Jeremy Sandmel
  • Patent number: 8310494
    Abstract: A method and electronic device employing the method of processing a frame of graphics for display is provided that includes developing a frame in a first software frame processing stage following a first vertical blanking (VBL) heartbeat, issuing a command indicating the first stage is complete, and performing a final software frame processing stage without waiting for a subsequent VBL heartbeat. The method may alternatively include performing the final software frame processing stage regardless as to whether a target framebuffer is available, performing all but final hardware frame processing stages regardless as to whether the target framebuffer is in use, and performing the final hardware processing stage if the target framebuffer is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Jeffry Gonion, Jeremy Sandmel
  • Patent number: 8300056
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and systems for seamlessly migrating a user visible display stream sent to a display device from one rendered display stream to another rendered display stream are described. For one embodiment, mirror video display streams are received from both a first graphics processing unit (GPU) and a second GPU, and the video display stream sent to a display device is switched from the video display stream from the first GPU to the video display stream from the second GPU, wherein the switching occurs during a blanking interval for the first GPU that overlaps with a blanking interval for the second GPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Nugent, Thomas Costa, Eve Brasfield, David Redman, Amanda Rainer, Tim Millet, Geoff Stahl, Adrian Sheppard, Ian Hendry, Ingrid Aligaen, Kenneth C. Dyke, Chris Niederauer, Michael Culbert
  • Publication number: 20110252180
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for dynamically mapping and remapping memory when a portion of memory is activated or deactivated are provided. In accordance with an embodiment, an electronic device may include several memory banks, one or more processors, and a memory controller. The memory banks may store data in hardware memory locations and may be independently deactivated. The processors may request the data using physical memory addresses, and the memory controller may translate the physical addresses to hardware memory locations. The memory controller may use a first memory mapping function when a first number of memory banks is active and a second memory mapping function when a second number is active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Rajabali Koduri, Jeffry Gonion
  • Publication number: 20110252200
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for maintaining cache coherence between two or more heterogeneous processors are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, such an electronic device may include memory, a first processing unit having a first characteristic memory usage rate, and a second processing unit having a second characteristic memory usage rate lower than the first. The first and second processing units may share at least a portion of the memory and one or both of the first and second processing units may maintain internal cache coherence at a first granularity, while maintaining cache coherence between the first processing unit and the second processing unit at a second granularity. The first granularity may be finer than the second granularity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Rajabali Koduri
  • Publication number: 20110137791
    Abstract: A universal financial transaction gateway for mobile computing devices is provided. The universal financial transaction gateway can comprise at least one core mobile network interface for connecting to a mobile electronic device via a core mobile network. The at least one interface is configured to emulate an interface inherent to the core mobile network. The gateway also comprises a transaction engine connected to the interface and configured to receive transaction instructions from the mobile electronic device via the core mobile network interface. The gateway also comprises a plurality of financial server interfaces for connecting to a plurality of accounts associated with a plurality of financial servers. The plurality of financial server interfaces is configured to emulate an interface inherent to each of the financial servers. The transaction engine is configured to effect the transaction instructions on the financial servers via the financial server interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: REDKNEE INC
    Inventors: Bohdan Zabawskyj, Ian Hendry, Al-Amyn Samji
  • Publication number: 20110082779
    Abstract: A billing profile management system and method is provided. In an embodiment, a billing profile manager is configured to cooperate with an existing network and prepaid server. The billing profile manager is configured to modify the prepaid server and maintain a billing profile for each subscriber that is separate from the billing profile on the prepaid server and which can ultimately override the prepaid server. Additional billing functionality to an existing network and prepaid server is thereby provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: REDKNEE INC.
    Inventors: Vincent Chi Chiu Wong, Amyn Samji, Ian Hendry, Rudra Maharaj, Bohdan Zabawskyj
  • Patent number: 7899941
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that allow a DisplayPort compatible host device to control data transactions over an I2C bus when communicating with a legacy monitor. One example includes an adapter having a compatibility register that may have a number of locations, where at least some of the locations correspond to I2C bus speeds. Values stored at these locations can indicate whether the adapter is compatible or incompatible with the corresponding I2C bus speed. Another example includes an adapter having a speed register that may have a number of locations, where at least some of the locations correspond to I2C bus speeds. A defined value written to one of these locations dictates the corresponding I2C bus speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, George C. Kyriazis, Colin Whitby-Strevens
  • Publication number: 20110023040
    Abstract: A technique for processing instructions in an electronic system is provided. In one embodiment, a processor of the electronic system may submit a unit of work to a queue accessible by a coprocessor, such as a graphics processing unit. The coprocessor may process work from the queue, and write a completion record into a memory accessible by the processor. The electronic system may be configured to switch between a polling mode and an interrupt mode based on progress made by the coprocessor in processing the work. In one embodiment, the processor may switch from an interrupt mode to a polling mode upon completion of a threshold amount of work by the coprocessor. Various additional methods, systems, and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Anthony G. Sumpter
  • Publication number: 20100328323
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable switching of graphics processing unit (GPU) resources based on different factors. Embodiments include a virtual graphics driver as an interface between GPU drivers and the applications or graphics framework executing on an electronic device. The virtual graphics driver may switch GPU resources from a first GPU to a second GPU by routing function calls to the first GPU or the second GPU. The switching of GPU resources may be based on power management, system events such as hot-plug events, load management, user requests, any other factor, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a virtual frame buffer driver is provided that interfaces with the frame buffer of the GPU and provides a virtual view of the frame buffer to manage additional system application programming interfaces (APIs) during the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David J. Redman, Changki Min, Philip J. Churchill, Adrian T. Sheppard, David A. Leech, Unmesh Sahasrabuddhe, Ian Hendry, Eve Brasfield
  • Publication number: 20100091025
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and systems for seamlessly migrating a user visible display stream sent to a display device from one rendered display stream to another rendered display stream are described. For one embodiment, mirror video display streams are received from both a first graphics processing unit (GPU) and a second GPU, and the video display stream sent to a display device is switched from the video display stream from the first GPU to the video display stream from the second GPU, wherein the switching occurs during a blanking interval for the first GPU that overlaps with a blanking interval for the second GPU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Mike Nugent, Thomas Costa, Eve Brasfield, David Redman, Amanda Rainer, Tim Millet, Geoff Stahl, Adrian Sheppard, Ian Hendry, Ingrid Aligaen, Kenneth C. Dyke, Chris Niederauer, Michael Culbert
  • Publication number: 20100079445
    Abstract: A method and electronic device employing the method of processing a frame of graphics for display is provided that includes developing a frame in a first software frame processing stage following a first vertical blanking (VBL) heartbeat, issuing a command indicating the first stage is complete, and performing a final software frame processing stage without waiting for a subsequent VBL heartbeat. The method may alternatively include performing the final software frame processing stage regardless as to whether a target framebuffer is available, performing all but final hardware frame processing stages regardless as to whether the target framebuffer is in use, and performing the final hardware processing stage if the target framebuffer is not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Jeffry Gonion, Jeremy Sandmel