Patents by Inventor Joachim S. Hammerschmidt

Joachim S. Hammerschmidt 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).

  • Publication number: 20240113742
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are presented to transmit fragmented communication frames, such as fragmented ultra-wideband (UWB) frames. In some implementations, a communication frame may be divided into a plurality of fragments, and the fragments may be transmitted across a plurality of regulatory test intervals. E.g., each fragment may be transmitted within a mutually-exclusive regulatory test interval. In some implementations, each fragment may be constrained in time and/or transmission power, such that the total energy emitted during transmission of the fragment remains within a maximum energy limit defined for the regulatory test interval, e.g., by a regulatory entity. In some implementations, the sum of the energy emitted during transmission of two or more fragments may exceed the maximum energy limit defined for the regulatory test interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Ersen Ekrem
  • Publication number: 20240045017
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for utilizing a hybrid of ultra-wideband (UWB) and narrowband (NB) signaling to provide more efficient operating range and operating efficiency. In one example, a first subsystem of a first device may determine parameter data for a ranging round (e.g., UWB and/or NB-assisted (NBA) UWB multi-millisecond (MMS) ranging), and transmit the parameter data to a second subsystem of the first device. The parameter data may indicate a first time associated with a first time domain for performing ranging. The second subsystem may determine a second time based on the first time, whereby the second time is associated with a second time domain for performing NB signaling (e.g., via a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol). The first device may transmit via an NB signal an advertisement packet that indicates the second time. The first device may then initiate the ranging round at the first time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Santhoshkumar Mani, Eren Sasoglu
  • Patent number: 11815616
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for utilizing a hybrid of ultra-wideband (UWB) and narrowband (NB) signaling to provide more efficient operating range and operating efficiency. In one example, a first subsystem of a first device may determine parameter data for a ranging round (e.g., UWB and/or NB-assisted (NBA) UWB multi-millisecond (MMS) ranging), and transmit the parameter data to a second subsystem of the first device. The parameter data may indicate a first time associated with a first time domain for performing ranging. The second subsystem may determine a second time based on the first time, whereby the second time is associated with a second time domain for performing NB signaling (e.g., via a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol). The first device may transmit via an NB signal an advertisement packet that indicates the second time. The first device may then initiate the ranging round at the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Santhoshkumar Mani, Eren Sasoglu
  • Patent number: 11757488
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are presented to transmit fragmented communication frames, such as fragmented ultra-wideband (UWB) frames. In some implementations, a communication frame may be divided into a plurality of fragments, and the fragments may be transmitted across a plurality of regulatory test intervals. E.g., each fragment may be transmitted within a mutually-exclusive regulatory test interval. In some implementations, each fragment may be constrained in time and/or transmission power, such that the total energy emitted during transmission of the fragment remains within a maximum energy limit defined for the regulatory test interval, e.g., by a regulatory entity. In some implementations, the sum of the energy emitted during transmission of two or more fragments may exceed the maximum energy limit defined for the regulatory test interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Ersen Ekrem
  • Patent number: 11729037
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for utilizing a hybrid of ultra-wideband (UWB) and narrowband (NB) signaling to provide more efficient operating range and operating efficiency. For example, a first device may transmit a packet via an NB signal to a second device, whereby the packet comprises information indicating a time period for reception of a plurality of fragments, respectively, via a UWB signal. The first device may then transmit a first fragment of the plurality of fragments to the second device via the UWB signal, whereby the first fragment comprises an intermediary base sequence, the intermediary base sequence being aperiodic and comprising a first set of first sequences and a second set of second sequences. In some embodiments, the intermediary base sequence may contain at least one gap interval that may be used to identify a signature of the link between the first device and the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Santhoshkumar Mani, Eren Sasoglu
  • Publication number: 20220343705
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to support scheduled access control for an electronic lock are described herein. An initiating central wireless device obtains an ephemeral identity resolving key (IRK) to use in resolving an ephemeral resolvable private address (RPA) of a peripheral wireless device. The initiating central wireless device can subsequently connect securely to the peripheral wireless device in order to unlock an electronic lock controlled by the peripheral wireless device to gain access during a scheduled time period. The ephemeral IRK and ephemeral RPA can be used for a limited period of time and/or for a predetermined number of usages during the scheduled time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Lochan VERMA, Arun YADAV, Joachim S. HAMMERSCHMIDT, Ayman F. NAGUIB, Su Khiong YONG, Yann LY-GAGNON
  • Patent number: 11481224
    Abstract: A digital filter according to the disclosure includes a processing circuit having a memory and a number of parallel processing circuits. The parallel processing circuits perform a convolution operations based on input data and function data that is accessed from the memory. The filter further includes a serializer for serializing data that is received from the processing circuits. A clock generator circuit provides a first clock signal to the processing circuit and a second clock signal to the serializer. The frequency of the second clock signal is greater than that of the first clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Mai, Robert G. Lorenz, Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Utku Seckin
  • Publication number: 20220141076
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for utilizing a hybrid of ultra-wideband (UWB) and narrowband (NB) signaling to provide more efficient operating range and operating efficiency. For example, a first device may transmit a packet via an NB signal to a second device, whereby the packet comprises information indicating a time period for reception of a plurality of fragments, respectively, via a UWB signal. The first device may then transmit a first fragment of the plurality of fragments to the second device via the UWB signal, whereby the first fragment comprises an intermediary base sequence, the intermediary base sequence being aperiodic and comprising a first set of first sequences and a second set of second sequences. In some embodiments, the intermediary base sequence may contain at least one gap interval that may be used to identify a signature of the link between the first device and the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Santhoshkumar Mani, Eren Sasoglu
  • Publication number: 20220141657
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for utilizing a hybrid of ultra-wideband (UWB) and narrowband (NB) signaling to provide more efficient operating range and operating efficiency. In one example, a first device may transmit a first packet via an NB signal to a second device, whereby the first packet comprises information indicating to the second device a time period for reception of a second (UWB) packet. In this example, the second packet may comprise a first partition and a second partition, whereby the first partition comprises a first plurality of fragments and the second partition comprising a second plurality of fragments. The respective fragments of each plurality of fragments may be transmitted via a UWB signal. The first device may then transmit the first plurality of fragments, and then subsequently transmit the second plurality of fragments to the second device, the first and second pluralities respectively being associated with different fragment types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Santhoshkumar Mani, Eren Sasoglu
  • Publication number: 20220137177
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for utilizing a hybrid of ultra-wideband (UWB) and narrowband (NB) signaling to provide more efficient operating range and operating efficiency. In one example, a first subsystem of a first device may determine parameter data for a ranging round (e.g., UWB and/or NB-assisted (NBA) UWB multi-millisecond (MMS) ranging), and transmit the parameter data to a second subsystem of the first device. The parameter data may indicate a first time associated with a first time domain for performing ranging. The second subsystem may determine a second time based on the first time, whereby the second time is associated with a second time domain for performing NB signaling (e.g., via a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol). The first device may transmit via an NB signal an advertisement packet that indicates the second time. The first device may then initiate the ranging round at the first time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Santhoshkumar Mani, Eren Sasoglu
  • Publication number: 20220140971
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable medium are provided for utilizing a hybrid of ultra-wideband (UWB) and narrowband (NB) signaling to provide more efficient operating range and operating efficiency. For example, a first device may schedule transmission of a packet via a narrowband signal to a second device. The first device may then transmit the packet, whereby the packet conveys synchronization data that is used by the second device to schedule reception of a plurality of fragments, respectively, via an ultra-wideband (UWB) signal. The first device may then schedule and transmit the plurality of segments to the second device via the ultra-wideband signals, each fragment being time-spaced from other fragments of the plurality of fragments by at least a predefined time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Eren Sasoglu, Santhoshkumar Mani
  • Publication number: 20220131568
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are presented to transmit fragmented communication frames, such as fragmented ultra-wideband (UWB) frames. In some implementations, a communication frame may be divided into a plurality of fragments, and the fragments may be transmitted across a plurality of regulatory test intervals. E.g., each fragment may be transmitted within a mutually-exclusive regulatory test interval. In some implementations, each fragment may be constrained in time and/or transmission power, such that the total energy emitted during transmission of the fragment remains within a maximum energy limit defined for the regulatory test interval, e.g., by a regulatory entity. In some implementations, the sum of the energy emitted during transmission of two or more fragments may exceed the maximum energy limit defined for the regulatory test interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Ersen Ekrem
  • Patent number: 11239881
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are presented to transmit fragmented communication frames, such as fragmented ultra-wideband (UWB) frames. In some implementations, a communication frame may be divided into a plurality of fragments, and the fragments may be transmitted across a plurality of regulatory test intervals. E.g., each fragment may be transmitted within a mutually-exclusive regulatory test interval. In some implementations, each fragment may be constrained in time and/or transmission power, such that the total energy emitted during transmission of the fragment remains within a maximum energy limit defined for the regulatory test interval, e.g., by a regulatory entity. In some implementations, the sum of the energy emitted during transmission of two or more fragments may exceed the maximum energy limit defined for the regulatory test interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Ersen Ekrem
  • Patent number: 11184153
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are presented to generate, and verify reception of, ultra wideband (UWB) communications, e.g., to perform secure UWB ranging. Verifier and prover messages may be encoded on top of random cryptographically secure training sequence (STS) of pulses, organized in blocks such that a given block corresponds to a given message bit. In some scenarios, a first STS may be encoded using a verifier message not known to a recipient device. A second STS may be received from the recipient device, encoded with an unknown prover message. A third STS may also be received, encoded with an authentication message generated using the verifier message and the authentication message. Verification of the authentication message can therefore confirm that the recipient device received the first STS, and that the recipient device is the authentic source of the second STS. Thus, the second STS may be relied upon, e.g., for ranging calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Eren Sasoglu
  • Patent number: 11171685
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a system and method for enabling communicating Ultra Wideband (UWB) devices to collaborate by exchanging pulse shape information. The UWB devices use the pulse shape information to improve ranging accuracy. The improved ranging accuracy can be used in complex multipath environments where advanced estimation schemes are used to extract an arriving path for time-of-flight estimation. To determine the pulse shape information to be shared, some embodiments include determining location information of a UWB device and selecting the pulse shape information that satisfies regional aspects. The pulse shape information includes a time-zero index specific to a ranging signal that is used by UWB receivers to establish timestamps time-of-flight calculations. Some embodiments include measuring performance characteristics and selecting different pulse shape information based on the performance characteristics for improved accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Eren Sasoglu
  • Patent number: 11115138
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for detecting obstruction of a device's antenna(s) and then changing an operation of the device. A transmission time at which an antenna of an electronic device transmitted a signal can be identified. A response signal can be detected that was received at a receiver of the electronic device subsequent to the transmission time. Based on the response signal and on the transmission time, one or more response-signal characteristics can be determined. Based on the one or more response-signal characteristics, it can be determined that the antenna or that another antenna of the electronic device is at least partly blocked from emitting or receiving signals. In response to determining that the antenna is at least partly blocked, a changed type of operation can be identified, and the changed type of operation can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Celalettin U. Bas, Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Ming Lei, Pengcheng Zhan
  • Publication number: 20210242901
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are presented to transmit fragmented communication frames, such as fragmented ultra-wideband (UWB) frames. In some implementations, a communication frame may be divided into a plurality of fragments, and the fragments may be transmitted across a plurality of regulatory test intervals. E.g., each fragment may be transmitted within a mutually-exclusive regulatory test interval. In some implementations, each fragment may be constrained in time and/or transmission power, such that the total energy emitted during transmission of the fragment remains within a maximum energy limit defined for the regulatory test interval, e.g., by a regulatory entity. In some implementations, the sum of the energy emitted during transmission of two or more fragments may exceed the maximum energy limit defined for the regulatory test interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Ersen Ekrem
  • Patent number: 11043953
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a two-point calibration of a VCO in a PLL is disclosed. The method includes determining a first steady state tuning voltage of the VCO with no modulation voltage applied. Thereafter, an iterative process may be performed wherein a modulation voltage is applied to the VCO (along with the tuning voltage) and a modified divisor is applied to the divider circuit in the feedback loop. During each iteration, after the PLL is settled, the tuning voltage is measured and a difference between the current value and the first value is determined. If the current and first values of the turning voltage are not equal, another iteration may be performed, modifying at least one of the modulation voltage and the divisor, and determining the difference between the current and first values of the tuning voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Robert G. Lorenz
  • Patent number: 10944156
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a wireless earbud may have antenna structures that are configured to form one or more antenna portions or antennas for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. The device may include control circuitry that is configured to selectively activate one or more antennas or antenna portions to transmit and receive wireless signals for the device. The device may include sensor circuitry that provide sensor data to the control circuitry. The control circuitry may use the sensor data to select and activate an optimal antenna based on the orientation of the earbud or the environment of the device. The antennas may be formed on opposing sides of a housing for the device. By providing configurable antenna structures, the device may be configured to adapt to the current environment and efficiently perform communications operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Cousins, Carlo Di Nallo, Ethan L. Huwe, Jerzy S. Guterman, Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Mattia Pascolini, Ruben Caballero, Samuel G. Parker
  • Publication number: 20210064380
    Abstract: A digital filter according to the disclosure includes a processing circuit having a memory and a number of parallel processing circuits. The parallel processing circuits perform a convolution operations based on input data and function data that is accessed from the memory. The filter further includes a serializer for serializing data that is received from the processing circuits. A clock generator circuit provides a first clock signal to the processing circuit and a second clock signal to the serializer. The frequency of the second clock signal is greater than that of the first clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Tao Mai, Robert G. Lorenz, Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Utku Seckin