Patents by Inventor John Birkner

John Birkner 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: 10447276
    Abstract: A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) includes: a plurality of high voltage power field effect transistors (FETs); and a programmable fabric configured to programmably connect one or more of the plurality of high voltage power FETs to provide one or more high power voltage outputs. The plurality of high voltage power FETs and the programmable fabric are integrated in a single chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: AnDAPT, Inc.
    Inventors: Kapil Shankar, Thomas Chan, Patrick J. Crotty, John Birkner
  • Patent number: 10425082
    Abstract: An integrated analog and digital adaptive platform includes: a plurality of adaptive analog blocks, each of the plurality of adaptive analog blocks being integrated with a respective digital wrapper; and a programmable digital fabric configured to programmably connect one or more of the plurality of adaptive analog blocks by connecting a plurality of digital wrappers integrated with the one or more of the plurality of adaptive analog blocks. The plurality of adaptive analog blocks that are programmably connected using the programmable digital fabric provide one or more programmable analog functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: AnDAPT, Inc.
    Inventors: Kapil Shankar, Thomas Chan, Patrick J. Crotty, John Birkner
  • Patent number: 10396800
    Abstract: A memory block integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD) is disclosed. The memory block includes: one or more lookup tables storing pre-populated data. The PLD includes a programmable fabric and a signal wrapper configured to provide signals between the memory block and the programmable fabric. The memory block is configured to receive input signals from the signal wrapper and generate output signals to the signal wrapper by looking up the pre-populated data corresponding to the input signals. The pre-populated data stored in the one or more lookup tables are programmably changed by programming a plurality of parameters of the programmable fabric and loading the pre-populated data to the one or more lookup tables via the signal wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: AnDAPT, Inc.
    Inventors: Kapil Shankar, Herman Cheung, John Birkner, Patrick J. Crotty
  • Patent number: 10320391
    Abstract: A method includes: receiving error signals from a signal wrapper of a programmable fabric, wherein the programmable fabric and the signal wrapper are integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD); looking up one or more lookup tables storing rows of pre-calculated data and obtaining a matching pre-calculated data corresponding to the error signals; and generating a compensated output signal using the matching pre-calculated data to drive a switch of the power regulator. The pre-populated data stored in the one or more lookup tables are programmably changed by programming a plurality of parameters of the programmable fabric and loading the pre-populated data to the one or more lookup tables via the signal wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: AnDAPT, Inc.
    Inventors: Kapil Shankar, Herman Cheung, John Birkner, Patrick J. Crotty
  • Patent number: 10312911
    Abstract: A threshold comparator block integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD) is disclosed. The threshold comparator block includes: one or more signal comparators configured to receive two analog input signals and provide a digital output signal indicating a comparison result of the two analog input signals; an analog output driver configured to interface with an analog fabric of a programmable fabric of the PLD; a digital input/output (I/O) driver configured to interface with a digital fabric of the programmable fabric of the PLD; and I/O pins configured to provide an interface with a signal wrapper to interface analog and digital signals between the analog output driver and the digital I/O driver and the programmable fabric. The threshold comparator block is configured to interface with one or more adaptive blocks integrated in the PLD via the programable fabric and the signal wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: AnDAPT, Inc.
    Inventors: John Birkner, Kapil Shankar, Herman Cheung, Patrick J. Crotty, Ranajit Ghoman
  • Patent number: 10291229
    Abstract: A programmable logic device (PLD) includes a programmable fabric, a plurality of input/output (I/O) blocks, and a plurality of high voltage power field effect transistors (FETs). The PLD can be programmed to connect one or more of the plurality of I/O blocks, one or more of the plurality of high voltage power transistors via the programmable fabric. Each of the plurality of high voltage power transistors includes a drain pad and a source pad that are exposed via external pins of the PLD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: AnDAPT, Inc.
    Inventors: Kapil Shankar, Thomas Chan, Patrick J. Crotty, John Birkner
  • Publication number: 20190052272
    Abstract: A method includes: receiving error signals from a signal wrapper of a programmable fabric, wherein the programmable fabric and the signal wrapper are integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD); looking up one or more lookup tables storing rows of pre-calculated data and obtaining a matching pre-calculated data corresponding to the error signals; and generating a compensated output signal using the matching pre-calculated data to drive a switch of the power regulator. The pre-populated data stored in the one or more lookup tables are programmably changed by programming a plurality of parameters of the programmable fabric and loading the pre-populated data to the one or more lookup tables via the signal wrapper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Kapil Shankar, Herman Cheung, John Birkner, Patrick J. Crotty
  • Publication number: 20190052275
    Abstract: A memory block integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD) is disclosed. The memory block includes: one or more lookup tables storing pre-populated data. The PLD includes a programmable fabric and a signal wrapper configured to provide signals between the memory block and the programmable fabric. The memory block is configured to receive input signals from the signal wrapper and generate output signals to the signal wrapper by looking up the pre-populated data corresponding to the input signals. The pre-populated data stored in the one or more lookup tables are programmably changed by programming a plurality of parameters of the programmable fabric and loading the pre-populated data to the one or more lookup tables via the signal wrapper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Kapil Shankar, Herman Cheung, John Birkner, Patrick J. Crotty
  • Patent number: 10200056
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) block includes: an amplifier block configured to receive two analog input signals and a primary-precision configuration signal and generate a first pair of differential signals by amplifying the two analog input signals according to a primary-precision gain that is programmably set by the primary-precision configuration signal; a configuration block configured to receive a fractional-precision configuration signal and generate a second pair of differential signals by amplifying the first pair of differential signals according to a fractional-precision gain that is programmably set by the fractional-precision configuration signal; and a differential analog-to-digital converter (ADC) including a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), two counters, and an error generator block. The VCO receives the second pair of differential signals and generates two pulse signals having frequencies that vary depending on a difference between the second pair of differential signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: AnDAPT, Inc.
    Inventors: Maheen Samad, Patrick J. Crotty, John Birkner, Herman Cheung, Kapil Shankar
  • Patent number: 10200040
    Abstract: A timer block includes: a digital control block including a mode selector and a register loading a time delay; a counter coupled to the register of the digital control block, wherein the counter loads a counter value corresponding to the time delay based on an operational mode selected by the mode selector and generates a digital output indicating the counter value that is decremented at each clock; and a pulse generator configured to generate a pulse signal based on the counter value of the counter. The timer block is integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD) including a programmable fabric and a signal wrapper that is configured to provide signals between the timer block and the programmable fabric. The operational mode of the timer block is programmably configured using the programmable fabric and the signal wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: AnDAPT, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Crotty, Kapil Shankar, John Birkner
  • Patent number: 10171085
    Abstract: A reference voltage block integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD) includes: an accumulator comprising an adder and a register and configured to receive a digital reference value and generate a carry out signal; a low-pass filter configured to receive the carry out signal from the accumulator and generate a filtered signal; and a variable analog gain amplifier configured to amplify the filtered signal using a gain selected from a predetermined set of gains and generate a reference voltage output signal. The PLD includes a programmable fabric and a signal wrapper that is configured to provide signals between the reference voltage block and the programmable fabric. The digital reference value and the predetermined set of gains of the reference voltage block are programmably using the programmable fabric and fed to the reference voltage block via the signal wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: AnDAPT, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Crotty, John Birkner, Kapil Shankar
  • Patent number: 10141937
    Abstract: A method includes: receiving error signals from a signal wrapper of a programmable fabric, wherein the programmable fabric and the signal wrapper are integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD); looking up one or more lookup tables storing rows of pre-calculated data and obtaining a matching pre-calculated data corresponding to the error signals; and generating a compensated output signal using the matching pre-calculated data to drive a switch of the power regulator. The pre-populated data stored in the one or more lookup tables are programmably changed by programming a plurality of parameters of the programmable fabric and loading the pre-populated data to the one or more lookup tables via the signal wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: ANDAPT, INC.
    Inventors: Kapil Shankar, Herman Cheung, John Birkner, Patrick J. Crotty
  • Patent number: 10135447
    Abstract: A memory block integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD) is disclosed. The memory block includes: one or more lookup tables storing pre-populated data. The PLD includes a programmable fabric and a signal wrapper configured to provide signals between the memory block and the programmable fabric. The memory block is configured to receive input signals from the signal wrapper and generate output signals to the signal wrapper by looking up the pre-populated data corresponding to the input signals. The pre-populated data stored in the one or more lookup tables are programmably changed by programming a plurality of parameters of the programmable fabric and loading the pre-populated data to the one or more lookup tables via the signal wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: ANDAPT, INC.
    Inventors: Kapil Shankar, Herman Cheung, John Birkner, Patrick J. Crotty
  • Publication number: 20180269876
    Abstract: A threshold comparator block integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD) is disclosed. The threshold comparator block includes: one or more signal comparators configured to receive two analog input signals and provide a digital output signal indicating a comparison result of the two analog input signals; an analog output driver configured to interface with an analog fabric of a programmable fabric of the PLD; a digital input/output (I/O) driver configured to interface with a digital fabric of the programmable fabric of the PLD; and I/O pins configured to provide an interface with a signal wrapper to interface analog and digital signals between the analog output driver and the digital I/O driver and the programmable fabric. The threshold comparator block is configured to interface with one or more adaptive blocks integrated in the PLD via the programable fabric and the signal wrapper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: John BIRKNER, Kapil SHANKAR, Herman CHEUNG, Patrick J. CROTTY, Ranajit GHOMAN
  • Publication number: 20180262202
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) block includes: an amplifier block configured to receive two analog input signals and a primary-precision configuration signal and generate a first pair of differential signals by amplifying the two analog input signals according to a primary-precision gain that is programmably set by the primary-precision configuration signal; a configuration block configured to receive a fractional-precision configuration signal and generate a second pair of differential signals by amplifying the first pair of differential signals according to a fractional-precision gain that is programmably set by the fractional-precision configuration signal; and a differential analog-to-digital converter (ADC) including a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), two counters, and an error generator block. The VCO receives the second pair of differential signals and generates two pulse signals having frequencies that vary depending on a difference between the second pair of differential signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Maheen SAMAD, Patrick J. CROTTY, John BIRKNER, Herman CHEUNG, Kapil SHANKAR
  • Patent number: 10063237
    Abstract: A high voltage power block includes a high voltage power transistor; and a switch driver configured to drive a gate of the high voltage power transistor. The high voltage power block is integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD) including a programmable fabric, a signal wrapper configured to provide signals between the high voltage power transistor and the programmable fabric, and a plurality of internal components. The plurality of internal components integrated in the PLD are programmably connected and characteristics of the high voltage power transistor are programmably adjusted using the programmable fabric and the signal wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: AnDAPT, INC.
    Inventors: Kapil Shankar, Minjong Kim, John Birkner, Patrick J. Crotty, Thomas Chan
  • Publication number: 20180234097
    Abstract: A timer block includes: a digital control block including a mode selector and a register loading a time delay; a counter coupled to the register of the digital control block, wherein the counter loads a counter value corresponding to the time delay based on an operational mode selected by the mode selector and generates a digital output indicating the counter value that is decremented at each clock; and a pulse generator configured to generate a pulse signal based on the counter value of the counter. The timer block is integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD) including a programmable fabric and a signal wrapper that is configured to provide signals between the timer block and the programmable fabric. The operational mode of the timer block is programmably configured using the programmable fabric and the signal wrapper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick J. CROTTY, Kapil SHANKAR, John BIRKNER
  • Patent number: 10029273
    Abstract: An end effector cleaner for removing excess sealant from an end effector is provided. The end effector cleaner includes a first spool, a second spool, a medium for removing excess sealant from the end effector, a support member configured to support a portion of the medium, a motor for rotating the second spool, an advancement sensor for detecting a presence of the end effector and sending a signal for rotating the motor, and a roll sensor for detecting a dimension of the medium wound on at least one of the first spool and the second spool. One end of the medium is wound on the first spool and the other end of the medium is wound on the second spool, and the portion of the medium is positioned to receive excess sealant of the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John Birkner, Dan Eck, Mary Tumey, Mark Clayton, Scott Huck
  • Publication number: 20180205381
    Abstract: A reference voltage block integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD) includes: an accumulator comprising an adder and a register and configured to receive a digital reference value and generate a carry out signal; a low-pass filter configured to receive the carry out signal from the accumulator and generate a filtered signal; and a variable analog gain amplifier configured to amplify the filtered signal using a gain selected from a predetermined set of gains and generate a reference voltage output signal. The PLD includes a programmable fabric and a signal wrapper that is configured to provide signals between the reference voltage block and the programmable fabric. The digital reference value and the predetermined set of gains of the reference voltage block are programmably using the programmable fabric and fed to the reference voltage block via the signal wrapper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick J. CROTTY, John BIRKNER, Kapil SHANKAR
  • Patent number: 10003338
    Abstract: A threshold comparator block integrated in a programmable logic device (PLD) is disclosed. The threshold comparator block includes: one or more signal comparators configured to receive two analog input signals and provide a digital output signal indicating a comparison result of the two analog input signals; an analog output driver configured to interface with an analog fabric of a programmable fabric of the PLD; a digital input/output (I/O) driver configured to interface with a digital fabric of the programmable fabric of the PLD; and I/O pins configured to provide an interface with a signal wrapper to interface analog and digital signals between the analog output driver and the digital I/O driver and the programmable fabric. The threshold comparator block is configured to interface with one or more adaptive blocks integrated in the PLD via the programmable fabric and the signal wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: AnDAPT, INC.
    Inventors: John Birkner, Kapil Shankar, Herman Cheung, Patrick J. Crotty, Ranajit Ghoman