Patents by Inventor John So

John So 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: 20230289089
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data storage device. A data port transmits data between a host computer system and the data storage device. A non-volatile storage medium stores encrypted user content data and a cryptography engine connected between the data port and the storage medium uses a cryptographic key to decrypt the encrypted user content data. The access controller generates authorization request data indicative of multiple devices to be authorized, and stores the authorization request data on non-volatile configuration memory of the data storage device. Upon approval of the authorization request data by a manager device that is registered with the access controller as a manager device, the access controller locates the authorization request data of one of the multiple devices to be authorized and registers the one of the multiple devices to be authorized as an authorized device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Edward MASTENBROOK, John SO, Matthew Harris KLAPMAN, David Robert ARNOLD
  • Publication number: 20230291548
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data storage device. A data port transmits data between a host computer system and the data storage device. A non-volatile storage medium stores encrypted user content data and a cryptography engine connected between the data port and the storage medium uses a cryptographic key to decrypt the encrypted user content data. Multiple manager device records each comprise a first key identical for each of the records, and a second key that different for each of the records. The controller generates an authorization request using the first key and receives a response to the request generated by a manager device. The response is specific to that manager device. The controller uses the response to locate the record; decrypts the located manager device record to obtain key data; and generates configuration data based on the key data to register the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Edward MASTENBROOK, John SO, David Robert ARNOLD
  • Publication number: 20230291579
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data storage device. A data port transmits data between a host computer system and the data storage device. A non-volatile storage medium stores encrypted user content data and a cryptography engine connected between the data port and the storage medium uses a cryptographic key to decrypt the encrypted user content data. The access controller generates a challenge for a manager device. The challenge comprises a blinded public key of an ephemeral unlock key pair that is blinded by an unlock blinding key. The challenge further comprises the unlock blinding key in encrypted form. The access controller further provides the challenge to the device to be authorized for sending the challenge to the manager device; receives a response to the challenge; decrypts the unlock blinding key and calculates a shared secret; and upon determining that the response indicates approval of registering the device, registers the device to be authorized as an authorized device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Edward MASTENBROOK, John SO
  • Publication number: 20230289456
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data storage device. A data port transmits data between a host computer system and the data storage device. A non-volatile storage medium stores encrypted user content data and a cryptography engine connected between the data port and the storage medium uses a cryptographic key to decrypt the encrypted user content data. The access controller generates an authorization request for a manager device. The authorization request comprises a certificate. The certificate comprising key data. In response to receiving the key data in a response to the authorization request generated by the manager device, the access controller generates configuration data based on the key data to register the device to be authorized as an authorized device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Edward MASTENBROOK, John SO, David Robert ARNOLD
  • Patent number: 8699195
    Abstract: Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include current limit circuits. Some current limit circuits may involve user programmable function. User programmable function may need accurate current limit detectors. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting one or more programmed current limits. Some embodiments allow for a user application to select among parallel or serial configurations of current detection circuitry. Each such configuration may include multiple resistive devices of different resistive values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Analogic Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: John So
  • Patent number: 8611063
    Abstract: Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include circuitry to limit currents so as not to exceed a pre-programmed current limit. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting pre-programmed current limits and for limiting currents in response to such detection. In some embodiments, both the current limit detector and the current limit controller circuitry include scaled current switches. The scaling may be substantially similar between the programmed-current limit detector and the current limit controller circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Analogic Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: John So
  • Patent number: 8295023
    Abstract: Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include current limit circuits. Some current limit circuits may involve user programmable function. User programmable function may need accurate current limit detectors. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting one or more programmed current limits. Some embodiments allow for a user application to select among parallel or serial configurations of current detection circuitry. Each such configuration may include multiple resistive devices of different resistive values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John So
  • Patent number: 8111493
    Abstract: Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include current limit circuits. Some current limit circuits may involve user programmable function. User programmable function may need accurate current limit detectors. One approach to improving resolution and accuracy of current limit detectors using a single resistive device is to magnify the operating current range. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting pre-programmed current limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John So
  • Publication number: 20110273808
    Abstract: Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include current limit circuits. Some current limit circuits may involve user programmable function. User programmable function may need accurate current limit detectors. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting one or more programmed current limits. Some embodiments allow for a user application to select among parallel or serial configurations of current detection circuitry. Each such configuration may include multiple resistive devices of different resistive values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: John So
  • Patent number: 7957116
    Abstract: Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include current limit circuits. Some current limit circuits may involve user programmable function. User programmable function may need accurate current limit detectors. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting one or more programmed current limits. Some embodiments allow for a user application to select among parallel or serial configurations of current detection circuitry. Each such configuration may include multiple resistive devices of different resistive values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John So
  • Publication number: 20100149713
    Abstract: Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include circuitry to limit currents so as not to exceed a pre-programmed current limit. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting pre-programmed current limits and for limiting currents in response to such detection. In some embodiments, both the current limit detector and the current limit controller circuitry include scaled current switches. The scaling may be substantially similar between the programmed-current limit detector and the current limit controller circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John So
  • Patent number: 7672107
    Abstract: Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include circuitry to limit currents so as not to exceed a pre-programmed current limit. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting pre-programmed current limits and for limiting currents in response to such detection. In some embodiments, both the current limit detector and the current limit controller circuitry include scaled current switches. The scaling may be substantially similar between the programmed-current limit detector and the current limit controller circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John So
  • Publication number: 20090225484
    Abstract: Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include current limit circuits. Some current limit circuits may involve user programmable function. User programmable function may need accurate current limit detectors. One approach to improving resolution and accuracy of current limit detectors using a single resistive device is to magnify the operating current range. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting pre-programmed current limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John So
  • Patent number: 7576525
    Abstract: Charge storage devices (e.g., batteries or supercapacitors) need to be charged from time to time. In an apparatus, to protect a charge storage device as well as the supply used to charge it, the apparatus typically includes power loop control circuitry. One approach to implementing the power loop control employs a temperature sensor in combination with soft start circuitry in order to protect the circuitry from a rapidly increasing temperature when charge current increases. The soft start circuitry allows for controlled step-wise increase and regulation of the current. The approach preferably allows for selecting the number and resolution of such incremental steps. Various embodiments of the invention include devices and methods for controlling power and may take into account temperature in step-wise regulation of the charge current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John So, David Yen Wai Wong
  • Patent number: 7532448
    Abstract: Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed, to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include current limit circuits. Some current limit circuits may involve user programmable function. User programmable function may need accurate current limit detectors. One approach to improving resolution and accuracy of current limit detectors using a single resistive device is to magnify the operating current range. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting pre-programmed current limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John So
  • Publication number: 20080094865
    Abstract: Charge storage devices (e.g., batteries or supercapacitors) need to be charged from time to time. In an apparatus, to protect a charge storage device as well as the supply used to charge it, the apparatus typically includes power loop control circuitry. One approach to implementing the power loop control employs a temperature sensor in combination with soft start circuitry in order to protect the circuitry from a rapidly increasing temperature when charge current increases. The soft start circuitry allows for controlled step-wise increase and regulation of the current. The approach preferably allows for selecting the number and resolution of such incremental steps. Various embodiments of the invention include devices and methods for controlling power and may take into account temperature in step-wise regulation of the charge current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John So, David Yen Wai Wong
  • Publication number: 20080088290
    Abstract: Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include current limit circuits. Some current limit circuits may involve user programmable function. User programmable function may need accurate current limit detectors. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting one or more programmed current limits. Some embodiments allow for a user application to select among parallel or serial configurations of current detection circuitry. Each such configuration may include multiple resistive devices of different resistive values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John So
  • Publication number: 20080088998
    Abstract: Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed, to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include current limit circuits. Some current limit circuits may involve user programmable function. User programmable function may need accurate current limit detectors. One approach to improving resolution and accuracy of current limit detectors using a single resistive device is to magnify the operating current range. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting pre-programmed current limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John So
  • Publication number: 20080088997
    Abstract: Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include circuitry to limit currents so as not to exceed a pre-programmed current limit. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting pre-programmed current limits and for limiting currents in response to such detection. In some embodiments, both the current limit detector and the current limit controller circuitry include scaled current switches. The scaling may be substantially similar between the programmed-current limit detector and the current limit controller circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John So
  • Publication number: 20080024195
    Abstract: A temperature control circuit for a battery charger includes a counter and a digital to analog converter for adjusting a current output of the charger based on a value stored in the counter. A first comparator increments or decrements the counter based on the difference between the temperature of the charger and a desired temperature. A reset circuit zeros the counter when the temperature of the charger has exceeded an upper threshold and subsequently maintains the counter at zero until the temperature of the charger has fallen below a lower threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: ADVANCED ANALOGIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: John So