Patents by Inventor Keith A. Cox

Keith A. Cox 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: 20240134926
    Abstract: A system for pointing to a web page including a screen for viewing pre-recorded scenes, a number of items shown in each scene, a mobile camera device, a processor, a connection to internet and access to computing devices including a machine learning cloud and at least one database including a plurality of scene identifiers each associated with item data, including steps of a user capturing at least one image of the screen, processing the at least one image to obtain at least one prepared image, sending said at least one prepared image to the machine learning cloud, executing a comparison algorithm to compare said at least one prepared image, the machine learning cloud identifying said scene with a degree of certainty, inserting the respective scene identifier, sending at least a portion of said item data to said user, with a link to said web page for each item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: TEKKPRO LIMITED
    Inventors: Colin Keith TUNNICLIFFE, Daniel Robert COX
  • Patent number: 11960341
    Abstract: Various techniques and circuit implementations for power reduction management in integrated circuits are disclosed. Different sets of power delivery trigger circuits may be coupled to the integrated circuit by wiring or serial communication interfaces. Power reduction responses may be implemented at faster rates utilizing the wired power delivery trigger circuits while slower power reduction response can be implemented utilizing serially connected power delivery trigger circuits. The threshold for power reduction response by wired power delivery trigger circuits may also be closer to a functional failure point of the integrated circuit in order to provide fast response to avoid failure of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie L. Langlinais, Inder M. Sodhi, Lior Zimet, Keith Cox
  • Patent number: 11934240
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to thermal control implemented by a power management unit. In some embodiments, the power management unit itself is configured to monitor thermal conditions, implement control for one or more thermal loops, and send reduction alerts, via an inter-chip interconnect, to the processor circuitry it powers. In some embodiments, the power management unit implements both thermal and electromigration control loops. Disclosed techniques may advantageously reduce or avoid thermal issues, potentially with reduced impact on processor performance relative to traditional techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Inder M. Sodhi, Achmed R. Zahir, Carmel Yamberger, Daniele Perretta, Jan Krellner, Ron Neuman, James S. Ismail, Keith Cox
  • Patent number: 11868192
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes multiple power management mechanism operating in different time domains (e.g., with different bandwidths) and control circuitry that is configured to coordinate operation of the mechanisms. If one mechanism is adding energy to the system, for example, the control circuitry may inform another mechanism that the energy is coming so that the other mechanism may not take as drastic an action as it would if no energy were coming. If a light workload is detected by circuitry near the load, and there is plenty of energy in the system, the control circuitry may cause the power management unit (PMU) to generate less energy or even temporarily turn off. A variety of mechanisms for the coordinated, coherent use of power are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. DiBene, II, Inder M. Sodhi, Keith Cox, Gerard R. Williams, III
  • Publication number: 20230384846
    Abstract: A hierarchical, scalable power delivery system is disclosed. The power delivery system includes a first level of power converter circuitry configured to generate one or more first level regulated supply voltages, and a second level of power converter circuitry configured to generate one or more second level regulated supply voltages. The first level of power converter circuitry receives an input supply voltage, while the second level power converter circuitry receives the one or more first level supp1 voltages. The second level power converter circuitry is configured to provide the second level regulated supply voltages to a computing element configured to operate as a single, logical computer system, the computing element being configured to operate in a number of power configurations having differing numbers of load circuits. Different portions of the hierarchical power delivery system may be selectively enabled for corresponding ones of the power configurations of the computing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Keith Cox, Jamie L. Langlinais, Inder M. Sodhi
  • Publication number: 20230376091
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to thermal control implemented by a power management unit. In some embodiments, the power management unit itself is configured to monitor thermal conditions, implement control for one or more thermal loops, and send reduction alerts, via an inter-chip interconnect, to the processor circuitry it powers. In some embodiments, the power management unit implements both thermal and electromigration control loops. Disclosed techniques may advantageously reduce or avoid thermal issues, potentially with reduced impact on processor performance relative to traditional techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Inder M. Sodhi, Achmed R. Zahir, Carmel Yamberger, Daniele Perretta, Jan Krellner, Ron Neuman, James S. Ismail, Keith Cox
  • Patent number: 11822399
    Abstract: A temperature control apparatus is disclosed. An integrated circuit (IC) includes a plurality of temperature sensors, a first thermal control loop, and a second thermal control loop. The first thermal control loop is configured to control temperature of the IC by reducing a frequency of a clock signal provided to the IC in response to a temperature at one of the plurality of temperature sensors reaching a first temperature threshold. The second thermal control loop is configured to control temperature of the IC by dithering the clock signal provided to the IC in response to a temperature at one of the plurality of temperature sensors reaching a second temperature threshold that is greater than the first temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Doron Rajwan, Tal Kuzi, Keith Cox, Yizhang Yang
  • Patent number: 11709748
    Abstract: A device implementing adaptive memory performance control by thread group may include a memory and at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to execute a group of threads on one or more cores. The at least one processor may be configured to monitor a plurality of metrics corresponding to the group of threads executing on one or more cores. The metrics may include, for example, a core stall ratio and/or a power metric. The at least one processor may be configured to determine, based at least in part on the plurality of metrics, a memory bandwidth constraint with respect to the group of threads executing on the one or more cores. The at least one processor may be configured to, in response to determining the memory bandwidth constraint, increase a memory performance corresponding to the group of threads executing on the one or more cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Dorsey, Andrei Dorofeev, Keith Cox
  • Patent number: 11698669
    Abstract: A hierarchical, scalable power delivery system is disclosed. The power delivery system includes a first level of power converter circuitry configured to generate one or more first level regulated supply voltages, and a second level of power converter circuitry configured to generate one or more second level regulated supply voltages. The first level of power converter circuitry receives an input supply voltage, while the second level power converter circuitry receives the one or more first level supply voltages. The second level power converter circuitry is configured to provide the second level regulated supply voltages to a computing element configured to operate as a single, logical computer system, the computing element being configured to operate in a number of power configurations having differing numbers of load circuits. Different portions of the hierarchical power delivery system may be selectively enabled for corresponding ones of the power configurations of the computing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Cox, Jamie L. Langlinais, Inder M. Sodhi
  • Publication number: 20230109984
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system may include a plurality of component circuits. The plurality of component circuits may include rate control circuits the control power consumption in the component circuits based on indications of power allocated to the component circuits. In an embodiment, the rate control circuits may transmit power requests for the component circuits and a floor request representing a minimum amount of power that may ensure reliable operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Doron Rajwan, Inder M. Sodhi, Keith Cox, Jung Wook Cho, Kevin I. Park, Tal Kuzi
  • Publication number: 20230101217
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system may include a plurality of component circuits. The plurality of component circuits may include rate control circuits the control power consumption in the component circuits based on indications of power allocated to the component circuits. In an embodiment, the rate control circuits may transmit power requests for the component circuits and a floor request representing a minimum amount of power that may ensure reliable operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Doron Rajwan, Inder M. Sodhi, Keith Cox, Jung Wook Cho, Kevin I. Park, Tal Kuzi
  • Patent number: 11600580
    Abstract: Replaceable contact pads of end effectors are provided. The contact pads support substrates in electronic device manufacturing. The contact pad includes a contact pad head having a contact surface configured to contact a substrate, a shaft coupled to the contact pad head, the shaft including a shaft indent formed between an underside of the contact pad head and a shaft end, and a circular securing member received around the shaft and seated in the shaft indent and configured to secure the contact pad to the end effector body. End effectors including replaceable contact pads and maintenance methods are described, as are additional aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Whitney Kroetz, Damon Keith Cox, Leon Volfovski, Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Balamurali Murugaraj
  • Publication number: 20230069344
    Abstract: Various techniques and circuit implementations for power reduction management in integrated circuits are disclosed. Different sets of power delivery trigger circuits may be coupled to the integrated circuit by wiring or serial communication interfaces. Power reduction responses may be implemented at faster rates utilizing the wired power delivery trigger circuits while slower power reduction response can be implemented utilizing serially connected power delivery trigger circuits. The threshold for power reduction response by wired power delivery trigger circuits may also be closer to a functional failure point of the integrated circuit in order to provide fast response to avoid failure of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Jamie L. Langlinais, Inder M. Sodhi, Lior Zimet, Keith Cox
  • Publication number: 20230060391
    Abstract: A hierarchical, scalable power delivery system is disclosed. The power delivery system includes a first level of power converter circuitry configured to generate one or more first level regulated supply voltages, and a second level of power converter circuitry configured to generate one or more second level regulated supply voltages. The first level of power converter circuitry receives an input supply voltage, while the second level power converter circuitry receives the one or more first level suppl voltages. The second level power converter circuitry is configured to provide the second level regulated supply voltages to a computing element configured to operate as a single, logical computer system, the computing element being configured to operate in a number of power configurations having differing numbers of load circuits. Different portions of the hierarchical power delivery system may be selectively enabled for corresponding ones of the power configurations of the computing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Keith Cox, Jamie L. Langlinais, Inder M. Sodhi
  • Publication number: 20230031415
    Abstract: A temperature control apparatus is disclosed. An integrated circuit (IC) includes a plurality of temperature sensors, a first thermal control loop, and a second thermal control loop. The first thermal control loop is configured to control temperature of the IC by reducing a frequency of a clock signal provided to the IC in response to a temperature at one of the plurality of temperature sensors reaching a first temperature threshold. The second thermal control loop is configured to control temperature of the IC by dithering the clock signal provided to the IC in response to a temperature at one of the plurality of temperature sensors reaching a second temperature threshold that is greater than the first temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Doron Rajwan, Tal Kuzi, Keith Cox, Yizhang Yang
  • Patent number: 11513585
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes power management control that controls a duty cycle of a processor to manage power. The duty cycle may be the amount of time that the processor is powered on as a percentage of the total time. By frequently powering up and powering down the processor during a period of time, the power consumption of the processor may be controlled while providing the perception that the processor is continuously available. For example, the processor may be a graphics processing unit (GPU), and the period of time over which the duty cycle is managed may be a frame to be displayed on the display screen viewed by a user of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Y. Law, Robert A. Drebin, Keith Cox, James S. Ismail
  • Patent number: 11513576
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for allocating and distributing power management budgets for subsystems (e.g., power usage clients) of a computer system. A power budget allocation subsystem may include a plurality of feedback branches having different associated time constants. Power usage clients with slower power response times may be provided power budgets based on a feedback branch having an associated longer time constant, while power usage clients with faster power response times may be provided with power budgets based on a feedback branch having an associated shorter time constant. The power budgets may be determined in the feedback branches based on power budgeting policies weighting the power budget of each subsystem relative to total power mitigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Achmed R. Zahir, Diwakar N. Tundlam, James S. Ismail, Keith Cox, Reza Arastoo, Douglas A. MacKay, John M. Ananny, Michael Eng
  • Patent number: 11418194
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of functional circuits, a power supply circuit, and a power management circuit. The power supply circuit may generate a shared power signal coupled to each of the functional circuits, and to generate a plurality of adjustable power signals. One adjustable power signal may be coupled to a particular functional circuit of the functional circuits. The power management circuit may a request to the power supply circuit to change a voltage level of the one particular adjustable power signal from a first voltage to a second voltage. The particular functional circuit may couple a respective power node for a sub-circuit of the particular functional circuit to either of the shared power signal or the particular adjustable power signal. The particular functional circuit may also be configured to maintain an operational voltage level on the power node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Cox, Victor Zyuban, Norman J. Rohrer
  • Publication number: 20220137692
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes multiple power management mechanism operating in different time domains (e.g., with different bandwidths) and control circuitry that is configured to coordinate operation of the mechanisms. If one mechanism is adding energy to the system, for example, the control circuitry may inform another mechanism that the energy is coming so that the other mechanism may not take as drastic an action as it would if no energy were coming. If a light workload is detected by circuitry near the load, and there is plenty of energy in the system, the control circuitry may cause the power management unit (PMU) to generate less energy or even temporarily turn off. A variety of mechanisms for the coordinated, coherent use of power are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph T. DiBene, II, Inder M. Sodhi, Keith Cox, Gerard R. Williams, III
  • Patent number: 11204636
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes multiple power management mechanism operating in different time domains (e.g. with different bandwidths) and control circuitry that is configured to coordinate operation of the mechanisms. If one mechanism is adding energy to the system, for example, the control circuitry may inform another mechanism that the energy is coming so that the other mechanism may not take as drastic an action as it would if no energy were coming. If a light workload is detected by circuitry near the load, and there is plenty of energy in the system, the control circuitry may cause the power management unit (PMU) to generate less energy or even temporarily turn off. A variety of mechanisms for the coordinated, coherent use of power are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. DiBene, II, Inder M. Sodhi, Keith Cox, Gerard R. Williams, III