Patents by Inventor Keith Cox

Keith 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).

  • Patent number: 9613393
    Abstract: The invention provides a technique for targeted scaling of the voltage and/or frequency of a processor included in a computing device. One embodiment involves scaling the voltage/frequency of the processor based on the number of frames per second being input to a frame buffer in order to reduce or eliminate choppiness in animations shown on a display of the computing device. Another embodiment of the invention involves scaling the voltage/frequency of the processor based on a utilization rate of the GPU in order to reduce or eliminate any bottleneck caused by slow issuance of instructions from the CPU to the GPU. Yet another embodiment of the invention involves scaling the voltage/frequency of the CPU based on specific types of instructions being executed by the CPU. Further embodiments include scaling the voltage and/or frequency of a CPU when the CPU executes workloads that have characteristics of traditional desktop/laptop computer applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Dorsey, James S. Ismail, Keith Cox, Gaurav Kapoor
  • Patent number: 9585100
    Abstract: The subject matter of the disclosure relates to low temperature power throttling at a mobile device to reduce the likelihood of an unexpected power down event in cold weather environments. A mobile device employing a power management solution may be configured to determine that a monitored temperature at the mobile device (at the battery of the mobile device) is below a first threshold level, and whether a hardware component (such as a camera) is active or inactive. Then, based on these determinations, the mobile device can select a throttle setting from a first set of throttle settings when the hardware component is active, and a second set of throttle settings when the hardware component is inactive. Subsequently the mobile device can throttle power consumption for one or more components of the mobile device according to the selected throttle setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Y. Law, Keith Cox, John M. Ananny, Stephen D. Sterz, Derek J. DiCarlo, Gaurav Kapoor, Jason L. Pang, Alex J. Crumlin
  • Patent number: 9546914
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed to estimate temperature at one or more critical points in a data processing system comprising modeling a steady state temperature portion of a thermal model at the one or more critical points using regression analysis; modeling the transient temperature portion of the thermal model at the one or more critical points using a filtering algorithm; and generating a thermal model at the one or more critical points by combining the steady state temperature portion of the thermal model with the transient temperature portion of the thermal model. The thermal model may then be used to estimate an instantaneous temperature at the one or more critical points or to predict a future temperature at the one or more critical points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Cox, Gaurav Kapoor, Vaughn Arnold
  • Patent number: 9529403
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing telemetry for use in power control functions is disclosed. A system includes an integrated circuit (IC) having a first power management circuit. The IC also includes a number of functional circuit blocks within a number of different power domains. A second power management circuit is implemented external to the IC and includes a number of voltage regulators. Each of the power domains is coupled to receive power from one voltage regulators. During operation, the first power management circuit may send commands requesting the change of one or more voltages provided to the IC. The second power management circuit may respond by performing the requested voltage change(s), and may also provide telemetry data to the first power management circuit. The second power management circuit may also provide telemetry data responsive to receiving a no operation command from the first power management circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Manu Gulati, Parin Patel, Keith Cox, Derek Iwamoto, Cyril de la Cropte de Chanterac, Christopher J. Young
  • Publication number: 20160357243
    Abstract: The embodiments set forth a technique for providing reactive performance throttle engagement information to controller limiters, which are implemented as closed loop structures that analyze the information against target reactive performance throttle engagement rates and produce control effort limits. When reactive performance throttle engagement rates are below the target, controllers issue control efforts in a normal fashion such that they are not influenced by the control effort limits produced by the controller limiters. However, the controller limiters are also configured such that when reactive performance throttle engagement rates are above the target, the controllers issue control efforts in a modified fashion—specifically, in accordance with the control effort limits produced by the controller limiters. In this manner, control effort limits can effectively clamp the control efforts when particular conditions—such as excessive reactive performance throttle engagement rates—are being met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: John G. DORSEY, Keith COX
  • Patent number: 9494994
    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: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Y. Law, Robert A. Drebin, Keith Cox, James S. Ismail
  • Patent number: 9477998
    Abstract: The embodiments set forth a technique for targeted scaling of the voltage and/or frequency of hardware components included in a mobile computing device. One embodiment involves independently analyzing the individual frame rates of each animation within a user interface (UI) of a mobile computing device instead of analyzing the frame rate of the UI as a whole. This can involve establishing, for each animation being displayed within the UI, a corresponding performance control pipeline that generates a control signal for scaling a performance mode of the hardware components (e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU)) included in the mobile computing device. In this manner, the control signals generated by the performance control pipelines can be aggregated to produce a control signal that causes a power management component to scale the performance mode(s) of the hardware components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Dorsey, Keith Cox, Cyril de la Cropte de Chanterac, Karl D. Vulkan
  • Patent number: 9436497
    Abstract: A linked multiple independent control system can include two or more independent controllers configured to cooperatively control operating points of a system. In one particular embodiment, the linked multiple independent control system can control operating temperatures of a computing device. In one embodiment, the independent controllers can operate in parallel to develop control effort signals that are used by the computing device to affect operating parameters of one or more components included in the computing device. In another embodiment, independent controllers can have independent temperature thresholds that can affect control effort signals only from the related controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Cox, Kit-Man Wan, Michael F. Culbert
  • Patent number: 9325228
    Abstract: Embodiments include multi-arm robots for substrate transport systems that include a boom, first and second forearms rotationally coupled to the boom, the second forearm being shorter than the first forearm, a first wrist member rotationally coupled to the first forearm, and a second wrist member rotationally coupled to the second forearm. Each of the boom, first and second forearms, and the first and second wrist members are configured to be independently rotated to carry out substrate motion profiles. Electronic device processing systems and methods of transporting substrates are described, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Izya Kremerman, Jeffrey A. Brodine, Damon Keith Cox
  • Publication number: 20160091954
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method that allow the adjustment of performance settings of a computing system are disclosed. One or more functional units may include multiple monitor circuits, each of which may be configured to monitor a given operational parameter of a corresponding functional unit. Upon detection of an event related to a monitored operational parameter, a monitor circuit may generate an interrupt. In response to the interrupt a processor may adjust one or more performance settings of the computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Cyril de la Cropte de Chanterac, Manu Gulati, Erik P. Machnicki, Keith Cox, Timothy J. Millet
  • Publication number: 20160091960
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for reducing current transients of a power supply are disclosed. Specifically, the embodiments discussed herein include a control system configured to throttle a processor of a computing device when the current demanded by the processor from the power supply exceeds a reference current value. Throttling can include reducing or limiting the performance state that the processor can be operable in. Additionally, the control system can be operated according to multiple time domains, allowing the sampling of an input current to be performed at a higher rate than a rate at which analysis on the sampled input current is performed. The processor can remain throttled depending on a delayed release filter, which determines when a processor can return to a performance state that was previously removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: James S. ISMAIL, David A. HARDELL, Karen S. ECKERT, Keith COX
  • Patent number: 9285278
    Abstract: A portable electronic device including a temperature sensor embedded in a die is provided. To process temperature measurements the portable electronic device includes a processor circuit coupled to the temperature sensor, the processor circuit configured to read a measurement from the temperature sensor when an integrated circuit in the die is inactive. Furthermore, a memory circuit coupled to the processor circuit and the temperature sensor stores a temperature gradient provided by the temperature sensor. A Printed Circuit Board for use in a portable electronic device as above is also provided. A method for performing thermal control in a portable electronic device as above is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Amaury J. Heresztyn, Ihtesham H. Chowdhury, Keith Cox
  • Publication number: 20160066266
    Abstract: The subject matter of the disclosure relates to low temperature power throttling at a mobile device to reduce the likelihood of an unexpected power down event in cold weather environments. A mobile device employing a power management solution may be configured to determine that a monitored temperature at the mobile device (at the battery of the mobile device) is below a first threshold level, and whether a hardware component (such as a camera) is active or inactive. Then, based on these determinations, the mobile device can select a throttle setting from a first set of throttle settings when the hardware component is active, and a second set of throttle settings when the hardware component is inactive. Subsequently the mobile device can throttle power consumption for one or more components of the mobile device according to the selected throttle setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick Y. Law, Keith Cox, John M. Ananny, Stephen D. Sterz, Derek J. DiCarlo, Gaurav Kapoor, Jason L. Pang, Alex J. Crumlin
  • Publication number: 20160064947
    Abstract: One or more operations in an electronic device can be adjusted based on environment data, such as temperature data and/or humidity data. The electronic device may be, for example, a receiver device or a transmitter device in an inductive energy transfer system. Example operations that may be adjusted based on environmental data include, but are not limited to, the brightness of a display or a haptic output produced by a haptic mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Amaury J. Heresztyn, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram, John M. Ananny, Keith Cox, Frank F. Liang, Eugene Y. Kim, Mushtaq A. Sarwar, Jim C. Hwang, Jean-Pierre S. Guillou, Paul S. Drzaic, Peter M. Arnold, Storrs T. Hoen, Douglas A. Scott, Anthony J. Guetta
  • Publication number: 20160064948
    Abstract: Various techniques for temperature management during inductive energy transfer are disclosed. A transmitter device and/or a receiver device can be turned off during energy transfer based on the temperature of the transmitter device and/or of the receiver device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox, Eric S. Jol, Jeffrey M. Alves, Jim C. Hwang, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, John M. Ananny, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram, Robert S. Parnell, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Albert J. Golko, Frank Liang
  • Patent number: 9275607
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display and display control circuitry. The display may be calibrated to compensate for changes in display temperature. Display calibration information may be obtained during manufacturing and may be stored in the electronic device. The display calibration information may include adjustment factors configured to adjust incoming pixel values to reduce temperature-related color shifts. During operation of the electronic device, display control circuitry may determine the temperature at different locations on the display. The display control circuitry may determine the temperature at a given display pixel using the temperatures at the different locations on the display. The display control circuitry may determine adjustment values based on the temperature at the display pixel. The display control circuitry may apply the adjustment values to incoming pixel values to obtain adapted pixel values, which may in turn be provided to the display pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Albrecht, Ulrich Barnhoefer, Gabriel Marcu, Sandro H. Pintz, Keith Cox
  • Publication number: 20160054773
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing telemetry for use in power control functions is disclosed. A system includes an integrated circuit (IC) having a first power management circuit. The IC also includes a number of functional circuit blocks within a number of different power domains. A second power management circuit is implemented external to the IC and includes a number of voltage regulators. Each of the power domains is coupled to receive power from one voltage regulators. During operation, the first power management circuit may send commands requesting the change of one or more voltages provided to the IC. The second power management circuit may respond by performing the requested voltage change(s), and may also provide telemetry data to the first power management circuit. The second power management circuit may also provide telemetry data responsive to receiving a no operation command from the first power management circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Manu Gulati, Parin Patel, Keith Cox, Derek Iwamoto, Cyril de la Cropte de Chanterac, Christopher J. Young
  • Patent number: 9268579
    Abstract: This paper describes various embodiments that relate to personal computer systems, and accurate initialization of computer hardware of personal computer systems from a low-power and/or power-off state. According to one embodiment of the invention, a computer system includes a device operative to be powered down to the power-off state dependent upon an amount of user activity on the computer system. The computer system also includes a device controller operative to initialize the device from the power-off state to a power-on state responsive to user activity on the computer system. The device controller has at least one sensor device operative to determining a physical variable related to the device, and operating characteristics of the device are related to the physical variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Tann, Marc Albrecht, Keith Cox
  • Publication number: 20160018871
    Abstract: Power and thermal management that uses trigger circuits to activate power telemetry. A power consumption level of a subsystem is monitored using a trigger circuit while power telemetry mode for the subsystem is inactive. When the monitored power consumption level exceeds a threshold, the trigger circuit activates the power telemetry mode of operation in which telemetry information of the subsystem is provided to a controller. Power consumption of the subsystem is then managed by the controller based on telemetry information obtained under the power telemetry mode. The controller can determine whether a power consumption level of the subsystem has dropped below a threshold, based on telemetry information obtained under the power telemetry mode. The controller may terminate the power telemetry mode when the power consumption level has dropped below the threshold. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Parin Patel, Keith Cox
  • Publication number: 20150348223
    Abstract: The embodiments set forth a technique for targeted scaling of the voltage and/or frequency of hardware components included in a mobile computing device. One embodiment involves independently analyzing the individual frame rates of each animation within a user interface (UI) of a mobile computing device instead of analyzing the frame rate of the UI as a whole. This can involve establishing, for each animation being displayed within the UI, a corresponding performance control pipeline that generates a control signal for scaling a performance mode of the hardware components (e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU)) included in the mobile computing device. In this manner, the control signals generated by the performance control pipelines can be aggregated to produce a control signal that causes a power management component to scale the performance mode(s) of the hardware components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: John G. DORSEY, Keith COX, Cyril de la CROPTE de CHANTERAC, Karl D. VULKAN