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: 9128721
    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: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Dorsey, James S. Ismail, Keith Cox, Gaurav Kapoor
  • Patent number: 9098258
    Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the disclosures relate to methods, devices, and data processing systems for thermal-based acoustic management. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method defers one or more background tasks during normal operation of a system if the system has a reduced performance feature that allows reduced or throttled performance in a non-user state. The system enters a low power state (e.g., sleep state) to cool the system after a period of normal operation. The system enters a different low power state (e.g., dark wake state) with a reduced performance and performs at least one of the deferred background tasks while in this low power state without needing a cooling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Dean Reece, Jeffrey D. Whitman, Keith Cox
  • Patent number: 9076830
    Abstract: Substrate transport systems and robot apparatus are provided. The systems are adapted to pick or place a substrate at a destination by independently rotating an upper arm, a forearm, and dual wrist members relative to each other and a base. Methods of operating the robot apparatus are provided, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Izya Kremerman, Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Damon Keith Cox
  • Patent number: 9062951
    Abstract: A shotgun shell or low velocity grenade dispenser and reloader system that can quickly and efficiently dispense a shell without requiring the focus of the operator. The dispenser can be attached to the operator's belt, leg, forearm, or a weapon. Alternatively the dispenser may be left unattached. The dispenser delivers a shell in an orientation that allows rapid loading of a weapon with minimal shell manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Inventors: Samer Alkhalaileh, John Richard Warnke, Robert Irvin, Joshua Keith Cox
  • Patent number: 8924752
    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 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Y. Law, Robert A. Drebin, Keith Cox, James S. Ismail
  • Publication number: 20140365793
    Abstract: Methods for thermal management of an integrated circuit are disclosed. In particular, a dual control loop, having a first control loop and a second control loop, is used to maintain the temperature of an integrated circuit at a first temperature and a second temperature, respectively. In order to prevent the integrated circuit from overheating during periods of rapid temperature increase, the second control loop may be configured to control temperature at the second temperature below the specification limit of the integrated circuit by reducing power to the integrated circuit. The second control loop samples and maintains temperature of the integrated circuit at time intervals relatively faster than that of the first control loop. However, the second control loop is configured to release control to the first control loop when the temperature of the integrated circuit is reduced. The first control loop may then control power to the integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Cox, Kit-Man Wan, Gaurav Kapoor
  • Publication number: 20140359257
    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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher P. TANN, Marc ALBRECHT, Keith COX
  • Publication number: 20140351621
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to manage a power of a system that leverage intermediate power margins are described. One or more subsystems of the system are operated at one or more performance points. A power consumed by the one or more subsystems at each of the one or more performance points is measured. An operational power of the one or more subsystems at the one or more performance points is determined. The one or more subsystems are operated at well-known conditions at the one or more performance points. The operational power may be adjusted based on data associated with the one or more subsystems. The operational power is provided to a power lookup table. The power is distributed among the one or more subsystems based on the operational power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Conroy, Michael Culbert, Keith A. Cox
  • Publication number: 20140334107
    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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Amaury J. HERESZTYN, Ihtesham H. CHOWDHURY, Keith COX
  • Publication number: 20140317986
    Abstract: A shotgun shell or low velocity grenade dispenser and reloader system that can quickly and efficiently dispense a shell without requiring the focus of the operator. The dispenser can be attached to the operator's belt, leg, forearm, or a weapon. Alternatively the dispenser may be left unattached. The dispenser delivers a shell in an orientation that allows rapid loading of a weapon with minimal shell manipulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Samer Alkhalaileh, John Richard Warnke, Robert Irvin, Joshua Keith Cox
  • Patent number: 8768530
    Abstract: A predefined mathematical relationship that is stored in the memory of a computing system is accessed, wherein the relationship refers to temperatures of a number of points in the system, wherein the points together define a zone. The mathematical relationship yields a representative temperature for the zone. Temperature data from sensors in the system is obtained and applied to thermal models, to estimate the temperatures of at least some of the points that define the zone. The representative temperature for the zone is computed using the estimated temperatures as input to the mathematical relationship. A decision is then made on whether or not to change a power consuming activity limit in the system, based on the computed representative temperature. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Faqiu Liang, Jay S. Nigen, Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox
  • Patent number: 8768513
    Abstract: Methods of correction of rotational and linear misalignment in multi-link robots are provided. The method allows for precise orientation of an end effector to put or pick substrates at a target destination by correcting for both positional and rotational orientation errors. The method rotates a boom linkage to a position adjacent to the target destination, corrects for linear and rotational error by rotating a boom linkage as well as an upper arm link as well as extending or retracting a wrist member. Systems including long boom linkages are disclosed. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Damon Keith Cox, Izya Kremerman
  • Patent number: 8756176
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to automatically adjust a thermal requirement of a data processing system are described. One or more conditions associated with a data processing system are detected. A temperature requirement for the data processing system is determined based on the one or more conditions. The performance of the data processing system may be throttled to maintain a temperature of the data processing system below the temperature requirement. Detecting the one or more conditions associated with the data processing system may include determining a location of the data processing system based on a measured motion, a state of a peripheral device, a position of one portion of the data processing system (e.g., a lid) relative another portion of the data processing system (e.g., a bottom portion), a type of application operating on the data processing system, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Cox, Gaurav Kapoor, Michael Culbert
  • Publication number: 20140164757
    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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: John G. DORSEY, James S. ISMAIL, Keith COX, Gaurav KAPOOR
  • Patent number: 8751849
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to manage a power of a system that leverage intermediate power margins are described. One or more subsystems of the system are operated at one or more performance points. A power consumed by the one or more subsystems at each of the one or more performance points is measured. An operational power of the one or more subsystems at the one or more performance points is determined. The one or more subsystems are operated at well-known conditions at the one or more performance points. The operational power may be adjusted based on data associated with the one or more subsystems. The operational power is provided to a power lookup table. The power is distributed among the one or more subsystems based on the operational power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Conroy, Michael Culbert, Keith A. Cox
  • Publication number: 20140154038
    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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Izya Kremerman, Jeffrey A. Brodine, Damon Keith Cox
  • Publication number: 20140139570
    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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Albrecht, Ulrich Barnhoefer, Gabriel Marcu, Sandro H. Pintz, Keith Cox
  • Publication number: 20140121854
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to provide a cooling arrangement for a system are described. The system includes a component coupled to a heat sink. A signal associated with a temperature control of the component is asserted. A target temperature of the heat sink is adjusted based on the signal. In one embodiment, a temperature control loop of the heat sink is operated. The temperature of the heat sink may be monitored using one or more sensors placed on the heat sink. An operation of the component, a cooling unit coupled to the heat sink, or both, may be adjusted based on a relationship between the temperature of the heat sink and an adjusted target temperature. Adjusting the target temperature of the heat sink based on the asserted signal increases efficiency of the system while decreasing cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Conroy, Michael Culbert, Keith A. Cox
  • Publication number: 20140074313
    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: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Keith Cox, Kit-Man Wan, Michael F. Culbert
  • Patent number: 8662943
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to provide a cooling arrangement for a system are described. The system includes a component coupled to a heat sink. A signal associated with a temperature control of the component is asserted. A target temperature of the heat sink is adjusted based on the signal. In one embodiment, a temperature control loop of the heat sink is operated. The temperature of the heat sink may be monitored using one or more sensors placed on the heat sink. An operation of the component, a cooling unit coupled to the heat sink, or both, may be adjusted based on a relationship between the temperature of the heat sink and an adjusted target temperature. Adjusting the target temperature of the heat sink based on the asserted signal increases efficiency of the system while decreasing cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Conroy, Michael Culbert, Keith A. Cox