Patents by Inventor Kenneth Helfrich

Kenneth Helfrich 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: 8862921
    Abstract: An apparatus for remote wake-up during dedicated charging mode includes: a USB transceiver port; a USB connector port; a switch network coupling the USB transceiver port to the USB connector port; and control logic coupled to the switch network and operative to control the switch network to disconnect the USB transceiver port from the USB connector port during a dedicated charger operational mode and to connect the USB transceiver port to the USB connector port upon the detection of a potential remote wake-up condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hoon Kim, Kenneth Helfrich
  • Patent number: 8723476
    Abstract: In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation, a USB dedicated charger identification circuit includes a USB D+ port, a USB D? port, a first circuit conforming to a first identification protocol, a second circuit conforming to a second identification protocol, and logic selectively coupling one of the first circuit and the second circuit to the USB D+ port and the USB D? port. In an alternate embodiment set forth by way of example and not limitation, a method to provide USB charger identification includes providing a first USB charger identification at a USB D+ port and a D? port, Next, it is detected if the first USB charger identification was inappropriate. Then, if the first USB charger identification was inappropriate, a second USB charger identification is provided at the USB D+ port and the D? port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Helfrich
  • Patent number: 8358100
    Abstract: In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation, a USB dedicated charger identification circuit includes a USB D+ port, a USB D? port, a first circuit conforming to a first identification protocol, a second circuit conforming to a second identification protocol, and logic selectively coupling one of the first circuit and the second circuit to the USB D+ port and the USB D? port. In an alternate embodiment set forth by way of example and not limitation, a method to provide USB charger identification includes providing a first USB charger identification at a USB D+ port and a D? port. Next, it is detected if the first USB charger identification was inappropriate. Then, if the first USB charger identification was inappropriate, a second USB charger identification is provided at the USB D+ port and the D? port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Helfrich
  • Publication number: 20110276734
    Abstract: In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation, a USB dedicated charger identification circuit includes a USB D+ port, a USB D? port, a first circuit conforming to a first identification protocol, a second circuit conforming to a second identification protocol, and logic selectively coupling one of the first circuit and the second circuit to the USB D+ port and the USB D? port. In an alternate embodiment set forth by way of example and not limitation, a method to provide USB charger identification includes providing a first USB charger identification at a USB D+ port and a D? port. Next, it is detected if the first USB charger identification was inappropriate. Then, if the first USB charger identification was inappropriate, a second USB charger identification is provided at the USB D+ port and the D? port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Kenneth Helfrich
  • Publication number: 20070136528
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adding an autonomous controller to an existing architecture such as by way of example, portable devices such as cell phones, MP3 players, and digital cameras. A circuit interposed between the memory card and the system controller of the device is controllable to couple the memory card to the system controller, or to couple the memory card to a high speed I/O controller on the circuit. When the memory card is coupled to the high speed I/O controller on the circuit, the circuit provides signals to the system controller indicative of a memory card removal event. In systems having an I/O connection such as a USB connection, the circuit also disconnects that connection from the system controller, provides signals to the system control indicative of a USB disconnect and connects the I/O connection to the memory card through a high speed data transfer unit to provide a higher speed I/O capability. Various features and capabilities are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Lane Hauck, Kenneth Helfrich, David Podsiadlo