Patents by Inventor Neil Y. Kim

Neil Y. Kim 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: 20170026869
    Abstract: A system for operating a portable communication device includes a module to operate the portable communication device in a first mode. The system may provide telephony service to a user at a first performance level. The system may determine to operate the portable communication device in a power-save mode that is different from the first mode. The system may operate the portable communication device in the power-save mode and provide telephony service to the user at a second performance level different from the first performance level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-ying Chen, Pieter Vorenkamp, Neil Y. Kim, Sumant Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 9429973
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling performance and/or power based on monitored performance characteristics. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. A second circuit module may monitor one or more performance characteristics of the first circuit module and/or the integrated circuit. A third circuit module may, for example, determine power control information based at least in part on the monitored performance characteristic(s). The power control information may be communicated to power supply circuitry to control various characteristics of the electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one performance characteristic of a first electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Y. Kim, Pieter Vorenkamp
  • Patent number: 9285815
    Abstract: Power regulator circuitry that can provide a regulated power signal. The power regulator circuitry may include data processing circuitry configured to determine the regulated power signal to arbitrate power supply requirements of first and second powered devices according to power supply information associated with the first and second powered devices. The power regulator circuitry may also include output circuitry configured to output the regulated power signal to one or both of the first and second powered devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Y. Kim, Pieter Vorenkamp
  • Patent number: 9281718
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling characteristics of supplied electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. The integrated circuit may comprise a second circuit module that monitors at least one characteristic of electrical power received by at least one of the first circuit module and the integrated circuit. The second circuit module may also communicate with a third circuit module regarding the monitored at least one characteristic. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one characteristic of electrical power received by a first electrical device that is external to the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may also comprise a second module that communicates with a second electrical device, external to the integrated circuit, regarding the monitored at least one characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Pieter Vorenkamp, Neil Y. Kim
  • Publication number: 20150032280
    Abstract: Power regulator circuitry that can provide a regulated power signal. The power regulator circuitry may include data processing circuitry configured to determine the regulated power signal to arbitrate power supply requirements of first and second powered devices according to power supply information associated with the first and second powered devices. The power regulator circuitry may also include output circuitry configured to output the regulated power signal to one or both of the first and second powered devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Y. Kim, Pieter Vorenkamp
  • Patent number: 8868935
    Abstract: A system and method for providing power control in a power management integrated circuit. A power management integrated circuit may comprise a communication interface module that receives power supply information from at least one electrical device external to the power management integrated circuit. The power supply information may, for example, comprise information related to a first electrical power. The power management integrated circuit may also comprise a power regulator module that determines a regulated power signal based, at least in part, on a portion of the power supply information. The regulated power signal may correspond to the first electrical power. For example, the regulated power signal may comprise the first electrical power or cause another circuit to output the first electrical power. The power management integrated circuit may then output the regulated power signal to at least one electrical device external to the power management integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Y. Kim, Pieter Vorenkamp
  • Publication number: 20140111272
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling performance and/or power based on monitored performance characteristics. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. A second circuit module may monitor one or more performance characteristics of the first circuit module and/or the integrated circuit. A third circuit module may, for example, determine power control information based at least in part on the monitored performance characteristic(s). The power control information may be communicated to power supply circuitry to control various characteristics of the electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one performance characteristic of a first electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Y. Kim, Pieter Vorenkamp
  • Patent number: 8639473
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling performance and/or power based on monitored performance characteristics. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. A second circuit module may monitor one or more performance characteristics of the first circuit module and/or the integrated circuit. A third circuit module may, for example, determine power control information based at least in part on the monitored performance characteristic(s). The power control information may be communicated to power supply circuitry to control various characteristics of the electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one performance characteristic of a first electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Y. Kim, Pieter Vorenkamp
  • Patent number: 8352217
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling performance and/or power based on monitored performance characteristics. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. A second circuit module may monitor one or more performance characteristics of the first circuit module and/or the integrated circuit. A third circuit module may, for example, determine power control information based at least in part on the monitored performance characteristic(s). The power control information may be communicated to power supply circuitry to control various characteristics of the electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one performance characteristic of a first electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Y. Kim, Pieter Vorenkamp
  • Publication number: 20120329533
    Abstract: A system for operating a portable communication device includes a module to operate the portable communication device in a first mode. The system may provide telephony service to a user at a first performance level. The system may determine to operate the portable communication device in a power-save mode that is different from the first mode. The system may operate the portable communication device in the power-save mode and provide telephony service to the user at a second performance level different from the first performance level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-ying Chen, Pieter Vorenkamp, Neil Y. Kim, Sumant Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 8286013
    Abstract: A system and method for providing multi-tiered power save operation in a portable communication device. A portable communication device may be operated in a first power-save mode. A power-save module of the portable communication device may, for example, provide for operation in such a first power-save mode. It may be determined to operate the portable communication device in a second power-save mode that is different than the first power-save mode. A power-save management module may, for example, make such a determination. The portable communication device may then be operated in the second power-save mode. The power-save module may, for example, provide for operation in such a second power-save mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-ying Chen, Pieter Vorenkamp, Neil Y. Kim, Sumant Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 8250499
    Abstract: A system and method for storing power utilization information in an integrated circuit and utilizing such information. Various aspects of the present invention provide an integrated circuit that comprises a first module, which stores power utilization information for at least a portion of the integrated circuit. A second module of the integrated circuit may communicate the power utilization information with an electrical device external to the integrated circuit. Various aspects of the present invention provide a method for storing power utilization information in an integrated circuit. For example, a performance characteristic and/or a power supply characteristic may be monitored as the integrated circuit is utilized. Power utilization information may be determined from the monitored characteristic(s), and the power utilization information may be stored in the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-ying Chen, Pieter Vorenkamp, Neil Y. Kim, Sumant Ranganathan
  • Publication number: 20120126779
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling performance and/or power based on monitored performance characteristics. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. A second circuit module may monitor one or more performance characteristics of the first circuit module and/or the integrated circuit. A third circuit module may, for example, determine power control information based at least in part on the monitored performance characteristic(s). The power control information may be communicated to power supply circuitry to control various characteristics of the electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one performance characteristic of a first electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Neil Y. Kim, Pieter Vorcnkamp
  • Patent number: 8181045
    Abstract: A circuit and method utilizing a power control data bus for implementing power control. Various aspects of the present invention provide an electrical circuit that comprises a power supply circuit that outputs electrical power. The electrical circuit may also comprise an integrated circuit that receives electrical power from the power supply circuit. The electrical circuit may also comprise a power control data bus, which communicatively couples a power control data bus interface of the power supply circuit and a power control data bus interface of the integrated circuit. The power control data bus may, for example, carry power control data between the integrated circuit and the power supply circuit. Various aspects of the present invention also provide a method that comprises communicating power control data over a power control data bus and utilizing the power control data to control characteristics of electrical power provided to an integrated circuit or module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Y. Kim, Pieter Vorenkamp, Sumant Ranganathan, Chun-ying Chen
  • Patent number: 8145921
    Abstract: A system and method for implementing a common control bus in a multi-regulator power supply integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may, for example, comprise first and second power regulator modules that control at least one characteristic of respective power signals. The integrated circuit may also, for example, comprise a communication interface module that receives power control information related to operation of the first and second power regulator modules over a shared data bus. An exemplary method may, for example, comprise receiving power control information over a data bus. The method may also, for example, comprise determining which of a plurality of power regulators corresponds to the received power control information. The method may further, for example, comprise determining a regulator control signal, based at least in part on the received power control information, and provide the regulator control signal to the determined regulator(s) to control operation of the determined regulator(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-ying Chen, Pieter Vorenkamp, Neil Y. Kim, Sumant Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 8108181
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling performance and/or power based on monitored performance characteristics. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. A second circuit module may monitor one or more performance characteristics of the first circuit module and/or the integrated circuit. A third circuit module may, for example, determine power control information based at least in part on the monitored performance characteristic(s). The power control information may be communicated to power supply circuitry to control various characteristics of the electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one performance characteristic of a first electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Y. Kim, Pieter Vorenkamp
  • Patent number: 8072096
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising multiple independent power supply zones at substantially the same voltage level and a method for utilizing such power supply zones. An integrated circuit may comprise a first module and may, for example, comprise a second module. A first power supply bus may communicate first electrical power to the first module, where the first electrical power is characterized by a first set of power characteristics comprising a first voltage level. A second power supply bus may communicate second power to the second module, where the second power is characterized by a second set of power characteristics comprising a second voltage level that is substantially similar to the first voltage level. The second set of power characteristics may, for example, be substantially different than the first set of power characteristics. The second power supply bus may also, for example, communicate the second electrical power to the first module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventors: Sumant Ranganathan, Pieter Vorenkamp, Neil Y. Kim, Chun-ying Chen
  • Publication number: 20110191736
    Abstract: A system and method for storing power utilization information in an integrated circuit and utilizing such information. Various aspects of the present invention provide an integrated circuit that comprises a first module, which stores power utilization information for at least a portion of the integrated circuit. A second module of the integrated circuit may communicate the power utilization information with an electrical device external to the integrated circuit. Various aspects of the present invention provide a method for storing power utilization information in an integrated circuit. For example, a performance characteristic and/or a power supply characteristic may be monitored as the integrated circuit is utilized. Power utilization information may be determined from the monitored characteristic(s), and the power utilization information may be stored in the integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chun-ying Chen, Pieter Vorenkamp, Neil Y. Kim, Sumant Ranganathan
  • Publication number: 20110187316
    Abstract: A system and method for implementing a multi-voltage multi-battery power management integrated circuit. Various aspects of the present invention provide a power management integrated circuit. The power management IC may comprise a first regulator module that receives a first battery power signal from a first battery characterized by a first battery voltage and outputs a first regulated power signal, based at least in part on the first battery power signal. The power management IC may also comprise a second regulator module that receives a second battery power signal from a second battery characterized by a second battery voltage and outputs a second regulated power signal, based at least in part on the second battery power signal. The second battery voltage may, for example, be substantially different than the first battery voltage. The power first and second regulated power signals may, for example, correspond to substantially different power supply voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sumant Ranganathan, Pieter Vorenkamp, Neil Y. Kim, Chun-Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 7958015
    Abstract: A system and method for marketing and/or providing integrated circuits. Various aspects of the present invention may provide a computer system adapted to receive and process a request for information regarding an integrated circuit. A database may comprise information of a first set of the integrated circuits that meet performance requirements at nominal power supply characteristics, and information of a second set of the integrated circuits that do not meet the performance requirements at the nominal power supply characteristics and meet the performance requirements at non-nominal power supply characteristics. A processor module may, upon receipt of a request for information regarding the integrated circuit, process information in the database to determine whether the second set of integrated circuits is available. A communication interface module may electronically communicate information of the second set of the integrated circuits (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Y. Kim, Pieter Vorenkamp