Patents by Inventor Nicholas A. Sims
Nicholas A. Sims 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).
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Publication number: 20160091940Abstract: An electronic device has an I/O port, a bus connector and a transistor that is connected between the I/O port and a communications contact of the bus connector. A control circuit is connected to the transistor to maintain a gate voltage of the transistor independent of power supply voltage on a power supply contact of the connector. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: InHwan Oh, Marco Soldano, Nicholas A. Sims, Manisha P. Pandya, Bogdan T. Bucheru
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Publication number: 20160065080Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that operates switched-mode power supplies, such as flyback converters. The power supplies may comprise isolated or non-isolated power converters. During operation, the system senses an on-time of a primary switch in the power converter. Upon detecting that the on-time does not exceed an on-time threshold within a first pre-specified period that spans one or more switching cycles, the system extends the on-time during a subsequent switching cycle to at least meet the on-time threshold. The system may then measure the voltage on one or more reference windings of the power converter during the on-time of the subsequent switching cycle, wherein the reference winding may comprise, e.g., an auxiliary winding of the primary winding of the power converter or a secondary winding of the power converter (e.g., in the case of isolated power converters utilizing a transformer).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Juan Carlos Pastrana, Manisha P. Pandya, Sameer G. Kelkar, Nicholas A. Sims
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Patent number: 9130400Abstract: Power converters are provided that convert alternating current (AC) power to direct current (DC) power. A power converter may have multiple ports. Each port may have an associated connector with multiple power and data terminals. When an electronic device is connected to a given port, the electronic device draws DC power from the power converter. To ensure that the capacity of the power converter is not exceeded when multiple devices are connected to the ports of the power converter, the power converter may actively monitor its ports for active loads. Load detection circuitry can determine what number of ports are active. Control circuitry can compute a per-port available DC power level based on the number of active ports and can provide this information to connected devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Nicholas A. Sims
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Patent number: 8830073Abstract: Electronic devices may have batteries that power internal circuitry. A power converter may connect to an input-output port in an electronic device to deliver power to the electronic device. Battery charging circuitry in the electronic device may be used to charge the battery in an electronic device while power is delivered from the power converter. The power converter may have load detection circuitry. When an output load is present, the power converter operates in an active mode and delivers power to the electronic device. When the output load is not present, the power converter enters a low-power standby mode. The electronic device has switching circuitry that periodically either electrically couples or electrically isolates the input-output port from internal circuitry. When the input-output port is isolated, the power converter senses that no output load is present and enters the standby state to conserve power.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Publication number: 20140239985Abstract: An alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power converter may have a connector with a pair of power supply contacts and a pair of data contacts. An electronic device may be connected to the connector of the power converter. The power converter may supply DC power to the electronic device using the power supply contacts. The power converter may include control circuitry that has a resistor coupled across the data contacts. When the electronic device and the power converter are connected to each other, each may advertise to the other that capabilities are present that exceed industry standards. At the same time, standard-compliant discovery operations may be performed to probe the value of the resistance of the resistor that is coupled across the data contacts. When extended capabilities are discovered, extended functions may be performed including accelerated charging functions and data communications functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Alexei Kosut, Timothy Johnson, Barry Corlett
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POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM WITH SYNCHRONOUS RECTIFIER OUTPUT STAGE AND REDUCED NO-LOAD POWER CONSUMPTION
Publication number: 20140185335Abstract: A power converter circuit may convert alternating current signals into direct current signals. A load may be powered from output terminals that are provided with the direct current signals. The power converter circuit may have a transformer with primary and secondary sides. A transistor on the primary side may be controlled using a pulse width modulation controller. A diode may be coupled in series with the secondary side of the transformer and the load. To improve efficiency at larger load currents, a synchronous rectifier control circuit may modulate a transistor on the secondary side that is coupled in parallel with the diode. The synchronous rectifier control circuit may monitor voltage pulses on the transistor on the secondary side or may make direct load current measurements to ascertain how much load current is flowing. Under low or no load conditions, synchronous rectification can be inhibited to improve efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2014Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi -
Publication number: 20140160805Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide an AC/DC power converter that converts an AC input voltage into a DC output voltage. This AC/DC power converter includes an input rectifier stage which rectifies an AC input voltage into a first rectified voltage. The AC/DC power converter also includes a switching resonant stage which is directly coupled to the output of the input rectifier stage. The switching resonant stage converts the rectified voltage into a first high frequency AC voltage of a first amplitude. This AC/DC power converter additionally includes a transformer which is coupled to the output of the switching resonant stage and is configured to down-convert the first high frequency AC voltage into a second high frequency AC voltage of a second amplitude. Furthermore, the AC/DC power converter includes an output rectifier stage which is coupled to the output of the transformer, wherein the output rectifier stage rectifies the second high frequency AC voltage into a DC output voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: InHwan Oh, Nicholas A. Sims
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Publication number: 20140136863Abstract: Techniques for performing high-voltage charging of electronic devices are provided. A portable device can communicate with a power supply over a data communication line to determine if the power supply is capable of performing the high-voltage charging operation. If yes, the portable device instructs the power supply to provide a specific voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dan Fritchman, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Nicholas A. Sims, Paul Thompson, Scott Krueger
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Patent number: 8717044Abstract: An alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power converter may have a connector with a pair of power supply contacts and a pair of data contacts. An electronic device may be connected to the connector of the power converter. The power converter may supply DC power to the electronic device using the power supply contacts. The power converter may include control circuitry that has a resistor coupled across the data contacts. When the electronic device and the power converter are connected to each other, each may advertize to the other that capabilities are present that exceed industry standards. At the same time, standard-compliant discovery operations may be performed to probe the value of the resistance of the resistor that is coupled across the data contacts. When extended capabilities are discovered, extended functions may be performed including accelerated charging functions and data communications functions.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Alexei Kosut, Timothy Johnson, Barry Corlett
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Power converter system with synchronous rectifier output stage and reduced no-load power consumption
Patent number: 8699243Abstract: A power converter circuit may convert alternating current signals into direct current signals. A load may be powered from output terminals that are provided with the direct current signals. The power converter circuit may have a transformer with primary and secondary sides. A transistor on the primary side may be controlled using a pulse width modulation controller. A diode may be coupled in series with the secondary side of the transformer and the load. To improve efficiency at larger load currents, a synchronous rectifier control circuit may modulate a transistor on the secondary side that is coupled in parallel with the diode. The synchronous rectifier control circuit may monitor voltage pulses on the transistor on the secondary side or may make direct load current measurements to ascertain how much load current is flowing. Under low or no load conditions, synchronous rectification can be inhibited to improve efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi -
Patent number: 8687392Abstract: A power converter is provided that has an alternating-current (AC) to direct-current (DC) switched-mode power converter circuit that converts alternating-current power into direct-current power for powering an attached electronic device. Power can be conserved by automatically placing the power converter circuit in a low-power standby mode of operation whenever the electronic device is detached from the power converter. A monitoring circuit can be powered by a capacitor or other energy storage element while the power converter is operating in the standby mode. If the monitoring circuit detects an output voltage change that is indicative of attachment of the electronic device or if the storage element needs to be replenished, the monitoring circuit can place the power converter circuit in an active mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey Terlizzi
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Patent number: 8575917Abstract: Load detection circuitry is provided that may be used to monitor an output line. The load detection circuitry may include one or more current sensing resistors. A monitor circuit can measure voltages across the current sensing resistors to determine whether current is flowing through a load connected to the output line. In configurations with multiple different current sensing resistors, the monitor circuit can determine the amount of current that is flowing through the load based on the measured voltages. A switch may be interposed between the current sensing resistor and the output line. A current-limited voltage regulator may supply a voltage to the output line. The monitor circuit may periodically open the switch and monitor resulting voltage changes on the output line to determine whether an electronic device or other load is attached. Opening of the switch may be inhibited whenever current is sensed through a current sensing resistor.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Publication number: 20130242621Abstract: A power supply with reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI) is described. This power supply includes cascaded stages with switched-mode power-supply circuits that are switched synchronously during operation by switching signals that have a common fundamental frequency. EMI associated with the power supply is reduced by establishing a phase shift between the switching signals in at least two of the stages.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Asif Hussain, Nicholas A. Sims
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Publication number: 20130121031Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the use of a portable electronic device. During operation, the system detects a coupling of a power supply to the portable electronic device through a set of wires. Next, the system uses the set of wires to identify a type of the power supply. The system then periodically determines a switching frequency of the power supply based on the type of the power supply and a current drawn from the power supply. Finally, the system uses the switching frequency to facilitate the operation of a touch control in the portable electronic device. For example, if the switching frequency corresponds to a sensing frequency of the touch control, the system may change the sensing frequency to an alternative sensing frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventor: Nicholas A. Sims
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Patent number: 8442588Abstract: In a system that includes electronic equipment such as a computer or power adapter and that includes electronic devices such as cellular telephones, media players, and other devices, cables may be provided with wireless transceiver circuitry. Each cable may include a power path without including data lines. When a user desires to power a device, the cable may be used to connect the device to the electronic equipment. The power path in the cable may deliver power from the electronic equipment to the electronic device. Data may be conveyed between the electronic equipment and the electronic device wirelessly, using the wireless transceiver circuitry in the cable. The cable may have first and second connectors at respective ends of the cable. The wireless transceiver circuitry may be contained within the first connector or within the first and second connectors. The wireless transceiver circuitry may be identified using an identifier.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2010Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
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Power Converter System with Synchronous Rectifier Output Stage and Reduced No-Load Power Consumption
Publication number: 20130107585Abstract: A power converter circuit may convert alternating current signals into direct current signals. A load may be powered from output terminals that are provided with the direct current signals. The power converter circuit may have a transformer with primary and secondary sides. A transistor on the primary side may be controlled using a pulse width modulation controller. A diode may be coupled in series with the secondary side of the transformer and the load. To improve efficiency at larger load currents, a synchronous rectifier control circuit may modulate a transistor on the secondary side that is coupled in parallel with the diode. The synchronous rectifier control circuit may monitor voltage pulses on the transistor on the secondary side or may make direct load current measurements to ascertain how much load current is flowing. Under low or no load conditions, synchronous rectification can be inhibited to improve efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi -
Publication number: 20120176823Abstract: A power converter is provided that has an alternating-current (AC) to direct-current (DC) switched-mode power converter circuit that converts alternating-current power into direct-current power for powering an attached electronic device. Power can be conserved by automatically placing the power converter circuit in a low-power standby mode of operation whenever the electronic device is detached from the power converter. A monitoring circuit can be powered by a capacitor or other energy storage element while the power converter is operating in the standby mode. If the monitoring circuit detects an output voltage change that is indicative of attachment of the electronic device or if the storage element needs to be replenished, the monitoring circuit can place the power converter circuit in an active mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey Terlizzi
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Patent number: 8169806Abstract: Electronic devices such as portable electronic devices are provided. Power converters are provided that convert alternating-current power into direct-current power for powering the electronic devices. A power converter may rectify an alternating current line signal to produce a rectified alternating current signal having peaks and valleys. The power converter may have a capacitor and transformer coupled across the rectifier circuit. Power regulation switching circuitry in the power converter or the electronic device may regulate how much power is delivered to the electronic device. Relatively more power may be delivered during the peaks in the rectified signal than during the valleys. Pulsed power delivery may be controlled using control resources in the power converter, in the electronic device, or in both the power converter and electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey Terlizzi
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Patent number: 8164932Abstract: A power converter is provided that has an alternating-current (AC) to direct-current (DC) switched-mode power converter circuit that converts alternating-current power into direct-current power for powering an attached electronic device. Power can be conserved by automatically placing the power converter circuit in a low-power standby mode of operation whenever the electronic device is detached from the power converter. A monitoring circuit can be powered by a capacitor or other energy storage element while the power converter is operating in the standby mode. If the monitoring circuit detects an output voltage change that is indicative of attachment of the electronic device or if the storage element needs to be replenished, the monitoring circuit can place the power converter circuit in an active mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey Terlizzi
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Publication number: 20120058737Abstract: In a system that includes electronic equipment such as a computer or power adapter and that includes electronic devices such as cellular telephones, media players, and other devices, cables may be provided with wireless transceiver circuitry. Each cable may include a power path without including data lines. When a user desires to power a device, the cable may be used to connect the device to the electronic equipment. The power path in the cable may deliver power from the electronic equipment to the electronic device. Data may be conveyed between the electronic equipment and the electronic device wirelessly, using the wireless transceiver circuitry in the cable. The cable may have first and second connectors at respective ends of the cable. The wireless transceiver circuitry may be contained within the first connector or within the first and second connectors. The wireless transceiver circuitry may be identified using an identifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi