Patents by Inventor Norman J. Rohrer
Norman J. Rohrer 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: 20240119991Abstract: In an embodiment, a memory controller in an integrated circuit may generate refreshes for one or more DRAMs coupled to the integrated circuit according to a refresh rate. The integrated circuit may include one or more temperature sensors. A rate of change of the temperature may be determined from the temperature sensors. If the rate is greater than a threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes according to a refresh rate specified by the DRAMs. If the rate is less than the threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes at a reduced refresh rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Liang Deng, Norman J. Rohrer, Yizhang Yang, Arpit Mittal
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Patent number: 11823728Abstract: In an embodiment, a memory controller in an integrated circuit may generate refreshes for one or more DRAMs coupled to the integrated circuit according to a refresh rate. The integrated circuit may include one or more temperature sensors. A rate of change of the temperature may be determined from the temperature sensors. If the rate is greater than a threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes according to a refresh rate specified by the DRAMs. If the rate is less than the threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes at a reduced refresh rate.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Liang Deng, Norman J. Rohrer, Yizhang Yang, Arpit Mittal
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Patent number: 11722060Abstract: A converter circuit, included in a power converter circuit, may generate a given voltage level on a regulated power supply node of a computer system. A control circuit may monitor a voltage level and assert a control signal in response to a determination that a regulation event has occurred. A boost converter circuit, included in the power converter circuit, may inject charge into to the regulated power supply node via a capacitor, in response to an assertion of the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Victor Zyuban, Norman J. Rohrer, Shawn Searles
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Patent number: 11418194Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of functional circuits, a power supply circuit, and a power management circuit. The power supply circuit may generate a shared power signal coupled to each of the functional circuits, and to generate a plurality of adjustable power signals. One adjustable power signal may be coupled to a particular functional circuit of the functional circuits. The power management circuit may a request to the power supply circuit to change a voltage level of the one particular adjustable power signal from a first voltage to a second voltage. The particular functional circuit may couple a respective power node for a sub-circuit of the particular functional circuit to either of the shared power signal or the particular adjustable power signal. The particular functional circuit may also be configured to maintain an operational voltage level on the power node.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Keith Cox, Victor Zyuban, Norman J. Rohrer
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Publication number: 20220254410Abstract: In an embodiment, a memory controller in an integrated circuit may generate refreshes for one or more DRAMs coupled to the integrated circuit according to a refresh rate. The integrated circuit may include one or more temperature sensors. A rate of change of the temperature may be determined from the temperature sensors. If the rate is greater than a threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes according to a refresh rate specified by the DRAMs. If the rate is less than the threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes at a reduced refresh rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Liang Deng, Norman J. Rohrer, Yizhang Yang, Arpit Mittal
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Patent number: 11270753Abstract: In an embodiment, a memory controller in an integrated circuit may generate refreshes for one or more DRAMs coupled to the integrated circuit according to a refresh rate. The integrated circuit may include one or more temperature sensors. A rate of change of the temperature may be determined from the temperature sensors. If the rate is greater than a threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes according to a refresh rate specified by the DRAMs. If the rate is less than the threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes at a reduced refresh rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2021Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Liang Deng, Norman J. Rohrer, Yizhang Yang, Arpit Mittal
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Publication number: 20220029536Abstract: A converter circuit, included in a power converter circuit, may generate a given voltage level on a regulated power supply node of a computer system. A control circuit may monitor a voltage level and assert a control signal in response to a determination that a regulation event has occurred. A boost converter circuit, included in the power converter circuit, may inject charge into to the regulated power supply node via a capacitor, in response to an assertion of the control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2020Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Victor Zyuban, Norman J. Rohrer, Shawn Searles
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Publication number: 20210376831Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of functional circuits, a power supply circuit, and a power management circuit. The power supply circuit may generate a shared power signal coupled to each of the functional circuits, and to generate a plurality of adjustable power signals. One adjustable power signal may be coupled to a particular functional circuit of the functional circuits. The power management circuit may a request to the power supply circuit to change a voltage level of the one particular adjustable power signal from a first voltage to a second voltage. The particular functional circuit may couple a respective power node for a sub-circuit of the particular functional circuit to either of the shared power signal or the particular adjustable power signal. The particular functional circuit may also be configured to maintain an operational voltage level on the power node.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Keith Cox, Victor Zyuban, Norman J. Rohrer
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Patent number: 11121711Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of functional circuits, a power supply circuit, and a power management circuit. The power supply circuit may generate a shared power signal coupled to each of the functional circuits, and to generate a plurality of adjustable power signals. One adjustable power signal may be coupled to a particular functional circuit of the functional circuits. The power management circuit may a request to the power supply circuit to change a voltage level of the one particular adjustable power signal from a first voltage to a second voltage. The particular functional circuit may couple a respective power node for a sub-circuit of the particular functional circuit to either of the shared power signal or the particular adjustable power signal. The particular functional circuit may also be configured to maintain an operational voltage level on the power node.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Keith Cox, Victor Zyuban, Norman J. Rohrer
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Publication number: 20210201987Abstract: In an embodiment, a memory controller in an integrated circuit may generate refreshes for one or more DRAMs coupled to the integrated circuit according to a refresh rate. The integrated circuit may include one or more temperature sensors. A rate of change of the temperature may be determined from the temperature sensors. If the rate is greater than a threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes according to a refresh rate specified by the DRAMs. If the rate is less than the threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes at a reduced refresh rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Liang Deng, Norman J. Rohrer, Yizhang Yang, Arpit Mittal
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Patent number: 10978136Abstract: In an embodiment, a memory controller in an integrated circuit may generate refreshes for one or more DRAMs coupled to the integrated circuit according to a refresh rate. The integrated circuit may include one or more temperature sensors. A rate of change of the temperature may be determined from the temperature sensors. If the rate is greater than a threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes according to a refresh rate specified by the DRAMs. If the rate is less than the threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes at a reduced refresh rate.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Liang Deng, Norman J. Rohrer, Yizhang Yang, Arpit Mittal
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Publication number: 20210028785Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of functional circuits, a power supply circuit, and a power management circuit. The power supply circuit may generate a shared power signal coupled to each of the functional circuits, and to generate a plurality of adjustable power signals. One adjustable power signal may be coupled to a particular functional circuit of the functional circuits. The power management circuit may a request to the power supply circuit to change a voltage level of the one particular adjustable power signal from a first voltage to a second voltage. The particular functional circuit may couple a respective power node for a sub-circuit of the particular functional circuit to either of the shared power signal or the particular adjustable power signal. The particular functional circuit may also be configured to maintain an operational voltage level on the power node.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Keith Cox, Victor Zyuban, Norman J. Rohrer
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Publication number: 20210020231Abstract: In an embodiment, a memory controller in an integrated circuit may generate refreshes for one or more DRAMs coupled to the integrated circuit according to a refresh rate. The integrated circuit may include one or more temperature sensors. A rate of change of the temperature may be determined from the temperature sensors. If the rate is greater than a threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes according to a refresh rate specified by the DRAMs. If the rate is less than the threshold, the memory controller may generate refreshes at a reduced refresh rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2019Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventors: Liang Deng, Norman J. Rohrer, Yizhang Yang, Arpit Mittal
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Patent number: 10763859Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of functional circuits, a power supply circuit, and a power management circuit. The power supply circuit may generate a shared power signal coupled to each of the functional circuits, and to generate a plurality of adjustable power signals. One adjustable power signal may be coupled to a particular functional circuit of the functional circuits. The power management circuit may a request to the power supply circuit to change a voltage level of the one particular adjustable power signal from a first voltage to a second voltage. The particular functional circuit may couple a respective power node for a sub-circuit of the particular functional circuit to either of the shared power signal or the particular adjustable power signal. The particular functional circuit may also be configured to maintain an operational voltage level on the power node.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Keith Cox, Victor Zyuban, Norman J. Rohrer
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Publication number: 20200162077Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of functional circuits, a power supply circuit, and a power management circuit. The power supply circuit may generate a shared power signal coupled to each of the functional circuits, and to generate a plurality of adjustable power signals. One adjustable power signal may be coupled to a particular functional circuit of the functional circuits. The power management circuit may a request to the power supply circuit to change a voltage level of the one particular adjustable power signal from a first voltage to a second voltage. The particular functional circuit may couple a respective power node for a sub-circuit of the particular functional circuit to either of the shared power signal or the particular adjustable power signal. The particular functional circuit may also be configured to maintain an operational voltage level on the power node.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Keith Cox, Victor Zyuban, Norman J. Rohrer
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Patent number: 10483974Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of functional circuits, a power supply circuit, and a power management circuit. The power supply circuit may generate a shared power signal coupled to each of the functional circuits, and to generate a plurality of adjustable power signals. One adjustable power signal may be coupled to a particular functional circuit of the functional circuits. The power management circuit may a request to the power supply circuit to change a voltage level of the one particular adjustable power signal from a first voltage to a second voltage. The particular functional circuit may couple a respective power node for a sub-circuit of the particular functional circuit to either of the shared power signal or the particular adjustable power signal. The particular functional circuit may also be configured to maintain an operational voltage level on the power node.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Keith Cox, Victor Zyuban, Norman J. Rohrer
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Patent number: 10437313Abstract: Embodiments provide for a computer implemented method comprising sampling one or more power and performance metrics of a processor; determining an energy cost per instruction based on the one or more power and performance metrics; determining an efficiency metric based on the energy cost per instruction; computing an efficiency control error based on a difference between a current efficiency metric and a target efficiency metric; setting an efficiency control effort based on the efficiency control error; determining a performance control effort, the performance control effort determined by a performance controller for the processor; and adjusting the performance control effort based on the efficiency control effort, wherein adjusting the performance control effort reduces power consumption of the processor.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Inventors: John G. Dorsey, Christopher W. Chaney, Norman J. Rohrer, Cyril De La Cropte De Chanterac
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Publication number: 20190052271Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of functional circuits, a power supply circuit, and a power management circuit. The power supply circuit may generate a shared power signal coupled to each of the functional circuits, and to generate a plurality of adjustable power signals. One adjustable power signal may be coupled to a particular functional circuit of the functional circuits. The power management circuit may a request to the power supply circuit to change a voltage level of the one particular adjustable power signal from a first voltage to a second voltage. The particular functional circuit may couple a respective power node for a sub-circuit of the particular functional circuit to either of the shared power signal or the particular adjustable power signal. The particular functional circuit may also be configured to maintain an operational voltage level on the power node.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Keith Cox, Victor Zyuban, Norman J. Rohrer
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Patent number: 10084450Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of functional circuits, a power supply circuit, and a power management circuit. The power supply circuit may generate a shared power signal coupled to each of the functional circuits, and to generate a plurality of adjustable power signals. One adjustable power signal may be coupled to a particular functional circuit of the functional circuits. The power management circuit may a request to the power supply circuit to change a voltage level of the one particular adjustable power signal from a first voltage to a second voltage. The particular functional circuit may couple a respective power node for a sub-circuit of the particular functional circuit to either of the shared power signal or the particular adjustable power signal. The particular functional circuit may also be configured to maintain an operational voltage level on the power node.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2017Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Keith Cox, Victor Zyuban, Norman J Rohrer
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Patent number: 10067483Abstract: In an embodiment, a lifetime controller is configured to monitor operating conditions for a device, and to control operating conditions based on the previous conditions to improve the reliability characteristics of the device while permitting strenuous use as available. For example, the lifetime controller may permit strenuous use when the device is first powered on. Once a specified amount of strenuous use has occurred, the controller may cause the operating conditions to be reduced to reduce the wear on the device, and thus help to extend the lifetime of the device. Similarly, if a device is used in less strenuous conditions, the controller may accumulate credit which may be expended by permitting the device to operate in more strenuous conditions for a period of time.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ching E. Ho, Antonietta Oliva, James S. Ismail, John G. Dorsey, Keith Cox, Norman J. Rohrer