Patents by Inventor Peter T. Li

Peter T. Li 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: 20080315842
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, an apparatus for power adapter detection is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first detection module to detect if a first signal from a power adapter is present and in a first voltage range, a second detection module to detect if a second signal from the power adapter is present and in a second voltage range, and a third module to permit a system to be powered by the power adapter if the first signal is present and in the first voltage range and if the second signal is present and in the second voltage range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Peter T. Li, Don J. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20080315833
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are some embodiments for safely charging a mobile system battery pack, even when the power source (e.g., adapter) voltage is at a relatively high level that would otherwise result in excessive charge current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: PETER T. LI, Don J. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20080320320
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are approaches for reducing the difference in voltage between a DC power source and a system supply voltage for a mobile system, for example, to reduce over-voltages, inrush currents, and power conversion inefficiencies when a DC source such as an adapter is connected to the mobile system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Peter T. Li, Don J. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20080122290
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for efficiently utilizing adapter power. By utilizing a control line in the system, the system is able to condition the battery while an external adapter is being used as the source of the system power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Peter T. Li, Don J. Nguyen, Andrew W. Keates
  • Patent number: 7062665
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting microprocessor activity following thermal stress of a voltage regulator is disclosed. A thermal monitoring circuit determines whether the voltage regulator has exceeded a predetermined temperature. The thermal monitoring circuit may employ a temperature-sensing component such as a thermistor to determine the temperature or may derive the temperature indirectly, based on the average input (or output) current. When the over-temperature condition occurs, a signal activates the PROCHOT#, or similar, pin on a microprocessor, throttling the microprocessor clock. Where the microprocessor includes no internal power-reducing feature, the signal throttles an external clock coupled to the microprocessor. In either case, execution of the microprocessor is slowed down. At all times, the voltage regulator maintains the ability to supply continuous current to the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Zhang, Benson D. Inkley, Peter T. Li, Hung-Piao Ma, James S. Dinh
  • Publication number: 20040123171
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting microprocessor activity following thermal stress of a voltage regulator is disclosed. A thermal monitoring circuit determines whether the voltage regulator has exceeded a predetermined temperature. The thermal monitoring circuit may employ a temperature-sensing component such as a thermistor to determine the temperature or may derive the temperature indirectly, based on the average input (or output) current. When the over-temperature condition occurs, a signal activates the PROCHOT#, or similar, pin on a microprocessor, throttling the microprocessor clock. Where the microprocessor includes no internal power-reducing feature, the signal throttles an external clock coupled to the microprocessor. In either case, execution of the microprocessor is slowed down. At all times, the voltage regulator maintains the ability to supply continuous current to the microprocessor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Michael T. Zhang, Benson D. Inkley, Peter T. Li, Hung-Piao Ma, James S. Dinh