Patents by Inventor Robert David Rand

Robert David Rand 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: 20190227628
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for providing substantially synchronised haptic and audio outputs. The system includes a signal processor which is configured to receive an audio signal from a main processor of the system and to receive a haptic signal, which may be received from the main processor, or may be retrieved from memory, or else may be generated in real-time by the signal processor. The signal processor calculates a delay to be applied to the haptic signal or the audio signal and outputs a delayed version of the audio signal and the haptic signal, or a delayed version of the haptic signal and the audio signal, to appropriate output stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert David RAND, Tony Stephen DOY, Thomas Ivan HARVEY
  • Publication number: 20190220430
    Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for transfer of data between a host device (400) and a peripheral device (300) via a USB Type-C connector (100; 304) of the host device. A data controller is described that has a path controller (309, 310; 706) for establishing signal paths between circuitry of the host device and contacts (101) of said USB Type-C connector. The path controller is operable in at least first and second modes. In the first mode the path controller establishes separate signal paths to each of at least first, second, third and fourth contacts (A6, A7, B6, B7) of the USB Type-C connector and a plurality of the established signal paths are for transfer of analogue audio data. In the second mode the path controller establishes a pair of signal paths to only a subset of said first to fourth contacts to provide a differential digital data path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert David RAND, Graeme Gordon MACKAY, Andrew James HOWLETT
  • Publication number: 20190132681
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for peripheral device discovery, the detection of orientation of a connector having multiple degrees of rotational symmetry, and the provision of appropriate signal paths between a host device and a peripheral device. Some embodiments provide a characteristic impedance within the peripheral device that is coupled between rotationally symmetric contacts of the connector and thus enables detection of the connector orientation. The value of the characteristic impedance may be used in some embodiments to determine the type or model of peripheral device. Some embodiments are concerned with the enablement of appropriate signal paths to a peripheral device having a transducer (e.g. a loudspeaker) coupled only to rotationally symmetric contacts of the connector, such as headphones implemented in a “balanced” configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert David RAND, John Laurance PENNOCK
  • Patent number: 10198386
    Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for transfer of data between a host device (400) and a peripheral device (300) via a USB Type-C connector (100; 304) of the host device. A data controller is described that has a path controller (309, 310; 706) for establishing signal paths between circuitry of the host device and contacts (101) of said USB Type-C connector. The path controller is operable in at least first and second modes. In the first mode the path controller establishes separate signal paths to each of at least first, second, third and fourth contacts (A6, A7, B6, B7) of the USB Type-C connector and a plurality of the established signal paths are for transfer of analog audio data. In the second mode the path controller establishes a pair of signal paths to only a subset of said first to fourth contacts to provide a differential digital data path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Rand, Graeme Gordon MacKay, Andrew James Howlett
  • Patent number: 10187727
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for peripheral device discovery, the detection of orientation of a connector having multiple degrees of rotational symmetry, and the provision of appropriate signal paths between a host device and a peripheral device. Some embodiments provide a characteristic impedance within the peripheral device that is coupled between rotationally symmetric contacts of the connector and thus enables detection of the connector orientation. The value of the characteristic impedance may be used in some embodiments to determine the type or model of peripheral device. Some embodiments are concerned with the enablement of appropriate signal paths to a peripheral device having a transducer (e.g. a loudspeaker) coupled only to rotationally symmetric contacts of the connector, such as headphones implemented in a “balanced” configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Rand, John Laurence Pennock
  • Publication number: 20180352328
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for providing an output signal to an audio transducer, comprising: a first signal path for receiving a first digital audio input signal, applying a first digital gain, and outputting an amplified first digital audio input signal; a second signal path, for receiving a second digital audio input signal, applying a second digital gain, and outputting an amplified second digital audio input signal; converter circuitry, coupled to the first and second signal paths, for converting at least the amplified first and second digital audio input signals into the analogue domain, and outputting an analogue audio input signal; and an analogue gain element, for applying an analogue gain to the analogue audio input signal and outputting the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Ross Crawford MORGAN, Robert David RAND, Richard Colin FITZGERALD
  • Publication number: 20180349296
    Abstract: Interface circuitry is provided for a host device, the interface circuitry for controlling data connections between the host device and a peripheral device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert David RAND, Bradley Allan LAMBERT
  • Publication number: 20180246158
    Abstract: Circuits for monitoring a socket are disclosed, including a circuit comprising a first node arranged to be electrically connected to a first pole of an electrical plug when the electrical plug is inserted into a corresponding socket, a second node arranged to be connected to a first voltage, wherein the first node is arranged to be connected to the first pole when the electrical plug is inserted into the socket, a variable resistance connected between the first node and a third node, wherein the third node is arranged to receive a second voltage, detection circuit arranged to detect the presence of the electrical plug or moisture in the socket based on a voltage at the first node, and a control circuit arranged to control the variable resistance to a first resistance value and, in response to the detection circuit detecting the presence of the electrical plug or moisture in the socket when the variable resistance is at the first resistance value, to a second resistance value, whereby the detection circuit dis
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan TAYLOR, Robert David RAND, Charles KEEPAX
  • Publication number: 20180173661
    Abstract: This application relates to transfer of digital audio data between a host device (200) and an accessory apparatus (101) that may be connected to the host device via a suitable connector (106), such as a USB connector. A path selector (240, 270) is operable to establish either a first digital data path (201) or a second digital data path (202) for transfer of digital data. The first digital data path (201) includes a first data bus host (103) and a general purpose digital data interface (131) suitable for bulk data transfer between the first data bus host and the applications processor (110) of the device. This may be a default USB path. The second digital data path (202) includes a second data bus host (230) and at least one pair of second path data interfaces (140, 141). The second data bus host (230) does not form part of the applications processor and each of said second path data interfaces comprises a digital audio interface suitable for streaming of audio data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert David RAND, Nigel BURGESS
  • Publication number: 20180039769
    Abstract: An electronic device, comprising one or more input devices, for receiving biometric input from a user and generating one or more biometric input signals; an applications processor; a mixer configurable by the applications processor to provide a first signal path between one or more of the input devices and the applications processor; and a biometric authentication module coupled to the one or more input devices via a second signal path that does not include the mixer, for performing authentication of at least one of the one or more biometric input signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sunil SAUNDERS, Robert David RAND, Robert James HATFIELD, John Laurence PENNOCK
  • Publication number: 20180027330
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for peripheral device discovery, the detection of orientation of a connector having multiple degrees of rotational symmetry, and the provision of appropriate signal paths between a host device and a peripheral device. Some embodiments provide a characteristic impedance within the peripheral device that is coupled between rotationally symmetric contacts of the connector and thus enables detection of the connector orientation. The value of the characteristic impedance may be used in some embodiments to determine the type or model of peripheral device. Some embodiments are concerned with the enablement of appropriate signal paths to a peripheral device having a transducer (e.g. a loudspeaker) coupled only to rotationally symmetric contacts of the connector, such as headphones implemented in a “balanced” configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert David RAND, John Laurence PENNOCK
  • Publication number: 20160246747
    Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for transfer of data between a host device (400) and a peripheral device (300) via a USB Type-C connector (100; 304) of the host device. A data controller is described that has a path controller (309, 310; 706) for establishing signal paths between circuitry of the host device and contacts (101) of said USB Type-C connector. The path controller is operable in at least first and second modes. In the first mode the path controller establishes separate signal paths to each of at least first, second, third and fourth contacts (A6, A7, B6, B7) of the USB Type-C connector and a plurality of the established signal paths are for transfer of analogue audio data. In the second mode the path controller establishes a pair of signal paths to only a subset of said first to fourth contacts to provide a differential digital data path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert David Rand, Graeme Gordon MacKay, Andrew James Howlett