Patents by Inventor Tommee So

Tommee So 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).

  • Patent number: 10658859
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may allow an electronic device to control a power adapter. One example may provide an electronic system where an electronic device may control a power adapter through a communication channel. Data transferred in the communication channel may include the temperature of the power adapter, the charging capability of the adapter, and other types of data. In one example, power and data may share the same two wires, and the power and data may be time-division multiplexed. That is, the two wires may convey power and data at different times. Another example may include circuitry to detect a connection between the electronic device and the power adapter. Once a connection is detected, power may be transferred from the power adapter to the electronic device. This power transfer may be interrupted on occasion to transfer data between the power adapter to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Smith, Bryan R. Hinch, Tommee So
  • Publication number: 20180013296
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may allow an electronic device to control a power adapter. One example may provide an electronic system where an electronic device may control a power adapter through a communication channel. Data transferred in the communication channel may include the temperature of the power adapter, the charging capability of the adapter, and other types of data. In one example, power and data may share the same two wires, and the power and data may be time-division multiplexed. That is, the two wires may convey power and data at different times. Another example may include circuitry to detect a connection between the electronic device and the power adapter. Once a connection is detected, power may be transferred from the power adapter to the electronic device. This power transfer may be interrupted on occasion to transfer data between the power adapter to the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Smith, Bryan R. Hinch, Tommee So
  • Patent number: 9774207
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may allow an electronic device to control a power adapter. One example may provide an electronic system where an electronic device may control a power adapter through a communication channel. Data transferred in the communication channel may include the temperature of the power adapter, the charging capability of the adapter, and other types of data. In one example, power and data may share the same two wires, and the power and data may be time-division multiplexed. That is, the two wires may convey power and data at different times. Another example may include circuitry to detect a connection between the electronic device and the power adapter. Once a connection is detected, power may be transferred from the power adapter to the electronic device. This power transfer may be interrupted on occasion to transfer data between the power adapter to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Eric Smith, Bryan R. Hinch, Tommee So
  • Publication number: 20150130422
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may allow an electronic device to control a power adapter. One example may provide an electronic system where an electronic device may control a power adapter through a communication channel. Data transferred in the communication channel may include the temperature of the power adapter, the charging capability of the adapter, and other types of data. In one example, power and data may share the same two wires, and the power and data may be time-division multiplexed. That is, the two wires may convey power and data at different times. Another example may include circuitry to detect a connection between the electronic device and the power adapter. Once a connection is detected, power may be transferred from the power adapter to the electronic device. This power transfer may be interrupted on occasion to transfer data between the power adapter to the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Eric Smith, Bryan R. Hinch, Tommee So
  • Patent number: 8836287
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may allow an electronic device to control a power adapter. One example may provide an electronic system where an electronic device may control a power adapter through a communication channel. Data transferred in the communication channel may include the temperature of the power adapter, the charging capability of the adapter, and other types of data. In one example, power and data may share the same two wires, and the power and data may be time-division multiplexed. That is, the two wires may convey power and data at different times. Another example may include circuitry to detect a connection between the electronic device and the power adapter. Once a connection is detected, power may be transferred from the power adapter to the electronic device. This power transfer may be interrupted on occasion to transfer data between the power adapter to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Smith, Bryan R. Hinch, Tommee So
  • Publication number: 20120280563
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may allow an electronic device to control a power adapter. One example may provide an electronic system where an electronic device may control a power adapter through a communication channel. Data transferred in the communication channel may include the temperature of the power adapter, the charging capability of the adapter, and other types of data. In one example, power and data may share the same two wires, and the power and data may be time-division multiplexed. That is, the two wires may convey power and data at different times. Another example may include circuitry to detect a connection between the electronic device and the power adapter. Once a connection is detected, power may be transferred from the power adapter to the electronic device. This power transfer may be interrupted on occasion to transfer data between the power adapter to the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Smith, Bryan R. Hinch, Tommee So