Patents by Inventor Wayne Proefrock

Wayne Proefrock 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: 10326293
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a battery charger and a controller. The battery charger may receive a voltage from an energy source, and may provide an output power. The controller may receive a voltage value of the energy source, may receive a current value from the battery charger or the energy source, may determine a power value based on the received voltage value and the received current value, and may provide at least one control signal to the battery charger to change the output power of the charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lilly Huang, Wayne Proefrock, Krishnan Ravichandran, Alexander Uan-Zo-Li
  • Publication number: 20160268829
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a battery charger and a controller. The battery charger may receive a voltage from an energy source, and may provide an output power. The controller may receive a voltage value of the energy source, may receive a current value from the battery charger or the energy source, may determine a power value based on the received voltage value and the received current value, and may provide at least one control signal to the battery charger to change the output power of the charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Lilly HUANG, Wayne PROEFROCK, Krishnan RAVICHANDRAN, Alexander UAN-ZO-LI
  • Publication number: 20140114668
    Abstract: An audio data stream from a processing system may be buffered to allow low power states in the processing system during audio playback. An audio buffer may be provided external to the processing system and between the processing system and an audio codec. The audio buffer may also shift to an alternate audio data interface mode when the processing system is in the low power state. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Pradeep Sebestian, Wayne Proefrock
  • Publication number: 20130030821
    Abstract: An audio data stream from a processing system may be buffered to allow low power states in the processing system during audio playback. An audio buffer may be provided external to the processing system and between the processing system and an audio codec. The audio buffer may also shift to an alternate audio data interface mode when the processing system is in the low power state. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Pradeep Sebestian, Wayne Proefrock
  • Patent number: 8285557
    Abstract: An audio data stream from a processing system may be buffered to allow low power states in the processing system during audio playback. An audio buffer may be provided external to the processing system and between the processing system and an audio codec. The audio buffer may also shift to an alternate audio data interface mode when the processing system is in the low power state. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Pradeep Sebestian, Wayne Proefrock
  • Patent number: 8212542
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a power monitor and controller which are used to control the operation of a voltage regulator depending on an operating mode or state of a load device, such as a hard disk drive. By controlling the voltage regulator in this manner, voltage regulator efficiency may be improved for any load condition, thus reducing power losses in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lilly Huang, Wayne Proefrock
  • Publication number: 20100312569
    Abstract: An audio data stream from a processing system may be buffered to allow low power states in the processing system during audio playback. An audio buffer may be provided external to the processing system and between the processing system and an audio codec. The audio buffer may also shift to an alternate audio data interface mode when the processing system is in the low power state. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Pradeep Sebestian, Wayne Proefrock
  • Patent number: 7778838
    Abstract: An audio data stream from a processing system may be buffered to allow low power states in the processing system during audio playback. An audio buffer may be provided external to the processing system and between the processing system and an audio codec. The audio buffer may also shift to an alternate audio data interface mode when the processing system is in the low power state. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Pradeep Sebestian, Wayne Proefrock
  • Publication number: 20100153756
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a power monitor and controller which are used to control the operation of a voltage regulator depending on an operating mode or state of a load device, such as a hard disk drive. By controlling the voltage regulator in this manner, voltage regulator efficiency may be improved for any load condition, thus reducing power losses in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Lilly Huang, Wayne Proefrock
  • Patent number: 7667447
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a power monitor and controller which are used to control the operation of a voltage regulator depending on an operating mode or state of a load device, such as a hard disk drive. By controlling the voltage regulator in this manner, voltage regulator efficiency may be improved for any load condition, thus reducing power losses in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lilly Huang, Wayne Proefrock
  • Patent number: 7560829
    Abstract: A power system can include a first battery port to couple to a first type of battery pack having a first battery voltage range, a second battery port to couple to a second type of battery pack having a second battery voltage range that is different from the first battery voltage range, a first power rail to couple to a first set of loads, a second power rail to couple to a second set of loads, and a switch circuit. The switch circuit can provide a number of switch settings. The switch settings can include a first setting to couple the first battery port to the first power rail and the second battery port to the second power rail, a second setting to couple the first battery port to both the first power rail and the second power rail, and a third setting to couple the second battery port to both the first power rail and the second power rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Proefrock, Thovane Solivan
  • Publication number: 20080106248
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides voltage regulator configured to exchange commands and data with a power management engine. A method according to one embodiment may include generating, by a voltage regulator, at least one state signal indicative of the operational parameters of the voltage regulator; transmitting, by the voltage regulator, the at least one state signal to a power management engine; generating, by the power management engine, at least one power management signal based on, at least in part, the at least one state signal; transmitting, by the power management engine, the at least one power management signal to the voltage regulator; and controlling the operation of the voltage regulator based on, at least in part, the at least one power management signal. Of course, many alternatives, variations and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jaber Abu Qahouq, Lilly Huang, Wayne Proefrock, Paul Diefenbaugh
  • Publication number: 20080082319
    Abstract: An audio data stream from a processing system may be buffered to allow low power states in the processing system during audio playback. An audio buffer may be provided external to the processing system and between the processing system and an audio codec. The audio buffer may also shift to an alternate audio data interface mode when the processing system is in the low power state. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pradeep Sebestian, Wayne Proefrock
  • Publication number: 20070145962
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a power monitor and controller which are used to control the operation of a voltage regulator depending on an operating mode or state of a load device, such as a hard disk drive. By controlling the voltage regulator in this manner, voltage regulator efficiency may be improved for any load condition, thus reducing power losses in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Lilly Huang, Wayne Proefrock
  • Publication number: 20060145538
    Abstract: A power system can include a first battery port to couple to a first type of battery pack having a first battery voltage range, a second battery port to couple to a second type of battery pack having a second battery voltage range that is different from the first battery voltage range, a first power rail to couple to a first set of loads, a second power rail to couple to a second set of loads, and a switch circuit. The switch circuit can provide a number of switch settings. The switch settings can include a first setting to couple the first battery port to the first power rail and the second battery port to the second power rail, a second setting to couple the first battery port to both the first power rail and the second power rail, and a third setting to couple the second battery port to both the first power rail and the second power rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Wayne Proefrock, Thovane Solivan
  • Publication number: 20060072287
    Abstract: A computer system having a display housing and detachable a base housing. The base housing may include a keyboard that can communicate with the display housing via a wired interface or a wireless interface. The keyboard may also include a rechargeable battery. When the keyboard communicates with the display housing using the wired interface, a controller within the keyboard may cause the battery to be charged using a power signal available via the wired interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Wah Kwong, Wayne Proefrock
  • Publication number: 20060033636
    Abstract: A technique includes receiving a command packet over a radio frequency communication link and determining whether additional processing of the command packet is needed. Based on the determination, the technique includes selectively communicating an indication of the command packet over an infrared communication link and communicating an indication of the command packet over the radio frequency communication link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Wah Kwong, Wayne Proefrock, Hue Lam
  • Publication number: 20050068858
    Abstract: An optical drive may include drive electronics and wake circuitry. The drive electronics may be arranged to operate the optical drive when in a powered mode. The wake circuitry may be arranged to generate a wake signal when the drive electronics are in an unpowered mode and when a button is pushed on the optical drive or optical media is inserted into the drive. An interface to the optical drive may include a line to carry the wake signal from the wake circuitry. A host may house the optical drive and communicate with optical drive via the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Wayne Proefrock, Paul Diefenbaugh