Patents by Inventor Yongxuan Hu
Yongxuan Hu 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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Patent number: 11764621Abstract: A wireless power transmitter can include an inverter that receives a DC input and generates an AC output to drive a wireless power transmit coil coupled to an output of the inverter as well as voltage and current sensors that measure the DC input. The wireless power transmitter can further include a power management accumulator including hardware that receives voltage and current samples from the voltage and current sensors and multiplies corresponding voltage and current samples to produce power samples and memory locations that store corresponding voltage, current, and power samples. The wireless power transmitter can still further include a programmable controller that controls switching devices of the inverter responsive at least in part to the voltage, current and power samples stored in the memory locations of the power management accumulator.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yongxuan Hu, Nileshbhai J. Shah, José V. Santos Martinez, Stephen C. Terry
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Publication number: 20230198538Abstract: A data processing system can include a first IC including one or more A/D converters that receive analog inputs from one or more sensors and generate corresponding digital data, a second IC including one or more processing elements that operate on the digital data, and communication circuitry, coupled between the one or more A/D converters and processing elements, that includes a packetizer on the first IC that receives samples and sample data from the one or more A/D converters and assembles each sample and corresponding sample data into a packet, a primary physical interface on the first IC that communicates the packet to a secondary physical interface on the second IC, and a de-packetizer that on the second IC that receives the packet, de-packetizes it, and delivers the sample and sample data to the one or more processing elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2022Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Jose V Santos Martinez, Yongxuan Hu, Nileshbhai J Shah
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Patent number: 11467189Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for sensing current flowing in a power transistor of a switch mode converter, in which a voltage is sensed across a first field effect transistor connected in a series circuit branch in parallel with the power transistor, and the sensed voltage is used to generate output signal to indicate the current flowing in the power transistor.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2018Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Yongxuan Hu, Mohammad Rashedul Hoque
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Patent number: 11183864Abstract: An electronic device may receive or provide power using bidirectional wired and wireless power converters. A bypass path may be included to bypass the battery charger and to allow direct power transfers from a connector of the electronic device to the wireless power converter or from the wireless power converter to the connector of the electronic device. Current limiting and regulation circuitry may also be included.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bin Gu, Yongxuan Hu, Stephen C. Terry, Di Zhao, Ruchi J. Parikh, Michael D. Black, Weiyun Chen
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Patent number: 10938307Abstract: This disclosure describes a system and a method to limit (i.e., regulate) the input power of a power converter as a function of the voltage and/or loading condition of a power-limited source such as a battery. In some embodiments, the power converter may comprise a transconductance amplifier that may produce a sink current to a current mirror, which in turn that may provide an adjusted current limit threshold to the power converter. The power converter may utilize the current limit threshold to perform cycle-by-cycle current limiting, thus regulating the input power drawn from the battery.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yongxuan Hu, Weiyun Chen, Stephen C. Terry, Chi Kin Ho, Norah E. Nakibuuka
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Publication number: 20190341796Abstract: An electronic device may receive or provide power using bidirectional wired and wireless power converters. A bypass path may be included to bypass the battery charger and to allow direct power transfers from a connector of the electronic device to the wireless power converter or from the wireless power converter to the connector of the electronic device. Current limiting and regulation circuitry may also be included.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bin Gu, Yongxuan Hu, Stephen C. Terry, Di Zhao, Ruchi J. Parikh, Michael D. Black, Weiyun Chen
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Patent number: 10355514Abstract: A wireless power transmitting device may transmit power wirelessly to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device may be a portable electronic device with an array of wireless power receiving coils that receive wireless power from wireless power transmitting coils in the wireless power transmitting device. Each receiving coil in the array of wireless power receiving coils may be coupled to a respective rectifier. Control circuitry of the wireless power receiving device may be configured to determine which rectifiers to enable for synchronous rectification. The control circuitry may be configured to enable at least one rectifier based on the alternating-current voltages produced by each coil in the array of receiving coils. The control circuitry may also be configured to enable at least one rectifier based on the output current from each rectifier.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Stephen C. Terry, Nilay D. Jani, Bin Gu, Yongxuan Hu
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Publication number: 20190074764Abstract: This disclosure describes a system and a method to limit (i.e., regulate) the input power of a power converter as a function of the voltage and/or loading condition of a power-limited source such as a battery. In some embodiments, the power converter may comprise a transconductance amplifier that may produce a sink current to a current mirror, which in turn that may provide an adjusted current limit threshold to the power converter. The power converter may utilize the current limit threshold to perform cycle-by-cycle current limiting, thus regulating the input power drawn from the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Yongxuan Hu, Weiyun Chen, Stephen C. Terry, Chi Kin Ho, Norah E. Nakibuuka
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Publication number: 20190052102Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method, system and non-transitory program storage device for protecting a power converter from overvoltage conditions in wireless power transfer. In some embodiments, the power converter may use a controllable current sink to discharge an output voltage of the power converter's receiver so as to maintain the output voltage below an overvoltage threshold. In some embodiments, a peak current of the current sink may be controlled as a function of the output voltage. In some embodiments, the current sink may be enabled and/or disabled according to a duty cycle and a frequency, wherein the frequency may be maintained beyond an audible range. In some embodiments, the power converter may bypass the receiver responsive to the output voltage exceeding a limit, thus effectively disabling the power transfer from a transmitter to the receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2017Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Weiyun Chen, Stephen C. Terry, Yongxuan Hu
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Publication number: 20180313873Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for sensing current flowing in a power transistor of a switch mode converter, in which a voltage is sensed across a first field effect transistor connected in a series circuit branch in parallel with the power transistor, and the sensed voltage is used to generate output signal to indicate the current flowing in the power transistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Yongxuan Hu, Mohammad Rashedul Hoque
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Patent number: 10041982Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for sensing current flowing in a power transistor of a switch mode converter, in which a voltage is sensed across a first field effect transistor connected in a series circuit branch in parallel with the power transistor, and the sensed voltage is used to generate output signal to indicate the current flowing in the power transistor.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Yongxuan Hu, Mohammad Rashedul Hoque
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Publication number: 20180062416Abstract: A wireless power transmitting device may transmit power wirelessly to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device may be a portable electronic device with an array of wireless power receiving coils that receive wireless power from wireless power transmitting coils in the wireless power transmitting device. Each receiving coil in the array of wireless power receiving coils may be coupled to a respective rectifier. Control circuitry of the wireless power receiving device may be configured to determine which rectifiers to enable for synchronous rectification. The control circuitry may be configured to enable at least one rectifier based on the alternating-current voltages produced by each coil in the array of receiving coils. The control circuitry may also be configured to enable at least one rectifier based on the output current from each rectifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Stephen C. Terry, Nilay D. Jani, Bin Gu, Yongxuan Hu
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Patent number: 9882407Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages use of a battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system attempts to regulate a voltage on a battery terminal in the portable electronic device to a first voltage level. Upon identifying an inability to regulate the voltage on the battery terminal to the first voltage level during a first detection period, the system detects a presence of the battery in the portable electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jose V. Santos, Yongxuan Hu, Steve Sterz, Rob Hoyt, Soundararajan Manthiri
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Patent number: 9490644Abstract: During operation, the DC converter and a DC battery charger controller in a charger circuit transitions from a first error signal to a second error signal for use in charging a battery, wherein the first error signal and the second error signal, respectively, correspond to feedback sources in a plurality of feedback sources with a plurality of feedback sources. Then, the DC converter and a DC battery charger controller selects a gain and an impedance to ground of a damping circuit based on the selected second error signal, where the damping circuit applies the gain and the impedance to ground to the second error signal. Moreover, the DC converter and a DC battery charger controller selects one or more clamping voltages of a voltage-clamping circuit based on the selected second error signal, where the voltage-clamping circuit applies the one or more clamping voltages to an output from the damping circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Arthur H. Chang, Yongxuan Hu, Shimon Elkayam
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Patent number: 9484758Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a synchronous switching converter that converts a DC input voltage into a DC output voltage. This synchronous switching converter includes a high-side switching MOSFET coupled between an input node and a first node. The converter also includes a low-side switching MOSFET coupled between the first node and a ground node and is in series with the high-side switching MOSFET. This converter additionally includes a bootstrap capacitor coupled to the high-side switching MOSFET to provide turn-on voltage for the high-side switching MOSFET. Furthermore, the converter includes a main refresh circuit coupled to the bootstrap capacitor and is configured to refresh the bootstrap capacitor during a first operating mode of the synchronous switching converter. Moreover, the converter includes an auxiliary refresh circuit coupled to the main refresh circuit and the bootstrap capacitor and is configured to refresh the bootstrap capacitor during a second operating mode of the converter.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bin Chen, Mao Ye, Yongxuan Hu
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Publication number: 20160306404Abstract: A circuit for limiting an in-rush current for devices coupling to a capacitive load may include a port configured to receive a device and a first capacitor coupled to the port. Additionally, the circuit may include a first resistor coupled in series with the first capacitor and a switch coupled in parallel with the first resistor. The switch is configured to close after an in-rush current event has passed, thereby bypassing the first resistor from the circuit and enabling the first capacitor to effectively filter noise from the voltage output to the port.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2015Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Jose V. SANTOS Martinez, Collin E. Connors, Yongxuan Hu
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Patent number: 9350232Abstract: A switched-mode power supply with reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI) is described. This switched-mode power supply includes a modulation circuit that continuously frequency modulates a control signal over a bandwidth associated with a spread-spectrum modulation signal. By frequency modulating the control signal in the switched-mode power supply, spectral content associated with a modulated switching signal is spread evenly over the bandwidth, thereby reducing the EMI.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yongxuan Hu, Keong W. Kam, Shimon Elkayam, Susan R. Schen
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Publication number: 20160072314Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages use of a battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system attempts to regulate a voltage on a battery terminal in the portable electronic device to a first voltage level. Upon identifying an inability to regulate the voltage on the battery terminal to the first voltage level during a first detection period, the system detects a presence of the battery in the portable electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: Jose V. Santos, Yongxuan Hu, Steve Sterz, Rob Hoyt, Soundararajan Manthiri
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Publication number: 20150069956Abstract: A charger circuit includes an interface connector that may be coupled to a power adapter that provides an input signal having an input voltage, and a buck-boost converter circuit that may be coupled to a battery having a charging voltage. At a given time, the buck-boost converter circuit operates in a mode in a group of modes based on a control signal, where the group of modes may include at least a buck mode and a boost mode. In particular, the charger circuit includes control logic that generates the control signal based on the charging voltage and a charging capability of the power adapter. Thus, if the charging voltage suitably exceeds the input voltage, the buck-boost converter circuit may operate in the boost mode. However, if the charging voltage is approximately less than or equal to the input voltage, the buck-boost converter circuit may operate in the buck mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Yongxuan Hu, Shimon Elkayam, Collin E. Connors, Liyu Yang
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Publication number: 20150069957Abstract: During operation, the DC converter and a DC battery charger controller in a charger circuit transitions from a first error signal to a second error signal for use in charging a battery, wherein the first error signal and the second error signal, respectively, correspond to feedback sources in a plurality of feedback sources with a plurality of feedback sources. Then, the DC converter and a DC battery charger controller selects a gain and an impedance to ground of a damping circuit based on the selected second error signal, where the damping circuit applies the gain and the impedance to ground to the second error signal. Moreover, the DC converter and a DC battery charger controller selects one or more clamping voltages of a voltage-clamping circuit based on the selected second error signal, where the voltage-clamping circuit applies the one or more clamping voltages to an output from the damping circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Arthur H. Chang, Yongxuan Hu, Shimon Elkayam