| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080246442 | Overvoltage Protection Utilized When A Battery Is Removed From A System - A system and method are provided for safely recharging a battery. A current source is coupled to a node and configured to produce a current. The battery is coupled to the node, and is configured to recharge during a recharging cycle based on receiving the current through the node. An overvoltage protection system is coupled between the node and the current source, and configured to disable the current source when a voltage at the node exceeds a threshold value. For example, the current source may be substantially instantaneously disabled when this occurs. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080266749 | Scalable integrated circuit high density capacitors - The present invention provides several scalable integrated circuit high density capacitors and their layout techniques. The capacitors are scaled, for example, by varying the number of metal layers and/or the area of the metal layers used to from the capacitors. The capacitors use different metallization patterns to form the metal layers, and different via patterns to couple adjacent metal layers. In embodiments, optional shields are included as the top-most and/or bottom-most layers of the capacitors, and/or as side shields, to reduce unwanted parasitic capacitance. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080294379 | ON-BOARD PERFORMANCE MONITOR AND POWER CONTROL SYSTEM - A system and method for controlling performance and/or power based on monitored performance characteristics. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. A second circuit module may monitor one or more performance characteristics of the first circuit module and/or the integrated circuit. A third circuit module may, for example, determine power control information based at least in part on the monitored performance characteristic(s). The power control information may be communicated to power supply circuitry to control various characteristics of the electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one performance characteristic of a first electrical device. The integrated circuit may also comprise modules that determine power control information based on the monitored performance characteristic(s) and communicate such power control information to power supply circuitry. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20090074110 | Methods and systems for detecting defects in serial link transceivers - Methods and systems for detecting defects in serial link transceivers. Defect detection includes detecting open circuits in one or more of the transmission lines, detecting short circuits between one or more of the transmission lines and a power supply, detecting short circuits between the transmission lines, or detecting short circuits across optional AC-couplings in the transmission lines. The detection can include direct or indirect detection of voltage or current. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090115384 | Distributed Power Management - Apparatuses, methods, and systems for effective power management distribution are provided. In an embodiment, a system for providing power to a circuit block comprises a power management unit (PMU) configured on a first substrate and an integrated circuit (IC) configured on a second substrate. The PMU includes a first regulator configured to step down an input voltage and output a first regulated voltage. The IC includes the circuit block and a second regulator configured to receive the first regulated voltage and output a second regulated voltage. The second power regulated voltage provides power to the circuit block. The first regulator is more efficient than the second regulator. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090153121 | Voltage supply interface with improved current sensitivity and reduced series resistance - A voltage supply interface provides both coarse and fine current control with reduced series resistance. The voltage supply interface has a segmented switch having N component switches that are digitally controlled. The voltage supply interface replaces a conventional sense resistor with a calibration circuit that has a replica switch that is a replica of the N component switches. The calibration circuit includes a reference current I | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090177899 | MULTI-REGULATOR POWER SUPPLY CHIP WITH COMMON CONTROL BUS - A system and method for implementing a common control bus in a multi-regulator power supply integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may, for example, comprise first and second power regulator modules that control at least one characteristic of respective power signals. The integrated circuit may also, for example, comprise a communication interface module that receives power control information related to operation of the first and second power regulator modules over a shared data bus. An exemplary method may, for example, comprise receiving power control information over a data bus. The method may also, for example, comprise determining which of a plurality of power regulators corresponds to the received power control information. The method may further, for example, comprise determining a regulator control signal, based at least in part on the received power control information, and provide the regulator control signal to the determined regulator(s) to control operation of the determined regulator(s). | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090251326 | LOW POWER WARNING IN A PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE BASED ON PREDICTED DEVICE UTILIZATION - A system and method for providing a low power warning in a portable communication device based on predicted device utilization. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise monitoring power utilization for a portable communication device. A power utilization profile may be determined based, at least in part, on the results of the power utilization monitoring. Power availability for the portable communication device may be determined. Future power need for the portable communication device may be predicted based, at least in part, on the determined power utilization profile. The predicted future power need and the determined power availability may be analyzed to determine whether to generate a warning indicating a potential future power shortage. If it is determined that a potential future power shortage warning should be generated, such a warning may be generated. Such a warning may, for example, be generated in accordance with user specifications. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090283858 | Scalable Integrated Circuit High Density Capacitors - The present invention provides several scalable integrated circuit high density capacitors and their layout techniques. The capacitors are scaled, for example, by varying the number of metal layers and/or the area of the metal layers used to form the capacitors. The capacitors use different metallization patterns to form the metal layers, and different via patterns to couple adjacent metal layers. In embodiments, optional shields are included as the top-most and/or bottom-most layers of the capacitors, and/or as side shields, to reduce unwanted parasitic capacitance. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090290283 | Scalable Integrated Circuit High Density Capacitors - The present invention provides several scalable integrated circuit high density capacitors and their layout techniques. The capacitors are scaled, for example, by varying the number of metal layers and/or the area of the metal layers used to from the capacitors. The capacitors use different metallization patterns to form the metal layers, and different via patterns to couple adjacent metal layers. In embodiments, optional shields are included as the top-most and/or bottom-most layers of the capacitors, and/or as side shields, to reduce unwanted parasitic capacitance. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090302826 | POWER SUPPLY INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH FEEDBACK CONTROL - A system and method for providing power control in a power management integrated circuit. A power management integrated circuit may comprise a communication interface module that receives power supply information from at least one electrical device external to the power management integrated circuit. The power supply information may, for example, comprise information related to a first electrical power. The power management integrated circuit may also comprise a power regulator module that determines a regulated power signal based, at least in part, on a portion of the power supply information. The regulated power signal may correspond to the first electrical power. For example, the regulated power signal may comprise the first electrical power or cause another circuit to output the first electrical power. The power management integrated circuit may then output the regulated power signal to at least one electrical device external to the power management integrated circuit. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100004883 | ENERGY EFFICIENT ACHIEVEMENT OF INTEGRATED CIRCUIT PERFORMANCE GOALS - A system and method for meeting performance goals in an electronic system in an energy efficient manner. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise operating an electrical circuit at a current level of performance and a current level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a current set of power characteristics (e.g., utilizing a power control module). The current level of performance may be determined (e.g., by a performance monitor) and compared to a desired level of performance (e.g., by the power control module). If the current level of performance is higher than the desired level of performance, then the electrical circuit may be operated at a next (e.g., lower) level of performance and a next (e.g., higher) level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a next set of power characteristics. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100174927 | POWER CONTROL BUS - A circuit and method utilizing a power control data bus for implementing power control. Various aspects of the present invention provide an electrical circuit that comprises a power supply circuit that outputs electrical power. The electrical circuit may also comprise an integrated circuit that receives electrical power from the power supply circuit. The electrical circuit may also comprise a power control data bus, which communicatively couples a power control data bus interface of the power supply circuit and a power control data bus interface of the integrated circuit. The power control data bus may, for example, carry power control data between the integrated circuit and the power supply circuit. Various aspects of the present invention also provide a method that comprises communicating power control data over a power control data bus and utilizing the power control data to control characteristics of electrical power provided to an integrated circuit or module. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100189195 | Methods and systems for detecting defects in serial link transceivers - Methods and systems for detecting defects in serial link transceivers. Defect detection includes detecting open circuits in one or more of the transmission lines, detecting short circuits between one or more of the transmission lines and a power supply, detecting short circuits between the transmission lines, or detecting short circuits across optional AC-couplings in the transmission lines. The detection can include direct or indirect detection of voltage or current. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100201310 | WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM - A wireless power transfer system is described that includes features that allow the system to be deployed in public spaces such as airports or in commercial establishments such as restaurants or hotels to allow a user to recharge one or more portable electronic devices while away from home. In one embodiment, the system provides a secure and efficient means for obtaining required payment information from the user prior to the wireless power transfer, thereby facilitating fee-based recharging. In a further embodiment, to accommodate wireless recharging of a variety of device types and states, the system receives parameters and/or state information associated with a portable electronic device to be recharged and controls the wireless power transfer in accordance with such parameters and/or state information. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100201313 | INCREASING EFFICIENCY OF WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER - Techniques are described herein that are capable of increasing efficiency of wireless power transfer. A wireless power transfer system includes features that allow the system to be deployed in public spaces such as airports or in commercial establishments such as restaurants or hotels to allow a user to recharge one or more portable electronic devices while away from home. To accommodate wireless recharging of a variety of device types and states, the system may receive parameters and/or state information associated with a portable electronic device to be recharged and may control the wireless power transfer in accordance with such parameters and/or state information. For instance, the system may increase efficiency of the wireless power transfer based on such parameters and/or state information. The system may also provide a secure and efficient means for obtaining required payment information from the user prior to the wireless power transfer, thereby facilitating fee-based recharging. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100201513 | EFFICIENCY INDICATOR FOR INCREASING EFFICIENCY OF WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER - Techniques are described herein that are capable of using an efficiency indicator for increasing efficiency of a wireless power transfer. A wireless power transfer system includes features that allow the system to be deployed in public spaces such as airports or in commercial establishments such as restaurants or hotels to allow a user to recharge one or more portable electronic devices while away from home. The system may provide an efficiency indicator to a portable electronic device that specifies a recommended position of the portable electronic device. The recommended position may correspond to an efficiency with respect to the wireless power transfer that is greater than an efficiency with respect to the wireless power transfer that corresponds to a position of the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may generate a sensory signal that indicates the recommended position with reference to the position of the portable electronic device. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100270869 | Voltage supply interface with current sensitivity and reduced series resistance - A voltage supply interface provides both coarse and fine current control with reduced series resistance. The voltage supply interface has a segmented switch having N component switches that are digitally controlled. The voltage supply interface replaces a conventional sense resistor with a calibration circuit that has a replica switch that is a replica of the N component switches. The calibration circuit includes a reference current I | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100271005 | Apparatus for Sensing an Output Current in a Communications Device - Power over Ethernet (PoE) communication systems provide power and data communications over the same communications link, where a power source device (PSE) provides DC power (for example, 48 volts DC) to a powered device (PD). The DC power is transmitted simultaneously over the same communications medium with the high speed data from one node to the other node. The PSE typically includes a controller that controls the DC power provided to the PD at the second node of the communications link. The PSE controller measures the voltage, current, and temperature of the outgoing and incoming DC supply lines to characterize the power requirements of the PD. The PSE controller includes a resistorless switch to measure the current. The resistorless switch includes a sense transistor and a current mirror to allowing the PSE controller to calculate the current based upon a replica current. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100271113 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT POWER SUPPLY ZONES - An integrated circuit comprising multiple independent power supply zones at substantially the same voltage level and a method for utilizing such power supply zones. An integrated circuit may comprise a first module and may, for example, comprise a second module. A first power supply bus may communicate first electrical power to the first module, where the first electrical power is characterized by a first set of power characteristics comprising a first voltage level. A second power supply bus may communicate second power to the second module, where the second power is characterized by a second set of power characteristics comprising a second voltage level that is substantially similar to the first voltage level. The second set of power characteristics may, for example, be substantially different than the first set of power characteristics. The second power supply bus may also, for example, communicate the second electrical power to the first module. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100290571 | Inter-device adaptable interfacing clock skewing - Inter-device adaptable interfacing clock skewing. The invention is operable in either one of both of a transmit mode and a receive mode to perform skewing of a transmitted and/or a received signal. The operational parameters including frequency and phase may be determined during auto detect/auto negotiation, they may be programmed externally, or they may be user selected in various embodiments. A device may include a clock generator, one or more divider, and one or more delay cells internally to the device. If desired, a high frequency clock is generated within the device and then divided down to generate the appropriate clock signal that supports the communication and interaction between multiple devices. Registers and/or pins may be used to select the clock frequency and phase of output clock signals. The present invention supports multiple Ethernet protocols between multiple devices including 10BaseT, 100BaseT, and 1000BaseT. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20110063020 | ON-BOARD PERFORMANCE MONITOR AND POWER CONTROL SYSTEM - A system and method for controlling performance and/or power based on monitored performance characteristics. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. A second circuit module may monitor one or more performance characteristics of the first circuit module and/or the integrated circuit. A third circuit module may, for example, determine power control information based at least in part on the monitored performance characteristic(s). The power control information may be communicated to power supply circuitry to control various characteristics of the electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one performance characteristic of a first electrical device. The integrated circuit may also comprise modules that determine power control information based on the monitored performance characteristic(s) and communicate such power control information to power supply circuitry. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110115604 | REMOTE CONTROL FOR MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM HAVING TOUCH SENSITIVE PANEL FOR USER ID - Operating a remote control to identify a user by receiving touch pad input from at least one touch sensitive element of the remote control that has a plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input corresponds to the user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input is at least partially processed by processing circuitry of the remote control and transmitted to a multimedia system console via a communications interface of the remote control for processing of the at least partially processed touch pad input to identify the user via pattern recognition. At least partially processing the touch pad input can be by identifying at least one finger orientation, at least one finger spacing, at least one finger width, a plurality of finger knuckle/joint locations, and/or a plurality of finger lengths based upon the touch pad input. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110115741 | TOUCH SENSITIVE PANEL SUPPORTING STYLUS INPUT - Operating a user input device by scanning touch sensitive elements of a touch pad to measure touch sensitive element values. The touch sensitive element values are compared to a stylus input threshold pattern. Upon a favorable comparison, a stylus input condition is determined, stylus input touch pad processing settings are enacted, and a position of the stylus upon the touch pad is detected. Detection of the stylus position upon the touch pad is based upon the touch sensitive element values and the stylus input touch pad processing settings. The touch sensitive element values are compared to a touching finger threshold pattern. Upon a favorable comparison, a touching finger condition is determined, touching finger touch pad processing settings are enacted, and the touching finger's position upon the touch pad is detected based upon the touch sensitive element values. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110115742 | TOUCH SENSITIVE PANEL DETECTING HOVERING FINGER - A touch sensitive pad with a plurality of touch sensitive elements and processing circuitry coupled to a communications interface and to the touch sensitive pad for scanning the plurality of touch sensitive elements to measure a plurality of touch sensitive element values. The plurality of touch sensitive element values is compared to a hovering finger threshold pattern. Upon a favorable comparison, a hovering finger condition is determined, and a position of the hovering finger in three-dimensions is detected with respect to the touch sensitive pad. The plurality of touch sensitive element values is compared to a touching finger threshold pattern. Upon a favorable comparison, a touching finger condition is determined, and a position of the touching finger is detected upon the touch sensitive pad. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118024 | ADJUSTING OPERATION OF TOUCH SENSITIVE PANEL OF GAME CONTROLLER - Operating a game controller by setting initial operational parameters of at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller. The touch sensitive pad has a plurality of touch sensitive elements. Touch pad input is received from the at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller. The touch pad input corresponds to a user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input is at least partially processed by processing circuitry of the game controller and transmitted to a game console via a communications interface of the game controller for processing. Upon meeting an operational parameter alteration condition, the operational parameters of the at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller are altered. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118028 | HAND-HELD GAMING DEVICE WITH CONFIGURABLE TOUCH SENSITIVE PANEL(S) - A game controller with a communications interface, at least one touch sensitive pad having a plurality of touch sensitive elements, and processing circuitry coupled to the communications interface and the at least one touch sensitive pad. The processing circuitry enacts touch pad configuration settings that correlate subsets of the plurality of touch sensitive elements to respective distinct user input locations. The processing circuitry receives touch pad input from the at least one touch sensitive pad. The touch pad input corresponds to a user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The processing circuitry processes the touch pad input to determine user input directions based upon the touch pad configuration settings, and then transmits the touch pad input directions to a game console via the communications interface for use as gaming input. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110137144 | ARTICLE OF CLOTHING INCLUDING BIO-MEDICAL UNITS - An article of clothing includes a clothing fabric and a plurality of bio-medical units integrated into the clothing fabric. A bio-medical includes a power harvesting module, a communication module, a processing module, a functional module, a die, and an IC package. The die supports the power harvesting module, the processing module, the communication module, and the functional module. The IC package houses the die and includes a mechanism for adhering to the clothing fabric. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110144573 | BIO-MEDICAL UNIT SYSTEM FOR MEDICATION CONTROL - A system includes bio-medical units, a wireless communication module, and a wireless power source. A bio-medical unit includes a power harvesting module, a communication module, a processing module, and a medication control module for performing a medication control function and generating a medication response. The wireless communication module is operable to wirelessly communicate inbound and outbound wireless signals with the bio-medical unit. The wireless power source is operable to generate the electromagnetic signal, which the power harvesting module converts into a supply voltage that powers the other modules of the bio-medical unit. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110160802 | BIO-MEDICAL UNIT SYSTEM FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY - A system includes bio-medical units and an electromagnetic signal generating unit. A bio-medical unit includes a power harvesting module, a wireless communication module, a processing module, and a functional module that performs physical therapy function and generates physical therapy data. The electromagnetic signal generating unit that includes at least one signal generating module and a plurality of near field communication (NFC) modules. The signal generating module generates one or more signals and an NFC module converts the one or more signals into a component of electromagnetic signal, which the power harvesting module converts into a supply voltage that powers the other modules of the bio-medical unit. | 06-30-2011 |
