Michael R Giles

US Patent:

8284721, Oct 9, 2012

Filed:

Jun 26, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/215574

Inventors:

Camille Chen - Cupertino CA, US
Michael A. Robinson - Menlo Park CA, US
Michael J. Giles - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H04W 4/00
H04W 72/00
H04W 88/00
H04W 92/00

US Classification:

370329, 370334, 370338, 370463, 370465, 455 133, 455 634, 4554221, 455450, 455509

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for selectively switching one or more antennas in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array so as to mitigate interference with another RF interface within the same space-constrained device, based on radio frequency isolation. In one embodiment, the MIMO interface comprises a WLAN interface having a 2×2 or 3×3 array of antennae which are placed in a wireless device in an asymmetric fashion with respect to the antenna of the second interface, and the other interface comprises a PAN (e. g. , Bluetooth) interface operating in an overlapping frequency band (e. g. , ISM band). When both interfaces are operating, interference is mitigated through selectively switching off one or more of the MIMO antennae, and using the remaining antenna(e) having the best isolation from the Bluetooth antennae. This approach allows simultaneous operation of both interferences without significant degradation to user experience or the operation of either interface, and may also provide power savings critical to mobile device battery longevity.

US Patent:

8340578, Dec 25, 2012

Filed:

Oct 5, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/573755

Inventors:

Jaime Tolentino - Sunnyvale CA, US
Camille Chen - Cupertino CA, US
Michael Jason Giles - San Jose CA, US
Huy Le - Milpitas CA, US
Gary Thomason - Boulder Creek CA, US
David A. Hardell - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H04B 7/00

US Classification:

455 412, 455 631, 4555521, 4555531, 455513, 370338, 370352, 709203, 375285

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for mitigating the effects of interference between multiple air interfaces located on an electronic device. In one embodiment, the air interfaces include a WLAN interface and PAN (e. g. , Bluetooth) interface, and information such as Receiver Signal Strength Index (RSSI) as well as system noise level information are used in order to intelligently execute interference mitigation methodologies, including the selective application of modified frequency selection, variation of transmitter power, and/or change of operating mode (e. g. , from multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) to single-in, single-out (SISO)) so as to reduce isolation requirements between the interfaces. These methods and apparatus are particularly well suited to use cases where the WLAN interface is operating with high data transmission rates. Business methods associated with the foregoing technology are also described.

US Patent:

8417187, Apr 9, 2013

Filed:

Jan 7, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/006992

Inventors:

Camille Chen - Cupertino CA, US
Michael A. Robinson - Menlo Park CA, US
Marco Pontil - Sunnyvale CA, US
Michael J. Giles - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H04B 1/00

US Classification:

455 631, 455 412, 4555521, 455419, 370338, 375132

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for compensating for the effects of interference between multiple wireless communication apparatus. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a first wireless communication apparatus operating in a first band and a second wireless communication apparatus operating at least partly in the first band, where the second wireless communication apparatus operates according to a different communication protocol than the first wireless communication apparatus. Interference is compensated for between the first wireless communication apparatus and the second wireless communication apparatus by selecting and operating according to one of a plurality of operational protocols. In another embodiment, the first wireless communication apparatus and the second wireless communication apparatus operate in a closed-loop relationship to cooperatively compensate for communication interference.

US Patent:

8467735, Jun 18, 2013

Filed:

Mar 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/409245

Inventors:

Michael Jason Giles - San Jose CA, US
Camille Chen - Cupertino CA, US
Lei Li - San Jose CA, US
Michael A. Robinson - Menlo Park CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H04B 17/00

US Classification:

455 6711, 455 6713

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for analysis of electronic components such as radio transceivers (for example, WLAN, Bluetooth, cellular, GPS). In one embodiment, a “black box” is diagnosed in its final device application and layout, using a series of software test routines or suites. The test suites provide simultaneous monitoring of multiple non-overlapping status indicators. Each test suite can be selectively enabled or disabled, and may also provide runtime modification of one or more parameters, and or intelligent testing of system operation. In another embodiment, multiple black box modules within a single form factor device are simultaneously run; the interference levels between the black box modules (as well as other parameters) are independently measured, displayed and logged to the user. Exemplary embodiments are described in reference to a Bluetooth module and WLAN module operating within a spatially restricted device (such as a desktop/laptop computer, “smartphone”, Bluetooth mouse and keyboard).

US Patent:

8499079, Jul 30, 2013

Filed:

Jun 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/214969

Inventors:

Michael Jason Giles - San Jose CA, US
Bob Bradley - Foster City CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 15/173
G06F 15/177

US Classification:

709226, 709220, 709230

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for providing primary transport service discovery information over one or more alternate transports that are not normally associated with the primary transport services. In one embodiment, the primary transport comprises a first wireless interface (e. g. , Bluetooth), and the alternate transport comprises a second wireless interface (e. g. , WiFi or WiMAX). Service profile information relating to the primary transport is broadcast to other users over the alternate transport in a more efficient and streamlined manner than that available on the primary transport. The other users store this service profile information so that it can be subsequently accessed for service profile discovery of the transmitting device by those other devices, thereby obviating subsequent transfer of the data over any transport (primary or alternate).

US Patent:

8599709, Dec 3, 2013

Filed:

Feb 10, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/025059

Inventors:

Camille Chen - Cupertino CA, US
Lei Li - Cupertino CA, US
Chris Zimmermann - San Jose CA, US
Michael J. Giles - San Jose CA, US
Jaime Tolentino - Sunnyvale CA, US
Chris Hartman - San Jose CA, US
Arthur Lin - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H04J 1/00
H04J 3/00
H04J 4/00
H04B 15/00

US Classification:

370252, 370332, 370343, 370345, 455501

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for reduction of interference between a plurality of wireless interfaces. In one exemplary embodiment, a device having a first (e. g. , Wi-Fi) interface and a second (e. g. , Bluetooth) interface monitors interference between its interfaces. A reduction in transmit power of the Wi-Fi module causes a disproportionately larger reduction in undesirable interference experienced at the Bluetooth antennas. For example, when the Bluetooth interface detects interference levels above acceptable thresholds, the Wi-Fi interface adjusts operation of one or more of its transmit chains based on various conditions such as duty cycle, Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), etc. Various embodiments of the present invention provide simultaneous operation of WLAN and PAN interfaces, without requiring time division coexistence, by reducing power on a subset of interfering antennas.

US Patent:

20120083208, Apr 5, 2012

Filed:

Sep 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/895607

Inventors:

Michael J. Giles - San Jose CA, US
Jack I-Chieh Fu - San Mateo CA, US
Christopher T. Mullens - San Francisco CA, US
Craig P. Dooley - Cupertino CA, US
Adrian E. Sun - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

APPLE INC. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H04B 7/00

US Classification:

455 412, 455 68

Abstract:

A wireless communications system includes an accessory device and multiple host devices. A host device pairs wirelessly with an accessory device using a unique link key, detects a primary trigger event and responds by transferring automatically its pairing with the accessory device to a second host device while all devices remain within wireless range of each other. The pairing transfer involves communicating the link key to the second host device, unpairing the accessory device from the first host device, and establishing a wireless pairing of the accessory device to the second host device. The primary trigger event can involve establishing a ported connection between host devices. A secondary trigger event results in the first host device automatically reclaiming its pairing with the accessory device. An accessory device can also select and pair with one of multiple host devices in response to a specific user gesture detected by the accessory device.

US Patent:

20120083209, Apr 5, 2012

Filed:

Sep 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/895662

Inventors:

Michael J. Giles - San Jose CA, US
Jack I-Chieh Fu - San Mateo CA, US
Clifford J. Hunt - Half Moon Bay CA, US

Assignee:

APPLE INC. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H04B 7/00

US Classification:

455 412

Abstract:

A wireless communications system includes an accessory device and multiple host devices. A host device pairs wirelessly with an accessory device using a unique link key, detects a primary trigger event and responds by transferring automatically its pairing with the accessory device to a second host device while all devices remain within wireless range of each other. The pairing transfer involves communicating the link key to the second host device, unpairing the accessory device from the first host device, and establishing a wireless pairing of the accessory device to the second host device. The primary trigger event can involve establishing a ported connection between host devices. A secondary trigger event results in the first host device automatically reclaiming its pairing with the accessory device. An accessory device can also select and pair with one of multiple host devices in response to a specific user gesture detected by the accessory device.