Patents by Inventor Steven A. Steckler
Steven A. Steckler 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: 7711342Abstract: An apparatus includes a filter module, an amplification module, and an adjustment signal source. The filter module generates a filtered signal based on a received signal. This filtered signal has a level shift corresponding to a difference between a direct current (DC) level of the filtered signal and a DC level of the received signal. From the filtered signal and an adjustment signal, the amplification module generates an amplified signal. The adjustment signal, which is provided by the adjustment signal source, may control (e.g., diminish) an effect of the level shift on a DC level of the amplified signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Pine Valley Investments, Inc.Inventors: Steven A. Steckler, Saeed Abbasi
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Publication number: 20080204106Abstract: An apparatus includes a filter module, an amplification module, and an adjustment signal source. The filter module generates a filtered signal based on a received signal. This filtered signal has a level shift corresponding to a difference between a direct current (DC) level of the filtered signal and a DC level of the received signal. From the filtered signal and an adjustment signal, the amplification module generates an amplified signal. The adjustment signal, which is provided by the adjustment signal source, may control (e.g., diminish) an effect of the level shift on a DC level of the amplified signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Steven A. Steckler, Saeed Abbasi
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Patent number: 7317412Abstract: Various techniques for biasing a radio frequency digital-to-analog converter are described. In one embodiment, a baseband processor may comprise a plurality of output drivers to generate a plurality of base currents for biasing a radio frequency digital-to-analog converter. The baseband processor may comprise a serial control interface to generate a programming signal for controlling a relationship among the plurality of base currents. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignees: M/A-COM, Inc., M/A-Com Eurotec BVInventors: Chin Li, Donal Bourke, Steven Steckler, Eoin Carey
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Publication number: 20070262893Abstract: Various techniques for biasing a radio frequency digital-to-analog converter are described. In one embodiment, a baseband processor may comprise a plurality of output drivers to generate a plurality of base currents for biasing a radio frequency digital-to-analog converter. The baseband processor may comprise a serial control interface to generate a programming signal for controlling a relationship among the plurality of base currents. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2006Publication date: November 15, 2007Inventors: Chin Li, Donal Bourke, Steven Steckler, Eoin Carey
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Publication number: 20050015762Abstract: A method for deploying source code from a version control system to at least one of a web server and an application server is provided. The method uses a build environment configured to be coupled to a client utility and a version control repository. The method includes prompting a deployer to invoke the client utility, extracting source code from the version control repository using the build environment, verifying promotion groups, building compiled modules to form an application, and deploying the application to at least one of a web server and an application server.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2003Publication date: January 20, 2005Inventors: Steven Steckler, Pavel Vlasov, Leonid Ayzenshtat
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Patent number: 6057889Abstract: A video processing system that automatically adjusts video processor parameters depending upon the format of a received video signal in, e.g., a television receiver capable of receiving a multiplicity of video formats.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1997Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Sarnoff CorporationInventors: Glenn A. Reitmeier, Steven A. Steckler
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Patent number: 4998288Abstract: A hybrid 2-D digital convolver in a video image processor to enhance or supress image characteristics comprises a rectangular array of delay elements of pixel duration arranged in rows and columns. A digital serial stream of data encoding pixel values of a 2-D image is coupled to successive rows of delay elements of the array in horizontal-line lengths. The pixel values are modified in a multiplier of preselected weight in series with the input of each columnar delay element in a row. An adder connected between pixel delay elements in each row combines weighted inputs and outputs from prior delay elements. The output of the last delay element of each row is combined with the row outputs of prior rows and the output of the adder following the output of the last delay element off the last row forms the processed output of the convolver. The arrangement of adders and delay elements in each row avoids cumulative adder delays and thereby improves image processing efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1989Date of Patent: March 5, 1991Assignee: Harris Semiconductor Patents, Inc.Inventors: Tuan H. Bui, Steven A. Steckler
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Patent number: 4775890Abstract: A horizontal phase detector of a television apparatus receives an analog composite video signal that is sampled and digitized at a rate determined in accordance with a clock signal. The leading edge of a simulated sync pulse signal is computed from the digitized signal using interpolation. The phase detector also receives a second signal that is indicative of a transition edge of a horizontal oscillator signal. The timing of the transition edge is contained in first and second signal parts. The first part is a periodic signal having a transition edge coincident with that of the clock signal, and the second part is a skew signal that represents a fraction of the period of the clock signal. The leading edge of the computed sync pulse signal is phase-compared with the oscillator transition edge to generate a phase difference signal for synchronizing horizontal oscillator operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1987Date of Patent: October 4, 1988Assignee: RCA Licensing CorporationInventors: Alvin R. Balaban, Steven A. Steckler
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Patent number: 4698679Abstract: A sync separator detects, in a corresponding part of the waveform of a video signal, the occurrence of the trailing edge of a corresponding sync pulse, in accordance with the rate of change of the video signal. Information obtained from the sync tip and the back porch portions of the corresponding sync pulse is used for generating a slice level signal. A comparator responsive to the slice level signal separates a sync signal from the video signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1986Date of Patent: October 6, 1987Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Alvin R. Balaban, Steven A. Steckler
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Patent number: 4697211Abstract: A sync separator detects the occurrence of a corresponding sync pulse in a corresponding part of the waveform of a composite video signal. The level of the sync tip is used for updating a slice level signal, provided the level of the sync tip is lower than that of the preceding sync tip signal. A time-out signal is generated at the end of a time-out interval that has elapsed from the last time the sync tip signal was updated, provided the sync tip signal was not updated within such time-out interval. The time-out signal is used for updating the sync tip signal. The sync tip signal is updated according to such sync pulse that occurred during the time-out interval, having the lowest level sync tip. Information obtained from the sync tip and back porch portions of the corresponding sync pulse is used for generating a slice level signal. A comparator responsive to the slice level signal separates a sync signal from the composite video signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1986Date of Patent: September 29, 1987Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Alvin R. Balaban, Steven A. Steckler
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Patent number: 4689582Abstract: A digital phase-lock-loop circuit includes a generator that produces a horizontal rate output signal at a controlled frequency and a phase detector responsive to the output signal and to an incoming synchronizing signal. The phase detector is coupled to the generator control port via a loop filter. When the phase between the output signal and the synchronizing signal that synchronizes the phase-lock-loop circuit changes as a result of, for example, head switching in a two-head VTR that supplies the synchronizing signal, a signal representative of such phase change is produced. The phase change representative signal is fed forward to the generator, by bypassing the loop filter of the phase-lock-loop circuit. The phase change representative signal produces an immediate phase shift of the output signal such that the loop filter is not affected by the head switching.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1986Date of Patent: August 25, 1987Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Alvin R. Balaban, Steven A. Steckler
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Patent number: 4636836Abstract: A phase locked loop system is described in the context of a digital television receiver. The system includes a band-pass filter which shifts the phase of burst samples provided to it by 33.degree.. This phase shift makes the zero-crossing points of the filtered burst signal coincident with the I color difference signal sampling phase relative to the unfiltered burst signal. The phase locked loop uses a zero-crossing phase detector to develop a control signal for a VCO. The oscillatory signal provided by the VCO has a frequency of, for example, four times the frequency of the burst, but shifted in phase relative to the burst to allow sampling composite video signal coincident with the phase of at least one of the I and Q color difference signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1984Date of Patent: January 13, 1987Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Steven A. Steckler, Alvin R. Balaban
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Patent number: 4635103Abstract: An automatic gain control (AGC) circuit is described in the context of a phase locking system in a digital television receiver. The signal produced by the phase locking system is used to develop a sampling clock signal that is locked in frequency and phase to the color reference burst signal component of a color television signal. An AGC detector develops a gain control signal by averaging only those samples which would correspond to the peaks of the burst signal if the sampling clock signal were locked to the burst signal. The gain control signal is applied to a multiplier which increases or decreases the magnitude of the television signal samples to bring the calculated peak amplitude value of the burst signal within a predetermined range. The AGC circuitry interacts with the phase locking system to decrease the lock-up time when there is a relatively large difference in phase between the burst signal and the sampling clock signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1984Date of Patent: January 6, 1987Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Steven A. Steckler, Alvin R. Balaban
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Patent number: 4633298Abstract: A phase detector included in a digital television receiver develops first and second phase error signals based on samples of the color reference burst signal taken from one and two horizontal lines respectively. The first phase error signal is used to attain coarse synchronization between a sampling clock signal and the burst signal. The second phase error signal is used to enhance synchronization accuracy after coarse synchronization has been attained.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1984Date of Patent: December 30, 1986Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Steven A. Steckler, Alvin R. Balaban
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Patent number: 4517586Abstract: A digital television receiver includes an analog-to-digital converter having a controllable scaling factor and offset. To improve resolution of the digital samples, the scaling factor is increased and the offset is changed when the synchronizing and color reference burst portions of the composite video signal are being converted. In addition, the scaling can be greatly increased at selected times so that the phase of the color reference burst can be more accurately determined.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1982Date of Patent: May 14, 1985Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Alvin R. Balaban, Steven A. Steckler
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Patent number: 4514760Abstract: In a television (TV) receiver having digital signal processing in which the video and sound signals are separated in the analog processing circuitry, one analog-to-digital converter (ADC) serves both the video and sound signal paths. The analog video and sound signals are multiplexed into the ADC and are demultiplexed out of the ADC to the digital video processor and to the digital sound processor at predetermined times during each horizontal TV line. In one arrangement, the sound signal conversions are periodically interleaved with the video signal conversions during the horizontal lines. In another arrangement, the sound signal is sampled and stored at normal rate over a horizontal TV line, then converted by the ADC and digitally stored at a higher-than-normal rate during the horizontal blanking interval, and then supplied to the digital sound processor periodically at the normal rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1983Date of Patent: April 30, 1985Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Alvin R. Balaban, Steven A. Steckler
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Patent number: 4502078Abstract: An analog carrier signal and its sidebands contain modulated information which is to be digitally encoded and processed. Demodulation and digital encoding is accomplished in a single process by an analog-to-digital converter, which samples the analog signals in response to a sampling signal of a frequency which is at least twice the bandwidth of the band of frequencies containing the carrier signal and its information-bearing sidebands. The analog signal samples are digitally encoded, producing a band of digital information signals corresponding to baseband signal components. When used in a television receiver to produce digital signal samples, the band of analog signals may include both sound and picture carriers and their audio and video information. By controlling the phase and frequency of the analog carrier signal in relation to the color subcarrier signal, and deriving the sampling signal from the analog carrier, an ease in video signal demodulation is provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1982Date of Patent: February 26, 1985Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Steven A. Steckler, Alvin R. Balaban
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Patent number: 4471326Abstract: A circuit for supplying first and second currents to a load comprises two current generators for providing those currents during first and second time intervals and a resistance through which those currents flow. Two control potentials developed by two semiconductor junctions are applied across the resistance. First and second control circuits control the two current generators so that the first and second currents are provided during the first and second time intervals, respectively. The current supply circuit is useful in a multivibrator wherein the timing capacitor thereof is the load to which the first and second currents are supplied.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1981Date of Patent: September 11, 1984Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Steven A. Steckler, Alvin R. Balaban
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Patent number: 4464675Abstract: A comb filter arrangement operating at a reduced data rate is provided, which requires comparably fewer storage locations than previous arrangements. A digitized composite video signal of a given codeword rate is applied to a first bandpass filter, which produces a filtered signal restricted to a portion of the passband of the composite video signal. The filtered signal is then subsampled at a rate which satisfies the Nyquist criterion for information of the restricted passband. Codewords, now at a reduced data rate, are applied to a one-H delay line, and delayed and undelayed signals are combined to produce a first comb-filtered signal. The first comb-filtered signal is then applied to a second bandpass filter, which provides a sequence of codewords at the codeword rate of the original digitized composite video signal over a given frequency band. This sequence of codewords is then combined with the codewords of the composite video signal to produce a second comb-filtered signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1982Date of Patent: August 7, 1984Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Alvin R. Balaban, Steven A. Steckler
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Patent number: 4456922Abstract: Comb filter arrangements are provided for separating frequency interleaved signal components of a video signal. A video signal is sampled at a rate which satisfies the Nyquist criterion for the bandwidth of the signal, and the resultant signal samples are applied to a bandpass filter. The bandpass filter produces a filtered signal restricted to a portion of the original video band. The filtered signal is subsampled at a rate which satisfies the Nyquist criterion for the information of the restricted passband, producing replicas of the restricted passband beginning approximately at zero Hertz and extending upward in frequency about frequencies which are multiples of the subsampling frequency and its harmonics. The subsampled information in the replicated passbands is comb filtered, and the comb filtered signals are interpolated up to the original sampling rate of the video signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1982Date of Patent: June 26, 1984Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Alvin R. Balaban, Steven A. Steckler