Patents by Inventor Steven M. Farrer

Steven M. Farrer 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: 8417054
    Abstract: There is provided a recognition system. The recognition system is coupled to an image capturing device, and determines a first matching percentage by comparing a first live image with a first reference image, determines a second matching percentage by comparing a second live image with the first reference image, compares the first matching percentage with the second matching percentage to determine a direction of adjustment of a setting of the image capturing device, and generates a feedback signal to adjust the setting based on the direction of adjustment. The first live image and second live image are captured by the image capturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: O2Micro Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Farrer, Neil Morrow
  • Publication number: 20120106795
    Abstract: There is provided a recognition system. The recognition system is coupled to an image capturing device, and determines a first matching percentage by comparing a first live image with a first reference image, determines a second matching percentage by comparing a second live image with the first reference image, compares the first matching percentage with the second matching percentage to determine a direction of adjustment of a setting of the image capturing device, and generates a feedback signal to adjust the setting based on the direction of adjustment. The first live image and second live image are captured by the image capturing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. FARRER, Neil MORROW
  • Patent number: 8111942
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic system including an image capturing device and a comparator coupled to the image capturing device. The image capturing device is operable for capturing a live image. The comparator generates a feedback signal by comparing the live image with a reference image and adjusts at least one setting of the image capturing device by the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Farrer, Neil Morrow
  • Publication number: 20090196509
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic system including an image capturing device and a comparator coupled to the image capturing device. The image capturing device is operable for capturing a live image. The comparator generates a feedback signal by comparing the live image with a reference image and adjusts at least one setting of the image capturing device by the feedback signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Steven M. Farrer, Neil Morrow
  • Patent number: 5465367
    Abstract: A power suspend mode activates a slow DRAM refresh in a computer system with a limited source of power. The power suspend mode reduces the power consumed by the computer system while preserving the contents of memory. The cyclic refresh of DRAM using a slow refresh clock substantially reduces the power consumed while the computer is suspended. This technique is particularly useful for battery powered portable computer systems. When an external or internal condition causes the computer system to transition to a power down mode, an IO subsystem notifies the CPU which sets control bits in the IO subsystem and a video subsystem. The IO subsystem then begins to generate a slow DRAM refresh pulse. Once the CPU and video subsystem sense the power suspend mode activation, the system memory and video memory are refreshed using the slow refresh clock. The power consumed during the refresh process is thereby greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chandrashekar M. Reddy, Scott D. Hirose, Sung-Soo Cho, James P. Kardach, Steven M. Farrer, Meeling Roberts
  • Patent number: 5448717
    Abstract: The invention provides a register, which when set to a specific value, ensures that memory accesses take at least a specified number of clock cycles. The invention specifically introduces delays into the memory accesses when a memory bank control register is configured to operate the memory bank in a fast-CAS (fast column address strobe) mode of operation. The delays are introduced transparent to the values in the memory bank control register that otherwise controls the operation of the memory bank. The delay introduced by the invention permits an in-circuit-emulation (ICE) system sufficient time to transfer trace data from the microprocessor to the ICE-base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. Balmer, Steven M. Farrer
  • Patent number: 5307320
    Abstract: A memory controller for a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is described. The memory controller of the present invention provides access to a memory array which uses DRAM banks. The memory controller is adaptable to various types of DRAM banks, such that the memory array is capable of having independent and different configurations of DRAM banks in the memory. The memory controller includes multiple programmable storage registers, where one register is associated with every bank location in the memory array. Each of the programmable registers is independently programmed to contain access parameters that are necessary to access its associated bank. The memory controller of the present invention also includes circuitry which is configured to provide each of the banks in the memory with its necessary control signals in the proper sequence and timing according to the access parameters in its associated storage register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Farrer, Eugene P. Matter