Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Joe Zheng
  • Patent number: 6826326
    Abstract: In tunable systems, during a tuning cycle, express channels or wavelengths are dropped as the system sweeps through its free spectral range (FSR) before stopping at the desired wavelength to be dropped. This is disadvantageous as the data information in the express wavelengths suffers a hit or momentary increase in bit error rate (BER). Techniques for eliminating or at least minimizing interference to those channels or wavelengths are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, the wavelength selection to be dropped is done “off-line” and does not affect the express channels. An optical reference source is used to set up and tune a drop filter. Once the filter is set to the appropriate dropping wavelength, a secondary filter is scanned to cause the channels to be shunted to the drop filter. If the wavelength of a signal and the drop filter matches, the signal is dropped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventor: A. Douglas Meyer
  • Patent number: 6806514
    Abstract: A digital pixel sensor-based modular digital imaging system includes several integrated circuit modules. At least one module includes an integrated circuit die having a digital pixel sensor array and a frame buffer, and at least one module includes an integrated circuit die having control circuitry and/or I/O circuitry. In certain embodiments all component modules are generally the same; in other embodiments the component modules include different integrated circuits that perform different functions. A higher pixel count imaging system may be made by disposing several component modules having lower pixel count digital pixel sensor arrays adjacent one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: PiXIM, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Tian, Ricardo Motta
  • Patent number: 6803553
    Abstract: An image sensor having a circuit to recover photo-generated charge and to apply it to reduce consumption of power from a power supply (e.g., an external battery). In one embodiment (e.g., FIG. 4), the image sensor has at least one light-sensing photoelement implemented in an integrated circuit and adapted to be powered by a power supply, other circuitry that consumes power during a standby operating mode for the image sensor, and a circuit configured to selectively connect the photoelement to the power-consuming circuitry. During the image sensor's standby mode, the photoelement is configured to supply at least a portion of the standby current to the power consuming circuitry. In another embodiment (e.g., FIG. 3), the image sensor has a storage device (e.g., a capacitor), and a circuit configured to selectively connect the storage device to the photoelement or to the power-consuming circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: PiXIM, Inc.
    Inventor: Hui Tian
  • Patent number: 6802450
    Abstract: To facilitate the decoding of a 2D symbol (e.g., PDF417), a plurality of positioning lines are attached to the 2D symbol. Depending on implementation, these substantially parallel positioning lines may be provided on at least one side of the symbol or superimposed on the symbol. A scanning device is provided to capture an image of the symbol together with these positioning lines that are then detected to determine an orientation of the 2D symbol. In some cases, these positioning lines are used to correct images with distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignees: Shenzhen Syscan Technology Co. LTD, Syscan, Inc.
    Inventors: Wai Cheung, Zhi-guo Chang, Shillin Ding, Ying-feng Lv
  • Patent number: 6795610
    Abstract: Techniques for adding and dropping a wavelength or band using two individual optical paths are disclosed. The two individual optical paths are configured to maintain one path active while the other is in stand-by setup or tuning mode. While one optical path is adding and dropping a wavelength, the other optical path can be calibrated for a new wavelength. When an optical switch switches from one path to another, a new wavelength to be added and dropped is effectuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventor: A. Douglas Meyer
  • Patent number: 6794978
    Abstract: A structure and method for implementing a precision inductive component within a high frequency integrated circuit is disclosed. The inductive component has a structure of multiple conductive layers dielectrically insulated from each other and located above an integrated circuit substrate. The inductive component comprises a spiral-like inductive layer made of a first conductive layer. Additionally, a number of additional ground planes, each patterned out of its own selected conductive layer to minimize an induced eddy current therein thus improving Q (quality factor) under high frequency operation, are employed with either a linear or a rotational offset amongst them to effect a corresponding amount of adjustment of an inductance value of the inductive component. A number of specific design cases are presented with their respective inductance and RF performance parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: John C. Tung, Minghao (Mary) Zhang
  • Patent number: 6792183
    Abstract: Techniques for bonding aligned optical parts to a substrate are disclosed. According to one embodiment, one or more wedges are used to fill in gaps between aligned optical parts and a substrate. Using an appropriate material, the wedges are respectively slid in till respective contacts between the aligned optical parts and the wedges are established, a small amount of a bonding agent is then only applied to the respect contacts. As a result, the shrinkage that may be caused by the bonding agent to destabilize the aligned optical parts is minimized and the alignments among the optical parts are preserved and can sustain under very high environmental stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuqiao Liu, Li Wang, Zhupei Shi, Wei-Shin Tsay
  • Patent number: 6791611
    Abstract: An image sensor architecture that accommodates the relative mismatch of bus width between the image sensor, processor, and memory is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a dual-ported memory structure having a relatively wide data port for receiving data from the image sensor and having a relatively narrow data port for communicating data to and from the processor. In one embodiment of the invention, the memory is organized into banks of a specific width. The banks may be accessed sequentially by the processor, such that the bus width is equivalent to the bank width, and the banks may be accessed simultaneously, such that the bus width is equivalent to the combined bank widths. A simple switching means, operating under processor control, reconfigures the memory on the fly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Pixim, Inc.
    Inventor: David Xiao Dong Yang
  • Patent number: 6791753
    Abstract: Fiber optical interleavers based on a retro-reflective structure are disclosed. The retro-reflective structure includes three stages of optical components. A first stage includes walk-off crystals, at least one of the crystals is used to displace a received optical signal with multiplexed bands or channels therein into a first ray (e.g. an O-ray) and a second ray (e.g. an E-ray). A second stage following the first stage includes at least a pair of birefringent crystals to form an interferometer that create path or phase differences introduced by the birefringent index differences between the first ray and the second ray. A third stage following the second stage includes a pair of half wave plates, a walk-off crystal and a quarter wave plate, wherein the quarter wave plate has a highly reflective coating on one end to retro-reflect light beams back through the same stages. Respective reflected and processed first ray and second ray are then combined in the first stage to output respective demultiplexed beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuqiao Liu, Wei-Shin Tsay, Peter Chang
  • Patent number: 6782550
    Abstract: Improved approaches for configuration, management and operation of a media delivery system are disclosed. The media delivery system centrally manages and stores media content and also controls the delivery of media content to subscribers. According to one embodiment, a method for providing a program guide to subscribers of the media delivery system is disclosed. The media delivery system delivers programs to the subscribers in accordance with the program guide. The program guide can be customized for subscribers. The customization can be implemented in a variety of ways. One example of customization is to provide the program guide with a time bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Minerva Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Yousheng Cao
  • Patent number: 6778212
    Abstract: An image sensor, including a substrate having formed thereon by a CMOS process a digital sensor array having a plurality of digital pixel sensors which output analog signals corresponding to a desired image. The digital sensor array further includes supporting circuitry for converting the analog signals produced by the digital pixel sensors to digital signals corresponding to the desired image. Filter circuitry, for converting the digital signals to digital values representative of the light intensity impinging upon the plurality of digital pixel sensors, is also formed on the substrate using CMOS fabrication processes. Memory devices, including a data memory, a threshold memory, and a time index memory are formed on the substrate using CMOS fabrication techniques. A clock circuit is also formed on the substrate using CMOS fabrication processes. Programmable logic structures are formed on the substrate using CMOS fabrication processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Pixim, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhonghan John Deng, David Xiao Dong Yang, Odutola Oluseye Ewedemi
  • Patent number: 6777988
    Abstract: A fundamental building block of 2-level series-gated CML-based CMOS circuit which includes a number of inductive components for an electronic circuit system is disclosed that is capable of driving a significant level of external capacitive load at a high input clock frequency while providing a high level of output signal fidelity for optical data communication. The inductive components can be implemented as either separate inductors or as differentially coupled pairs forming a corresponding transformer element. The value of any particular inductive component is first selected to approximately resonate, at the desired output signal frequency, with its associated equivalent node capacitance but further adjusted to a final value that results in a minimum output waveform distortion for the particular application. Two exemplary cases of application, a Divide-by-2 counter and a Master Slave D-type Flip Flop are presented with associated time domain output waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: John C. Tung, Minghao Zhang
  • Patent number: 6769127
    Abstract: A media system that centrally manages and stores media contents and also controls the delivery of media content to subscribers is disclosed. According to one aspect, an administrator can control program scheduling, rates, service packages and system configuration for a media delivery system. Additionally, the administrator may also control billing, transaction monitoring, and customer relations. According to another aspect, the media delivery system provides subscribers with centrally managed storage for paused or recorded media. Still another aspect is that the media delivery system can restrict various administrators to different modules of the media delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Minerva Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Mauro Bonomi, Jean-Georges Fritsch, Patrick James Sweeney, Randolph Osborne, Charles Francis Morris, Jr., Reed Majors, Francis Michel Degrange, Ian Locke, Johnny C. Y. Ng, Yousheng Cao, Li Liu, Nam Phu Thanh Do, Ronald D. Howe
  • Patent number: 6751375
    Abstract: Techniques for adding and dropping a desired band, channel or wavelength by calibrating optical tunable devices precisely for the desired wavelength are disclosed. An optical path is formed and includes two tunable devices and a circulator coupled between the two tunable devices so as to prevent possible interference to channels and wavelengths passing through the two tunable devices. A small portion of a dropped signal is used as a reference signal to be introduced into the optical path. A reflected signal of the reference signal is coupled out of the optical path for determination of control signals most suitably for the two tunable devices so as to achieve an accurate control over an absolute wavelength of the tunable devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventor: A. Douglas Meyer
  • Patent number: 6748133
    Abstract: Improved designs of optical multiplexing/demultiplexing module are disclosed for use in multiplexing a composite optical signal into respective individual channels or wavelengths or demultiplexing individual channels or wavelengths into a composite optical signal. According to one embodiment, the optical multiplexing/demultiplexing module comprises an array of collimators, an array of optical filters and an array of mirrors. The collimators are boned to a common substrate after being aligned with a respect optical filter. Different from the prior art devices, the aligned positions of the collimators are secured or held up by preformed wedges. A bonding agent is then applied only to respective contacts between the collimators and the wedges. The wedges are further bonded to a common substrate to secure the collimators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuqiao Liu, Wei-Shin Tsay
  • Patent number: 6741593
    Abstract: A system for displaying statuses for multiple signal paths or ports on LEDs is disclosed. The system comprising a plurality of shift circuits receives a data signal comprising groups of status signals. The data signal is serially shifted from one shift circuit to another so as to parse the status signals to be displayed on appropriate LEDs designated for each of the signal paths or ports. As a result, multiple statuses can be effectively displayed in real time using a minimum number of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Peter C. P. Sun, Wallace Lin
  • Patent number: 6738811
    Abstract: A health diagnostic system capable for monitoring the health condition of computing device on a network is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a computing device is installed a module that can provoke the monitoring process that periodically samples values representing the health condition of the computing device. The sampled values are then sent back to the monitoring server for analysis. Meanwhile a monitoring server receives the sampled values and performs data analysis to determine if the computing device is in a good/poor condition based on historic data that are further used to predicate what the remaining time is for the computing device to actually break down so that necessary measures may be taken to prevent an actual breakdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Supermicro Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Liang
  • Patent number: 6737626
    Abstract: An integrated image sensor having a conditioned top silicon oxide layer and/or one or more additional insulating layers/structures to reduce optical and/or electrical noise. The image sensor has an array of one or more pixels, each pixel having a photoelement formed on a substrate and configured to generate an electrical signal in response to incident light, and associated circuitry formed on the substrate and configured to process the electrical signal generated in the photoelement. In one embodiment, a portion of a top insulating layer in the integrated image sensor corresponding to each photoelement has a thickness different from the thickness of a portion of the top insulating layer corresponding to its associated circuitry to inhibit the flow of light between the associated circuitry and the photoelement and/or between the pixel and an adjacent pixel in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: PiXIM, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Bidermann, Ricardo J. Motta
  • Patent number: 6731841
    Abstract: Optical apparatus for combining and splitting optical signals using folded waveguides and method for making the same are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, at least one waveguide used in the optical apparatus is folded around according to a predefined curve to couple to other waveguides. The predefined curve is so designed as to minimize possible insertion loss as a result of such folding of the waveguide. The proper folding of the waveguide leads to modified designs of the optical devices with all the ports on one side so as to simplify the alignment procedures afterward. In addition, the optical device according to the present invention has much smaller footprint and makes it possible to increase higher yield from fabricating substrate material on which the waveguides are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Shirk, Daoyi Wang
  • Patent number: 6726103
    Abstract: An imaging system with built-in diagnostics and preferably implemented as an integrated system-on-a-chip (SOC) imaging system. According to one implementation of the present invention, the imaging system can be operated in two operating modes: a normal operating mode and a special diagnostic mode. While running in the diagnostic mode, the imaging system can be configured to detect manufacturing defects. The imaging system can be further configured to compensate for certain types of manufacturing defects. While running in the diagnostic mode, the imaging system (1) identifies pixels that function incorrectly and (2) creates a record of such pixels. In the normal operating mode, the imaging system can use the record to compensate for the missing or incorrect data from these defective pixels during real-time image processing. The present invention simplifies testing of imaging systems and/or image sensors. It also increases manufacturing yield and, therefore, results in lower per-unit manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: PiXIM, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo J. Motta, Robert Weinschenk