Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Joe Zheng
  • Patent number: 6724407
    Abstract: A method and a software program running on a server computer coupled to a network, such as the internet, includes a three-dimensional (3D) viewing environment generating module. When a resource locator identifying a requested hypermedia resource, probably input by a pc user logged onto the network, is received from the network by a server computer, the 3D viewing environment generating module generates a 3D viewing environment corresponding to and preferably including the requested hypermedia resource. The 3D viewing environment is sent over the network to the user's pc enabling the user to view the requested hypermedia resource in an overlay 3D viewing environment, probably already running on the user's pc. A software program also provides instructions for a computer running a 3D browser to provide a viewing environment in a 3D space having one or more displays including a conventional hypermedia resource identifiable by a conventional resource locator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Muse Corporation
    Inventor: Gavin Cheng
  • Patent number: 6704124
    Abstract: It is disclosed that a mobile scanner includes only the minimum components to operate as a scanner. The disclosed scanner does not have a separate power supply to energize the components to work. Further, unlike many scanners in the market, there is not a single microcontroller in the disclosed mobile scanner while the performance thereof could outperform those scanners commanded traditionally by a microcontroller in the scanners. The disclosed scanner is coupled by an interface engine to a computing device that provides system control signals and power supply. The interface engine comprises a control circuit providing logic control signals to the scanner to operate in response to the system control signals. As such, the scanner is of high performance and low cost and so lightweight that it can be used in any conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignees: Syscan (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Limited, Syscan, Inc.
    Inventors: Darwin Hu, Alpha Hou, Dongtai Liu, Chengrong Lu
  • Patent number: 6690420
    Abstract: An integrated circuit architecture of contact image sensor for generating bi-level images and associated method are disclosed. The architecture comprises an image sensor, an amplifier, an analyzing circuit and a comparator, in one particular embodiment, it further comprises an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The amplifier is coupled to the image sensor and receives electronic signals therefrom and further receives pairs of gain and offset from the EEPROM. The electronic signals are adjusted in the amplifier respectively and sequentially in accordance to the pairs of gain and offset. The analyzing circuit determines a dynamic threshold to the comparator that subsequently produces the bi-level images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignees: Syscan, Inc., Shenzhen Syscan Technology Co., Limited.
    Inventor: Dongtai Liu
  • Patent number: 6683480
    Abstract: It is well known that the parasitic effects in individual components can introduce artifacts into signals when the frequency of the signals exceeds a certain range. Techniques are described to utilize the parasitic effects in favor to the signals by systematically adjusting the components such that the artifacts are minimized. According to one embodiment, a parameter defined as an Electrically Equivalent Geometry or EEG is defined as a function of width and length that confines one part of a transistor controlling how much current can go through. A proper adjustment of the EEG for each of the transistors in a differential amplifier or circuit can reduce the parasitic effects that can cause the artifacts to the signal but also form inherently resonant filtering functions that minimize harmonic components in the output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventors: Minghao (Mary) Zhang, John C. Tung
  • Patent number: 6680748
    Abstract: An image acquisition system that is used to acquire digital images of objects or scenes is disclosed. The image acquisition system supports multiple modes of operation. The image acquisition system can be used to acquire and store not only video images but also still images. The image acquisition system is typically part of, or within, a digital camera, but could also itself be a digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Pixim, Inc.,
    Inventor: John Mario Monti
  • Patent number: 6678459
    Abstract: A method for bonding two or more optical parts and an optical apparatus of using the method are disclosed. According to one embodiment, two optical fiber segments are used as a spacer between two optical parts. The optical fiber segments may be cut off from a commonly used optical fiber according to the size of the parts. In general, the diameter of the optical fiber segments is small, the capillary effect for commonly used adhesives can be eliminated when the two optical parts are bonded with the optical fiber segments in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Wang, Bright An, Yi-ping Loh, Timothy Yuen-Lian Wang
  • Patent number: 6665012
    Abstract: The invention relates to a CMOS image sensor that an be embedded in portable imaging systems. This high spatial resolution and low bit resolution CMOS area image sensor not only enables portable imaging systems such as cellular fax phone, portable copy machines, barcode reader, but also it can be fabricated in standard digital CMOS processes, particularly at 0.35 micron and below. This invention also discloses several portable imaging systems using such a CMOS image sensor. This invention further discloses a CMOS image sensor that has variable spatial resolution and bit resolution. Starting as a high spatial resolution low-bit resolution image sensor, the high bit-resolution is achieved by combining information from a group of nearest-neighbor pixels into a single super-pixel via spatial oversampling. This variable CMOS image sensor can be used in a multiple function imaging device for both document and video imaging, or photography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Pixim, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiao D. Yang, Zhonghan Deng
  • Patent number: 6662226
    Abstract: Techniques to facilitate a system to capture, process, and archive a series of user interactive events and subsequently retrieve the stored user interactive events are disclosed. The captured information is indexed and stored for future access either on a terminal device or an accessible remote server device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Inbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinsheng Wang, Joe Zheng
  • Patent number: 6646682
    Abstract: An improved color image linear sensor is disclosed to minimize the registration problems commonly seen in a sensor using three rows of photodetectors. In particular, according to one embodiment, the photodetectors in the improved color image linear sensor are shaped in triangle so that the triangular-like shaped photodetectors are interspersed with the upside-down triangular-like shaped photodetectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignees: Syscan (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Limited, Syscan, Inc.
    Inventor: Alpha Hou
  • Patent number: 6636210
    Abstract: A method for use in a three dimensional browsing environment is described. The method, in one embodiment, includes receiving a jump request from one viewing point to another. The method also includes determining a destination from the current viewing point with respect to the jump request. The method further includes calculating a trajectory to the destination from the current viewing point. The method stills includes displaying a set of views in animation form along the trajectory and displaying a view corresponding to the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Muse Corporation
    Inventor: Gavin Cheng
  • Patent number: 6633901
    Abstract: A “flat” network architecture facilitates direct connections between nodes so that information may be retrieved more efficiently. Agent software is loaded on each participating node, and this code is sufficiently intelligent to share and relay information appropriately in accordance with user requests. The invention is particularly advantageous in situations where communication bottlenecks are likely to occur, such as between corporate intranets and the Internet, in conjunction with requests to international servers, and in other configurations wherein only a limited number of data pipelines are available. A method of accessing information in a client-server network architecture according to the invention includes the step of maintaining a database on the server which keeps track of where desired information is stored on the network. When such information is requested from the server, the database is queried to determine whether the information is available from one or more participating clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: PSS Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Zuili
  • Patent number: 6633371
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for wavelength control and measurement are disclosed. An optical signal to be measured is tapped off a portion thereof referring to as a source signal. Together with a reference signal, the source signal is coupled to a tunable filter. The frequency response or passing band of the tunable filter is so controlled that one wavelength &lgr;x from the source signal and one wavelength &lgr;rx from the reference signal transmit through. Relying on a band separation filter, the wavelength &lgr;rx is separated from the reference signal and coupled to a gas cell of a known spectrum, a filtered signal of the wavelength &lgr;rx is then coupled to a photo-detector for subsequent electrical measurement. In accordance with the known spectrum, the wavelength &lgr;x can be precisely derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Tongxin Lu, Zheng Yan
  • Patent number: 6611289
    Abstract: An improved digital camera that produces digital images of high qualities without using expensive image sensors and optics is disclosed. The disclosed digital cameras use multiple image sensors with multiple lenses. One of the multiple image sensors is made to be responsive to all intensity information in visible color spectrum and a (gray intensity) image resulting from the sensor is used to compensate lost information in images from other image sensors responsive to certain colors. A final color image is obtained by a digital image processing circuitry that performs pixel registration process with reference to the gray intensity image so that a true color image with true resolution is obtained therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventors: Yanbin Yu, Zhongxuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 6606388
    Abstract: A technique for enhancing audio signals generated from compressed digital audio files is described. The technique uses a Bass Maximizer module, a Harmonic Exciter module and a Quasi Stereo module. The Bass Exciter module enhances the intensity, depth and punch of the bass audio content by creating harmonic sequences from low frequency components contained in the original input signal. The Harmonic Exciter module adds to the treble audio content of the original input signal by generating harmonic series from the high frequency components contained in the input signal. The Quasi Stereo Module creates a stereo image of the enhanced input signal by adding and subtracting delayed and filtered versions of the enhanced input signal with itself to create left and right channeled stereo-like outputs. The technique provides a useful tool to regenerate from an audio signal more pleasant and joyful sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Arboretum Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Townsend, Aram Lindahl
  • Patent number: 6603108
    Abstract: Distinct designs are provided to reduce dimensions of an image sensing module without affecting the sizes of the original individual components in the image sensing module. According to one embodiment, a mirror is mounted before an optical focus system and used to collect and redirect reflected light from a scanning object being illuminated by an illumination source in the image sensing module, wherein the scanning object is parallel to the optical focus system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Syscan Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Limited
    Inventors: Alpha Hou, Chengwu Gu
  • Patent number: 6601047
    Abstract: A digital evidence system is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the digital evidence system records pertinent screen activities such as data entry into an electronic form, verification of a data transfer and a purchase order by capturing images of displayed web pages requiring interactions from the user. The captured images are transmitted back to the business and can be retrieved according to a query about any interaction so that the online business could determine what has happened on the user side when a transaction was engaged with the online business.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Inbit Inc.
    Inventors: Jinsheng Wang, Joe Zheng
  • Patent number: 6596979
    Abstract: An image sensor employing multiple arrays of photodetectors is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, every two of three arrays are shielded with a non-transparent material. When charge signals are generated in the non-shielded array in response to light reflected from a scanning document illuminated by one of three colored lights, the charge signals are shifted to a next adjacent shielded array so that another set of charge signals can be generated under another one of the three colored lights. Essentially, the shielded arrays are used as buffers to separate the charge signals independently generated under three different colored lights. Subsequently, the charge signals corresponding to the same colored light can be accumulated to produce a much stronger scanning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignees: Syscan Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Limited, Syscan, Inc.
    Inventor: Alpha Hou
  • Patent number: 6587599
    Abstract: The disclosed system has particular applications to image archives and reediting. Given an image of an article having graphic objects including texts and pictures, the disclosed system first distinguishes graphic objects from the background by segmenting the image so as to produce an object image comprising a foreground, wherein the foreground corresponds to the graphic objects in the image. With respect to the foreground, the disclosed system “repaints” those spaces previously occupied by the graphic objects, referred to as object spaces, with the background color in the image as such the background continuity is preserved when the graphic objects are rendered and subsequently superimposed onto the repainted background. To account for various backgrounds, the disclosed system uses a point-wise patching approach followed by a one-dimensional patching approach if the object spaces contain two different colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: XMLCities, Inc.
    Inventor: Shih-Chi Huang
  • Patent number: 6587145
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a generic solution for direct readout of the charge signals from the photodetectors in an image sensor to minimize possible signal distortions. The disclosed image sensor uses a time measurement circuit for each of the photodetectors. The time elapsed for each of the photodetectors to reach a reference signal is measured and converted to a digital representation that is subsequently readout as the digital signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Syscan Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Alpha Hou
  • Patent number: 6574194
    Abstract: A system for facilitating packet data flow among stations on a data network and the associated method are disclosed. The system comprises queue managers that further comprise a free queue manager, an enqueue controller, a multicast queue manager, and a port queue manager. The free queue manager provides a mechanism to monitor the number of free buffers remaining in an external memory. The enqueue controller arbitrates between requests for enqueuing from the ports. The multicast queue manager maintains a multicast queue linked list and manages multicast queue entries to the list. The port queue manager manages output queues of each of the output ports and ensures that a packet is correctly routed to the appropriate ports for subsequent delivery. With the queue manages working in synchronization, an inbound packet can be routed to ports designated by the packet for delivery within a minimum time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Peter C. P. Sun, Wallace Lin