Patents Assigned to ATI Technologies ULC
  • Patent number: 7570490
    Abstract: A device to thermally couple a thermal management apparatus to at least one heat generating component of a circuit substrate includes at least a first portion that is adapted to couple to the thermal management apparatus, and at least a second portion that is adapted to couple to the thermal management apparatus. The first portion and the second portion may be symmetrically arranged relative to each other. The first portion and the second portion are adapted to thermally couple the thermal management apparatus to the heat generating component with a first spring bias. The first portion and the second portion are further adapted to maintain the thermal management apparatus thermally coupled to the heat generating component with a second spring bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Gamal Refai-Ahmed, Robert Wiley, Steven Chan, Nima Osqueizadeh, Salim Lakhani
  • Patent number: 7571271
    Abstract: A buffer is associated with each of a plurality of data lanes of a multi-lane serial data bus. Data words are timed through the buffers of active ones of the data lanes. Words timed through buffers of active data lanes are merged onto a parallel bus such that data words from each of the active data lanes are merged onto the parallel bus in a pre-defined repeating sequence of data lanes. This approach allows other, non-active, data lanes to remain in a power conservation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Sergiu Goma, Fariborz Pourbigharaz, Milivoje Aleksic
  • Patent number: 7567467
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of writing information to a synchronous memory device by examining a present word of N bits to be written, where each bit has a high or low value. The present word is compared to a previous word also having N bits to identify the number of bit transitions from a low value to a high value of vice versa. The present bit is inverted when the number of transitions is greater than N/2. To avoid the need for having an extra bit accompany data bytes to indicate the presence or absence of inversion, the present invention takes advantage of a data mask pin that is normally unused during writing operations to carry the inversion bit. Non-inverted data is written directly into the memory device while inverted data is first inverted again before writing to storage locations, so that true data is stored in the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: ATI Technologies, ULC
    Inventors: Joseph Macri, Olge Drapkin, Grigori Temkine, Osamu Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20090167923
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed wherein a depth map is generated using a single camera (e.g., single lens of a camera) and multiple images are captured by the camera. In one example, a single digital camera is used to capture a set of images corresponding to a set of lens positions based on lens position data. In this example, the lens position data may be either uniform or nonuniform lens position data. The method and apparatus determines focus metric information for each of a plurality of regions of interest in each image of a set. A determination is made of a best lens position for each of the regions of interest based on the focus metric information from the images in the set and are stored as data in a depth map. Image generation operations are then performed based on the generated depth map, such as determining whether or not to use a flash to capture a final image, to determine a type of color operation to be performed on the final image, or any other suitable image generation operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Reza Safaee-Rad, Milivoje Aleksic
  • Publication number: 20090167778
    Abstract: A mipmap generator generates pairs of mipmaps that are each of a lower resolution that its respective source image. A single-pass, gradient-based motion vector generator generates an image motion vector map having values that represent the motion trajectories for pixels in the first and second source images. An image interpolator generates an interpolated image based on the source images and the image motion vector map. A motion detector generates a motion factor map based on a pair of mipmaps from those generated by the mipmap generator that represents a detected degree of motion between the first and second source images. The blending module generates a blended, upconverted new image using the motion factor map, the interpolated image and one of the first and second motion maps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventor: Jeff X. Wei
  • Publication number: 20090167930
    Abstract: A method and apparatus improves an auto focus system by altering, such as by positioning, at least one lens of a digital camera to a plurality of predetermined nonuniform lens positions corresponding to predetermined nonuniform lens position data. The method and apparatus selects a final lens position for the lens based on the predetermined nonuniform lens position data. In one example, a fixed number of predetermined nonuniform lens positions define a set of lens positions used to capture images during an auto focus operation. A final image is captured using a final lens position. The final lens position is determined by comparing focus metric information from each of the frames obtained at the various predetermined nonuniform focus lens positions and selecting the frame with, for example, the best focus metric as the lens position to be used for the final picture or image capture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Reza Safaee-Rad, Milivoje Aleksic
  • Publication number: 20090167958
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that is able to favor keeping objects in motion intact is provided. Additionally a method and apparatus regularizing a motion vector field that has been previously determined by a traditional algorithm is provided. Finally, a mechanism is provided that allows for improving a contextual understanding of an object structure even when the group of pixels under consideration is much smaller than the object in motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: ATI TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventor: Gordon F. Wredenhagen
  • Patent number: 7554510
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring multiple displays associated with a computing system begins when display preferences regarding at least one of the multiple displays are received. The display preferences indicate desired selections of which images are to be displayed on which displays and may be based on user selections or application selections. Having received the display preferences, a coupling controller within a video graphics processing circuit determines whether the display preferences can be fulfilled in observance of configuration properties. The configuration properties include limitations of the displays (e.g., refresh rate, resolution) and the computing system (e.g., display controller capabilities) and/or rules of the computing system (e.g., at least one screen must be actively coupled at all times). If the display preferences can be fulfilled, the coupling controller causes display controllers to be operably coupled to displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Gordon Fraser Grigor, Vladimir F. Giemborek, John E. Haberfellner
  • Publication number: 20090162029
    Abstract: One of a video source device and a video sink device may: (a) deactivate a video processing function at the one device and send a command for causing the other of the video source device and the video sink device to activate the video processing function; (b) activate the video processing function at the one device and send a command for causing the other device to deactivate the video processing function; and (c) based on user input indicating whether (a) or (b) resulted in a preferred video image, effect (a) or (b). The one device may receive an indication of video processing functions of which the other device is capable, such that (a), (b) and (c) may be performed for each indicated video processing function of which the one device is also capable. A user interface including at least one selectable control for indicating whether a video image resulting from (a) or (b) is preferred may be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventor: David Glen
  • Publication number: 20090161017
    Abstract: An upstream video processor may perform video processing upon video data to created processed video data. The video processing may include at least one of color correction, contrast correction, gamma correction, sharpness enhancement, and edge enhancement. Metadata indicative of the performed video processing may also be generated. The processed video data and metadata may be passed to a downstream video processor, the latter for use in determining what further video processing, if any, to apply. An intermediate video processor may receive video data and metadata indicating video processing performed thereupon by an upstream video processor. Based on the received metadata, additional video processing may be performed, and new metadata indicating the additional video processing may be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventor: David Glen
  • Publication number: 20090161988
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that augments the traditional Phase Plane Correlation (PPC) approach incorporates image structure into the correlation process. In so doing, the energy in spurious peaks that can occur in the phase plane correlation surface are dramatically reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: ATI TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventor: Gordon F. Wredenhagen
  • Publication number: 20090160531
    Abstract: A circuit and a method of operation to reduce dynamic and static power dissipation in the circuit are disclosed. The circuit is multi-threshold, voltage-biased and includes a p-channel field effect transistor (FET) and an n-channel FET. A source terminal of the p-channel FET interconnects to a higher-voltage rail of a power supply and a source terminal of the n-channel FET interconnects to a lower-voltage rail of the power supply. At least one of the FETs includes a back contact. The circuit may be operated by applying a fixed bias voltage to the back contact. The fixed bias voltage is independent of the power supply voltage which may be varied. In a normal state, the supply voltage is adjusted to decrease dynamic power consumption. In a low power state, the supply voltage is further adjusted to limit leakage current. The circuit may optionally include a second fixed biasing voltage source so that both FETs are biased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Oscar Law, Changyok Park
  • Publication number: 20090161009
    Abstract: Spatial or temporal interpolation may be performed upon source video content to create interpolated video content. A video signal including the interpolated video content and non-interpolated video content (e.g. the source video content) may be generated. At least one indicator for distinguishing the non-interpolated video content from the interpolated video content may also be generated. The video signal and indicator(s) may be passed from a video source device to a video sink device. The received indicator(s) may be used to distinguish the non-interpolated video content from the interpolated video content in the received video signal. The non-interpolated video content may be used to “redo” the interpolation or may be recorded to a storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventor: David Glen
  • Publication number: 20090161987
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of processing image data comprises correlating received image data. Image statistics are computed based upon the correlated image and eccentricity is estimated based upon the computed image statistics. An entropy metric of the correlated received image data is determined. An interpretation based upon the image statistics, estimated eccentricity, and entropy metric is performed and a report including the content of the processed image data is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: ATI TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventor: Gordon F. Wredenhagen
  • Publication number: 20090153734
    Abstract: At one of a video source device and a video sink device, an indication of video processing capabilities of the other of the video source device and said video sink device is received. Based upon the indication and an indication of video processing capabilities of the one device, one of a plurality of video processing algorithms is selected for execution by the one device. The selecting may be based upon a set of precedence rules. Categories of video processing may for example include scan-rate conversion, interlacing, de-interlacing, de-noise, scaling, color correction, contrast correction and detail enhancement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventor: David I.J. Glen
  • Publication number: 20090157938
    Abstract: In one example an electronic device includes a housing that includes an A/C input or DC input, and at least one circuit substrate that includes electronic circuitry, such as graphics processing circuitry that receives power based on the A/C input or DC input. The electronic device also includes a divided multi-connector element differential bus connector that is coupled to the electronic circuitry. The divided multi-connector element differential bus connector includes a single housing that connects with the circuit substrate and the connector housing includes therein a divided electronic contact configuration comprised of a first group of electrical contacts divided from an adjacent second group of mirrored electrical contacts wherein each group of electrical connects includes a row of at least lower and upper contacts. In one example, the electronic device housing includes air flow passages, such as grills, adapted to provide air flow through the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicants: ATI Technologies ULC, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Hunkins, Lawrence J. King, Raja Koduri
  • Publication number: 20090157914
    Abstract: A method includes reducing power of a first graphics processor by disabling or not using its rendering engine and leaving a display engine of the same first graphics processor capable of outputting display frames from a corresponding first frame buffer to a display. A display frame is rendered by a second graphics processor while the rendering engine of the first graphics processor is in a reduced power state, such as a non-rendering state. The rendered frame is stored in a corresponding second frame buffer of the second graphics processor, such as a local frame buffer and copied from the second frame buffer to the first frame buffer. The copied frame in the first frame buffer is then displayed on a display while the rendering engine of the first graphics processor is in the reduced power state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: James D. Hunkins, Lawrence J. King, Syed A. Hussain
  • Publication number: 20090153737
    Abstract: To apportion desired video processing between a video source device and a video sink device, at one of the devices, and based upon an indication of video processing algorithms of which the other device is capable and an indication of video processing algorithms of which the one device is capable, a set of video processing algorithms for achieving desired video processing is identified. The identified set of video processing algorithms is classified into a first subset of algorithms for performance by the other device and a second subset of algorithms for performance by the one device. At least one command for causing the other device to effect the first subset of video processing algorithms is sent. The one device may be configured to effect the second subset of algorithms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventor: David I.J. Glen
  • Publication number: 20090156060
    Abstract: An electrical connector, such as a circuit board connector, includes a housing having therein a divided multi-connector element. The electrical connector is adapted to electrically connect with a substrate, such as a circuit board. The divided multi-connector element includes a divided electrical contact configuration that includes a first group or subassembly of electrical contacts physically separate from an adjacent and second group or subassembly of contacts. The first group of electrical contacts and second group of electrical contacts each include a row of lower contacts and upper contacts. The second group of electrical contacts has an identical but mirrored configuration as the first group of electrical contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventor: James D. Hunkins
  • Publication number: 20090147021
    Abstract: A wide gamut RGB digital display, such as an LCD display, digital television, printer, or any other suitable display, includes wide color gamut configuration message control logic that is operative to indicate, to an image source provider, wide gamut RGB indication information and wide color gamut format definition information that indicates that wide gamut RGB color data is to be received by the wide gamut RGB digital display. The wide gamut configuration message control logic is also operatively responsive to wide gamut confirmation information that is received from the image source provider. The wide gamut RGB digital display also includes logic that is operative to display received wide gamut RGB color data that was received in response to the wide gamut RGB indication information and the format definition information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventor: David I.J. Glen