Patents Assigned to Texas Instruments
  • Patent number: 8923388
    Abstract: A method for making a slice cap decision during encoding of a video sequence in a video encoding pipe is provided that includes determining a prediction mode for a macroblock, computing an estimated encoded size of the macroblock based on an adaptive macroblock size estimation model, and making a slice cap decision for a current slice based on the estimated encoded macroblock size, wherein the slice cap decision is made prior to entropy coding the macroblock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Osman Gokhan Sezer, Mehmet Umut Demircin, Minhua Zhou, Pramod Kumar Swami, Uday Kiran Pudipeddi
  • Patent number: 8924767
    Abstract: A timestamp generator generates a timestamp value having a predetermined number of most significant bits and a predetermined number of least significant bits. The least significant bits are transmitted to a client via a parallel data bus. The most significant bits are transmitted to the client sequentially via a series data bus. Each client receives the parallel least significant bits and the series most significant bits and assembles a complete time stamp value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Gary L. Swoboda
  • Patent number: 8923416
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing symbol-level repetition coding in power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, these systems and methods may provide reliable communication in severe channel environments of PLC networks, at least in part, by changing the forward error correction (FEC) used by various devices operating within current PLC systems. For example, a method may include receiving a PLC signal and applying convolutional encoding to the received signal, the convolutional encoding producing an encoded signal. The method may also include performing a subcarrier modulation operation upon the encoded signal, the subcarrier modulation operation producing a modulated signal. The method may further include applying symbol-level repetition coding to the modulated signal, the symbol-level repetition coding producing a repetitious signal. In some cases, one or more distinct repetition patterns may be applied to different symbols or portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporation
    Inventors: Il Han Kim, Badri N. Varadarajan, Anand G. Dabak
  • Patent number: 8923017
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power converter (90) and a method of operating same. There are numerous advantages to operating power converters using a series resonant converter (1, 21). This approach is particularly suitable for minimizing switching losses in the power converter when it is operated at high frequency. However, there are problems with the known converters in that they are prone to generate noise in the acoustic spectrum due to the fact that the converter stages are often operating at different frequencies. The present invention relates to a power converter and a method of operating same that enables the operating frequency of the converter to be controlled by a control circuit over a predetermined range of the resonant frequency. This allows reduction in acoustic noise generation and facilitates frequency smearing that will in turn reduce spectral peaks. This is achieved while maintaining output ripple within acceptable ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments (Cork) Limited
    Inventor: George Young
  • Patent number: 8924155
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for scanning for access points (APs) for wireless local area network (WLAN) positioning. In one embodiment a wireless device includes a WLAN positioning system. The WLAN positioning system includes an AP scanner. The AP scanner is configured to determine which WLAN channels are being used by APs proximate to the wireless device. The AP scanner is also configured to scan for AP transmissions only the WLAN channels determined to be used by APs proximate to the wireless device. The AP scanner is further configured to extract signal strength and AP identification information for WLAN positioning from the AP transmissions on the scanned channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Deric W. Waters, Sthanunathan Ramakrishnan, Ariton E. Xhafa, Jaiganesh Balakrishnan, Tarkesh Pande, Sandeep Kasargod, Saket Thukral
  • Patent number: 8922255
    Abstract: A PWM modulator as might be used in a power converter, a drive signal will be generated on an output pin of an integrated circuit PWM controller device which is used to drive the output when the modulator is required to be on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: George Young, Seamus M. O'Driscoll, Andrew B. Keogh
  • Patent number: 8924831
    Abstract: A network coding method includes receiving a plurality of message packets each having a packet length. Encoding the plurality of message packets by applying a convolutional code across symbols in corresponding positions of the plurality of message packets obtaining a number of encoded packets. The number of encoded packets obtained being more than the number of message packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Samantha Rose Summerson, Anuj Batra, June Chul Roh
  • Patent number: 8922147
    Abstract: A quiet motor control system is described. This system digitally determines modulated voltages applied to motor phases in a manner that compensates for winding torque distortions, which reduces acoustic emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: John K. Rote, Brian L. Schmidt, Gregory E. Swize
  • Patent number: 8923407
    Abstract: A method for sample adaptive offset (SAO) filtering and SAO parameter signaling in a video encoder is provided that includes determining SAO parameters for largest coding units (LCUs) of a reconstructed picture, wherein the SAO parameters include an indicator of an SAO filter type and a plurality of SAO offsets, applying SAO filtering to the reconstructed picture according to the SAO parameters, and entropy encoding LCU specific SAO information for each LCU of the reconstructed picture in an encoded video bit stream, wherein the entropy encoded LCU specific SAO information for the LCUs is interleaved with entropy encoded data for the LCUs in the encoded video bit stream. Determining SAO parameters may include determining the LCU specific SAO information to be entropy encoded for each LCU according to an SAO prediction protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Vivienne Sze, Madhukar Budagavi, Woo-Shik Kim, Do-Kyoung Kwon, Minhua Zhou
  • Patent number: 8924802
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a test architecture that supports a common approach to testing individual die and dies in a 3D stack arrangement. The test architecture uses an improved TAP design to facilitate the testing of parallel test circuits within the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 8924826
    Abstract: A method for encoding data words into a frame is provided. Input data words are received on a first bus having a first width. The input data words are buffered so as to output intermediate data words onto a second bus having a second width. A transcode bit is generated from the intermediate data words, and a set of parity bits is generated from the intermediate words using a syndrome generator, where the syndrome generator uses a number of bits that are equal to the second width. A frame is then generated from the intermediate data words and the set of parity bits and is output to a third bus having the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Seuk B. Kim, Douglas E. Wente
  • Publication number: 20140375342
    Abstract: A sensing circuit for a power PET. A first sensing FET senses current flow from load to ground. A second sensing FET senses current flow from ground to load. The current flows are converted to voltages, then added to generate a sensed output voltage. The specific amplitude of the sensed output voltage indicates the direction of the current flow. Resistive elements used to convert currents to voltages are configured as pairs of resistors having temperature coefficients of opposite polarity in order to compensate for temperature effects in the sensing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yew Tat Chuah, Zhao Tang, Wei Lu
  • Patent number: 8916408
    Abstract: A low-cost microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device has a mass-produced carrier fabricated as a pre-molded leadframe so that the space of the leadframe center is filled with compound and a two-tier stepped recess is created in the center. The first tier is filled by an inset with a first perforation and a second perforation. An integrated circuit chip with an opening and a membrane at the end of the opening, operable as a pressure sensor, microphone, speaker, etc, is assembled on the inset so that the chip opening is aligned with the first perforation. The chip is protected by a cover transected by a vent aligned with the second inset perforation. An air channel extends from the ambient exterior through the vent and the second perforation to the second tier recess, which acts as a channel and connects to the first perforation and the chip opening to the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: James R. Huckabee, Ray H. Purdom
  • Patent number: 8918445
    Abstract: An integrated multiplier circuit that operates on a variety of data formats including integer fixed point, signed or unsigned, real or complex, 8 bit, 16 bit or 32 bit as well as floating point data that may be single precision real, single precision complex or double precision. The circuit uses a single set of multiplier arrays to perform 16×16, 32×32 and 64×64 multiplies, 32×32 and 64×64 complex multiplies, 32×32 and 64×64 complex multiplies with one operand conjugated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy David Anderson, Mujibur Rahman
  • Patent number: 8917756
    Abstract: A wireless communication system. The system comprises transmitter circuitry (BST1), the transmitter circuitry comprising encoder circuitry (50) for transmitting a plurality of frames (FR). Each of the plurality of frames comprises a primary synchronization code (PCS) and a second synchronization code (SSC). The encoder circuitry comprises of circuitry (501) for providing the primary synchronization code in response to a first sequence (32). The encoder circuitry further comprises circuitry (502) for providing the secondary synchronization code in response to a second sequence (54) and a third sequence (56). The second sequence is selected from a plurality of sequences. Each of the plurality of sequences is orthogonal with respect to all other sequences. The third sequence is a subset of bits from the first sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Anand G. Dabak, Sundararajan Sriram, Srinath Hosur
  • Patent number: 8916427
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may be formed by forming a silicon-containing gate dielectric layer over a semiconductor layer. A gate metal layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer; the gate metal layer includes 2 atomic percent to 10 atomic percent silicon during formation. The gate metal layer is patterned to form a metal gate. Source and drain contact holes are subsequently formed, and contact metal is formed and patterned in the contact holes. A subsequent contact anneal heats the contact metal and gate for at least 30 seconds at a temperature of at least 750° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Asad Mahmood Haider, Jungwoo Joh
  • Patent number: 8916934
    Abstract: A structure is designed with an external terminal (100) and a reference terminal (102). A first transistor (106) is formed on a substrate. The first transistor has a current path coupled between the external terminal and the reference terminal. A second transistor (118) has a current path coupled between the external terminal and the substrate. A third transistor (120) has a current path coupled between the substrate and the reference terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Steinhoff, Jonathan Brodsky, Thomas A. Vrotsos
  • Patent number: 8915148
    Abstract: A motion conversion system is described. The motion conversion system comprises a first torsional member operative for rotating in a first direction. A second torsional member is offset a distance from the first torsional member, wherein the second torsional member is operative for rotating in a direction opposite from the first direction. And, a lateral member has a lower surface connected to the first and second torsional members. Wherein, translational movement of the lateral member results from rotational movement of the first and second torsional members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard Lee Knipe
  • Patent number: 8918688
    Abstract: In a first embodiment a TAP 318 of IEEE standard 1149.1 is allowed to commandeer control from a WSP 202 of IEEE standard P1500 such that the P1500 architecture, normally controlled by the WSP, is rendered controllable by the TAP. In a second embodiment (1) the TAP and WSP based architectures are merged together such that the sharing of the previously described architectural elements are possible, and (2) the TAP and WSP test interfaces are merged into a single optimized test interface that is operable to perform all operations of each separate test interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 8918549
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting a USB cable-type. A USB PD device configured at a near end of a USB cable is configured to (i) receive and process a signal from a device at a far end of the USB cable to determine a power rating of the USB cable and (ii) adjustably establish power delivered by the first device to the USB cable as a function of the determined USB cable power rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Deric Wayne Waters