Patents Examined by Thomas Peeso
  • Patent number: 5768535
    Abstract: A software-based encoder is provided for an end-to-end scalable video delivery system that operates over heterogeneous networks. The encoder utilizes a scalable video compression algorithm based on a Laplacian pyramid decomposition to generate an embedded information stream. The decoder decimates a highest resolution original image, e.g., 640.times.480 pixels, to produce an intermediate 320.times.240 pixel image that is decimated to produce an intermediate 160.times.120 pixel image that is compressed to form an encodable base layer 160.times.120 pixel image. This base layer image is decompressed to form an image that is up-sampled by interpolation to produce an up-sampled 320.times.240 pixel image. This up-sampled image is subtracted from the intermediate 320.times.240 pixel image to form an error image that is compressed and encoded as a first enhancement 640.times.480 pixel layer. The decompressed base layer image is also up-sampled at step to produce an up-sampled 640.times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Navin Chaddha, J. Duane Northcutt, Gerard A. Wall, James G. Hanko
  • Patent number: 5768507
    Abstract: A display controller to upscale a source video image for display on a display unit of a computer system. An encoder circuit in the display controller circuit stores in a local memory pixel data of previous scan lines required for interpolation in a compressed format using differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) scheme. Encoder circuit avoids a slope overload condition by generating compressed data for a first pixel of each scan line by using the first pixel itself as a reference. Encoder circuit generates compressed data for other pixels by using at least one prior pixel in the corresponding scan line. A decoder circuit decompresses the pixel data into original format prior to sending to an interpolator. The interpolator receives a present scan line and the decompressed data of previous scan lines, and interpolates the received pixels to generate additional pixels required for upscaling the source video image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Julian Eglit
  • Patent number: 5768148
    Abstract: A utility for rapid development of three dimensional representations of electrical distribution switchgear is provided. These switchgear elevations have logical connections to the switchgear devices. An elevation can be modified to any dimensions with an infinite number of combinations and arrangements of meters and protection devices to quickly and accurately represent a customer's switchgear. Also, an event logger utility is provided for viewing, organizing and analyzing unusual behavior in a power system. The event logger utility passes a received message as an un-acknowledgeable or acknowledgeable alarm or as an event based upon the contents of a initialization file. A utility for the waveform capture is provided for viewing and analysis of waveforms (e.g., Fourier, frequency and/or harmonic analysis) captured by sophisticated metering devices. Waveforms from a device may be super-imposed for analysis. Processing of the collected waveform data to display any one of the eight waveform parameters (i.e., I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Murphy, Kelley E. Gourley, Cliff John Winkel, Bret William Bolte
  • Patent number: 5768533
    Abstract: A communication system and protocol uses retransmission techniques for video transmission on mobile/wireless channels. The system partitions frames of a moving image into frame segments, and combines a sequence of frame segments to form a sub-sequence of the moving image. The sub-sequences are treated as separate images which are separately encoded and transmitted to a receiver and then are combined to reassemble the moving image. A sender transmits to the receiver data packets, each data packet representing all or part of a digital code for a frame segment. The receiver requests retransmission of data packets containing detectable errors, indicates in a status buffer which digital codes have been received and whether the digital codes are intra or inter codes, and displays a frame only after all required data packets have been received without detectable errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Xiaonong Ran
  • Patent number: 5764542
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the amount of electrical noise in a signal produced by a temperature sensor for an appliance which utilizes a running average calculation to provide a more accurate sensor reading in an inexpensive and efficient manner. Consecutive readings obtained by the sensor are digitized and stored in a circular buffer. A running average of the readings stored in the buffer is made upon each new reading and the concurrent erasure of the oldest reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Marvin F. Gaudette, Kimble A. Vitkus
  • Patent number: 5764899
    Abstract: For optimized reply, when sending a reply (902) in a first embodiment a remote communication unit's controller (206) generates a delta between a preceding message and the reply message, and forms an optimized reply (904) using the delta and an identifier of the preceding message. On receiving the optimized reply, the communication server uses the data unit identifier to retrieve (910) the preceding message from a further server (e.g., the post office mailbox of the user associated with the remote unit), reconstructs (914) the full reply from the retrieved message and the delta, and forwards (916) the full reply to the addressee. When receiving a reply for the remote unit (918), an index is preferably maintained by both units of mail stored at the remote unit. From this index a preceding message forming part of the reply is identified (920). An optimized reply is then similarly formed (922) and sent to the remote unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Eggleston, Mitch Hansen, Anthony Rzany
  • Patent number: 5764913
    Abstract: A status monitoring system for a computer network including obtaining, concurrently displaying, and dynamically updating, the operational state of a plurality of nodes in a computer network. The operational state for each node is displayed concurrently in an expandable hierarchical display having a dynamically updatable operational state icon corresponding to each node in the network. The operational state icon is characteristic of a traffic light and can be used in combination with superimposed status indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gavin Jancke, Casey Lang Kiernan
  • Patent number: 5764876
    Abstract: A method and device for detecting a cyclic code which detects an n-bit cyclic code or shortened cyclic code based on a degree-m generating polynomial or code with a predetermined bit pattern added to the cyclic code or shortened cyclic code in the bit sequence of a signal containing those codes by utilizing the principle that the remainder of division of those codes by the generating polynomial is zero or the added bit pattern.The method divides serially input receive data by the generating polynomial successively, and removes the remainder of division of X.sup.n by the generating polynomial from the remainder of the division of the bits up to the current bit if the nth bit before the current bit is 1 for each of the nth bit from the first bit and subsequent bits of the receive data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Toyo Communication Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Yanagisawa, Tetsuya Morizumi
  • Patent number: 5764529
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automatic frequency and voltage selection for microprocessors in a computer system. Microprocessor identification (ID) bits are burned into a microprocessor during manufacture to specify the correct bus frequency and core voltage. A clock generator and voltage regulator are provided to receive and interpret the ID bits and provide the correct frequency and voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Bennie Capps, Jr., Son Hung Lam, John Blake Pavelka, An Xuan Tra
  • Patent number: 5764917
    Abstract: A system for recording and broadcast studios for time multiplexed bidirectional transmission and switching high-fidelity audio-analog and audio-digital signals and command and control signals. A first bidirectional transmission medium conveys first frames produced by multiplexing the high-fidelity signals and command and control signals between a transmitter and a master receiver. The system also includes a controller with a man-machine interface (26, 32, 33, 34) receiving the high-fidelity signals transmitted by input circuits included in the transmitter and the command and control signals for monitoring in real time the evolution of the various parameters related to the signals, and for controlling in real time the modifications and configuration adaptions in the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Innova Son, S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Christian Royer, Philippe Royer
  • Patent number: 5764921
    Abstract: A method (100, 200), device (300) and microprocessor (400) are provided for selectively compressing video frames of a motion compensated prediction-based video codec based on a predetermined set of compression techniques. An energy estimate of the current displaced frame difference, DFD, is used to compute a ratio between the estimate and a historical mean of energy estimates. The ratio is iteratively compared to a predetermined set of thresholds which are associated with the predetermined set of compression techniques. The comparisons are used to choose a technique based on the thresholds, and a technique is selected to be used for encoding the current DFD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignees: Motorola, Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mark R. Banham, James C. Brailean, Stephen N. Levine, Aggelos K. Katsaggelos, Guido M. Schuster
  • Patent number: 5761429
    Abstract: A network controller for monitoring the status of a network includes a hierarchical object-based data structure representative of the network to be controlled. The data structure includes a set of hierarchically linked objects representative of elements of the network and each object includes object parameters including an object status parameter (e.g., a fault parameter) and, with the exception of the root object of the object hierarchy, a pointer to a parent object. A graphical user interface is configured to display one or more views of an object and is responsive to the selection of a displayed object by user. The controller can provide a hierarchical view of the objects and/or a physical location view of at least selected objects from the hierarchy. The display of objects associated with faults is highlighted to facilitate identification and the controller allows the operator to navigate through the object structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: DSC Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5761437
    Abstract: An audio signal processing circuit has a synchronizing pattern detector, an unformatter, a synthesizing filter, an output latch, and a sequence generator. The sequence generator starts to operate the unformatter and the synthesizing filter from the time of the synchronizing pattern in the audio bit stream, and then temporarily stops the operation of the unformatter and the synthesizing filter when a first sample of the audio signal is stored in the output latch. In response to an audio start signal, the sequence generator starts to operate the unformatter and the synthesizing filter again to output an audio signal without a synchronization time error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Hideto Takano, Hideki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5761090
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring both an industrial process and a sensor. The method and system include determining a minimum number of sensor pairs needed to test the industrial process as well as the sensor for evaluating the state of operation of both. The technique further includes generating a first and second signal characteristic of an industrial process variable. After obtaining two signals associated with one physical variable, a difference function is obtained by determining the arithmetic difference between the pair of signals over time. A frequency domain transformation is made of the difference function to obtain Fourier modes describing a composite function. A residual function is obtained by subtracting the composite function from the difference function and the residual function (free of nonwhite noise) is analyzed by a statistical probability ratio test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Gross, Ralph M. Singer
  • Patent number: 5761423
    Abstract: A memory architecture is disclosed for storing macroblocks of an anchor picture. Each macroblock is an i.times.j matrix of p blocks of n.times.m pixels, where i,j,m,n and p are integers, p>1 and p=i.multidot.j. The blocks of each macroblock are consistently ordinalled with an ordinal q, 0.ltoreq.q.ltoreq.p-1. The memory architecture enables p parallel decoding engines to simultaneously access different blocks of a predictive macroblock of pixels identified in the anchor picture. The memory architecture includes p simultaneously addressable memories. Each of the memories is for storing pixel data of mutually different blocks of each macroblock of the anchor picture. Specifically, each of the p memories is assigned to at least one q.sup.th ordinalled block of each macroblock of the anchor picture, which at least one q.sup.th ordinalled block is different from the ordinalled blocks assigned to each other memory. Each of the memories only stores the corresponding at least one q.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Charng Long Lee
  • Patent number: 5761416
    Abstract: A novel video server is taught which allows for additional output bandwidth from the server by using multiple physical network interfaces over a single IP subnetwork. This approach is particularly well suited for use with video servers that store and deliver multimedia bit streams by allowing all clients to share the same subnetwork with the server. In this manner, the bandwidth from each of the physical network interface can be combined as needed and assigned as needed in service to any plurality of destinations in the network, allowing all bandwidth to be available for use with one or more clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kallol Mandal, Steven Kleiman
  • Patent number: 5761432
    Abstract: An attribute design database system provides for inventory management, order process management and design management. The system operates in a telecommunications management network provisioning environment. It provides a physical network management system that includes various telecommunications network management tools. Graphical user interface facilitates the user's navigation of the database system to enable the same person to have access to and the ability to modify information in regards to inventory management, design management and order management for the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: AT&T Corp
    Inventors: Joseph O. Bergholm, John Michael Davis, Shui Yee Lee, Behzad Nadji, Peter Di-Hsian Ting
  • Patent number: 5761434
    Abstract: A system and method for software control of a phase lock loop which accomplishes synchronization between sampled input audio voice signals and a clock controlling the output signal sampling rate. A memory queue is used to buffer input voice data sampled at an input sampling rate. A DSP retrieves stored voice data from the memory queue at a read rate which is periodically adjusted by the DSP according to the number of stored voice data samples remaining in the queue. The read rate is adjusted so as to maintain the number of stored voice data samples at substantially half of the queue capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Hewitt
  • Patent number: 5761409
    Abstract: A monitor passively observes traffic on a bus connecting a computer with a block-oriented mass storage device, such as a disc. The monitor parses the traffic on the bus to identify read and write operations and the bus address/block address they are intended for. The monitor creates an original confidence indicator for writes, which it then stores in a memory of its own. The memory location at which the original confidence indicator is stored is defined by a data structure indexed by the bus address/block address combination. When at a later time that same bus address/block address is read from, the monitor creates a comparison confidence indicator from data being sent from the block-oriented mass storage device to the computer, retrieves the corresponding original confidence indicator from the data structure in its memory, and compares the two. If they do not match there has been data corruption and an appropriate indication is issued to the bus or the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Rich P. Testardi
  • Patent number: 5757670
    Abstract: The frame reconstruction (FR) portion of an MPEG decompression circuit includes a horizontal interpolation element, a vertical interpolation element, and a selector (post processing) element. The horizontal and vertical interpolation elements are each digital filters averaging respectively two horizontal and two vertical adjacent pixels in an MPEG pixel block. Logic is included for constructing B, I, and P-type MPEG pictures. Also included is an error/warning handling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: S3, Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephanie W. Ti, Charles C. Stearns