Patents by Inventor Alexander MacInnis

Alexander MacInnis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8863134
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, there is presented computer readable media for servicing at least one task. The machine readable media stores a plurality of instructions, where the plurality of instructions further comprises an operating system. The operating system treats a first request from a task at a priority level associated with a real time application and treats subsequent requests from the task that occur within a predetermined amount of time after the first request at another priority level that is lower than the priority level associated with the task. In another embodiment, an operating system receives real time requirements from at least one task and determines whether it can assure the task of meeting its real time requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander MacInnis
  • Patent number: 8848792
    Abstract: A video and graphics system has a reduced memory mode in which video images are reduced in half in horizontal direction during decoding. The video and graphics system includes a video decoder for decoding MPEG-2 video data. The video images may not be downscaled in the horizontal direction when no bi-directionally predicted pictures are used. The video and graphics system may output an HDTV video while converting the HDTV video and providing as another output having an SDTV format or another HDTV format. The output having an SDTV format may be recorded using a video cassette recorder (VCR) while the HDTV video is being displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Chengfuh Jeffrey Tang, Xiaodong Xie, Vivian Hsiun
  • Patent number: 8850078
    Abstract: In a computing system, a method and system for a thin client and blade architecture are provided. A blade may generate video, audio, and peripheral control information that may be transmitted to a thin client (TC) by utilizing a video encoder, an audio bridge, and a peripheral bridge. Communication between the blade and the TC may occur based on a communication protocol that may operate independently of an operating system and/or applications running on the blade. The video encoder may dynamically compress the video information according to network capacity and/or video content and may dynamically select from various compression algorithms. The blade may configure and manage operations that interface with the TC. The TC may comprise a video decoder, a transceiver, a processor, a video display bridge, an audio bridge, and a peripheral bridge and may be adapted to communicate with peripheral devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Uri El Zur
  • Patent number: 8781450
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for handling data in wireless communication devices where data may be captured and linked to a personal journal via indexing and mapping of context data tags abstracted from captured data. The captured data may be retrieved by matching a query to one or more context data tags indexed and mapped to the personal journal. A user preference utilizing one or more of the context data tags linked to the personal journal may facilitate captured data retrieval. The captured data may include multimedia data of an event pre-tagged with indexed information such as user ID, time, date, location and environmental condition or optionally one or more user's biometric data in response to the event. The pre-tagged captured data may be stored in the local host device or transferred to a remote host or storage for later retrieval or post processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Arya Behzad, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley
  • Patent number: 8769670
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for communication of information in a mobile communication device (WMCD) configured to network connection may include discovering via a wireless mobile communication device, available communication resources based on acquired biometric data for a user of the WMCD, and communicating multimedia information between the WMCD and one or more of the discovered available resources. The acquired biometric data may include physical and behavioral biometric data to be authenticated and validated by a pattern recognition database. A connection between the WMCD and one or more discovered available resources may be established through linking the acquired biometric data to resources in available local or remote network. The established connection may enable the WMCD to consume or redirect media from the available resources and may be dynamically adjusted and updated based on dynamic sensing of the acquired biometric data in the available network or available resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Quigley, Alexander MacInnis, Arya Behzad, Jeyhan Karaoguz, John Walley, Mark Buer
  • Publication number: 20140132483
    Abstract: A handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) establishes an ad hoc network comprising interconnected networks for a user. The HWCD gains access to content on a first device and controls communication of the content from the first device via the HWCD to a second device. The HWCD enables the second device to consume the content. The content may be streamed from the first device via the HWCD to the second device. The first device is a service provider network device or other network device. The access may be authenticated and/or secure. Secure access to the content is extended from the first device to the second device. The ad hoc network is configured and/or reconfigured until communication is complete. The HWCD comprises multiple wireless interfaces. The ad hoc network comprises a PAN, WLAN, WAN and/or cellular network. The HWCD may hand-off among base stations during communication of the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Buer, Arya Behzad, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley
  • Publication number: 20140119457
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments directed to transcoding a media file in parallel. A media file may be accessed, the media file comprising a bit stream expressing a series of pictures. A first random access point in the bit stream and a second random access point in the bit stream are identified. An input segment of the bit stream is generated, the input segment comprising a starting point, the starting point being the first random access point. One of a plurality of transcoders is selected to transcode the input segment for generating a corresponding output segment, each transcoder being configured to operate concurrently in parallel. The output segment is stored in a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Hongtao Zhu, Jason Herrick, Brian Schoner, Junlin Li
  • Patent number: 8711824
    Abstract: A handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) establishes an ad hoc network comprising interconnected networks for a user. The HWCD gains access to content on a first device and controls communication of the content from the first device via the HWCD to a second device. The HWCD enables the second device to consume the content. The content may be streamed from the first device via the HWCD to the second device. The first device is a service provider network device or other network device. The access may be authenticated and/or secure. Secure access to the content is extended from the first device to the second device. The ad hoc network is configured and/or reconfigured until communication is complete. The HWCD comprises multiple wireless interfaces. The ad hoc network comprises a PAN, WLAN, WAN and/or cellular network. The HWCD may hand-off among base stations during communication of the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Buer, Arya Behzad, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley
  • Publication number: 20140099067
    Abstract: A system and method for personal video recording (PVR) is provided for recording digitally encoded streams, and for playing back and decoding the recorded streams. The PVR system may receive the digitally encoded streams from a digital cable box or a network server. The system enables trick modes including fast forward and reverse mode displays at various speeds. The system an method for PVR may also be applied to digitally encoded streams without I-pictures, such as, for example, progressive refresh streams or HITS streams. Reverse decode and display may be implemented by starting at a suitable entry point, decoding quickly up to the point of the desired picture, and displaying the result, and repeating the process. Index tables of entry points may be used for proper operation in some modes where the entry points are entry pictures (E-pictures) which start a pattern of progressively refreshing I-slices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander MacInnis
  • Patent number: 8692934
    Abstract: Described herein are a method and system for frame rate adaptation. There may be conditions that require the rate of a video sequence to be dynamically controlled, and a frame interval may be adaptively selected every frame. A frame within the video sequence may contain, for example, a time stamp that is transmitted to a decoder to indicate the change in temporal spacing between frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander MacInnis
  • Patent number: 8670073
    Abstract: A video processing device may compare a pixel or group of pixels of a current video picture to a pixel or group of pixels of a previous video picture. The video processing device may generate a motion vector for the pixel or group of pixels of the current video picture based on the comparison. The video processing device may determine an amount of filtering to be applied to the pixel or group of pixels of the current video picture. The video processing device may adjust the determined amount of filtering to be applied to the pixel or group of pixels based on the generated motion vector and based on a brightness value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Sheng Zhong, Alexander MacInnis
  • Publication number: 20140068004
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a persistent request generated by a wireless device, executed remotely and output to configurable local resources are described and may include generating via a handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) a persistent request for a user that may be communicated to remote devices for execution and storage of results. The stored results may be received from local resources local which may be configured by the remote devices based on user preferences to deliver the stored results to the user. The stored results may be received by the user via the HWCD or another wireless communication device, and the identity of the user may be authenticated prior to receiving the stored results. The remote devices may discover the local resources based on the detection of the user logging into the network. User preferences may be stored in networked devices or may be stored in the HWCD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Buer, Arya Behzad, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley
  • Patent number: 8666160
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for DRAM 2D video word formatting. In one aspect of the invention, words of data in a DRAM may be arranged for optimal DRAM operating efficiency. The data organization may utilize a 2-dimensional array of samples, for example. In one embodiment of the invention, a 128-bit or 16-byte word or GWord of DRAM may include an 8×2 array of luma samples, comprising 8 horizontal samples and 2 vertical samples from one field, for example. In this regard, either both may be even lines or both may be odd lines. Various other 2-dimensional arrangements may be chosen according to the demands of the video format being processed in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander MacInnis
  • Patent number: 8646014
    Abstract: A system and method that provide reduced latency in a video signal processing system. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise transmitting a first video information stream representative of a unit of video information. For example, the transmitted first video information stream may correspond to a video channel. A second video information stream representative of the unit of video information may be transmitted simultaneously with the first video information stream. The second video information stream may also, for example, correspond to the video channel. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise receiving a plurality of simultaneously transmitted video information streams. A video information stream of the plurality of received video information streams may be identified that, when processed, is expected to result in the lowest latency in presenting the unit of video information to the user. The identified video information stream may then be so processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander MacInnis
  • Patent number: 8588513
    Abstract: Described herein is a method and system for motion compensation. This system and method use confidence for motion vector selection. Relative cost and an estimate of noise power may be used to characterize residual values and influence confidence determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Sheng Zhong, Chenhui Feng
  • Patent number: 8583092
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a persistent request generated by a wireless device, executed remotely and output to configurable local resources are disclosed and may include generating via a handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) a persistent request for a user that may be communicated to remote devices for execution and storage of results. The stored results may be received from local resources local which may be configured by the remote devices based on user preferences to deliver the stored results to the user. The stored results may be received by the user via the HWCD or another wireless communication device, and the identity of the user may be authenticated prior to receiving the stored results. The remote devices may discover the local resources based on the detection of the user logging into the network. User preferences may be stored in networked devices or may be stored in the HWCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Buer, Arya Behzad, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley
  • Publication number: 20130263195
    Abstract: A system and method that provide reduced latency in a video signal processing system. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise transmitting a first video information stream representative of a unit of video information. For example, the transmitted first video information stream may correspond to a video channel. A second video information stream representative of the unit of video information may be transmitted simultaneously with the first video information stream. The second video information stream may also, for example, correspond to the video channel. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise receiving a plurality of simultaneously transmitted video information streams. A video information stream of the plurality of received video information streams may be identified that, when processed, is expected to result in the lowest latency in presenting the unit of video information to the user. The identified video information stream may then be so processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander MacInnis
  • Publication number: 20130262491
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for processing and storing captured data in a wireless communication device based on detected biometric event data. The captured data may be acquired through a data acquisition system with devices or sensors in an integrated or distributed configuration. The captured data may include multimedia data of an event with time, date and/or location stamping, and captured physiological and behavioral biometric event data in response to the event. The captured data may be dynamically stored in a data binding format or as raw data in a local host device or communicated externally to be stored in a remote host or storage. At least one user preference may be specified for linking a biometric event data to the mapped, analyzed, categorized and stored captured data in a database. Captured data may be retrieved by matching biometric event data to at least one user preference from the database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Arya Behzad, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Thomas Quigley, John Walley
  • Publication number: 20130251049
    Abstract: Described herein is a method and system for the reduction of noise in a video sequence. When motion is present in the video sequence, this system and method identifies motion data. With the motion data, a Motion Compensated Temporal Filter (MCTF) can apply motion compensation prior to filtering in the time domain. Temporal filtering can be performed to reduce visible noise and other detrimental artifacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Sheng Zhong
  • Publication number: 20130239118
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are disclosed for apportioning tasks among devices. One such method is performed in handheld wireless communication device (HWCD). The method includes discovering available resources in a network and dynamically assessing cost functions for performing a task on the HWCD and on each of the discovered resources. Each of the respective cost functions is based on performance factors associated with the HWCD or with one of the devices. Based on change in the cost functions, the task is apportioned for local execution by the HWCD or remote execution by the available resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Arya Behzad, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley