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: 8165155
    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: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Uri El Zur
  • Publication number: 20120079112
    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: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Mark Buer, Arya Behzad, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley
  • Publication number: 20120066221
    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: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Arya Behzad, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley
  • Publication number: 20120026402
    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: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Sheng Zhong, Alexander MacInnis
  • Patent number: 8107011
    Abstract: Described herein is a method and system for video sequence evaluation in the presence of cross-chroma interference. When the luma and chroma components in an analog video sequence are separated, the luma component may add interference to the chroma component. This is called cross-chroma interference. In the evaluation of the video sequence, the cross-chroma interference may be interpreted as motion, noise, or other artifacts. By reducing the cross-chroma interference during the evaluation, motion and noise can be identified with greater probability. The proper identification can aid motion estimators used in video coding and motion compensated temporal filtering, and it can aid video filters that do not utilize motion compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander MacInnis
  • Patent number: 8085743
    Abstract: An ad hoc network enabled to handle secure data may be created for a specified user via a handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) such that rightful access to protected data stored on one or more networked devices may be extended to one or more distributed rendering devices. The HWCD and/or the user may be authenticated. The HWCD may enable configuration of one or more dynamic connections on the ad hoc network as needed until communication of data is complete. Bandwidth and throughput of one or more communication links may be adjusted according to bandwidth availability. The data may be buffered via the HWCD and/or one or more of the distributed rendering devices. Processing data tasks may be assigned to one or more networked resources on the ad hoc network. The data may undergo format conversion and be consumed on the one or more distributed rendering devices and/or the HWCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Buer, Arya Behzad, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley
  • Publication number: 20110299602
    Abstract: Presented herein are system(s), method(s), and apparatus for a monitor with conversion capabilities for transferring data to a portable media player. In one embodiment, there is presented a monitor for displaying video data. The monitor comprises at least one input, a screen, an encoder, a memory, and an interface. The at least one input receives decompressed video data. The screen for displays the decompressed video data. The encoder encodes the decompressed video data. The memory stores the encoded decompressed video data. The interface transfers the encoded decompressed video data to another memory removable from the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alexander MacInnis
  • Patent number: 8027668
    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 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Arya Behzad, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley
  • Publication number: 20110216671
    Abstract: Methods and systems for environment configuration by a device based on auto-discovery of local devices and generating preference information for those resources are disclosed and may include discovering available devices utilizing a wireless mobile communication device (WMCD). Wireless communication may be established with one or more of the available devices utilizing the WMCD, which may then configure the resources according to a user's preferences or a plurality of user preferences. The user preferences may be stored internal or external to the WMCD, and may be modified based on subsequent changes to the configuring of the resources. The WMCD may communicate with the resources utilizing one or more of a plurality of wireless protocols, which may include cellular, WLAN, near-field communication, Bluetooth, and radio frequency identification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: John Walley, Arya Behzad, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley
  • Patent number: 7995141
    Abstract: Presented herein are system(s), method(s), and apparatus for displaying pictures on a display. In one embodiment, there is presented a method for outputting pictures. The method comprises receiving the plurality of fields for display in a particular order, where the plurality of fields are associated with the stream; detecting that a first field and a field adjacent to the first field have the same polarities; selecting between leading or lagging the fields after the first field; detecting that a second field and a field adjacent to the second field have the same polarities; selecting between leading and lagging the fields after the second field, based at least in part on the selection after the first field; detecting that a third field and a field adjacent to the third field have the same polarities; and selecting between leading and lagging the fields based at least in part on the selection after the second field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander MacInnis
  • Patent number: 7953038
    Abstract: Methods and systems for environment configuration by a device based on auto-discovery of local resources and generating preference information for those resources are disclosed and may include discovering available networked resources utilizing a wireless mobile communication device (WMCD). Wireless communication may be established with one or more of the available networked resources utilizing the WMCD, which may then configure the resources according to user preferences. The user preferences may be stored internal or external to the WMCD, and may be modified based on subsequent changes to the configuring of the resources. The WMCD may communicate with the resources utilizing one or more of a plurality of wireless protocols, which may comprise cellular, WLAN, near-field communication, Bluetooth, and radio frequency identification. The WMCD may auto-discover as well as determine and authenticate access privileges for the resources, which may comprise devices for adjusting a user's local environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: John Walley, Arya Behzad, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley
  • Patent number: 7924345
    Abstract: A method for processing video information may include calculating a polarity change count (PCC) for a plurality of pixel pairs selected from a plurality of pixels from different fields utilizing a plurality of difference polarity values associated with the plurality of pixel pairs. At least a portion of the plurality of pixels from different fields may be deinterlaced based on at least the calculated PCC. The plurality of difference polarity values may be calculated for the plurality of pixel pairs selected from the plurality of pixels from different fields. At least one difference in amplitude of at least one of the selected pixel pairs may be calculated for the calculating the plurality of difference polarity values. The plurality of pixels from different fields may comprise a plurality of adjacent pixels from a plurality of woven fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Chenhui Feng
  • Publication number: 20110075035
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for motion compensated temporal filtering using both finite impulse response (FIR) and infinite impulse response (IIR) filtering may include blending at least one finite impulse response (FIR) filtered output picture of video data and at least one infinite impulse response (IIR) filtered output picture of video data to generate at least one blended non-motion compensated output picture of video data. A motion compensated picture of video data may be generated utilizing at least one previously generated output picture of video data and at least one current input picture of video data. A motion compensated picture of video data may be blended with at least one current input picture of video data to generate a motion compensated output picture of video data. The generated motion compensated output picture of video data and the generated non-motion compensated output picture of video data may be blended to generate at least one current output picture of video data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Sheng Zhong
  • Patent number: 7916784
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for inverse telecine and field pairing may comprise receiving a plurality of fields of alternating polarity. A current field may be weaved with its corresponding adjacent field of opposite polarity. A polarity change count value may be calculated based on the weaving of the current field with its corresponding adjacent field of opposite polarity. The method may determine whether to utilize a progressive scheme or an interlaced scheme to encode the received plurality of fields of alternating polarity based at least in part on the calculated polarity change count value. At least one of a top field first (TFF) scheme, a bottom field first (BFF) scheme, a top field first-repeat first field (TFF-RFF) scheme and a bottom field first-repeat first field (BFF-RFF) scheme may be chosen to pair the plurality of fields of alternating polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Chenhui Feng
  • Patent number: 7865030
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for motion compensated temporal filtering using both finite impulse response (FIR) and infinite impulse response (IIR) filtering may include blending at least one finite impulse response (FIR) filtered output picture of video data and at least one infinite impulse response (IIR) filtered output picture of video data to generate at least one blended non-motion compensated output picture of video data. A motion compensated picture of video data may be generated utilizing at least one previously generated output picture of video data and at least one current input picture of video data. A motion compensated picture of video data may be blended with at least one current input picture of video data to generate a motion compensated output picture of video data. The generated motion compensated output picture of video data and the generated non-motion compensated output picture of video data may be blended to generate at least one current output picture of video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Sheng Zhong
  • Patent number: 7864246
    Abstract: Presented herein are system(s), and method(s), for interlaced to progressive conversion using weighted average of spatial interpolation and weaving. In one embodiment, there is presented a deinterlacer for deinterlacing. The deinterlacer comprises a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit measures weave artifacts between an alternate field and a field for a pixel at a pixel position in the alternate field. The second circuit generates a pixel value for the pixel position in the field, where the pixel value is the weighted average of the pixel, and an interpolated value from two or more pixels from the field, where the weighted average is a function of the weave artifacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander MacInnis
  • Patent number: 7791673
    Abstract: A method for comparing pixels may comprise determining at least one polarity difference for at least one pair of neighboring pixels selected from a plurality of adjacent pixels, which are from different fields. A number of subsequent polarity changes may be calculated for the pair of neighboring pixels based on the determined polarity of difference. The adjacent pixels may be selected from a plurality of woven fields. A portion of the selected adjacent pixels may include pixels in neighboring fields. A portion of the selected adjacent pixels may include vertically adjacent pixels, horizontally adjacent pixels, and/or diagonally adjacent pixels. At least one pixel in the plurality of adjacent pixels includes a corresponding horizontally, vertically or diagonally located adjacent pixel in a different field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Chenhui Feng
  • Patent number: 7750974
    Abstract: A system and method for processing video information are disclosed and may include calculating at least one pixel difference between at least one pixel in a first field and at least one corresponding aligned pixel in a second field. The first field and the second field may be adjacent to a current field. At least one pixel in the current field may be deinterlaced based at least in part on the calculated at least one pixel difference. A first pixel difference between a first pixel in the first field and a corresponding aligned second pixel in the second field may be calculated. A second pixel difference between a third pixel in the first field and a corresponding aligned fourth pixel in the second field may be calculated. The third pixel and the fourth pixel may be adjacent to a current output sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Chenhui Feng
  • Patent number: 7683970
    Abstract: A method for comparing pixels may comprise determining at least one polarity difference for at least one pair of neighboring pixels selected from a plurality of adjacent pixels, which are from different fields. A number of subsequent polarity changes may be calculated for the pair of neighboring pixels based on the determined polarity of difference. The adjacent pixels may be selected from a plurality of woven fields. A portion of the selected adjacent pixels may include pixels in neighboring fields. A portion of the selected adjacent pixels may include vertically adjacent pixels, horizontally adjacent pixels, and/or diagonally adjacent pixels. At least one pixel in the plurality of adjacent pixels includes a corresponding horizontally, vertically or diagonally located adjacent pixel in a different field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Chenhui Feng
  • Publication number: 20100060641
    Abstract: A video and graphics system provides square graphics pixels to blend images having 640×480 pixels, such as graphics images provided by some set top boxes and intended to be displayed at a 12.27 MHz display sample rate, with images having 704×480 pixels, such as ITU-R 601 compliant images such as NTSC SDTV images, having oblong pixels and displayed at a 13.5 MHz display sample rate. A sample rate converter including a multi-phase-multi-tap filter is used to generate square pixels. The multi-phase-multi-tap filter provides a good balance of sharpness, smoothness, anti-aliasing and reduced ringing. The multi-phase-multi-tap filter can also be used to convert images having 320×480 pixels to images having 704×480 pixels. The multi-tap filter can be used for scan rate conversion of graphics or video images for HDTV or SDTV applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Sheng Zhong