Patents by Inventor Edward Krause

Edward Krause 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: 5966120
    Abstract: A system for providing efficient constant bit rate distribution of variable bit-rate encoded video programs while facilitating the distribution of encoded video programs, along with Auxiliary Data of a general character, to one or more receivers. At a particular receiver, a customized augmented video program is created by inserting selected portions of the Auxiliary Data into a selected encoded video program. The encoded video portion of the augmented video program can be transmitted, decoded and displayed in real time, while the Auxiliary Data need not be transmitted in real time but can be stored locally at the receiver for real-time presentation at a later time. Real time presentation might include insertion into the video program while non real-time presentation might include insertion into non-video applications separate from the video program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Imedia Corporation
    Inventors: Efraim Arazi, Adam S. Tom, Paul Shen, Edward A. Krause
  • Patent number: 5958532
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite tube comprising the steps of forming a fluoropolymer substrate, and thereafter layering and chemically bonding the fluoropolymer with a polymer layer, preferably a thermosetting or thermoplastic elastomer. The fluoropolymer substrate can be activated by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate. Thereafter, a layer of a thermosetting or thermplastic elastomer is applied to the activated fluoropolymer substrate resulting in a stronger chemical bond. The ionizing step can be described as a mixed gas plasma discharge or an electrically formed plasma. The thermosetting elastomer can, but does not have to contain a curing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Pilot Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Krause, Kenneth J. Kuenzel
  • Patent number: 5956088
    Abstract: A method for increasing channel utilization for a data channel transmitting a multiplex of a set of one or more encoded program streams, each program stream in being decodeable by a corresponding decoder, each corresponding decoder including a corresponding decoder buffer, the decoder buffers having a maximum allowable size, the method comprising selecting encoded pictures to be modified, said selecting according to a criterion which includes preventing any underflow of any decoder buffer, modifying each said selected encoded picture to form a corresponding modified encoded picture, said modified encoded picture having less data than said selected encoded picture, and transmitting the corresponding modified encoded pictures through the channel in place of the selected encoded pictures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Imedia Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Shen, Efraim Arazi, Edward A. Krause, Adam S. Tom
  • Patent number: 5949948
    Abstract: A compressed video playback system which eliminates playback mode transition artifacts. Transitions between various playback modes are effected in such a manner that transition artifacts are eliminated by delaying playback mode transitions until appropriate frames of data are detected for propagation to the compressed video decoder. In addition, compressed video data retrieval methods are improved for supporting multi-speed playback modes in both forward and reverse directions in an optimal manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Imedia Corporation
    Inventors: Edward A. Krause, Paul Shen, Adam S. Tom
  • Patent number: 5926205
    Abstract: Selective video-on-demand access is provided to a virtually unlimited number of subscribers by partitioning the video program into an ordered sequence of N segments and providing the subscribers concurrent access to each of the N segments. A data stream representative of the video program is partitioned into N subsequences, each representative of one of the N segments. The data of each of the N subsequences is organized as an ordered sequence of elements. The elements of each of the N subsequences are interleaved and the interleaved data stream is continuously transmitted over a video program distribution medium at a rate which renders the data representing each segment concurrently available to any subscriber having a receiver capable of selecting, assembling, and displaying the data of a particular segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Imedia Corporation
    Inventors: Edward A. Krause, Paul Shen, Adam S. Tom
  • Patent number: 5877812
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the size of data rate fluctuations that occur in forming a multiplex of a set of program streams, each program stream in said set being decodeable by a corresponding decoder, each corresponding decoder including a corresponding decoder buffer, said decoder buffers having a maximum allowable size, said method comprising varying the formation of the different program streams in said set to minimize the memory requirement of the decoder buffers. In one embodiment, for the case of the streams being segments of a program, varying includes varying the segment length. In another embodiment, varying includes adjusting the relative alignment of the program streams. Different embodiments of adjusting include inserting program material such as a pause at selected points in time, causing decoder buffers to underflow at selected points in time, and varying the rate of decoding and display at selected points in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Imedia Corporation
    Inventors: Edward A. Krause, Adam S. Tom, Paul Shen
  • Patent number: 5862140
    Abstract: A method and apparatus multiplexing several encoded program streams into a single multiplex suitable for transmission over a data channel, the streams typically including video and audio. According to one embodiment of the invention, high data channel utilization is achieved by determining the order of sending data packets of program streams into the data channel. According to this embodiment, whenever data is to be sent into the data channel, a determination is made of which packet to send or append to the multiplex, said determination by selecting a channel that has a decoder buffer that is not approaching a full state, and said next packet is appended to said multiplex. The method further includes selecting a channel that substantially balances the decoder buffers of the decoders with which the program streams are decodeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Imedia Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Shen, Edward A. Krause, Adam S. Tom
  • Patent number: 5759329
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite tube comprising the steps of forming a fluoropolymer substrate, and thereafter layering and chemically bonding the fluoropolymer with a polymer layer, preferably a thermosetting or thermoplastic elastomer. The fluoropolymer substrate can be activated by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate. Thereafter, a layer of a thermosetting or thermplastic elastomer is applied to the activated fluoropolymer substrate resulting in a stronger chemical bond. The ionizing step can be described as a mixed gas plasma discharge or an electrically formed plasma. The thermosetting elastomer can, but does not have to contain a curing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Pilot Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Krause, Kenneth J. Kuenzel, Frederick Woodward
  • Patent number: 5687257
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for adaptively compressing blocks of video image data provide a local coding level for use in compressing successive blocks of video image data. Each block is preliminarily compressed using a global coding level. The preliminarily compressed data is processed to provide a measure of the randomness of an image area represented by the block of video image data. A local coding level is generated based on the randomness measure. The video image data is then compressed using the local coding level to provide compressed data for transmission. One or more intermediate compression stages can be provided, each generating an intermediate coding level, to better refine the randomness measure for use in generating the local coding level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Woo H. Paik, Edward A. Krause, Vincent Liu
  • Patent number: 5612742
    Abstract: Virtually random and on-demand access is provided to a virtually unlimited number of subscribers by partitioning the video program into an ordered sequence of n segments and providing the subscribers concurrent access to each of the n subsequences. A data stream representative of the video program is partitioned into n subsequences, each representative of one of the n segments. The data of each of the n subsequences is organized as an ordered sequence of elements. The elements of each of the n subsequences are interleaved and the interleaved data stream is continuously transmitted over a video program distribution medium at a rate which renders the data representing each segment concurrently available to any subscriber having a receiver capable of selecting, assembling, and displaying the data of a particular segment. The data stream can be compressed prior to interleaving using one of many known video data compression standards and techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Imedia Corporation
    Inventors: Edward A. Krause, Paul Shen, Adam S. Tom
  • Patent number: 5565922
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for motion compensated coding of interlaced digital video signals. A first prediction error signal is obtained indicative of the difference between a current portion from a field of a current video frame and a similarly situated first portion in the same field of a prior video frame. A second prediction error signal is obtained indicative of the difference between the current portion and a similarly situated second portion in an opposite field of the prior video frame. A third prediction error signal is obtained indicative of the difference between the current portion and an average of the first and second portions. One of the first, second and third prediction error signals is selected to represent the current portion. Motion vector information is provided to enable the current frame portion to which the selected prediction error signal corresponds to be reproduced by a decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation of Delaware
    Inventor: Edward A. Krause
  • Patent number: 5386212
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for decoding variable length codewords carried in data blocks. A first buffer is loaded with a succession of data blocks. A second buffer is loaded with a first data block from the first buffer during a decoding cycle. The variable length codewords from the first data block in the second buffer are decoded to recover information. The process continues, with the second buffer being loaded with one data block at a time to successively decode new data blocks during successive decoding cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Shen, Edward A. Krause, Adam Tom
  • Patent number: 5376968
    Abstract: Digital video signals are adaptively compressed for communication to a receiver. Superblocks, each containing a plurality of blocks of digital video data, are compressed using PCM, DPCM with a general motion vector for the entire superblock, and DPCM with a specific motion vector for each block contained within a superblock. The result of each compression mode is compared after accounting for overhead data, to determine which results in the least amount of data for each block. These blocks are assembled into a superblock, and compared together with necessary overhead and motion vector data to the same superblock processed using all PCM as well as the superblock processed using all DPCM. The comparison determines which compression mode produces the least amount of data for the superblock. The most compact superblock is selected for transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Allen Wu, Edward A. Krause, Woo H. Paik
  • Patent number: 5321725
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating high definition television signals is provided. Video signals are divided into blocks of PCM data. The PCM data is processed using motion estimation and compensation to provide DPCM data. For each block, one of PCM and DPCM data is selected for transmission based on a predetermined criteria. The selected data is compressed using the discrete cosine transform to provide blocks of transform coefficients. The coefficients are quantized to improve their coding efficiency and variable length coded. The variable length coded coefficients are coded using a concatenated coding scheme with a Reed-Solomon outer code and trellis inner code to provide coded signals for transmission. The coded signals are transmitted using QAM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Woo H. Paik, Scott A. Lery, Chris Heegard, Edward A. Krause, Jerrold A. Heller
  • Patent number: 5315388
    Abstract: A multiple serial access memory which includes a dynamic random access memory array is disclosed. The array is randomly addressed to input blocks of data. Address signals are provided to the array to output rows of data. A plurality of serial output ports are coupled to the output of the array for selectively latching different rows of data output from the array. The serial output ports are clocked to output the latched data therefrom. In an illustrated embodiment, each of the serial output ports contains a shift register having a length equal to the width of the memory array. The shift register is responsive to a first timing signal for latching a row of data from the array. A second timing signal actuates the shift register to shift a row of latched data. The serial access selector coupled to the shift register outputs a selected portion of the shifted data from the serial output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Shen, Woo H. Paik, Edward A. Krause
  • Patent number: 5295203
    Abstract: A vector coding scheme for video transform coefficients is provided. A vector is generated to identify a group of coefficients from a block of transform coefficients that qualify for transmission according to predetermined criteria. In an illustrated embodiment, only coefficients having nonzero amplitudes are transmitted. The vector is encoded to provide a vector code word for transmission. The coefficients from the group qualifying for transmission are encoded to provide coefficient code words for transmission. The vector code word correlates the coefficient code words to coefficient locations in the block. In a preferred embodiment, the block is divided into a plurality of regions containing subsets of coefficients. A separate vector is transmitted for each region, correlating the coefficient code words to coefficient locations in the corresponding region of the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Edward A. Krause, Adam Tom, Vincent Liu
  • Patent number: 5291281
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for adaptively compressing blocks of video image data provide a local coding level for use in compressing successive blocks of video image data. Each block is preliminarily compressed using a global coding level. The preliminarily compressed data is processed to provide a measure of the randomness of an image area represented by the block of video image data. A local coding level is generated based on the randomness measure. The video image data is then compressed using the local coding level to provide compressed data for transmission. One or more intermediate compression stages can be provided, each generating an intermediate coding level, to better refine the randomness measure for use in generating the local coding level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Woo H. Paik, Edward A. Krause, Vincent Liu
  • Patent number: 5241382
    Abstract: A macroblock packet format is provided for use in a digital HDTV system wherein successive video frames are divided into a plurality of macroblocks. The macroblocks comprise a plurality of superblocks, each containing a plurality of luminance and chrominance video data blocks. A DLEN field is provided in the macroblock packet format to identify the length of the macroblock packet. The packets also include variable length encoded portions of video data. The macroblock packets are transmitted in a data multiplex that also includes a next macroblock position (NMP) word. A receiver compares the DLEN information with the NMP word to verify synchronization, and reacquires the signal if synchronization has been lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Woo H. Paik, Vincent Liu, Paul Shen, Edward A. Krause
  • Patent number: 5235419
    Abstract: Digital video signals are adaptively compressed for communication to a receiver. A plurality of block-matching motion compensators, each using a different block size, compare current video image data to prior video image data. Video image data output from the motion compensators is compressed, and the compressed data from each motion compensator is compared to find which motion compensator results in the least amount of compressed data for a region of a current video image corresponding to the smallest of the block sizes. The compressed data having the lowest bit count is transmitted to a receiver for recovery of a motion vector. The recovered motion vector is used to recover current video image data from the transmitted data and previously received video image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventor: Edward A. Krause
  • Patent number: 5233348
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for decoding variable length code words to recover transform coefficients, such as DCT transform coefficients provided by a high definition television encoder. A first category of the code words has a length of no more than n bits. A second category has a length of greater than n bits. A feedback ROM is used to decode the code words. Code words from the first category are processed by directly addressing a lookup table in the ROM. Code words from the second category are processed using multiple passes through the ROM, wherein a portion of the data output during a prior pass is fed back to address the memory during a subsequent pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen C. Pollmann, Paul Moroney, Edward A. Krause, Paul Shen, Woo H. Paik