Patents by Inventor Francis Cheung

Francis Cheung 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).

  • Publication number: 20230337717
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a ground tobacco composition, wherein at least 90% by weight of the tobacco in the composition has a particle size in the range of about 200 ?m to about 5 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Helena DIGARD, Marina SINTYUREVA, Francis CHEUNG, Geoff FOSS-SMITH
  • Patent number: 11766067
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a ground tobacco composition, wherein at least 90% by weight of the tobacco in the composition has a particle size in the range of about 200 ?m to about 5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
    Inventors: Helena Digard, Marina Sintyureva, Francis Cheung, Geoff Foss-Smith
  • Publication number: 20210153543
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a method of making a tobacco extract comprising; (a) contacting tobacco with an extraction solvent at a first temperature and first pressure which are selected such that the extraction solvent is supercritical, such that tobacco flavor and/or aroma components are extracted from the tobacco into the solvent; (b) separating the residual tobacco solids from the supercritical extraction solvent containing tobacco components; (c) exposing the extraction solvent containing tobacco components to conditions in a vessel at which the extraction solvent is subcritical, thereby releasing the tobacco components from the extraction solvent, (d) contacting the residual tobacco solids with an extraction solvent at a second temperature and second pressure which are selected such that the extraction solvent is supercritical, such that nicotine are extracted from the tobacco into the extraction solvent; and wherein the second temperature and/or second pressure is higher than the respective f
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Helena DIGARD, Geoff FOSS-SMITH, Francis CHEUNG
  • Publication number: 20200146334
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a ground tobacco composition, wherein at least 90% by weight of the tobacco in the composition has a particle size in the range of about 200 ?m to about 5 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Helena DIGARD, Marina SINTYUREVA, Francis CHEUNG, Geoff FOSS-SMITH
  • Patent number: 9668011
    Abstract: A single chip set-top box system and method is provided. The system comprises, for example, a transceiver, an audio/video decoder, a CPU, peripherals, DAVIC MAC and a graphics processor. The transceiver receives a digitally modulated compressed audio/video signal, and the audio/video decoder receives the compressed audio/video signal from the transceiver and decompresses the compressed audio/video signal. The graphics processor blends the decompressed audio/video signal with graphics to generate a blended video image with audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Lionel D'Luna, Francis Cheung
  • Patent number: 9031388
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for switching between a live video decoding and a recorded playback in a digital video and recording system. A received video data stream is transmitted to a first-in first-out video decoder buffer without first looping the video data stream through a playback buffer. The video data stream is transmitted from the video decoder buffer to a video decoder. If a “pause” command is received, the video data stream is transmitted to a first-in first-out playback buffer, while continuing to transmit the video data stream to the video decoder buffer. Transmission of the video data stream to the video decoder buffer is halted when the video decoder buffer fills up. The last byte of the video data stream that was transmitted to the video decoder buffer is marked. If a “play” command is received, the video data stored in the video decoder buffer is transmitted to the video decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Demas, Marcus Kellerman, Francis Cheung, Sherman (Xuemin) Chen
  • Patent number: 8854545
    Abstract: A television on a chip (TVOC) system that provides a cost effective approach for providing television functionality on a single integrated circuit chip is disclosed. A TVOC includes the functionality necessary to receive and display television signals in a variety of input and output formats. A TVOC can be used in set-top boxes for cable and satellite television, or directly within a television. All functionality provided can be provided on a single integrated circuit. TVOC includes a data transport module, an IF demodulator, a digital audio engine, an analog audio engine, a digital video engine, and an analog video engine. The TVOC also includes three sets of interfaces including output interfaces, control interfaces and ancillary interfaces. Further features and embodiments provide enhanced functionality and increased efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Baer, Jeff Tingley, Aleksandr Movshovich, Brad Grossman, Brian F. Schoner, Chengfuh Jeffrey Tang, Chuck Monahan, Darren D. Neuman, David Chao Hua Wu, Francis Cheung, Greg A. Kranawetter, Hoang Nhu, Hsien-Chih Jim Tseng, Iue-Shuenn Chen, James D. Sweet, Jeffrey S. Bauch, Keith LaRell Klingler, Patrick Law, Rajesh Mamidwar, Dan Simon, Sang Van Tran, Shawn V. Johnson, Steven T. Jaffe, Thu T. Nguyen, Ut Nguyen, Yao-Hua Steven Tseng, Brad Delanghe, Ben Giese, Jason Demas, Lakshman Ramakrishnan, Sandeep Bhatia, Guang-Ting Shih, Tracy C. Denk
  • Publication number: 20140181985
    Abstract: An electronic device may include multiple modules that share access to a common memory. The electronic device may include content access logic that selective allows a module to access target data in the memory. When writing data into the memory, the content access logic may determine an access restriction associated with the write data, where the access restriction specifies one or more modules that can access the write data. The content access logic may scramble the write date using an access key, and configure the access key such that only authorized modules can use the access key when retrieving data from the memory. The content access logic may then store the scrambled data in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Rajesh Shankarrao Mamidwar, Francis Cheung
  • Patent number: 8607072
    Abstract: Systems and methods that support storage device content authentication are provided. A system that verifies storage device content received from a storage device may comprise, for example, a security processor coupled to the storage device. The security processor may be adapted to receive a partitioned storage device region from the storage device. The partitioned storage device region may comprise, for example, regional content and first hashed regional content. The security processor may generate, for example, second hashed regional content by performing a hashing function on the regional content received by the security processor. The security processor may compare, for example, the first hashed regional content to the second hashed regional content. The security processor may verify the regional content received by the security processor if the first hashed regional content is the same as the second hashed regional content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Xuemin Chen, Steve W. Rodgers, Iue-Shuenn I. Chen, Francis Cheung
  • Publication number: 20130308927
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for switching between a live video decoding and a recorded playback in a digital video and recording system. A received video data stream is transmitted to a first-in first-out video decoder buffer without first looping the video data stream through a playback buffer. The video data stream is transmitted from the video decoder buffer to a video decoder. If a “pause” command is received, the video data stream is transmitted to a first-in first-out playback buffer, while continuing to transmit the video data stream to the video decoder buffer. Transmission of the video data stream to the video decoder buffer is halted when the video decoder buffer fills up. The last byte of the video data stream that was transmitted to the video decoder buffer is marked. If a “play” command is received, the video data stored in the video decoder buffer is transmitted to the video decoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Jason Demas, Marcus Kellerman, Francis Cheung, Sherman (Xuemin) Chen
  • Patent number: 8234504
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for memory to bus interface data encryption and decryption. A method for memory to bus interface data encryption and decryption may include encrypting data by a encryption/decryption engine or processor and transferring the encrypted data across a first bus interface to a data processing and/or storage device coupled to the first bus interface. The encryption engine may receive encrypted data from a device coupled to the first bus interface and decrypt the received encrypted data. In this regard, unencrypted data never traverses across the first bus interface, and is thereby not accessible to devices coupled to the first bus interface. An encryption function and a decryption function associated with the encryption/decryption engine may be integrated within a bus adapter, for example, an IDE bus adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Cheung, Jason Monroe, Kevin Patariu, Iue-Shuenn Chen, Cynthia Dang, Mark Taylor Core
  • Publication number: 20120147974
    Abstract: A television on a chip (TVOC) system that provides a cost effective approach for providing television functionality on a single integrated circuit chip is disclosed. A TVOC includes the functionality necessary to receive and display television signals in a variety of input and output formats. A TVOC can be used in set-top boxes for cable and satellite television, or directly within a television. All functionality provided can be provided on a single integrated circuit. TVOC includes a data transport module, an IF demodulator, a digital audio engine, an analog audio engine, a digital video engine, and an analog video engine. The TVOC also includes three sets of interfaces including output interfaces, control interfaces and ancillary interfaces. Further features and embodiments provide enhanced functionality and increased efficiencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: David A. BAER, Jeff Tingley, Aleksandr Movshovich, Brad Grossman, Brian F. Schoner, Chengfuh Jeffrey Tang, Chuck Monahan, Darren D. Neuman, David Chao Hua Wu, Francis Cheung, Greg A. Kranawetter, Hoang Nhu, Hsien-Chih Jim Tseng, Iue-Shuenn Chen, James D. Sweet, Jeffrey S. Bauch, Keith LaRell Klingler, Patrick Law, Rajesh Mamidwar, Dan Simon, Sang Van Tran, Shawn V. Johnson, Steven T. Jaffe, Thu T. Nguyen, Ut Nguyen, Yao-Hua Steven Tseng, Brad Delanghe, Ben Giese, Jason Demas, Lakshman Ramakrishnan, Sandeep Bhatia, Guang-Ting Shih, Tracy C. Denk
  • Patent number: 8059674
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for demultiplexing video signals that have been combined using a time division multiplexing approach. The system includes synchronizers, parsers, demultiplexers, and an input buffer. Each demultiplexer within the system includes a header detect module, a slot map module, a frame sync module and a packet accept module. The method includes the steps of receiving an input stream that contains data packets for more than one program channel that have been combined in which packet identification (PID) information is used and a time division multiplexing scheme, such as transport stream multiplexing format (TSMF) is used. The PID and slot location for each packet is analyzed. Based on the PID and slot location a packet is either accepted or rejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Cheung, Iue-shuenn Chen, Ut Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8022966
    Abstract: A video, audio and graphics system uses multiple transport processors to receive in-band and out-of-band MPEG Transport streams, to perform PID and section filtering as well as DVB and DES decryption and to de-multiplex them. The system processes the PES into digital audio, MPEG video and message data. The system is capable of decoding multiple MPEG SLICEs concurrently. Graphics windows are blended in parallel, and blended with video using alpha blending. During graphics processing, a single-port SRAM is used equivalently as a dual-port SRAM. The video may include both analog video, e.g., NTSC/PAL/SECAM/S-video, and digital video, e.g., MPEG-2 video in SDTV or HDTV format. The system has a reduced memory mode in which video images are reduced in half in horizontal direction only during decoding. The system is capable of receiving and processing digital audio signals such as MPEG Layer 1 and Layer 2 audio and Dolby AC-3 audio, as well as PCM audio signals. The system includes a memory controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander G. MacInnis, Chengfuh Jeffrey Tang, Xiaodong Xie, Greg A. Kranawetter, Vivian Hsiun, Francis Cheung, Sandeep Bhatia, Ramanujan Valmiki, Sathish Kumar Radhakrishnan
  • Patent number: 7961255
    Abstract: A television on a chip (TVOC) system that provides a cost effective approach for providing television functionality on a single integrated circuit chip is disclosed. A TVOC includes the functionality necessary to receive and display television signals in a variety of input and output formats. A TVOC can be used in set-top boxes for cable and satellite television, or directly within a television. All functionality provided can be provided on a single integrated circuit. TVOC includes a data transport module, an IF demodulator, a digital audio engine, an analog audio engine, a digital video engine, and an analog video engine. The TVOC also includes three sets of interfaces including output interfaces, control interfaces and ancillary interfaces. Further features and embodiments provide enhanced functionality and increased efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Baer, Jeff Tingley, Aleksandr Movshovich, Brad Grossman, Brian F. Schoner, Chengfuh Jeffrey Tang, Chuck Monahan, Darren D. Neuman, David Chao Hua Wu, Francis Cheung, Greg A. Kranawetter, Hoang Nhu, Hsien-Chih Jim Tseng, Iue-Shuenn Chen, James D. Sweet, Jeffrey S. Bauch, Keith LaRell Klinger, Patrick Law, Rajesh Mamidwar, Dan Simon, Sang Van Tran, Shawn V. Johnson, Steven T. Jaffe, Thu T. Nguyen, Ut Nguyen, Yao-Hua Steven Tseng, Brad Delanghe, Ben Giese, Jason Demas, Lakshman Ramakrishnan, Sandeep Bhatia, Guang-Ting Shih, Tracy C. Denk
  • Patent number: 7912220
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention may be found in one or more systems and/or methods to encapsulate or packetize non-MPEG and MPEG data. The encapsulation or packetization allows both the non-MPEG and MPEG data to be utilized by a set-top-box that conforms or complies with the OpenCable™ Advanced Multi-Stream POD Interface Specification and/or the OpenCable™ Multi-Stream CableCARD Interface Specification. In one embodiment, a method of processing video data, by a set-top-box that is communicatively coupled to a POD card, comprises receiving video data from a provider, first packetizing the video data using a first header to generate a first packet, wherein the first header comprises a first indicator. In one embodiment, a system for providing MPEG and non-MPEG video to a subscriber comprises a circuitry and a POD card capable of receiving, processing, and facilitating the display of non-MPEG and MPEG data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Patariu, Dan Simon, Francis Cheung
  • Patent number: 7835400
    Abstract: A system and method for substituting data packets into a data stream, is provided. In one embodiment, the data stream is a video data stream. The system includes packet buffers, a multiplexer, a packet substitution controller, a direct memory access (DMA) engine and a link list buffer controller. A method is also provided for substituting data packets - containing information of the same or different type—into a video data stream at variable rates using a selection mechanism driven by link list buffer control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Cheung, Ut Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20100103195
    Abstract: A video, audio and graphics system uses multiple transport processors to receive in-band and out-of-band MPEG Transport streams, to perform PID and section filtering as well as DVB and DES decryption and to de-multiplex them. The system processes the PES into digital audio, MPEG video and message data. The system is capable of decoding multiple MPEG SLICEs concurrently. Graphics windows are blended in parallel, and blended with video using alpha blending. During graphics processing, a single-port SRAM is used equivalently as a dual-port SRAM. The video may include both analog video, e.g., NTSC/PAL/SECAM/S-video, and digital video, e.g., MPEG-2 video in SDTV or HDTV format. The system has a reduced memory mode in which video images are reduced in half in horizontal direction only during decoding. The system is capable of receiving and processing digital audio signals such as MPEG Layer 1 and Layer 2 audio and Dolby AC-3 audio, as well as PCM audio signals. The system includes a memory controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander G. MacInnis, Chengfuh Jeffrey Tang, Xiaodong Xie, Greg A. Kranawetter, Vivian Hsiun, Francis Cheung, Sandeep Bhatia, Ramanujan Valmiki, Sathish Kumar
  • Patent number: 7667715
    Abstract: A video, audio and graphics system uses multiple transport processors to receive in-band and out-of-band MPEG Transport streams, to perform PID and section filtering as well as DVB and DES decryption and to de-multiplex them. The system processes the PES into digital audio, MPEG video and message data. The system is capable of decoding multiple MPEG SLICEs concurrently. Graphics windows are blended in parallel, and blended with video using alpha blending. During graphics processing, a single-port SRAM is used equivalently as a dual-port SRAM. The video may include both analog video, e.g., NTSC/PAL/SECAM/S-video, and digital video, e.g., MPEG-2 video in SDTV or HDTV format. The system has a reduced memory mode in which video images are reduced in half in horizontal direction only during decoding. The system is capable of receiving and processing digital audio signals such as MPEG Layer 1 and Layer 2 audio and Dolby AC-3 audio, as well as PCM audio signals. The system includes a memory controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander G. MacInnis, Chengfuh Jeffrey Tang, Xiaodong Xie, Greg A. Kranawetter, Vivian Hsiun, Francis Cheung, Sandeep Bhatia, Ramanujan Valmiki, Sathish Kumar
  • Publication number: 20090245285
    Abstract: A system and method for substituting data packets into a data stream, is provided. In one embodiment, the data stream is a video data stream. The system includes packet buffers, a multiplexer, a packet substitution controller, a direct memory access (DMA) engine and a link list buffer controller. A method is also provided for substituting data packets - containing information of the same or different type—into a video data stream at variable rates using a selection mechanism driven by link list buffer control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Cheung, Ut Nguyen