Patents by Inventor Gregory W. Starr

Gregory W. Starr 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: 7276943
    Abstract: A programmable logic device includes configurable phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry that outputs multiple clock signals having programmable phases and frequencies. Each output signal is programmably selectable for use as an external clock, internal global clock, internal local clock, or combinations thereof. The PLL circuitry has programmable frequency dividing, including programmable cascaded frequency dividing, and programmable output signal multiplexing that provide a high degree of clock design flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Starr, Wanli Chang, Kang Wei Lai, Mian Z. Smith, Richard Chang
  • Patent number: 7242229
    Abstract: A PLL circuit is described. The PLL circuit includes: a signal generator and at least one divider coupled to the signal generator, where the at least one divider is programmable in user mode. In one embodiment, the PLL circuit includes a memory device associated with the at least one divider, where the memory device receives settings data and provides settings data to the at least one divider in user mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Starr, Richard Yen-Hsiang Chang, Edward P. Aung
  • Patent number: 7098707
    Abstract: A programmable logic device includes configurable phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry that outputs multiple clock signals having programmable phases and frequencies. Each output signal is programmably selectable for use as an external clock, internal global clock, internal local clock, or combinations thereof. The PLL circuitry has programmable frequency dividing, including programmable cascaded frequency dividing, and programmable output signal multiplexing that provide a high degree of clock design flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Starr, Wanli Chang, Kang Wei Lai, Mian Z. Smith, Richard Chang
  • Patent number: 7015764
    Abstract: A PLL circuit is described. The PLL circuit includes: a signal generator; and a spread spectrum modulator coupled to the signal generator, where the spread spectrum modulator receives a control voltage as an input and provides a spread spectrum control voltage to the signal generator in response to the control voltage. In one embodiment, the spread spectrum modulator includes at least one selector, where the at least one selector selects a plurality of voltage levels that correspond to a spread mode and percentage of spread for the spread spectrum modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Starr, Wanli Chang
  • Patent number: 6856180
    Abstract: A PLL circuit is described. The PLL circuit includes: a feedback loop and a loop filter coupled to the feedback loop, where the loop filter is programmable to provide one of a plurality of bandwidths. In one embodiment, the loop filter is programmable to provide one of a plurality of resistances, each resistance of the plurality of resistances corresponding to one of the plurality of bandwidths. In one embodiment, the feedback loop includes a detector and a signal generator coupled to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Starr, Wanli Chang
  • Patent number: 6825470
    Abstract: An imaging system using a color shutter receives signals indicative of color information in a plurality of planes together with infrared information and a signal indicative of the infrared radiation alone. The infrared radiation signal may be subtracted from the signals associated with the color planes to develop signals free of infrared radiation effects for each of the desired color planes. In addition an infrared signal is available which may have useful applications in some situations. In this way, color information color bands may be obtained without the need an infrared filter and infrared information is retained for use in other applications if desired. In addition infrared and dark current information may be derived that can be used for dark current correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Bawolek, Jean-Charles Korta, Walter J. Mack, Tinku Acharya, Ping-Sing Tsai, Gregory W. Starr
  • Patent number: 6798302
    Abstract: A PLL circuit is described. The PLL circuit includes: a signal generator; and a spread spectrum modulator coupled to the signal generator, where the spread spectrum modulator receives a control voltage as an input and provides a spread spectrum control voltage to the signal generator in response to the control voltage. In one embodiment, the spread spectrum modulator includes at least one selector, where the at least one selector selects a plurality of voltage levels that correspond to a spread mode and percentage of spread for the spread spectrum modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Starr, Wanli Chang
  • Patent number: 6771305
    Abstract: A method for eliminating the flicker of a light source such as a florescent light having the first step of setting a first frame rate for the capture of a series of frames. Then, setting a capture integration period to a first integration period, and capturing a set of frames under an illumination source with a first frequency. Thereafter, determining the first frequency of the illumination by using a Fourier transform (FFT) of the set of captured frames. What is also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the above method having an image sensor and a capture control unit coupled to the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Smith, Gregory W. Starr
  • Patent number: 6744277
    Abstract: A programmable current reference circuit is described. The programmable current reference circuit includes a programmable resistance, where the programmable resistance is programmable to provide one of a plurality of resistances, where each of the plurality of resistances corresponds to one of a plurality of programmable current reference circuit outputs. In one embodiment, the programmable current reference circuit includes a current source coupled to the programmable resistance. In one embodiment, the plurality of programmable current reference circuit outputs includes a plurality of reference currents. A phase locked loop including the programmable current reference circuit is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Wanli Chang, Gregory W. Starr
  • Publication number: 20030160641
    Abstract: A PLL circuit is described. The PLL circuit includes: a signal generator; and a spread spectrum modulator coupled to the signal generator, where the spread spectrum modulator receives a control voltage as an input and provides a spread spectrum control voltage to the signal generator in response to the control voltage. In one embodiment, the spread spectrum modulator includes at least one selector, where the at least one selector selects a plurality of voltage levels that correspond to a spread mode and percentage of spread for the spread spectrum modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Gregory W. Starr, Wanli Chang
  • Publication number: 20030090566
    Abstract: A method for eliminating the flicker of a light source such as a florescent light having the first step of setting a first frame rate for the capture of a series of frames. Then, setting a capture integration period to a first integration period, and capturing a set of frames under an illumination source with a first frequency. Thereafter, determining the first frequency of the illumination by using a Fourier transform (FFT) of the set of captured frames. What is also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the above method having an image sensor and a capture control unit coupled to the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Ronald D. Smith, Gregory W. Starr
  • Patent number: 6501518
    Abstract: A method for eliminating the flicker of a light source such as a florescent light having the first step of setting a first frame rate for the capture of a series of frames. Then, setting a capture integration period to a first integration period, and capturing a set of frames under an illumination source with a first frequency. Thereafter, determining the first frequency of the illumination by using a Fourier transform (FFT) of the set of captured frames. What is also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the above method having an image sensor and a capture control unit coupled to the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Smith, Gregory W. Starr
  • Publication number: 20020131491
    Abstract: A method for eliminating the flicker of a light source such as a florescent light having the first step of setting a first frame rate for the capture of a series of frames. Then, setting a capture integration period to a first integration period, and capturing a set of frames under an illumination source with a first frequency. Thereafter, determining the first frequency of the illumination by using a Fourier transform (FFT) of the set of captured frames. What is also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the above method having an image sensor and a capture control unit coupled to the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: RONALD D. SMITH, GREGORY W. STARR
  • Patent number: 6424392
    Abstract: A liquid crystal color filter may include an infrared blocking. dye integrated within the filter to prevent infrared radiation from adversely affecting the performance of the filter when used in an imaging system. The dye may be incorporated into a liquid crystal element in the filter or may be coated on components thereof. Suitable dyes are transmissive of light in the visible range and substantially absorbent of light in the infrared range from approximately 800 nm to 1200 nm in wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Bawolek, Gregory W. Starr, Zong-Fu Li
  • Patent number: 6208393
    Abstract: A liquid crystal color filter may include an infrared blocking dye integrated within the filter to prevent infrared radiation from adversely affecting the performance of the filter when used in an imaging system. The dye may be incorporated into a liquid crystal element in the filter or may be coated on components thereof. Suitable dyes are transmissive of light in the visible range and substantially absorbent of light in the infrared range from approximately 800 nm to 1200 nm in wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Bawolek, Gregory W. Starr, Zong-Fu Li