Patents by Inventor Phil Houghton
Phil Houghton 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).
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Patent number: 8879432Abstract: Complementary band-splitter and band-combiner devices and methods of operation of both are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may allow wideband and narrowband functions and services to operate seamlessly by band-splitting wideband data into low-band data and high-band data. Narrowband data may include only low-band data. Wideband services may operate on both low-band and high-band data, while narrowband services may operate only on low-band data. Another embodiment may include computer-readable storage having stored thereon a computer program having a plurality of code sections executable by a processor for causing the processor to perform the foregoing.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Patent number: 8457182Abstract: Seamless wideband support is afforded by utilizing split-band data streams. For wideband signals, the 8 kHz bandwidth is divided into a low band, with approximately 0-4 kHz bandwidth, and a high band, with approximately 4-8 kHz bandwidth. Narrowband functions and services operate on the low band, while wideband functions and services operate on both low and high bands.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Patent number: 8428051Abstract: A switchboard device and methods of operation of same are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may provide a flexible means of interconnecting wideband and narrowband communications interfaces, where wideband communications interfaces may transfer low-band data and high-band data, and narrowband communication interfaces may transfer low-band data. Low-band data may be combined and sent to a narrowband communications interface or a wideband communications interface. High-band data may be combined and sent to a wideband communications interface. The low-band data may represent audio signals below a predetermined frequency, while the high-band data may represent audio signals above the predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency may be, for example, approximately 4 kHz. The spectral mask of the low-band data may meet the spectral mask of G.712. Methods of operating embodiments of the present invention are included.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Patent number: 8391175Abstract: Details of media encoding and decoding devices which support generic homing sequences, and methods for operating such devices are disclosed. The use of generic homing sequences may permit an embodiment of the disclosed invention to support real-time, bit-exact testing of existing and future media encoding and decoding devices. An embodiment of the present invention may permit the initialization of encoding and decoding algorithms to a known state, enabling bit-exact testing of a large group of devices using these algorithms, including those whose specifications do not support such functionality. This capability may permit the full-speed, bit-exact, testing, of both locally and remotely situated media encoders and decoders.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Darwin Rambo, Phil Houghton
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Patent number: 8229037Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for a multiple data rate communication system is presented herein. The communication system receives data samples that are either sampled at a narrowband rate or a wideband rate and provides various functions and services, such as echo cancellation, DTMF detection and generation, and call discrimination. For wideband signals, a down-sampled signal is provided for each of the foregoing function and service. The output of the function or services is then recombined with the wideband signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Patent number: 8155285Abstract: A switchboard device and methods of operation of same are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may provide a flexible means of interconnecting wideband and narrowband communications interfaces, where wideband communications interfaces may transfer wideband data sampled at a higher sampling rate, and narrowband communication interfaces may transfer narrowband data sampled at a lower sampling rate. Data streams sampled at different sampling rates can be combined and the sampling rate of the result adjusted as needed by the destination interface. Methods of operating embodiments of the present invention are included. An additional aspect of the present invention may include machine-readable storage having stored thereon a computer program having a plurality of code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the foregoing.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Publication number: 20110135038Abstract: Seamless wideband support is afforded by utilizing split-band data streams. For wideband signals, the 8 kHz bandwidth is divided into a low band, with approximately 0-4 kHz bandwidth, and a high band, with approximately 4-8 kHz bandwidth. Narrowband functions and services operate on the low band, while wideband functions and services operate on both low and high bands.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2011Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Patent number: 7889783Abstract: Seamless wideband support is afforded by utilizing split-band data streams. For wideband signals, the 8 kHz bandwidth is divided into a low band, with approximately 0-4 kHz bandwidth, and a high band, with approximately 4-8 kHz bandwidth. Narrowband functions and services operate on the low band, while wideband functions and services operate on both low and high bands.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Publication number: 20100325302Abstract: Details of media encoding and decoding devices which support generic homing sequences, and methods for operating such devices are disclosed. The use of generic homing sequences may permit an embodiment of the disclosed invention to support real-time, bit-exact testing of existing and future media encoding and decoding devices. An embodiment of the present invention may permit the initialization of encoding and decoding algorithms to a known state, enabling bit-exact testing of a large group of devices using these algorithms, including those whose specifications do not support such functionality. This capability may permit the full-speed, bit-exact, testing, of both locally and remotely situated media encoders and decoders.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATIONInventors: Darwin Rambo, Phil Houghton
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Publication number: 20100322233Abstract: A switchboard device and methods of operation of same are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may provide a flexible means of interconnecting wideband and narrowband communications interfaces, where wideband communications interfaces may transfer low-band data and high-band data, and narrowband communication interfaces may transfer low-band data. Low-band data may be combined and sent to a narrowband communications interface or a wideband communications interface. High-band data may be combined and sent to a wideband communications interface. The low-band data may represent audio signals below a predetermined frequency, while the high-band data may represent audio signals above the predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency may be, for example, approximately 4 kHz. The spectral mask of the low-band data may meet the spectral mask of G.712. Methods of operating embodiments of the present invention are included.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Patent number: 7773511Abstract: Details of media encoding and decoding devices which support generic homing sequences, and methods for operating such devices are disclosed. The use of generic homing sequences may permit an embodiment of the disclosed invention to support real-time, bit-exact testing of existing and future media encoding and decoding devices. An embodiment of the present invention may permit the initialization of encoding and decoding algorithms to a known state, enabling bit-exact testing of a large group of devices using these algorithms, including those whose specifications do not support such functionality. This capability may permit the full-speed, bit-exact, testing, of both locally and remotely situated media encoders and decoders.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Darwin Rambo, Phil Houghton
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Patent number: 7742466Abstract: A switchboard device and methods of operation of same are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may provide a flexible means of interconnecting wideband and narrowband communications interfaces, where wideband communications interfaces may transfer low-band data and high-band data, and narrowband communication interfaces may transfer low-band data. Low-band data may be combined and sent to a narrowband communications interface or a wideband communications interface. High-band data may be combined and sent to a wideband communications interface. The low-band data may represent audio signals below a predetermined frequency, while the high-band data may represent audio signals above the predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency may be, for example, approximately 4 kHz. The spectral mask of the low-band data may meet the spectral mask of G.712. Methods of operating embodiments of the present invention are included.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2008Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Publication number: 20100104049Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for a multiple data rate communication system is presented herein. The communication system receives data samples that are either sampled at a narrowband rate or a wideband rate and provides various functions and services, such as echo cancellation, DTMF detection and generation, and call discrimination. For wideband signals, a down-sampled signal is provided for each of the foregoing function and service. The output of the function or services is then recombined with the wideband signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Patent number: 7680042Abstract: Details of media encoding and decoding devices which support generic homing sequences, and methods for operating such devices are disclosed. The use of generic homing sequences may permit an embodiment of the disclosed invention to support real-time, bit-exact testing of existing and future media encoding and decoding devices. An embodiment of the present invention may permit the initialization of encoding and decoding algorithms to a known state, enabling bit-exact testing of a large group of devices using these algorithms, including those whose specifications do not support such functionality. This capability may permit the full-speed, bit-exact, testing, of both locally and remotely situated media encoders and decoders.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Darwin Rambo, Phil Houghton
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Patent number: 7606330Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for a multiple data rate communication system is presented herein. The communication system receives data samples that are either sampled at a narrowband rate or a wideband rate and provides various functions and services, such as echo cancellation, DTMF detection and generation, and call discrimination. For wideband signals, a down-sampled signal is provided for each of the foregoing function and service. The output of the function or services is then recombined with the wideband signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2002Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Publication number: 20080291940Abstract: A switchboard device and methods of operation of same are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may provide a flexible means of interconnecting wideband and narrowband communications interfaces, where wideband communications interfaces may transfer wideband data sampled at a higher sampling rate, and narrowband communication interfaces may transfer narrowband data sampled at a lower sampling rate. Data streams sampled at different sampling rates can be combined and the sampling rate of the result adjusted as needed by the destination interface. Methods of operating embodiments of the present invention are included. An additional aspect of the present invention may include machine-readable storage having stored thereon a computer program having a plurality of code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the foregoing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Inventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Publication number: 20080252235Abstract: An electronic control gear for a lamp is disclosed. The electronic control gear has a memory device and a microprocessor configured to acquire data relating to at least one parameter of operation of the lamp and configured to store acquired data in the memory device. The at least one parameter of operation is an electrical power consumption of the lamp during a period of operation, a duration of operation of the lamp during a period, a duration of operation the lamp at each of a plurality of power consumption levels or bands, or an operating temperature of a component of a circuit in which the lamp is connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2006Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventors: Neil Dudley, Bernhard Pfeiffer, Phil Houghton, Gerold Malin, Guido Heremans
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Publication number: 20080205380Abstract: A switchboard device and methods of operation of same are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may provide a flexible means of interconnecting wideband and narrowband communications interfaces, where wideband communications interfaces may transfer low-band data and high-band data, and narrowband communication interfaces may transfer low-band data. Low-band data may be combined and sent to a narrowband communications interface or a wideband communications interface. High-band data may be combined and sent to a wideband communications interface. The low-band data may represent audio signals below a predetermined frequency, while the high-band data may represent audio signals above the predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency may be, for example, approximately 4 kHz. The spectral mask of the low-band data may meet the spectral mask of G.712. Methods of operating embodiments of the present invention are included.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Patent number: 7409056Abstract: A switchboard device and methods of operation of same are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may provide a flexible means of interconnecting wideband and narrowband communications interfaces, where wideband communications interfaces may transfer wideband data sampled at a higher sampling rate, and narrowband communication interfaces may transfer narrowband data sampled at a lower sampling rate. Data streams sampled at different sampling rates can be combined and the sampling rate of the result adjusted as needed by the destination interface. Methods of operating embodiments of the present invention are included. An additional aspect of the present invention may include machine-readable storage having stored thereon a computer program having a plurality of code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the foregoing.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Wilf LéBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
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Publication number: 20080140427Abstract: Details of media encoding and decoding devices which support generic homing sequences, and methods for operating such devices are disclosed. The use of generic homing sequences may permit an embodiment of the disclosed invention to support real-time, bit-exact testing of existing and future media encoding and decoding devices. An embodiment of the present invention may permit the initialization of encoding and decoding algorithms to a known state, enabling bit-exact testing of a large group of devices using these algorithms, including those whose specifications do not support such functionality. This capability may permit the full-speed, bit-exact, testing, of both locally and remotely situated media encoders and decoders.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2007Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Darwin Rambo, Phil Houghton