Patents by Inventor Sterling Smith

Sterling Smith 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: 9058044
    Abstract: A reference voltage generation circuit includes an auto-activation unit, an operational amplifier unit, and a tail current resistor. An input of the operational amplifier is grounded via the tail current resistor. The auto-activation unit is coupled to the operational amplifier so that the circuit operates at an operating point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: MSTAR SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Sterling Smith, Ying-Jia Zhu, Jian-Ping Cheng
  • Patent number: 9007339
    Abstract: A method for implementing a touch screen on a display panel and associated apparatus is provided. Cross locations of source lines and gate lines of the display panel are arranged for sensing a user touch control. In a sensing phase for sensing touch control, capacitance changes due to the touch control are sensed via the source lines. In a display phase, driving electricity is transmitted via the source lines for driving the display panel to display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sterling Smith, Chi-Kang Liu, Guo-Kiang Hung
  • Patent number: 8823755
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting the pixel resolution of an input image is disclosed. According to the present invention, the pixel resolution of the input image is adjusted by oversampling an analog signal representative of the input image at a higher frequency than the pixel rate of the original image, then digitally downscaling to the desired horizontal resolution of an output image. The horizontally downscaled image is then stored in a buffer memory and subsequently scaled up to the desired vertical resolution of the output image. Preferably, oversampling of the analog signal is performed at a frequency that is an integer multiple of the input pixel rate, thus providing coherent sampling to help avoid aliasing artifacts in the sampled image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mstar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sterling Smith, Jiunn-Kuang Chen
  • Publication number: 20140029769
    Abstract: A reference voltage generation circuit includes an auto-activation unit, an operational amplifier unit, and a tail current resistor. An input of the operational amplifier is grounded via the tail current resistor. The auto-activation unit is coupled to the operational amplifier so that the circuit operates at an operating point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sterling Smith, Ying-Jia Zhu, Jian-Ping Cheng
  • Patent number: 8635569
    Abstract: A universal memory I/O generating apparatus includes a defining module, a retrieving module, a generating module, and a layout module. The defining module defines a mapping table according to a pin configuration of a plurality of I/Os. The mapping table includes corresponding relationships between the plurality of IOs and a plurality of memory functions. The retrieving module retrieves control information corresponding to the mapping table from candidate information, which is associated with the corresponding relationships between the plurality of I/Os and the plurality of memory functions. The generating module generates a hardware description language (HDL) file according to the control information. The layout module programs the plurality of I/Os according to the HDL file, so that each of the I/Os can correspond to its corresponding memory function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sterling Smith, Hsian-Feng Liu, Eer-Wen Tyan, Chun-Chia Chen, Ming-Chieh Yeh, Chung-Ching Chen, Yo-Lin Chen
  • Publication number: 20140002731
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting the pixel resolution of an input image is disclosed. According to the present invention, the pixel resolution of the input image is adjusted by oversampling an analog signal representative of the input image at a higher frequency than the pixel rate of the original image, then digitally downscaling to the desired horizontal resolution of an output image. The horizontally downscaled image is then stored in a buffer memory and subsequently scaled up to the desired vertical resolution of the output image. Preferably, oversampling of the analog signal is performed at a frequency that is an integer multiple of the input pixel rate, thus providing coherent sampling to help avoid aliasing artifacts in the sampled image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: MSTAR SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: STERLING SMITH, JIUNN-KUANG CHEN
  • Patent number: 8564340
    Abstract: A dual phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit includes a phase/frequency detector, a charge pump, a frequency tuning circuit and an N divider. The frequency tuning circuit includes a coarse-tuning circuit, for coarse-tuning an output frequency of the dual PLL circuit to approximate a target frequency; a fine-tuning circuit, for fine-tuning the output frequency of the dual PLL circuit to the target frequency; and a current control oscillator (CCO), for generating an output signal of the dual PLL circuit. The output frequency of the output signal is equal to the target frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong-Wang Liu, Wen-cai Lu, Sterling Smith
  • Patent number: 8542258
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting the pixel resolution of an input image is disclosed. According to the present invention, the pixel resolution of the input image is adjusted by oversampling an analog signal representative of the input image at a higher frequency than the pixel rate of the original image, then digitally downscaling to the desired horizontal resolution of an output image. The horizontally downscaled image is then stored in a buffer memory and subsequently scaled up to the desired vertical resolution of the output image. Preferably, oversampling of the analog signal is performed at a frequency that is an integer multiple of the input pixel rate, thus providing coherent sampling to help avoid aliasing artifacts in the sampled image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sterling Smith, Jiunn-Kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 8542181
    Abstract: A flat panel display device, LCD controller and associated method is provided. The flat panel display device includes a display panel, a lamp for providing a backlight source for the display panel, a power transformation module for providing a power source for the lamp, a non-volatile storage unit for storing program code, and a display controller. The display controller includes an image processing module for processing image data and outputting processed results to the display panel, and a digital pulse width modulation module for adjusting on and off time of the power transformation module according to a synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sterling Smith, Chih-Tien Chang
  • Patent number: 8532168
    Abstract: A receiver includes an adaptive equalizer, a power detecting unit and an adjusting unit. The adaptive equalizer is for receiving a signal and generating an equalized signal. The power detecting unit, coupled to the adaptive equalizer, is for detecting the strength of the equalized signal during a first period to generate a first strength signal, and detecting the strength of the equalized signal during a second period to generate a second strength signal. The adjusting unit, coupled to the power detecting unit and the adaptive equalizer, is for adjusting the compensation strength for the adaptive equalizer according to the first and second strength signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Mstar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Po Nien Lin, Sterling Smith
  • Patent number: 8497853
    Abstract: A flat panel display device, LCD controller and associated method is provided. The flat panel display device includes a display panel, a lamp for providing a backlight source for the display panel, a power transformation module for providing a power source for the lamp, a non-volatile storage unit for storing program code, and a display controller. The display controller includes an image processing module for processing image data and outputting processed results to the display panel, and a digital pulse width modulation module for adjusting on and off time of the power transformation module with reference to a synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sterling Smith, Chih-Tien Chang, Kuo-Feng Hsu, Cheng-Yu Lu, Song-Yi Lin, Guo-Kiang Hung
  • Patent number: 8456209
    Abstract: A delay locked loop includes a pulse generator, a delay unit, a phase detector and a control unit. The pulse generator generates a pulse signal and a determination signal according to an input clock signal. The delay unit delays the pulse signal according to a digital control signal to generate a delayed pulse signal. The phase detector detects a time delay of the delayed pulse signal according to the determination signal to generate a detection result. The control unit generates a digital control signal according to the detection result to control the delayed pulse signal by a delay amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Chia Chen, Sterling Smith
  • Patent number: 8339175
    Abstract: A phase generating apparatus generates an output clock having a desired phase according to a digital signal. The apparatus includes a phase selecting unit and a phase generating unit. The phase selecting unit selects one of a plurality of input clocks according to a portion of bits of the digital signal to generate a reference clock. Each of the input clocks respectively has a difference phase. The phase selecting unit divides the frequency of the reference clock, and selectively delays the frequency-divided reference clock according to another portion of bits of the digital signal to generate the output clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsian-Feng Liu, Sterling Smith
  • Patent number: 8217815
    Abstract: A Sigma-Delta modulator with a shared operational amplifier (op-amp) includes an integrated circuit, having two integrators sharing the op-amp, capable of integrating two input signals of the two integrators; a plurality of quantizers, coupled to the integrating circuit, for comparing outputting signals of the integrators with a predetermined signal and then generating digital outputting signals; a plurality of DACs, respectively coupled to the quantizers, for converting the digital outputting signals to analog feedback signals to the integrators; and a clock generator, for providing clock signals to the integrating circuit and the quantizers. Accordingly, layout area and power consumption of the modulator are reduced due to the shared op-amp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianqiu Chen, Sterling Smith, Jianping Cheng
  • Patent number: 8054384
    Abstract: An AV switching method capable of auto-configuring a plurality of AV input signals and associated apparatus is provided. An audio-video detector capable of auto-configuring the AV input signals includes an audio-video detecting module, an impedance adjustment module, and an audio-video switching module. The audio-video detecting module receives and detects the AV input signals to generate an AV detecting result. The impedance adjustment module adjusts matching impedance for the AV input signals according to the AV detecting result. The audio-video switching module switches the AV input signals to output AV output signals according to the AV detecting result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Wiyi Yang, Henry Tin-Hang Yung, Sterling Smith, Her-Ming Jong
  • Publication number: 20110128057
    Abstract: A delay locked loop includes a pulse generator, a delay unit, a phase detector and a control unit. The pulse generator generates a pulse signal and a determination signal according to an input clock signal. The delay unit delays the pulse signal according to a digital control signal to generate a delayed pulse signal. The phase detector detects a time delay of the delayed pulse signal according to the determination signal to generate a detection result. The control unit generates a digital control signal according to the detection result to control the delayed pulse signal by a delay amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: MSTAR SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Chun-Chia Chen, Sterling Smith
  • Publication number: 20110131354
    Abstract: A universal memory I/O generating apparatus includes a defining module, a retrieving module, a generating module, and a layout module. The defining module defines a mapping table according to a pin configuration of a plurality of I/Os. The mapping table includes corresponding relationships between the plurality of IOs and a plurality of memory functions. The retrieving module retrieves control information corresponding to the mapping table from candidate information, which is associated with the corresponding relationships between the plurality of I/Os and the plurality of memory functions. The generating module generates a hardware description language (HDL) file according to the control information. The layout module programs the plurality of I/Os according to the HDL file, so that each of the I/Os can correspond to its corresponding memory function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: MSTAR SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Sterling Smith, Hsian-Feng Liu, Eer-Wen Tyan, Chun-Chia Chen, Ming-Chieh Yeh, Chung-Ching Chen, Yo-Lin Chen
  • Publication number: 20110128061
    Abstract: A phase generating apparatus generates an output clock having a desired phase according to a digital signal. The apparatus includes a phase selecting unit and a phase generating unit. The phase selecting unit selects one of a plurality of input clocks according to a portion of bits of the digital signal to generate a reference clock. Each of the input clocks respectively has a difference phase. The phase selecting unit divides the frequency of the reference clock, and selectively delays the frequency-divided reference clock according to another portion of bits of the digital signal to generate the output clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: MSTAR SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Hsian-Feng Liu, Sterling Smith
  • Patent number: 7913907
    Abstract: A read state retention circuit and method are disclosed. The read state retention circuit comprises a charge storage unit, charging unit, sensing circuit and state indicator. The charging circuit is coupled to the charge storage unit for charging the charge storage unit. The sensing circuit is coupled to the charge storage unit for sensing a voltage level of the charge storage unit. The state indicator is coupled to the sensing circuit for outputting an indication signal in response to the voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Mstar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sterling Smith, Chung-Ho Ning
  • Publication number: 20110063155
    Abstract: A Sigma-Delta modulator with a shared operational amplifier (op-amp) includes an integrated circuit, having two integrators sharing the op-amp, capable of integrating two input signals of the two integrators; a plurality of quantizers, coupled to the integrating circuit, for comparing outputting signals of the integrators with a predetermined signal and then generating digital outputting signals; a plurality of DACs, respectively coupled to the quantizers, for converting the digital outputting signals to analog feedback signals to the integrators; and a clock generator, for providing clock signals to the integrating circuit and the quantizers. Accordingly, layout area and power consumption of the modulator are reduced due to the shared op-amp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: MSTAR SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Jianqiu Chen, Sterling Smith, Jianping Cheng