Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110242641 | PIGMENT PARTICLES FOR ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY - The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic display fluid, in particular, pigment particles dispersed in a solvent or solvent mixture, and methods for their preparation. The pigment particles generated, according to the present invention, are stable in solvent under an electric field, have desired charge and charge density on the particle surface. | 10-06-2011 |
20120112131 | ELECTROPHORETIC DISPERSION - The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic dispersion comprising pigment particles dispersed in a solvent or solvent mixture, wherein said pigment particles comprises at least one polymer chain comprising a terminal thiocarbonylthio group, attached to the particle surface. The invention also relates to pigment particles suitable for use in an electrophoretic dispersion and methods for their preparation through a RAFT polymerization technique. | 05-10-2012 |
20120199798 | ELECTROPHORETIC FLUID - The present invention is directed to a display fluid comprising charged composite pigment particles dispersed in a solvent. The composite pigment particles have a density which matches to the density of the solvent in which they are dispersed. A display fluid comprising the composite pigment particles provides improved display performance. | 08-09-2012 |
20120313049 | SILANE-CONTAINING PIGMENT PARTICLES FOR ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY - The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic display fluid, in particular, pigment particles dispersed in a solvent or solvent mixture, and methods for their preparation. The pigment particles generated, according to the present invention, are stable in solvent under an electric field and can improve the performance of an electrophoretic display. | 12-13-2012 |
20130077155 | ADDITIVE FOR IMPROVING OPTICAL PERFORMANCE OF AN ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY - The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic fluid comprising uncharged or lightly charged neutral buoyancy particles. The resulting fluid can improve not only image stability but also contrast ratio of a display device, without significantly affecting the switching speed. The present invention is also directed to an electrophoretic display comprising display cells filled with the electrophoretic fluid. | 03-28-2013 |
20130175479 | ELECTROPHORETIC FLUID - The present invention is directed to a display fluid comprising charged composite pigment particles dispersed in a solvent. The composite pigment particles have a density which matches to the density of the solvent in which they are dispersed. A display fluid comprising the composite pigment particles provides improved display performance. | 07-11-2013 |
20130175480 | ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY FLUID - The invention is directed to an electrophoretic fluid which can improve display performance such as switching speed, vertical bistability and the ghosting effect, and also reduce display defects. The electrophoretic fluid comprises charged pigment particles dispersed in a mixture of isoparaffins. | 07-11-2013 |
20130193385 | ELECTROPHORETIC DISPERSION - The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic dispersion comprising charged pigment particles dispersed in a solvent or solvent mixture, wherein the pigment particles have an average aggregation size more than 2 times their primary size. The electrophoretic dispersion of the present invention is capable of improving image bistability through adjusting the aggregation size of the charged pigment particles. | 08-01-2013 |
20130217821 | COMPOSITES OF POLYSILOXANE POLYMERS AND INORGANIC NANOPARTICLES - Desirable composites of polysiloxane polymers and inorganic nanoparticles can be formed based on the appropriate selection of the surface properties of the particles and the chemical properties of the polymer. High loadings of particles can be achieved with good dispersion through the polymer. The composites can have good optical properties. In some embodiments, the inorganic particles are substantially free of surface modification. | 08-22-2013 |
20130244149 | CHARGED PIGMENT PARTICLES FOR ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY - The present invention is directed to a charged pigment particles useful for the electrophoretic fluid. The present invention describes how the charge property of the charged pigment particle may be controlled. By adjusting the charge property of the charged pigment particles to a suitable level for an electrophoretic display system, a faster switching speed, a higher contrast ratio and better image bistability may be achieved. | 09-19-2013 |
20130300727 | MULTIPLE VOLTAGE LEVEL DRIVING FOR ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAYS - This application is directed to driving methods for electrophoretic displays. The driving methods comprise applying different voltages selected from multiple voltage levels, to pixel electrodes and optionally also to the common electrodes. In one embodiment, the different voltages are selected from a group consisting of | 11-14-2013 |
20140011913 | ELECTROPHORETIC FLUID - The present invention is directed to a display fluid comprising charged composite pigment particles dispersed in a solvent. The composite pigment particle comprises at least a core pigment particle, a shell coated over the core pigment particle and steric stabilizer molecules on the surface of the composite pigment particle, wherein the shell is formed from a monomer and a co-monomer. A display fluid comprising the composite pigment particles provides improved display performance. | 01-09-2014 |
20140055840 | COLOR TUNING FOR ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY DEVICE - The present invention is directed to color tuning methods for electrophoretic display devices. For example, a color tuning agent may be added to a composition for forming a display cell structure or a primer layer. Alternatively, a separate color tuning layer may be added to a display device. Further, a color tuning agent may be added to an electrophoretic display fluid. The color tuning methods are useful for adjusting the color temperature of a display device. | 02-27-2014 |
20140092465 | COLOR DISPLAY DEVICE - The present invention provides a solution for a highlight or multicolor display device, in which each display cell can display high quality color states. More specifically, an electrophoretic fluid is provided which comprises three types of pigment particles, having different levels of size, threshold voltage or charge intensity. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092466 | COLOR DISPLAY DEVICE - The present invention provides a solution for a highlight or multicolor display device, in which each display cell can display high quality color states. More specifically, an electrophoretic fluid is provided which comprises three types of pigment particles, having different levels of size, threshold voltage or charge intensity. | 04-03-2014 |
20140104674 | DISPLAY MEDIUM AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF AND ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY THEREWITH - A display medium adapted for an electrophoretic display is provided. The display medium includes at least one particle and a random copolymer bonded with the particle, wherein the random copolymer has a structural unit originated from a first monomer and a second monomer. The first monomer is selected from at least one or a combination of a group of specific compounds consisting of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, lauryl methacrylate and octadecyl acrylate etc. and the second monomer is selected from at least one kind of a group of specific compounds composed of 2,2,2 trifluoroethyl acrylate, 2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate. A method of manufacturing the display medium and an electrophoretic display with the display medium are also provided. | 04-17-2014 |
20140138135 | SILICON/GERMANIUM PARTICLE INKS, DOPED PARTICLES, PRINTING AND PROCESSES FOR SEMICONDUCTOR APPLICATIONS - Highly uniform silicon/germanium nanoparticles can be formed into stable dispersions with a desirable small secondary particle size. The silicon/germanium particles can be surface modified to form the dispersions. The silicon/germanium nanoparticles can be doped to change the particle properties. The dispersions can be printed as an ink for appropriate applications. The dispersions can be used to form selectively doped deposits of semiconductor materials such as for the formation of photovoltaic cells or for the formation of printed electronic circuits. | 05-22-2014 |
20140231728 | ELECTROPHORETIC FLUID - The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic fluid comprising transparent particles, as an additive. The presence of the transparent particles in the fluid provides improved display performance. | 08-21-2014 |
20140293398 | ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY DEVICE - The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic display device which is suitable for passive matrix driving. The electrophoretic fluid may comprise two types of charged pigment particles wherein the two types of charged pigment particles carry opposite charge polarities, have contrasting colors and have different levels of charge intensity. Alternatively, there may be a third type of particles added to the fluid. | 10-02-2014 |
20140313566 | COLOR DISPLAY DEVICE - The present invention provides a realistic solution for a highlight or multicolor display device which can display high quality color states. More specifically, an electrophoretic fluid is provided which comprises four types of particles, having different levels of size, threshold voltage or charge intensity. | 10-23-2014 |
20140339480 | SILANE-CONTAINING PIGMENT PARTICLES FOR ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY - The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic display fluid, in particular, pigment particles dispersed in a solvent or solvent mixture, and methods for their preparation. The pigment particles generated, according to the present invention, are stable in solvent under an electric field and can improve the performance of an electrophoretic display. | 11-20-2014 |
20140339481 | ELECTROPHORETIC DISPERSION - The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic dispersion comprising charged pigment particles dispersed in a solvent or solvent mixture, wherein at least one type of the charged pigment particles has an aggregation size about 2 to about 10 times their primary size and/or has a PDI in the range of 0.1 to 0.3. The electrophoretic dispersion of the present invention is capable of improving both image bistability and contrast ratio through adjusting the size distribution of the charged pigment particles. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340735 | COLOR DISPLAY DEVICE - The present invention provides a color display device in which each pixel can display four high quality color states. More specifically, an electrophoretic fluid is provided which comprises four types of particles, dispersed in a solvent or solvent mixture. The fluid may further comprise substantially uncharged neutral buoyancy particles. | 11-20-2014 |
20140347407 | COLOR DISPLAY DEVICE - The present invention provides a solution for a highlight or multicolor display device, in which each display cell can display high quality color states. More specifically, an electrophoretic fluid is provided which comprises three types of pigment particles, having different levels of size, threshold voltage or charge intensity. | 11-27-2014 |
20150062690 | ADDITIVE FOR IMPROVING OPTICAL PERFORMANCE OF AN ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY - The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic fluid which comprises uncharged or lightly charged neutral buoyancy particles. The resulting fluid can improve not only image stability but also contrast ratio of a display device, without significantly affecting the switching speed. The present invention is also directed to an electrophoretic display comprising display cells filled with the electrophoretic fluid. | 03-05-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080199687 | Functional composites, functional inks and applications thereof - Functional composite materials comprise elemental inorganic particles within an organic matrix. The elemental inorganic materials generally comprise elemental metal, elemental metalloid, alloys thereof, or mixtures thereof. In alternative or additional embodiments, the inorganic particles can comprise a metal oxide, a metalloid oxide, a combination thereof or a mixture thereof. The inorganic particles can have an average primary particle size of no more than abut 250 nm and a secondary particle size in a dispersion when blended with the organic matrix of no more than about 2 microns. The particles can be substantially unagglomerated within the composite. The organic binder can be a functional polymer such as a semiconducting polymer. The inorganic particles can be surface modified, such as with a moiety having an aromatic functional group for desirable interactions with a semiconducting polymer. Appropriate solution based methods can be used for forming the composite from dispersions of the particles. The composites can be processed into products, such as printed electronics devices. | 08-21-2008 |
20090081304 | Composite pigment nanoparticles and processes to form organic-inorganic nanoparticle composite particles - Milling approaches provide for the efficient formation of composite particles having an inorganic nanoparticle core with an organic coating composition. The nanoparticles can additionally function as a milling media or distinct milling particles can be used and later separated from the product composite particles. In general, the milling is performed in the presence of a dispersing agent that facilitates dispersing of the composite particles in a carrier liquid. The processes described herein can be effectively used in the formation of composite particles comprising organic pigments. Similarly, the composite particles can be formed with other organic compounds, such as organic pharmaceutical compositions. | 03-26-2009 |
20100174024 | COMPOSITES OF POLYSILOXANE POLYMERS AND INORGANIC NANOPARTICLES - Desirable composites of polysiloxane polymers and inorganic nanoparticles can be formed based on the appropriate selection of the surface properties of the particles and the chemical properties of the polymer. High loadings of particles can be achieved with good dispersion through the polymer. The composites can have good optical properties. In some embodiments, the inorganic particles are substantially free of surface modification. | 07-08-2010 |
20100324191 | COMPOSITES OF POLYMERS AND METAL/METALLOID OXIDE NANOPARTICLES AND METHODS FOR FORMING THESE COMPOSITES - Successful dispersion approaches are described for the formation of dispersion of dry powders of inorganic particles. In some embodiments, it is desirable to form the dispersion in two processing steps in which the particles are surface modified in the second processing step. Composites can be formed using the well dispersed particles to form improved inorganic particle-polymer composites. These composites are suitable for optical applications and for forming transparent films, which can have a relatively high index or refraction. In some embodiments, water can be used to alter the surface chemistry of metal oxide particles. | 12-23-2010 |
20110109688 | SILICON/GERMANIUM OXIDE PARTICLE INKS, INKJET PRINTING AND PROCESSES FOR DOPING SEMICONDUCTOR SUBSTRATES - Highly uniform silica nanoparticles can be formed into stable dispersions with a desirable small secondary particle size. The silican particles can be surface modified to form the dispersions. The silica nanoparticles can be doped to change the particle properties and/or to provide dopant for subsequent transfer to other materials. The dispersions can be printed as an ink for appropriate applications. The dispersions can be used to selectively dope semiconductor materials such as for the formation of photovoltaic cells or for the formation of printed electronic circuits. | 05-12-2011 |
20110281390 | SILICON/GERMANIUM OXIDE PARTICLE INKS AND PROCESSES FOR FORMING SOLAR CELL COMPONENTS AND FOR FORMING OPTICAL COMPONENTS - Highly uniform silica nanoparticles can be formed into stable dispersions with a desirable small secondary particle size. The silican particles can be surface modified to form the dispersions. The silica nanoparticles can be doped to change the particle properties and/or to provide dopant for subsequent transfer to other materials. The dispersions can be printed as an ink for appropriate applications. The dispersions can be used to selectively dope semiconductor materials such as for the formation of photovoltaic cells or for the formation of printed electronic circuits. | 11-17-2011 |
20120289637 | COMPOSITES OF POLYSILOXANE POLYMERS AND INORGANIC NANOPARTICLES - Desirable composites of polysiloxane polymers and inorganic nanoparticles can be formed based on the appropriate selection of the surface properties of the particles and the chemical properties of the polymer. High loadings of particles can be achieved with good dispersion through the polymer. The composites can have good optical properties. In some embodiments, the inorganic particles are substantially free of surface modification. | 11-15-2012 |
20120318168 | SILICON/GERMANIUM OXIDE PARTICLE INKS AND PROCESSES FOR FORMING SOLAR CELL COMPONENTS AND FOR FORMING OPTICAL COMPONENTS - Highly uniform silica nanoparticles can be formed into stable dispersions with a desirable small secondary particle size. The silica particles can be surface modified to form the dispersions. The silica nanoparticles can be doped to change the particle properties and/or to provide dopant for subsequent transfer to other materials. The dispersions can be printed as an ink for appropriate applications. The dispersions can be used to selectively dope semiconductor materials such as for the formation of photovoltaic cells or for the formation of printed electronic circuits. | 12-20-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100086057 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING BUS TRAFFIC OF A TEXTURE DECODING MODULE IN A VIDEO DECODER - Techniques for reducing bus traffic during texture decoding of a video bitstream are provided. In one configuration, a wireless communication device (e.g., cellular phone, etc.) comprises a processor configured to execute instructions operative to decode and separate in a bitstream macroblock (MB) information and residual packet data. The residual packet data is used to generate codec-independent non-zero MB-packets having a universal order that is codec independent. The codec-independent non-zero MB-packets and MB information are then used for reconstructing pixels of a respective frame of the video bitstream. | 04-08-2010 |
20120262542 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR WARPING AND HOLE FILLING DURING VIEW SYNTHESIS - Implementations include methods and systems for a converting reference images or video to 3D images or video. A two-step conversion is described which accomplishes warping and hole filling on a pixel-by-pixel basis. In one implementation, of a plurality of pixel values of a reference image at a plurality of first collinear pixels locations are successively mapped to a respective plurality of second pixel locations of a destination image. Between two of the mappings, a location of a hole between two of the second pixel locations may be identified and filled. | 10-18-2012 |
20130077690 | Firmware-Based Multi-Threaded Video Decoding - Embodiments of the present disclosure provide electronic devices and methods for equipping a multi-threaded processor with firmware instructions to configure threads to perform dedicated functions to expedite decoding of video data. In a particular embodiment, an electronic device includes a multi-threaded processor and a memory. The memory includes firmware including instructions executable by the multi-threaded processor, without use of a dedicated hardware macroblock decoding module, to decode video data compliant with a VP | 03-28-2013 |
20130094580 | DETECTING AVAILABILITIES OF NEIGHBORING VIDEO UNITS FOR VIDEO CODING - As part of a video encoding or decoding operation on video data, a video coder performs a coding operation for a current video unit of the video data. As part of performing the coding operation for the current video unit, the video coder determines the availabilities of one or more video units that neighbor the current video unit. In order to determine the availability of a video unit that neighbors the current video unit, the video coder identifies, based on availabilities of video units that neighbor a parent video unit of the current video unit, an entry in a lookup table. The identified entry indicates the availability of the video unit that neighbors the current video unit. The video coder then performs a coding operation on the current video unit based on whether the video unit that neighbors the current video unit is available. | 04-18-2013 |
20130188732 | Multi-Threaded Texture Decoding - A method for performing texture decoding in a multi-threaded processor includes substantially simultaneously decoding, in multiple hardware threads, at least two macro-blocks of a VP8 frame. Each hardware thread decodes one macro-block at a time. The method may also include assigning a macro-block from the at least two macro-blocks of the VP8 frame to a hardware thread of the multi-threaded processor. | 07-25-2013 |
20130279827 | Accelerated Video Compression Multi-Tap Filter and Bilinear Interpolator - A set of even interpolated sub-pixels is formed based on a pixel window and a tap coefficient register having a tap coefficient set, the pixel window is shifted and, applying the tap coefficient register a set of odd interpolated pixels is formed. The set of even interpolated sub-pixels and the set of odd interpolated sub-pixels are accumulated, repeatedly, until a termination condition is let. In the accumulating, the tap coefficient register is updated with another tap coefficient set, the pixel window is shifted, and the even interpolated pixels are incremented, the pixel window is then shifted again and the odd interpolated pixels are incremented. | 10-24-2013 |
20140212050 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING AN IMAGE - A method for processing an image is described. Mask bits are determined for a current pixel. The mask bits indicate intensity comparisons between the current pixel and multiple neighboring pixels. The mask bits also indicate whether each of the current pixel's neighboring pixels have been processed. A next pixel is selected for processing based on the mask bits. | 07-31-2014 |
20150058579 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEMORY UTILIZATION FOR OBJECT DETECTION - A method for memory utilization by an electronic device is described. The method includes transferring a first portion of a first decision tree and a second portion of a second decision tree from a first memory to a cache memory. The first portion and second portion of each decision tree are stored contiguously in the first memory. The first decision tree and second decision tree are each associated with a different feature of an object detection algorithm. The method also includes reducing cache misses by traversing the first portion of the first decision tree and the second portion of the second decision tree in the cache memory based on an order of execution of the object detection algorithm. | 02-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090300127 | E-MAIL FORWARDING METHOD AND SYSTEM - Systems and methods for allowing a user who has multiple e-mail accounts to read all of the e-mails sent to the multiple accounts from a single account are disclosed. The user may have the ability to reply to the sender of an e-mail such that the original sender is unaware that the user read the e-mail from an account that may be different than the account to which the e-mail was originally sent. The ability to reply to an e-mail in such a manner may not be dependent on the specific e-mail account the user is using to read the e-mail. | 12-03-2009 |
20110040693 | WEBSITE INCLUDING BID FILTERING - Systems and methods for improving social networking websites, such as dating websites, are disclosed. An owner of the website can capitalize on the quality of the user base. A bidding process can be used to limit access to highly desirable users. In some cases revenue generated from the bidding process will belong to the website owner, while in other cases, the revenues may be shared with the highly desirable users. Revenue need not be entirely financial, as the bidding process may operate with anything of value. | 02-17-2011 |
20110191433 | ENHANCED E-MAIL AND MESSAGING SYSTEM WITH VISUAL PROFILE AND SELECTIVE UPDATE - Systems and methods for advanced e-mail and messaging are disclosed. Profiles which include visual keys enable more efficient communications between users. Profiles may be pushed out to recipients or may be pulled in by recipients, with control over updated elements shared between the profile owner and the recipient. Additional capabilities include the ability to delete e-mails sent to a recipient regardless of when sent, extended subject line support to enable more efficient communications, and Improved display of threaded e-mail messages. Furthermore, features to reduce necessary communications bandwidth are also disclosed. | 08-04-2011 |
20140082105 | EMAIL RECALL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for advanced e-mail and messaging are disclosed. Profiles which include visual keys enable more efficient communications between users. Profiles may be pushed out to recipients or may be pulled in by recipients, with control over updated elements shared between the profile owner and the recipient. Additional capabilities include the ability to delete e-mails sent to a recipient regardless of when sent, extended subject line support to enable more efficient communications, and Improved display of threaded e-mail messages. Furthermore, features to reduce necessary communications bandwidth are also disclosed. | 03-20-2014 |
20140236735 | DISPLAYING AMOUNT PAID TO WEBSITE IN USER PROFILE - Systems and methods are provided for increasing sponsorship amounts paid in connection with displaying content, such as increasing amounts paid by members to social networks and amounts paid by advertisers to search engines and other websites. According to embodiments, a sponsorship program can be used to highlight the wealth and dedication that some entities have by publishing the amounts those entities paid in connection with the content. | 08-21-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120147899 | Media Access Control (MAC) Layer for Power Line Communications (PLC) - Systems and methods for a media access control (MAC) layer for power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving packets for transmission, each packet associated with a priority code, each priority code unrelated to its corresponding packet's time or order of arrival. The method may also include transmitting a first subset of packets having priority codes higher than priority codes in a second subset, and buffering the packets in the second subset for later transmission. Another method may include identifying a link quality indicator (LQI) associated neighboring service nodes, selecting one of the service nodes with highest LQI, and transmitting a promotion needed packet data unit to the selected service node. Yet another method may include communicating an Internet protocol (IP)-based message to a PLC device that excludes mesh header information, fragmentation header information, and/or the IP address of the PLC device. | 06-14-2012 |
20120155487 | Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) Protocols for Power Line Communications (PLC) - Systems and methods for carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) protocols for power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method may include performing a virtual carrier sensing operation and, in response to the virtual carrier sensing operation indicating that a communication channel is idle, calculating a contention window. The method may also include performing a physical carrier sensing operation subsequent to the virtual carrier sensing operation, the physical carrier sensing operation based, at least in part, upon the contention window. In response to the physical carrier sensing operation indicating that the communication channel is idle, the method may then include transmitting data over the channel. In other embodiments, another method may include determining that a data transmission is a unicast transmission and that an acknowledgement message has not been received. The method may further include incrementing a backoff parameter and repeating one or more carrier sense operations. | 06-21-2012 |
20120182881 | Routing Protocols for Power Line Communications (PLC) - Systems and methods for routing protocols for power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method may include transmitting a one-hop broadcast request message to a plurality of PLC devices in a mesh network and receiving a response from each of the devices. The method may also include selecting one of the devices as a bootstrapping agent, sending a join request to a bootstrapping server through the bootstrapping agent, and, in response to successfully joining the network, setting the bootstrapping agent as a next hop toward a bootstrapping server. In another embodiment, a method may include maintaining a routing table for a plurality of PLC devices in a mesh network, receiving a join request from a PLC device, accepting the request, and updating the table to add a record corresponding to the PLC device; the record setting the bootstrapping agent as a penultimate hop toward the PLC device. | 07-19-2012 |
20120189042 | Building, Transmitting, and Receiving Robust Protocol Data Units in Power Line Communications - Systems and methods for building, transmitting, and receiving robust protocol data units (PDUs) in power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a PDU, applying bit-level repetition to at least a portion of the PDU to create a repeated portion, block interleaving two or more symbols corresponding to the repeated portion to create a block interleaved portion, inserting pilot tones in the block interleaved portion, and modulating each tone in the block interleaved portion with respect to a nearest one of the inserted pilot tones to create a robust PDU. In some implementations, the robust PDU may include a first header portion carrying information encoded using a first version of a PLC protocol (e.g., a legacy standard) and a second header portion carrying information encoded using a second version of the PLC protocol (e.g., a newer version of the same standard). | 07-26-2012 |
20120201155 | Channel Selection in Power Line Communications - Systems and methods for channel selection in power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method may include defining a plurality of frames, each frame having a plurality of time slots. The method may also include assembling a pair of beacon and bandscan packets within each of time slot of each frame. The method may further include sequentially transmitting each of the frames over a corresponding one of a plurality of different frequency bands. In some implementations, each bandscan packet may include a slot index indicating a position of its time slot within its respective frame and/or a band index indicating one of the plurality of different frequency bands. In response to having transmitted the plurality of frames, the method may include receiving one or more packets indicating a selection of one or more of the plurality of different frequency bands to be used in subsequent communications. | 08-09-2012 |
20120236875 | Slotted Channel Access Techniques in Network Communications - Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing slotted channel access techniques in network communications are described. In some embodiments, a method may include selecting one of a plurality of time slots within a contention access period (CAP), each of the plurality of time slots having a predetermined duration, and transmitting a packet during the selected time slot. For example, the time slot may be selected randomly or based on a round-robin algorithm. In some implementations, the duration of each of the plurality of time slots may correspond and/or be equal to: (a) a duration of a data packet of maximum size, (b) a sum of durations of a request-to-send packet, an interframe space, and a clear-to-send packet, and/or (c) a duration of a guaranteed time slot (GTS) or contention free period (CFP) request packet, as prescribed by a given communication protocol or standard. | 09-20-2012 |
20120236876 | MAC PROTOCOLS WITH SUBBANDING - Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing media access control (MAC) protocols with subbanding are described. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a beacon packet during one of a plurality of beacon slots of a superframe, each beacon slot corresponding to one of a plurality of different downlink subbands. The method may also include identifying, based on the received beacon packet, contention access periods following the beacon slots, each of the contention access periods corresponding to one of a plurality of different uplink subbands. The method may further include transmitting an information packet over each of the plurality of uplink subbands during the contention access periods. Then, the method may include receiving, during a guaranteed time slot following the contention access periods, an indication of a selected one of the plurality of uplink subbands to be used in a subsequent communications. | 09-20-2012 |
20120257639 | Communications in Beacon-Enabled Networks - Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing communications in beacon-enabled networks are described. In various implementations, these systems and methods may be applicable to power line communications (PLC). For example, a method may include identifying one of a plurality of orthogonal superframes. The identified superframe may include beacon slots and contention access period (CAP) slots. The beacon slots may follow a sequence of two or more frequency subbands, and the CAP slots may follow the same sequence of two or more frequency subbands. Also, the sequence of two or more frequency subbands may be distinct from other sequences of two or more frequency subbands followed by other beacon slots and CAP slots within others of the plurality of available superframes. The method may then include communicating with another device using the identified superframe. | 10-11-2012 |
20140233586 | CARRIER SENSE MULTIPLE ACCESS (CSMA) PROTOCOLS FOR POWER LINE COMMUNICATIONS (PLC) - Systems and methods for carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) protocols for power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method may include performing a virtual carrier sensing operation and, in response to the virtual carrier sensing operation indicating that a communication channel is idle, calculating a contention window. The method may also include performing a physical carrier sensing operation subsequent to the virtual carrier sensing operation, the physical carrier sensing operation based, at least in part, upon the contention window. In response to the physical carrier sensing operation indicating that the communication channel is idle, the method may then include transmitting data over the channel. In other embodiments, another method may include determining that a data transmission is a unicast transmission and that an acknowledgement message has not been received. The method may further include incrementing a backoff parameter and repeating one or more carrier sense operations. | 08-21-2014 |
20140355474 | Channel Selection in Power Line Communications - A power line communication (PLC) device comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory is configured to store program instructions executable by the processor to cause the PLC device perform operations. One or more time slots are sequentially scan in each of a plurality of frequency bands. A packet transmitted by a second PLC device to the PLC device over one of the plurality of frequency bands is detected. Additional packets received from the second PLC device across the plurality of frequency bands based, at least in part, upon the detected packet are synchronized. The additional packets are organized in a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of frames having been transmitted by the second PLC device to the PLC device over a respective one of the plurality of frequency bands. Each frame has a plurality of time slots, and each time slot has a pair of beacon and bandscan packets, Each bandscan packet includes information indicating a frequency band distinct from any of the plurality of different frequency bands to be used by the second PLC device to communicate with the first PLC device in a direction from the second PLC device to the first PLC device. | 12-04-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140071955 | Dynamic Sounding Control In Wifi - A method of performing dynamic sounding in a wireless communication device includes determining whether to perform sounding based on an age of current channel state information (CSI). An achievable throughput can be recorded as a reference throughput after performing the sounding. A current achievable throughput can be compared with the reference throughput. A CSI timestamp can be reset when the current throughput is above the reference throughput by a first predetermined amount, thereby prolonging a lifespan of the current CSI. The CSI timestamp can be reduced when the current throughput is below the reference throughput by a second predetermined amount, thereby reducing the lifespan of the current CSI. | 03-13-2014 |
20140092819 | Scheduling Transmission For Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output Data - An access point determines the buffered data for each station of a plurality of stations in a BSS and groups the stations with similar station characteristics. The transmission time to the stations in a group can be apportioned. The groups can be ordered based on station characteristics and a transmission history. A sounding for a group can be performed based on the order. The MU-MIMO transmission for the group can be performed until a first condition is met. If the first condition is met, then the sounding and the MU-MIMO transmission for a next group can be performed, according to the order, until a second condition is met. The first condition can include an apportioned transmission time having expired and/or the buffers for the group being flushed. The second condition can include new data having been buffered by the AP and/or all buffered data having been transmitted. | 04-03-2014 |
20140133303 | Multicast Rate Control - A method of providing multicast rate control in a wireless communication device can include transmitting data frames to a plurality of stations in a multicast group with a first data rate. Acknowledgements (ACKs) can then be requested from a first subset of the plurality of stations. Frame losses can be determined using the ACKs from the first subset. A second data rate can be determined based on the frame losses with the first subset. A second subset of the plurality of stations can be selected based on the frame losses with the first subset. Data frames can be transmitted to the plurality of stations with the second data rate. Notably, ACKs only from the second subset of the plurality of stations are requested. Frame losses for the second subset can be determined using those ACKs. A current data rate can be adjusted based on the frame losses for the subset and at least one predetermined threshold. Data frames can be transmitted to the plurality of stations using the adjusted data rate. | 05-15-2014 |
20140153458 | POWER SAVING MODES IN WIRELESS DEVICES - Various aspects of apparatus for accessing a network through a wireless access point and methods of power savings for such apparatus include scheduling a sleep state interval, entering a sleep state at the beginning of the scheduled sleep interval, and buffering data during the sleep state for transmission following the sleep state. | 06-05-2014 |
20140153459 | POWER SAVING MODES IN WIRELESS DEVICES - Various aspects of apparatus for accessing a network through a wireless access point and methods of power savings for such apparatus include autonomously alternating between a listen state and the sleep state during a time period in which no data is detected from the remote apparatus, and progressively increase the sleep state interval during the time period for at least a portion of the time period. | 06-05-2014 |
20140153460 | POWER SAVING MODES IN WIRELESS DEVICES - Various aspects of apparatus for accessing a network through a wireless access point and methods of power savings for such apparatus include operating in a sleep state, and scheduling one or more sleep state intervals for operating in the sleep state during a time period, wherein the scheduled one or more sleep state intervals are based on one or more wireless transmission parameters. | 06-05-2014 |
20140160947 | Method And System for Unified Rate Adaptation For SU-BF And MU-MIMO Operation - A method of providing rate adaptation in a multi-user wireless communication system including single-user beamforming (SU-BF) and multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) is described. In this method, a master rate, which is a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the SU-BF, is determined. An MCS for each transmit mode is derived from the master rate using a rate mapping. Using the results from the mapping, the master rate, instead of the MCS for each transmit mode, is tracked. In one embodiment, a mapping calibration is periodically performed. | 06-12-2014 |
20140211642 | Method And System For Boosting Transmission Settings Based On Signal To Interference And Noise Ratio - A method of performing transmission from an access point (AP) in a wireless communication system provides transmission setting adjustment after sounding. In this method, stations associated with the AP and having transmission data can be identified. Transmission to those stations can be performed using a predetermined transmission setting. For a first transmission after a sounding, the predetermined transmission setting can be boosted. For any transmission other than the first transmission after the sounding, a current or adjusted transmission setting can be used based on a detected PER during transmission. An adjusted transmission setting can be an MCS rate, a user-level (SU-BF, 2U-MIMO, or 3U-MIMO), or an aggregated MAC protocol data unit (AMPDU) aggregation level. A single transmission setting or a combination of settings can be used. The method can be used with any transmission setting(s), including those mapped from the Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR). | 07-31-2014 |
20140219110 | Method And System For Dynamic AMPDU Duration Control In A Wireless Communication System - A method of providing aggregated MAC protocol data unit (AMPDU) duration control in a wireless communication device includes setting an AMPDU duration. Pass/fail statistics are collected for each MPDU of an AMPDU in a time window, W. A packet error rate (PER) difference is calculated between first and last sets of MPDUs for each AMPDU in the window. An average PER difference is calculated across all AMPDUs in the window. When the average PER difference is greater than a first threshold, then the AMPDU duration is decreased. When the difference is less than a second threshold, then the AMPDU duration is increased. When the difference is within the first and the second thresholds, then the method returns to the step of collecting for a next time window. The AMPDU duration can also be adjusted based on detected Doppler and line-of-sight transmissions. | 08-07-2014 |
20140219111 | Method And System For Dual-Mode Rate Control In A Wireless Communication System - A method of performing dual-mode rate control for an access point in a wireless communication system includes a single-user mode of operation and a multi-user mode of operation. In the single-user mode, a basic rate for a station is determined based on channel conditions. In the multi-user mode, a rate for a plurality of stations is determined using tracking. The tracking includes performing a sounding for the plurality of stations. An initial multi-user current rate is then set equal to a function of a number of users and the basic rate. A transmission is sent to the plurality of stations using the current rate. A packet error rate (PER) is detected during transmission to the plurality of stations. The current rate is adjusted based on the PER. After rate adjustment, either sounding is triggered or the method returns to sending a transmission using the current rate. | 08-07-2014 |
20140254349 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEAMLESS DATA STREAM TRANSFER DURING BAND SWITCH BETWEEN WIRELESS STATIONS - One innovation includes an apparatus, for wirelessly communicating with a communication system via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel, including a memory unit that is configured to store a first data packet and a second data packet, the first data packet and the second data packet have consecutive sequence numbers. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to retrieve the first data packet and the second data packet from the memory unit, a transceiver that is configured to transmit the first data packet to the communication system via the first channel, to receive a first acknowledgement from the communication system and to transmit the second data packet to the communication system via the second channel after the processor detects that the first acknowledgement comprises a positive acknowledgement of the first reception information. | 09-11-2014 |
20140254408 | RATE CONTROL ASSOCIATED WITH FRAME AGGREGATION - MAC layer frame aggregation and block acknowledgement are used in some WLAN technologies to improve efficiency of a communications channel by reducing PHY layer overhead. A frame aggregation window size defines how many MAC protocol data units (MPDUs) are included in an aggregated MPDU (AMPDU) frame. The frame aggregation window for a subsequent AMPDU frame is typically dependent upon the characteristics of the block acknowledgement—such as the number of non-acknowledged (NAK) MPDUs or the position of a hole in the previous AMPDU frame. A small frame aggregation window size may impact throughput especially at higher transmission rates. In this disclosure a transmission rate may be determined based, at least in part, on a projected frame aggregation window size resulting from a block acknowledgement. The frame aggregation feedback (e.g. block acknowledgement) may be used by a rate control module to determine a transmission rate that optimizes frame aggregation efficiency. | 09-11-2014 |
20140254424 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZING RATE CONTROL BASED ON PACKET AGGREGATION CONSIDERATIONS - Various aspects of the disclosure described herein provide for optimizing rate control during a selection of a communications profile from a set of communications profiles by taking into account effective frame aggregation size as a function of packet error rate (PER). An expected throughput may also be determined for each communications profile and updated after each transmission so that a communications profile having the highest expected throughput may be chosen for a particular frame transmission. | 09-11-2014 |
20140269358 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STATISTICALLY PROFILING CHANNELS IN MIMO COMMUNICATIONS - Systems and methods are disclosed for generating a statistical profile of a MIMO channel. Packets of information may be transmitted over an interval of time to a plurality of stations using a plurality of MIMO modes. Each packet may be binned and a goodput value corresponding to the bin, the station and the MIMO mode may be determined stored. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269377 | Methods Permitting A Wireless System Receiver To Determine And Report Channel Conditions To A System Transmitter - A method of providing feedback on channel observations to a transmitter includes observing a channel at a receiver based on received signals from the transmitter and determining whether a packet error rate (PER) is rising based on the observing. The receiver determines whether a rising PER is caused by channel noise or interference, and transmits a message to the transmitter indicating the cause of the rising PER. The cause may be encoded in reserved bits of a block acknowledgement (BA) frame or an Acknowledge (ACK) frame, or in a modulation coding scheme (MCS) used to transmit the message. The cause may be detected in response to SNR/RSSI level of received signals, or a number of receiver restarts. The transmitter may change the transmit rate adaptation algorithm to use a lower MCS if channel noise causes the rising PER, and a higher MCS if interference causes the rising PER. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269468 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WIRELESS BAND SWITCHING - Systems and methods are disclosed for coordinating operation on multiple frequency bands between two or more multiple concurrent band (MCB) devices. The band switch protocols may include sending information on a second band after a communications link has been established on a first band. The receiving device may treat the transmission of the frame on the new band as a message to switch bands, such that the transmitting and receiving devices may conduct subsequent communications on the new band. Further, the band switch protocols allow for seamless operation over the band switch event. As a result, a frequency band having desired performance characteristics may be selected dynamically. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269655 | Dynamic Rate Control In WiFi Systems - A wireless device is configured to switch data rates to account for temporary channel conditions or device configuration errors. Pre-selected data rates, more likely to achieve maximum goodput, are stored in a data rate table. The data rate table contains candidate data rates for each pre-selected data rate in the data rate table. When probe transmissions using the preselected data rates fail, dynamic rate probing is utilized to determine a possible cause and extent of the problem. The dynamic rate probing scheme transmits probe transmissions using the candidate data rates and tracks success or failure of these probe transmissions. An analysis of the probe transmissions is used to indicate a possible cause and/or extent of the problematic condition and to determine whether there is a need to reconfigure the data rates in the data rate table. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269961 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING SOUNDING INTERVAL - Systems and methods are disclosed for optimizing the sounding interval in a MIMO communications system. Following a channel sounding protocol, net throughput may be estimated over time. The sounding interval may correspond to the period of time between the end of the sounding protocol and a time when the estimated net throughput is maximized. Estimating net throughput may involve estimating the number of bits that may be successfully transmitted divided by the time required to transmit. The number of bits that may be successfully transmitted may be estimated from a statistical channel profile including goodput. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269962 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SCHEDULING SU AND MU MIMO TRAFFIC - Systems and methods are disclosed for scheduling SU and MU traffic in a MIMO communications system. Net goodput may be estimated for a station using a plurality of MIMO modes and a transmission to the station may be scheduled using one of the MIMO modes based, at least in part, on the estimated net goodput. Estimating net goodput may include determining a number of bits that may be successfully transmitted to the station using the MIMO mode divided by a time required to transmit the number of bits plus the sounding time. Further, the number of bits that may be successfully transmitted to the station may be based on the number of packets that may be delivered over the upcoming sounding interval and statistically determined goodput for each MIMO mode. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269964 | SMART ANTENNA ARRAY CONFIGURATION FOR MULTIPLE-INPUT MULTIPLE-OUTPUT COMMUNICATIONS - An access point can include an array of antennas and a smart antenna selector. The smart antenna selector is configured to select a subset of antennas from the antenna array for use in multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU MIMO) data transmissions. Stations that are communicatively coupled to the access point can be selected for inclusion in a multi-user group based, at least in part, on performance measurements of the stations. Performance measurements are determined directly and indirectly from data transmissions sent in response to sounding packets. Antennas for use in MU MIMO data transmissions are selected for the antenna array based, at least in part, on previous antenna selections used for single user data transmissions. | 09-18-2014 |
20140341098 | ACCESS POINT RESPONSE TO PS-POLL - Methods, systems, and devices are described for power conservation in a wireless communications system through efficient transmissions and acknowledgements of information between an AP and a station. The time between a determination by a station to enter a power saving mode and entering network sleep mode by the station may be reduced through a transmission, by an AP, of an MPDU to the station successive to an SIFS after transmission of an acknowledgement to the station of a PS-Poll frame from the station. The time to enter a power saving mode by a station may also be reduced through transmission of A-MPDUs in which a last MPDU of the A-MPDU has an indicator bit cleared to indicate no additional data is to be transmitted. An AP may prevent a retransmission of an MPDU to the station in the absence of an acknowledgement from the station, to further enhance efficiency. | 11-20-2014 |
20140341099 | ACCESS POINT RESPONSE TO PS-POLL - Methods, systems, and devices are described for power conservation in a wireless communications system through efficient transmissions and acknowledgements of information between an AP and a station. The time between a determination by a station to enter a power saving mode and entering network sleep mode by the station may be reduced through a transmission, by an AP, of an MPDU to the station successive to an SIFS after transmission of an acknowledgement to the station of a PS-Poll frame from the station. The time to enter a power saving mode by a station may also be reduced through transmission of A-MPDUs in which a last MPDU of the A-MPDU has an indicator bit cleared to indicate no additional data is to be transmitted. An AP may prevent a retransmission of an MPDU to the station in the absence of an acknowledgement from the station, to further enhance efficiency. | 11-20-2014 |
20150023245 | MULTI-BAND MANAGEMENT OF WIRELESS RELAYING NETWORKS - Methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses are described for wireless communications in which first type of traffic may be transmitted from a gateway access point (AP) directly to a station. Beacon signals transmitted to the station are transmitted as part of the first type of traffic. A second type of traffic may be transmitted from the gateway AP to the station via at least one relay AP. The first type of traffic may include low-throughput traffic and may be transmitted over a long-range radio link (e.g., 2 GHz band link or sub-1 GHz band link). The second type of traffic may include high-throughput traffic and may be transmitted over at least one short-range radio link (e.g., 5 GHz band link). The gateway AP may receive low-throughput traffic directly from the station and high-throughput traffic from the station via the at least one relay AP. | 01-22-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090178126 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING USER-FRIENDLY COMPUTER SERVICES - A system for providing computer services includes a camera and an electronic device. The camera obtains recognition information for a user. The electronic device is operable for executing a first operating system for conducting user authentication according to the recognition information and for automatically operating a user-defined application program after the user passes said user authentication. | 07-09-2009 |
20100073230 | CALCULATING NAVIGATION SYSTEM TIME IN A SATELLITE NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A satellite navigation system receiver that includes a counter and a controlling unit is described. The counter may be driven by a reference clock signal having a reference clock frequency. The controlling unit can calculate a correction value indicative of a corrected reference clock frequency by comparing an increment of the counter values during a time period with an increment of the navigation system times during the time period. The controlling unit can generate a calculated navigation system time according to the correction value. | 03-25-2010 |
20100138155 | NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS WITH INTEGRATED SATELLITE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS - A notebook computer can receive a satellite navigation system (SNS) signal from satellites and realize a navigation function. The notebook computer includes a navigation device, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus and a CPU. The navigation device is used for receiving the SNS signal and generating an intermediate frequency (IF) signal by down-converting a frequency of the SNS signal. The PCI bus coupled to the navigation device is used for transmitting the IF signal. The CPU is coupled to the navigation device via the PCI bus and is for reading and processing the IF signal to output a position, velocity and time (PVT) information signal for the notebook computer to realize the navigation function. | 06-03-2010 |
20110109245 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR DRIVING LIGHT SOURCES - In one embodiment, a driving circuit includes an AC/DC converter which converts an AC voltage to a DC voltage and a DC/DC linear regulator which regulates a current through, e.g., an LED light source, according to a first current reference if a monitoring signal indicating the DC voltage is within a predetermined range, and regulates the current according to a second current reference less than the first current reference if the monitoring signal is beyond the predetermined range. In another embodiment, a controller controlling power to an LED light source turns on a first plurality of LEDs and turns off a second plurality of LEDs if a monitoring signal indicative of a DC voltage received by the LED light source is within a predetermined range, and turns on both first and second plurality of LEDs if the monitoring signal is beyond the predetermined range. | 05-12-2011 |
20120026342 | ELECTRONIC SYSTEM COMMUNICATING WITH IMAGE SENSOR - A system includes a serial input/output (I/O) interface, a second I/O interface and a controller. The controller is coupled to an image sensor by the serial I/O interface and is coupled to a signal processor of a computer by the second I/O interface and can transfer image data input acquired by the image sensor to the signal processor. The signal processor can process the image data input. | 02-02-2012 |
20120038483 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BATTERY STATUS INDICATION - A method and apparatus are provided to indicate battery capacity status. Different blinking frequencies of an LED correspond to different battery states of charge. Furthermore, the present invention provides a smooth visual brightness change of the LED by providing the appropriate LED current according to human eye characteristics. | 02-16-2012 |
20120217878 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR DRIVING LIGHT SOURCES - In one embodiment, a driving circuit includes an AC/DC converter which converts an AC voltage to a DC voltage and a DC/DC linear regulator which regulates a current through, e.g., an LED light source, according to a first current reference if a monitoring signal indicating the DC voltage is within a predetermined range, and regulates the current according to a second current reference less than the first current reference if the monitoring signal is beyond the predetermined range. In another embodiment, a controller controlling power to an LED light source turns on a first plurality of LEDs and turns off a second plurality of LEDs if a monitoring signal indicative of a DC voltage received by the LED light source is within a predetermined range, and turns on both first and second plurality of LEDs if the monitoring signal is beyond the predetermined range. | 08-30-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130286285 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR EXCHANGING VIDEO DATA IN PARALLEL - Techniques and mechanisms for exchanging sets of video data each via multiple channels. In an embodiment, a first data set is distributed across the multiple channels according to a first mapping of the multiple channels each to a different respective one of multiple data types, where each of the multiple data types corresponds to a different respective dimension of a color space. In another embodiment, a second data set is distributed across the multiple channels according to a second mapping of the multiple channels each to a different respective one of the multiple data types, where the second mapping is different from the first mapping. | 10-31-2013 |
20140023284 | DECODER PERFORMANCE THROUGH QUANTIZATION CONTROL - A codec includes an encoder having a quantization level generator that defines a quantization level specific to a block of values (e.g., transform coefficients), a quantizer that quantizes the block of transform coefficients according to the block-specific quantization level, a run-length encoder, and an entropy encoder. The quantization level is defined to result in at least a predetermined number (k) of quantized coefficients having a predetermined value. The amount of data compression by the encoder is proportional to (k). The codec also includes a decoder having entropy and run-length decoding sections whose throughputs are proportional to (k). The decoder takes advantage of this increased throughput by further decoding coefficients in parallel using a plurality of decoding channels. Methods for encoding and decoding data are also disclosed. The invention is well-suited to quantization, entropy, and/or run-length-based codecs, such as JPEG. | 01-23-2014 |
20140023285 | DECODER PERFORMANCE THROUGH QUANTIZATION CONTROL - A codec includes an encoder having a quantization level generator that defines a quantization level specific to a block of values (e.g., transform coefficients), a quantizer that quantizes the block of transform coefficients according to the block-specific quantization level, a run-length encoder, and an entropy encoder. The quantization level is defined to result in at least a predetermined number (k) of quantized coefficients having a predetermined value. The amount of data compression by the encoder is proportional to (k). The codec also includes a decoder having entropy and run-length decoding sections whose throughputs are proportional to (k). The decoder takes advantage of this increased throughput by further decoding coefficients in parallel using a plurality of decoding channels. Methods for encoding and decoding data are also disclosed. The invention is well-suited to quantization, entropy, and/or run-length-based codecs, such as JPEG. | 01-23-2014 |
20140023286 | DECODER PERFORMANCE THROUGH QUANTIZATION CONTROL - A method for decoding run-length encoded (RLE) data includes the steps of receiving the RLE data and storing a predetermined value (e.g., zero) in each of a plurality of consecutively-accessible storage locations of a buffer. The method further includes writing a first value different than the predetermined value to a first storage location based on the RLE data, jumping over (i.e., skipping) a number of the consecutively-accessible storage locations from the first storage location to a next storage location based on the RLE data, and writing a next value different than the predetermined value to the next storage location based on the RLE data. In the case of JPEG, the values stored in the storage locations of the buffer are quantized coefficients associated with a block of image data. A run-length decoder is also described. | 01-23-2014 |
20140146872 | System And Method For Randomly Accessing Compressed Data From Memory - A method facilitating random access to segments of compressed data stored in memory includes the steps of receiving a series of data segments, encoding the series of data segments into a series of compressed data segments of variable segment sizes, storing the series of compressed data segments in a memory, and generating a locator for each of the compressed data segments. Each locator is indicative of the location of an associated compressed data segment in the memory. A method for randomly accessing a segment of compressed data includes receiving a request for a compressed data segment, retrieving a locator associated with the requested segment, using the retrieved locator to locate the requested segment in the memory, and retrieving the requested segment from the memory. Thus, compressed data segments can be decoded in a different order than the order they were encoded in. Systems for implementing the methods are also disclosed. | 05-29-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090146681 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING RESISTANCE AND CAPACITANCE OF METAL INTERCONNECTS - Techniques for estimating resistance and capacitance of metal interconnects are described. An apparatus may include an interconnect, a set of pads, a set of isolation circuits, and a test circuit. The set of pads may be coupled to the interconnect and used for simultaneously applying a current through the interconnect and measuring a voltage across the interconnect. The current and voltage may be used to estimate the resistance of the interconnect. The test circuit may charge and discharge the interconnect to estimate the capacitance of the interconnect. The isolation circuits may isolate the pads from the interconnect when the test circuit charges and discharges the interconnect. The apparatus may further include another interconnect, another set of pads, and another set of isolation circuits that may be coupled in a mirror manner. Resistance and/or capacitance mismatch between the two interconnects may be accurately estimated. | 06-11-2009 |
20120211812 | HIGH-SPEED HIGH-POWER SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - High-speed high-power semiconductor devices are disclosed. In an exemplary design, a high-speed high-power semiconductor device includes a source, a drain to provide an output signal, and an active gate to receive an input signal. The semiconductor device further includes at least one field gate located between the active gate and the drain, at least one shallow trench isolation (STI) strip formed transverse to the at least one field gate, and at least one drain active strip formed parallel to, and alternating with, the at least one STI strip. The semiconductor device may be modeled by a combination of an active FET and a MOS varactor. The active gate controls the active FET, and the at least one field gate controls the MOS varactor. The semiconductor device has a low on resistance and can handle a high voltage. | 08-23-2012 |
20140131885 | HARD MACRO HAVING BLOCKAGE SITES, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT INCLUDING SAME AND METHOD OF ROUTING THROUGH A HARD MACRO - A hard macro includes a periphery defining a hard macro area and having a top and a bottom and a hard macro thickness from the top to the bottom, the hard macro including a plurality of vias extending through the hard macro thickness from the top to bottom. Also an integrated circuit having a top layer, a bottom layer and at least one middle layer, the top layer including a top layer conductive trace, the middle layer including a hard macro and the bottom layer including a bottom layer conductive trace, wherein the top layer conductive trace is connected to the bottom layer conductive trace by a via extending through the hard macro. | 05-15-2014 |
20140145347 | CLOCK DISTRIBUTION NETWORK FOR 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - Exemplary embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and method for designing a clock distribution network for an integrated circuit. The embodiments identify critical sources of clock skew, tightly control the timing of the clock and build that timing into the overall clock distribution network and integrated circuit design. The disclosed embodiments separate the clock distribution network (CDN), i.e., clock generation circuitry, wiring, buffering and registers, from the rest of the logic to improve the clock tree design and reduce the area footprint. In one embodiment, the CDN is separated to a separate tier of a 3D integrated circuit, and the CDN is connected to the logic tier(s) via high-density inter-tier vias. The embodiments are particularly advantageous for implementation with monolithic 3D integrated circuits. | 05-29-2014 |
20140146630 | DATA TRANSFER ACROSS POWER DOMAINS - The disclosed embodiments comprise a multi-stage circuit operating across different power domains. The multi-stage circuit may be implemented as a master-slave flip-flop circuit integrated with a level shifter that transfers data across different power domains. The master and slave stages of the flip-flop may be split across two tiers of a 3D IC and may include (i) a level shifter across different power domain integrated within the flip-flop circuit, (ii) reduced one-state writing delays by a self-induced power collapsing technique, (iii) splitting flip-flop power supplies in different tiers using monolithic 3D IC technology, and (iv) cross power domain data transfer between 3D IC tiers. | 05-29-2014 |
20140149958 | 3D FLOORPLANNING USING 2D AND 3D BLOCKS - The disclosed embodiments are directed to systems and method for floorplanning an integrated circuit design using a mix of 2D and 3D blocks that provide a significant improvement over existing 3D design methodologies. The disclosed embodiments provide better floorplan solutions that further minimize wirelength and improve the overall power/performance envelope of the designs. The disclosed methodology may be used to construct new 3D IP blocks to be used in designs that are built using monolithic 3D integration technology. | 05-29-2014 |
20140252306 | MONOLITHIC THREE DIMENSIONAL INTEGRATION OF SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - A three-dimensional integrated circuit comprising top tier nanowire transistors formed on a bottom tier of CMOS transistors, with inter-tier vias, intra-tier vias, and metal layers to connect together the various CMOS transistors and nanowire transistors. The top tier first begins as lightly doped regions on a first wafer, with an oxide layer formed over the regions. Hydrogen ion implantation forms a cleavage interface. The first wafer is flipped and oxide bonded to a second wafer having CMOS devices, and the cleavage interface is thermally activated so that a portion of the lightly doped regions remains bonded to the bottom tier. Nanowire transistors are formed in the top tier layer. The sources and drains for the top tier nanowire transistors are formed by in-situ doping during epitaxial growth. After oxide bonding, the remaining process steps are performed at low temperatures so as not to damage the metal interconnects. | 09-11-2014 |
20140253196 | FLIP-FLOPS IN A MONOLITHIC THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) INTEGRATED CIRCUIT (IC) (3DIC) AND RELATED METHODS - Flip-flops in a monolithic three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC)(3DIC) and related method are disclosed. In one embodiment, a single clock source is provided for the 3DIC and distributed to elements within the 3DIC. Delay is provided to clock paths by selectively controllable flip-flops to help provide synchronous operation. In certain embodiments, 3D flip-flop are provided that include a master latch disposed in a first tier of a 3DIC. The master latch is configured to receive a flip-flop input and a clock input, the master latch configured to provide a master latch output. The 3D flip-flop also includes at least one slave latch disposed in at least one additional tier of the 3DIC, the at least one slave latch configured to provide a 3DIC flip-flop output. The 3D flip-flop also includes at least one monolithic intertier via (MIV) coupling the master latch output to an input of the slave latch. | 09-11-2014 |
20140269022 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) MEMORY CELL SEPARATION AMONG 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUIT (IC) TIERS, AND RELATED 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUITS (3DICS), 3DIC PROCESSOR CORES, AND METHODS - A three-dimensional (3D) memory cell separation among 3D integrated circuit (IC) (3DIC) tiers is disclosed. Related 3DICs, 3DIC processor cores, and methods are also disclosed. In embodiments disclosed herein, memory read access ports of a memory block are separated from a memory cell in different tiers of a 3DIC. 3DICs achieve higher device packing density, lower interconnect delays, and lower costs. In this manner, different supply voltages can be provided for the read access ports and the memory cell to be able to lower supply voltage for the read access ports. Static noise margins and read/write noise margins in the memory cell may be provided as a result. Providing multiple power supply rails inside a non-separated memory block that increases area can also be avoided. | 09-18-2014 |
20150019802 | MONOLITHIC THREE DIMENSIONAL (3D) RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM) ARRAY ARCHITECTURE WITH BITCELL AND LOGIC PARTITIONING - A monolithic three dimensional (3D) memory cell array architecture with bitcell and logic partitioning is disclosed. A 3D integrated circuit (IC) (3DIC) is proposed which folds or otherwise stacks elements of the memory cells into different tiers within the 3DIC. Each tier of the 3DIC has memory cells as well as access logic including global block control logic therein. By positioning the access logic and global block control logic in each tier with the memory cells, the length of the bit and word lines for each memory call are shortened, allowing for reduced supply voltages as well as generally reducing the overall footprint of the memory device. | 01-15-2015 |
20150022250 | MONOLITHIC THREE DIMENSIONAL (3D) FLIP-FLOPS WITH MINIMAL CLOCK SKEW AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Monolithic three dimensional (3D) flip-flops with minimal clock skew and related systems and methods are disclosed. The present disclosure provides a 3D integrated circuit (IC) (3DIC) that has a flop spread across at least two tiers of the 3DIC. The flop is split across tiers with transistor partitioning in such a way that keeps all the clock related devices at the same tier, thus potentially giving better setup, hold and clock-to-q margin. In particular, a first tier of the 3DIC has the master latch, slave latch, and clock circuit. A second tier has the input circuit and the output circuit. | 01-22-2015 |
20150022262 | COMPLETE SYSTEM-ON-CHIP (SOC) USING MONOLITHIC THREE DIMENSIONAL (3D) INTEGRATED CIRCUIT (IC) (3DIC) TECHNOLOGY - Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include a complete system-on-chip (SOC) solution using monolithic three dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) (3DIC) integration technology. The present disclosure includes example of the ability to customize layers within a monolithic 3DIC and the accompanying short interconnections possible between tiers through monolithic intertier vias (MIV) to create a system on a chip. In particular, different tiers of the 3DIC are constructed to support different functionality and comply with differing design criteria. Thus, the 3DIC can have an analog layer, layers with higher voltage threshold, layers with lower leakage current, layers of different material to implement components that need different base materials and the like. Unlike the stacked dies, the upper layers may be the same size as the lower layers because no external wiring connections are required. | 01-22-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100134038 | PHASE CONTROLLED DIMMING LED DRIVER SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - The present invention relates to providing an improved phase controlled dimming LED driver circuitry, system and a method thereof, which is configured to enable dimming intensity of light generated by a light source, said phase controlled dimming driver circuitry being connected to a phase control dimmer that provides to it a regulated alternating current (AC) signal, wherein said phase controlled dimming driver circuitry does not include a microprocessor and pulse width modulates its output current, provided to said light source, at a frequency unrelated to the AC signal frequency. Further, the phase controlled dimming driver circuitry applies amplitude modulation (AM) and pulse width modulation (PWM) substantially simultaneously to the output current provided to the light source. | 06-03-2010 |
20100253245 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND CURRENT LIMITING CIRCUIT FOR PREVENTING EXCESS CURRENT SURGES - The present invention relates to a method, system and current limiting circuit configured to limit the excess output current passing through a load, said current limiting circuit comprising a resistor connected in series with said load and in parallel with a switch, which is initially turned OFF, wherein said switch is turned ON, thereby shorting said resistor, when the output voltage applied to said load is decreased by a predetermined level. | 10-07-2010 |
20110148318 | PHASE CONTROLLED DIMMING LED DRIVER SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - The present invention relates to providing an improved dimming driver circuitry, system and a method thereof. The dimming driver circuitry is configured to enable dimming intensity of light generated by one or more light sources, the dimming driver circuitry being connected to a dimmer that provides to it an alternating current (AC) signal. The dimming driver circuitry may in some examples not include a processing unit. Additionally or alternatively, the dimming driver circuitry may in some examples apply amplitude modulation to the output current provided to the one or more light sources. In some of these examples, the dimming driver circuitry may begin to apply at substantially the same time pulse width modulation and amplitude modulation to the output current provided to the one or more light sources. Additionally or alternatively, the dimming driver circuitry may in some examples include at least one linear dimming control pin connected to at least one capacitor and/or resistor configured to fine-tune capacitance and/or resistance. | 06-23-2011 |
20140252991 | ELECTRONIC BALLASTS - Methods and apparatus are described that can provide improved power factor correction and total harmonic distortion, efficiency and/or direct feedback of load current variations to a power source inverter. In one example, a power supply, for example, a ballast, can have an input circuit, an output circuit and an inverter circuit coupled between the input circuit and the output circuit. A current feedback circuit is coupled between the output circuit and the inverter circuit and configured to feed current back to the inverter circuit through a transformer stage separate from the inverter as a function of a current level in the output circuit. | 09-11-2014 |