Location History:
- San Jose, CA (US) (1978)
- Saratoga, CA (US) (1981 - 1983)
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1978-1983
Title: Innovations of Robert D Widergren
Introduction
Robert D Widergren is a notable inventor based in Saratoga, California. He has made significant contributions to the field of digital video technology, holding a total of 4 patents. His work has paved the way for advancements in video compression systems, which are crucial for efficient data transmission and storage.
Latest Patents
One of his latest patents is a digital video compression system and methods utilizing scene adaptive technology. This invention provides a method for compressing and expanding digitalized video signals in real time, achieving rates up to NTSC color broadcast rates. The system operates by dividing digitalized video frames into subframes and performing a transformation in two dimensions. It normalizes the resultant coefficients using a predetermined compression ratio and an adaptive rate buffer capacity control feedback component. This ensures that the buffer memory is neither completely emptied nor filled, allowing for efficient data handling. Additionally, the system includes a high-speed decoder that mirrors the compression steps during expansion.
Another significant patent is related to an improved method and apparatus for calculating discrete cosine transform coefficients from digitalized data. This invention employs a pipelined processor with circuits arranged in five computational stages, enhancing the efficiency of data processing.
Career Highlights
Robert D Widergren has worked at Compression Labs, Inc., where he has been instrumental in developing innovative technologies in video compression. His expertise in this area has contributed to the evolution of digital video systems, making them more efficient and effective.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Widergren has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Wen-hsiung Chen and Stanley C Fralick. These partnerships have fostered a collaborative environment that has led to groundbreaking advancements in video technology.
Conclusion
Robert D Widergren's contributions to digital video compression technology have had a lasting impact on the industry. His innovative patents and collaborative efforts continue to influence the development of efficient video systems.