Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Glenn F. Savit
  • Patent number: 6546333
    Abstract: Providing a car navigation apparatus which can always detect a position of a car with high accuracy, and can obtain traffic information in a practical manner. The car navigation apparatus according to the present invention obtains the DGPS correction data from a base station nearest the car in two-way radio communication instead of obtaining the DGPS correction data by receiving the FM broadcasting. Accordingly, the current position of the car can always be detected with high accuracy. Furthermore, the car navigation apparatus according to the present invention obtains traffic information by having access to a traffic information providing system in two-way radio communication instead of obtaining traffic information by receiving the FM broadcasting. So, the car navigation apparatus can obtain traffic information near the current position selectively or according to the priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichi Tanaka, Akira Shinada, Masayasu Ito, Makoto Sasaki, Shigeru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6546549
    Abstract: A process for transforming an original source code containing a description of a stub method employed in an object interaction into another source code corresponding to an environment on which a program is executed. The original source code is described with a predetermined programming language and contains information concerning the stub method to be used in the object interaction. The information is described in a format which is common to a plurality of different program execution environments. The transformation is conducted with reference to a registered information corresponding to the program execution environment on which stub method is to be executed into another source code described with the same programming language as the original source code in a predetermined format corresponding to the program execution environment on which the stub method is to be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Qiaoyun Li
  • Patent number: 6546490
    Abstract: A signal transmission method applicable to prevention of modification or alteration of the playback mode information, such as copying management information or charging information. The playback mode information form a terminal 15P is data-converted for ciphering by a playback mode information appendage circuit 14 in a header appendage circuit 13 responsive to the key information from a terminal 15K and the resulting information comprised of the data and the playback mode information is outputted. The reproducing side effects data conversion on the ciphered playback mode information for deciphering, by a playback mode information detection circuit 26 in a header separation circuit 25, using the key information from a terminal 27K, for taking out the original playback mode information at a terminal 27P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sako, Yoshitomo Osawa, Akira Kurihara, Isao Kawashima, Shigeyuki Yoneyama
  • Patent number: 6546139
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coding apparatus for embedding second data into first data without deterioration of the first data, and a decoding apparatus for decoding the coded data to the original first data and the second data without deterioration. The invention provides the coding apparatus which includes a memory for storing at least partial data of the first data and embeds the second data into the first data by performing rotation of the at least partial data stored in the memory in accordance with the second data; and provides the decoding apparatus in which at least partial data of the coded data embedded with the second data is rotated and a correlation with respect to peripheral data is calculated, so that the original first data and the second data are decoded in accordance with a rotation amount determined on the basis of the correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Kenji Tanaka, Yoshinori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6542788
    Abstract: A robot apparatus such as an entertainment robot is configured to select a transmission destination at which a communication appliance is located, and transmits predetermined information to the selected transmission destination. The predetermined information may be a self-diagnostic result or information concerning its surrounding environment. If the transmission fails, the robot apparatus selects an alternative transmission destination whereat another communication appliance is located, and transmits the information to the alternative destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyasu Hosonuma, Noriyuki Fukushima, Kazufumi Oyama
  • Patent number: 6542695
    Abstract: A video signal recording/reproduction apparatus utilizes time division writing and reading to implement simultaneous recording and reproduction of different video signals to and from a common recording medium. In one operating mode, a first video signal being recorded and a second video signal being reproduced are simultaneously displayed in separate windows on a display. In other operating modes, two or more video signals are simultaneously recorded or reproduced to/from a common recording medium, and simultaneously displayed in separate windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiya Akiba, Takao Takahashi, Masashi Ohta, Toshimichi Hamada, Taro Suito, Masami Tomita, Katsunari Miyata, Koichi Chotoku
  • Patent number: 6539094
    Abstract: Data to be transmitted via a serial bus in conformity with the IEEE 1394 protocol are ciphered by a ciphering/deciphering circuit, and headers are attached thereto by a header sync detecting/generating circuit. And after further attachment of CRC code by a CRC detector/generator, the data are packetized into isochronous packets of an isochronous mode by a transmission/reception switching circuit, whereby transmission of the data can be performed with enhanced security. Out of cipher keys employed, a session key invariable in each session of the data is transmitted in each packet of an asynchronous mode, and a time variable updated in each session is transmitted in each packet of an isochronous mode. And the ciphered data obtained by depacketizing the packets of the isochronous mode are deciphered, so that the data transmitted with security can be deciphered exactly, and thus illegal use of the data can be prevented with certainty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Osakabe, Makoto Sato, Yoshitomo Osawa, Tomoyuki Asano, Ryuji Ishiguro, Hisato Shima
  • Patent number: 6535558
    Abstract: A picture encoder for encoding picture signals of a lower hierarchy representing pre-set picture signals and picture signals of an upper hierarchy similarly representing pre-set picture signals. The picture encoder includes a first encoding unit for encoding the picture signals of the lower hierarchy using reference picture signals for outputting first pre-set encoded data, a second encoding unit for encoding the picture signals of the upper hierarchy using reference picture signals for outputting second pre-set encoded data, a first decoding unit for decoding the first encoded data for generating first reference picture signals and a second decoding unit for decoding the second encoded data for generating second reference picture signals. The second encoding unit encodes the picture signals using third reference picture signals generated on adaptively switching between the first reference picture signals and the second reference picture signals on the pixel basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Teruhiko Suzuki, Yoichi Yagasaki
  • Patent number: 6532124
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an information recording apparatus and a method thereof that allow all data on a magnetic tape to be easily obtained and instrumental data and header information supplied from respective systems to be combined when instrumental data is recorded. According to the present invention, an additional information area is formed at the top of the magnetic tape. The additional information area is followed by a data area. Instrumental data is stored in a buffer memory through a data connector. The header information is stored in a local memory through a header information control connector in addition to a control command. Instrumental data is swept out from the buffer memory and recorded to a data area of the magnetic tape. After the instrumental data is recorded, header information is read from the local memory and stored in the buffer memory. The header information is swept out from the buffer memory and recorded to the additional information area of the magnetic tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takafumi Abe
  • Patent number: 6526220
    Abstract: Copy protecting television broadcast program signals which are received and recorded in a format that reserves recording areas for accessory information relating to the format and reserves other recording areas for digital image signals. When the input signals received for recording are determined to be television broadcast program signals, a generation limiting signal inserted therein is set to a copy protect state and is recorded to inhibit copying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Oguro, Keiji Kanota, Yukio Kubota
  • Patent number: 6523101
    Abstract: In order to appropriately assign a plurality of programs to a plurality of storage devices, a header file and a source file are compiled by a compiling processing section so as to create an object file. The object file and a library file are linked by a link processing section in order to create an execution-format file. A plurality of execution-format files are linked by a complex execution-format file creation section in order to create a complex execution-format file on the basis of ROM information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Nakata
  • Patent number: 6507851
    Abstract: The improvement of accuracy is provided in extracting a rule in customers. A customer database DB1 is constructed by storing customer inner information concerning the mental side, which includes a value sense of each customer, and customer outer information which includes basic attributes consisting of at least sexuality and age of each customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihito Fujiwara, Naotaka Ando
  • Patent number: 6504930
    Abstract: In a scrambler used in the transmission side, a decryptor for generating a work key from a data key and system keys uses the same decryption algorithm as that used in a decryptor for encryption in the OFB mode. Under this condition, in a descrambler used in the receiving side, a decryptor for generating a work key from a data key and system keys can use the same decryption algorithm as that used in a decryptor for encryption in the OFB mode. In addition, another decryptor can use the same decryption algorithm. Therefore, one decryptor can serve as these three decryptors. The scale of the descrambler configuration can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Enari
  • Patent number: 6504551
    Abstract: The color of plural pixels making up a source video image is corrected by a computer 10, a hard disc device 20 and a picture processing device 30. The computer 10 functions as a parameter setting unit for setting plural parameters for designating the source color and the destination color and a computing unit for computing correction data for color correction from the source color to the destination color using the plural parameters set by the parameter setting unit. The hard disc device 20 stores the source video image and effects color correction in the picture processing device 30 for correcting the color of a pixel corresponding to the source color contained in the source video image to the destination color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Takashima, Katsuakira Moriwake, Shoichi Usui
  • Patent number: 6505097
    Abstract: An arithmetic processing device for inter-object data communication has an object manager for connecting objects so as to enable exchange of data between the objects, and a connection data supplying unit for supplying the object manager with connection data necessary for achieving the connection between the objects. An inter-object communication method and a robot incorporating the arithmetic processing device are also provided. The robot may be designed to enable a user to replace parts thereof, thus changing the robot configuration. The robot preferably includes a part detection unit for detecting parts attached to the robot, and outputting a part detection result in accordance with the detection. An information storage unit stores information corresponding to the part detection result for each configuration obtained by replacement of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujita, Takayuki Sakamoto, Kotaro Sabe, Tsuyoshi Takagi
  • Patent number: 6501851
    Abstract: During an encoding operation, one of the R, G, B components of a pixel in the image are eliminated. In a first pixel, the B component is eliminated, and then in a second pixel which is to the right of the first pixel, the R component is eliminated. Further, in a third pixel to the right of the second pixel, the G component is eliminated. In the same manner, R, G, B components are thereafter eliminated in a three-pixel cycle. During a decoding operation, an estimated value of a color component that was eliminated in the pixel is determined on the basis of the color components of adjacent pixels. A correction value is then computed based on the color components of the adjacent pixels. As a result, the estimated value of the eliminated color component is adjusted using the computed correction value to produce a good quality image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Naoki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6501854
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus comprising: an image acquiring means for acquiring an objective image; an identification information recognizing means for recognizing, of the objective image acquired by said image acquiring means, identification information corresponding to a specific image pattern; a decision means for deciding whether said identification information recognized by said identification information recognizing means is local identification information for starting processing previously registered for each terminal or global identification information for starting processing common to all terminals; a local executing means for executing, if said identification information is decided as the local identification information by said decision means, the processing previously registered for each terminal; a global processing requesting means for requesting, if said identification information is decided as the global identification information by said decision means, a specific
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Konishi, Junichi Rekimoto, Takahiko Sueyoshi, Keigo Ihara
  • Patent number: 6496583
    Abstract: A converting processing block (4B/5B CONVERTER & ARB. SIGNAL CONVERTER) functions as a 4 bit/5 bit converting unit for performing 4 bit/5 bit conversion of data and as an arbitration signal converting unit for allocating 5-bit symbols other than 5-bit symbols allocated to data to arbitration signals to enable the sending/reception of the arbitration signals and packet data as 5-bit code data. There are also provided scrambling blocks (SCRAMBLE 1, SCRAMBLE 2) 4A, 4B and descramble blocks (DESCRAMBLE 1, DESCRAMBLE 2) 5A, 5B between the 4 bit/5 bit converting unit and the arbitration signal converting unit on one hand and the input/output port on the other hand to inhibit unneeded radiations in a transmission channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Nakamura, Sumihiro Ohkawa, Hiroshi Takiduka
  • Patent number: 6491395
    Abstract: An image reproducing apparatus having a small size and which is highly portable reproduces an image contained within a hologram or holographic stereogram. In one embodiment, when a movable section movably attached to an apparatus body is moved from a first position, in which the movable section abuts the apparatus body, to a second position in which the movable section and apparatus body are separated, illumination light from a light source is irradiated at a predetermined incidence angle onto a hologram or holographic stereogram attached to a hologram attach section. In other embodiments, light from a light source is reflected from an edge portion of a light transmitting member, or from a separately provided mirror, to be irradiated at a predetermined angle onto the hologram or holographic stereogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Shirakura, Seijiro Tomita, Toshio Kikuchi, Toshio Iribe, Nobuhiro Kihara
  • Patent number: 6487293
    Abstract: A data reproducing apparatus and method is provided for reproducing data that was ciphered during recording in one or more of sector forming, header appending, error correction coding, modulation, and synchronization appending operations used for processing input data to form a recording signal. Thus, deciphering requires knowledge of both the ciphering key and the aspect(s) of the recording operation in which the ciphering took place. The deciphering may also include a descrambling operation in which an initial value and/or a generating polynomial is varied in accordance with ciphering key information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sako, Isao Kawashima, Akira Kurihara, Yoshitomo Osawa, Hideo Owa