Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Jerry A. Miller
  • Patent number: 5722071
    Abstract: A remote receiving system and apparatus for alerting a mobile communications device user of an incoming call. The remote receiving apparatus is portable and receives a coded radiofrequency signal, including a first preselected identification code, transmitted from the mobile communications device, such transmission occurring upon receipt of the incoming call in the mobile communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Roger William Berg, Yutaka Sato, Choon-Huat Nick Lim
  • Patent number: 5717765
    Abstract: An improved theater surround sound system incorporates a screen top speaker and an overhead speaker driven by corresponding upper surround channels to more accurately reproduce sounds produced from above the listener. These top surround channels are encoded along with the left and right surround channels. A pilot signal is used to direct the sound from the side surround channels to the upper surround channels when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ozaki, Michael J. Kohut
  • Patent number: 5713503
    Abstract: A film transport mechanism for transporting film having perforations including a motor that drives sprockets for transporting the film in increments defined by a pull down stroke. In addition, the mechanism includes a pin element having at least one pin, the pin element being rotatable to a first position wherein the pin is inserted into an associated perforation to stabilize the film without contacting a perforation edge to generate a first sound level when the pull down stroke substantially equals a perforation pitch. Further, when the pitch is not equal to the pull down stroke, the pin contacts a perforation edge to generate a second sound level. The mechanism also includes a microphone positioned adjacent the pin element and the film for detecting a range of sound levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: John James Galt, James Bernard Pearman
  • Patent number: 5708527
    Abstract: Multiple large screens on movable arms form a gateway beneath which viewers may walk. The screens slide up or down, i.e., toward or away from, the viewers walking below. The screens also pivot in a circular arc to sweep toward, or away from, the viewers. In one embodiment a number of vertical support beams are employed. Elongated arms are attached to the support beams at one end so that the arms can each be rotated about their attached ends. The arms also slide up and down the length of the support beams. Projection screens are attached to the arms so that the screens move as the arms move. In a more specific embodiment each screen is provided with a rear-projection projector for displaying images onto the screens. A computer is used to control the sliding and rotating of the support beams so that preprogrammed patterns can be executed. A computer is also used to control the projectors so that coordinated patterns of images are displayed on the screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Corporation of America
    Inventors: William G. Adamson, Gordon E. Liljegren, Michael H. Peterson, Christopher Brian Smith, David W. Spencer, Donald L. Updyke, Jr., James S. Wassell
  • Patent number: 5706261
    Abstract: An optical disc recording device in which RF signals reproduced from a write-once optical disc are detected during track jump for detecting the boundary between a recorded area and an unrecorded area on the write-once optical disc. This defines a roughly defined boundary between the recorded and unrecorded areas which may be searched quickly. A more strictly defined boundary between the recorded and unrecorded areas, may be searched quickly by subsequently employing a binary search method to the roughly detected boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Udagawa
  • Patent number: 5706076
    Abstract: A semiconductor light exposure apparatus includes an excitation light source, a light beam generating device, a controller and a contracting optical system. The light beam generating device generates a fundamental wavelength laser light beam when excited by a light beam from the excitation light source, and wavelength-converts the fundamental wavelength laser light beam into a second harmonics laser light beam by a first resonator having a first non-linear optical crystal element while also converting the second harmonics laser light beam into a second harmonics laser light beam by a second resonator having a second non-linear optical crystal element. The controller controls an output of the excitation light source in order to control an output of the fourth-order harmonics laser light beam from the light beam generating device. The contracting optical system projects a pattern in a contracted size on a wafer by the fourth-order harmonics laser light beam outputted from the optical beam generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Takeda
  • Patent number: 5705860
    Abstract: A vehicle passenger information system, for example an inflight entertainment system, has a combination of improvements for reducing electromagnetic interference ("EMI") and electrostatic discharge ("ESD"). A microprocessor based system controller has a system controller chassis with a first conductive EMI shield layer, a low impedance aircraft chassis ground path directly electrically connected to the shield layer and to controller components. Additionally, a display unit has a chassis with a second conductive EMI shield layer enclosing a plurality of PCBs directly electrically connected to the shield layer. The display unit supports are grounded through a plurality of system connectors penetrating the display chassis and a low impedance display unit ground path directly electrically connects the two shield layers. A method of decreasing the EMI and ESD susceptibility of, and the levels of radiated EMI from, a vehicle entertainment system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Trans Com
    Inventors: Loi Ninh, Gerald Lester
  • Patent number: 5704798
    Abstract: A connector module for terminating a video signal for a monitor in an aircraft entertainment system is disclosed. The module includes a switch having a post that is movable between an extended position for terminating the video signal and a retracted position for enabling transmittance of the video signal through an output connector for the monitor. In addition, the module includes a lever rotatably attached adjacent to the output connector. The lever is rotatable to a terminating position wherein the lever is adjacent to the post to enable positioning of the post in the extended position. Further, upon attachment of the video cable to the output connector, the video cable contacts the lever to cause rotation of the lever against the post to move the post to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Transcom, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Portman, Gerald Lester, Loi Ninh, Gary Tillyer, John Newman
  • Patent number: 5703858
    Abstract: A device for enabling detection of a counterfeit optical CD-ROM is disclosed for use in a conventional mastering system. The device includes a signal source for providing a first signal for forming a predetermined defect in a glass master. The device also includes a switch for connecting a recorder of the mastering system to the signal source. In addition, the device includes a decoder for decoding encoded data and address information provided from an input source of the mastering system. Furthermore, the device includes a central processor unit which serves to detect whether a selected address from the decoded data is present. Upon detection of the selected address, the CPU controls the switch to connect the signal source to the recorder to enable the recorder to receive the first signal and form the predetermined defect at the selected address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Digital Audio Disc Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Mitchell, Barry Alan Fite, Akiya Saito, Anthony C. New
  • Patent number: 5694842
    Abstract: An improved squeegee for a screen printing system. A squeegee with two substantially rectangular shaped elements adjacent each other and each having a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axes are not aligned and instead intersect at an angle unequal to zero. Alternatively, the improved squeegee for a screen printing system may include a center section with outward projections, a first substantially rectangular shaped element adjacent the center section and having a first longitudinal axis and a second substantially rectangular shaped element adjacent to the center section and having a second longitudinal axis, the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis intersecting at an angle unequal to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Slobodan Casl
  • Patent number: 5697060
    Abstract: A portable wireless voice message transmitter over packet switched network for transmitting a voice message is provided. The transmitter is capable of transmitting a voice message and text-based information when a user makes an emergency call to a special address with which the text-based information is associated. The transmitter includes text-based information setting circuit for setting text-based information, a first memory for storing the text-based information, a special address setting circuit for setting a special address which is associated with the text-based information and a second memory for storing the special address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Masaaki Akahane
  • Patent number: 5696838
    Abstract: A pattern searching method using neural networks and correlation. This method combines the quickness and adaptiveness of neural networks with the accuracy of the mathematical correlation approach. Images are divided into small sub-images which are presented to the trained neural network. Sub-images that may contain the pattern or partial pattern are selected by the neural network. The neural network also provides the approximate location of the pattern, therefore the selected sub-images can be adjusted to contain the complete pattern. Desired patterns can be located by measuring the new sub-images' correlation values against the reference models in a small area. Experiments show that this superior method is able to find the desired patterns. Moreover, this method is much faster than traditional pattern searching methods which use only correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Corp. of America
    Inventors: Chinchuan Chiu, Toru Oki, Philip Paolella
  • Patent number: 5691737
    Abstract: An exhibit explaining system to enable a plurality of visitors to receive an explanation of an exhibit at their own pace. Spectacle-type displays 51-1 to 51-10 are provided, the frequencies f1 to f10 of a carrier wave being set to be different from each other. Image generating devices 61-1 to 61-10 are provided to correspond to the spectacle-type displays 51-1 to 51-10. When operating explanation request button 52-1 of the spectacle-type display 51-1, a VTR 76-1 of the image generating device 61-1 with the corresponding channel is reproduced, which is output from a transmitter-receiver circuit 72-1 to the spectacle-type display 51-1 through an antenna 71-1 on a radio wave. In the spectacle-type display 51-1, this radio wave is demodulated to observe an image on an LCD thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Ito, Akira Shimazu
  • Patent number: 5686954
    Abstract: A plurality of classification items each including a plurality of detailed items for recognizing broadcasting programs per se and program elements included in each of the broadcasting programs are provided wherein the contents of each of the broadcasting programs are represented by the classification items and the detailed items that are respectively represented by the identification data are used to form scheduled program information. The scheduled program information is broadcast together with the corresponding table data for the identification data and the data for character display of the classification items and the detailed items corresponding to the identification data. Program schedules for various kinds of broadcasting programs can be broadcast with a reduced amount of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Yoshinobu, Tsukasa Yoshimura, Yoshitsugu Hattori
  • Patent number: 5684526
    Abstract: A system and method for two-way broadcast programs includes a response information transmitting apparatus, two-way broadcast receiving apparatus, and a response information receiving apparatus. The system also preferably includes a remote control transmitter for responding to requests made during the two-way broadcast programs. The difference between the time at which the response is made to a two-way broadcast program and the time at which information about the response is transmitted is added to the response information, thereby allowing the receiving side of the response information to correctly recognize the response time based on the time difference. Since the information associated with the responding operation includes the above-mentioned time difference, the responding side need not have precise time information, unlike the case in which information about the absolute response time is added. Therefore, the responding side need not manage time constantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Yoshinobu
  • Patent number: 5677819
    Abstract: A magnetic disk is provided with a track divided by servo areas to record servo signals and data areas to record data signals. Within the servo area, an exclusive region is previously formed to specifically record the servo signal. In one embodiment, the servo region is formed along the moving locus of a magnetic head while writing and reading data, which extends both along the radial direction and peripheral direction of the magnetic disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Seko, Toru Takeda
  • Patent number: 5675389
    Abstract: A television receiver such as a high definition television (HDTV) receiver and method for receiving a character broadcasting signal, wherein the number of scanning lines used to display character information contained in the character broadcasting signal is varied so as to fully display this character information on a television screen. The television receiver for displaying the character information includes a character broadcasting decoder for decoding a character broadcasting signal; a display for displaying a picture in response to a television signal on which the character broadcasting signal has been superimposed; a video signal amplifier circuit for changing the number of scanning lines used to display the picture on the display means; and data storage RAM for moving the scanning line position where character information by the character broadcasting signal is to be displayed based upon the number of the scanning lines changed by the video signal amplifier circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Oda
  • Patent number: 5673782
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotating an article includes a first housing member mountable on a side of the article conveyor, and a second housing member mountable on the opposite side of the article conveyor. A motor having a shaft is mounted on the first housing member. The motor is arranged to drive a frictional drive roller. The frictional drive roller in turn drives a first end portion of an approaching article. A pin is mounted on the second housing member and arranged to contact a second end portion, i.e., a second end portion opposite the first end portion, of the article while the frictional drive roller drives the first end portion. The pin functions to inhibit motion of the second end portion and thereby establishes a pivot position about which the article rotates approximately ninety degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Digital Audio Disc Corporation
    Inventors: Tracy Eugene Wheeler, Rick Lee Tiefel
  • Patent number: 5674115
    Abstract: The apparatus is to be reduced in size and consumption of utility items is to be decreased, while the connection is to be facilitated by the in-line transporting system. The grinding apparatus includes a turntable 21 for securing a glass master disc 30 for rotating the glass master disc 30, a polishing pad 11 caused to bear against the grinding surface of the glass master disc 30 secured to the turntable 21 with a pre-set pressure and a slurry nozzle 14 for supplying the grinding liquid to the grinding surface of the glass master disc 30. The polishing pad 11 is thrust against the glass master disc 30 rotated by rotation of the turntable 21. The glass master disc 30 has its grinding surface ground as the grinding liquid is supplied to the grinding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Eiki Yamashita, Masato Iwai, Kiyohiko Miyahara, Junzo Takano
  • Patent number: D386758
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Corporation of America
    Inventor: James E. Wicks