Patents Examined by Linus H. Lo
  • Patent number: 6295094
    Abstract: A method and device for providing instant replay in an MPEG video decoder. The method and device provides non-MPEG frame tags for correlation of the frames in the decompressed domain to the frames in the compressed domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: David W. Cuccia
  • Patent number: 6292234
    Abstract: A projection type color liquid crystal display apparatus includes: light collimation means for producing collimated light; main-wavelength band separation means for receiving the collimated light from the light collimation means and producing a plurality of light beams having respectively different wavelength bands and exiting at respectively different angles; sub-wavelength band separation means provided adjacent the main-wavelength band separation means, the sub-wavelength band separation means receiving the collimated light from the light collimation means and producing at least one light beam having the same wavelength band as the wavelength band of at least one of the light beams from the main-wavelength band separation means; a liquid crystal display device for receiving the light beams from the main-wavelength band separation means and the light beams from the sub-wavelength band separation means and modulating the light beams; and an optical system for receiving the light beams transmitted through the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Miyake, Kazuhiko Ueda
  • Patent number: 6288756
    Abstract: A luminance correction circuit to correct areas of unevenness in luminance or color of a video image and smoothes gaps between correction blocks. The luminance correction circuit comprises a memory for storing correction data for correcting unevenness in luminance or color of video image, a timing generator for controlling read timing of the correction data from the memory, and an analog processor for processing the video signal using the correction data from the memory. A display area is divided to an appropriate number of blocks and the video signal is corrected in each block and the boundary between corrected blocks is smoothed by controlling the correction timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Shiota, Hiroshi Miyai
  • Patent number: 6288753
    Abstract: A system and method for an interactive, Internet-based videoconferencing multicast operation which utilizes a video production studio with a live instructor giving lectures in real-time to multiple participating students. The videoconference multicasting permits the students to interact with the instructor and other installations during the course of the lecture. In the case of software training, the system and method also utilize Internet-based application sharing and collaboration to permit the students at remote locations to drive a studio-based computer with the software for which the training is being given. The software screen is then used as a background with the instructor being able to literally point to areas of the screen which are being discussed. The instructor has a set of monitors in the studio which allow him/her to see the students on-location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Corrugated Services Corp.
    Inventors: Cosmo T. DeNicola, Mark E. Handzlik, John D. Kelliher, William M. Fantini, Gary Weber
  • Patent number: 6288738
    Abstract: An apparatus for seamless connectivity between a narrow-band network like the Internet and an interactive TV wide-band network, and methods of operating the same, support on-the-fly translation and routing of data between the Internet and the interactive TV wide-band network. The apparatus for interfacing between a wide-band network and a narrow-band network comprises a decoder having a decoder input, a first decoder port, and a second decoder port, which receives wide-band data from the wide-band network via the second decoder port and decodes the wide-band data to provide decoded data in response to decoder requests from the decoder input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignees: Sun Microsystems, Inc., OpenTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Louis Dureau, Regis St. Girons
  • Patent number: 6285406
    Abstract: A power management system for a converged functionality apparatus enables primary control to be effected through an actuating mechanism. In general operation, the actuating mechanism switches between “on” and “suspended” states. The power management system includes various defaults, memories, and priority setting schemes that enable fully integrated, but wholly intelligent, operation of the converged functionality apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin J. Brusky
  • Patent number: 6285414
    Abstract: A channel selector for a television receiver has a device for deselecting specified channels for a predetermined period of time. When a channel has been deselected it will be skipped when a user “surfs” through the sequence of channels. After the predetermined period of time expires the deselected channel is returned to the sequence of available channels. Channels may be deselected for time periods corresponding to a standard timeslot, for example each half hour. Alternatively, channels may be deselected for periods corresponding to the actual length at the program determined from transmitted program scheduling data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chenchu Lakshmi Chilamakuri
  • Patent number: 6281942
    Abstract: Frames of a digital video signal are spatially filtered to remove impulse and other noise from the video signal. The spatially filtered frame is temporally filtered to further remove noise from the digital video signal. The spatial filter is adaptive, heavily filtering portions of low detail in the represented subject matter while lightly filtering or not filtering portions of moderate to high detail in the represented subject matter. As a result, clarity and detail in the subject matter of the digital video signal are preserved. The temporal filter is similarly adaptive and determines if and to what degree the subject matter of portions of the spatially filtered frame correlate with corresponding portions of a previous frame. By previously spatially filtering the frame, determinations regarding the correlation of the current frame with corresponding portions of the previous, which is also spatially and temporally filtered, are more accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Albert S. Wang
  • Patent number: 6275270
    Abstract: A video display system utilizing a video source and an image intensifier having a substrate. A video image source positions at the substrate to provide a photon signal. A photocathode element at the substrate converts the photon signal into electrons. An optically transparent body having first and second surfaces is placed opposite the substrate spaced therefrom. A vacuum chamber is formed between the substrate and the first surface of the second optically transparent body. A fluorescing layer is positioned on said first surface of the second optically transparent body. A source of electrical power provides a voltage potential between the photocathode layer and said fluorescing layer. The intensified video image exits the second surface of the second optically transparent body for viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Calvest Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Bradley Culkin
  • Patent number: 6266102
    Abstract: An image display method displays an image by different gradation conversion in every pixel, on the basis of gradation frequency distribution of luminance of pixels near an edge of the image, and counting of gradation frequency of luminance of pixels near the edge is weighted depending on the coordinate values of each pixel so as to eliminate relative contrast drop in the image central part from the image peripheral parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Azuma, Atsushi Morimura
  • Patent number: 6256072
    Abstract: A closed-caption broadcasting and receiving method and apparatus. According to the closed-caption broadcasting method and apparatus, additional information is inputted and the input of word information is checked. If the word information is inputted, it is selected, while if not, the additional information is selected. Thereafter, character information and control information of the selected information are inputted. A control code of 2 words is obtained by combining the control information with a mode control bit and a parity bit, and the character code of 2 words including a syllable character completion type code is obtained by combining the character information with a mode control bit and a parity bit. A digital-modulated caption signal is produced by inputting the control code and the character code, and is coded in a scanning line which does not affect a television video signal to be transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jum-Han Bae, Jin-Hwa Yang, Sang-Jin Kim, Sang-Rok Han
  • Patent number: 6226042
    Abstract: A color encoder is incorporated in an apparatus for reproducing a signal recorded on a disk for a video-CD, CD-G, or similar system. The color encoder serves as an interface between such an apparatus and a television receiver. The color encoder converts R, G, and B signals reproduced from a disk into a color television signal. The color encoder is provided with a circuit for generating a blanking interval control signal that is used to switch between blanking intervals of different duration in accordance with a select signal, so that the duration of the time interval during which video signals are suppressed can be selectively varied. The color encoder has, in the input paths for the R, G, and B signals, switches for enabling and disabling the passage of those signals, and these switches are controlled by the blanking control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Rohn Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Kondo, Kyoji Marumoto
  • Patent number: 6211922
    Abstract: A color video apparatus for displaying on-screen a hue control state of a color video signal. The apparatus includes a key input portion for inputting a hue control command of the color video signal displayed on the screen, and an on-screen-display (OSD) signal generator for generating an OSD signal for visually representing a reference color and for displaying an occupancy which indicates the degree to which the reference color contributes to the expression of a hue control state with respect to a plurality of reference colors used for expression of the hue control state, in response to the hue control command of the key input portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-ho Jun
  • Patent number: 6191806
    Abstract: A management system and method for use with on-demand cable programming, wherein a customer telephones a cable supplier and requests that a particular video program be played. The management system uses a plurality of video sources, wherein each of the video sources is capable of playing the requested video program. A telephone switch system and routing table are used to route incoming customer requests directly to the interface in control of the video-source serving the region from where the request originated. The volume of requests received from each customer region serviced by the cable supplier is evaluated. If the volume of customer requests surpasses a threshold level, then additional video sources are added to the cable network by the cable supplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Mayer
  • Patent number: 6188449
    Abstract: A semiwide-screen television receiver which can provide a horizontally extended picture on a screen. The receiver receives and displays on a cathode ray tube (CRT) an image signal having a 12:9 screen aspect ratio (AR), and includes a cathode ray tube having a horizontal dimension which is larger than that of a conventional CRT having a 4:3 screen aspect ratio. A deflection unit including an inductance variation device for adjusting the inductance value of a horizontal deflection coil is provided, so as to minimize an inductance dispersion of the deflection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Wan Hong, Chel-Woon Youn, Sung-Pyo Hong
  • Patent number: 6169587
    Abstract: A circuitry for attaining a fixed raster vertical scan size of a video display apparatus is proposed. The video display apparatus comprises a flyback transformer (FBT) which includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. The secondary winding has a terminal generating a high voltage to an anode of a cathode ray tube (CRT) of the video display apparatus via an external loading. Moreover, the secondary winding has a voltage reference terminal. The raster vertical scan size adjustment circuit comprises a compensation circuit and a raster vertical scan size control circuit. The compensation circuit includes an input terminal adapted to connect the voltage reference terminal of the secondary winding for detecting voltage change at the voltage reference terminal responsive to variation of the external loading. The compensation circuit has an output terminal generating the compensated signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Acer Peripherals Inc.
    Inventor: Hsieh Chang-Fa
  • Patent number: 6169568
    Abstract: An entertainment system wherein a video image and an image containing icons, both having an aspect ratio of 4:3, are displayed on a display screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9 in such a manner that they do not overlap each other. This enables the user to enjoy a clean video image even if dirt from the fingers is left on the touch panel containing the icons disposed on the display screen. Additionally, there is no concern of image quality deterioration, because the source video image is an image with an aspect ratio of 4:3 and is displayed without changing this aspect ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsu Shigetomi
  • Patent number: 6166782
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing visibility of damping wire artifacts in aperture grill display tubes comprises a sensor device for locating the artifacts and responsively generating amplitude values, a processor for receiving the generated amplitude values and responsively calculating correction values, and a compensator device coupled to the processor for utilizing the correction values to correct said artifacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Cappels
  • Patent number: 6141063
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for generating a composite video signal in accordance with the chroma-key method in which a virtual background spill signal is generated and added to the composite video signal to avoid darkening effects which are produced when eliminating spill light, and to eliminate brightening effects which are produced in "clean-up" operations. The background spill signal may consist of the product of a virtual spill signal source (SP) and a control signal (k.sub.3). The control signal (k.sub.3) is preferably the difference between a foreground control signal (k.sub.1) and a background control signal (k.sub.2), and both signals should be identical in the foreground and background ranges but different in spill ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Rainer Gehrmann
  • Patent number: 6133949
    Abstract: For measuring the frequency bandwidth of a signal-processing circuit with minimal external influences, a measuring circuit for a signal-processing circuit (1), arranged on an integrated circuit, for processing at least a picture signal is characterized in that measuring pulses are applied to the signal-processing circuit (1), in that the measuring circuit changes the charge of a capacitance (10) arranged in the measuring circuit, dependent on the time shift experienced by the measuring pulses in the signal-processing circuit (1), in that the measuring circuit switches the measuring capacitance (10) before each measuring process to a reference potential for a short time by means of an electronic switch (8), and in that the measuring circuit is arranged on the same integrated circuit as the signal-processing circuit (1) and is activated only during a measuring process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Joachim Reich