Patents Examined by Reinhard J. Eisenzopf
  • Patent number: 6359656
    Abstract: Control information is processed in synchronism with audio and video data according to a protocol such as RTP (Real-time Transfer Protocol). In one embodiment, a payload handler receives incoming data packets and forwards them to either a data control filter or an audio packet handler. The data control filter determines whether the data payload contains video data or control information and forwards video data to a video data packet handler and data control information to a data handler. The data control information can include an action identifier field (e.g., containing a “display” command) and a data object field (e.g., identifying a file location in a memory) so that the data control filter can display the identified file with the presentation of the other video and audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Huckins
  • Patent number: 6356317
    Abstract: A frame memory is provided which has five fields each having N slots, and three additional slots. Each slot has a storage capacity to store eight image lines. Four fields of the five fields serve to store motion compensation reference frames. The remaining one field and the three additional slots are used for B-picture interlace conversion. Disposed in a control unit are a slot control memory, a write slot pointer, and a read slot pointer. For an image output unit to acquire information from the frame memory in a correct slot order, the contents of the slot control memory are updated at the time of performing write operation to enter information into the frame memory by a bit stream analysis unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Watabe, Eiji Miyagoshi
  • Patent number: 6356311
    Abstract: A video signal transmission apparatus has the encoding means 2, operative when a predetermined unit of video signal is compressively encoded, for multiplexing identification data unique to this video signal in a user data region within an encoded bit stream, and the storing/decoding means 4 for storing the encoded bit stream data having the unique identification data multiplexed therein, and, when transmission is requested from the outside, for decoding the encoded bit stream data and simultaneously reading the multiplexed unique identification data to verify whether it is unique identification data of a video signal to be transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Matsumoto, Tatsuo Tsukida, Yuichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6356315
    Abstract: Magnification/reduction is achieved by a single FIR filter under the control of a Digital Differential Analyzer (DDA) as would be used to simulate a perfectly straight line on a two-dimensional raster. The single FIR filter combines the processes of interpolation, filter, and decimation. The DDA is programmed with the desired magnification/reduction ratio and provides signals that control shifting of input samples into the FIR filter and selection of FIR coefficients for the FIR filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Oak Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Kang Chen, Anil Sawe, David Tran
  • Patent number: 6356740
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to satellite communication systems, and more particularly to a method and system for stabilizing transmission frequencies in a mobile satellite communication system. The preferred embodiment of the invention involves adjusting the transmit frequency of the gateway to account for a frequency shift from the reference frequency on the link between the gateway and the satellite. The preferred method of stabilizing the transmission frequency of a mobile terminal in a mobile satellite communication system involves receiving frequency offset information transmitted by a gateway in the mobile satellite system, and adjusting a reference oscillator in a mobile terminal based on the frequency offset information. The preferred embodiment of the system includes a plurality of mobile terminals, a satellite adapted to communicate with the mobile terminals, and a gateway in communication with the satellite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Malcolm, Robert C. Marquart
  • Patent number: 6353461
    Abstract: Video assist control systems and methods for use in film/video production environments are presented which provide a link between production and post-production by storing and managing both recorded media and production information. Multiple video signals (including audio) may be selectively received and simultaneously digitally recorded and stored, along with time code information, with near instantaneous playback capability for multiple current and past recordings. Database functionality is incorporated to provide for entry and storage of information associated with each recording. The database provides searching capabilities to locate and retrieve past recordings, based on stored information, for playback review, editing and assembly of recordings or portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Panavision, Inc.
    Inventors: Morris M. Shore, Edward L. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6351289
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for generating VBI data coding waveforms. The present invention utilizes a single look-up table that stores sampled values of sine waves in direct waveform synthesis for both color burst processing and VBI data coding processing. Furthermore, the present invention utilizes a 2T pulse as a signalling waveform in direct synthesis to overcome the problem of overlap for conventional unit pulse durations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: An-Tung Chen, Hsin-Mei Chen, Jong Ping Lee
  • Patent number: 6351293
    Abstract: A decision directed phase detector that uses the quantized data output from a slicer to aid the phase error detection process to determine a phase error of a complex signal such as a vestigial sideband (VSB) signal containing in phase (I) and quadrature phase (Q) components (I and Q signals). The phase detector comprises subtractor having one input coupled to the I signal and a second input coupled to the data output of the slicer representing the magnitude of a sample point within a symbol. The quantized signal is subtracted from the I signal to produce &Dgr;I signal. The Q signal is processed to determine its sign and magnitude. The sign and magnitude values are multiplied together and the result is multiplied with the &Dgr;I signal to produce the phase error between the I and Q signals. This phase error signal is used in a digital television receiver to extract a data signal from a VSB signal for demodulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignees: Sarnoff Corporation, Motorola Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Bret Perlow
  • Patent number: 6348944
    Abstract: The present invention relates a method and system for providing aging of a cathode ray tube. The system comprises a video processing circuit that is configured to generate a first luminance signal and a second luminance signal. The system also comprises an electron gun located in the cathode ray tube, that is coupled to the video processing circuit. The electron gun is configured to operate at a first luminance level corresponding to the first luminance signal for a first predetermined period of time, and a second luminance level corresponding to the second luminance signal for a second predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Masanobu Kimoto, Tadashi Fujise
  • Patent number: 6348952
    Abstract: A level adjust display apparatus and method for an OSD menu in an image display device in which various function control targets of the image display device are displayed on a screen in the form of various OSD menus, and the direction that the plurality of various function control targets are adjusted and the moving direction of a level meter of the OSD menus respectively corresponding to the plurality of function control targets correspond to each other, so that a user can easily control the function control targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seok Hwa Jeong
  • Patent number: 6348955
    Abstract: A television receiver includes a tuner for receiving either analog or digital signals. Separate analog and digital demodulators are selectively coupled to the tuner through an RF switch that is controlled by a sync detector in the output of the analog demodulator. The selected one of the demodulators develops an AGC signal that is coupled to the tuner through the RF switch. In one embodiment, a two pole RF switch is used with one pole switching the IF signal and the other pole switching the AGC signal In another embodiment, a single pole RF switch is used with the tuner signal and the AGC signal being multiplexed through the switch. This is accomplished by the provision of a high frequency path and a low frequency path between each of the RF switch and the tuner, the RF switch and the analog demodulator, and the RF switch and the digital demodulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: David S. Tait
  • Patent number: 6348953
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing a composite image from a foreground image (FG), showing an object or a scene with a substantially monochrome background, and background image (BG) comprising a first processing unit (R4) for producing a control signal (SEP) for each pixel of the foregoing image (FG), reflecting whether an individual pixel of the foreground image is part of the object or part of the monochrome background, based both on the chromatic values of the pixel and on predetermined chromatic values, describing the color composition of the monochrome background, a selection unit (R5) suffixed to the first processing unit (R4), for calculating the chromatic values of an individual pixel of the composite image from, depending on the control signal (SEP), either the chromatic values of the corresponding pixel of the foreground image (FG) or the chromatic values of the corresponding pixel of the background image (BG), a second processing unit for calculating correction values for the chromatic values of an individual
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Zbig Vision Gesellschaft für neue Bildgestaltung mbH
    Inventor: Zbigniew Rybczynski
  • Patent number: 6346970
    Abstract: The invention is a flicker filter for use with video signals. The flicker filter of the invention has at least two user-adjustable inputs adapted to balance image quality versus flicker in the second video image. A first user-adjustable input is adapted to govern an amount of flicker suppression. A second user-adjustable input is adapted to govern an amount of blur, or sharpness. The two inputs are independently adjustable such that a user may dynamically adjust the two-dimensional system characteristics. This ability allows the circuit to be tune to adjust pixel intensities where an amount of pixel intensity adjustment increases with decreasing boundary angle, inter alia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Focus Enhancements, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Boehlke
  • Patent number: 6342923
    Abstract: A system which can perform video communications via terminals which can send and receive video and audio signals should convert a video signal format set in each terminal into a common intermediate format (CIF) to then perform encoding and decoding operations. A video format converting apparatus can reduce the size of line memories which are used for video format conversion during converting an image picked up by a charge coupled device (CCD) camera into a CIF image. Thus, the number of line memories used for video format conversion of images can be reduced, thereby providing an effect capable of reducing the size of an integrated circuit of the line memories. The video format converting apparatus can be also applied to convert an NTSC signal as well as the CCD image into the CIF image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seo-Kyu Kim
  • Patent number: 6340990
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for converting an interlaced television display to a progressive, scan, or non-interlaced display where artifacts are removed if the source of the signal is from a movie film to television converter, a video recording of a movie, a live camera, or a camera output captured on a video recording system, or any sequence of the above, by utilizing three motion detection stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignees: Applied Intelligent Systems Inc., Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen S. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6340988
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying video data for testing a video board of a computer capable of enhancing the test reliability performs the test through an algorithm by normalizing forms of patterns displayed on a screen to test the video board. A resolution of the screen to be displayed thereon is firstly decided, and a screen mode suitable to the screen resolution is set. The total number of dots in horizontal and vertical directions with regard to colors to be displayed on the screen is calculated by using the total number of horizontal and vertical dots according to the decided screen resolution. After that, one color among the various colors is displayed in the horizontal direction and several colors are displayed in turn on the screen, the colors being equally divided by a predetermined number in the vertical direction according to a predetermined order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-il Jeon
  • Patent number: 6340987
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for masking latency in an interactive television network. One embodiment of the invention initially receives a command pertaining to an interactive selection from a viewer. The invention then determines if latency is associated with the execution of the received command. If so, the invention (1) begins processing the command, and (2) presents a latency-masking presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Time Warner Entertainment Company L.P.
    Inventor: Michael T. Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6340997
    Abstract: A worldwide television tuning system is configurable to the television standards and channel frequencies of multiple different countries based on a country's ITU long-distance country code. The television tuning system is architected in parallel hardware and software components. The hardware components include tuner circuitry to tune to various television frequencies carrying television video signals and video decoder circuitry coupled to receive a television video signal from the tuner circuitry and to convert the television video signal to digital video data. The software components include a tuner module coupled to adjust the tuner circuitry to a particular television frequency and a video decoder module to decode the digital video data according to a particular video standard. A driver interface layer interfaces the software layer and the hardware circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Jay Alan Borseth
  • Patent number: 6337715
    Abstract: A broadcasting reception apparatus includes a display unit for presenting a display showing a plurality of channels, with which the user can recognize whether decoding software programs for decoding program signals being currently broadcast via each channel are held in a library buffer, or not, thereby making possible pleasant zapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Inagaki, Atsushi Ishizu, Tetsuji Maeda, Shuuhei Taniguchi, Yutaka Nio, Etsuyoshi Sakaguchi, Kenjirou Tsuda
  • Patent number: 6337712
    Abstract: Pictures recorded by a digital camera can be stored and utilized by a method convenient and appropriate for the situation. The system includes a variety of devices for transferring picture image data recorded by a variety of digital cameras to an image server installed in a DPE or the like. It further includes a variety of accessing devices for enabling the picture image data stored in the image server to be accessed. As such, a user of a digital camera can transfer images, via this system while the user is away from home, thereby enabling continual use of the digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Shiota, Norihisa Haneda, Shigekazu Fukada