Patents by Inventor Richard C. Spiero
Richard C. Spiero has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7696999Abstract: An information transfer system includes a transmitter for transferring to a receiver an information signal having main data and sub data. The sub data includes coded text lines having a plurality of character codes. The receiver is provided with a character display unit for displaying characters corresponding with the character codes in the coded text lines. The number of character display positions is less than the number of character codes in the coded text line. The receiver is further provided with display control means for controlling the display of characters corresponding to the character codes included in the coded text line in dependence on serial control codes included in the coded text line. Parts of the text in the sub data may be shown on both a full multi-line display units for displaying full text lines and a 1-line display with a relative small number of digits.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Björn Bluthgen, Richard C. Spiero
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Publication number: 20100014836Abstract: The application relates to an information transfer system, comprising a receiver (3) and a transmitter (1) for transferring an information signal to the receiver (3) via a transfer medium (2). The information signal comprises main data and sub data. The sub data comprises coded text lines having a plurality of character codes. The receiver is provided with a character display unit (10) for displaying characters corresponding with the character codes in the coded text lines. The number of character display positions is less than the number of character codes in the coded text line. The receiver is provided with display control means (9) for controlling the display of characters corresponding to the character codes included in the coded text line in dependence on serial control codes included in the coded text line.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Björn BLUTHGEN, Richard C. SPIERO
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Patent number: 7647620Abstract: Graphic images that overlay a transmitted video signal are provided in the form of bitmaps that allow any character or font size to be displayed. A color-look-up-table (CLUT) at a receiver is defined that maps “m” inputs to a combination of color and luminance values for display. One or more map tables are provided that allow pixel colors to be encoded using fewer than “m” bits, the map tables providing an “m” bit output for accessing the CLUT. The provider of the graphic images can also specify a required minimum number of CLUT colors for rendering the images; if this minimum is greater than “m”, the image is not rendered. The use of map tables provides compatibility between a variety of encoding techniques and a variety of rendering devices, without requiring different CLUTs to be transmitted for each different color encoding format.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Jan Van Der Meer, Richard C. Spiero, Armand V. Wemelsfelder, Wiebe De Haan
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Publication number: 20040075668Abstract: A method of simultaneously transmitting a video signal and encoded data representing graphic images is disclosed. The invention is particularly applicable for transmitting multilingual subtitles with a video program. The graphic images are rectangular regions within the active video area. They are transmitted in the form of bitmaps. The invention not only allows any character font or size to be displayed, but also the definition of e.g. a program provider's logo. The encoded data includes a time stamp to specify the time at which a subtitle is to be displayed. Preferred embodiments of the invention include the transmission of colour-look-up-table (CLUT) data and a compatibility code indicating a required minimum number of entries of said colour-look-up-table. For receivers with a CLUT having more entries than necessary, a map table is transmitted for mapping the pixel data width to the input witdh of the relevant CLUT.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventors: Jan Van Der Meer, Richard C. Spiero, Armand V. Wemelsfelder, Wiebe De Haan
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Patent number: 6693636Abstract: The application relates to an information transfer system, comprising a receiver (3) and a transmitter (1) for transferring an information signal to the receiver (3) via a transfer medium (2). The information signal comprises main data and sub data. The sub data comprises coded text lines having a plurality of character codes. The receiver is provided with a character display unit (10) for displaying characters corresponding with the character codes in the coded text lines. The number of character display positions is less than the number of character codes in the coded text line. The receiver is provided with display control means (9) for controlling the display of characters corresponding to the character codes included in the coded text line in dependence on serial control codes included in the coded text line.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Björn Bluthgen, Richard C. Spiero
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Patent number: 6661467Abstract: A method of simultaneously transmitting a video signal and encoded data representing graphic images is disclosed. The invention is particularly applicable for transmitting multilingual subtitles with a video program. The graphic images are rectangular regions within the active video area. They are transmitted in the form of bitmaps. The invention not only allows any character font or size to be displayed, but also the definition of e.g. a program provider's logo. The encoded data includes a time stamp to specify the time at which a subtitle is to be displayed. Preferred embodiments of the invention include the transmission of color-look-up-table (CLUT) data and a compatibility code indicating a required minimum number of entries of said color-look-up-table. For receivers with a CLUT having more entries than necessary, a map table is a for mapping the pixel data width to the input witdh of the relevant CLUT.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1995Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Jan Van Der Meer, Richard C. Spiero, Armand V. Wemelsfelder, Wiebe De Haan
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Patent number: 6480197Abstract: An information transfer system which transmits and receives an information signal including a coded text line, and displays characters, defined by character codes included in the coded text line, on a display unit having a display capacity which is less than the number of character codes included in the coded text line. The system includes a transmitter for producing and transmitting the information signal, a record carrier for storing the information signal, and a receiver for receiving the information signal and displaying the characters on the display unit. The information signal includes main data and sub data, which sub data includes the coded text line. The coded text line includes the character codes and control codes. The receiver includes the display unit and a display control unit for controlling display of the characters in accordance with the control codes.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1995Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Björn Bluthgen, Richard C. Spiero
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Patent number: 6078592Abstract: A DAB receiver, an apparatus and a method for converting a first sequence of data having a fixed frame structure, wherein locations within the frame are reserved for predetermined data types, into a second sequence of data, having a different frame structure. The data belonging to the respective data types are grouped in separate sequences with a frame type identifier attached to the sequences for identifying the different sequences. This allows an easy identification of the different sequences of data within the second sequence without the need of prior knowledge of the exact location of the sequences within the second sequence. An example of such a conversion is the conversion of the channel decoder output of a DAB receiver into a format suitable for embedding in the IEC958 format.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1996Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventor: Richard C. Spiero
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Patent number: 5796785Abstract: A receiver and a method for adding a sequence, embedded in a digital sequence of data together with another sequence, separate of the other sequence to at least a part of the digital sequence of data. An example of such a sequence is the Program Associated Data (PAD) in a DAB digital sequence of data, this PAD being embedded in audio frames together with audio data. The DAB digital sequence of data is converted into a sequence according to the IEC958 format, wherein the retrieved PAD is inserted into the User Data channel in the IEC958 frames. This allows an easy retrieval of the PAD from the digital sequence of data, without the need for analyzing audio frames and retrieving the PAD therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1996Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventor: Richard C. Spiero
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Patent number: 5434628Abstract: The apparatus includes first, second and third connectors, a control signal generator (5.11) and first and second switches (5.9, 5.10). The first and second connectors each have a signal input terminal, a signal output terminal and a control signal terminal. The third connector has a signal input terminal (5.7) and eventually a control signal terminal (5.8). The first and second switching means each have first (a), second (b) and third (c) terminals, the first terminal (a) of the first switches (5.9) being coupled to the signal output terminal (5.5) of the second connector, the second terminal (b) of the first switches (5.9) being coupled to the signal input terminal (5.1) of the first connector, the first terminal (a) of the second switching means (5.10) being coupled to the signal output terminal (5.2) of the first connector, the second terminal (b) of the second switching means (5.10) being coupled to the signal input terminal (5.4) of the second connector. The first and second switches (5.9, 5.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1994Date of Patent: July 18, 1995Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Richard C. Spiero, Terence A. Douglas, Marnix C. Vlot
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Patent number: 5349391Abstract: The apparatus includes first, second and third connectors, a control signal generator (5.11) and first and second switches (5.9, 5.10). The first and second connector each have a signal input terminal, a signal output terminal and a control signal terminal. The third connector has a signal input terminal (5.7) and eventually a control signal terminal (5.8). The first and second switches each have first (a), second (b) and third (c) terminals, the first terminal (a) of the first switches (5.9) being coupled to the signal output terminal (5.5) of the second connector, the second terminal (b) of the first switches (5.9) being coupled to the signal input terminal (5.1) of the first connector, the first terminal (a) of the second switches (5.10) being coupled to the signal output terminal (5.2) of the first connector, the second terminal (b) of the second switches (5.10) being coupled to the signal input terminal (5.4) of the second connector. The first and second switches (5.9, 5.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1993Date of Patent: September 20, 1994Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Richard C. Spiero, Terence A. Douglas, Marnix C. Vlot
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Patent number: 5255097Abstract: A video system comprises a video signal generating device (1') and no less than one video signal receiving device (2') coupled to each other by means of a signal bus (4'). The video signal generating device (1') is capable of generating at an output (13) one or a plurality of video signals having each a different signal format (CVBS, Y/C, MAC bb, . . . ). The video signal receiving device(s) is (are) arranged for processing one or a plurality of video signals having mutually different formats. It is an object to establish which video signal format the devices (1', 2', 3') have in common (Y/C) and to adjust the devices so that the video signal generating device generates at its output (13) just the video signal that has the common signal format concerned and the video signal receiving device(s) is (are) capable of processing the video signal that has the common signal format concerned and is applied to the input (24, 33).Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1990Date of Patent: October 19, 1993Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Richard C. Spiero, Theodorus H. C. Van Groningen
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Patent number: 5029007Abstract: A video tuner (1), a video signal (recording and) reproducing arrangement (7) and a picture display unit (35) are coupled to each other via a switching circuit (9). The video tuner (1) can supply first and second video signals on its output (3), representing pictures having a first and a second aspect ratio respectively (4:3 and 16:9, respectively). These signals can be recorded and reproduced by the video signal (recording and) reproducing arrangement (7) and can be displayed with the correct aspect ratio by the picture display unit (35). In order to realize this, a control signal line (55) is arranged between a control signal output (4) of the tuner (1), a control signal input and output terminal (10) of the video signal (recording and) reproducing arrangement (7) and control signal inputs (36) of the picture display unit and (46) of the switching circuit and control signal detector (9, 45).Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1990Date of Patent: July 2, 1991Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventor: Richard C. Spiero
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Patent number: 4896229Abstract: A video recorder which is adapted to reproduce video signals recorded on a record carrier in the form of a tape in tracks which are parallel to each other and which are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the record carrier at a speed which deviates from the nominal speed. The video recorder comprises tracking-error detection means for detecting the deviation of the read head from the center of the track to be followed. The generated tracking-error signal is applied to the tape-transport control loop. For the purpose of tracking-error detection a reference-signal generator generates reference signals which form an identification for the track to be followed.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1988Date of Patent: January 23, 1990Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventor: Richard C. Spiero
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Patent number: 4570075Abstract: An optical end-of-tape detection device comprises a photodiode and a phototransistor. In order to distinguish the light emitted by the photodiode from the ambient light, the photodiode is operated in a pulsating fashion. Moreover, the low-frequency component of the photo current supplied by the photo-transistor is suppressed by negative current feedback.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1983Date of Patent: February 11, 1986Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventor: Richard C. Spiero
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Patent number: 4480265Abstract: A PAL comb filter having a first and a second parallel transmission path. The first path includes a time delay network. This time delay network has a time delay equal to one line period H instead of two line periods as in conventional PAL comb filters. For this purpose a PAL inverter is arranged in one of the two paths. Alternatively, said PAL phase inversion can be switched in such a way that said inversion is effected either in the first or in the second path, change-over causing an additional PAL phase inversion of the output signal of said comb filter, which may be employed in video recording systems with parallel tracks in which the PAL phase is aligned in directions perpendicular to the tracks by the use of additional PAL phase inversions during recording, and in video recording systems in which said alignment is not used, in order to ensure, inter alia during fast-motion playback, that the PAL phase inversion sequence in the reproduced signal is not disturbed.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1982Date of Patent: October 30, 1984Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventor: Richard C. Spiero