Patents by Inventor Robert Warren Schmidt
Robert Warren Schmidt 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: 8654533Abstract: A power cord (14) for an electronic product (10) such as a set-top box or the like provides a reduced thermal resistance path from a heat generating portion of the set-top to the ambient air to improve heat dissipation. In a preferred embodiment, the power cord includes a ground wire having a size in excess of that necessary to carry ground current to as to increase heat conduction from the ground plane of the set-top box circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Mark Alan Schultz, Robert Warren Schmidt
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Patent number: 8565527Abstract: A method and a system accomplish inspection of a mark in a frame of a film print. The system can include a frame imager which automatically selects at least one frame in the film print having an FMS mark and automatically captures an image of the frame. The image can be captured prior to, or subsequent to, the print being developed. The system also can include a marker which marks the frame with the mark. Further, the system can include a processor which automatically extracts the mark from the captured image and automatically compares the mark on the frame to a reference mark. The captured image can be stored to a database.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Mark Alan Schultz, Ryoichi Osawa, Robert Warren Schmidt
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Publication number: 20130201629Abstract: A power cord (14) for an electronic product (10) such as a set-top box or the like provides a reduced thermal resistance path from a heat generating portion of the set-top to the ambient air to improve heat dissipation. In a preferred embodiment, the power cord includes a ground wire having a size in excess of that necessary to carry ground current to as to increase heat conduction from the ground plane of the set-top box circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Inventors: Mark Alan Schultz, Robert Warren Schmidt
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Patent number: 8405728Abstract: A terminal sharing arrangement allows output terminals of an apparatus such as a television signal receiver or other device to be used for both outputting signals such as audio signals, and providing a diagnostic function. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a first terminal operative to output a first output signal during a first mode, and to receive a first diagnostic signal during a second mode. A second terminal is operative to output a second output signal during the first mode, and to output a second diagnostic signal during the second mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2004Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Robert Warren Schmidt, Matthew Robert Lamb
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Patent number: 8138811Abstract: A key press detecting circuit for detecting the status of the key is provided. The key press detecting circuit comprises a discharging circuit which discharges when the key (K1) is pressed; and a voltage detecting circuit, which comprises a combination of a PNP transistor (T2) and a NPN transistor (T3), wherein when the discharging circuit discharges for a predefined period, the PNP transistor (T2) will be turn on, which causes the NPN transistor (T3) to be turned on and to output a second signal for a second function.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Zhi Jun Liao, Robert Warren Schmidt, Ai Hua Sun
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Patent number: 7889969Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for audio content playback during fast forward playback video trick modes. A storage medium reader is provided for reading coded digital data from a storage medium such as a DVD. The coded digital data comprises a video programming and a corresponding audio programming. A decoder decodes from a portion of the digital data comprising the audio programming a plurality of digital audio samples corresponding to a selected portion of the video programming. Subsequently, an audio processor key shifts a playback audio pitch associated with the audio samples to compensate for the higher pitched audio associated with the fast forward video playback mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Ronald Lynn Blair, Mark Alan Schultz, Robert Warren Schmidt
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Patent number: 7809241Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for audio track playback during fast forward playback video trick modes. A storage medium reader is provided for reading digital data from a storage medium such as a DVD. The digital data represents a video presentation and a corresponding audio programming. A decoder decodes from a portion of the digital data comprising the audio programming a plurality of digital audio samples corresponding to a selected portion of the video presentation. Subsequently, a digital signal processor can convert the audio samples to their corresponding frequency domain equivalents and scale the frequency and amplitude of a playback audio frequency associated with the audio samples in accordance with trick mode video playback.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Ronald Lynn Blair, Mark Alan Schultz, Robert Warren Schmidt
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Patent number: 7719253Abstract: The present invention relates to system diagnostic circuitry for antenna systems with active antenna components. More specifically, the present invention discloses an apparatus comprising a connection between an antenna and a power supply conducting a first DC voltage, a source of a pulse width modulated signal, a lowpass filter for converting the pulse width modulated signal to a second DC voltage, and a comparator for comparing the first DC voltage and the second DC voltage and generating an output signal responsive to the difference between the first DC voltage and the second DC voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: John James Fitzpatrick, Robert Warren Schmidt, Robert Alan Pitsch, John Joseph Curtis, III
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Publication number: 20090284301Abstract: A key press detecting circuit for detecting the status of the key is provided. The key press detecting circuit comprises a discharging circuit which discharges when the key (K1) is pressed; and a voltage detecting circuit, which comprises a combination of a PNP transistor (T2) and a NPN transistor (T3), wherein when the discharging circuit discharges for a predefined period, the PNP transistor (T2) will be turn on, which causes the NPN transistor (T3) to be turned on and to output a second signal for a second function.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventors: Zhi Jun Liao, Robert Warren Schmidt, Ai Hua Sun
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Publication number: 20090058397Abstract: The present invention relates to system diagnostic circuitry for antenna systems with active antenna components. More specifically, the present invention discloses an apparatus comprising a connection between an antenna and a power supply conducting a first DC voltage, a source of a pulse width modulated signal, a lowpass filter for converting the pulse width modulated signal to a second DC voltage, and a comparator for comparing the first DC voltage and the second DC voltage and generating an output signal responsive to the difference between the first DC voltage and the second DC voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2004Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING S.A.Inventors: John James Fitzpatrick, Robert Warren Schmidt, Robert Alan Pitsch, John Joseph Curtis, III
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Patent number: 7149412Abstract: A method for playing a digital audio recording at a speed other than 1X, the method comprises retrieving stored digital audio information represented in a plurality of audio frames. A portion of the plurality of audio frames are ranked according to an energy content in the portion of audio frames. Audio frames having least energy content in accordance with the ranking are deleted from the portion of the plurality of audio frames. Remaining ones of the portion of audio frames following deletion are selected to form an audio trick mode playback signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Ronald Lynn Blair, Mark Alan Schultz, Robert Warren Schmidt
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Patent number: 7130528Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for audio program playback during fast forward playback video trick modes. A storage medium reader can be configured to read coded digital data from a storage medium such as a DVD. The coded digital data can be a video presentation having correspondingly formatted video and audio frames. An audio processor can insert silence frames in a selected block of the audio frames and portions of the audio frames can be deleted to compensate for video trick mode playback. Resulting audio frames can be concatenated to create 1× audio for various video trick modes playback.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Ronald Lynn Blair, Shu Lin, Mark Alan Schultz, Robert Warren Schmidt
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Patent number: 6762641Abstract: Voltage level translators are presented, inter alia, for operating an operational amplifier integrated circuit designed for operation with a single ended power supply, to operate with a split level power supply having a center tapped ground. A first polarity power supply terminal of a operational amplifier integrated circuit is coupled to a first polarity of the of the split level power supply, and a second polarity power supply terminal of the operational amplifier integrated circuit is coupled to a second polarity of the power supply, with a positive signal input terminal of the operational amplifier being coupled to a center tapped ground of the split level power supply.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2000Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Thomson Licensing, S.A.Inventor: Robert Warren Schmidt
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Patent number: 6625387Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for playing an audio track during a faster than 1× speed video trick mode playback of a video presentation. The method begins with the step of retrieving from a storage medium information for producing at least a video portion and a corresponding audio portion of a presentation. The audio portion of the presentation, like most audio sound tracks, includes periods of relative silence. For example, these may occur between words or between dramatic pauses in the dialogue. Audio gating is used to selectively gate the audio portion of the presentation to remove at least a portion of the periods of relative silence. Finally, a remaining part of the audio portion of the presentation is concatenated for playback to remove any gaps after the portion of the periods of relative silence have been removed.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.Inventors: Ronald Lynn Blair, Mark Alan Schultz, Robert Warren Schmidt
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Publication number: 20030165321Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for audio program playback during fast forward playback video trick modes. A storage medium reader can be configured to read coded digital data from a storage medium such as a DVD. The coded digital data can be a video presentation having correspondingly formatted video and audio frames. An audio processor can insert silence frames in a selected block of the audio frames and portions of the audio frames can be deleted to compensate for video trick mode playback. Resulting audio frames can be concatenated to create 1× audio for various video trick modes playback.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventors: Ronald Lynn Blair, Shu Lin, Mark Alan Schultz, Robert Warren Schmidt
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Publication number: 20030165084Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for audio track playback during fast forward playback video trick modes. A storage medium reader is provided for reading digital data from a storage medium such as a DVD. The digital data represents a video presentation and a corresponding audio programming. A decoder decodes from a portion of the digital data comprising the audio programming a plurality of digital audio samples corresponding to a selected portion of the video presentation. Subsequently, a digital signal processor can convert the audio samples to their corresponding frequency domain equivalents and scale the frequency and amplitude of a playback audio frequency associated with the audio samples in accordance with trick mode video playback.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventors: Ronald Lynn Blair, Mark Alan Schultz, Robert Warren Schmidt
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Publication number: 20030165327Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for playing an audio track during a faster than 1X speed video trick mode playback of a video presentation. The method begins with the step of retrieving from a storage medium information for producing at least a video portion and a corresponding audio portion of a presentation. The audio portion of the presentation, like most audio sound tracks, includes periods of relative silence. For example, these may occur between words or between dramatic pauses in the dialogue. Audio gating is used to selectively gate the audio portion of the presentation to remove at least a portion of the periods of relative silence. Finally, a remaining part of the audio portion of the presentation is concatenated for playback to remove any gaps after the portion of the periods of relative silence have been removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventors: Ronald Lynn Blair, Mark Alan Schultz, Robert Warren Schmidt
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Publication number: 20030165326Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for audio content playback during fast forward playback video trick modes. A storage medium reader is provided for reading coded digital data from a storage medium such as a DVD. The coded digital data comprises a video programming and a corresponding audio programming. A decoder decodes from a portion of the digital data comprising the audio programming a plurality of digital audio samples corresponding to a selected portion of the video programming. Subsequently, an audio processor key shifts a playback audio pitch associated with the audio samples to compensate for the higher pitched audio associated with the fast forward video playback mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventors: Ronald Lynn Blair, Mark Alan Schultz, Robert Warren Schmidt
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Publication number: 20030165325Abstract: A method for playing a digital audio recording at a speed other than 1×, the method comprises retrieving stored digital audio information represented in a plurality of audio frames. A portion of the plurality of audio frames are ranked according to an energy content in the portion of audio frames. Audio frames having least energy content in accordance with the ranking are deleted from the portion of the plurality of audio frames. Remaining ones of the portion of audio frames following deletion are selected to form an audio trick mode playback signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventors: Ronald Lynn Blair, Mark Alan Schultz, Robert Warren Schmidt
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Patent number: 6456140Abstract: Voltage level translators are presented, inter alia, for operating an operational amplifier integrated circuit designed for operation with a single ended power supply, to operate with a split level power supply having a center tapped ground. A first polarity power supply terminal of a operational amplifier integrated circuit is coupled to a first polarity of the of the split level power supply, and a second polarity power supply terminal of the operational amplifier integrated circuit is coupled to a second polarity of the power supply, with a positive signal input terminal of the operational amplifier being coupled to a center tapped ground of the split level power supply.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Thomson Licensing, S.A.Inventor: Robert Warren Schmidt