Patents by Inventor Tadamasa Kitsukawa
Tadamasa Kitsukawa 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: 8456320Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for providing feedback for a page turn requested on a device is provided. The device may be an electronic book (e-book) device or another device that is configured to display electronic documents. A movement on the display of the device is detected. The method determines that a page turn of the document is being requested based on the movement on the display. The method determines a light-based feedback to indicate that a page turn is being processed. The computing time to process a page turn and display a new page may be slow as perceived by the user. Accordingly, the light-based feedback is used to indicate to the user that the page turn has been received. A plurality of light sources are used to provide the light-based feedback based on a location of the movement. For example, as a user swipes a finger across a display, light sources that follow the motion of the finger are illuminated to simulate a page turn.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2008Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventor: Tadamasa Kitsukawa
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Patent number: 8095948Abstract: A system and method for billing for interactive television (ITV) includes recording the content accessed by a consumer and the time of access to render an access record. The access record for each interaction with the ITV is stored in a consumer database. When it is time to bill the consumer for a period of usage of the ITV system, the access record for each interaction with the ITV system is retrieved from the consumer database. Access records which do not contain billable content are discarded and a billing list of access records that contain billable content is constructed. Accordingly, each consumer is billed based on his or her respective billing list.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventor: Tadamasa Kitsukawa
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Publication number: 20100123597Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for providing feedback for a page turn requested on a device is provided. The device may be an electronic book (e-book) device or another device that is configured to display electronic documents. A movement on the display of the device is detected. The method determines that a page turn of the document is being requested based on the movement on the display. The method determines a light-based feedback to indicate that a page turn is being processed. The computing time to process a page turn and display a new page may be slow as perceived by the user. Accordingly, the light-based feedback is used to indicate to the user that the page turn has been received. A plurality of light sources are used to provide the light-based feedback based on a location of the movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicants: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Tadamasa Kitsukawa
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Publication number: 20100115560Abstract: A system and method for interactive television (ITV) includes presenting both TV channels and “virtual channels” on an ITV. A virtual channel can be a Web page stored in memory of the ITV (or remote therefrom) and accessed by a microprocessor in the ITV when a user selects the virtual channel number using a conventional TV remote control. The particular Web page can be established based on consumer data, such as demographic data supplied by the consumer or consumer responses to prompts displayed along with a channel. The Web page associated with the virtual channel can be updated or changed by sending data to the ITV through the VBI of a TV signal or via the Internet, through a modem on the ITV.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2010Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: Tadamasa Kitsukawa, Tsutomu Akiyama, Shigeharu Kondo
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Publication number: 20090138904Abstract: Electronic coupons are provided for items comprising products and services. The coupon information is received along with broadcasts of associated television programs. Selected coupon modes alert a viewer when coupon information is available for an item. The viewer alert comprises displayed marks superimposed over the broadcast of the television program. The displayed marks comprise indicators for each item for which coupon data is available, and the indicators may be representative of the items to which the indicators correspond. The coupon information for a particular item is selected when the viewer selects the indicator corresponding to the item in which the viewer is interested. Upon selection, the coupon information is displayed along with the broadcast of the currently selected television program. Coupon information may be selected for storage on a removable recording medium along with data corresponding to the television program with which the coupon information is associated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2009Publication date: May 28, 2009Inventors: TADAMASA KITSUKAWA, Andrew M. Proehl, Gong Szeto, Keiichi Tosuka
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Patent number: 7493636Abstract: Electronic coupons are provided for items comprising products and services. The coupon information is received along with broadcasts of associated television programs. Selected coupon modes alert a viewer when coupon information is available for an item. The viewer alert comprises displayed marks superimposed over the broadcast of the television program. The displayed marks comprise indicators for each item for which coupon data is available, and the indicators may be representative of the items to which the indicators correspond. The coupon information for a particular item is selected when the viewer selects the indicator corresponding to the item in which the viewer is interested. Upon selection, the coupon information is displayed along with the broadcast of the currently selected television program. Coupon information may be selected for storage on a removable recording medium along with data corresponding to the television program with which the coupon information is associated.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Sony Corporation/Sony Electronic Inc.Inventors: Tadamasa Kitsukawa, Andrew M. Proehl, Gong Szedo, Keiichi Totsuka
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Patent number: 7406704Abstract: A virtual channel system for a web appliance includes an interactive television having a virtual channel memory disposed therein. The virtual channel memory includes data associated with at least one consumer selectable virtual channel. The data is an updatable Web page that is displayed when its associated virtual channel is selected. The interactive television also includes a user data input memory that includes user demographic information. The user demographic data can be used to customize the virtual channels available at the ITV. More specifically, the ITV system uses the demographic data to establish the virtual channels available to a specific consumer in accordance with the demographic information that he or she has input to the ITV system.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventors: Tadamasa Kitsukawa, Tsutomu Akiyama, Frederick J. Zustak, Shigeharu Kondo
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Patent number: 7225456Abstract: A gateway screen for interactive television includes a television content panel and an internet content panel. The gateway screen is displayed by an interactive television (ITV), e.g., when the ITV is turned on. The gateway screen allows a user to quickly and easily view information from multiple sources, e.g., a Web site, a television signal source, and an ITV system server, at a glance. This allows a consumer to gain a quick overview of the information presented by the multiple sources. The gateway screen also allows a consumer to select commonly accessed sources. The gateway screen can be tailored to fulfill a specific consumer's needs and can be established based on preferences input by the consumer.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2001Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventors: Tadamasa Kitsukawa, Makoto Nijima, Tsutomu Akiyama, Shigeharu Kondo
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Publication number: 20060248562Abstract: A system and method for interactive television (ITV) includes presenting both TV channels and “virtual channels” on an ITV. A virtual channel can be a Web page stored in memory of the ITV (or remote therefrom) and accessed by a microprocessor in the ITV when a user selects the virtual channel number using a conventional TV remote control. The particular Web page can be established based on consumer data, such as demographic data supplied by the consumer or consumer responses to prompts displayed along with a channel. The Web page associated with the virtual channel can be updated or changed by sending data to the ITV through the VBI of a TV signal or via the Internet, through a modem on the ITV.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2006Publication date: November 2, 2006Inventors: Tadamasa Kitsukawa, Tsutomu Akiyama, Shigeharu Kondo
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Patent number: 7096489Abstract: A system and method for interactive television (ITV) includes presenting both TV channels and “virtual channels” on an ITV. A virtual channel can be a Web page stored in memory of the ITV (or remote therefrom) and accessed by a microprocessor in the ITV when a user selects the virtual channel number using a conventional TV remote control. The particular Web page can be established based on consumer data, such as demographic data supplied by the consumer or consumer responses to prompts displayed along with a channel. The Web page associated with the virtual channel can be updated or changed by sending data to the ITV through the VBI of a TV signal or via the Internet, through a modem on the ITV.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2001Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventors: Tadamasa Kitsukawa, Tsutomu Akiyama, Shigeharu Kondo
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Publication number: 20060015893Abstract: Electronic coupons are provided for items comprising products and services. The coupon information is received along with broadcasts of associated television programs. Selected coupon modes alert a viewer when coupon information is available for an item. The viewer alert comprises displayed marks superimposed over the broadcast of the television program. The displayed marks comprise indicators for each item for which coupon data is available, and the indicators may be representative of the items to which the indicators correspond. The coupon information for a particular item is selected when the viewer selects the indicator corresponding to the item in which the viewer is interested. Upon selection, the coupon information is displayed along with the broadcast of the currently selected television program. Coupon information may be selected for storage on a removable recording medium along with data corresponding to the television program with which the coupon information is associated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2005Publication date: January 19, 2006Inventors: Tadamasa Kitsukawa, Andrew Proehl, Gong Szeto, Keiichi Totsuka
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Publication number: 20050277410Abstract: A mobile device such as a mobile phone provides automated initiation of a voice link based on information obtained from a data link communication. In one embodiment a transaction is initiated via a data link by executing a client process in a user's mobile device. The client process obtains information, such as item names and prices, from a content server. The client process presents the items for selection using the mobile device's user interface. The user makes a selection of items for purchase by interacting with the client process and/or the content server. Once a selection has been made, the user is put in voice-to-voice telephone communication with a human agent at a CSR site that handles sales of the item or items that the user selected. Automation at the CSR obtains the user's caller ID and uses the caller ID to request the record of selected items from the content server. The CSR agent is shown the record and is then able to complete the transaction with the user over the voice link.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2004Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventors: Samir Ismail, Tadamasa Kitsukawa
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Publication number: 20020157092Abstract: A method for pulling Internet content onto interactive television includes monitoring usage of the interactive television system by each consumer. For each consumer, a pattern of usage is established. The ITV system predicts future usage times based on prior usage patterns. Accordingly, the ITV system downloads content relevant to the usage on or about the predicted time of usage. Thus, the time that the consumer must to wait to receive the content is minimized.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Tadamasa Kitsukawa, Tsutomu Akiyama, Shigeharu Kondo
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Publication number: 20020157109Abstract: A system and method for interactive television (ITV) includes presenting both TV channels and “virtual channels” on an ITV. A virtual channel can be a Web page stored in memory of the ITV (or remote therefrom) and accessed by a microprocessor in the ITV when a user selects the virtual channel number using a conventional TV remote control. The particular Web page can be established based on consumer data, such as demographic data supplied by the consumer or consumer responses to prompts displayed along with a channel. The Web page associated with the virtual channel can be updated or changed by sending data to the ITV through the VBI of a TV signal or via the Internet, through a modem on the ITV.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Masahiro Nakano, Tsutomu Akiyama, Tadamasa Kitsukawa, Shigeharu Kondo
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Publication number: 20020157108Abstract: A gateway screen for interactive television includes a television content panel and an internet content panel. The gateway screen is displayed by an interactive television (ITV), e.g., when the ITV is turned on. The gateway screen allows a user to quickly and easily view information from multiple sources, e.g., a Web site, a television signal source, and an ITV system server, at a glance. This allows a consumer to gain a quick overview of the information presented by the multiple sources. The gateway screen also allows a consumer to select commonly accessed sources. The gateway screen can be tailored to fulfill a specific consumer's needs and can be established based on preferences input by the consumer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Tadamasa Kitsukawa, Makoto Nijima, Tsutomu Akiyama, Shigeharu Kondo
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Publication number: 20020157107Abstract: An interactive television system includes an Internet content provider and a television signal source. The system also includes an interactive television that receives content from the Internet content provider and the television signal source. Stored in a memory in the interactive television are plural television channels and plural virtual channels. Each television channel is associated with broadcast content from the television signal source. Moreover, each virtual channel is associated with Internet content, e.g., a Web page, from a respective Internet content provider. The internet content is stored in and periodically updated to a memory within the interactive television. A consumer is able to choose a television channel or a virtual channel at the interactive television. If the consumer chooses a television channel, broadcast content from the television signal source is displayed by the interactive television.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Tadamasa Kitsukawa, Tsutomu Akiyama, Shigeharu Kondo
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Publication number: 20020157100Abstract: An electronic program guide including virtual channels for interactive television includes multiple television listings and multiple Web site listings. Each television listing is linked to a respective television channel indicator. Moreover, each Web listing is linked to a respective virtual channel indicator. The electronic program guide also includes an information panel. As the user scrolls through the television listings and Web listings, information relevant to them is displayed in the information panel. A consumer can link directly to a Web site by selecting a virtual channel. Thus, a consumer who does not have an Internet computer is able to “surf” the Internet using his or her interactive television.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Tadamasa Kitsukawa, Tsutomu Akiyama, Shigeharu Kondo
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Publication number: 20020152464Abstract: A method for pushing Internet content onto interactive television includes prompting a consumer for input regarding topics of interest. The input is received by an interactive television and then transmitted to an interactive television system server. Accordingly, when data and/or content of interest becomes available it can be downloaded to the interactive television before a consumer request for the data and/or content is received.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2001Publication date: October 17, 2002Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Tadamasa Kitsukawa, Tsutomu Akiyama, Frederick J. Zustak, Hans Mahr, Aditya Krishnan
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Publication number: 20020144288Abstract: A system and method for billing for Internet content displayed through an interactive television (ITV) includes recording the content accessed by a consumer and the time of access to render an access record. The access record for each interaction with the ITV is stored in a consumer database. After each predetermined billing period for using the ITV system, the access record for each interaction with the ITV system is retrieved from the consumer database. For each access record, it is determined whether the content viewed is private or public content. If the content viewed is private content, the owner of the content can be billed. On the other hand, if the content viewed is public content, the viewer of the content can be billed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventor: Tadamasa Kitsukawa
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Publication number: 20020144258Abstract: A system and method for billing for interactive television (ITV) includes recording the content accessed by a consumer and the time of access to render an access record. The access record for each interaction with the ITV is stored in a consumer database. When it is time to bill the consumer for a period of usage of the ITV system, the access record for each interaction with the ITV system is retrieved from the consumer database. Access records which do not contain billable content are discarded and a billing list of access records that contain billable content is constructed. Accordingly, each consumer is billed based on his or her respective billing list.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventor: Tadamasa Kitsukawa