Cathode-ray Tube Burn-in Prevention Patents (Class 348/173)
  • Patent number: 7564432
    Abstract: A method of reducing luminance decay of emissive elements in a matrix addressed emissive display device includes generating control data corresponding to a static image to be displayed on a matrix of individually addressable emissive display elements. Drive signals are generated as a function of the control data, and are provided to the matrix to thereby energize the corresponding emissive display elements of the matrix in order to display the static image on the matrix. The control data are altered substantially continuously in order to substantially continuously move the static image on the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Steffensmeier, Randy A. Naeve, Thomas C. Rohr, Linley E. Woelk
  • Patent number: 7538790
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a video signal processing apparatus having a browser feature to protect a display device associated with the apparatus against the premature aging effects of screen burn due to an idle display when the browser feature is activated. The method includes the steps of detecting a first user input to a video apparatus, determining whether the first user input activates a browser feature of the video apparatus, and controlling the operation of the apparatus to reduce the screen burn. The operation can include setting a display parameter for the video apparatus to a first predetermined level responsive to determining that the first user input activates the browser feature, or determining an idle time and inactivating the browser feature if the idle time exceeds a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Carlton Jethro Simmons, Jr., Richard Allen Zemer, Mark Gilmore Mears, Chad Andrew Lefevre, Aaron Hal Dinwiddie
  • Patent number: 7495680
    Abstract: A display apparatus that displays a composite image signal obtained by combining an image signal for a side panel with an input image signal corresponding to a picture region and carries out a picture display based on peak luminance enhancement control, first detects an average brightness level of the input image signals when generating the image signal for the side panel. This sets the brightness level of the image signal for the side panel before the composition based on the detection result of the average brightness level of the input image signals so as to obtain a display brightness level in which the visual brightness of the displayed side panel is substantially constant, as a result of the peak luminance enhancement control. Accordingly, the brightness of the side panel becomes constant, thereby alleviating a burn-in phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 7492355
    Abstract: Screen bum on televisions having Internet browser capability is avoided by removing the conventional static icons such as toolbars and buttons from the default browser and replacing their functions with keyboard keys. The invention is especially useful in projection televisions and with keyboards which have keys assigned to browser functions. Favorite URLs can be mapped to a favorite key by holding down the favorite key while a favorite web page is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Richard Allen Zemer, Mark Gilmore Mears, Chad Andrew Lefevre, Aaron Hal Dinwiddie, Joseph Wayne Forler
  • Patent number: 7466340
    Abstract: Embodiments for protecting against pixel burn-in are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: William Herz
  • Patent number: 7440006
    Abstract: When a video display system displays an image having an aspect ratio that differs from the aspect ratio of the system's display monitor, the image spans only an “active” portion of the available display area on the monitor. The display system sets the luminance and/or chrominance of pixels in the inactive areas of the monitor to match the average luminance and/or chrominance of a selected group of pixels forming the image in the active area. This helps prevent ghosting by aging the phosphors or other material forming the pixels in the active and inactive areas at the same rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Chia-Liang Lin, Chih-Hsien Chou
  • Patent number: 7411605
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for preventing image sticking of a video display appliance and method thereof that can effectively remove a black display region appearing on a border part of a display screen of the video display appliance when an image sticking function is performed. The apparatus includes a control unit for outputting a control signal for zooming an input video signal at a predetermined zooming rate and performing the image-sticking prevention function if an image-sticking prevention mode is set, and a video processing unit for zooming the video signal at the predetermined zooming rate and processing the zoomed video signal to display the zoomed video signal on a display screen according to the control signal from the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kyung Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 7409074
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device enabling detection of a mixture ratio indicating the state of mixture between multiple objects. A contour region information generating unit 421 and a normal equation generating unit 422 extracts contour region pixel data within a frame of interest positioned at a contour region with approximately a same mixture ratio, extracts corresponding pixel data from a frame different to the frame of interest, extracting background pixel data corresponding to the contour region pixel data or the corresponding pixel data, and generating an equation wherein the mixture ratio is an unknown number, based on region specifying information specifying a non-mixed region made up of a foreground region and background region and a mixed region. A least square approximation unit 423 detects the mixture ratio by solving the equation. The present invention can be applied to signals processing devices for processing image signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada
  • Patent number: 7400345
    Abstract: A method for uniformly aging an OLED display device, the OLED display device including a display screen with a screen aspect ratio, the method comprising: receiving a first external video signal having a first signal aspect ratio different from the screen aspect ratio; illuminating a primary region of the OLED display in response to the first external video signal, whereby a secondary region of the OLED display is not illuminated in response to the first external video signal; receiving a second external video signal having a second signal aspect ratio different from the first external video signal aspect ratio, wherein the display area corresponding to the second signal aspect ratio includes at least a portion of each of the primary and of the secondary regions of the OLED display; generating a regional correction value corresponding to the primary and secondary regions of the OLED display; employing the regional correction value to correct the second external video signal to compensate for differential agin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Ronald S. Cok
  • Patent number: 7397497
    Abstract: A display device having a prolonged lifetime by preventing deterioration of image quality by reducing a burn-in is provided. A display device includes a still image region detecting unit for detecting still image data from video data, a detecting unit for detecting, as an edge portion, a pair of pixels having a level difference of image data larger than a set level difference, of a plurality of pair of adjacent pixels for the still image data, and a level adjusting unit for adjusting a level of the image data of a group of pixels including the edge portion and arranged consecutively and outputting the image data after the adjustment to a driving unit. The level adjusting unit adds/subtracts a random noise to/from the image data of the group of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Pioneer Plasma Display Corporation
    Inventors: Takezo Murakami, Yoshiharu Simizu
  • Patent number: 7385548
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for a remote control device. Means for detecting orientation of the remote control device couples to a processor. The processor is operative to change a mode of operation of the remote control device in response to a change in the orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Stefanik
  • Publication number: 20080111886
    Abstract: An image display device capable of preventing screen burning or residual image phenomena is provided. The image display device includes a display which displays an image according to preset pixel output characteristics; a motion detection unit which detects motion of the displayed image; and an output controller which adjusts the pixel output characteristics of pixels corresponding to a still image if at least one portion of the image is determined to be a still image, based on the detection result of the motion detection unit. Therefore, screen burning or residual image phenomena can be effectively reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventor: Young-jai Bai
  • Patent number: 7317430
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mitigating or substantially eliminating pixel burn-in on phosphor-based display panels. A visual display includes a display installation and a computer. The display installation may include a display panel having including a plurality of pixels each with a bit depth and an interface for receiving a video input and for driving the display panel. The computer is configured to determine a primary burn value for each of the pixels for a primary period of time, and to determine a secondary burn value for each of the pixels for a secondary period of time. The computer determines the secondary burn values such that when a pixel is driven at the secondary burn value thereof for the secondary period of time, an average value of the pixel for the primary and secondary periods of time is approximately equal to one-half of the bit depth of the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: IP Mining Corporation
    Inventor: Brent McKay
  • Patent number: 7307668
    Abstract: A system, a method and an article of manufacture for uncentering an image of a video stream on a video display is provided. The image of the video stream is displayed uncentered on a video display at a position that depends on the aspect ratio of the video stream and the aspect ratio of the display used to view the video stream. Once uncentered, the image of the video stream is not shifted for the duration of the video session unless a user provides input to change the position. Various positions of the image of a video stream are available to accommodate user preferences or to prolong the life of the video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jesse Lee Thrall, Daniel James Winarski
  • Publication number: 20070263091
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to accurately detect a blank area (side mask) appearing outside an image area when an image has a different aspect ratio against a display screen. A boundary between a side mask and an image area is detected with a change of a luminance level of a plurality of scan lines of an image. The side mask is detected with a logical addition of detected results of an active detection unit 3a and a level detection unit 3b. The level detection units 3b sets previously a plurality of judge areas and detects the side mask when the judge areas set in the side mask do not change the mean luminance levels for a prescribed period of time and the judge areas set in the image area change the mean luminance levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Kato, Kazunori Ochiai, Hiroyuki Urakami, Takahiro Oki
  • Publication number: 20070229664
    Abstract: Providing an image signal processing apparatus, in which burn-in of a display can be ignorable and power consumption can be reduced, when a blank datum for a blank area in an image signal is detected by a blank area detecting unit, an image signal processing unit processes the image signal so as to interpose a brightness gradation area between an image area and the blank area. Brightness in the brightness gradation area changes gradually between the image area and the blank area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shiro Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7271828
    Abstract: A burn-in prevention image signal is generated by subjecting an input image signal to blurring and then to contrast inversion to invert the contrast of the signal luminance level. The burn-in prevention image signal is used when the input image is a still image that does not change for a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Okano
  • Publication number: 20070177058
    Abstract: A display device capable of reducing afterimage, and an afterimage reduction method used by the display device. One or more afterimage reduction patterns having one or more opaque areas, and/or one or more semi-transparent areas and one or more non-opaque areas are stored in a storage unit. A composition unit outputs a final image composed of a displayed main image and afterimage reduction patterns output from the storage unit. A control unit causes afterimage reduction patterns selected by a user from the storage unit to be input to the composition unit, and a final image in which only pixels corresponding to opaque areas and/or semi-transparent areas in the main image are replaced by color of the opaque areas and/or semi-transparent areas in the afterimage reduction patterns to be output from the composition unit. Accordingly, it is possible to view a received main image while reducing afterimage using images of various patterns for afterimage reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventor: Seung-ho JANG
  • Patent number: 7245316
    Abstract: An arrangement for maintaining even tube burn-in. The arrangement identifies active and inactive display regions on a display unit when video content is displayed on the display unit. When inactive display regions are identified the arrangement monitors the duration that the active display regions remain active. After the active display regions become inactive and a predetermined time period has passed the arrangement displays a corrective image on the identified inactive regions. The predetermined time period may be set by a user or based on the user's viewing habits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Kevin Lloyd Grimes, Charles William Worrell
  • Patent number: 7158169
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing burn-in of a display is disclosed. A plurality of assets containing text, graphics, and video are stored and then gathered. These assets are then assembled into a template to form a video frame or “screen”, which is subsequently output in a video transport stream or video display. Based upon a trigger, the assets are gathered again and reassembled in a second template to form a second video frame or screen wherein the assets are in positions on the screen, which are different from those of the first screen. The second screen is subsequently output to the video transport stream and the process is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Music Choice
    Inventors: Stuart H. Farber, Daniel L. McGonigal, Jeremy C. Rosenberg, Robert M. Steinberg, Ronald M. Yurman
  • Patent number: 7057640
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved burnout imprinting prevention by slowly moving the position of screen content to ensure that no one area of the guns is unused for a long period of time. Optical and/or mechanical elements are provided to redirect the projected image to the center of the screen. As the image moves on the projection guns the optical elements are positioned accordingly to shift the projected image such that the viewable image is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Bellwood, Leugim A. Bustelo, Julio Eloy Ruano, Matthew Francis Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 7030908
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for preventing appearance of a zigzag flush of light in a cathode-ray tube at the time of turning it off. A train of power-off control pulses are produced in synchronization with the vertical sweeping signal; a spot-killer control signal starts in synchronization with a selected power-off pulse to make the whole screen of the cathode-ray tube bright; and the power supply turns off in synchronization with another selected power-off control pulse, so that the power-off is caused at the termination of the vertical sweeping. Thus, the remaining static electricity is discharged at the lowermost of the screen of the cathode-ray tube. To assure that the residual static electricity is discharged completely, the length of time “t1” (continuing for a selected integer as long as the pulse-to-pulse duration) is determined to meet the size of the cathode-ray tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Orion Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Iji
  • Patent number: 6942371
    Abstract: This invention discloses a backlight module of a liquid crystal display with an electromagnetic-induction system. The backlight module of the present invention comprises: a lightguide sub-module, a first surface of the lightguide sub-module is coupled with the liquid crystal display; an electromagnetic-induction sub-system, the electromagnetic-induction sub-system is located on a second surface of the lightguide sub-module, the electromagnetic-induction sub-module further comprises an antenna sub-circuit and a control sub-module, wherein the antenna sub-circuit is located under the second surface of the lightguide sub-module, and the control sub-module is coupled with the antenna sub-circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Aiptek International Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-An Chen
  • Patent number: 6900830
    Abstract: A CRT display device includes an on-screen display circuit for producing a display signal displayed on-screen on a CRT and superposing said produced display signal on a video signal; a brightness restraining circuit for suppressing the brightness of CRT in a range below an upper limit value based on an anode current of CRT; and a controller for controlling the operation of the on-screen display circuit and the operation of the brightness restraining circuit, and controlling a power supply to turn on or off; wherein when a display signal having a great area ratio of higher brightness portion is a discharging display signal, said controller controls said on-screen display circuit to produce the discharging display signal, upon an instruction for turning off the power supply, and controls the power supply to turn off when the operation of the brightness restraining circuit to suppress the brightness is relieved or stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Okabe
  • Patent number: 6891564
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling aging, cathode ray tube aging including a microcontroller generating brightness level data for aging of the cathode to a video input signal; a video preamplifier connected to the microcontroller receiving the brightness level data by the video input signal and mixing a host video signal to generate a video output signal wherein the brightness level of the video output signal being controlled by the microcontroller; a cutoff control coupled to the video preamplifier receiving brightness data of the video output signal and setting a proper brightness level of a cathode; and a voltage control not coupled to the microcontroller preset for a an initial brightness level of the cathode during aging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Shin Fujimori, Hiyouki Nakazono, Toshinori Hamada
  • Publication number: 20040196373
    Abstract: A burn-in prevention image signal is generated by subjecting an input image signal to blurring and then to contrast inversion to invert the contrast of the signal luminance level. The burn-in prevention image signal is used when the input image is a still image that does not change for a predetermined period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Okano
  • Patent number: 6788285
    Abstract: An embodiment of invention includes a handheld computer having a display. The display provides an output to a user-input. A housing includes a front panel that provides access to the display. A plurality of user-interactive mechanisms are provided on the housing. The user-input mechanisms include a first mechanism that is removably coupled to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: palmOne, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Paolucci, Yann Cheri, Matthieu Baraban, Thierry EsCande
  • Publication number: 20040165064
    Abstract: Phosphor based display technologies show artefacts like “sticking” or “ghost” images produced by “marking” or “burn-in” effects. In order to remove these artefacts it is proposed to activate a portion of the display screen (10) as a wiper and to move the wiper at least one time over the complete display screen (10) or a part of the display screen (10). The wiper will homogenize the complete video screen in order to make the ghost images less visible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Sebastien Weitbruch, Axel Goetzke, Rainer Zwing
  • Publication number: 20040114040
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved burnout imprinting prevention by slowly moving the position of screen content to ensure that no one area of the guns is unused for a long period of time. Optical and/or mechanical elements are provided to redirect the projected image to the center of the screen. As the image moves on the projection guns the optical elements are positioned accordingly to shift the projected image such that the viewable image is fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Bellwood, Leugim A. Bustelo, Julio Eloy Ruano, Matthew Francis Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 6747671
    Abstract: When an image is displayed on a display screen having a larger display area than a displayed image, a size of the displayed image is minutely changed cyclically in order to avoid boundary lines to be recognized when a full size image is displayed on the display screen of the display device. Direction of the size change of the displayed image is in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. In this case additional non-image signal is added to top, bottom, left and/or right of the displayed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Saito
  • Publication number: 20040080617
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for suppressing aesthetic imperfections of a video signal when displayed on a cathode ray tube (CRT) display by compensating for both the picture tube characteristics (e.g. spread, temp drift and ageing of the red, green, blue amplifier and picture tube) and the temperature behavior (e.g. a warm and a cold picture tube start-up behavior) of the picture tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: KONINLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTROICS N.V.
    Inventor: Andre Poelen
  • Publication number: 20030179295
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for preventing appearance of a zigzag flush of light in a cathode-ray tube at the time of turning it off. A train of power-off control pulses are produced in synchronization with the vertical sweeping signal; a spot-killer control signal starts in synchronization with a selected power-off pulse to make the whole screen of the cathode-ray tube bright; and the power supply turns off in synchronization with another selected power-off control pulse, so that the power-off is caused at the termination of the vertical sweeping. Thus, the remaining static electricity is discharged at the lowermost of the screen of the cathode-ray tube. To assure that the residual static electricity is discharged completely, the length of time “t1” (continuing for a selected integer as long as the pulse-to-pulse duration) is determined to meet the size of the cathode-ray tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Iji
  • Patent number: 6608645
    Abstract: In the funnel for use in cathode ray tubes, the thickness of the region ranging from the major axis L to the diagonal axis D is made substantially uniform by keeping the difference in thickness between the regions on the major axis L and the diagonal axis D within 0.3 mm. Another substantially uniform thickness region is formed in the region ranging from 90°−(d+&agr;)° to the minor axis S by keeping the difference in thickness from the minor axis S within 0.3 mm. The thickness of the region on the major axis L is the same as the conventional one. Then the weight of the funnel can be reduced without sacrificing its mechanical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Electric Galss Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Kunitake
  • Publication number: 20030142212
    Abstract: An arrangement for maintaining even tube burn-in. The arrangement identifies active and inactive display regions on a display unit when video content is displayed on the display unit. When inactive display regions are identified the arrangement monitors the duration that the active display regions remain active. After the active display regions become inactive and a predetermined time period has passed the arrangement displays a corrective image on the identified inactive regions. The predetermined time period may be set by a user or based on the user's viewing habits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin Lloyd Grimes, Charles William Worrell
  • Patent number: 6580466
    Abstract: A method for generating a series of images for playback on at least a portion of a display, each image in the series being imperceptibly different from an immediate preceding different image in the series, methods for displaying such images, systems for generating and/or displaying the images and media carrying such images. The images are generated such that each subsequent different image in the image series is different from a prior image by an image difference determined prior to generation of the subsequent corresponding portion of an image. The image series is displayed with such timing that an ordinary viewer cannot perceive the transitions or differences between adjacent or successive images over at least a 5 second interval, yet over time, the displayed scene will progress so that at widely disparate points in time, the displayed images can be perceptibly different, i.e., the scene can be noticeably different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: hOURPLACE, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas R. Siefken
  • Publication number: 20030103143
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling aging, cathode ray tube aging including a microcontroller generating brightness level data for aging of the cathode to a video input signal; a video preamplifier connected to the microcontroller receiving the brightness level data by the video input signal and mixing a host video signal to generate a video output signal wherein the brightness level of the video output signal being controlled by the microcontroller; a cutoff control coupled to the video preamplifier receiving brightness data of the video output signal and setting a proper brightness level of a cathode; and a voltage control not coupled to the microcontroller preset for a an initial brightness level of the cathode during aging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Shin Fujimori, Hiyouki Nakazono, Toshinori Hamada
  • Publication number: 20030030726
    Abstract: A cathode current limiting circuit and method for use with projection color television display systems to prevent overheating and possible cracking of the blue cathode ray tube (CRT) when a continuous blue background is presented. The circuit monitors differences between the respective low level red, green, blue (RGB) signals sent from the video signal processor to the CRT drive which produces the respective RGB cathode or beam currents. When the low level blue signal exceeds both of the red and the green signals by a predetermined differential, the circuit sends a feedback signal to the video signal processor to limit the blue signal and thus the cathode current from the CRT drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: William G. Miller
  • Patent number: 6486900
    Abstract: A system for minimizing screen burn on a display screen caused by the display of video images that do not occupy the entire area of the display screen includes video image processing circuitry for formatting a received video signal to display an active image of the video signal on a portion of the display screen, and for displaying a screen saver on portions of the display screen that are not occupied by the formatted active image. A screen saver library provides a screen saver from a plurality of screen savers. Each screen saver in the plurality of screen savers occupies portions of the display screen that are not occupied by an active image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Richard Chi-Te Shen, Alan Peter Cavallerano
  • Patent number: 6433839
    Abstract: A method for generating a series of images for playback on a display, each image in the series being imperceptibly different from an immediately preceding different image in the series, methods for displaying such images, systems for generating and/or displaying the images and media carrying such images. The image series is displayed with such timing that an ordinary viewer cannot perceive the transitions or differences between adjacent or successive images, yet over time, the displayed scene will progress so that at widely disparate points in time, the displayed images are perceptibly different, i.e., the scene can be noticeably different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: hOURplace, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas R. Siefken
  • Patent number: 6429894
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for equally aging a cathode ray tube (CRT). In the preferred embodiment, a standard CRT having a 4:3 aspect ratio is provided. An external video terminal is coupled to the CRT and receives any number of external video signals, one or more of which may be non-standard external video signals having a 16:9 aspect ratio. In response to a non-standard external video signal, the CRT is illuminated with a mismatched illumination ratio, i.e., a primary CRT region is illuminated and a secondary CRT region is not illuminated, resulting in an unequally aged CRT. A video pattern generator is coupled to the CRT and generates an internal video signal, such that the secondary CRT region is illuminated in response to the internal video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Digital Electronics
    Inventor: James E. Hicks
  • Patent number: 6392695
    Abstract: An image display device having (a) a DVD or a CD, (b) a television receiver, (c) a display for displaying an image from the DVD and the television receiver, (d) a screen burn-in preventer, and (e) a deterioration protector for protecting the display device from deterioration. The screen burn-in preventer discontinues reproduction from the DVD when an image reproduced of the DVD becomes stationary, and the stationary state continues for the predetermined time period. The deterioration protector discontinues reproduction from the DVD at a second predetermined time after the television receiver is turned on while an image reproduced from the DVD is displayed by the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Watamoto, Koichiro Nagata
  • Patent number: 6369851
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying a video signal is described. A video signal is received representing an image having a first aspect ratio, with the image having a top and bottom edge. An edge modification signal is generated. The image is displayed on a display having a second aspect ratio with the top and bottom edge modified in accordance with the edge modification signal. Accordingly, burn lines are minimized through use of the edge modification signal to reduce brightness levels at the top and bottom edge of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Adreon Marflak, Hirohide Kiga, David Scott Arnold
  • 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: 6323915
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying a video signal is described. A first video signal is received representing a first image having a first aspect ratio. The first image is displayed on a display having a second aspect ratio and a display area, with the first image having a smaller area than the display area forming a border area. A second video signal is received representing a second image having the second aspect ratio. A border modification signal is generated. The second image is displayed on the display with the border area modified in accordance with the border modification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Adreon Marflak, Hirohide Kiga, David Scott Arnold
  • Publication number: 20010035874
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the burning of the phosphor of cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor screens used in television systems where necessary textual information is constantly displayed over a video image on the CRT screen. The method involves periodically changing the location of the textual information overlaid onto the video image without altering the information itself so that the information is continuously available, but does not remain in the same place for a prolonged time period which might otherwise burn into the phosphor of the CRT screen. The textual information may be moved as frequently as once per hour to as seldom as once every week or more; and may be move as little as one pixel to as much as several character positions. It is preferred that timing and location of movement of the textual information not be annoying to the user, and that the textual information be positioned discretely on the CRT screen in order to avoid blockage of the underlying video image as much as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Pelco
    Inventors: William Eric Hamilton, Samuel Nikolay Grigorian
  • Publication number: 20010030693
    Abstract: A system and method for creating still images by utilizing a video camera comprises a cradle device that transports the video camera across a target object during a scanning procedure that captures and stores video data. During the scanning procedure, a motion detector captures and provides scan motion data to a scanning manager from the video camera. The scanning manager may then responsively utilize the scan motion data to accurately extract still frames corresponding to the target object from the captured video data at pre-determined time intervals. A stitching software program may then access and combine the still frames generated by the scanning manager to thereby create composite still images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Clay H. Fisher, Eric D. Edwards, Michael W. Blasgen
  • Patent number: 6262772
    Abstract: When viewing a 4:3 aspect ratio image on a widescreen display, disturbing black bands appear to the left and right of the displayed image. Similarly, when viewing a letterbox image on a 4:3 aspect ratio display, disturbing black bands appear above and below the displayed image. These black bands result in uneven ageing of the phosphors in the display screen. An apparatus is provided which detects these black bands and automatically expands the image in the appropriate direction such that these black bands are automatically eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Shen, Alan Cavallerano
  • Patent number: 6242863
    Abstract: A signal for executing a spot killer operation is generated when power is turned OFF, and the signal for the spot killer operation is generated in the power ON state based on a control signal. By generating a signal for executing a spot killer operation and also by generating the signal for executing a spot killer operation in the power ON state based on a control signal, the spot killer operation can be executed using a spot killer circuit irrespective of whether power is ON or turned OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Amaya, Masanori Tachibana
  • Patent number: 6211908
    Abstract: Supplementary grid blanking and spot burn protection are provided in a receiver/monitor (10) by a grid bias control circuit (50) including a blanking signal generator (60) that produces a blanking output signal (S1) devoid of any picture representative component whenever a vertical blanking signal (VB) or a horizontal blanking signal (HB) is present. A capacitor (C1) strips DC from the blanking signal and the resultant signal (S2) is applied to a modulation input (84) of a grid bias generator to produce an output grid bias reference voltage (Vr) modulated by the AC component of the blanking signal. The reference voltage (Vr) is coupled via a spot burn protection circuit (100) and a grid coupling circuit (120) to the control grids of three projection kinescopes (16, 18, 20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson multimedia Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: Dal Frank Griepentrog
  • Patent number: 6195134
    Abstract: A horizontal electron-beam deflector capable of preventing circuits from being damaged due to disturbance such as electric discharge with a simple and small circuit configuration, wherein an AFC circuit inputs a control signal indicating a frequency from a computer, the control signal is output to a deflection circuit, the AFC circuit generates a horizontal synchronization pulse signal, and the deflection circuit generates a horizontal deflection signal while controlling a voltage by using the control signal input from the AFC circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Takahashi, Takatomo Nagamine