Combined Plural Functions (e.g., Picture And Waveform Monitor) Patents (Class 348/185)
  • Patent number: 10564924
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing assistance to users in locating and accessing points of interest associated with particular time positions in the media items using the techniques described herein. For instance, an electronic device outputting a media item may select one or more metadata items based on a current output position in the media item. The electronic device may then generate and output a user interface including a progress bar that includes indicators representing the selected metadata items and output the user interface to a display of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Jaeger, Trevor Arlen Baum, Jason Paul Fields, Young Suk Im, Carlos Raul Pasols, Jr., David Wayne Reid, Francis Andrew Shanahan
  • Patent number: 10102787
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image signal processing apparatus with a function to display an image signal and a luminance waveform representing a relationship between a luminance level and a position in the image signal. The apparatus displays the image signal such that a predetermined color is applied to an area whose luminance level falls within a preset luminance level range. On the other hand, the luminance waveform of the image signal is displayed such that a color corresponding to the predetermined color is applied to an area corresponding to the luminance level range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroya Miura
  • Publication number: 20150146013
    Abstract: A marker generating method is provided for facilitating the finding of positions which correspond to one another among a plurality of images associated with a video signal. A position within an image (800) associated with a video signal is selected, with a cursor (802, 804) to display a marker (812, 822-826) at a position corresponding to the selected position, in a different image (810, 820) associated with the video signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Leader Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yuji Amino, Yoshihiro Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9001213
    Abstract: A video signal waveform monitor is shown, which receives an input video signal composed of video lines. A video signal digitizer samples the input video signal at video sample points to generate a sequence of video pixel data, which is written into an acquisition framestore is organized into a video pixel array so as to represent a raster of the input video signal. A level analyzer reads the video pixel data row-by-row from segments of the video pixel array and increments video level data at addresses in cache memory in response to the serially-read video pixel data. This generates a sequence of video level data, which is written into an output framestore and which represents the level of the waveform of the input video signal. The segments of the video pixel array comprise at least one and less than all of the columns in the video pixel array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Phabrix Limited
    Inventors: Phillip Adams, Barry Donald Ruberry Miles
  • Patent number: 8902782
    Abstract: A method and a device utilizing an algorithm using measurement data derived from parameters related to a video-streaming player and/or parameters related to data transport is disclosed. The data are used as input data in a model designed to generate a value corresponding to the quality of the multimedia sequence, such as for example a MOS score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Jörgen Gustafsson, Gunnar Heikkilä, Martin Pettersson, Xiangchun Tan
  • Patent number: 8887191
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to identify media content using temporal signal characteristics are disclosed. An example method to identify media content includes generating a first signature based on a media content signal, the first signature comprising a plurality of first normalized features, each normalized feature corresponding to a signal peak and located at a temporal location of the signal peak in the audio signal, correlating the first signature to a reference signature comprising second normalized features to obtain an index, and determining that the first signature represents the same media content as the reference signature when the index is greater than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventor: Morris Lee
  • Patent number: 8839282
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the quality of DRM-protected multimedia data streams, the system comprising at least one computer having a network connection to receive at least one said DRM-protected multimedia data stream, program memory, working memory, and a processor coupled to said program memory, working memory, and wherein said program memory stores processor control code for a media player for said multimedia data stream and code to control said processor to: play said DRM-protected multimedia data stream to provide at least a decrypted video data output stream for display on a monitor; capture still image data from a succession of still images from said video data output stream; process said still image data to detect greater than a threshold difference between at least two of said still images; and output fault data identifying a potential video quality fault responsive to absence of detection of said greater than a threshold difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Pawel Kosciewicz
  • Patent number: 8817108
    Abstract: A method is for monitoring the electrical integrity of lines of photosites of an imaging device with matrix array of photosites. The control lines of photosites may include for each line of photosites an emission of elementary electrical control signals for the photosites of the line. The method may include diagnosis of the elementary electrical control signals emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventor: Pascal Mellot
  • Patent number: 8619850
    Abstract: An integrated real-time display is provided that includes video images and a graphical representation of the transmission path, where each video image is associated with a point along the graphical representation of the transmission path. A number of monitoring points, which correspond to critical points along the transmission path are identified. The points may be selected for technical reasons or economic reasons. The graphical representation of the transmission path can be a logical representation showing the logic blocks along the transmission path or a physical representation showing the devices along the transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Weather Channel, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Smereski, Robert D. Butler
  • Patent number: 8487950
    Abstract: An overflow suppression technique that is effective for avoiding degradation in image quality is provided. A fundamental waveform and detail is extracted out of an input RGB signal. A suppression gain generation unit 614 generates a suppression gain from the extracted fundamental waveform. Multipliers 612a and 612b multiply the detail and the fundamental waveform by the generated suppression gain, respectively. Then, an adder 626 combines them together for a mixed output. Alternatively, equalization processing is performed as follows. A low frequency component fundamental waveform is obtained as a result of the passing of an input RGB signal through a low pass filter 622. A suppression gain is generated from the low frequency component fundamental waveform. Then, the input itself is multiplied by the suppression gain to obtain an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: Taiyo Yuden Co. Ltd., Microspace Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Tanaka, Kazuo Asanuma, Mamoru Sakamoto, Yasuo Hosaka, Akinobu Maekawa, Hidehumi Nakagome
  • Patent number: 8350894
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing stereoscopic imaging. The method may involve obtaining a first image of a scene, at a first time, using a camera disposed on a platform, where the distance between the camera and the scene is changing. The camera may be used to obtain a second image of the scene, at a second time, with one of the first and second images being larger than the other. One of the images that is larger than the other may be resized so that the sizes of the two images are substantially similar. Both of the images may be rotated a predetermined degree so that the images form a stereo pair that may be viewed with a stereoscope viewing component or made into an anaglyph for viewing with an anaglyph viewing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Turner, David W. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8339976
    Abstract: A method and a device utilizing an algorithm using measurement data derived from parameters related to a video-streaming player and/or parameters related to data transport is disclosed. The data are used as input data in a model designed to generate a value corresponding to the quality of the multimedia sequence, such as for example a MOS score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Jörgen Gustafsson, Xiangchun Tan, Gunnar Heikkilä, Martin Pettersson
  • Patent number: 8274026
    Abstract: The invention relates to image focus. In particular, it relates to a focus assist system that conveys focus level data to a user. There are a wide variety of different display methods, including, but not limited to, graphs, highlights, symbols, and varied levels of brightness or color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: RED.COM, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Graeme Nattress
  • Patent number: 8253804
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a video signal detection system to measure video signals. A measurement method can measure the video signals by using the electronic device. The measurement method sets measurement parameters that are used to measure video signals. Furthermore, the measurement method generates measurement results that each corresponds to a video signal transmission channel between the electronic device and a video signal processing device. In addition, the measurement method generates a measurement report according to all the measurement results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui-Hsiung Ho, Wang-Ding Su
  • Patent number: 8164632
    Abstract: A picture is scrolled on a display 5 to be measured, and the scrolling moving picture is pursuit-captured by a color camera 3 so as to obtain a pursuit-captured moving picture image. A moving picture response curve using received light intensity data obtained based upon the pursuit-captured moving picture image is converted into a color moving picture response curve using emission intensity of display elements of the display 5 to be measured. The coloration of an edge part of the pursuit-captured moving picture image is decomposed into the respective color components, by which objective quantitative evaluations of color shifting can be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Otsuka Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshi Enami, Yoshihisa Furukawa, Hiroyuki Nakamoto, Tsutomu Mizuguchi
  • Patent number: 8108887
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to identify media content using temporal signal characteristics are disclosed. An example method to identify media content includes receiving a reference signal corresponding to known media content and generating a reference signature based on the reference signal. The method further includes generating a plurality of sums based on peaks in the media signal and identifying one or more signal peaks based on the generated sums. The method then generates a second signature based on a plurality of normalized curve features, wherein each normalized curve feature corresponds to a signal peak at the temporal location of the signal peak, and determines whether the media signal corresponds to the reference signal based a comparison of the reference signature and the second signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventor: Morris Lee
  • Patent number: 8055077
    Abstract: A realtime display compression for a waveform image uses a priority basis for combining groups of pixels when producing a compressed waveform image in order to preserve intensity information. As an example successive lines of data for the waveform image are demultiplexed into line buffers in a circulating manner, the number of line buffers being a function of the maximum desired integer compression ratio. The outputs from the line buffers are aligned and the corresponding pixels are combined according to a desired compression ratio, one output line for each integer compression ratio. The appropriate compressed line is selected as the output line according to the desired compression ratio, with the totality of the output lines forming the compressed waveform image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff W. Mucha, Robert L. Beasley
  • Patent number: 8045052
    Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing device (1, 48, 51) including: several image signal inputs (2-9) for receiving a respective image input signal, the signals being unsynchronized; at least one image signal output (23-26) for emitting at least one image output signal; a combiner (22) for combining the different image input signals to form the image output signal; several synchronizers (14-21), which are respectively connected downstream of the image signal inputs (2-9) and which synchronize the unsynchronized image input signals; and several distorters or rectifiers for distorting or rectifying the individual image input signals before they are combined to form the image output signal. According to the invention, the distorters or rectifiers are formed by the individual synchronizers (14-21) and the image input signals are distorted or rectified independently of one another by one or more synchronizers (14-21). The invention also relates to an associated operating method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Hans-Guenther Nusseck, Heinrich H. Buelthoff
  • Patent number: 7544919
    Abstract: The invention relates to image focus. In particular, it relates to a focus assist system that conveys focus level data to a user. There are a wide variety of different display methods, including, but not limited to, graphs, highlights, symbols, and varied levels of brightness or color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Red.Com, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Graeme Nattress
  • Patent number: 7535487
    Abstract: A measuring instrument is fed with a video output signal, and performs RGB processing on the video output signal to generate graphic data. A video signal level in the graphic data is measured and video signal level data is generated. Display data including the graphic data and the video signal level data is generated. A display device receives display data from the measuring instrument. The display data is visualized and an image and a video signal level are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Leader Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Genichi Imamura, Masaaki Nagai, Takayuki Miyajiri
  • Patent number: 7477286
    Abstract: A system for providing an easily usable composite legality and component gamut display translates a video input signal into a plurality of component and composite format signals. A user selects from the plurality of component and composite format signals a pair of signals for input to the y-axis and x-axis of a rectangular plot. The resulting rectangular plot includes every pixel within a video frame of the video input signal and, together with prescribed limits, is displayed to provide a visual indication of composite legality and/or component gamut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Kathryn A. Engholm
  • Patent number: 7405748
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a video signal comprises means for detecting a gamut error in an R component, means for detecting a gamut error in a G component, and means for detecting a gamut error in a B component. The means for detecting a gamut error in the R component includes: means for generating a first condition Y>S?a×Pr (where a is a predetermined coefficient) and a second condition Y<T?a×Pr from a Pr component of a Y/color difference component signal and an upper limit value S and a lower limit value T of the RGB component signal. The apparatus further comprises means for making a gamut error state visually recognizable with respect to the R component when the first condition or the second condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Leader Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Shiozawa
  • Patent number: 7405747
    Abstract: K2T measurement of video signals, regardless of video format, is determined by generating a graticule using an algorithm having a single variable that is a function of the video format for the particular video signal. The graticule is set to a normalized value of one for a range of +/?T, where T is a function of the video format. The graticule is set to a normalized value over a range of +/?(1.5T to flatBreak) according to a human vision masking model algorithm expressed as K+C/t, where K is a constant K factor, t is a function of T, and C is the single variable that is a function of the video format. The normalized value of the graticule beyond a point designated by flatBreak is a constant=K. Finally a linear curve fit between one and K+C/t over the range of +/?(T to 1.5T) sets the remaining values for the graticule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7301559
    Abstract: A measuring instrument is fed with a video output signal, and performs RGB processing on the video output signal to generate graphic data. A video signal level in the graphic data is measured and video signal level data is generated. Display data including the graphic data and the video signal level data is generated. A display device receives display data from the measuring instrument. The display data is visualized and an image and a video signal level are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Leader Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Genichi Imamura, Masaaki Nagai, Takayuki Miyajiri
  • Patent number: 7233349
    Abstract: A timing alignment or offset display shows the relationship between a reference signal and a test signal, in particular two analog or digital video signals. Timing extraction circuits derive a lower frequency signal synchronized to horizontal lines and a higher frequency signal synchronized to the pixel sampling rate. A reference time pulse is also derived from the reference signal. Two offsets are counted by determining a line count and a sample or clock cycle count between corresponding reference points in the test and reference signals. A coarse line count offset and a fine timing offset are thereby obtained and are displayed by movable markers on opposite sides of a scale line. The markers are centering and aligned when the frame/field alignment and the color and/or sample portions of the signals correspond in time. Tabular data, distinct coloring and alarms also are depicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Videotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy A. Mauger, Robert C. Zwiebel, David R. Guerrero
  • Patent number: 7071965
    Abstract: An artistic color gamut display is generated by obtaining maximum and minimum values for an RGB signal. The maximum and minimum values are used as X and Y values for an XY plot. A triangular graticule, or Spearhead display, is generated for the XY plot having a first side representing Lightness, a second side representing saturation and a third side representing Value. The area within the Spearhead display represents valid color gamut. The Spearhead display may be combined with more traditional displays, such as Vector or Arrowhead displays, to provide a completely three-dimensional analysis of the RGB signal in terms of the artistic parameters of Hue, Saturation and Value or Lightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Baker
  • Patent number: 7038711
    Abstract: Audio processing using a video rasterizer allows simultaneous display of both audio and video data on the same raster display. Audio samples are clocked into a buffer memory, such as a first-in, first-out (FIFO) buffer, by an audio clock and clocked out of the buffer memory by a rasterizer (system) clock to allow the audio data to cross over from the audio clock domain to the video clock domain. The audio data is then upsampled by a sample ratio converter/interpolator before being processed by a video display engine. The video display engine includes a polyphase filter for upsampling display data for input to a rasterizer from which the data is read for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan Albright
  • Publication number: 20040155964
    Abstract: Audio processing using a video rasterizer allows simultaneous display of both audio and video data on the same raster display. Audio samples are clocked into a buffer memory, such as a first-in, first-out (FIFO) buffer, by an audio clock and clocked out of the buffer memory by a rasterizer (system) clock to allow the audio data to cross over from the audio clock domain to the video clock domain. The audio data is then upsampled by a sample ratio converter/interpolator before being processed by a video display engine. The video display engine includes a polyphase filter for upsampling display data for input to a rasterizer from which the data is read for display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Evan Albright
  • Publication number: 20040130625
    Abstract: A measuring instrument 50 comprises: a) means which is fed with a video output signal, and performs RGB processing on the video output signal to generate graphic data; b) means for measuring a video signal level in the graphic data, and generating video signal level data; and c) means for generating display data including the graphic data and the video signal level data. A display device 10 comprises: a) means for receiving the display data from the measuring instrument 50; and b) means for visualizing the display data and displaying an image and a video signal level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Genichi Imamura, Masaaki Nagai, Takayuki Miyajiri
  • Patent number: 6493024
    Abstract: A digital video signal monitoring apparatus comprises means (2,4,6) for receiving a digital video signal and extracting therefrom a plurality of digital signals, each of which comprises a plurality of successive digital sample values. The apparatus further comprises means (10) for interpolating additional digital values intermediate the successive samples of the or each extracted digital signal and means for displaying the waveform of the or each extracted digital signal as a series of discrete points corresponding to its respective digital sample values and interpolated digital values. Thus, none of the original signal information is lost in displaying a signal waveform having a substantially continuous appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Hamlet Video International Limited
    Inventors: Richard Hartley, David Thomas Hartley
  • Patent number: 6489988
    Abstract: This invention aims to provide a method and apparatus for detecting a synchronization shift in which the synchronization shift between an original image and a reproduced image can be accurately detected even if noises are generated by a video codec or the like. An original image sent out from an image source 1 has a sine wave for synchronization overwritten thereon in a frame memory. The image on which the sine wave has been overwritten is decoded in a codec and stored in another frame memory. The two images srored. in two frame memories are simultaneously started to be read out. From the image from the other frame memory, only the sine wave is extracted in a notch filter, subjected to an offset correction in an adder, and inputted to asynchronization shift detecting unit. The synchronization shift detecting unit uses the sine wave to detect line, frame and horizontal pixel shifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Kokusai Denshin Denwa Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Hamada, Satoshi Miyaji, Shuichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6448963
    Abstract: A device for coding an error generated in processing sync signals is adapted to code an error caused the incompatibility between a video card and a display monitor so that the user can analyze the cause of the error in the sync signals more effectively from the error code displayed on an OSD display. The device includes: a microcomputer responsive to horizontal and vertical sync signals generated by a video card for discriminating resolutions, and coding an error signal into an error code during discrimination of the resolutions; and an error code section for saving the error code received from the microcomputer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seok-Joo Han
  • Patent number: 6275257
    Abstract: An apparatus and method useful in a test and measurement instrument for selecting a particular television field for display, determines the television system standard from the input signal, uses the standard selection to determine the time for one field, and multiplies the field rate by an operator-supplied number of fields to calculate the required holdoff time. The subject invention relieves the operator from turning the holdoff control multiple times, and also relieves the operator from having to calculate the time delays for any of one to seven fields of holdoff (in the case of a PAL signal).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Tallman, Murlan R. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 6130708
    Abstract: A waveform monitor receives HDTV and SDTV signals that are provided to a channel and an external trigger terminal respectively. An HDTV signal processor 14 produces a reference clock PCLK from the HDTV signal. A counter starts counting at the vertical sync signal of the SDTV signal and generates a trigger every time the count of the reference clock PCLK reaches a predetermined number (2,200, for example). This allows generation of a trigger signal which is phase locked to the vertical sync signal of the SDTV signal, and of which the frequency is the same as the horizontal line frequency of the HDTV signal. Therefore the waveform monitor can display the HDTV waveform line by line even though the HDTV and SDTV signals have different numbers of lines per field. The waveform monitor can be used to measure phase difference between television signals of difference formats, such as the HDTV and the SDTV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Sony/Tektronix Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kitagawa, Norihiko Sato
  • Patent number: 6069607
    Abstract: An audio-video signal processor for use with a standard non-interlaced computer monitor has at least one video input for receiving an analog or digital input signal. The signal processor generates a resized non-interlaced video image, graphic video waveform and vector diagram based on the video input signal. Analog and digital stereo audio is also processed, and preferably bar graphs including audio level and phase data are displayed based on the audio input signal. The signal processor simultaneously displays the resized non-interlaced video image, graphic video waveform, vector diagram and audio graphic display in progressive scan format, each in a portion of the standard non-interlaced computer monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Videotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Everett, Kenneth J. Michel, Richard R. Hollowbush, Matthew J. Washko, Michael L. Richardson, Philip L. Leifer
  • Patent number: 5978045
    Abstract: A system for processing an input signal so as to automatically apply a plurality of effects thereto in a user-defined manner. The dynamics of the input signal are analyzed so as to generate a plurality of signal characteristics. Each signal characteristic is processed through a plurality of effects in a manner controlled by the user so as to be routed automatically to such of the effects in the plurality of effects as the user defines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics
    Inventor: James S. Mercs
  • Patent number: 5974386
    Abstract: A sound processing apparatus is provided with a sound information input device, a recording device to record the sound information, a converting device to convert the sound information into image information, and a display device to display the image information, the display device being such that the vertical and horizontal directions of the display device are time axes and the unit of one of the time axes is longer than the unit of the other time axis. The image information displayed on the display device can be selected by a selection device to display the sound information. The sound information can also be displayed as image information corresponding to a frequency component of the sound information within a predetermined time. The frequency component may be detected using discrete cosine transformation (DCT) for compressing the sound information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Ejima, Toshio Uchikawa, Makoto Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 5959607
    Abstract: A trace coloring system enhances signal information that is provided to a user of a signal measurement device, for example, a digitizing oscilloscope or spectrum analyzer, having a color display for displaying graphical depictions of electrical signals. Trace coloring logic (hardware, software, or a combination thereof) colors a trace with different colors, each indicating a corresponding range of signal values. As an example, in the context of an oscilloscope, the trace may be colored with various colors to visually indicate which areas of the trace correspond to particular logic levels. A first color may be allocated to a logic low ("0"), a second color to a logic high ("1"), a third color to an indeterminate range that is between logic low and high, and a fourth color to an extreme value that is outside a desired or acceptable predefined logic range. In the preferred embodiment, the trace coloring logic is implemented in software that is executed by a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Allen Montijo
  • Patent number: 5949495
    Abstract: Generation of digital cursors for serial digital television waveform monitors includes inputting hexadecimal values for the cursors by an operator via a front panel. The hexadecimal values are received by a microprocessor which loads them into appropriate registers of a co-processor. The outputs of the cursor registers in the co-processor are input to respective inputs of a multiplexer together with a digital signal representing a serial digital television signal. A select signal for the multiplexer is generated by a selection circuit that is enabled by a digital cursor ON command when the waveform monitor is in a cursor mode. The selection circuit at predetermined locations of the digital signal generates the select signal so that the appropriate cursor values are inserted into the digital signal at those locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Tallman, Kenneth M. Ainsworth, Bob Elkind
  • Patent number: 5896168
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting video characteristics of a CRT screen having a plurality of adjustment mechanisms for adjusting visual characteristics of the CRT screen. Further included is a video playback mechanism adapted to display a screen format on the CRT video screen upon the actuation thereof. The screen format comprises a plurality of areas of various colors. A viewing mechanism is included to allow viewing of the screen format of the CRT screen therethrough. Upon viewing the screen format of the CRT screen through the viewing mechanism, a user may manipulate the adjustment mechanisms for properly adjusting the visual characteristics of the CRT screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: David J. Hedwall
  • Patent number: 5808464
    Abstract: In an oscilloscope having a video signal input, a video signal and the like can be monitored in addition to the normal waveform monitoring operation as the oscilloscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi Denshi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Natori, Mitsunobu Iwabuchi, Masatake Nakanishi, Shigeki Ozawa
  • Patent number: 5677742
    Abstract: The apparatus for displaying a clamp point on a screen includes an input amplifier; a clamp circuit which includes a sync separation circuit and a one shot; and a blanking circuit. The video signal is applied to the clamp circuit via the input amplifier and the output signal therefrom is applied to the blanking circuit to be modulated with respect to its brightness. Thus, the brightness-modulated clamp point is readily located on a screen of, for example, an oscilloscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Leader Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Kentaro Ozawa
  • Patent number: 5526042
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying line and frame waveforms having different time-scales of a video signal on a display screen is described which comprises complex sweep signal generating means including a line sweep signal generating circuit 2, a frame sweep signal generating circuit 3 and a switching circuit 4, and horizontal axis drive circuit including a horizontal location arrangement circuit 5 and a horizontal axis drive circuit 6. The line and frame sweep signal generating circuits 2 and 3 generate line and frame sweep signals S.sub.2 and S.sub.3 synchronously with line and frame synchronization signals of the video signal, respectively, and the switching circuit 4 alternatively transfers the line and frame sweep signals S.sub.2 and S.sub.3, synchronously with the frame synchronization signal to generate a complex sweep signal S.sub.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Leader Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Kentaro Ozawa, Haruhisa Egami
  • Patent number: 5519440
    Abstract: A composite signal-limit indicator for a component monitor converts an input video signal, such a digital 422 signal or a GBR signal, into composite Y and Mag C component signals The composite Y and Mag C component signals are presented on an X-Y display together with graticules that represent the locus of 100 IRE values and of -20 IRE values. Points of the composite Y and Mag C component signals that fall outside the arrowhead formed by the graticules indicate composite signal level violations for the input video signal. The composite Y and Mag C component signals are combined and compared with the limits represented by the graticules. The results of the comparison are latched for further processing to automatically provide the composite signal-limit indicator. The results of the comparison may also be used to generate a bright-up display on an image monitor that flickers to indicate the locations within the image represented by the input video signal where the composite signal level violations occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Baker
  • Patent number: 5504522
    Abstract: A signal monitor apparatus displays an envelope image of an audio signal together with an image of a related video signal on a picture screen of a monitor. When applied to a system including a plurality of signal sources and corresponding systems, the signal monitor apparatus can monitor the whole system as a whole and therefore the operator can reliably monitor abnormalities, such as a wire break or other trouble. This signal monitor apparatus comprises signal sources, an A/D converter (14) for converting audio signals from the signal sources into digital signals, a decimation filter (15) and a rounder (16) for compressing timebases of the outputs from the A/D converter (14), a data converter (17), a RAM (18), a timing controller (19) and a video circuit (21) for converting the compressed outputs into video signals, a video mixer (23) for mixing original video signals and the converted audio signal converted into a video signal and a monitor (24) for displaying a mixed output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Setogawa
  • Patent number: 5440338
    Abstract: Video cameras, such as charge coupled device cameras, are used for optically making spatial measurements. For example, such cameras are used for laser beam analysis. Such cameras also have drawbacks including baseline offset error and poor signal-to-noise ratio. By adjusting the baseline so that both noise and the desired signal produce only positive digital counts, deriving a baseline offset level with only noise, and then subtracting the baseline offset level from subsequent frames Containing data representing both noise and the desired signal, the baseline offset is corrected. With the baseline offset being corrected, signal-to-noise ratio improving techniques, such as frame averaging and results averaging, can be applied to extract the desired signals which would otherwise be buried in the noise. The method and apparatus is particularly suited to laser beam performance evaluations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Spiricon, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos B. Roundy, Gregory E. Slobodzian, Kurt Jensen
  • Patent number: 5323231
    Abstract: The invention concerns the measurement of the radiant density of electron beams from shadow mask tubes. According to a known process, the beam is displaced on the screen and pictures are taken of the light spot areas, as they are detected by the effect of apertures when the beam has been displaced. The pictures are then evaluated with respect to their luminance distribution. This process requires an extraordinary number of adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Nokia Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Hassler, Herbert Kilgus, Jurgen Reinknecht
  • Patent number: 5291285
    Abstract: A television signal level meter is provided which is capable of simultaneously displaying levels for a multitude of television channels in a scale having a variable dynamic range. The television meter includes a level image forming means for displaying signal levels of a multitude of channels, a scale forming means for forming a scale suitable for simultaneously displaying the signal levels of the channels, and an image forming means for displaying channel numbers associated with the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Leader Electronics
    Inventors: Itoshi Yokoyama, Masaaki Nagai, Kakuya Saito