Basic Receiver With Additional Function Patents (Class 348/553)
  • Patent number: 8436940
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting an image format of data and a method thereof is disclosed. An apparatus for converting an image format of data comprises an image converter (126) for converting parameters of the image format, an encoder (127) for encoding the format changed data and a file system converter (128) for changing the encodes data into a file system supported by an external interface (121). Also, a method for converting an image format of data comprises converting the image format of data into another image format, encoding the format changed data into a compressed data, and converting data into a file system which an external interface supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kwang Hee Ha
  • Publication number: 20130107121
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to notify a visually impaired visual media consumer of the availability of audio description for items of visual media via one or more audible indications. Further, a catalog of items of visual media can be sorted or arranged such that items of visual media having audio description may be selected or inquired about in a quicker and more convenient manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION, A JAPANESE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Blanchard
  • Publication number: 20130107122
    Abstract: An image display device including a communication unit configured to wirelessly or wiredly communicate with external devices; a display unit configured to display media content being reproduced on the image display device; and a controller configured to distinguish at least one external device that can be controlled to generate an effect of stimulating senses of a user watching the reproduced media content, and to control the distinguished external device to generate the effect of stimulating the senses of the user in accordance with effects occurring on the displayed media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Sungchang HA
  • Patent number: 8427589
    Abstract: A circuit for audibly indicating at least one state of a television receiver includes memory operative to store at least one audio file, and a controller. The controller is operative during a power-on interval of the television receiver to forward the at least one audio file to an audio indicating device associated with the television receiver for audibly indicating the at least one state of the television receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Agere Systems LLC
    Inventor: Roger A. Fratti
  • Publication number: 20130083241
    Abstract: A video display apparatus includes: a display module that displays a video; an illuminating module that illuminates the display module; a battery that supplies a power to the display module and the illuminating module; and a display controller that controls the illuminating module to continue illuminating and the display module to switch display of video when the video display apparatus is driven by the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Junko Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8411201
    Abstract: A multifunctional display device displays a menu including shortcut objects. A processor assigns each object to one of a broadcast channel, network address, or an application. The objects may be an alphabetical character, number, symbol, or icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Haengjoon Kang, Myongwon Suh
  • Patent number: 8411208
    Abstract: A television includes at least two inputs and at least one connected device (component). Upon a system event such as changing from one input to another input, the television signals the at least one connected device to change at least one operating parameter of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Vizio Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Blake McRae
  • Patent number: 8411073
    Abstract: A video processing device comprises a display interface coupleable to a display device and a display controller configured to transmit a video signal via an output node of the display interface. The video signal comprises an active segment comprising video information and an inactive segment comprising synchronization information. The video processing device further comprises a display detector configured to determine whether the display device is coupled to the display interface based on a comparison of a first voltage at the output node during transmission of the inactive segment to a second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: David Glen, Jatin Naik, Raymond Chau, Paul Edelshteyn, Richard Fung
  • Patent number: 8395706
    Abstract: A display device includes a receiving unit for receiving output data relating to a content transmitted from an information processing device, a display unit for providing a display based on the output data received by the receiving unit, a transmitting unit for transmitting a setting change request to an output device for providing an output based on the output data via the information processing device, a display generation unit for generating a setting change screen on the basis of setting information transmitted from the output device via the information processing device in response to the setting change request, and an operation detection unit for detecting a user operation. The transmitting unit transmits the contents of the setting change based on the user operation detected by the operation detection unit in the setting change screen to the output device via the information processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuaki Toba
  • Patent number: 8390640
    Abstract: A television device structured to automatically adjust the color temperature on the display screen in accordance with the viewing environment includes an external light detection unit or an optical sensor for detecting the illuminance and the tint of the ambient light, and an image quality control unit or a microcomputer for adjusting quality of the video image to be displayed on the display panel. The image quality control unit adjusts the color temperature of the video image to be displayed in accordance with the illuminance value and the tint value detected by the external light detection unit. The optical sensor includes an illuminance sensor for mainly detecting the visible light, and an infrared sensor for mainly detecting the infrared light. The illuminance value and the tint value are obtained based on the output values of those two sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aoki, Akira Kitazume, Daisuke Honda, Naoya Oka, Yuki Nagano, Hiroyuki Kurabayashi, Akihiro Shiraishi, Toshiaki Ohyama
  • Patent number: 8390615
    Abstract: A television 1 of the present invention is a television 1 for processing display data and displaying an image based on the processed display data, the display data containing the image and a control script that defines at least a function of displaying the image, wherein the television 1 includes a basic function executing section 42 for executing a basic function program called from the control script, the basic function program being stored in a basic function program storage section 29; and a control script executing section 41 for controlling basic function executing section 42 according to the control script so as to perform a first function for displaying the image, the first function being defined by the control script, the control script further defines a second function which the television 1 performs while the image is being displayed by the first function, and the control script executing section 41 controls the basic function executing section 42 according to the control script so as to execute th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Furukawa, Masafumi Hirata, Soichi Nitta, Tatsuo Sudo, Azusa Umemoto, Aya Enatsu, Masafumi Takahashi, Takuya Kinoshita, Kiyotaka Kashito, Katsuo Doi, Satoshi Eguchi, Hideyuki Otokawa, Kentaro Sakakura, Masaki Hasiura
  • Patent number: 8385728
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for searching a start position of a broadcast program. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a received broadcast program is recorded in a recording medium while being output as video and audio. If a new broadcast program is started, position information regarding a start part of the new broadcast program is stored in a memory. Thus, a current broadcast program is reproduced from a start part by searching a start position of the current broadcast program recorded in the recording medium with reference to stored position information. A determination on whether the new broadcast program is started is done on the basis of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information or a change in audio and video signals. Accordingly, it is possible to quickly search and reproduce a start part of a broadcast program which is currently recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Humax Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Chul Chung
  • Patent number: 8379039
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide several novel methods for distributing image content (e.g., picture content, video content, etc.). In some embodiments, the method tags the content with data that specifies an initial target color-region for the content. Some embodiments tag the data when the content is being created, while other embodiments tag the data when the content is being edited. The method uses the tag data to reformat the content for one or more different targets for the content. For instance, during the reformatting, some embodiments use the tags to perform proper color region conversion on the content. In some embodiments, this conversion converts the colors of each pixel in the content from the initial target color region to a subsequent target color region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Greenebaum
  • Patent number: 8339514
    Abstract: Rather than have a unique code set per TV product, a common code base is provided to service multiple products and even multiple product lines. Embedded systems can be upgraded through a network connection. The software architecture provides a flexible approach to supporting multiple product offerings through a plug-in modular middle-ware and to providing standardized hardware acceleration for both 2D and 3D graphics. The plug-in capability provides for feature additions and upgrades after sale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Dawson, Aixin Liu, Kai Liu, Andy Nguyen, Ling Jun Wong
  • Patent number: 8334927
    Abstract: A television includes a control section, an interface and an external software module. The control section includes a processor and an internal memory that is in communication with the processor. The internal memory stores original program instructions for use by the processor to operate the television in accordance with the original program instructions. The interface is accessible exteriorly of the television and is in communication with the control section. The external software module is connectable to the interface and stores additional application program instructions that are downloadable to the control section when the external software module is connected to the interface. The downloaded additional application program instructions enable the television to function in a manner differently than any of the original program instructions. A method for adding new application program instructions to a television is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Guillermo Castano
  • Patent number: 8330862
    Abstract: An STB (104), which reduces operating load of a user and causes a television (101) and an amplifier (102) to be appropriately linked, includes: a receiving unit (204) which receives a broadcast signal including an application program written in Java (registered trademark); a Java VM (403) which executes the application program; a CEC (401b4) which performs HDMI-CEC-compliant communication between each of the television (101) and the amplifier (102); and a device control library (405e) which performs conversion between data handled by an application program and data communicated by the CEC (401b4), so that the television (101) and the amplifier (102) can be controlled by the application program executed by the Java VM (403).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Matsuo, Takakazu Shiomi
  • Patent number: 8330867
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus having the cold-warm color producing processing unit for producing the cold-warm color frame, and an interpolation frame producing unit for producing an interpolation frame of the image signal, wherein the interpolation frame producing unit produces the interpolation frame of the image signal, using the cold-warm color frame produced in said cold-warm color producing processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Sakaniwa, Mitsuo Nakajima, Masahiro Ogino
  • Patent number: 8325277
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display; a receiver which receives a broadcasting signal including a program with a data format; an image processing part which processes the received program according to an available data format; and a controller which controls the image processing part to display a message informing that both data formats are not matched on the display if the data format of the received program is not matched with the available data format to be processed by the image processing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeon-jung Choi, Dong-il Mo
  • Patent number: 8310593
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the apparatus has a first block configured to be connected to a receiving block for a television signal and a second block independent from the first block, configured to be connected to a network. A bypass route is configured to lead a bypass stream including an image signal from the first block to the second block. A processor is configured to generate a return stream by inserting the image signal from the network into the image signal on the bypass stream, at the second block. A return pass is configured to return the return stream to the first block. And a converter is configured to convert the image signal included in the return stream into a signal for output and display, at the first block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hisashi Mogi, Mitsuaki Moritani
  • Publication number: 20120281141
    Abstract: A reception apparatus includes: a reception unit configured to receive a broadcast stream at least including a data stream for data broadcasting; a first style selector configured to select a display style for each of data broadcast content acquired from the broadcast stream received by the reception unit; a second style selector configured to select, when the data broadcast content corresponding to the style selected by the first style selector corresponds to a plurality of display styles, one display style out of the plurality of display styles; and a display unit configured to display the data broadcast content corresponding to the style selected by the first style selector or the second style selector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Naohisa KITAZATO, YOSHIHARU DEWA, IZUMI HATAKEYAMA, MASAYUKI OBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20120281142
    Abstract: An objective video quality estimation technique is disclosed. The technique may be based on a video bitstream model, using parameters taken from the video coding layer of the bitstream for estimating the quality of the video. The technique can be implemented as a method, a computer program, a computer program product, a device, or any one of a server node, a client terminal and a network node comprising the device. As a method embodiment, the technique comprises receiving a video bitstream comprising a series of picture frames; determining an error occurrence in a picture frame of the video bitstream; determining at least one of a temporal propagation and a spatial propagation of the error; and estimating the quality of the video bitstream based on result of the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson(publ)
    Inventors: Martin Pettersson, Andreas Rossholm
  • Patent number: 8294821
    Abstract: A software or hardware agent running on a personal computing device provides allows application programs to interact with consumer electronic devices using standardized controls. The consumer electronic devices appear to be directly connected to the personal computing device rather than being connected over a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) network. This enables a user to control the consumer electronic devices using a single interface rather than a separate interface for each consumer electronic device. The agent enumerates a universal serial bus (USB) human interface device (HID) for each consumer electronic device reported on the HDMI network. The USB HIDs represent the specific capabilities of the each one of the consumer electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Overby, Robert William Chapman
  • Patent number: 8289453
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosed for driving a display device by which display of a moving image with natural movement is achieved while occurrence of flicker is minimized or prevented. The method for driving a display device includes a display screen where pixels are arranged in a matrix includes inputting image signals for one frame into the display device at established intervals, writing a gray level in accordance with the signal in each of the pixels, and displaying an image on the screen, wherein interpolation is performed between a first gray level of each of the pixels in accordance with an image signal inputted in a given frame, and a second gray level of each of the pixels in accordance with an image signal inputted in a next frame, whereby the gray level of each of the pixels continuously changes from the first gray level to the second gray level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Teragawa
  • Publication number: 20120257107
    Abstract: In an illumination device (1) in which a light source (12) is arranged to the side of a light guide plate (11), which guides light that enters the light guide plate (11) through an entrance surface (11a) and which emits illumination light through an emission surface (11b), there are provided: a light guide plate assembly (10) that uses a holding member (13) so as to integrally hold the light source (12) and the light guide plate (11); and an enclosure (2) that houses the light guide plate assembly (10). Here, the position of the light guide plate assembly (10) in a direction of the thickness of the light guide plate assembly (10) is regulated by the inner surface of the enclosure (2), and a predetermined gap (S) in the direction of the thickness is provided between the inner surface of the enclosure (2) and the light guide plate assembly (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kohji Itoh
  • Patent number: 8285215
    Abstract: A system and method bringing video to commercial FM and video to Sub-Carrier Authorization programming, the system would make use of a Double Sideband Suppress Carrier SCA frequency at 67 kHz, modulated by a Slow San Video Converter for providing minute by minute snap shots of video related to the audio program on the main FM channel such as if the main FM channel being listened to is 87.5 MHz then the related video channel would be 87.567 MHz, also, an additional audio/slow scan video FM station would be available as well and will be known as fm2, the audio portion of fm2 is an Independent Sideband Suppressed Carrier for providing audio in stereo at the SCA frequency at 114 kHz the slow scan video portion of the station is again another Double Sideband Suppress Carrier SCA at the frequency of 92 kHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Keith Jones (aka Jabari)
  • Patent number: 8285223
    Abstract: A deviation from an expected wireless link status between a wireless display device and a local wireless media transmission device is detected via the wireless display device. The local wireless media transmission device is located proximate to the wireless display device. It is determined that an expected wireless signal is not incident upon a first wireless receiver of the wireless display device based upon the detected deviation from the expected wireless link status. A problem is identified that causes the detected deviation from the expected wireless link status. A wireless status indicator is displayed via the display. The wireless status indicator indicates that the expected wireless signal is not incident upon the first wireless receiver and indicates the identified problem that causes the detected deviation from the expected wireless link status. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Allan Unger
  • Patent number: 8286207
    Abstract: A system for initiating scheduled program processing functions such as program display, recording or playback, derives a time clock based on a current time reference indication produced by a particular broadcast source. The derived time clock is used in initiating scheduled processing functions for programs derived from the particular broadcast source and time clocks derived from sources other than the particular broadcast source are disregarded. The system displays a second time clock different to the derived time clock. In addition, the system forms a composite program guide from data from multiple broadcast sources to associate current time reference indications with their corresponding broadcast sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Daniel Richard Schneidewend, Aaron Hal Dinwiddie
  • Publication number: 20120236204
    Abstract: In a lighting device, uneven brightness may be suppressed at low cost. A backlight unit 12 includes: an LED 17; a chassis 14 including a bottom plate 14a provided on a side opposite to a light exit side relative to the LED 17, the chassis 14 housing the LED 17; and a first reflection sheet 22 reflecting light. The first reflection sheet 22 includes a quadrangular bottom 24 extending along the bottom plate 14a, and two raised portions 25 and 26 each of which is raised from each of adjacent two sides of the bottom 24 toward the light exit side, a joint J provided between adjacent two side edges 25a and 26b of the raised portions 25 and 26.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Kasai
  • Patent number: 8269894
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for display color fidelity optimization using performance prediction are provided. A method of the present invention can include obtaining data regarding available display parameters of the display device, obtaining feedback information regarding respective current values of the display parameters of the display device, performing simulations to determine how changes in the display parameters affect a display of the video content on the display, determining a prediction of a performance of the display device based upon the current values of the display parameters, determining an effect of ambient light on at least one of the determined prediction and the display parameters, and optimizing the display parameters in accordance with at least one of the determined prediction and the determined effect of ambient light. In an alternate embodiment, the method can further include recovering one or more original current values of the display parameters subsequent to a change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Youngshik Yoon
  • Patent number: 8254765
    Abstract: In a method of controlling multiple decoders in an optical disc player system to read encoded bitstream data divided into multiple sectors from a buffer memory, one of the sectors stored in the buffer memory is read according to a reading pointer associated with one of the decoders that sent out a bitstream request. When a header portion of the sector that is being read from the buffer memory indicates a bitstream type corresponding to that of the bitstream request, a data portion of the sector is transferred to the decoder that sent out the bitstream request, and the reading pointer is adjusted to point to a next one of the sectors stored in the buffer memory. An optical disc player system for implementing the method and an optical disc player system capable of saving the memory bandwidth between a bitstream demultiplexer and a memory are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventor: Shang-Tzu Ju
  • Patent number: 8253857
    Abstract: The portable player is connected to a first connector, and the PC is connected to a second connector. A first connection detecting unit detects whether the portable player is connected, and a second connection detecting unit detects whether the PC is connected. A central processing unit (CPU) switches to a reproduction mode in which an audio signal based on audio data reproduced by the portable player is supplied by the audio processing unit to the speaker, or a PC communication mode in which the portable player and the PC are connected to be in a state in which they can communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: JVC Kenwood Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Koike, Hiroshi Fujihira
  • Patent number: 8253858
    Abstract: A multimedia device generates and outputs video signals to a display component and an external display device, and includes a video output circuit and a load detection circuit. The load detection circuit isolates and buffers the video output circuit and the load detection circuit, and retrieves horizontal sync signals from the video signals. The load detection circuit further amplifies and integrates the retrieved horizontal sync signals to output direct current signals, and finally compares the direct current signals with a predetermined voltage to output a control signal indicating a connection between the video output circuit and the external display device. The multimedia device turns off the display component according to the control signal indicating that the video output circuit has been connected to the external display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Ambit Microsystems (Shanghai) Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bo-Song Huang
  • Patent number: 8248991
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing a broadcast service in a mobile communication system including a plurality of cells. The method includes transmitting broadcast program information related to available broadcast programs, broadcast-related information needed for receiving the available broadcast programs, and broadcast zone identification information, to an access terminal; and transmitting the broadcast service to the access terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chul Kim, Geun-Hwi Lim, Beom-Sik Bae, Jung-Soo Jung, Dac-Gyun Kim, Yong-Chang, Jung-Je Son
  • Patent number: 8248531
    Abstract: A method with television (TV) tuning function applied on a digital photo frame (DPF) is provided. The method includes: fetching a prompt time of at least one particular TV program; determining whether a prompt time of a particular TV program is about to arrive or has already arrived at the current time; fetching a prompt signal of the particular TV program whose prompt time is about to arrive or has already arrived, and outputting the prompt signal to prompt a particular TV program is being aired or about to air; switching the DPF from the DPF mode to a TV mode and providing the channel parameter of the particular TV program upon receiving a mode switching signal during the outputting of the prompt signal; and; and receiving and playing the particular TV program according to the channel parameter. A related DPF is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-Hong Chung, Li-Hua Hu, Chia-Yu Cheng, Zai-An Pan, Han-Che Wang, Kuan-Hong Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8243141
    Abstract: User occupancy is monitored within a space in which a video display of a content rendering system is viewable. The user occupancy can be monitored based on physical user attributes. At least one of audio rendering and video rendering by the content rendering system is adjusted based on the monitored user occupancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventors: Hal P. Greenberger, Santiago Carvajal
  • Publication number: 20120188451
    Abstract: A child's sleep assistant device is provided for assisting a child with falling asleep by playing calming images and soothing sounds. The device comprises a main body, a projection assembly, an audio assembly, a translucent dome and a power source. The projection assembly, audio assembly and power source are housed within the main body, which is covered by the translucent dome. Animated scenes are projected by a digital projector onto the wall or ceiling of a child's bedroom. Corresponding audio may be played that corresponds to the animated scenes, or soothing music or bedtime stories. The scenes may be changeable and their size and intensity modified by a parent or caregiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Martyn Schmidt, Andrew Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8229272
    Abstract: A video apparatus capable of changing a video output mode of an external video apparatus, and a control method of the video apparatus are provided. The video apparatus includes an interface which is connected to an external video apparatus, enabling communication between the video apparatus and the external video apparatus; and a controller which generates a control message to control a video output mode of the external video apparatus and transfers the generated control message to the external video apparatus via the interface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent video and audio signals from not being output due to user inexperience, and to increase user convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Soo Suh, Nam-hyun Park
  • Patent number: 8218090
    Abstract: A TV in a HDMI home network discovers other components that can source a common UI such as a cross-media bar (XMB). The XMB generated by each component is dynamically changed to include UI source icons representing components in the network discovered to have the capability to source the XMB, so that the user can select the component that is to source the UI and then, regardless of what remote control device in the system is used to enter XMB commands to its particular component, the component receiving the commands forwards the commands via CEC to the component that has been selected to source the XMB, avoiding distracting unintentional overlaying of multiple XMBs on top of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Woei-Shyang Yee, DongWook Kim
  • Patent number: 8207751
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes: an inter-equipment authentication section formed on a chip; a control section formed on the chip being capable of giving instructions to stop the oscillation of the oscillation section; and an oscillation stop canceling section configured to output an oscillation stop canceling signal to restart the oscillation of the oscillation section, based upon whether or not 5 volts of DDC from the source equipment is supplied to an input terminal. The start of the operation of a microcontroller unit on a system on chip is cable of being controlled by the 5 volts of DDC, which are power supply voltage supplied from the source equipment via DDCs, to thereby incorporate a data authentication section and the inter-equipment authentication in an integrated circuit without increasing power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Shinya Abe
  • Patent number: 8209451
    Abstract: An electronic device is adapted to be connected to a plurality of peripheral devices, and includes a storage unit and a control circuit. The storage unit records a preset time and a control list. The control list lists at least a selected one of the electronic device and the peripheral devices, and an operation mode therefor. The control circuit detects whether the preset time matches a reference time, and if so, controls operation of the selected one of the electronic device and the peripheral devices according to settings in the control list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Tse Huang, Po-Hsu Chen
  • Patent number: 8203655
    Abstract: A multimedia television system is disclosed. The multimedia television system comprises a receiver, a detector, an audio processing/controlling device, and a mixing device. The receiver receives an audio/video signal comprising an audio signal and a video signal and outputs the audio signal and the video signal respectively. When an external upgrading/transmitting device is connected to the detector, the detector will generate an upgrading signal. When the audio processing/controlling device receives the upgrading signal, the audio processing/controlling device will process the audio signal into a multi-channel audio signal comprising front sub-audio signals and rear sub-audio signals according to the upgrading signal. Then, the mixing device processes the rear sub-audio signals into at least one mixed audio signal. The detector receives the at least one mixed audio signal and transmits the at least one mixed audio signal via the external upgrading/transmitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Amtran Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shen-Chin Chao, Chih-Chen Huang
  • Patent number: 8199255
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for configuring a plurality of devices to process content. In use, content information associated with received content is identified in addition to device information associated with a plurality of devices adapted for processing such content. To this end, the plurality of devices may be configured to process the content, utilizing the content information and the device information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: William S. Herz
  • Patent number: 8197338
    Abstract: Systems and methods for suspending wagering game play on wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a content signal associated with regulated operations. The method can also include determining whether an enable signal is detected. Additionally, if the enable signal is not detected, the method can call for prohibiting performance of the regulated operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Fitzsimons, Steven J. Lee
  • Patent number: 8199258
    Abstract: There is provided a receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus comprises, among other things, a transmitting unit that transmits a power-on command that instructs the transmitting apparatus detected by the detecting unit to turn on power when there is no connecting unit whose status signal has been changed from “unable” to “able” as a result of the determination made by the determining unit, the transmitting unit causing the determining unit to perform the determination again after transmitting the power-on command, and a control unit that, when there is a connecting unit whose status signal has been changed from “unable” to “able” as a result of the determination made by the determining unit, controls the selecting unit so as to select the connecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Tokoro
  • Publication number: 20120133831
    Abstract: An information handling system includes a host processing system and a remote processing system. The host processing system includes a display, a host processor, and a video multiplexer that receives a video signal from the host processor and outputs the video signal to the display. The remote processing module is coupled to the host processing system and includes a remote processor configured to output a second video signal, and an interface between the host processing system and the remote processing system. The interface includes a video output channel configured to provide the second video signal to the video multiplexer. The video multiplexer is further configured to receive the second video signal and to output the second video signal to the display during a reduced operating state of the host processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
    Inventors: James R. Utz, Andrew T. Sultenfuss, David Loadman
  • Publication number: 20120127366
    Abstract: A picture control method and an image processing apparatus thereof are provided. The method includes setting a picture control mode; setting a picture control value in response to the picture control mode; and sensing a change of the picture control value; restoring the picture control value to a previous value if the change of the picture control value is maintained in excess of a certain amount of time. The image processing apparatus includes a picture controller which sets a mode and a value in response to the mode; a memory which stores an initial value of the value; and a controller which senses a change of the value and controls the picture controller to maintain the change of the value for a certain amount of time, and if the change of the value is maintained in excess of the certain amount of time, retrieves the initial value of the value, and controls the picture controller to change the picture control value to a previously unchanged value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Boo-taeck LIM
  • Publication number: 20120131606
    Abstract: A method consistent with certain implementations involves receiving a stream of legacy encrypted main content that contains selectively DRM encrypted duplicate content; decrypting the legacy encrypted stream of content; eliminating the duplicate content that is not DRM encrypted; generating a selectively DRM encrypted stream of content; and providing the selectively DRM stream of content as an output signal for consumption by a device residing on a home entertainment network. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Stephane Lejeune, Brant L. Candelore
  • Patent number: 8179477
    Abstract: An AV player chip includes a TV encoder, a timing controller, a multiplexer and a plurality of digital-to-analog converters. The TV encoder is used for transforming a first image signal into a TV video signal. The timing controller is used for generating an output signal. The multiplexer includes a first set of input ends coupled to the TV encoder, a second set of input ends coupled to the timing controller, a control end and a set of output ends. The multiplexer outputs the TV video signal or the output signal to the set of output ends according to a control signal received by the control end. The plurality of digital-to-analog converters are coupled to the set of output ends of the multiplexer for transforming the TV video signal into a first playing signal and for transforming the output signal into a second playing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Princeton Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sung-Hung Li, Wei-Chih Huang
  • Patent number: 8169552
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a television receiver including a controller, which indicates a plurality of selectable items being involved in contents of a program displayed on a screen, a memory, which holds a plurality of predetermined audio settings corresponding to the plurality of selectable items, and a processor which selects an audio setting from the plurality of predetermined audio settings and outputs the selected audio setting corresponding to an item selected from the plurality of selectable items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akinori Tsubouchi
  • Patent number: RE43394
    Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a computer and a TV is disclosed. The apparatus according to the present invention includes a TV coding unit for encoding various control signals such as a TV signal, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Won-Uk Yu