Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Francis A. Davenport
  • Patent number: 6292921
    Abstract: A Reed-Solomon type error correction device carries out correction passes, and includes a first memory containing DVD type data, as well as CD type data after a first correction pass, for deinterleaving of the CD type data before a second correction pass. Additionally, a second memory of smaller capacity than the first memory, is provided for containing CD type data before correction, as well as deinterleaved CD type data. The invention concerns the error correction device and an optical disk reader containing such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Mohamed Daoudi, Philippe Isola, Philippe Paul, Christophe Viroulaud
  • Patent number: 6281951
    Abstract: The invention relates to a television receiver, in particular a projection television receiver having red, green and blue monochromatic picture tubes, the images of which are projected onto a picture screen. Each picture tube is assigned a correction device comprising a convergence circuit. The convergence circuit is assigned a memory in which correction values for the convergence correction of the three picture tubes are stored. In accordance with the correction values, the convergence circuit generates control signals, which are output to at least one correction coil where each correction coil has one driver circuit. A correction current is applied to the associated correction coil to correct image defects visible on each picture tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Deutsch Thomson-Brandt GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Carpentier, Günter Gleim, Friedrich Heizmann, Bernd Rekla
  • Patent number: 6239561
    Abstract: An apparatus for image enhancement in a cathode ray tube display comprises an amplifier for a scanning velocity modulating signal. The scanning velocity modulating signal has an AC component and a DC value. A feedback circuit is responsive to power dissipation in the amplifier for controlling the AC component and the DC value with a first control signal, and controlling only the DC value with a second control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Owen Allender
  • Patent number: 6236694
    Abstract: A system for generating a signal for coupling digital audio, video and data signals in compressed form via a bus. A processing means formats the digital audio, video and data signals into superpackets for transmission via the bus. Each superpacket comprises a timestamp, and a transport packet, representative of the digital audio, video and data signals. The superpackets have a fixed duration and occur at variable intervals. Devices receive the superpacket signal and may utilize the timestamps for clock synchronization. A recording and replay device processes the variable superpacket signal occurrence for recording. Reproduced timestamps are utilized to control restoration of the superpacket signal to have substantially the duration and occurrence as when formatted for bus transmission. A simplified bus couples superpackets between devices. An indicia is added to a superpacket signal to provide automatic control of device bus interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Harold Blatter, William Wesley Beyers, Jr., Michael Scott Deiss
  • Patent number: 6236801
    Abstract: A video recording and playback device has a control track recorder for recording a control track signal including timing edges recorded on a tape or other storage medium together with the video program. A decoder is coupled to the control track signal and to the tape drive for switching among a forward play mode, a forward skip mode and a rewind mode, as a function of play, skip and rewind codes inserted into the control track as phase variations of edges other than those used for timing, or preferably as pulses with sloping edges distinct from the timing edges. In addition to selectively skipping sections of the video program preceded by a skip code and followed by a play code, such as commercial breaks, the device permits user editing of play and skip codes and selective multiple replays of sections of the video program preceded by a play code and followed by a rewind code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Joseph Craig Engle, Robert Harold Metcalfe, Sung Jo Kim, Jesse Edward Herzberg, Hans-Joachim Platte
  • Patent number: 6233020
    Abstract: A video display apparatus for pictures from broadcast sources having standard or high definition, which may also display computer generated images. To display this range of sources a horizontal frequency signal generator is selectably operable at a plurality of frequencies. The generator comprises an oscillator controlled for synchronized oscillation at a plurality of horizontal frequencies. A source of synchronizing pulses is coupled to an input of a phase detector which has another input coupled to the oscillator. The phase detector generates an output signal representative of a phase difference between the inputs. A processor is coupled to the phase detector for processing the output signal and generating a control signal for controlling the oscillator. The processor gain is controlled responsive to selected ones of the plurality of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: James Albert Wilber
  • Patent number: 6233392
    Abstract: A storage medium has recorded thereon a packetized digitally encoded image representative signal for forward and reverse direction reproduction. The digitally encoded signal comprises a plurality of groups of pictures, a group of the plurality of groups including at least an intra coded picture and a predicted picture. The intra coded picture type and the predicted picture type each comprise top and bottom fields. The predicted picture type has a first motion vector for decoding in the forward direction, and has a second motion vector for decoding in the reverse direction. In a further inventive arrangement a storage medium has recorded thereon a packetized digitally encoded image representative signal for forward and reverse direction reproduction. The digitally encoded signal comprises a plurality of groups of pictures, a group of said plurality of groups including at least an intra coded picture and a predicted picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics
    Inventor: Mary Lafuze Comer
  • Patent number: 6229401
    Abstract: A video display apparatus displays pictures from broadcast sources of standard or high definition pictures and may also display computer generated images. To display these sources a horizontal deflection signal generator is operable at a plurality of frequencies. The deflection signal generator comprises a controlled oscillator generating a output signal. A divider divides the output signal to form a horizontal frequency signal. A phase detector receives the horizontal frequency signal and a synchronizing signal and generates an analog signal for coupling to the oscillator. A digital to analog converter generates a voltage from a digital data word and couples the voltage to the oscillator. The voltage determines a center frequency of the oscillator and the analog signal controls the oscillator to synchronize with the synchronizing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics
    Inventor: James Albert Wilber
  • Patent number: 6222979
    Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a digitally encoded signal from a disk medium, comprises a source of a bitstream representative of the digitally encoded signal. A processor is coupled to the bitstream for processing the bitstream to extract at least a first and a second data type represented therein. A memory is controllably coupled to the processor for storing one of the first and a second data types. A controller is coupled to control allocation of the memory, wherein a first reproducing mode the controller allocates the memory for storing the first data type, and in a second reproducing mode the controller allocates the memory for storing the second data type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics
    Inventors: Donald Henry Willis, Mark Alan Schultz, Jianlei Xie, John Alan Hague, Steven Anthony Barron
  • Patent number: 6185340
    Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a digitally encoded signal. The apparatus comprises a decoding means for decoding the digitally encoded signal to form a specific picture. A memory means is coupled to the decoding means for storing the specific picture. A control means is controllably coupled to the memory means, wherein a first mode the control means controls the memory means for storing a frame of the specific picture and responsive to a second mode the control means controls the memory means for storing only one field of the specific picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A
    Inventor: Mary Lafuze Comer
  • Patent number: 6178286
    Abstract: A video recorder capstan drive motor is controlled for slow-motion, freeze-frame and similar operations by setting a rate of acceleration or braking. A speed parameter is measured during an initial acceleration phase and is compared to a predetermined desired value. Based on the result of such comparison, current to the drive motor is limited, or an existing current limitation value is increased or reduced, so as to alter the acceleration or braking and bring the tape speed more nearly to the predetermined value. A representative current value can be stored in nonvolatile storage and used for such current limitation control, for so long as conditions remain unchanged. The value can be changed when conditions change, for example due to loading of a different tape cassette or a change in operational temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Deutsch Thomson-Brandt GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Link
  • Patent number: 6177961
    Abstract: A digital video recording/reproducing system in which the operating state of the recording/reproducing device is transmitted to the television system separately from the digital video signal. The television system uses this information to generate an on-screen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: Harold Blatter
  • Patent number: 6154603
    Abstract: A method for picture decoding and display in an apparatus reproducing from a digital disk. The method comprises the steps of transducing a digitally encoded signal from the disk. Storing the digitally encoded signal in a first memory. Decoding the digitally encoded signal to produce a picture. Storing the picture in a second memory. Coupling the picture from the second memory for display. Controling the storing in the second memory and the coupling for display to occur substantially concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Donald Henry Willis, Mark Alan Schultz, Jianlei Xie, John Alan Hague
  • Patent number: 6128148
    Abstract: An electronic memory apparatus for a device containing a recording medium for storing information. The device cooperates with a recording or reproducing instrument when said device is disposed therein, and is controllable by a data processing and control circuit. The memory apparatus has a first, programmable memory section, which is alterable by a user of the device, for storing data pertaining to the use of the device, and a second, programmable memory section for storing data pertaining to the characterization of the information which may be recorded on said recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Deutsche Thomson-Brandt GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Platte, Ernst F. Schroder
  • Patent number: 6115532
    Abstract: A digital video cassette recorder operates by the selection of predetermined replay speeds and the allocation of specific locations within each track from which data may be reproduced. These specific track locations are utilized during recording to place advance television image data for reproduction during trick play operation. The trick play image data is also reproduced during normal playback but may not be utilized. The specific track locations are selected to facilitate trick play operation at a plurality of speeds in both forward and reverse directions. Since the advanced television signal comprises a plurality of predicted frames, transition from trick play to normal speed replay requires a control function which is responsive to the reproduction, at normal replay speed, of an inter frame coded frame. Various methods of reproduced image transition are used for selecting both to and from trick play reproduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: Tomoki Saeki
  • Patent number: 6111609
    Abstract: A video camera recorder (1000) has a plurality of operating modes, and comprises an imaging means (205, 200) which receives an image and generates an image representative video signal (Iv). A recording means (500) is coupled to the imaging means for recording the image representative video signal (Iv). The imaging means (205, 100), and the recording means (500) may be independently energizable for implementing a plurality of operating modes in which different ones and combinations of the imaging means (205, 200), and the recording means (500), are simultaneously energized. A microprocessor (4000) is controllably coupled to the imaging means (205, 200) and the recording means (500) for adaptively controlling power dissipation responsive to an external interface coupling (J1, J2, P1, S1, W1, 21). User control commands and external device coupling may be used for adaptively controlled power conservation in the video camera recorder (1000).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: John Herbert Stevens
  • Patent number: 6094319
    Abstract: It is known in the case of digital helical track recording and replay apparatuses for audio, video and general data to be recorded for pilot tones to be interleaved in the data tracks, for tracking. The interleaving can be carried out simultaneously with the data by frequency decoupling (a) or by superimposition (b). The invention is based on the object of providing a helical track recording and replay system which carries out tracking in a simple manner. According to the invention, the ATF signal is obtained in a filter module, which also carries out the rectification of the filtered-out pilot tones. The two DC voltage levels are interrogated and processed in the servo microcontroller, with A/D converters. Coupled to the rotation of the head drum, pulses are produced by the servo system which switch the ATF conditioning over between direct operation and tracking operation, so that evaluation is achieved by the microcontroller during the fast ATF burst phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Deutsche Thomson-Brandt GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Braeuer, Juergen Kaaden, Gerhard Reiner
  • Patent number: 6047100
    Abstract: A consumer digital video cassette recorder may record an advanced television signal having an MPEG like signal format. The predictive nature of the MPEG like signal format requires that additional I frame data be generated and recorded together with a normal a play speed data stream to facilitate non-standard speed, or trick play reproduction. Additional I frame data streams are generated specifically for each replay speed and are written within recorded tracks to facilitate reproduction at the predetermined speeds. Various inventive methods for the derivation of full resolution and reduced resolution trick play data streams are disclosed. Inventive trick play data stream generation is disclosed for real time recording by consumer apparatus and non-real time normal and trick play data stream generation for use with pre-recorded digital media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: David Lionel McLaren
  • Patent number: 6037926
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for using a wide screen television receiver operating at 2f.sub.H as a VGA or SVGA monitor. The VGA or SVGA board in a computer is programmed to generate an RGB video signal representing a picture having fewer than a normal number of horizontal lines than a conventional VGA or SVGA picture having a 4:3 format display ratio, in order to define a picture having a wide format display ratio, for example 16:9. The separate synchronizing signals of the RGB video signal are converted in polarity and phase, as necessary, to a form recognizable by a video processing circuit of the wide screen television receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth John Haas, Theodore Frederick Simpson
  • Patent number: 6034738
    Abstract: The absence of MPEG processing in a consumer digital recorder player may preclude on-screen message display of recorder status. Various methods are disclosed which facilitate the on-screen display of recorder player status messages. A first embodiment returns a reproduced decoded, analog video signal (102) to the digital recorder player (200) for insertion of status messages. In a further embodiment recorder message data (221) is coupled to the digital signal decoder (100,117,520) for inclusion with the decoded analog video signal (102). In a another embodiment a recorder message command (TAG/CMD) is coupled to the decoder (100,510) to access recorder specific graphical messages. In yet a further embodiment, recorder message data (221) is tagged and coupled to the decoder (100,510) to select recorder specific graphical messages if available or to display recorder message data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley Alan Sparks