Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Jay H. Maioli
  • Patent number: 6999406
    Abstract: A reception synchronization apparatus capable of achieving precise synchronization of an OFDM signal including a frame guard added to the OFDM signal includes a multiplier for calculating the correlation between a received OFDM signal and an OFDM signal delayed by a delay circuit; a moving integration circuit for adding a signal from the multiplier over a guard period; n frame guard removing circuits, which respectively receive a signal from the moving integration circuit, remove the frame guard period from the received signal, and output a resultant signal; n interval integrators for cumulatively adding signals outputted from the frame guard removing circuits; and a detection circuit for detecting a maximum peak from the results from the n interval integrators and generating a detection signal indicating a synchronization timing position corresponding to the detected maximum peak position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Mitsuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6999786
    Abstract: A small-sized switch apparatus for switching between signal paths of at least first, second and third frequency bands is capable of handling high-powered high-frequency signals with a relatively low control voltage and is useful in a mobile terminal apparatus. A first signal terminal of a diplexer is connected to an antenna terminal, and a second signal terminal is connected to a high-frequency switch via a filter. A third signal terminal of the diplexer is connected to a high-frequency switch via a second filter. The high-frequency switch has PIN diodes as switching devices, and performs switching between a global system for mobile communications transmission signal and a global system for mobile communications reception signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Sachio Iida
  • Patent number: 6996250
    Abstract: A digital watermark embedding processor and digital watermark embedding-processing method set the lowest-common-multiple picture size of the sizes of an unconverted picture and a converted picture when embedding digital watermarks on certain data having a possibility of format conversion and set, for the lowest-common-multiple picture size, the values of the digital watermarks in the converted picture. Based on the set values, digital watermarks for the unconverted picture are set and are embedded in the picture. In this construction, even when a watermark-embedded picture is processed for conversion, it is ensured that accurate detection from the converted picture of watermarks can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Nakamura, Yoichi Nishino, Takashi Kohashi, Yuuki Matsumura, Shunichi Soma
  • Patent number: 6993990
    Abstract: An operating device having a rotary knob capable of rotation operations exhibits compatibility between speed and precision in operation and does not require use of a plurality of rotary knobs. In the operating device (1) including the rotary knob (4) and the rotation detecting means (8) for detecting the rotated angle of the rotary knob, the rotary knob includes a small-diameter component (4F) for operating the rotary knob quickly, and a large-diameter component (4S) for operating the rotary knob slowly or for fine adjustment, and the determining means (9) is provided for determining the rotated position of the rotary knob when the rotary knob is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Kojima, Takashi Sogabe
  • Patent number: 6996563
    Abstract: A communication system includes a first storage section for storing pieces of content information, a second storage section for also storing pieces of content information, a control section for accessing the content information stored in the first storage section and the second storage section based on a single set of management information for managing the content information stored in the first storage section and the second storage section, a communication section for interconnecting the first storage section, the second storage section and the control section for communication, and an account setting section for setting an amount of a fee to be imposed on a predetermined user in response to use of the first storage section or the second storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kumagai, Izuru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6996168
    Abstract: A signal-processing circuit in which two-stage equalization is performed by using first and second equalization circuits provided on upstream and downstream sides from a phase-locked loop circuit, respectively, the first equalization circuit on the upstream side including a transversal filter to minimize an equalization error caused by the first equalization circuit and to stabilize the operation of the phase-locked loop circuit. Another signal-processing circuit including an analog-to-digital converter and a digital phase-locked loop circuit for receiving the output from the analog-to-digital converter and a recording and playback apparatus using the output are also provided, wherein the output from the analog-to-digital converter is input as the digital signal in the digital phase-locked loop circuit to fetch a detection point voltage and to stabilize the phase-locked loop circuit without an analog circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hisato Hirasaka
  • Patent number: 6993567
    Abstract: Although music program data has been recorded on a disc, imperfect index data or a signal has been recorded so that music program data is prohibited from being reproduced. To allow music program data to be reproduced, the index data is rewritten to perfect index data or a permission signal that allows music program data to be reproduced is transmitted through a communication line. Thus, music program data can be reproduced from the disc. Since music program data is not directly transmitted, the data transmission time is shortened. The music program data can be downloaded at high speed. In addition, the charging process can be smoothly performed. Moreover, music program data can be prevented from being illegally used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Fumitake Yodo, Junichi Aramaki
  • Patent number: 6992960
    Abstract: The amount of light reflected from a disk is detected, and it is determined according to the amount of reflected light whether the disk is a recordable disk or a rewritable disk. The disk is controlled according to the result of determination such that it is rotated at a constant angular velocity (CAV) or at a constant linear velocity (CLV) and recording is executed. Further, rotation driving control of the disk is selected according to factors other than the type of the disk, such as according to whether random recording is allowed or not, according to a recording state in the disk, according to whether an alternative area is provided or not, according to a recording start position, or according to whether initialization is required or not. CLV control or CAV control is appropriately selected for a disk at recording to suppress a reduction in accessibility and a reduction in data transmission rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuji Kawashima, Yukio Shishido
  • Patent number: 6993778
    Abstract: A driving device includes a holder (16) movably carried by a chassis (5) and adapted for transporting a disc cartridge the holder holds between an insertion/ejection position and a loading position, and an ejection lever (39) for ejecting the disc cartridge from the holder (16). The driving device also includes a slider (31) movable in a direction of inserting the disc cartridge into the holder (16) and in a direction of ejecting the disc cartridge from the holder. The slider causes the holder (16) to be moved to the loading position when the slider is moved in the disc cartridge inserting direction, while causing the holder (16) to be moved to the insertion/ejection position when the slider is moved in the disc cartridge ejecting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tokio Kanada, Mikinori Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6993261
    Abstract: A receiving apparatus and transmitting apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving a high speed optical signal and a communication system using the same, including a transmitting apparatus having a conversion circuit for converting serially input data to a plurality of bits of parallel data given predetermined information and an LED array having a number of LED units corresponding to the number of bits of the parallel data from the conversion circuit arranged in an array, wherein the LED units are controlled in light emission in parallel based on bit information of corresponding parallel data to emit optical information signals dispersed in a spatially predetermined range, and of a receiving apparatus having a plurality of photo-diodes arranged in an array for emitting electric signals of levels in accordance with amounts of light received, wherein the photo-diodes output electric signals in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichiro Haruyama
  • Patent number: 6993553
    Abstract: A data providing system including a data providing apparatus having a provision image data generating device for generating data of a provision image that is reusable by inlaying an advertisement image into a template image into which a user image is inlaid and a providing-side transmitting device for transmitting the provision image data via a network. A data acquisition apparatus has an acquiring-side receiving device for receiving the provision image data via the network, a transmission image data generating device for generating data of a transmission image for displaying the provision image onto a display device, inlaying the user image into the template image of the provision image, and displaying the user image with the template image in preference to the advertisement image until the user image is detached from the template image, and a acquiring-side transmitting device for transmitting the transmission image data to a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Kaneko, Naoki Nagano, Satoru Kamoto, Katsushi Fujii, Mayumi Shinoda, Atsushi Fuse, Michinari Kohno
  • Patent number: 6993606
    Abstract: A sink apparatus receives stream data outputted from a source apparatus connected to a predetermined network. When the source apparatus or an other apparatus connected to the network transmits a command to configure a data input section of the sink apparatus to input data outputted from the source apparatus, data are prepared to indicate that a configuration of the data input section is at least temporarily disabled as a response from the sink apparatus. When the apparatus that transmitted the command receives the data indicating that the configuration is at least temporarily disabled corresponding processing may be executed. When stream data are transmitted through a network it can be easily determined by an other apparatus on the network whether the sink apparatus is ready to input data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Takaku, Mari Horiguchi, Makoto Sato
  • Patent number: 6993090
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for a distortion component of a device such as a power amplifier can be achieved without requiring a demodulator. A voltage controlling a gain of the amplitude of the input signal based on the amplitude control signal generated in the amplitude control signal generation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeo Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 6992973
    Abstract: A transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, communication system, and a signal processing method for each apply a suitable modulation method and transmission path estimation method in accordance with the characteristics of the transmission information and capable of improving the transmission efficiency. At the transmission side, the method of estimation of the transmission path and the modulation method are selected in accordance with an attribute of the data to be transmitted, for example, the size of a packet to be transmitted, the transmission data is mapped by the selected modulation method, the signal is processed in accordance with the transmission path estimation method, and a transmission signal is created by increase fast Fourier transform processing and transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Sakoda, Mitsuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6992996
    Abstract: A network management method, a wireless transmission method and a wireless transmission apparatus in which bus connection information connected to a network can be managed efficiently. According to this network management method, when the structure of the bus connected to a preceding communication station of its own communication station is changed, a notice indicating that connection bus information are changed is supplied to the network, whereby all communication stations making up the network can share the connection bus information. Therefore, the respective communication stations can manage the corresponding connection bus information in a decentralized fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Sugaya
  • Patent number: 6990334
    Abstract: A wireless acoustic transmission device used in an acoustic offering service having superior convenience, includes wireless transmitter for transmitting the service request signal to request the desired acoustic signal, a wireless receiver for receiving the transmission signal containing the acoustic signal to be transmitted in response to the service request signal, a demodulator and decoder for restoring the acoustic signal applying the demodulation and/or decoding processing to the receiving signal transmitted from the wireless receiver, and an electro-acoustic transformer for transforming the acoustic signal restored by the demodulator and decoder the radio waves and for outputting. Accordingly, the desired acoustic signal can be easily obtained without having the recording medium on which the acoustic signal is recorded, and the acoustic offering service having superior convenience can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Seigo Ito
  • Patent number: 6989774
    Abstract: A code sequence is encoded using a code conversion table in which the parity of the code sequence varies until the code states become equal to each other. The code word assignment used in this code conversion table is such that the decoded code word constraint length is 3 blocks and q0?q1 for an arbitrary information sequence is satisfied even if a DC control bit is inserted at any of the first and second bits of an information word. For example, code states s0 and s1 when information sequences d0 and d1 resulted from insertion of provisional DC control bits 1 and 0 inserted at the top of an information sequence “1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0” are encoded starting with a state 3 according to a predetermined code conversion table are equal to each other, namely, s0=s1=6, in a third block, and two's complement q0 of a sum of code sequences c0 up to a time when the code states are equal to each other is “0” while two's complement q1 of a sum of code sequences c1 up to that time is “1”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Noda, Hiroyuki Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 6989490
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a cabinet containing an electronic circuit; a covering member containing wire rods connected to the electronic circuit and led to the outside through an opening of the cabinet; a pivoting shaft portion provided on the covering member; and a pivoting shaft receiving portion provided in the cabinet and that supports the pivoting shaft portion, wherein the covering member is pivotally supported with respect to the cabinet. Also included is a splicer for connecting the wire rods and the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Yano, Keiko Yabuki, Takaaki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6989775
    Abstract: A code sequence is encoded using a code conversion table in which the parity of the code sequence varies until the code states become equal to each other. The code word assignment used in this code conversion table is such that the decoded code word constraint length is 3 blocks and q0?q1 for an arbitrary information sequence is satisfied even if a DC control bit is inserted at any of the first and second bits of an information word. For example, code states s0 and s1 when information sequences d0 and d1 resulted from insertion of provisional DC control bits 1 and 0 inserted at the top of an information sequence “1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0” are encoded starting with a state 3 according to a predetermined code conversion table are equal to each other, namely, s0=s1=6, in a third block, and two's complement q0 of a sum of code sequences c0 up to a time when the code states are equal to each other is “0” while two's complement q1 of a sum of code sequences c1 up to that time is “1”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Noda, Hiroyuki Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 6990554
    Abstract: A recording medium for rewriting the data stored in a nonvolatile memory limited in rewriting, provided in the apparatus, through the use of a program for executing an update supplied from a detachable recording medium and data used in updating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Iida, Mari Noguchi, Shuji Ohbayashi