Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Jerry A. Miller
  • Patent number: 5674367
    Abstract: A target assembly for use in a sputtering system used for forming a thin film on a substrate is disclosed. The target assembly includes a mounting element having an interior wall which defines an aperture. The target assembly further includes a target for providing material for forming the film on the substrate. In particular, the target is affixed within the mounting element by an interference fit between the aperture and the target. Furthermore, the mounting ring includes a groove for holding an O-ring which serves to maintain a vacuum in the sputtering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Materials Research Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas Hunt, Paul S. Gilman
  • Patent number: 5673169
    Abstract: A computer system for use on either a horizontal surface or a vertical wall. The system includes a computer having a base. The system further includes a viewing device for displaying information from the computer. The device is rotatably mounted to the computer to enable rotation of the computer and the device relative to each other. The system further includes a keyboard having keys for inputting commands to the computer. The keyboard is rotatably mounted to the computer to enable rotation of the keyboard relative to the computer. Upon placement of the base on the desk top or vertical wall, the device is rotatable to a substantially vertical position suitable for viewing the device. Further, when the base is positioned on the horizontal surface, the keyboard may be rotated to a substantially horizontal orientation. In addition, when the base is positioned on the vertical wall, the keyboard may be rotated to a substantially vertical orientation suitable for accessing the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Corp. of America
    Inventor: James E. Wicks
  • Patent number: 5671318
    Abstract: A method for high speed playback of digital video data (e.g. D1 or D2 data) in which, at lower speeds, the frames of data to be played back are made of a mixture of consecutive frames of data. The frames of data are mixed by averaging the pixel values over consecutive frames to make up the output frames. For high speed shuttle operation, non-consecutive frames are averaged on a pixel by pixel basis to create shuttle frames. In order to improve the appearance of the output, consecutive shuttle frames contain a common original frame so that a component of the original data spans two output frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: William S. Herz
  • Patent number: 5669316
    Abstract: A turntable for rotating a wafer carrier in order to enable the attachment of a handle to the wafer carrier. The turntable includes a platform rotatably mounted to a baseplate. In addition, the turntable includes stops which are positioned to enable 180.degree. clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the platform to provide access to the wafer carrier for handle attachment. The platform includes carrier guides which are spaced apart to accommodate the wafer carrier. The platform further includes a platform handle which an operator manipulates to rotate the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Faz, Rodolfo U. Coronado
  • Patent number: 5669681
    Abstract: A device for securing a mirror in a projection television is disclosed. The device includes a cabinet having an aperture defined by edges. A shoulder element is located adjacent each of the edges, wherein each shoulder element extends underneath the aperture and is positioned for supporting peripheral edges of a reflection surface of the mirror. The device further includes a mirror cover plate located adjacent a back surface of the mirror and affixed to the cabinet. In addition, the device includes a securing element affixed between the back surface and the mirror cover plate for reducing deformation of said mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Takayasu Ishikawa, Toshihiro Kikuchi, Takashi Kawabe, John R. Whiteford, James R. White
  • Patent number: 5669975
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing at least a surface of an article with a uniform plasma includes a processing chamber in which the article is disposed and a plasma source. The plasma source includes a dielectric plate having a first surface forming part of an inner wall of the processing chamber, and an electrical energy source, including a radiofrequency source and a substantially planar induction coil, the latter of which is disposed on a second surface of the dielectric plate, and to which energy from the radiofrequency source is preferably supplied through impedance matching circuitry. The substantially planar induction coil has at least two spiral portions which are symmetrical about at least one point of the substantially planar induction coil, and preferably forming a continuous "S-shape".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Materials Research Corp.
    Inventor: Kaihan Abidi Ashtiani
  • Patent number: 5668805
    Abstract: A multiplex broadcasting method and system which limits an object district for broadcasting of district information such as a commercial message relating closely to the district is disclosed. On the broadcasting station side, multiplex data such as animation are broadcast with a district code such as a postal code number added thereto. On the receiving set side, a district code of the location is registered as an identification number of the multiplex broadcast receiving set in a memory in advance, and the district code of received multiplex data separated by a data extraction circuit and the identification number stored in the memory are compared with each other. Only when they coincide with each other, an image corresponding to the received multiplex data is displayed on the receiving set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Yoshinobu
  • Patent number: 5664052
    Abstract: A method and a device for discriminating a voiced sound from an unvoiced sound or background noise in speech signals are disclosed. Each block or frame of input speech signals is divided into plural sub-blocks and the standard deviation, effective value or the peak value is detected in a detection unit for detecting statistical characteristics from one sub-block to another. A bias detection unit detects a bias on the time scale of the standard deviation, effective value or the peak value to decide whether the speech signals are voiced or unvoiced from one block to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Nishiguchi, Jun Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5663571
    Abstract: A quantum memory has memory cells, each of the memory cells includes three-stage quantum dots stacked in sequence. A memory cell array is constructed by two-dimensionally arranging the memory cells. The quantum dots are made of heterojunctions of compound semiconductors. Writing and reading to and from a memory cell are executed by bringing a needle electrode close to the memory cell to apply an external electric field while irradiating laser light to an area including the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Ryuichi Ugajin
  • Patent number: 5654942
    Abstract: A wireless voice messaging device including a cassette-shaped body adapted to be inserted into a cassette player in lieu of a cassette. A receiver for receiving incoming call signals including at least one incoming voice message, a memory for storing the incoming voice message and recalling the incoming voice message in response to a first control signal, and a transducer for establishing an operative connection with a play head of the cassette player for transferring the incoming voice message recalled from said memory means to said play head are all disposed in the cassette-shaped body. A control signal generator, also disposed in the cassette-shaped body and responsive to operation of said cassette player, is provided for detecting a mode of operation of the cassette player and controlling a mode of operation of the voice pager in response thereto. A transmitter, disposed in the cassette-shaped body, is provided for transmitting outgoing voice messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Masaaki Akahane
  • Patent number: 5652628
    Abstract: A television signal receiving apparatus which receives, analyzes and displays an information signal which is multiplexed onto a broadcasting wave and transmitted, and through the resulting information which has been obtained by analysis of the continuously stored information signal can display the information in such a way as to be related to the image information which corresponds to an associated one of a number of broadcasting channels. In this way a television signal receiving apparatus which is convenient for a user can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Toyoshima, Hirofumi Usui
  • Patent number: 5646608
    Abstract: Each of plural electronic devices, e.g., a television receiver, a video disc player, a video tape recorder, an audio amplifier, and a compact disc player which are placed in an audiovisual room has a light emitter and a light detector. Identification signals corresponding to the respective electronic devices are outputted from the light emitters thereof to a single remote control unit. When the remote control unit detects the identification signals, the remote control unit displays on its display unit information required to selectively operate the electronic devices corresponding to the detected identification signals. The remote control unit displays only the information relative to the electronic devices disposed in the audiovisual room. The single remote control unit can control the plural electronic devices in the audiovisual room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Shintani
  • Patent number: 5642423
    Abstract: A digital surround sound decoder. The decoder uses an architecture including two signal processing chips to achieve a program that can decode audio data at sufficiently high resolution. The decoder performs in real time and is compatible with standard surround sound formats. The decoder includes software that utilizes table lookups for critical functions in the decoding process. The processing flow of the decoder's program takes advantage of the multi-function capability within the specific processors used in the design while using a minimum number of program instructions. The program implements band pass filtering, sum-difference calculations, fast-attack slow-decay integration, summation and reciprocal processing, determination of fast and slow modes, look-up table indexing, adaptive matrix processing and various other functions to generate decoded surround sound signals from encoded left and right signal inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment
    Inventor: Paul Embree
  • Patent number: 5642498
    Abstract: A system for simultaneous display of multiple video windows on a display device. This system includes a primary interface for receiving a primary video signal and a primary storage memory for storing data representing the primary video signal. Further, the present invention provides a plurality of secondary interface for receiving a plurality of secondary video signals and a secondary storage memory for storing data representing the plurality of secondary video signals. An output for selectively outputting the contents of a primary storage memory and the secondary storage memory to a display device so as to display video imagery represented by the primary video signal and secondary video signals in respective multiple video windows on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Kutner
  • Patent number: 5625633
    Abstract: A resonator length can reliably be set in its locked state in the laser light generating apparatus having the resonator. The laser light generating apparatus has a nonlinear optical crystal device disposed in the resonator, at least one of reflection devices composing the resonator can be moved by an actuator to lock the resonator length with the frequency of the fundamental wave laser light. A sample-held resonator length error signal and a resonator reflected light intensity signal are used as the setting signal when the resonator length is locked by the frequency of the fundamental wave laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Ichimura, Atsushi Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 5622816
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating an optical disk mother or stamper wherein the number of processing steps is greatly reduced from the prior art methods. In particular, the present invention involves directly forming a mother or stamper by direct laser ablation of a conductive metal substrate. More specifically, a stream of coded digital information (for example, representing the content of an encyclopedia in the case of CD ROM or a classical music collection in the case of CD audio) is converted into a corresponding plurality of pits and lands in the conductive metal substrate by electronically switching the beam of a first laser on and off via an electro or acusto-optic modulator (EOM/AOM) in response to the digital information. As a result, selective portions of the conductive substrate are either ablated (in the case where the laser is on) thereby directly creating the pits, or the substrate is left unaltered (in the case where the laser is off) thereby creating lands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn J. Maenza, Edward W. Morton
  • Patent number: 5620578
    Abstract: A system for sputtering a substrate is disclosed. The system includes a central housing having at least one process module for forming the layer, wherein the process module is in fluid communication with the central housing and includes a first device used in conjunction with forming the layer on the substrate. In addition, the system includes at least one service module in fluid communication with the central housing, wherein the service module includes at least one replacement device suitable for replacing the first device. The central housing includes a robotic element for transporting the first device from the process module to the service module and for transporting the replacement device from the service module to the process module in order to replace the first device. In addition, the service module includes a dedicated pump for evacuating the service module to a high vacuum in order to reduce surface outgassing of the replacement device to a desired level before use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Materials Research Corp.
    Inventor: Steven Hurwitt
  • Patent number: 5620547
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shutter for a protective envelope containing a recording disk, having both satisfactory sliding property and satisfactory heat-resisting property. The shutter is formed by folding a laminated sheet having a first layer formed by folding a laminated sheet having high heat-resisting property and a second layer formed of a material having low frictional property so that the first layer forms the outer surface of the shutter and the second layer form the inner surface of the shutter. The first layer of the laminated sheet ensures the shutter satisfactory heat-resisting performance and the second layer of the same ensures the shutter satisfactory sliding performance. A printed layer or an evaporated metal layer may be formed between the first and second layers of the laminated sheet and/or the first and second layers of the laminated sheet may be colored to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shuichi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 5608730
    Abstract: There is disclosed a communication system using a bi-directional bus, which includes a plurality of devices (e.g., TV image receiver or video tape recorder, etc.) connected to each other. Each device includes a transmit signal formation unit having a frame structure including an address field for specifying addresses of devices between which communication is carried out, a control field for specifying whether communication is carried out in the state where device on the receiving side is locked or in the state where that device is unlocked, and a data field for specifying data to be transmitted. For transmitting data having a data quantity greater than data capacity of the data field, the data is divided into a plurality of frames, an indication to lock device on the receiving side is given to control field of a frame transmitted first, and an indication to unlock that device is given to control field of a frame transmitted last.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Osakabe, Shigeo Tanaka, Akira Katsuyama, Hiroshi Yamazaki, Yasuo Kusagaya, Noriko Kotabe, Kouichi Sugiyama, Makoto Sato
  • Patent number: 5606443
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a demonstration of home entertainment audio and/or video equipment. Upon receipt of a start signal from a switch, control signals are transmitted via infrared transmitter to the equipment being demonstrated. The infrared signals are identical to those which would be sent from a remote control unit (or may be signals sent through hard-wired connections). The infrared signals turn on power to the equipment, properly configure the equipment, adjust volume level and other parameters, and program the equipment to present the demonstration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Sgambati