Patents Assigned to Sony Cinema Products Corporation
  • Patent number: 6188806
    Abstract: A motion picture film having digital audio data recorded in at least one sound track thereof. Such digital audio data includes a plurality of bytes of data each having 8 bits of data. Each respective bit of each byte of audio data is recorded in a sound track of the film in the film running direction and each byte is arranged side-by-side in a direction normal to the film running direction to form a compression processing block. C1 parity data is added to each such compression processing block and C2 parity data is added after a predetermined interval of plural compression processing blocks. Error correction may be performed by utilizing the C1 and C2 parity data for each compression processing block and at the predetermined interval of plural compression blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Inatome, Etsuro Saito, Katsuichi Tachi
  • Patent number: 6097255
    Abstract: A phase-locked loop circuit adapted to follow up with the phase of an input signal includes a phase comparator 150 for phase-comparing, in synchronism with pre-set operating clocks, an input reference signal to an input signal entered as a counterpart for comparison. Since a first detector 154, a second detector 155 and JK-flip-flops 162, 163 output data responsive to pre-set operating clocks, there is produced no phase lag between NU data and ND data nor the phase lag between two tri-state logical outputs. In a conventional system, the phase lag between NU data and ND data was generated due to the differential delay of the input data caused by looped or the feedback components. Since the two input signals, namely the reference signal and the input signal, are phase-compared to each other in synchronism with the pre-set operating clocks, the comparison data obtained as a result of the phase comparison are outputted at a pre-set period thus reducing the malfunctions otherwise produced in the entire circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuichi Tachi
  • Patent number: 6038010
    Abstract: A digital sound signal reproducing device 10 includes a reduced number of guide rolls and so forth by changing the mounting position of a sound drum 13. The digital sound signal reproducing device 10 is made up of a guide sprocket 11, a guide roll 14 and a sound drum 13, about which runs an image film 1. The sound drum 13 carries a optical readout device 20 for reading out and reproducing digital sound signals recorded on a digital sound signal recording portion 5 of the image film 1. The guide sprocket 11 is arranged in the vicinity of an image film supply port 10A supplied with the image film 1. The guide roll 14 is arranged in the vicinity of an image film output port 10B from which the image film 1 is led out. The guide sprocket 11 includes an image film running adjustment device 30 adapted for applying a running load on the image film 1 supplied to the optical readout device 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventor: Etsuro Saito
  • Patent number: 6028657
    Abstract: A motion picture film reproducing device for reading out a tracking pattern recorded on the motion picture film and reading out audio data, after tracking control, for reproducing RF signals. The signal level of a tracking pattern portion of RF signals outputted by a voltage-controlled variable gain amplifier (VCA) 11 adapted fro adjusting the RF signal level is sample-held by a first sample-and-hold (S/H) circuit 13. The average signal level of the audio data portion of the RF signals is sample-held by a second sample-and-hold (S/H) circuit 16 via a low-pass filter made up of a resister 14 and a capacitor 15. A difference detection circuit 18, supplied via a changeover switch 17 with the sample-held output of the first sample-and-hold circuit 13 or the second S/H circuit 16, detects the difference between the signal level of the sample-held output and a pre-set signal level for controlling the VCA for decreasing the detected difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Inatome, Yoshiyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6028972
    Abstract: A motion picture film having digital audio data recorded in at least one sound track thereof. Such digital audio data includes a plurality of bytes of data each having 8 bits of data. Each respective bit of each byte of audio data is recorded in a sound track of the film in the film running direction and each byte is arranged side-by-side in a direction normal to the film running direction to form a compression processing block. C1 parity data is added to each such compression processing block and C2 parity data is added after a predetermined interval of plural compression processing blocks. Error correction may be performed by utilizing the C1 and C2 parity data for each compression processing block and at the predetermined interval of plural compression blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Inatome, Etsuro Saito, Katsuichi Tachi
  • Patent number: 6016182
    Abstract: A motion picture film having digital audio data recorded in at least one sound track thereof. Such digital audio data includes a plurality of bytes of data each having 8 bits of data. Each respective bit of each byte of audio data is recorded in a sound track of the film in the film running direction and each byte is arranged side-by-side in a direction normal to the film running direction to form a compression processing block. C1 parity data is added to each such compression processing block and C2 parity data is added after a predetermined interval of plural compression processing blocks. Error correction may be performed by utilizing the C1 and C2 parity data for each compression processing block and at the predetermined interval of plural compression blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Ohashi, Kozo Kaminaga, Kenji Takanashi, Toshiaki Setogawa, Teruyuki Yoshida, Katsuichi Tachi
  • Patent number: 5991003
    Abstract: A synchronous control device having a memory 101 for storing block data blocked in terms of a pre-set data amount, a clock generating circuit 102 for generating input side clocks which are based on a data rate to be synchronized, and a memory control unit 103 for generating output side clocks C.sub.out responsive to input side clocks C.sub.in from the clock generating circuit 102. The memory 101 stores the block data on the block basis, based on the input side clocks C.sub.in from the clock generating circuit 103, and outputs the stored block data based on the output side clocks C.sub.out from the memory control circuit 103. The memory control circuit 103 detects a difference between the input data volume and the output side data volume in the memory 101 for varying the speed of the output side clocks responsive to the amount of the detected difference so that the output side clocks will be synchronized with the input side clocks C.sub.in from the clock generating circuit 103.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyasu Imahashi, Katsuichi Tachi, Norihiko Noguchi
  • Patent number: 5959716
    Abstract: A data recording apparatus for a motion picture film for digitally recording data concerning an image of the motion picture film. The data recording apparatus includes a plurality of light emission units (LEDs) 4 lighted responsive to the data concerning an image, a light volume detection units 5 for detecting the light emission volume of each of the light emission unit, a reference value outputting unit 6 for outputting a reference output specifying a reference value of the light emission volume of the light emission unit and a control unit 8 for comparing the reference output value of the reference value outputting unit 6 to each detected output value from the light volume detection unit 5 for controlling the light emission of the LEDs 4 so that each detected output value will be equal to the reference output value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Inomata
  • Patent number: 5802181
    Abstract: An improved theater surround sound system incorporates a screen top speaker and an overhead speaker driven by corresponding upper surround channels to more accurately reproduce sounds produced from above the listener. These top surround channels are encoded along with the left and right surround channels. A pilot signal is used to direct the sound from the side surround channels to the upper surround channels when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ozaki, Michael J. Kohut
  • Patent number: 5761349
    Abstract: A motion picture film having digital audio data recorded in at least one sound track thereof. Such digital audio data includes a plurality of bytes of data each having 8 bits of data. Each respective bit of each byte of audio data is recorded in a sound track of the film in the film running direction and each byte is arranged side-by-side in a direction normal to the film running direction to form a compression processing block. C1 parity data is added to each such compression processing block and C2 parity data is added after a predetermined interval of plural compression processing blocks. Error correction may be performed by utilizing the C1 and C2 parity data for each compression processing block and at the predetermined interval of plural compression blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Inatome, Etsuro Saito, Katsuichi Tachi
  • Patent number: 5748746
    Abstract: A system for controlling distribution of sound in a multi-channel sound system such as a "surround sound" system in a movie theater. Control signals are used to steer, or distribute, portions of the sound signal between designated speakers. In a preferred embodiment the control signals are provided with the sound signals, themselves, and are separated from the sound signals by using a pilot signal or signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ozaki, Michael J. Kohut
  • Patent number: 5717765
    Abstract: An improved theater surround sound system incorporates a screen top speaker and an overhead speaker driven by corresponding upper surround channels to more accurately reproduce sounds produced from above the listener. These top surround channels are encoded along with the left and right surround channels. A pilot signal is used to direct the sound from the side surround channels to the upper surround channels when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ozaki, Michael J. Kohut
  • Patent number: 5677753
    Abstract: A motion picture film capable of reproducing the sound field full of ambience in the reproducing system. The digital sound tracks 5L and 5R, on which digital audio data have been recorded, are recorded so that temporally same digital audio signals are recorded with a spatial shift by a preset distance along the film running direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Miyamori, Masatoshi Ueno, Matayasu Kubo, Kenji Takanashi, Toshiaki Setogawa, Michael J. Kohut, Jeffrey E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5677752
    Abstract: A motion picture film capable of reproducing the sound field full of ambience in the reproducing system. The digital sound tracks 5L and 5R, on which digital audio data have been recorded, are recorded so that temporally same digital audio signals are recorded with a spatial shift by a preset distance along the film running direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Miyamori, Masatoshi Ueno, Matayasu Kubo, Kenji Takanashi, Toshiaki Setogawa, Michael J. Kohut, Jeffrey E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5677994
    Abstract: A high-efficiency encoding method and apparatus assuring a higher data compression ratio than with known encoding method and apparatus. The multi-channel signals including bandwidth-limited signals of at least one channel are encoded by the same encoding technique by an encoding unit. The bandwidth-limited signals of at least one channel, resulting from encoding by the encoding unit, are re-encoded by a re-encoding unit for eliminating the redundant information produced by the bandwidth limitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Miyamori, Masatoshi Ueno
  • Patent number: 5639585
    Abstract: A photosensitive medium, such as motion picture film, having digital data in multiple formats and analog audio signals photographically recorded thereon, and a system for photographically recording digital data (preferably including digital audio bits) in multiple formats and optionally also analog audio signals on a medium. Preferably, two digital soundtracks are recorded on the film, each in an array of bit areas arranged in row and column order, with the bit areas of one soundtrack between consecutive pairs of sprocket holes along one edge of the film, and the bit areas of the other soundtrack along the film edges outside the sprocket holes. Preferred embodiments of the invention include a camera assembly through which a motion picture film translates in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond E. Callahan, Jr., Howard J. Flemming, LeRoy H. Reese, Shawn F. Jones, Dana B. Wood
  • Patent number: 5608473
    Abstract: An audio data readout device for a motion picture film and a clock generating device in a changeover system for a motion picture film. First and second clock generating circuits generate first and second clocks of predetermined frequencies based upon a repetition frequency of perforations detected by first and second film readers and a repetition frequency of a track pitch of audio data, and route the resulting clocks to a changeover switch. At a changeover time, a changeover controller switchingly controls the changeover switch to select the second clock. A system clock generating circuit has loop characteristics of a longer time constant than the first or second clock generating circuits and smoothly locks the second clock to generate a system clock which is outputted. A stable and accurate system clock can be generated and outputted even when film running is unstable at the changeover time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuichi Tachi, Kozo Kaminaga, Jeffrey E. Taylor, Howard J. Flemming
  • Patent number: 5602923
    Abstract: An improved theater surround sound system incorporates a screen top speaker and an overhead speaker driven by corresponding upper surround channels to more accurately reproduce sounds produced from above the listener. These top surround channels are encoded along with the left and right surround channels. A pilot signal is used to direct the sound from the side surround channels to the upper surround channels when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ozaki, Michael J. Kohut
  • Patent number: 5600617
    Abstract: A data recording device for a motion picture film is provided in which one ends of plural optical fibers are connected to light emitting devices and the other ends of the optical fibers are arrayed in accordance with a dot pattern of audio data to be recorded. The light emitting diodes are turned on responsive to the audio data to be recorded on the motion picture film. The audio data carrying light, produced by the turning on of the LEDs, is conducted via the optical fibers to a head unit so as to be radiated on the motion picture film via a radiating port of the head unit. By the above arrangement, the optical fibers may be arrayed optionally at the head unit without regard to the array of the LEDs. Consequently, the LEDs are affected to a lesser extent by heat evolved on turning on the LEDs. By linearly arraying the optical fibers at the head unit 1, a larger quantity of audio data may be recorded on the motion picture film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventor: Etsuro Saito
  • Patent number: 5596380
    Abstract: A digital sound signal reading means 20 is provided in association with a sound drum 13 on which an image film 1 delivered from a cinema film supply unit 50 circumferentially travels to carry out reading and reproduction of digital sound signals recorded in a digital sound signal recording portion 5 of the image film 1. An image film traveling adjustment unit 30 is disposed at least at the position of the preceding stage of the image film traveling path. The image film traveling adjustment unit 30 applies traveling load in dependency upon traveling state of the image film 1 to allow the image film 1 to travel up to the digital sound signal reading means 2 in a stable state thus to allow it to carry out reading and reproduction of digital sound signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Cinema Products Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ozaki, Toshiyuki Shirasu, Etsuro Saito