Patents Examined by David E. Harvey
  • Patent number: 6859237
    Abstract: A television line doubler (interlaced to progressive scan converter) incorporating the following aspects—an improved field motion detector which does not treat low frequency vertical transitions as motion; a frame motion detector having an improved ability to differentiate motion from subcarrier signal components; a sawtooth artifact detector; a sawtooth artifact detector in combination with a film pattern detector, such that the artifact detector can take the film pattern detector out of film mode earlier than it would if it only were responsive to a break in the film pattern; tandem field motion detectors; an improved field based film detector; film pattern detectors and motion detectors used therewith which operate by performing end-of-field calculations; the combination of a field motion detector and a frame motion detector such that the frame motion detector provides a motion signal used as a verification by the field motion detector; an improved NTSC film detector requiring a minimum number of NTSC film
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Genesis Microchip Inc.
    Inventor: Peter D. Swartz
  • Patent number: 6816205
    Abstract: A method and system for visually signaling the selection of a specific television or video camera source during the live editing of multiple camera sources is disclosed. The system includes an adapter and a power console in combination for receiving a plurality of tally signals from a video switcher and converting each of the tally signals into an encoded sub-audible Continuous Tone Control Squelch System tone. The system also includes a tally system having a plurality of belt-pack assemblies for receiving the encoded sub-audible CTCSS tone and illuminating tally lights corresponding to the camera selected by the switcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Edmond Louis Dudkowski
  • Patent number: 6809776
    Abstract: A video processing system is described for providing an image having more than one region on a display (DISPLAY). The system has a control means which can determine, for each region, the type (e.g., graphics, text, computer programs, broadcast TV video, etc.) of the image material being displayed in the region. The system also has a video driver coupled to the display for providing image signals having contrast and brightness characteristics. The control means generates a control signal for causing said video driver means to adjust said contrast and brightness characteristics of said image signals according to the type of material being displayed in said region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: Theodore Frederick Simpson
  • Patent number: 6803970
    Abstract: A radio receiver for receiving a selected digital TV signal uses final intermediate frequency signals the carrier frequencies of which are multiples of symbol rate. The radio receiver has a match filter receptive of rectified samples of digitized intermediate-frequency signal and responsive to the amplitude of the intermediate-frequency carrier being modulated in accordance with the field synchronization code group to generate a pulsed response to the beginning of each data field. This pulsed response is used to determine when data segment synchronization information should occur, so its detection is more certain to be accurate and data segment synchronization is more rapidly determined. Symbol synchronization is rapidly inferred from the field synchronization and data segment synchronization, so that the samples in each data line can be counted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Allen LeRoy Limberg, Chandrakant B. Patel
  • Patent number: 6803965
    Abstract: A method of measuring horizontal frequency, which comprises the steps of resetting an 8-bit counter, which counts horizontal synchronous pulses separated from a video signal, at a time point corresponding to an edge of a vertical synchronous signal separated from the video signal, causing a data latch portion, which is operative to latch count data obtained from a 16-bit counter operative to count clock pulses having a predetermined frequency, to latch the count data obtained from the 16-bit counter at a time point corresponding to an edge of a bit output signal obtained from the seventh bit position of the 8-bit counter, detecting a period which corresponds to 128 times a horizontal period of the video signal based on a difference between counted values represented respectively by a couple of count data latched successively by the data latch portion, and measuring horizontal frequency of the video signal by calculating the horizontal frequency on the strength of the period corresponding to 128 times the hori
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Takegoshi, Nobuo Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6735776
    Abstract: Motion picture distribution is performed by converting the motion pictures into digital video signals, combining the video signals with code elements or icons positioned in the active picture area of images formed by the video signals and sent via satellite to theaters or other receiving locations. The video signals are stored at the receiving locations and displayed repetitively to audiences by means of a projection television system. The coded areas in the pictures are used to transmit motion picture identification, theater authorization and other information which can be used to control the distribution and display of the motion pictures. Reports regarding playing of the motion picture are transmitted from each display site to the offices of the remote distributor. Motion pictures are edited by converting the film into video signals, inserting coded areas into the active picture areas of the video signals to provide time codes, edge codes and related information useful for editing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Kim R. Legate
  • Patent number: 6700625
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method in which image data stored in storage media of a plurality of different types or output by image signal generating sources of a plurality of different types can be reproduced simultaneously on the same monitor screen. Original image data provided by storage media or image signal generating sources of a plurality of types is converted to reduced image data representing pictures of reduced size. The original image data or the reduced image data is stored in a display memory in an arrangement capable of constructing a split-screen display. A plurality of frames of (reduced) image data read out of different storage media, etc. are stored in the display memory. These items of image data from the display memory are converted to image signals suitable for being displayed, and the image signals are applied to a monitor display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Fujii
  • Patent number: 6686970
    Abstract: A media production is formed from source media including at least one of audio media and visual media. The source media is received and analyzed to extract therefrom content information associated with a corresponding element of the source media. The content information is examined for at least one of the elements to determine a limited set of production rules applicable to the corresponding element. A user may selectively apply at least one of the rules to a corresponding one of the elements so as to alter the corresponding element, for example in duration, in synchronism with other elements. The altered element is then combined with at least one other of the media to form the media production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: John Richard Windle
  • Patent number: 6686972
    Abstract: A receiver for VSB signals includes tuner channel changing circuitry. AGC circuitry, an IF FPLL and confidence counters, for indicating when signal acquisition or loss occurs. When a loss of signal indication is generated, the IF FPLL is reset, but not the tuner channel changing circuitry and the AGC circuitry, in order to quickly reacquire the signal. If the loss of signal indication persists for a predetermined time or for a predetermined number of loss of signal indications, the IF FPLL, the tuner channel changing circuitry and the AGC circuitry are all reset to reacquire the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Victor G. Mycynek
  • Patent number: 6667776
    Abstract: A video signal processor, having an input receiving unit for selectively receiving either of a baseband video signal and a composite video signal are selectively input as an input video signal thereto, a 1H delay unit for delaying the selected input video signal by one line period (1H), an inter-line non-correlation component extractor for extracting inter-line non-correlation components between the input video signal and the 1H delay signal from the 1H delay unit, an inter-frame non-correlation component remover for removing inter-frame non-correlation components from the selected input video signal, a first subtractor responsive to the selection of the baseband video signal for subtracting the inter-line non-correlation component from the baseband video signal processed the inter-frame non-correlation component removal at the inter-frame non-correlation component removing means to result noise-reduced baseband video signals, a second subtractor responsive to the selection of the composite video signal the i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masatoshi Sumiyoshi, Naoki Mazda, Hitoshi Kawabata, Seiichi Tanaka, Kazumasa Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6642968
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for video signal frame rate matching using three buffers. The method and apparatus reads frame data out of the third buffer. At substantially the same time, the method and apparatus fills the first buffer with the next sequence of frame data and then fills the second buffer with the next sequence of frame data, continuing to alternate the fills between the first buffer and the second buffer until all of the frame data has been read from the third buffer. Next, the method and apparatus determines which of the first buffer or second buffer has been filled with the most current and most complete frame data. Last, the method and apparatus reads the frame data out of the determined buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff S. Ford, Claude Denton
  • Patent number: 6637032
    Abstract: A system and method uses the closed captioning script to synchronize supplemental data with specified junctures in a video program. A parser parses the closed captioning script to identify a set of unique phrases, with each phrase having the same number of words. A program producer decides what points in the video program to introduce enhancing content. The producer associates supplemental data used to activate the enhancing content with specific key phrases of the closed captioning script that correspond to the desired points in the program. The parser creates a key phrase data file which contains a listing of the key phrases and their association to the supplemental data. The key phrase data file is delivered to viewer computing units at users' homes. When the program is played, the viewer computing unit monitors the closed captioning script to detect the key phrases listed in the key phrase data file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: David Feinleib
  • Patent number: 6628343
    Abstract: The invention provides a television reception circuit wherein a front end circuit of a television receiver is integrated and outputting of an image frequency is suppressed. The television signal reception circuit comprises an integrated circuit which in turn includes an automatic gain circuit for controlling a level of an input signal, first and second frequency mixture circuits to which an output of the automatic gain circuit is inputted, a &pgr;/2 phase shifting circuit for supplying local oscillation frequencies having a phase difference of &pgr;/2 from each other to the first and second frequency mixture circuits, first and second &pgr;/4 phase shifting circuits for shifting phases of outputs of the first and second frequency mixture circuits by +&pgr;/4 and −&pgr;/4, respectively, and an addition circuit for adding outputs of the first and second &pgr;/4 phase shifting circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Yamaguchi, Shinichi Kitazono, Koichi Ohya
  • Patent number: 6606747
    Abstract: A television system comprises an electronic program guide (EPG) including a picture-in-picture (PIP) window and means for returning to a last channel viewed full screen (LCF) in a television viewing mode prior to entering the guide mode. The EPG displays a program list including a listing for the LCF and text identifying it as such. This last channel listing is positioned at the top of a program list area in the guide. The viewer returns directly to the LCF in the television viewing mode by setting a cursor to the last channel listing prior to exiting the guide mode. In guides including listings for future programs, the last channel listing remains in a designated position of the program list area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Index Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry C. Yuen, Roy J. Mankovitz, Daniel S. Kwoh, Elsie Y. Leung
  • Patent number: 6597406
    Abstract: A three-dimensional model is created to represent an environment to be captured on video. A camera is fitted with pan, tilt and/or zoom sensors. An operator selects a location in the environment. The three-dimensional model is used to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of the location selected by the operator. Information from the pan, tilt and/or zoom sensors is used to transform the three-dimensional coordinates to a two-dimensional position in the video from the camera. Using the two-dimensional position of the video, a graphic is properly added to the video such that the graphic appears to be at the selected location in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Sportvision, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Gloudemans, Richard H. Cavallaro, Jerry N. Gepner, Stanley K. Honey, Walter Hsiao, Terence J. O'Brien, Marvin S. White
  • Patent number: 6590606
    Abstract: An arrangement for displaying video images on a projection surface, in which the display is carried out on the projection surface at an inclination, comprises a source for the emission of a substantially parallel light bundle for a sequential illumination of image points of the video image, which source can be intensity-modulated, a deflection device for scanning the light bundle in two dimensions, and a control device which controls the intensity modulation for the light bundle as well as the deflection of the light bundle in accordance with a function that is obtained through a calculated distortion correction of the image, at least with respect to the inclination. A method for the compensation of geometric image errors in video images is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: LDT GmbH & Co. Laser-Display-Technology KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hiller, Wolfgang Vogel, Christhard Deter
  • Patent number: 6580463
    Abstract: A television line doubler (interlaced to progressive scan converter) incorporating the following aspects—an improved field motion detector which does not treat low frequency vertical transitions as motion; a frame motion detector having an improved ability to differentiate motion from subcarrier signal components; a sawtooth artifact detector; a sawtooth artifact detector in combination with a film pattern detector, such that the artifact detector can take the film pattern detector out of film mode earlier than it would if it only were responsive to a break in the film pattern; tandem field motion detectors; an improved field based film detector; film pattern detectors and motion detectors used therewith which operate by performing end-of-field calculations; the combination of a field motion detector and a frame motion detector such that the frame motion detector provides a motion signal used as a verification by the field motion detector; an improved NTSC film detector requiring a minimum number of NTS
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Faroudja Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter D. Swartz
  • Patent number: 6577354
    Abstract: An audio input interface (122) receives a digital audio signal and identifies an audio bitstream which is optionally decrypted by a decryption unit (123), and decoded by an audio decoding unit (124). An audio digital to analog converter (126) converts the decoded audio bitstream to an analog audio signal which is optionally decrypted by an audio analog decryption unit (127). A video input interface (142) receives a digital video signal and identifies a video bitstream which is optionally decrypted by a video digital decryption unit (143), and decoded by a video decoding unit (144). A video digital to analog converter (146) converts the decoded video bitstream to an analog video signal that is optionally decrypted by a video analog decryption unit (147). An analog transmitter (150) mixes the analog audio signal and analog video signal and transmits an analog wireless output signal to an analog wireless device (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Jurgen Reinold, David Knappenberger, Mathew Cucuzella, Jack Scott Geranen, Jeff Lee, Michael E. Williams
  • Patent number: 6577347
    Abstract: A television receiver receiving an analog video signal, comprises additional information detecting means for separating and extracting an additional information code from the analog video signal, and outputting the additional information code; additional information recording means for recording the additional information code output from the additional information detecting means; additional information writing switch means for passing or blocking the additional information code that is output from the additional information detecting means toward the additional information recording means, in response to a control signal; conversion means for converting the additional information code output from the additional information detecting means or the additional information code reproduced from the additional information recording means into a character or an image; and signal synthesizing means for synthesizing the analog video signal and the additional information that has been converted into a character or an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiro Nishio, Kiyoshi Imai, Akira Usui, Kiyokazu Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 6559897
    Abstract: During image processing of video pictures, it is generally necessary to have fast, repeated access to adjacent picture blocks. Picture memories with a sufficient capacity to store complete video pictures do not have the necessary access time to perform image processing in real time. The invention therefore provides for the writing of picture blocks from a picture memory to a fast access memory. Only the pixels in the access memory are accessed when the image processing operation is performed. During the read-out, a further block from the picture memory is simultaneously read into the access memory. As a result, fast access to the picture data is possible in conjunction with little additional outlay in respect to memory. Areas of application for the method are in the image processing of video pictures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andreas Menkhoff, Günter Scheffler