Patents Examined by Jean W. Desir
  • Patent number: 9554062
    Abstract: A video switcher includes: a reception unit which receives video data within a range of a prescribed bandwidth via a network from video output apparatuses; a transmission unit which selects one or more pieces from among received video data, and transmits the selected one or more pieces to a video processing apparatus; a selection unit which dynamically sets a priority degree of each piece of video data, and selects video data to be received; and a control unit which controls a transmission and reception of video data. When a bandwidth necessary for a reception of new video data is insufficient, the selection unit selects video data for which reception is to be stopped from among video data being received based on the priority degree, and the control unit performs a control so as to stop a reception of selected video data and start a reception of the new video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuto Masuda
  • Patent number: 9525866
    Abstract: A method of identifying a digital camera is disclosed. First and second digital images generated by the camera have dimensions that are not equal. The method includes calculating noise residuals and normalized cross-correlations (NCCs) between the noise residuals corresponding to candidate translations. The method further includes calculating a noise floor and identifying first and second peak values corresponding to translations. The method further includes calculating a peak ratio, determining that the peak ratio exceeds an alignment threshold and calculating a digital camera fingerprint for the digital camera based on the noise residuals and the first translation. The method further includes receiving a digital image, calculating a noise residual of the digital image, and determining that the image was generated by the digital camera based on the noise residual and the fingerprint and generating a record associating the image with the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Director, National Security Agency
    Inventors: Sarah T. Charlton, Carla D. Martin
  • Patent number: 9513231
    Abstract: A multi-axis tool may include, in some embodiments, a gimbal adapted to be positioned adjacent an opening in a wall; an extended-reach device having first and second ends and an end effector adjacent the first end, the extended-reach device engaging the gimbal for relative rotational movement and relative slidable movement through the opening such that the end effector is positioned on a side of the wall opposite the second end; a sensor system configured to measure a linear position of the extended-reach device relative to the gimbal, and a position and spatial orientation of the end effector relative to the opening; and a computer control connected to receive signals from the sensor system to determine at least one of a position and an orientation of the end effector relative to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathan R. Smith, James J. Troy, Jeffrey R. Kollgaard, Gary E. Georgeson, Paul S. Rutherford
  • Patent number: 9503669
    Abstract: A smart control device for controlling a television (TV) set includes at least one sensing device and a processor. The sensing device is configured to detect whether a person is in front of the TV set, and generate a first control signal upon determining that at least one person is in front of the TV set, or generate a second control signal upon determining that no people are in front of the TV set. The processor obtains the control signal generated by the sensing device, and turns on the TV set when the control signal is the first control signal and if the TV set was turned off, or turns off the TV set after a first predetermined time period elapsed, when the control signal is the second control signal and if the TV set was turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sheng-Feng Weng, Chuan-Te Chan, Wen-Chia Lee
  • Patent number: 9489835
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for configuration of another controllable device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc) available to the user. Appropriate set up data, generally in the form of command library codes, is displayed to the user by the interactive instruction set and associated programming for entry and trial by the user in set up of the desired appliance(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Haughawout, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 9471675
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically classifying videos based on faces discovered in the videos, wherein the discovered faces are not known to be associated with a particular category of videos. The detected face is compared to a set of unknown faces to generate a cluster of unknown faces that each match with the detected face. A set of categorized videos is identified based on the cluster of unknown faces. One or more categories are assigned to the video based on categories from the set of categorized videos so that the video can be automatically classified based on the detected face even though the detected face is not associated with a known person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Conversant LLC
    Inventors: Carolina Galleguillos, Hardik Jayant Shah, Arun Balagopalan
  • Patent number: 9473699
    Abstract: From a panorama moving image storage unit storing a panorama moving image, a panorama moving image is read and sequentially acquired. A display range, of the acquired panorama moving image, which is to be displayed on a display device is set in accordance with an operation made by a user. A sound to be output in synchronization with display of the image on the display device is generated based on the display range. Control of sequentially displaying the display range of the acquired panorama moving image on the display device is performed. Control of outputting the generated sound from the speaker in synchronization with the display of the image on the display device is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignees: Nintendo Co., Ltd., Hal Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Suzuki, Takuya Abe
  • Patent number: 9456215
    Abstract: Provided is an image transmission apparatus in digital TV broadcasting, including: a first converter which converts added data, which are to be inserted into an image, into a pixel block; a border extender which adds an extended border area to an image area to extend the image in video data and inserts the converted added data into the extended border area; a video encoder which encodes the video data into which the border extender inserts the added data; a video decoder which decodes the video data encoded by the video encoder; and a second converter which converts the added data which are inserted as a pixel block in the video data decoded by the video decoder into original data. Accordingly, in digital TV broadcasting such as HD TV an UDTV, the added data are inserted into a hidden area, so that it is possible to transmit various types of information including contents and copyright without a deterioration in image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: KANGWON NATIONAL UNIVERSITY University-Industry Cooperation Foundation
    Inventor: Chan Ho Han
  • Patent number: 9456171
    Abstract: The present invention provides a TV demodulator, which includes a TV digital-to-analog converter (TV DAC) and a calibration circuit. The TV DAC includes: a master control switch controlled by a calibration signal to generate a master current; a current distribution circuit distributing the master current to generate an analog output signal at an output terminal; a first switch electrically connected between the current distribution circuit and a first resistor; and a second switch electrically connected between the current distribution circuit and a second resistor. The calibration circuit generates the calibration signal according to the analog output signal, to feedback control the master current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INCORPORATION
    Inventor: Chia-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 9451206
    Abstract: To detect whether an FRC process is performed, provided is an image processing apparatus including an earlier frame movement region detecting means that detects an earlier frame movement region in an earlier frame; a later frame movement region detecting means that detects a later frame movement region in a later frame that is positioned after the earlier frame; a determining means that, when a shift between the earlier frame movement region and the later frame movement region is less than or equal to a region shift threshold value, determines that a frame rate control process is being performed and outputs a parameter change command for changing a threshold value of an image processing parameter; and an image processing means that, upon receiving the parameter change command, changes the threshold value of the image processing parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: EIZO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haifeng Chen, Masafumi Higashi
  • Patent number: 9445083
    Abstract: A system 8 for delivering stereoscopic images for viewing without 3-D glasses being required comprises a video display element 1, an image direction element 4, a front holder element 5, a rear holder element 3, and a resolution enhancement element 2. The video display element 1 outputs a plurality of left-eye images and a plurality of right-eye images. The image direction element 4 directs each left-eye image at a desired left-eye angle and directs each right-eye image at a desired right-eye angle. The front holder element 5 is movable relative to the rear holder element 3 to move the image direction element 4 to adjust each left-eye angle at which each left-eye image is directed and to adjust each right-eye angle at which each right-eye image is directed to suit each viewer. The resolution enhancement element 2 is modulated simultaneously with the image direction element 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Healy, Thao D. Hovanky, John Gilbert
  • Patent number: 9445038
    Abstract: A television has first and second electronic subsystems which collectively operate to produce a display. The television is controlled by a processor, the processor also operating to determine a period of time where no output is being produced, and to maintain the first electronic subsystem and said second electronic subsystem into a power reduced state, e.g., a sleep state. The television maintains a database of times when it is likely to operate to produce said output, and automatically removing the first electronic system from the power reduced state, and not removing the second electronic subsystem from the power reduced state at one of the times, and without an indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Vizio Inc
    Inventor: Matthew Blake McRae
  • Patent number: 9445064
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device 10 includes a panel controller 50 and a backlight controller 51. The panel controller 50 drives a liquid crystal panel 11 such that one frame display period includes a red and blue display period and a green display period. In the red and blue display period, red pixels RPX and blue pixels BPX are selectively driven. The backlight controller drives a lighting device to turn on first magenta LEDs 17M1 and the first green LEDs 17G1 until scanning of at least red pixels RPX and blue pixels BPX included in a first area A1 is finished after starting of the scanning, after finishing of the scanning, turn on the first magenta LEDs 17M1 and turn off the first green LEDs 17G1 for at least a certain period until scanning of green pixels BPX included in the first area A1 for a next green display period is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuru Hosoki
  • Patent number: 9445039
    Abstract: There has been a need for a technology for effectively realizing a narrow frame in a flat-screen display device including a speaker. A liquid crystal television is provided with SP bosses (30) for attaching a speaker unit (50) to a bottom cover (20) which also serves as an appearance part. In addition, the speaker unit (50) is arranged onto a backlight chassis (12) (rear side). By arranging the speaker unit (50) and anchoring with a screw (81) so as to cause fixation holes of SP fixation portions (53) and holes of the SP bosses (30) to coincide, the speaker unit (50) is fixed to the bottom cover (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yohei Suzuki, Daisaku Kiguchi, Harutaka Uno, Ryuji Hanao
  • Patent number: 9426393
    Abstract: A method for noise simulation of a CMOS image sensor comprises performing a frequency domain noise simulation for a readout circuit of the CMOS image sensor using a computer, wherein the readout circuit includes a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit, wherein the frequency domain noise simulation includes a CDS transfer function to refer a noise introduced by the CDS circuit back to an input node of the readout circuit. The method further comprises calculating noise at the input node of the readout circuit based on the referred back noises caused by one or more components in the readout circuit and estimating noise of the CMOS imaging sensor by comparing the calculated noise at the input node of the readout circuit to an original input signal to the readout circuit of the CMOS imaging sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shang-Fu Yeh, Kuo-Yu Chou, Yi-Che Chen, Wei Lun Tao, Honyih Tu, Calvin Yi-Ping Chao, Fu-Lung Hsueh
  • Patent number: 9414026
    Abstract: A system for automated inspection of a surface; the system may include a self-propelled, steerable carriage capable of traversing the surface, the carriage having a camera positioned to view an object on the surface, and at least of one of a sensor capable of detecting a defect in the surface, a tool for treating the defect, and a sensor for inspecting a repair of the defect; and a computer controller connected to receive image data from the camera, communicate with and selectively actuate the at least of one of a sensor capable of detecting a defect in the surface, a tool for treating the defect, and a sensor for inspecting a repair of the defect, and control the carriage to move on the surface along one or more of a pre-set path and a path to one or more pre-set locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven D. Blanchard, Gary E. Georgeson, Joseph L. Hafenrichter, Karl E. Nelson, Thomas T. McCleave
  • Patent number: 9386258
    Abstract: Provided are a mounting member which may be fixed to a substrate with a simple structure without using a solder, and easily mount the substrate to another member having a simple structure, while maintaining stable fixation to the substrate, a display device including the mounting member, and a television receiver including the display device. The mounting member includes a first abutting plate part formed in a square flat shape, a side abutting plate part connected to the first abutting plate part at a right angle, and a second abutting plate part connected to the side abutting plate part at a right angle. The mounting member is mounted so as to pinch a portion of an edge part of the substrate. The other member abuts the first abutting plate part, and a screw is inserted into a screw insertion hole of the other member, the screw insertion hole of the first abutting plate part, and the screw insertion hole of the substrate, and screwed to a female thread such that the substrate is mounted to the other member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaroh Ohki, Tsuyoshi Ohshima
  • Patent number: 9374508
    Abstract: An image is sharpened without generating, in frequency domain exceeding frequency component in horizontal and vertical direction, frequency component caused by sharpening carried out in horizontal and vertical direction in overlapping manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: KEISOU GIKEN Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Gohshi, Jin Ogasawara, Shinichiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9350985
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for removing circling drifts on the display of the measured eddy current or other continuous waves. The circling dot which is supposed to be a static dot can obscure information required by the operator to judge if a small defect is present. Embodiments of presently disclosed harmonic rejection filters are tunable and employed to effectively abate or eliminate signals with frequencies that are multiples of operating frequencies, resulting in the removal of the circling effects on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS NDT, INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Thomas
  • Patent number: 9341891
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a splicing liquid crystal panel and a method for assembling the splicing liquid crystal panel, and a splicing television including the splicing liquid crystal panel. The splicing liquid crystal panel comprises a backlight module and a plurality of liquid crystal modules in cooperation with the backlight module. The backlight module comprises a back plate, light source lamps arranged on a first surface of the back plate, a bearing frame surrounding the edges of the back plate, and dismounting members connected between the bearing frame and a second surface of the back plate, wherein, each dismounting member comprises a first connector connected with the bearing frame and a second connector connected with the back plate, the first connector and the second connector form a hinge joint. The backlight of such a splicing liquid crystal panel has a unitary structure which is easy remove and convenient to maintain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YuChun Hsiao, Yanxue Zhang