Patents Examined by Michael H. Lee
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Patent number: 6864924Abstract: The present invention provides a television tuner input circuit having satisfactory selection properties free from influence by half of signal frequencies to be received. The television tuner input circuit of the present invention has a tuning circuit and a high pass filter cascaded to the tuning circuit, wherein: the tuning circuit is switched to a low band or high band television signal reception state; when the tuning circuit is switched to a low band reception state, a cutoff frequency of the high pass filter is set lower than the minimum frequency of the low band; and when the tuning circuit is switched to a high band reception state, a cutoff frequency is set lower than the minimum frequency of the high band and higher than half of the maximum frequency thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2001Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6864923Abstract: In an edge correcting circuit of an image to be represented by a digitized image signal, a high-frequency signal extracting circuit (5) extracts a high-frequency signal of the image by calculation based on a signal of a target pixel, a signal of a pixel shifted from the target pixel by m (m being an integer not smaller than 2) pixels in the right or lower direction, and a signal of a pixel shifted from the target pixel by m pixels in the left or upper direction, an amplitude-restricting signal generator (6) determines an amplitude-restricting signal (Si) based on a minimum value or a maximum value of an absolute value of a difference between the signal of the target pixel and a signal of a pixel shifted from the target pixel by n (n being an integer not smaller than 1 and smaller than m) pixels in the right or lower direction, and an absolute value of a difference between the signal of the target pixel and a signal of a pixel shifted from the target pixel by n pixels in the left or upper direction, an amplituType: GrantFiled: November 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kouji Minami
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Patent number: 6859224Abstract: It is an object of the invention to measure the precise color characteristic of an image pickup machine and accurately reproduce a subject in an image display unit. A color characteristic measurement apparatus which has a test chart (1) as a subject of an image pickup machine (6), a hole (2) made in the test chart (1), a black box (3) placed on a rear face of the test chart (1) and formed on an inner surface in black, and a light output section (4) placed in the black box (3) at a position where the light output section (4) can be observed through the hole (2) from the outside.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroaki Sugiura, Tetsuya Kuno, Junichiro Hayashi, Kiyotaka Yamamoto, Yoshikuni Nishimura
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Patent number: 6859236Abstract: In an apparatus for composing image data of a main picture and image data of a sub-picture by a chroma key process, an attribute of an image contained in the sub-picture is detected, a partial area of the sub-picture is set as a chroma key mask area in accordance with the attribute detection result, and composing the image data of the main picture and the image data of the sub-picturee by executing the chroma key process for an area other than the chroma key mask area without executing the chroma key process for the chroma key mask area in the sub-picture.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2001Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hideaki Yui
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Patent number: 6859238Abstract: A demodulator (10) converts television signals to video baseband signals and audio baseband signals including stereo signals representing a right channel signal value and a left channel signal value. A DSP (60) recursively finds a preferred coefficient value for a scaling that reduces stereo separation due to amplitude variation of the right and left channel signal values. The preferred coefficient value is thereafter used for scaling the right and left channel signal values.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventor: David Chaohua Wu
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Patent number: 6856358Abstract: A method to generate an optimum phase shifted sampling clock for sampling a synchronized video signal A(t) having a synchronization signal SYNC pulse is achieved. The method comprises, first, generating a sampling clock having a first edge aligned with a trailing edge of the SYNC pulse. The sampling clock period comprises the SYNC pulse period divided by M. Second, the number of sampling clock cycles N is counted from the trailing edge of the SYNC pulse until the A(t) value at the first edge of the sampling clock exceeds a minimum value. Third, the sampling clock and the SYNC pulse are phase shifted forward until the A(t) value at the first edge of the sampling clock first exceeds a minimum value on clock cycle N?1 to thereby establish a worst case phase shift of the sampling clock. Finally, A(t) is sampled at an offset from the worst case phase shift to thereby generate an optimum phase shifted sampling clock.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Etron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Ming-Hung Wang
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Patent number: 6850286Abstract: A control device (32; 35) for controlling at least a first receiving device (1) so as to achieve that television channel information (FKI) stored in correlation with program position information (PPI) is stored in a second receiving device (2; 33), includes an encoding stage (29; 38) for encoding program position information (PPI) applied to the encoding stage (29; 38) and for supplying a corresponding control signal (SS1, SS2), and a transmitting stage (30) for transmitting the control signal (SS1, SS2) to the first receiving device (1) so as to achieve that a television signal (FS1) is supplied from the first receiving device (1) to the second receiving device (2; 33), the television signal (FS1) being identified by television channel information (FKI) stored in the first receiving device (1) in correlation with this program position information (PPI), expiry control means (31; 41) being provided, which are adapted to supply further program position information (PPI) in an ascending or descending order afteType: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Berndt Burghard
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Patent number: 6842198Abstract: A TV signal receiving tuner which is small in size and inexpensive due to a reduced number of local oscillators. In the TV signal receiving tuner, a local oscillation signal output from a local oscillator is directly applied to a first mixer through a first programmable divider to receive a UHF TV signal, the local oscillation signal output from the local oscillator is applied to the first mixer after its frequency is divided to 1/3 by the first programmable divider to receive a VHF high-band TV signal, and the local oscillation signal output from the local oscillator is applied to the first mixer after its frequency is divided to 1/5 by the first programmable divider to receive a VHF low-band TV signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2001Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeo Suzuki, Shigeru Osada
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Patent number: 6842195Abstract: A transforming device for transforming computer graphics signals to television signals is provided. The transforming device includes a scaled-down line generating unit that receives the computer vertical line and generates the scaled-down vertical line, a controller that receives the scaled-down vertical line, and a scaled-down buffer that stores the scaled-down vertical line or the value of the scaled-down vertical line performed by the weighted-averages method. The content of the scaled-down buffer is transmitted to a weighted-averages operation unit, and then it is performed by the weighted-averages method with the next scaled-down vertical line. When a TV line is generated, it is the output of the transforming device. The present invention has the advantage of reducing the needed buffers in the transforming process and thereby reducing the cost.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yi-Chieh Huang, Chun-An Lin
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Patent number: 6842196Abstract: Methods and systems of the present invention automatically and differentially detect and correct linear motion artifacts caused by camera movement and regional subject motion artifacts. Regional subject motion artifacts may be caused, for example in endoscopic or other surgery, by movement of surgical tools or the patient within the image field. Methods and systems of the present invention automatically correct for both types of motion occurring simultaneously. After an image is automatically corrected for both camera motion and regional subject motion, the image is displayed for viewing.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2000Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Dana Swift, Larry Birdsill
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Patent number: 6839093Abstract: A video controller may include at least one video input port which may be programmably configured to receive either RGB or non-RGB color space signals. The video controller may programmably operate in either an RGB or non-RGB mode. In this way, the number of color space conversions may be reduced in some embodiments. For example, where a television output device is coupled to the video controller, the video controller may provide a non-RGB output signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1998Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Paul S. Gryskiewicz
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Patent number: 6839089Abstract: There is provided a signal processing device in which its structure is simplified and a source subjected to a pull-down processing is detected at high precision. The signal processing device includes a comparison portion and a detection portion in which fields constituting a signal source are successively inputted, two fields are compared with each other, and it is judged whether or not there is a motion between the two fields, and a logic block for shifting a state on the basis of a judgement result as to whether or not there is a motion in the detection portion and for controlling judgement characteristics of the detection portion on the basis of the shifted state.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Muzaffar Husain Bin Fakhruddin
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Patent number: 6836297Abstract: A video signal selecting device for selectively outputting one of a plurality of input video signals to a video display apparatus in accordance with an instruction input is disclosed. The selecting device comprises a selector for selectively outputting one signal of the plural video signals, an OSD control section for displaying symbol information on uniformly colored background indicating that the selective output is executed on a screen of the video display apparatus, and a control circuit section for controlling the selective output of the selector in accordance with the instruction input, and for detecting a change of the instruction input to start up the OSD control section.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Osamu Maeda
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Patent number: 6836293Abstract: There is provided an image processing method capable of improving the picture quality. The image processing method comprises: incorporating input frame pictures to be displayed on a display device, on the basis of an input picture signal and an input synchronizing signal which is synchronized with the input picture signal; recording the incorporated input frame pictures in an input frame memory; and producing output frame pictures from input frame pictures, which have been recorded in the input frame memory, by producing an interpolated picture or inserting a black raster picture or thinning out the frame pictures, between input frame pictures corresponding to a picture information of the input frame picture to be displayed, on the basis of the picture information and the input synchronizing signal and an output synchronizing signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2001Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Goh Itoh, Haruhiko Okumura
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Patent number: 6836294Abstract: An apparatus converts an input video signal having a first format into an output video signal having a second format. A formatter receives the first video signal and divides each field or frame into an active video top and bottom half. Two format converters receive and process the two halves of the active video images from the formatter and provide respective halves of the active video image for rejoining into the second format. A demultiplexer receives the two halves of the active video images from the two format converters and combines the active video upper and active video lower halves of the fields or frames into the output video signal having a second format.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jon Scott Miller, Kevin Stec
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Patent number: 6833879Abstract: A system and method that facilitates the transformation of PTVs, when in the “OFF” mode, into aesthetically pleasing decorative furniture. The PTV preferably includes a primary and a secondary projection system. The secondary projection system preferably comprises a projection unit optically coupled to the screen of the PTV and an auxiliary image source coupled to the projection unit. Preferably, the program logic of the PTV directs the projection of an image from the secondary projection unit onto the screen when the PTV is in the “OFF” mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2000Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc.Inventors: Maria Angel, Anthony Roberts, Jeffrey G. Whitelaw
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Patent number: 6833880Abstract: An enclosure for a projection television set is provided that includes an upper compartment to house a mirror and a screen, and a lower compartment attached to the upper compartment. The lower compartment preferably includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a plurality of side panels wherein at least two side panels have an attachment region for a bracket of an optical unit. The attachment region may be angled surfaces designed to aim the optical unit toward the mirror of the projection television set. The attachment region may also be angled openings for insertion of first and second ends of the bracket of the optical unit therein, the angled openings configured to aim the optical unit toward the mirror. Alternatively, the attachment region may include a member having an elongate body with a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, a second end, and a notch extending between the ends along the top surface of the elongate body, wherein the notch engages the bracket of the optical unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2001Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc.Inventor: Luan Chi Chen
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Patent number: 6833877Abstract: The present invention has multiple AV/S terminals, an RF modulator, a S/AV signal converter and multiple switches. The switches connect the AV/S terminals with the RF outputs to allow the AV/S signal from the special AV/S terminal input into the RF modulator to be converted to an RF-signal input to the ANT terminal of the TV. Besides, the present invention further has an ANT input with an electronic switch and a detecting unit having a driver, which decides whether the electronic switch turns on. If the detecting unit detects no AV-signal or S-signal input from the AV/S terminals, the detecting unit first cuts off the power to the RF modulator and then makes the electronic switch turn on. The RF-signal from the ANT input is output to the RF output.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Trans Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Cheng-Si Wang
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Patent number: 6831701Abstract: A method of optimizing the display of an up-converted interlaced video frame signal from a received progressive video frame signal (11) comprises the steps of receiving a progressive video frame signal, decoding (12) the progressive video frame signal using an interpolation function (18) to provide an interpolated interlaced video signal, deinterlacing (14) the interpolated interlaced video signal, and de-interpolating (16) the deinterlaced interpolated interlaced video signal to provide an optimized progressive video frame signal (17).Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.Inventor: Donald Henry Willis
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Patent number: 6831702Abstract: A method of and apparatus for identifying a signal transmitting source detects a switching of a signal on the reception side thereby to prevent a transmission error from occurring when a signal is switched. The apparatus for identifying a signal transmitting source comprises a transmitting source identifying code extracting circuit for extracting a transmitting source identifying code provided in a SDDI format header of a received signal, a preceding transmitting source identifying code holding circuit for detecting a change of the transmitting source identifying code, and a transmitting source identifying code comparing circuit for detecting a switching of a transmitted signal based on the transmitting source identifying code thus changed, thereby detecting a switching of the transmitting source.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2000Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Mamoru Ueda