Patents Examined by Michael H. Lee
  • Patent number: 7116379
    Abstract: The technique of the present invention adjustably sets an image area on a center of an image display area of an image display device for displaying an image expressed by an input image signal and a mask display area surrounding the image area for displaying a black image, based on a user's setting of a parameter representing a projection size. The technique contracts or expands the image expressed by the input image signal to make a size of the image expressed by the input image signal fit a size of the image area in the process of generating a display image signal from the input image signal, while generating the display image signal to make the black image displayed in the mask display area. The projection size is thus adjustable according to the size of the image area and the size of the mask display area, which are set based on the parameter representing the projection size. This arrangement ensures simple adjustment of the projection size of the image by the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7113228
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control panel for video apparatus. For realizing greater flexibility with such control panels there is proposed that the control panel comprises at least an operating module (31) and a control module (32), the control module (32) having a first interface (37) for connection to a control panel (2) and at least a second interface (35) for connection to the operating module (31), and the operating module (31) having at least an interface (34) for connection to the control module (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Roman Boll
  • Patent number: 7113225
    Abstract: A 525i (interlace) signal can be converted into a 1050i signal or a 525p (progressive) signal. A calculating circuit generates pixels of an output picture signal with a linear estimation expression of predictive taps received from a tap selecting circuit and a coefficient received from a coefficient memory. The coefficient memory stores coefficients pre-obtained for individual classes. A class is determined by combining a spatial class corresponding to spatial class taps received from a tap selecting circuit and motion class taps received from a tap selecting circuit. A line sequential converting circuit converts a scanning line structure of an output signal of the calculating circuit 34 and obtains an output picture signal. The output picture signal is designated with a conversion method selection signal. Information corresponding to the selection signal is loaded from an information memory bank to the coefficient memory and registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Yasushi Tatehira, Nobuyuki Asakura, Masashi Uchida, Takuo Morimura, Kazutaka Ando, Hideo Nakaya, Tsutomu Watanabe, Satoshi Inoue, Wataru Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 7113224
    Abstract: A television broadcast receiving apparatus which displays one of television programs received by two tuners on a main picture screen and displays the other on a child picture screen, where one of audios of a program of the main picture screen and a program of the child picture screen is selected and outputted, and the state of an audio signal to be outputted is switched according to the audio state of the program of the child picture screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Inoue, Takashi Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 7110044
    Abstract: A detail enhancement system uses a detail filter bank including multiple detail filters covering different frequency ranges. An input video signal representing a digital image is processed in the detail filter, wherein detail signals are extracted by the detail filters at different frequency ranges. Shoot suppression blocks and coring blocks are provided for each detail filter to prevent overshoot/undershoot artifacts and small ringing artifacts, respectively. The overall detail signal is amplitude scaled, and added back to the input signal as an enhancement, to generate a detail enhanced output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xianglin Wang, Yeong-Taeg Kim
  • Patent number: 7106383
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for configuring a signal processing device for use with a display device having a display size is disclosed. The signal processing device is configured by determining the display size of the display device and configuring the signal processing device for use with the display device based on the determined display size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Kahn
  • Patent number: 7102697
    Abstract: An adaptive histogram equalization method is introduced which allows the histogram equalization amount to automatically adapt to the original image contrasts, which can be measured from the originals. Contrast over-enhancement is avoided by limiting the spatial frequency response of the histogram. Besides that, methods to remedy the brightness change problem encountered by histogram equalization are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Zhichun Lei, Piergiorgio Sartor, Yalcin Inescu, Peter Wagner
  • Patent number: 7102701
    Abstract: A display device equipped with a display unit for displaying information includes a terminal connected to the display unit and adapted to supply a predetermined potential to an electrode in the display unit, an insulator provided outside the display unit and adapted to cover the terminal, and a support structure for supporting the display unit, the display device characterized by having one of the following features (1) The support structure is equipped with a retaining portion for retaining the insulator independently of the support of the display unit. (2) It is equipped with a guide for guiding the conductor cable along the conductor cable between the terminal and the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshimitsu Kawase
  • Patent number: 7102698
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the brightness of an image processing device to improve a brightness characteristic of an image signal, by reducing a pedestal voltage range and correspondingly expanding a brightness control voltage range in a highlight mode. The brightness control method includes the operations of determining whether a highlight mode is enabled; and if the highlight mode is enabled, reducing a pedestal voltage range by a first predetermined value and expanding a brightness control voltage range by a second predetermined value. The pedestal driving voltage and the brightness control voltage can be reciprocally controlled without modifications to a circuit having limited amplification, and the brightness can be improved without saturating an image in a highlight mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-sul Kim, Hye-rim Kim
  • Patent number: 7098959
    Abstract: A first motion vector is estimated by using a first frame and a second frame that follows the first frame. A support frame is generated from at least either the first or the second frame by using the first motion vector. The support frame is divided into a plurality of small blocks. Motion vector candidates are estimated by using the first and second frames, in relation to each of the small blocks. A small block on the first frame, a small block on the second frame and the small blocks on the support frame are examined. The small block on the first frame and the small block on the second frame correspond to each of the motion vector candidates. A second motion vector is selected from the motion vector candidates, and points the small block on the first frame and the small block on the second frame which have the highest correlation with each of the small blocks on the support frame. An interpolated frame is generated from at least either the first or the second frame by using the second motion vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Nao Mishima, Goh Itoh
  • Patent number: 7100185
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald E. Bennington, George Backer, Shawn Green, Bill Cooper, Dave Spell, Bruce Davis, Michael Morris
  • Patent number: 7095446
    Abstract: A device for correcting the phase of a vertically distorted digital picture receives picture data and a vertical phase correction signal, and assigns lines of the digital picture to a first half picture and to a second half picture. The lines of the second half picture are phase corrected with respect to the first half picture and the first and second half pictures are displayed sequentially. The phase correction is determined in response an increment signal that describes the change of an imaging factor in the veritcal direction of the digital picture on a line-by-line basis and a picture position signal indicative of whether the first half picture or the second half picture is being output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Micronas GmbH
    Inventors: Mirko Hahn, Guenter Scheffler, Dirk Wendel
  • Patent number: 7092034
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a video signal processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program which are suitably for use in determining whether an input video signal is standard or nonstandard. In synchronization with the edge of an advance vertical sync signal xAVD, a free-running vertical sync edge counter 31 increments by 1 the count value which cycles between 0 through 7 and outputs the count value to a free-running field ID edge counter 32 and a comparator 33. In synchronization with the rising and falling edges of a field ID signal AFD, the free-running field ID edge counter 32 increments the count value by 1. The comparator 33 generates a nonstandard signal detection signal in correspondence with the FD edge count value with the V count value being 7 and a vertical sync signal xVD being at L level. The present invention is applicable to TV receivers for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yukinori Gengintani, Hisafumi Motoe
  • Patent number: 7092008
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for providing color corrected images to a user over a network. The user's computer and its associated devices may be remotely calibrated and or characterized and the data made available over the network to permit multiple image providers to provide color corrected images to a user. A notification technique is also provided to notify a user when the image or images being displayed is color corrected. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: LightSurf, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Bernard, Peter G. Engeldrum, James Ellis Deutch, Cornelis P. van Prooijen, Joel D. Mattox, William J. Hilliard, Thomas L. Strother
  • Patent number: 7092037
    Abstract: Provided are a method of and a system for converting color temperatures of visual contents to user's preferred color temperatures by using metadata of the visual contents. The system includes an image color temperature recording unit, a user preferable color temperature managing unit, and a color temperature adjusting unit. The image color temperature recording unit time-divides the visual contents according to a color temperature description format, estimates color temperatures of time-divided sections, and records the estimated color temperatures as first metadata. The user preferable color temperature managing unit determines user's preferable color temperatures of the time-divided sections, records the user's preferable color temperatures as second metadata, and outputs the user's preferable color temperatures. The color temperature adjusting unit converts the estimated color temperatures of the first metadata based on the user's preferable color temperatures of the second metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-sik Huh, Du-sik Park, Ki-won Yoo, Sang-kyun Kim
  • Patent number: 7092038
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adaptive Y/C separation circuit for video signal processing that is capable of correcting previous color discrepancy in separating the luminance (Y) and chrominance (C) signals from the color video signals. In the process, the correlation of video signals on referencing scanning lines is analyzed by transposing the chrominance signals onto a two-dimensional UV plane. A correlation coefficient is obtained through the analysis for adjusting the video signals in the direction of the actual chrominance level, thus separating the luminance and chrominance signals with relatively low cost circuit implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: VXIS Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yang-Hong Shih, Ming-Hsiu Lee
  • Patent number: 7084932
    Abstract: A display unit (12) is provided, the display unit including a housing (20) configured for mounting in an interior region of a vehicle, and a screen (30) mounted on the housing for movement between a stowed position wherein the screen is at least partially contained within the housing and a deployed position wherein the screen projects from the housing to reveal a viewing surface (32) of the screen. When the screen is deployed, the viewing surface typically is at an angle of between 45-degrees and 90-degrees from the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Larry E. Mathias, Paul D. Hurley, Matthew L. Leeka
  • Patent number: 7084927
    Abstract: A video processing method generates output images for display, each output image having one or more regions derived from a first source image separated by a wipe boundary from one or more regions derived from a second source image, each display position of the source images having an associated transparency coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Sony United Kingdom Limited
    Inventor: Sarah Elizabeth Witt
  • Patent number: 7079194
    Abstract: An RF modulator includes a C/L delay compensation function of compensating for a delay of a luminance signal with respect to a chrominance signal occurring during demodulating a video signal in a TV set. The RF modulator includes a C/L delay compensation unit delaying a luminance signal by 170 nsec and combining the delayed luminance signal with a chrominance signal to output a composite image signal having a C/l delay of ?170 nsec and a frequency modulation unit modulating the video signal received from the C/L delay compensation unit into a high frequency signal of a predetermined broadcasting channel in a single module or package. The RF modulator outputs a video signal having the luminance signal delayed by 170 nsec with respect to the chrominance signal and complies with a C/L delay standard without adding any additional C/L delay compensation unit to the RF modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Jin Lee, Sang Suk Kim, Chae Dong Go, Youn Joong Lee, Kyoung Soo Kwon
  • Patent number: 7075589
    Abstract: A conventional method to determine an onset point of a color killer function by design of the external circuit requires physical work to change external parts and their component values varying from one model to another. Therefore, an alternative method to adjust the onset point of the color killer function without requiring such work has been sought for. This invention offers a color killer adjustment device, which adjusts the onset point of the color killer function to switch off the color signal in video signals, having a CPU to store and output a control signal to determine the onset point of the color killer function, a color killer control circuit which generates the reference voltage corresponding to the control signal from the CPU and a comparator which compares a signal representing the level of the color burst signal in the color signal with the reference voltage and outputs a signal to disable the color signal in the video signals according to a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keijiro Ueki