Patents Examined by Reinhard J. Eisenzopf
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Patent number: 6295098Abstract: An illumination intensity correcting circuit including a curve fitting circuit formed by differential amplifier circuits and a load resistor, wherein the amplification factor of the curve fitting circuit is changed before and after each breakpoint voltage, the reference voltages of the differential amplifier circuits are set so that at least two breakpoint voltages are arranged in the range of a voltage of a video signal, and the amplification factors of the differential amplifier circuits are set so that the amplification factor of the curve fitting circuit in the range of the signal voltage inside of the two breakpoint voltages is smaller than the amplification factor outside of the two breakpoint voltages.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1999Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hitoshi Motonakano, Shozo Mitarai, Akira Arimizu
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Patent number: 6292223Abstract: The analog-to-digital converter device (24) provided for processing teletext signals is used for two purposes. In time slots in which no sync signal or teletext signal is separated from the video input signal (CVBS), the analog-to-digital converter device (24) is used for other tasks, e.g. for interrogating keypad inputs of an operator control unit (30).Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2000Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Ulrich Englert
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Patent number: 6292232Abstract: A receiver invention includes an antenna circuit unit having a high-frequency amplifier circuit connected to a reception antenna, a receiving circuit having a channel selection key, and a coaxial cable for connecting the antenna circuit unit and the receiving circuit. The receiving circuit includes a voltage adding circuit for adding, upon channel selection based on an operation of the channel selection key, a DC voltage corresponding to a frequency band to an AGC signal to supply it to the high-frequency amplifier circuit through the coaxial cable. A high-frequency gain of the high-frequency amplifier circuit is changed by using a voltage corresponding a frequency band of a received broadcasting frequency and an electric field intensity thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1998Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Kazuhiro Oyagi
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Patent number: 6292230Abstract: A signal distribution apparatus having a learning feature for recognizing a remote control device code associated with a particular signal source and coupling the associated signal source to an output in response to receipt of the device code. The remote control device code may be transmitted using a universal remote control device or a dedicated remote control device associated with the particular signal source. The present invention allows a user to couple a plurality of signal sources and a display device, such as a television set, to the present signal distribution apparatus and thereafter couple a selected one of the signal sources to the display device using the universal remote control device or the dedicated remote control device. The learning feature obviates the need for a dedicated remote control for the signal distribution device.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.Inventors: Lisa Yi Shui, Nathan William Andrews
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Patent number: 6292216Abstract: A display apparatus in which a marker signal created by combining primary color signals of predetermined levels in an arbitrary pattern and designating a specified area of a screen is detected, the screen is divided into a plurality of areas and a display formed of an image different in picture quality is present at each one of the plurality of areas, a control signal for suppressing the luminance of the marker signal is generated, to thereby make the marker signal inconspicuous.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Katsuhiro Shimizu, Shunji Umemura
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Patent number: 6292231Abstract: A reference signal having either twice or four times the frequency of a color burst signal (2fsc or 4fsc) is divided into a plurality of divided signals, each having the same frequency as that of the color burst signal, or an fsc frequency. In addition, a reference signal is delayed by a predetermined amount to thereby generate a delay signal. One of the divided signals is output in synchronism with this delay signal as a first divided signal having a predetermined delay. When this first divided signal is used as a color burst signal, the remaining divided signals resultantly all have phases shifted by a predetermined amount with respect to the color burst signal. With this arrangement, some of the divided signals can be used intact as a color signal, while the others may also be used after being delayed by a predetermined amount.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1997Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junichi Kawata, Masayuki Naito
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Patent number: 6292234Abstract: A projection type color liquid crystal display apparatus includes: light collimation means for producing collimated light; main-wavelength band separation means for receiving the collimated light from the light collimation means and producing a plurality of light beams having respectively different wavelength bands and exiting at respectively different angles; sub-wavelength band separation means provided adjacent the main-wavelength band separation means, the sub-wavelength band separation means receiving the collimated light from the light collimation means and producing at least one light beam having the same wavelength band as the wavelength band of at least one of the light beams from the main-wavelength band separation means; a liquid crystal display device for receiving the light beams from the main-wavelength band separation means and the light beams from the sub-wavelength band separation means and modulating the light beams; and an optical system for receiving the light beams transmitted through theType: GrantFiled: January 22, 1998Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takahiro Miyake, Kazuhiko Ueda
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Patent number: 6292235Abstract: A switchable digital filter interpolates distortion correction values. The distortion correction values together with interpolated distortion correction values are supplied as an output. Proper operation of the digital filter is disturbed by transient signals occurring during horizontal retrace. The digital output is converted to an analog convergence correction signal. The digital to analog converter has an operating frequency and generates a transient signal during horizontal retrace as the operating frequency increases due to an increased horizontal scanning rate. A low pass filter receives the analog convergence correction signal and generates an analog deflection signal. An auxiliary deflection coil is driven by the analog deflection signal. The digital filter is switched off during the horizontal retrace. The digital filter is thus protected from disturbance by the transient signal and the digital to analog converter is protected from exceeding a maximum operating frequency.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.Inventors: Friedrich Heizmann, John Barrett George, Gunter Gleim, Albert Runtze
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Patent number: 6292226Abstract: A broadcast reception apparatus is provided with a reception unit for receiving broadcast data as a transport stream. The transport stream includes video data and a plurality of navigation information sequences. Each navigation information sequence includes navigation information which includes graphics data to be combined with the video data for display. A TS (Transport Stream) decoder unit extracts the video data and navigation information from the transport stream. A reception control unit controls the TS decoder unit so that the TS decoder unit extracts navigation information from a navigation information sequence which is suitable for the the broadcast reception apparatus. A navigation information storage unit stores the navigation information extracted by the TS decoder unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1998Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyokazu Yamanaka, Toshiya Mori, Yoshihiro Mimura, Hidekazu Shimizu, Shigeaki Watanabe, Tatsuya Shimoji, Kazuo Okamura, Junichi Hirai, Masahiro Oashi, Takashi Kakiuchi, Yuki Kusumi, Yoshiyuki Miyabe, Naoya Takao, Kazutoshi Sumiya, Ikuo Minakata, Masayuki Kozuka
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Patent number: 6288755Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus is provided that includes a gate pulse generator and a luminance signal processing unit. The gate pulse generator detects a high frequency band in accordance with a luminance signal separated from a composite video signal and outputs a gate pulse signal. The luminance signal processing unit adjusts a contrast with regard to a high frequency band in the luminance signal in accordance with the gate pulse signal received from the gate pulse generator. The high frequency band having a large black/white comparison is detected in the apparatus from the luminance signal, and a contrast processing with regard to the luminance signal is decreased in the detected high frequency band. Thus, the video signal processing apparatus can reduce or eliminate a picture flickering in the radio frequency band.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1998Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hyung Sik Yun
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Patent number: 6288757Abstract: A convergence correcting apparatus and method of a television for automatically correcting convergence in consideration of terrestrial magnetism of a television location set by a user. Convergence is adaptively corrected in consideration of the terrestrial magnetism of a territory at which a television is installed, thereby preventing picture quality from deteriorating due to differences in the terrestrial magnetism of different territories.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2000Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Soung-gyu Kim
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Patent number: 6288753Abstract: A system and method for an interactive, Internet-based videoconferencing multicast operation which utilizes a video production studio with a live instructor giving lectures in real-time to multiple participating students. The videoconference multicasting permits the students to interact with the instructor and other installations during the course of the lecture. In the case of software training, the system and method also utilize Internet-based application sharing and collaboration to permit the students at remote locations to drive a studio-based computer with the software for which the training is being given. The software screen is then used as a background with the instructor being able to literally point to areas of the screen which are being discussed. The instructor has a set of monitors in the studio which allow him/her to see the students on-location.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Corrugated Services Corp.Inventors: Cosmo T. DeNicola, Mark E. Handzlik, John D. Kelliher, William M. Fantini, Gary Weber
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Patent number: 6288745Abstract: There is provided a scanning line interpolation device which is capable of providing an interpolated image with increased reproducibility of vertical high-frequency components in a still picture part. Preceding-field image data is stored in a field memory, and thereafter reference pixels which are located in an interpolation pixel position and its surrounding positions and required for interpolation are extracted from the preceding-field image data stored in the field memory and current-field image data. An inter-field motion judgement portion detects whether or not there is a motion of an image between preceding and current fields based on the extracted reference pixels. If the inter-field motion judgement portion detects that there is a motion, a selection circuit selects in-field interpolation data calculated in an in-field interpolation value calculation circuit from the current-field image data among the reference pixels.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1998Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiaki Okuno, Jun Someya, Hironobu Arimoto
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Patent number: 6288738Abstract: An apparatus for seamless connectivity between a narrow-band network like the Internet and an interactive TV wide-band network, and methods of operating the same, support on-the-fly translation and routing of data between the Internet and the interactive TV wide-band network. The apparatus for interfacing between a wide-band network and a narrow-band network comprises a decoder having a decoder input, a first decoder port, and a second decoder port, which receives wide-band data from the wide-band network via the second decoder port and decodes the wide-band data to provide decoded data in response to decoder requests from the decoder input.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignees: Sun Microsystems, Inc., OpenTV, Inc.Inventors: Vincent Louis Dureau, Regis St. Girons
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Patent number: 6288754Abstract: A video composite signal is thinned by sub-Nyquist sampling signal to reduce a capacity of a memory, a carrier chrominance signal is separated from the thinned video composite signal by an inter-frame YC separation circuit 13, the first separated carrier chrominance signal is interpolated by horizontal interpolation circuit 25 to reproduce the lost data due to thinning, the interpolation data is compensated by an adding circuit 29 in accordance with a high frequency component in a second separated carrier chrominance signal separated without thinning detected by an intra-field YC separation circuit 16 and high frequency component extraction circuit 28 when an edge is present in the separated carrier chrominance signal from the inter-frame YC separation circuit 13, which is detected by an edge detection circuit 26, the first separated carrier chrominance signal is outputted at the timing corresponding to the sub-Nyquist sampling signal, the interpolation data is outputted at an interpolation timing when the edType: GrantFiled: February 19, 1998Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.Inventor: Kazuki Ito
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Patent number: 6288756Abstract: A luminance correction circuit to correct areas of unevenness in luminance or color of a video image and smoothes gaps between correction blocks. The luminance correction circuit comprises a memory for storing correction data for correcting unevenness in luminance or color of video image, a timing generator for controlling read timing of the correction data from the memory, and an analog processor for processing the video signal using the correction data from the memory. A display area is divided to an appropriate number of blocks and the video signal is corrected in each block and the boundary between corrected blocks is smoothed by controlling the correction timing.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1997Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuro Shiota, Hiroshi Miyai
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Patent number: 6288747Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a composite audio signal clocked to a selected frequency from left and audio input signals. A video/audio signal generator transmits the left and right audio input signals, together with a video signal having a horizontal synchronization signal embedded therein. If copy protection has not been applied to the video signal, the embedded horizontal synchronization signal will have a frequency of 15.734 KHz. If applied to the video signal, copy protection techniques will shift the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal. To avoid distortion of the composite audio signal, a switch configured to selectively couple the video signal or a secondary video signal generated by an internal video signal generator to an audio signal processor which generates the composite audio output signal from the left and right audio input signals. Embedded within the secondary video signal is a horizontal synchronization signal having a frequency of 15.734 KHz.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1998Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Cable Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Sealtiel Avalos, Robert D. Kaylor, Robert F. Kessler
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Patent number: 6285411Abstract: A method and device for reducing moiré by preventing the production of the second harmonic of the video signal Nyquist frequency. A nonlinear function is applied to one of a) a digital video signal having a nonlinearity between an electrical video signal and luminance, and b) an analog video signal to create an output signal having a linearity between the electrical signal and luminance. The output signal is displayed on a display having a linearity between the electrical signal and luminance.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1997Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Philips Electronics North America CorporationInventor: Christian Hentschel
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Patent number: 6285414Abstract: A channel selector for a television receiver has a device for deselecting specified channels for a predetermined period of time. When a channel has been deselected it will be skipped when a user “surfs” through the sequence of channels. After the predetermined period of time expires the deselected channel is returned to the sequence of available channels. Channels may be deselected for time periods corresponding to a standard timeslot, for example each half hour. Alternatively, channels may be deselected for periods corresponding to the actual length at the program determined from transmitted program scheduling data.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1997Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventor: Chenchu Lakshmi Chilamakuri
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Patent number: 6285416Abstract: An apparatus and method for locking a focus position of a lens assembly without causing the lens cell to tilt, comprising: a spacer interposed between the lens cell and the focus mount. The spacer is received into a sleeve that is integral with the focus mount. The sleeve projects radially outward from the focus mount such that the spacer can be raised and lowered radially with respect to the focus mount. The spacer has a cylindrical body with a radial flange at one end. Moreover, the spacer has two ridges that extend downward from a lower surface of the flange, each of which is received into a corresponding groove on the sleeve, thus, preventing the spacer from rotating within the sleeve. The spacer also has an upwardly raised rim extending from an upper surface of the flange. The rim is slidably secured into a slot of the focus mount, which prevents lateral movement of the spacer.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Corning Precision LensInventors: John David Mitchell, Livyn Obiajuru Okorocha