Patents by Inventor Akinori Okazaki

Akinori Okazaki has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8194128
    Abstract: There is provided a surveillance device capable of transmitting an operation history of an appliance and image data while suppressing an increase in data transmission cost. A surveillance camera includes a control unit controlling an operation of the surveillance camera, a light receiving unit receiving an infrared signal transmitted from a remote controller, converting the infrared signal into an electric signal and sending the electric signal to the control unit, a storage unit storing image data, an image capturing unit performing an image capturing operation and sending an image signal generated by the image capturing operation to the storage unit, a time keeping unit generating time information concerning the surveillance camera and sending the information to the control unit, and a communication unit outputting data sent from the control unit to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirono Tsubota, Yasunari Miyake, Masahiro Takeshita, Hideki Tanabe, Yasuo Masaki, Akinori Okazaki, Yukiyoshi Sasao
  • Patent number: 7835551
    Abstract: A television set allowing a small amount of information to be processed to authenticate at least a portion of a face with high precision, is configured as follows: The television set includes a memory, a camera and a CPU. The memory stores feature information in association with a position. The CPU detects the position of the facial portion of a person in an image. The CPU extracts feature information based on the image. The CPU collates the feature information extracted thereby with that of the feature information stored in the memory which corresponds to the position detected thereby. The CPU selects a channel corresponding to a result of the collation. The television set further includes a tuner and a display. The tuner extracts a broadcast signal of the channel selected by the CPU. The display displays a video image corresponding to the signal extracted by the tuner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Masaki, Hirono Tsubota, Akinori Okazaki, Sadanori Murakami, Yukiyoshi Sasao, Masahiro Takeshita, Masao Kokado
  • Publication number: 20080159269
    Abstract: An internet telephone set includes a receiver receiving a first radio signal converted from an audio signal corresponding to video to be displayed at another device and a second radio signal converted from an internet telephone signal, a control unit selecting the first or second radio signal, and an audio processor converting the first or second radio signal to an audio signal based on the selection by the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guokun ZUO, Yasuo MASAKI, Akinori OKAZAKI, Masao KOKADO, Sadanori MURAKAMI, Masahiro TAKESHITA, Hirono TSUBOTA
  • Publication number: 20080157998
    Abstract: When the user takes a watching mode with respect to a television device, a broadcast audio signal generated at the television device is transmitted to a remote controller device, and output from a speaker of a headset via a jack. When the user takes a telephone mode, an incoming audio signal from a conversation party is transmitted from the television device to the remote controller device, and output from the speaker of the headset via the jack. Concurrently, the voice uttered by the user is converted into an outgoing audio signal at a microphone of the headset, and transmitted to the television device from the remote controller device to be sent to the conversation party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guokun Zuo, Yasuo Masaki, Akinori Okazaki, Masao Kokado, Sadanori Murakami, Masahiro Takeshita, Hirono Tsubota
  • Publication number: 20080161954
    Abstract: An audio device includes a connector to which a headphone or an earphone is connected, a receiver receiving a radio signal that is converted from an audio signal corresponding to video to be displayed at another device, a controller selecting music data or the received radio signal, and a second audio processor switching between conversion of music data to an audio signal or conversion of the received radio signal to an audio signal based on selection by the controller, and providing the converted audio signal to the headphone or the earphone via the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guokun Zuo, Yasuo Masaki, Akinori Okazaki, Masao Kokado, Sadanori Murakami, Masahiro Takeshita, Hirono Tsubota
  • Publication number: 20080129888
    Abstract: A remote controller device includes a first audio processor converting externally received sound to an external audio signal, an operation unit including a plurality of buttons, detecting whether each of the plurality of buttons is depressed or not to generate an operation signal representing the detected result, and a transmitter converting the external audio signal and the operation signal to a radio signal for transmission. A television device includes a receiver receiving the radio signal from the remote controller device for conversion to the external audio signal and the operation signal, a network interface unit transmitting a telephone signal onto a network based on the external audio signal and the operation signal, and a display unit displaying a depressed form or non-depressed form of each of the plurality of buttons based on the operation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guokun Zuo, Yasuo Masaki, Akinori Okazaki, Masao Kokado, Sadanori Murakami, Masahiro Takeshita, Hirono Tsubota
  • Publication number: 20080134261
    Abstract: A system allowing a viewer of a program to know a rating is provided. A viewing information distribution system includes an IP telephone management server and each television connected to the Internet. The television is controlled by a signal emitted from a remote control terminal having an IP telephone function. The IP telephone management server includes a processor carrying out operational processing and communication control and a database. The IP telephone management server and the television communicate with each other in accordance with a session initiation protocol. The television transmits a selected channel to the IP telephone management server. The IP telephone management server summarizes viewing information received from each television and distributes the information to each television. Receiving statistic data, the television displays that figure in a video image display area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirono Tsubota, Yasuo Masaki, Akinori Okazaki, Masao Kokado, Sadanori Murakami, Guokun Zuo, Masahiro Takeshita
  • Publication number: 20080134265
    Abstract: An image display system allowing a plurality of users to enjoy viewing programs is provided. The image display system includes a plurality of television sets connected to the Internet, and an IP telephone management server. The IP telephone management server has a friend list as data including information about television sets allowing communications via IP telephones in a memory. The friend list includes identification numbers of the television sets connected to the IP telephone management server, IP addresses of the television sets and numbers of channels selected in the television sets. Information (e.g., the number of the selected channel and the user of the television set) representing images displayed on each television is transmitted as a viewing history to the IP telephone management server to prepare or update data items in the friend list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirono Tsubota, Yasuo Masaki, Akinori Okazaki, Masao Kokado, Sadanori Murakami, Guokun Zuo, Masahiro Takeshita
  • Publication number: 20080132179
    Abstract: A communication terminal includes a base station antenna and the like, a measurement unit, a key operation unit, a memory, and a transmission control unit. The measurement unit acquires element information from a radio wave. A message is entered at the key operation unit. A plurality of types of element information from transmission sources different from each other and the message are stored in correspondence in the memory. The transmission control unit controls the base station antenna and the like such that a message is transmitted when the combination of the received element information corresponds to the combination of element information stored in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Takeshita, Yasuo Masaki, Akinori Okazaki, Masao Kokado, Sadanori Murakami, Guokun Zuo, Hirono Tsubota, Yasunari Miyake
  • Publication number: 20080024603
    Abstract: There is provided a surveillance device capable of transmitting an operation history of an appliance and image data while suppressing an increase in data transmission cost. A surveillance camera includes a control unit controlling an operation of the surveillance camera, a light receiving unit receiving an infrared signal transmitted from a remote controller, converting the infrared signal into an electric signal and sending the electric signal to the control unit, a storage unit storing image data, an image capturing unit performing an image capturing operation and sending an image signal generated by the image capturing operation to the storage unit, a time keeping unit generating time information concerning the surveillance camera and sending the information to the control unit, and a communication unit outputting data sent from the control unit to an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirono Tsubota, Yasunari Miyake, Masahiro Takeshita, Hideki Tanabe, Yasuo Masaki, Akinori Okazaki, Yukiyoshi Sasao
  • Publication number: 20070201824
    Abstract: A TV broadcast viewing and recording system, which can enhance viewing efficiency for each user to view TV programs even though several users use the system. The TV broadcast viewing and recording system (1) comprises a TV receiver (2), a recorder (3), and a camera (4) which takes an image in a predetermined imaging area in front of the TV receiver (2) or the recorder (3). When the user surfs the channels (S51), the TV receiver (2) transmits a request signal to the recorder (3) (S52). The recorder (3) performs facial recognition of an image data taken by the camera (4), identifies the user by calculating a feature quantity of the user who changes the channels (S53), and extracts data files of TV programs which has not been reproduced yet (S54). Subsequently, the recorder (3) transmits a message signal including information of un-reproduced data files of TV programs to the TV receiver (2) (S55).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Masaki, Hirono Tsubota, Akinori Okazaki, Sadanori Murakami, Yukiyoshi Sasao, Masahiro Takeshita, Masao Kokado
  • Publication number: 20070201840
    Abstract: A hard disc recorder (1) comprises an imaging unit (8) that takes an image of a predetermined imaging area in front of the hard disc recorder (1), a user identification unit (3a) that calculates a feature quantity of a user who operates the hard disc recorder based on image data by performing facial recognition, and identifies the user who operates the hard disc recorder, a user attribution adding unit (3b) that adds the feature quantity calculated by the user identification unit (3a) to a data file of TV program to be recorded in the hard disc recorder when a user instructs to record a TV program. Thereby, information relating to the user who operates the hard disc recorder (1) is automatically added to the data file of TV program as an attribution of the user who records the TV program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Masaki, Hirono Tsubota, Akinori Okazaki, Sadanori Murakami, Yukiyoshi Sasao, Masahiro Takeshita, Masao Kokado
  • Publication number: 20070201730
    Abstract: A television set allowing a small amount of information to be processed to authenticate at least a portion of a face with high precision, is configured as follows: The television set includes a memory, a camera and a CPU. The memory stores feature information in association with a position. The CPU detects the position of the facial portion of a person in an image. The CPU extracts feature information based on the image. The CPU collates the feature information extracted thereby with that of the feature information stored in the memory which corresponds to the position detected thereby. The CPU selects a channel corresponding to a result of the collation. The television set further includes a tuner and a display. The tuner extracts a broadcast signal of the channel selected by the CPU. The display displays a video image corresponding to the signal extracted by the tuner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Masaki, Hirono Tsubota, Akinori Okazaki, Sadanori Murakami, Yukiyoshi Sasao, Masahiro Takeshita, Masao Kokado
  • Publication number: 20070150078
    Abstract: An adapter is provided for allowing existing equipment to be controlled by a remote control device capable of controlling a plurality of equipment. A remote control adapter includes a reception circuit externally receiving an input of a signal, a flash memory, a control circuit generating a signal to be transmitted to a remote control device based on the received signal and the data stored in the flash memory, a transmitting circuit transmitting the generated signal and a battery. The control circuit includes a reception signal processing circuit obtaining information included in the signal from the reception circuit, and an optical ID (Identification) signal generation circuit generating identification information based on the obtained information and the data stored in the flash memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Tanabe, Yasunari Miyake, Yasuo Masaki, Akinori Okazaki, Sadanori Murakami
  • Patent number: 6136074
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus with an air cleaning function. In the apparatus, an electric dust collector is provided in the air passage on the rear side of a heat exchanger. A heater for self-cleaning is combined with a dust collector electrode of the electric dust collector. A heat shield plate is combined with the heater. Air flow resistance is not increased although the dust collector electrode is plane in shape. An increase of air flow resistance caused by the use of the heat shield plate is also suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikatsu Okamoto, Yoshiaki Ikuzawa, Akinori Okazaki, Takao Sakaue
  • Patent number: 6129781
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus with an air cleaning function. In the apparatus, an electric dust collector is provided in the air passage on the rear side of a heat exchanger. A heater for self-cleaning is combined with a dust collector electrode of the electric dust collector. A heat shield plate is combined with the heater. Air flow resistance is not increased although the dust collector electrode is plane in shape. An increase of air flow resistance caused by the use of the heat shield plate is also suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikatsu Okamoto, Yoshiaki Ikuzawa, Akinori Okazaki, Takao Sakaue
  • Patent number: 5573691
    Abstract: Cooking device which requires a lesser amount of data for preparation of a menu necessary to be pre-memorized and which can use a memory having a small capacity. The cooking device (breadmaking device) is provided with a transformation means which transforms a menu number set by a menu set means to the binary digit data having a fixed bit length, and a control data preparation means in which a cord which is able to show the transformed binary digit data by a fixed bit number when the above binary digit data is divided to each fixed bit number, is allowed to correspond to a parameter level of a step control variable, and the above data is read out from the data table which memorizes the data of each step corresponding to the above parameter level based upon the above code and transforms the above read-out data to the control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Yoshida, Yasumasa Hironaka, Akinori Okazaki