Patents by Inventor Dannie C. Lau
Dannie C. Lau 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).
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Patent number: 9544640Abstract: A system and method for wireless transmission of high-definition audio and video signals include providing lossless raw video data wirelessly to a soundbar from a headunit to eliminate the multitude of wires that traditionally connect to a television in a home theater. In one embodiment, a wireless transmitter in the headunit transmits a wireless HDMI signal as the lossless raw video data.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2011Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventor: Dannie C. Lau
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Patent number: 9166716Abstract: In view of the above, a radio player is provided. In an example implementation, the radio player includes a radio signal receiver configured to receive a radio broadcast corresponding to a tuner setting on a tuner. The radio signal receiver is configured to retrieve an air radio program from the radio broadcast corresponding to a radio station identified by the tuner setting. A digital stream radio receiver is connected to a data network. The digital stream radio receiver is configured to establish a data connection with a radio station identified by a radio station network identifier to receive a streamed radio program. A source selector selects between either the air radio program or the streamed radio program to play at an audio output when the air radio program and the streamed radio program are broadcast from the same radio station.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventor: Dannie C. Lau
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Patent number: 8452857Abstract: An audio/visual server is described that can be used to store and play audio/visual data. A removable hard disk (or other media) is connected to a dock that is in communication with a computer. While the removable hard disk is connected to the dock, audio/visual data can be transferred from the computer to the hard disk. After the hard disk is removed from the dock and connected to the audio/visual server, the server can access and play the audio/visual data. In one embodiment, the audio/visual server stores and plays music, emulates a disc changer, and communicates with an automobile stereo head unit. The interface with the head unit is programmable so that multiple head units can be supported.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Dannie C. Lau, Daniel Benyamin, Brendan T. Dowling
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Patent number: 8339362Abstract: A system implements a circular navigation paradigm that matches a physical input device to a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI may be displayed on a personal navigation device, music player, or any other electronic device that employs a GUI. The match between the physical input device and the GUI facilitates ready understanding and intuitive interaction with the GUI by the device operator. The circular navigation paradigm may also extend over multiple screens within an application, and across multiple applications, to provide consistency of operation throughout the entire feature set of this device.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Darren Kelly O'Brien, Dannie C. Lau
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Publication number: 20120290738Abstract: In view of the above, a radio player is provided. In an example implementation, the radio player includes a radio signal receiver configured to receive a radio broadcast corresponding to a tuner setting on a tuner. The radio signal receiver is configured to retrieve an air radio program from the radio broadcast corresponding to a radio station identified by the tuner setting. A digital stream radio receiver is connected to a data network. The digital stream radio receiver is configured to establish a data connection with a radio station identified by a radio station network identifier to receive a streamed radio program. A source selector selects between either the air radio program or the streamed radio program to play at an audio output when the air radio program and the streamed radio program are broadcast from the same radio station.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventor: Dannie C. Lau
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Patent number: 8281001Abstract: A device to device network allows an entity to seamlessly access content stored on various devices. Many devices can be registered on a network; however, an entity will only have access to devices for which the entity is authorized to access. In one embodiment, the entity can only access devices that have been authenticated with the same username. While using the device-to device network, an entity can transfer files, stream files, create and use play lists, send commands to various devices and explore the contents of various devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Vincent R. Busam, Shachar Ron, Scott R. Siegrist, Dannie C. Lau, Daniel Benyamin
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Publication number: 20120204213Abstract: An approach for providing lossless raw video data wirelessly to a soundbar from a headunit to eliminate the multitude of wires that traditionally connect to a television in a home theater.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventor: Dannie C. Lau
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Patent number: 7967262Abstract: A portable electronic device mount provides a secure attachment point for a personal navigation device, or other electronic device. The mount provides access to the device electronics through interface ports and feature connectors. The mount connects to an attachment mechanism that firmly and reliably attaches the mount to a windshield or other surface. The mount also includes a flexible linkage through which the mounted device may be securely oriented over a wide range of positions. In addition, extendible and retractable extension arms help achieve a compact form factor for convenient carrying and storage of the mount.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Darren Kelly O'Brien, Dannie C. Lau
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Publication number: 20090168308Abstract: A portable electronic device mount provides a secure attachment point for a personal navigation device, or other electronic device. The mount provides access to the device electronics through interface ports and feature connectors. The mount connects to an attachment mechanism that firmly and reliably attaches the mount to a windshield or other surface. The mount also includes a flexible linkage through which the mounted device may be securely oriented over a wide range of positions. In addition, extendible and retractable extension arms help achieve a compact form factor for convenient carrying and storage of the mount.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Darren Kelly O'Brien, Dannie C. Lau
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Publication number: 20080303803Abstract: A system implements a circular navigation paradigm that matches a physical input device to a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI may be displayed on a personal navigation device, music player, or any other electronic device that employs a GUI. The match between the physical input device and the GUI facilitates ready understanding and intuitive interaction with the GUI by the device operator. The circular navigation paradigm may also extend over multiple screens within an application, and across multiple applications, to provide consistency of operation throughout the entire feature set of this device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: Darren Kelly O'Brien, Dannie C. Lau
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Patent number: 6990208Abstract: A vehicle sound system is disclosed that includes a set of speakers, a head unit and a disc changer. In addition to a radio, the head unit also includes a means for playing music downloaded from a computer. In one embodiment, the music downloaded from the computer is stored in a compressed format on a removable hard disk drive. The music can be organized using play lists. Software is used to program the head unit to communicate with the disc changer. In one embodiment, the software is replaceable so that the head unit can communicate with different disc changers. The head unit also includes a control panel for operating the head unit and the disc changer.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: JBL, IncorporatedInventors: Dannie C. Lau, Daniel Benyamin
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Patent number: 6772212Abstract: An audio/visual server is described that can be used to store and play audio/visual data. A removable hard disk (or other media) is connected to a dock that is in communication with a computer. While the removable hard disk is connected to the dock, audio/visual data can be transferred from the computer to the hard disk. After the hard disk is removed from the dock and connected to the audio/visual server, the server can access and play the audio/visual data. In one embodiment, the audio/visual server stores and plays music, emulates a disc changer, and communicates with an automobile stereo head unit. The interface with the head unit is programmable so that multiple head units can be supported.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: PhatNoise, Inc.Inventors: Dannie C. Lau, Daniel Benyamin, Brendan T. Dowling
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Patent number: 6721489Abstract: A play list manager is disclosed that can be used to create and update play lists. The play lists can be used for audio information, visual information, or a combination of audio and visual information. The user of the play list manager creates a play list and specifies certain criteria for automatically adding tracks to the play list. When a new track is added to the environment, the system tests whether the track's properties satisfy the criteria for the play list. If so, the new track is automatically added to the play list. In one alternative, a user can select a predefined play list, whose criteria has already been created. Upon selection of the predefined play list, the play list manager accesses each track and adds the track to the play list if the track's properties satisfy the criteria for the predefined play list.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: PhatNoise, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Benyamin, Dannie C. Lau, Brendan T. Dowling
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Publication number: 20020087887Abstract: A device to device network allows an entity to seamlessly access content stored on various devices. Many devices can be registered on a network; however, an entity will only have access to devices for which the entity is authorized to access. In one embodiment, the entity can only access devices that have been authenticated with the same username. While using the device-to device network, an entity can transfer files, stream files, create and use play lists, send commands to various devices and explore the contents of various devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventors: Vincent R. Busam, Shachar Ron, Scott R. Siegrist, Dannie C. Lau, Daniel Benyamin