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).

  • Patent number: 9544640
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Dannie C. Lau
  • Patent number: 9166716
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Dannie C. Lau
  • Patent number: 8452857
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Dannie C. Lau, Daniel Benyamin, Brendan T. Dowling
  • Patent number: 8339362
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Darren Kelly O'Brien, Dannie C. Lau
  • Publication number: 20120290738
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Dannie C. Lau
  • Patent number: 8281001
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Vincent R. Busam, Shachar Ron, Scott R. Siegrist, Dannie C. Lau, Daniel Benyamin
  • Publication number: 20120204213
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Dannie C. Lau
  • Patent number: 7967262
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Darren Kelly O'Brien, Dannie C. Lau
  • Publication number: 20090168308
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Darren Kelly O'Brien, Dannie C. Lau
  • Publication number: 20080303803
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Darren Kelly O'Brien, Dannie C. Lau
  • Patent number: 6990208
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: JBL, Incorporated
    Inventors: Dannie C. Lau, Daniel Benyamin
  • Patent number: 6772212
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: PhatNoise, Inc.
    Inventors: Dannie C. Lau, Daniel Benyamin, Brendan T. Dowling
  • Patent number: 6721489
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: PhatNoise, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Benyamin, Dannie C. Lau, Brendan T. Dowling
  • Publication number: 20020087887
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Vincent R. Busam, Shachar Ron, Scott R. Siegrist, Dannie C. Lau, Daniel Benyamin