Patents by Inventor Dannie Lau

Dannie 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).

  • Publication number: 20140010515
    Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to method and media devices for synchronizing media playback between a receiving media device and sending media device, including: receiving, at the receiving media device, a plurality of messages from the sending media device, wherein the plurality of messages include a plurality of sender timestamps; generating a plurality of clock offset values based on the plurality of sender timestamps and a clock of the receiving media device; identifying a minimum clock offset value from the plurality of clock offset values; locating first media data for playback and a first presentation time associated with the first media data; and causing the first media data to be rendered at a first time that matches the first presentation time based on the minimum clock offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: DTS, INC.
    Inventors: ChunHo Lee, Dannie Lau
  • Patent number: 8438481
    Abstract: A graphical user interface for use in connection with a device having navigation and media functionality includes a navigation interface and a media interface that each have having a plurality of screens adapted to facilitate interaction between a user and a navigation application and a media application, respectively. An application interface toggle button it is actuatable on at least one of the plurality of navigation interface screens and on at least one of the plurality of media interface screens. Actuation of the application interface toggle button from a navigation interface screen invokes display of a media interface screen, and actuation of the application interface toggle button from a media interface screen invokes display of a navigation interface screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Dannie Lau, Darren Kelly O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20120099594
    Abstract: A wired and wireless media transport technology is provided that allows for the simultaneous transmission of media to multiple zones while maintaining precise timing synchronization. A user can have a network of speakers, and independently select which ones are actively playing and have their playback synchronized. The media source can be a cell phone, tablet, stereo, set-top box, PC or other device. The media itself can be audio or video. The transmission method of media into the network can be wired, as through an auxiliary cable, or wireless as with Bluetooth or WiFi. The speakers/endpoints themselves are governed in a self-forming network. Audio is injected into the network from a source and the end-point network itself controls audio/video distribution, timing, and rendering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: PHORUS LLC
    Inventors: Dannie Lau, Chun Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7788600
    Abstract: A graphical user interface for use in connection with a multifunction device is set forth. In one example, the multifunction device includes navigation and media functionality. The exemplary graphical user interface comprises a navigation interface, a media interface, and a source menu display. The source menu screen includes at least a first button actuatable by the user to invoke display of a screen corresponding to a previously stored navigation interface state, and at least a second button actuatable by the user to invoke display of a screen corresponding to a previously stored media interface state. There is at least one source button disposed for actuation on a plurality of screens of the navigation interface and a plurality of screens of the media interface to invoke display of the source menu to the user. Actuation of the at least one source button results in storage of a currently active interface state. In one example, one or more of the buttons of the interface are virtual buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Dannie Lau, Darren Kelly O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20080229249
    Abstract: A graphical user interface for use in connection with a device having navigation and media functionality includes a navigation interface and a media interface that each have having a plurality of screens adapted to facilitate interaction between a user and a navigation application and a media application, respectively. An application interface toggle button it is actuatable on at least one of the plurality of navigation interface screens and on at least one of the plurality of media interface screens. Actuation of the application interface toggle button from a navigation interface screen invokes display of a media interface screen, and actuation of the application interface toggle button from a media interface screen invokes display of a navigation interface screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Harman International Industries, Incorporated:
    Inventors: Dannie Lau, Darren Kelly O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20080066007
    Abstract: A graphical user interface for use in connection with a multifunction device is set forth. In one example, the multifunction device includes navigation and media functionality. The exemplary graphical user interface comprises a navigation interface, a media interface, and a source menu display. The source menu screen includes at least a first button actuatable by the user to invoke display of a screen corresponding to a previously stored navigation interface state, and at least a second button actuatable by the user to invoke display of a screen corresponding to a previously stored media interface state. There is at least one source button disposed for actuation on a plurality of screens of the navigation interface and a plurality of screens of the media interface to invoke display of the source menu to the user. Actuation of the at least one source button results in storage of a currently active interface state. In one example, one or more of the buttons of the interface are virtual buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Dannie Lau, Darren O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20050044574
    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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Dannie Lau, Daniel Benyamin, Brendan Dowling