Patents by Inventor James E. Blecksmith

James E. Blecksmith 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: 5719988
    Abstract: A dynamically paged non-volatile random access video store has a random access memory integrated with a disk drive. The random access memory provides realtime access for recording and playing back video from and to a video source. The disk drive provides a non-volatile backup for the random access memory by transferring data between the disk drive and random access memory automatically, or by command, on a non-realtime basis. The video data accesses and transfers are handled by a microprocessor that interfaces with a controller by which an operator inputs instructions. Multiple channels are accommodated via a channel interface, also controlled by the microprocessor, between external video devices and the random access memory. The disk drive stores a plurality of pages of video data, each page corresponding to the capacity of the random access memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Blecksmith, David Casper, James A. Delwiche, Brion L. Dunbar, Thomas H. Knight, Scott Murray, Neil R. Olmstead
  • Patent number: 4858011
    Abstract: Video signal processing apparatus comprises at least first and second source selectors each having a plurality of input terminals, for receiving a plurality of video signals respectively, and at least two output terminals. A set of video processors each have an input terminal and an output terminal. A processor selector is provided for connecting each source selector output terminal selectively to each video processor input terminal. First and second output devices each have a plurality of input terminals connected to the output terminals of the video processors respectively and also have an output terminal. Operator interfaces are connected to the processor selector for defining a first subset of video processors having their input terminals connected to the output terminals of the first source selector and a second subset of video processors having their input terminals connected to the output terminals of the second source selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventors: Richard A. Jackson, Peter D. Symes, Richard S. Bannister, Thomas A. Grancey, Richard A. Frasier, John Abt, Ronnie D. Barnett, James E. Blecksmith, Kevin D. Windrem, Neil R. Olmstead
  • Patent number: 4853784
    Abstract: A video switcher comprises a source selector having a plurality of input terminals for connection to a plurality of video sources respectively, and at least two output terminals. At least two processing channels each have an input terminal connected to an output terminal of the source selector and also have an output terminal. A video combiner has video input terminals connected to the output terminals of the processing channels and is operative to combine the output signals provided by the processing channels in dependence upon priority signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: The Grass Valley Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John Abt, Ronnie D. Barnett, James E. Blecksmith, Kevin D. Windrem, Neil R. Olmstead, Richard A. Jackson, Peter D. Symes, Richard S. Bannister, Thomas A. Grancey, Richard A. Frasier
  • Patent number: 4821269
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a digital signal processor, having an input module, an output module and a plurality of successive processing modules defining a signal processing path, monitors various internal test points within each module. Any one of the test points may be connected to a diagnostic bus. The output of the diagnostic bus may be appropriately modified and input to the output module in lieu of the digital signal from the last processing module to provide a diagnostic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: The Grass Valley Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Jackson, David E. Lake, Jr., James E. Blecksmith, Ronnie D. Barnett, John Abt
  • Patent number: 4743958
    Abstract: A multiple television standards input selector and convertor selects a video signal from among a plurality of television standard format input sources including encoded video, analog component video and digital video. The selected video signal is converted to a predetermined standard format video signal for further processing by a digital video effects device. The selection of the video signal occurs within a vertical interval period so that no visible effect is detectable on a display when switching between video sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: The Grass Valley Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Bannister, James E. Blecksmith