Patents by Inventor Mark Champion

Mark Champion 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: 6774953
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transforming color signals. The transformation is achieved by use of a first, coarse, look-up table and a second look-up table that provides coefficients to be used in calculating a correction vector. The vector of color components from the first look-up table is added to the correction vector to provide the transformed vector. The method and apparatus have particular application in the display of digital video signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Yoshiyuki Akiyama, Katsura Kodama
  • Patent number: 6768490
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing and retrieving data in parallel but in different orders, using three or more memory devices. In one implementation, data for pixels is stored according to a checkered pattern, sequentially among memory devices, forming a checkerboard buffer. In one implementation, a checkerboard buffer includes: a data source, providing data in a first order; a data destination, receiving data in a second order; at least three memory devices each having memory locations, where data is stored in parallel to and retrieved in parallel from the memory devices; a first data switch connected to the data source and each of the memory devices, the first data switch controls which data is stored to which memory device; and a second data switch connected to the data destination and each of the memory devices, the second data switch controls providing data to the data destination according to the second order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Brian Dockter
  • Patent number: 6765579
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a pixel page system providing pixel pages using combined addressing. In alternative implementations, the system stores and retrieves data other than pixel data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Champion
  • Patent number: 6765580
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a pixel page system providing pixel pages optimized for use with a GLV (grating light valve). In one implementation, a system includes: a data source, providing pixel data for pixels in a first order, each pixel in a frame having rows and columns of pixels; a data destination, receiving pixel data for pixels in a second order; at least one memory device including memory pages having memory locations; pixel data for each pixel corresponds to an entry in a pixel page, each pixel page having rows and columns and including pixels, the pixel pages optimized for use with a GLV. Pixel data is stored to memory in the first order and retrieved in the second order. And each memory page stores pixel data in multiple locations according to the first order and stores pixel data in multiple locations according to the second order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Champion
  • Publication number: 20040130155
    Abstract: A device is provided for forming a knot in a fishing line or the like in order to attach a fish hook or other item of fishing tackle thereto or to join the line to another line. The device 131 has support means 132 with three fingers or other suitable nodes 133, 134 and 135 extending therefrom in spaced relationship. The middle or second finger or node 134 is offset from a line joining the first and third fingers or nodes 133,135, each finger or node having means associated therewith which cooperate to allow the tying of a hangman's knot or uni-knot. The first finger or node 133 has means 139 to retain and rotate the free end of the line after it has passed around the other two fingers or nodes so as to be able to twist the free end 164 of the line about both a first primary portion 137 of the line and a second return portion of the line 163 to form the knot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Mark Champion
  • Patent number: 6734919
    Abstract: A system for overlaying a motion video signal onto an analog signal on a display. The system includes a motion video processing unit for receiving and processing the motion video signal into a signal having an analog video format, a video format analyzer and synchronizer device for receiving the analog signal and for determining video timing parameters and a corresponding original pixel clock of the analog signal and for controlling video timing parameters of the motion video signal to match the video timing parameters of the analog signal determined by the video format analyzer and synchronizer device so as to provide an output motion video signal which is synchronized with the analog signal and a display determining device for determining the display of the analog output signal or the synchronized output motion video signal on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Champion, David H. Bessel
  • Publication number: 20030151609
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accessing memory locations in a memory device in different orders. In one implementation, a memory device includes: a memory array, including a plurality of memory locations divided into memory pages, where each memory location has a row address and a column address; a row decoder connected to the memory array for selecting a row address in the memory array; a column decoder connected to the memory array for selecting a column address in the memory array; and a multi-sequence address generator for generating addresses, where the multi-sequence address generator has a burst mode and in burst mode generates one of two or more burst sequences of addresses according to received burst parameters, and where each sequence has an index indicating the separation between two addresses in the sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Champion
  • Publication number: 20030058368
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for image warping using pixel pages. In one implementation, a vertical scaling system includes: a pixel page system, where the pixel page system stores pixel data using pixel pages according to horizontal rows of pixels in a frame and retrieves pixel data using pixel pages according to vertical columns of pixels in a frame; and a scaling engine connected to the pixel page system, where the scaling engine scales pixel data according to vertical columns of pixels in a frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Champion
  • Publication number: 20030016305
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transforming color signals. The transformation is achieved by use of a first, coarse, look-up table and a second look-up table that provides coefficients to be used in calculating a correction vector. The vector of color components from the first look-up table is added to the correction vector to provide the transformed vector. The method and apparatus have particular application in the display of digital video signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Yoshiyuki Akiyama, Katsura Kodama
  • Patent number: 6488024
    Abstract: A combustion system for burning firewood including a combustion chamber defined by front, rear and side walls, a ceiling and a bottom. An access door is provided for addition of fuel into the combustion chamber. A substantial amount of combustion air enters the combustion chamber near the top of the fueling doors via apertures and is directed down the face of the fueling doors providing cooling. A geometry of the air metering orifice is either fixed or of limited adjustability such that the minimum flow of combustion air required for flaming combustion of a full load of fuel is maintained at all times. The combustion air flow cannot be reduced beyond a certain point and thus smoldering and very low air/fuel ratios are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Mark Champion
  • Publication number: 20020149596
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing and retrieving data in parallel but in different orders, using three or more memory devices. In one implementation, data for pixels is stored according to a checkered pattern, sequentially among memory devices, forming a checkerboard buffer. In one implementation, a checkerboard buffer includes: a data source, providing data in a first order; a data destination, receiving data in a second order; at least three memory devices each having memory locations, where data is stored in parallel to and retrieved in parallel from the memory devices; a first data switch connected to the data source and each of the memory devices, the first data switch controls which data is stored to which memory device; and a second data switch connected to the data destination and each of the memory devices, the second data switch controls providing data to the data destination according to the second order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Brian Dockter
  • Publication number: 20020130876
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a pixel page system providing pixel pages using combined addressing. In alternative implementations, the system stores and retrieves data other than pixel data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: Sony Corporation, a Japanese corporation
    Inventor: Mark Champion
  • Publication number: 20020113904
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing data using two-dimensional arrays mapped to memory locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Mark Champion
  • Publication number: 20020109693
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing and retrieving data using two-dimensional arrays. In one implementation, a checkerboard buffer page system includes: a data source, providing data elements in a first order; a data destination, receiving data elements in a second order; memory devices having memory pages, data elements stored and retrieved in parallel to and from the memory devices; each buffer page having entries along a first dimension corresponding to the first order and along a second dimension corresponding to the second order, data elements stored in the first order and retrieved in the second order, at least one memory page stores data elements in multiple locations according to the first and second orders, at least two data elements consecutive in the first order are stored in parallel to the memory devices, and where at least two data elements consecutive in the second order are retrieved in parallel from the memories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Brian Dockter
  • Publication number: 20020109696
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing and retrieving data. In one implementation, a system includes: a data source, providing data in a first order; a data destination, receiving data in a second order; at least four memories, each having memory pages, data stored to at least two memories and retrieved from at least two memories in parallel, each buffer page having entries along a first dimension corresponding to the first order and entries along a second dimension corresponding to the second order, data stored in the first order and retrieved in the second order, at least one memory page stores data in multiple locations according to the first and second orders, two data elements consecutive in the first order stored in parallel to the memories, at least two data elements consecutive in the second order retrieved in parallel from the memories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Brian Dockter
  • Publication number: 20020110030
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a pixel page system providing swapped pixel pages for use with a GLV (grating light valve).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Mark Champion
  • Publication number: 20020109695
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing and retrieving data using two-dimensional arrays. In one implementation, a checkerboard buffer page system includes: a data source, providing data elements in a first order; a data destination, receiving data elements in a second order; memory devices each having memory pages, data elements stored in parallel to and retrieved in parallel from the memory devices; each buffer page having entries along a first dimension corresponding to the first order and entries along a second dimension corresponding to the second order, data elements stored in the first order and retrieved in the second order, at least one memory page stores data elements in multiple locations according to the first and second orders, at least two data elements consecutive in the first order stored in parallel, and where at least two data elements consecutive in the second order retrieved in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Brian Dockter
  • Publication number: 20020110351
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing and retrieving data in parallel but in different orders. In one implementation, data for pixels is stored according to a checkerboard pattern, alternately between two memory devices, forming a checkerboard buffer. In one implementation, a checkerboard buffer includes: a data source, providing data in a first order; a data destination, receiving data in a second order; at least two memory devices, each memory device having a plurality of memory locations, where data is stored in parallel to the memory devices and retrieved in parallel from the memory devices; a first data switch connected to the data source and each of the memory devices, where the first data switch controls which data is stored to which memory device; and a second data switch connected to the data destination and each of the memory devices, where the second data switch controls providing data to the data destination according to the second order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Brian Dockter
  • Publication number: 20020109699
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a pixel page system providing pixel pages optimized for use with a GLV (grating light valve). In one implementation, a system includes: a data source, providing pixel data for pixels in a first order, each pixel in a frame having rows and columns of pixels; a data destination, receiving pixel data for pixels in a second order; at least one memory device including memory pages having memory locations; pixel data for each pixel corresponds to an entry in a pixel page, each pixel page having rows and columns and including pixels, the pixel pages optimized for use with a GLV. Pixel data is stored to memory in the first order and retrieved in the second order. And each memory page stores pixel data in multiple locations according to the first order and stores pixel data in multiple locations according to the second order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Mark Champion
  • Publication number: 20020109791
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing data using two-dimensional arrays mapped to memory locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Mark Champion