Patents by Inventor Robert Hardacker

Robert Hardacker 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: 8880113
    Abstract: The return channel in a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) communication system is used to provide signal information on an individual-channel basis. In one embodiment, in a controlled factory environment, this information may be used to incrementing up or down the variable gain amplifier and/or the power amplifier of a MIMO transmitter and/or receiver so as to generate a default signal power offset to be used during normal operation. Thereafter, such signal information may similarly be provided via the return channel and used to further adjust the transmit parameters to account for location-specific signal conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, James Milne, Robert A. Unger
  • Publication number: 20140314156
    Abstract: A digital data signal, such as a digital video signal, is intentionally pre-distorted before being sent over a network. In one embodiment, this pre-distortion may be performed in accordance with a pre-distortion pattern or algorithm which is shared with only intended receivers. The pre-distortion pattern may be used to vary the pre-distortion on a periodic basis, as frequently as on a symbol-by-symbol basis. The pre-distortion function may include distorting the phase and/or the amplitude of the digital signal's modulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Kenichi Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8861898
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a search technique for image query. A region of interest (ROI) containing an image in a scene of a displayed content is captured. The ROI is analyzed locally or remotely to search for related content associated with the image. The related content is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Brant Candelore, Robert Hardacker
  • Patent number: 8823541
    Abstract: First, a user may select an illumination color for a bezel framing a display of an electronics device. Second, the illumination of a digital picture frame may be established based on sensed motion nearby and/or ambient light. Third, the color of a user interface presented on a display can be established to match the color of the room in which the display is disposed, as indicated by colorimetry from a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Steven Friedlander, Rafael Calderon, Steven Richman
  • Patent number: 8797465
    Abstract: A handheld wireless device for controlling an electronic device. Ambient noise is automatically detected using a microphone and user preference parameters (e.g., volume) are adjusted, compensating for the detected noise. Plurality of signals are sent and received, operable to determine the location of the remote control, thereby operable to automatically tune various user preference parameters (e.g., surround sound). The remote control may be used as a telephone. When receiving a call, the caller information may be displayed using a popup window (e.g., on a television set). A call may be answered and the program may be paused/recorded/muted. The electronic device is automatically configured by identifying the user. A reader may read information on a payment card in a contactless manner. In one embodiment a radio frequency signal is used to reduce interference with LCD wavelength. The remote control may respond to a user command in order to be located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Steven Richman, Brant Candelore, Behram DaCosta, Peter Shintani, Takaaki Ota
  • Patent number: 8792640
    Abstract: A digital data signal, such as a digital video signal, is intentionally pre-distorted before being sent over a network. In one embodiment, this pre-distortion may be performed in accordance with a pre-distortion pattern or algorithm which is shared with only intended receivers. The pre-distortion pattern may be used to vary the pre-distortion on a periodic basis, as frequently as on a symbol-by-symbol basis. The pre-distortion function may include distorting the phase and/or the amplitude of the digital signal's modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kawasaki, Robert Hardacker
  • Patent number: 8792058
    Abstract: System and method for displaying guide data on a remote control. In one embodiment, guide data may be received in a first format by the remote control. The guide data may be converted from the first format to a second format based in part on a predefined user preference. A portion of the guide data may be displayed in accordance with the second format on a display of the remote control such that guide data is displayed according to a first scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Steven Richman
  • Patent number: 8770815
    Abstract: A bezel for a TV display has two or more bezel elements, one being more diffusive of light from a source juxtaposed with the bezel assembly than the other element. One element can laterally border the other element or one element can be directly behind the other. More than two bezel elements may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Rafael Calderon, Steven Richman
  • Patent number: 8655031
    Abstract: Apparatus for identifying video content includes a scene detector to detect a plurality of consecutive scenes in the video content. The video content may include a video program and an advertisement contained within the video program. A signature generator determines a scene change signature for each of the plurality of consecutive scenes. A content identifier provides the plurality of scene change signatures to a comparator that compares the plurality of scene change signatures to a database having a plurality of video content items to identify the video program. The database includes an ordered plurality of previously determined scene change signatures for each item of video content in the database. The content identifier receives an identification of the video content from the comparator. The content identifier may further receive information related to a position of the plurality of scene change signatures within the ordered plurality of previously determined scene change signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Read, Robert Hardacker, Brant Candelore
  • Patent number: 8645983
    Abstract: Audibly announcing program channels is provided upon the detection of a channel information display, such as a programming banner or graphical channel representation. In response to the channel information display being detected, data corresponding to the channel information display may be captured and parsed. Once speech data representative of the current program channel has been generated, an audible announcement of the program channel may be made to the user, thereby enabling visually impaired individuals to ascertain the currently selected program channel. In another embodiment, the broadcast network corresponding to the current program channel may also be identified and audibly announced with the current program channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Steven Richman
  • Patent number: 8610834
    Abstract: A system and method for effectively implementing a charging base for a remote control includes a television device that is controlled by the remote control over a wireless RC-TV communications link. The charging base recharges a battery of the remote control when the remote control is docked to the charging base. In addition, the remote control may be docked to the charging base for bi-directionally communicating with the television and other external entities over a wireless base-TV communications link. Furthermore, various compatible peripheral devices may also recharge their batteries and bi-directionally communicate with the television and the external entities over the base-TV communications link while the peripheral devices are docked to the charging base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Christopher Read, Brant Candelore
  • Patent number: 8565431
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method for securing communications with an electronic device. The method comprises obtaining a dynamic, non-repeating value from internal logic within a remote control. Thereafter, information including the non-repeating value is encrypted to produce an encrypted value, which is transmitted along with a radio frequency (RF) command from the remote control in order to restrict wireless control of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Brant Candelore, Robert Hardacker, Chris Read
  • Patent number: 8542323
    Abstract: Remote control of an electronic device is achieved by retrieving a description of a control surface associated with the electronic device, rendering a graphical representation of at least portion of the control surface on a screen in accordance with the description and navigating the graphical representation using a navigation device that is remote from the first electronic device. The graphical representation may include multiple controls. The electronic device is operated in accordance with controls selected using the navigation device. The graphical representation may be displayed on the navigation device or on a remote screen. The controls to be displayed may be selected automatically dependent upon a selected operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Steven Richman
  • Patent number: 8544047
    Abstract: A TV-set is equipped with HDMI and USB connections that allow it to display and run audio-video content from a variety of conventional consumer devices. The TV-set is further equipped to provide a secure HDMI-USB interface that will allow the transfer of licensed high definition content and Internet subscriber services. Such secure HDMI-USB interface also enables a selection of proprietary application modules to be attached. Downloadable user interface templates, much like XML style sheets, are rendered to a user interface displayed on the screen. These are associated with corresponding thumbnails and URI's that allow a user to surf through lists and catalogs of materials, and then to play them in the appropriate formats and provide the machine with a customized controller. A remote commander is simplified, yet expanded to control all the attached devices through interactions with the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Edgar Tu, David Boyden, Takashi Hironaka, Thomas Dawson, George Williams, Ludovic Douillet, Rajesh Rao, Peter Rae Shintani, Djung Nguyen, Milton Frazier, Ian Charles Matthews, Behram Mario Dacosta, Robert Hardacker, Nicholas James Colsey, Mark Hanson, Jason R. Meerbergen, Leo Mark Pedlow, Rolf Toft
  • Patent number: 8542193
    Abstract: An input system for a TV remote control or other system has a single touch surface with a deformable haptic assembly below the touch surface such that a user placing a finger on the touch surface can feel deformation of the haptic, assembly. A pressure sensing assembly is below the haptic assembly and sensing motion of a finger on the touch surface, with a processor receiving input from the pressure sensing assembly and providing output to the haptic assembly in response. Also, a display receives input sent by the processor in response to input from the pressure sensing assembly to cause the display to present a changing image of a keypad as a user moves a finger on the touch surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, James Amendolagine
  • Patent number: 8538324
    Abstract: A mobile telephone docking station that makes use of a TV as a display and that allows use of a standard keyboard and mouse to have a faster, more comfortable means to control the phone. Access to all of the cell phone's functions is allowed through the docking station/TV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Christopher Jensen Read, Robert Allan Unger
  • Patent number: 8514208
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optical wireless communication. In one embodiment, a wireless optical video system in which video content (e.g., DVI or HDMI) is transmitted wirelessly between a digital video source and a display device. This wireless optical communication is accomplished using a laser, encoded with the digital video data, directed from an optical transmitter to an optical receiver. In another embodiment, the data to be communicated includes high-definition video content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Robert A. Unger, Robert Hardacker
  • Patent number: 8478694
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided where a media server temporarily stores a DRM license that is associated with downloaded media content prior to copying the DRM license to a physical archival medium such as an optical disc. When the media server confirms that the DRM license is successfully copied to the physical archival medium, it destroys the temporarily stored DRM license.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Read, Robert Hardacker
  • Patent number: 8457175
    Abstract: The frequency of a digital data signal, such as a digital video signal, is intentionally varied or hopped before being sent over a network. This frequency hopping may be performed in accordance with a frequency hopping pattern shared with only intended receivers. The digital data signal may be further intentionally pre-distorted in accordance with a pre-distortion pattern which is also shared with only intended receivers. The frequency hopping and/or the pre-distortion patterns may be used to vary the frequency and modulation, respectively, on a periodic basis, such as a symbol-by-symbol or packet-by-packet basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, James R. Milne, Bob Unger
  • Publication number: 20130133082
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided where a media server temporarily stores a DRM license that is associated with downloaded media content prior to copying the DRM license to a physical archival medium such as an optical disc. When the media server confirms that the DRM license is successfully copied to the physical archival medium, it destroys the temporarily stored DRM license.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher J. Read, Robert Hardacker