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: 7719438
    Abstract: Control information is exchanged between a component and a remote control device or a server using RFID or using network discovery procedures. The control information if gathered by the server is provided to the remote. In this way, the need to manually program the remote with component code information is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Ryuichi Iwamura, Peter Shintani, Edgar Allan Tu
  • Publication number: 20100118209
    Abstract: A system and method for generating remote control signals to control a device while conserving power. The method includes receiving an input command for communication to the device to be controlled and determining a use context based on the input command. Based on the context determination, communication over an infrared transmitter and a radio frequency transmitter is adjusted for power savings where one transmitter is typically active. The input command may then be sent via the infrared transmitter or the radio frequency transmitter. At the completion of the usage mode, the operational states of the transmitters can be switched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicants: SONY CORPORATION, SONY ELECTRONICS
    Inventor: Robert Hardacker
  • Publication number: 20100104009
    Abstract: In response to a channel change command in a home network, to reduce latency a real time network bandwidth determination is made and if the determination indicates that bandwidth is sufficient to support only I-frame transmission, then only I-frames are sent temporarily from the source to the sink. Otherwise, I and P frames only are sent and may he encoded at a faster than normal frame rate and displayed at a lower than normal frame rate. If the sink is not configured for non-standard groups of pictures (GOP) some of the P frames can be indicated to the sink as being B-frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Christopher Jensen Read
  • Publication number: 20100106482
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide additional language support for televisions are described herein. In one embodiment, a video signal including a first data stream representing text in a first language is received. The first data stream is transmitted to a remote source for real time translation into a second data stream representing text in a second language. The second data stream is received and then, displayed. In another embodiment, an uncompressed stream is received from a set top box. The uncompressed stream includes a first closed caption data format, which is in a first language. The first closed caption data format is converted into a first closed caption data stream using optical character recognition. The first closed caption data stream which represents text in the first language, is sent to a remote source for translation into a second closed caption data stream which represents text in a second language. The second closed caption data stream is received and then, displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicants: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Steven Richman
  • Patent number: 7684826
    Abstract: A transmit digital processing system for wireless transmission of HDMI and/or DVI data using an FPGA. The FPGA converts the data into two data streams and includes a front end component multiplexing video data with control data. A complementary receive FPGA is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Robert Allan Unger, Robert Hardacker
  • Publication number: 20100066613
    Abstract: An antenna is provided to receive wireless signals for a display device. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises a film comprised of translucent material, wherein the film overlays at least a portion of a viewing area of the display device. The antenna may further include a conductive element for receiving one or more wireless signals, the conductive element embedded in the film within the viewing area of the display device, and a terminal configured to couple the conductive element to one or more terminals of the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, James R. Milne, Robert A. Unger
  • Patent number: 7675509
    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 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Robert A. Unger, Robert Hardacker
  • Publication number: 20100002750
    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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicants: SONY ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, J.R. Milne, Bob Unger
  • Publication number: 20090304205
    Abstract: Techniques for personalizing audio levels, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology, provide different audio volumes to different locations in a room allowing for two or more users to enjoy the same audio content at different volumes. Differential level and delay compensation filtering based on a position of each of a plurality of speakers, the location of each user and the preferred relative audio volume of each user are utilized to produce different effective audio levels in localized regions of a room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicants: SONY CORPORATION OF JAPAN, SONY ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Steven Richman
  • Patent number: 7598923
    Abstract: To achieve ultra-high bandwidth data transmission according to embodiments of the invention, a plurality of parallel 60 GHz band frequency signals traveling in substantially parallel paths is employed. A connector or housing includes a plurality of metallized, grounded shells or chambers having antenna pairs that are embedded therein. There is no physical contact between the transmitter and receiver antennas. Instead, the metallized, grounded connector chambers provide isolation between adjacent radio links which all operate on the same frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Robert Unger
  • Publication number: 20090232308
    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: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicants: SONY CORPORATION, SONY ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Brant Candelore, Robert Hardacker, Chris Read
  • Publication number: 20090209216
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a system for enhancing reception of radio-frequency (RF) signals by an audio-video device such as a high-definition television. The system comprises an audio-video device including a radio-frequency (RF) receiver to receive incoming EF signals, and an RF reflective element. The RF reflective element is positioned to reflect RF signals towards the audio-video device. The RF reflective element is at least partially imbedded with RF reflective materials to reflect undetected, RF signals destined for the audio-video device back to the RF receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicants: SONY CORPORATION, SONY ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Brant Candelore, Behram Mario DaCosta, Robert Hardacker, James R. Milne, Keith Resch
  • Patent number: 7577908
    Abstract: Home network resources and communication paths are managed using network path bandwidths, network storage capacities, and quality of service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Milton Massey Frazier, Behram Mario DaCosta, Robert Hardacker, Ian Charles Matthews, Djung Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20090190756
    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: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicants: SONY CORPORATION, SONY ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Kenichi Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20090161027
    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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicants: SONY CORPORATION, SONY ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Steven Richman
  • Publication number: 20090083801
    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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicants: SONY CORPORATION, SONY ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Steven RICHMAN
  • Publication number: 20090041418
    Abstract: Herein, a display device, system and method are described for identifying digital content through comparison of one or more audio thumbnails when the digital content is provided without metadata. According to one embodiment, a display device comprises a display, audio conversion logic and a transceiver. The audio conversion logic is adapted to produce one or more audio thumbnails, which are compact representations of a snippet of audio from that incoming digital content without the metadata. The transceiver is adapted to transmit the one or more audio thumbnails in order to (i) retrieve metadata associated with the digital content from an external source separate from a source of the digital content and (ii) display information provided by the metadata on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Brant Candelore, Robert Hardacker, Christopher Jensen Read
  • Publication number: 20090037951
    Abstract: Apparatus for identifying a playback position in a audiovisual content stream received from an audiovisual content source includes an audiovisual content display that displays the audiovisual content stream to a user. A command receiver receives remote control commands directed to the audiovisual content source. A playback position identifier estimates the playback position in the audiovisual content stream by analyzing the remote control commands for the audiovisual content source. A presentation unit presents additional information related to the playback position to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicants: SONY CORPORATION, SONY ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Brant Candelore, Chris Read, Robert Hardacker
  • Patent number: 7483717
    Abstract: A transmit digital processing system for wireless transmission of HDMI and/or DVI data using an FPGA. The FPGA converts the data into two data streams and includes a front end component multiplexing video data with control data. A complementary receive FPGA is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Robert Allan Unger, Robert Hardacker
  • Publication number: 20080278635
    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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Steven Richman, Brant Candelore, Behram DaCosta, Peter Shintani, Takaaki Ota