Patents by Inventor Robert Yoneda

Robert Yoneda 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: 5200823
    Abstract: A decoder for use in a television system. The decoder includes a receiver for receiving a television signal having at least one channel. Each channel of the television signal includes video and audio components. A channel maps the channel received by the receiver to a plurality of virtual channels. A first virtual channel utilizes a first combination of video and audio components of the received channel and a second virtual channel utilizes a second combination of video and audio components of the same received channel different than the first combination. A selector allows a subscriber to select one of the virtual channels. Linked text pages may also be mapped to one or more of the virtual channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Yoneda, Keith Gammie, Wayne Sheldrick
  • Patent number: 4890321
    Abstract: A subscription television system in which individual decoders are enabled to receive individually addressed messages is disclosed. The composite signal, including video and teletext, also comprises addressed packets which are detected by decoders and which indicate that a message addressed to a particular subscriber is forthcoming, and system control data. In a preferred embodiment, both addressed packets and teletext are encrypted. The addressed packet is decrypted using a decoder-specific code and a transmitted code, while the teletext message is decrypted using a decryption key contained in the system control data. The teletext message cannot be received until the addressed packet has been decrypted. Therefore, redundant levels of security are provided to the system. Messages for display to the user can be selected in response to user initiated commands, in response to decoder initiation, or in response to the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Scientific Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Seth-Smith, Cameron Bates, Samson Lim, William van Rassel, Robert Yoneda, Keith Lucas
  • Patent number: 4890319
    Abstract: A subscription television system for distributing program material protected by copyright to subscribers comprises a transmitter including a data insertion circuit for inserting a control bit in a transmitted signal comprising other control data and the protected program material. A receiver of the system includes a memory for storing a pre-assigned subscriber identification. Upon receipt and identification of the control bit at the receiver, the receiver inserts the subscriber identification into the program material so that any unauthorized copy made of the program material may be found to include the subscriber identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlantic, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Seth-Smith, Cameron Bates, Samson Lim, William van Rassel, Robert Yoneda, Keith Lucas
  • Patent number: 4866770
    Abstract: A communication system enabling transmission of individual subscriber teletext messages, audio and video to individual subscribers and permitting group communications of audio, video, teletext and data information from a single central subscriber location, such as a corporate head office to a plurality of satellite offices, such as field or sales offices of the corporation, is disclosed. A composite signal including the information to be transmitted as well as system wide, individual decoder and group decoder control signals is transmitted. The system-wide control signals include data germane to operation of each of the decoders of this system, including key information needed to decode the composite signal. The system-wide control data is transmitted at a first relatively high frequency. The group decoder information includes information permitting individual groups of decoders to receive information portion of the composite signal being transmitted at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Scientific Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Seth-Smith, Cameron Bates, Samson Lim, William van Rassel, Robert Yoneda, Keith Lucas
  • Patent number: 4829569
    Abstract: A subscription television system in which individual decoders are enabled to receive individually addressed messages is disclosed. The composite signal, including video and teletext, also comprises addressed packets, which are detected by decoders and which indicate that a message addressed to a particular subscriber is forthcoming, and system control data. The decoder detects an addressed packet addressed to itself, whereby it is enabled to select the appropriate teletext message and to display the same. In a preferred embodiment, both address packets and teletext are encrypted. The addressed packet is decrypted using a decoder-specific code and a system key transmitted as part of the system control data, while the teletext packet is decrypted using the system key, but cannot be received until the addressed packet has been decrypted. Therefore, redundant levels of security are provided to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Seth-Smith, Cameron Bates, Samson Lim, William van Rassel, Robert Yoneda, Keith Lucas