Patents Issued in March 4, 2014
  • Patent number: 8665345
    Abstract: A digital video camera system that provides a video summary using a method that includes: specifying reference data, wherein the reference data indicates a feature of interest; capturing a video sequence of the scene using the image sensor, the video sequence including a time sequence of image frames; processing the captured video sequence using a video processing path to form a digital video file; during the capturing of the video sequence, analyzing the captured image frames using a feature recognition algorithm to identify a subset of the image frames that contain the feature of interest; forming the video summary including fewer than all of the image frames in the captured video sequence, wherein the video summary includes at least part of the identified subset of image frames containing the feature of interest; storing the digital video file in the storage memory; and storing a representation of the video summary in the storage memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
    Inventors: Keith Stoll Karn, Bruce Harold Pillman, Aaron Thomas Deever, John Robert McCoy, Frank Razavi, Robert Gretzinger
  • Patent number: 8665346
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: a first sound-collection unit that detects an ambient sound and outputs first sound information; a second sound-collection unit other than the first sound-collection unit that detects the sound and outputs second sound information; and a signal processing unit that generates a sound signal corresponding to the sound by eliminating a common noise signal included in the first sound information and the second sound information based on the first sound information and the second sound information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8665347
    Abstract: An image processing device comprises: a brilliance gradient computation unit computing a brilliance gradient within an image based on an image information; a color phase value computation unit computing a first color phase value and a second color phase value, the first color phase value representing a color phase inside a candidate region determined based on the brilliance gradient computed by the brilliance gradient computation unit, the second color phase value representing a color phase in a region surrounding the candidate region; and a region extraction unit extracting a region from the candidate region such that a difference between the first color phase value and the second color phase value is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Miyawaki, Tsuyoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8665348
    Abstract: A captured image and capture conditions of an input device when the captured image was captured are input, and viewing conditions when a reproduced image, which is reproduced by an output device, is viewed are input. A first perceived image is generated from the captured image by a forward conversion of local adaptation processing that conforms to information, which indicates viewing angle, distance to a subject and image resolution of the captured image, included in the capture conditions. A second perceived image is generated by converting a dynamic range of the first perceived image to a dynamic range of the output device. A reproduced image, which is supplied to the output device, is generated from the second perceived image by an inverse conversion of the local adaptation processing that conforms to information, which relates to viewing distance and size of the reproduced image, included in the viewing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuo Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8665349
    Abstract: A method of simulating short depth of field for a digital camera is disclosed. The method includes steps of detecting an object distance corresponding to a focus pixel, generating an original image according to the focus distance, and blurring a plurality of pixels of the original image to different extents according to a plurality of contrast values of the plurality of pixels, to generate an image with short depth of field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: NOVATEK Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Chia-Ho Lin
  • Patent number: 8665350
    Abstract: A method for correcting column Fixed Pattern Noise (FPN) in an image sensor offers a compromise between speed and precision for calculating column FPN offsets. The present correction technique is digital, and is applied after the pixel signal voltages have been digitized by an ADC. A first Optical Black (OB) pixel is sampled and compared to a target level. An offset is stored, and an appropriate push-size is determined. Additional OB pixels are sampled and the offset is applied. The push-size is increased or decreased depending upon whether the pixel signal with the applied offset is above or below a target value. This new offset value is written to memory, and the push-size is reduced, and the process is repeated until the last OB pixel has been processed. The resulting offset is applied to the signal pixels in a column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: AltaSens, Inc.
    Inventors: John Richardson, John Wallner
  • Patent number: 8665351
    Abstract: An obtaining unit obtains image data. An image processing unit performs, on the image data, image processing including gradation conversion processing according to an input/output characteristic defined by a gradation curve formed only of an exponential component represented by y=k·xn, where x is an input, y is an output, and k, n are coefficients. A calculating unit performs calculation for correction to improve lightness of dark area gradation of the image data. A correcting unit performs correction to improve lightness of the dark area gradation of the image data on which the image processing is performed by the image processing unit based on a calculation result of the calculating unit. Accordingly, image processing capable of generating a preferred image can be performed when various types of image processing are performed before and after compression of the dark area gradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8665352
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of acquiring physical information that acquires physical information by using a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes unit elements, each of which has a detecting unit and a unit signal generating unit. The method includes the steps of: providing an operation current supply unit supplying an operation current such that the unit signal generating unit outputs a unit signal, and a signal processing unit receiving the unit signal output from each of the unit elements forming the semiconductor device and outputting an output unit signal; and when a selective read mode is designated for reading the unit signal from a portion of the respective unit elements, an operation current of the output signal line of the unit signal generating unit not to be read is reduced so as to be smaller than an operation current of the output signal line of the unit signal generating unit to be read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Noriya Maeda, Hiroki Ui, Shinichiro Nishizono
  • Patent number: 8665353
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus has: a pixel area having unit pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix; a plurality of analog/digital converters, each provided for the unit pixels on the same column; a plurality of first/second memory units, provided to respective analog/digital converters, for storing the digital signals of one/another row; and a digital signal processing unit for generating an output signal based on the signals from the first and second memory units, wherein the first and second memory units store the digital signals of a same row at a non-addition operation and store the digital signals of different rows at an addition operation, and wherein, at the non-addition operation, if one of the first and second memory units on a same column is defective, the digital signal processing unit generates the output signal based on the signal from the other one of the units on the same column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaru Fujimura
  • Patent number: 8665354
    Abstract: In a solid-state image pickup device, each pixel at a selected row outputs to a corresponding column signal line a first analog signal in accordance with an amount of electric charges at an electric charge accumulation section in an initial state and a second analog signal in accordance with an amount of photoelectric charges transferred to the electric charge accumulation section. An A/D converter provided at each column performs A/D conversion on the first and second analog signals to output first and second digital signals, respectively. Of first to third latch circuits provided at each column, the first latch circuit takes in and holds the first digital signal outputted from the A/D converter. The second latch circuit takes in and holds the first digital signal held at the first latch circuit. The third latch circuit takes in and holds the second digital signal outputted from the A/D converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Okura, Mitsuo Magane
  • Patent number: 8665355
    Abstract: Image capture with an image capture device including an imaging assembly having a spectral response which is tunable in accordance with a capture parameter. A first capture parameter is applied to the imaging assembly. A preview image of a scene is captured using the imaging assembly whose spectral response is tuned in accordance with the first capture parameter. A user interface is displayed by which first and second regions of the preview image are designated, and by which a target range is set for contrast between the first and second regions. A second capture parameter is derived for the imaging assembly, by implementing the target range for contrast between the first and second regions. The second capture parameter is applied to the imaging assembly. A second image of the scene is captured by using the imaging assembly whose spectral response is tuned in accordance with the second capture parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Patent number: 8665357
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes light-transmitting substrate; a plurality of lenses which faces a first surface of the substrate; a light shielding layer which is formed on the second surface of the substrate and has an opening section through which optical axes of each lens pass; and a plurality of light sensing elements which is placed so that the optical axes of the lenses pass through a light sensing surface facing the second surface at an interval. An efficient diameter of the lens, a diameter of the opening section, a distance between the light sensing surfaces and the light shielding layer, a diameter of the light sensing surface, and a distance between the light sensing surface and center of the lens satisfy a<(h·D+h·d?s·d)/s and tan?1{(p?a/2?d/2)/h}>sin?1(1/n).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideto Ishiguro, Hitoshi Tsuchiya, Tsukasa Eguchi
  • Patent number: 8665358
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing an image, including: a body; a lens module disposed on the body; and a control ring disposed on the lens module, wherein the control ring is configured to change a setting value of a setting item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-jong Cho, Young-bae Kim, Se-hyun Park, Ja-yong Koo, Mun-cheol Choi, Yun-ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8665359
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes lens barrels 12 and 13 that house an image pickup optical system L1 to L5, an image pickup element 8 that performs a photoelectric conversion of an object image, an image pickup element holding member 10 that is movable in an optical axis direction with respect to the lens barrels, guide bars 15 and 16 that guide a movement of the image pickup element holding member, and adjustment mechanisms 9a and 9b that perform an inclination adjustment of the image pickup element. Ends at an object side of the guide bars are held by the lens barrels, and ends at an image side of the guide bars are held by a cover member 14 that includes an opening 14c to operate the adjustment mechanism from an outside at the opposite side and that is connected with the lens barrels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8665360
    Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body to which the interchangeable lens can be mounted, either directly or via an adapter. A lens microcomputer of the interchangeable lens is configured to hold lens information including information related to a focal point detection method. A body microcomputer of the camera body is configured to select a focal point detection method on the basis of lens information. The body microcomputer is configured to select a contrast detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is compatible with a contrast detection method. The body microcomputer is configured to select a phase difference detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is not compatible with a contrast detection method, and the adapter is compatible with a phase difference detection method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Kenichi Honjo, Norikazu Katsuyama
  • Patent number: 8665361
    Abstract: A system for capturing super-resolved images includes a camera and a projector. The projector projects a spatially periodic illumination pattern onto the scene to be captured. The spatially periodic illumination patterns may include any pattern or combination of patterns that result in complex modulation. The objects of the scene modulate the spatially periodic illumination patterns, shifting high spatial frequencies into the passband of the camera's optical transfer function. The images may be demodulated, and the demodulated components may be combined with un-modulated components. The resulting image has characteristics of the high spatial frequencies previously beyond the optical passband of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Southern Methodist University
    Inventors: Prasanna Rangarajan, Vikrant R. Bhakta, Marc P. Christensen
  • Patent number: 8665362
    Abstract: A positionable mechanism includes a frame unit, an OIS unit, and a positioning unit that are mounted on a base unit. The frame unit is retractable with respect to the base unit between a storage position and a working position. The positioning unit is movable with respect to the OIS unit between an abutting position and a releasing position, and is subjected to a restoring force. When the frame unit is at the storage position, a pressing part of the frame unit presses the positioning unit to the abutting position where the positioning unit abuts against a movable carrier of the OIS unit. When the frame unit is at the working position, the positioning unit is restored to the releasing position and releases the movable carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Asia Optical International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Yu Hsueh, Tsung-Tse Chen
  • Patent number: 8665363
    Abstract: A solid-state image device includes a silicon substrate, and a photoelectric conversion layer arranged on the silicon substrate and lattice-matched to the silicon substrate, the photoelectric conversion layer being composed of a chalcopyrite-based compound semiconductor of a copper-aluminum-gallium-indium-sulfur-selenium-based mixed crystal or a copper-aluminum-gallium-indium-zinc-sulfur-selenium-based mixed crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Toda
  • Patent number: 8665364
    Abstract: An example reinforcement structure for protecting a wafer-level camera module includes a top sheet element and a side sheet element. The top sheet element is to be disposed over a top surface of the camera module and includes a first opening for allowing light to pass through to the camera module. The side sheet element is coupled to the top sheet element for securing the reinforcement structure to a printed circuit board (PCB). A second opening in the side sheet element is included to allow an adhesive to be dispensed through the second opening to adhere the reinforcement structure to the camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Feng Lin, Wen-Jen Ho, Chi-Kuei Lee, Chen-Wei Tsai
  • Patent number: 8665365
    Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus includes an image-pickup element, a first wiring substrate where the image-pickup element is mounted, a second wiring substrate which is electrically connected with the first wiring substrate and a structure which has electrical conductivity. The first wiring substrate has a first wiring portion where a differential signal line is formed and a second wiring portion where a power-supply line is formed, a ground portion is formed on at least one surface of the first and second wiring portion which faces each other, the first wiring substrate is bended so that at least parts of the first and second wiring portion are overlapped with each other and the ground portion is located between the differential signal line and the power-supply line, and the bended first wiring substrate is arranged in the structure so that the second wiring portion is located between the first wiring portion and the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Motonari Yamada
  • Patent number: 8665366
    Abstract: A TV wall system includes a video source and at least a row of display devices. The video source is used for providing a video signal. The at least one row of display devices is coupled to the video source. The at least one row of display devices includes a plurality of display devices coupled to each other in a cascaded manner. Each of the display devices includes a positioning module, a sensing unit, and a display control unit. The positioning module is used for generating a positioning signal. The sensing unit is coupled to the positioning module for sensing the positioning signal generated by the positioning module. The display control unit is used for controlling the display device to display images according to the video signal and the positioning signal sensed by the sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventor: Cheng-Nan Lien
  • Patent number: 8665367
    Abstract: A method for increasing the resolution of a frame of a video includes receiving at least three frames of the video and compensating for the motion of a portion of at least two of the frames with respect to another one of the frames. After the motion compensation, spatially processing each of the frames of the video to increase the resolution of each of the at least three frames of the video. After the spatial processing, temporally processing at least three frames to determine the increased resolution of the frame of the video, wherein the frame is one of the at least three frames of the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Pan, Yeping Su
  • Patent number: 8665368
    Abstract: A receiver comprises a first signal acquisition unit for acquiring a first type of signal block formatted according to a first format, where the first signal acquisition unit includes one or more parameter estimation units for estimating from the received signals one or more signal parameters related to acquisition of the first type of signal block. The first type of signal block is interleaved with a second type of signal block formatted according to a second format, and one or more parameter estimation units are arranged to conduct signal parameter estimation based upon one or more respective properties of the received second type of signal block prior to continuation of the estimation based upon one or more respective properties of the received first type of signal block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Paul Athol Taylor, John Nicholas Wilson
  • Patent number: 8665369
    Abstract: A signal processing apparatus and method are provided. The signal processing apparatus adjusts the level of a certain signal from among sequentially input signals based on the levels of the signals, and the certain signal is one of signals input prior to the latest signal input to the adjusting unit. Accordingly, a storage cell is shared for lip-sync and AVC, resulting in reduced manufacturing costs, and enhanced stabilization of the signal and the rate of the stabilization of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-kyoung Noh
  • Patent number: 8665370
    Abstract: A method for synchronized playback of wireless audio and video is applicable to a playback system. The method for synchronized playback includes steps of receiving and processing multimedia data by the playback system, in which the multimedia data includes video data and audio data; wirelessly transmitting the audio data to a loudspeaker and meanwhile holding the video data for a threshold time; and finishing the transmission of the audio data when the threshold time is reached, so that the video data and the corresponding audio data are synchronously played. The method for synchronized playback can control the delay caused by the wireless audio transmission, thus achieving the objective of synchronously playing the audio and video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: AmTRAN Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kao-Min Lin
  • Patent number: 8665371
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a television including a user input part for manipulating a channel adjusting item. The method includes displaying a channel map showing a predetermined number of channels including a tuned broadcast channel if the channel adjusting item is selected through the user input part, and a channel setting information menu corresponding to one of the channels shown in the channel map. Thus, the television control method not only allows a user to easily and simply recognize a channel setting state according to channels when the user wants to adjust channel-related functions, but also allows a user to conveniently and effectively adjust the channel setting state according to the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-dae Kim, Yong-hwan Kwon, Sun-hwa Shin
  • Patent number: 8665372
    Abstract: A video processing device can determine whether an input pixel includes a keyed video parameter prior to filtering the input pixel. A non-keyed substitute pixel can be generated for the input pixel that includes the keyed video parameter. The non-keyed substitute pixel can be filtered if the input pixel included the keyed video parameter, otherwise the input pixel can be filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Payson, Timothy Hellman, Ashish Koul
  • Patent number: 8665373
    Abstract: A method for use with content includes analyzing a sequence of frames of the content, determining whether an area exists in a scene depicted by the sequence of frames where additional content such as advertising can be inserted without obstructing activity in the scene, for any such area, determining an amount of time that the area is available when the sequence of frames is being played, and for any such area, determining a size of the area. A storage medium storing a computer program for causing a processor based system to execute these steps and an apparatus for use with content are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
    Inventor: Gary M. Zalewski
  • Patent number: 8665374
    Abstract: Embodiments of this invention relate to controlling insertion of visual elements integrated into video. In an embodiment, a method enables control of insertions in a video. In the embodiment, control data is received from a user input device. Movement of at least one point of interest in a video is analyzed to determine video metadata. Finally, a visual element is inserted into a video according to the control data, and the visual element changes or moves with the video as specified by the video metadata to appear integrated with the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon Katz, Gregory House, Howard Kennedy, Joseph DiGiovanni, Smadar Gefen
  • Patent number: 8665375
    Abstract: An apparatus for tracking a pointing device in use by a foreground subject in a sequence of video fields having a foreground component and a background component, where the pointing device is the leftmost or rightmost object within the foreground component. The apparatus determines the boundaries of a cropped video field within each of the video fields and determines a pixel value and scan line representing the leftmost and rightmost positions of the foreground subject and pointing device for that cropped video field. The apparatus determines the centerline of the foreground subject for each cropped video field, and using the centerline, determines whether the pointing device is on the right side of the cropped video field or the left side of the cropped video field. The position of the pointing device is stored after receipt of a signal generated by the foreground subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: WSI Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Moore, Mark Spychalla, Victor W. Marsh
  • Patent number: 8665376
    Abstract: Several systems and methods for filtering noise from a picture in a picture sequence associated with video data are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes accessing a plurality of pixel blocks associated with the picture and filtering noise from at least one pixel block from among the plurality of pixel blocks. The filtering of noise from a pixel block from among the at least one pixel block includes identifying pixel blocks corresponding to the pixel block in one or more reference pictures associated with the picture sequence. Each identified pixel block is associated with a cost value. One or more pixel blocks are selected from among the identified pixel blocks based on associated cost values. Weights are assigned to the selected one or more pixel blocks and set of filtered pixels for the pixel block is generated based on the weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Manu Mathew, Shyam Jagannathan, Soyeb Noomohammed Nagori, Hrushikesh Tukaram Garud
  • Patent number: 8665377
    Abstract: A video-information-processing apparatus comprising: a smoothing unit to smooth input video information of a plurality of pixels and generate smoothed video information; a subtraction unit to calculate a gradation difference between the input and smoothed video information; a mixing unit to mix the input and smoothed video information at a ratio corresponding to the difference and generate mixed video information; a determination unit to determine whether or not a peripheral pixel region, including each pixel in the input video information and pixels located around the pixel, is a low-frequency region not including a gradation change greater than or equal to a predetermined gradation change; and an output-selection unit to output the mixed video information when the determination unit determines that the peripheral pixel region is the low-frequency region and output the input video information when the determination unit determines that the peripheral pixel region is not the low frequency region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Omori, Kazunori Chida
  • Patent number: 8665378
    Abstract: A filter for a video stream is provided. The filter generates a filtered picture according to a current picture and its previous picture. A motion difference calculator accumulates differences between current picture values and previous picture values within a neighborhood of each pixel to provide a corresponding motion difference. A histogram counter performs histogram counting according to motion differences of the pixels. A filter value calculator provides a filter value for each pixel according to operations of the motion difference calculator and the histogram counter. A blender blends the current picture value and the previous picture value of each pixel according to weightings correlated to the filter value, and provides a filtered picture value for each pixel of the filtered picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Han-Jen Hsu, Wei-Kuo Lee
  • Patent number: 8665379
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes terminals, each being based on a specific standard and being used for communicating with an external device. The electronic apparatus includes a transmission module, an acquisition module and a display control module. The transmission module simultaneously transmits a power-on signal to external devices connected to the terminals, upon turn on of the electronic apparatus. The acquisition module acquires a physical address from one or more first external devices of the plurality of external devices by switching video input among one or more first terminals of the terminals. The one or more first external devices are turned on and the one or more first terminals being connected to the one or more first external devices. The display control module displays device information of the one or more first external devices and terminal numbers of the one or more first terminals. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Masahiro Kamida
  • Patent number: 8665380
    Abstract: In accord with embodiments and implementations consistent with the present invention, rather than perform a full scan of every frequency to find a channel, the tuner is programmed to find a reasonable sample of channels. For example, the tuner can search for at least two or three channels to determine the frequency plan of the channels (by virtue of detection of at least one channel) and then use one of the known plans to directly identify the frequency map. The process can then step quickly through each frequency, without optimizing or fine tuning each channel, to determine the existence of a channel. With this process the number of tunable channels is found quicker and the initial setup time is shortened. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Blanchard, Robert L. Hardacker
  • Patent number: 8665381
    Abstract: One embodiment of a viewing cone adjustment system includes a projection lens that defines a projection lens optical axis adjustably offset from a viewing screen optical axis, and an image source device that defines an image source optical axis adjustably offset from the projection lens optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Brett E. Dahlgren
  • Patent number: 8665382
    Abstract: A pivoting device especially useful in aircraft passenger cabins that can pivot a monitor between stowed and open positions, the pivoting device including a forward/reverse rotatable driving motor. An electromagnetic brake holds the monitor in stowed and opened positions A power unit powers the motor and the electromagnetic brake. A controller controls the pivoting movement of the monitor. The power unit includes a rectifier circuit that transforms AC to a DC, a step-up circuit that steps up the transformed voltage, a voltage regulator that adjusts the transformed voltage to a prescribed DC voltage, and a retraction power retention circuit including a capacitor. When no source voltage is detected while the monitor is in its opened state, the capacitor supplies the power to a voltage regulator of the power circuit, deactivates the electromagnetic brake and reverse rotates the motor to drive the monitor to its stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aircraft Cabin Systems
    Inventors: Yukio Sugimoto, Hironori Katoh, Koji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8665383
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image display device includes a pixel array cell provided with a plurality of pixels used to display 2D and 3D images, a switchable optical layer opposite to the pixel array cell, and a transparent both-sided adhesive film joining the pixel array cell to the switchable optical layer between the pixel array cell and the switchable optical layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bonggeum Lee, Jaeho Lee
  • Patent number: 8665384
    Abstract: A coated article includes a low-E coating supported by a substrate (e.g., glass substrate), the low-E coating including first and second IR reflecting layers comprising silver and/or gold, and at least one UV blocking layer that blocks significant amounts of UV light having a wavelength of from 380-400 nm so that no more than about 20% of light having a wavelength of from 380-400 passes through the low-E coating. The UV blocking layer may be positioned so as to not directly contact the first and second IR reflecting layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 8665385
    Abstract: A non-volatile electronic display includes a light valve plate comprising a plurality of liquid crystal cells on a transparent substrate; a plurality of “floating/storage” nodes functioning like non-volatile memories formed on the transparent substrate and corresponding to the liquid crystal cells, and a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines connected to the plurality of non-volatile memories and supplying signal to store charge to at least one non-volatile memory. The charge is retained in the at least one “floating/storage” nodes functioning like non-volatile memory for a predetermined period when no external power is applied to the non-volatile electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Shu-Lu Chen
  • Patent number: 8665386
    Abstract: A method for fabricating is provided for a liquid crystal display device capable of decreasing the number of masks used to fabricate a thin film transistor (TFT) by forming an active pattern and a storage electrode by a single mask process, by simultaneously patterning a pixel electrode at the time of a gate line patterning, and by using only an organic insulation layer having a low dielectric constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Joo Kim, Seok-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 8665387
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: first and second substrates; a liquid crystal layer; first and second gate lines; a data line and a voltage supplying line disposed on the first substrate; and a pixel. The pixel includes a first switching element connected to the first gate line and the data line, a second switching element connected to the first gate line and the voltage supplying line, a third switching element connected to the second gate line, a first pixel electrode connected to the first switching element, and a separate second pixel electrode connected to the second switching element. The voltage supplying line is supplied with a first voltage, which has a substantially uniform magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seon-Ah Cho, Hee-Wook Do
  • Patent number: 8665388
    Abstract: A display assembly and a method of making a display assembly are disclosed. A display assembly is disclosed including a display unit 1 and two transparent plates 2, 3 bonded respectively to the front and rear surfaces of the display unit 1 by an adhesive. A tape is secured along at least one side of at least one of the plates 2, 3 on its inner surface such that the adhesive inner region of the tape bonds with the tape and not directly with the surface of the plates 2, 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: GE Aviation UK
    Inventor: Nigel John Tebbit
  • Patent number: 8665389
    Abstract: The present invention provides a backlight assembly and a liquid crystal display including the backlight assembly, where the liquid crystal display device is slim, lightweight, and requires low manufacturing costs because the device integrates a bottom chassis and a lamp cover. The bottom chassis includes an accommodating portion for mounting a light guide plate, an optical sheet, and a reflection sheet; an inner sidewall for accommodating the light guide plate, the optical sheet, and the reflection sheet; and a lamp cover, where both ends of the accommodating portion are bent to enclose the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-Hee Son, Jeoung-Gwen Lee, Tae-Hyung Kim
  • Patent number: 8665390
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flat panel display device, which includes a backlight system and a display panel. The backlight system includes a light source, a light homogenization mechanism, and a back frame. The back frame carries the light source and the light homogenization mechanism, and the light homogenization mechanism guides light from the light source into the display panel. The back frame includes at least two primary assembling pieces and also includes secondary assembling pieces and a bracing piece for fixing a circuit board. According to practical needs of the main frame structure, different materials are used for different parts at different locations. The back frame is provided with the bracing piece for fixing a circuit board, and the bracing piece includes a bracing body, a first suspension section, a first bearing section, and a first resilient bent section. The present invention also provides a stereoscopic display device and a plasma display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Cheng Kuo, Yu-Chun Hsiao, Chong Huang, Jia-He Cheng, Cheng-Wen Que, Quan Li, Liu-Yang Yang
  • Patent number: 8665391
    Abstract: An LCD device and its case, the case includes a front frame and a back cover cooperating with each other and a fastener for assembling them together, and side walls of them are overlapped and holes are disposed in the side walls correspondingly. It further includes a connector member, the connector member includes a fixing portion closely fitted with a bottom wall of the back cover; a connecting portion closely fitted with the side wall of the front frame; a stopping portion inserted into the holes in the side walls of the front frame and the back cover correspondingly; an installation pole is disposed on the bottom wall of the back cover, the fixing portion of the connector member has an installation hole corresponding to the installation pole, the fastener goes through the installation hole and is fastened in the installation pole, and thus the connector member is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Quan Li
  • Patent number: 8665392
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of LCDs, and more particularly to an LCD module and an LCD device. The LCD module includes a front frame, and a backplane. The front frame includes a vertical wall, and the backplane includes a horizontal wall, and a vertical wall. The vertical wall of the front frame is vertically aligned with the vertical wall of the backplane. Because the frame of the conventional LCD module is already made very narrow, the space for further narrowing the frame width is limited; the single edge of the frame of the LCD module is narrowed by a wall thickness of the front frame or the backplane because the vertical wall of the front frame of the LCD module of the invention is conventionally aligned with the vertical wall of the backplane, and then an LCD module with a narrower frame is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guofu Tang, Shihhsiang Chen
  • Patent number: 8665393
    Abstract: A flat panel display apparatus comprises a flat panel display module; a control PCB placed in one rear edge area of the flat panel display module and having a conductive grounding part; and a grounding contact member including a rear contact part contacting the grounding part of the control PCB, and a side contact part bent from the rear contact part and contacting one edge of the flat panel display module, and grounding the control PCB. With this configuration, the present invention provides a flat panel display apparatus in which a control PCB having the length shorter than the width of a flat panel display module is easily grounded and the production cost thereof is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Duk Lee
  • Patent number: 8665394
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display and a method for fixing a circuit board thereof are provided in the present invention. The liquid crystal display includes: a back plate having a back plate body, at least one elastic piece disposed at the back plate body, the elastic piece including at least one supporting portion; a circuit board having a grounding area, the circuit board located on the outside of the back plate body, and the grounding area contacting with the supporting portion of the elastic piece; a liquid crystal display panel electrically connected with the circuit board; and a plastic housing having a plurality of sidewalls and a top wall, the circuit board located on the inside of the sidewall, the sidewall having at least one hook, and the hook engaged with the elastic piece for elastically clipping and fixing the circuit board. The present invention has advantages of few parts, simple structure and convenient for assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tian Zhang
  • Patent number: 8665395
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device and a method of manufacturing the same, the device including a liquid crystal display panel, the liquid crystal display panel including substrates facing each other and a liquid crystal layer therebetween; a backlight unit below the liquid crystal display panel, the backlight unit being for emitting light toward the liquid crystal display panel; a filling that fills defect holes on surfaces of the substrates, which surfaces are relatively remote from the liquid crystal layer, the filling having horizontally even surfaces with respect to the surfaces of the substrates, and a cover member disposed over the defect holes filled with the filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Do-Hyun Kim