Sound Signal Patents (Class 348/484)
  • Patent number: 6724432
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmission of audio signals over a dedicated video transmission line in which the analog audio signal is inserted into and becomes a part of the video signal. Samples of the audio signal are inserted into the active video line, either at the beginnings or endings, or both, of each active video line scan signal. A defined amount of the active video interval is reserved from the active video line, and is replaced with samples of the analog audio signal. An analog switch in the modulator of the invention toggles to pick up the samples of audio and place them at the designated location (either at the beginnings or at the ends) of each active video line scan signal. A corresponding switch in the demodulator of the invention toggles to retrieve the audio samples from the active video line scans for output to the user. Stereo and/or bi-directional audio signals can be transmitted by insertion into both the beginnings and the endings of the active video line scan signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Pelco
    Inventor: Samuel N. Grigorian
  • Patent number: 6710813
    Abstract: A signal mutiplexer that combines the NTSC and DTV signals of adjacent television channels into a composite signal for transmission on a common transmission line or wave guide. Separate hybrid couplers and band pass filters produce quadrature phase signals that are combined in a signal combiner to produce a pair of quadrature phase multiplexed signals. A notch filter reflects the aural component of the NTSC signal. An output hybrid coupler combines the pair of multiplexed quadrature phase signals with the reflected aural component to produce the composite signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Brett J. Grandchamp, William A. DeCormier
  • Publication number: 20030169370
    Abstract: Digital audio data which have a predetermined packet structure are divided into units including a predetermined number of bits; each unit of the divided digital audio data is converted into specific data to be encoded; the encoded data are arranged in blanking intervals of video data; the digital audio data are transmitted as well as the video data using a transmission line for the video data, and the video data and the audio data may be simultaneously and favorably transmitted, adopting an existing video-data transmission format such as the DVI standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Naoki Ejima, Toshiroh Nishio, Akihisa Kawamura, Hidekazu Suzuki, Sho Murakoshi, Tetsuya Hiroe, Hiroshige Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20030164899
    Abstract: A multilingual video-transmitting/receiving system includes multiplexing means for embedding a plurality of audio information channels in each of a plurality of video information channels and generating integral video signal, a plurality of subscriber receiving means for receiving the integral video signal, selecting one of video information channels from the integral video signal, and selecting one of the audio information channels embedded in the selected video information channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventor: Don S Lee
  • Publication number: 20030081146
    Abstract: A method for representing audio data in a format that can be merged with video data, where the audio data includes a sequence of audio information elements. The method includes replacing each audio information element in the sequence with a unique corresponding color from a color palette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis L. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6532269
    Abstract: When transmitting encoded video data and audio data, a transmitter 201 also transmits a decoding method 107 generated by decoding-method generation means 203. In the case of a receiver 202, decoding control means 111 controls decoding means 208 in accordance with a received decoding method 113 and thereby, decodes video data and audio data 115. Thus, it is unnecessary for the receiver 202 to previously prepare all of a plurality of decoding methods and the transmitter 201 does not need to encode video data or audio data in accordance with the decoding method owned by the receiver 202.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masazumi Yamada, Akira Iketani, Akira Usui, Masaaki Kobayashi, Hidetoshi Takeda
  • Patent number: 6526385
    Abstract: A method and a system is provided for embedding and detecting additional information, such as copyright information, in audio data, so that a modification in the sonic quality due to the embedding is imperceptible to human beings, and does not drastically deteriorate the sonic quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Kobayashi, Dean D. Chen, Yoshiaki Ohshima, Shuichi Shimizu, Norishige Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20030016303
    Abstract: To provide: a main control device 2, to which instructions for image recording from a dynamic-image terminal 4 are transmitted, for giving instructions for accumulation processing of dynamic-image information to a dynamic-image information processing device 3 to transmit instructions for regeneration processing of dynamic-image information to the device 3 by instructions for regeneration from a dynamic-image terminal 8, and to transmit to an accumulation control device 6 instructions for transmitting regenerated dynamic-image information; the dynamic-image information processing device 3 for affixing synchronous information to accumulated dynamic-image information transmitted from a dynamic-image terminal 4 by instructions for transmitting accumulated dynamic-image information to transmit it to the accumulation control device 6, to receive voice/image information, to convert specification of voice/image information according to the affixed synchronous information, to multiplex the voice/image information afte
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuuichi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 6509932
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing audio in a digital video system. Equations for a value n are provided for replacement into the conventional audio data shuffling equations. The equations for the value n provide for simple, efficient techniques to, in turn, calculate values for track number (TK), block number (BK), and data position number (DP). The values TK, BK, DP can be used in an address generation scheme to generate a page value and an offset value. The page value and the offset value for a particular sample of digital audio data, in part, determine the location of the sample in a memory storing the digital audio data. The present invention can be implemented for both four channel and two channel modes under both the NTSC and the PAL standards in accordance with specifications set forth in the Digital Video Standard (the “Blue Book”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Divio, Inc.
    Inventors: Der-Ren Chu, Ren-Yuh Wang
  • Publication number: 20020199191
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interactive system, comprising a presentation device for presenting interactive content. The system comprises an input device for controlling a presentation parameter of a content object of the interactive content. The system further comprises at least one token representing a content object, the system further comprising association means for associating said token with said input device, and means for selecting the content object represented by the token as the content object to be controlled by the input device in response to said association.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Paul Philip Thursfield, Lucas Jacobus Franciscus Geurts
  • Publication number: 20020186322
    Abstract: A method of adding auxiliary data, e.g., audio data, to a high-speed serial video link in such a way that it is invisible to existing receiver and such that auxiliary data, e.g., audio, can be transmitted without any knowledge of the capabilities of the display to receive the auxiliary data. Some of the DC balancing bits are used to transport the auxiliary data information over the link in a manner that does not change the data recovered by a DVI-CE receiver, or a legacy receiver (installed base). DC balancing is also maintained, but with differences over known techniques. Since the auxiliary data bits (which are occupying the time slots of the DC balance bits) will be interpreted by legacy receivers as DC balance bits, the data must be optionally inverted to remain consistent with the value of the auxiliary data bit being transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Hugh Mair, Gordon Gammie
  • Publication number: 20020171761
    Abstract: In a signal transmitter and a signal receiver according to the present invention, a multiplexing part (102) multiplexes a video signal and a time-base-compressed audio signal on the basis of a multiplexing control signal to transmit the multiplexed signal through a data line (106) in the signal transmitter, and a demultiplexing part (103) demultiplexes a video/audio multiplexed signal received through the data line (106) into the original video signal and audio signal by a demultiplexing control signal in the signal receiver. Further, a horizontal synchronizing signal or vertical synchronizing signal of the video signal is employed as the multiplexing control signal and the demultiplexing control signal, and the audio signal is time-base-compressed at the transmitting end, to multiplex the audio signal in a blank of the video signal, and the multiplexed audio signal is time-base decompressed at the receiving end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Hidekazu Suzuki, Toshiro Nishio
  • Publication number: 20020167608
    Abstract: A circuit for detecting a transition in the content of a digital video stream containing embedded audio samples and providing a smooth transition from an old audio stream embedded before the transition to a new audio stream embedded after the transition. The circuit detects the transistion and in response it fades out the old audio stream and fades in the new audio stream. During the transition, the old and new audio signal are buffered. The old stream is not faded out until only a number of audio samples required for the fading process remain in the associated buffer. The new audio stream is not faded in until a selected number of audio samples have been stored I the associated buffer. The selected number of samples is typically smaller than the number of samples that is desirably stored in the associated buffer during steady state operation. An interpolation operation is used to allow the number of new audio samples in the associated buffer to build up to the desired number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Semko Szybiak, Alan Plaunt, Romolo Magarelli
  • Patent number: 6445422
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a composite audio signal clocked to a selected frequency from left and audio input signals. A video/audio signal generator transmits the left and right audio input signals, together with a video signal having a horizontal synchronization signal embedded therein. If copy protection has not been applied to the video signal, the embedded horizontal synchronization signal will have a frequency of 15.734 KHz. If applied to the video signal, copy protection techniques will shift the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal. To avoid distortion of the composite audio signal, a switch configured to selectively couple the video signal or a secondary video signal generated by an internal video signal generator to an audio signal processor which generates the composite audio output signal from the left and right audio input signals. Embedded within the secondary video signal is a horizontal synchronization signal having a frequency of 15.734 KHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Cable Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Sealtiel Avalos, Robert D. Kaylor, Robert F. Kessler
  • Patent number: 6407769
    Abstract: A system for measurement of a differential delay between a primary signal and a secondary signal or signals, propagating between a nominal source and a nominal destination. The source has a first detection unit for the detecting of a rapid change in a given parameter of the primary signal, and an applying unit for applying a timing signal containing timing information relating to the rapid change in the parameter of the primary signal detected by the first detection unit to the secondary signal(s). The destination has a second detection unit for the detection of a rapid change in the given parameter of the primary signal, a recovery unit for recovering the timing signal from the secondary signal(s) and a third detection unit for the detection of the timing information relating to the rapid changes in the parameter of the primary signal from the recovered timing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: John Robert Emmett
  • Patent number: 6404925
    Abstract: Methods for segmenting audio-video recording of meetings containing slide presentations by one or more speakers are described. These segments serve as indexes into the recorded meeting. If an agenda is provided for the meeting, these segments can be labeled using information from the agenda. The system automatically detects intervals of video that correspond to presentation slides. Under the assumption that only one person is speaking during an interval when slides are displayed in the video, possible speaker intervals are extracted from the audio soundtrack by finding these regions. Since the same speaker may talk across multiple slide intervals, the acoustic data from these intervals is clustered to yield an estimate of the number of distinct speakers and their order. Clustering the audio data from these intervals yields an estimate of the number of different speakers and their order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignees: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Foote, Lynn Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20020015108
    Abstract: A data transmission method and a data transmission system not requiring a large delay unit for multiplexing and composition and capable of reducing the hardware scale, wherein when transmitting data among multiple points from a plurality of terminals arranged in a network, when the data at multiple points are transmitted to the terminals, in the network, identical packets are added different time stamps in accordance with the transmission delays, whereby the data shifted in accordance with the transmission delays are transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Masatoshi Takashima, Hideyuki Narita, Haruyoshi Murayama, Yoshiyuki Ito, Daisuke Hiranaka
  • Publication number: 20020008778
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmission of audio signals over a dedicated video transmission line in which the analog audio signal is inserted into and becomes a part of the video signal. Samples of the audio signal are inserted into the active video line, either at the beginnings or endings, or both, of each active video line scan signal. A defined amount of the active video interval is reserved from the active video line, and is replaced with samples of the analog audio signal. An analog switch in the modulator of the invention toggles to pick up the samples of audio and place them at the designated location (either at the beginnings or at the ends) of each active video line scan signal. A corresponding switch in the demodulator of the invention toggles to retrieve the audio samples from the active video line scans for output to the user. Stereo and/or bi-directional audio signals can be transmitted by insertion into both the beginnings and the endings of the active video line scan signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: Pelco
    Inventor: Samuel N. Grigorian
  • Patent number: 6333763
    Abstract: An audio data input together with a motion picture data is digitized by an A/D converter portion 11 and the digital data from the A/D converter portion 11 is sampled by a sampling portion 12. The sampled data is compressed by a compressing/coding portion 13. In this construction, a sampling frequency of the sampling portion 12 is variably set by a sampling frequency control portion 14 correspondingly to a scene represented by the motion picture data Thus, in coding and compressing the motion picture data and the audio data, the audio data can be effectively compressed at a variable compression rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6295093
    Abstract: A closed-caption broadcasting and receiving method and apparatus. According to the closed-caption broadcasting method and apparatus, character information and control information are inputted, and a control code of 2 words and a character code of 2 words including a syllable character completion type code are produced. The control code is obtained by combining the control information with a mode control bit and a parity bit, and the character code is obtained by combining the character information with a mode control bit and a parity bit. A digital-modulated caption signal is produced by inputting the control code and the character code, and is coded on a scanning line which does not affect a television video signal to be transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Jeong Park, Jin-Hwa Yang, Jum-Han Bae
  • Patent number: 6288747
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a composite audio signal clocked to a selected frequency from left and audio input signals. A video/audio signal generator transmits the left and right audio input signals, together with a video signal having a horizontal synchronization signal embedded therein. If copy protection has not been applied to the video signal, the embedded horizontal synchronization signal will have a frequency of 15.734 KHz. If applied to the video signal, copy protection techniques will shift the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal. To avoid distortion of the composite audio signal, a switch configured to selectively couple the video signal or a secondary video signal generated by an internal video signal generator to an audio signal processor which generates the composite audio output signal from the left and right audio input signals. Embedded within the secondary video signal is a horizontal synchronization signal having a frequency of 15.734 KHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Cable Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Sealtiel Avalos, Robert D. Kaylor, Robert F. Kessler
  • Patent number: 6278498
    Abstract: An adjacent channel combiner combines an analog television channel with an upper adjacent digital television channel using practical filter designs. An aural signal of the analog television channel is combined after both a visual signal and a digital signal have been combined. A directional filter combines the visual and digital signals and a diplexer or other means is used for combining the aural signal with the combined visual and digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Neff
  • Patent number: 6259482
    Abstract: The present invention includes a digital stereo modulator having a digital left channel input and a digital right channel input into a Digital BTSC Stereo Generator that contains a Sine Table. The Digital BTSC Stereo Generator generates and outputs the following signals: 2*FH, compressed BTSC L−R, preemphasized BTSC L+R, and FH. A digital multiplier amplitude modulates the 2*FH carrier with the compressed BTSC L−R output, and the resultant signal is a Stereo Subchannel AM-DSB-SC BTSC Compressed L−R, which is then summed together with the preemphasized BTSC L+R, and FH by a digital summer. The output of the digital summer is the composite BTSC output without SAP or Professional channels. The Digital BTSC Stereo Generator transforms left and right inputs into the outputs described above by utilizing clock inputs 3*FH and 12*FH. A digital PLL phase locks 3*FH and 12*FH clocks to a Horizontal Synch (FH) reference, for input to the Digital BTSC Stereo Generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventors: Matthew F. Easley, Roger Darr
  • Patent number: 6249642
    Abstract: An extended play radio video cassette recorder (EPRVCR) capable of receiving and recording audio and video signals transmitted over a radio frequency channel is provided. The EPRVCR includes a videocassette recorder (VCR) and a tuner capable of receiving of radio frequency signals and television frequency signals electrically connected to the VCR. Method for broadcasting and receiving a composite video and audio signal over a radio frequency for subsequent recording by an extended play radio video cassette recorder is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a VCR having a tuner capable of receiving radio frequency signals; broadcasting audio on a preselected baseband radio frequency; broadcasting a visual image on a subcarrier sideband of the preselected baseband frequency; and receiving the audio and visual image using the tuner of the VCR. The VCR is also capable of recording the audio and video image simultaneously onto a single video cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Lewis, James M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6246439
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transparently embedding data into a video signal modulates a particular carrier frequency with a randomized pattern representing the data. The randomized pattern may be a combination of the data with the output from a pseudo-random binary sequence generator, or the data may be converted first into a bi-orthogonal pattern selected from among a plurality of such patterns and then randomized. The resulting modulated carrier frequency is then amplitude modulated based upon a human visual model so that the modulated carrier frequency amplitude is greater in areas of high image complexity and lower in areas of low image complexity. The subliminal data represented by the modulated carrier frequency is added to the video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Zink, Daniel G. Baker
  • Patent number: 6191822
    Abstract: A separator circuit receives a stream of data including both audio and video components. The separator circuit separates the audio and video components for transmission to appropriate devices. In the preferred embodiment, the separator circuit is part of a decompression engine which decompresses the received stream of data and also separates the audio and video components. Preferably, the decompression engine is implemented within a device configured for coupling to an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. Alternatively, the decompression engine is implemented as a separate dedicated device within the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. After separating the audio and video components, one or both of those components are transmitted from the decompression engine over one or more isochronous channels on the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus, to the appropriate devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D. Smyers
  • Patent number: 6166774
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided by which television signals may be transmitted from adjacent NTSC and DTV channels. The NTSC television signals for a first channel are selected from a frequency band including a plurality of channels and wherein this first channel includes NTSC aural and NTSC visual signals. A source of DTV television signals are selected for a second channel in the same frequency band and wherein the second channel is adjacent the first channel. The NTSC visual signal and the DTV signal are combined to provide an intermediate combined signal. The intermediate combined signal and the NTSC aural signal are then combined to provide a combined output signal for application to antenna means for transmitting television signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Plonka
  • Patent number: 6124894
    Abstract: NTSC signals have a frame rate of 29.97 frames per second. In SDI, audio data is sampled at a rate 30n where n is an integer, e.g. 48K samples per second. Thus there are 1601.6 samples per frame. Although there are an integer number 8008 samples per five frame sequence, two frames have 1601 samples and 3 frames have 1602 samples. This creates a variable storage requirements from frame to frame and causes problems in editing. The SDI audio data is separated from associated video and decimated by a factor h, where h=4 for example in a signal processor 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The decimated data is written into a FIFO circuit at the rate 30n/h synchronously with frame timing under the control of a frame reference generator 10, 9. A fixed integer number n/h of samples is written into the FIFO 7 in each frame under the control of a write control circuit 8. n/h=400 for example, where n=1600 and h=4. Any additional sample in each frame is dropped. The 400 sample frames are stored on a disc 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony United Kingdom Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Mark Greenwood, Michael John Ludgate
  • Patent number: 6076062
    Abstract: An audio bitstream is read from a digital video disc DVD for transfer, subsequent to parsing thereof, via an IEC 958 protocolled interface, for use in a multi-channel audio reproduction apparatus. For each respective audio channel MPEG audio samples are packaged recurrently in burst payloads, and these burst payloads are packaged as user data in IEC958 format frames. Pause bursts are used for signalling absence of audio for all associated channels with, each pause burst representing such audio absence during a perceptibly acceptable time interval only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Bernard Van Steenbrugge
  • Patent number: 6037993
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a broadcast television stereo signal has a left channel and a right channel. An analog-to-digital converter converts the right-channel signal to a right digital signal and the left-channel to a left digital signal. A circuit, which could include a digital signal processing chip, generates a first signal that includes the right digital signal added to the left digital signal and generates a second signal that includes the right digital signal subtracted from the left digital signal. The circuit also generates a digitally pre-emphasized first signal, which includes digital pre-emphasis, and a digitally pre-emphasized second signal, which also includes digital pre-emphasis. The circuit transforms the pre-emphasized first signal to a digital BTSC L+R signal and transforms the pre-emphasized second signal to a digital BTSC L-R signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Antec Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Frank Easley
  • Patent number: 6037992
    Abstract: An improved system for transmitting audio signals in a TV strewn employs an adaptive gain system. The system provides for sampling the audio signal in each of successive intervals in between 256 (2.sup.8) and 65,535 (2.sup.16) steps, for determining a reference voltage (i.e. maximum or mean, . . . ) amplitude for the interval, for dividing the signal into 256 steps, for providing a scaling factor for each of the steps which is a direct function of the reference voltage, and for transmitting the audio signal (interval) along with a code representative of the scaling factor to permit a receiver to faithfully reproduce the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Interactive Corp.
    Inventor: Karim Lakhani
  • Patent number: 6028904
    Abstract: Described herein is the converting between a component SDI signal D1 and a composite SDI signal D2. A single memory is prepared. Further, the corresponding signal is written into the memory in accordance with a clock corresponding to a transfer rate of the SDI signal D1 and the corresponding signal is read from the memory in accordance with a clock corresponding to a transfer rate of the SDI signal D2. The digital signal read from the memory is re-distributed based on header information added to the SDI signal D2. Pieces of header information (ADF, DID, DBN, DC and CS) corresponding to conversion modes are added to the outputted digital signal. Thus, the cost down to the signal converting can be achieved by providing a single signal conversion memory alone and reducing signal conversion memories and their peripheral circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Yanagisawa, Mitsushige Tatami, Hidetoshi Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 5982446
    Abstract: In a single-chip multistandard video modulator arrangement in which audio signals for transmission with video signals are first modulated onto a subcarrier and then combined with the video signals for modulation onto a VHF or UHF main carrier, the modulated subcarrier signals are passed through a high-pass filter before being combined with the video signals in order to reduce the amplitude of any audio frequency components, and the resulting variations in main carrier amplitude, which tend to produce "sound in vision" effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Mitel Semiconductor
    Inventor: Stuart J Millard
  • Patent number: 5978037
    Abstract: A circuit for decoding additional information in a composite signal, the circuit having a filter device for separating a signal range in the composite signal, which includes the additional information in coded form. An adaptive decoding device is controlled by a signal quality parameter which is determined in an additional circuit from the respective reception state of the composite signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Deutsche ITT Industries, GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Hilpert, Stefan Mueller
  • Patent number: 5953066
    Abstract: In a bilingual television signal processor which is capable of automatically controlling a bandpass filter for detecting a pilot signal included in a bilingual signal received in a television receiver having a bilingual function without an external adjustment, an improvement including a microcomputer for outputting an on-screen display message indicating a bilingual broadcasting and scanning the locked information of the pilot signal outputted from the PLL detector in a predetermined voltage range and step and outputting a corresponding pulse width modulated (PWM) signal, and a digital/analog (DA) converter for converting the PWM signal outputted from the microcomputer into an analog signal and outputting a corresponding DC voltage to set the bandpass filter, can achieve the effect that it can be controlled without an external adjustment since the voltage for adjusting the center frequency of the bandpass filter is scanned in an appropriate range, and as a result, the shift in the center frequency of the band
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: LG Semicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyung-Sik Yun
  • Patent number: 5953067
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that transmits the stereo and the surround sound information of the L-R signal without excessive attenuation at the higher frequencies in order to allow transmission of surround sound through a noisy medium. The apparatus includes a surround sound conditioner coupled to receive a L-R signal portion of the television signal for pre-emphasizing and companding the L-R signal to produce a conditioned L-R signal; a mixer coupled to the surround sound conditioner for switching the conditioned L-R signal at a predetermined value to produce an amplitude modulated L-R signal; and a synchronizing circuitry coupled to the mixer for maintaining the predetermined value in step with the reference value, wherein the mixed L-R signal is combined with a L+R signal portion of the television signal to produce a composite output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Cable Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Sealtiel Avalos, Ken Kaylor, Robert Kaylor, Robert Kessler
  • Patent number: 5929921
    Abstract: The present invention provides a video and audio signal multiplex transmitting apparatus having a video and audio signal multiplex sending apparatus for grouping audio data to packets of a fixed length in the sending side, and multiplexing video and audio signals by multiplexing horizontal and vertical phase signal outputs from horizontal and vertical counters that are in synchronization with a video signal to an audio data as video phase information, and a video and audio signal multiplex receiving apparatus provided with an audio packet interpolating device for separating the signal received to video and audio signals, detecting, if any audio data is lost, a lost audio data from a data block number of the audio data and audio clock phase information, and recovering an audio clock by means of horizontal and vertical counters and the clock phase information transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenshi Taniguchi, Tomotaka Takeuchi, Masatoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5919047
    Abstract: In a karaoke apparatus, a music selector device selects a plurality of desired music pieces so as to compose a medley. A designator device designates a desired section of each music piece selected by the music selector device. A sequencer device sequentially plays back the designated sections of the selected music pieces to perform the medley. A connecting device operates when the performed medley switches from a preceding section of one music piece to a succeeding section of another music piece to musically connect the preceding section to the succeeding section by different transition modes. A mode selector device selects an optimal one of the different transition modes according to musical properties of the one music piece and the other music piece so as to musically ensure smooth connection between the preceding section and the succeeding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Takurou Sone
  • Patent number: 5917557
    Abstract: A component system includes a selector connected to at least one audio component, at least one video component includes a teletext receiver wherein audio and video signals output by the audio and video components as well as the teletext receiver can be selected, and when an operation to switch from an already selected component to the teletext receiver is carried out, a video signal produced by the teletext receiver is selected and output with an audio signal produced by the previously selected component remaining selected and output, allowing information transmitted by a teletext to be obtained without interrupting the audio signal being output by the previously selected component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Toyoda
  • Patent number: 5808689
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for encoding secondary signals, such as audio signals, within a television signal in a manner such that the signal may be either recorded on a video cassette or broadcast. The audio samples are encoded only on selected lines of each video frame which do not interfere with dedicated broadcast and cable lines and are not affected by head switching of a video cassette recorder. The audio samples are encoded only within an overscan portion of the selected lines such that the encoded samples do not interfere with other portions of the video signal. However, by encoding the samples within the overscan portion, the samples do not affect the displayed image. The secondary audio signal is sampled during equally spaced intervals throughout the video frame, then compressed and encoded only within selected horizontal lines. During decoding, the audio samples are decompressed and played back at the original sampling rate to provide audio playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Shoot The Moon Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David Small
  • Patent number: 5784112
    Abstract: An encoding apparatus includes an encoding unit for encoding input video data, a storage unit for storing the video data encoded by the encoding unit, a control unit for controlling the amount of video data which has a format including a vertical blanking interval output from the encoding unit in accordance with the amount of data stored in the storage unit, and a multiplexing unit for multiplexing additional data with the video data encoded by the encoding means during the vertical blanking period of the video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimi Ogasawara, Katsumi Karasawa
  • Patent number: 5767913
    Abstract: A mapping system for producing event identifying codes includes a plurality of video-audio-data (VAD) marker channels representative of a method for coding and/or encoding signals such as video and non-video signals. At least one of the VAD marker channels includes a plurality of sub-bands indicative of video transform components. The processing method is implemented at least in part by modulating the non-video signals, if any, onto the transform components, and by generating video transform components therefrom; generating video transform components from the video signals, if any; selecting desirable video transform components corresponding to the non-video signals and to the video signals, if any; and allocating the selected desirable video transform components to the sub-bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Inventor: Lord Samuel Anthony Kassatly
  • Patent number: 5764292
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a first diaphragm having a variable numerical aperture, and a second diaphragm having a fixed numerical aperture. A light-reducing member is disposed on a moving portion of the first diaphragm. The light-reducing member can be inserted in or retracted from the optical path of the second disphragm by operating the first diaphragm when the second diaphragm is being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshinobu Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5675388
    Abstract: The apparatus and method is shown for transmitting one or more audio frequency signals on a television video signal including an encoder comprised of a pulse modulator responsive to the audio frequency signals and a combiner to combine modulated pulses from the modulator with the video signal. Also shown is a decoder for use with video signals output from above encoding apparatus and method for decoding the modulated pulses to recover the audio frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: J. Carl Cooper
  • Patent number: 5629740
    Abstract: In a video transmitter including a first data processing system wherein compressed and encoded video-audio data are read out of a first store under control of a CPU, and then decoded to be reproduced, there is provided a second data processing system for after-recording, data processing operation of which is controlled by a CPU. The second processing system comprises a audio data compressor, a first buffer memory, a second store, a second buffer memory, and a audio data decoder. Reproducing operations of the first and second data processing systems are performed in synchronism with each other. Thus, with a video transmitter equipped with a codec apparatus, it is possible to achieve after-recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Toko, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanaka, Toru Kawanobe, Masaru Kawazoe
  • Patent number: 5550580
    Abstract: Disclosed is a low bit rate audio and video communication system which employs an integrated encoding system that dynamically allocates available bits among the audio and video signals to be encoded based on the content of the audio and video information and the manner in which the audio and video information will be perceived by a viewer. A dynamic bit allocation and encoding process will evaluate the current content of the audio and video information and allocate the available bits among the audio and video signals to be encoded. In addition, an appropriate audio encoding technique is dynamically selected based on the current content of the audio signal. A face location detection subroutine will detect and model the location of faces in each video frame, in order that the facial regions may be more accurately encoded than other portions of the video frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Zhou
  • Patent number: 5548346
    Abstract: A real time visual communication system capable of improving a correspondence between a received video signal and a received audio signal in real time and improving reality. An AV signal is separated into a video signal and an audio signal, and the output state of the video or audio signal is controlled by the characteristics of the audio or video signal. For example, the sound field, reverberation, and the like are controlled in accordance with the characteristics of the video signal. A suitable image pickup unit is selected in accordance with the characteristics of the audio signal to make the sights of conversation participants coincide with each other. It is possible to reproduce sounds of audio signals well matching video signals and to provide visual communication having good reality because of the combination of matched audio and video signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Itaru Mimura, Hirotada Ueda, Shigeo Sumino, Mitsuru Ikezawa, Toshiaki Suzuki, Taizo Kinoshita, Katsumi Tada
  • Patent number: 5548323
    Abstract: A multiple input processor includes apparatus for receiving inputs from multiple sources and processing the inputs for transmission to receivers along a television cable network. The processor includes an RF modulator to convert audio signals from signal sources to radio frequency signals for broadcasting through the cable TV system. A microcomputer in the processor processes signals received from multiple sources and selectively transmits the signals through the modulator, The processor includes an audio bus interconnecting the signal-sources and processor to permit receiving, processing, and transmission of audio signals. A telephone interface is connected to the audio bus to permit transmission of signals from a telephone line to the computer, as a separate signal source, and to permit transmission of signals from the audio bus to the telephone line for reporting and other auditing purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Hollyanne Corp.
    Inventor: Martin E. Callahan
  • Patent number: 5541672
    Abstract: A device for digital demodulation of the video and audio elements of a television signal has a digital preprocessing stage for conditioning a complex digital signal for digital demodulation of a television signal at intermediate frequency, mixing devices for video and audio elements of the complex digital signal shifting the video sub-carrier and the audio sub-carrier, which is offset by the video sub-carrier frequency, to the frequency 0, digital audio-FM demodulators and parallel paths of mixing devices for the demodulation of the audio signals, so that fully digital signal processing of television signals from the intermediate frequency, with limited filter complexity can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: ANT Nachrichtentechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Goeckler
  • Patent number: 5539477
    Abstract: A signal transmitter and receiver (or a combination thereof) incorporated for example in audio and video apparatus such as a TV and a video-deck, comprises a synchronizing signal separator separating a synchronizing signal from video-signal, a monostable circuit of which period recovering its stable state, or unstable period, after an input of triggering signal, is longer than the period of synchronizing signal separated by the synchronizing signal separator, and a dc-power supply on-off controller controlling the on-off of dc-power supply according to the output of the monostable circuit. The dc-power supply on-off controller limits the supply of dc-power to a minimal number of circuits except during signal processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Miyajima