Abstract: A television display apparatus and a video recording/reproducing apparatus are provided, which are improved in the usability thereof. The television display apparatus comprises a display portion (11), and a slot portion (14), into which a removable hard disk drive device (13). The hard disk drive device (13), which can be inserted into the slot portion, can record television broadcast signals received by the television display apparatus, and the slot portion mentioned above is provided on a side surface of a housing (10) of that television display apparatus.

Abstract: A television receiver that is equipped with a lock function for preventing the settings for the channel the user is currently viewing from being changed when a child presses an operation button such as a power button, a channel changing button, a volume setting button, etc., and that enables only a specific user to effect switching between locked and unlocked states.

Abstract: An appliance comprises a cabinet, a door movably mounted to the cabinet and having a peripheral edge, and a standardized service interface located on the peripheral edge. The standardized service interface is configured to supply at least one service for use by a consumer electronic device. The peripheral edge can be the top edge of the door and the standardized service interface can receive the service from the use environment of the appliance. A connector can be incorporated into the standardized service interface to selectively supply the consumer electronic device with the service. The appliance can comprise a refrigerator. The service can comprise mechanical, power, or data communication.

Abstract: Techniques for call integration with a television set-top box (STB) are provided. Call logs associated with multiple voice accounts are acquired and integrated as an integrated call log. The integrated call log is presented within a display to a user. The user can take a variety of actions on the integrated call log as a whole or on individual entries within the integrated call log.

Abstract: A method for displaying video data. Video data are loaded from a data carrier in a car radio as a radio receiver and transmitted via an interface to an electronic assistant, which takes on the task of decoding and reproducing the video data. Accompanying audio data are then decoded and reproduced either by the car radio or the electronic assistant.

Abstract: When the user takes a watching mode with respect to a television device, a broadcast audio signal generated at the television device is transmitted to a remote controller device, and output from a speaker of a headset via a jack. When the user takes a telephone mode, an incoming audio signal from a conversation party is transmitted from the television device to the remote controller device, and output from the speaker of the headset via the jack. Concurrently, the voice uttered by the user is converted into an outgoing audio signal at a microphone of the headset, and transmitted to the television device from the remote controller device to be sent to the conversation party.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a calculator that calculates a position of a focus lens for focusing on a subject, a setter that sets a permissible movable range of the focus lens, and a controller that sets, when the position of the focus lens calculated by the calculator is within the permissible movable range, the position to a target position to which the focus lens is moved. The setter redefines the permissible movable range based on position information showing one of the target position and a position of the focus lens after a movement of the focus lens toward the target position. The optical apparatus suppresses a focusing operation for a subject for which an operator does not intend to perform focusing.

Abstract: A combination camera and loudspeaker is described herein. The combination camera and loudspeaker includes a lens for selectively manipulating an image and a loudspeaker assembly disposed proximate the lens for projecting audible sounds. In one embodiment, a transparent piezo-electric aligned with at least a portion of the lens projects audible sound based on electrical signals applied to the piezo-electric diaphragm. In another embodiment, a speaker coil and magnet within the loudspeaker assembly encircles an outer perimeter of the lens, while a transparent diaphragm connected to the speaker coil and aligned with at least a portion of the lens projects audible sound based on the interaction between the speaker coil and magnet. The camera captures an image when light is transmitted through the transparent diaphragm to the camera lens. Further, the combination camera and loudspeaker may include a controller for selectively controlling optical properties of the transparent diaphragm.

Abstract: In case the digital broadcasting wave contains printable contents data, the invention multiplexes a message, a mark or an icon on the display screen of the currently viewed program or outputs an audio message to inform the user of the presence of such contents data. The invention prevents a situation where the contents data cannot be or are not printed even though the data are transmitted, and allows the user to correctly prepare the type or number of sheets in advance in the printer.

Abstract: An omnidirectional camera performs image sensing of a panoramic object 6 surrounding it, and sends the video signal to an image capturing device 1, then the image capturing device 1 extracts a video signal of a partial object 61 and sends the extracted video signal to a camera-equipped portable terminal 3 carried in user's hand at a place distant from the omnidirectional camera 2 to display the image of the video signal on a display surface 32a of the portable terminal, and the user shoots a surrounding object 8 with the portable terminal 3 and sends the surrounding video signal to the device 1.

Abstract: In an electronic apparatus having a user identification function or in a user identification method, an electronic apparatus and an electronic instrument having stored therein user personal information communicate in wireless with each other so as to enable the electronic apparatus to automatically identify the electronic apparatus user. If the electronic apparatus identifies a plurality of possible users, the electronic apparatus automatically selects the user by executing specific user identification processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for interacting with a mobile telephone are provided. A remote control unit receives a user command and transmits it to a TV system which recognizes the user command as a telephone function command and transmits the function command to the mobile telephone if the TV system is set to Telephone Mode. The TV system may also output data received from the mobile telephone in response to the transmitted function command. Thus, a user may interact with a mobile telephone using an interactive TV system by displaying text/image data received from the telephone and by inputting various telephone function commands using a remote control unit. Upon receiving a function command from the TV system, the mobile telephone generates output data in response to the function command and transmits itto the TV system. A display unit of the TV system displays the text/image data, and a speaker outputs the sound data.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes: a system part including a network access module for communication with an Internet; a line share controller that is assigned a public IP address for access to the Internet and controls share of the public IP address so that the network access module and at least one local device can access the Internet through the public IP address; a power supplying part that receives power from an external source and supplies driving power to the system part and the line share controller; and a power controller that controls the power supplying part to supply the driving power to the line share controller at all times irrespective of a power condition of the system part.

Abstract: The present invention presents an information-outputting apparatus, an information-reporting method and an information-signal-supply-route-selecting method, which provide a digital-content utilization environment giving the user a high degree of freedom to make use of the apparatus and the methods. The information-outputting apparatus receives an isochronous packet transmitted by a source external apparatus by adoption of an isochronous communication method through a digital bus connecting the external apparatus to the information-outputting apparatus. In the information-outputting apparatus, an IEEE 1394 I/F circuit extracts information on the source electronic apparatus and information on the transmission format. A control unit supplies these pieces of information to an OSD-generating circuit for displaying them on a screen of a display unit employed in the information-outputting apparatus.

Abstract: A camera lens assembly for a portable terminal. The camera lens assembly comprises a cylindrical housing having a receiving space extended in the longitudinal direction thereof, a camera holder inserted into or drawn out from the housing at one end of the housing, a bracket fixed to the end of the camera holder and linearly reciprocated in the housing, a guide plate linearly reciprocated on the bracket in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bracket and having a guide groove formed in the shape of a prescribed figure, a supporting cap attached to the other end of the housing and having a guide protrusion formed at the inner circumferential surface thereof and slidably moved along the guide groove for stopping the linear movement of the bracket at least once, and a spring supported by the supporting cap at one end thereof for applying an elastic force to the camera holder in the direction of drawing out the camera holder from the housing.

Abstract: When sending photographic image data obtained in an electronic camera 1 via a communication interface 42 to a radio telephone line of a PDC 3, a PHS 4, etc., an RISC-CPU 11 converts the image data to data having a configuration allowing communication and further converts by software processing the communication-allowing configuration data to data corresponding to the type of the radio telephone line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile communication terminal with an integrated camera having multidirectional adjusting capabilities to allow changes in orientation and position of the camera without altering the position and orientation of the terminal. The terminal comprises of a body, a display, and one or more input devices to enter terminal and photographic commands. A camera is affixed to the terminal, and a device for manipulating the position and orientation of the camera is included. One or more shafts operationally connect the camera to an adjusting plate so that forces applied to the adjusting plate correspond to movement and changes in orientation of the camera. Alternatively, a rotation member can be installed so that rotation of the adjustment plate results in the rotation of the camera.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a TV capture unit includes a wiring board. a first device provided with a first TV tuner and a second device provided with a second TV tuner are mounted on the wiring board. The wiring board includes terminals which are provided in correspondence to pins of the bus slot, and wiring lines which connect part of the terminals to the first and second devices. The wiring lines includes signal lines used for connection between a terminal corresponding to an unused pin to which no particular signal is assigned in pin assignment of an interface standard complied with by the bus slot or a terminal corresponding to a pin to which a signal irrelevant to an operation of a TV tuner is assigned and one of the first and second devices.

Abstract: A docking assembly serves as an interface between (1) a portable digital media storage and playback (PDMSP) device, and (2) a media reproduction system. A remote controller preferably controls the docking assembly and PDMSP device, which may receive electric charge from the assembly. Media reproduction systems may reproduce audio and video signals in user-perceptible form. Telephonic relay capability is further provided between a telephonic PDMSP playback device and a telephonic remote controller by way of a telephone rebroadcast receiver associated with the docking assembly. Methods for downloading digital media files, and for creating or modifying playlists with a remotely controllable docking assembly adapted to provide a television-compatible video output signal, are further provided.

Abstract: A warning and signal interrupt device for preventing a child from sitting to close to a TV includes a pressure mat for defining an area and sending a signal when an individual is within that area. The device also includes a timer for timing a period when the individual remains in the area. When the timer exceeds a first pre-selected increment of time, the device sounds an alarm which continues until the individual vacates the area. Then when the period of time exceeds a second pre-selected time interval, the device turns off the picture and mutes the TV sound. The device also restarts the TV when the individual moves outside of the area. A method for automatically training a child to sit at a proper distance from a TV screen is also disclosed.

Abstract: An audio-video (AV) receiving device according to this invention, particularly the AV receiving device with the built-in memory, is disclosed, comprising an AV receiving device body in which a wireless receiver is provided to receive wireless AV signals; a video converter provided in the AV receiving device body to convert the received wireless AV signals to digital ones and transmit them to the computer for playback; and a memory module provided in the AV receiving device body to store the received wireless AV signals in the AV receiving device body instead of the computer, and to serve as a storage space for dada that is applied in a computer designed with the same specifications.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a broadcast media signal is received at a broadcast media receiver. The broadcast media signal includes textual data. The textual data is extracted and is transmitted over a wireless coupling to a wireless terminal.

Abstract: A digital camera apparatus of the present invention comprises an image inputting device for inputting an image to be photographed; an image processing device for carrying out a processing of the image inputted by the image inputting device; a recognizing device which automatically recognizes a printed code included in the image; a displaying device for displaying a result of the recognition of the recognizing device; and a recording device for recording data of the recognition automatically recognized by the recognizing device. The recognizing device automatically recognizes the printed code of the image scanned by triggering a first release by the image inputting device before determining and recording the image in a second release by the image inputting device.

Abstract: An information processing device includes a global positioning system (GPS) device configured to execute position calculation processing based on data received from a satellite; a power supply controller configured to control power supply to the GPS device; and a device controller configured to monitor a state of use of the information processing device by a user, to calculate a use frequency of the information processing device per unit time, and to cause the power supply controller to intermittently supply power to the GPS device if the calculated use frequency is lower than a predefined threshold value.

Abstract: An optical viewing arrangement having an image recording function includes at least one telescope tube. Each telescope tube has a beam path through an objective and an ocular and has a sensor component assembly for outcoupling and converting a component light beam into digital data. The sensor component assembly is assigned to the telescope tube. In addition, a camera electronic component assembly (9) is provided for converting and compressing the digital image data of the sensor component assembly. The camera electronic component assembly (9) has a communications interface (10) which is suitable for coacting with a further communications interface (16), especially a communications interface (16) of an external remote-control unit (11) for digital data transmission.

Abstract: A video displayer that facilitates resetting of channel and external input settings includes a tuner configured to select a broadcast signal; an external signal input unit configured to receive an external signal; a signal processing unit configured to process one of the broadcast signal selected and external signal, and to reproduce video images on a display and audio output through a speaker; and a control unit configured to sequentially store setting data for setting environments of said tuner, said external signal input unit, and said signal processing unit according to an externally applied control signal, and to set the setting environment of at least one of said tuner, said external signal input unit, and said signal processing unit with one of previous setting data and subsequent setting data based on any one data set of the setting data in response to a state changing signal applied from an external source.

Abstract: A display with built-in video processor includes a display being internally provided with a female connector for transferring received signals to the built-in video processor, which demodulates the received digital audio/video signals and displays the signals on a panel of the display; and an external signal receiver for receiving and demodulating wireless digital audio/video signals. The external signal receiver has a male connector for connecting to the female connector in the display, so as to demodulate and transmit the received wireless digital audio/video signals to the video processor via the female connector for processing and displaying on the panel. The external signal receiver has a uniform specification for use with computer displays, LCD-TVs, plasma TVs, or digital projectors having matching specification to receive wireless signals.

Abstract: A portable device integrated with external video signal display function is provided. The device includes a video input interface, a display panel, a display chip, and a panel controller. The video input interface receives an external video. The display chip outputs an internal video. The panel controller includes a first input interface, a second input interface, and an output interface. The first input interface is coupled to the video input interface to receive the external video. The second input interface is coupled to the display chip to receive the internal video. The output interface is coupled to the display panel. Whether the display panel displays the external video or the internal video is determined according to an internal instruction.

Abstract: The communication terminal and a communication system is capable of eliminating necessity of complicated setting inputs related to communication in a communication terminal in performing dial-up connection to a communication apparatus on a network from the communication terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a computer and a TV is disclosed. The apparatus according to the present invention includes a TV coding unit for encoding various control signals such as a TV signal, etc.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a digital TV capture unit electrically connectable to a system bus of a computer. The unit includes a signal processing circuit which receives both a first output signal output from the first digital TV tuner module and a second output signal output from the second digital TV tuner module, and performs signal processing including descrambling, a bus interface circuit which performs control of transmitting a signal processed by the signal processing circuit, and an arbitration circuit which controls signal output operations of the first digital TV tuner module and the second digital TV tuner module to assure that the first output signal and the second output signal are alternately transmitted to the signal processing circuit in synchronism with a predetermined clock in units of packets.

Abstract: An information recording device in which low-noise and clear image or audio information can be recorded by stopping the generation of a carrier in an oscillation section of wireless communication device during an imaging or sound recording process.

Abstract: An electronic equipment includes a camera for taking digital photographs. The electronic equipment further includes a display; a keypad adjacent the display, wherein the keypad includes an arrangement of keys; and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to execute logic to display a menu on the display, wherein the menu has a plurality of menu choices and each menu choice corresponds to one of the keys of the keypad and the menu choices are displayed in an arrangement to graphically present the correspondence between the menu choices and the keys to a user of the electronic equipment; and change camera control settings in accordance with a user selected one of the menu choices, the selected menu choice indicated by user operation of the corresponding key.

Abstract: A system for increasing component longevity in a display device includes: a display device; a sensor for detecting an audience associated with the display device; and a control subsystem connected to the sensor. The control subsystem is configured to deactivate at least one component of the display device when no audience is detected by the sensor. A method of increasing component longevity includes determining the presence or absence of an audience with respect to a display device; and deactivating at least one component of the display device when the audience associated with the display device is not present.

Abstract: A portable computer system includes a portable computer equipped with a graphic chip, and an LCD monitor receiving a video signal from the graphic chip and displaying the video signal. The portable computer system further includes an external video signal input part provided at the portable computer and receiving an external video signal from an external computer, an A/D converter provided at the portable computer and converting the external video signal inputted through the external video signal input part into a digital signal, and a control part controlling the video signal and the digital signal from the graphic chip and the A/D converter to be outputted to the LCD monitor. With this configuration, the present invention provides a portable computer system enhancing the utility of the LCD monitor by receiving an external video signal from an external computer and displaying it on an LCD monitor.

Abstract: A digital camera and a printer are directly connected to each other, and a printing progress situation is displayed on a display unit of the digital camera while an image taken by the digital camera is being printed. Further, when a printing mode is changed to a photographing mode while the printing is being performed, the image being taken is displayed on the entire display unit, and the printing progress situation is superposed and displayed on a predetermined area of the display unit on which the image being taken is displayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image signal transmitting/receiving apparatus and method for selectively performing transmission and display of a main image signal. The present invention transmits and display an sub-image signal instead of the received main image signal in case that the cut-off mode with respect to the main image signal has been set.

Abstract: A printer includes an interface for receiving compressed digital video; and a circuit for performing video-decoding of the compressed video received by the interface. Such a printer can print selected video frames, without the assistance of a personal computer.

Abstract: A method of delivering input from a device's remote control to a Java™ application uses asynchronous method invocation in a processing device. The input from the remote control is captured in system-specific (native) code and delivered to a Java™ application asynchronously. This is achieved by calling an event method in the Java™ application in response to the received input signals. The event method is then executed to transfer the input signals from the remote control.

Abstract: A multiple integrated machine system (“MIMS”) capable of performing as multiple digital machines. The MIMS comprises multiple elements controlled by one operating system. Each element is different. Each element includes hardware and software and can perform as part of one machine. An element grouping control unit is provided. Upon receiving a first machine selection, the control unit automatically, operatively connects elements in a first combination forming a first machine. Upon receiving a second machine selection, the control unit automatically, operatively connects elements in a second combination forming a second machine. The first and second combinations differ. Multiple subgroup function control units are provided. Each subgroup function control unit corresponds to either the first or second machine selecting one or more functions to be performed by the respective machine.

Abstract: A routing device is provided for transporting digital data from demodulated digital television signals. The routing device includes a network that routes the digital data to demultiplexers via at least one decoding module. The network includes means for connecting to at least two independent demodulation channels, with each of the demodulation channels producing digital data from a demodulator. The network allows individual routing of the digital data from each of the demodulation channels to the demultiplexers via at least one decoding module. Also provided are a corresponding routing method and a host device that includes such a routing device. Exemplary applications of the routing device and method are a digital television receiver with an image incorporation (picture in picture) function, and a digital television combined with a recording device.

Abstract: When the power is switched on, a CPU 41 sets up a video signal selector 47 to select a composite signal a output by an amplifier/detector 46. Meanwhile, a CPU 21 sets up a second video converter 31 to encode and to output, as a Y/C signal f, a digital broadcast video signal received across a signal path 33, and also transmits an initialization end notification to the CPU 41. Upon receiving this notification, the CPU 41 sets up the video signal selector 47 to select the Y/C signal f output by the second video converter 31.

Abstract: A camera has a camera body formed in a longitudinal rectangular shape, and in the intermediate portion of the camera body, a flexion/transformation mechanism dividing the camera body into an image photographing section including a lens system for capturing an optical image of a subject and a gripping section for a photographer to grip the camera body at the time of photographing is provided. The flexion/transformation mechanism is configured so as to dispose the image photographing section and the gripping section on a same straight line such that the camera body is formed in the longitudinal rectangular shape in a first state, and to dispose the gripping section angled relative to said image photographing section in a second state.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method of controlling an audio output in a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly to a system and a method of controlling an audio output of mobile communication terminal, wherein when a broadcasting channel is changed, an audio signal of the mobile communication terminal is not outputted for a preset time or in an ineffective channel from which a broadcasting does not come through. The mobile communication terminal having a television function according to an embodiment of the invention is characterized in that when a broadcasting channel is changed, a video signal is outputted and at the same time an audio signal is not outputted by turning off the amplifier for a preset time, and when the preset time lapses, the amplifier is turned on and thus the audio signal is outputted.

Abstract: A computer comprises: a central processing unit (CPU) driving an operating system (OS); a television (TV) receiver part for receiving external television signals; a storage unit for storing the television signals therein; a reserve-recording set-up part for setting up reserve-recording conditions for the television signals; a record-controlling part for storing the television signals in the storage unit according to the set-up reserve-recording conditions; and a power control part for controlling power supply to allow switching between a normal mode and a power saving mode, and for switching from the power saving mode to the normal mode according to the set-up reserve-recording conditions when a time set-up for reserve-recording approaches, wherein the computer system supplies power to the central processing unit in the normal mode, whereas it does not supply power to the central processing unit in the power saving mode.

Abstract: A control apparatus for remotely controlling one of adjusting functions of an image capturing apparatus, including contrast, gamma, sharpness, and aperture. The control apparatus transmits to the image capture apparatus a first command requesting a current value of the adjusting function of the image capture apparatus and a second command requesting a remotely controllable range of the adjusting function. The control apparatus detects the current value of the adjusting function from a response to the first command and a remotely controllable range of the adjusting function from a response to the second command. The control apparatus then displays the current value and the remotely controllable range of the adjusting function on a display unit of the control apparatus.

Abstract: A system including an external apparatus and digital camera allows the external apparatus to set a set value which cannot be set by the stand-alone digital camera. In response to a request from the external apparatus (computer), the digital camera updates an image sensing set value table in which set values used for image sensing are recorded (S502). If this set value cannot be set by the stand-alone digital camera (“NO” in step S506), a message representing it is displayed on a display section (S508).

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented herein for creating and using a multi-function device that allows a user to transform the device into the desired feature-set form which permit access to that feature's functions, without a need for a user to traverse a series of interface menus to get to the desired functionality. In an exemplary embodiment, the device can be transformed into a phone, a media player, and a camera.

Abstract: An information handling system outputs plural types of TV out signal formats from a common TV out port by configuring graphics card digital-to-analog converters to generate a selected TV out signal and communicating the TV out signal through an appropriate adapter cable. For instance, graphics card VGA digital-to-analog converters are selectively configured to output component video with three converters, super video with two converters or composite video with one converter. The TV out signal is outputted at a super video port with component and composite video communicated through an adapter cable having a super video connector at one end and a component video connector at another end. Automated selection of the TV out signal format is performed by detecting the number of active TV out signals, three for component video, two for super video and one for composite video.

Abstract: A video signal processing circuit, in which a horizontal synchronizing signal is separated from an input analog video signal by a synchronism separating circuit, whether a “H” period of the horizontal synchronizing signal continues for more than a prespecified period of time or not is checked by a synchronizing signal monitoring counter, and power supply to an A/D converter is controlled thereby according to a result the confirmation.