Basic Receiver With Additional Function Patents (Class 348/553)
  • Patent number: 6490724
    Abstract: A method of analyzing/searching a user's viewing habit regarding aerial broadcasting includes the steps of comparing a present time and channel with a habit database per predetermined time period, checking whether a present habit channel is viewed in case the present time is a time corresponding to the habit, terminating the operation when the habit channel is viewed and showing channel information corresponding to the habit by a PIP screen, displaying a message asking whether it is converted to the habit channel after showing the channel information, converting the channel to a channel by a user's selection, checking a habit function key input when the habit channel is viewed, adjusting the presently viewed channel or other channels and channel conversion time in accordance with the user's selection when the habit function key is inputted and reserving the result in the habit database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young-Ho Ha, Dong-Hyeon Kim
  • Patent number: 6490000
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delaying the display of a portion of audio and video broadcast signals received from a remote location. Received broadcast video and audio signals are placed in a first-in/first-out storage queue to enable the control of the playback of the signals. Signals may be placed in the tail of the queue while previously received signals are simultaneously routed from the head of the queue to a television monitor. Passing the signals through the queue creates the delay. The system may be controlled either by input to the receiver from the broadcast facility or by remote or manual control by the user. The control functions that are available to the user are pause, play, fast forward and replay. The control from the broadcast facility is through the ability to “mark” segments of the video and audio program to be immune to the fast forward function, thus guaranteeing that those segments are viewed by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: EchoStar Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Germar Schaefer, Danny J. Minnick, Douglas E. McGary
  • Publication number: 20020163592
    Abstract: A portable terminal allows the user to flexibly and readily change an overlay output distribution for reproduced data in accordance with the user's taste and can automatically control the overlay output distribution in accordance with a surrounding environment. A setting means sets output parameters which are parameters related to reproduced data output for each reproduced data. A data output control means processes each of the reproduced data based on the output parameters set by the setting means and outputs the processed output data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Eiji Ueda
  • Publication number: 20020163590
    Abstract: The invention discloses a video signal conversion method, which uses the BIOS to determine whether the purpose that the user turns on the machine is for watching the TV or for usual computer operations before an OS is loaded. When the user wants to watch the TV, the BIOS directly control a Video tuner chip, a video capture chip, a VGA chip to perform video signal tuning, capture and control. Finally, the BIOS drives a display to show the video signals in visible images. Through the disclosed video signal conversion method, the video signal conversion operation of using a computer to watch TV becomes closer to a conventional TV. This does not only simplify the operation procedure but also saves a lot of time in waiting for an OS to be loaded in as in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Chung-Chih Tung
  • Patent number: 6469742
    Abstract: An upgradable television, in accordance with the present invention, includes a plurality of modules for providing operating functions for the upgradable television, each module capable of identifying itself to a processor. The processor is coupled to each of the modules. The processor is for recognizing changes in the modules in accordance with the identification of the modules. A receiver is operatively connected to the processor for receiving information for upgrading the upgradable television in accordance with new modules introduced into the upgradable television. A method for upgrading is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Karen I. Trovato, William P. Lord
  • Patent number: 6469743
    Abstract: A programmable bi-directional external graphics/video (EGV) port for a video decode system chip having a video decoder and an internal digital display generator circuit is provided. The programmable EGV port employs a fixed number of signal input/output (I/O) pins on the video decode system chip while providing a plurality of connection configurations for an external graphics controller, an external digital display generator circuit and an external digital multi-standard decoder to the video decoder or the internal digital display generator circuit of the chip. The EGV port includes receiver/driver circuitry for accommodating in parallel a plurality of input/output signals, including pixel data signals and corresponding synchronization signals, as well as a programmable port controller adapted to be coupled between the receiver/driver circuitry and an internal bus of the video decode system allowing access to at least one of the video decoder and the internal digital display generator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Cheney, Lawrence D. Curley, William R. Lee, Leland D. Richardson, Ronald S. Svec
  • Publication number: 20020130972
    Abstract: A television receiver includes a microphone and an A/D converter for converting a spoken message into a digital signal, and a memory for storing the digital signal. When desired, the stored signal is then converted to a text message and is then displayed on the screen of the television receiver. Alternatively, or in addition, the stored digital message may be reconverted into an electrical audio signal and played by via the loudspeaker of the television receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Pierre Simons
  • Publication number: 20020130975
    Abstract: A method of characterizing a video display, including the steps of providing a mathematical model of the display that relates code values to luminance output of the display, the model having a parameter that characterizes the display; displaying a reference patch and a test patch simultaneously on the display, the reference patch having a reference brightness produced by one or more luminances and the test patch having an test brightness produced by rapidly switching back and forth between two luminances; observing the display while varying one of the luminances keeping the others fixed, until the apparent brightness of the reference patch matches the apparent brightness of the test patch, and recording the code values employed to produce the luminances when a best match is made, and using the mathematical model, and the recorded code values to determine the value of the parameter that characterizes the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jian Yang, Michael E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20020118307
    Abstract: Method for controlling a memory in a digital system, including the steps of (a) dividing the memory into a plurality of fixed sized memory blocks, (b) defining at least one of the memory blocks as a compression/decompression region, (c) assigning compression priorities to rest of the memory blocks except the memory blocks defined as the compression/decompression region, and (d) making the memory blocks to deal with an external data received according to an external command, and carrying out compression/decompression of data required in the dealing with the external data at the compression/decompression region according to the compression priorities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Kyung Mee Lee
  • Publication number: 20020118306
    Abstract: Method for controlling a memory in a digital system, including the steps of (a) dividing the memory into a plurality of fixed sized memory blocks, (b) defining at least one of the memory blocks as a compression/decompression region, (c) assigning compression priorities to rest of the memory blocks except the memory blocks defined as the compression/decompression region, and (d) making the memory blocks to deal with an external data received according to an external command, and carrying out compression/decompression of data required in the dealing with the external data at the compression/decompression region according to the compression priorities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Kyung Mee Lee
  • Publication number: 20020113896
    Abstract: A digital/analog broadcast receiving device has either in a first setting mode (proficient mode) in which whole of setting items can be changed without any limitation and a second setting mode (beginner mode) in which the setting items can be changed with some limitation. The receiving device is set in the second setting mode at the time of shipment from a factory. On the screen displaying thereon a setting menu including setting items for a various operations, such a setting item that cannot be changed is not displayed or prevented from being selected. Thus, the menu items that are desired not to be touched by a beginner user etc. can be prevented from being displayed or selected, so as to improve the operability and also protect the settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takagi, Yoshihisa Nagamura, Kazuhide Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20020113894
    Abstract: A periodic clock display method and system for a viewing device, such as a television set. A clock is displayed on a viewing device according to a first time interval and a second time interval. The first time interval determines how long the viewing device displays the clock. After the first time interval is finished, the clock is removed from the viewing device. The second time interval determines how long the clock remains off the viewing device. When the second time interval is complete, the clock is again displayed on the viewing device for the duration of the first time interval. This continues indefinitely until the user turns the periodic clock display function off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Hong Yang, Jenny Su Chow
  • Patent number: 6433831
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a user to manually set a clock in a multi-format television receiver capable of receiving a plurality of television signals. The method comprises the steps of selecting a television signal from one of a plurality of television signals and then detecting temporal information in the television signal. Upon detecting such temporal information, the temporal information is extracted and used to set at least one clock to count time. Once the clock is set based upon the temporal information, the temporal information prevails over any manually set time, and the user is precluded from manually setting the clock. The television receiver continues to update the clock based upon the latest periodic temporal information periodically sent with the television signal. The user is permitted to manually set the time on a clock only in an instance where the updated temporal information has not been detected past a specified period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Aaron Hal Dinwiddie, Dan Richard Schneidewend, Steven Cooper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6430743
    Abstract: The network system has a configuration so that information supplier address data transmitted together with character broadcast data is extracted and stored in the Internet address memory. Furthermore, the Web site addresses once accessed by the user or selected on a character broadcast display can be registered in an address list as being stored in the address list area, and a desired Web site can be accessed by the Internet browser 9 according to an address selected from the address list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuji Matsuura
  • Patent number: 6429903
    Abstract: Video adapter hardware and software permitting the display of computer information and television signals across several display devices. The video adapter hardware includes at least one television programming input and a multiplexer for feeding television programming to multiple television monitors. An alternative embodiment is adapted to feed at least one computer monitor and at least one television monitors, with or without also receiving computer generated input and combining the computer generated input with television programming for display on television monitors and/or computer monitors. Such adapters are useful for supporting video walls and other applications where it is desired to leverage the lower cost of television monitors as compared to computer monitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Colorgraphic Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas D. Young
  • Publication number: 20020101540
    Abstract: A channel selection device used in a digital/analog broadcasting receiver changes a channel according to a channel upward/downward changing instruction by selectively using the following procedures. The first procedure B is used to search for a desired physical channel when there is no channel information; the second procedure A is used to select a channel when there is information of the current physical channel; the third procedure is used when a channel to which the current channel is changed upward/downward exceeds the current physical channel range; and the fourth procedure D is used when information of all the channels is held. Thus, it is possible to appropriately select a channel automatically and also to obtain the channel information automatically when the channel is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takagi, Manabu Yamamoto, Takahiro Katayama, Yusuke Nishida
  • Publication number: 20020101538
    Abstract: A user presets in a PC information, such as the user's favorite program categories, artist names, as key information. A receiver receives a digital radio broadcast in which additional information is multiplexed with audio information. The received additional information is transferred to the PC via communications means. The PC determines whether the preset key information is included in the additional information. If the key information is included, the additional information is stored in a storage device as an additional information file. Alternatively, the additional information is transmitted on a communications network with an ID of an information processing terminal at a user-specified destination attached thereto. The arrangement may be such that when a connection is established between the receiver and the PC via the communications means, the key information is transmitted from the PC to the receiver so that additional information can be selected on the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kano, Shigeru Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20020101541
    Abstract: In a broadcast receiving system for receiving the digital broadcasting, when the selection of “channel addition/deletion menu” is inputted by the user, received broadcasting signals are decoded to obtain collectively the channel information of the digital/analog broadcasting. This channel information is compared with channel information made stored in a memory to distinguish the channel having suspended from the channel having been resumed, and the distinguished information is made OSD displayed for each channel. The user operates an input device to select a desired channel, and inputs an instruction of the channel addition/deletion with an addition button or a deletion button to update the data stored in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takagi, Manabu Yamamoto, Yasuhiro Inui, Yusuki Nishida
  • Patent number: 6427238
    Abstract: A system and method implemented in an interactive television system for managing modules of interactive television applications. The system transmits modules from a broadcast station to a plurality of receiving stations through various paths, such as broadcast channels and modem channels. The receiving stations have module managers which store module requests and which monitor the various channels for modules corresponding to the requests. When modules are transmitted on the monitored channels, they are matched with the corresponding stored requests. If a module matches one of the requests, or if is an auto-loading module, it is stored in the receiving station. If a module has not been requested and is not an auto-loading module, it is ignored. The stored modules are added to a list of modules available for execution or for use by an executing application, and the corresponding requests are deleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: OpenTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Goodman, Jean Rene Menand
  • Publication number: 20020097337
    Abstract: In performing a predetermined adjustment of the TV set 12, the computer 11 plays a most active part in the television-set adjusting system. The computer 11 sends adjusting parameters necessary for the adjusting process to the TV-set adjusting instrument 13; the TV-set adjusting instrument 13 performs the adjusting process by using the parameters; and the computer 11 gathers the result of executing the adjusting process, and sets the TV set 12. This feature eliminates a manual work in executing the adjusting process. The adjusting process is executed through the computer processing. As a result, the cost for the adjusting process is reduced and the adjusting process is executed at high speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Zainuddin Bin Adan
  • Patent number: 6424380
    Abstract: A digital broadcast receiving apparatus, for receiving a plurality of pieces of compressed still image data repeatedly transmitted from a digital broadcast transmitting apparatus and for outputting a still image selected by a user as a TV signal, fetches still image data into a main memory prior to a selecting operation made by the user, expands still image data of a still image selected by the user using an AV decoder of an MPEG decoder, and outputs an image signal of the selected still image according to the expanded still image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masataka Osaka
  • Publication number: 20020093593
    Abstract: A multimedia computer and television apparatus (10) includes a dual mode monitor portion (20) adapted to display either or both a TV broadcast signal or computer (data) signal, connected to a computer portion (30) configured for both Internet access and television broadcast reception, and a remote control portion (40) adapted to control the computer portion (3) and monitor portion (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: LUMENATI, INC.
    Inventor: Ronald Perkes
  • Patent number: 6421093
    Abstract: The automatic image changing and reproducing display device comprises, in a medium storage portion, an automatic image changing circuit and a plurality of memory circuits composed of semiconductor elements, such as ROMs, having a memory capacity that is sufficient for storing image information as digital signals. A particular piece of digital image information is selected by changing the memory circuits by means of the automatic changing circuit. A decoding circuit executes a decoding processing for the particular digital image information which has been selected and outputted from the memory circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiro Noga, Kinji Atsumi, Yoshihiro Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20020085119
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing an image to be displayed on a screen 10 such that a viewer in any current spatial position O in front of the screen 10 can watch the image with only a minimal perspective deformation. According to the invention this is achieved by estimating the current spatial position O of a viewer in relation to a fixed predetermined position Q representing a viewing point in front of the screen 10 from which the image could be watched without any perspective deformation and by providing the image by applying a variable perspective transformation to an originally generated image in response to said estimated current position O of the viewer, such that the viewer in said position O is enabled to watch the image without a perspective deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Cornelius Wilhelmus Antonius Marie Van Overveld, Johannes Bruijns
  • Publication number: 20020083446
    Abstract: A technique is used for providing additional information about a broadcast presentation that allows a user interested in the additional information to acquire it easily, using a selective call device or a television remote control device to easily acquire an information address during the broadcast when a prompt is presented during the broadcast. An advertiser can send the additional information over a wide area radio selective call communication system or can post it at a universal resource locator of a computer network. The information address is used to acquire the additional information. The information address can be stored, selected and deleted in the selective call device or remote control device. The prompt can be disabled or enabled manually or based on location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Thomas Eaton, Salvador Sibecas, James A. Lamb
  • Publication number: 20020080274
    Abstract: Disclosed is a television that includes a memory storage device into which is stored one or more still photographs in digital form. The invention enables a television to include a feature that allows a user to change the television display to show a still photograph for an extended period of time in lieu of a television program or movie. In one version of the invention, the television includes a connector that allows a still photograph to be downloaded into a memory chip installed within the television. In a second version of the invention, the television includes a receiver for a removable memory device, such as a floppy disk or a flash memory chip. The removable memory device includes a still photograph, in digital form, that can then be accessed by the television and displayed on the television's screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Franklin L. Gubernick
  • Publication number: 20020080277
    Abstract: A broadcast program recording apparatus and a recording method of a broadcast program, in which a broadcast program which a user watches periodically can be automatically recorded without performing a timer recording setting. Data of channel number, broadcast date, and broadcast time zone of the received broadcast program are additionally stored into a received program history memory in correspondence to each other. A channel number of a broadcast program having a broadcast date that is precedent to today's date by a predetermined number of days and a broadcast time zone that coincides with the present time is searched for from the received program history memory. A station selection control operation to control the receiving part is performed to receive a broadcast wave of the searched out channel number, to start the recording of the broadcast program received by the recording part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: Pioneer Corporation and Shizuoka Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kida, Masayoshi Murayama, Tsutomu Ohtani, Masaaki Saito, Ichiro Miyake, Tsutomu Takahashi, Kenichiro Tada, Yasuyuki Noda, Gaku Yamamura, Kazutomo Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20020080275
    Abstract: A television tuner and method monitor a scoreboard during a television sporting event and affect the viewing and/or recording of the sporting event according to information on the scoreboard. For example, the presentation of the sporting event may be affected according to the scoreboard by muting the volume or blanking the screen whenever the clock on the scoreboard is not running. In another example, the tuner and method control the recording of a television sporting event according to information on the scoreboard. A recorder could be paused whenever the clock is not running and resumed when the clock starts, thereby automatically skipping all commercials and all commentary when the clock is not running. In yet another example, the tuner and method control the presentation of a previously-recorded sporting event according to information on the scoreboard. A recorded sporting event could be filtered to display only the portions that contain a scoreboard the satisfied specified criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Cary Lee Bates, Eric Lawrence Barsness, Mahdad Majd, John Matthew Santosuosso
  • Publication number: 20020080276
    Abstract: There is provided an image display system that can display images recorded by a plurality of image recording apparatuses in such a manner that the images are associated with each other. The image display system is comprised of a TV apparatus that captures and reproduces images recorded by the plurality of image recording apparatuses and additional information added thereto and then displays each of the reproduced images. The TV apparatus detects the presence or absence of relevancy between the images recorded by the plurality of image recording apparatuses based on the additional information captured and reproduced from the plurality of image recording apparatuses, and then displays, on a display, a related image display screen that allows a viewer to recognize the detected related images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeki Mori, Yoshikazu Shibamiya, Shuntaro Aratani, Tomoyuki Ono
  • Patent number: 6411330
    Abstract: A detector circuit (1) for detecting the presence or absence of a television (2) on an output (3) of a video DAC (4) comprises a comparator (11) for comparing a voltage developed by the video signal on a control resistor R2 with a reference voltage of 0.5 volts. The resistor R2 is of 75 ohms and matches the internal impedance R1 of 75 ohms of the television (2). A latch (12) latches the output from the comparator (11) onto an output pin Q when the voltage developed across the control resistor R2 is developed by an equalisation pulse of the vertical blanking interval of the video signal. In the presence of a television (2) the voltage developed across the control resistor R2 is 0.35 volts, which pulls the output of the comparator (11) low, while in the absence of a television (2) the voltage developed across the control resistor R2 is 0.7 volts which pulls the output of the comparator (11) high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: John Patrick Purcell, Vincent James Troy, Kieran Heffernan
  • Patent number: 6411335
    Abstract: An image reproducing apparatus and method are provide for setting and automatically changing audio and visual settings for a plurality of channels. The image reproducing apparatus which receives broadcasting signals of the plurality of channels comprises a command applying unit for setting user's audio and visual settings in accordance with a selected channel, a memory for storing data of initial audio and visual settings with respect to audio and video signals, and the user's audio and visual settings for each channel. A microprocessor controls the setting of data of the user's audio and visual settings for each channel set by the command applying unit to store the set data in the memory, and reads data of the user's audio and visual settings for a selected channel from the memory to output audio and video signals in accordance with the read data of the user's audio and visual settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Geun-Sik Jang
  • Patent number: 6407776
    Abstract: A method of displaying program-related information while the user views a program video mainly and a broadcasting program displaying device to implement the method without making the user's operation complicated and confusing. A picture plane is constructed by two picture planes having a television picture plane (picture plane 1) for displaying the program video which is outputted from a broadcasting program displaying device and further a property state picture plane as another picture plane (picture plane 2). The program video is displayed to the picture plane 1 and an operation picture plane of the broadcasting program displaying device and the program related-information are displayed to the picture plane 2. A broadcasting program displaying device for two-screen construction has functions for display, recording, replay, reservation recording, and the like in response to an instruction from a device which the user operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Sekimoto, Yoshito Nejime, Takashi Hasegawa, Yasuhiro Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20020070958
    Abstract: A method of generating a visual program summary is disclosed for a multiple source video feed. In the disclosed method, a computing device continuously captures frames from a set of available video feeds such as television channels. The computing device analyzes the captured video frames to remove redundant frames. The computing device then selects a set of frames to generate a visual program summary. The selected frames are composited together to generate a visual program summary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: BOON-LOCK YEO, MINERVA MING-YEE YEUNG
  • Patent number: 6405372
    Abstract: A device for updating EPG information in a digital TV receiver having a first tuner and a second tuner while viewing a channel selected by the first tuner, including first and second IF modules each converting respective IF signals output from the first and second tuners depending upon the channel selections into respective baseband signals, and first and second channel decoders each converting respective output signals from the first and second tuners to respective channel signals so as to reconstruct respective data bit streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Je-Ik Kim, Ju-Ha Park
  • Patent number: 6400422
    Abstract: A channel preset device a television receiver for receiving one of two television broadcasting modes having different frequency band with each other is disclosed. A signal is received by successively tuning to the respective frequencies of the both broadcasting modes allocated to each of channels. Then it is judged whether each of the received signals includes an actual broadcasting signal. A channel in which the actual broadcasting signal is detected is determined as an on-air channel. The number of channel judged as the on-air channel is counted with respect to each of the both broadcasting modes. A receivable broadcasting mode is judged out of the both broadcasting modes in accordance with the counted number of the on-air channel. The channel preset is conducted with respect to the receivable broadcasting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6400406
    Abstract: A device and method for displaying a broadcast program guide in a broadcast programmed recording system (referred to as immediate-K), wherein the method includes the steps of (a) loading a plurality of packets containing broadcast information among successively input data to periodically separate the broadcast program information therefrom, (b) comparing a current time with the start or end time of a next program from the broadcast program information separated in the step (a), and (c) displaying information of the broadcast program on a screen if the start or end time of the next program is a predetermined time later than the current time as a result of the step (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-hwi Kim
  • Publication number: 20020063797
    Abstract: It is the objective of the present invention to easily change between an image display application and the viewing of a program for a digital television, and to improve the usability of the television for operating an image display application. The display change list for a (channel) Up/Down key of a remote controller is dynamically altered so that, during the execution of an image display application, an application screen is displayed by using the Up/Down key. Further, when a memory card is loaded immediately after the television is powered on, a display application can be automatically activated. Furthermore, while a user is watching the television, the contents of a memory card is displayed on a small window in one part of the screen, and execution of the image application controlled by the user. In addition, no icons are displayed while an important program is on displaying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Shuntaro Aratani, Shigeki Mori, Keiichi Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20020063805
    Abstract: To provide a time-shift replaying system, which includes two time-shift replaying devices and allows two users to watch video image with different time-shift periods at the same time. Especially, one of the time-shift replaying device functions as a server, and the another functions as a client, which is simplified its structure and at low cost by comparison with the time-shift replaying device functioning as a server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Sawada
  • Patent number: 6396548
    Abstract: There is disclosed a digital filter cell capable of processing in a first mode a first signal having real data components only and processing in a second mode a second signal having real data components and imaginary data components. The digital filter cell comprises: 1) a plurality of serially coupled coefficient registers for receiving a sequence of coefficients; 2) a plurality of serially coupled data registers for receiving a sequence of digital data samples, each register having a tap output; 3) a data multiplexer having a plurality of input channels for receiving the tap outputs from the plurality of serially coupled data registers; and 4) a product summation circuit having a first input coupled to an output of the data multiplexer and a second input coupled to an output of a selected one of the plurality of serially coupled coefficient registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Viktor Gornstein, Gennady Turkenich, Patrick D. Kelliher
  • Patent number: 6392716
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided whereby after purchasing a television receiver, when a power cord is plugged in an outlet and the power is turned on, the television receiver is automatically set on an automatic presetting mode, and various information is displayed by on screen display (OSD) during the operation and upon completion of the operation, thereby allowing a user to visually confirm the operating condition. To this end, when a power plug 17 is inserted, a power switch of a power supply circuit 16 is turned on, a broadcast channel of a station is detected by a synchronizing signal and an AFT voltage and is automatically preset in a nonvolatile memory. During the presetting, a message that a presetting function is operating and a message indicating an operating condition are displayed on a CRT 3. Further, upon completion of all the presetting, a message on he completion of operation is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nagata, Akemi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6388713
    Abstract: A high definition display unit which demodulates, decodes, and processes in relation to chroma and displays a television signal in which a PI (picture) signal and an SI (service information) signal are mixed. A changeover switch 13 connected to an image quality adjusting circuit in a video chroma processing circuit 7 is opened or closed according to an on-off signal S1, showing the superposed period of both signals detected by a decoder 4. If the above on-off signal S1 is on, the changeover switch 13 is opened and the adjustment of image quality is disabled. Therefore, SI display never disappears due to the adjustment of image quality, and the quality of an image can be also adjusted according to an ambient status. Other approaches are also disclosed from preventing image quality adjustment of at least portions of a displayed image containing an information image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Video and Information System, Incorporated
    Inventors: Yukimi Saiki, Masahisa Tsukahara, Toshimitsu Watanabe, Kazuhiko Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 6388714
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Starsight Telecast INC
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, Brian L. Klosterman, Kenneth A. Milnes
  • Publication number: 20020051081
    Abstract: A special reproduction control information comprises plurality of items of frame information. Each of the items of frame information comprises video location information indicating the location of video data to be reproduced in a special reproduction and display time control information indicating the time for displaying the video data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Osamu Hori, Toshimitsu Kaneko, Takeshi Mita, Koji Yamamoto, Koichi Masukura
  • Publication number: 20020047941
    Abstract: The invention relates to a TV signal receiver (5) having a first input terminal (7) for receiving a first input signal, a first unit (11) for deriving a first TV signal from the first input signal, a second unit (xx) for supplying a second TV signal. A signal combination unit (19) replaces in response to a first control signal at least a part of the first TV signal by the second TV signal so as to obtain a composite TV signal. The composite TV signal is supplied to an output terminal. Control signal generator means (25) are provided for generating the first control signal. The TV signal receiver further comprises a storage device (17) for storing and reading the first TV signal so as to enable to delay the first TV signal prior to submitting the first TV signal to the signal combination unit, the storage device being adapted to suspend reading the first TV signal in response to the first control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Johan Hendrik Antoon Gelissen
  • Publication number: 20020047943
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a remote-controlled transmitter capable of properly and easily transferring information and an information transfer system using the remote-controlled transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: JUN HIRAI
  • Publication number: 20020047926
    Abstract: A digital television receiver and a method for operating the receiver in which stored video advertisement messages are combined with digital television video content that is being received from a digital television service provider and the combination is output for viewing by a consumer or subscriber. The subscriber can agree to view the stored video advertisement messages in exchange for receiving the digital television receiver at a reduced cost and additionally or alternatively, may receive digital video programming from a digital television service provider at a reduced cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yeong-Taeg Kim
  • Publication number: 20020042925
    Abstract: A television receiver includes an LCD unit and an EEPROM in which broadcasting program selection information for controlling a tuner section and channel numbers are stored in a coordinated relationship and program-relating information for executing object processing programs and the channel numbers are stored in a coordinated relationship. A control section accepts a selective input of a channel number from a user through a key operation section and reads out information corresponding to the accepted channel number from the EEPROM. When the read out information is the broadcasting program selection information, the tuner section is controlled based on the information, but when the readout information is the program-relating information, a program corresponding to the program-relating information is executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Koji Ebisu, Ayumi Mizobuchi, Kasumi Takeda, Mami Uchida
  • Patent number: 6369852
    Abstract: An analytical system for moving picture regeneration is capable of ascertaining an appropriate method of improving the quality of a moving picture by executing satisfactory analysis of the state of moving picture regeneration. With the analytical system for moving picture regeneration, moving picture codes are decoded and regenerated by respective regeneration units. Thereupon, in each of the regeneration units, occurrence of picture freeze is detected by information subunits for picture freeze occurrence, a throughput is detected by throughput monitoring subunits, and delay in input time of the respective moving picture codes is detected by input-time information subunits and sent out to a display unit. Further, a SNR value is computed on the basis of a restored moving picture and a reference moving picture by respective SNR computation units, and a sum of the throughputs of the respective regeneration units is obtained by a total throughput monitoring unit, and sent out to the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Ando Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshizou Honda
  • Patent number: 6369861
    Abstract: A program selection system for a consumer digital television receiver includes a numeric keypad and scrolling keys for selecting a channel through which a multi-program bit-stream is received. The numeric keypad and the scrolling keys may also be used to select an individual program from the multi-program bit-stream. In one embodiment of the invention, the numeric keypad is used first to select a channel and then to select a program within the channel. According to another embodiment of the invention, the numeric keypad is used to select the channel and another key is used to step through the programs that are contained in the multi-program stream that is carried by the channel. In a third embodiment, scrolling keys are used to select the next channel or the next program within the channel depending on whether the currently selected program is the last program in the bit-stream that is carried by the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: George Lownes
  • Publication number: 20020030764
    Abstract: A digital TV for use in a home wide web includes: a tuner for receiving a broadcast of a current channel; a controller for outputting a control signal to change the current channel to a user input channel; a channel information processor for extracting user input channel information from the control signal from the controller, and for transferring the extracted user input channel information to the tuner; and a memory including a program for operation of the controller, for storing a current channel information, and for changing the current channel information to the user input channel information. The changed channel information is stored in the form of a file or as one or more cookies in accordance with the method of changing the channel in the digital TV. As a result, a broadcast of the user input channel is displayed without displaying the channel selection page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Min-Young Kim, Hyun-Chol Choi