Basic Receiver With Additional Function Patents (Class 348/553)
  • Patent number: 8159620
    Abstract: A receiver can handle different types of reception signals, such as, for example, TV and FM-radio signals. In the receiver, a mixer (MIX) mixes a reception signal with an oscillator signal (OOS) so as to obtain a mixer output signal (MOS), which comprises a frequency-shifted version of the reception signal. An intermediate frequency amplifier (IFAMP) applies an amplified mixer output signal (MOSA) to two different intermediate frequency filters: one for first type reception signals and another for second type reception signals. A switchable coupling section (DBTP, SWA) is coupled between the mixer (MIX) and the intermediate frequency amplifier (IFAMP). The switchable coupling section (DBTP, SWA) is switchable to a first state and a second state. In the first state, the mixer output signal (MOS) substantially reaches an input (IAD) of the intermediate frequency amplifier (IFAMP) via a first coupling path (DTBP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Yeow T. Toh, Kam C. Kwong
  • Patent number: 8159611
    Abstract: The resent invention provides a television receiver including: a radio frequency section for an electromagnetic wave type remote control, the radio frequency section configured to transmit and receive an electromagnetic wave to and from the electromagnetic wave type remote control; and a retaining section configured to retain said radio frequency section for the electromagnetic wave type remote control; wherein said radio frequency section for the electromagnetic wave type remote control includes a radio frequency circuit board section, an antenna part, and a ground connecting section, said retaining section includes a conductive column support standing on a bezel, a column support standing on said bezel, and a conductive sheet metal parallel with said bezel and fixed to said conductive column support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shusuke Tomonaga
  • Publication number: 20120086819
    Abstract: Tilt imparted to video images captured by a handheld electronic communication device is identified and corrected by the disclosed method and apparatus for image orientation. The handheld device includes image capturing capability and an orientation sensor, which provides a signal representative of orientation relative to gravity to calculate an angle of rotation for the captured images suitable to compensate a difference between the orientation of the handheld device and the orientation relative to gravity. The handheld device also includes a receiver wherein the angle of rotation is recovered and used to determine the changes needed substantially eliminate the difference between the orientation of the captured images and the orientation relative to gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Kelce Steven Wilson, Shalini Suresh Periyalwar
  • Patent number: 8154658
    Abstract: A television includes a device memory for storing a plurality of data files; an interface for connecting an external device to the television; and a detector used for detecting whether the external device is connected to the television and detecting whether the external device has files, and generating a file detected signal when the external device has files; a process module configured for detecting whether the files in the external device are the same as the files in the device memory, and outputting options for selection when the files in the external device is not the same as the files in the device memory; an input module for receiving operational inputs and generating optional selection signal when receiving the options from the process module; the process module is further configured for generating an add signal when detecting a voltage of the optional selection signal is high; an add module used for copying the files from the external device to the television based on the add signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lung Dai, Zhi-Peng Ma
  • Patent number: 8134565
    Abstract: A system, module, and method of enabling a video interface within a limited resource enabled information handling system are disclosed. In a particular form, a processing module can include a processor configured to initiate an outputting of a video signal to a host processing system including a video display. The processing module can further include a Mini-card enabled interface operable to be coupled to the host processing system to the host processing system to allow the video signal to be transmitted there between. The processing module can also include a video output channel configured within the Mini-card enabled interface and accessible to the processor to output the video signal to the host processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: James R. Utz, Andrew T. Sultenfuss, David Loadman
  • Patent number: 8130322
    Abstract: A picture control method and an image processing apparatus thereof are provided. The method includes setting a picture control mode; setting a picture control value in response to the picture control mode; and sensing a change of the picture control value; restoring the picture control value to a previous value if the change of the picture control value is maintained in excess of a certain amount of time. The image processing apparatus includes a picture controller which sets a mode and a value in response to the mode; a memory which stores an initial value of the value; and a controller which senses a change of the value and controls the picture controller to maintain the change of the value for a certain amount of time, and if the change of the value is maintained in excess of the certain amount of time, retrieves the initial value of the value, and controls the picture controller to change the picture control value to a previously unchanged value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Boo-taeck Lim
  • Patent number: 8125571
    Abstract: According to the invention, the video data to be processed and the configuration data are transferred to the module via one and the same data bus. These modules are advantageously chained in series on a common bus which transfers to each module both the configuration data and the video data to be processed. Preferably, dead time or “blanking” periods between two picture frames transmitted on this bus are used in order to insert the configuration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Hassane Guermoud, Emmanuel Jolly, Laurent Blondé, Jonathan Kervec
  • Patent number: 8094240
    Abstract: A television receiver transmits channel information obtained based on a remote control signal from a television remote controller to an image processing device through an HDMI interface section. The image processing device receives the channel information through the HDMI interface section, subjects an image signal obtained from a television broadcasting radio wave corresponding to the channel information to high-quality image processing performed in a high-quality image processing section, and transmits the processed image signal to the television receiver through the HDMI interface section. The television receiver receives high-quality image data through the HDMI interface section, and displays a high-quality image expressed by the high-quality image data on an image display section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Oikawa
  • Patent number: 8094236
    Abstract: In response to an operation such as power-on or power-off, channel change and sound volume change, a television set combined with a personal computer automatically makes e-mail with information in a predetermined format indicative of the operation attached. The e-mail is automatically sent to another television set to inform the other television set of operation of the own television set. On the other hand, the e-mail can be sent to a rating company for audience share survey. The television set automatically reads the received e-mail and attachment to change the indication of display. The television set has storage of the received information for analysis of an abnormality. Abnormality can be also sensed through abnormal act on the remote controller apt to be taken by a person in panic or off the truck. The television set refuses information from unknown address for blocking an attack of a stranger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: NL Giken Incorporated
    Inventors: Masahide Tanaka, Tohru Matsui
  • Patent number: 8085347
    Abstract: A technology is provided that suppresses a noise that an image forming apparatus makes in the course of an operation thereof from interfering with a user who is watching television. When a printer 203 receives a print command, the printer 203 performs a print job as per a normal mode if a commercial is being displayed on a digital TV 201. If what is being displayed on the digital TV 201 is not the commercial, the printer 203 suspends the print job until the commercial begins to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Yoshikawa, Kosuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8072632
    Abstract: According to this invention, when a network device is made to leave from a network, the network device transmits a network leaving message containing information specifying an alternative network device inputted in advance. This makes it possible for a client using the network device to automatically install a printer driver corresponding to an alternative network device. For this purpose, a printer as a network device stores in advance alternative printer information specifying an alternative printer. When an instruction to make the printer leave the network is provided for maintenance or the like, the printer broadcasts a Bye message containing alternative printer information to the network. The client, who has used the printer, stores the alternative printer information. In printing, if an alternative printer is successfully found by a search, and the corresponding printer driver has not been installed, the client executes setup processing for installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Furuya
  • Patent number: 8068178
    Abstract: A processor, such as a TV processor, determines which one of at least two audio-video components is sending signals to a TV for display. Based on the determining act, the processor establishes a color of a bezel of the TV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Rafael Calderon, Steven Richman
  • Patent number: 8063992
    Abstract: Extracting and processing video content encoded in a rendered color space to be emulated by an ambient light source, comprising extracting dominant color information from a video signal and transforming the color information through unrendered color space using tristimulus primary matrices to form a second rendered color space for ambient distribution. Steps include quantizing the rendered color space to form an assigned color distribution, such as by reducing possible color states, or binning to form superpixels; and selecting a dominant color using a mode, mean, median, or weighted average of pixel chromaticities. A color of interest can be further analyzed to produce a true dominant color, and past video frames can guide selection of dominant colors in future frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Srinivas Gutta, Mark J. Elting
  • Patent number: 8063987
    Abstract: A method used in a digital photo frame (DPF) with television (TV) tuning function is provided. The method includes: receiving search parameters input by users during a DPF mode of the DPF; searching in a pre-stored TV program schedule to find TV programs matched the search parameters; determining whether any of the TV programs matched the search parameters is on or about to start at the current time; displaying a program list showing information at least on the “currently on” or “about to start” TV programs among the matched TV programs; switching the DPF from the DPF mode to a TV mode if a “currently on” or “about to start” TV program is selected to play; and receiving and playing the selected TV program. A related DPF is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Yu Cheng, Li-Hua Hu, Kuan-Hong Hsieh, Zai-An Pan, Han-Che Wang, Shin-Hong Chung
  • Patent number: 8059209
    Abstract: A broadcast signal receiving device includes a receiving unit, a registering unit and a channel selection unit. The receiving unit receives digital broadcast signals including a plurality of sub-channels on each of a plurality of physical channels. The registering unit registers an indicator indicating whether or not each of the sub-channels is an audio channel in an indicator registration region of a channel map, which stores channel map information relating to a correspondence between the physical channels and the sub-channels. The channel selection unit selects the sub-channels based on the channel map information and the indicator stored in the indicator registration region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Inui
  • Patent number: 8060571
    Abstract: A method of sharing audio/visual content is presented. In the method, the audio/visual content is received from an audio/visual content source at an audio/visual content receiver by way of a content channel selection resource of the receiver, and stored therein. A message is transmitted from the receiver to a communication node, wherein the message indicates that the audio/visual content is available for viewing by a selected user. The communication node notifies the selected user of the message by way of a communication device associated with the selected user. In response to receiving a request for the audio/visual content from the communication device, the communication node facilitates a communication connection between the receiver and the communication device. The audio/visual content is transmitted from the receiver to the communication device over the communication connection. At the communication device, the audio/visual content is then presented to the selected user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sling Media, Inc.
    Inventor: Padmanabha R. Rao
  • Publication number: 20110273616
    Abstract: A television is disclosed in the present invention, which includes a television core subsystem, a television function extension component and a gold finger connecter. The television core subsystem is configured within the interior of the television for receiving audio/video signal in different formats. The television function extension component is used for providing the option of different functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Yili Zhai, Xijia Hu, Chao Liu, Yilong Chen, Yanqiang Qiu, Ming Zhang, Jianwei Guo, Xijuan Gao, Long Chen, Chao Wang, Quanyong Li
  • Patent number: 8054386
    Abstract: A display system includes a display device and a remote controller. Remote controller makes RF communication with the display device so as to obtain device information and includes a display panel that displays the device information. Remote controller adjusts the device information and sends the adjusted device information to the display device. In the display system, characteristics of the display device are monitored and adjusted by means of remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Soo Kim, Seung-Woo Lee, Bong-Hyun You, Tae-Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 8054382
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, system and method for allowing multiple television (TV) sets to communicate with each other in synchronizing their audiovisual signal output (when set to the same TV channel) to allow simultaneous viewing of common programming content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Erik John Burckart, Steve Russell Campbell, Andrew Ivory, Aaron Kyle Shook
  • Patent number: 8056104
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America, Inc.
    Inventors: Polly Stecyk, Brian Peterson, Brian Maxson, Pavel Houda, George E. Palmer, Shenta T. Pu, Martin Zanfino, Robert A. Perry
  • Patent number: 8054383
    Abstract: A method of preventing image burn-in of a display apparatus to display an image includes detecting pixel data of a pixel of the image, calculating OSD data corresponding to the detected pixel data, generating the calculated OSD data, and merging the OSD data to the pixel data and displaying the merged OSD data in the pixel for a predetermined refresh period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-tae Lee
  • Publication number: 20110268425
    Abstract: A method of managing power consumption in a video device capable of displaying encoded multi-stream video is disclosed. Power reduction is achieved by limiting the amount of video and audio decoding and processing performed on at least some of the encoded streams, by taking particular application contexts into account. In a normal power consumption mode, audio/video data from all streams are decoded and digitally processed for output. In response to detecting a reduced power consumption mode, audio/video from at least some of the streams are processed in a modified manner to reduce power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: ATI TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventor: David I.J. Glen
  • Patent number: 8049821
    Abstract: In one embodiment a video system comprises a first tuner, a first memory buffer coupled to the first tuner to receive a first video signal from the first tuner, a second tuner, a second memory buffer coupled to the second tuner to receive a second video signal from the second tuner, and a controller comprising logic to direct the first video signal from the first memory buffer to an output port, receive a signal to switch the output port from the first memory buffer to the second memory buffer, and in response to the signal, couple the output port to the second memory buffer without disrupting the operations of the first memory buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert Campbell
  • Patent number: 8035744
    Abstract: A television receiver includes: an audio processor configured to extract a demonstrative pronoun from an input voice; an image processor configured to cut out an object from an input image; and a comparison-translation module configured to associate the demonstrative pronoun with the object based on a positional relationship indicated by the demonstrative pronoun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takuya Kontani
  • Patent number: 8035743
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing digital broadcasting data in a portable terminal having a digital broadcasting receiver. The method includes, when the digital broadcasting data is received, charging the received digital broadcasting data in a buffer, and outputting the charged digital broadcasting data at a first output speed, when the subsequent digital broadcasting data is received, charging the subsequent digital broadcasting data in the buffer, and checking a capacity of the digital broadcasting data charged in the buffer, and when the capacity of the digital broadcasting data charged in the buffer is less than a threshold capacity, outputting the subsequent received digital broadcasting data at a second output speed slower than the first output speed, and when the capacity of the digital broadcasting data charged in the buffer is greater than the threshold capacity, outputting the subsequent received digital broadcasting data at the first output speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Young-Sik Lee
  • Publication number: 20110234904
    Abstract: A flash disk with a replaceable memory for receiving signals from the digital TV or the digital radio comprises a flash disk body with a terminal and a memory slot for accommodating a memory. Wherein, the flash disk body installs a receiver offering a telescopic antenna, and positions a circuit module electrically connecting with the antenna. Hence, the antenna receives the digital signals, and the circuit module executes the modulation and the transmission. Connecting the terminal to an electronic accessing unit, users readily access the digital TV or the digital radio. Preferably, by means of replacing the memory, an appropriate capacity of the memory could be expansively provided for users to flexibly access their data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Robert WANG
  • Patent number: 8026981
    Abstract: A method of intelligently selecting a signal source and associated apparatus is provided. The method comprises the following steps. A display is activated. The display detects activities of a plurality of connection ports to determine at least one active video source. The display displays an image according to the at least one active video source and/or a priority. The connection ports can be an HDMI port, a DVI port, an A/V port or a Y/Pb/Pr port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Her-Ming Jong
  • Patent number: 8023044
    Abstract: An image display device includes an operation unit having a plurality of operating members configured to input operation data indicative of content of a user's operation; an operation data storage unit configured to store the operation data; an application process execution unit configured to execute a predetermined application process based on the operation data; an information screen display operation detection unit configured to detect a predetermined information screen display operation; an information screen display unit configured to display an information screen in a display unit when the information screen display operation detection unit detects information screen display operation; and an operation invalidation flag storage unit configured to store an operation invalidation flag in a manner in which it corresponds to a part or all of the operation data when the operation data satisfies a predetermined condition during the information screen is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Akimitsu Yasuda, Takeshi Kono
  • Patent number: 8023043
    Abstract: A device for updating component of application software in a digital broadcasting signal receiver and a method thereof. A storage section stores executing data for executing application software that produces a user interface of the digital signal receiver. A program specific information/service information extracting section extracts program specific information/service information (PSI/SI) from a received digital broadcasting signal. An updating data extracting section extracts updating information for partially updating the application software from the program specific information/service information, and extracts updating data for updating the application software from the digital broadcasting signal according to the updating information in order to update the executing data stored in the storage section to the extracted updating data. An application software section updates and executes the application software according the updated executing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-gon Joo, Hyun-chul Choe
  • Patent number: 8023045
    Abstract: A video processor card stores tap generation information for determining a predetermined tap coefficient when the tap generation information is used together with tap generation information stored in another video processor card, and supplies a video processing interface with the tap generation information. The video processing interface generates the tap coefficient from the tap generation information of the one video processor card and the other video processor card loaded therein. The video processing interface extracts video data having a predictive tap used to predict a target pixel and video data having a class tap used to classify the target data, and class classifies the target data based on the class tap. The video processing interface determine the target pixel based on the tap coefficient and the predictive tap of the class of the target pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsujiro Kondo
  • Publication number: 20110221963
    Abstract: A display system having 3D ambient light functionality is provided. The system comprises at least light source for providing ambient light having color and/or intensity dependent on the image content. The system comprises a control unit configured to control the color and intensity of light emitted from each light source to produce a 3D-viewing sensation, at least partly based on depth information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Filip Marcel Denise Bruyneel, Christophe Hoebeeck, Dirck Seynaeve, Alfred Peeters, Petrus Johannes Hendrikus Seuntiens, Michael Verberne, Fei Zuo, Willem Franciscus Johannes Hoogenstraaten, Cornelis Wilhelmus Kwisthout
  • Patent number: 8018531
    Abstract: A system for transmitting a modulated video signal to be presented on a digital display device, the video signal having a first frame and a second frame, the first frame and the second frame each comprised of a plurality of pixels, the system comprising a signal source for generating a video signal, an encoder, the encoder comprising a means for receiving the video signal from the signal source, a means for selectively altering luminance of the pixels of the first frame and the second frame of the video signal to represent a signal presence or signal absence and thereby creating a modulated video signal, and a means for providing the modulated video signal to a broadcast source, and the broadcast source for providing the modulated video signal from the encoder to a digital display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Koplar Interactive Systems International, LLC
    Inventors: James G. Withers, Yousri H. Barsoum, Edward J. Koplar, Michael C. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8013938
    Abstract: A method of audio-visual communication using a television and a television using the same are provided, wherein the broadband network and television technologies are used to achieve services of audio-visual communication over a network, such that a user uses the television to conduct audio-visual communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: AmTRAN Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Fang-Yuan Shyu
  • Patent number: 8015590
    Abstract: Integrated processing of multimedia signals can eliminate unnecessary signal processors and converters without losing the functionality of typical home entertainment system components. The integrated system includes a main player that captures and processes signals digitally, a dummy display, and a dummy speaker. The dummy display may only have a display panel and a panel driver. The dummy speaker may only have a driving unit and no crossover logic. The main player may have a PC architecture and process all signals digitally for outputting signals tailored for the display device and the individual driving units of the dummy speaker. The integrated system may generate parameters for optimizing display of a video source. These parameters can be shared among users over a network connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Mondo Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Chul Chung
  • Patent number: 8009236
    Abstract: A transmission relay circuit, a broadcast signal relay method, and a signal detection device are disclosed. Preferably, the transmission relay circuit includes a microcontroller, a broadcast signal sensing and discerning circuit configured for determining the broadcast signal selected from a group consisting of (NTSC, ASI, DS-3, SDI, and HD-SDI signals). The method preferably includes the steps of determining a signal type, directing the signal to an analog broadcast signal processing circuit when the signal is determined to be to be an analog video signal, directing the signal to a digital broadcast signal processing circuit when the signal is either a digital video signal, or a digital video transport signal, and relaying the processed signal to a local loop provider. The detection device preferably includes at least a multi-layer printed circuit board with an isolation/buffer amplifier and terminator, and a signal detection circuit for detecting and determining the broadcast signal type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Keener, John S. Jones, Peter L. Ward
  • Patent number: 8006260
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for exercising access control over television programs using a parental control user interface that has different functions is provided. The method requires a password to enter into a master mode for obtaining access to all the functions of the parental control user interface. Once in the master mode, the user may enter a criterion for blocking a television program from being viewed or recorded or the user can override an already blocked television program. If a user, not in the master mode, attempts to watch or record a program that meets the blocking criterion and the program does not meet the overriding criterion, a prompt is provided to the user to enter the password. Upon entering a correct password, the program is unblocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Gemstar Development Corporation
    Inventors: Wing P. Leung, Roy J. Mankovitz, Henry C. Yuen
  • Patent number: 7996872
    Abstract: Various embodiments for switching programs streams using a variable speed program stream buffer coupled to a variable speed decoder are described. In one or more embodiments, the variable speed program stream buffer may be arranged to receive multiple program streams, such as video program streams, and to buffer historical frames comprising at least one anchor frame. The variable speed program stream buffer may be arranged to always comprise at least one anchor frame and may be implemented by running and/or elastic buffers corresponding to an active channel program stream and one or more alternate channel program streams. Upon detecting a channel switch point, the historical frames comprising the anchor frame up to the channel switch point may be provided to the variable speed decoder in an accelerated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Levy, John Katausky
  • Publication number: 20110187928
    Abstract: A method of notifying a user of a status of an electronic appliance is presented. Examples of the electronic appliance may include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, ovens, and clothes washers and dryers. In the method, an entertainment system device receives a message from the appliance via a communication link, wherein the message indicates the status of the appliance. In response to receiving the message, the device transmits a command to a second device of the entertainment system to select an input of the second device associated with the first device. The first device transmits data indicating the status over a media content interface to the selected input of the second device for presentation to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: ELDON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael John Crabtree
  • Patent number: 7983529
    Abstract: There is provided a method for indicating whether a program is capable of being fully recorded in a remaining storage space on a storage device. An on screen display device is configured as a grid having a first axis and a second axis. The first axis is for identifying the programming selections and the second axis is for identifying the respective broadcast times of the programming selections. Any of the programming selections currently capable of being fully recorded in the remaining storage space on the storage device are identified on the grid using a first distinctive visual identifier. Any of the programming selections that are currently incapable of being fully recorded in the remaining storage space on the storage device are identified on the grid using a second distinctive visual identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Mark Gilmore Mears, Eric Stephen Carlsgaard
  • Patent number: 7982804
    Abstract: Image quality adjustment of an inputted image signal is performed with higher accuracy to display a more preferable image to the user. An attribute information determining unit obtains first attribute information indicating the format of the inputted image signal and second attribute information indicating transmission characteristics of the image signal. An image quality adjustment value calculating unit calculates optimal image quality adjustment values for the image signal from the obtained first and second attribute information. An image processing unit adjusts the image quality of the image signal based on the optimal image quality adjustment values and then outputs the image to an image display. The second attribute information includes the bit rate, resolution, and frame rate of the image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Uzawa, Masato Oshikiri, Haruki Takata, Hidenori Takata
  • Patent number: 7983525
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a synchronization-signal generator configured to generate a predetermined synchronization signal on the basis of a reference synchronization signal; a resolution converter configured to convert a second signal into a third signal when a received signal is the second signal, the second signal being different from a first signal having a first resolution and the second signal having a second resolution lower than the first resolution, and the third signal having the first resolution; a delayer configured to delay the first signal received when the received signal is the first signal, by a predetermined time taken to convert the second signal into the third signal; and a recorder configured to record the first signal delayed by the delayer or the third signal obtained by converting the second signal by the resolution converter, on a recording medium on the basis of the synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110164143
    Abstract: A television demonstration method involves providing a television display and a camera; at a computer processor, receiving a video image from the camera, the computer processor capturing the video image from the camera to determine if the viewer makes a predetermined gesture; and retrieving and playing a specified video segment on the display associated with the gesture in response to determining that the viewer has made the predetermined gesture. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Rae Shintani, Brant L. Candelore
  • Publication number: 20110157468
    Abstract: A television receiver includes an indentifying unit and a comparator. The indentifying unit indentifies a category of a currently tuned television program. The comparator determines whether the currently tuned television program belong to predetermined particular categories, and generates a first cut-off signal to stop video signals from being displayed on the television and to allow audio signals output on the television if the currently tuned television program belong to the predetermined particular categories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lung Dai
  • Publication number: 20110141360
    Abstract: A selective booting method and a broadcast receiving apparatus using the same are provided. The broadcast receiving apparatus including: a broadcast reception unit; a display which displays a broadcast received through the broadcast reception unit; a storage unit which stores a plurality of drivers of hardware provided on the broadcast receiving apparatus; and a controller which selectively loads a first driver, among the stored drivers, of first hardware for executing a first operation selected from among a plurality of operations, and then loads a second driver. Therefore, a user may execute foremost a desired operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-seok CHOI, Seung-kwon PARK, Hee-soo LEE, Yong-jun PARK
  • Publication number: 20110142022
    Abstract: A communication device includes: a wireless communication unit configured to perform data transmission and receiving with another communication device via a wireless network; and a communication control unit electrically connected with the wireless communication unit via a media independent interface (MII) bus and configured to control the wireless communication unit using a management data input-output/management data clock (MDIO/MDC) included in the MII bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Seiji Kubo, Akihiro Ebina, Taku Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7961258
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to an video display apparatus, more particularly, to an video display apparatus having an sound level control function according to program genre or speaker of a received broadcast program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Su Jin Lee, Ji Eun Youn
  • Publication number: 20110131603
    Abstract: An automatic channel search method for updating a channel list, the channels list records the channel information. The automatic channel search method is performed by following the steps of: searching current available channels to obtained channel information a interval of a predetermined search period; and updating the channel list according to the obtained channel information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: LUNG DAI
  • Patent number: 7954126
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc.
    Inventors: Polly Stecyk, Brian Peterson, Brian D Maxson, Pavel Houda, George E. Palmer, Shenta T. Pu, Martin Zanfino, Robert A. Perry
  • Patent number: 7945701
    Abstract: A television includes multiple interfaces, a storage medium, an updating module, a processing module and a display module. The multiple interfaces are mounted on a housing of the television, for connecting to peripheral devices. The storage medium stores a table comprising logos of the multiple interfaces and names of the peripheral devices connected to the multiple interfaces. The updating module receives the names of the peripheral devices and updates the table with the names of the peripheral devices. The processing module reads the data of the table stored in the storage medium and converts the data of the table into image signals. The display module visually displays a menu based on the image signals. The menu shows the logos of the multiple interfaces and the names of the peripheral devices connected to the multiple interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lung Dai
  • Patent number: 7941821
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc.
    Inventors: Polly Stecyk, Brian Peterson, Brian D. Maxson, Pavel Houda, George E. Palmer, Shenta T. Pu, Martin Zanfino, Robert A. Perry