For Receiving More Than One Format At Will (e.g., Ntsc/pal) Patents (Class 348/555)
  • Patent number: 6486924
    Abstract: An indoor television antenna has a bypassable amplifier circuit, which is user-controllable to switch between an amplification signal path and a unity gain signal path. The amplifier circuit, also referred to herein as a television signal switching circuit, includes a first switching circuit, a second switching circuit, a third switching circuit and a switching control circuit. The first switching circuit is coupled to the second switching circuit by the amplification and unity gain signal paths, which are substantially isolated from each other. An input of the first switching circuit is responsive to an antenna, and an output of the second switching circuit is coupled to a first input of the third switching circuit. A second input of the third switching circuit is coupled to a game port signal, and an output of the third switching circuit is ultimately coupled to a television receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Terk Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Nicholas G. Paraskevopoulos, Nina Krikorian
  • Patent number: 6483553
    Abstract: The combined TV receiver can receive and process an analog broadcasting signal as well as a digital broadcasting signal, and includes a controller determining whether a channel selected by a user is a digital broadcast or an analog broadcast. The controller generates station selection data on the selected channel and a control signal pertinent to the determination. A tuner receives the station selection data and tunes to a broadcasting signal associated with the selected channel, out of signals received through an antenna. A switch unit forwards the broadcasting signal tuned at the tuner, in response to the control signal, to either an analog broadcasting processor or a digital broadcasting processor. An AGC (auto-gain controller) receives a gain signal either from the analog broadcasting processor or from the digital broadcasting processor, and adjusts a signal gain of the broadcasting signal tuned at the tuner, thereby allowing reception of both analog and digital signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Gwon Sool Jung
  • Patent number: 6480236
    Abstract: The data field synchronization segment as symbol coded for VSB transmission comprises pseudo-random noise (PN) sequence information that can be detected in a QAM/VSB DTV signal receiver using an envelope detector responsive to final intermediate-frequency signal and a match filter for responsive to the PN sequence information appearing in the envelope detector response. The envelope detector response to QAM transmission does not contain the PN sequence information detected by the match filter. A threshold detector is used for determining whether the match filter response is of sufficient energy to indicate occurrence in a received DTV signal of the PN sequence information in the data field synchronization segment of a VSB DTV transmission. Timed latch circuitry is used for latching the indication for a period of time longer than at least one DTV data field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Allen LeRoy Limberg
  • Patent number: 6476878
    Abstract: The method, apparatus, and system for controlling audio anomalies by using a mute switch 51 to prevent output of an auxiliary audio signal 21 in a television signal 20 with an auxiliary audio signal 21, such as a NICAM audio signal or dual language audio signal, adjacent to a first audio signal 22. The mute switch 51 operation is a function of the type of receiver 19 receiving television signal 20 and a function of verifying the presence of an auxiliary audio signal 21 in television signal 20. The present invention controls audio anomalies such as audio whistle and audio pop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Lafay, Robert C. Cheng, Benny Hsu, Martin Taylor
  • Patent number: 6466272
    Abstract: A display apparatus capable of receiving and displaying video signals which differ in scanning frequencies or resolutions. The display apparatus includes an input section for receiving at least one video signal and a conversion unit for converting at least one of the frequency and resolution of the at least one received video signal so as to be within predetermined higher ranges thereof. A display unit enables display of the converted received at least one video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuya Arai, Kouji Kitou, Masahiro Eto, Ryuuichi Someya, Kiyoharu Kishimoto
  • Publication number: 20020147993
    Abstract: A television signal processing system, such as a set-top box and a personal video recorder, that handles both digital and legacy analogy system can be simplified to minimize the required connections between system components. Digital signals are demultiplexed and recorded or decompressed and output to a television set. Analog signals are decoded, or converted to digital, and then compressed. The compressed signal can be demultiplexed and recorded or demultiplexed, decompressed and output to a television set. In either case, only a single connection is required between the processing circuitry and the television set, and between the processing circuitry and the signal recording circuitry and hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: Sony Corporation and Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: David H. Bessel
  • Patent number: 6462786
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for blending a plurality of image input layers include processing that begins by converting each of a plurality of image input layers that have a color base that differs from a color base of a display into a image layer having the color base of the display, thereby producing converting image layers. The color base of the image input layers and of the output include the colorimetries of various standardized video signals, color space, and/or any other defining display characteristics of video signals that is currently standardized or maybe standardized. Further note that an image input layer corresponds to a window, a background and/or a display area of a display, where the display is capable of presenting more than one image, where the images originate from different video and/or graphics data sources (e.g., a television signal, and a computer application display).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: ATI International SRL
    Inventors: David I. J. Glen, Michael Frank, Ed Callway
  • Patent number: 6456333
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a TV system discriminator capable of being applied to when the inputted TV signal is an analog signal or a digital signal, and capable of accurately discriminating between TV systems with small differences in line number and field number. In order to achieve the above object, the TV system discriminator of the present invention comprises a separator for extracting a synchronized signal for a TV signal inputted in accordance with one of a plurality of TV systems, a phase difference sensor for sensing a phase difference of this separated synchronized signal and a prescribed reference signal, and a phase difference displacement discriminator for discriminating a TV system corresponding to an inputted TV signal based on the direction of temporal displacement of this phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Masuya, Tatsuo Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6445424
    Abstract: For the acquisition of multistandard video data a decoder is used with a register 201 having 24 cells for storing 3 times 8 bit of data. Each of the three bytes are connected with logical devices in order to compare the content of the cells with given start codes. Start of the register 202 is byte3, followed by byte2 and byte 1. In addition a second 8 bit register 202 is connected in parallel to the register 201. The content of byte3 is also fed to a Hamming (8/4) decoder 203 and of byte2 to a Hamming (8/4) decoder 204. Each decoder output of 4 bits is fed to the assigned 4 bits of the register 202, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh
    Inventors: Maximilian Erbar, Jinan Lin
  • Patent number: 6441870
    Abstract: A system has video output connections capable of connecting to different display devices. The system has input connections capable of receiving image signal from multiple sources. A table of gamma values is indexed by both the display type and image source type. A software or hardware module applies a gamma correction from the table to the received video to transform it to have a gamma consistent with that of the display device. In a further embodiment, the images are encoded with a gamma identifier which is used to index into the table of system gammas. A video card that detects video source and display is also described. The video card utilizes a table of gamma values indexed by video source and display type and operating mode. Images are then corrected by the card to display properly on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Rapaich
  • Patent number: 6441860
    Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus which can process video signals with different formats simply by switching between programs for processing video signals. Different system clock signals are sent to the input and output processes by employing a programmable signal processor 4, input synchronizing signal processor 8, programmable signal processor 6 and output synchronizing pulse processor 9. A method for processing the video signal can be flexibly changed simply by switching between signal processing programs for programmable signal processors. In addition, the use of a memory 5 enables the signal, which is processed using the system clock signal in the input process, to be processed using the system clock signal in the output process. The present invention thus allows the processing of video signals with many different signal formats. The design of efficient circuitry will greatly reduce costs and production processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yamaguchi, Yutaka Nio, Toshiaki Kitahara
  • Patent number: 6437834
    Abstract: Video switching and mix/effecting equipment which performs video switching and mix/effecting by a single circuit configuration on SDTV and HDTV signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Tagami
  • Patent number: 6421094
    Abstract: A HDTV video processor includes a data input part for processing the video data having different image formats, format information and control signals; a memory interfacer for imaging the access to the memory, a format converter converting the input data format to the output data format, an On Screen Display processor overlaying an OSD data on the converted data, a color space converter and video processor carrying out a variety of processes to display the input data. The processor not only interfaces DTV videos of various sizes and frame rates, but also interfaces the NTSC or VGA signals, allowing the display of the DTV, NTSC or VGA video in the forms of PIP, multi-PIP, zoom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Dongil Han
  • Patent number: 6404459
    Abstract: A display for receiving video signals of a plurality of deflection frequencies including a conversion unit which is responsive to at least one of a horizontal frequency and a vertical frequency of an input video signal below at least one of at least one predetermined horizontal frequency within a first horizontal frequency range and at least one predetermined vertical frequency within a first vertical frequency range for converting the input video signal to have at least one of a converted horizontal frequency within the first horizontal frequency range and a converted vertical frequency within the first vertical frequency range. The conversion unit is further responsive to the at least one of the horizontal frequency and the vertical frequency of the input video signal being within at least one of the first horizontal frequency range and the first vertical frequency range for directly supplying the input video signal to the output of the conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Kitou, Ikuya Arai, Kunio Umehara
  • Patent number: 6400409
    Abstract: An apparatus displays pictures from sources having a plurality of horizontal frequencies. A scanning generator is operable at the plurality of frequencies and comprises an oscillator generating a signal. A divider with two selectable counts is coupled to the oscillator and divides the signal by a first count to generate a horizontal drive signal. A horizontal scanning amplifier generates a scanning signal responsive to the horizontal drive signal coupled thereto. A controller is coupled to the scanning amplifier and to the divider. In response to selecting another of the plurality of frequencies, the controller monitors the scanning signal and responsive to its presence inhibits selection of a second of the selectable counts. In the absence of the scanning signal the controller enables selection of the second of selectable counts and the divider generates a horizontal drive signal representative of the another one of the plurality of horizontal scanning frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA
    Inventor: James Albert Wilber
  • 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: 6392715
    Abstract: There is provided a UHF/VHF tuner in which complication in structure and increase in manufacturing costs are suppressed and broadcast receiving performance is improved by reducing variation in the reception sensitivity according to frequency when broadcast in the VHF band is received. In a UHF/VHF tuner for receiving both of a broadcast in the UHF band and a broadcast in the VHF band, one mixer and one UHF local oscillator are used for the broadcast in the UHF band, and one mixer, a VHF high-band local oscillator which is switched to be connected when the high band is selected and a VHF low-band local oscillator which is switched to be connected when the low band is selected are used for the broadcast in the VHF band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sato, Masaki Yamamoto, Hideo Nishi, Fumiaki Miyamitsu
  • Patent number: 6384867
    Abstract: A video display apparatus comprises a video-signal processing circuit for processing an input video signal, a PLL circuit for generating a clock signal, a discrimination circuit for identifying the format of the input video signal and a specification circuit for specifying the format of video information to be displayed. In addition, the video display apparatus also includes a diver-control-signal generation circuit, a driver-control-signal switching circuit and a PLL-signal control circuit. The diver-control-signal generation circuit is used for generating control signals for controlling a gate driver and a source driver which are used for driving a display panel in accordance with the identified format of video information to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Seino, Mitsuo Kamiko, Tomoyasu Katsuyama, Yoshihiro Date, Naoki Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 6380983
    Abstract: A TV receiver with selectable signal processing systems in which main controller 103 selects a proper signal processing system according to signal processing unit 120 based on the results of monitoring the type and the number of the input signals by input signal monitor 102 and the monitor result for user's request by signal display monitor 123. Main controller 103 downloads the instruction program from program memory 104, and then transfers the instruction program to signal processing unit 120. Accordingly, signal processing unit 120 performs one unit of the three-dimensional Y/C separation, two units of the two-dimensional Y/C separations or three units of the one-dimensional Y/C separation on the NTSC video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Toru Miyazaki, Seijiro Yasuki
  • Patent number: 6373527
    Abstract: A high definition television (HDTV) for displaying an image contained in a broadcasting signal of mutually different broadcasting systems is provided. The HDTV restores a first image signal which is an image signal contained in an HD digital broadcasting signal and a second image signal which is an image signal contained in an NTSC analog broadcasting signal which are input from an antenna and an external input port, and format-converts each restored image signal into an image signal having a predetermined frame format. An image signal synthesizer including two memories and a timing signal generator time-base-compresses the format-converted first and second image signals so as to correspond to a main picture and a sub-picture of a PIP image to be displayed, and synthesizes the first and second image signals into a single PIP image signal. A CRT displays a PIP image contained in the PIP image signal on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae-Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 6370198
    Abstract: A multi-format digital video production system enables a user to process an input video program to produce an output version of the program in a final format which may have a different frame rate, pixel dimensions, or both. An internal production format of 24 fps is preferably chosen to provide the greatest compatibility with existing and planned formats associated with HDTV standard 4:3 or widescreen 16:9 high-definition television, and film. Images are re-sized horizontally and vertically by pixel interpolation, thereby producing larger or smaller image dimensions so as to fill the particular needs of individual applications. Frame rates are adapted by inter-frame interpolation or by traditional schemes, including “3:2 pull-down” for 24-to-30 fps conversions. Simple speed-up (for 24-to-25 conversions) or slow-down (for 25-to-24 conversions) for playback, or by manipulating the frame rate itself using a program storage facility with asynchronous reading and writing capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Kinya Washino
  • Patent number: 6369857
    Abstract: A receiver requiring only a single IF SAW filter and IF amplifier receives signals in both analog format and in digital format, such as the NTSC, PAL and SECAM analog television signal formats and the ATSC and DVB digital television signal formats. IF signals from the IF amplifier are sub-sampled to digital signal form and are processed by respective analog format and digital format processors. Control circuitry responsive to the presence of certain unique components of the signals in analog format and digital format determine which of the analog format and digital format processors is producing valid data and selects the valid data to be utilized. In a television receiver, the unique components of the signals may include carrier signals, synchronization signals, pilot signals and symbol timing, and valid data is applied to a television display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Sarnoff Corporation
    Inventors: Alvin Reuben Balaban, Michael Louie Low, Edward Coley Fox
  • Patent number: 6366327
    Abstract: A technique for detecting three modes of video input signal and outputting a vertical sync signal based on the input signal. In a first mode, a standard video signal is received and a line counter is used to decode and output the vertical sync. In a second mode where a non-standard signal is received, line counter cannot be used, but a vertical sync is detected and output. In a third mode, no video input signal is received, yet a vertical sync is output in free-running mode so that a blank screen is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Karl H. Renner, Weider Peter Chang
  • Publication number: 20020036709
    Abstract: A TV broadcasting reception apparatus 100 has a following function: when the same program is being broadcasted at the same time between digital TV broadcasting and analog TV broadcasting, even if the user selects reception of the analog TV broadcasting, the same program in the digital TV broadcasting is found out and the analog TV broadcasting is preferentially and automatically switched to the digital TV broadcasting. Further, the TV broadcasting reception apparatus 100 has a following function: when the same program is being broadcasted at the same time between digital TV broadcasting and analog TV broadcasting, in case that during receiving the digital TV broadcasting, the reception state of its digital TV broadcasting worsens so that the digital TV broadcasting cannot be received, the program in the digital TV broadcasting is preferentially and automatically switched to the same program in the analog TV broadcasting that has been previously searched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventor: Yusuke Nishida
  • Patent number: 6362853
    Abstract: To provide a method and device for picture display capable of performing suitable picture display corresponding to various video signals. Kind of an input video signal S1 is determined based on prestored characteristic information on video signals, and the input video signal S1 is displayed in picture according to the characteristic information based on the above determined result, so that a suitable displayed picture can be obtained corresponding to the input video signal 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Motoki Ouchiyama, Hiroshi Yamashita, Motosuke Irie, Satoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6353460
    Abstract: The television receiver including a display device capable of displaying a video signal having a predetermined display former of this invention includes; a plurality of video signal sources; a selection circuit for selecting one of a plurality of video signals output from the plurality of video signal sources; and an image processor for converting a format of the video signal selected by the selection circuit into the predetermined display format, wherein a video signal output from the processor is supplied to the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Texas Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta Sokawa, Kazuki Ninomiya, Yoichiro Miki, Naoya Tokunaga, Masahiro Tani, Hiroshi Miyaguchi, Yuji Yaguchi, Tsuyoshi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 6351290
    Abstract: A radio receiver includes first and second intermediate-frequency amplifier chains respectively supplying first and second final intermediate-frequency responses to a digital television (DTV) signal selected for reception; first and second analog-to-digital converters for digitizing the first and second final intermediate-frequency responses; QAM synchrodyning circuitry for generating real and imaginary sample streams of interleaved QAM symbol code by synchrodyning the digitized first final intermediate-frequency response to baseband, providing the selected DTV signal is a QAM signal; and VSB synchrodyning circuitry for generating a real sample stream of interleaved VSB symbol code by synchrodyning the digitized second final intermediate-frequency response to baseband, providing the selected DTV signal is a VSB signal. The first and second intermediate-frequency amplifier chains share at least one local oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Allen LeRoy Limberg
  • Publication number: 20020012069
    Abstract: The present invention provides a digital video receiving apparatus for displaying a plurality of digital TV pictures on a plurality of receiving terminal apparatuses. The digital video receiving apparatus includes a tuner for extracting the received digital TV multiplexed signal, a demodulator for decoding the digital signals provided from the tuner, a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the multiplexed signals outputted from the demodulator to obtain a bit stream including a video signal, an audio signal and a data signal. The digital video receiving apparatus further includes a video decoder, an audio decoder and a data decoder for decoding signals outputted from the demultiplexer. The digital video receiving apparatus decodes the input multiplexed digital TV signal and outputs a video signal, an audio signal and a data signal corresponding to respective programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tokumichi Murakami, Hideo Ohira
  • Patent number: 6337716
    Abstract: A receiver for simultaneously displaying signals having different display formats and/or different frame rates, and a method thereof are provided. The receiver includes a signal generator, a first display processor, and a second display processor. The signal generator generates a first vertical synchronous signal for a high definition (HD) image, a first field identification signal for coping with a case in which an HD image is an interlace image, a second vertical synchronous signal for a standard image, and a second field identification signal for a standard image. The first display processor processes a received HD decoded image to an HD display format according to the first vertical synchronous signal and the first field identification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myung-sik Yim
  • Patent number: 6335762
    Abstract: Circuit and method for determining a received signal for a receiver such as a simulcast receiver or an HDTV receiver are provided. The circuit includes a first detector for detecting a first reference signal included in a received signal and outputting a first detection signal, and a second detector for detecting a second reference signal included in the received signal and outputting a second detection signal. The circuit also includes a generator for generating a determination signal which indicates that the received signal is an analog broadcasting signal in the event the first detection signal is detected, and indicates that the received signal is a high definition signal in the event if the second detection signal is detected. Therefore, the received signal can be determined correctly, according to channel selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myeong-hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 6333767
    Abstract: A radio receiver uses the same tuner for receiving a selected digital television (DTV) signal, irrespective of whether it is a quadrature-amplitude-modulation (QAM) or a vestigial sideband (VSB) signal. The tuner supplies a final IF signal in a 6-MHz-wide frequency band, the lowest frequency of which is not appreciably more than 2.69 MHz. The final IF signal is digitized at a rate that is a multiple of both the symbol frequencies of the QAM and VSB signals, for synchrodyning to baseband, with the 2.69 MHz difference between the carrier frequencies of QAM and VSB signals being taken into account in the digital synchrodyning circuitry. The carrier frequencies of the QAM and VSB final IF signals are regulated to be submultiples of the multiple of both the symbol frequencies of the QAM and VSB signals by applying automatic frequency and phase control signals developed in the digital circuitry to a local oscillator of the tuner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chandrakant B. Patel, Allen LeRoy Limberg
  • Patent number: 6330036
    Abstract: The present invention provides a digital video receiving apparatus for displaying a plurality of digital TV pictures on a plurality of receiving terminal apparatuses. The digital video receiving apparatus includes a tuner for extracting the received digital TV multiplexed signal, a demodulator for decoding the digital signals provided from the tuner, a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the multiplexed signals outputted from the demodulator to obtain a bit stream including a video signal, an audio signal and a data signal. The digital video receiving apparatus further includes a video decoder, an audio decoder and a data decoder for decoding signals outputted from the demultiplexer. The digital video receiving apparatus decodes the input multiplexed digital TV signal and outputs a video signal, an audio signal and a data signal corresponding to respective programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tokumichi Murakami, Hideo Ohira
  • Patent number: 6329982
    Abstract: A programmable pulse generator, and the method embodied by it, for a video system are provided. The programmable pulse generator includes: a multi-pulse circuit selectively outputting one of plural predetermined mode decision signal state sets for a given one of plural video modes according to a selection signal; and selection logic for generating the selection signal for the multi-pulse circuit. The programmable pulse generator can also include: a memory for storing the plural predetermined mode decision signal state sets corresponding to the video modes; and a controller for providing the plural state sets corresponding to the given video mode. The multi-pulse circuit includes a shift register bank having plural serially connected shift registers, each shift register latching one of the state sets. A given shift register is connected to the selection logic and the selection logic generates the selection signal according to the state set in the given shift register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Jae-Yeon Lee
  • Patent number: 6326935
    Abstract: A display apparatus and computer system employing the same comprise a dual mode television/monitor display which is operable to provide television display output in an interlaced mode of operation and computer output in a noninterlaced computer graphics mode of operation a visually detectable manner and further comprises a communication channel for transmitting commands from the host computer system to the display apparatus. The display apparatus contains a microprocessor for receiving commands from the host computer system for switching the display between the interlaced and noninterlaced modes of operation. In a further aspect, a method of transitioning the dual mode display between the television and computer graphics modes of operation via a host computer system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Boger
  • Patent number: 6317168
    Abstract: Disclosed is a digital TV receiver performing a channel selection using stored channel information and a method for selecting a channel. With respect to a broadcasting signal which is not being currently viewed, the receiver activated at a predetermined period of time to receive that broadcasting signal. The receiver receives and stores channel information for that signal. A channel selection is performed by displaying the stored channel information or an effective channel according to the stored channel information, at the time of switching of a reception mode. Since the channel selection is performed using the stored channel information, the invention can save a time for selecting a channel and provide convenience of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Joo Seo
  • Patent number: 6310655
    Abstract: A method and device is described herein for displaying a television picture comprised of several standard aspect ratio images on widescreen and standard aspect ratio video monitors. A widescreen image including several smaller aspect ratio images are assembled and broadcast. A receiver with a widescreen monitor display can display the entire widescreen image. A receiver with a conventional aspect ratio monitor display can display a combination of the smaller aspect ratio images. The device includes a frame store for storing image information, image configuration logic for determining a configuration of image information, and frame address logic to write image information to frame store with a configuration according to image configuration logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: John P. Godwin
  • Patent number: 6307598
    Abstract: Plural-conversion radio receivers for receiving DTV signals, in accordance with the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standard, or analog TV, in accordance with the National Television Sub-Committee (NTSC) standard, utilize a first intermediate-frequency band spanning 917-923 MHz and a second intermediate-frequency band spanning 35.5-41.5 MHz. A local oscillator generates local oscillations at 958.5 MHz for mixing with signal in the first intermediate-frequency band to generate signal in the second intermediate-frequency band. These local oscillations do not interfere with the aeronautical navigation band or with channel 81 television broadcasting. The second harmonic of sound carrier in the second intermediate-frequency band falls below the 88-108 MHz FM broadcast band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Allen LeRoy Limberg
  • Patent number: 6307595
    Abstract: Television signal reception apparatus for receiving a television signal selected from among transmitted television signals of different types includes a respective receiver portion for each of the different types. The current reception or non-reception of NTSC signal is detected by ascertaining whether or not 4.5 MHz intercarrier sound intermediate-frequency signal is generated in the receiver portion used for NTSC signal reception. When reception of NTSC signal is detected, the television signal reception apparatus is automatically conditioned for selecting the demodulated NTSC signal for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Allen LeRoy Limberg
  • Patent number: 6300980
    Abstract: A computer system provides a communication link to a display monitor so as to control the display of not only computer signals but of other signals such as television signals. By providing this link the additional power of the computer can be used to provide a storage of preferred settings for the television/display monitor depending upon signal sources, time of day or the like. This provides a more versatile display. Further data contained within a received data stream such as from a web page or the like may inherently control functions of the television display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Montgomery C. McGraw, Ralph K. Williamson, Elizabeth A. Richard, Drew S. Johnson, Christopher D. Voltz, John C. Barker, Kevin J. Brusky
  • Patent number: 6297850
    Abstract: A sync signal generating apparatus and method for video signal processor are disclosed comprising an image processor processing either an input digital television video signal or an input analog television video signal to display one of the signals; a display unit displaying an output signal of the image processor; a frame rate detector detecting a frame of the digital video signal and generating a frame rate signal; a display mode detector detecting whether an image to be currently displayed is a digital television image or an analog television image and generating a display mode signal; a clock generator generating a clock signal according to the display mode signal and the format signal to the image processor; a sync signal compensation unit generating a sync compensation signal based upon the display mode signal, the clock signal, and a vsync signal of the analog television video signal; and a sync signal generator resetting and compensating a sync signal based upon the sync compensation signal and the cl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dongil Han, Heung Chul Oh
  • Patent number: 6295090
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for providing video processing is disclosed. Within the system and the apparatus there is an analog video signal input means, which is connected to a video signal output means, which are both coupled to a video resolution compensation means. The analog video signal input means provides decoding of a first signal type received by the input means. The first signal type operates at a first refresh rate. The video signal output means receives the decoded first signal type and converts the decoded first signal type into a second signal type, which has a second refresh rate. This second signal type typically is compatible for viewing on a display incompatible with the first signal type. Then, the video resolution compensation means modifies the second refresh rate associated with the decoded second signal type so as to be compatible with the first refresh rate and displayable on the video monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Voltz, John C. Barker
  • Patent number: 6292230
    Abstract: A signal distribution apparatus having a learning feature for recognizing a remote control device code associated with a particular signal source and coupling the associated signal source to an output in response to receipt of the device code. The remote control device code may be transmitted using a universal remote control device or a dedicated remote control device associated with the particular signal source. The present invention allows a user to couple a plurality of signal sources and a display device, such as a television set, to the present signal distribution apparatus and thereafter couple a selected one of the signal sources to the display device using the universal remote control device or the dedicated remote control device. The learning feature obviates the need for a dedicated remote control for the signal distribution device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Lisa Yi Shui, Nathan William Andrews
  • Patent number: 6289174
    Abstract: The invention provides a composite video apparatus which can display an image from a plurality of image sources with a simple construction and prevents blurring in color of a display image from a particular image source. A memory for storing video data from a certain type of recording medium so as to be outputted for later display is used to perform display outputting of video data reproduced from another type of recording medium or video data extracted from a broadcasting signal. Where the video data to be stored into the memory are formed from brightness signal data and color signal data, a CPU performs, for the video data from a particular video source, conversion of the video data such that the resolution of the brightness signal data may be equal to the resolution of the color signal data and then writes video data obtained by the conversion processing into the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Chiharu Hirono
  • Patent number: 6285408
    Abstract: A digital audio/video system and method is disclosed. The digital audio/video system of the present invention integrates the operations of several digital devices into one simplified system by eliminating duplicative elements required in each digital device. The combination of operations allowed by the digital audio/video system and device generally includes simultaneously viewing two TV programs, viewing one TV program while recording the other TV program, simultaneously viewing two TV programs while recording one program, viewing one TV program and another program received from a storage device such as a video tape or a DVD disc, or viewing two programs received from a storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung-Jong Choi, Jin-Kyeong Kim, Hwa-Young Lyu
  • Patent number: 6281938
    Abstract: A signal processing system 20 comprises a source 22 of video signals representing pixels in a first format (e.g. 4:4:4). The video signals are coarsely processed by a filter 43 and interpolator 44 and the processed signals are compared by a comparator 46 with the video signals. Depending on the result of the comparison either signals from the filter 43 or signals from a filter 30 are selected for output as video signals representing the pixels in a second format (e.g. 4:2:2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Quantel Limited
    Inventor: Simon Darryl Rogers
  • Patent number: 6281939
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding data encoded in the horizontal overscan portion of a video signal. A video data detector is configured to decode data encoded in a video signal in a first type of video signal format, such as NTSC. When the detector receives the video signal, it enters a “fast acquisition” loop in which it attempts to decode a sequence of valid data from several consecutive frames of the video signal. If the detector cannot decode a sequence of valid data from the consecutive frames of the video signal, the detector is reconfigured to decode data encoded in the video signal in a second type of video signal format, such as PAL. The detector then attempts to decode a sequence of valid data from the next several consecutive frames of the video signal. If the detector is unable to decode a sequence of valid data from the consecutive frames, the detector is reconfigured for the first type of video signal format and the above process repeats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Leonardo G. Del Castillo, Douglas Beck
  • Patent number: 6278645
    Abstract: A device for storing pixel information for displaying a graphics image on a display includes a frame buffer and a processor. The information includes an intensity value and a value associated with each of a plurality of additional planes for each pixel. The frame buffer memory has a series of consecutive addresses for storing information to be output to the display. The frame buffer may be subdivided into a plurality of blocks, where each block corresponds to a region of the display having a plurality of contiguous pixels. The processor places the pixel information within the frame buffer memory so that in a given block there are placed at a first collection of consecutive addresses the intensity values for each of the pixels in the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: 3Dlabs Inc., Ltd.
    Inventors: Matt E. Buckelew, Stewart G. Carlton, James L. Deming, Michael S. Farmer, Steven J. Heinrich, Mark A. Mosley, Clifford A. Whitmore
  • Patent number: 6275267
    Abstract: Display source memories of resolutions according to image formats are prepared. The image format is discriminated from an extracted video packet. A font or a bit map is read out from the display source memory corresponding to the image format. The font or bit map corresponding to the image format is developed in an OSD plane memory and synthesized to a video signal by a mixing circuit. Thus, a character or a bit map picture plane of similar quality and size can be always seen irrespective of the received image format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6262704
    Abstract: A driving method of a display device in which the number of voltage levels of scanning lines during a non-selection period is only one, and the voltage level of a data line corresponding to a display element that presents no image is set to the voltage level of the scanning lines during the non-selection period. The power consumption of the display device is thus reduced. A minimum area of the entire screen of the device is used for image presentation while the remaining area is set to a display-off state (display-off mode) using the above driving method, and thus the power consumption of the display device, for example, in a standby state is reduced. Each of the display-enabled area and the display-off area is flexibly set. A combination of a multi-line driving method and the above driving method helps further reduce power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kurumisawa, Akihiko Ito, Shingo Isozaki, Masuhide Ikeda, Makoto Katase
  • Patent number: 6256357
    Abstract: At the transmitter side, carrier waves are modulated according to an input signal for producing relevant signal points in a signal space diagram. The input signal is divided into, two, first and second, data streams. The signal points are divided into signal point groups to which data of the first data stream are assigned. Also, data of the second data stream are assigned to the signal points of each signal point group. A difference in the transmission error rate between first and second data streams is developed by shifting the signal points to other positions in the space diagram. At the receiver side, the first and/or second data streams can be reconstructed from a received signal. In TV broadcast service, a TV signal is divided by a transmitter into, low and high, frequency band components which are designated as a first and a second data stream respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuaki Oshima