For Format With Different Aspect Ratio Patents (Class 348/556)
  • Patent number: 7423672
    Abstract: In a picture data recording method of an aspect of this invention, main picture data having a first resolution, sub-picture data having the first resolution, and sub-picture data having a second resolution lower than the first resolution are compressed, packets are formed from the compressed data in accordance with predetermined units and multiplexed, and the multiplexed data is recorded on a recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yumiko Taga, Teiichi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7420617
    Abstract: An image display apparatus that detects a picture defect and shifts an image region to eliminate the picture defect. The image display apparatus includes a memory unit that temporarily stores an input image signal, a memory control unit that controls a readout start address for the memory unit, a display unit to which the image signal read out of the memory unit is supplied, a detection unit that detects an aspect ratio of the input image signal, and an address control signal generation unit which receives an output from detection unit and generates a readout start address control signal for the memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Aya Takechi, Hiroyuki Kojima, Nobuo Ueki
  • Patent number: 7408580
    Abstract: Each of image display apparatus, an image display method and a computer program is arranged to select one of a first display mode of displaying an image of an image signal having a first aspect ratio in the image display area and a second display mode of displaying an image of an image signal having a second aspect ratio in the image display area, superpose a character signal upon the image signal having the first aspect ratio in response to a character display command, change the second display mode to the first display mode, when the character display command is input while the second display mode is selected, and display an image of the image signal having the first aspect ratio, on which the character signal is superposed, in the image display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kyota Saito
  • Patent number: 7400345
    Abstract: A method for uniformly aging an OLED display device, the OLED display device including a display screen with a screen aspect ratio, the method comprising: receiving a first external video signal having a first signal aspect ratio different from the screen aspect ratio; illuminating a primary region of the OLED display in response to the first external video signal, whereby a secondary region of the OLED display is not illuminated in response to the first external video signal; receiving a second external video signal having a second signal aspect ratio different from the first external video signal aspect ratio, wherein the display area corresponding to the second signal aspect ratio includes at least a portion of each of the primary and of the secondary regions of the OLED display; generating a regional correction value corresponding to the primary and secondary regions of the OLED display; employing the regional correction value to correct the second external video signal to compensate for differential agin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Ronald S. Cok
  • Patent number: 7400360
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate a decoded video signal. The second circuit may be configured to generate (i) a first video output signal having a first resolution and (ii) a second video signal having a second video resolution in response to the decoded video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventor: Elliot N. Linzer
  • Publication number: 20080143877
    Abstract: A video processing apparatus uses information related to an image quality of an inputted video signal which is to be displayed on a display apparatus and a determination table in which video display sizes previously set in accordance with video resolution or bit rate are held to determine an optimal size for displaying the inputted video signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirofumi Urabe, Shuntaro Aratani
  • Patent number: 7388620
    Abstract: Pan-scan is provided for a standard 4:3 aspect ratio TV displaying a 16:9 aspect ratio high definition (HD) video stream using the motion vectors that are part of MPEG-encoded streams. Specifically, if, for instance, the MPEG motion vectors indicate an object rapidly moving to the left, the left-most part of the HD video frames are shown, instead of remaining centered on the HD video frames and cutting off the left and right portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: William George Bennett, Katsuhiko Nishikawa, Frederick J. Zustak
  • Publication number: 20080088740
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for displaying an input image on a display, includes an image converting unit for converting the input image into an equiaspect ratio image, the equiaspect ratio image having the same aspect ratio as the input image, having one of a horizontal size and a vertical size thereof equal to one of a horizontal size and a vertical size of a display screen of the display, and having an image size thereof being equal to or smaller than the size of the display screen, an additional image generating unit for generating an additional image from the input image, a combination image generating unit for generating a combination image into which the equiaspect ratio image and the additional image are combined, and a display control unit for causing the display to display the combination image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsujiro KONDO
  • Publication number: 20080084503
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for causing a display unit to display an image, includes an image format detecting unit for detecting an image format of the image containing an aspect ratio of the image, a converting unit for converting an effective image as an effective moving image portion of the image into a display image in accordance with the image format and a screen format of a display screen of the display unit, the display image having one of a horizontal size and a vertical size thereof equal to one of a horizontal size and a vertical size of the display screen, and having an image size thereof, being equal to or greater than the size of the display screen and resulting from magnifying the effective image with the same magnification applied to the horizontal size and the vertical size of the effective image, and a scroll processing unit for scrolling the display image displayed on the display unit in a direction that causes a non-display area as a portion of the display image not appearing on the disp
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsujiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 7339627
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for automatic aspect ratio detection and may comprise scanning lines in at least a selected portion of an image and locating a first reference pixel in one of the scanned lines. A corresponding sliding sum and a sliding number may be generated starting from the first reference pixel and a white edge determined based on the generated sliding sum and/or the generated sliding number. The first reference pixel may be a non-black pixel and a value which corresponds to and defines non-black may be variably defined. The sliding sum and the sliding number may utilize m bins, where m is greater than one (1). A luma sum threshold may be compared with the generated sliding sum to locate the white edge for aspect ratio detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Schoner, Darren Neuman
  • Publication number: 20080036914
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards enabling a set-top box, a cable card, or a television to insert data into horizontal or vertical bars on a display image. More specifically, when an aspect ratio of a program is converted, letterboxing bars are used either along the horizontal or vertical edges. Within these edges, data is then composited at appropriate times to display such things as program information, television information, personal settings, etc. Additionally, graphical bars may be rendered in order to block any received data from being inserted into these bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Samuel H. Russ, Gary D. Hibbard
  • Publication number: 20080002070
    Abstract: A method of driving an OLED display having a plurality of light-emitting display elements having outputs that change with time or use, comprising the steps of: a) providing an external image signal with a first image aspect ratio; b) providing an OLED display having light-emitting display elements formed in a two-dimensional array having a second display aspect ratio different from the first image aspect ratio; c) driving all of the two-dimensional array of display elements with a composite signal comprising the external image signal and an internal aging signal, wherein a subset of the display elements is driven by the external image signal and the remainder of the display elements that are not driven by the external image signal are driven with the internal aging signal; and d) changing the location of the subset of display elements within the two-dimensional array driven by the external image signal over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventor: Ronald S. Cok
  • Patent number: 7307669
    Abstract: A system and method for displaying frames with dynamically changing display parameters is described herein. The display engine stores new display parameters detected by the decoder in one buffer of a ping pong buffer, while continuing to use another set of display parameters stored in the other ping pong buffer. The display engine switches the buffers when the first frame for which the new display parameters are applicable is to be presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Sandeep Bhatia, Srilakshmi Dorarajulu, Srinivasa MPR, Mahadhevan Sivagururaman
  • Patent number: 7307668
    Abstract: A system, a method and an article of manufacture for uncentering an image of a video stream on a video display is provided. The image of the video stream is displayed uncentered on a video display at a position that depends on the aspect ratio of the video stream and the aspect ratio of the display used to view the video stream. Once uncentered, the image of the video stream is not shifted for the duration of the video session unless a user provides input to change the position. Various positions of the image of a video stream are available to accommodate user preferences or to prolong the life of the video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jesse Lee Thrall, Daniel James Winarski
  • Patent number: 7304685
    Abstract: A device and method for modifying a video image of a display apparatus method, for efficiently modifying a size and aspect ratio of a video image, is disclosed. The device includes an on-screen display (OSD) generator providing an on-screen display (OSD) on a display for programming a size and an aspect ratio of a video image, and a video processor modifying a displayed video image in accordance with the size and aspect ratio of the displayed video image programmed by a user. Herein, the video processor modifies the video image from a center point of the video image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Jin Park, Woo Hyun Paik, Ick Hwan Kim, Sang Chul Bae, Su Dong Hong
  • Publication number: 20070229664
    Abstract: Providing an image signal processing apparatus, in which burn-in of a display can be ignorable and power consumption can be reduced, when a blank datum for a blank area in an image signal is detected by a blank area detecting unit, an image signal processing unit processes the image signal so as to interpose a brightness gradation area between an image area and the blank area. Brightness in the brightness gradation area changes gradually between the image area and the blank area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shiro Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7271842
    Abstract: A double-rate signal achieved by subjecting a video signal to double-rate conversion is supplied to a scan line number converter. In the converter, the portion of the effective scan lines of the double-rate signal is written into a frame memory on the basis of a signal achieved by multiplying horizontal and vertical synchronous signals based on the double-rate signal. In the effective scan line section of HDTV signal, the video signal written in the frame memory is read out on the basis of horizontal and vertical reference signals based on the HDTV signal. Out of the effective scan line section of the HDTV signal, a pedestal level signal written in a memory is read out on the basis of the horizontal and vertical reference signals based on the HDTV signal, thereby achieving HDTV signal whose vertical scan line number is equal to 1125 lines. Accordingly, the HDTV signal suffers no degradation because the video signal in the section of 960 effective scan lines of the double-rate signal is not interpolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Ikuo Someya
  • Patent number: 7245316
    Abstract: An arrangement for maintaining even tube burn-in. The arrangement identifies active and inactive display regions on a display unit when video content is displayed on the display unit. When inactive display regions are identified the arrangement monitors the duration that the active display regions remain active. After the active display regions become inactive and a predetermined time period has passed the arrangement displays a corrective image on the identified inactive regions. The predetermined time period may be set by a user or based on the user's viewing habits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Kevin Lloyd Grimes, Charles William Worrell
  • Patent number: 7239354
    Abstract: A ratio between an aspect ratio of a digital image signal and an aspect ratio of a display device is converted and a presence image part 2 of digital image data decoded by a digital image signal demodulating part is compressed laterally and is shifted to the center of an image area 1 made of the aspect ratio of the digital image signal and then an absence image part 3 is used as side panels 4 and digital image data made of the aspect ratio of the digital image signal is formed and outputted. Thus, even when the display device converts an image by a lateral uniform expansion method, a display image without lateral expansion can be outputted on a display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuji Moritani
  • Patent number: 7224401
    Abstract: A system for dynamically placing textual elements adjacent a video content, based on aspect ratios, includes means for detecting the aspect ratio of the media player content and the aspect ratio of the display device and determining if there are unused positions of the video content when displayed on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ackley, Christopher T. Carey, Bennet S. Carr, Kathleen S. Poole
  • Patent number: 7212218
    Abstract: When the combination of the image signal and contents each having various aspect ratios is displayed on the display with various aspect ratios, an image display device that generates a proper display screen with simple operation or automatically is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Suzuki, Tetsuya Itani, Ikuoh Nishida, Satoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 7209180
    Abstract: A video output device adds a blank on both left and right sides or both upper and lower sides of an input video to produce a video having the same aspect ratio as that of the display screen of the display device, when an aspect ratio of the input video and an aspect ratio of a display device for displaying the video are different. At this time, the brightness of the blank to be added to the input video is adjusted in accordance with the brightness near the boundary between the input video and the blank to suppress a difference in brightness near the boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takagi, Tatsuo Miyagawa, Yasuhiro Inui
  • Patent number: 7206025
    Abstract: Device and method for converting a format of a video signal in a digital TV receiver is provided. Format conversion can be carried out at one chip of a format converting device, inclusive of conversion of resolution, frame rate, scanning method, aspect ratio, color space, chroma format, and gamma correction. Therefore, the digital TV receiver is made to convert a wide range of video signals inclusive of, not only a digital TV broadcasting signal, but also analog TV broadcasting signal, and computer video signal, at one chip of system block. Moreover, the digital TV receiver is made to provide a variety of standards of format converted video signals, not only to the connected display, but also to other general video signal processing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Jong Choi
  • Patent number: 7202910
    Abstract: An IF signal processing arrangement for processing both analog and digital signals is disclosed in the present application. The signal processing arrangement includes a signal source for providing one of digital and analog IF signals, a first SAW filter having an output for filtering the IF signal, digital signal processing circuitry coupled to the output for processing a filtered digital IF signal, and analog signal processing circuitry coupled to the output for processing which includes filtering a filtered analog signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Gary Dean Grubbs, Ricardo Haro, Rodger Anthony Diemer, Daniel Mark Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 7202912
    Abstract: A TV system that uses a single pixmap across multiple video rasters having different raster sizes. In general, the TV system uses at least two sets of headers to select different portions of a single pixmap to be displayed based on different raster sizes. Specifically, each of the headers in a header set points to a pixel line to select number of pixels for that pixel line. The number of the headers in a header set determines the height of the pixmap and the pixel number selection by a set of headers determines the width of the pixmap. In response to different displaying modes, the TV system selectively invokes one of the two header sets to select different portions of the single pixmap. By doing so, a single pixmap can be used across multiple video rasters having different raster sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Charu Aneja, Aaron Hal Dinwiddie
  • Patent number: 7193658
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of managing an image display apparatus of the present invention. The method includes the steps of: (a) obtaining a first information on a predetermined output image format; (b) obtaining a second information on an input image format and a data broadcasting contents format; (c) comparing the first information on the predetermined output image format with the second information on the input image format and the data broadcasting contents format; (d) controlling output modes of the input image format and the data broadcasting contents format according to the predetermined output image format based on a comparison result of the output image format, the input image and the data broadcasting contents format performed by the comparing unit; and (e) outputting on image display unit the input image and the data broadcasting contents output modes of which are processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Min Seok Jang
  • Patent number: 7190880
    Abstract: A system for playing a selected one of multiple audio tracks recorded in synchronized fashion with a motion picture on an optical disk. The optical disk has encoded on it a mixing master music and effects (“M&E”) track, or a switching master M&E track. Individual audio tracks are provided for language-specific versions of the same motion picture, but these tracks have data recorded in them only where there is dialog. In this way, for many a motion picture, all tracks but masters will have data recorded for well less than half of the running time of the motion picture. When a mixing master is used, it is mixed with a language-specific track when the latter has dialog; the mixing master contains no dialog. If a switching master is used, it may contain dialog recorded with the M&E; when a language-specific track has dialog recorded in it, it also contains M&E and the track is played to the exclusion of the switching master.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Warner Bros. Home Enterteinment Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Cookson, Lewis S. Ostrover, Warren N. Lieberfarb
  • Patent number: 7187415
    Abstract: Video is received at a standard aspect ratio. The video includes video content having an alternate aspect ratio. The video content is provided in a letterboxed format with black bars to make up the standard aspect ratio. The video is analyzed to identify portions of the video related to changing video content. A boundary for the changing video content is identified as the alternate aspect ratio. The alternate aspect ratio is then applied to the video to present the video at the alternate aspect ratio. Extraneous portions of the video, such as the black bars, are then discarded from the video to present the video at the alternate aspect ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: ATI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jitesh Arora
  • Patent number: 7184093
    Abstract: The formatting of a video image frame (10) having a first aspect ratio to yield an image frame having a different aspect ratio is facilitated by establishing a pan and scan pixel coordinate (P) within the image that defines an image capture window for formatting purposes. A predictor (22) determines the pan and scan pixel coordinate by examining the image frame to determine the location therein of the most pertinent activity. The predictor (22) determines the location of the most pertinent activity by examining at least one of: video data, audio data, and other data such as closed captioning information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: John Palmer Manning
  • Patent number: 7173666
    Abstract: An area is imaged with a non-standard aspect ratio, e.g. wide aspect ratio, digital imager to produce pixels of image data. At least a portion of the produced pixels of image data corresponding to the captured non-standard aspect ratio image is displayed beginning, for a given frame of pixels of image data, at a column of pixels of image data corresponding to a predetermined column of imaged pixels. The number of columns of display pixels is different than the number of columns of imaged pixels. Motion is detected in the imaged pixels so that a motion responsive portion of the imaged pixels corresponding to the captured non-standard aspect ratio image corresponding to a window of the imaged pixels having motion detected therein can be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: SMAL Camera Technologies
    Inventors: Ichiro Masaki, Vivek Sikri, Nilesh Agarwalla, Keith Glen Fife
  • Patent number: 7173598
    Abstract: A shift register circuit includes a plurality of latch circuits connected in series to sequentially transfer a pulse signal ST from one to another, a clock signal line transmitting a clock signal CLK, and a plurality of switching circuits performing electrical connection and disconnection between the clock signal line and the plurality of latch circuits. Upon turning on the shift register, at least one of the switching circuits electrically disconnects at least one of the latch circuits from the clock signal line. During an initialization period immediately after power has been turned on, the frequency of the clock signal CLK is lower than in a normal operation period and gradually increases toward the frequency used in the normal operation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Kubota, Hajime Washio, Shigeto Yoshida, Kazuhiro Maeda, Hiroshi Yoneda
  • Patent number: 7170563
    Abstract: The present invention provides a television receiver which receives television signals to display images on a CRT display, and includes a JPEG decode unit (21) for decoding JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) compressed image data. The JPEG decode unit (21) detects image size of image data after decode processing stored in JPEG compressed image data from a memory card (6). In case the image size is larger than image display area of a CRT display (3) and activity ratio of a memory unit (22) is larger than a limit value, the JPEG decode unit (21) sends the image size to a CPU (25), and concurrently decodes the JPEG compressed image data in the memory unit (22) to generate the image data, and clips away half of the image data along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kojima, Takashi Hoshi
  • Patent number: 7167216
    Abstract: Adjustable aspect ratio optics is described. In one implementation, a second mirror receives light reflected from a first mirror within the adjustable aspect ratio optics. In accordance with the adjustable nature of the aspect ratio optics, either or both of the first mirror and the second mirror may be configured to make an adjustment to change an aspect ratio of an image created by the reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Winthrop D. Childers
  • Patent number: 7154555
    Abstract: A video apparatus is provided with automatic deinterlacing and inverse telecine pre-filtering capability to automatically analyze the frames of the video to determine at least whether the video is one of telecine, non-telecine progressive and non-telecine interlaced formatted, and to automatically reformat the video into a non-telecine progressive format if the video is determined to be one of telecine and non-telecine interlaced formatted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Realnetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Conklin
  • Patent number: 7142251
    Abstract: A video input processor is provided to process different input video format, including RGB, RGB Bayer, YUV 4:2:2 interlaced and progressive video data. The video input processor also uses an advanced algorithm to efficiently convert video data in RGB color space to YUV color space. The video input processor further enables multi-functions such as video image scaling, video image filtering before the video data are output for further video compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Micronas USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Sha, Shuhua Xiang, Yaojun Luo, He Ouyang
  • Patent number: 7129992
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for displaying a video composed of images each comprising a predetermined number M of lines and, a predetermined number N of pixels in each line. Values of a predetermined number P of reference pixels for each line of a current image of the video are stored in memory, where P is less than N. For each line of the current image, the value of a parameter associated with the line is determined, with the parameter corresponding to the number of the reference pixels of the line that are black according to a first predetermined criterion. A first nonblack line and a last nonblack line of the current image are determined to serve as a basis for an automatic reframing of the images of the video before display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: STMicroelectroniccs SA
    Inventor: Christophe Barnichon
  • Patent number: 7126642
    Abstract: There is provided an image display apparatus which automatically detects a picture defect and shifts an image region to eliminate the picture defect. The image display apparatus includes a memory unit for temporarily storing an input image signal, a memory control unit for controlling a readout start address for the memory unit, a display unit to which the image signal read out of the memory unit is supplied, a detection unit of an aspect ratio of the input image signal, and an address control signal generation unit to which an aspect ratio detection output is supplied from the detection unit and which generates a readout start address control signal for the memory unit from the input image signal. When the input image signal having an aspect ratio different from an aspect ratio of image screen display of the display unit is supplied, a readout start address is controlled on the basis of the address control signal generated by the address control signal generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Aya Takechi, Hiroyuki Kojima, Nobuo Ueki
  • Patent number: 7106383
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for configuring a signal processing device for use with a display device having a display size is disclosed. The signal processing device is configured by determining the display size of the display device and configuring the signal processing device for use with the display device based on the determined display size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Kahn
  • Patent number: 7079192
    Abstract: A blackener for letter box lines associated with a HDTV/conventional-analog hybrid television transmission where the blackener counts horizontal sync pulses contained in the HDTV/conventional-analog hybrid television transmission and determines when the HDTV/conventional-analog hybrid television transmission is in letter-box lines: if it is, then the blackener sends substitute black signal to an output; and if it is not, then the blackener sends the HDTV/conventional-analog hybrid television transmission to the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Frederick J. Wysocki, George H. Nickel
  • Patent number: 7064791
    Abstract: Provided is a display apparatus having an improved structure in which all of current and future personal computer (PC) signals and high definition TV (HDTV) signals as well as normal TV signals can be displayed with optimum picture quality. The display apparatus includes a format converter which inputs a video signal of various specifications, converts the video signal into a video signal having a similar horizontal frequency and outputs the video signal having the similar horizontal frequency, a driver which drives a display unit using the video signal converted through the format converter, and a deflection driver which generates a deflection signal appropriate for a video signal having converted formats based on horizontal and vertical frequencies of the video signal having the converted formats output from the format converter and supplies the deflection signal to the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ji-byoung Oh
  • Patent number: 7061552
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing autoconvergence is described. An image having a first aspect ratio and a plurality of sides is received. The image is displayed on a display having a second aspect ratio and at least one sensor corresponding to each side of the image. The image is moved so that each sensor can detect the corresponding side of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Warren Patten, Toshiyuki Kawashima
  • Patent number: 7057640
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved burnout imprinting prevention by slowly moving the position of screen content to ensure that no one area of the guns is unused for a long period of time. Optical and/or mechanical elements are provided to redirect the projected image to the center of the screen. As the image moves on the projection guns the optical elements are positioned accordingly to shift the projected image such that the viewable image is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Bellwood, Leugim A. Bustelo, Julio Eloy Ruano, Matthew Francis Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 7057667
    Abstract: This invention discloses an arrangement allowing connection of various kinds of image displays to one supply source in an image display control system having a supply source for transmitting a signal including at least a video signal, and an image display for receiving the signal and displaying a corresponding image. The supply source acquires characteristic data of the image display when it is powered on, determines a signal communication specification with the image display based on the acquired characteristic data, and communicates a signal including the video signal with the determined communication specification. The image display transmits characteristic data for specifying the characteristics of the image display to the supply source, and communicates the signal including the video signal in accordance with the determined communication specification. This invention also discloses an arrangement permitting changing the specifications and version of the control program of the image display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makiko Mori, Naoto Abe, Tatsuro Yamazaki, Muneki Ando
  • Patent number: 6965415
    Abstract: Designed for use with widescreen TVs or high-end TVs with a mode for accommodating anamorphic programs, an EPG client is equipped with an electronic program guide (EPG) and a letterbox-to-anamorphic converter. The EPG client evaluates EPG data to determine whether programs are in the letterbox format. When a letterboxed program is selected for viewing, the EPG client vertically stretches the program by a ratio of M/N, where M>N (e.g., 4/3), to convert the program from the letterbox format to an anamorphic format prior to delivery to the television. The converted anamorphic program is output to the television, where it is horizontally expanded to fit the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: James Lundblad, Andrew Walters, J. Wiltse Carpenter
  • Patent number: 6956625
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for realizing panorama/waterglass functions, which are capable of reducing the size of a memory and simplifying memory control, are provided. In order to write a plurality of consecutive pixel data into memory devices, and simultaneously to read the plurality of consecutive pixel data from memory devices, the consecutive pixel data are separated into a plurality of first-in first-out (FIFO) buffers having a small size, thereby minimizing the size of a memory. Further, an identical clock signal is used, and the separated FIFOs are used when the consecutive pixel data are written to the memory devices and read from the memory devices, thereby simplifying memory control such as address control. Further, when realizing panorama/waterglass functions, the scaling ratio function is variably set, thereby variably realizing memories having sizes which vary according to the scaling ratio function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jong-dae Kim
  • Patent number: 6950146
    Abstract: In display apparatuses, particularly television receivers and monitors, a video picture can be inserted into a main picture (HB) from a first video signal (VS1), in which a second picture (ZB) from a second video signal (VS2) has a first picture format and is composed of picture lines (BZ) and filling lines (FZ). The picture lines (BZ) forming a sub-picture (UB) with the second picture format is adjoined by the filling lines (FZ) in the vertical picture direction. The second picture format of the sub-picture (UB) is determined and the determined second picture format is used for determining the filling lines (FZ). The picture lines (BZ) and a portion of the filling lines (FZ) are inserted as an insertion picture into the main picture (HB). Additional insertions (OSD) from an additional signal, which at least partly lie within the filling lines (FZ), is displaced into the sub-picture (UB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Maik Brett, Dirk Wendel, Matthias Burkert
  • Patent number: 6947097
    Abstract: A process for detecting black bands in a video image within a luminance range corresponding to low luminance values comprises the steps of: calculating, for each line situated in a location in which a black band can be expected to be found if present in said video image, a value relating to a maximum number of occurrences of points having the same luminance value; averaging said value over said lines in said location; calculating a threshold dependent on said average; and, comparing said value relating to said maximum number of occurrences obtained for a new line with said threshold. Applications relate, for example, to the detection of the “letterbox” format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: Anne-Françoise Joanblanq
  • Patent number: 6927801
    Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus processes input video signals. A video signal source supplies the input video signals carrying at least a first video signal that is an interlaced signal having 480 effective scanning lines and a second video signal that is an interlaced signal having 1080 effective scanning lines. A video signal processor converts at least the first and the second video signals into a third video signal that is a progressive signal having 1440 effective scanning lines, thus outputting the third video signal. The output third video signal may be converted into a fourth video signal that is an interlaced signal by a progressive-to-interlace converter, thus outputting the fourth video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Yugami, Makiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6906756
    Abstract: A vertical region designation circuit 141 outputs a vertical region designation signal to a vertical driver 103 on the basis of vertical display position information, a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal. A horizontal region designation circuit 142 outputs a horizontal region designation signal to a horizontal driver 102 on the basis of horizontal display position information, a pixel synchronization signal, a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal. The horizontal driver 102 outputs an input picture signal to a picture display surface 101 from a signal line at a horizontal coordinate corresponding to the number of times of pixel synchronization signals that is counted from an input horizontal synchronization signal as a starting point during a period when a horizontal region designation signal is effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kosuke Kubota, Yutaka Machida, Motoya Miyauchi, Tadashi Kayada, Takeshi Yukitake
  • Patent number: 6903716
    Abstract: In a display device, a first drive circuit supplies one and another first signals to plural adjacent scanning signal lines during first and second time intervals in a frame period, respectively. During the first time interval, a second drive circuit generates a second voltage corresponding to video data and supplies the second voltage to pixels associated with the adjacent scanning signal lines supplied with the first signal, and during the second time interval, the second drive circuit generates and supplies a second voltage to ones of the pixels associated with the adjacent scanning signal lines supplied with the first signal such that the pixels associated with the adjacent scanning signal lines supplied with the first signal produce luminance lower than that produced during the first time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Kawabe, Junichi Hirakata