Format Detection Patents (Class 348/558)
  • Patent number: 7337464
    Abstract: A broadcasting system including a transmitter operative to transmit a signal in a first transmission format, a receiver operative to receive the signal, a reformatter operative to reformat the received signal into a second transmission format, and a set-top box (STB) operative to decode the second-transmission-formatted signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: NDS Limited
    Inventor: Carmi Bogot
  • Publication number: 20080043142
    Abstract: The present invention provides a video detecting device including a first pixel detector, a second pixel detector, and a determining unit. The first pixel detector compares the intensity of a target pixel of a target scan line in a first field with the intensity of first comparing pixels of scan lines corresponding to the target scan line in a second field to generate a first detection value corresponding to the target pixel. The second pixel detector compares the intensity of a reference pixel of a nearby scan line in the second field with the intensity of second comparing pixels of scan lines corresponding to the nearby scan line in the first field to generate a second detection value corresponding to the reference pixel. According to the first and second detection values, the determining unit generates a diagnostic value which helps determine sawtooth occurrences in video frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Ching-Hua Chang, Po-Wei Chao
  • Patent number: 7333149
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for converting a video format of a digital TV and method thereof, by which various functions such as video format detection, color space conversion, chroma format conversion, gamma correction, geometric correction, image quality adjustment, and the like are implemented on one chip to support video signals of various specifications and display devices. The present invention includes an input video format detecting unit detecting a format of an input video, a format converting unit converting spatial resolution, frame rate, scan, aspect ratio, color space, and chroma format of the input video signal detected by the input video format detecting unit into a requested output format, a display characteristic correcting unit correcting the signal converted by the format converting unit to fit a display device, and an image quality adjusting unit adjusting an image quality of the corrected signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Jong Choi
  • Publication number: 20080024665
    Abstract: In order to make it possible to precisely remove an adverse effect ascribable to degradation of compressed stream data in processing after the stream data has been decoded, a decoding portion obtains audio data by decoding an audio stream that is the compressed data, an error check portion makes an error check in a course of the decoding, a quality assessment portion assesses a quality of the audio data based on a result of the check by the error check portion, a control portion controls a noise reduction processing portion in accordance with the quality assessed by the quality assessment portion, and the noise reduction processing portion performs processing for reducing noise at the time of reproduction of the audio data in accordance with the control by the control portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sao Nakoji
  • Publication number: 20080024664
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a video signal processing apparatus has a display device displaying video, and causes the display device to display video by processing an input video signal inputted from an external apparatus. The video signal processing apparatus also has an apparatus-related information acquiring unit acquiring apparatus-related information concerning the external apparatus from the external apparatus, an apparatus detection unit detecting that the external apparatus which is specific is connected based on the apparatus-related information acquired by the apparatus-related information acquiring unit, and an adjustment value switching unit switching a display adjustment value for causing the display device to display video to a peculiar display adjustment value peculiar to the specific external apparatus when it is detected that the specific external apparatus is connected by the apparatus detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takahiro Kimura
  • Publication number: 20070296862
    Abstract: A television receiving apparatus (1) of the invention includes a video signal-switching circuit (11), an input signal-detecting circuit (12), a control circuit (13), a video signal-processing circuit (14), a memory (15), and a display device (16). When the input signal-detecting circuit (12) judges that a received video signal is one obtained from an analog broadcasting, the control circuit (13) issues an instruction to a kind-of-video signal-detecting circuit (14a) to change a detection condition for the video signal to another one which is not so strict as the detection condition is when the input signal-detecting circuit (12) judges that the received video signal is one obtained from an digital broadcasting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Munehiro Terada
  • Patent number: 7312800
    Abstract: A system which utilizes the processing capabilities of the graphics processing unit (GPU) in the graphics controller. Each frame of each video stream or track is decoded into a buffer and a color profile indicating parameters of the color space of the video source is associated with the buffer. The compositor uses the color profile to convert each buffer to a defined working color space from the source color space. This conversion and rendering of the buffer is performed using the fragment processing capabilities of the GPU. The compositor then instructs the GPU to convert the buffer to the final color space of the display device and the frame is rendered to the frame buffer for final display. Each of these operations is done in real time for each frame of the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Matthew Gies, James Batson, Tim Cherna
  • 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: 7268820
    Abstract: A video signal conversion apparatus which can enhance display qualities for video signals of both film source and video source. The conversion apparatus includes an input signal discrimination unit which discriminates the sort and signal supply source of an input video signal, and an operation mode setting unit which sets the operation modes of the individual sorts of video signals for each of a plurality of signal supply sources. The operation mode which corresponds to the sort and signal supply source of the input video signal as discriminated by the input signal discrimination unit is obtained from the operation mode setting unit, and the operation of at least one of a film source discrimination unit, an interlace/progressive conversion unit and a frame rate conversion unit is controlled in accordance with the obtained operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Honda, Tetsuya Shigeta, Tetsuro Nagakubo
  • Patent number: 7268828
    Abstract: A television receiver includes a switching portion which receives each of a video signal received and obtained by an antenna and a video signal read from a storage medium, and selectively outputs one of the video signals in response to an instruction signal for output selection, a detection portion which detects a mode of a video signal, a selection/control portion which supplies the instruction signal for output selection to the switching portion, and outputs a detection result corresponding to a preset specific mode from the detection portion, a signal processing portion which applies sequential scanning conversion processing to the video signal selected and output by the switching portion, and a display portion which displays the video signal subjected to the sequential scanning conversion processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Mutoh
  • Patent number: 7265793
    Abstract: A method and system is provided, which may detect digital QAM, VSB and analog TV signals in a faster and more efficient manner than conventional systems. The system and method may be deployed in, for example, cable TV set-top boxes, cable TV modems and television set receivers, which may be coupled to a cable TV or off-the-air terrestrial network. Power measurements of the RF carriers found in a cable TV channel may be utilized to determine whether a digital QAM signal, digital VSB signal, or an analog signal is present in a TV channel. In this regard, it is not necessary for a receiver to demodulate, lock, synchronize, decode and/or validate any video or audio information or digital bit stream in order to detect digital QAM, digital VSB and analog TV signals, or not signal at all. Accordingly, the process of detecting digital QAM, digital VSB and analog TV signals is shortened and simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jorge J. Wong, Donald G. McMullin, Frederick G. Walls, Thomas L. Spieker
  • Patent number: 7265792
    Abstract: A television receiver includes a frequency conversion circuit, an analog-to-digital converter, a signal processor, and a signal output circuit. The frequency conversion circuit receives an input RF signal in one of several television signal formats and converts the input RF signal to an intermediate frequency signal. The analog-to-digital converter samples the intermediate frequency signal and generates a digital representation thereof. The signal processor processes the digital representation of the intermediate frequency signal in accordance with the television signal format of the input RF signal and generates digital output signals indicative of information encoded in the input RF signal. Finally, the signal output circuit receives the digital output signals from the signal processor and provides one or more output signals corresponding to the digital output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Xceive Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre Favrat, Alain-Serge Porret, Dominique Python, Friederich Mombers, Richard P. Perring, Philippe Duc, Benito Carnero, Didier Margairaz
  • Publication number: 20070188658
    Abstract: The invention provides at low cost a graphic display device which can display video with a video signal in a predetermined format and includes an external input portion capable of having a signal other than the video signal in the predetermined format inputted thereto, where the graphic display device can notify a user in the case where an inputted video signal is in an unsupported format. A synchronizing signal is extracted by a video signal processing portion from a video signal inputted from an external input portion, and it is determined whether or not the video signal is in an unsupported format by a microcontroller so as to indicate that it is an unsupported signal on a display according to a determination result. It is thereby possible to realize the function just by handling of software of the microcontroller with no need to change a circuit configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: ORION ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takayuki Kado
  • Patent number: 7250979
    Abstract: A format converting apparatus and method for performing a resolution conversion, frame rate conversion, scanning method conversion, aspect ratio conversion, chroma format conversion, color space conversion, gamma correction, and geometric correction in one chip are disclosed. A digital TV can process various video signal standards such as the digital TV signal, the analog TV signal, the computer video signal, and the component signal as well as other video signals of more wide range in a same block. More especially, since all format conversion is performed in one chip, new additional input signal does not make addition of the hardware so that the cost can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Jong Choi
  • Patent number: 7248303
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus including: a display that is capable of displaying moving image data in a full screen mode; a first signal processing section that generates a signal for forming the moving image data to be displayed on the display; a second signal processing section that executes image quality processing for the signal generated by the first signal processing section; a determination section that determines whether or not a display mode to display the moving image data is the full screen mode based on a relationship between a screen size of the moving image data and a screen size of the display; and a control section that enables the signal subjected to the image quality processing by the second signal processing section to be output to the display when the determination section determines that the display mode to display the moving image data is the full screen mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tsutomu Iwaki
  • 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: 7233361
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting whether an image signal is in a film mode, includes a first field buffer, a second field buffer and a third field buffer that sequentially buffer respective fields of the image signal by order of input, using the respective fields stored in the first, the second and the third field buffers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-joon Yang, Young-ho Lee
  • 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: 7224402
    Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus and method is capable of variably performing format conversion and image quality improvement according to a kind of an inputted image signal. A detecting section detects a kind of image signal inputted from an external device. A control section controls the format of the image signal to be converted by selecting the format converting coefficient from the first storing section in accordance with the kind of the image signal. A format converting section converts a format of the inputted video signal by the selected format converting coefficient. The control section selects an image quality improving converting coefficient corresponding to the video signal from the second storing section. The image quality improving section improves a quality of the video signal converted by the selected image quality improving converting coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-hun Cho
  • Patent number: 7215380
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting video frame types with median filtering, which proceeds a denoising step after calculating the comb factor of each pixel, to avoid incorrect judgment of the frame type resulting from excessive field difference and improve detection accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Integrated Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Wen-Kuo Lin, Jong-Ho Yan
  • Patent number: 7212246
    Abstract: An image signal format detection apparatus and method. The image signal format detection apparatus includes a first summed absolute difference (SAD) value calculation unit for calculating, from a previous field, a current field, and a next field of a time-consecutive image signal, a first SAD value with reference to pixel values of the current field and the previous field. A second SAD value calculation unit calculates a second SAD value with reference to pixel values of the current field and the next field. A pattern generation unit generates a detection pattern based on a result of a comparison of the first and second SAD values,; and a pattern analysis unit stores the detection pattern by field, compares the stored detection pattern of a series of fields with a predetermined verification pattern, and determines whether the image signal is an image signal produced in 2:2 pull-down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: You-young Jung, Young-ho Lee, Seung-joon Yang
  • 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: 7199835
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for switching input terminals based on device capability are disclosed. The method supplies a digital signal and an analog signal to a device. The method includes examination of whether or not a device is receiving a digital signal in an eligible format. The method also selects an analog input terminal to receive an analog signal unless the digital signal is being provided in the eligible format. The apparatus includes a digital input terminal to receive a digital signal, an analog input terminal to receive an analog signal, an IEEE1394 interface coupled with the digital input terminal, a HD decoder coupled with the IEEE1394 interface, a memory and a selector which selects the digital input terminal if the digital signal is in an eligible format for the device. The apparatus otherwise selects the analog input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takano, Satoshi Kobayashi, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Makoto Sato, Yuji Kimura
  • 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: 7187417
    Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus which performs a frame-rate conversion of a progressive line-scan video signal based on a film source of M film frames per second (wherein M is a natural number) into a video signal in which a same film frame is repeated N times for each 1/M second, and mixes, frame by frame, a video signal of a preceding frame and a video signal of a following frame of the converted progressive line-scan video signal. Thus, the display quality of telecine-converted images can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Pioneer Display Products Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Honda, Takashi Okushima, Tetsuro Nagakubo
  • 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: 7176980
    Abstract: A method (200) for verifying a video format supported by a display device (25). The display device (25) is adapted to receive a television signal from a video source (10) via a video interface (15). The method includes: receiving (202) a data structure (75) provided by the display device (25), the data structure (75) specifying a plurality of timing parameters associated with a supported video format; providing (204) a plurality of predetermined value ranges, each of the plurality of predetermined value ranges corresponding to one of the plurality of timing parameters; separating (206) the data structure into a plurality of portions, each of the plurality of portions corresponding to one of the plurality of timing parameters; comparing (208) at least some of the plurality of portions with at least some of the plurality of predetermined value ranges; and based on the comparisons, determining whether the supported video format is verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Stone, Robert Van Wagenen, William Hicklin
  • Patent number: 7176977
    Abstract: A method and system for deinterlacing an interlaced video stream is presented. The method and system determines whether an interlaced video stream is a normal mode video stream or a special mode video stream. Special mode video streams, which interlaced video streams created from a progressive original video stream, are deinterlaced using special mode deinterlacing, which involves merging two fields to form a frame. Normal mode video streams are deinterlaced using normal mode deinterlacing, which involves converting a field into a frame using line repeating or some form of interpolation to generate the missing scan lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Huaya Microelectronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ge Zhu, Qing Yang
  • Patent number: 7173670
    Abstract: Device and method for processing a signal to a display, the device including a horizontal synchronizing signal detecting part for detecting a horizontal synchronizing signal from a picture signal, and a mode determining part for determining a mode of the picture signal by using a cyclic period of the horizontal synchronizing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seok Ho Jang
  • 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: 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: 7129990
    Abstract: A system detects a non-video source embedded in a video sequence and provides direction to a deinterlacing algorithm accordingly. The system comprises a signal generator for generating a plurality of signals. The signals are generated in accordance with pixels input from the video sequence. The system further comprises a plurality of pattern detection state machines, each for receiving the signals and for detecting a pattern in the video sequence. The pattern is detected in accordance with a preset threshold, wherein the pattern detection state machine varies the preset threshold in accordance with the received signals. The system further comprises an arbiter state machine coupled with the plurality of pattern detection state machines for governing the pattern detection state machines and for determining whether or not a non-video source is embedded in the video sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Jaldi Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: G. Finn Wredenhagen, Gary Cheng, Kevin Ng
  • 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: 7119847
    Abstract: A method for identifying format of a video signal including a raster-synchronizing signal having a timing signal spanning a synch interval and a synch-follower signal level adjacent the synch interval, and a color-related signal, includes the steps: (a) ascertaining (1) first signal level of the color-related signal during the synch interval; (2) synch difference between level of the raster-synchronizing signal during the synch interval and the synch-follower level; and (3) peak excursion for the color-related signal; (b) in any order: (1) if first signal level is greater than a first value, set a first factor at one, else zero; (2) if synch difference is greater than a second value, set a second factor at one, else zero; and (3) if peak excursion is greater than a third value, set a third factor at zero, else one; and (c) employing the factors to identify the format according to predetermined relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jason W. Meiners
  • Patent number: 7092034
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a video signal processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program which are suitably for use in determining whether an input video signal is standard or nonstandard. In synchronization with the edge of an advance vertical sync signal xAVD, a free-running vertical sync edge counter 31 increments by 1 the count value which cycles between 0 through 7 and outputs the count value to a free-running field ID edge counter 32 and a comparator 33. In synchronization with the rising and falling edges of a field ID signal AFD, the free-running field ID edge counter 32 increments the count value by 1. The comparator 33 generates a nonstandard signal detection signal in correspondence with the FD edge count value with the V count value being 7 and a vertical sync signal xVD being at L level. The present invention is applicable to TV receivers for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yukinori Gengintani, Hisafumi Motoe
  • 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: 7075586
    Abstract: A television (TV) includes a circuit board (PCB) into which a digital video interface (DVI) receiver integrated circuit (IC) may optionally be mounted, and also includes other video sources. The TV includes a processor or controller which controls its operation, and also includes an analog switch coupled to the analog sources and to the PCB at the receiver, for switching among video sources. A scan port of the IC is coupled by way of a resistor to a general purpose I/O (GPIO) port of the switch, for indicating the presence of DVI video. The resistor has a value which places a logic low at the GPIO port when the optional receiver is present, and to allow the GPIO port to be pulled high when it is absent. A controller determines the presence or absence of the optional DVI IC by examining the logic state of the GPIO port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Larry Wayne McIntyre
  • Patent number: 7065140
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving video signals from a plurality of video cameras, such as in a video surveillance system. The video cameras are each coupled to provide a video signal to a respective input of a multiplexer. The multiplexer routes a selected one of the video signals to a video decoder. The video decoder receives the selected video signal and is conditioned according to the video signal. This includes synchronizing the video decoder to a frequency and phase of the video signal, controlling a gain level for the video signal and adjusting a dc clamping level for dc restoration of the video signal. Parameters representative of each of these quantities are stored in association with the identity of the corresponding video camera. The video decoder also places each video signal into a format suitable for storage in a storage device and for display by a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Ritter, Ara Bicakci
  • 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: 7061542
    Abstract: A receiving section for digital television broadcasting and a receiving section for analog television broadcasting are provided. When a digital television broadcasting program is selected, it is judged whether or not an analog television broadcasting program having the same contents as those of the selected digital television broadcasting program is being broadcast. In a case where the analog television broadcasting program having the same contents as those of the selected digital television broadcasting program is being broadcast, when the digital television broadcasting program cannot be received, the analog television broadcasting program having the same contents as those of the selected digital television broadcasting program is received and outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Ikeguchi
  • 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: 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: 7053960
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting image contrast are provided. An exemplary method for adjusting image contrast includes determining a format of a television signal and outputting in conjunction with the television signal a reference level. If the television signal has a first format, then the reference level is caused to be substantially equal to a luminance level representing a black color in the first format. However, if the television signal has a second format, then the reference level is caused to be substantially equal to a luminance level representing a black color in the second format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajith N. Nair, Peter G. Schreiner, III
  • Patent number: 7046302
    Abstract: It is determined whether or not an input video signal is a side panel signal, a letter box signal, or a full line signal. If the input video signal is a side panel signal or a letter box signal, when a multiple-picture displaying process or a reduced picture displaying process is performed, only a signal of an effective picture area is extracted. With only the signal of the effective picture area, the picture sizes are adjusted and the pictures are combined. Thus, even if an input video signal is a side panel signal or a letter box signal, the picture does not become small. In addition, when the reduced picture displaying process is performed, since a wasteful picture portion is not processed, the utilization efficiency of the screen is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Konuma
  • Patent number: 7039111
    Abstract: A film mode detecting apparatus and method for detecting a film mode by using a periodicity of motion vectors having high autocorrelativity. A motion vector calculating unit adds a size of motion vectors with respect to each field, thereby outputting a first computing value. A peak value eliminating unit detects a peak value from the first computing value, and if the peak value is detected, eliminates the peak value from the first computing value and outputs a resultant value. A mode detecting unit compares an autocorrelation coefficient with a predetermined threshold, thereby outputting a film mode detection signal. The autocorrelation coefficient is obtained from an input signal inputted from the peak value eliminating unit and a delayed signal delayed from the input signal. A mode determining unit determines a film mode when the film mode detection signal is input as often as, or more often than, a first reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-jun Lee
  • Patent number: 7023490
    Abstract: It is determined whether or not an input video signal is a side panel signal, a letter box signal, or a full line signal. If the input video signal is a side panel signal or a letter box signal, when a multiple-picture displaying process or a reduced picture displaying process is performed, only a signal of an effective picture area is extracted. With only the signal of the effective picture area, the picture sizes are adjusted and the pictures are combined. Thus, even if an input video signal is a side panel signal or a letter box signal, the picture does not become small. In addition, when the reduced picture displaying process is performed, since a wasteful picture portion is not processed, the utilization efficiency of the screen is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Konuma
  • Patent number: 7023491
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a frozen picture to be displayed on a display device in a video data decoding system; the apparatus and method including the steps of receiving video data to be spatially and temporally reconstructed in the decoding system, first determining whether a descriptor of the video data for indicating types of source material from which the video data has originated is in error, second determining whether the descriptor indicates progressive or non-progressive, displaying a frame picture of the video data to construct a frozen picture when the descriptor is not in error in the first determining step and the descriptor indicates progressive in the second determining step, and displaying one of field pictures of the video data to construct a frozen picture when the descriptor is in error in the first determining step or the descriptor indicates non-progressive in the second determining step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: George Andrew Sirilla
  • Patent number: 7019792
    Abstract: An image display apparatus responding to diverse video signals having different display conditions includes: a frequency characteristic adjustment module that adjusts a frequency component of an analog video signal included in a supplied video signal; an A/D conversion module that converts the analog video signal adjusted by the frequency characteristic adjustment module into a digital video signal; and an image display module that displays a resulting image based on the converted digital video signal. The frequency characteristic adjustment module has: a filter unit that is capable of varying the frequency characteristic; a display condition detection unit that detects the display condition proper to the supplied video signal; and a filter control unit that controls the frequency characteristic of the filter unit according to the detected display condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Keishi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7009660
    Abstract: A device and a method for automatically discriminating formats of video signals input to a monitor and processing the respective signals in accordance with the identified formats are provided. The device automatically identifies whether signals input to the same input port are RGB type PC signals or YPbPr type HDTV signals and processes the signals in accordance with the identified formats. Therefore, users have only to install a single input port commonly used to receive PC signals and HDTV signals rather than installing separate input ports for separately receiving PC signals and HDTV signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hak-jae Kim