Tuning Indication Patents (Class 348/570)
  • Patent number: 7525603
    Abstract: Disclosed is a television tuner which receives television signals using a smart antenna. It includes an auto-scan unit which makes a channel storing section store receiving channel numbers and receiving directions for a plurality of receiving channels automatically. It also has a channel change unit whereby a receiving direction in which the state of a signal from a tuner section becomes a predetermined one is not stored. When a command to change channels is given, the smart antenna directivity is changed while the signal state is detected, and when the signal state becomes a predetermined one, the smart antenna directivity is retained. This increases the auto-scan processing speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehiro Onomatsu
  • Patent number: 7508458
    Abstract: A digital TV broadcast signal receiver determines, as the best receiving direction, a receiving direction in which a digital TV broadcast signal can be accurately received. The digital TV broadcast signal receiver continuously scans all the receiving directions of a multi-directional antenna for each channel (S1), and demodulates received digital TV broadcast signals so as to detect BER values (S2), and also stores the detected BER values in a memory (S3). It further detects a minimum-error receiving direction or directions, among all the receiving directions, to give a minimum BER value, and determines whether or not there are multiple minimum-error receiving directions (S4). If there are multiple minimum-error receiving directions (YES in S4), it determines one of the minimum-error receiving directions as the best receiving direction for each channel with reference to BER values of receiving directions which are adjacent to the minimum-error receiving directions (S5 to S10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7505082
    Abstract: An antenna direction allocation screen is displayed on a television connected to a broadcasting receiver. On this screen, a user allocates direction numbers “0 to 15” indicating each directivity direction of a smart antenna that is assumed in a broadcasting receiver to each direction number “(0) to (15)” that the user itself can identity a direction. Then, the broadcasting receiver records a correspondence between two direction numbers. Next, the broadcasting receiver reads the direction number “(0) to (15)” corresponding to the direction number “0 to 15” indicating the directivity direction that the smart antenna actually faces, and displays its direction number on a television.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Onomatsu, Shusuke Narita
  • Patent number: 7460183
    Abstract: In a digital TV broadcast signal receiver connected to a multi-directional antenna called smart antenna, having a first number, for example, sixteen of signal receiving directions defined in a technical standard such as EIA-909, a simplified multi-directional antenna having a second number, for example, four or eight signal receiving directions smaller than the first number is connectable. When a multi-directional antenna is connected, an initial processing is performed for confirming a number of signal receiving directions of the multi-directional antenna. When the multi-directional antenna is simplified one, the digital TV broadcast signal receiver treats the signal receiving directions more than two showing substantially the same signal sensing conditions as the same direction. Therefore, a number of times for switching the effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna can be reduced without switching indistinctive signal receiving directions in practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takagi, Masanori Kawai, Naoki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7460184
    Abstract: In a digital TV broadcast signal receiver connected to a multi-directional antenna called smart antenna, when a TV broadcast signal of an optional channel becomes unreceivable for any reason, it makes possible to restart displaying an image on a screen of a monitor display device, quickly. The digital TV broadcast signal receiver previously sets a plurality of optimum signal receiving direction with respect to each receivable channel with an order of priority, and switches an effective signal receiving direction of a multi-directional antenna connected thereto to one of the optimum signal receiving directions of a channel chosen by a user corresponding to the order of priority, when the TV broadcast signal of the channel is unreceivable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7436459
    Abstract: A digital broadcast receiving apparatus for receiving a digital broadcast, includes a freeze determining section and a display control section. The freeze determining section determines whether or not a freeze process should be initiated on a basis of a receiving status of the digital broadcast. The freeze determining section also determines whether or not the free process being performed should be terminated on the basis of a receiving status of the digital broadcast. The display control section initiates the freeze process when the freeze determining section concludes that the freeze process should be initiated. The display control section terminates the freeze process being performed when the freeze determining section concludes that the freeze process being performed should be terminated. The freeze process includes displaying a freeze notification on a screen while changing the freeze notification so that a user recognizes the change of the freeze notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Toshio Tanaka, Shinichi Iwamoto, Mutsuo Tanabe, Sonoe Mori
  • Patent number: 7408593
    Abstract: In a digital TV broadcast signal receiver connected to a multi-directional antenna called smart antenna, even when a user reshuffles a channel frequently, it is aimed to shorten a time delay between channel choice by the user and switching operation of the multi-directional antenna for switching signal receiving direction. Initially, sensitivities of TV broadcast signals of all receivable channels in all signal receiving directions are measured and measurement results are memorized in a memory. A signal receiving direction, in which a number of receivable channels is the largest, is decided as an optimum signal receiving direction with respect to each receivable channel. Even when the channel is reshuffled among these receivable channels, it is no need to switch the signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna. Consequently, the time for switching the signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna can be reduced even when the channels are reshuffled frequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shusuke Narita
  • Patent number: 7405772
    Abstract: Single processing of the first channel search using the analog broadcasting tuner enables not only analog broadcasting channel to be detected but also the existence of digital broadcasting channel to be estimated. Furthermore, the acquisition of information transmitted on a digital broadcasting channel can be made apart from the first channel search when the channel is selected (received) or when the second channel search is performed. As a result, the first channel search (overall channel search) can be efficiently completed in a short time. In the second channel search for acquiring the digital broadcasting information, the number of physical channels to be searched is decreased by limiting to the number of the estimated channels. Accordingly, overall channel search which also acquires the digital broadcasting information is efficiently completed in a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryohaku Yukiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20080068507
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for managing the insertion of overlay content into a video signal are provided. A video signal is received from a video source. In addition, overlay content is provided in one or more overlay content signals. A tag is appended to the video signal and/or the overlay content signals. The tag contains identifying information. Overlay content selected from one of the overlay content signals may then be inserted into the video signal in accordance with the identifying information to produce a modified video content. The identifying information may comprises various types of information identifying the source or subject matter of the overlay content or video signal, the destination of the overlay content or video signal, information identifying the geographic region where the overlay content is to be inserted, or key words or other information to enable matching of the overlay content with an appropriate video signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: RGB Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Krause, Charlie X. Yang, Anesh Sharma
  • Patent number: 7286190
    Abstract: An HDTV receiver coupled to a terrestrial antenna displays real-time signal strength of terrestrial digital television signals. A graphical user interface preferably displays various data relating to all terrestrial television signals in a scrollable grid format. The grid is displayed within an active video display of a selected television signal from the grid. Audio for the selected channel is also active. A list of all channels tuned or selected is maintained to aid in searching. Channel lists are updated during certain channel searches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Scott Edward Klopfenstein, Aaron Hal Dinwiddie, Daniel Richard Schneidewend
  • Patent number: 7260824
    Abstract: To facilitate programming a TV channel list, only digital channels are presented on an edit list so that the user need not parse through analog channels but only the digital channels to edit the channels (e.g., by putting the channels on a favorite list, or a skip list, or by labelling the channels, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Du, Sabrina Yeh, Marcelo Katsuzo Goto
  • Patent number: 7242438
    Abstract: An image displayer with a facilitated channel setting process, in which the channels are set based on a pre-stored channel information. The image displayer includes a channel information storing unit for storing the channel information, an OSD (On Screen Display) processing unit for displaying an OSD menu which is configured based on the channel information stored in the channel information storing unit, and a controlling unit for looking up menu items displayed in the OSD menu and updating the channel information stored in the channel information storing unit based on a changed channel information. According to the image displayer, since the channel setting based on the ATM (Auto Tuning Management) table is completed by simply selecting desired broadcasting channels in the OSD menu, the process of setting the channels can be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun-chul Song
  • Patent number: 7227583
    Abstract: A digital TV and a method of switching a channel automatically thereof provides a viewer with advance notice of an automatic channel switch using linkage descriptor information on HD broadcasting. Providing the viewer with notice of the switched channel reduces viewer confusion. The method includes the steps of determining whether a linkage descriptor is included in additional information regarding a broadcast program whether the broadcast program regardless of whether the broadcast program is selected by a viewer, checking the remaining time of the broadcast program if the linkage descriptor is included in the additional information, displaying a channel switch notice message on a screen, determining whether or not the broadcast program has ended, switching a channel of the broadcast program to a designated channel when the broadcast program ends, and displaying a channel switch confirmation message on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Su Hyun Sin
  • Patent number: 7215382
    Abstract: A method for displaying a status to a television viewer provides detailed information to a viewer. According to the method, signal strength of a received RF signal is evaluated, and an RF signal strength indicator value is created. The RF signal strength indicator value can be a qualitative indicator, such as strong, good, normal, weak, or absent. The RF signal indicator value can also be a quantitative value. A transport signal is also evaluated and a transport signal validity indicator value is then created. A quantitative value could be obtained based on the bit error rate, for example. Additionally, received parsing information is evaluated and a parsing validity indicator value is created. As with the transport signal, the received parsing information can be evaluated to obtain a qualitative indicator, such as valid or invalid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: William G. Bennett
  • Patent number: 7202913
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling synchronization of on-screen display information in an auto-search mode of a radio-frequency receiver (2) connected to scan an incoming signal for valid channel frequencies, includes a picture intermediate frequency phase-locked loop detector (17) for supplying an output signal indicating whether an intermediate frequency demodulator is in an unlocked mode which is the case if the incoming signal frequency does not correspond to a valid channel frequency, or in a locked mode, which is the case if the incoming signal frequency does correspond to a valid channel frequency, a video detector (18) for detecting a video property in the incoming signal, a synchronization phase control loop (6, 8, 10) which is closed if the video property is detected and the output signal indicates the locked mode, a memory for storing the frequency of the incoming signal as a valid channel when the phase control loop (6, 8, 10) is closed, and a horizontal oscillator (8) connected to free run when the pha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Guo Ji Wang, Boon Leong Tay
  • Patent number: 7196732
    Abstract: Provided is a television broadcast receiver which is further enhanced in the independency of the user application software from the hardware and can increase the development efficiency. The television broadcast receiver includes; a digital channel-selecting means; an analog channel-selecting means; a video signal processing means for processing a video signal from the digital channel-selecting means and a video signal from the analog channel-selecting means; a graphics OSD creating means for creating a graphics OSD signal; a text OSD creating means for creating a text OSD signal; and an RGB processing means for mixing an output of the video signal processing means, the graphics OSD signal, and the text OSD signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsumi Inai
  • Patent number: 7136113
    Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna controller of a digital television receiver and a controlling method thereof including an antenna receiving channel signals of digital television broadcasting and having a directionality dependent on a control signal, a signal processing part tuning a wanted channel signal from the channel signals and processing the tuned channel signal as a wanted form, a detection part detecting state signals of the channel signal outputted from the signal processing part, a memory, when every new state signal is detected, storing the detected new state signal sorted with previously-detected state signals, a control part producing the control signal corresponding to an optimal direction of the antenna by comparing the new state signal to the previous state signals, and an interface part providing the antenna with the control signal, thereby enabling to increase the integration of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Tae Won Lee
  • Patent number: 7092044
    Abstract: A digital broadcasting receiver that uses a channel map containing broadcast information such as channel numbers and virtual channel numbers is described. When a user selects a certain digital channel number, a control unit consisting of a CPU makes a search as to whether or not the number exists in the channel map. If the number does not exist, “No Signal” notice is displayed on a display and if the user selects a scan instruction then, the entire range of frequency band of the broadcasting signal is scanned. If a signal that corresponds to the digital channel number exists, its broadcast is received. Therefore, a search is possible even when the user knows only a virtual channel number and the digital channel number entered by the user is not registered in the channel map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Inui, Manabu Yamamoto, Kazuhiko Tani, Yusuke Nishida
  • Patent number: 7084930
    Abstract: In a receiver, immediately after the channel-up key or channel-down key is operated, the receiver 1 starts a tuning motion of tuning in to a program which is being broadcast by the virtual channel number corresponding to the operation. When the channel-up key or channel-down key is operated, if it is in the middle of tuning in to a channel corresponding to a previous operation, the tuning motion is stopped, and a tuning motion of a program, which is being broadcast by the virtual channel number corresponding to the operation of this time, is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichiro Okabe
  • Patent number: 7053957
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for demonstrating an effect of a selected signal-processing operation. The device comprises signal-processing means (3) for processing incoming signals to supply said signals to presentation means (9), and demonstration means (7, 10, 12) for demonstrating the selected processing operation. The device further comprises storage means (11) for storing a demonstration signal which is specifically suitable for effectively demonstrating the feature. Upon activation of the demonstration means, a demonstration signal which is most suitable for demonstrating said processing operation is read from the storage means, processed by the signal-processing means and presented on the presentation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Gudrun Vandeginste
  • Patent number: 7046303
    Abstract: A CPU carries out such control as to display a received image on the whole of a screen even when a command to acquire program information is issued by a user. In the display of the received image on the whole of the screen in this case, an icon button meaning that an operation for acquiring program information is continued is displayed in a non-central portion of the screen by an OSD circuit. When the icon button is operated by the user, a genre retrieval table is displayed on the screen by the OSD circuit. When a predetermined number of program information can be acquired, the display is automatically switched to the display of the genre retrieval table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Idegata
  • Patent number: 6985190
    Abstract: An HDTV receiver coupled to a terrestrial antenna displays real-time signal strength of terrestrial digital television signals. A graphical user interface preferably displays various data relating to all terrestrial television signals in a scrollable grid format. The grid is displayed within an active video display of a selected television signal from the grid. Audio for the selected channel is also active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Scott Edward Klopfenstein, Aaron Hal Dinwiddie, Daniel Richard Schneidewend
  • Patent number: 6982745
    Abstract: An antenna level display device capable of faithfully reflecting any deterioration of a picture quality in receiving a satellite broadcast. In this display device, orthogonal detection of an input signal is executed in a demodulator, and a CN ratio is calculated from a conversion table in a ROM according to the mean value of deflections of mapped points of the received signal on an IQ plane. The demodulated data is compared, in a comparator, with the demodulated data obtained after error correction by a Viterbi decoder, and a CN ratio is calculated on the basis of the bit error rate from a conversion table stored in another ROM. A decision is made to select one CN ratio, which is to be displayed as an antenna level, out of the two calculated CN ratios, and the selected CN ratio is displayed through adaptive switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Miyabayashi
  • Patent number: 6918136
    Abstract: A local communication system comprises a plurality of devices interconnected for data communication. One of the devices is a display device arranged to display data from one or more other devices of the system, and one of the devices is a remote control carrying a first group of controls (A . . . G) for controlling respective operational functions of a device of the system. The system is configured to identify a selected device of the system to be controlled by user operation of a remote control device, and to determine which operational functions of that selected device are missing on the remote control. For such functions, the system generates on the display device a user actuatable simulacrum of a control for that function (H, J, K, L).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Nicoll B. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6888581
    Abstract: In a digital broadcast receiver 10, an MPU 26 has a configuration for detecting the number of subchannels and the numbers of the subchannels which a received main channel has from control data received and switching to a subchannel with the minimum number when the number of subchannels changes and switching to a subchannel with the minimum number of the residual subchannels when the numbers of the subchannels received run out and displaying the numbers of the received main channel and the subchannel on a display 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Yamamoto, Kazuhiko Tani, Yasuhiro Inui, Kazuhide Ishihara
  • Patent number: 6882352
    Abstract: Radio waves transmitted from the antenna of a broadcasting station are received by the antenna of a television receiver. The television receiver extracts an EPG from the received radio waves and transmits it to a remote controller via an infrared transmission/reception section. The remote controller displays the received EPG on a LCD and is then rendered in a state of waiting for selection of a program. If some program is selected and then a reserve button is manipulated, the remote controller transmits a control command for a recording reservation to a video tape recorder. The video tape recorder receives the control command with an infrared transmission/reception section, whereby the recording reservation of the designated program is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoko Terakado, Yukio Furudate, Tomoyuki Hanai, Tatsushi Nashida
  • Publication number: 20040183947
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for display signal strengths of every channel of a digital broadcast receiver are disclosed. Channels for broadcast signals are sequentially scanned from a tuner receiving a digital broadcast signal, and channel numbers, the number of channels, signal strengths of each channel, and the sum of signal strengths of the entire channels are outputted in an OSD (On Screen Display) form or as a voice. Thus, a user can objectively set an optimum direction of an antenna for every channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Hwal Rim Lee
  • Patent number: 6771318
    Abstract: A signal of a desired channel is selected by a tuner from digital broadcasting is received by an antenna. The condition of the radio wave received by the antenna, which is judged from an AGC signal of the signal of the channel selected by the tuner, a Sync signal detected by a synchronization establishment unit and the number of errors which have not been corrected by a forward error corrector 10, is displayed on an indicator. The receiving direction or position of the antenna can be easily decided on the basis of the condition of the received radio wave of the antenna, which is displayed on the indicator, so that received video has a C/N within thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunio Ninomiya
  • Publication number: 20040145680
    Abstract: A method for displaying a status to a television viewer provides detailed information to a viewer. According to the method, signal strength of a received RF signal is evaluated, and an RF signal strength indicator value is created. The RF signal strength indicator value can be a qualitative indicator, such as strong, good, normal, weak, or absent. The RF signal indicator value can also be a qualitative value. A transport signal is also evaluated and a transport signal validity indicator value is then created. A quantitative value could be obtained based on the bit error rate, for example. Additionally, received parsing information is evaluated and a parsing validity indicator value is created. As with the transport signal, the received parsing information can be evaluated to obtain a qualitative indicator, such as valid or invalid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: Sony Corporation/Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: William G. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20040114052
    Abstract: A digital TV and a method of switching a channel automatically thereof provides a viewer with advance notice of an automatic channel switch using linkage descriptor information on HD broadcasting. Providing the viewer with notice of the switched channel reduces viewer confusion. The method includes the steps of determining whether a linkage descriptor is included in additional information regarding a broadcast program whether the broadcast program regardless of whether the broadcast program is selected by a viewer, checking the remaining time of the broadcast program if the linkage descriptor is included in the additional information, displaying a channel switch notice message on a screen, determining whether or not the broadcast program has ended, switching a channel of the broadcast program to a designated channel when the broadcast program ends, and displaying a channel switch confirmation message on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Su Hyun Sin
  • Publication number: 20040105031
    Abstract: A CPU stores, when there is a difference between current channel information and new channel information obtained by a new channel search, the new channel information in a memory while holding a state where the current channel information is registered (contents stored in a non-volatile memory). The CPU displays on a screen the channel information between which the difference is presented using an OSD circuit, and changes the contents of the registration of the current channel information on the basis of the new channel information by a user operation on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Toru Shibusawa
  • Patent number: 6727960
    Abstract: A channel selection method for simultaneously displaying video data of a plurality of virtual channels of one channel in the form of still images, in SD format broadcasting according to an ATV standard, and displaying video data of one of the virtual channels which corresponds to a cursor position in the form of a moving image, allowing easy selection of a desired channel from the displayed screen. A channel selection apparatus includes elements of a typical ATV system, i.e., an antenna, a tuner, an IF module, a channel decoder and a TS decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-joo Seo
  • Publication number: 20040075771
    Abstract: An antenna level display device capable of faithfully reflecting any deterioration of a picture quality in receiving a satellite broadcast. In this display device, orthogonal detection of an input signal is executed in a demodulator, and a CN ratio is calculated from a conversion table in a ROM according to the mean value of deflections of mapped points of the received signal on an IQ plane. The demodulated data is compared, in a comparator, with the demodulated data obtained after error correction by a Viterbi decoder, and a CN ratio is calculated on the basis of the bit error rate from a conversion table stored in another ROM. A decision is made to select one CN ratio, which is to be displayed as an antenna level, out of the two calculated CN ratios, and the selected CN ratio is displayed through adaptive switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Naoki Miyabayashi
  • Patent number: 6708336
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a database in a memory. Program identifying information is received from a service provider, the program identifying information comprising at least one service provider search criteria and information describing a channel on which a program is transmitted. A database is generated in a memory as a function of the channel identifying information and at least one of the service provider search criteria. Preferably, user-input search criteria is also received and it is determined whether the user-input search criteria corresponds to the service provider search criteria. A channel identified by the channel identifying information is selected if the user-input search criteria corresponds to the service provider search criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Bruette
  • Patent number: 6707508
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a channel entry is presented. In one embodiment, the receiving mode of an apparatus is first determined. A first channel entry format is then displayed, if it is determined that the apparatus in the first receiving mode. A second channel entry format is displayed, instead, if it is determined that the apparatus in the second receiving mode. Furthermore, the first channel entry format comprises a first and a second information portions and the second channel entry format comprises a third information portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Mark Gilmore Mears, Mark Sheridan Westlake, Aaron Hal Dinwiddie
  • Patent number: 6650376
    Abstract: It is determined, in accordance with a signal supplied by a tuner and indicating a signal reception state of the tuner, whether or not signal reception has been performed normally. Then, power supply to the tuner is stopped when it is determined that signal reception has not been performed normally. Further, it is detected whether or not an antenna has been connected to the tuner apparatus. Then, power supply to the tuner is stopped when it is determined that the antenna has not been connected to the tuner apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Toshiro Obitsu
  • Patent number: 6646685
    Abstract: A method for controlling an on-screen display operation of a display apparatus with an auxiliary input/output terminal. If a key control signal is input through a self key input unit or if an auxiliary control signal is input through the auxiliary input/output terminal, an on-screen display signal is output to a screen and a control function corresponding to the input key control signal or the input auxiliary control signal is performed. When the display apparatus is controlled in response to a control signal which is applied to the auxiliary input/output terminal through a USB unit, as well as a control signal which is applied through a self key input unit, the controlled operating state is displayed on the screen in an OSD manner. Therefore, the user can immediately check the current state of the display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Chan Kim
  • Publication number: 20030197809
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a received signal strength includes means for detecting a received signal strength of a signal received at an antenna. Coupled to the detecting means are means for automatically generating a display signal indicative of the received signal strength. The means for generating is configured to provide the display signal whenever the received signal strength is below a preset threshold. Coupled to the means for generating the display signal are means for displaying the display signal. The display signal may comprise a bar graph which is shaded according to the received signal strength. The bar graph is automatically displayed on the display means when the received signal strength is below the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Greg Gangitano
  • Publication number: 20030189641
    Abstract: A real time apparatus for testing a DTV antenna transmitting system, wherein the DTV antenna transmitting system transmits an original signal from a DTV transmitter to a DTV transmitting antenna, is disclosed that includes a probe, wherein the probe is connected in series with the DTV antenna transmitting system, and senses signals traversing the DTV antenna transmitting system. An error detector of the testing apparatus compares the received signal to the original signal to identify the magnitude and location of errors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Andre J. Skalina
  • Patent number: 6600522
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an auto channel search apparatus for a TV and a method thereof capable of easily recognizing a broadcast channel of a user. The above-described method includes a step for displaying a channel list in accordance with a channel search instruction of a user and performing a search in the sequence of the number stored in the channel list, and a step for performing an indication operation for separating a channel number which does not have a broadcast signal with respect to a channel number which has a broadcast signal in the channel list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: In Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 6597408
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fine tuning method for a digital television set. In an automatic fine tuning method, when a channel switching command is inputted to a microprocessor on user's demand, the microprocessor writes the PLL of a corresponding channel and then detects a segment synchronization signal. In a synchronization signal is detected, the microprocessor repeats the process of setting a flag that has acquired synchronization, storing the SNR and detecting a segment synchronization signal by moving the frequency. Then, if a synchronization signal is not detected, the microprocessor detects whether or not there is a synchronization acquired. If there is no synchronization acquired, the microprocessor repeats the above process by moving the frequency, or if there is a synchronization acquired, it tunes the frequency to the maximum value of SNRs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Soo Oak, Sang O Park
  • Patent number: 6580452
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a received signal strength includes means for detecting a received signal strength of a signal received at an antenna. Coupled to the detecting means are means for automatically generating a display signal indicative of the received signal strength. The means for generating is configured to provide the display signal whenever the received signal strength is below a preset threshold. Coupled to the means for generating the display signal are means for displaying the display signal. The display signal may comprise a bar graph which is shaded according to the received signal strength. The bar graph is automatically displayed on the display means when the received signal strength is below the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Greg Gangitano
  • Patent number: 6529246
    Abstract: A station selector having a function of displaying a channel number on a screen. In the station selector, while channels are being switched through a remote control unit or the like, an OSD IC circuit is not operated and a selected station screen is displayed each time on a television set connected to an RF output terminal. Then, when the channel switching is completed and a synchronizing signal is output from a Y/C/A IC circuit, the actually selected station screen is displayed, then the OSD IC circuit is operated for displaying the channel number on the screen. When no synchronizing signal is output from the Y/C/A IC circuit, the OSD IC circuit is operated for displaying the channel number on a blue back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Maeda
  • Patent number: 6525779
    Abstract: A television receiver, in which if a tuner can receive a signal of the television broadcast form of either television wave broadcasting or CATV broadcasting, a microcomputer executes channel preset processing so that signals of television wave broadcasting can also be received although the processing is predicated on CATV broadcasting, then determines signals of which television broadcast form can be received. If the microcomputer determines that the signals of the television wave broadcasting can be received, it makes a reference to the memory positions of the preset contents. To cause the tuner to receive a station-existing channel, the microcomputer matches the target memory position with the channel of television wave broadcasting for receiving the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeto Sakakibara, Hiroki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6509934
    Abstract: An antenna is directed to optimally receive an advanced television signal. First, the strength of the signal is measured as a function of the azimuth angle of the antenna, and second the flatness of the signal is measured as a function of the azimuth angle of the antenna. The antenna is then rotated to maximize the flatness of the signal while maintaining the strength of the signal above a minimum threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Bao, Victor Sinyansky
  • Patent number: 6507951
    Abstract: An architecture for convergence systems is disclosed. The architecture includes a hardware component providing a convergence environment. A channel map services component includes a listing of receivers of programming associated with the convergence environment and a listing of channels associated with the receivers. A content services component includes a listing of programming events associated with the channels of the receivers. The content services component also includes a listing of the times of programming events. A TV services component uses the channel map services component, and the content services component to control the hardware component of the convergence environment to manage the hardware component of the convergence environment. The TV services component controls the audio/video multiplexer to reroute programing signals from receivers to outputs of the audio/video multiplexer and various devices attached to the outputs, at various times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Amiga Development LLC
    Inventor: Theodore D. Wugofski
  • Patent number: 6426779
    Abstract: An innovative but easy line guide is provided to provide the user of a multiple channel television broadcast system a wealth of programming information in a simple format that is easy to understand. The guide enables the user to easily select a particular program to watch. In e particular, the system provides an innovative mechanism to enable the user to scan program information of channels that the user has designated as his favorite channels. A button is provided that is designated as “favorite”. When the user is in a broadcast guide and selects the button, the system responds by displaying program information regarding the favorite stations at the top of the guide. Thus, the user sees at the top of the list the current programming with respect to his favorite stations, followed by program information for the remaining stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Fujio Noguchi, Kazuhiko Akaike, Setsuko Watanabe Blaszkowski, Noriko Kotabe, Takashi Otani, Tadashi Kajiwara
  • Patent number: 6411337
    Abstract: Function representation and selection in a multi-function system that supports user selection of system function by means of a menu-driven graphical user interface includes displaying a rotatable function menu. The rotatable function menu includes a plurality of circumferentially-arrayed facets, each facet representing a respective function of a plurality of functions. The rotatable function menu may be rotated on an axis to place any desired facet at a selection location at which the function represented by the facet may be selected. Selection and configuration of functions and features related to a selected function are provided by display and navigation through one or more submenus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Corporation of America
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Cove, William S. Gray, Ernesto S. Villalobos
  • Patent number: 6405371
    Abstract: A method of navigating through television programs is disclosed. A television receiver displays a mosaic image with sub-images representing the available programs. The receiver further receives an electronic program guide with program descriptions. Upon activating a “theme” button (42), the viewer can enter a desired program type, e.g. “movie”. In response thereto, the brightness of the sub-images representing programs that are not desired is reduced. The user is thus assisted in navigating through programs he is interested in, while maintaining the mosaic structure he is familiar with, and without losing the association between channels and their positions on the mosaic screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Konklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Ronaldus H. T. Oosterhout, Robert A. Lambourne, Astrid Dobbelaar, Warner R. T. Ten Kate
  • Patent number: 6392716
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided whereby after purchasing a television receiver, when a power cord is plugged in an outlet and the power is turned on, the television receiver is automatically set on an automatic presetting mode, and various information is displayed by on screen display (OSD) during the operation and upon completion of the operation, thereby allowing a user to visually confirm the operating condition. To this end, when a power plug 17 is inserted, a power switch of a power supply circuit 16 is turned on, a broadcast channel of a station is detected by a synchronizing signal and an AFT voltage and is automatically preset in a nonvolatile memory. During the presetting, a message that a presetting function is operating and a message indicating an operating condition are displayed on a CRT 3. Further, upon completion of all the presetting, a message on he completion of operation is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nagata, Akemi Okamoto