Including Picture Blanking Patents (Class 348/633)
  • Patent number: 11077840
    Abstract: A device for addition of motive force to a vehicle, with rotor-plate, rotor-arms, rotor permanent magnets, stator-plate, stator columns, stator electromagnets, and battery, cell, or other energy storage device. The device is retro-fittable on existing wheel assemblies, and installation coverts an internal combustion vehicle to a hybrid with electric propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventor: Charles Hampton Perry
  • Patent number: 8576336
    Abstract: A video formatter reformats progressive video using a film-based video film rate and a display refresh rate to determine a frame OFF period for a progressive video sequence. The video formatter inserts at least one black frame into the progressive video sequence to approximate the frame OFF period. Typically, the film rate is 24 frames per second (industry standard) and, thus, the display refresh rate can be a multiple of the frame rate (e.g., 96 Hz, 120 Hz, 240 Hz, etc.). Progressive video replicates a single frame of a film several times (“a progressive video sequence”) depending on a display's refresh rate. The black frame(s) is/are substituted at the end of this sequence instead of displaying the same image throughout for a single film frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Ronald Douglas Johnson
  • Patent number: 8497944
    Abstract: A playback apparatus to play back content data including sound data includes an instruction operating portion to detect an instruction operation that instructs execution of prescribed processing, a hold operating portion to detect a hold setting operation that sets a state of not accepting the instruction operation to the instruction operating portion, a state control portion to set the state of not accepting the instruction operation to the instruction operating portion if the hold setting operation is detected by the hold operating portion, and a video processing portion to perform processing for displaying a video. If the video processing portion performs processing for displaying the video when the hold setting operation is detected, the state control portion controls the video processing portion to suspend at least a part of processing for displaying the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kinouchi
  • Patent number: 8375417
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, video image and voice signals are transmitted to a plurality of electronic devices each having at least one of a video image display function and a voice reproducing function. Information indicating the fact that at least one of a video image and a voice has been set in a mute state is acquired from each of the electronic devices. Based on the information, a processing operation is applied to the video image and voice signals supplied to each of the electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takanobu Mukaide, Masahiko Mawatari
  • Patent number: 7714852
    Abstract: In an exemplary method, a filter driver on a computer system receives notification of an event during which a display screen on a display device of the computer system should be blank. An example of such an event is a remote management operation being performed on the computer system. The filter driver receives messages that are directed to a display driver for the display device. The filter driver receives the messages before they are received by the display driver. Some of the messages may comprise a power on message that, if received by the display driver, would cause the display screen to be powered on. The filter driver discards each power on message that is received during the event so that the display driver does not receive any power on messages during the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: LANDesk Software Limited
    Inventors: James Jarman, David Jensen
  • Patent number: 6975738
    Abstract: A television system of digital sound includes a color television and at least one pair of three-stage frequency-splitting column sound boxes with each having three speakers. A front digital processor and a power amplifier are arranged in the control circuit of the color television. Its accompanying sound outputs of a stereo are coupled respectively to the pair sound box or build it in the sound box. The system may provide television with Hi-fi stereo or serve as a sound equipment for receiving sound, perfectly reproducing various sound field effects when the scanning system of color television is turned off to save energy and effectively lengthen life of the kinescope and scanning sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventors: Fuzhong Yang, Fayong Cai
  • Patent number: 6867818
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing the closed caption aspect of a video signal for specific undesirable words or phrases and then muting the audio portion of those words or phrases while not effecting the video portion therein while simultaneously modifying the closed captioned signal in order to display an acceptable word or phrase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Principle Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Richard Bray
  • Patent number: 6757485
    Abstract: Compressed audio video data is constituted by a sequence of video information blocks each of which constitutes one unit by a predetermined number of I pictures, a predetermined number of P pictures and a predetermined number of B pictures. In a case of reproducing one of the pictures of the compressed audio video data as a still picture by motion compensation prediction, when a picture stops at the B picture, one of the I pictures closest to the B picture or one of the P pictures closest to the B picture is selected, and the I picture or the P picture thus selected is displayed on a monitor in place of the B picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Funakoshi
  • Publication number: 20030011716
    Abstract: A system and process which renders commercials less intrusive by reducing the intensity of the sound or picture or both during a commercial break. Whereas prior-art commercial deleters disable the sound or picture of a program during commercials, the present invention offers the advantage of being able to watch listen to commercials if desired while reducing their intrusiveness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Vogel
  • Patent number: 6441868
    Abstract: An image reproducing apparatus having a screen blanking function for suspending image information displayed on a screen and a screen blanking method using the same are provided. The image reproducing apparatus includes a command applying circuit for applying image blanking execution and cancellation codes, a screen blanking determining circuit for determining whether a screen is to be blanked according to a code provided by the command applying circuit, and a screen power controlling circuit for controlling the power supply provided to the screen according to the determined result of the screen blanking determining circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kye-ho Park
  • Patent number: 6424341
    Abstract: A device for controlling an OSD in muting video signals is adapted to eliminate an after-image of the OSD when muting the video signals in a display monitor having an OSD function by use of both hardware and software. The device includes: a microcomputer for generating a cut-off signal to mute the video signals upon sensing a variation in horizontal and vertical sync signals fed thereto by a video card, and for generating a blank signal by executing an OSD erase control program for erasing the OSD; an OSD IC for saving the blank signal in a random access memory (RAM) by means of an OSD erase section when variation in the horizontal and vertical sync signals provided to the microcomputer is sensed, and for generating the blank signal according to an OSD control signal; and a video pre-amplifier and a video main amplifier responsive to the cut-off signal generated by the microcomputer for muting the video signals, and for applying the blank signal to a CRT to erase the OSD displayed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Geun Choi
  • Patent number: 6337687
    Abstract: A video mode controlling apparatus and method of a computer having a LCD is provided. The method includes the steps of checking whether or not the video mode to be changed by the mode change controlling information is supported by the video controller, turning the LCD off, changing font and video mode state of the video controller so as to correspond to the mode change controlling information, and turning the LCD on. It is possible to prevent the generation of a whitening phenomenon of a LCD which is liable to occur when the video mode is changed in a computer having the LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoung-won Lee
  • Patent number: 6249322
    Abstract: When an automatic programming process for searching receivable channels and presetting the receivable channels is executed or when an automatic erasing/adding process for adding or erasing a set channel is executed, a video signal of a master picture plane is muted by a muting circuit 20. A source selector switch 12 is switched so as to display a picture plane of the reception channel onto a slave picture plane. When the automatic programming process or automatic erasing/adding process is executed, since the video signal of the master picture plane is muted, a display signal is generated by a horizontal pulse and a vertical pulse in a free-run state. Thus, the display is stabilized. Even during the execution of the automatic program or automatic erasing/adding process, the video image of the channel which is being received can be confirmed by the slave picture plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masakazu Sugihara
  • Patent number: 6166780
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing the closed captioned aspect of a video signal for specific undesirable words or phrases and then muting the audio portion of those words or phrases while not affecting the video portion therein while simultaneously modifying the closed captioned signal in order to display only acceptable words or phrases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Principle Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: James R Bray
  • Patent number: 5999229
    Abstract: A TV picture control system includes a remote-control having standard input keys, a processing unit and a transmission transducer. The system also includes a TV set having a receiving transducer, a remote-control signal amplifying circuit, a remote-control signal-decoding processing unit and a luminance/chrominance circuit. The remote-control additionally has supplementary input keys for the instantaneous blanking and/or instantaneous blurring of the TV program video signal while leaving the audio signal active. The TV set additionally has first and/or second supplementary control outputs of the remote-control signal-decoding processing unit and circuitry for the instantaneous blanking and/or instantaneous blurring of the TV program video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Mario Samarughi
    Inventors: Mario Samarughi, Massimo Mengarelli
  • Patent number: 5786813
    Abstract: The invention relates to a video display unit (10) comprising a built-in power supply (5) and at least one electrically controlled power switch (4) for connecting mains voltage to the power supply. The power switch comprises at least one electrically controlled switch (4). In addition, the display unit comprises a control circuit (6) which closes and opens said at least one switch (4) for switching on and off the display unit in response to the state of at least one video or deflection signal received by the display unit or a command received via a communication channel (9) utilizing the signals of the video interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: ICL Personal System OY
    Inventor: Jarmo Kurikko
  • Patent number: 5481299
    Abstract: A system for saving power used by a video screen including a comparator comparing the red, green blue signals to a reference signal and when all of these signals fall below a reference signal and stay below the reference signal for a preset period of time, power to the video monitor is interrupted until the red, blue or green signals are restored. When the power is applied, power is maintained during a stabilizing period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Coffey, Steve B. Verity
  • Patent number: 5455634
    Abstract: A dark level restoring circuit for a television receiver which receives a video signal, clamps a pedestal portion of the video signal to a reference pedestal level by a pedestal clamper, compares the output of the pedestal clamper with a reference dark level, and amplifies the compared result by a gain control amplifier. The output of the pedestal clamper and the amplified compared result are synthesized, the dark peak level is held, and the held dark peak level and the reference pedestal level are compared wherein the gain of the gain control amplifier is controlled by the compared result. A blanking signal is received, and a mute signal is generated which corresponds to a non-video signal portion when the effective raster size of the video signal is smaller than the size of a face plate of a cathode ray tube to which the video signal is supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiko Tamura, Yumiko Mito
  • Patent number: 5387942
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the reception of video signals in accordance with the program content of the signals is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, a digital program code is simultaneously transmitted along with the audio and video information in an unused portion of the composite video signal, such as the so-called back porch region of the blanking interval. Circuitry is interposed between the video signal and the display generating circuitry of a television receiver which extracts such program code and either passes or blocks the reception and display of the video signal in accordance with a comparison between the extracted program code and a stored program code. The stored program code indicates those types of programs which are desired to be blocked from reception and display by the television receiver, such as programs containing violence, nudity, or strong language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Inventor: Jerome H. Lemelson