Receiver Circuitry Patents (Class 348/725)
  • Publication number: 20140181876
    Abstract: Methods, system, and set-top box are provided. A method for personalizing a home screen of an electronic device includes entering a standby mode of the electronic device, loading modules based on personalization indicators, retrieving content that is associated with the modules, and generating a video signal while the electronic device is in one of the standby mode and a startup mode. The video signal includes the content. The entertainment system and the set-top box are provided for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kate Landow, Kara Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8760585
    Abstract: Symbols representing different classes of service are assigned to different modulation schemes so that the most important service (e.g., emergency messaging) can have the most robust performance, the next important service (e.g., audio) can have robust performance and so on including various grades of video (e.g., HDTV, SDTV) becoming available with decent received RF signal power. The separate modulation constellation points can be scaled to fit inside popular square constellation points to aide receiver synchronization. In this way, graceful degradation of service is afforded in the presence of noise in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Luke Vernor Fay
  • Patent number: 8763040
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices for receiving broadcast signal. More specifically, one of the devices includes at least two tuners (102, 103) configured to synchronize at least two transmit stream independently, at least two transmit stream processors (104, 105) each configured to convert the at least one transmit stream into a plurality of audio signals, a plurality of displayable video signals, and a plurality of displayable data signals, a controller (100) configured to provide switching control signal and display control signal based on channel selected by a user, a switching unit (135) configured to output a data broadcast associated with a first broadcast channel and the video and the audio associated with a second broadcast channel, a display module (138) configured to display a video of the first broadcast channel in a first display area and a data of the second broadcast channel in a second display area, and at least one speaker configured to audio output of at least two different broadcast channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eun Kyung Shin, Jae Kyung Lee
  • Patent number: 8755431
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to transmission and detection of multi-channel signals in reduced channel format. An embodiment of a method for transmitting data includes determining whether a first type or a second type of content data is to be transmitted, where the first type of content data is to be transmitted at a first multiple of a base frequency and the second type of data is to be transmitted at a second multiple of the base frequency. The method further includes selecting one or more channels from a plurality of channels based on the type of content data, clocking a frequency on the first or second multiple of the base frequency according to the type of content data in the selected channels, modifying the content data to fit within a single output channel, and transmitting the modified data via a single output channel at the chosen multiple of the base frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Image, Inc.
    Inventors: Hoon Choi, Daekyeung Kim, Wooseung Yang, Young Il Kim
  • Patent number: 8754987
    Abstract: A display device includes a display component coupled to a signal generating unit with a single trace. The signal generating unit generates a first signal. A processing unit, connected to the display component and the single trace, receives the first signal through the single trace and generates a first type control signal, a second type control signal, and a third type control signal according to the first signal. The processing unit generates and controls an on-screen display menu displayed by the display component according to status of the display device and the received first signal as one of the first type control signal, the second type control signal, and the third type control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: AmTRAN Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Chang Hsu, Wen-Kang Wei, Yung-Hung Ho, Chien-Yu Hsiung
  • Patent number: 8754992
    Abstract: A system and method for programming a remote control includes pressing keys to enter a programming mode. State changes are communicated from the remote to a set top box. A user selects a device to be controlled and instructions are communicated to a user. The set top box tracks signals received from the remote corresponding to a device code entered by the user into the remote. A program guides and informs the user of programming success or failure based on signals received by the set top box. The remote includes a transmitter and runs a program associating a particular device code with a particular electronic device. The set top box includes a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter and runs a program providing an interface on a display. The interface guides the user through programming in response to signals received by the set top box from the remote.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim W. Schulze, Roshan Menon
  • Patent number: 8749717
    Abstract: The invention provides method and apparatus and remote control for annular-selector based television interaction. The method includes receiving rotation information of an annular selector sent by a remote control provided with the annular selector; obtaining a rotational displacement of a menu or cursor according to the rotation information; redrawing the menu or cursor on a display interface according to the rotational displacement, so as to control the menu or cursor to rotate according to the rotational displacement; and receiving a confirmation signal sent by the remote control, and selecting an option, corresponding to a position where the cursor is, on the menu. For operational designs of the annular selector, a menu interface is presented in an annular manner, and annularly rotational animations is adopted, so that an action of the user match a corresponding display on the television, thereby improving a human-computer interaction experiences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen Skyworth-RGB Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi-Guo Wang, Si-Hua Huang, Rong Shen, Wei-Long Lv, Wei-Ji Chen, Na Qi, Feng-An Zhou, Wei Xiong, Ni He
  • Patent number: 8745689
    Abstract: Efficient channel surfing in a compressed frame television system is provided by receiving and storing compressed frames representing unwatched channels. Then, when a viewer selects one of the unwatched channels for viewing, the corresponding compressed frame is retrieved from memory and is displayed until a sufficient number of frames are received for that channel to provide for normal viewing of that channel. Corresponding audio clips may also be stored in memory and retrieved and played when the corresponding channel is selected for viewing. Program data may also be stored for unwatched channels for later retrieval and display. Preferably, one tuner/decoder pair is utilized to display programs for selected channels, while a second tuner/decoder pair is utilized to capture and store compressed frames for unwatched channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: J. Carl Cooper
  • Patent number: 8743293
    Abstract: An audio/video system includes a display having a plurality of input sources and a first peripheral device connected to one of the input sources. The display provides a user interface for receiving a switching command for switching current input source of the display among the input sources from a user, and the display automatically generates a first standby command to the first peripheral device when the received switching command is not switching the current input source to the input source corresponding to the first peripheral device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: AmTran Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chin-Chiang Chang, Kuang-Cheng Chao, Wei-Wen Mai, Chien-Cheng Lin, Min-I Chen, Wen-Kang Wei
  • Patent number: 8736771
    Abstract: Provided is a display method which can avoid the load increase and display rapidly the video of the selected channel. The display method includes adjusting a timing, in which a video is displayed based on a predetermined reference frame received and decoded at first after channel selection, toward shifting earlier than a time originally displaying the video based on a time information attached to the reference frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Go Toriumi
  • Patent number: 8736770
    Abstract: A method for processing signals in a communication system may include performing by one or more processors and/or circuits integrated within a single digital television (DTV) receiver chip, demodulating a wirelessly received digital inband signal and a wirelessly received digital out-of-band signal. The demodulating may include equalizing the received digital inband signal and the received digital out-of-band signal. The demodulated digital inband signal and the demodulated digital out-of-band signal may be error corrected. One or more TV channels may be generated based on one or both of the error corrected demodulated digital inband signals and/or the error corrected demodulated out-of-band signals. The wirelessly received digital inband signal may include a VSB signal, a NTSC signal and/or a QAM signal. The one or more processors and/or circuits may perform decoding the wirelessly received digital inband signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Maneesh Goyal, Charles A. Brooks, Randall B. Perlow
  • Patent number: 8736768
    Abstract: Upon reception of a DDC access request from an external device connected to an HDMI port, a television receiver sets an electric potential of an HPD signal to ON level. Upon reception of an HDCP authentication initiation request from the external storage device after EDID is transmitted in response to a request from the external device, it is checked if an HDMI port to which that external device is connected is selected from a plurality of HDMI ports. If it is determined that the corresponding port is not selected, the control waits for selection of an HDMI port to which the external device is connected. If the corresponding port is selected, an electric potential of HPD signal is set at OFF level. After an elapse of 100 msec, the electric potential of the HPD signal is resumed to the ON level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Tokoro
  • Patent number: 8736763
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a content synchronizing method includes: first transmitting when receiving an acquiring request for reference time to determine a timing to synchronize a plurality of pieces of content executed by a plurality of modules with each other from a first module out of the modules, the acquiring request for the reference time to a second module out of the modules; receiving source information indicating an acquisition source of the reference time from the second module; and acquiring reference time information indicating the reference time from the acquisition source indicated by the source information, wherein second transmitting to the first module, together with the reference time information, processing time information indicating processing time from receiving the acquiring request until transmitting the reference time information, the processing time information being used to calculate a time lag between time in the first module and the reference time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yoshikata Tobita
  • Patent number: 8736772
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an information processing apparatus main body and a remote controller capable of controlling the information processing apparatus main body. The information processing apparatus main body includes a connection unit capable of being connected with an electronic apparatus, a first storage unit to store model identification information, and a control unit to perform control so that display information of a model selection screen for causing a user to select a model of the electronic apparatus with the remote controller is supplied to the electronic apparatus, the model is determined, and model identification information corresponding to the model is transmitted to the remote controller. The remote controller includes a plurality of keys, a transmission unit, a second storage unit to store a list of control codes assigned to the plurality of keys, and an assignment unit to assign the control codes to the plurality of keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi Takizawa, Takayoshi Yamasaki, Naoki Hasegawa, Norihiro Nagai
  • Patent number: 8730404
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention includes a latch circuit having a first input to receive a data signal and a second input to receive a clock signal. This latch circuit may have a first pair of transistors including a first transistor gated by the data signal and a second transistor gated by an inverted data signal and a second pair of transistors including third and fourth transistors gated by the clock signal. The first transistor may be coupled to the third transistor at a first inter-latch node and the second transistor coupled to the fourth transistor at a second inter-latch node. A reset circuit may be coupled to the latch circuit to maintain the first and second inter-latch nodes at a predetermined voltage level when the clock signal is inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton Daigle, Abdulkerim L. Coban
  • Patent number: 8730401
    Abstract: A circuit module for a digital television receiver is formed by multi-layering a decoder LSI including a CPU and a decoder, a decoder layer substrate including a CA interface circuit, a demodulation function layer substrate including a demodulator, and an extension function layer substrate including a communication controller. The demodulation function layer substrate and the extension function layer substrate can be selectively multi-layered to the decoder layer substrate in response to a broadcasting system of a digital television signal or a type of a CA module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Takatori
  • Patent number: 8730391
    Abstract: Determining video content type of a video displayed on a LCD and triggering adjustment in drive power of the LCD based on the video content type. The video content type indicates relative content motion of the video. A video content type detection module is one or combination of a software and a hardware and directs the LCD to be driven relative slower or faster based upon video content. The module independently or in conjunction with another module identifies an active window from a plurality of windows corresponding to a plurality of applications running on the host device and sets the drive power of the LCD based on speed of a video displayed on the active window. The module may also adapt LCD drive power based upon user input and/or remaining battery life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, James D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8730403
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a video communication device and a method thereof, the method comprises: obtain a current battery energy level of a device; load information of the battery energy level to a ready-to-send video; execute video encoding to the ready-to-send video and sending the same. The present invention can display the information of the energy level of one party's device on the video communication image of another party's device, so that another party can realize the actually current battery energy level of one party's device, tempos of the video communication can be controlled well, effects of the video communication can be raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Huizhou TCL Mobile Communciation Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhibing Yang
  • Patent number: 8730402
    Abstract: Provided is an analog front end of a digital TV, a digital TV system having the same, and a method of operating the same. The analog front end includes: a first selection circuit which selectively outputs differential sound intermediate frequency signals or differential TV broadcast signals in response to a first selection signal; a second selection circuit which outputs a clock signal among a plurality of clock signals having a different sampling frequencies, in response to a second selection signal; and an analog-to-digital converter which converts output signals output from the first selection circuit to a digital code, according to a sampling frequency of a clock signal output from the second selection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Ho Kim, Ho Jin Park, Hyung Woan Koo, Ki Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8730255
    Abstract: There is provided a video signal processing method for performing predetermined signal processing on an input video signal to transmit an output video signal in a form of a specified transmission format through a video signal line including invalid bit polarity setting processing to be performed by an invalid bit polarity setting unit, wherein, when there exists an invalid bit having no data corresponding to data making up the input video signal in the specified transmission format of the output video signal, to count the number of low and high levels of gray-level data of the input video signal to compare a numerical size between the number of low levels and the number of high levels for judgment and to set a polarity of the invalid bit based on the judgment result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: NLT Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouichi Ooga
  • Patent number: 8730405
    Abstract: In order to display selected content as desired by a viewer by performing an easy operation without interrupting current viewing, a display apparatus includes a reception unit for receiving from a remote controller for transmitting an operation instruction to the display apparatus operation information including the amount of operation of a selection member which is detected at the time of selecting content and identification information identifying selected content, a determination unit for determining an output attribute of the selected content identified using the identification information based on the amount of operation, an output image generation unit for generating an output image of the selected content based on the output attribute determined by the determination unit, and a display control unit for displaying the output image generated by the output image generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshio Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8730400
    Abstract: An image displaying apparatus and an image processing apparatus are provided. The image displaying apparatus comprises a signal receiver unit, a signal processor unit, a display unit, a signal output unit, and a control unit. The signal receiver unit receives a broadcast signal or a signal provided from a signal source. The signal processor unit processes the received signal. The display unit displays the processed signal. The signal output unit comprises an output terminal configured to output the received signal, and a signal converter configured to convert the processed signal. The control unit controls the signal, provided from the signal receiver unit, to be outputted to the external device by using the signal output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hae-Ryong Kim
  • Patent number: 8724033
    Abstract: The invention provides an image display method of displaying an image on a projection plane in response to an input video signal. The method includes steps of: emitting each of multiple color lights having mutually different hues; modulating the each of the multiple color lights; controlling light emission amounts of the multiple color lights individually, based on an analyzed result of the video signal; and correcting tone values of the video signal to generate a driving signal, for providing the modulation. The tone values are corrected such that a plurality of luminance profiles of the multiple color lights approximate each other, the plurality of luminance profiles being varied independently by individually controlling the amounts of light emission, each of the plurality of luminance profiles representing a relation between the tone value and relative luminance value for each of the modulated multiple color light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Toyooka
  • Patent number: 8724025
    Abstract: A video processing apparatus and a method capable of selecting various video signals are provided. The video processing apparatus includes an input unit which receives a video signal select key value by which a video signal select command to select one of the plurality of video signals is recognized; a storage unit which stores a plurality of video signal names corresponding to the plurality of video signals; and a control unit which sets a first display mode or a second display mode according to the duration of the video signal select key value, the first and second display modes indicating opposite orders in which the video signal names corresponding to the plurality of video signal units are displayed, and displays the video signal names sequentially in the set display mode. Thus, a user can conveniently select the video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-hong Park, Young-kil Choil
  • Patent number: 8711285
    Abstract: Disclosed is a television (1) that outputs a content supplied from a source apparatus, which television includes an address acquiring section (301) that acquires a logical address from the source apparatus, a device type acquiring section (302) that acquires a device type from the source apparatus, and a UI section (305) that identifies which kind of apparatus the source apparatus is, based on a combination of the logical address and the device type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yoshida, Tomohiro Nagano, Kenichi Kimura, Tadamichi Atsumi, Taisuke Hara, Shuji Daioku, Kyohichiroh Sawachika, Koji Osaki, Ryutaro Mashiko, Toru Ueda
  • Patent number: 8711288
    Abstract: An integrated communications system. A substrate having a receiver disposed on the substrate for converting a received signal to an IF signal, a digital IF demodulator disposed on the substrate and coupled to the receiver for converting the IF signal to a demodulated baseband signal, and a transmitter disposed on the substrate operating in cooperation with the receiver to establish a two way communications path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Pieter Vorenkamp, Myles H. Wakayama, Steven Jaffe, Frank Carr, Arnoldus Venes, Peter R. Kinget, Daniel J. Marz, Thinh Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140111697
    Abstract: Provided is an illumination device that is capable of improving the utilization efficiency of light, while being lighter and thinner. This illumination device (10) is provided with: a light source (11) that emits ultraviolet light; a light guide plate (14) that guides the light from the light source; an optical member (15) placed between the light source and the light guide plate and that allows ultraviolet light emitted from the light source to pass through and that reflects visible light; and a fluorescent member (16) that is arranged between an ultraviolet light incident surface (15d) of the optical member and the light guide plate and that converts the ultraviolet light into visible light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kentaro Terashima
  • Patent number: 8704956
    Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting broadcasting content including a control signal in a broadcasting network, the apparatus includes: a modulator configured to modulate broadcasting content by a predetermined modulation method; a control signal generator configured to generate a control signal for remote control of infrastructure; an adder configured to add the control signal to the modulated broadcasting content; and a DTV transmitter configured to convert the added signal to a DTV broadcasting signal and transmit the DTV broadcasting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jae-Hyun Seo, Hyoungsoo Lim, Heung-Mook Kim, Soo-In Lee
  • Patent number: 8704957
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus a television apparatus capable of showing, on a screen, a menu screen and an input switching screen instead of an image display screen, while being capable of changing setting data through a remote controller operation, comprising: an operation history recording unit configured to record operation instructions to the television apparatus as the items of an operation history; and a unit for returning from erroneous operation configured to be started up by the panic key mounted on the remote controller and perform a return movement from erroneous operations so as to return the setting of the television apparatus to the state corresponding to the item of the operation history recorded before the panic key operation by the operation history recording unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 8698963
    Abstract: A projection system and an operation method thereof are provided. The projection system includes a video and audio source, an image duplication unit, a plurality of image segmentation units, and a plurality of projectors. The video and audio source receives a sum image parameter, and provides a non-standard format image. The image duplication unit receives and sends one of sum image parameters to the video and audio source. The image segmentation units provide the same sum image parameters, though only one is transmitted to the video and audio source through the image duplication unit. Each of the image segmentation units receives the non-standard format image, and segments a part of the non-standard format image as a standard format image, where the standard format images are partially overlapped with each other. The projectors are respectively coupled to the corresponding image segmentation unit, and display according to the corresponding standard format image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Jyun-Lin Cian, Jui-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 8698962
    Abstract: A content processing device includes an input section, a memory section, a selection section and an output section. The input section is configured to receive content having a video signal and a plurality of audio signals with different audio types. The memory section is configured to store selection information indicative of a predetermined audio type, and order information indicative of a preset order of a plurality of audio types. The selection section is configured to select one of the audio signals based on the selection information and the order information. The output section is configured to output the video signal and the one of the audio signals that was selected by the selection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Miyagawa, Seiji Miyabe, Hirokazu Suzu
  • Patent number: 8692941
    Abstract: A receiving apparatus 10 efficiently receives radio waves used for wireless communication. Four sides of the periphery of a back cover 4 are bent inward. The reflector 5 formed of a metallic material is disposed on the bent portion on the inner side of a housing. When radio waves are transmitted from the front of the receiving apparatus 10, the radio waves are reflected by the reflector 5 disposed on the back cover 4 and are directed toward the inside of the housing. The directed radio waves are received by a radio module 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shozo Horisawa
  • Patent number: 8687128
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to systems and methods of navigating previously viewed channels. In a particular embodiment, a method may include maintaining a channel list in a memory, the channel list comprising multiple previously viewed channels. The method may also include receiving a first signal to select a first selected channel in the channel list. The method may also include tuning a channel tuner to the first selected channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles Stahulak, Bruce Barnes, Dolores J. Mallian, Nikhil Marathe
  • Patent number: 8677444
    Abstract: A set-top box for receiving radio and television signals is disclosed in which there is the presence of at least one unit (2) for receiving a signal (S) and at least one unit (3) for sending the received and processed signal (S?) to an image and/or sound broadcasting apparatus (4) such as a television set, radio set, PC, iPOD, and any other existing and/or achievable apparatus; means for processing the signal (S) converts said signal (S)—into the signal (S?) to be sent through a circuit (5) adapted to allow passage towards the broadcasting apparatus' (4) of information, data, promotions or advertising depending on suitable scheduling of said circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Riccardo Pilla
  • Patent number: 8675134
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a transmission apparatus, a reception apparatus, a communication system, a transmission method, a reception method, and programs therefor that are capable of efficiently transmitting at least a plurality of pieces of video data included in data of a plurality of contents at the same time. [Solving Means] A switch unit (32a) of a transmission apparatus selects one of a plurality of pieces of video data supplied from a storage apparatus (42) in accordance with video data designated by a transmission data control unit (32i) and supplies it to an IF unit (32b). The IF unit (32b) transmits video data decoded by a decode unit (113) from a terminal (335). The compressed video data supplied from the switch unit (32a) is transmitted via a terminal (336). The terminal (335) is included in a first channel unit. In a case where the IF unit (32b) is an HDMI, for example, the terminal (335) is a terminal for a TMDS channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kei Matsubayashi
  • Patent number: 8675078
    Abstract: A test system (200) for testing for missing or shorted parts within a tuner circuit includes a signal generator (202) for applying a harmonic-containing baseband time varying RF test signal to the tuner circuit. The tuner circuit is tuned to a harmonic of test signal. A detector 208 coupled to the baseband IF output of the tuner circuit detects the voltage generated in response to the applied RF test signal. A voltage measurement device (210) measures voltage detected by detector to provide an indication of the gain. Significant changes in the gain indicate missing part(s) or short circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Lincheng Xiu, Joseph Risley Perrin, Xiaohong Ji
  • Publication number: 20140063343
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an interface may include various mechanisms to handle incoming clock and data signals. More specifically, the interface includes a first multiplexer to receive a first data signal via a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus coupled to a first pin and a second multiplexer to receive a first clock signal via the SPI bus coupled to a second pin of the first IC and a second clock signal via an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) bus coupled to a third pin. In addition, the interface may include a decoder to receive the second clock signal and a second data signal via the I2C bus coupled to a fourth pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: David Le Goff, Pascal Blouin, Eric Mauger
  • Publication number: 20140063348
    Abstract: A current steering Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), a video adapter including a current steering DAC, and a video circuit including a current steering DAC are described. In one embodiment, a current steering DAC includes multiple DAC unit cells that are connected in parallel with each other. Each of the DAC unit cells includes three output switches connected to a current source. The three output switches are configured to form two differential pairs of switches that are placed in parallel with each other and share a negative output switch of the three output switches. The current steering DAC also includes at least one switch control circuit configured to receive digital input data and to control the three output switches of each of the DAC unit cells to generate differential analog output data based on the digital input data and a current from the current source. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: René Verlinden
  • Publication number: 20140063351
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a television receiver includes a display, a casing, and a driver board of the display. The display is with a bendable sheet-like shape and includes a front face at which an image is viewable and a rear face opposite the front face. The casing includes: a first wall configured to support the display and cover the rear face, a second wall positioned at a side of the first wall opposite the display and positioned apart from the first wall, and a third wall extending between a periphery of the first wall and a periphery of the second wall. The driver board is provided to the first wall at a side opposite the display. The driver board is electrically connected to the display via a flat cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yuki SATO
  • Patent number: 8659706
    Abstract: A multi-chip antenna diversity architecture and method includes a first receiver chip that receives a first input signal from a first antenna. The first receiver chip includes a first tuner that amplifies the first input signal, a crystal operatively connected to a first crystal oscillator circuit, and a first crystal oscillator clock buffer that receives a clock signal from the first crystal oscillator circuit. A first demodulator demodulates the input signal received from the first tuner. A second receiver chip receives a second input signal from a second antenna. The second receiver chip includes a second crystal oscillator circuit, a second crystal oscillator clock buffer, a second tuner, and a second demodulator that receives diversity data from the first demodulator. The first crystal oscillator clock buffer drives the clock signal to the second crystal oscillator clock buffer, the second tuner, and the second demodulator of the second receiver chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Newport Media, Inc.
    Inventors: James Carwana, Jun Tang, Philip Treigherman, Chaoliang T. Chen, Tracy Denk
  • Patent number: 8659886
    Abstract: A portable computer apparatus includes a display module, a host module, at least one shaft mechanism, and an antenna. The display module has a first pivot side and includes first and second upper-cover members and a display device contained in the first and second upper-cover members. The host module has a second pivot side and includes first and second lower-cover members and a host device contained in the first and second lower-cover members. The host device is electrically connected to the display device and the antenna. The shaft mechanism is pivotally connected to at least one of the first and second upper-cover members corresponding to the first pivot side and at least one of the first and second lower-cover members corresponding to the second pivot side. The antenna is integrally formed with the shaft mechanism or on one of the first and second pivot sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron NeWeb Corporation
    Inventors: Kuan-Hsueh Tseng, Yu-Yu Chiang, Kuo-Lun Huang, Shang-Ching Tseng, Sheng-Chih Sun, Chi Ho
  • Patent number: 8654261
    Abstract: A video and audio processing device comprises: a switching unit that switches a video input and output pathway at least between “analog video input terminal—analog video output terminal” and “specific-standard digital input terminal—specific-standard digital output terminal”; an input determining unit that determines whether the specific-standard digital data is fed into the specific-standard digital input terminal; and a pathway determining unit that determines whether the video input and output pathway is “analog video input terminal—analog video output terminal”. The receiving unit produces only the audio data from the specific-standard digital data, when the specific-standard digital data is fed into the specific-standard digital input terminal while the video input and output pathway is “analog video input terminal—analog video output terminal”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Onkyo Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuya Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 8654262
    Abstract: A simple antenna is connected to the RF input port on a conventional digital TV to receive video content from a plurality of video content sources wirelessly. The wireless RF transmission by a local transmitter has a range generally limited to within a home or room. The low power RF transmission is on a carrier frequency that is legally authorized by the FCC in frequency and power level. To identify the open channels for the RF transmission, a tuner scans for weak channels, and the transmitter is tuned to transmit on the detected weak channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Meld Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan Du Val, Herbert Kniess
  • Publication number: 20140043540
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reception apparatus including: a reception block configured to receive AV content; a trigger information capture block configured to capture trigger information for controlling an operation of an application program to be executed in coordination with said AV content; and a control block configured to control an operation of said application program in accordance with an operation mode specified in said trigger information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Naohisa KITAZATO, Yasuaki Yamagishi, Yoshiharu Dewa, Jun Kitahara, Mark Eyer
  • Patent number: 8650334
    Abstract: A source device such as a mobile phone terminal can provide more surely a user with a notification of a status of the source device. A mobile phone terminal (2) serving as the source device includes a command processing section (304) which issues a command which (A) has an event ID which designates a status of the source device and (B) causes a TV (1) to display the status of the source device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yoshida, Tomohiro Nagano, Kenichi Kimura, Tadamichi Atsumi, Taisuke Hara, Shuji Daioku, Kyohichiroh Sawachika, Koji Osaki, Ryutaro Mashiko
  • Patent number: 8643775
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention encapsulate a variety of data, for example, FIC data, together with ATSC-M/H Service data, into a single IP stream, to simplify the interface between demodulator and media processor. A single data interface protocol within the receiver can then be used, facilitating integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Iberium Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Anand Mahendra Shah, Stephen Biracree, Raúl Alejandro Casas, Slobodan Simovich, Thomas Joseph Endres
  • Patent number: 8638249
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes determining an amplitude of an input signal provided by a capacitive signal source, compressing the input signal in an analog domain to form a compressed analog signal based on the determined amplitude, converting the compressed analog signal to a compressed digital signal, and decompressing the digital signal in a digital domain to form a decompressed digital signal. In an embodiment, compressing the analog signal includes adjusting a first gain of an amplifier coupled to the capacitive signal source, and decompressing the digital signal comprises adjusting a second gain of a digital processing block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Michael Kropfitsch, Jose Luis Ceballos
  • Patent number: 8638396
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to receive and display digital television signals are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus to receive digital television signals comprises an antenna assembly coupled to the signal processing circuitry and comprising a first antenna positioned to maximize reception in a first direction and a second antenna positioned to maximize reception in a second direction, different from the first direction, and a processor coupled to the antenna assembly and comprising a selection logic module to select an antenna to receive a digital television signal for a specific channel, and a tuning logic module to configure the antenna assembly to receive a signal via a selected antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Keate, Armando V. Lopez, Eric S. Tang
  • Patent number: 8634026
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital broadcast receiving apparatus configured to receive terrestrial digital television broadcasting and satellite digital broadcasting, including: a terrestrial digital tuner; a satellite digital tuner; a demodulating block configured to demodulate a reception signal of the terrestrial digital television broadcasting with an output supplied from the terrestrial digital tuner, and, at the same time, demodulate a reception signal of the satellite digital broadcasting with an output supplied from the satellite digital tuner; a terrestrial digital tuner control block; a satellite digital tuner control block; and a switching block configured to switch output terminals of the demodulating block in accordance with a positional arrangement of the terrestrial digital tuner and the satellite digital tuner relative to the demodulating block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Jiro Hara, Kohei Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8634029
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for distributing a received modulated RF signal to a plurality of tuners including a diplexer device. The diplexer device includes a plurality of filter circuits adapted to direct respective portions of the received modulated RF the signal to respective tuner devices. In an illustrated embodiment, the tuner devices supply tuned signals to a picture in picture display device. Also disclosed is a method of receiving a modulated ready of frequency signal and routing portions of the received signal to respective tuner devices using filter devices in a diplexer or multiplexer configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Michael Anthony Pugel