Showing papers by "Sony Broadcast & Professional Research Laboratories published in 1996"

Electrical program guide system and method

Abstract: The invention provides an electrical program guide system and method by which a desired program can be rapidly selected directly from among a large number of programs with certainty. A program selection screen as a multi-screen is formed from nine reduced screens reduced to one third in the horizontal and vertical directions from screens of programs broadcast on different broadcasting channels. A plurality of such program selection screens are transmitted to a reception side. On the reception side, the program selection screens are stored into a virtual frame memory so that reduced screens of them may make a single virtual screen. From among the reduced screens of the virtual frame, desired 3×3 reduced screens are read out and displayed on a multi-screen of full motion. A viewer finds and directly selects a desired program from within the 3×3 reduced screens of full motion displayed as the multi-screen. The array of the reduced screens can be automatically changed, based on program enjoyment histories, so that a reduced screen of a program enjoyed frequently by the viewer is disposed at a position which facilitates selection by the viewer such as the upper left position of the screen. The array may be customized such that it is changed to an arbitrary array based on a desire of the viewer.

Electronic program guide system using images of reduced size to identify respective programs

Abstract: A technique for transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide which identifies programs that are to be transmitted. Electronic program guide (EPG) data includes image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to be transmitted. The EPG data is combined with program data, the latter representing different programs transmitted on different broadcast channels, and the combined data is transmitted. On reception, the EPG data is separated from the received program data and the images of reduced, less than normal size represented by the EPG data are displayed in superposition over the received program.

Electronic program guide system and electronic program guide displaying method

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic program guide system and an electronic program guide displaying method that allow a desired program to be selected in a short time and at a high degree of reliability. EPG data of programs received by an IRD 4 through a satellite and EPG data of programs transmitted as a ground wave and received by a TV receiver 5 are converted into EPG data with an integrated format by an EPG receiver 6. The integrated EPG data is then output and displayed to the TV receiver 5.

System and method for parent-controlled charging for on-line services

Abstract: A charging method for use in an interactive on-line service where a server and terminals of users are mutually connected by a transmission medium, where a predetermined service is provided from the server to the terminals via the transmission medium, and where the fee for such service is collected from each user individually, includes the steps of opening, in the server, an imaginary account for a child of the relevant user with a limited maximum amount, and withdrawing from the imaginary account the fee for the service provided to the user's child. The server can provide a predetermined service to the relevant user's child within a range of the limited maximum amount preset in the imaginary account. When withdrawing the fee from the imaginary account, the server can restrict the service providable to the terminal. Thus, the parent enables his child to receive a desired on-line service, such as on-line shopping or video-on-demand, on the basis of the child's own judgment by setting an upper limit of a service utilizable by the child and still limiting the services providable for the child, hence realizing promoted utilization of the service by children.

100h II-VI blue-green laser diode

Abstract: By reducing the dark-spot density to <3/spl times/10/sup 3/ cm/sup -2/, device lifetime exceeding 100 h has been obtained for a ZnCdSe-ZnSSe-ZnMgSSe single quantum well separate-confinement heterostructure laser diode (LD) under room temperature continuous-wave operation with a constant light output power of 1 mW The threshold current density is 533 A/cm/sup 2/ and the lasing wavelength is 5147 nm Considering the dark-spot density, we have concluded that the failure of this LD is not caused by degradation from macroscopic defects such as stacking faults, but by recombination enhanced defect reaction

Three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing method and system, an information recording medium and method, an information transmission medium and method, an information processing method, a client terminal, and a shared server terminal

Abstract: A system and method of providing a virtual reality space that can be shared by unspecified users world-wide by the steps of composing, when a Universal Resource Locator (URL) is transmitted from a client terminal via a network, a three-dimensional virtual reality space of only basic objects of which basic states do not change and sending the Internet Protocol (IP) address of a shared server terminal from an information server and a mapping server to the transmitting client terminal. When the client terminal accesses the shared server based on the received IP address, information associated with avatars (update objects) representing users of other client terminals is transmitted from the shared server, displaying the virtual reality space reflecting the avatars on the client terminal. Consequently, the three-dimensional virtual reality space can be shared without changing the existing Internet.

Control apparatus and control method for displaying electronic program guide

Abstract: A desired program is selected speedily and reliably from a plurality of programs. Reduced-sized still pictures of typical frames of programs to be broadcast on the respective channels are divided by program category and displayed as an electronic program guide. A cursor is shifted in the left and right directions to select a desired category. When an instruction is given to shift the cursor in the upward and downward directions, the still pictures of the selected category are scrolled. When the picture is determined by a selecting operation, its program is received.

Radio communication device and radio communication method

Abstract: A radio communication device has a first transmission and reception circuit for transmitting and receiving a channel which is established in a first occupied frequency band according to a first access process, and a second transmission and reception circuit for transmitting and receiving a channel which is established in a second occupied frequency band which is established in a guard band in the first occupied frequency band according to a second access process.

Reflective guest-host liquid-crystal display device

Abstract: A reflective guest-host liquid-crystal display device includes a first substrate for receiving incident light, on the inner surface of which transparent electrodes are formed; a second substrate which has a reflective film formed thereon and which is spaced to face the first substrate with a predetermined spacing; an electro-optical element held between the first and second substrates, which electro-optical element has a lamination structure including a guest-host liquid-crystal layer which contains a dichroic dye and which is uniformly oriented with respect to the transparent electrode, and an optical thin-film layer which has a predetermined optical anisotropic axis and which is formed at least on the reflective film, the optical thin-film layer being formed from a polymer liquid crystal having liquid crystal molecules which are uniaxially oriented along the optical anisotropic axis; and a passivation layer which is interposed between the optical thin-film layer and the liquid crystal layer.

Background image with a continuously rotating and functional 3D icon

Abstract: A graphical user interface displays a three-dimensional icon with a background image. The 3D icon is selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function. The icon is continuously rotated and having a shadow. A graphical user interface also displays a first menu image on a display for an operating system on a computer. The first menu image includes a taskbar image which carries button images selectable by the user to carry out a function. The GUI also displays a second menu image on the display for a navigator software which is running under the operating system. The navigator software provides a quasi-operating system environment. The GUI displays the taskbar image in the second menu image whereby the user can carry out functions of the operating system from within the quasi-operating system environment provided by the navigator software. Three visual walls are arranged on the GUI as if the user is standing inside a three-dimensional cube and open to the sky. Clicking once either on the side walls moves the contents of the side wall to the center, in effect rotating the cube. When a wall is centered, the user can activate any function in the wall by clicking on a button. Buttons displayed in the side wall may be immediately activated by double clicking so the user does not have to center the side wall.

Graphical display of an animated data stream between devices on a bus

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) displays graphical images representing devices coupled to a bus structure. The bus structure is also graphically represented and illustratively coupled to each of the graphical device images. Preferably, the bus structure is an IEEE 1394 serial bus. The system is preferably a computer system. Alternatively, the system is a television, monitor or other display system coupled to and capable of communicating over the serial bus and including a control processor and a display device. When a device is added to the serial bus, a graphical image representing that device is automatically displayed in the graphical user interface. Similarly, when a device is removed from the serial bus, the graphical image representing that device is grayed out, leaving a shadow of the graphical image until the device is either re-coupled or the system is powered off. Tasks performed by the devices coupled to the serial bus are also controlled and monitored by the user through the graphical user interface of the computer system. In order to control such tasks, a cursor control device is used to choose options displayed in the graphical user interface. One or more task windows are included in the interface which help the user select the task to be performed. Once selected, controls, commands and data related to that task are displayed within a control display window of the graphical user interface. When a task requires data to be sent between devices, the flow of data between the devices over the serial bus network is graphically represented by an animated data stream within the graphical representation of the bus structure. When the data stops flowing between the devices, the animated data stream disappears. When a device is added to the serial bus, an animated stream of data temporarily flows between the graphical image of the new device and the computer system.

Video data receiving apparatus, video data transmitting apparatus, and broadcasting system

Abstract: Video data including a program and advertisements (CMs) are transmitted to a viewer. On the transmission side (100) before the program data which is the main object of transmission, all CMs which may be transmitted during that program are transmitted in a package. On the reception side (200), the CMs are stored in a storing unit. The program data is outputted while appropriately inserting the CMs stored in the storing unit in the program based on output conditions set by the viewer. The program can be provided in a form required of the viewer:- for example, absolutely no CMs, 30 seconds of CMs every 30 minutes, one minute of CMs every 30 minutes, or one minute of CMs every 15 minutes.

Information data reproducing system, reproducing apparatus, reproducing method, data forming apparatus, and data record medium

Abstract: The data record medium is adapted for recording medium information as unerasable data and copy management information. The medium information represents the type of data record medium including at least a read-only type and a write enable type. The copy management information represents whether information data recorded on the data record medium is a copy enable state or a copy prohibition state. The medium information and the copy management information are detected from the data record medium. The information data is read from the data record. The controlling unit for substantially prohibits the reproducing unit from outputting the information data when the medium information satisfies both a first condition representing that the medium information is not at least the read-only type and a second condition representing that the copy management information is the copy prohibition state.

High-frequency amplifier, transmitting device and receiving device

Abstract: A radio frequency amplifier, for amplifying a radio frequency signal, comprises a plurality of active element groups, each comprising one or more active elements for amplifying a signal, with input terminals of said one or more active elements being combined to form a single input terminal and output terminals of said one or more active elements being combined to form a single output terminal and bias control means for controlling bias conditions of said plurality of active element groups arranged in such a manner that at low power output deterioration of the gain and distortion characteristics of the amplifier is avoided and sufficiently low power consumption can be achieved by switching the bias voltages of each of the active element groups of the high-frequency amplifier individually between an operating voltage and an off voltage.

Voice messaging transceiver message duration indicator and method

Abstract: A message duration indicator apparatus and method for use with a portable voice messaging transceiver including a message recording memory, a microphone, a remaining message memory indicator and an indicator controller provide an indication to the user of the approaching end of the message period to stimulate the user to record a message in as short a time as possible.

Portable telephone apparatus having a plurality of selectable functions activated by the use of dedicated and/or soft keys

Abstract: A telephone apparatus having a plurality of dedicated keys, a plurality of changeable keys each having at least one respective dedicated function associated therewith, and a display for displaying a plurality of lines of data. The telephone apparatus is adapted to perform a plurality of main functions including so-called menu, message, pad and book functions. Each of such main functions may be directly accessed by depressing only one of the keys. Further, the telephone apparatus enables messages, including voicemail and text data messages, to be received and stored therein. Messages or responses to received messages may be produced and transmitted from the telephone apparatus.

Signal converting apparatus and signal converting method

Abstract: The signal converting apparatus and method predictively produces highly accurate interpolated pixels in accordance with a classification which precisely reflects a variety of signal characteristics of inputted video signals to provide a high resolution video signal. An activity is evaluated and classified (12) for each block of an inputted video signal (S1). Stepwise classifications (p0-p2), (Fig 5, 22-24) are executed on each block of the inputted video signal (S1) and a classification (C1) is selected in accordance with an activity code (c0) obtained as a result of the activity classification (21). In this way, the accuracy of subsequent classifications can be increased, reflecting the activity characteristic of each block of the inputted video signal (S1), thus achieving, as a whole, a highly accurate classification of the inputted video signal (S1). Appropriate prediction coefficients (d1) stored in a ROM (14) are read out based on the activity code (c0) and the class code (c1) for each block of the inputted video signal (S1). The coefficients are used in calculators (13) to produce highly accurate interpolated pixel values (d2-d5) which are selected by a selector 15 to provide a high resolution video signal (S2).

Combining frequency and spatial domain information for fast interactive image noise removal

Abstract: Scratches on old films must be removed since these are more noticeable on higher definition and digital televisions. Wires that suspend actors or cars must be carefully erased during post production of special effects shots. Both of these are time consuming tasks but can be addressed by the following image restoration process: given the locations of noisy pixels to be replaced and a prototype image, restore those noisy pixels in a natural way. We call it image noise removal and this paper describes its fast iterative algorithm. Most existing algorithms for removing image noise use either frequency domain information (e.g low pass filtering) or spatial domain information (e.g median filtering or stochastic texture generation). The few that do combine the two domains place the limitation that the image be band limited and the band limits be known. Our algorithm works in both spatial and frequency domains without placing the limitations about band limits, making it possible to fully exploit advantages from each domain. While global features and large textures are captured in frequency domain, local continuity and sharpness are maintained in spatial domain. With a judicious choice of operations and domains in which they work, our dual-domain approach can reconstruct many contiguous noisy pixels in areas with large patterns while maintaining continuity of features such as lines. In addition, the image intensity does not have to be uniform. These are significant advantages over existing algorithms. Our algorithm is based on a general framework of projection onto convex sets (POCS). Any image analysis technique that can be described as a closed convex set can be cleanly plugged into the iteration loop of our algorithm. This is another important advantage of our algorithm. CR Categories: I.3.3 [Computer Graphics]: Picture / Image Generation; Display Algorithms; I.3.6 [Computer Graphics]: Methodology and Techniques – Interaction techniques; I.4.4 [Image Processing]: Restoration; I.4.9 [Image Processing]: Applications. Additional

Back light control apparatus and method for a flat display system

Abstract: A backlight control method and apparatus adapted for use in, for example, aircraft passenger entertainment systems are described. The apparatus includes a present brightness/pre-determined brightness and comparator, and a brightness controller which limits present brightness to a selected level in a system deployed in a discrete space (such as a passenger cabin) having a plurality of displays. The method includes steps of comparing present brightness and predetermined brightness and generating one or more control signals to control backlight brightness based on the comparison to provide more uniform brightness in a display system including many displays co-located in a common space.

Subtitle encoding/decoding method and apparatus

Abstract: Subtitle searching is achieved by encoding a subtitle to be displayed exclusively during a trick playback mode. Addresses for the subtitle to be played back during the trick playback mode are stored on a record medium reserved for addresses. A computer-readable memory directs a computer to retrieve these addresses and locate subtitles to be displayed during the trick playback mode on the record medium. The subtitles are searched by decoding and displaying the subtitles located at the addresses on the record medium to be displayed during the trick playback mode.

Coordinate inputting method and apparatus, and information processing apparatus

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for inputting coordinate information in which a relative coordinate mode and an absolute coordinate mode is automatically switched depending on a contact area. If a tablet is operated with a finger or a pen, a detection circuit detects the contact area. If the contact area is greater than a predefined threshold value, a signal corresponding to the relative coordinates of the point P at which the finger or the pen is contact with the tablet is output. If the contact area is equal to or smaller than the predefined threshold value, a signal corresponding to the absolute coordinates of the point P is output. The above output signal is supplied to a transmission module. The transmission module performs frequency modulation on the received signal and transmits the resultant signal via a transmission antenna. There are also provided buttons used for clicking operations. If a power switch is turned on, a power supply voltage is supplied from a battery via a power supply circuit.

High-capacity secondary battery of jelly roll type

Abstract: A spirally coiled electrode assembly has positive and negative electrodes each including a web-like collector coated with an active material on opposite surfaces thereof, and separators disposed between the positive and negative electrodes. A plurality of rectangular leads extend from opposite sides of the web-like collectors in directions perpendicular to a direction in which the positive and negative electrodes and the separators are wound. Positive and negative terminals are connected to the rectangular leads extending from the respective opposite sides of the web-like collectors. The spirally coiled electrode assembly, the rectangular leads, and the positive and negative terminals are housed in a cylindrical casing whose opposite ends are closed by respective caps. The positive and negative terminals are fixed to the caps, respectively.

Method for separating a device-forming layer from a base body

Abstract: A porous Si layer is formed on a single-crystal Si substrate, and then a p + -type Si layer, p-type Si layer and n + -type Si layer which all make up a solar cell layer. After a protective film is made on the n + -type Si layer, the rear surface of the single-crystal Si substrate is bonded to a tool, and another tool is bonded to the front surface of the protective film. Then, the tools are pulled in opposite directions to mechanically rupture the porous Si layer and to separate the solar cell layer from the single-crystal substrate. The solar cell layer is subsequently sandwiched between two plastic substrates to make a flexible thin-film solar cell.

Picture processing method and apparatus

Abstract: A picture processing apparatus in which the color appearance of a soft copy image and that of a hard copy picture coincide with each other with high precision despite difference in the optical environment. A first conversion unit 12 is responsive to the optical environmental parameters specifying a picture handled by an input device 3 to convert picture data from the input device 3 corresponding to a picture handled by the input device 3 into index data for color appearance associated with the appearance under the ambient light. A second conversion unit 14 is responsive to the optical environmental parameters specifying the luminance of the ambient light in which to observe the picture handled by the output device 4 to convert the color appearance index data obtained by the first conversion unit 12 so that the color appearance under the ambient light will be coincident with the color appearance under the ambient light under which to view the picture handled by the input device 3. The resulting appearance index data is sent to an output device 14.

Method and apparatus for directing data packets in a local area network device having a plurality of ports interconnected by a high-speed communication bus

Abstract: A one-chip local area network (LAN) device comprises more than one local area network interface ports each including one receiver (11-14), one transmitter (15-18) and one triplet processor (25-28), a high-speed data bus (24) to which individual ones of the plurality of local area network interface ports are connected, and a switch engine (34) connected to the high-speed data bus (24) and including a packet buffer controller (40), a high-speed data bus controller (42) and content-addressable memory manager (44). Each triplet processor (25-28), provides for the reading of a destination address in packets received from a corresponding one of the local area network interface ports and simultaneously provides for the cut-through transmission of packets received from other ones of the local area network interface ports that transfer the packets over the high-speed data bus (24).

Circuit card present sense and protective power supply inhibit for airborne application of ATM switch unit

Abstract: A system on an aircraft that eliminates hot-swapping of circuit boards to prevent damage to the circuit board connector interfaces. The system supplies power to a circuit card only when there is an effective coupling between a circuit card connector and an opposite mating connector. A power control circuit responds to a card present signal which indicates when the circuit card connector is coupled to the opposite mating connector. A logic circuit converts the card present signal to a power supply enable signal. A main power supply receives the power supply enable signal and provides power to the circuit card only when the circuit card connector and the opposite mating connector are appropriately coupled.

Image controlling device and image controlling method

Abstract: An image controlling device and method thereof is provided with superior operability when making selections from a menu displayed on a display device such as a CRT display. In the preferred embodiments of the image controlling device and method of the present invention, a menu is constructed by arranging a plurality of menu items three-dimensionally along a cylinder. A portion of these menu items is then displayed in such a manner that viewing is performed from the center of this cylinder outwards. The shifting velocity of the menu items is changed while all of the menu items are shifted in response to input signals from a controller operated by the user and the menu item arranged at the center of the picture is determined to be the selected menu item. When a following level exists for the selected menu item, this level is proceeded to and menu items are displayed on the display device in the same way. When the selected menu item does not have a following level an image corresponding to this menu item is displayed.

Graphical navigation control for selecting applications on visual walls

Abstract: A graphical user interface displays a first menu image on a display for an operating system on a computer. The first menu image includes a taskbar image which carries button images selectable by the user to carry out a function. The GUI also displays a second menu image on the display for a navigator software which is running under the operating system. The navigator software provides a quasi-operating system environment. The GUI displays the taskbar image in the second menu image whereby the user can carry out functions of the operating system from within the quasi-operating system environment provided by the navigator software. Three visual walls are arranged on the GUI as if the user is standing inside a three-dimensional cube and open to the sky. Clicking once either on the side walls moves the contents of the side wall to the center, in effect rotating the cube. When a wall is centered, the user can activate any function in the wall by clicking on a button. Buttons displayed in the side wall may be immediately activated by double clicking so the user does not have to center the side wall.

Method for fabricating thin film transistor device

Abstract: A method for crystallizing a portion of a semiconductor thin film while forming a semiconductor device comprises providing a transparent substrate supporting a metallic gate electrode and an amorphous semiconductor thin film which are separated from each other by a gate insulating film, heating the gate electrode by subjecting it to light rays, and applying a laser beam to the amorphous semiconductor thin film so that the portion of the semiconductor thin film adjacent the metallic gate electrode is heated by both the laser beam and the heat of the gate electrode to cause a crystallization of a portion of the amorphous thin film and then processing the remaining amorphous portions of the thin film to form the transistor structure.