Showing papers by "Sony Broadcast & Professional Research Laboratories published in 1998"

Home audio/video network with two level device control

Abstract: A method and system for providing seamless interoperability and integration of a plurality of devices in a network. When a new device is coupled to a home audio video network, the device is queried to obtain a description of first level functions supported by the device. A first level control module which implements the first level functions is generated for the device based upon the description. If the new device contains software for implementing second level functions, the software is retrieved from the device and a second level control module which implements the second level functions is generated using the software. The device is subsequently accessed via the control module in order to access the first level functions or the second level functions and provide seamless interoperability and integration of the device with the plurality of devices in the network.

Two-way communications between a remote control unit and one or more devices in an audio/visual environment

Abstract: A remote control unit in an audio/visual system has a two-way communications link with one or more audio/visual devices The bi-directional flow of information between the remote control unit and the audio/visual device(s) provides for the creation of remote control commands that are customized based upon the characteristics of the particular A/V device being controlled by the remote control unit The remote control unit may additionally have another two-way communications link with one or more information-providing devices, such as a personal computer capable of accessing the Internet, that can provide the remote control unit with information available outside the audio/visual environment The bi-directional flow of information of the two-way communications links is accomplished with a two-way infra-red link or a two-way serial link

Graphic user interface that is usable as a PC interface and an A/V interface

Abstract: A graphic user interface for use with a multi-recording media storage apparatus includes a determiner for determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of recording media retained within the apparatus and an accumulator for accumulating statistical information regarding the identity of that medium. Additional information is obtained from an external database based upon the identity of the recording medium, and further additional information is obtained from an external information source in accordance with the accumulated statistical information. The graphic user interface allows a user to view and manipulate the additional information and the further additional information in order to select a particular recording medium for playing, or to perform various other operations.

Development of an Autonomous Quadruped Robot for Robot Entertainment

Abstract: In this paper, we present Robot Entertainment as a new field of the entertainment industry using autonomous robots. For feasibility studies of Robot Entertainment, we have developed an autonomous quadruped robot, named MUTANT, as a pet-type robot. It has four legs, each of which has three degree-of-freedom, and a head which also has three degree-of-freedom. Micro camera, stereo microphone, touch sensors, and other sensor systems are coupled with newly developed behavior generation system, which has emotion module as its major components, and generates high complex and interactive behaviors. Agent architecture, real-world recognition technologies, software component technology, and some dedicated devices such as Micro Camera Unit, were developed and tested for this purpose. From the lessons learned from the development of MUTANT, we refined the design concept of MUTANT to derive requirements for a general architecture and a set of interfaces of robot systems for entertainment applications. Through these feasibility studies, we consider entertainment applications a significant target at this moment from both scientific and engineering points of view.

Remote control device with a graphical user interface

Abstract: A two-way remote control unit with a graphical user interface controls various audio/video devices interconnected in a multimedia system. The remote control unit includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving control commands to/from multimedia components, which are displayed in the user-friendly format on a display of the remote control unit. The user can scroll, select, browse, etc. through various menu items on the display, and activate any desired function on the multimedia system component by selecting the desired representation of that function on the display. In addition, the remote control unit communicates, also through wireless transmission, with a personal computer and obtains information from remote or local databases for either controlling or enhancing the operation of the multimedia system devices.

Phase transition in a computer network traffic model

Abstract: We propose and study here a simple model of computer network traffic that can exhibit a phase transition from a low to high congestion state measured in terms of average travel time of packets as a function of the packet creation rate in the network. In the model, packets are generated with destination addresses, and are transferred from one router to another toward their destinations. The routers are capable of queuing packets and autonomously selecting a path to the next router for a packet. Through simulations on a two-dimensional lattice model network, we found that the phase transition point into the congestion phase depends on how each router chooses a path for the packets in its queue. In particular, an appropriate randomness in path selection can shift the onset of traffic congestion to accommodate more packets in the model network.

Method and apparatus for displaying an electronic program guide

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting font size in an electronic program guide display are provided. A multiple channel broadcasting system generates an electronic program guide identifying channels and corresponding programs in a broadcasting system. The broadcast system determines a number of characters to be displayed in an area of an electronic program guide. The broadcast system determines a number of display pixels available for display of the characters. The broadcast system adjusts the font size of the characters to display the number of characters within the number of pixels available.

Method for creating, modifying, and playing a custom playlist, saved as a virtual CD, to be played by a digital audio/visual actuator device

Abstract: A custom playlist to be played by a digital audio/visual actuator device may be easily created and modified through use of an effective human interface on an external device, such as a personal computer. Tracks, easily identifiable by their track index identifier and the TOC of the digital storage device on which they are stored, are selected by the user or by an automated method and added to a playlist file. Once the playlist is created, the playlist file is stored to non-volatile memory of the digital audio/visual actuator device. The playlist may then be easily modified if so desired by performing such functions as adding tracks, deleting tracks, and rearranging tracks of the playlist through the interface of the external device. The playlist may be played by the digital audio/visual actuator device at any time after it has been created and the digital audio/visual actuator device may be controlled by a remote control unit to actuate the playlist if so desired.

Internet switch box, system and method for internet telephony

Abstract: An Internet switch box connects between a telephone set and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) line, the latter of which is used both for PSTN telephone conversations and for connection to an Internet service provider (ISP). The switch box contains hardware and embedded software for establishing a connection to an ISP and for Internet telephony. When two users, each having an Internet switch box connected to the telephone set, wish to have an Internet telephony conversation, one calls the other over the PSTN. When they agree to an Internet telephony conversation, they signal their Internet switch boxes, by pressing either buttons on the switch boxes or certain keys on the telephone keypads, to switch to Internet telephony. The switch boxes disconnect the PSTN call and connect to their ISPs. Once the switch boxes are on the Internet, they contact each other through a server which supplies Internet protocol (IP) addresses of switch boxes, and the users continue their conversation by Internet telephony. The users can also prearrange to call each other solely by Internet telephony, in which case they do not need to talk to each other over the PSTN.

Communication terminal apparatus and control method thereof

Abstract: A communication terminal apparatus such as a portable telephone apparatus has a main body, a selection operation unit, an operation inputting unit, a display unit, and a controller. The main body has a speaker and a microphone. The selection operation unit is provided on the main body and selects one mode from a plurality of modes of the communication terminal apparatus. The operation inputting unit is provided on the main body and changes functions based on the mode selected by the selection operation unit. The display unit is provided on the main body and displays information required for selection operation or inputting operation by the selection operation unit and/or the operation inputting unit. The controller sets a mode selected based on the input from the selection operation unit, and switches a function of the operation inputting unit based on the input from the selection operation unit. The controller controls display operation of the display unit based on the input from the selection operation unit and/or the operation inputting unit.

Method and system for collecting data over a 1394 network to support analysis of consumer behavior, marketing and customer support

Abstract: A data collection system for use with a home AV network. The home AV network includes a plurality of consumer electronic devices communicatively coupled via an IEEE 1394 based network. A receiver device is included in the plurality of devices. The receiver device functions by receiving a broadcast data stream for displaying or playing for the user, wherein the broadcast data stream includes an identifier tag describing the identity or content of the broadcast data stream. At least one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices includes an up-stream communications link capable of sending information up-stream from the user's home. Additionally, at least one of the consumer electronic devices includes a computer system, the computer system including a processor coupled to a memory via a bus. The memory stores software which when executed by the processor causes the computer system to implement a data collection method comprising the steps of monitoring the identifier tag included in the broadcast data stream, determining an identity of the broadcast data stream using the identifier tag, and transmitting the identity of the broadcast data stream to an external monitor via the up-stream communications link.

Motion sensing interface

Abstract: An electronic appliance remote controller which includes a display screen (which may be part of the appliance, e.g. a TV screen) for displaying icons representing possible operations of the electronic appliance, and a motion detector circuit for detecting a motion within a field of view of the motion detector circuit. The motion detector circuit either detects an image of the user's hand or a predetermined motion of a moving hand within the field of view as an indication that a remote control operation is to be started and, thereafter, tracks the movement of the hand. The motion detector circuit outputs a cursor control signal representative of the motion of the hand. A control circuit, connected to the display screen, the electronic appliance, and the motion detector circuit and supplied with the cursor control signal, controls the display screen to display a movable visual indicator, e.g. a cursor, whose own motion tracks the movement of the moving hand and the electronic appliance to perform operations corresponding to the icons selected by the user using the visual indicator. In one embodiment, two cameras allow three dimensional movements of the user's hand to control the electronic appliance.

System for sending, converting, and adding advertisements to electronic messages sent across a network

Abstract: An information communication system includes a server device and information communication terminals connected by a network, in which the server device provides data communication services according to requests from the information communication terminals. The server device stores information relating to users of the information communication terminals including the identification information thereof, and provides advertisement information to the information communication terminals via the network, this advertisement information corresponds with the information relating to the user of the requesting party stored in server, according to requests from the information communication terminal including the identification information of the user. The information communication terminal generates and sends requests to be sent to the server device, including user identification information, and obtains the advertisement information from the server device and outputs this obtained advertisement information.

Overview of Elliptic Curve Cryptography

Abstract: In this article, we look at the elliptic curve cryptography, which is believed to be one of the most promising candidates for the next generation cryptographic tool. The following issues are addressed here; 1. Discrete Logarithm Problem in finite fields 2. Elliptic Curve Discrete Logs 3. Implementation of ECDLP Cryptographic Schemes 4. Attacks on EC Cryptosystems 5. Minimum Requirement for Secure EC Cryptosystems 6. Standardization and Commercialization of EC Cryptosystems 7. Construction of Elliptic Curves

Heterojunction field effect transistor

Abstract: A heterojunction field effect transistor realizing a high performance by a significant decrease. in source resistance while maintaining a sufficiently high gate resistivity to voltage is provided. Sequentially stacked on a c-face sapphire substrate via a buffer layer are an undoped GaN layer, undoped Al 0 .3 Ga 07 N layer, undoped GaN channel layer, undoped Al 0 .15 Ga 0 .85 N spacer layer, n-type Al 0 .15 Ga 0 .85 N electron supply layer, graded undoped Al z Ga 1-z N barrier layer and n-type Al 0 .06 Ga 0 .94 N contact layer, and a gate electrode, source electrode and drain electrode are formed on the n-type Al 0 .06 Ga 0 .94 N contact layer to form a AlGaN/GaN HEMT. The Al composition z in the graded undoped Al z Ga 1-z N barrier layer continuously decreases from 0.15 to 0.06, for example, from the n-type Al 0 .15 Ga 0 .85 N electron supply layer toward the n-type Al 0 .06 Ga 0 .94 N contact layer. An n ++ -type GaN contact layer may be formed on the n-type Al 0 .06 Ga 0 .94 N contact layer in the region for the source electrode and the drain electrode, and the source electrode and the drain may be formed on it.

Method and system for providing a device identification mechanism within a consumer audio/video network

Abstract: A method and system for providing a device identification mechanism within a consumer electronics based audio/video network. Several consumer electronics products, e.g., television, VCR, tuner, set-top box (e.g., intelligent receiver/decoder, IRD), DVTRs, PCs, DVD players (digital video disk), etc., can be coupled within the network to communicate together via a standard bus (e.g., IEEE 1394 serial communication bus). In one embodiment, the HAVI network offers unique advantages consumer electronic vendors because the architecture offers for the home network many of the advantages of existing computer system networks. Specifically, interconnected devices can share resources and provide open, well defined APIs that allow ease of development for third party developers. The present invention provides a mechanism whereby a global unique identifier (GUID) is associated with each device of the HAVI network. A low level driver constructs a GUID list of each device on the HAVI network. The order of the GUID entries in the GUID list (e.g., the index) matches the physical identifiers assigned to the devices by the 1394 serial bus. Although the physical identifiers can change on bus reset, the GUID values are constant and are used for device communication. Speed map and topology map information is maintained based on the physical identifier information and therefore translations between GUIDs and physical identifiers are efficiently performed by the present invention when referencing speed map and topology information for an application.

Significant progress in II-VI blue-green laser diode lifetime

Abstract: A II-VI laser diode lifetime of >140 h at 40/spl deg/C, as well as /spl sim/400 h at 20/spl deg/C, has been achieved for a ZnCdSe-ZnSSe-ZnMgSSe separate-confinement heterostructure laser diode under continuous-wave operation with a constant output power of 1 mW. Progress has been made towards increasing the basic reliability of ZnMgSSe-based wide bandgap laser diodes by reducing point defects.

Home audio/video network for generating default control parameters for devices coupled to the network, and replacing updated control parameters therewith

Abstract: A method and system for ensuring future upgradability and expandabiliy of devices in a home audio video network. The system of the present invention generates a default control module for a first device coupled to the network by using a second device coupled to the network. The the default control module is configured to ensure at least a minimum degree of interoperability between the first device and the second device. The second device access the first device via the default control module, wherein the default control module enables the first device to respond to a default set of commands from the second device. When an updated control module for the first device is received, the default control module is replaced with the updated control module by unlinking the default control module and linking the updated control module using a registry. The updated control module can be received from a wide variety of sources (e.g., the internet, satellite broadcast, cable TV provider, disk from the manufacture, etc.). The second device subsequently accesses the first device via the updated control module, wherein the updated control module enables the first device to respond to an updated set of commands from the second device.

Personal music device with a graphical display for contextual information

Abstract: An audio system for playing recordings of audio programming includes a relatively large display device on which contextual information about the audio programming may be displayed. The contextual information is recorded on the same recording medium as the audio programming and may include any textual information or graphic images related to the audio programming or the artists who produced it. Preferably, the audio system is a personal, portable audio system which is battery-operated and which reads mini-discs.

Viterbi decoding apparatus and Viterbi decoding method

Abstract: A register train is provided in addition to a train of memory cells as many as a cut length which are arranged in correspondence to each state. Outputs of selectors at respective stages in the register train corresponding to state 00 are inputted to a register 1021 in the register train and selectors. Outputs of the registers at the front stages are inputted to those three selectors, respectively. The three selectors switch outputs to the post stages in accordance with a control by a control circuit when a reception word is terminated and in the other cases. Thus, when the reception word is terminated, information stored in the register train is transferred as it is. By such an operation, a path which reaches state 00 can be decoded when a reception word is terminated.

Tracking a user's purchases on the internet by associating the user with an inbound source and a session identifier

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for interactive network session tracking from inbound source to net sale includes storing a unique session ID (identifier) in an entry in a session database, and associating the session ID with an inbound source (origin) of the user of an interactive network site. The user's actions, such as page views, product detail views, and shopping cart additions and deletions, can also be stored in the session database associated with the session ID. The unique session ID is embedded in a digital offer that is stored in a transaction database such that net sale data is associated with the session ID. Reporting and correlation of transaction data and the user activity data can be performed offline for analysis of purchase and traffic patterns.

Storage medium, robot, information processing device and electronic pet system

Abstract: An electronic pet having reality by various machines is implemented. An IC card stores a matter to be renewed in accordance with an action when an electronic pet takes the action on the basis of an internal status parameter which contains the feeling of the electronic pet and represents the internal status thereof, and it is detachably mounted in a device functioning as the body of the electronic pet. A virtual pet device functions as the body of the electronic pet and performs processing to display the electronic pet, and it has a slot in which the IC card is detachably mounted. A pet type robot functions as the body of the electronic pet, and it has a slot in which the IC card is detachably mounted.

Information terminal, processing method by information terminal, information providing apparatus and information network system

Abstract: An information terminal, interconnected through a radio-communication network, including a position acquisition unit for acquiring position fixing information that fixes the present position of own information terminal, a transmitting unit for transmitting through the radio-communication network on demand the position fixing information of own terminal acquired through the position acquisition unit and for transmitting through the radio-communication network a request command for requesting position-related information about each information terminal belonging to a group identified by a predetermined password number, a receiving unit for receiving from a user management table of an information providing apparatus through the radio-communication network the position-related information about each information terminal belonging to the group, and a display unit for displaying the information-related information of each information terminal received by the receiving unit. With a simple operation, the user of the information terminal constituting the predetermined group identified by the predetermined password number can visually grips the positions of other users through the radio-communication network at a glance.

Client apparatus, image display controlling method, shared virtual space providing apparatus and method, and program providing medium

Abstract: An avatar acting in a shared virtual space is changed in a manner nearly resembling that in a real space. A client PC, along with another client PC, is connected to a shared server through the Internet to receive data about the shared virtual space constituted by a VRML file from the shared server and displays the received data on a CRT monitor. A virtual life object (called an avatar), the alter ego of a user, is changed based on a growth parameter that changes according to occurrence of an event. A hard disk holding a growth parameter control table stores growth parameters updated by an event caused by an operation performed on own client apparatus or another client apparatus or an event caused by passing of predetermined time. The update growth parameter is also transferred to another client PC through the shared server.

Home audio video network with device control modules for incorporating legacy devices

Abstract: A method and system for providing seamless interoperability and integration between a plurality of devices in a network using a common protocol, wherein at least one of the devices is a legacy device which commmunicates with the network using a proprietary protocol. When a legacy device is coupled to the network, one of the plurality of devices on the network queries the legacy device via the proprietary protocol to determine a set of basic capabilities supported by the legacy device. The set of basic capabilities are then mapped from the proprietary protocol to a set of basic commands from the common protocol. A control module is generated for the legacy device, wherein the control module is based upon the set of basic commands. The set of basic capabilites of the legacy device are then accessed via the control module, thereby providing seamless interoperability and integration of the legacy device with the plurality of devices.

Method and system for automatically recording music data files by using the hard drive of a personal computer as an intermediate storage medium

Abstract: A method and system for the creation of a custom playlist of various audio/visual tracks that are to be automatically recorded to a storage medium is disclosed The user communicates with personal computer (PC) software by means of a graphical user interface (GUI) The GUI allows the user to create a custom playlist and to signal the intent that a recording of that custom playlist to a storage medium be made Once the user has indicated the custom playlist is to be recorded, the software automatically records the custom playlist with no further user interaction required In this manner, a minimum amount of user interaction is required

Manufacturing method of semiconductor device

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a surface protecting film in adhesion to a BLM film when solder balls are rearranged in Q flip chip bonding method. SOLUTION: When Al pad electrodes 2a and 2b are coated with BLM films 6a and 6b which serve as barrier metals under solder balls through a lift-off method where a deformed resist pattern 5d is employed, a wafer is heated to remove moisture contained in a first polyimide film 4 before the BLM films 6a and 6b are formed through sputtering. In a rearrangement process, a wiring which connects an Al electrode pad 2b with a solder ball is formed of the BLM film 6b, and degassing is restrained by removal of moisture when the BLM film 6b is formed by sputtering, so that the BLM film 6 is prevented from separating from a first polyimide film 4. A wafer may be heated at the same time when a deformed resist pattern 5d is formed (formed into shape of overhang).

Apparatus and method for restoration of internal connections in a home audio/video system

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the restoration of internal connections of consumer electronic devices in a home audio/video network. The present invention automatically maintains and manages the internal connections for each of the devices on the network. In the currently preferred embodiment, each internal connection is labeled according to its status (e.g., active or inactive) and/or condition (e.g., network compliancy). Whenever a new device is added to or an old device is removed from the network, a network reset is initiated. The network reset causes a device control module to terminate its normal mode of operation and enter into a “restore” mode of operation. During the restore mode, the device control module accepts connection information sent by the various stream managers of those devices currently coupled to the network. Based on this information, the device control module updates the label data for each of the internal connections. A set of rules is applied to the labels to determine whether a connection is allowed to be made by the stream manager or whether a connection is allowed to be disconnected by the stream manager. The device control manager enters back to its normal mode of operation either after all stream managers have reported or one second has elapsed.

A method and apparatus for generating and displaying a broadcast system program guide

Abstract: A program guide (702) is generated comprising a number of still video pictures (704-720) that represent current programming on a number of channels. The program guide is generated by the system tuning sequentially to each one of a number of channels. A visually usable video frame is captured from one of the number of channels, and is then decimated. Tuning, capturing, and decimating are then repeated for each of a selected number of channels. Following generation, the program guide is displayed. A system pointer (728) is displayed on the screen along with the program guide, and the system pointer is manipulated in response to input by the user. A channel is selected for viewing by manipulating the system pointer to an area associated with the still video picture of the corresponding channel.