692 results about "DVD player" patented technology

Athletic performance monitoring systems include components for sensing performance data and / or displaying desired information to users. Electronic interface systems facilitate transfer of the data from the performance sensing system to a display device, e.g., to enable the display of athletic performance data on an electronic display device, including conventional electronic display devices that are known and commercially available (e.g., cellular telephones, PDAs, pagers, beepers, MP3 or other audio players, radios, portable televisions, portable DVD players, other video playing devices, watches, etc.). The sensing systems, as well as any data transfer systems associated therewith, may be included as part of an article of footwear, an article of clothing, a piece of athletic equipment, or the like, or even included as part of the interface device.

A system and method for enabling a wireless terminal to access and operate ubiquitous devices (“UDs”), such as televisions, DVD players, etc. The system comprises a server coupled to access points and UDs via a LAN or a WLAN. Each access point is associated with both a map of an associated area and an overlay indicating the location of the UDs within that area. In response to wireless terminal requests relayed by an access point, the server retrieves the map and overlay associated with the access point, and transmits that data to the terminal for display. Alternatively, a list of UDs may be transmitted. Selection of a UD from the display causes an image of the UD's control panel to be displayed, from which the device may be remotely controlled by the user. A mechanism is also provided to permit users to display maps of areas other than the one in which the user is currently located to permit remote control of UDs in such areas.

An audio / visual (A / V) device, such as a DVD player, assists a user in finding desired programming from among DVD programs, conventional broadcast television (TV) programs and World Wide Web transmitted programs. The programs contain close caption (CC) and A / V content. The A / V device captures and stores the CC and / or A / V content either for current or later manual use by the user or concurrent automatic searching for desired program content or information. Text-based searching is performed on the CC content for a match with user-specified textual search criteria. The audio context is searched for either a change that indicates a change in programming or a match with user-specified audio search criteria. A video still image is captured from the video content for manual viewing or automatic comparison to a desired image. The A / V device also presents the information, including the A / V content, captured CC content and search results, on either a conventional TV or higher resolution progressive monitor.

A recording apparatus records movie content onto a DVD. The movie content is encrypted using a different encryption method depending on whether the DVD is intended for consumer use or industrial use. If the DVD is for consumer use, a VIDEO_TS directory is created on the DVD, and the encrypted movie content is recorded in the VIDEO_TS directory. If the DVD is for industrial use, a VIDEO_TS directory and an EWCPS_TS directory are created on the DVD, and the encrypted movie content and message data are recorded respectively in the EWCPS_TS directory and the VIDEO_TS directory. The message data indicates that the movie content cannot be played back by consumer DVD players.

A programmable multimedia controller, including audio and video switches, controls audio video, telephony, data, security, motor-operated, relay-operated, and / or other types of devices. Modules of the controller receive and output audio and video in a number of analog and digital formats, allowing the system to be interconnected to a wide range of devices. Small form factor general purpose personal computers may be operatively connected to provide processing power for the system, and to execute application programs. Further, a personal DVD player, or another device capable of displaying data and generating an audio output in response to user selection, may be used to control the programmable multimedia controller as part of embedded control technique. Additionally, a video overlay feature which allows video images, still frames, graphics, and / or text to be overlaid at any desired location of a display screen, is provided in some embodiments.

A game control unit includes a computer processor for executing game logic stored on a removable memory device. Rich, audiovisual content for the interactive gaming experience is provided on a digital video disk (DVD) in small clips which are selectively played back in a standard DVD player under control of the game control unit. Specifically, the game control unit mimics standard remote control signals to control playback of the audiovisual content by the DVD player.

A bi-directional communication system comprising a base apparatus and a display apparatus. The display apparatus is a portable liquid crystal display for viewing video programs and browsing the internet. The base apparatus contains a television tuner for receiving broadcast signals and wirelessly transmits programming to the display apparatus. An infrared remote control device connected to the base apparatus is used to control various external input devices (e.g., a VCR or DVD player). Control menus for the base apparatus and the external input device can be displayed on the display apparatus. The display apparatus contains a touch screen, so that a user can select operational commands for controlling the base apparatus and external input devices. The display apparatus wirelessly transmits selected operational commands to the base apparatus, which then retransmits the commands to the appropriate external input device using the infrared remote control device.

A home video network, and a home video and data network, utilizing wireless protocol communications over coaxial cable (CX) are disclosed. In the home video network, a main network station (10) includes video processing functionality, such as one or more of a DVD player, personal video recorder (PVR), and a set-top box (STB) for cable or satellite television reception. The main network station (10) also includes a matched splitter (27) that receives coaxial cable (CX) inputs, and provides low-pass filtered and high-pass filtered output. The low-pass filtered output (LF) corresponding to video signals is provided to the video processing functionality (20) and the high-pass filtered output (HF) corresponding to wireless protocol communications is provided to a wireless access point function (22). Other network stations and combinations of functions are also disclosed, including those that utilize a function switch (25) to switch between network communications over coaxial cable (CX) and communications over an antenna (A), in either a single BSS mode or a double BSS mode.

A system is disclosed for controlling multiple input devices, such as VCRs, DVD players and videoconferencing equipment, and at least one output device, such as a projector and a monitor, in a video presentation system. The system includes a processor connected to a user control interface, the multiple input devices and the at least one output device. The user interface is a unified control system for the input and out put devices. A user can select through the user control interface one of the input devices. The processor can determine and control an operating state of the input device, and control the operating state of the at least one output device. The processor can also control the connection of the input device to the output device.

An multimedia device integration system is provided. One or more after-market audio or video devices, such as a CD player, CD changer, digital media device (e.g., MP3 player, MP4 player, WMV player, Apple iPod, portable music center, or other device) satellite receiver (e.g., XM or Sirius receiver), DAB receiver, video device (e.g., DVD player), cellular telephone, or any other device or combinations thereof, is integrated for use with an existing OEM or after-market car stereo or video system, wherein control commands can be issued at the car stereo or video system and data from the after-market device can be displayed on the car stereo or video system. Control commands generated at the car stereo or video system are received, processed, converted into a format recognizable by the after-market device, and dispatched to the after-market device for execution. Information from the after-market device is converted into a format recognizable by the car stereo or video system, and dispatched to the car stereo or video system for display thereon. One or more auxiliary input sources can be integrated with the car stereo or video system, and selected using the controls of the car stereo or video system. A docking station is provided for docking a portable audio or video device for integration with the car stereo or video system.

A graphical user interface for use with a multi-media system, such as those found in vehicles, that includes a rotary knob, a graphics control circuit and a graphics display with a graphical depiction of a portion of the rotary knob. The graphical depiction includes a menu wheel and at least two menu items located near its periphery, where each of the menu items corresponds with a device, system or network (i.e.—satellite radio, navigation system, DVD player, video game system, wireless internet, etc.) with which the multi-media system can interact. Furthermore, rotation of the rotary knob by a user causes a corresponding graphical movement of the menu items along a periphery of the menu wheel.

A method for automatically creating a database of parameters (e.g., fingerprints / landmarks) used in a media sample recognition system. The user places a media sample in his media player, e.g., a CD or DVD player in his personal computer. A software process installed on the user's personal computer, to which is connected the CD / DVD player, extracts the constellation or “raw parameters” from the CD tracks as the CD plays, or under control of the software process. This extraction process may operate in the background. These raw parameters are then transmitted via the Internet (or other computer network) to a server coupled to a recognition database. The raw parameters are stored in the database. At some point in time, the raw parameters are processed into fingerprint / landmarks (e.g., using linkage) using another software process and then stored either back in the database or in random access memory (RAM) for use during a subsequent recognition process. The media sample can also be simultaneously identified during playback, which identity information is then sent to the server coupled to the recognition database.

A method of authoring a DVD with indexed promotional and informational content; a system for delivering indexed promotional and informational content for video scenes streamed from a DVD disc or a PVR; and a system for accessing this promotional and informational content via a remote control, a computer input device, or the fascia buttons of DVD players, thereby providing viewers with reference information regarding all scene content, providing video feature producers and advertising agencies with new advertising options to sell to advertisers, and providing video feature directors with a new channel for delivering additional content features for the purpose of entertainment, information, or education.

A method for embedding an entire image, audio or video watermark sequence within another image, audio or video data sequence with minimum loss of data quality is presented. The method exploits the de-correlation property of data coefficients in the orthogonal transform domain, similar to the application in data compression through transform coding. The present invention describes the usage of a Discrete Cosine Transform as the embedding domain. However, other orthogonal transforms such as Fourier, Walsh-Hadamard, Haar, Sine and Wavelet can also be used for this operation. A unique key derived adaptively from spatial locations registering the thresholds of the ac transform energies is used to unlock or de-watermark the embedded image or audio sequence. Moreover, an exponential filter has been developed to compress and expand the watermark coefficients prior to the embedding and retrieval process. The method can be used in resolving multimedia copyright protection issues arising on the Internet and in the music industry, such as the inclusion of a company's logo or an artist's recorded voice. The method can also be incorporated as a built-in feature for digital recording devices, such as still and video cameras, as well as more recent devices such as VCD and DVD players. Moreover, the method can be applied to the commercial and service sectors, where security in transmission and reception of private information in terms of speech or image is of the utmost importance.

A system and method for delivering highly customized, natural-sounding / appearing audio and / or visual content to existing player devices, including but not restricted to wired and wireless voicemail, sound-enabled PCs, and portable MP3 or DVD players. Subscribers register with existing content providers to receive alerts and information on topics they care about (e.g., portfolio updates, financial news, sports). If a user selects the audio and / or visual delivery option, the content provider passes his or her registration and preference information to the system. The content providers then pass news information to the system, which converts it to audio and / or visuals in one of two ways. For short, formulaic messages, the system concatenates spoken phrases and clauses previously recorded by human talent and stored in a multimedia library database, to create natural-seeming audio and / or visual sequences. For longer messages, the system uses human abilities entirely—i.e., a human reader records a complete text and inputs audio and / or visual files to the system. Turnaround time in both cases is minimal, and quality is high. The system then organizes customized audio and / or visual news deliveries in accordance with user preference information and customizable playlist rules, which order the selected news information by vertical, subject, paragraph, sentence, or other dimension(s). Customized news packages are then delivered as audio and / or visuals to the listeners' player devices.

A DVD game that employs a method for randomly shuffling through a large set of video and / or audio clips using a DVD player is disclosed. The DVD game may be used as a parlor-type game including a game board plus moveable play pieces, trivia question cards, random name cards, a numbered die, and a challenge die. Alternatively, the DVD game may be used in a party-play environment, i.e., where a DVD player repeatedly displays clips (including various puzzles and questions) stored on a DVD disc on a display device. The selection of clips from the DVD disc is performed in a random shuffling manner.

A personal sound link module (60) is inserted into a tunnel (40) made through the soft tissue connecting the retro-auricular space (50) with the ear canal (30). The module contains an acoustic transducer (65), located at the distal part (68) of the module, close to or inside the ear canal, an antenna (64) that receives and also potentially sends signals to a remote source, signal processing circuitry (67), telemetry circuitry (69), a power source (66) that powers the module, and possibly a microphone (63). Signals transmitted from a remote source are received through the antenna and telemetry circuitry, processed, and presented to the acoustic transducer, where they are converted to sound waves broadcast into the user's ear canal. The remote source may be a radio station, radio receiver, CD player, DVD player, tape player, audio system, telephone, TV receiver or station, or other source of audio signals intended to be heard privately by the user.

Apparatus and methods for providing enhanced consumer access to information sources and controllable entities. An Access device can be a stand alone device such as a DVD player in which the DVD disk contains the back-end information network. Other Access devices obtain the back-end information network from remote sources. By way of a specific example, the consumer can then view a game and interactively select every television camera located at the game venue.

A method wherein digital content, distributed on DVD (standard and High Definition variants such as Blue-Ray), CD (Computer Disk), or other digital storage media or downloaded as one or more files or streamed or broadcast is played interspersed with one or more advertising slots (also referred to in this disclosure as just-in-time content slots). Also detailed is method and steps for discovery of advertising slot information and fetching content for each slot by DVD players or end-user equipment that enable just-in-time content slots per this disclosure. Also included is method and steps for managing DVD advertising slot inventory, targeting of advertisements, building and operating advertising network including market place for buying / selling / auctioning advertising spot inventory, making available advertisements for pickup by advertising slot publishers, and tracking of advertising performance as well as tracking of advertising slot performance. Further, method and steps to enable new advertising offerings, such as variable CPM, based on the length of advertising that has been watched plus method and steps to provide auto-detection of end-of-content is detailed which can facilitate new rental / purchase business models. Included are also method and steps for integrating social networking aspects.

A serial transmission protocol and architecture are provided that can be used to forward remote control data between sink (e.g., DTV) and source (e.g., DVD player) devices, in addition to other data such as video and / or audio or other payload. The target device need not be in the line of sight of the remote control beam. Daisy-chained devices will pass the remote control signal to the appropriate target device, so that the user can point any remote control at the DTV or other conveniently located device in the system, and still control the actual target device. The communication channel that carries payload, processing control, and remote control data can be implemented with wired or wireless of technology (or a combination thereof). In one particular embodiment, the communication channel is implemented with a single fiber. A number of presentation and entertainment system applications that employ remote control technology (e.g., home theater, audio, and computer implemented systems) can benefit from embodiments of the present invention.

An multimedia device integration system is provided. One or more after-market audio or video devices, such as a CD player, CD changer, digital media device (e.g., MP3 player, MP4 player, WMV player, Apple iPod, portable media center, or other device) satellite receiver (e.g., XM or Sirius receiver), DAB receiver, video device (e.g., DVD player), cellular telephone, or any other device or combinations thereof, is integrated for use with an existing OEM or after-market car stereo or video system, wherein control commands can be issued at the car stereo or video system and data from the after-market device can be displayed on the car stereo or video system. Control commands generated at the car stereo or video system are received, processed, converted into a format recognizable by the after-market device, and dispatched to the after-market device for execution. Information from the after-market device is converted into a format recognizable by the car stereo or video system, and dispatched to the car stereo or video system for display thereon. One or more auxiliary input sources can be integrated with the car stereo or video system, and selected using the controls of the car stereo or video system. A docking station is provided for docking a portable audio or video device for integration with the car stereo or video system. Wireless integration between the portable audio or video device and a car stereo or video system is provided, and voice recognition and speech synthesis capabilities are provided in the portable audio or video device or the car stereo or video system.

An apparatus and method for the remote control and / or interaction-with electronic-devices such as computers; home-entertainment-systems; media-centers; televisions; DVD-players; VCR-players; music systems; appliances; security systems; toys / games; and / or displays. A user may orient a pointer (e.g., laser pointer) to place a pointer-spot on / near object(s) on an active-display(s); and / or a fixed-display(s); and / or on real-world object(s) within a display region or pointer-spot detection-region. Detectors, imager(s) and / or camera(s) may be connected / attached to the display region and / or a structure that is connected / attached to display region. When the user initiates a “select”, the detectors / cameras may detect the location of the pointer-spot within the display region. Corresponding to the user's selection(s); control action(s) may be performed on the device(s) being controlled / interacted-with and additional selection-menus may be optionally presented on an active-display.

A video equipped backpack comprising a rectangular shaped opening formed within a back panel of the backpack, a flat panel display coupled to the backpack such that a display area of said flat panel display is visible through the rectangular shaped opening, and an image source housed within said backpack and coupled to the flat panel display which transmits video signals to the display for viewing. The image source may be comprised of a portable DVD player or mini-computer with video processing unit such that the entire unit is self contained. Alternatively, the image source may include a broadcast video signal receiving unit for receiving broadcast video signals from a centrally located video signal transmission unit. Ideally, the backpack will be used in concert with other identical backpack systems in order to convey video information to large groups of people all present at an enclosed function, such as a party or sporting event.

A system and method for obtaining information on digital media content are provided. The system and method of the present disclosure obtains information on digital media content by querying the media content through a remote server on a global computer network, e.g., the Internet, via a remote control device that uses one button for the query. The present disclosure enables a user to obtain information on media content by clicking one button on a remote control while watching or listening to the content. The user will be able to obtain specific information on the content, conduct e-commerce transactions on the content or direct specific actions by the media player or electronic device (e.g. a computer, cable box, DVD player, etc.) such as recording the content to a remote device, a portable device, or another computer on the network.

An electrical connection box for wall mounting provides a recessed external plug for receiving or transmitting power to electronic components. The connection box is configured to receive a variety of signal connection modules for interconnecting associated audio / visual electronics such as DVD players, displays and the like in adjacent apertures. The signal connection modules are inserted or extracted from the face of the connection box; replacing blanking plates, and is optionally recessed from the face of the box into the wall cut-out. The configuration and mating features of the box and modules also provides for a common and isolated ground reference for surge protection of the connected components.

A method of generating an aggregate frame having a header unit, which carries MAC-header information applicable to one or more data units of said aggregate frame. Since each data unit of the aggregate frame no longer needs to carry the full MAC-header information, the overhead associated with the MAC header can be significantly reduced. At the receiver, the full MAC header corresponding to the data unit is reconstructed by (i) matching the appropriate header and data units to one another and (ii) combining the information present in the header unit and the compressed header portion of the data unit. Embodiments of the present invention are capable of improving the data throughput, for example, in an entertainment network having paired source and destination devices (e.g., a DVD player and an LCD screen) with a relatively large amount of data streamed from the former to the latter.

A limited-use Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) includes a storage layer for storing content data and control key data. At least one mark of photosensitive dye is disposed on the disc exterior to the storage layer and over at least a portion of the control key data. In one embodiment, the mark is initially transparent to allow a DVD player to read the control key data. The mark changes from clear to become opaque when it is exposed to DVD reader laser light for a cumulative period of time. This change in the optical property of the mark and the configuration of the control key data prevents further reading of the content data after predetermined reading and playback usage of at least some of the content data is permitted. In another embodiment, the mark is initially opaque to initially prevent the successful reading of the control key data, and permanently changes to transparent when exposed to DVD reader laser light for a cumulative period of time.

The present invention relates to a position-indicating transmission apparatus capable of being remotely controlled, and a reception apparatus. The transmission apparatus transmits waveforms of same frequencies having different phase angles simultaneously and includes a means for measuring an inclined angle of a transmitter with respect to an axis of terrestrial gravity to measure and transmit the inclined value of the transmitter. The reception apparatus receives and amplifies the transmitted signals and processes the amplified signals to obtain the position information related to the variation of the shifted phases with respect to the reference signal. The present invention responds easily to an input corresponding to a movement of a user or a shift in the visual field of a cursor, and has practical application in electronic devices such as TV's, computers, VCR's, LDP's, DVD players, various kinds of VOD systems, IP TV's and cable TV terminals, various kinds of communication terminals, home game consoles, computers for use with infants, HMD (Head Mount Display) devices, and the like.