Sony Corporation

Sony Electronics Inc

Other

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Dts, Inc.

Glen David Stone

Scott D Smyers

Bruce Alan Fairman

David V James

Mark Eyer

Harold Aaron Ludtke

Jose L Diaz

Hisato Shima

Richard A Bardini

Mahfuzur Rahman

Paul N Fahn

Thomas Ulrich Swidler

Alan Messer

Russell A Berkoff

Richard K Scheel

Twafik Mohamed

Vlad Ionut Ursachi

Kazonubu Toguchi

Gregory Vines

Bruce Alan Faiman

The technology relates to determining speaker positioning in a multichannel sound system. In one example, one or more controllers perform time of flight measurements between one or more pairs of speakers of the plurality of speakers. A distance between each of the one or more pairs of speakers based on the time of flight measurements is determined A location of each speaker in the one or more pairs of speakers relative to the other speakers in the one or more pairs of speakers is determined. Based on the determined location of each speaker the multichannel sound system is calibrated.

Automatic determination of speaker locations

An active audio output detection system and method that automatically determines the type of audio output being used on an audio playback device. Embodiments of the system and method include playing back audio content on the audio playback device (such as a mobile phone) and capturing sound during playback using an audio capture device (such as a microphone). The captured sound is analyzed to determine whether the audio playing back on the audio playback device is contained therein. If the captured sound matches the audio playing back on the audio playback device, then the active audio output is a loudspeaker. On the other hand, if the captured sound does not match the audio playing back on the audio playback device, then the active audio output is headphones.

Automated detection of an active audio output

A method for competing mobile payment offers includes presenting a payment request based on a purchase request to an electronic device. A transaction description based on the payment request is forwarded to one or more payment providers. One or more payment offers are received from the one or more payment providers on the electronic device. A payment method is selected for the purchase request based on the received one or more payment offers. The purchase request is completed using the selected payment method.

Competing mobile payment offers

Various embodiments relate to a cloud-based temporary app management system. In one aspect of the invention, a cloud service provides a temporary app from a vendor. The temporary app is a mobile application that is temporarily accessible on a mobile device when a designated event (e.g. a change in the location or surroundings of the mobile device, a particular type of data stored in the mobile device, etc.) is detected by a mobile device. The cloud service receives event information from the mobile device. The event information indicates an event detected by the mobile device. The cloud service then determines whether to make the temporary app accessible on the mobile device based on an analysis of the designated event and the event information received from the mobile device.

Temporary applications for mobile devices

A method for power management comprises registering and subscribing one or more endpoint devices to a remote power management service. The one or more endpoint devices are connected with a local network. Power state information of the one or more endpoint devices is obtained. Power state of one or more endpoint devices is changed using the remote power management service.

Cloud based power management of local network devices

An isochronous back channel is configured between a transmitting device and a receiving device. The isochronous back channel provides retransmission and flow control information from the receiving device to the transmitting device related to a stream of isochronous data packets transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device. An isochronous back channel packet for indicating a retransmission or flow control function to perform is configured and transmitted from the receiving device to the transmitting device over the isochronous back channel. A transmitting plug is configured on the receiving device and a receiving plug is configured on the transmitting device for implementing the isochronous back channel. The isochronous back channel packet includes a control instruction that instructs the transmitting device to either reset, stop or resume transmission of the stream of isochronous data packets being transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device.

Method of flow control for data transported using isochronous packets over an IEEE 1394-2000 serial bus network

A combined IEEE 1394-2000 and ethernet network allows devices on the network to operate according to both the IEEE 1394-2000 protocol and the ethernet protocol. The devices within the network are able to send IEEE 1394-2000 isochronous data, IEEE 1394-2000 asynchronous data and ethernet data. Both IEEE 1394-2000 and ethernet devices within the network are coupled to modified hubs (MHubs) to form a local cluster. The MHubs are coupled to an ethernet switch which controls communications between devices in different local clusters. The ethernet switch and the MHubs obey an isochronous interval in which all isochronous data transfers will be allowed. Preferably, on a regular and reoccurring period, the ethernet switch sends an isotick signal to begin the isochronous interval. Any bandwidth left after the isochronous interval is then allocated to the traditional ethernet traffic and the IEEE 1394-2000 asynchronous traffic, until the start of the next isochronous interval.

Method of and apparatus for providing isochronous services over switched ethernet including a home network wall plate having a combined IEEE 1394 and ethernet modified hub

A combined IEEE 1394-2000 and ethernet network allows devices to operate according to both the IEEE 1394-2000 protocol and the ethernet protocol. The devices within the network are able to send IEEE 1394-2000 isochronous data, IEEE 1394-2000 asynchronous data and ethernet data. Both IEEE 1394-2000 and ethernet devices are coupled to modified hubs (MHUBS) to form a local cluster. The MHUBS are coupled to an ethernet switch which controls communications between devices in different local clusters. The ethernet switch and the MHUBS obey an isochronous interval in which all isochronous data transfers and asynchronous data transfers from ethernet devices with an allocation of reserved bandwidth will be allowed. The ethernet switch sends a periodic isotick signal to begin the isochronous interval. Bandwidth remaining after the isochronous interval is then allocated to the IEEE 1394-2000 asynchronous traffic, until the start of the next isochronous interval.

Method of and apparatus for providing reserved bandwidth to ethernet devices over switched ethernet including a home network wall plate having a combined IEEE 1394 and ethernet modified HUB

A combined IEEE 1394-2000 and ethernet network allows devices to operate according to both the IEEE 1394-2000 protocol and the ethernet protocol. The devices within the network are able to send IEEE 1394-2000 ischronous data, IEEE 1394-2000 asynchrounous data and ethernet data. Both IEEE 1394-2000 and ethernet devices are coupled to modified hubs (MHUBS) to form a local cluster. The MHUBS are coupled to an ethernet switch which controls communications between devices in different local clusters. The ethernet switch and the MHUBS obey an ischronous interval in which all isochronous data transfers and asynchronous data transfers from ethernet devices with an allocation of reserved bandwidth will be allowed. The ethernet switch sends a periodic isotick signal to begin the ischronous interval. Bandwidth remaining after the ischronous interval is then allocated to the IEEE 1394-2000 asynchronous traffic, until the start of the next isochronous interval.

Method of and apparatus for providing reserved bandwidth to ethernet devices over switched ethernet including a home network wall plate having a combined IEEE 1394 and ethernet modified hub

A method for utilizing concurrent context switching to support isochronous processes preferably comprises a main context that is configured to support system execution tasks, a first concurrent context that supports a first set of concurrent execution and loading procedures, and a second concurrent context that supports a second set of concurrent execution and loading procedures. A context control module preferably manages switching and loading procedures between the main context, the first concurrent context, and the second concurrent context. The context control module may perform successive concurrent context switching procedures by alternating between the first concurrent context and the second concurrent context to thereby sequentially support any desired number of isochronous processes.

Method for utilizing concurrent context switching to support isochronous processes

An automatically configuring storage array includes a plurality of media storage devices coupled together within a network of devices. Preferably, the network of devices is an IEEE 1394-2000 serial bus network of devices. The media storage devices are utilized to record and retrieve streams of data transmitted within the network of devices. The media storage devices communicate with each other in order to store and retrieve streams of data over multiple media storage devices, if necessary. When a record or playback command is received by any one of the media storage devices, the media storage devices send control communications between themselves to ensure that the stream of data is recorded or transmitted, as appropriate. Control of the record or transmit operation is also transferred between the media storage devices in order to utilize the full capacity of the available media storage devices. Preferably, streams of data are recorded utilizing redundancy techniques. An internal file system is included within each media storage device. A file table associated with each recorded stream of data is stored within the internal file system of each media storage device to facilitate search and retrieval of the recorded streams of data throughout the media storage devices. Preferably, the media storage devices accept control instructions directly from devices within the network. Alternatively, a control device is utilized to provide a control interface between the media storage devices and the other devices within the network.

Method of distributed recording whereby the need to transition to a second recording device from a first recording device is broadcast by the first recording device

A data transmission method configures a source plug on a source device and a destination plug on a destination device for respectively transmitting and receiving isochronous data packets in non real-time. A stream of non real-time isochronous data packets is formed by first packetizing the data stream into conventional real-time isochronous data packets. Then, either a partial real-time isochronous data packet or multiple real-time isochronous data packets are encapsulated within a data payload portion of a non real-time isochronous data packet depending on the transmission speed. If the transmission speed is less than real-time, then a partial real-time isochronous data packet is encapsulated within the non real-time isochronous data packet. If the transmission speed is greater than real-time, then multiple real-time isochronous data packets are encapsulated within a single non real-time isochronous data packet. The stream of non real-time isochronous data packets is transmitted from the source device via the source plug to the destination device via the destination plug.

Method for any speed dubbing using isochronous packets on isochronous channels or on asynchronous streams over an IEEE 1394-2000 serial bus network

A system and method for interactively utilizing a user interface to manage device resources comprises at least one resource characterization that includes resource requirements for executing a requested process. An allocation manager may then compare the resource requirements for the requested process to the currently-available device resources. The allocation manager may then authorize or deny the requested process depending upon whether the currently-available resources are sufficient to adequately service the resource requirements of the requested process. An interface manager may provide relevant information from sources such as the resource characterization and the allocation manager to a user interface to thereby allow a system user to interactively manage device resources.

Growing community of inventors

Campbell, CA, United States of America

Glen David Stone