Sony Corporation

Sony Electronics Inc

Takashi Hironaka

Peter Rae Shintani

Rajesh Rao

Brant L Candelore

Thomas Patrick Dawson

Robert Hardacker

Djung N Nguyen

Behram Mario Dacosta

Leo Pedlow

Rolf Toft

Ludovic Etienne Douillet

Edgar Allan Tu

Milton Massey Frazier

George Edward Williams

Aravind Asam

David Boyden

Mark Hanson

Ian Charles Matthews

Nicholas James Colsey

Jason R Meerbergen

Christopher Jensen Read

Robert Winston Blanchard

Yuko Nishikawa

Takaaki Ota

Seth Hill

Max Wu

Leo Mark Pedlow, Jr

Robert L Hardacker

Rajesh K Rao

George Williams

Mark A Hanson

A system and method for processing and displaying at least two media content streams, a first content stream and an auxiliary content stream. The system receives, stores, decodes and displays at least two consecutive media content streams. The media content streams include an initial XML which includes a memory allocation datum in relation to the auxiliary content stream. The system utilizes the memory allocation datum to download and store auxiliary media content while the first content is being decoded and displayed.

Method of smooth transition between advertisement stream and main stream

An electronic device comprising: a central processing unit; memory in data communication with the central processing unit; a network connector in data communication with the central processing unit; a firmware image stored in a compressed format within the memory, wherein the firmware image includes a plurality of software components; and an update agent stored within the memory and configured to provide a list of software components for communication out the network connector, wherein the electronic device is configured to communicate the list of software components out the network connector and receive a modified firmware image in a compressed format that includes at least one additional software component.

Electronic device with customizable embedded software and methods therefor

A method of operating HDMI ports. An HDMI port controller assigns virtual addresses when the maximum number of HDMI CEC addresses is exceeded and CEC logical addresses are duplicated with only one HDMI port corresponding to device having a CEC logical address having its port enabled at any given time. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Connection of more than three playback devices to HDMI CEC link

A TV-set is equipped with HDMI and USB connections that allow it to display and run audio-video content from a variety of conventional consumer devices. The TV-set is further equipped to provide a secure HDMI-USB interface that will allow the transfer of licensed high definition content and Internet subscriber services. Such secure HDMI-USB interface also enables a selection of proprietary application modules to be attached. Downloadable user interface templates, much like XML style sheets, are rendered to a user interface displayed on the screen. These are associated with corresponding thumbnails and URI's that allow a user to surf through lists and catalogs of materials, and then to play them in the appropriate formats and provide the machine with a customized controller. A remote commander is simplified, yet expanded to control all the attached devices through interactions with the user interface. The functions of the remote commander's keys change depending on where the user is navigating and what device is being controlled, similar to so-called soft-keys.

Automatically reconfigurable multimedia system with interchangeable personality adapters

A method and structure for authentication in a system having devices capable of communicating via multiple signal paths. Authentication is carried out between first and second devices. A first device communicates with a second device over a first data signaling path of an interface between the first and second devices in a first portion of an authentication process. A second device communicates with the first device over a second data signaling path of the interface between the first and second devices in a second portion of the authentication process.

Authentication in an audio/visual system having multiple signaling paths

A method and structure for establishing faster transmission of Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) commands between first and second HDMI-compatible devices. The first and second devices may transmit CEC commands via a shared alternate interface, a signaling path distinct from a standard HDMI CEC interface between the first and second devices. Authentication may furthermore be performed prior to use of the alternate interface to confirm that the communication is authorized.

Method and apparatus to speed transmission of CEC commands

TV settings such as brightness can be established by sending from a TV signals from an ambient light sensor to a network server, with the network server establishing settings such as brightness in response for a program being played on the TV.

Using network server to establish TV setting

A communication error message is displayed on a TV when an error is noted on a control data link between the TV and an Internet adapter module connected thereto.

Communication error message for TV internet adapter

A method for abstracting a TV hardware component to a service class to facilitate providing services through a TV.

TV-centric system

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Takashi Hironaka