Sony Corporation

Sony Electronics Inc

Sony Corportion

Takashi Otani

Noriko Kotabe

Atsushi Suzuki

Hiroshi Takano

Fujio Noguchi

Shigeharu Kondo

Kazuhiko Akaike

Tadashi Kajiwara

Setsuko Watanabe Blaszkowski

Hiroyuki Hanaya

Akira Yamazaki

Richard Gioscia

Kunio Hakamada

Yukiko Ohkura

Kazumasa Okumura

Mark A Schaffer

Yoji Ishikawa

Peter G Jordan

Gail Karen White

Tomoko Shudo

In a tone conversion apparatus, a decision-processing section sequentially detects a signal level difference between pixels of an image in a predetermined direction thereof by using the image signal having a first number of bits, determines whether the signal level difference remains within a preset signal level difference, and determines a pixel which has the same signal level as that of an immediately preceding pixel that encounters the signal level difference and is consecutive with the immediately preceding pixel. A bit-allocation-processing section may also be utilized.

Tone conversion apparatus, image display apparatus using the same, and tone conversion method

An entertainment system includes a digital television connected to a number of audio/video input devices. The television and at least two of the input devices support analog legacy communication schemes. The television is adapted to uniquely identify the analog output channels from each of the input devices. Uniquely identifying the analog output channels from each input device enables the television to automatically select the correct device output from among the numerous possibilities. This automation relieves the user of having to manually select the correct analog channel.

Method and apparatus for automatically switching between analog and digital input signals

An innovative but easy line guide is provided to provide the user of a multiple channel television broadcast system a wealth of programming information in a simple format that is easy to understand. The guide enables the user to easily select a particular program to watch. In e particular, the system provides an innovative mechanism to enable the user to scan program information of channels that the user has designated as his favorite channels. A button is provided that is designated as &ldquo;favorite&rdquo;. When the user is in a broadcast guide and selects the button, the system responds by displaying program information regarding the favorite stations at the top of the guide. Thus, the user sees at the top of the list the current programming with respect to his favorite stations, followed by program information for the remaining stations.

Method and apparatus for providing favorite station and programming information in a multiple station broadcast system

An innovative but easy to use on-line guide is provided to provide the user of a multiple channel television broadcast system a wealth of programming information in a simple format that is easy to understand. The guide enables the user to easily select a particular program to watch. In particular, when the guide is presented to the user, the guide covers only a portion of the actual television screen or display. The remaining portion of the television screen continues to broadcast the audio and video of the currently selected program. As a user scans through the guide and moves the pointer from one station to another, the system responds by automatically tuning to the channel pointed to by the pointer and provides the audio and displays the video in the portion of the screen not covered by the guide. Thus, the user can easily get an idea of the broadcast on a particular station without exiting the guide and without expressly selecting a particular channel. Furthermore, a written description of the program currently broadcasted on a station that the cursor currently points to is also shown. Thus, the user is provided the audio and video of a particular program as well as a written description of the program and the ability to easily preview another station broadcasting another program simply by moving the pointer. Once the user determines that a particular station is to be viewed, the user simply indicates selection by depressing the corresponding key on the receiver or remote control device which then functions to remove the guide. If the viewer exits the guide without selection of a station, the system automatically tunes back to the station that the system was tuned to at the time the guide was entered.

Method and apparatus for providing station and programming information

A television signal receiver equipped with a picture display controller and adapted for selecting a desired program quickly from a multiplicity of broadcast programs. In response to designation of a browsing mode, many subsidiary pictures are displayed successively under a main picture in a manner to be scrollable in any of predetermined directions. When a desired subsidiary picture is displayed within a cursor, the program being displayed on the relevant subsidiary screen is registered in a bookmark list by actuating a bookmark button switch incorporated in a remote commander. A bookmark is additionally displayed relative to the picture of the program registered in the bookmark list. Then the program thus registered is received and displayed as a main picture in response to an actuation of a jump button switch, whereby any desired one of many broadcast channels can be selectively received with rapidity and certainty. It thus becomes possible for a user to find the contents of programs in many other broadcast channels.

Television signal receiver and broadcast channel selecting method

A television channel selection apparatus for use with a television receiver having a number of available television channels. The television channel selection apparatus includes a pushbutton pad having a first pushbutton and a group of second pushbuttons. A television channel list is displayed on the television channel when the first pushbutton is depressed. The television channel list includes channel numbers listed in relation to the respective television channels. One of the second pushbuttons is selectively depressed to specify the corresponding channel number and thus to select the corresponding television channel.

Apparatus for display and selection of available television channels

A television receiver with a remote control function is provided with a novel and unique operational mode to be used during an aging process in a manufacturing line. The operational mode is to be used during the aging process, and is adapted to reproduce a predetermined picture image pattern, such as an entirely white image. Also, the television receiver in the aging mode may disable the remote control function during the aging process.

Television receiver with operational mode for aging

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Soka, Japan

Takashi Otani