Robert J O'Brien

US Patent:

59596872, Sep 28, 1999

Filed:

Oct 10, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/948388

Inventors:

Aaron Hal Dinwiddie - Fishers IN
Robert Lawrence O'Brien - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H04N 700
H04N 1100

US Classification:

348564

Abstract:

A video signal processing system produces an output signal suitable for producing a closed caption display and is responsive to a "freeze" command from a user for modifying generation of the output signal such that the content of the closed caption region of the display does not change. The system provides for user selection of various freeze modes including one in which just the caption region of a display is frozen, another in which just the video region of the display is frozen, and another in which both the caption and video regions of the display are frozen.

US Patent:

61410586, Oct 31, 2000

Filed:

Dec 16, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/798049

Inventors:

William Adamson Lagoni - Indianapolis IN
Robert Lawrence O'Brien - Indianapolis IN
Dennis Ronald McCarthy - Syracuse NY

Assignee:

Thomson Licensing S.A. - Boulogne

International Classification:

H04N 5445

US Classification:

348563

Abstract:

A television receiver includes telephone network interface circuitry which allows the receiver to receive and process Caller-ID signals for display during the ringing period of the telephone set. The television receiver also includes circuitry which allows a list of priority callers to be entered. In this way, the incoming Caller-ID codes are compared to the telephone numbers of the priority callers. Upon detection, the Caller-ID information of a priority caller is displayed on screen during television viewing. The telephone numbers of those callers not listed as priority callers are not displayed during the ringing period of the telephone. Both displayed and non-displayed telephone numbers which correspond to unanswered telephone calls are stored in a Caller-ID list for display at the user's convenience. In this way, the user is able to enter data to select beforehand which calling telephone numbers are permitted to interrupt his or her television show by displaying Caller-ID information on the screen.

US Patent:

52373983, Aug 17, 1993

Filed:

May 28, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/706597

Inventors:

Ronald T. Keen - Indianapolis IN
Robert L. O'Brien - Indianapolis IN
William A. Lagoni - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H04N 967

US Classification:

358 30

Abstract:

Two transistors are operated individually as emitter follower buffer amplifiers for R-Y and B-Y input signals and are operated together as an inverting summing matrix for deriving a G-Y output signal from the R-Y and B-Y input signals. All three output signals are "buffered" (i. e. , provided by low impedance sources) and are subject to substantially equal delays. Advantageously, the circuit implementation requires only two transistors and three resistors to provide output signals which are (1) buffered, (2) matrixed and (3) delay compensated and which features improved reliability (due to reduced "parts count") and an economic implementation of the buffering, delay compensation and matrixing functions.

US Patent:

58477730, Dec 8, 1998

Filed:

Jan 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/582404

Inventors:

William Adamson Lagoni - Indianapolis IN
Robert Lawrence O'Brien - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H04N 557
H04N 558

US Classification:

368603

Abstract:

A projection television system includes an automatic contrast control section for controlling the amplitude of the luminance signal in response to the peak value of a luminance-representative image component signal in order to prevent white-spot blooming. Circuitry is provided for deactivating the automatic contrast control section when a user sets the contrast control level above a given threshold level, e. g. , corresponding to the maximum contrast control level. As a result white-spot blooming is inhibited in order to ensure sharp images for a contrast control range below the given threshold level while allowing maximum white image components to be produced (at the expense of white spot blooming) when the contrast control level is set above the threshold level, depending on the preference of the user.

US Patent:

51914204, Mar 2, 1993

Filed:

Dec 16, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/808328

Inventors:

William A. Lagoni - Indianapolis IN
Robert L. O'Brien - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H04N 557
H04N 552
H04N 977

US Classification:

358168

Abstract:

A non-linear (e. g. , "white stretch") processor and a brightness control processor are coupled in cascade between an input for receiving a video input signal to be processed and an output for providing a processed video output signal. A control signal for controlling the transfer characteristics of the non-linear processor is provided by an amplifier having a first input coupled to receive an average picture level (APL) indicating signal derived from the processed video output signal and having a second input coupled to receive a reference level signal supplied thereto. A brightness control signal is applied to a control input of the brightness control processor for controlling the brightness level of the processed video output signal. Circuit means are provided for deriving at least a portion of the reference level signal for the amplifier from the brightness control signal supplied to the brightness control processor thereby reducing a tendency for variations in the brightness control signal to alter the transfer characteristics of the non-linear processor.