US5386247A
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US
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Video display having progressively dimmed video images and constant brightness auxiliary images
Assignee: Technicolor USA Inc
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Filing: 1993-06-02
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Granted: 1995-01-31
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Expires: 2013-06-02
Abstract
Abstract An on-screen display generator for use in an image display system is disclosed. The on-screen display generator includes a main image signal source, and an auxiliary image signal source which includes a controller for varying the perceived brightness of the image represented by the auxiliary image signal in response to a first control signal. A video signal processor, coupled to the main image signal source and the auxiliary image signal source, includes circuitry for combining the main and auxiliary image signals to produce a combined image signal. The video signal processor further includes a controller for varying the perceived brightness of the image represented by the combined image signal in response to a second control signal. A control signal generator generates the first and the second control signals in such a manner that the perceived brightness of the auxiliary image signal remains substantially constant when the perceived brightness of the main image is varied. This on-screen display generator is disclosed as being embodied in a sleep timer in a television receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Kirk E. Shafer
- 👤 Aaron H. Dinwiddie
- 👤 David J. Duffield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 03:11
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/47; H04N21/485; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445; H04N5/57; H04N5/63
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for generating an on-screen display in an image display system, comprising: a main image signal source; an auxiliary image signal source, including circuitry for varying the perceived brightness of the image represented by the auxiliary image signal in response to a first control signal; a video signal processor, coupled to the main image signal source and the auxiliary image signal source, and including circuitry for combining the main image signal and the auxiliary image signal to produce a combined image signal, and circuitry for varying the perceived brightness of the image represented by the combined image signal in response to a second control signal; and a control signal generator for generating the first and the second control signals so that the perceived brightness of the image represented by the auxiliary image signal remains substantially constant when the perceived brightness of the main image signal is varied, said first and second control signals varying inversely to one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for generating an on-screen display in an image display system, comprising: a main image signal source; an auxiliary image signal source, including circuitry for varying the perceived brightness of the image represented by the auxiliary image signal in response to a first control signal; a video signal processor, coupled to the main image signal source and the auxiliary image signal source, and including circuitry for combining the main image signal and the auxiliary image signal to produce a combined image signal, and circuitry for varying the perceived brightness of the image represented by the combined image signal in response to a second control signal; and a control signal generator for generating the first and the second control signals so that the perceived brightness of the image represented by the auxiliary image signal remains substantially constant when the perceived brightness of the main image signal is varied, said first and second control signals varying inversely to one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for automatically removing operating power from a component of an image display system, comprising: a main image signal source; an auxiliary image signal source, including circuitry for varying the perceived brightness of the image represented by the auxiliary image signal in response to a first control signal; a video signal processor, coupled to the main image signal source and the auxiliary image signal source, and including circuitry for combining the main image signal and the auxiliary image signal to produce a combined image signal, and circuitry for varying the perceived brightness of the image represented by the combined image signal in response to a second control signal; and a control signal generator, responsive to input from a user selecting a time when operating power is to be removed from the component, for generating the first and the second control signals so that the perceived brightness of the image represented by the main image signal is gradually reduced while the perceived brightness of the image represented by the auxiliary image signal remains substantially constant during a predetermined period of time before the selected time, and for generating a signal to control removing the operating power from the component at the selected time, said first and second control signals varying inversely to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for automatically removing operating power from a component of an image display system, comprising: a main image signal source; an auxiliary image signal source, including circuitry for varying the perceived brightness of the image represented by the auxiliary image signal in response to a first control signal; a video signal processor, coupled to the main image signal source and the auxiliary image signal source, and including circuitry for combining the main image signal and the auxiliary image signal to produce a combined image signal, and circuitry for varying the perceived brightness of the image represented by the combined image signal in response to a second control signal; and a control signal generator, responsive to input from a user selecting a time when operating power is to be removed from the component, for generating the first and the second control signals so that the perceived brightness of the image represented by the main image signal is gradually reduced while the perceived brightness of the image represented by the auxiliary image signal remains substantially constant during a predetermined period of time before the selected time, and for generating a signal to control removing the operating power from the component at the selected time, said first and second control signals varying inversely to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the varying circuitry in the auxiliary image signal source comprises a first gain control circuit responsive to the first control signal; and the varying circuitry in the video signal processor comprises a second gain control circuit responsive to the second control signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control signal generator generates the first and second control signals such that the serial gain of the first and second gain control circuits remains substantially constant. PG,22
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the auxiliary image signal source comprises digital circuitry for generating a digital signal representing the auxiliary image signal; and the first gain control circuit comprises a digital to analog converter, producing an analog output signal having a variable gain controlled by the first control signal, and responsive to the digital auxiliary image signal representative signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the combining circuitry in the video signal processor comprises a two input multiplexer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control signal generator generates the second control signal in response to a user input.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control signal generator comprises: a first processor for generating the first control signal; and a second processor, coupled to the first processor, and responsive to a user input, for generating the second control signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the component comprises the control signal generator, and the operating power controlling signal is coupled to a main operating power supply for the component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the component is located remotely from the control signal generator, and the operating power controlling signal is made available to the component through a remote signal link.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the varying circuitry in the auxiliary image signal source comprises a first gain control circuit responsive to the first control signal; and the varying circuitry in the video signal processor comprises a second gain control circuit responsive to the second control signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the control signal generator generates the first and second control signals such that the serial gain of the first and second gain control circuits remains substantially constant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the auxiliary image signal source comprises digital circuitry for generating a digital signal representing the auxiliary image signal; and the first gain control circuit comprises a digital to analog converter, producing an analog output signal having a variable gain controlled by the first control signal, and responsive to the digital auxiliary image signal representative signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the combining circuitry in the video signal processor comprises a two input multiplexer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control signal generator comprises: a first processor for generating the first control signal; and a second processor, coupled to the first processor, and responsive to the user input, for generating the second control signal and the operating power controlling signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-30 | 1998-08-01 | 1999-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-30 | 2002-08-01 | 2003-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-30 | 2006-08-01 | 2007-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |