Michael Edward Mcdermott

US Patent:

6584587, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Oct 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/418964

Inventors:

Michael Donald McDermott - Escondido CA

Assignee:

Sony Corporation - Tokyo
Sony Electronics, Inc. - Park Ridge NJ

International Classification:

G06F 1100

US Classification:

714 55, 714 23

Abstract:

A watchdog method and apparatus for a processing system running one or more tasks for controlling one or more subsystems is described. In one embodiment, the watchdog method configures a reset controller to cause a hardware reset to the one or more subsystems in a predetermined time, and registers one or more tasks in a task table. The method calls a first task in the table and changes a status of the first task to called. For each task in the table, the method determines the status of the task, and, if the status is called, sets a flag to a true state if a second predetermined time has passed since the task was called and a response message has not been received from the called task. The method configures the device to push back the occurrence of the hardware reset to the predetermined time if the flag is not set to the true state. A next task in the table is then called, and its status changed to called. The method again determines the status of each task in the table, and so on.

US Patent:

6775843, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Oct 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/418541

Inventors:

Michael Donald McDermott - Escondido CA

Assignee:

Sony Corporation - Tokyo
Sony Electronics Inc. - Park Ridge NJ

International Classification:

H04N 5445

US Classification:

725151, 725 38, 725 56, 725139

Abstract:

A mapping method and apparatus for digital television channel mapping is described. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a virtual channel selected by a user where the virtual channel is divided into major and minor channels, obtaining a first physical channel in a first mapping table that maps to the major channel, causing the first physical channel to be tuned, and collecting a first VCT from the first physical channel. The method further includes retrieving a first TTSID assigned to the first physical channel and a CTSID of the virtual channel from the first VCT, and decoding audio and video signals from the first physical channel if the first TTSID is equal to the CTSID. The first and second mapping tables are generated beforehand, e. g. , during auto programming.

US Patent:

7551229, Jun 23, 2009

Filed:

Aug 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/917989

Inventors:

Arthur H. Ozaki - Escondido CA, US
Michael Donald McDermott - Escondido CA, US
Peter Shintani - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Sony Corporation - Tokyo
Sony Electronics Inc. - Park Ridge NJ

International Classification:

H04N 5/46
H04N 5/44

US Classification:

348558, 348555, 348731

Abstract:

An apparatus comprising a tuner module configured to demodulate a first television signal and a second television signal that corresponds to the first television signal; and a controller electronically coupled to the tuner module, the controller configured to compare a value of a first variable to a threshold level, the value of the first variable related to a quality of the first television signal; wherein the controller switches from outputting for display the first television signal to outputting for display the second television signal that corresponds to the first television signal in response to comparing the value of the first variable to the threshold level.

US Patent:

D595303, Jun 30, 2009

Filed:

Aug 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

29/265129

Inventors:

Scott Allan MacBeth - San Diego CA, US
Ashish Garg - San Diego CA, US
William Arthur Schupp - San Diego CA, US
Robert G. Hansen - Poway CA, US
Michael Donald McDermott - Chula Vista CA, US
Philip McKay - San Francisco CA, US
Hong Nguyen - San Diego CA, US
George Edward Williams - Carlsbad CA, US

Assignee:

Sony Corporation - Tokyo
Sony Electronics Inc. - Park Ridge NJ

International Classification:

1402

US Classification:

D14486

US Patent:

7765569, Jul 27, 2010

Filed:

Dec 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/009215

Inventors:

Scott Allan MacBeth - San Diego CA, US
Ashish Garg - San Diego CA, US
William Arthur Schupp - San Diego CA, US
Robert G. Hansen - Poway CA, US
Michael Donald McDermott - Chula Vista CA, US
Philip McKay - San Francisco CA, US
Hong Nguyen - San Diego CA, US
Norifumi Takaya - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Sony Corporation - Tokyo
Sony Electronics Inc. - Park Ridge NJ

International Classification:

G06F 3/00

US Classification:

725 39

Abstract:

Various menu and cursor arrow navigation aids are disclosed for television systems.

US Patent:

D633510, Mar 1, 2011

Filed:

May 19, 2009

Appl. No.:

29/337321

Inventors:

Scott Allan MacBeth - San Diego CA, US
Ashish Garg - San Diego CA, US
William Arthur Schupp - San Diego CA, US
Robert G. Hansen - Poway CA, US
Michael Donald McDermott - Chula Vista CA, US
Philip McKay - San Francisco CA, US
Hong Nguyen - San Diego CA, US
George Edward Williams - Carlsbad CA, US

Assignee:

Sony Corporation - Tokyo
Sony Electronics Inc. - Park Ridge NJ

International Classification:

1404

US Classification:

D14486

US Patent:

20020180890, Dec 5, 2002

Filed:

May 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/862391

Inventors:

James Milne - Ramona CA, US
Michael McDermott - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

H03M001/12

US Classification:

348/572000

Abstract:

A modular digital television architecture and method of designing the same is disclosed. The television architecture includes a processing chassis module operative to convert an analog input signal into at least a first digital signal for use in providing information to a display; a presentation chassis module operative to convert audio and visual components of the at least first digital signal into a final signal for presentation on the display, the audio and visual conversion being performed in a first domain; and an interface operative to interconnect the processing chassis module and the presentation chassis module. The processing and presentation chassis module are designed and operate independently of one another. The interface is a global interface capable of being used in conjunction with a plurality of chassis architectures. By employing a modular design, a variety of digital television systems can be readily produced.

US Patent:

20060005221, Jan 5, 2006

Filed:

Dec 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/010209

Inventors:

Scott MacBeth - San Diego CA, US
Pamela Covarrubias - San Diego CA, US
Sabrina Yeh - Laguna Beach CA, US
Hong Nguyen - San Diego CA, US
Michael McDermott - Chula Vista CA, US
Philip McKay - San Francisco CA, US
George Williams - Carlshad CA, US

International Classification:

H04N 5/445

US Classification:

725047000

Abstract:

Various menu and cursor arrow navigation aids are disclosed for television systems. A removable memory medium can be engaged with the TV to cause the TV to automatically display content as dictated by the medium.