Superstar singer Michael Jackson co-patented a "Method and means for creating anti-gravity illusion" in 1993.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7319755 | Image altering apparatus and method for providing confidential viewing of a fundamental display image An image altering apparatus which provides confidential viewing of a video display by means of time multiplexing the fundamental display image with a color-inverted image thereof on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Electronic circuitry and/or software are utilized to modify ... | 01/15/2008 |
| 7164373 | Data modulating method and apparatus, data demodulating method and apparatus, and code arranging method In a data demodulating method and apparatus, and a code arranging method, a multiplexer multiplexes an input data stream divided by a predetermined length into a plurality of types of pseudo random data streams using multiplexed information of predetermined bits by ... | 01/16/2007 |
| 7110042 | Synchronization signal decoder and associated method The invention relates to a synchronization signal decoder and associated method for improving digital image display. A composite video stream includes a distortion compliant signal and a synchronization signal. A level shift circuit is adapted to shift a voltage lev... | 09/19/2006 |
| 7050698 | Method and apparatus for synthesizing or modifying a copy protection signal using a lowered signal level portion A modified Colorstripe⢠copy protection process utilizes a basic anti-copy protection (ACP) signal that causes attenuation of a video signal, wherein, in one embodiment, the process modifies (lowers) the level of a front porch portion and adds an incorrect color s... | 05/23/2006 |
| 7006632 | Check authorization system and method A self-authenticating check authorization system and method includes a check that has standard bank and account information printed on the MICR line, as well as a one-way hash value that is computed based on the standard bank and account information as well as a per... | 02/28/2006 |
| 6993086 | High performance short-wave broadcasting transmitter optimized for digital broadcasting A short wave high efficiency radio broadcasting transmitter for digital transmissions. The transmitter includes a power tube in which the grid is excited by a variable phase signal through an excitation device and in which the anode is amplitude modulated by the out... | 01/31/2006 |
| 6836844 | Information signal copy managing method, information signal recording method, information signal output apparatus, and recording medium An information signal copy managing method for properly protecting the copyright of information signals and, at the same time, guaranteeing user advantages in copying information signals within a limited range. Information indicative of the start and end of each pie... | 12/28/2004 |
| 6091822 | Method and apparatus for recording scrambled video audio signals and playing back said video signal, descrambled, within a secure environment A technique is disclosed for preventing unauthorized playback of scrambled video/audio signals recorded on, for example, a video tape cassette, which technique includes several cooperating processes and apparatus which further prevent the playback of reco... | 07/18/2000 |
| 5912970 | Television scrambling system A sync suppression, phase inversion scrambling system for a television signal is modified to improve its anti-piracy attributes SAW filters are switched during horizontal intervals to introduce scrambling The switching is a function of a mode signal and f... | 06/15/1999 |
| 5768376 | Video signal scrambling apparatus A video signal scrambling apparatus which scrambles a video signal in a cable or commercial broadcasting system to prevent nonsubscribers from viewing the signal and the unwarranted descrambling of the signal. The scrambling apparatus scrambles the video ... | 06/16/1998 |
| 5768377 | Video signal descrambling apparatus A video signal descrambling apparatus capable of restoring a scrambled video signal transmitted from a cable television or commercial broadcasting system to the original standard video signal to permit subscribers to enjoy the scrambled signal and to prov... | 06/16/1998 |
| 5631693 | Method and apparatus for providing on demand services in a subscriber system An on demand services feature for the provision of video, audio, and data services for a subscription system of the CTV type, or the like. The system comprises a headend coupled to a distribution network having a multiplicity of subscribers. Standard serv... | 05/20/1997 |
| 5539823 | Subscription television picture scrambling and descrambling system providing compatibility with different such systems Video signal scrambling and descrambling methods and apparatus for a subscription TV system are provided which are compatible with other equipment operating in accordance with pre-existing modes of signal scrambling and descrambling. Coded indicator signa... | 07/23/1996 |
| 5442700 | Scrambling method A system for scrambling a television signal by designating a horizontal line number on a pseudorandom basis and then stripping the vertical and horizontal synch components from the signal at each location of a frame except at the designated line.... | 08/15/1995 |
| 5272751 | Pay television In a pay television device, a horizontal sync signal, a vertical sync signal, and the like are removed from a composite video signal, and first-frequency and second-frequency signals for descrambling processing are attached in the intervals corresponding ... | 12/21/1993 |
| 5177787 | Scrambler with self-calibration The invention is directed to an improved scrambler capable of self-calibrating output signals. In one embodiment, the scrambler provides an encoded signal along separate signal pulses. A portion of one signal is made to correspond to a portion of another ... | 01/05/1993 |
| 5166976 | System and method for detection of a pulse within a video signal An audiovisual subscription system includes means for aperiodically inverting the lines of a transmitted video signal of a frame-by-frame basis and for decrypting encrypted PCM audio information which is transmitted along with the aperiodically inverted v... | 11/24/1992 |
| 5161187 | Cable television system A cable television system includes a transmitter and at least one receiver. In the transmitter, sync information is suppressed in amplitude to execute scrambling, and a sync width information signal and key data are superimposed on a television signal dur... | 11/03/1992 |
| 5142575 | Method and apparatus for improving video scrambling and employing split sync pulses This invention discloses a new and improved method of scrambling video signals by inversion of the video information by splitting the sync pulse into plural portions and transmitting each portion of the sync pulse at a predetermined level. This improves t... | 08/25/1992 |
| 5113440 | Universal decoder A microprocessor based decoder module for television video signals which have been encoded by suppressing sync pulses and/or inverting picture video. The decoder modules generates sync restoration gates and/or video inversion gates developed from timing s... | 05/12/1992 |
| 4924498 | Method and apparatus for improving video scrambling and employing split snyc pulses This invention discloses a new and improved method of scrambling video signals by inversion of the video information by splitting the sync pulse into plural portions and transmitting each portion of the sync pulse at a predetermined level. This improves t... | 05/08/1990 |
| 4885776 | Television signal encoder with reduced transient switching effects A television encoding system passes a modulated video carrier through a pair of SAW filters for attenuating and reversing the phase of the carrier during horizontal intervals. Another pair of SAW filters impart intermediate amplitude and phase changes to ... | 12/05/1989 |
| 4817144 | Secure TV scrambling system using framing code switching A television signal scrambling system scrambles by suppressing horizontal syncs and changing the phase of the video carrier during the horizontal intervals. Data is transmitted by using two different widths for the horizontal intervals. Framing code infor... | 03/28/1989 |
| 4815129 | Video encryption system An encrypted video distribution system includes a signal originating station which distributes television signals in a format unrecoverable by a standard television receiver. In particular, the normally occurring vertical and horizontal synchronizing puls... | 03/21/1989 |
| 4725882 | Scrambled video signal processor A scrambled video signal processor comprises an amplifier for outputting a noninverted video signal and an inverted video signal, a timing pulse controller for generating first and second timing pulses at a pedestal position in an arbitrary horizontal syn... | 02/16/1988 |
| 4716588 | Addressable subscription television system having multiple scrambling modes A multimode scrambling system for video signal transmission systems is described. The system provides for baseband video scrambling controlled by a central originating computer facility. The scrambling of each field of a video changes on a per field basis... | 12/29/1987 |
| 4679078 | High security subscription television transmission system A system for scrambling and descrambling a composite video signal having video program information, vertical sync pulses, and horizontal sync and blanking information includes an encoder and a decoder. The encoder scrambles the video signal by selectively... | 07/07/1987 |
| 4667232 | Synchronizing pulse restoration circuit A decoder for a television signal encrypted with randomly inverted video and randomly suppressed sync pulses includes inverting and noninverting amplifiers for inverting the inverted video and a sync pulse restoration circuit for restoring suppressed sync... | 05/19/1987 |
| 4575755 | Video encoder/decoder system An apparatus and method for encoding and decoding a television signal are disclosed in which the horizontal sync pulses and the first section of the video signal are inverted, and the inverted horizontal sync pulses and video signals are reduced in amplit... | 03/11/1986 |
| 4527195 | Apparatus for encoding and decoding information Apparatus for encoding and decoding information. Multiple scrambling techniques are provided to prevent unauthorized reception of a television picture signal. A first mode of scrambling provides for shifting randomly occurring horizontal synchronization p... | 07/02/1985 |
| 4396947 | Apparatus for encoding of information A composite video signal containing an information portion and a synchronization pulse is encoded by shifting the level of the synchronization pulse and also by inverting the information portion. The encoding is switched on and off at a randomly chosen fr... | 08/02/1983 |
| 4340906 | Video signal coding by video signal polarity reversal on the basis of brightness level comparison A method and means for coding and decoding video signals by repetitive video signal polarity reversal includes the steps of comparing the brightness level of a predetermined time period of the video signal with the brightness level of the video signal ove... | 07/20/1982 |
| 4222068 | Subscription television apparatus and methods Subscription apparatus and methods wherein an encoder begins inversion of a video signal during the last horizontal trace line of a randomly selected vertical interval and continues to invert trace lines in the following field of the video signal. The enc... | 09/09/1980 |
| 4075660 | Pay television system with synchronization suppression Reference pulses of opposite polarity to the horizontal sync pulses are added to the composite television signal just preceeding each horizontal sync pulse. The video portion of the signal is inverted for randomly selected fields. Coding bursts are added ... | 02/21/1978 |