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Patent No. 6055910

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A gun that fires a missile, powered by gas "discharged by the operator of the toy."

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Inventor: John O. Ryan


Address: Cupertino, CA
No. of patents: 55
Last patent issue date: 09/06/2011

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NumberTitleIssue Date
8014524Scaling independent technique for watermarking images with recorder shut-off
A robust technique to prevent illicit copying of video information notwithstanding the use of image scaling. A watermark is embedded into the video signal (e.g., DVD's content or other video sources) at different scales (i.e., sizes). The watermark is maintained at ...
09/06/2011
7620178Copy protection for video signal added pulses
Enhancements to a video anticopying process that causes an abnormally low amplitude video signal to be recorded on an illegal copy. In one version, positive going pulses are added to the video signal. The enhancements in one version introduce into the overscan porti...
11/17/2009
6590979Method and apparatus for compression compatible video scrambling
Scrambling and descrambling techniques are described which, unlike many typical scrambling systems, are compatible with all conceivable forms of signal compression systems. The scrambling technique is based on the principle of applying local spatial disto...
07/08/2003
6411713Method of adaptive control of the presence of a copy protection signal
A method and apparatus for adaptively controlling the presence of copy protection signals in a video signal depends upon the scene content of the video signal during an upper portion of a display of the video signal. Thus, in the upper portion of the scen...
06/25/2002
6404889Protection of a component video signal
A VGA (or other component video signal) output, e.g. from a computer or DVD player, is protected so it is viewable on a VGA monitor. However, if the component video signal is converted to composite video (e.g. television) the resulting television picture ...
06/11/2002
6381367Method and apparatus for compression compatible video fingerprinting
Fingerprinting and fingerprint detection, techniques are described which, unlike typical fingerprint systems used to conceal video signals, are compatible with all conceivable forms of signal compression systems while still allowing viewing of the video s...
04/30/2002
6374036Method and apparatus for copy-once watermark for video recording
Method and apparatus for "copy-once" of a digital video signal uses a watermark in the video signal. The embedded watermark has two versions: one indicates copy-never and a second indicates copy-once, the difference being a single watermark bit. The water...
04/16/2002
6327422Method and apparatus for modifying the effects of color burst modifications to a video signal
In the known color stripe process for preventing recording of video signals, the color burst present on each line of active video is modified so that any subsequent video tape recording of the video signal shows variations in the color fidelity that appea...
12/04/2001
6295360Method and apparatus to defeat composite video signal protection
A VGA (or other component video signal) output, e.g. from a computer or DVD player, is subject to protection so it is viewable on a VGA monitor. If the component video signal is converted to composite video (e.g. television) the resulting television pictu...
09/25/2001
6188832Method and apparatus for modifications made to a video signal to inhibit the making of acceptable videotape recordings
A video signal is modified so that a television/receiver still produces a normal picture from the modified signal, whereas videotape recording of this signal produces generally unacceptable pictures. Videotape recorders have an automatic gain control circ...
02/13/2001
6091822Method 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
5844988Method and apparatus for scrambling and descrambling of video signal with edge fill
A video-scrambling system induces a random wobble i.e., time shifting, in the location of active portion of the video frame, without affecting the horizontal sync signal and colorburst in each video line, thus providing both security and concealment. The ...
12/01/1998
5841863Method and apparatus for scrambling and descrambling of video signals with edge fill
A video-scrambling system induces a random wobble i.e., time shifting, in the location of active portion of the video frame, without affecting the horizontal sync signal and colorburst in each video line, thus providing both security and concealment. The ...
11/24/1998
5784523Method and apparatus for defeating effects of color burst modifications to a video signal
In the known color stripe process for preventing recording of video signals, the color burst present on each line of active video is modified so that any subsequent video tape recording of the video signal shows variations in the color fidelity that appea...
07/21/1998
5754649Video media security and tracking system
A video disc designed for providing security and tracking data in the rental video media market. Those new formats for video players and media allow for inclusion of security features which both allow tracking of rental of such media and prevent unauthori...
05/19/1998
5754648Video media security and tracking system
A system for providing security and tracking data for rental video media, including digital video discs and digital video cassettes. Those new formats for video players and media allow for inclusion of security features which both allow tracking of rental...
05/19/1998
5751806Audio information dissemination using various transmission modes
A system and method of information dissemination that permits the user to listen to the specific content of information when and where he or she wants to. A radio or television receiver system receives information from a FM subcarrier, a television vertic...
05/12/1998
5659613Method and apparatus for copy protection for various recording media using a video finger print
A method and apparatus for copyright protection for various recording media such as Digital Video Discs (DVDs) uses a combination of a Video Finger Print Signal and an Authenticating Signature to permit the player to handle either copy-protected or non-co...
08/19/1997
5633927Video copy protection process enhancement to introduce horizontal and vertical picture distortions
Enhancements to a video anticopying process that causes an abnormally low amplitude video signal to be recorded on an illegal copy. The enhancements in one version introduce into the overscan portion of the television picture, just prior to the horizontal...
05/27/1997
5608799Method and apparatus for scrambling and descrambling of video signal with edge fill
A video-scrambling system induces a random wobble i.e., time shifting, in the location of active portion of the video frame, without affecting the horizontal sync signal and colorburst in each video line, thus providing both security and concealment. The ...
03/04/1997
5590195Information dissemination using various transmission modes
A system and method of information dissemination that permits the user to listen to the specific content of information when and where he or she wants to. A radio or television receiver system receives information from an FM subcarrier, a television verti...
12/31/1996
5590194Method of and apparatus for scrambling a video signal with full network transmission and recording capability
A video scrambling and descrambling system that produces color video that is difficult or annoying to watch by randomly switching the color components of a component or composite video. In the scrambling portion, component or composite video is decoded in...
12/31/1996
5583936Video copy protection process enhancement to introduce horizontal and vertical picture distortions
Enhancements to a video anticopying process that causes an abnormally low amplitude video signal to be recorded on an illegal copy. The enhancements in one version introduce into the overscan portion of the television picture, just prior to the horizontal...
12/10/1996
5579390Method and apparatus for vertically scrambling and descrambling of video signals
A video-scrambling system induces a random wobble i.e., time shifting, in the location of active portion of the video frame, without affecting the horizontal sync signal and colorburst in each video line, thus providing both security and concealment. The ...
11/26/1996
5524051Method and system for audio information dissemination using various modes of transmission
A system and method of information dissemination that permits the user to listen to the specific content of information when and where he or she wants to. A radio or television receiver system receives information from an FM subcarrier, a television verti...
06/04/1996
5513260Method and apparatus for copy protection for various recording media
A method and apparatus for copyright protection for various recording media such as compact discs (CDs) uses a combination of symmetrical and asymmetrical data encryption to permit the player to handle either copy-protected or non-copy-protected media, in...
04/30/1996
5504815Method and apparatus for scrambling and descrambling
A video-scrambling system induces a random wobble i.e., time shifting, in the location of active portion of the video frame, without affecting the horizontal sync signal and colorburst in each video line, thus providing both security and concealment. The ...
04/02/1996
5438620Method and apparatus for scrambling and descrambling of video signal with edge fill
A video-scrambling system induces a random wobble i.e., time shifting, in the location of active portion of the video frame, without affecting the horizontal sync signal and colorburst in each video line, thus providing both security and concealment. The ...
08/01/1995
5406626Radio receiver for information dissemenation using subcarrier
A radio receiver receives FM subcarrier transmissions, and stores the transmitted textual information in a random access memory. The information is typically news, weather, sports, entertainment or other information of interest. A user interface allows se...
04/11/1995
5315448Copy protection for hybrid digital video tape recording and unprotected source material
A hybrid digital/analog video recorder prevents both analog and digital copying. The recorder (including a digital tape deck) inputs and outputs both analog and digital video signals. At the analog input, a detector detects conventional copy protection in...
05/24/1994
5262874Method and apparatus for recording and replaying field-length-modulated video signals
Copy protected video signals employing field-length-modulation (FLM) are effectively recorded by a VCR by stripping the rate-varying vertical sync pulses from the FLM video and reinserting constant rate vertical sync pulses having a rate equal to the mean...
11/16/1993
5058157Method and apparatus for encrypting and decrypting time domain signals
A technique for encrypting and decrypting information signals normally arranged as a succession of lines of active information, with each line having a line timing reference, such as color video information signals. The active video portion is time shifte...
10/15/1991
4937679Dual deck video recording apparatus having enhanced copy protection and method for providing enhanced copy protection to such a recording apparatus
A method and apparatus are described for preventing a dual deck video recorder from being used to record a copy-protected video signal. A switch is included on the recorder to indicate whether a video signal input to one of the deck locations for recordin...
06/26/1990
4916736Method and apparatus for encrypting and decrypting time domain signals
Time sequential information signals, such as color video signals having a line timing reference and an active video portion, are encrypted by time shifting the active video signal portion towards and away from the line timing reference signal in psuedo-ra...
04/10/1990
4907093Method and apparatus for preventing the copying of a video program
A video signal is modified so that a television receiver will still provide a normal color picture but which a video tape recorder will detect and prohibit its being recorded. A plurality of ordered pairs of pseudo-sync and positive pulses are added to th...
03/06/1990
4819098Method and apparatus for clustering modifications made to a video signal to inhibit the making of acceptable videotape recordings
A video signal is modified so that a television monitor/receiver still produces a normal picture from the modified signal, whereas a videotape recording of this signal produces generally unacceptable pictures. Videotape recorders have an automatic gain co...
04/04/1989
4695901Method and apparatus for removing pseudo-sync and/or agc pulses from a video signal
Added pseudo-sync pulses and AGC pulses are removed from a video signal to enable acceptable video recording thereof. The added signals previously interfered with acceptable video recording of the video signal because the automatic gain control of videota...
09/22/1987
4626890Method and apparatus for removing phase modulation from the color burst
A video signal of the type having phase modulation induced in the color burst component thereof to inhibit video tape recording, is modified to remove the phase modulation and permit acceptable video tape recording. The phase modulated color burst compone...
12/02/1986
4598235Method and apparatus for eliminating lag in photoelectric tubes
For each magnitude of charge stored on a section of a target of a photoelectric tube due to the action of incident light thereon, there is a specific value of cathode voltage which ensures the discharge of the section in one pass of the scanning beam. It ...
07/01/1986
4577216Method and apparatus for modifying the color burst to prohibit videotape recording
A method and apparatus which modifies a color video signal in such a manner that a conventional television receiver produces a normal color picture from the modified signal, whereas a videotape recording made from the modified signal exhibits annoying col...
03/18/1986
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