Patents by Inventor Andrew F. Kurtz

Andrew F. Kurtz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240121367
    Abstract: Systems for displaying images in a cinema setting can include components to reduce screen-door effect. The systems can include an array of light emitting sources or other active sources of light. In one example, the light emitting source emit pixels of light to a projection lens to project an image represented by the projection lens and a baffle and an aperture stop can block part of the light from the sources that exceeds an allowable cone angle of acceptable of the system. In another example, a display includes the array of light emitting sources and additional elements, such as diffuser elements, positioned in front of the array of light emitting sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Barry Silverstein, Steen Svendstorp Iversen, Steven Charles Read, Denis Tremblay, Anton Leonard Baljet, Jesse Donald McMullen-Crummey, Andrew F. Kurtz, John W. Bowron
  • Patent number: 11889234
    Abstract: Systems for displaying images in a cinema setting can include components to reduce screen-door effect. The systems can include an array of light emitting sources (102) or other active sources of light. In one example, the light emitting source emit pixels of light to a projection lens (124) to project an image represented by the projection lens and a baffle (150) and an aperture stop (118) can block part of the light from the sources that exceeds an allowable cone angle of acceptable of the system. In another example, a display includes the array of light emitting sources and additional elements, such as diffuser elements, positioned in front of the array of light emitting sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: IMAX Theatres International Limited
    Inventors: Barry Silverstein, Steen Svendstorp Iversen, Steven Charles Read, Denis Tremblay, Anton Leonard Baljet, Jesse Donald McMullen-Crummey, Andrew F. Kurtz, John W. Bowron
  • Publication number: 20230236493
    Abstract: A frame for a low parallax imaging device includes a plurality of interconnected faces configured to mount cameras. The faces are mounted along peripheral edges using kinematic connections. The frame provides a structure on which the mounted cameras provide a combined field of view of up to about 360-degrees with minimal parallax between adjacent cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher M. Muir, Andrew F. Kurtz, Thomas Bidwell, Adam Inskip, Karen Leap, Nils Kingston
  • Publication number: 20230152672
    Abstract: A low parallax imaging device includes a plurality of imaging lens elements arranged to capture adjacent fields of view. In some examples, adjacent imaging lens elements may contact at datum features to maintain a desired spacing. The spacing may allow for partial overlapping of low-parallax volumes associated with the respective imaging lens elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Bidwell, Christopher M. Muir, Eugene Sisto, Andrew F. Kurtz, Allen Krisiloff, John Bowron, Zakariya Niazi, Robert Stanchus, James Mazzarella, Robert Baldino, Deanan DaSilva, Jose Manuel Sasian-Alva, Charles E. Brugger
  • Publication number: 20230090281
    Abstract: This application generally describes an imaging system, such as a multi-camera imaging system. The imaging system can include a plurality of channels and individual of the channels can include an objective lens and a relay optical system. The object lens images received light on a first image plane, as a first image, and the relay optical system images the first image on a second image plane, as a second, magnified image. In examples, the object lens and the relay optical system make up an optically coherent system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew F. Kurtz, John Bowron, Zakariya Niazi, Allen Krisiloff, Christopher M. Muir, Robert Stanchus
  • Publication number: 20230044063
    Abstract: Augmented reality headsets. A plurality of tilted pin-mirrors imbedded between an inner surface and an outer surface of a combiner, where the plurality of tilted pin-mirrors are configured to reflect the guided image light towards the eye box, and wherein the plurality of pin-mirrors include one or more gaps between them wherein the one or more gaps allow the passage of an ambient light through the combiner towards the eye box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: AURORATECH COMPANY
    Inventors: Ziqi Peng, Andrew F. Kurtz, Bayley Wang, Mark Flowers, Peter Milford, Yiyang Wu
  • Patent number: 11514828
    Abstract: Augmented reality headsets. A plurality of tilted pin-mirrors imbedded between an inner surface and an outer surface of a combiner, where the plurality of tilted pin-mirrors are configured to reflect the guided image light towards the eye box, and wherein the plurality of pin-mirrors include one or more gaps between them wherein the one or more gaps allow the passage of an ambient light through the combiner towards the eye box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: AURORATECH COMPANY
    Inventors: Ziqi Peng, Andrew F. Kurtz, Bayley Wang, Mark Flowers, Peter Milford, Yiyang Wu
  • Publication number: 20220357645
    Abstract: A low parallax imaging device includes a plurality of imaging lens elements arranged to capture adjacent fields of view. In some examples, adjacent imaging lens elements may contact at datum features to maintain a desired spacing. The spacing may allow for partial overlapping of low-parallax volumes associated with the respective imaging lens elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Eugene Sisto, Andrew F. Kurtz, Allen Krisiloff, Thomas Bidwell, John Bowron, Zakariya Niazi, Robert Stanchus, James Mazzarella, Robert Baldino, Deanan DaSilva, Jose Manuel Sasian-Alva
  • Publication number: 20220357646
    Abstract: A low parallax imaging device includes a dome defining an interior volume in which a plurality of imaging lens elements are disposed. The dome includes a first outer optical element associated with a first of the imaging lens elements and a second outer optical element associated with a second of the imaging lens elements. Facets are provided at seams in the dome between the first outer optical element and the second outer optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew F. Kurtz, Eugene Sisto, Zakariya Niazi, John Bowron, Thomas Bidwell
  • Publication number: 20220252848
    Abstract: A lens form for a low parallax imaging device includes a plurality of imaging lens elements arranged to capture adjacent fields of view. The imaging lens elements include a plurality of lens element groups for directing incident light to an imaging plane. The lens elements control a distance between an entrance pupil located behind the image plane and a low parallax point to reduce parallax errors between adjacent of the imaging lens elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew F. Kurtz, John Bowron, Allen Krisiloff, Zakariya Niazi, Jose Manuel Sasian-Alva
  • Patent number: 11376518
    Abstract: Light emitting displays can be used in cinemas for cinema presentations that integrate a sound system to achieve immersive conditions in cinema theatres. The cinema screen can include a matrix of light emitters and a diffuser sheet. The matrix of light emitters is configured to form a light-emitting area of the cinema screen. The diffuser sheet includes one or more perforations, and can be positioned between the matrix of light emitters and an audience area in the theatre. The diffuser sheet is positioned with respect to the matrix of light emitters such that the one or more perforations are configured to prevent light outputted by the light emitters from being viewable in the audience area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: IMAX Theatres International Limited
    Inventors: Denis Tremblay, Steven Charles Read, Barry David Silverstein, Andrew F. Kurtz, Jesse Donald McMullen-Crummey, Antanas Matthew Broga
  • Publication number: 20220184520
    Abstract: Light emitting displays can be used in cinemas for cinema presentations that integrate a sound system to achieve immersive conditions in cinema theatres. In an example, a theatre includes a viewer seating area, an active display, and one or more sound wave emitters. The active display includes light emitting elements configured to output, toward the viewer seating area, light representing a visual presentation. The one or more sound wave emitters can be positioned proximate to the viewer seating area. The one or more sound wave emitters are configured to output, toward the active display, sound waves corresponding to at least a portion of sound for the visual presentation. The active display can be positioned to reflect, toward the viewer seating area, the sound waves from the one or more sound wave emitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Denis Tremblay, Steven Charles Read, Barry David Silverstein, Andrew F. Kurtz, Jesse Donald McMullen-Crummey, Antanas Matthew Broga
  • Publication number: 20220159234
    Abstract: A projection system includes a projection lens to project image light along an image light path towards a port window and to redirect a portion of the image light away from the image light path as result of being scattered or reflected away from the image light path. The projection system includes a port window for transmitting projected image light from the projection lens. The port window has a surface for redirecting a portion of the projected image light as result of being scattered or reflected away from the image light path. The projection system includes an enclosure positioned between the port window and the projection lens to surround the image light path between the port window and the projection lens. The enclosure absorbs the portion of the image light redirected by the projection lens and absorbs the portion of the projected image light redirected by the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Barry Silverstein, Andrew F. Kurtz, Gary E. Nothhard, Steven Charles Read, Anton Leonard Baljet
  • Publication number: 20220091422
    Abstract: Augmented reality headsets. A plurality of tilted pin-mirrors imbedded between an inner surface and an outer surface of a combiner, where the plurality of tilted pin-mirrors are configured to reflect the guided image light towards the eye box, and wherein the plurality of pin-mirrors include one or more gaps between them wherein the one or more gaps allow the passage of an ambient light through the combiner towards the eye box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: AuroraTech Company
    Inventors: Ziqi Peng, Andrew F. Kurtz, Bayley Wang, Weicheng Yan
  • Patent number: 11221486
    Abstract: Augmented reality headsets. A plurality of tilted pin-mirrors imbedded between an inner surface and an outer surface of a combiner, where the plurality of tilted pin-mirrors are configured to reflect the guided image light towards the eye box, and wherein the plurality of pin-mirrors include one or more gaps between them wherein the one or more gaps allow the passage of an ambient light through the combiner towards the eye box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventors: Ziqi Peng, Andrew F. Kurtz, Bayley Wang, Weicheng Yan
  • Publication number: 20210211618
    Abstract: Systems for displaying images in a cinema setting can include components to reduce screen-door effect. The systems can include an array of light emitting sources (102) or other active sources of light. In one example, the light emitting source emit pixels of light to a projection lens (124) to project an image represented by the projection lens and a baffle (150) and an aperture stop (118) can block part of the light from the sources that exceeds an allowable cone angle of acceptable of the system. In another example, a display includes the array of light emitting sources and additional elements, such as diffuser elements, positioned in front of the array of light emitting sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Barry Silverstein, Steen Svendstorp Iversen, Steven Charles Read, Denis Tremblay, Anton Leonard Baljet, Jesse Donald McMullen-Crummey, Andrew F. Kurtz, John W. Bowron
  • Publication number: 20210168352
    Abstract: A projection system can direct stereo image content to a display surface using an internally located stereo polarization modulator while avoiding intra-frame contrast degradation from using a stereo polarization modulator. In one example, the stereo polarization modulator is positioned between a spatial light modulator device and imaging optics in the projection system. The imaging optics can prevent part of the imaged light scattered by the stereo polarization modulator from being projected by the projection system, while allowing other light to be projected. Doing so can reduce or avoid intra-frame contrast degradation of the projected imaged light that may otherwise occur because of the presence of the stereo polarization modulator. In this or as a separate example, the projection system can include an enclosure between a port window and a projection lens to absorb the portion of the light scattered by the stereo polarization modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Barry Silverstein, Andrew F. Kurtz, Gary E. Nothhard, Steven Charles Read, Anton Leonard Baljet
  • Patent number: 10921608
    Abstract: Speckle artifacts as viewed in images projected on a display surface by a projector can be reduced. At least one spatial light modulator, illuminated by one or more light sources, can be imaged to a screen by a projection lens. A deflector subsystem can be provided in image space, proximate to the lens, where the image light emerges. In this location, image light directed to any given field point on the display surface is convergent, but can appear collimated. The deflector subsystem can include a tilted optical plate that is rotated in a plane along an axis. As the deflector subsystem is temporally rotated, the image light to any given field point traverses different optical paths, varying the angular diversity to reduce perceivable speckle by changing at least the angle of incidence to the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: IMAX Theatres International Limited
    Inventors: Joseph R. Bietry, Andrew F. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20210001242
    Abstract: Light emitting displays can be used in cinemas for cinema presentations that integrate a sound system to achieve immersive conditions in cinema theatres. The cinema screen can include a matrix of light emitters and a diffuser sheet. The matrix of light emitters is configured to form a light-emitting area of the cinema screen. The diffuser sheet includes one or more perforations, and can be positioned between the matrix of light emitters and an audience area in the theatre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Denis Tremblay, Steven Charles Read, Barry David Silverstein, Andrew F. Kurtz, Jesse Donald McMullen-Crummey, Antanas Matthew Broga
  • Patent number: 10807016
    Abstract: Light emitting displays and sound systems can be used in cinemas for cinema presentations that integrates a sound system to achieve the same or better immersive conditions in cinema theatres with front projection cinema screens. The screen can be active with light emitters, rather than passive and reflect light projected from a projector. Spaces are formed between adjacent light emitters in the display to allow for sound waves to pass from sound wave emitters positioned behind the screen to a cinema seating area in front of the screen. Loudspeakers may be positioned in the spaces. Diffusers or other structures may be positioned proximate to a front of the screen to facilitate visual performance. In addition or in the alternative, loudspeakers can be positioned in each seat of the viewing seating area that produce sound waves that appear to be coming from a non-seating location in the theatre.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: IMAX Theatres International Limited
    Inventors: Denis Tremblay, Steven Charles Read, Barry David Silverstein, Andrew F. Kurtz, Jesse Donald McMullen-Crummey, Antanas Matthew Broga