Patents by Inventor J. Turner Whitted

J. Turner Whitted 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).

  • Patent number: 8547345
    Abstract: Described herein is a liquid crystal display apparatus that includes a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel includes a receiver component that receives a sensed parameter of a column line in the liquid crystal display apparatus, wherein electrical voltage is transmitted along the column line and directed at a particular sub-pixel. An output component outputs an indication that a member is in physical contact with the display panel based at least in part upon the received sensed parameter of the column line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: J. Turner Whitted
  • Publication number: 20100277423
    Abstract: Described herein is a liquid crystal display apparatus that includes a liquid crystal display panel comprising. The liquid crystal display panel includes a receiver component that receives a sensed parameter of a column line in the liquid crystal display apparatus, wherein electrical voltage is transmitted along the column line and directed at a particular sub-pixel. An output component outputs an indication that a member is in physical contact with the display panel based at least in part upon the received sensed parameter of the column line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: J. Turner Whitted
  • Patent number: 7768783
    Abstract: Embodiments for cooling electronic modules are disclosed. In accordance with at least one embodiment, an electronic module is inserted into a cooling sled that is equipped with a bay. The bay of the cooling sled is equipped with a pair of sides to retain the electronic module. The electronic module contains a working fluid that is sealed inside the module with one or more electronic components. During the operation of the electronic module, the working fluid is vaporized by the heat generated by the one or more electronic components. The electronic module is then cooled via the cooling sled. The cooling of the electronic module condenses the working fluid that is vaporized by the heat generated by the one or more electronic components. The condensed cooling fluid is then returned to the one or more electronic components via a wick structure that is also sealed in the electronic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Kajiya, J. Turner Whitted, David W. Williams
  • Publication number: 20100117931
    Abstract: A display apparatus described herein includes a display screen and a display processor. The display processor includes a plurality of function units that comprise functions that are representative of data that is desirably displayed on the display screen. The display processor is configured to receive configurations, compositions, and/or parameters for the plurality of function units. In addition, the display processor displays data on the display screen based at least in part upon output of the plurality of function units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: J. Turner Whitted, James Thomas Kajiya, Erik S. Ruf, Ray A. Bittner, JR.
  • Patent number: 7414623
    Abstract: Techniques and tools for rendering procedural graphics are described. For example, an architecture is provided which allows evaluation of geometric, transform, texture, and shading procedures locally for a given set of procedure parameter values. This evaluation is performed in parallel for different parameter values on a single-instruction, multiple-data array to allow parallel processing of a procedure set. In another example, a sampling controller is described which selects sets of parameter points for evaluation based on information in tag maps, rate maps, and parameter maps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: J. Turner Whitted, James T. Kajiya
  • Patent number: 7280107
    Abstract: Techniques and tools for rendering procedural graphics are described. For example, an architecture is provided which allows evaluation of geometric, transform, texture, and shading procedures locally for a given set of procedure parameter values. This evaluation is performed in parallel for different parameter values on a single-instruction, multiple-data array to allow parallel processing of a procedure set. In another example, a sampling controller is described which selects sets of parameter points for evaluation based on information in tag maps, rate maps, and parameter maps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: J. Turner Whitted, James T. Kajiya
  • Patent number: 7145572
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for increasing the perceived quality of displayed images. This is achieved in a variety of ways including the use of a plurality of device specific display characteristics when preparing images for display. It is also achieved through the monitoring of display device and/or ambient light conditions, e.g., on a periodic basis, and using the obtained information when controlling display output. Another approach to improving the perceived quality of displayed images involves the use of information relating to a specific user's ability to perceive image characteristics such as color. By customizing display output to an individual user's own physical perception capabilities and/or viewing characteristics it is possible to enhance the image quality perceived by the individual viewer as compared to embodiments which do not take into consideration individual user characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bodin Dresevic, William Hill, Gregory C. Hitchcock, Leroy B. Keely, Jr., John C. Platt, J. Turner Whitted
  • Patent number: 7134091
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for increasing the perceived quality of displayed images. This is achieved in a variety of ways including the use of a plurality of device specific display characteristics when preparing images for display. It is also achieved through the monitoring of display device and/or ambient light conditions, e.g., on a periodic basis, and using the obtained information when controlling display output. Another approach to improving the perceived quality of displayed images involves the use of information relating to a specific user's ability to perceive image characteristics such as color. By customizing display output to an individual user's own physical perception capabilities and/or viewing characteristics it is possible to enhance the image quality perceived by the individual viewer as compared to embodiments which do not take into consideration individual user characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bodin Dresevic, William Hill, Gregory Hitchcock, Leroy B. Keely, John C. Platt, J. Turner Whitted
  • Patent number: 7110062
    Abstract: Energy efficient transmissive and transreflective display devices use ambient light from a natural or artificial source to supplement light supplied by a backlight. Ambient light passes through a transmissive diffuser to a rear surface of a transmissive display panel. Additional energy efficiency is achieved by using one or more photo-sensors to detect the amount of ambient light and automatically adjusting the backlight intensity as a function of photo-sensor output. As a result, backlight intensity and power usage can be minimized while maintaining the viewability of images shown on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: J. Turner Whitted, Eric Horvitz, Michael J. Sinclair
  • Patent number: 7085412
    Abstract: Image data processing and image rendering methods and systems whereby images are displayed on display devices having pixels with separately controllable pixel sub-components. Image data, such as data encoded in a three-channel signal, is passed through a low-pass filter to remove frequencies higher than a selected cutoff frequency, which obtain samples from the color components of the signal that map spatially different image regions to individual pixel sub-components. It has been found that color aliasing effects can be significantly reduces at a cutoff frequency somewhat higher than the Nyquist frequency, while enhancing the spatial resolution of the image. The image data is then passed through sampling filters, A generalized set of filters includes nine filters, one for each combination of one color and one pixel sub-component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Platt, Donald P. Mitchell, J. Turner Whitted, James F. Blinn
  • Patent number: 6977712
    Abstract: Energy efficient transmissive and transreflective display devices are described. Ambient light from a natural or artificial source is used to replace and/or supplement light normally supplied by a backlight. This is done by directing ambient light to the rear of a transmissive display panel. A window, light tunnel, or a reflective surface located in the rear or top of a display device may be used to direct the ambient light to the back of the display panel. A translucent diffuser and/or diffuse reflector are used to diffuse the ambient light to reduce the chance of bright spots appearing on the display. Additional energy efficiency is achieved by using one or more photo-sensors to detect the amount of light, incident on the front and/or rear of a display panel and by automatically adjusting the backlight intensity as a function of photo-sensor output. In this manner, backlight intensity can be minimized while maintaining the viewability of images shown on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: J. Turner Whitted, Eric Horvitz, Michael J. Sinclair
  • Patent number: 6973210
    Abstract: Image data processing and image rendering methods and systems whereby images are displayed on display devices having pixels with separately controllable pixel sub-components. Image data, such as data encoded in a three-channel signal, is passed through a low-pass filter to remove frequencies higher than a selected cutoff frequency, which obtain samples from the color components of the signal that map spatially different image regions to individual pixel sub-components. It has been found that color aliasing effects can be significantly reduces at a cutoff frequency somewhat higher than the Nyquist frequency, while enhancing the spatial resolution of the image. The image data is then pass through sampling filters, A generalized set of filters includes nine filters, one for each combination of one color and one pixel sub-component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Platt, Donald P. Mitchell, J. Turner Whitted, James F. Blinn
  • Publication number: 20040207786
    Abstract: Energy efficient transmissive and transreflective display devices are described. Ambient light from a natural or artificial source is used to replace and/or supplement light normally supplied by a backlight. This is done by directing ambient light to the rear of a transmissive display panel. A window, light tunnel, or a reflective surface located in the rear or top of a display device may be used to direct the ambient light to the back of the display panel. A translucent diffuser and/or diffuse reflector are used to diffuse the ambient light to reduce the chance of bright spots appearing on the display. Additional energy efficiency is achieved by using one or more photo-sensors to detect the amount of light, incident on the front and/or rear of a display panel and by automatically adjusting the backlight intensity as a function of photo-sensor output. In this manner, backlight intensity can be minimized while maintaining the viewability of images shown on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: J. Turner Whitted, Eric Horvitz, Michael J. Sinclair
  • Patent number: 6795137
    Abstract: Energy efficient transmissive and transreflective display devices are described. Ambient light from a natural or artificial source is used to replace and/or supplement light normally supplied by a backlight. This is done by directing ambient light to the rear of a transmissive display panel. A window, light tunnel, or a reflective surface located in the rear or top of a display device may be used to direct the ambient light to the back of the display panel. A translucent diffuser and/or diffuse reflector are used to diffuse the ambient light to reduce the chance of bright spots appearing on the display. Additional energy efficiency is achieved by using one or more photo-sensors to detect the amount of light, incident on the front and/or rear of a display panel and by automatically adjusting the backlight intensity as a function of photo-sensor output. In this manner, backlight intensity can be minimized while maintaining the viewability of images shown on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: J. Turner Whitted, Eric Horvitz, Michael J. Sinclair
  • Patent number: 6693615
    Abstract: Displaying image data with sub-pixel precision on display devices having pixels with separately controllable pixel sub-components, such as those used in liquid crystal display devices. Samples of the image data are obtained, and spatially different sets of one or more of the samples are mapped to individual pixel sub-components as opposed to mapping sets of samples to entire pixels. Luminous intensity values based on the mapped sets of samples are generated and used to control the operation of the separately controllable pixel sub-components. The image is thereby displayed on the display device, with different portions of the image being represented by different pixel sub-components, resulting an image with sub-pixel resolution. The image data can represent a text character, in which case the stem width of a stem of the text character can have a value that is not an integer multiple of the width of a full pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: William Hill, Michael Duggan, Leroy B. Keely, Jr., Gregory C. Hitchcock, J. Turner Whitted
  • Publication number: 20040008208
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for increasing the perceived quality of displayed images. This is achieved in a variety of ways including the use of a plurality of device specific display characteristics when preparing images for display. It is also achieved through the monitoring of display device and/or ambient light conditions, e.g., on a periodic basis, and using the obtained information when controlling display output. Another approach to improving the perceived quality of displayed images involves the use of information relating to a specific user's ability to perceive image characteristics such as color. By customizing display output to an individual user's own physical perception capabilities and/or viewing characteristics it is possible to enhance the image quality perceived by the individual viewer as compared to embodiments which do not take into consideration individual user characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Bodin Dresevic, William Hill, Gregory Hitchcock, Leroy B. Keely, John C. Platt, J. Turner Whitted
  • Patent number: 6674436
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for increasing the perceived quality of displayed images. This is achieved in a variety of ways including the use of a plurality of device specific display characteristics when preparing images for display. It is also achieved through the monitoring of display device and/or ambient light conditions, e.g., on a periodic basis, and using the obtained information when controlling display output. Another approach to improving the perceived quality of displayed images involves the use of information relating to a specific user's ability to perceive image characteristics such as color. By customizing display output to an individual user's own physical perception capabilities and/or viewing characteristics it is possible to enhance the image quality perceived by the individual viewer as compared to embodiments which do not take into consideration individual user characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bodin Dresevic, William Hill, Gregory Hitchcock, Leroy B. Keely, John C. Platt, J. Turner Whitted
  • Publication number: 20030193515
    Abstract: Displaying image data with sub-pixel precision on display devices having pixels with separately controllable pixel sub-components, such as those used in liquid crystal display devices. Samples of the image data are obtained, and spatially different sets of one or more of the samples are mapped to individual pixel sub-components as opposed to mapping sets of samples to entire pixels. Luminous intensity values based on the mapped sets of samples are generated and used to control the operation of the separately controllable pixel sub-components. The image is thereby displayed on the display device, with different portions of the image being represented by different pixel sub-components, resulting an image with sub-pixel resolution. The image data can represent a text character, in which case the stem width of a stem of the text character can have a value that is not an integer multiple of the width of a full pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: William Hill, Michael Duggan, Leroy B. Keely, Gregory C. Hitchcock, J. Turner Whitted
  • Patent number: 6624828
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for increasing the perceived quality of displayed images. This is achieved in a variety of ways including the use of a plurality of device specific display characteristics when preparing images for display. It is also achieved through the monitoring of display device and/or ambient light conditions, e.g., on a periodic basis, and using the obtained information when controlling display output. Another approach to improving the perceived quality of displayed images involves the use of information relating to a specific user's ability to perceive image characteristics such as color. By customizing display output to an individual user's own physical perception capabilities and/or viewing characteristics it is possible to enhance the image quality perceived by the individual viewer as compared to embodiments which do not take into consideration individual user characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bodin Dresevic, William Hill, Gregory Hitchcock, Leroy B. Keely, John C. Platt, J. Turner Whitted
  • Patent number: 6577291
    Abstract: Display apparatus, and methods for displaying images, e.g., text, on gray scale and color monitors are described. Gray scale displays implemented in accordance with the present invention include displays having a resolution in a first dimension, e.g., the horizontal dimension, which is several time the resolution in a second dimension, e.g., the vertical dimension. Various other displays of the present invention are capable of operating as both gray scale and color display devices. In one such display, the color filter used to implement a color portion of the display is omitted from another, e.g., gray scale portion of the same display. In such an embodiment, text, e.g., captions, are displayed using the gray scale portion of the display while color images, e.g., graphics, are displayed on the color portion of the display. In another display of the present invention, a color filter with filter cells that can be switched between a color and a clear mode of operation are employed. When images, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: William Hill, Michael Duggan, Leroy B. Keely, Jr., Gregory C. Hitchcock, J. Turner Whitted