Patents by Inventor James L. Fergason

James L. Fergason 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: 10290285
    Abstract: An imaging and display apparatus for passive displays evaluates the illumination of an input scene and incorporates data representative of such input scene within a transfer media. The transfer media may be a broadcast or transmission of image data, illumination data and gamma information that can be received by a display system, which includes a passive display illuminated by incident light, to display images while adjusting the incident light and/or gamma based on the received data. The transfer media may be a storage medium storing image data, illumination data and gamma information for delivery to a passive display system. The data controls the optical characteristics of the illumination source for the passive display and the gamma and tends to minimize energy requirements, to maximize contrast or shades of gray in the displayed image, and to optimize light source operation for color fidelity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Fergason Licensing LLC
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Publication number: 20180261189
    Abstract: An imaging and display apparatus for passive displays evaluates the illumination of an input scene and incorporates data representative of such input scene within a transfer media. The transfer media may be a broadcast or transmission of image data, illumination data and gamma information that can be received by a display system, which includes a passive display illuminated by incident light, to display images while adjusting the incident light and/or gamma based on the received data. The transfer media may be a storage medium storing image data, illumination data and gamma information for delivery to a passive display system. The data controls the optical characteristics of the illumination source for the passive display and the gamma and tends to minimize energy requirements, to maximize contrast or shades of gray in the displayed image, and to optimize light source operation for color fidelity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Patent number: 9881588
    Abstract: An imaging and display apparatus for passive displays evaluates the illumination of an input scene and incorporates data representative of such input scene within a transfer media. The transfer media may be a broadcast or transmission of image data, illumination data and gamma information that can be received by a display system, which includes a passive display illuminated by incident light, to display images while adjusting the incident light and/or gamma based on the received data to reduce energy requirements, to increase contrast or shades of gray in the displayed image, and to optimize light source operation for color fidelity. The data may be provided as a video signal, modulated video signal, s-video signal, digital signal, or other signal that can be used by a passive display system to display images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Fergason Licensing LLC
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Patent number: 9847073
    Abstract: An imaging and display apparatus for passive displays evaluates the illumination of an input scene and incorporates data representative of such input scene within a transfer media. The transfer media may be a storage medium storing image data, illumination data and gamma information for delivery to a passive display system. The data controls the optical characteristics of the illumination source for the passive display and the gamma and tends to minimize energy requirements, to maximize contrast or shades of gray in the displayed image, and to optimize light source operation for color fidelity. The data provided the media and/or display as a video signal, modulated video signal, s-video signal, digital signal, or other signal that can be used by a passive display system to display images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Fergason Licensing LLC
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Publication number: 20170309250
    Abstract: An imaging and display apparatus for passive displays evaluates the illumination of an input scene and incorporates data representative of such input scene within a transfer media. The transfer media may be a storage medium storing image data, illumination data and gamma information for delivery to a passive display system. The data controls the optical characteristics of the illumination source for the passive display and the gamma and tends to minimize energy requirements, to maximize contrast or shades of gray in the displayed image, and to optimize light source operation for color fidelity. The data provided the media and/or display as a video signal, modulated video signal, s-video signal, digital signal, or other signal that can be used by a passive display system to display images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: FERGASON PATENT PROPERTIES, LLC
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Patent number: 9443479
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing and displaying images uses image characteristics of an area of interest of images to optimize or otherwise determine image characteristics of the entire image to be displayed. The area of interest information may be used in computing a System Synchronized Backlight Control (“SSBC”) profile tor the area of interest, and the SSBC profile may be used to adjust the image signal to provide an image in which the image characteristics, e.g., are optimized for the image at the area of interest. The image characteristics and/or SSBC profile information may be provided as metadata included in a video signal data stream. The area of interest may be selected where the image is obtained, where the image is shown or elsewhere, e.g., in an image storage device, image player, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Fergason Licensing LLC
    Inventors: James L. Fergason, John D. Fergason
  • Patent number: 9218770
    Abstract: A display system and method for improving legibility of images viewed on a passive display in a bright environment, including apparatus and method for increasing or maintaining the range of grey levels for the image as viewed on the display and decreasing the number of grey levels used in that range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Fergason Licensing LLC
    Inventors: John D. Fergason, James L. Fergason, Dora D. Fergason
  • Publication number: 20150161953
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing and displaying images uses image characteristics of an area of interest of images to optimize or otherwise determine image characteristics of the entire image to be displayed. The area of interest information may be used in computing a System Synchronized Backlight Control (“SSBC”) profile tor the area of interest, and the SSBC profile may be used to adjust the image signal to provide an image in which the image characteristics, e.g.. are optimized for the image at the area of interest. The image characteristics and/or SSBC profile information may be provided as metadata included in a video signal data stream. The area of interest may be selected where the image is obtained, where the image is shown or elsewhere, e.g., in an image storage device, image player, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: James L. Fergason, John D. Fergason
  • Publication number: 20130176350
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a passive display, a light source, and a video signal input, in operation in response to a video signal the passive display modulates light from the light source to provide an image, and the intensity of the light source is controlled by the video signal. A method of producing a displayed image using a passive display illuminated by a light source is characterized in controlling the light source to obtain a displayed image with a desired amount of information, gray scale and/or color characteristics. A method of reducing power consumption by a display system in which a light modulating display modulates incident light from a light source to provide images is characterized in controlling power provided to the light source to reduce output thereof for relatively dark images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Fergason Patent Properties, LLC
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Publication number: 20130155085
    Abstract: An imaging and display apparatus for passive displays evaluates the illumination of an input scene and incorporates data representative of such input scene within a transfer media. The transfer media may be a broadcast or transmission of image data, illumination data and gamma information that can be received by a display system, which includes a passive display illuminated by incident light, to display images while adjusting the incident light and/or gamma based on the received data to reduce energy requirements, to increase contrast or shades of gray in the displayed image, and to optimize light source operation for color fidelity. The data may be provided as a video signal, modulated video signal, s-video signal, digital signal, or other signal that can be used by a passive display system to display images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: FERGASON PATENT PROPERTIES, LLC
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Publication number: 20130069998
    Abstract: An imaging and display apparatus for passive displays evaluates the illumination of an input scene and incorporates data representative of such input scene within a transfer media. The transfer media may be a storage medium storing image data, illumination data and gamma information for delivery to a passive display system. The data controls the optical characteristics of the illumination source for the passive display and the gamma and tends to minimize energy requirements, to maximize contrast or shades of gray in the displayed image, and to optimize light source operation for color fidelity. The data provided the media and/or display as a video signal, modulated video signal, s-video signal, digital signal, or other signal that can be used by a passive display system to display images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: FERGASON PATENT PROPERTIES, LLC
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Patent number: 8243004
    Abstract: An imaging and display apparatus for passive displays evaluates the illumination of an input scene and incorporates data representative of such input scene within a transfer media. The transfer media may be a broadcast or transmission of image data, illumination data and gamma information that can be received by a display system, which includes a passive display illuminated by incident light, to display images while adjusting the incident light and/or gamma based on the received data. The transfer media may be a storage medium storing image data, illumination data and gamma information for delivery to a passive display system. The data controls the optical characteristics of the illumination source for the passive display and the gamma and tends to minimize energy requirements, to maximize contrast or shades of gray in the displayed image, and to optimize light source operation for color fidelity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Fergason Patent Properties, LLC
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Publication number: 20110310131
    Abstract: A display system and method for improving legibility of images viewed on a passive display in a bright environment, including apparatus and method for increasing or maintaining the range of grey levels for the image as viewed on the display and decreasing the number of grey levels used in that range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: FERGASON PATENT PROPERTIES, LLC
    Inventors: John D. FERGASON, James L. FERGASON
  • Publication number: 20110241978
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a passive display, a light source, and a video signal input, in operation in response to a video signal the passive display modulates light from the light source to provide an image, and the intensity of the light source is controlled by the video signal. A method of producing a displayed image using a passive display illuminated by a light source is characterized in controlling the light source to obtain a displayed image with a desired amount of information, gray scale and/or color characteristics. A method of reducing power consumption by a display system in which a light modulating display modulates incident light from a light source to provide images is characterized in controlling power provided to the light source to reduce output thereof for relatively dark images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: FERGASON PATENT PROPERTIES, LLC
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Publication number: 20110122272
    Abstract: An imaging and display apparatus for passive displays evaluates the illumination of an input scene and incorporates data representative of such input scene within a transfer media. The transfer media may be a broadcast or transmission of image data, illumination data and gamma information that can be received by a display system, which includes a passive display illuminated by incident light, to display images while adjusting the incident light and/or gamma based on the received data. The transfer media may be a storage medium storing image data, illumination data and gamma information for delivery to a passive display system. The data controls the optical characteristics of the illumination source for the passive display and the gamma and tends to minimize energy requirements, to maximize contrast or shades of gray in the displayed image, and to optimize light source operation for color fidelity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Patent number: 7843417
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a passive display, a light source, and a video signal input, in operation in response to a video signal the passive display modulates light from the light source to provide an image, and the intensity of the light source is controlled by the video signal. A method of producing a displayed image using a passive display illuminated by a light source is characterized in controlling the light source to obtain a displayed image with a desired amount of information, gray scale and/or color characteristics. A method of reducing power consumption by a display system in which a light modulating display modulates incident light from a light source to provide images is characterized in controlling power provided to the light source to reduce output thereof for relatively dark images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Fergason Patent Properties, LLC
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Patent number: 7843418
    Abstract: A display apparatus is disclosed comprising a passive display; a light source to provide illumination of the passive display; a video signal input, wherein in response to a video signal the passive display modulates light from the light source to provide an image, and wherein the intensity of light provided by the light source illuminating the display is controlled based on the video signal and wherein the passive display is capable of displaying a preset range of gray levels and presenting a displayed image in response to the video signal; and a control operable to expand a range of gray levels represented in the video signal across substantially all of preset range of gray levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Fergason Patent Properties, LLC
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Patent number: 7843416
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a passive display, a light source, and a video signal input, in operation in response to a video signal the passive display modulates light from the light source to provide an image, and the intensity of the light source is controlled by the video signal. A method of producing a displayed image using a passive display illuminated by a light source is characterized in controlling the light source to obtain a displayed image with a desired amount of information, gray scale and/or color characteristics. A method of reducing power consumption by a display system in which a light modulating display modulates incident light from a light source to provide images is characterized in controlling power provided to the light source to reduce output thereof for relatively dark images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Fergason Patent Properties, LLC
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Publication number: 20100253846
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing and displaying images uses image characteristics of an area of interest of images to optimize or otherwise determine image characteristics of the entire image to be displayed. The area of interest information may be used in computing an SSBC profile for the area of interest, and the SSBC profile may be used to adjust the image signal to provide an image in which the image characteristics, e.g., are optimized for the image at the area of interest. The image characteristics and/or SSBC profile information may be provided as metadata included in a video signal data stream. The area of interest may be selected where the image is obtained, where the image is shown or elsewhere, e.g., in an image storage device, image player, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: James L. Fergason, John D. Fergason
  • Patent number: 7553021
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for monitoring eye movement through optical observation of the eye includes an optical device configured for mounting on a frame for positioning the optical device on a user. The optical device includes a light source configured for emitting light along a first path and a sensor positioned in the optical device to receive light from a second path substantially parallel to the first path. A reflector is located within a lens connected to the frame and configured when positioned on the user to reflect light emitted by the light source onto the eye and reflect light reflected by the eye back to the sensor. The reflector covers only a portion of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Fergason Patent Properties, LLC
    Inventors: James L. Fergason, John D. Fergason