Patents by Inventor Robin Atkins

Robin Atkins 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: 10930223
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for ambient light-adaptive display management. Given an input image, image metadata, an ambient-light signal, and parameters characterizing a target display, a processor generates an ambient-light adjustment function which maps input luminance values in a reference viewing environment to output luminance values in a target viewing environment, wherein the target viewing environment is determined based on the ambient-light signal. The ambient-light adjustment function is applied to the input image and the input metadata to generate a virtual image and new metadata. A tone-mapping function based on the new metadata and target display parameters is applied to the virtual image to generate an output image. The parameters for the target display are computed based on the ambient-light signal, global dimming metadata, and the luminance characteristics of the target display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Jaclyn Anne Pytlarz, Robin Atkins, Gopi Lakshminarayanan, Hariharan Ganapathy Kathirvelu
  • Patent number: 10899599
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a dual modulator display systems and methods for rendering target image data upon the dual modulator display system are disclosed where the display system receives target image data, possible HDR image data and first calculates display control signals and then calculates backlight control signals from the display control signals. This order of calculating display signals and then backlight control signals later as a function of the display systems may tend to reduce clipping artifacts. In other embodiments, it is possible to split the input target HDR image data into a base layer and a detail layer, wherein the base layer is the low spatial resolution image data that may be utilized as for backlight illumination data. The detail layer is higher spatial resolution image data that may be utilized for display control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Atkins, Rabab K. Ward
  • Publication number: 20200382802
    Abstract: Methods and systems for frame rate scalability are described. Support is provided for input and output video sequences with variable frame rate and variable shutter angle across scenes, or for input video sequences with fixed input frame rate and input shutter angle, but allowing a decoder to generate a video output at a different output frame rate and shutter angle than the corresponding input values. Techniques allowing a decoder to decode more computationally-efficiently a specific backward compatible target frame rate and shutter angle among those allowed are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Atkins, Peng Yin, Taoran Lu, Fangjun Pu, Sean Thomas McCarthy, Walter J. Husak, Tao Chen, Guan-Ming Su
  • Publication number: 20200329174
    Abstract: Methods and systems for gamut mapping are disclosed. Pixels of an image or points of a look-up-table can be gamut mapped in a multi-step iterative process, by generating a coarse gamut hull and calculating a value of a distance metric for out-of-gamut pixels or LUT points, and subsequently generating a fine gamut hull in the neighborhood of the coarse gamut hull points closest to the out-of-gamut pixel or LUT points under consideration. The out-of-gamut pixel or LUT point is gamut mapped based on the smallest distance metric value calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicants: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, DOLBY INTERNATIONAL AB
    Inventors: Jan FROEHLICH, Robin ATKINS
  • Publication number: 20200275050
    Abstract: Methods for encoding and decoding high-dynamic range signals are presented. The signals are encoded in a high frame rate and are accompanied by frame-rate conversion metadata defining a preferred set of frame-rate down-conversion parameters, which are determined according to the maximum luminance of a target display, display playback priority modes, or judder control modes. A decoder uses the frame-rate conversion metadata to apply frame-rate down-conversion to the input high-frame-rate signal according to at least the maximum luminance of the target display and/or the characteristics of the signal itself. Frame-based and pixel-based frame-rate conversions, and judder models for judder control via metadata are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Jaclyn Anne PYTLARZ, Robin ATKINS, Elizabeth G. PIERI, Alexandre CHAPIRO, Scott DALY
  • Publication number: 20200211504
    Abstract: A handheld imaging device has a data receiver that is configured to receive reference encoded image data. The data includes reference code values, which are encoded by an external coding system. The reference code values represent reference gray levels, which are being selected using a reference grayscale display function that is based on perceptual non-linearity of human vision adapted at different light levels to spatial frequencies. The imaging device also has a data converter that is configured to access a code mapping between the reference code values and device-specific code values of the imaging device. The device-specific code values are configured to produce gray levels that are specific to the imaging device. Based on the code mapping, the data converter is configured to transcode the reference encoded image data into device-specific image data, which is encoded with the device-specific code values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jon Scott MILLER, Scott DALY, Mahdi NEZAMABADI, Robin ATKINS
  • Publication number: 20200202814
    Abstract: One or more media contents are received. A viewer's light adaptive states are predicted as a function of time as if the viewer is watching display mapped images derived from the one or more media contents. The viewer's light adaptive states are used to detect an excessive change in luminance in a specific media content portion of the one or more media contents. The excessive change in luminance in the specific media content portion of the one or more media contents is caused to be reduced while the viewer is watching one or more corresponding display mapped images derived from the specific media content portion of the one or more media contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandre CHAPIRO, Robin ATKINS, Scott DALY
  • Patent number: 10692465
    Abstract: Input video data of a video dynamic range and its input dynamic metadata is received. Input graphics data of a graphics dynamic range is received. Display identification data is received from a target display over a video interface. Interpolated dynamic metadata is generated based at least in part on (a) the input dynamic metadata, (b) the display identification data, and (c) a numeric interpolation factor, in order to operate a priority-transition mode for transitioning between a video-priority mode and a graphics-priority mode. The input video data is blended with the input graphics data based at least in part on the interpolated dynamic metadata into graphics blended video data. The graphics blended video data and the interpolated dynamic metadata is sent to the target display for rendering graphics blended images represented in the graphics blended video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Robin Atkins
  • Patent number: 10621952
    Abstract: A handheld imaging device has a data receiver that is configured to receive reference encoded image data. The data includes reference code values, which are encoded by an external coding system. The reference code values represent reference gray levels, which are being selected using a reference grayscale display function that is based on perceptual non-linearity of human vision adapted at different light levels to spatial frequencies. The imaging device also has a data converter that is configured to access a code mapping between the reference code values and device-specific code values of the imaging device. The device-specific code values are configured to produce gray levels that are specific to the imaging device. Based on the code mapping, the data converter is configured to transcode the reference encoded image data into device-specific image data, which is encoded with the device-specific code values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Jon Scott Miller, Scott Daly, Mahdi Nezamabadi, Robin Atkins
  • Patent number: 10607569
    Abstract: An HDR display is a combination of technologies including, for example, a dual modulation architecture incorporating algorithms for artifact reduction, selection of individual components, and a design process for the display and/or pipeline for preserving the visual dynamic range from capture to display of an image or images. In one embodiment, the dual modulation architecture includes a backlight with an array of RGB LEDs and a combination of a heat sink and thermally conductive vias for maintaining a desired operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Robin Atkins
  • Patent number: 10600166
    Abstract: Methods for mapping an image from a first dynamic range to a second dynamic range are presented. The mapping is based on a function that includes two spline polynomials determined using three anchor points and three slopes. The first anchor N point is determined using the black point levels of the input and target output, the second anchor point is determined using the white point levels of the input and target output, and the third anchor point is determined using mid-tones information data for the input and target output. The mid-tones level of the target output is computed adaptively based on an ideal one-to-one mapping and by preserving input contrast in both the blacks and the highlights. An example tone-mapping transfer function based on third order (cubic) Hermite splines is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Jaclyn Anne Pytlarz, Robin Atkins
  • Patent number: 10580367
    Abstract: Methods for mapping an image from one dynamic range to another dynamic range are presented. The mapping is based on a sigmoid-like function determined by three anchor points. The first anchor point is determined using the black point levels of a reference and a target display, the second anchor point is determined using the white point levels of the reference and target displays, and the third anchor point is determined using mid-tones information data for the input image and the mid-tones level of the target display. The mid-tones level of the target display is computed adaptively based on a desired range of constant brightness and a mapping function. The mapping function mapping may be piece-wise linear (in the log domain), piece-wise continuous, or a sigmoid. Examples for mapping high dynamic range images to standard dynamic range displays are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. Vernon, Robin Atkins
  • Publication number: 20200066225
    Abstract: A processor receives input video data of a video dynamic range and input dynamic metadata. It also receives: input graphics data of a graphics dynamic range and input static metadata, display identification data from a target display over a video interface, and a blending priority map characterizing a per-pixel priority of output pixels in an image generated by blending the input video data and the input graphics data. A video mapping function and a graphics mapping function which map data from the input video and graphics dynamic ranges to the target dynamic range are generated based on the dynamic and static metadata. Then, the input and graphics data are blended based on the blending priority map and a per-pixel decision to map pixels to the target dynamic range using either the video mapping function or the graphics mapping function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Robin ATKINS
  • Patent number: 10560707
    Abstract: Downsampled video content is generated in a subsampling color space from linearized video content in the subsampling color space. The linearized video content represents a first spatial dimension, whereas the downsampled video content represents a second spatial dimension lower than the first spatial dimension. Opponent channel data is derived in a transmission color space from the downsampled video content. Output video content is generated from luminance data in the linearized video content and the opponent channel data in the transmission color space. The output video content may be decoded by a downstream recipient device to generate video content in an output color space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Atkins, Jaclyn Anne Pytlarz
  • Publication number: 20200043125
    Abstract: An existing metadata set that is specific to a color volume transformation model is transformed to a metadata set that is specific to a distinctly different color volume transformation model. For example, source content metadata for a first color volume transformation model is received. This source metadata determines a specific color volume transformation, such as a sigmoidal tone map curve. The specific color volume transformation is mapped to a color volume transformation of a second color volume transformation model, e.g., a Bézier tone map curve. Mapping can be a best fit curve, or a reasonable approximation. Mapping results in metadata values used for the second color volume transformation model (e.g., one or more Bézier curve knee points and anchors). Thus, devices configured for the second color volume transformation model can reasonably render source content according to received source content metadata of the first color volume transformation model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond YEUNG, Patrick GRIFFIS, Thaddeus BEIER, Robin ATKINS
  • Patent number: 10553255
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating and applying scene-stable metadata for a video data stream are disclosed herein. A video data stream is divided or partitioned into scenes and a first set of metadata may be generated for a given scene of video data. The first set of metadata may be any known metadata as a desired function of video content (e.g., luminance). The first set of metadata may be generated on a frame-by-frame basis. In one example, scene-stable metadata may be generated that may be different from the first set of metadata for the scene. The scene-stable metadata may be generated by monitoring a desired feature with the scene and may be used to keep the desired feature within an acceptable range of values. This may help to avoid noticeable and possibly objectionably visual artifacts upon rendering the video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Atkins, Raymond Yeung, Sheng Qu
  • Patent number: 10540920
    Abstract: A display management processor receives an input image with enhanced dynamic range to be displayed on a target display which has a different dynamic range than a reference display. The input image is first transformed into a perceptually-corrected IPT color space. A non-linear mapping function generates a first tone-mapped signal by mapping the intensity of the input signal from the reference dynamic range into the target dynamic range. The intensity (I) component of the first tone-mapped signal is sharpened to preserve details, and the saturation of the color (P and T) components is adjusted to generate a second tone-mapped output image. A color gamut mapping function is applied to the second tone-mapped output image to generate an image suitable for display onto the target display. The display management pipeline may also be adapted to adjust the intensity and color components of the displayed image according to specially defined display modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Atkins, Timo Kunkel, Thaddeus Beier, Tao Chen
  • Patent number: 10536689
    Abstract: A projection display system includes a spatial modulator that is controlled to compensate for flare in a lens of the projector. The spatial modulator increases achievable intra-frame contrast and facilitates increased peak luminance without unacceptable black levels. Some embodiments provide 3D projection systems in which the spatial modulator is combined with a polarization control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Robin Atkins
  • Publication number: 20200013151
    Abstract: Input scene images are captured from an original scene. The input scene images may be represented in an input color space. The input scene images are converted into color-space-converted scene images in one of an LMS color space, an ICtCp color space, etc. Scene light levels represented in the color-space-converted scene images are mapped, based at least in part on an optical transfer function, to mapped light levels. A tone mapping is applied to the mapped light levels to generate corresponding display light levels to be represented in display images. The display images may be rendered on a target display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Robin ATKINS, David BROOKS, Jaclyn Anne PYTLARZ, Jon S. McELVAIN, Robert WANAT
  • Publication number: 20200005441
    Abstract: Methods for mapping an image from a first dynamic range to a second dynamic range are presented. The mapping is based on a function that includes two spline polynomials determined using three anchor points and three slopes. The first anchor point is determined using the black point levels of the input and target output, the second anchor point is determined using the white point levels of the input and target output, and the third anchor point is determined using mid-tones information data for the input and target output. The mid-tones level of the target output is computed adaptively based on an ideal one-to-one mapping and by preserving input contrast in both the blacks and the highlights. An example tone-mapping transfer function based on third order (cubic) Hermite splines is presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Jaclyn Anne PYTLARZ, Robin ATKINS