Patents Assigned to RealD Inc.
  • Patent number: 9529207
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods for solving speckle problems by exciting the screen with a more complex vibration spectrum. A range of frequencies provides, in effect, a collection of overlapping patterns of high and low displacement, so that all regions of the screen have enough motion to reduce visible speckle. As previously discussed acceptable speckle may be approximately 15% contrast or less, preferably approximately 5% contrast or less at approximately 15 feet from the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. McKnight, Kevin Curtis
  • Patent number: 9519153
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical valve or light valve for providing large area collimated illumination from localized light sources, and system and method thereof for 2D, 3D, and/or autosteroscopic displays. An optical valve may include a stepped structure, in which the steps include separated extraction features which may be optically hidden to light propagating in a first direction. Light propagating in a second direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the optical valve. Such controlled illumination may provide for efficient, multi-user autostereoscopic displays as well as improved 2D display functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Robinson, Graham John Woodgate, Jonathan Harrold
  • Patent number: 9482874
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical valve or light valve for providing large area collimated illumination from localized light sources, and system and method thereof for 2D, 3D, and/or autostereoscopic displays. An optical valve may include a stepped structure, in which the steps include separated extraction features which may be optically hidden to light propagating in a first direction. Light propagating in a second direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the optical valve. Such controlled illumination may provide for efficient, multi-user autostereoscopic displays as well as improved 2D display functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Robinson, Graham J. Woodgate, Jonathan Harrold
  • Patent number: 9485497
    Abstract: Systems and methods for converting a two-dimensional image or sequence of images into a three-dimensional image or sequence of images are presented. In embodiments, the disclosed techniques employ a suite of interactive image processing tools that allow a user to apply image pixel repositioning depth contouring effects and algorithms to efficiently create high-quality three-dimensional images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Karafin, Matthew Dejohn, Benoit Doidic
  • Patent number: 9457523
    Abstract: Curved polarization filters and methods of manufacturing such filters are described in the present disclosure. An exemplary method includes laminating a planar polarization layer to a planar retarder layer at a predetermined orientation and bending the laminate to create a curved filter. The strain on the retarder layer results in stress-induced birefringence, and the predetermined orientation of the retarder substantially compensates for the stress-induced birefringence. In some embodiments, the predetermination is based on mathematical models. In some other embodiment, the predetermination is based on experimental data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Coleman, Gary D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 9459463
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include stereoscopic systems having at least one compensator operable to reduce the sensitivity of polarization control over incidence angle of image source optics and analyzer optics. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed compensator is operable to compensate polarization changes induced by optics at either or both the image source subsystem and the analyzer subsystem, in which the polarization changes would be operable to cause leakage at the analyzer subsystem if uncompensated. As such, the disclosed compensators and compensation techniques are operable to reduce leakage at the analyzer subsystem even if the disclosed compensator may be located at the analyzer subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Sharp, David A. Coleman, Jianmin Chen
  • Patent number: 9436015
    Abstract: Disclosed is an imaging directional backlight apparatus comprising a waveguide, a light source array, and a further optical element for providing large area directed illumination from localized light sources. The imaging directional backlight may comprise a stepped waveguide that may include a stepped structure, in which the steps may further include extraction features optically hidden to guided light, propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second backward direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. Viewing windows are formed through imaging individual light sources. The further optical element may comprise a superlens comprising first and second aligned lens arrays that may be arranged to modify the output viewing windows to achieve enhanced window imaging from the directional backlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Graham J. Woodgate, Jonathan Harrold, Michael G. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20160252759
    Abstract: Disclosed is a light guiding valve apparatus including an imaging directional backlight, an illuminator array and an observer tracking system arranged to achieve control of an array of illuminators which may provide a directional display to an observer over a wide lateral and longitudinal viewing range, wherein the luminous intensity of optical windows presented to the observer as viewing windows is controlled dependent on the lateral and longitudinal position or speed of an observer. Further an optical window control system may comprise detection of an observer's hand. An image control system may comprise a method to provide an image that can be switched from a first mode with a first brightness into a second mode with a high brightness region and low brightness region, where the brightness of the second low brightness region is matched to the first brightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Graham J. Woodgate, Michael G. Robinson, Adrian J. Hill
  • Patent number: 9429764
    Abstract: Disclosed is an autostereoscopic display apparatus comprising a light guiding valve apparatus including an imaging directional backlight, an illuminator array and an observer tracking system arranged to achieve control of an array of illuminators which may provide a directional display to an observer over a wide lateral and longitudinal viewing range with low flicker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Harrold, Graham J. Woodgate, Michael G. Robinson, Roger Landowski
  • Patent number: 9420266
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic display apparatus may include a stepped waveguide, optical elements, and one or more reflective imaging and/or directional elements. These elements may be arranged to return light from the stepped waveguide into an array of viewing windows. Such elements can be used to achieve observer tracking autostereoscopic display for landscape and portrait modes of operation. System thickness and cost may be reduced and system brightness can be increased or low operating power modes may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Graham J. Woodgate, Michael G. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9407868
    Abstract: Teleconferencing is performed between two telecommunication devices having a display device and a stereoscopic pair of cameras positioned outside opposed sides of the display device at the same level partway along those sides. The separation between the centers of the cameras is in a range having a lower limit of 60 mm and an upper limit of 110 mm to improve the perceived roundness in a displayed stereoscopic image of a head. In captured stereo images that are video images, a head is segmented and the segmented backgrounds are replaced by replacement images that have a lower degree of perceived stereoscopic depth to compensate for non-linear depth perception in the displayed stereo images. Images are shifted vertically to position an eye-line of a detected face at the level of the stereoscopic pair of cameras of the telecommunication device where the images are displayed, improving the naturalness of the displayed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Graham J. Woodgate, Michael G. Robinson, Adrian J. Hill
  • Patent number: 9383590
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to eyewear configured to reduce stray light. An exemplary embodiment of the eyewear accounts for various design factors, including the cross sectional profile of the rim, the micro topography of the rim surface, the reflectivity, the theater or room geometry, proximity of the eye to the lens, lens size, and the screen gain. An exemplary eyewear includes lenses connected to the rims of a frame, and a path may be defined through a maximum height of the outer flange portion of a rim and a maximum height of the inner flange portion of the rim section. The path may be inclined at an angle relative to an angle ? relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Sharp, David A. Coleman
  • Patent number: 9350980
    Abstract: Disclosed is a light guiding valve apparatus including a light valve, a two dimensional light emitting element array and an input side arranged to reduce light reflection for providing large area directional illumination from localized light emitting elements with low cross talk. A waveguide includes a stepped structure, in which the steps may include extraction features hidden to guided light propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second backward direction may be refracted or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. Stray light falling onto a light input side of the waveguide is at least partially absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Robinson, Graham J. Woodgate, Jonathan Harrold, Gary D. Sharp, Miller H. Schuck
  • Patent number: 9348553
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for substantially eliminating the appearance of seams between tiled panels of a display. Non-imaging magnification may be used to substantially eliminate the appearance of seams. Additionally, the appearance of seams between the tiled panels of a display may be substantially eliminated by employing propagation based elimination. The methods disclosed can be used to generate substantially seamless 2D and 3D displays. Additionally, a method and apparatus for achieving substantially uniform panel brightness and color correction may be addressed. The substantially seamless tiled displays may employ specific data formats for use in displaying images on the individual displays which may be tiled together to form a larger, substantially seamless tiled display and may employ other techniques not utilized in known video wall applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Curtis, Wilhelm Taylor
  • Patent number: 9316899
    Abstract: A method of mounting screen material may include a screen mounted to a frame at multiple mounting points. One embodiment may include mounting patches attached along the perimeter of the screen. These mounting patches may be strain relieved in order to enable rolling the screen without sacrificing the in-plane rigidity of the patches when the screen is mounted to a frame. Stated differently, the strain relieved patches may reduce the strain on the screen in the circumstance the screen is rolled onto a core. The mounting patches may be strain relieved by locating notches or slits in the mounting patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Harrison Fast, David A. Coleman, Mark DiLullo
  • Patent number: 9310618
    Abstract: Generally, near seamless electronics displays may be employed in cinema and exhibition applications. Laser scanned displays may be enabled such that the display may display three dimensional (ā€œ3Dā€) content. A first method to enable a laser scanned display for 3D content may employ polarization, with or without polarization conversion and another method may employ multiple colors. Additionally, the envelope function that may be employed across the display may be achieved by changing laser power as a beam is scanned on the screen or by changing the dwell time of the laser beam on the pixels. One method of minimizing the effects of seams in the screen may be to reduce the screen resolution near the seams by screen design and/or laser beam dwell time or illumination energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Curtis, Gary D. Sharp, Miller H. Schuck
  • Patent number: 9285635
    Abstract: This disclosure describes stereoscopic flat panel display systems based on the polarization encoding of sequentially displayed left and right eye images. The systems comprise line-by-line addressed liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, illuminating back light units and polarization control panels (PCPs). Right and left eye images are written sequentially onto the LCD whose polarization is controlled by a substantially synchronously driven PCP. The backlight may be continuously illuminated, or modulated temporally, spatially or both, as can the PCP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Robinson, Jianmin Chen
  • Patent number: 9250448
    Abstract: Backlit display systems, such as those employed with LED backlit displays, including those configured for autostereoscopic operation, may employ synchronization between the backlight and the presentation of sequential left and right eye images at a frame rate exceeding approximately 100 Hz. To successfully directionally illuminate isolated frames, the disclosed principles provide for segmenting the directional illumination and introducing a phase shifted, synchronized, pulsed drive scheme for the illumination segments. Accordingly, the principles disclosed herein are directed to segmented directional illumination systems and related techniques for segmented directional backlight illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9251621
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing optimal correction to depth mapping between captured and displayed stereoscopic content. The solution is derived in a continuous form that can be implemented through CGI scaling techniques compatible with image rendering techniques. Similar correction can be implemented with variable depth-dependent camera separation and disparity re-mapping. The latter is applicable to correcting existing stereoscopic content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Robinson, Charles J. Ozinga
  • Patent number: 9244287
    Abstract: Optical systems, such as 2-D and 3-D projection systems, may be configured to have a compact back focal length to allow for more compact projection lenses, lower throw ratios, improved contrast, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, an optical system may include a relay element configured to form an intermediate image having a focal point proximate to a projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventor: Miller H. Schuck