Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for projecting video onto a screen. A video unit (10) may comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes (40a, 40b, and 40c) disposed in an annular formation (41) and configured to produce light (44), a reflector configured to reflect the produced light from at least one of the plurality of light emitting diodes (40a, 40b, and 40c), and a plurality of optical components disposed in an annular formation, wherein each of the optical components corresponds to one of the light emitting diodes (40a, 40b, and 40c), wherein each of the optical components is configured to focus the produced light at the reflector.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method that initializes a display device. An exemplary embodiment comprises scanning an input signal to determine the presence of a cable television signal, proceeding to normal operation of the display device if the cable television signal is present in the input signal, scanning the input signal for an over-the-air television signal if the cable television signal is not present in the input signal, and providing a message indicating potential inappropriate reception of over-the-air signals if the over-the-air television signal is present in the input signal.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for medium wide angle projection system. An exemplary embodiment of the present technique comprises an imaging system configured to create an image, at least one lens configured to produce a medium wide-angle representation of the image, and an aperture stop positioned to capture the medium wide-angle representation of the image from the at least one lens.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method of enhancing a contrast ratio of a display device. An exemplary method comprises determining a quantity of pixels in a frame of video data having a predetermined level of blackness, comparing the quantity of pixels to a reference value, and modulating an illumination signal based on a quantity of pixels exceeding the reference value.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to an electronic device configured to receive infra red (IR) signals. The electronic device comprises a first IR decoder configured to decode the IR signals when the electronic device is operating in a first power mode, and a second IR decoder configured to decode the IR signals when the video unit is operating in a second power mode.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for optical calibration of a picture modulator. More specifically, there is provided a video unit (10) comprising a modulator (18) configured to modulate a projection lens assembly (16) between a first position and a second position, a photodiode assembly (22) configured to produce a first voltage corresponding to a first pixel pattern generated when the projection lens assembly (16) is in the first position and to produce a second voltage corresponding to a second pixel pattern when the projection lens assembly (16) is the second position, and a video control system (26) configured to adjust the location of the second position based on the first and second voltages.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a method and apparatus to align bit weights in a display device.

Abstract: A fold may be made in a conventional box which reduces the amount of packaging material necessary to secure an item in the box. Rear projection televisions may have a thick base and a thin top. Therefore, rectangular boxes may have much space at the top from the front of the box to the back of the box, in particular, when the television is in the carton, there may be substantial space between the back of the top of the television to the back panel of the carton. Typically, packaging material is placed in this space. By placing a fold in the carton along the portion of the box where this packaging material may conventionally extend, the amount of packaging material may be reduced by abutting the packaging material to the fold in the carton instead of the back panel of the carton.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that inserts closed caption information into an analog video signal. An exemplary embodiment of the system includes a first buffer adapted to store a current frame of closed caption data, a second buffer adapted to store a next frame of closed caption data if the first buffer is full, a third buffer adapted to store a frame-after-next-frame of closed caption data if the first and second buffers are full, and an analog video encoder configured to encode closed caption data from the first buffer, the second buffer and the third buffer into an analog video signal.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for compensating for spoke light in a video unit. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising measuring a first light level during a non-spoke time of a color wheel to generate a non-spoke light level; and setting a spoke light compensation value based on the measured non-spoke light level. There is also provided a video unit comprising a light source configured to generate a first light level during a non-spoke time of a color wheel, a photodiode assembly configured to measure the first light level to generate a non-spoke light level, and a processor configured to set a spoke light compensation value based on the non-spoke light level.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to an electronic device configured to receive a control signal. The electronic device comprises a first decoder configured to decode the control signal when the electronic device is operating in a first power mode, and a second decoder configured to decode a first packet in the control signal and discard subsequent packets in the control signal when the video unit is operating in a second power mode.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a communication circuit. An exemplary embodiment of the communication circuit comprises a first branch adapted to operate at a first signal voltage level, a first source voltage contact adapted to deliver a voltage corresponding to the first signal voltage level to the first branch, a second branch adapted to operate at a second signal voltage level that is higher than the first signal voltage level, a second source voltage contact adapted to receive a voltage corresponding to the second signal voltage level via an external connector and to deliver the voltage corresponding to the second signal voltage level to the second branch, and a voltage selection circuit coupled to the first source voltage contact and the second source voltage contact, the voltage selection circuit configured to provide the first signal voltage level to the first branch and the second signal voltage level to the second branch.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for illuminating a microdisplay with low etendue light. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a video unit comprising a microdisplay imager and a light engine comprising a light source configured to produce a low etendue beam of light, and a plurality of lenses configured to shape the low etendue beam of light to correspond to one or more dimensions of the microdisplay imager.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a video unit, comprising an illumination source. The video unit additionally comprises a circuit coupled to the illumination source, the circuit adapted to linearize the illumination source using characteristic parameters of the illumination source.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for searching video signals for content. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising receiving video programming containing text data and video data, wherein the text data is associated with the video data, extracting the text data from the video programming, determining time information for the extracted text data, and generating an index file containing the extracted text data and the time information for the extracted text data.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for processing a video signal, comprising assigning pixels from a set of pixels to at least one of a plurality of bins based on a brightness level associated with each pixel of the set of pixels, each of the plurality of bins containing pixels having a brightness level above or below a specified value, and identifying a coarse horizon value corresponding to a first one of the bins that includes a number of pixels corresponding to a brightness level.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for medium wide angle projection system. An exemplary embodiment of the present technique comprises an imaging system configured to create an image, at least one lens configured to produce a medium wide-angle representation of the image, and an aperture stop positioned to capture the medium wide-angle representation of the image from the at least one lens.

Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a system and method for correcting video image distortion in a video system. An exemplary embodiment includes steps or features for retrieving baseline measurements for set portions of a display area, wherein the baseline measurements take into account distortions detected in the video system. Further, the exemplary embodiment includes determining stretch coefficients for the set portions of the display area, retrieving an image corresponding to the display area, and correcting positioning of a plurality of pixels of the image based on the baseline measurements and the stretch coefficients.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method that enhance contrast ratio of a display device using asymmetrically delayed illumination signal control. An exemplary embodiment comprises determining a pixel brightness level for a video frame, and delaying application of the illumination signal based on a change of the pixel brightness level.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method that is adapted to cool a heat generating device. An electronic device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises an enclosure that contains a source of heat, and a cooling structure adjacent to the enclosure, the cooling structure being adapted to draw an internal intake comprising heat generated by the source of heat and to draw an external intake from outside the enclosure, the cooling structure being further adapted to combine the internal intake with the external intake to form an exhaust.