Patents by Inventor Benjamin John Broughton

Benjamin John Broughton 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: 9058788
    Abstract: A method of processing image data for display by a display panel of a display device is provided. The method comprises receiving main image pixel data representing a main and side image pixel data representing a side image. In a first processing step, a mapping is performed of the pixel data to signals used to drive the display panel. The mapping is arranged to produce an average on-axis luminance which is dependent mainly on the main image pixel data and an average off-axis luminance which is dependent at least to some extent on the side image pixel data. In a second processing step, the received side image pixel data are processed to emphasize at least one feature of the side image which might otherwise be perceived by a viewer as being de-emphasized in the side image displayed off axis as a result of the first processing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Andrew Kay, Allan Evans, Benjamin John Broughton, Kenji Maeda
  • Publication number: 20150042769
    Abstract: A display device includes control electronics and a pixellated liquid crystal (LC) panel. The control electronics receives inputs of main image data for a main image and side image data for a side image. The control electronics outputs combined image data combining the main and side images such that an on-axis viewer perceives from the combined image the main image, and an off-axis viewer perceives from the combined image the side image. The output image data comprises data values chosen from a set of available output data values for the pixels selected from multiple sets of available data values depending on at least on the side image data. For a pixel currently being processed, the output data value is chosen from the selected set of available output data values for which a resulting luminance value is closest to a target luminance value for the current pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Benjamin John BROUGHTON, Kenji MAEDA, Tatsuo WATANABE
  • Patent number: 8896507
    Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises an active matrix substrate (6) and a counter-substrate (7) provided with homeotropic alignment surfaces (11). A layer of nematic liquid crystal material is provided between the alignment surfaces (11) so as to form a vertically aligned nematic device. The substrates (6, 7) carry a pixel electrode arrangement and a counter-electrode arrangement which define a plurality of pixel regions. Each of least some of these regions has a pixel electrode (13), which may be split into two halves, and a counter-electrode (8) which are arranged to apply an electric field for controlling the liquid crystal director (12) out-of-plane tilt angle. A further electrode (14), for example in the form of a plurality of parallel fingers, cooperates with at least one of the other electrodes (8, 13) to apply a second electric field for controlling the director in-plane azimuth angle. Such a device may be used, for example, as a switchable public/private display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Benjamin John Broughton, Nathan James Smith, Allan Evans, Paul Antony Gass
  • Patent number: 8885018
    Abstract: A display comprises a parallax optic (2), such as a combined parallax barrier and lens array, and a pixellated display device (1). The pixels of the display device (1) are arranged as groups cooperating with a parallax element (4) of the parallax optic (2). Each group comprises a first pixel (A) aligned with the centre of the parallax element (4), second and third pixels (B, C) on either side of the first pixel (A), and fourth pixels (D) shared with adjacent groups and disposed outside the second pixels (B, C). The parallax elements (4) make the different pixels of each group visible in different viewing regions. A control arrangement selects regions of the display and selects different combinations of the pixels of each group for image display within respective regions so as to provide simultaneously-present different viewing modes having different viewing range characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nathan James Smith, Benjamin John Broughton, Lesley Anne Parry-Jones, Jonathan Mather, Harry Garth Walton
  • Patent number: 8836715
    Abstract: A method of processing image data for display by a display panel of a display device. The method comprises receiving main image pixel data representing a main image and side image pixel data representing a side image, and performing a mapping of the pixel data to signals used to drive the display panel. The mapping is arranged to produce an average on-axis luminance which is dependent mainly on the main image pixel data and an average off-axis luminance which is dependent at least to some extent on the side image pixel data. A compression of the main image pixel data is performed in advance of or at least partly incorporated into the mapping, the compression being performed at least partly in dependence upon the main image pixel data and at least partly in dependence upon how the off-axis luminance varies with pixel data input to the mapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Benjamin John Broughton, Andrew Kay, Marc Paul Servais, Paul Antony Gass, Masahiro Esashi, Kenji Maeda, Tatsuo Watanabe, Yuuichi Sato, Yoshimitsu Inamori, Takashi Yasumoto
  • Publication number: 20140210878
    Abstract: A method of processing image data for display on a display device having a multi-primary image display panel (2) comprises receiving image data constituting an image for display on the image display panel. In a first mode, signal voltages to be applied to sub-pixels of the image display panel are determined from the received image data and from a secondary data value for the pixel thereby to generate luminance variations perceivable at a first viewing position (5) but substantially not perceivable at a second viewing position (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Benjamin John Broughton, Charlotte Wendy Michele Borgers, Paul Antony Gass, Scott Boham, Kenji Maeda, Tatsuo Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20140160177
    Abstract: A display comprises independently addressable pixels, a pixel comprising first and second electrodes (12a,12b) disposed on a first substrate and spaced apart from one another. A counter electrode (22) is provided on a second substrate, with an electro-optical material provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. A controller, in use, applies a first voltage to the first electrode of the pixel, a second voltage different to the first voltage to the second electrode of the pixel, and a third voltage to the counter electrode of the pixel to define in the pixel at least one of a first region (18a), a second region (18c) and a third region (18b). The first, second and third voltages are selected such that the area of the or each of the first, second region and third region defined in the pixel produces a desired greyscale level for the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Nathan James SMITH, Benjamin John BROUGHTON, Christopher James BROWN, Paul Antony GASS
  • Patent number: 8698718
    Abstract: A display device is provided that comprises a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image by spatial light modulation, and circuitry for switching liquid crystal in the panel between having a first configuration in a first mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible from a wide range of viewing angles, and having a second configuration in a second mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible substantially only from within a narrow range of viewing angles. Several types of display panel to achieve such in-panel switching between public and private viewing modes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Paul Antony Gass, Diana Ulrich Kean, Nathan Smith, Thomas Mathew Wynne-Powell, Allan Evans, Benjamin John Broughton
  • Patent number: 8629821
    Abstract: A display device is provided which includes a liquid crystal display panel including a plurality of pixels each having one or more sub-pixels; and control electronics configured to provide, in response to image data, signal voltages to the pixels in a first mode whereby an on-axis viewer and an off-axis viewer perceive substantially a same main image, and signal voltages to the pixels in a second mode whereby the on-axis viewer perceives the main image and the off-axis viewer perceives a side image different from the main image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Charlotte Wendy Michele Borgers, Benjamin John Broughton, Kenji Maeda, Tatsuo Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20140002481
    Abstract: A method for converting image data within a source gamut into modified image data within a destination gamut, is provided including utilizing a processor to operate on input red-green-blue (RGB) data within the source gamut with a multivariate polynomial function to produce modified RGB data within the destination gamut, wherein the polynomial function includes coefficients optimized in accordance with a predefined criteria such that when displayed on a display device having the destination gamut the modified RGB data have a colour appearance representing a perceptually optimised transform of the input RGB data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Benjamin John BROUGHTON, Andrew KAY, Kenji MAEDA, Masayuki NATSUMI, Fumitaka SEKI
  • Publication number: 20130342664
    Abstract: A switchable imaging device (1) has a first mode of operation in which the device performs an imaging function and a second mode of operation different from the first mode, for example a non-imaging mode. In the first mode of operation the device comprises at least one first region that performs a lensing action and at least one second region that at least partially absorbs light passing through the or each second region. The switchable imaging device (1) may be disposed in path of light through an image display panel (4). This provides a display that may be operable in either a directional display mode such as an autostereoscopic 3D display mode or a 2-D display mode, by controlling the switchable imaging device to be in its first mode or its second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nathan James Smith, Alexander Zawadzki, Benjamin John Broughton, Alexandra Baum
  • Patent number: 8508449
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for reducing color shift in relation to viewing angle in an LCD. The method includes receiving a plurality of pixel data constituting an image, each pixel data including a plurality of sub-pixel color components having respective data values; for each of the pixel data, comparing the sub-pixel color component data values included therein; and based on the comparison, modifying the sub-pixel color component data values included in the pixel data to reduce color shift when displayed on the LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin John Broughton, Harry Garth Walton, Paul Antony Gass, Meelis Lootus, Charlotte Wendy Michele Borgers
  • Publication number: 20130088528
    Abstract: A method of processing an image comprises: receiving pixel data constituting an image, the pixel data including at least four sub-pixel colour components having respective data values, and modifying one or more of the sub-pixel colour component data values. The data values of corresponding sub-pixels from two pixels are modified in opposite directions to one another and such that the overall luminance of the display panel appears substantially unchanged to an on-axis viewer of the display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Charlotte Wendy Michele BORGERS, Benjamin John BROUGHTON, Paul Antony GASS, Harry Garth WALTON, John NONWEILER
  • Patent number: 8400384
    Abstract: A display device is provided that comprises a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image by spatial light modulation, and circuitry for switching liquid crystal in the panel between having a first configuration in a first mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible from a wide range of viewing angles, and having a second configuration in a second mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible substantially only from within a narrow range of viewing angles. Several types of display panel to achieve such in-panel switching between public and private viewing modes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Paul Antony Gass, Diana Ulrich Kean, Nathan Smith, Thomas Mathew Wynne-Powell, Allan Evans, Benjamin John Broughton
  • Publication number: 20130063457
    Abstract: A display device is provided which includes a liquid crystal display panel including a plurality of pixels each having one or more sub-pixels; and control electronics configured to provide, in response to image data, signal voltages to the pixels in a first mode whereby an on-axis viewer and an off-axis viewer perceive substantially a same main image, and signal voltages to the pixels in a second mode whereby the on-axis viewer perceives the main image and the off-axis viewer perceives a side image different from the main image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Charlotte Wendy Michele BORGERS, Benjamin John BROUGHTON, Kenji MAEDA, Tatsuo WATANABE
  • Patent number: 8368727
    Abstract: A display device having a display panel for displaying an image by spatial light modulation includes a plurality of pixel groups, each pixel group including a first pixel having a first type of luminance against viewing angle response, and a second pixel having a second type of luminance against viewing angle response, wherein the first and second luminance against viewing angle responses are different from one another. The display device further includes a controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality of pixel groups, wherein the controller is configured to drive each of the plurality of pixel groups such that on average the plurality of pixel groups simultaneously provide a predetermined on-axis luminance and an predetermined off-axis luminance for a region of the image corresponding to each pixel group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nathan James Smith, Benjamin John Broughton, Allan Evans, Andrew Kay, Kenji Maeda, Tatsuo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8344976
    Abstract: A display device is provided that comprises a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image by spatial light modulation, and circuitry for switching liquid crystal in the panel between having a first configuration in a first mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible from a wide range of viewing angles, and having a second configuration in a second mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible substantially only from within a narrow range of viewing angles. Several types of display panel to achieve such in-panel switching between public and private viewing modes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Paul Antony Gass, Diana Ulrich Kean, Nathan Smith, Thomas Mathew Wynne-Powell, Allan Evans, Benjamin John Broughton
  • Publication number: 20120176404
    Abstract: A method is provided of processing image data for display by a display panel of a display device. The method comprises receiving main image pixel data representing a main image and side image pixel data representing a side image, and performing a mapping of the pixel data to signals used to drive the display panel. The mapping is arranged to produce an average on-axis luminance which is dependent mainly on the main image pixel data and an average off-axis luminance which is dependent at least to some extent on the side image pixel data. A compression of the main image pixel data is performed in advance of or at least partly incorporated into the mapping, the compression being performed at least partly in dependence upon the main image pixel data and at least partly in dependence upon how the off-axis luminance varies with pixel data input to the mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Benjamin John Broughton, Andrew Kay, Marc Paul Servais, Paul Antony Gass, Masahiro Esashi, Kenji Maeda, Tatsuo Watanabe, Yuuichi Sato, Yoshimitsu Inamori, Takashi Yasumoto
  • Publication number: 20120169790
    Abstract: A method of operating a display device comprising a display panel comprises receiving main and side image pixel data respectively representing a main image (S1) and a side image (S2). For each of a plurality of pixel groups (S3), where each pixel group comprises at least one pixel of the main image pixel data and at least one spatially corresponding pixel of the side image pixel data, a predetermined mapping is performed (S4) using the pixel data of the pixel group as input. The mapping holds output pixel data for the input pixel data which is known to produce an average on-axis luminance with substantially no dependence on the side image pixel data of the group and an average off-axis luminance with substantially no dependence on the main image pixel data of the group. The signals used to drive the display panel are determined from the output pixel data (S5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Benjamin John Broughton, Meelis Lootus, Kenji Maeda, Tatsuo Watanabe, Yoshimitsu Inamori, Takashi Yasumoto
  • Publication number: 20120154458
    Abstract: A method of processing image data for display by a display panel of a display device is provided. The method comprises receiving main image pixel data representing a main and side image pixel data representing a side image. In a first processing step, a mapping is performed of the pixel data to signals used to drive the display panel. The mapping is arranged to produce an average on-axis luminance which is dependent mainly on the main image pixel data and an average off-axis luminance which is dependent at least to some extent on the side image pixel data. In a second processing step, the received side image pixel data are processed to emphasise at least one feature of the side image which might otherwise be perceived by a viewer as being de-emphasised in the side image displayed off axis as a result of the first processing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Andrew Kay, Allan Evans, Benjamin John Broughton, Kenji Maeda