Patents by Inventor Dallas Dwight Hickerson
Dallas Dwight Hickerson 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: 10274726Abstract: A head up display arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an image source providing illuminated images. At least one mirror is positioned to provide a first reflection of the illuminated images. A windshield is positioned to receive the first reflection and provide a second reflection of the illuminated image such that the second reflection is visible to a driver of the vehicle who has at least one eye within an eyebox defined by the second reflection. An image capturing device captures images of a head of a driver of the motor vehicle. An electronic processor adjusts, based on the captured images of the driver's head, the illuminated images and/or a position of the at least one mirror.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Dallas Dwight Hickerson, Thomas Ray Burns
-
Publication number: 20170299873Abstract: A head up display arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an image source providing illuminated images. At least one mirror is positioned to provide a first reflection of the illuminated images. A windshield is positioned to receive the first reflection and provide a second reflection of the illuminated image such that the second reflection is visible to a driver of the vehicle who has at least one eye within an eyebox defined by the second reflection. An image capturing device captures images of a head of a driver of the motor vehicle. An electronic processor adjusts, based on the captured images of the driver's head, the illuminated images and/or a position of the at least one mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: DALLAS DWIGHT HICKERSON, THOMAS RAY BURNS
-
Patent number: 9648420Abstract: An audio power amplifier arrangement includes an audio power amplification integrated circuit having two loudspeaker outputs. A rectifier circuit includes a first diode having a cathode connected to one of the two loudspeaker outputs and an anode connected to a rectifier output node. A second diode has an anode connected to the one loudspeaker output. A first resistor has a first end connected to a cathode of the second diode and a second end connected to the rectifier output node. A capacitor has a first end connected to the rectifier output node and a second end connected to electrical ground. A second resistor has a first end connected to the rectifier output node and a second end connected to electrical ground.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2016Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Dallas Dwight Hickerson, Kenneth Dale Finlon
-
Publication number: 20170048426Abstract: A method of operating a video system includes receiving an image captured by use of a fisheye lens. The image is divided into a plurality of horizontal image lines. A respective fraction of each of the horizontal image lines is sampled with a different respective sampling frequency. Each sampling frequency is inversely related to a size of the sampled fraction. The size of the sampled fraction increases with each horizontal image line in a progression from a top of the image to a bottom of the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventor: DALLAS DWIGHT HICKERSON
-
Publication number: 20170019625Abstract: There is provided a system (200) and method (400) of displaying video content. In a method (400) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a native aspect ratio of the video content is determined (404) and an optimized viewing format is selected (406) from a plurality of viewing formats based at least in part on the native aspect ratio of the video content. The video content is displayed (408) in the optimized viewing format.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: NAM CHIN CHO, DALLAS DWIGHT HICKERSON
-
Patent number: 9531923Abstract: A method of operating a video system includes receiving an image captured by use of a fisheye lens. The image is divided into a plurality of horizontal image lines. A respective fraction of each of the horizontal image lines is sampled with a different respective sampling frequency. Each sampling frequency is inversely related to a size of the sampled fraction. The size of the sampled fraction increases with each horizontal image line in a progression from a top of the image to a bottom of the image.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventor: Dallas Dwight Hickerson
-
Patent number: 9485455Abstract: There is provided a system (200) and method (400) of displaying video content. In a method (400) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a native aspect ratio of the video content is determined (404) and an optimized viewing format is selected (406) from a plurality of viewing formats based at least in part on the native aspect ratio of the video content. The video content is displayed (408) in the optimized viewing format.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Nam Chin Cho, Dallas Dwight Hickerson
-
Publication number: 20160269826Abstract: An audio power amplifier arrangement includes an audio power amplification integrated circuit having two loudspeaker outputs. A rectifier circuit includes a first diode having a cathode connected to one of the two loudspeaker outputs and an anode connected to a rectifier output node. A second diode has an anode connected to the one loudspeaker output. A first resistor has a first end connected to a cathode of the second diode and a second end connected to the rectifier output node. A capacitor has a first end connected to the rectifier output node and a second end connected to electrical ground. A second resistor has a first end connected to the rectifier output node and a second end connected to electrical ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: DALLAS DWIGHT HICKERSON, KENNETH DALE FINLON
-
Patent number: 9379681Abstract: An audio power amplifier arrangement includes an audio power amplification integrated circuit having two loudspeaker outputs. A rectifier circuit includes a first diode having a cathode connected to one of the two loudspeaker outputs and an anode connected to a rectifier output node. A second diode has an anode connected to the one loudspeaker output. A first resistor has a first end connected to a cathode of the second diode and a second end connected to the rectifier output node. A capacitor has a first end connected to the rectifier output node and a second end connected to electrical ground. A second resistor has a first end connected to the rectifier output node and a second end connected to electrical ground.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Dallas Dwight Hickerson, Kenneth Dale Finlon
-
Publication number: 20150319519Abstract: A method of modulating an infrared headphone interface signal includes providing a first audio signal having an analog audio value. A memory is provided having a plurality of locations and containing digital phase offset values. A clock signal having a clock frequency is provided. A second audio signal having a center carrier frequency that deviates with the analog audio value of the first audio signal is provided. An instantaneous value of the center carrier frequency is determined. The clock frequency is divided by the instantaneous carrier frequency value to thereby calculate a number of samples per cycle. A number of location addresses in the memory is divided by the number of samples per cycle to thereby calculate a memory access interval. The memory is accessed at addresses separated by the calculated memory access interval. The digital phase offset values at the accessed memory addresses are used to reproduce the first audio signal by use of headphones.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: DALLAS DWIGHT HICKERSON, JOSEPH CECIL WHITAKER
-
Publication number: 20150271614Abstract: An audio power amplifier arrangement includes an audio power amplification integrated circuit having two loudspeaker outputs. A rectifier circuit includes a first diode having a cathode connected to one of the two loudspeaker outputs and an anode connected to a rectifier output node. A second diode has an anode connected to the one loudspeaker output. A first resistor has a first end connected to a cathode of the second diode and a second end connected to the rectifier output node. A capacitor has a first end connected to the rectifier output node and a second end connected to electrical ground. A second resistor has a first end connected to the rectifier output node and a second end connected to electrical ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2014Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: DALLAS DWIGHT HICKERSON, KENNETH DALE FINLON
-
Patent number: 9094761Abstract: A method of modulating an infrared headphone interface signal includes providing a first audio signal having an analog audio value. A memory is provided having a plurality of locations and containing digital phase offset values. A clock signal having a clock frequency is provided. A second audio signal having a center carrier frequency that deviates with the analog audio value of the first audio signal is provided. An instantaneous value of the center carrier frequency is determined. The clock frequency is divided by the instantaneous carrier frequency value to calculate a number of samples per cycle. A number of location addresses in the memory is divided by the number of samples per cycle to calculate a memory access interval. The memory is accessed at addresses separated by the memory access interval. The digital phase offset values at the accessed memory addresses are used to reproduce the first audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Dallas Dwight Hickerson, Joseph Cecil Whitaker
-
Publication number: 20150163380Abstract: A method of operating a video system includes receiving an image captured by use of a fisheye lens. The image is divided into a plurality of horizontal image lines. A respective fraction of each of the horizontal image lines is sampled with a different respective sampling frequency. Each sampling frequency is inversely related to a size of the sampled fraction. The size of the sampled fraction increases with each horizontal image line in a progression from a top of the image to a bottom of the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventor: DALLAS DWIGHT HICKERSON
-
Patent number: 8988492Abstract: A method of operating a video system includes receiving an image captured by use of a fisheye lens. The image is divided into a plurality of horizontal image lines. A respective fraction of each of the horizontal image lines is sampled with a different respective sampling frequency. Each sampling frequency is inversely related to a size of the sampled fraction. The size of the sampled fraction increases with each horizontal image line in a progression from a top of the image to a bottom of the image.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventor: Dallas Dwight Hickerson
-
Publication number: 20130156215Abstract: A method of modulating an infrared headphone interface signal includes providing a first audio signal having an analog audio value. A memory is provided having a plurality of locations and containing digital phase offset values. A clock signal having a clock frequency is provided. A second audio signal having a center carrier frequency that deviates with the analog audio value of the first audio signal is provided. An instantaneous value of the center carrier frequency is determined. The clock frequency is divided by the instantaneous carrier frequency value to calculate a number of samples per cycle. A number of location addresses in the memory is divided by the number of samples per cycle to calculate a memory access interval. The memory is accessed at addresses separated by the memory access interval. The digital phase offset values at the accessed memory addresses are used to reproduce the first audio signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Dallas Dwight Hickerson, Joseph Cecil Whitaker
-
Patent number: 7782323Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system (100) that is adapted to process digital video data. An exemplary embodiment of the system (100) comprises a processor (110) that produces a digital video data stream (112), and a character generator (200) that is adapted to select a pixel data value from one of a plurality of standard data lines (604, 606, 608, 610) to insert into the digital video data stream (112) based on a representation of a character stored in a memory (210) associated with the character generator (200).Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Dallas Dwight Hickerson, Bruce Edward Kerkemeyer
-
Publication number: 20100194850Abstract: A method of operating a video system includes receiving an image captured by use of a fisheye lens. The image is divided into a plurality of horizontal image lines. A respective fraction of each of the horizontal image lines is sampled with a different respective sampling frequency. Each sampling frequency is inversely related to a size of the sampled fraction. The size of the sampled fraction increases with each horizontal image line in a progression from a top of the image to a bottom of the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2009Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventor: Dallas Dwight Hickerson
-
Publication number: 20100073306Abstract: A dual-view display system (102) includes a dual-view touchscreen display (104) adapted to display a first image including a first menu to a first user positioned at a first location with respect to system (102) and to display a second image including a second menu to a second user positioned at a second location with respect to system (102). The dual-view display system (102) further includes at least one sensor (106, 108) adapted to detect proximity to the dual-view touchscreen display (104) of the first user relative to the proximity to the dual-view touchscreen display (104) of the second user. Menu selection logic (402) identifies a received user touch command as a selection from the first menu or as a selection from the second menu based on the proximity to the dual-view touchscreen display (104) of the first user relative to the proximity to the dual-view touchscreen display (104) of the second user.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventor: Dallas Dwight Hickerson
-
Patent number: 7679685Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system (100) that processes an analog video signal (502), the analog video signal (502) comprising luminance information (408), first chrominance information (410), and second chrominance information (410). An exemplary video system (100) comprises a first time-sampled analog filter (506) that extracts the luminance information (408) from a first aliased copy of the analog video signal (502), a second time-sampled analog filter (508) that extracts the first chrominance information (410) from a second aliased copy of the analog video signal (502), and a third time-sampled analog filter (510) that extracts the second chrominance information (410) from a third aliased copy of the analog video signal (502).Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems of America division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Hans Alfred Troemel, Jr., Dallas Dwight Hickerson
-
Publication number: 20090262239Abstract: There is provided a system (200) and method (400) of displaying video content. In a method (400) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a native aspect ratio of the video content is determined (404) and an optimized viewing format is selected (406) from a plurality of viewing formats based at least in part on the native aspect ratio of the video content. The video content is displayed (408) in the optimized viewing format.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2008Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Nam Chin Cho, Dallas Dwight Hickerson