Patents by Inventor Gregory J. Hewlett

Gregory J. Hewlett 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: 8970459
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, a method and system for the timing color of an image display are provided. In one embodiment, a method for displaying image includes sequentially illuminating a spatial light modulator with a plurality of colors by shining light through a color wheel having a plurality of adjacent color segments. The method further includes determining, a time period in which the output of the color wheel is deemed not to correspond solely to either of the two adjacent color segments for at least a portion of the spatial light modulator. The time period is based at least in part on the luminance difference between two adjacent color segments in the color wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin M. Chin, Gregory J. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 8717394
    Abstract: A method and system providing boundary dispersion to pixel values displayed on a binary spatial light modulator to reduce temporal contouring artifacts. Pixel code values are offset from a nominal value when displayed on the SLM to disperse a large bit transition for a pulse width modulation (PWM) system. The offset value varies as a function of the pixel digital code, the pixel spatial location on the screen, and pixel temporal location in time. The set of offsets applied to pixels is varied over a repeating sequence of 2 displayed frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel J. Morgan, Gregory J. Hewlett, Peter F. vanKessel
  • Patent number: 8576487
    Abstract: Disclosed is a video display system comprising a spatial light modulator, such as a DMD modulator. The system uses a light source and color-wheel filter that is interposed between the light source and the spatial light modulator, the color-wheel filter being divided into primary color segments and at least one neutral density (“ND”) segment that is complementary to at least one of the primary color segments and having a transmissivity that is lower than that of its corresponding primary color segment. At the border between the ND segment and its complementary primary color segment is an area that can be referred to as an ND spoke. The video display system modulates light from this ND spoke area along with light from the other segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Harold E. Bellis, II, Gregory J. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 8456494
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments utilize MIP techniques to determine optimum bit sequences that minimize PWM artifacts. The problem would first be restructured and redefined into a form suitable for MIP. An objective function designed to minimize PWM artifacts would allow for evaluation of resulting bit sequences in order to determine optimality. Constraints (that relate the inputs and variables) are developed. These constraints would determine whether a particular bit sequence can be used on a given system, and whether a particular bit sequence would satisfy any user defined rules. Once these are determined, an MIP solver would generate an optimized bit sequence(s). Only bit sequences that satisfy the constraints would be evaluated using the objective function, allowing for a quicker determination of a solution. This MIP solution may be generated quickly, allowing for a shorter production period while still optimizing the bit sequences to minimize PWM artifacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Andrew I. Russell, Gregory J. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 7972001
    Abstract: A method for compensating for a shift in color in a light source and a system of color illumination for a projection visual display (PVD) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven M. Penn, Harold E. Bellis, II, Gregory J. Hewlett, Dana F. Segler, Jr., Gregory S. Pettitt
  • Patent number: 7884988
    Abstract: A micromechanical device and system utilizing a supplemental reset pulse to ensure deflectable members deflect to the desired position. After loading data into a micromechanical device, a reset pulse is used to position the deflectable member to a position indicated by the data. A supplemental reset pulse is then applied to ensure the deflectable member is driven to the position indicated by the data. The method and system are also used to ensure the deflectable members are driven to a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hewlett, Darren T. McCosky
  • Patent number: 7876298
    Abstract: A spatial light modulator clocking method, called fast-clear, which employs embedded clear hardware in the SLM to enable the fast-clear bit to generate least-significant short-bit periods and without any bit ordering restrictions. In this method, fast data clears 34 are inserted between block data loads 32,36 within a frame refresh period. This method virtually eliminates the artifacts associated with the earlier reset-release timing method without the bit-ordering restriction of the jog-clear method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hewlett, Donald B. Doherty
  • Patent number: 7783576
    Abstract: A secure digital data distribution system (100) for preventing unauthorized access to digital data. The system utilizes an identification system module (116) embedded in a digital storage media (114) to grant authorization to media players (118). Prior to reading the digital data recorded on the media (114), an identification system interrogator (122) reads authorization data from the identification system module (116) to determine whether the media player (118) is authorized to read the media (114). If the authorization data matches the media player's unique identifier, authorization is granted and the media player (118) commences to read the media (114).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Roy I. Edenson, Peter F. van Kessel, Gregory J. Hewlett, Paul S. Breedlove, William B. Werner, Keith H. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20090021540
    Abstract: A method and system providing boundary dispersion to pixel values displayed on a binary spatial light modulator to reduce temporal contouring artifacts. Pixel code values are offset from a nominal value when displayed on the SLM to disperse a large bit transition for a pulse width modulation (PWM) system. The offset value varies as a function of the pixel digital code, the pixel spatial location on the screen, and pixel temporal location in time. The set of offsets applied to pixels is varied over a repeating sequence of 2 displayed frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel J. Morgan, Gregory J. Hewlett, Peter F. VanKessel
  • Patent number: 7471273
    Abstract: Disclosed are reset techniques for a spatial light modulator, and related system for displaying an image. The systems and methods have pixels that are loaded with data and reset commands to take on binary states, where the methods employ adaptable algorithms to provide flexibility in placement of the reset commands. Specifically, valid regions for such reset commands are determined, and times for consecutive bit segments are calculated; and DMD load times are adjusted for a proper sequence. An advantage of the disclosed methods is that two consecutive bit segments are no longer restricted to following a pattern of normal/short bit segments. In contrast, with the disclosed technique short segments may be consecutive, allowing the implementation of additional enhancements, including neutral density filtering (NDF) techniques that typically include adjacent short bits in the bit sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hewlett, Harold E. Bellis, II
  • Patent number: 7446785
    Abstract: A method of and system for displaying a high bit depth pulse width modulated image at a low frame rate without image flicker. The frame period (1902) is divided into a series of refresh periods (1904, 1906, 1908, 1910). The more significant image bits (1912, 1914, 1916) are displayed in every refresh period, while the bits of lesser significance (1918, 1920, 1922) are displayed only during a subset of the refresh periods. The bits of lesser significance ideally are arranged out of phase with one another such that an equal, or comparable, duration of the lesser significant bit periods is included in each of the refresh periods. Because the minimum temporal frequency necessary to avoid flicker is greater for longer bit durations, this method provides a higher frequency for the more significant bits compared to the bits of lesser significance that are less likely to flicker. This provides the advantage of enabling greatly increase bit depth without requiring unnecessarily short bit planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hewlett, Gregory S. Pettitt
  • Patent number: 7403187
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for providing a load/reset sequence for a visual display system (100) having a phased reset spatial light modulator (SLM) (14). The SLM (14) has pixels (21) that are addressable with data by means of loads (ld) and resets (r), where the data is formatted in bit-planes (0-14)and each bit-plane is loaded as one or more segments (S0-S5) in a predetermined sequence during a frame-time. In one embodiment, the method comprises storing a display order of the segments (S0-S5) and determining whether resetting any of the segments (S0-S5) conflicts with the resetting of another of the segments (S0-S5), thereby identifying a conflicting segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hewlett, Harold E. Bellis, II
  • Patent number: 7403213
    Abstract: A method and system providing boundary dispersion to pixel values displayed on a binary spatial light modulator to reduce temporal contouring artifacts. Pixel code values are offset from a nominal value when displayed on the SLM to disperse a large bit transition for a pulse width modulation (PWM) system. The offset value varies as a function of the pixel digital code, the pixel spatial location on the screen, and pixel temporal location in time. The set of offsets applied to pixels is varied over a repeating sequence of 2 displayed frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel J. Morgan, Gregory J. Hewlett, Peter F. VanKessel
  • Publication number: 20080158262
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments utilize MIP techniques to determine optimum bit sequences that minimize PWM artifacts. The problem would first be restructured and redefined into a form suitable for MIP. An objective function designed to minimize PWM artifacts would allow for evaluation of resulting bit sequences in order to determine optimality. Constraints (that relate the inputs and variables) are developed. These constraints would determine whether a particular bit sequence can be used on a given system, and whether a particular bit sequence would satisfy any user defined rules. Once these are determined, an MIP solver would generate an optimized bit sequence(s). Only bit sequences that satisfy the constraints would be evaluated using the objective function, allowing for a quicker determination of a solution. This MIP solution may be generated quickly, allowing for a shorter production period while still optimizing the bit sequences to minimize PWM artifacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Andrew I. Russell, Gregory J. Hewlett
  • Publication number: 20080158116
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, a method and system for the timing color of an image display are provided. In one embodiment, a method for displaying image includes sequentially illuminating a spatial light modulator with a plurality of colors by shining light through a color wheel having a plurality of adjacent color segments. The method further includes determining, a time period in which the output of the color wheel is deemed not to correspond solely to either of the two adjacent color segments for at least a portion of the spatial light modulator. The time period is based at least in part on the luminance difference between two adjacent color segments in the color wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin M. Chin, Gregory J. Hewlett
  • Publication number: 20080158514
    Abstract: A method for compensating for a shift in color in a light source and a system of color illumination for a projection visual display (PVD) system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven M. Penn, Harold E. Bellis, Gregory J. Hewlett, Dana F. Segler, Gregory S. Pettitt
  • Publication number: 20080143977
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for displaying an image comprises moving a color filter through a source light beam, modulating the source light beam into a plurality of image segments, modifying the source light beam to each of the plurality of image segments in a sequential manner such that each particular image segment is off at least when an uncertain region is co-incidental with the particular image segment. The color filter has at least two color filter elements that form at least two interfaces. The uncertain region is created by each interface when moved through the source light beam. The plurality of image segments are contiguously arranged with one another in order to form the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hewlett, Kevin M. Chin, Thomas J. Doty
  • Patent number: 7006995
    Abstract: A secure digital data distribution system (100) for preventing unauthorized access to digital data. The system utilizes an identification system module (116) embedded in a digital storage media (114) to grant authorization to media players (118). Prior to reading the digital data recorded on the media (114), an identification system interrogator (122) reads authorization data from the identification system module (116) to determine whether the media player (118) is authorized to read the media (114). If the authorization data matches the media player's unique identifier, authorization is granted and the media player (118) commences to read the media (114).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Roy I. Edenson, Peter F. van Kessel, Gregory J. Hewlett, Paul S. Breedlove, William B. Werner, Keith H. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6987597
    Abstract: A system and method for addressing and synchronizing a spatial light modulator (SLM) device and a scrolling color recovery (SCR) illumination system. This method applies all the colors to a single SLM simultaneously and recaptures light rejected by the color filters. The recaptured light is reapplied to the color filters and, if passed by the color filter, directed to the SLM The SCR concept requires multiple colors to be imaged on to an SLM array simultaneously. As the color bands scroll across the SLM, the data applied to elements of the SLM changes to remain appropriate for the color being received by that element. The data a lied to the SLM elements ma be loaded into the SLM by reset group with each reset group load delayed by a skew time relative to the previous group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hewlett, Donald B. Doherty
  • Patent number: 6970150
    Abstract: A spatial light modulator clocking method, called fast-clear, which employs embedded clear hardware in the SLM to enable the fast-clear bit to generate least-significant short-bit periods and without any bit ordering restrictions. In this method, fast data clears 34 are inserted between block data loads 32,36 within a frame refresh period. This method virtually eliminates the artifacts associated with the earlier reset-release timing method without the bit-ordering restriction of the jog-clear method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hewlett, Donald B. Doherty