Patents by Inventor Gregory John Ward

Gregory John Ward 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: 10056042
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for filtering metadata to be used in display management. Given an input video stream and input metadata comprising at least one of minimum, average, or maximum luminance values of the video frames in the video stream, values of a function of the input metadata are filtered using a temporal filter to generate filtered metadata, wherein the filtering is based only on metadata for input frames in the same scene. Methods for temporal filtering based on an exponential moving average filter or a look-ahead sliding window filter are presented, including methods for scene-change detection using the input metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Atkins, Gregory John Ward, Samir N. Hulyalkar, Guan-Ming Su, Sheng Qu
  • Publication number: 20180211440
    Abstract: Directional image sensor data may be acquired with one or more directional image sensors. A light source and illumination image may be generated based on the directional image sensor data. A number of operations may be caused to be performed for an image based at least in part on light source information in the light source image. The operations may include display management operations, device positional operations, augmented reality superimposition operations, ambient light control operations, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Timo KUNKEL, Patrick GRIFFIS, Gregory John WARD
  • Patent number: 10033940
    Abstract: A camera has two distinct image sensor arrays. The image sensor arrays are at least one of different types and different resolutions. The image sensor arrays have different dynamic ranges such that one of the image sensor arrays is a high dynamic range image sensor array configured to capture a wider range of light intensity than the other of the image sensor arrays. The camera has an imaging mechanism configured to combine information collected by each of the image sensor arrays to produce a high dynamic range image. The image sensor arrays include one low resolution image sensor array having a high dynamic range, and one high resolution image sensor array having a normal dynamic range smaller than the high dynamic range wherein luminance values within the normal dynamic range represent a subset of luminance values within the high dynamic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Helge Seetzen, Wolfgang Heidrich
  • Patent number: 10027961
    Abstract: Techniques are provided to encode and decode image data comprising a tone mapped (TM) image with HDR reconstruction data in the form of luminance ratios and color residual values. In an example embodiment, luminance ratio values and residual values in color channels of a color space are generated on an individual pixel basis based on a high dynamic range (HDR) image and a derivative tone-mapped (TM) image that comprises one or more color alterations that would not be recoverable from the TM image with a luminance ratio image. The TM image with HDR reconstruction data derived from the luminance ratio values and the color-channel residual values may be outputted in an image file to a downstream device, for example, for decoding, rendering, and/or storing. The image file may be decoded to generate a restored HDR image free of the color alterations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Wenhui Jia, Ajit Ninan, Arkady Ten, Gregory John Ward
  • Publication number: 20180190215
    Abstract: Dual modulator displays are disclosed incorporating a phosphorescent plate interposed in the optical path between a light source modulation layer and a display modulation layer. Spatially modulated light output from the light source modulation layer impinges on the phosphorescent plate and excites corresponding regions of the phosphorescent plate which in turn emit light having different spectral characteristics than the light output from the light source modulation layer. Light emitted from the phosphorescent plate is received and further modulated by the display modulation layer to provide the ultimate display output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Louis D. Silverstein, Helge Seetzen
  • Publication number: 20180182310
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided that employ one or more of a variety of techniques for reducing the time required to display high resolution images on a high dynamic range display having a light source layer and a display layer. In one technique, the image resolution is reduced, an effective luminance pattern is determined for the reduced resolution image, and the resolution of the effective luminance pattern is then increased to the resolution of the—display layer. In another technique, the light source layer's point spread function is decomposed into a plurality of components, and an effective luminance pattern is determined for each component. The effective luminance patterns are then combined to produce a total effective luminance pattern. Additional image display time reduction techniques are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Helge Seetzen, Gregory John Ward, Wolfgang Heidrich
  • Publication number: 20180144692
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for filtering metadata to be used in display management. Given an input video stream and input metadata comprising at least one of minimum, average, or maximum luminance values of the video frames in the video stream, values of a function of the input metadata are filtered using a temporal filter to generate filtered metadata, wherein the filtering is based only on metadata for input frames in the same scene. Methods for temporal filtering based on an exponential moving average filter or a look-ahead sliding window filter are presented, including methods for scene-change detection using the input metadata.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robin ATKINS, Gregory John WARD, Samir N. HULYALKAR, Guan-Ming SU, Sheng QU
  • Patent number: 9934733
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided that employ one or more of a variety of techniques for reducing the time required to display high resolution images on a high dynamic range display having a light source layer and a display layer. In one technique, the image resolution is reduced, an effective luminance pattern is determined for the reduced resolution image, and the resolution of the effective luminance pattern is then increased to the resolution of the—display layer. In another technique, the light source layer's point spread function is decomposed into a plurality of components, and an effective luminance pattern is determined for each component. The effective luminance patterns are then combined to produce a total effective luminance pattern. Additional image display time reduction techniques are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Helge Seetzen, Gregory John Ward, Wolfgang Heidrich
  • Publication number: 20180091803
    Abstract: A projection display system includes a spatial modulator that is controlled to compensate for flare in a lens of the projector. The spatial modulator increases achievable intra-frame contrast and facilitates increased peak luminance without unacceptable black levels. Some embodiments provide 3D projection systems in which the spatial modulator is combined with a polarization control panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Robin Atkins
  • Patent number: 9911389
    Abstract: Dual modulator displays are disclosed incorporating a phosphorescent plate interposed in the optical path between a light source modulation layer and a display modulation layer. Spatially modulated light output from the light source modulation layer impinges on the phosphorescent plate and excites corresponding regions of the phosphorescent plate which in turn emit light having different spectral characteristics than the light output from the light source modulation layer. Light emitted from the phosphorescent plate is received and further modulated by the display modulation layer to provide the ultimate display output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Louis D. Silverstein, Helge Seetzen
  • Patent number: 9912939
    Abstract: A projection display system includes a spatial modulator that is controlled to compensate for flare in a lens of the projector. The spatial modulator increases achievable intra-frame contrast and facilitates increased peak luminance without unacceptable black levels. Some embodiments provide 3D projection systems in which the spatial modulator is combined with a polarization control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Robin Atkins
  • Publication number: 20180039169
    Abstract: A locally dimmed display has a spatial light modulator illuminated by a light source. The spatial light modulator is illuminated with a low resolution version of a desired image. The illumination may comprise a series of lighting elements that vary smoothly from one element to another at the spatial light modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger, Helge Seetzen
  • Publication number: 20180014015
    Abstract: Techniques are provided to encode and decode image data comprising a tone mapped (TM) image with HDR reconstruction data in the form of luminance ratios and color residual values. In an example embodiment, luminance ratio values and residual values in color channels of a color space are generated on an individual pixel basis based on a high dynamic range (HDR) image and a derivative tone-mapped (TM) image that comprises one or more color alterations that would not be recoverable from the TM image with a luminance ratio image. The TM image with HDR reconstruction data derived from the luminance ratio values and the color-channel residual values may be outputted in an image file to a downstream device, for example, for decoding, rendering, and/or storing. The image file may be decoded to generate a restored HDR image free of the color alterations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Wenhui JIA, Ajit NINAN, Arkady TEN, Gregory John WARD
  • Patent number: 9866813
    Abstract: Representation and coding of multi-view images are carried out through tapestry encoding. A tapestry comprises information on a tapestry image, a left-shift displacement map and a right-shift displacement map. Perspective images of a scene can be generated from the tapestry and the displacement maps. The tapestry image is generated from a leftmost view image, a rightmost view image, a disparity map and an occlusion map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Timo Kunkel, Scott Daly
  • Patent number: 9819938
    Abstract: Techniques are provided to encode and decode image data comprising a tone mapped (TM) image with HDR reconstruction data in the form of luminance ratios and color residual values. In an example embodiment, luminance ratio values and residual values in color channels of a color space are generated on an individual pixel basis based on a high dynamic range (HDR) image and a derivative tone-mapped (TM) image that comprises one or more color alterations that would not be recoverable from the TM image with a luminance ratio image. The TM image with HDR reconstruction data derived from the luminance ratio values and the color-channel residual values may be outputted in an image file to a downstream device, for example, for decoding, rendering, and/or storing. The image file may be decoded to generate a restored HDR image free of the color alterations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Wenhui Jia, Ajit Ninan, Arkady Ten, Gregory John Ward
  • Patent number: 9810943
    Abstract: Parallax in an optical device is reduced by apply one or a combination of several disclosed techniques, including reduced solid angle or increased collimation of light sources, increased diffusion/scattering at an output of the device, and/or reflective structures for collimation and containment of reflected light. The techniques are advantageously applied to a backlight LCD display, and particularly to high dynamic range dual modulation displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Vincent Kwong, Helge Seetzen, Gregory John Ward
  • Patent number: 9804487
    Abstract: A locally dimmed display has a spatial light modulator illuminated by a light source. The spatial light modulator is illuminated with a low resolution version of a desired image. The illumination may comprise a series of lighting elements that vary smoothly from one element to another at the spatial light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger, Helge Seetzen
  • Publication number: 20170214917
    Abstract: Techniques are provided to encode and decode image data comprising a tone mapped (TM) image with HDR reconstruction data in the form of luminance ratios and color residual values. In an example embodiment, luminance ratio values and residual values in color channels of a color space are generated on an individual pixel basis based on a high dynamic range (HDR) image and a derivative tone-mapped (TM) image that comprises one or more color alterations that would not be recoverable from the TM image with a luminance ratio image. The TM image with HDR reconstruction data derived from the luminance ratio values and the color-channel residual values may be outputted in an image file to a downstream device, for example, for decoding, rendering, and/or storing. The image file may be decoded to generate a restored HDR image free of the color alterations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Wenhui JIA, Ajit NINAN, Arkady TEN, Gregory John WARD
  • Publication number: 20170180719
    Abstract: A projection display system includes a spatial modulator that is controlled to compensate for flare in a lens of the projector. The spatial modulator increases achievable intra-frame contrast and facilitates increased peak luminance without unacceptable black levels. Some embodiments provide 3D projection systems in which the spatial modulator is combined with a polarization control panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Robin Atkins
  • Patent number: 9654781
    Abstract: Techniques are provided to encode and decode image data comprising a tone mapped (TM) image with HDR reconstruction data in the form of luminance ratios and color residual values. In an example embodiment, luminance ratio values and residual values in color channels of a color space are generated on an individual pixel basis based on a high dynamic range (HDR) image and a derivative tone-mapped (TM) image that comprises one or more color alterations that would not be recoverable from the TM image with a luminance ratio image. The TM image with HDR reconstruction data derived from the luminance ratio values and the color-channel residual values may be outputted in an image file to a downstream device, for example, for decoding, rendering, and/or storing. The image file may be decoded to generate a restored HDR image free of the color alterations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Wenhui Jia, Ajit Ninan, Arkady Ten, Gregory John Ward