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).

  • Apparatus and methods for encoding, decoding and representing high dynamic range images
    Patent number: 9648356
    Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Maryann Simmons
  • Calibration and control of displays incorporating MEMS light modulators
    Patent number: 9645386
    Abstract: MEMS shutters are applied in displays and imaging devices. In a display, sensors may detect light from a light source that is back-reflected by a MEMS shutter and/or ambient light that enters through the MEMS shutter. The sensors may be used to monitor performance of the light source and/or ambient lighting conditions. In an imaging device, MEMS shutters may be applied to selectively block light to prevent overexposed areas within an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Terence Ka Wing Lau, William Brent Wilson, Robin Atkins, Henry Hang Kei Ip, Gregory John Ward, Douglas Campbell, Neil W. Messmer
  • Projection display providing additional modulation and related methods
    Patent number: 9626921
    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: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Robin Atkins
  • Locally Dimmed Quantum Dot Display
    Publication number: 20170039963
    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: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Louis D. Silverstein, Helge Seetzen
  • RAPID ESTIMATION OF EFFECTIVE ILLUMINANCE PATTERNS FOR PROJECTED LIGHT FIELDS
    Publication number: 20170025076
    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: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. WHITEHEAD, Helge SEETZEN, Gregory John WARD, Wolfgang HEIDRICH
  • Optical Mixing and Shaping System for Display Backlights and Displays Incorporating the Same
    Publication number: 20170019646
    Abstract: A backlight for a display comprises a plurality of independently controllable light sources and inclined surfaces inclining in a radially outward direction from each light source for shaping the distribution of emitted light. The light sources may each comprise a group of differently-colored light emitters. The backlight may include light integrators configured to mix light of the differently-colored light emitters. Inclined surfaces for shaping the distribution of emitted light may be arranged around exits of the light integrators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Helge SEETZEN, Lorne A. WHITEHEAD, Gregory John WARD
  • Multi-field CCD capture for HDR imaging
    Patent number: 9549123
    Abstract: Techniques are described to combine image data from multiple images with different exposures into a relatively high dynamic range image. A first image of a scene may be generated with a first operational mode of an image processing system. A second image of the scene may be generated with a second different operational mode of the image processing system. The first image may be of a first spatial resolution, while the second image may be of a second spatial resolution. For example, the first spatial resolution may be higher than the second spatial resolution. The first image and the second image may be combined into an output image of the scene. The output image may be of a higher dynamic range than either of the first image and the second image and may be of a spatial resolution higher than the second spatial resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Ajit Ninan, Gregory John Ward, Qifan Huang
  • Apparatus and Methods for Encoding, Decoding and Representing High Dynamic Range Images
    Publication number: 20160345031
    Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Maryann Simmons
  • Local multiscale tone-mapping operator
    Patent number: 9501818
    Abstract: In a method to generate a tone-mapped image from a high-dynamic range image (HDR), an input HDR image is converted into a logarithmic domain and a global tone-mapping operator generates a high-resolution gray scale ratio image from the input HDR image. Based at least in part on the high-resolution gray scale ratio image, at least two different gray scale ratio images are generated and are merged together to generate a local multiscale gray scale ratio image that represents a weighted combination of the at least two different gray scale ratio images, each being of a different spatial resolution level. An output tone-mapped image is generated based on the high-resolution gray scale image and the local multiscale gray scale ratio image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory John Ward
  • PROJECTION DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20160320694
    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: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger, Helge Seetzen
  • Locally dimmed quantum dots (nano-crystal) based display
    Patent number: 9478182
    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: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Louis D. Silverstein, Helge Seetzen
  • Rapid estimation of effective illuminance patterns for projected light fields
    Patent number: 9478176
    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: December 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Helge Seetzen, Gregory John Ward, Wolfgang Heidrich
  • Locally dimmed cinema projection system with reflective modulation and narrowband light sources
    Patent number: 9462240
    Abstract: A backlight for a display comprises a plurality of independently controllable light sources and inclined surfaces inclining in a radially outward direction from each light source for shaping the distribution of emitted light. The light sources may each comprise a group of differently-colored light emitters. The backlight may include light integrators configured to mix light of the differently-colored light emitters. Inclined surfaces for shaping the distribution of emitted light may be arranged around exits of the light integrators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Helge Seetzen, Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward
  • Representation and coding of multi-view images using tapestry encoding
    Patent number: 9451232
    Abstract: Representation and coding of multi-view images using tapestry encoding are described. A tapestry comprises information on a tapestry image and a world coordinates map associated with the tapestry image, each of which may contain information from one or more perspectives of a scene. Perspective images of a scene can be generated from the tapestry image and the world coordinates map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Scott Daly
  • 3D cameras for HDR
    Patent number: 9420200
    Abstract: High dynamic range 3D images are generated with relatively narrow dynamic range image sensors. Input frames of different views may be set to different exposure settings. Pixels in the input frames may be normalized to a common range of luminance levels. Disparity between normalized pixels in the input frames may be computed and interpolated. The pixels in the different input frames may be shifted to, or stay in, a common reference frame. The pre-normalized luminance levels of the pixels may be used to create high dynamic range pixels that make up one, two or more output frames of different views. Further, a modulated synopter with electronic mirrors is combined with a stereoscopic camera to capture monoscopic HDR, alternating monoscopic HDR and stereoscopic LDR images, or stereoscopic HDR images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Ajit Ninan, Scott Daly, Gregory John Ward, Robin Atkins
  • Apparatus and methods for encoding, decoding and representing high dynamic range images
    Patent number: 9412156
    Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Maryann Simmons
  • Projection displays
    Patent number: 9412337
    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: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger, Helge Seetzen
  • Encoding and Decoding of 3D HDR Images Using A Tapestry Representation
    Publication number: 20160182917
    Abstract: Representation and coding of multi-view images using tapestry encoding are described for standard and enhanced dynamic ranges compatibility. 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. Different methods for achieving compatibility are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Guan-Ming Su, Gregory John Ward, Timo Kunkel, Scott Daly, Samir N. Hulyalkar
  • IMAGE DISPLAY
    Publication number: 20160170236
    Abstract: A display has a screen which incorporates a light modulator. The screen may be a front projection screen or a rear-projection screen. The screen is illuminated with light from a light source comprising an array of controllable light-emitters. The controllable-emitters and elements of the light modulator may be controlled to adjust the intensity of light emanating from corresponding areas on the screen. The display may provide a high dynamic range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Lorne A. WHITEHEAD, Gregory John WARD, Wolfgang STUERZLINGER, Helge SEETZEN, Don GRAHAM
  • ENCODING, DECODING, AND REPRESENTING HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGES
    Publication number: 20160134873
    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: January 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Wenhui JIA, Ajit NINAN, Arkady TEN, Gregory John WARD