Patents by Inventor Helge Seetzen

Helge Seetzen 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).

  • Serial modulation display having binary light modulation stage
    Patent number: 8125702
    Abstract: A display has first and second spatial light modulators for modulating light from a light source. The first spatial light modulator has a plurality of elements switchable between ON and OFF states according to a pattern having a spatially-varying density. Transfer optics blur and carry light modulated by the first spatial light modulator to the second spatial light modulator to yield a light field at the second spatial light modulator. The second spatial light modulator has a plurality of elements switchable between ON and OFF states to perform temporal dithering of the light field to provide a reconstruction of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Gerwin Damberg, Helge Seetzen
  • Thin Displays Having Spatially Variable Backlights
    Publication number: 20120032999
    Abstract: A display has a light source layer having control inputs for controlling the light source layer to emit light such that the light output varies smoothly with position in a manner determined by the control inputs. An LCD panel or other spatial light modulator modulates light from the light source layer. The light source layer may be thin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Helge Seetzen
  • Motion-blur compensation in backlit displays
    Patent number: 8059110
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger, Helge Seetzen
  • Apparatus and Methods for Color Displays
    Publication number: 20110273495
    Abstract: A display incorporates both narrow-band light emitters and broadband light emitters. The light emitters are controlled to display images according to image data. The narrow-band light emitters can be used to provide highly saturated primary colors. Light from the broadband light sources may be mixed with the broadband light. This can reduce metamerism failures arising from variations in the characteristics of the eyes of observers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory J. Ward, Helge Seetzen, Trevor Davies
  • Driving dual modulation display systems using key frames
    Patent number: 8035604
    Abstract: Methods and systems process image data made up of a series of frames for displaying on a dual modulation display system having a first modulator disposed to illuminate a second modulator. A first modulation signal and a luminance map are not calculated for every frame. Instead, certain frames referred to as “key frames” are used to provide the first modulation signal and the luminance map for at least some other frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Helge Seetzen
  • EDGE LIT LOCALLY DIMMED DISPLAY
    Publication number: 20110216387
    Abstract: An edge lit locally dimmed display has a spatial light modulator illuminated by a light source. The light source is positioned at an edge and behind the spatial light modulator. 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: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lorne Whitehead, Greg Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger, Helge Seetzen
  • Edge lit locally dimmed display
    Patent number: 7942531
    Abstract: An edge lit locally dimmed display has a spatial light modulator illuminated by a light source. The light source is positioned at an edge and behind the spatial light modulator. 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: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger, Helge Seetzen
  • FIELD SEQUENTIAL DISPLAY OF COLOR IMAGES WITH COLOR SELECTION
    Publication number: 20110050559
    Abstract: A color display has a monochrome modulator. An active area of the modulator is illuminated by an array of light sources. The light sources include light sources of three or more colors. The intensities of the light sources may be adjusted to project desired luminance patterns on an active area of the modulator. In a fast field sequential method different colors are projected sequentially. The modulator is set to modulate the projected luminance patterns to display a desired image. In a slow field sequential method, colors are projected simultaneously and the modulator is set to modulate most important colors in the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Helge Seetzen
  • Wide color gamut displays
    Patent number: 7872659
    Abstract: A display has a modulator illuminated by an illuminator comprising an array of light sources. The array includes light sources of a plurality of colors. The light sources of different colors are individually controllable. Within each color, the light sources that illuminate different areas on the modulator are individually controllable. The display may provide a high dynamic range and a wide color gamut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Helge Seetzen
  • EDGE LIT LOCALLY DIMMED DISPLAY
    Publication number: 20100302480
    Abstract: An edge lit locally dimmed display has a spatial light modulator illuminated by a light source. The light source is positioned at an edge and behind the spatial light modulator. 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: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Lorne WHITEHEAD, Greg WARD, Wolfgang STUERZLINGER, Helge SEETZEN
  • PARALLAX REDUCTION
    Publication number: 20100289836
    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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lorne Whitehead, Vincet Kwong, Helge Seetzen, Gregory John Ward
  • Field sequential display of color images
    Patent number: 7830358
    Abstract: A color display has a monochrome modulator. An active area of the modulator is illuminated by an array of light sources. The light sources include light sources of three or more colors. The intensities of the light sources may be adjusted to project desired luminance patterns on an active area of the modulator. In a fast field sequential method different colors are projected sequentially. The modulator is set to modulate the projected luminance patterns to display a desired image. In a slow field sequential method, colors are projected simultaneously and the modulator is set to modulate most important colors in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Helge Seetzen
  • MITIGATION OF LCD FLARE
    Publication number: 20100277515
    Abstract: LCD flare is reduced by adjusting a backlight to a level where the LCD flare is not visible, and then introducing a simulated veiling glare. The glare is further adjusted by the backlight simulation to hide the geometry (e.g., LED array) of the backlight. The reduction is performed, for example, by processing signals for driving the backlight and a front modulator in a dual modulation display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, James Harrison, Helge Seetzen, Matthew Trentacoste
  • Method for efficient computation of image frames for dual modulation display systems using key frames
    Patent number: 7817131
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for processing image data made up of a series of frames for displaying on a dual modulation display system having a first modulator disposed to illuminate a second modulator, wherein a first modulation signal and a luminance map are not calculated for every frame. Instead, certain frames referred to as “key frames” are used to provide the first modulation signal and the luminance map for a plurality of other frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Helge Seetzen
  • High dynamic range display devices having color light sources
    Patent number: 7801426
    Abstract: A display has a screen which incorporates a light modulator. The screen may be a front projection screen or a rear-projection screen. 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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger, Helge Seetzen
  • HDR displays with individually-controllable color backlights
    Patent number: 7800822
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Helge Seetzen, Don Graham, Greg Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger
  • APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING LIGHT SOURCE MODULATION IN DUAL MODULATOR DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20100214282
    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 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Louis D. Silverstein, Helge Seetzen
  • Multiple exposure methods and apparatus for electronic cameras
    Patent number: 7782393
    Abstract: A method for capturing multiple sets of image data with an electronic camera having a shutter and an electronic shutter for selectively allowing light to reach an image sensor comprises opening the shutter and the electronic shutter, allowing light to reach the image sensor for a first exposure time, closing the electronic shutter, reading out pixel data captured during the first exposure time, allowing light to reach the image sensor for a second exposure time, and, reading out pixel data captured during the second exposure time. The method may be used to obtain multiple differently exposed images of a scene for combination into a high dynamic range image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Helge Seetzen
  • HDR displays having light estimating controllers
    Patent number: 7777945
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Helge Seetzen, Don Graham, Greg Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger
  • HDR displays and control systems therefor
    Patent number: 7753530
    Abstract: A display has a screen which incorporates a light modulator. The screen may be a front projection screen or a rear-projection screen. 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger, Helge Seetzen