Patents by Inventor James A. Fancher

James A. Fancher 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: 8538144
    Abstract: A system and method for color correction of 3D images including at least two separate image streams captured for a same scene include determining three-dimensional properties of at least a portion of a selected image stream, the three-dimensional properties including light and surface reflectance properties, surface color, reflectance properties, scene geometry and the like. A look of the portion of the selected image stream is then modified by altering the value of at least one of the determined three-dimensional properties and, in one embodiment, applying image formation theory. The modifications are then rendered in an output 3D picture either automatically and/or according to user inputs. In various embodiments, corrections made to the selected one of the at least two image streams can be automatically applied to the other of the image streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Ana B. Benitez, Dong-Qing Zhang, James A. Fancher
  • Patent number: 8006311
    Abstract: A movie anti-piracy system with sensing and reporting is provided. An anti-piracy subsystem is utilized to preclude, interfere with and/or prevent copying of the movie. Anti-piracy compliance sensing selectively provides compliance violation signals respectively to a sensor response controller. The controller is responsive to the compliance violation signals to provide a violation status (and other data) signal output to a control center. The control center responds to the violation status and other data signals, from one or a plurality of theaters, and provides for reporting of information (such as security compliance, attendance, etc.) to one or multiple reporting sites (such as movie distribution studios, etc.). In a preferred embodiment, the control center determines whether there are violations of providing of anti-piracy protection within a theater (or theaters) and provides reporting on the anti-piracy compliance status and data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Korishma Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David H. Sitrick, James A. Fancher
  • Publication number: 20100290697
    Abstract: A system and method for color correction of 3D images including at least two separate image streams captured for a same scene include determining three-dimensional properties of at least a portion of a selected image stream, the three-dimensional properties including light and surface reflectance properties, surface color, reflectance properties, scene geometry and the like. A look of the portion of the selected image stream is then modified by altering the value of at least one of the determined three-dimensional properties and, in one embodiment, applying image formation theory. The modifications are then rendered in an output 3D picture either automatically and/or according to user inputs. In various embodiments, corrections made to the selected one of the at least two image streams can be automatically applied to the other of the image streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Ana B. Benitez, Dong-Qing Zhang, James A. Fancher
  • Publication number: 20090021372
    Abstract: A movie anti-piracy system with sensing and reporting is provided. An anti-piracy subsystem is utilized to preclude, interfere with and/or prevent copying of the movie. Anti-piracy compliance sensing selectively provides compliance violation signals respectively to a sensor response controller. The controller is responsive to the compliance violation signals to provide a violation status (and other data) signal output to a control center. The control center responds to the violation status and other data signals, from one or a plurality of theaters, and provides for reporting of information (such as security compliance, attendance, etc.) to one or multiple reporting sites (such as movie distribution studios, etc.). In a preferred embodiment, the control center determines whether there are violations of providing of anti-piracy protection within a theater (or theaters) and provides reporting on the anti-piracy compliance status and data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: David H. Sitrick, James A. Fancher
  • Patent number: 7428757
    Abstract: A movie anti-piracy system with sensing and reporting is provided. A movie projector projects a light image to reflect off of a screen. An anti-piracy subsystem is utilized to preclude, interfere with and/or prevent videotaping of the light images reflecting from the screen. Anti-piracy compliance sensing selectively provides compliance violation signals respectively to a sensor response controller. The controller is responsive to the compliance violation signals to provide a violation status (and other data) signal output to a control center. The control center responds to the violation status and other data signals, from one or a plurality of theaters, and provides for reporting of information (such as security compliance, attendance, etc.) to one or multiple reporting sites (such as movie distribution studios, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventors: David H. Sitrick, James A. Fancher
  • Patent number: 7170577
    Abstract: A movie anti-piracy system with sensing and reporting is provided. A movie projector projects a light image to reflect off of a screen, while an infrared energy projection source generates an infrared energy pattern which is reflected off the screen (or otherwise projected) in the same field of view as the light images reflecting from the screen. Infrared energy sensors are positioned in the seating area of the theater. The infrared sensors provide sensed signals respectively to a sensor response controller. The controller is responsive to the sensor signals to provide an infrared status (and other data) signal output to a control center. The control center responds to the infrared status and other data signals, from one or a plurality of theaters, and provides for reporting of information (such as security compliance, attendance, etc.) to one or multiple reporting sites (such as movie distribution studios, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventors: David H. Sitrick, James A. Fancher
  • Patent number: 6771349
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a movie anti-piracy system with sensing and reporting features. A movie projector projects a light image to reflect off of a screen, while an infrared energy projection source generates an infrared energy pattern which is reflected off the screen (or otherwise projected) in the same field of view as the light images reflecting from the screen. Infrared energy sensors are positioned in the seating area of the theater. The infrared sensors provide sensed signals respectively to a sensor response controller. The controller is responsive to the sensor signals to provide an infrared status (and other data) signal output to a control center. The control center responds to the infrared status and other data signals, from one or a plurality of theaters, and provides for reporting of information (such as security compliance, attendance, etc.) to one or multiple reporting sites (such as movie distribution studios, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventors: David H. Sitrick, James A. Fancher
  • Publication number: 20040062393
    Abstract: A movie anti-piracy system with sensing and reporting is provided. A movie projector projects a light image to reflect off of a screen, while an infrared energy projection source generates an infrared energy pattern which is reflected off the screen (or otherwise projected) in the same field of view as the light images reflecting from the screen. Infrared energy sensors are positioned in the seating area of the theater. The infrared sensors provide sensed signals respectively to a sensor response controller. The controller is responsive to the sensor signals to provide an infrared status (and other data) signal output to a control center. The control center responds to the infrared status and other data signals, from one or a plurality of theaters, and provides for reporting of information (such as security compliance, attendance, etc.) to one or multiple reporting sites (such as movie distribution studios, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: David H. Sitrick, James A. Fancher
  • Publication number: 20040061676
    Abstract: A movie anti-piracy system with sensing and reporting is provided. A movie projector projects a light image to reflect off of a screen, while an infrared energy projection source generates an infrared energy pattern which is reflected off the screen (or otherwise projected) in the same field of view as the light images reflecting from the screen. Infrared energy sensors are positioned in the seating area of the theater. The infrared sensors provide sensed signals respectively to a sensor response controller. The controller is responsive to the sensor signals to provide an infrared status (and other data) signal output to a control center. The control center responds to the infrared status and other data signals, from one or a plurality of theaters, and provides for reporting of information (such as security compliance, attendance, etc.) to one or multiple reporting sites (such as movie distribution studios, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: David H. Sitrick, James A. Fancher
  • Patent number: 6559883
    Abstract: A security method and system for protecting movie film images from being recorded by video cameras. The system is comprised of a means to generate an infrared pattern and a means to display this infrared pattern. The infrared pattern generated and displayed is of sufficient strength such that video cameras with infrared filters can not prevent the infrared pattern from interfering with the recording. A human viewing a screen containing movie film images sees only the movie film images on the screen and does not see the infrared pattern being displayed simultaneously. Video cameras aimed to record a screen containing the movie film images, even video cameras having infrared filters, are unable to prevent the infrared pattern from interfering with recording the movie film images, and one embodiment may completely obscure the picture being recorded and render it unacceptable for even pirated distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Fancher, David H. Sitrick, Gregory P. Sitrick