Patents by Inventor John E. Tumblin

John E. Tumblin 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: 9324146
    Abstract: Certain examples provide photometric or radiometric calibration using optical feedback. A disclosed example includes dithering between a first display pixel value and a second display pixel value to create a light source from a display. The disclosed example includes capturing the light source using a camera via a plurality of photographs taken by the camera. Each photograph includes a plurality of camera pixels. The disclosed example includes determining a camera response by measuring plurality of camera quantization levels associated with the plurality of camera pixels based on the first display pixel value and the second display pixel value. The disclosed example also includes determining a display response based on the plurality of camera quantization levels. The display response includes a plurality of luminance output values of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Paul J. Olczak, John E. Tumblin
  • Publication number: 20150363931
    Abstract: Certain examples provide photometric or radiometric calibration using optical feedback. A disclosed example includes dithering between a first display pixel value and a second display pixel value to create a light source from a display. The disclosed example includes capturing the light source using a camera via a plurality of photographs taken by the camera. Each photograph includes a plurality of camera pixels. The disclosed example includes determining a camera response by measuring plurality of camera quantization levels associated with the plurality of camera pixels based on the first display pixel value and the second display pixel value. The disclosed example also includes determining a display response based on the plurality of camera quantization levels. The display response includes a plurality of luminance output values of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Paul J. Olczak, John E. Tumblin
  • Patent number: 5142575
    Abstract: This invention discloses a new and improved method of scrambling video signals by inversion of the video information by splitting the sync pulse into plural portions and transmitting each portion of the sync pulse at a predetermined level. This improves the quality of the recovered video compared with other video inversion systems by rendering the video less sensitive to variations in the modulation depth of the modulator carrying the inverted signal, the demodulation sensitivity of the demodulator and the stability of the recovery circuits. The invention further provides additional security against pirating by allowing the scrambling circuit to operate in diverse modes, each of which will cause a TV to react differently should a conventional pirating device be employed. The invention also renders the signal capable of being transmitted with unmodified modulators of the type normally employed in the CATV industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Farmer, Blair J. Schodowski, Joseph G. Mobley, Gregory C. Cole, John E. Tumblin, Robert O. Banker, Lamar West
  • Patent number: 4924498
    Abstract: This invention discloses a new and improved method of scrambling video signals by inversion of the video information by splitting the sync pulse into plural portions and transmitting each portion of the sync pulse at a predetermined level. This improves the quality of the recovered video compared with other video inversion systems by rendering the video less sensitive to variations in the modulation depth of the modulator carrying the inverted signal, the demodulation sensitivity of the demodulator and the stability of the recovery circuits. The invention further provides additional security against pirating by allowing the scrambling circuit to operate in diverse modes, each of which will cause a TV to react differently should a conventional pirating device be employed. The invention also renders the signal capable of being transmitted with unmodified modulators of the type normally employed in the CATV industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Scientific Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Farmer, Blair J. Schodowski, Joseph G. Mobley, Gregory C. Cole, John E. Tumblin, Robert O. Banker, Lamar West
  • Patent number: 4873585
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating movement within a multi-dimensional space by selecting and reproducing a particular one of a plurality of selectable sequences of video images subsequent to a given sequence of video images. The apparatus comprises an interactive random access video disc system for storing the sequences of video images. Video image windowing means provides as a video output only a predetermined "window" portion of each retrieved video image. The window portion of an ending image of a given retrieved sequence substantially duplicates the window portion of a starting image of a retrieved sequence reproduced immediately subsequent to the given sequence, thereby providing a relatively imperceptible transition between sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Ivex Corporation
    Inventors: Keith A. Blanton, William M. Finlay, Michael J. Sinclair, John E. Tumblin
  • Patent number: 4807158
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating movement within a multidimensional space by sampling a prestored panoramic image. The image formed by sampling is displayed on a CRT display screen. Each of the stored images represents the view derived from data stored as a panoramic projection of a flat world in an imaginary space, selected as a function of an observer's position within the imaginary space and orientation with respect to that space. The preferred embodiment selects prestored panoramic image data which has been mapped to a geometric projection surface called a "keypoint". The apparatus includes a random access video disc system for storing the keypoint data. The method involves mapping each pixel on the display screen to the imaginary space and thence to the keypoint projection surface in order to retrieve pixel information for display. Each keypoint projection surface represents an entire 360.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Daleco/Ivex Partners, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keith A. Blanton, John E. Tumblin
  • Patent number: 4752836
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating movement within a multi-dimensional space by selecting and reproducing a particular one of a plurality of selectable sequences of video images subsequent to a given sequence of video images. The apparatus comprises an interactive random access video disc system for storing the sequences of video images. Video image windowing means provides as a video output only a predetermined "window" portion of each retrieved video image. The window portion of an ending image of a given retrieved sequence substantially duplicates the window portion of a starting image of a retrieved sequence reproduced immediately subsequent to the given sequence, thereby providing a relatively imperceptible transition between sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Ivex Corporation
    Inventors: Keith A. Blanton, William M. Finlay, Michael J. Sinclair, John E. Tumblin
  • Patent number: 4321853
    Abstract: An electronic device for use in aiding the instruction of musical students. The device is comprised of a metronome and a plurality of tone generators, all under the control of a microprocessor computer. Input devices for the system take the form of a musical keyboard and a microphone. The metronome produces an audible regularly repeated sound in the loudspeaker of the device and causes a visual display of a plurality of indicator lights to be lit simultaneously. Pitch error information is displayed on a plurality of indicator lights which indicate musical sharp, flat or correct pitch. The tone generators produce tones in the loudspeaker under the control of the program in the microprocessor. The device has the capability of interacting with the student to exchange musical responses which each is capable of understanding and judging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Institute
    Inventor: John E. Tumblin