Patents by Inventor Martin J. Richards
Martin J. Richards 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).
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Publication number: 20240142861Abstract: A projection system for etendue utilization includes a first light source configured to emit a light, the light including a first etendue component and a second etendue component, wherein the first etendue component has a lower etendue than the second etendue component, a first projection optics configured to project a first image on a screen, a second projection optics configured to project a second image on the screen, and an etendue splitter component. The etendue splitter component is configured to receive the light from the light source, extract, from the light, the first etendue component and the second etendue component, provide the first etendue component to the first projection optics, and provide the second etendue component to the second projection optics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Juan Pablo PERTIERRA, Martin J. RICHARDS, Barrett LIPPEY, Trevor DAVIES, John Frederick ARNTSEN
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Publication number: 20240098229Abstract: Dual and multi-modulator projector display systems and techniques are disclosed. In one embodiment, a projector display system comprises a light source; a controller, a first modulator, receiving light from the light source and rendering a halftone image of said the input image; a blurring optical system that blurs said halftone image with a Point Spread Function (PSF); and a second modulator receiving the blurred halftone image and rendering a pulse width modulated image which may be projected to form the desired screen image. Systems and techniques for forming a binary halftone image from input image, correcting for misalignment between the first and second modulators and calibrating the projector system—e.g. over time—for continuous image improvement are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Jerome SHIELDS, Martin J. RICHARDS, Juan P. PERTIERRA
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Patent number: 11937023Abstract: A novel high efficiency image projection system includes a beam-steering modulator, an amplitude modulator, and a controller. In a particular embodiment the controller generates beam-steering drive values from image data and uses the beam-steering drive values to drive the beam-steering modulator. Additionally, the controller utilizes the beam-steering drive values to generate a lightfield simulation of a lightfield projected onto the amplitude modulator by the beam-steering modulator. The controller utilizes the lightfield simulation to generate amplitude drive values for driving the amplitude modulator in order to project a high quality version of the image described by the image data.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2023Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignees: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION, DOLBY INTERNATIONAL ABInventors: Juan P. Pertierra, Martin J. Richards, Christopher John Orlick, Clement Le Barbenchon, Angelo M. Pires Arrifano
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Publication number: 20240073357Abstract: Dual or multi-modulation display systems comprising a first modulator and a second modulator are disclosed. The first modulator may comprise a plurality of analog mirrors (e.g. MEMS array) and the second modulator may comprise a plurality of mirrors (e.g., DMD array). The display system may further comprise a controller that sends control signals to the first and second modulator. The display system may render highlight features within a projected image by affecting a time multiplexing scheme. In one embodiment, the first modulator may be switched on a sub-frame basis such that a desired proportion of the available light may be focused or directed onto the second modulator to form the highlight feature on a sub-frame rendering basis.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventor: Martin J. Richards
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Patent number: 11889236Abstract: A digital PSF for use in a dual modulation display. The invention allows the use of less than optimal point spread (PSF) functions in the optics between the pre-modulator and primary modulator of a dual modulation projection system. This technique uses multiple halftones per frame in the pre-modulator synchronized with a modified bit sequence in the primary modulator to produce a compensation image that reduces the errors produced by the sub-optimal PSF. The invention includes the application to dual modulation and dual modulated 3D viewing systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventor: Martin J. Richards
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Publication number: 20230421734Abstract: Smaller halftone tiles are implemented on a first modulator of a dual modulation projection system. This techniques uses multiple halftones per frame in the pre-modulator synchronized with a modified bit sequence in the primary modulator to effectively increase the number of levels provided by a given tile size in the halftone modulator. It addresses the issue of reduced contrast ratio at low light levels for small tile sizes and allows the use of smaller PSFs which reduce halo artifacts in the projected image and may be utilized in 3D projecting and viewing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Martin J. RICHARDS, Jerome SHIELDS
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Patent number: 11838692Abstract: Dual and multi-modulator projector display systems and techniques are disclosed. In one embodiment, a projector display system comprises a light source; a controller, a first modulator, receiving light from the light source and rendering a halftone image of said the input image; a blurring optical system that blurs said halftone image with a Point Spread Function (PSF); and a second modulator receiving the blurred halftone image and rendering a pulse width modulated image which may be projected to form the desired screen image. Systems and techniques for forming a binary halftone image from input image, correcting for misalignment between the first and second modulators and calibrating the projector system—e.g. over time—for continuous image improvement are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2023Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Jerome Shields, Martin J. Richards, Juan P. Pertierra
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Publication number: 20230341754Abstract: A novel spatial light modulator (SLM) includes a cover glass, and modulation layer, and a plurality of pixel minors, and separates unwanted, reflected light from desired, modulated light. In one embodiment, a geometrical relationship exists between the cover glass and the pixel minors, such that light that reflects from the cover glass is separated from light that reflects from the pixel minors and is transmitted from the SLM. In one example, one of the cover glass or the pixel minors is angled with respect to the modulation layer. In another example embodiment, the cover glass has a particular thickness, which introduces destructive interference between light that reflects from the top and bottom surfaces of the cover glass. In another embodiment antireflective coatings are disposed between optical interfaces of the SLM. In another embodiment, light from the SLM is directed through an optical filter to remove unwanted light.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Juan P. PERTIERRA, Martin J. RICHARDS, Barret LIPPEY
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Patent number: 11796905Abstract: One or more perforation hole pattern methods are applied (402) to generate a spatial distribution of perforation holes forming a semi-random pattern for an image display screen. The image display screen is perforated (404) with the spatial distribution of perforation holes forming the semi-random pattern. Image rendering light is emitted (406) with a light projector toward the image display screen that is installed in an image rendering environment. At least a portion of the image rendering light emitted from the light projector is reflected (408) by the image display screen, toward a viewer.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Martin J. Richards, Barret Lippey
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Publication number: 20230324783Abstract: A novel projection system includes a base signal source, a highlight signal source, a base/highlight destination, and a shared optical element. A base signal provided by the base source and a highlight signal provided by the highlight source are combined by the shared optical element. In a particular embodiment, the base signal source and the highlight signal source each include a light source, a spatial light modulator, and optics, and the base/highlight destination includes optics and a spatial light modulator. In a more particular embodiment, the base signal source and the highlight source provide spatially modulated lightfields to the shared optical element. In another particular embodiment, the base signal and the highlight signal are modulated by the spatial light modulator of the base/highlight destination after being combined.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Juan P. Pertierra, Martin J. Richards, Barret Lippey, Nathan Shawn Wainwright, John David Jackson
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Publication number: 20230319244Abstract: A projection display system comprises a light source configured to emit a light in response to a content data; an optical modulator configured to modulate the light; and a controller configured to adjust a light level of the projection display system based on the content data and a metadata relating to a future frame, thereby to reduce a perceptibility of a visual artifact.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Martin J. RICHARDS, Barret LIPPEY, Juan P. PERTIERRA, Dzhakhangir V. KHAYDAROV, Duane Scott DEWALD, Nathan Shawn WAINWRIGHT, Darren HENNIGAN, John David JACKSON
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Publication number: 20230300316Abstract: Light from an array of laser light sources are spread to cover the modulating face of a DMD or other modulator. The spread may be performed, for example, by a varying curvature array of lenslets, each laser light directed at one of the lenslets. Light from neighboring and/or nearby light sources overlap at a modulator. The lasers are energized at different energy/brightness levels causing the light illuminating the modulator to itself be modulated (locally dimmed). The modulator then further modulates the locally dimmed lights to produce a desired image. A projector according to the invention may utilize, for example, a single modulator sequentially illuminated or separate primary color modulators simultaneously illuminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventor: Martin J. Richards
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Patent number: 11765326Abstract: Smaller halftone tiles are implemented on a first modulator of a dual modulation projection system. This technique uses multiple halftones per frame in the pre-modulator synchronized with a modified bit sequence in the primary modulator to effectively increase the number of levels provided by a given tile size in the halftone modulator. It addresses the issue of reduced contrast ratio at low light levels for small tile sizes and allows the use of smaller PSFs which reduce halo artifacts in the projected image and may be utilized in 3D projecting and viewing.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Martin J. Richards, Jerome Shields
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Publication number: 20230291878Abstract: Systems and methods of rendering DCI-compliant image data on Enhanced Dynamic Range (EDR) display systems are disclosed. One embodiment of an EDR projector system comprises a first modulator and a second modulator. One method for rendering DCI-compliant image data on an EDR projector system comprises: receiving input image data, said image data comprising a plurality of image formats; determining whether the input image data comprises DCI image data; if the input image data comprises DCI image data, then performing dynamic range (DR) processing on the DCI image data; and rendering the dynamic range processed DCI image data on the EDR projector system. One DR processing method is to set the first modulator to a desired luminance level—e.g., fully ON or a ratio of DCI max luminance to the EDR max luminance. In addition, a desired minimum level of luminance may be set for the EDR projector.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Martin J. RICHARDS, Douglas J. GORNY
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Publication number: 20230276030Abstract: A novel projection system includes a light source, a phase modulator, an amplitude modulator, and a controller having temporal lightfield simulation capabilities. The phase modulator spatially modulates a lightfield from the light source to generate an intermediate image on the amplitude modulator. The amplitude modulator spatially modulates the intermediate image to form a final image. The controller models the phase state of the phase modulator during transitions between phase modulator frames and generates lightfield simulations of the intermediate image during the transition. The controller utilizes the lightfield simulations to generate and provide sets of amplitude drive values to the amplitude modulator at a faster rate than that at which the phase modulator is capable of switching.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Trevor Davies, Martin J. RICHARDS, Barret Lippey, Juan P. Pertierra, Christopher John Orlick, Peter Francis Van Kessel
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Patent number: 11726394Abstract: A novel spatial light modulator (SLM) includes a cover glass, and modulation layer, and a plurality of pixel mirrors, and separates unwanted, reflected light from desired, modulated light. In one embodiment, a geometrical relationship exists between the cover glass and the pixel mirrors, such that light that reflects from the cover glass is separated from light that reflects from the pixel mirrors and is transmitted from the SLM. In one example, one of the cover glass or the pixel mirrors is angled with respect to the modulation layer. In another example embodiment, the cover glass has a particular thickness, which introduces destructive interference between light that reflects from the top and bottom surfaces of the cover glass. In another embodiment antireflective coatings are disposed between optical interfaces of the SLM. In another embodiment, light from the SLM is directed through an optical filter to remove unwanted light.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Juan P. Pertierra, Martin J. Richards, Barret Lippey
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Publication number: 20230236492Abstract: One or more perforation hole pattern methods are applied (402) to generate a spatial distribution of perforation holes forming a semi-random pattern for an image display screen. The image display screen is perforated (404) with the spatial distribution of perforation holes forming the semi-random pattern. Image rendering light is emitted (406) with a light projector toward the image display screen that is installed in an image rendering environment. At least a portion of the image rendering light emitted from the light projector is reflected (408) by the image display screen, toward a viewer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2021Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Martin J. RICHARDS, Barret LIPPEY
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Publication number: 20230216995Abstract: Projection displays include a highlight projector and a main projector. Highlights projected by the highlight projector boost luminance in highlight areas of a base image projected by the main projector. Various highlight projectors including steerable beams, holographic projectors and spatial light modulators are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2023Publication date: July 6, 2023Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Gerwin Damberg, Martin J. Richards, Craig Todd
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Patent number: 11683473Abstract: Light from an array of laser light sources are spread to cover the modulating face of a DMD or other modulator. The spread may be performed, for example, by a varying curvature array of lenslets, each laser light directed at one of the lenslets. Light from neighboring and/or nearby light sources overlap at a modulator. The lasers are energized at different energy/brightness levels causing the light illuminating the modulator to itself be modulated (locally dimmed). The modulator then further modulates the locally dimmed lights to produce a desired image. A projector according to the invention may utilize, for example, a single modulator sequentially illuminated or separate primary color modulators simultaneously illuminated.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventor: Martin J. Richards
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Publication number: 20230188686Abstract: Dual and multi-modulator projector display systems and techniques are disclosed. In one embodiment, a projector display system comprises a light source; a controller, a first modulator, receiving light from the light source and rendering a halftone image of said the input image; a blurring optical system that blurs said halftone image with a Point Spread Function (PSF); and a second modulator receiving the blurred halftone image and rendering a pulse width modulated image which may be projected to form the desired screen image. Systems and techniques for forming a binary halftone image from input image, correcting for misalignment between the first and second modulators and calibrating the projector system—e.g. over time—for continuous image improvement are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Jerome SHIELDS, Martin J. RICHARDS, Juan P. PERTIERRA