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).
-
Publication number: 20190361325Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Juan P. PERTIERRA, Martin J. RICHARDS, Barret LIPPEY
-
Patent number: 10488746Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Juan P. Pertierra, Martin J. Richards, Barret Lippey, Nathan S. Wainwright, John D. Jackson
-
Publication number: 20190339601Abstract: Projection systems and/or methods for efficient use of light by recycling a portion of the light energy for future use are disclosed. In one embodiment, a projection display system is disclosed comprising a light source; an integrating rod that receives light from said light source at a proximal end that comprise a reflective surface which may reflecting/recycle light down said integrating rod; of reflecting light down said integrating rod; a relay optical system, said relay optical system further comprising optical elements that are capable of moving the focal plane of the projector display system; and a modulator comprising at least one moveable mirror that reflects light received from the integrating rod in either a projection direction or a light recycling direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Martin J. RICHARDS, Nathan WAINWRIGHT, Douglas J. GORNY, Duane Scott DEWALD
-
Patent number: 10462437Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Gerwin Damberg, Martin J. Richards, Craig Todd
-
Publication number: 20190327455Abstract: 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: March 27, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Martin J. RICHARDS, Jerome SHIELDS
-
Publication number: 20190313067Abstract: 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: June 24, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Martin J. RICHARDS, Douglas J. GORNY
-
Publication number: 20190293952Abstract: Laser or narrow band light sources (e.g., red, green, and blue) are utilized to form left (e.g., R1, G1, B1) and right (e.g., R2, G2, B2) images of a 3D projection. Off-axis viewing of the projections which has the potential to cause crosstalk and/or loss of energy/brightness in any channel or color, is eliminated (or reduced to only highly oblique viewing angles) via the combined use of any of guard bands between light bands of adjacent channels, curvature of viewing filters, and selection of passband wavelengths that maximize usability of the passband as it “shifts” due to varying or increasing angles of off-axis viewing. Implemented with any number of light sources, the light sources selected may also be converted to showing 2D images where the additional light sources are utilized to affect a desirable increase in color gamut.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventor: Martin J. RICHARDS
-
Patent number: 10416539Abstract: 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: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Juan P. Pertierra, Martin J. Richards, Barret Lippey
-
Publication number: 20190258070Abstract: Shaped glasses have curved surface lenses and spectrally complementary filters disposed on the curved surface lenses configured to compensate for wavelength shifts occurring due to viewing angles and other sources. The spectrally complementary filters include guard bands to prevent crosstalk between spectrally complementary portions of a 3D image viewed through the shaped glasses. In one embodiment, the spectrally complementary filters are disposed on the curved lenses with increasing layer thickness towards edges of the lenses. The projected complementary images may also be pre-shifted to compensate for subsequent wavelength shifts occurring while viewing the images.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Martin J. Richards, Wilson Heaton Allen
-
Publication number: 20190260975Abstract: Projection systems and/or methods comprising a blurring element are disclosed. In one embodiment, a blurring element may comprise a first plate having a pattern on a first surface and second plate. The first plate and the second plate may comprise material having a slight difference in their respective index of refraction. In another embodiment, a blurring element may comprise a first plate having a pattern thereon and a second immersing material. The blurring element may be placed in between two modulators in a dual or multi-modulator projector system. The blurring element may be configured to give a desired shape to the light transmitted from a first modulator to a second modulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Martin J. RICHARDS, Nathan Shawn WAINWRIGHT, Duane Scott DEWALD, Barret LIPPEY, Brad WALKER
-
Patent number: 10386709Abstract: Projection systems and/or methods for efficient use of light by recycling a portion of the light energy for future use are disclosed. In one embodiment, a projection display system is disclosed comprising a light source; an integrating rod that receives light from said light source at a proximal end that comprise a reflective surface which may reflecting/recycle light down said integrating rod; of reflecting light down said integrating rod; a relay optical system, said relay optical system further comprising optical elements that are capable of moving the focal plane of the projector display system; and a modulator comprising at least one moveable mirror that reflects light received from the integrating rod in either a projection direction or a light recycling direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Martin J. Richards, Nathan Wainwright, Douglas J. Gorny, Duane Scott Dewald
-
Publication number: 20190250416Abstract: Integrating rod modules are disclosed comprising a plurality of single and/or solid integrating rods that are mated together by straps. Such modules tend to comprise a greater length than the single and/or solid integrating rods and provide good illumination to a modulator that light from a light source is transmitted through the integrating rod module. The straps may comprise a material (e.g., glass) that has substantially same or similar thermal characteristics as the integrating rods. The straps may be glued to the integrating rods by a glue having a substantially different (e.g., lower) index of refraction than the integrating rods, so as not to disturb the internal reflectance of the rods. The straps may be reinforced by braces that may allow the integrating rod module to be set within a projection display system at an angle substantially different from horizontal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Duane Scott DEWALD, Nathan WAINWRIGHT, Douglas J. GORNY, Martin J. RICHARDS
-
Publication number: 20190235260Abstract: Three dimensional (3D) glasses suited for wearers with varying facial geometries are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes a frame adapted to position spectrally filtering lenses at a particular distance from the eyes of the wearer. In a more particular embodiment, the 3D glasses include a means for adjusting the distance between the lenses and the eyes of the wearer. In another particular embodiment, the lenses include positive runout.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Barret LIPPEY, Martin J. RICHARDS, Christopher L. HUANG, Thao HOVANKY, Wilson Heaton ALLEN
-
Patent number: 10368044Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Martin J. Richards, Douglas J. Gorny
-
Patent number: 10359639Abstract: Laser or narrow band light sources (e.g., red, green, and blue) are utilized to form left (e.g., R1, G1, B1) and right (e.g., R2, G2, B2) images of a 3D projection. Off-axis viewing of the projections which has the potential to cause crosstalk and/or loss of energy/brightness in any channel or color, is eliminated (or reduced to only highly oblique viewing angles) via the combined use of any of guard bands between light bands of adjacent channels, curvature of viewing filters, and selection of passband wavelengths that maximize usability of the passband as it “shifts” due to varying or increasing angles of off-axis viewing. Implemented with any number of light sources, the light sources selected may also be converted to showing 2D images where the additional light sources are utilized to affect a desirable increase in color gamut.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventor: Martin J. Richards
-
Publication number: 20190219830Abstract: A projector system comprising a laser light source, a collimating lens, a fly-eye lens, an integrating rod and a first modulator is disclosed. The light from a laser light source/fiber illuminates a collimator to substantially collimate the light and then is transmitted through a fly's-eye lens. The fly's-eye lens provides a desired angular/spatial light distribution for further processing to a first modulator of the projector system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Martin J. RICHARDS, Duane Scott DEWALD, Nathan WAINWRIGHT, Barret LIPPEY
-
Publication number: 20190215497Abstract: A novel projection system includes first and second light sources (e.g., sets of lasers), a spatial light modulator (SLM) that receives light from the first light source, and a beam steering device that receives light from the second light source and steers the light to highlight regions of the SLM. The SLM then modulates the light from both light sources to generate a highlighted imaging beam which can then be projected on a viewing surface. The highlighted imaging beam can represent a highlighted 2D image or a highlighted left- or right-eye view of a 3D image. The projection system thus improves peak brightness in the displayed highlighted images without incorporating a separate highlight projector or other expensive equipment. Methods for highlighting projected images are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2017Publication date: July 11, 2019Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Martin J. RICHARDS, Barret LIPPEY
-
Patent number: 10338399Abstract: Shaped glasses have curved surface lenses and spectrally complementary filters disposed on the curved surface lenses configured to compensate for wavelength shifts occurring due to viewing angles and other sources. The spectrally complementary filters include guard bands to prevent crosstalk between spectrally complementary portions of a 3D image viewed through the shaped glasses. In one embodiment, the spectrally complementary filters are disposed on the curved lenses with increasing layer thickness towards edges of the lenses. The projected complementary images may also be pre-shifted to compensate for subsequent wavelength shifts occurring while viewing the images.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CoporationInventors: Martin J. Richards, Wilson Heaton Allen
-
Patent number: 10341622Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Martin J. Richards, Jerome Shields
-
Publication number: 20190196320Abstract: The present invention provides a cinema screen that improves audience perception of brightness at, for example, a premium theater without additional illumination cost. The screen is produced from materials that also help mitigate speckle from laser illumination. The screen has properties and includes structures that may be tuned to the specific capabilities of the projection system, arrangement of the theater, and projector (and angle of projection, angle of viewing). Light reflected from the screen are direct toward audience members and away from walls and ceilings.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Douglas J. GORNY, Martin J. RICHARDS, Timo KUNKEL, David Lloyd SCHNUELLE