Patents by Inventor Matt Cowan
Matt Cowan 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: 20100277577Abstract: A method and system for use in conjunction with a push-pull liquid crystal modulator system for creating circularly polarized light of alternating handedness is provided. The method and system comprise a pair of surface mode liquid crystal cells and a driver electrically coupled to the cells. The driver is configured to move an electrical charge using a quenching pulse comprising a relatively brief voltage spike at a beginning of a waveform period. Multiple additional improvements are provided, including reducing the thickness of the LC gap (the distance between cell electrode plates), creating a charge connection or wiring connection to the cell electrodes, employing anti-reflection coating technology, thinner ITO and ITO index matched to the LC material, bonding all possible air to material surfaces, using superior glass, employing more efficient polarizers, and reducing projector blanking time.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: REALD INC.Inventors: Matt Cowan, Josh Greer, Lenny Lipton, Joseph Chiu
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Publication number: 20100260268Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to stereoscopic images and stereoscopic video signals, and more specifically relates to encoding, distributing, and decoding stereoscopic images and stereoscopic video signals for use in television and high definition television systems, teleconferencing, picture phones, computer video transmission, digital cinema, as well as in other applications that include storage and/or transmission, over any suitable medium, of still or moving stereoscopic images, or combinations of moving and still stereoscopic images, in a form that is compatible with existing infrastructure, without requiring additional system functionality, while providing a means to allow higher resolution images to be distributed while maintaining compatibility with the existing infrastructure. The techniques hereof can be employed, for example, for distributing stereo 3D movies via optical disk, satellite, broadcast, cable, or internet, using current infrastructure, to consumers.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2010Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: RealD Inc.Inventors: Matt Cowan, Douglas J. McKnight, Bradley W. Walker, Mike Perkins, Michael G. Robinson
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Publication number: 20100214396Abstract: A system and method for projecting stereoscopic images using a multiple projector arrangement is provided. The design comprises transmitting a first field train from the first projector, the first field train comprising first projector left and right images and concurrently transmitting a second field train from the second projector, the second field train comprising second projector left and right images. The first projector left image is transmitted by the first projector at substantially a same time as the second projector right image is transmitted by the second projector. Alternately, the design comprises transmitting a first field train from the first projector, the first field train comprising first projector left images alternating with first projector right images, and concurrently transmitting a second field train from the second projector, the second field train comprising second projector left images alternating with second projector right images. A quasi-interlacing technique is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: REAL DInventors: Matt Cowan, Josh Greer, Lenny Lipton
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Patent number: 7760157Abstract: A method and system for use in conjunction with a push-pull liquid crystal modulator system for creating circularly polarized light of alternating handedness is provided. The method and system comprise a pair of surface mode liquid crystal cells and a driver electrically coupled to the cells. The driver is configured to move an electrical charge using a quenching pulse comprising a relatively brief voltage spike at a beginning of a waveform period. Multiple additional improvements are provided, including reducing the thickness of the LC gap (the distance between cell electrode plates), creating a charge connection or wiring connection to the cell electrodes, employing anti-reflection coating technology, thinner ITO and ITO index matched to the LC material, bonding all possible air to material surfaces, using superior glass, employing more efficient polarizers, and reducing projector blanking time.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2009Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: RealD Inc.Inventors: Matt Cowan, Josh Greer, Lenny Lipton, Joseph Chiu
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Patent number: 7670004Abstract: A system and method for projecting stereoscopic images using a multiple projector arrangement is provided. The design comprises transmitting a first field train from the first projector, the first field train comprising first projector left and right images and concurrently transmitting a second field train from the second projector, the second field train comprising second projector left and right images. The first projector left image is transmitted by the first projector at substantially a same time as the second projector right image is transmitted by the second projector. Alternately, the design comprises transmitting a first field train from the first projector, the first field train comprising first projector left images alternating with first projector right images, and concurrently transmitting a second field train from the second projector, the second field train comprising second projector left images alternating with second projector right images. A quasi-interlacing technique is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2006Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Real DInventors: Matt Cowan, Josh Greer, Lenny Lipton
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Publication number: 20100026783Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding or tagging a video frame provides a way to indicate, to a receiver, for example, whether the video content is 3-D content or 2-D content. A method and apparatus for decoding an encoded or tagged video frame provides a way, for a receiver, for example, to determine whether the video content is 3-D content or 2-D content. 3-D video data may be encoded by replacing lines of at least one video frame with a specific color or pattern. When a decoder detects the presence of the colored or patterned lines in an image frame, it may interpret them as an indicator that 3-D video data is present.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: REAL DInventors: Joseph Chiu, Matt Cowan, Greg Graham
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Patent number: 7633666Abstract: A projection design configured for use with a projector having a projector lens is provided. The device includes at least one pi-cell or pi-cell electro-optical modulator in combination with a wire grid polarizer mounted proximate the pi-cell(s). The design may include a cleanup polarizer between the pi-cell(s) and the wire grid polarizer and optionally a protective window between the wire grid projector and projection lens. The device may be oriented at an angle substantially differing from the axis of the projector lens. The resultant device includes spacing for airflow and can offer improved performance, particularly in heating, over designs previously available.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Real DInventors: Lenny Lipton, Matt Cowan
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Publication number: 20090246404Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a screen is provided. The method includes propelling a quantity of paint comprising metallic flakes, such as aluminum flakes, toward the screen. The method also includes applying at least one magnetic field in a vicinity of the screen, wherein applying the at least one magnetic field causes at least one metallic flake in the quantity of paint to be oriented relative to the screen in a substantially preferred orientation, thereby producing a screen exhibiting beneficial projection qualities, such as brightness. The magnetic field(s) applied may be unsymmetric in the time domain of, for example, an AC component of the magnetic field.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: Josh Greer, Mel Siegel, Lenny Lipton, Matt Cowan
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Patent number: 7583437Abstract: A compound curved projection screen having a curvature about at least one region, such as a cylinder cross section curved about an axis or an ellipse about a plurality of axes, is provided. The compound curved screen comprises a plurality of angled planar reflective surfaces oriented to generally provide light energy in a direction of a screen centered axis. Compound curvature exists by the plurality of angled planar reflective surfaces being positioned in a generally curved and stepped manner about a second region different from the first region, such as a second axis orthogonal to the first axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Real DInventors: Lenny Lipton, Matt Cowan
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Publication number: 20090184890Abstract: A method and system for use in conjunction with a push-pull liquid crystal modulator system for creating circularly polarized light of alternating handedness is provided. The method and system comprise a pair of surface mode liquid crystal cells and a driver electrically coupled to the cells. The driver is configured to move an electrical charge using a quenching pulse comprising a relatively brief voltage spike at a beginning of a waveform period. Multiple additional improvements are provided, including reducing the thickness of the LC gap (the distance between cell electrode plates), creating a charge connection or wiring connection to the cell electrodes, employing anti-reflection coating technology, thinner ITO and ITO index matched to the LC material, bonding all possible air to material surfaces, using superior glass, employing more efficient polarizers, and reducing projector blanking time.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventors: Matt Cowan, Josh Greer, Lenny Lipton, Joseph Chiu
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Publication number: 20090128620Abstract: A method for demultiplexing frames of compressed image data is provided. The image data includes a series of left compressed images and a series of right compressed images, the right compressed images and left compressed images compressed using a compression function. The method includes receiving the frames of compressed image data via a medium configured to transmit images in single frame format, and performing an expansion function on frames of compressed image data, the expansion function configured to select pixels from the series of left compressed images and series of right compressed images to produce replacement pixels to form a substantially decompressed set of stereo image pairs. Additionally, a system for receiving stereo pairs, multiplexing the stereo pairs for transmission across a medium including single frame formatting, and demultiplexing received data into altered stereo pairs is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventors: Lenny Lipton, Robert Akka, Matt Cowan, Josh Greer
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Patent number: 7477206Abstract: A method and system for use in conjunction with a push-pull liquid crystal modulator system for creating circularly polarized light of alternating handedness is provided. The method and system comprise a pair of surface mode liquid crystal cells and a driver electrically coupled to the cells. The driver is configured to move an electrical charge using a quenching pulse comprising a relatively brief voltage spike at a beginning of a waveform period. Multiple additional improvements are provided, including reducing the thickness of the LC gap (the distance between cell electrode plates), creating a charge connection or wiring connection to the cell electrodes, employing anti-reflection coating technology, thinner ITO and ITO index matched to the LC material, bonding all possible air to material surfaces, using superior glass, employing more efficient polarizers, and reducing projector blanking time.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Real DInventors: Matt Cowan, Josh Greer, Lenny Lipton, Joseph Chiu
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Publication number: 20080316303Abstract: An enhanced liquid crystal display design is provided having relatively fast response time particularly useful in high speed or highly intense applications, such as stereoscopic or autostereoscopic image display. The liquid crystal display device is configured to display stereoscopic images, and comprises an LCD panel and control electronics configured to drive the LCD panel to a desired stereoscopic display state. The control electronics are configured to employ transient phase switching and overdrive the LCD panel to a desired state to enable relatively rapid display of stereoscopic images.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Joseph Chiu, Lenny Lipton, Matt Cowan, Rod Archer, Klaus Zietlow
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Publication number: 20080316375Abstract: A projection design configured for use with a projector having a projector lens is provided. The device includes at least one pi-cell or pi-cell electro-optical modulator in combination with a wire grid polarizer mounted proximate the pi-cell(s). The design may include a cleanup polarizer between the pi-cell(s) and the wire grid polarizer and optionally a protective window between the wire grid projector and projection lens. The device may be oriented at an angle substantially differing from the axis of the projector lens. The resultant device includes spacing for airflow and can offer improved performance, particularly in heating, over designs previously available.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Lenny Lipton, Matt Cowan
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Publication number: 20080143964Abstract: A system and method for projecting stereoscopic images using a multiple projector arrangement is provided. The design comprises transmitting a first field train from the first projector, the first field train comprising first projector left and right images and concurrently transmitting a second field train from the second projector, the second field train comprising second projector left and right images. The first projector left image is transmitted by the first projector at substantially a same time as the second projector right image is transmitted by the second projector. Alternately, the design comprises transmitting a first field train from the first projector, the first field train comprising first projector left images alternating with first projector right images, and concurrently ransmitting a second field train from the second projector, the second field train comprising second projector left images alternating with second projector right images. A quasi-interlacing technique is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Matt Cowan, Josh Greer, Lenny Lipton
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Publication number: 20080143965Abstract: A multiple path stereoscopic projection system is disclosed. The system comprises a polarizing splitting element configured to receive image light energy and split the image light energy received into a primary path and a secondary path, a reflector in the secondary path, and a polarization modulator or polarization modulator arrangement positioned in the primary path and configured to modulate the primary path of light energy. A polarization modulator may be included within the secondary path, a retarder may be used, and optional devices that may be successfully employed in the system include elements to substantially optically superimpose light energy transmission between paths and cleanup polarizers. The projection system can enhance the brightness of stereoscopic images perceived by a viewer. Static polarizer dual projection implementations free of polarization modulators are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Matt Cowan, Lenny Lipton, Jerry Carollo
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Publication number: 20070258138Abstract: A method and system for use in conjunction with a push-pull liquid crystal modulator system for creating circularly polarized light of alternating handedness is provided. The method and system comprise a pair of surface mode liquid crystal cells and a driver electrically coupled to the cells. The driver is configured to move an electrical charge using a quenching pulse comprising a relatively brief voltage spike at a beginning of a waveform period. Multiple additional improvements are provided, including reducing the thickness of the LC gap (the distance between cell electrode plates), creating a charge connection or wiring connection to the cell electrodes, employing anti-reflection coating technology, thinner ITO and ITO index matched to the LC material, bonding all possible air to material surfaces, using superior glass, employing more efficient polarizers, and reducing projector blanking time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2006Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Matt Cowan, Josh Greer, Lenny Lipton, Joseph Chiu
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Publication number: 20070188602Abstract: A method and system for projecting linearly polarized stereoscopic images to a viewer that results in increased viewer head-tipping capabilities is provided. The design includes projecting linearly polarized light energy toward a screen and providing the viewer with a set of linearly polarized eyewear configured to receive the linearly polarized light energy projected to the screen and transmit a right perspective view to a right eye of the viewer and a left perspective view to a left eye of the viewer. Projecting comprises performing a noise reduction technique to reduce crosstalk in linearly polarized light energy images projected.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2007Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Matt Cowan, Josh Greer, Lenny Lipton
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Publication number: 20070133089Abstract: A compound curved projection screen having a curvature about at least one region, such as a cylinder cross section curved about an axis or an ellipse about a plurality of axes, is provided. The compound curved screen comprises a plurality of angled planar reflective surfaces oriented to generally provide light energy in a direction of a screen centered axis. Compound curvature exists by the plurality of angled planar reflective surfaces being positioned in a generally curved and stepped manner about a second region different from the first region, such as a second axis orthogonal to the first axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2005Publication date: June 14, 2007Inventors: Lenny Lipton, Matt Cowan
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Patent number: 7193654Abstract: Apparatus and techniques for enhancing blending characteristics of a composite image formed by multiple projection displays are detailed. Included among the apparatuses and techniques is the use of masks, having complimentary, non-linear edges, between a projection axis and a screen. The masks are used to solve the geometric and photometric issues involved with blending sub-images to form a composite image.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: IMAX CorporationInventors: Kenneth T. Baker, Matt Cowan