Patents by Inventor Terry Schmidt

Terry Schmidt 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: 9462241
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that use one or more of advanced signal processing or auxiliary metadata to detect maximum video pixel drive levels required, in advance, for quickly reducing light source power levels to only supply what is absolutely required by the spatial light modulator for that time period. A spatial light modulator is controlled so as to compensate proportionally by increasing its throughput. Thus, the image brightness can be preserved at a lower average source power level resulting in increased lifetime of the light source and lower operating cost on a per-hour basis and/or projection at a desired brightness using a lower cost light source than prior art systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: CHRISTIE DIGITAL SYSTEMS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Simon Guthrie, Terry Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130169659
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that use one or more of advanced signal processing or auxiliary metadata to detect maximum video pixel drive levels required, in advance, for quickly reducing light source power levels to only supply what is absolutely required by the spatial light modulator for that time period. A spatial light modulator is controlled so as to compensate proportionally by increasing its throughput. Thus, the image brightness can be preserved at a lower average source power level resulting in increased lifetime of the light source and lower operating cost on a per-hour basis and/or projection at a desired brightness using a lower cost light source than prior art systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: CHRISTIE DITIGAL SYSTEMS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Simon Guthrie, Terry Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6734957
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and sensing light in a projector, comprising a cold mirror positioned directly in the incident light path from a lamp and illumination optics of the projector for reflecting a large portion of visible light towards a light imaging device while transmitting IR and UV light and a small portion of the visible light; a secondary mirror for reflecting the small portion of the visible light, an integrating box positioned to collect and integrate the small portion of visible light, a light tube in optical communication with the integrating box for further integrating and attenuating the small portion of visible light, and an electro-optic device within the light tube for measuring the small portion of visible light within the light tube and generating an electrical signal in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Christie Digital Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Schmidt, John Parkin
  • Publication number: 20030142296
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and sensing light in a projector, comprising a cold mirror positioned directly in the incident light path from a lamp and illumination optics of the projector for reflecting a large portion of visible light towards a light imaging device while transmitting IR and UV light and a small portion of the visible light; a secondary mirror for reflecting the small portion of the visible light, an integrating box positioned to collect and integrate the small portion of visible light, a light tube in optical communication with the integrating box for further integrating and attenuating the small portion of visible light, and an electro-optic device within the light tube for measuring the small portion of visible light within the light tube and generating an electrical signal in response thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Terry Schmidt, John Parkin
  • Patent number: 6205271
    Abstract: An optical integrator, comprising a solid integrator rod for internally reflecting light from an illumination source and transmitting the reflected light through an exit face thereof as a rectangular beam according to a predetermined aspect ratio, and a rectangular precision metal aperture with mirrored wall surfaces for extending the focal plane of the solid integrator rod beyond the exit face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Christie Digital Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Bowron, Terry Schmidt