Abstract: A secure digital data distribution system (100) for preventing unauthorized access to digital data. The system utilizes an identification system module (116) embedded in a digital storage media (114) to grant authorization to media players (118). Prior to reading the digital data recorded on the media (114), an identification system interrogator (122) reads authorization data from the identification system module (116) to determine whether the media player (118) is authorized to read the media (114). If the authorization data matches the media player's unique identifier, authorization is granted and the media player (118) commences to read the media (114).

Abstract: A transport stream with embedded projector configuration data 208 being carried along with the video for use in digital cinema projector setup. The embedded configuration data consists of sub-packets 304 of setup data information for such parameters as gamma tables, color management system information, relative luminance level, format and range of the sampled data, 3D/2D presentation information, frame rate, image size, aspect ratio, font tables, and language provision. This approach assures that the projector 404 is setup properly and also permits on-the-fly changes to the projector's parameters, which may be used for artistic effects in the movie.

Abstract: A secure digital data distribution system (100) for preventing unauthorized access to digital data. The system utilizes an identification system module (116) embedded in a digital storage media (114) to grant authorization to media players (118). Prior to reading the digital data recorded on the media (114), an identification system interrogator (122) reads authorization data from the identification system module (116) to determine whether the media player (118) is authorized to read the media (114). If the authorization data matches the media player's unique identifier, authorization is granted and the media player (118) commences to read the media (114).

Abstract: A 3-D digital projection display 60 that uses a quadruple memory buffer 63-66 to store and read processed video data for both right-eye and left-eye display. Video data is processed at a 48-frame/sec rate and readout twice (repeated) to provide a flash rate of 96 (up to 120) frames/sec, which is above the display flicker threshold. Data is synchronized with a headset or goggles with the right-eye and left-eye frames being precisely out-of-phase to produce a perceived 3-D image.

Abstract: A display system (200) in which light from source (202) is focused onto a spinning color wheel (204). The spinning color wheel (204) spins at a constant rate and creates of beam of light that changes from one primary color to the next in rapid sequence. The primary colored beam of light impinges a spatial light modulator (206), which is often a DMD or LCD. A controller (208) receives an input video signal and determines the native frame rate of the image source. The controller (208) sends image data to the spatial light modulator (206) in synchronization with the color wheel (204)—image data representing the red portions of the image is sent during the period in which the red color filter is passing through the beam of light—at the native frame rate of the image source. The modulated light is focused onto an image plane (210) by projection lens (212) to form an image. The eye of the viewer integrates the sequential primary color images giving the perception of a single full-color image.

Abstract: A transport stream with embedded projector configuration data 208 being carried along with the video for use in digital cinema projector setup. The embedded configuration data consists of sub-packets 304 of setup data information for such parameters as gamma tables, color management system information, relative luminance level, format and range of the sampled data, 3D/2D presentation information, frame rate, image size, aspect ratio, font tables, and language provision. This approach assures that the projector 404 is setup properly and also permits on-the-fly changes to the projector's parameters, which may be used for artistic effects in the movie.

Abstract: Methods for measuring and automatically controlling the light distribution and overall brightness in electronic-based spatial light modulator projection display systems. One method takes a small fraction of the projected light from a partial turning mirror 407 in the projector's optics path and focuses this light on to a detector 420 for use in controlling the light distribution and brightness of the system. Another method uses an array of embedded light sensors 518-522 at chosen locations on the surface of a display screen 517 to control the light distribution and brightness parameters of the projection system. Both methods use a micro-controller, servomotors, and an adjustable power supply, controlled by the detector/sensor outputs, to maintain the desired light distribution and brightness in the projected image.

Abstract: A transport stream with embedded projector configuration data 208 being carried along with the video for use in digital cinema projector setup. The embedded configuration data consists of sub-packets 304 of setup data information for such parameters as gamma tables, color management system information, relative luminance level, format and range of the sampled data, 3D/2D presentation information, frame rate, image size, aspect ratio, font tables, and language provision. This approach assures that the projector 404 is setup properly and also permits on-the-fly changes to the projector's parameters, which may be used for artistic effects in the movie.

Abstract: A motion artifact reduction system (10) includes a series of cinematic feature image frames (IFm, IFm+1)captured at an incoming frame rate. The motion artifact reduction system (10) also has a processor (12) operable to determine whether an object (O) having a first location (Om) in a first image frame (IFm) is sufficiently displaced from a location (Om+1) in a second image frame (IFm+1) corresponding to the first location (Om). The processor (12) is also operable to interpolate data from the first image frame (IFm) and the second image frame (IFm+1) to create a third image frame (OFn+1) including the interpolated data. The processor (12) is also operable to insert the third image frame (OFn+1) between the first image frame (IFm) and the second image frame (IFm+1) to form a new series (OFn, OFn+1, and OFn+2) in response to the determination that object (O) has been sufficiently displaced between image frames (IFm, IFm+1).

Abstract: Methods for measuring and automatically controlling the light distribution and overall brightness in electronic-based spatial light modulator projection display systems. One method takes a small fraction of the projected light from a partial turning mirror 407 in the projector's optics path and focuses this light on to a detector 420 for use in controlling the light distribution and brightness of the system. Another method uses an array of embedded light sensors 518-522 at chosen locations on the surface of a display screen 517 to control the light distribution and brightness parameters of the projection system. Both methods use a micro-controller, servomotors, and an adjustable power supply, controlled by the detector/sensor outputs, to maintain the desired light distribution and brightness in the projected image.

Abstract: A system for scheduling and controlling presentation of data (10) includes a data library (40) operable to store a plurality of features (44) and promotional data (42). The system (10) also includes a plurality of data presentation units (30a-30n) each operable to present at least one of the plurality of features (44), where at least one of the plurality of data presentation units (30a-30n) is coupled to the data library (40). The system (10) also includes a server (60) coupled to the data library (40) and operable to select at least one of the desired number of features (44) to present at a selected one of a desired plurality of times. The server (60) is also operable to determine restrictions applicable to the selected feature (44) and select applicable promotional data (42) to be presented with the selected feature (44). The server (60) is also operable to select a location in which to present the selected feature (44).

Abstract: A motion artifact reduction system (10) includes a series of cinematic feature image frames (IFm+1,IFm+1) captured at an incoming frame rate. The motion artifact reduction system (10) also has a processor (12) operable to determine whether an object (O) having a first location (Om) in a first image frame (IFm) is sufficiently displaced from a location (Om+1) in a second image frame (IFm+1) corresponding to the first location (Om). The processor (12) is also operable to interpolate data from the first image frame (IFm) and the second image frame (IFm+1) to create a third image frame (OFn+1) including the interpolated data. The processor (12) is also operable to insert the third image frame (OFn+1) between the first image frame (IFm) and the second image frame (IFm+1) to form a new series (OFn,, OFn+1, and OFn+2) in response to the determination that object (O) has been sufficiently displaced between image frames (IFm, IFm+1).

Abstract: A display system (200) in which light from source (202) is focused onto a spinning color wheel (204). The spinning color wheel (204) spins at a constant rate and creates of beam of light that changes from one primary color to the next in rapid sequence. The primary colored beam of light impinges a spatial light modulator (206), which is often a DMD or LCD. A controller (208) receives an input video signal and determines the native frame rate of the image source. The controller (208) sends image data to the spatial light modulator (206) in synchronization with the color wheel (204)—image data representing the red portions of the image is sent during the period in which the red color filter is passing through the beam of light—at the native frame rate of the image source. The modulated light is focused onto an image plane (210) by projection lens (212) to form an image. The eye of the viewer integrates the sequential primary color images giving the perception of a single full-color image.

Abstract: A 3-D digital projection display 60 that uses a quadruple memory buffer 63-66 to store and read processed video data for both right-eye and left-eye display. Video data is processed at a 48-frame/sec rate and readout twice (repeated) to provide a flash rate of 96 (up to 120) frames/sec, which is above the display flicker threshold. Data is synchronized with a headset or goggles with the right-eye and left-eye frames being precisely out-of-phase to produce a perceived 3-D image.

Abstract: A subtitled electronic cinematic feature includes a series of image data packets (21-29) residing in a signal structure that may be electronically transferred over a communication link (33). The subtitled electronic cinematic feature also includes subtitle data (50) inserted into the series and associated with at least one of the image data packets (21-29). More specifically, the subtitle data (50) include text data (206) and style data to be used to display the text data (206) with data from the at least one of the associated image data packets (21-29). In a further embodiment, the subtitle data (50) include at least one caption packet (100-110).

Abstract: A video processing unit (13) that decodes compressed video data and resizes the image represented by the video data. The video processing unit (13) has two processing engines--a decoding engine (24) and a scaling engine (25), which share a memory (23). A memory manager (22) handles data requests from the two engines, and handles reading and writing of the memory (22).