Projector light source dimming using metadata from future frames

Inventors: Martin J. Richards (Gig Harbor, WA); Barret Lippey (Foster City, CA); Juan P. Pertierra (Fishers, IN); Dzhakhangir V. Khaydarov (Campbell, CA); Duane Scott Dewald (Dallas, TX); Nathan Shawn Wainwright (Melissa, TX); Darren Hennigan (Prosper, TX); John David Jackson (Allen, TX)

Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation

H04N9/3155 G09G3/2007 H04N9/3161 H04N9/3164 H04N9/3182 G09G2320/0626

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12676947
App. No.: 18/299,000
Granted: Jul 7, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

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.

Claims (27)

1 . A projection display system, comprising:

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 obtain ambient condition data and configured to reduce the perceptibility of a dark pumping visual artifact by adjusting a maximum allowed rate-of-change of a brightness of the light source based on the ambient condition data.

2 . The projection display system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust the brightness of the light source based on the content data.

3 . The projection display system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust the brightness of the light source based on the content data and based on the ambient condition data.

4 . The projection display system according to claim 1 , wherein the ambient condition data includes data corresponding to ambient light levels, wherein the controller is configured to limit the maximum allowed rate-of-change of the brightness of the light source to a first rate when the ambient light level is at a first ambient light level, wherein the controller is configured to limit the maximum allowed rate-of-change of the brightness of the light source to a second rate when the ambient light level is at a second ambient light level, wherein the second rate is greater than the first rate, and wherein the second ambient light level is greater than the first ambient light level.

5 . The projection display system according to claim 1 , wherein the ambient condition data includes a room reflection characteristic, wherein the controller is configured to limit the maximum allowed rate-of-change of the brightness of the light source to a first rate when the room reflection characteristic is at a first level, wherein the controller is configured to limit the maximum allowed rate-of-change of the brightness of the light source to a second rate when the room reflection characteristic is at a second level, wherein the second rate is greater than the first rate, and wherein the second level is greater than the first level.

6 . The projection display system according to claim 1 , wherein the light source includes a first light emission device configured to emit a first color light, a second light emission device configured to emit a second color light, and a third light emission device configured to emit a third color light.

7 . The projection display system according to claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust a light level for the first color light, the second color light, and the third color light independently.

8 . The projection display system according to claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust a light level for the first color light, the second color light, and the third color light collectively.

9 . A projection display system, comprising:

a light source configured to emit a light in response to a content data including soundtrack volume;

an optical modulator configured to modulate the light; and

a controller configured to limit dimming of the brightness of the light source to no less than a first brightness level when the soundtrack volume is at a first sound level, wherein the controller is configured to limit dimming of the brightness of the light source to no less than a second brightness level when the soundtrack volume is at a second sound level, wherein the second brightness level is greater than the first brightness level, and wherein the second sound level is greater than the first sound level.

10 . The projection display system according to claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust the brightness of the light source based on the content data.

11 . The projection display system according to claim 9 , wherein the light source includes a first light emission device configured to emit a first color light, a second light emission device configured to emit a second color light, and a third light emission device configured to emit a third color light.

12 . The projection display system according to claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust a light level for the first color light, the second color light, and the third color light independently.

13 . The projection display system according to claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust a light level for the first color light, the second color light, and the third color light collectively.

14 . A non-transitory computer-readable-medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a projection display system comprising a light source and an optical modulator, cause the projection display system to perform operations comprising:

receiving a content data;

receiving an ambient condition data;

emitting a light, by the light source, in response to the content data;

modulating the light, by the optical modulator; and

reducing a perceptibility of a dark pumping visual artifact by adjusting a maximum allowed rate-of-change of a brightness of the light source based on the ambient condition data.

15 . The non-transitory computer-readable-medium according to claim 14 , wherein the ambient condition data includes data corresponding to ambient light levels, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the projection display system to limit the maximum allowed rate-of-change of the brightness of the light source to a first rate when the ambient light level is at a first ambient light level and to limit the maximum allowed rate-of-change of the brightness of the light source to a second rate when the ambient light level is at a second ambient light level, wherein the second rate is greater than the first rate, and wherein the second ambient light level is greater than the first ambient light level.

16 . The non-transitory computer-readable-medium according to claim 14 , wherein the ambient condition data includes a room reflection characteristic, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the projection display system to limit the maximum allowed rate-of-change of the brightness of the light source to a first rate when the room reflection characteristic is at a first level and to limit the maximum allowed rate-of-change of the brightness of the light source to a second rate when the room reflection characteristic is at a second level, wherein the second rate is greater than the first rate, and wherein the second level is greater than the first level.