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Seminar Archive - 2010

November 17, 2010 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Speaker: Greg Neal, Principal Engineer, Video Algorithms
Title: The LED Backlight Balancing Act 

Abstract: The past two or three years have seen a significant increase in the use of LEDs to provide a backlight for LCDs. The common LED backlight techniques will be described very briefly, but the focus of the presentation will discuss the advantages, methods and problems related to local-dimming LED backlights. Some of the LED backlit TVs on the market today use local dimming, but none that we have seen so far are fully optimized, so the improvement in display quality is barely noticeable. We have been working on a local dimming LED backlight controller for three years, and are now able to achieve a very noticeable improvement in contrast ratio, with an average power reduction around 60%, while introducing few artifacts. There will be a demonstration of a production 47” LED backlit LG TV with all the electronics (except TCON) replaced with ours. STMicroelectronics (www.st.com) is the 5th largest semiconductor company in the world (2009 sales were US$ 8.5B). Around two years ago ST acquired Genesis Microchip to help achieve the goal of gaining significant world market share of the TV SoC (System on Chip) devices. 

Speaker Background: Greg has been Principal Engineer, Video Algorithms for 10 years, originally at Genesis Microchip, now at STMicroelectronics (since the Genesis acquisition two years ago). Starting in 1972 Greg worked mainly on electronics hardware, and firmware, originally in England, moving to Silicon Valley in 1991. He is the inventor on 12 granted US patents, and 8 filed US patents, mostly related to improving the image quality of LCD monitor and TV displays. For the past 3 years Greg has worked mainly on a local-dimming LED backlight controller for LCD TVs. 

Click here to access Greg Neal's slides.

October 28, 2010 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Speaker:  Ingemar Jansson, Edmund Sandburg and Chris Stuart, HDI
Title: Next-Generation 3D Television (including a demo at HDI-US Inc.) 

Abstract: We are in the early days of 3D television and 3D movie proliferation. While there are many competing technologies for 3D capture and rendering, it is the consumer home where the winners will be voted in or out. Almost all the TV makers are releasing 3D television models with various degrees of technical sophistication, price points and viewing comfort. In this presentation we will explore the question of ultimate 3D viewing comfort. HDI is a research and design firm that has perfected laser-driven 3D projection display technology with greater than high-definition resolution. Among the first products to emerge after more than three years of intensive R&D, HDI’s laser-driven 100-inch diagonal 2D/3D Switchable Dynamic Video Projection Display delivers a stunningly superior 2D image, with a 50% greater resolution than today’s digital cinemas, and derives its greater-than-high definition stereoscopic 1920 x 1080p “3D” image quality from two RGB laser-illuminated Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) micro display imagers. At full 1080p HD, the HDI screen refreshes at 360 color frames per-second for each eye, the fastest refresh rate on any mass produced television or projector. HDI’s Front Projection system can accommodate up to 200” diagonal silver screens, while the 100” Laser 3DTV system is a mere 10-inches thick. The 100” 3DTV system draws ~80% less power than existing 2D flat-screen plasma monitors of the same size, and HDI projection displays are anticipated to have a street price potentially 60% less than current 2D flat screen plasma displays. HDI has completely eliminated the adverse effects, such as migraines, dizziness, and nausea, long associated with substandard 3D display technology. HDI delivers the most immersive, comfortable, and natural 3D viewing experience in the world with low-cost and lightweight circularly polarized glasses. Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computers, calls HDI, “Without a doubt, the best demonstration of 3D technology I have ever seen.” Technology journalist Richard Hart states, “The smoothest yet, and smoothness means no headaches.” And Sean Portnoy of ZDNet.com, wrote, “We could be looking at a Holy Grail of sorts for the next generation of television.” 

Speaker Background:

Ingemar Jansson, CEO: Founded HDI in 2006. He was founder and entrepreneur of numerous display companies with 25 years in the video display business involving product and business development. Ingemar was cofounder of DRI (Digital Reflection, Inc.) where he helped pioneer HD LCoS and several illumination technologies. Ingemar also served as consultant within the video and entertainment industry. 

Edmund Sandburg, CTO: Inventor of the HDI Laser 3D HDTV projection system. Edmund has over 30 years experience in video technology. He worked for 7 years at Ampex in 1977 and was on the engineering team that developed the industry’s most widely used professional 1” video recorders for the broadcast industry. He also designed and built one of the first HD laser projection systems for the military. Edmund was Chief Scientist at DRI that developed the first full HD 1080p LCoS Displays. 

Chris Stuart, Director of Technology: Chris has 20 years of experience in the laser industry including sales, corporate management and design engineering. At HDI, Chris represents future laser-based products, provides strategic direction and leads technology efforts into the high-end home cinema and entertainment display markets. 

Click here to access the Speaker's slides.

May 18, 2010 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Speaker: Dr. Roger Hajjar, Prysm, Inc.
Title: The Prysm Laser Phosphor Display


Abstract: The application of recently available, energy-efficient, short-wavelength, visible, laser-light-generating sources in combination with efficient utilization of multi-colored inorganic phosphors has enabled the creation of a very new & reliable image-rendering system. The result is a very efficient, bezel-less, high-gamut, fast frame-rate, stackable display for applications from digital signage to large stadium-sized video walls. In this talk we will review the overall architecture and selected components that comprise the Prysm Laser Phosphor Display (LPD). This new display technology uses less than half of the electricity used by today’s equivalently sized displays at the same brightness level. We will explain the limitations of current displays and the technology behind the new display, including components related to light dispersion, emission, and light efficiency. We will also present information on the advantages of the LPD from a specifications point of view. At the end of the presentation a production model will be demonstrated.

Speaker Background: Dr. Hajjar has registered more than 30 U.S. and worldwide patents, and in addition, has a proven record of success in taking a product from inception to high-volume, turn-key manufacturing. Prior to Prysm, Inc, Dr. Hajjar served as Vice President of Transmission Subsystems Development with Avanex Corporation, upon Avanex's acquisition of the Optical Systems Division of Vitesse Semiconductor. He was Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Versatile Optical Networks prior to its acquisition by Vitesse. Dr. Hajjar has held management positions with TeraStor Corporation and the Eastman Kodak Company. He was a Research Associate at the Optical Data Storage Systems Center at the University of Arizona, a consultant with IBM Storage Systems Products Division, and a visiting Research Scientist at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. Roger holds PhD and M.S. degrees in Optical Sciences from the University of Arizona and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Boston University. 

Click here to access Roger Hajjar's slides in PDF format.

April 20, 2010 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Speaker: Candice Elliott (CEO Nouvoyance)(MSR-SVC)
Title: Pen Tile technology


Abstract: PenTile™ technology utilizes subpixel rendering to enable higher resolution displays. Since Samsung acquired this technology from Clairvoyante, Nouvoyance has continued the development of PenTile technology for a wide range of applications including cell phones, netbooks and TVs. Previously, Candice Elliott spoke about the RGBW versions of this technology as applied to LCDs. In this presentation she will focus on PenTile OLED. Currently, the greatest market adoption has been for PenTile OLED in cell phones like the Google Nexus One, where PenTile OLED is now in ~25% of all wVGA cell phones. Candice will discuss PenTile OLED technology explaining the merits of using PenTile technology for VGA and wVGA OLEDs in handheld products. She will discuss the resolution spec and the factors related to human vision that make this design well suited to the human vision system. Following the talk she will show demos of the technology. 

Speaker Background: Candice Brown Elliott is currently CEO of Nouvoyance. Ms. Elliott founded Clairvoyante in July 2000 to develop and license enhanced display architectures and subpixel rendering technology. Ms. Elliott is a 30-year veteran of the display and semiconductor industries, holding positions in R&D, manufacturing, and engineering management at Fairchild, Advanced Micro Devices, Planar Systems, and the Micro Display Corporation. Ms. Elliott has been granted 19 U.S patents. She holds a duayl B.S. in Physics and Psychology from Excelsior College, University of the State of New York. 

Click here to access Candice Elliott's slides.

March 23, 2010 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Speaker: Kurt Akeley, Microsoft Research Silicon Valley (MSR-SVC)
Title: Fixed-Viewpoint Volumetric Displays


Abstract: Conventional stereoscopic displays force viewers to focus on a single display surface, decoupling focus distance from convergence distance and compromising (if not eliminating) cues from defocus blur. Automultiscopic volumetric displays largely correct these deficiencies, but significant limitations in image quality have hindered their adoption. Over the past decade we have been implementing fixed-viewpoint volumetric displays: displays which forego automultiscopy to achieve high image quality, nearly correct accommodation and focus blur cues, and potentially reasonable production cost. To date these displays have been used only to conduct vision-science research. After describing the capabilities, limitations, and implementations of such displays, as well as some results achieved with them, I will speculate on how they might become practical for non-research usage. 

Speaker Background: Kurt is a principal researcher at Microsoft Research Silicon Valley (MSR-SVC), http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/people/kakeley/, where he works in the areas of computer graphics and computer architecture. His research interests include graphics system architecture and the design of displays that better accommodate human visual requirements. He joined Microsoft in July of 2004. From January 2005 through March 2007 Kurt was an assistant managing director of Microsoft Research Asia in Beijing. Kurt co-founded Silicon Graphics in 1982. During his 19 years at Silicon Graphics he led the development of several high-end graphics systems, including GTX, VGX, and RealityEngine. He also led the development of OpenGL, an industry-standard programming interface to high-performance graphics hardware. His last full-time position with Silicon Graphics was senior vice president and CTO. . Kurt is a named inventor on fifteen patents, a fellow of the ACM, and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. In 1995 he was the recipient of the ACM SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics Achievement Award. He was awarded a BEE degree from the University of Delaware in 1980 and an MSEE degree from Stanford in 1982. He returned to Stanford and earned a PhD in electrical engineering in 2004. 

Click here to access Kurt Akeley's slides.

February 23, 2010 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Speaker: Dick McCartney (National Semiconductor)
Title: LCD Electronics


Abstract: This lecture will overview the theory of operation of LCD drive electronics. Issues related to panel size, format, response time requirements, motion images, color gamut, refresh rate, and other requirements will be discussed.

Speaker Background: Dick McCartney leads intellectual property strategy for National Semiconductor and was formerly Chief Technologist for the Display Division. He has more than 30 years of experience, 11 display related patents including CRT and LCD technologies and a numerous published papers and articles. He received the H.W. Sweat Scientist and Engineer Award and other honors for his work in commercializing the industry’s first wide-viewing-angle technology now widely used in LCD TVs today. He was responsible for key seminal work in commercializing the response time compensation overdrive methods now used in LCD TVs as well as having innovated a key use of brightness enhancement films for mobile LCD applications. Most recently, he has co-developed the PPDS™ display driving architecture used in LCD televisions. He is past General Chair of SID 2005 and former Chair of the Prestigious, Display of the Year Award Committee as well as an adjunct professor of display electronics at NCTU in Taiwan and Kyung Hee University in South Korea. He has lectured widely on LCD electronic technology at industry and university forums. 

Click here to access Dick McCartney's slides in Powerpoint format.