Steps Forward in Handling Digital Cinema Laser Projector Patent Infringements
By Diane Troyer (Inventor) – MetaZtron (MZT) is used in this document instead of Z*Tron Vision (Z*TV).
One year ago (Feb. 2012) I sent a letter to LIPA Consortium Chairman Peter Lude’. (LIPA: Laser Illuminated Projector Association). I have copied the letter that was buried in my metatroy blog and it is being revived for evaluation. There is the answer back from a LIPA representative included. http://lipainfo.org/
So far Sony, NEC, Christies, and Kodak, IMAX and Barco have each spent millions on R&D to build digital cinema laser projectors at great expense. They are demonstrating their prototypes but have not placed them in the market. Sony was to place their Digital Cinema laser projectors on sale in July 2012, but canceled. RED also has built a projector.
Does IMAX still have a deal with BARCO: http://www.laserfocusworld.com/news/2012/02/10/imax-teams-with-barco-to-co-develop-laser-projection-technology.html
Christies states they are almost ready to start installations. http://www.christiedigital.co.uk/emea/cinema/cinema-solutions-case-studies/christie-videos/Pages/christie-debuts-full-length-laser-projection-video.aspx
LIPA Consortium for Digital Cinema laser projector companies has changed their focus. LIPA is not doing a big production at NAB this year (2013). After the LIPA consortium received the Troyer letter, they have stopped claiming being the first to deliver the new laser innovation.
Email to LIPA Lude Troyer Laser ZTV 412
Filed under: Laser Video Projector — Tags: Laser, LIP, LIPA, Lude’, Metatron, Metatroy, Red, Troyer, Z Tron, Z*Tron Vision, ZTV — metatroy @ 6:42 pm
Note: Lude’ is Chairman at LIPA – Laser Illuminated Projector Association and President at SMPTE and Senior VP at Sony Electronics .
We had a phone conversation about laser projection and how to create more eye safe laser images. I suggested to Pete Lude’ to read slide share: Troyer Laser Patent Portfolio (claims for Feb. 14, 2012 patent). http://www.slideshare.net/metatroy/troyer-patent-portfolio-2012
Also suggested is slide share Troyer 411: http://www.slideshare.net/metatroy/troyer-outline-411
Laser Opportunity power point for John Deere. http://www.slideshare.net/metatroy/laser-projector-opportunity-metaztron-vision
(The below memo has been edited for more clarity).
Pete Lude’ Memo—President/ CEO of LIPA consortium (Feb. 2012)
Thank you for sharing a conversation about laser projection and my patents. Congratulations on pushing the envelope by setting up LIPA laser projector consortium and caring about laser projectors. You suggest that we share with the industry the MetaZtron Vision (MZTV) laser projector process again? Many in the studios including Sony head of entertainment, Chris Cookson when he was at Warner (2002) attended the Metatron Inc. (California 1992 -2002) demonstrations from 1992 – 2003. From 1992 – 1997 we showed the upgraded TRW laser projectors. From late 1999 to 2003 we demonstrated the Troyer patented new approach. We were OEM to JVC and used their base reflective light valve ILA projector.
It has been verified that the Troyer patented process for laser digital imaging works best, ascertained after much R&D and demonstrating prototypes for expert evaluators. It has also been established by patent experts that the LIPA consortium companies building laser projectors are following the Troyer patented formula for their architecture designs.
What do you as the LIPA chairman feel is a way to fast track this process and so the industry finally is delivered the KISS (keep it simple streamlined) way of presenting the best image? You stated that we should present MetaZtron in what forum?
Review of Our Phone Conversation (Troyer and Pete Lude as Chairman of LIPA):
It was suggested that you read the Troyer Patent Portfolio on Diane Troyer’s slide share. Explained in the paper is that the Troyer 2001 patent claims cover using a liquid crystal light valve. The Troyer US 2006 and 2012 patent and the Troyer Canadian patent claims broaden to reflective light valve, counting DLP, LCoS, MEMS, LED, etc.
The Kodak demonstration laser projector used the Troyer patented approach with the DLP reflective light valves. Troyer Patent Portfolio.
I did not know IMAX had made a deal with BARCO when we talked. I would have liked to discuss that further. We discussed the fact that IMAX has stated through press releases and CEO interviews that they have the rights to laser digital domes through the purchase of the Kodak patents. According to the research done by a hired expert in evaluating the Kodak patents, Kodak does not have patents that cover big screen domes. I was asked by the patent evaluator to also study the Kodak patents and claims. I was unable to locate Kodak patent claims covering their demonstration prototype – lasers addressed to reflective light valve (DLP) producing full color spectrum images (red 635 nm or above) with collimation and polarization in the laser images retained to the screen (great 3D is not possible without polarized images).
Concerning laser projection, Kodak has a patent portfolio based on a grated light valve method. Grated Light Valves have been found not to be a light efficient method, producing dull images on the screen. The Silicon Light Machine (SLM) was also a grated light valve. Sony paid $30 million for entertainment rights to use the SLM. Evans & Sutherland paid $10 million for planetariums, simulation and domes rights. Rockwell Collins purchased the Evans & Sutherland SLM rights for simulation ($71.5 M) also receiving buildings and infrastructure. This purchase was during the time that Rockwell Collins and Metatron Zone Management LLC, an Iowa company had signed NDA and Rockwell Collins was gathering information about Troyer’s patented laser projection. The SLM grated light valve laser projectors has since been mothballed due to the dull images and the corruption of collimation and polarization in the laser images—meaning image artifacts, bad 3D and the images do not have the ability to adjust to curved screens in real time.
Thus Kodak did not use their patented grating light valve approach for their prototype laser projector demonstration. Kodak used design architecture that had been proven to work for best 3D imaging: the Troyer patented approach directing expanded laser beams to a reflective light valve (DLP, LCoS, MEMS, OLED, etc.) producing more eye safe full spectrum colored images and keeping the laser inherent attributes for best 3D polarization in the image to the screen.
Kodak attorneys are quite aware of patent law and lawsuits and licensing. Kodak litigated against Apple and Rim for infringement on their camera and phone patents. It has been shown that the Kodak IP attorneys warned the Kodak representatives that during their Kodak laser projector prototype demonstrations that they were not to claim patent coverage for their prototype nor should they suggest they are licensing the prototype laser projector. They were to promote the licensing/ selling of the Kodak optic path design for lasers addressed to a reflective light valve.
Kodak representative followed this mandate. In the Kodak statements, literature, press releases, interviews and discussion with those who attended the private demonstrations, Kodak did not suggest that they had patents covering their demonstration model, nor did they state they were selling licenses to their demonstration projector. The Kodak literature and web sites stated Kodak was selling their optic designs for the laser projector.
Yes, Kodak has patents on certain adjustments to the basic laser projector optic layouts, such as the optic path that was shown in the Troyer patent description and drawings. Kodak has patents on an optic they add, which they state reduces the speckle in the optic path. It is not known if that optic was part of their optical design in the demonstration model. The fact that Kodak has an optic patent does not in any way reduce the fact that the basic laser projector architecture that LIPA consortium is now suggesting to be used by the industry to assemble laser projectors is the Troyer patented process.
IMAX Press and IMAX CEO Interviews: Claim Patent Solution for Laser projection/ Domes
On October 17, 2011 the IMAX CEO announced that they controlled large screen laser projection with the purchase of certain Kodak patents. He stated that IMAX would sub-license the patents for smaller models. The CEO suggested that the high end home theater laser projector could be sold for $2 million in a Barclay interview. The IMAX CEO statements and the many press releases about Kodak patents being solution for digital domes and flat screens were impetus for the IMAX stock to go higher. http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/1222364361001/imax-ceo-on-laser-projection-patents-deal-with-kodak/
“IMAX’s licensing of Kodak’s revolutionary laser projection technology and patents will enable IMAX, for the first time ever, to deliver the highest-quality digital content available to IMAX® film-based screens larger than 80 feet and to dome theatres. This technology also will allow IMAX to distribute content with greater efficiency to the company’s global theatre network.” http://newsle.com/article/0/42836538/
IMAX does not have patent coverage for domes from Kodak: To save great time and expense, some responsible entity should ask the IMAX CEO or Kodak’s representative, Kim Snyder, what patents IMAX has licensed that cover laser projection with a reflective light valve for big dome or flat screens? For that matter, now that IMAX is partnering with Barco, Barco better have the answers or they are putting themselves in the path of infringement if they use the Troyer patented KISS (streamlined) approach for best image.
It is apparent that Sony (LCoS) and NEC, BARCO, Kodak, IMAX, and Christies (DLP) are all using the same formula: lasers directed to a reflective light valve with full spectrum colored images (red 635 nm or over). Note: RED laser projector also is using the Troyer same patented approach with LCoS light valve.
Purpose for Non-Profit LIPA? Marketing for their Consortium Members ($25,000 fee). Why is the LIPA non-profit consortium stating that they are demonstrating full spectrum color laser images for the first time? Experts from almost all these companies building laser projectors have attended the Troyer laser demonstrations in California in 1999- 2003 (documented). Should we have our representative bring this situation up with LIPA? Is LIPA a forum set up as a front for another phase of suppression of the Troyer patented laser projectors? Will the industry go through another ten years of contentious battling while audiences wait for great 3D dome images with bright filmic colors?
Zuddite (modern Luddite) Attacks: It can be shown through the long history between IMAX and Troyer that IMAX corporate is very aware of the Troyer patents and has attended dome and lab demonstrations of the Troyer prototypes, etc. It is thus assumed that the IMAX CEO is very aware of the Troyer patented laser projector. In fact it can be shown through documented evidence that IMAX corporate with strategic collusion companies has made a calculated effort to thwart Metatron Inc. and Metatron Zone Management and Troyer from delivering the Troyer patented projectors to clients.
Imax Press Conference October 17, 2011 is Reminiscent of the Press Conference May 2003:
The IMAX CEO accompanied by James Cameron and Phillip Anschutz gave a press conference in May 2003 stating that IMAX was ready to deliver and install digital cinema projectors (laser) in IMAX screens (flat screens and domes). The IMAX stock shot up and the Wasserstein Limited Partners sold their preferred stock for over $800 million.
Is it legal to provide misinformation to stock holders? Was it legal in 2003 for the IMAX CEO to represent they had digital projectors for flat screens and domes? Is it legal today to state they have patent coverage for domes, when they know they do not?
Did IMAX corporate represent to Cameron and Anschutz that they had finally gotten control of the Metatron technology? This was soon after the 10 assembled JVC projectors for waiting clients who wanted laser projectors were stolen. Among the clients: Famous Players for 8 Canadian large screen theaters, 40 theaters owned by European sister theater company– Universal Vivendi, Raytheon (Williams Air Force Base—simulation), Griffith Park Planetarium for their refurbish; etc. Lexel Laser had the 30 lasers assembled for the ten projectors. The JVC projector theft ruined Lexel Lasers – no need for lasers without projectors. Lexel was taken over by the collusion group for pennies on the $.
Patents protected Troyer from complete demise. Troyer will preach the importance of patents and the patent developer/ inventor receiving fair return for the years of time and expense. The Troyer patents and the ultimate survival from the Zuddites (modern Luddites) attack on Troyer is an example of how patents can protect a technology and the inventor. It is also an example of how innovation from independent inventors is often suppressed in this country.
Troyer Team Mission: Introduce auto dimensional HIVE platforms globally, through an infrastructure we help support.
We are now transitioning from flat screen 2D imaging to dimensional vistas. MetaZTron (MZT) is the missing platform tool for the transformation.
‘THIS IS THE TIME — SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY
Respectfully,
Diane Troyer
Troyer Note: Peter Lude’ had asked me to talk to the LIPA group in our phone conversation prior to this letter. After he got this email (letter), I received the email below.
Letter from LIPA
From: Michael Ciesinski <michael.ciesinski@flextech.org>
Date: Mon, Mar 5, 2012 at 5:22 PM
Subject: E-mail and Memo to P. Lude’/LIPA
To: metatronvision@gmail.com
Cc: “Lude’, Peter” Peter.Lude@am.sony.com
Ms. Diane Troyer
Metatron Zone LLC
Dear Ms. Troyer:
Peter Lude’ of Sony forwarded to me your e-mail dated February 14, 2012 concerning the Troyer patent portfolio. We at the Laser Illuminated Projector Association (LIPA) thank you for your interest in our organization.
However, LIPA is a not-for-profit organization which is not authorized to engage in market promotional activities for any single party, nor is it authorized to consider the patent positions of our members or others in the industry. These activities are simply outside of our charter.
If you wish to present your views on your patent portfolio, you can contact LIPA members directly. However, please be advised that LIPA will have no ability to act on any of the issues which concern your patent portfolio.
I regret that we could not be of assistance to you in this matter.
Sincerely,
Michael Ciesinski
LIPA Managing Director
CEO/ FlexTech Alliance
3081 Zanker Road
San Jose, California USA 95134
Tel. 1-408-577-1300
This e-mail message is confidential and intended only for the named recipient(s) above. It is not to be forwarded without permission of the sender. If you have received this message in error, or are not the named recipient(s), please immediately notify the sender and delete this e-mail message from your computer or mobile device.
This is a copy of a section from the LIPA Consortium pamphlet 2012
- Communications: chaired by Rich Reames of Sony – Responsible for LIPA’s communications outreach
- Regulatory Technology Issues: chaired by Dave Schnuelle of Dolby – Responsible for identifying and resolving technical issues impeding commercialization of laser illuminated projectors
- Regulatory Business Issues: chaired by Pete Lude’ of Sony – responsible for identifying and resolving business issues and ensuring the overall industry’s path to commercialization of laser illuminated projectors
Troyer Journal Notes at NAB April 2012
It seems that my letter to LIPA had a great effect. I ran into David Schnuelle from Dolby in front of the RED Laser Projector booth. He is now a LIPA board member. (Chaired by Dave Schnuelle of Dolby – Responsible for identifying and resolving technical issues impeding commercialization of laser illuminated projectors).
Schnuelle viewed the MetaZtron projector at the IVC lab (International Video Convergence) in Burbank in 2002. I asked him if he remembered accompanying Ken Holland, owner of IVC, when Holland started screaming at my engineer and me: “You will not get by with this!” – shaking his fist at us. We were getting the laser projector demonstration set up for the Warner technology group (Chris Cookson a member of the Warner group attending – note: Cookson is now head of digital cinema at Sony).
Schnuelle looked at me shocked, because maybe he had not make the connection – but what other woman has been shouting and proving that the laser video projector is the solution for digital cinema for years? Yes, he was with Ken Holland, owner of IVC, when Holland stood at our lab door at IVC screaming at us.
International Video Convergence was where Star Wars film was transferred to digital and prepared for the digital cinema competition between the JVC Hughes and the DLP (Texas Instrument) arc lamp projectors. Thus it was a natural lab space to demonstrate to the industry a new laser projection technology.
The IVC post house was the Warner lab for transferring Warner film to DVD. One of Ken Holland’s main income producers was the color theater where they pushed digital color so the digital cinema arc lamp presentations would be more like film. When viewers saw the MetaZtron laser projector images, they realized that it was possible for a digital image to have the filmic full color spectrum and good blacks (contrast) –without the need of a color lab to enhance the digital colors.
Howard Lukk was head engineer and also head of technology on the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI). After seeing the MetaZtron Laser Projector’s images, Howard Lukk placed a DCI mandate for full color spectrum images for digital cinema. Today the DCI mandate is still not met with arc lamp digital projection. Only laser images have full color spectrum as long as the red lasers are 635 nm or above to mix to achieve the best whites and blacks. This color mixture is one of Troyer’s main claims in her patents.
Ken Holland was participant in the collusion group who made sure that the Troyer patented projector did not make it to the clients. The collusion group evidently felt that it would be too dangerous for the MetaZtron projector to be installed in a venue. One main focus was to stop the demonstration model from being installed in the Griffith Park Planetarium, closed for refurbish. The MetaZtron images would cause a lot of publicity and crash the competitor’s stocks. MetaZtron would bring on a whole new transformation to the industry. The collusion group would stop the installations of MetaZtron. Planned was to take over the technology, if possible, using “questionable” means.
Some of the waiting customers: Famous Players, Canada: 8 big screens; Sister European Company: 40 (plus) projectors (note: these clients had seen a demonstration on the IMAX dome at the Tech Museum in San Jose—arranged by Roy Disney and Paul Holliman). William’s Air Force Base (Raytheon) for “out of window pilot training” and Griffith Park Planetarium for their refurbish.
The demonstration laser projector was to be moved from IVC (Burbank) to be installed in the Hollywood Griffith Park Planetarium. The planned opening show was to be dimensional space images captured by NASA and Jet Propulsion Lab stereo cameras on the shuttles. These images would be synced with the University of Iowa’s space shuttle’s recordings. Dr. Donald Gurnett from the Van Allen physics lab at the University of Iowa built the shuttle recorders (quadraphonic) and captured the sounds.
The MetaZtron Laser Projector was the only vehicle able to show dimensional vivid space images on the Planetarium dome. The MetaZtron images adjust automatically saving a lot of time and expense. Today with flat screen arc lamp digital projectors, costly time consuming “Projection mapping” is used for domes creating computer images so they will be in focus on curved surfaces.
Right before the move to Griffith Park Planetarium, the MetaZtron Projector was stolen from the secure IVC lab with the lasers, tools and 40 expensive custom made polarizing cubes ($600 each) coded for red, green, and blue. These custom made PBS big cubes were part of the optic train for the 10 JVC projector bases being built for clients. IVC was the old Lockheed Skunk Works- so was probably the most secure building in Burbank so it was obvious that the theft was an inside job.
A Burbank police report was made about the stolen projector and equipment. There was an investigation by the FBI. Because of the theft of the Troyer laser projector, Griffith Park had to take an alternative course, installing the Evans & Sutherland dull and very expensive laser projectors. The planned content was never produced. Audiences still wait for immersive vivid space planetarium images.
The 10 JVC projectors were being assembled and tested at the JVC lab in Southern, California by Rod Sterling and Dr. Bill Bleha. Eight projectors were to go to Famous Players for their big screens for digital Cinerama. The projectors had to be set up right for best images. Laser images are sensitive and more vivid so artifacts are more easily seen. One projector was to go to Wright Patterson Air Force Base to begin working in pilot simulation.
These projectors were picked up by truck and disappeared and have never been recovered. Lexel Lasers had the 30 lasers ready to be installed. Thus they were compromised and taken over by the collusion partners for pennies.
Attack of the Zuddites (modern Luddites): This is the story of a suppressed technology and is found under other copy and will be released soon. In this case the Troyer patented technology had to wait for the perfect storm. The Zuddites are shipwrecked and the technology is finally available for the waiting audiences. The vendors are ready and off the shelf. The gamers will probably be the first responders. The Air Force still waits for the MetaZtron tool kit for best immersive battle and disaster training. Home theaters will be Z*Rama— dimensional Cinerama.
Professor Christensen’s definition of disruptive technology: “An innovation that is disruptive allows a whole new population of consumers access to a product or service that was historically only accessible to consumers with a lot of money or a lot of skill.”
Discussion with David Schnuelle at NAB 2012
NAB: Dave Schnuelle was the LIPA person who was the communicator —whether he wanted to be or not. He informed me he had read the letter sent to Lude’. He told me that the LIPA members were not infringing because they are flooding the reflective light valve instead of scanning. I informed Schnuelle that my patent claims cover lasers addressed to the light valve and are not limited to scanning. I did tell him that flooding is not going to work—that there are many problems with flooding—mainly not having control over artifacts and low contrast with light bleeding into the blacks.
Parallel Projection: The laser attributes mean that the expanded polarized coherent collimated beam can be directed. Ambient light like the sun scatters so can be flooded, not directed like lasers. Parallel Projection combines streams of laser beams. Kodak and Barco both have patents based on forms of how to direct laser light to a reflective light valves. The parallel laser lines are combined into a flood. That might work if the image was not constantly static (too hot). It is difficult to provide even light flow without artifacts in the images. Also with such a flood the contrast is reduced.
Barco and Kodak both have leap frog patents for addressing laser light to a reflective light valve. A leap frog patent adds a specific addition to a patent’s broader claim that has already been issued. Parallel projection is a specific way to address lasers to the reflective light valve. The Troyer patent claims are broad in how the laser is addressed to the light valve. I suggested that the LIPA group read my claims and patents (Troyer Patent Portfolio). Also I offered to provide the LIPA members a specific claims chart that compares the Troyer patent claims to the Kodak, IMAX, BARCO, Sony and Christies laser projector reflective light valve prototype configurations.
I informed Dave Schnuelle that I am not planning on suing LIPA, but that my representatives are upset that LIPA is made up of companies whose representatives have attended the MetaZtron (Metatron) demonstrations, received white papers, and are now marketing my patented process through LIPA, stating this is their newly discovered approach. Patents are for the purpose of protecting the inventor who spent the years of R&D and a great deal of money and discovered the innovation. For instance just the Canadian patent granted January 15, 2013 has cost near $50,000—mainly in years of patent fees.
I also shared I had just seen the RED laser projector 3D demonstration and the images had given me a splitting headache. I did not know if I had preprogrammed myself for a headache –but there was an ache right above my eyes behind my forehead. Maybe it was because I had peered so intently at the images to see if there was blurring in the fast movement. I had just discovered that the person who set the Red laser projector was an engineer who had worked for Metatron Inc. for a few weeks. Thus I know he does not have patents for his designed process: lasers addressed to a reflective light valve (LCoS) with the red 635 nm or above.
Snhnuelle is in charge of Dolby’s new technologies. They were showing at NAB 2012 an auto stereo display that they had developed with Phillips. Dolby and Sony are both companies that lost a lot of money last year and are reviving under new management.
CASEY STACK: I had exchanged emails with Casey Stack before NAB 2012. He was the expert on laser FDA mandates. He was to be a speaker on the LIPA forum at NAB. I informed him that we had worked with FDA when the Troyer team was upgrading the TRW laser projectors. One of the main reasons for the KISS (streamlined) Troyer patented process for laser projection was a more eye safe method by expanding the laser beams and reflecting the expanded beam (scanning line) off the reflective light valve. I was sharing so Stack could provide my answers to the LIPA members. Asking and answering questions is a good method to cut through to the chase. Also it is a way of KISS—keep it simple—streamline so there is not any more time wasted delivering this wonderful technology to the audiences.
Another year and NAB 2013: The LIPA consortium members only communication has been through the LIPA the letter that was received. If they really care about delivering laser projection, it seems as if they would want to solve the obvious problems. We have been told by litigation attorneys and patent trolls and patent brokers that in this kind of situation, sometimes the only method is lawsuits, otherwise the infringing groups do not take the inventor seriously. If the infringer knows they are infringing the court awards the inventor 3 times more reward.
Diane Troyer
Metatron Zone LLC
Office: 319-512-1009 Cell: 818-795-2407
metatroy@outlook.com
metatronvision@gmail.com
Metatroy slide share (check this out)
MetaZtron Vision holographic Z-depth-factor
MetaZtron Vision Themed Entertainment (see the Sprite)
http://www.slideshare.net/metatroy/troyer-outline-411
http://www.slideshare.net/metatroy/hive-zelf-holograph-immersive-virtual-laser-meta-ztron-troyer
Over view of MetaZtron Vision (MZTV) Power point to John Deere
“In order to change something, don’t struggle to change the existing model. Create a new model and make the other one obsolete”. Buckminster Fuller
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