US 9426452

US Patent 9426452 Summary

Title: Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3Deeps filter spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials

Assignee: Vdpp LLC

Inventors: Kenneth Martin Jacobs, Ronald Steven Karpf

Filing Date: 2015-09-10

Issue Date: 2016-08-23

Abstract:
The patent describes an electrically controlled spectacle for viewing video, comprising a frame, optoelectronic lenses (left and right) with independent, multiple states, and a control unit. Each lens can be dark or light. The control unit can set both lenses to a dark state. The patent also details a method for viewing video, where a user wears these spectacles while viewing video with dissimilar bridge frames and similar image frames. This method involves creating modified image frames by removing portions of selected image frames, determining various bridge image frames, blending modified image frames with bridge frames to generate blended image frames, overlaying these blended frames, and then displaying the overlayed and bridge frames. The first bridge image frame can comprise a non-solid color.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Spectacle Apparatus): This claim describes an electrically controlled pair of glasses designed for watching videos. It includes a frame, left and right lenses made of optoelectronic material (meaning their light transmission can be controlled electronically), where each lens can change its state (e.g., clear or dark) independently of the other. The glasses also contain a control unit within the frame that independently manages the state of each lens.

• Claim 11 (Image Processing Apparatus): This claim outlines an apparatus (like a computer system) for processing video frames. It has storage for images and a processor. The processor is configured to perform a series of steps: it takes a selected image frame and creates three "modified" versions by removing different parts. It also identifies two "bridge" image frames that are distinct from the selected and modified frames. Then, it blends each of the three modified frames with the first bridge frame to create three "blended" frames. Finally, it overlays these three blended frames to make one "overlayed" image frame, which is then displayed along with the second bridge image frame.

• Claim 12 (Spectacle Viewing Method): This claim describes a method for a person to watch a video using the electrically controlled spectacles of Claim 1. The method involves the user wearing these spectacles while being shown a video that contains specific types of frames: "dissimilar bridge frames" and "similar image frames."

• Claim 13 (Image Processing Method): This claim describes a method for processing and displaying video frames. Similar to Claim 11, it involves determining three modified image frames from a selected image frame by removing different portions. It also determines two distinct bridge image frames. The method then blends the first bridge image frame with each of the three modified image frames to create three blended frames. These three blended frames are then overlaid to form an overlayed image frame, which is displayed alongside the second bridge image frame.

• Claim 15 (Advanced Image Processing Apparatus): This claim details a more complex apparatus for image processing. It has storage and a processor. The processor determines eight different modified image frames (three from a first modified frame, five from a second modified frame, which are themselves derived from a selected image frame by removing portions). It also determines two bridge image frames, distinct from all the modified frames. The processor then blends the first bridge image frame with three of the modified frames (the third, fourth, and fifth modified frames) to produce three blended frames. These three blended frames are overlaid to create a first overlayed image frame, which is then displayed along with the second bridge image frame.

• Claim 16 (Advanced Image Processing Method): This claim describes a method that mirrors the functionality of the apparatus in Claim 15. It involves determining eight modified image frames and two bridge image frames. Then, it blends the first bridge image frame with the third, fourth, and fifth modified image frames to generate three blended frames. These blended frames are overlaid to form a first overlayed image frame, which is then displayed along with the second bridge image frame. The method also includes similar steps for blending the first bridge image frame with the sixth, seventh, and eighth modified image frames to generate three more blended frames, overlaying them to generate a second overlayed image frame, and displaying this second overlayed image frame with the second bridge image frame.

• Claim 19 (Image Reshaping Apparatus): This claim describes a simpler apparatus that includes storage for video image frames and a processor. The processor's function is to reshape a portion of at least one of these stored image frames.

• Claim 20 (Video Presentation System): This claim describes a complete system for presenting a video. It combines the image reshaping apparatus of Claim 19 with the electrically controlled spectacles of Claim 1. The apparatus prepares the video by reshaping portions of image frames, and the spectacles are worn by the viewer. The control unit within the spectacles can control the independent states (dark/light) of the left and right optoelectronic lenses.

• Claim 21 (Stitched Image Apparatus): This claim describes an apparatus with storage and a processor for generating and displaying stitched and blended image frames. The processor obtains a first image from a first video stream and a second, different image from a second video stream. It then stitches these two images together to create a "stitched image frame." From this stitched frame, it generates three different modified image frames by removing different portions. It identifies a bridge frame, blends the first modified image frame with the bridge frame (this appears to be repeated three times in the claim, likely an error in the original text or intended to apply to the three modified frames), then overlays these blended frames to create an overlayed image frame, which is displayed along with the bridge frame.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of the current date, US Patent 9426452 has a case filed in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC), identified as case number 24-2226.

US Patent 9426452 has been involved in several litigation cases. VDPP LLC, the current assignee, has asserted the patent in numerous lawsuits.

Here's a summary of known litigation:

• Case 1: VDPP, LLC v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  • Plaintiff(s): VDPP, LLC
  • Defendant(s): Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • Case Number: H-23-2961
  • Filing Date: The lawsuit was filed after January 2022, when the patent expired.
  • Outcome/Current Status: The case was dismissed with prejudice in March 2024 because the asserted patent expired in January 2022, more than a year before the lawsuit was filed, making injunctive relief and ongoing damages impossible. The court also awarded attorney's fees to Volkswagen, finding the case exceptional due to VDPP's frivolous and objectively unreasonable positions, including seeking relief on an expired patent and failing to allege patent marking compliance. VDPP's attorney, William P. Ramey, was also sanctioned directly. An appeal of the district court's orders and attorney sanctions was filed at the CAFC (case number 24-2226), which affirmed the dismissal and attorney's fees, and dismissed the appeal of attorney sanctions for lack of jurisdiction.

• Ex Parte Reexamination (initiated by Unified Patents)

  • Plaintiff(s): Unified Patents (acting as a third party requesting reexamination)
  • Defendant(s): VDPP LLC
  • Jurisdiction: Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) of the USPTO
  • Filing Date: Unified Patents filed an ex parte reexamination request in March 2024.
  • Outcome/Current Status: On May 22, 2024, the CRU granted Unified's request, finding "substantial new questions of patentability" on the challenged claims of US Patent 9426452.

• VDPP, LLC v. Innovative Video Technology Inc.

  • Plaintiff(s): VDPP, LLC
  • Defendant(s): Innovative Video Technology Inc. ("Invid")
  • Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • Case Number: 1:25-cv-05404 (This appears to be a case number from a document filed on September 26, 2025, but the original complaint cited is from July 25, 2017. The provided text has conflicting dates and case number references, but this appears to be a separate case from the Volkswagen one, also involving US9426452).
  • Filing Date: Original Complaint filed July 25, 2017.
  • Outcome/Current Status: VDPP alleged infringement of US Patent 9426452 (and US Patent 9716874) by Invid's image processing systems, products, and services prior to the patent's expiration. The patent expired on January 22, 2022. The provided text does not specify the final outcome of this particular case, but it highlights VDPP's allegation of infringement prior to expiration.

It's also noted that US Patent 9426452 has been asserted over 20 times, with active cases against companies including Mazda, Motorola Mobility, Mercedes-Benz, NEC, HP Inc., Razer, Honda, Ricoh, GM, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Ford.

Proceedings overview

There is one ex parte reexamination proceeding on file for US Patent 9426452, which is currently in the "substantial new questions of patentability" stage. This means that a third party has successfully challenged the patentability of the claims, and the patent owner will need to respond.

Ex Parte Reexamination (Reexamination Request by Unified Patents)

• Type: Ex Parte Reexamination
• Filed: Unified Patents filed an ex parte reexamination request in March 2024.
• Status: Substantial new questions of patentability found.
• Judge panel: Not publicly available at this stage of an ex parte reexamination.
• Petition grounds: The exact claims and prior art challenged are not specified in the provided text, but "substantial new questions of patentability" were found on the challenged claims of US Patent 9426452.
• Institution decision: Instituted, with the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) granting Unified's request on May 22, 2024. The CRU found "substantial new questions of patentability" on the challenged claims.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not yet issued as the reexamination was initiated in May 2024.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable at this stage.
• Appeal: Not applicable at this stage.
• Defensive value: The finding of "substantial new questions of patentability" indicates that the USPTO believes there's a strong likelihood that the challenged claims may be unpatentable. This provides significant defensive value, as the claims are currently under scrutiny and may be narrowed or canceled. Any assertion of these claims will need to contend with this ongoing reexamination.

Strategic summary

As of the current date, no claims of US Patent 9426452 have been CANCELED or SUSTAINED through an AIA trial proceeding. However, an ex parte reexamination initiated by Unified Patents in March 2024 has led to a finding of "substantial new questions of patentability" on the challenged claims. This means that the patentability of some claims is currently under review by the USPTO. The specific claims under review and the prior art cited are not detailed in the provided information.

There is no information regarding estoppel landscape or specific prior-art grounds that are still available, as the reexamination is ongoing and its scope isn't fully detailed. The fact that Unified Patents initiated this reexamination suggests a defensive play against the patent owner, VDPP LLC, which has actively asserted this patent in numerous litigations.

Recommended next steps

The ex parte reexamination is still in its early stages following the institution decision on May 22, 2024. Defendants currently facing assertion of this patent should monitor the reexamination proceedings closely, as the outcome could significantly impact the validity of the asserted claims. The patent owner, VDPP LLC, will need to respond to the substantial new questions of patentability.

Inventors

• Kenneth Martin Jacobs (Individual)
• Ronald Steven Karpf (Individual)

There is no information provided regarding the employers of the inventors at the time of filing, nor any unusual patterns of departure.

Original assignee

The original assignee, as listed on the issued patent, is "Individual". This typically implies the inventors themselves were the original owners. There is no information provided about whether "Individual" shipped a product embodying the claims, their primary line of business, or their current status.

Assignment timeline

• 2017-01-31 (executed) / recorded 2017-02-01 — Reel 039401/0306

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: JACOBS, KENNETH, KARPF, RONALD
  • Assignee: VISUAL EFFECT INNOVATIONS, LLC
  • Correspondent: WILLIAM P. RAMEY, III, 1720 PEACHTREE ROAD, N.W., SUITE 1000, ATLANTA, GA 30309. This correspondent recurs later in the chain.
  • Context: Transfer from individual inventors to an LLC.

• 2019-04-30 (executed) / recorded 2019-05-02 — Reel 049039/0170

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: VISUAL EFFECTS INNOVATIONS, LLC
  • Assignee: KARPF, RONALD, JACOBS, KENNETH
  • Correspondent: WILLIAM P. RAMEY, III, 1720 PEACHTREE ROAD NW, SUITE 1000, ATLANTA, GA 30309. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Reassignment back to the individual inventors.

• 2019-05-02 (executed) / recorded 2019-05-09 — Reel 049080/0609

  • Conveyance: Corrective Assignment
  • Assignor: VISUAL EFFECTS INNOVATIONS, LLC
  • Assignee: KARPF, RONALD, JACOBS, KENNETH
  • Correspondent: WILLIAM P. RAMEY, III, 1720 PEACHTREE ROAD, N.W., SUITE 1000, ATLANTA, GA 30309. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Corrective assignment to address an error in the previous recording.

• 2019-07-02 (executed) / recorded 2019-07-08 — Reel 049449/0950

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: KARPF, RONALD S
  • Assignee: VDPP, LLC
  • Correspondent: WILLIAM P. RAMEY, III, 1720 PEACHTREE ROAD, N.W., SUITE 1000, ATLANTA, GA 30309. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer from one of the inventors to VDPP, LLC.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 9426452
    2015 : Filed by Individual
    2016 : Issued to Individual
    2017 : Assigned to Visual Effect Innovations LLC
    2019 : Assigned to Karpf Jacobs
         : Corrective Assignment to Karpf Jacobs
         : Assigned to VDPP LLC

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — present.

   • 2017-01-31 / recorded 2017-02-01 (Reel 039401/0306): The patent was assigned from individuals (inventors) to VISUAL EFFECT INNOVATIONS, LLC. The name "Visual Effect Innovations, LLC" suggests a licensing or holding company.
   • 2019-07-02 / recorded 2019-07-08 (Reel 049449/0950): The patent was assigned from an individual (Ronald S. Karpf) to VDPP, LLC. VDPP LLC is identified as the current assignee and has been involved in multiple litigations, suggesting a licensing-focused entity rather than a product-shipping company.

2. Known asserter in the chain — present. VDPP, LLC is the current assignee and has been identified as a frequent plaintiff in patent infringement lawsuits, with over 20 assertions of this patent alone, including a notable case against Volkswagen and participation in an ex parte reexamination initiated by Unified Patents.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — present. William P. Ramey, III (and his firm, often listed as 1720 PEACHTREE ROAD, N.W., SUITE 1000, ATLANTA, GA 30309) appears as the correspondent for all four recorded assignments:

   • 2017-01-31 / recorded 2017-02-01 (Reel 039401/0306)
   • 2019-04-30 / recorded 2019-05-02 (Reel 049039/0170)
   • 2019-05-02 / recorded 2019-05-09 (Reel 049080/0609)
   • 2019-07-02 / recorded 2019-07-08 (Reel 049449/0950)
     This consistent use of the same correspondent across multiple transfers, especially involving shell-like LLCs, is a strong indicator of an NPE pattern.

4. Cascading transfers — present. There are three assignments occurring within a 3-month period in 2019:

   • 2019-04-30 (executed) to Karpf, Jacobs
   • 2019-05-02 (executed) Corrective Assignment to Karpf, Jacobs
   • 2019-07-02 (executed) to VDPP, LLC
     These rapid transfers, all handled by the same correspondent, suggest a coordinated restructuring of ownership.

5. Pre-litigation transfer — unclear. While the patent has been asserted multiple times, the provided information does not include the exact date of the first infringement suit naming this patent in relation to the 2019-07-02 assignment to VDPP, LLC. The "Original Complaint filed July 25, 2017" for VDPP, LLC v. Innovative Video Technology Inc. appears to predate the VDPP assignment of July 2, 2019, which creates a contradiction given VDPP LLC became assignee only in 2019. This requires clarification. If the 2017 case was indeed filed by VDPP, LLC, it suggests VDPP may have had an earlier interest or that the dates are misaligned in the provided text. However, given the recorded assignments, VDPP LLC became the assignee only in July 2019.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. There is no indication of any bankruptcy proceedings related to the assignors.

7. Privateering — not present. No evidence in the provided information suggests an operating company transferred the patent to an NPE for assertion against competitors on its behalf.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The chain terminates with VDPP, LLC, which is an asserting entity, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

This verdict is driven by multiple strong signals: the transfer from individual inventors to shell-like LLCs (VISUAL EFFECT INNOVATIONS, LLC and VDPP, LLC), the identification of VDPP, LLC as a known high-frequency asserter, and the consistent presence of the same correspondent, William P. Ramey, III, across all recorded assignments. The cascading transfers in 2019 further support the conclusion of a coordinated NPE strategy.

Verification: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 9426452

As a technical patent analyst, I will now identify the most relevant prior art for US Patent 9426452 by examining its cited references. To do this, I will use the USPTO Patent Public Search to access the full patent details and its citations.

Searching for US Patent 9426452

I will search the USPTO database for US Patent 9426452 to retrieve its full text and cited references.

The full text of US Patent 9426452 ("Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3Deeps filter spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials") was successfully retrieved. I will now examine the "References Cited" section of the patent to identify prior art.

Analysis of Cited References (Prior Art)

Based on the patent document, the following U.S. patents are cited as prior art:

• US7030902B2

  • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 7,030,902
  • Publication/Filing Date: Claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/263,498 filed on Jan. 23, 2002, and is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/054,607, filed on Jan. 22, 2002.
  • Brief Description: This patent is directly related as it's a parent application from which US9426452 claims priority. It deals with an electrically controlled spectacle for viewing video, with optoelectronic lenses and a control unit. It also covers methods for viewing video using such spectacles, particularly concerning dissimilar bridge frames and similar image frames.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Given its direct relationship and foundational nature as a priority claim, it potentially anticipates aspects of all claims, especially Claim 1 (Spectacle Apparatus), Claim 12 (Spectacle Viewing Method), and potentially elements of Claim 13 (Image Processing Method) and Claim 20 (Video Presentation System).

• US7522257B2

  • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 7,522,257
  • Publication/Filing Date: Claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/664,369 filed on Mar. 23, 2005, and is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/054,607, filed on Jan. 22, 2002.
  • Brief Description: This patent is also a Continuation-In-Part of an earlier application, meaning it builds upon and further develops the concepts of the electrically controlled spectacles and video viewing methods. It would likely detail advancements or specific implementations related to the core technology of dynamic 3D viewing using variable tint lenses.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): As a direct continuation-in-part of related work, it likely anticipates or renders obvious aspects of many claims, particularly those related to the spectacle apparatus and viewing methods, such as Claim 1, Claim 12, and elements concerning the control and states of the optoelectronic lenses.

• US7405801B2

  • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 7,405,801
  • Publication/Filing Date: Claims priority from US11/373,702, filed on Mar. 10, 2006. The patent also notes it is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/054,607, filed on Jan. 22, 2002.
  • Brief Description: This patent, like the others, is related to the series of patents concerning 3Deeps filter spectacles. It would further elaborate on the optical systems and methods for achieving 3D effects from 2D motion pictures. The explicit mention of "Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter spectacles" as an improvement in US9426452 suggests this reference would cover earlier iterations of such adjustable spectacles.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Given its connection to the "Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter spectacles," this patent would likely bear on claims related to the dynamic adjustment of lens properties, such as Claim 1 and Claim 12, and potentially elements of Claim 13 and Claim 20 related to the processing and presentation of video for these spectacles.

• US7508485B2

  • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 7,508,485
  • Publication/Filing Date: Claims priority from US11/928,152, filed on Oct. 30, 2007. The patent also notes it is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/372,723, filed on Mar. 10, 2006.
  • Brief Description: This patent is part of the same patent family and lineage as US9426452, addressing further developments in the 3Deeps technology. It would likely focus on improvements to the method or apparatus for achieving the 3D illusion, potentially including aspects of image processing or spectacle control.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This reference could potentially anticipate claims related to image processing steps, such as Claim 11 (Image Processing Apparatus), Claim 13 (Image Processing Method), and potentially the more advanced processing methods of Claim 15 and Claim 16, if it describes similar modifications, blending, or overlaying of image frames.

• US7604348B2

  • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 7,604,348
  • Publication/Filing Date: Claims priority from US12/274,752, filed on Nov. 20, 2008.
  • Brief Description: As the latest of the directly related prior art cited from this family before the filing of US9426452, this patent would likely encompass refinements or specific features of the 3Deeps system. It could address aspects of faster state transitioning, multi-layered materials, or multi-use functionality, which are central to US9426452.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent is particularly relevant to the novel aspects of US9426452, such as the use of "multi-layered variable tint materials" for "faster state transitioning." Therefore, it could potentially anticipate or render obvious specific features in Claim 1 (regarding optoelectronic lenses with multiple states), and claims related to the processing of video, particularly if it describes methods for optimizing the 3D effect based on material characteristics or speed of motion.

The definition section of US9426452 explicitly states that "Related patent applications for Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter spectacles have been disclosed that use electronically controlled variable tint materials for fabrication of the right and left lenses of the viewing spectacles." and then proceeds to list U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,030,902, 7,522,257, 7,405,801, 7,508,485, and 7,604,348 as part of the related applications from which priority is claimed, or which are Continuation-in-Part applications. These patents are therefore highly relevant to the novelty and non-obviousness of the claims in US9426452.

US Patent 9426452 focuses on "Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3Deeps filter spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials." The patent itself provides strong indications for obviousness by explicitly stating the problems it addresses and the solution it proposes in relation to its own prior art.

Most Relevant Prior Art

The "Prior Art" section establishes that US9426452 belongs to a family of patents, claiming priority from or being a continuation-in-part of several closely related U.S. patents: US7030902B2, US7522257B2, US7405801B2, US7508485B2, and US7604348B2. These patents collectively disclose the core concepts of "Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter spectacles" that use "electronically controlled variable tint materials" to generate 3D illusions from 2D video, primarily leveraging the Pulfrich effect.

Obviousness Analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103

A Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art (PHOSITA) in the field of optoelectronic devices and stereoscopic viewing systems would be motivated to combine elements from these prior art references to achieve the improvements claimed in US9426452. The patent itself identifies the key problems and solutions, which significantly contributes to an obviousness argument.

Identified Problems from US9426452:
The patent explicitly states, "the problem addressed by the preferred embodiment of this invention is that of slow transition time when transitioning between different optical densities of the lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter spectacles." Furthermore, it notes, "Another problem relates to the ‘cycle life’ (number of clear-dark cycles before failure) of some optoelectronic materials that may be limited."

Proposed Solution from US9426452:
The patent directly links these problems to its solution: "Both of these problems [slow transition time and limited cycle life] can be addressed by using multiple layers of optoelectronic material in fabricating the lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, and this patent discloses how to implement such a solution."

This direct problem-solution statement within the patent, coupled with the familial prior art, forms the basis of the obviousness argument for the core inventive step.

Combination of Prior Art References and Motivation:

Primary Reference: US7030902B2, or any of its direct family members (US7522257B2, US7405801B2, US7508485B2, US7604348B2). These patents disclose the electrically controlled spectacles with optoelectronic lenses, a control unit, and methods for viewing video using these spectacles with dynamic tint changes to create a 3D effect.

Secondary Reference/General Knowledge: The explicit problem statements and solution pathways articulated within US9426452 itself, coupled with the general knowledge in the field of optoelectronic material engineering regarding methods to improve device performance.

Motivation to Combine:
A PHOSITA, familiar with the "Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles" described in the prior art (e.g., US7030902B2 et al.), would recognize the disclosed limitations of "slow transition time" and "limited cycle life" for the variable tint lenses. Given the objective of enhancing the 3D viewing experience through better synchronization and improving product durability, a PHOSITA would be motivated to find solutions to these known problems. The US9426452 patent itself provides this motivation and solution, stating that "using multiple layers of optoelectronic material" can address these issues by enabling "faster transition times" and increasing "cycle life."

The principle of layering active materials to distribute performance requirements, reduce individual layer stress, or achieve cumulative effects is a well-established engineering practice in various fields, including optics and display technology. Therefore, applying this known principle to variable tint optoelectronic materials in the context of the existing 3Deeps spectacles to achieve known advantages (speed, durability) would have been obvious to a PHOSITA.

Specific Claim Obviousness:

• Claim 1 (Spectacle Apparatus): This claim describes an electrically controlled spectacle with optoelectronic lenses comprising a plurality of layers. The fundamental electrically controlled spectacles with optoelectronic lenses are taught by US7030902B2 and its related patents. Given the recognized problems of slow transition time and limited cycle life in these spectacles, and the explicit suggestion within US9426452 to use "multiple layers of optoelectronic material" to resolve these issues, it would be obvious to a PHOSITA to modify the lenses of the prior art spectacles to include multiple layers of optoelectronic material to achieve faster state transitions and improved longevity.

• Claims 11, 13, 15, 16 (Image Processing Apparatus/Method): These claims detail methods and apparatus for processing video frames, including creating modified, blended, and overlayed image frames, and using bridge frames. The foundational concepts of generating such frame sequences for the Pulfrich effect are extensively disclosed within the patent family, particularly US7030902B2. The US9426452 patent's definitions section also refers to actions like "generating a blended image frame by blending a plurality of image frames," "generating an overlayed image frame by overlaying a plurality of image frames," and "generating a modified image frame by removing a portion of an image frame" as operations that "may be performed." A PHOSITA, building upon the known 3Deeps image processing techniques from the prior art, would find it obvious to implement variations in the number or specific manipulation of modified, blended, or bridge frames to refine the 3D effect or adapt to specific content. These image processing steps are largely an application of known techniques within an existing system, not the core novelty of US9426452.

• Claim 12 (Spectacle Viewing Method): This claim describes a user viewing video with dissimilar bridge frames and similar image frames while wearing the spectacles. This method is explicitly taught by US7030902B2. Combining this known viewing method with the obvious modification of multi-layered lenses (as discussed for Claim 1) would be obvious to a PHOSITA.

• Claim 19 (Image Reshaping Apparatus) and Claim 20 (Video Presentation System): Claim 19 specifies an apparatus for reshaping portions of image frames, and Claim 20 combines this with the spectacles. "Reshaping a portion of an image frame" is identified as a possible action within the US9426452 definitions. Image reshaping is a standard technique in digital image processing. A PHOSITA would find it obvious to integrate such a known image manipulation technique into the video processing pipeline of the 3Deeps system (as taught by US7030902B2 et al.) to achieve various visual effects or improve the 3D illusion.

• Claim 21 (Stitched Image Apparatus): This claim involves obtaining and stitching images from multiple video streams, then generating modified frames, blending, overlaying, and displaying. "Stitching together one or more portions of one or more image frames" is also listed in the US9426452 definitions. Video stitching is a known technology. A PHOSITA would find it obvious to apply known video stitching techniques to combine images for display through the 3Deeps system, thereby expanding the source material or creative possibilities for generating 3D content. This represents an obvious application of known techniques to an existing system.

To accurately determine the patent term adjustments (PTA), patent term extensions (PTE), continuation applications, divisional applications, related family members, and the projected expiration date for US Patent 9426452, it's necessary to access the official patent file wrapper via USPTO's Patent Center or Patent Public Search. The USPTO itself does not calculate expiration dates but provides tools and resources for estimating them, considering factors like PTA, PTE, and terminal disclaimers.

Based on the provided patent text and general patent rules:

Patent Term:
For utility patents, the term generally begins on the issue date and expires 20 years from the date the earliest non-provisional application was filed, with adjustments for USPTO delays (PTA) or regulatory approval delays (PTE).

• Filing Date: September 10, 2015
• Publication Date: August 23, 2016
• Issue Date (Application Granted): August 23, 2016
• Anticipated Expiration (from Google Patents data): January 22, 2022

Continuation Applications, Divisional Applications, and Related Family Members:
US9426452 is part of a larger patent family, claiming priority from several earlier applications. Continuations, divisionals, and continuations-in-part expire 20 years from the earliest effective filing date.

The patent document explicitly states that it claims priority from:

• US14/850,750 (filed 2015-09-10)
• US10/054,607 (filed 2002-01-22), which is U.S. Pat. No. 7,030,902
• US11/372,723 (filed 2006-03-10), which is U.S. Pat. No. 7,522,257
• US11/373,702 (filed 2006-03-10), which is U.S. Pat. No. 7,405,801
• US11/928,152 (filed 2007-10-30), which is U.S. Pat. No. 7,508,485
• US12/274,752 (filed 2008-11-20), which is U.S. Pat. No. 7,604,348

Additional priority claims are mentioned from:

• US15/217,612 (filed 2016-07-22), which is U.S. Pat. No. 9,699,444
• US15/602,033 (filed 2017-05-22), which is US20170257623A1
• US15/606,850 (filed 2017-05-26), which is U.S. Pat. No. 9,781,408
• US15/683,623 (filed 2017-08-22), which is U.S. Pat. No. 9,948,922
• US15/907,614 (filed 2018-02-28), which is U.S. Pat. No. 10,021,380
• US16/008,910 (filed 2018-06-14), which is U.S. Pat. No. 10,742,965
• US16/907,428 (filed 2020-06-22), which is U.S. Pat. No. 10,951,881
• US17/156,703 (filed 2021-01-25), which is U.S. Pat. No. 11,039,123

The earliest priority date claimed is January 23, 2001, from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/263,498. However, the patent itself also refers to a "Prior art date" of 2001-01-23. The earliest non-provisional application from which priority is explicitly claimed is U.S. application Ser. No. 10/054,607, filed on January 22, 2002. For a utility patent, the term is 20 years from the filing date of the earliest non-provisional application to which it claims priority.

Patent Term Adjustments (PTA):
PTA is granted to compensate for administrative delays by the USPTO during patent prosecution. The calculation of PTA requires examining the patent's prosecution history in Public PAIR (Patent Application Information Retrieval). Without direct access to the full file wrapper for US9426452, the exact PTA cannot be definitively stated.

Patent Term Extensions (PTE):
PTE is awarded to compensate for delays in obtaining regulatory approval for patented products, typically under 35 U.S.C. § 156. There is no information within the provided patent text to suggest that US9426452 was subject to regulatory review that would warrant a PTE.

Projected Expiration Date:
Based on the earliest non-provisional priority date of January 22, 2002, the statutory 20-year term would typically end on January 22, 2022. The Google Patents information states an "Anticipated expiration" date of January 22, 2022, and also lists the legal status as "Expired - Fee Related," aligning with this calculation.

To confirm the precise expiration date, including any PTA or terminal disclaimers, a review of the official USPTO file wrapper for US9426452 through Patent Public Search would be necessary.