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Dr. Wen Chen wasn't interested in patenting DCT / JPEG / MPEG

I worked at Compression Labs 1992-1993 on the DirecTV project, an application of MPEG and ultimately of Dr. Wen Chen's work on DCT / JPEG. Dr. Wen Chen worked there at the same time, and I talked to him briefly about his early development of DCT. He said that since he had already published his work in technical journals, there wasn't much point in trying to patent it. However, the CEO of Compression Labs, a Mr. Tyson, wanted to pursue a patent for business reasons, so Dr. Chen didn't resist the idea.

Compression Labs was a strange place to work. The technology attracted excellent engineers, but poor management squandered many opportunities. CLI got used to being the pioneer in video conferencing, sold them as boardroom toys with huge 30-inch monitors, while other companies worked hard to commoditize the technology so that it would fit on a roll-about cart and get used by everyone.

CLI developed the AT&T video phone, which worked surprisingly well over a 14.4 kbps modem, but AT&T didn't know how to sell it.

Fortunately, Hughes, Sony, and Thompson Consumer Electronics (RCA) knew how to sell DirecTV. So, Dr. Chen's work, as well as mine and many others at CLI and C-cube, finally resulted in a huge commercial success.

Posted by: michaeltnelson   Posted on: 03/31/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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