Adaptive Projection System Surface Characterization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image projection systems lack the ability to automatically adapt content for optimal projection onto varying and dynamic surfaces, including those that are static, moving, or obstructed, leading to suboptimal viewing experiences.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize sensors and processing algorithms to identify and characterize physical objects in a projection environment, selecting a suitable target surface and adjusting content in real-time to compensate for surface features, obstructions, and changes, ensuring optimal projection quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional image projection systems are used, then projection can be performed on standard surfaces, but the system cannot adapt to varying and dynamic surfaces including moving or obstructed surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying surfacesVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary characterization of the projection surface using sensors (camera, time-of-flight sensor, or structured light projector) before projection occurs. This advance detection and mapping of surface geometry, texture, and obstructions allows the system to pre-calculate the necessary image warping and adjustments, enabling adaptation to dynamic surfaces without adding complex real-time processing hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback loops where sensor data continuously monitors the projection surface and environment, and this information feeds back to adjust the projected image in real-time. The processor compares actual surface conditions with the projected image characteristics and dynamically modifies the image parameters (warping, scaling, positioning) to maintain optimal projection quality on varying surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If real-time content adjustment is implemented, then optimal projection quality is achieved on dynamic surfaces, but processing requirements and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojection qualityVSAvoidprocessing power

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial adjustment strategies by focusing computational resources only on the portions of the image that require modification based on surface characteristics. Rather than processing the entire image at full resolution, the system identifies and adjusts only the affected regions, reducing overall computational load while maintaining projection quality in critical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If surface evaluation and content adaptation are performed, then viewing experience is improved on diverse surfaces, but system complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing experience qualityVSAvoidnumber of sensors and processors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs multi-functional sensors and processing units that can perform multiple tasks. For example, a camera can be used for both surface geometry detection and texture analysis, while the same processor handles image warping, positioning adjustments, and real-time content modification. This universal approach reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining comprehensive surface evaluation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple sensing functions into integrated sensor systems and merges processing operations into unified computational workflows. By combining surface detection, characterization, and image adaptation into an integrated system rather than separate independent components, the overall system complexity is reduced while achieving reliable projection on diverse surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12015882B2System and method to evaluate nearby surfaces and to adapt content for projection thereon

Publication Date: 2024.06.18 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining sensor data that includes an image of a projection environment, determining physical objects portrayed within the image, and characterizing physical properties of the physical objects according to the sensor data to obtain a characterization. A first target object of the physical objects having a first projection surface is identified according to the characterization, and a source image is modified according to the first projection surface. The modified image is provided to a projector adapted to project the modified image onto the first projection surface. Other embodiments are disclosed.