Corner Focus Control for Short-Throw Projector Image Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Short focus type projector devices face challenges in adjusting the focal distance of projection images, particularly in ensuring that the outer regions of the image are in focus, due to their large projection angles and close focal distances, making it difficult for users to achieve optimal image quality.

Innovation Solution

A projection display device and method that includes a corner focus control section capable of automatically adjusting the focal distance of the outer regions of the projection image to match the projection distance, using a light source, illumination optical system, and a projection optical system with a corner focus lens, zoom lens, and back focus lens, allowing for precise control of the focal distance and magnification ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a short focus type projector device is used to display a large screen image in a limited space, then the projection space is reduced and large screen display is achieved, but the focus adjustment becomes difficult and the outer region focus quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen sizeVSAvoidfocus adjustment difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the focus adjustment into two independent segments: back focus adjustment for the central region and corner focus adjustment for the outer regions. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction by enabling precise focus control in both center and corners simultaneously, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving large screen display with a short focus projector.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by implementing independent focus control mechanisms for different regions of the projection image. The back focus lens group handles central region focus, while the corner focus lens group handles outer region focus. This localized approach ensures that each region receives appropriate focus adjustment tailored to its specific requirements, solving the focus adjustment difficulty in short focus projectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Length of moving object

If a short focus type projector device is used with a large projection angle, then the projection space is reduced, but the outer region of the projection image becomes out of focus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocal distanceVSAvoidfocus quality of outer region
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the optical system into two independent focus adjustment mechanisms: a back focus lens group for central region focus and a corner focus lens group for outer region focus. This segmentation enables simultaneous optimization of focus quality in both regions, resolving the contradiction where large projection angles cause outer region defocusing while maintaining short focal distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality control by providing dedicated corner focus lens groups that specifically address the focus requirements of the outer regions. The corner focus adjustment mechanism independently controls the focal position for corner areas, ensuring high focus quality in outer regions even when using large projection angles with short focal distances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If manual focus adjustment is performed in a short focus type projector device, then the central region can be in focus, but the outer region remains out of focus due to the wide angle projection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentral region focusVSAvoidouter region focus
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the focus adjustment function into two independent segments: back focus adjustment controlled by a back focus lens group for the central region, and corner focus adjustment controlled by a corner focus lens group for the outer regions. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling simultaneous precise focus control in both central and outer regions, eliminating the trade-off between central and outer region focus quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by implementing region-specific focus control mechanisms. The back focus lens group optimizes focus for the central region, while the corner focus lens group independently optimizes focus for the outer regions. This localized approach ensures that both central and outer regions achieve high focus quality simultaneously, resolving the manual adjustment limitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If the projection angle is increased to display a large screen in limited space, then the productivity is improved, but the focus adjustment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup efficiencyVSAvoidfocus adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the focus adjustment mechanism into two independent systems: back focus adjustment for central region and corner focus adjustment for outer regions. Each segment can be adjusted independently through simple rotational movements of their respective lens groups. This segmentation maintains device complexity at an acceptable level while enabling automatic or semi-automatic focus adjustment that improves setup efficiency and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing the back focus and corner focus lens groups to rotate independently, changing the focal position parameters for different regions. This parameter-based control approach simplifies the adjustment process compared to complex mechanical systems, enabling quick setup while maintaining the large projection angle capability for high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables appropriate and automatic adjustment of the focal distance for the corner regions of the projection image, ensuring optimal image quality even in short focus type projector devices with large projection angles, allowing for easier setup and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a projection optical system, capable of being set at a distance very close to a focal distance of a projection image, which magnifies and projects image information of a primary image surface modulated by the image modulation element onto a projection surface which becomes a secondary image surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3140695B1Projection type image display device and control method of projection type image display device
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3140695B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3140695B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3140695B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A projection type image display device (100) including a light source (40), an illumination optical system (30) which uniformly radiates light flux emitted from the light source (40) onto a surface (SCR) of an image modulation element which becomes a primary image surface, a projection optical system, capable of being set at a distance very close to a focal distance of a projection image, which magnifies and projects image information of the primary image surface modulated by the image modulation element onto a projection surface which becomes a secondary image surface, and a comer focus control section capable of automatically adjusting a focal distance of at least corner regions of the projection image to a focal distance corresponding to a projection distance of the projection image.