Curved Screen Calibration for Keystone Distortion Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wide-screen motion picture exhibition systems face challenges such as image distortion, reduced seating capacity, and incompatibility with existing auditorium geometry, leading to compromised immersive experiences and limited aspect ratio compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a curved screen and digital projection with proprietary image-mapping software that corrects for keystone and droop distortions, allowing for seamless display of various aspect ratios without cropping, while maintaining the native aspect ratio and immersive experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a curved screen is used to deliver wide-screen immersive experience, then the immersive effect and aspect ratio compatibility are improved, but image distortion (keystone and droop) occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by projecting test patterns and capturing images with a calibration camera to determine transformation parameters before actual content display. This pre-computed geometric correction data is stored and applied automatically during operation, eliminating the need for real-time correction calculations and ensuring distortion-free wide-screen presentation on curved surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical geometric correction (mechanical adjustment of projectors or screen shape) with computational correction using image processing algorithms. The system uses software-based transformation to warp the projected image and compensate for keystone and droop distortions, substituting mechanical complexity with flexible digital signal processing
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional projection systems are used in existing auditoriums, then installation cost is reduced, but the immersive wide-screen experience is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters of the projection system by introducing variable projection angles and distances, calibrated for each specific auditorium geometry. By adjusting these physical parameters and compensating through computational methods, the system adapts standard projectors to deliver immersive wide-screen experiences in existing spaces without requiring expensive custom-built auditoriums
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple aspect ratios are supported, then versatility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple aspect ratios through a single unified calibration process. The transformation parameters are computed dynamically based on the content's aspect ratio and the auditorium's geometric characteristics, allowing the same hardware system to optimally display any aspect ratio without requiring separate calibration procedures or additional hardware components
Data Source
AI summary
A calibration step is disclosed for use with a system and a method for creating a wide-screen picture-dominance effect in an auditorium located in a motion-picture theater. This is accomplished by an operator viewing a test image or images of horizontal and vertical lines projected onto a deeply-curved screen in said auditorium and adjusting the projection of said test image or images until the horizontal and vertical lines in said image or images appear straight and orthonormal, with the result that viewers watching motion pictures in said auditorium will observe images that appear wider than the physical confines of the auditorium in said theater.