Display System Virtual Projector Simulation for Projection Geometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display systems struggle to accurately simulate the projection of images in real spaces, leading to user inconvenience as the projection image often runs off the room, making it difficult for users to visualize the actual projection in the real environment.

Innovation Solution

A display method and system that obtain a target image of a real space surface using a camera and superimpose a simulation image onto the display, allowing the image to be viewed from a virtual projector position, adjusting the virtual projector's position and orientation to fit within the display, regardless of the display's position, thereby enhancing user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the simulation image shows the screen running off the room to match the display position, then the projection geometry is accurate, but the user cannot imagine the actual projection in the real room

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojection geometry accuracyVSAvoiduser visualization ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of showing the projection image running off the room to maintain geometric accuracy, the patent inverts the approach by clipping the projection image to fit within the room boundaries. This allows the simulation to prioritize user visualization while still providing useful projection setup information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different display qualities to different regions: the projection image is displayed with high geometric accuracy in the virtual space, but when overlaid on the real room view, it is locally adjusted to fit within visible boundaries, providing both accuracy and usability in appropriate contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the display position is fixed to match the projector position, then the simulation is simple, but the user cannot adjust the display to different positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimulation system complexityVSAvoiddisplay position flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic positioning where the virtual display can be moved to different positions in the virtual space, and the system automatically recalculates the projection geometry and image clipping accordingly. This provides flexibility without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback by showing how the projection image appears from different display positions and angles, allowing users to adjust the virtual display position and immediately see the effect on the simulated projection, enabling intuitive optimization of viewing conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the projection image is clipped to fit the display, then the user can visualize the projection, but the projection may run off the room in reality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser visualization abilityVSAvoidprojection geometry accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of allowing the projection to run off the room for geometric accuracy, the patent inverts by clipping the projection display to fit within room boundaries, prioritizing user visualization while maintaining the ability to assess projection setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a virtual camera as an intermediary that captures the projection scene from the user's perspective. This virtual camera allows the system to simulate what the user would see, providing a mediating view that balances geometric accuracy with practical visualization needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If the virtual projector position is fixed, then the simulation is simple, but the user cannot adjust to different viewing positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimulation system complexityVSAvoidviewing position flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic virtual camera system that can be positioned and oriented to match the user's actual viewing position. The system automatically adjusts the projection simulation based on the virtual camera's position, providing flexible viewing without complex manual setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11962948B2Display method and display system

Publication Date: 2024.04.16 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

The display method includes obtaining a target image showing a target region including a surface in a real space having the target region and a display, and displaying, on the display, a first simulation image including the target image and a first display image which is superimposed on the target image and fits within the display irrespective of a position of the display in real space, the first display image being obtained by viewing an image projected on a virtual plane corresponding to the surface from a virtual projector in a virtual space, the virtual plane being located at a first position corresponding to a position of the surface in the real space, from a second position corresponding to the position of the display in the real space.