Dual Projector Image Alignment via Invisible Warping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Large screen projection systems requiring high resolution and brightness often necessitate dual projectors, which face challenges in alignment due to mechanical and optical tolerances, and experience image shifts due to thermal changes, making manual alignment cumbersome and noticeable to audiences.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for spatially aligning image sequences using a warping processor that modifies geometry based on transformation vectors, with alignment data embedded in reference images displayed briefly and invisibly within the presentation content, allowing for automatic and imperceptible realignment of dual projector systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If dual projector systems are used to achieve high resolution and brightness, then image quality is improved, but alignment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-alignment by automatically detecting misalignment between projectors and correcting it through image processing, eliminating the need for manual technician intervention. The warping processor autonomously adjusts geometric distortions based on detected alignment errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes geometric parameters of the projected images through warping transformation to correct alignment errors. By modifying image geometry in real-time, the system adapts to thermal drift and mechanical tolerances without physical adjustment.
2Measurement precision
If manual alignment adjustment is performed, then alignment precision is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automatic alignment before the actual presentation begins, and continues to perform realignment during idle periods between scenes. This ensures alignment is established in advance, eliminating time consumption during critical presentation moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system operates continuously during idle periods between video scenes, constantly monitoring and correcting alignment drift. This continuous operation maintains precision without interrupting the presentation flow.
3Reliability
If realignment is performed during presentation, then alignment accuracy is maintained, but viewer distraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs realignment periodically during idle periods between video scenes rather than continuously during active display. This timing strategy maintains alignment accuracy while avoiding viewer distraction, as the adjustment occurs when no content is being shown.
4Measurement precision
If alignment features are displayed for detection, then alignment accuracy is improved, but perceptibility to viewers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment features are embedded locally within specific regions of the video content rather than displayed globally. By integrating alignment markers into local areas of the image, the system maintains alignment accuracy while minimizing overall perceptibility to viewers.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A dual projection system can align displayed images using an alignment pattern. The alignment pattern can be used to modify part of an image content frame of an image data sequence. Two image data sequences can be spatially aligned based on the modification to part of the image content frame using the alignment pattern. An image content frame may be warped and displayed. The displayed warped image content frame can be captured. A set of transformation vectors can be determined based on the captured image content frame and alignment image data. Stored transformation data can be updated using the set of transformation vectors and the updated transformation data can be used to spatially align two image data sequences.