Interactive Projection System for Laser Safety in Complex Topography
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Solution Overview
Problem
High intensity optical projectors, including laser projectors, pose a risk of eye damage due to coherent laser light, limiting their use in applications where safety around people is a concern, and existing interactive projectors are mainly used for entertainment and aesthetics, not industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
An Interactive Projection System (IPS) that uses a computerized system with a projector module, scanner module, and control module to detect and react to objects in the projection zone, avoiding light projection onto protected areas and allowing safe operation of high intensity light, including laser light, by using programmed interactions and topographical data for image adjustment and beam control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high intensity laser light is used for projection, then illumination intensity and visibility are improved, but eye safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the projection beam based on real-time detection of objects and people in the projection zone. The beam can be steered, focused, or intensity-modulated in response to detected objects, allowing high intensity light to be used when safe while automatically reducing or redirecting when people are present. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by making illumination intensity conditional rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs detection devices that continuously monitor the projection zone and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustments to the projection beam, allowing the system to maintain high illumination intensity when safe while automatically responding to the presence of people. The feedback mechanism transforms the static safety concern into a dynamic control problem that can be resolved through active monitoring and adjustment.
2Reliability
If interactive detection and avoidance features are added, then safety around people is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection system is designed with multi-functional components that serve multiple purposes. The detection devices not only detect objects for safety purposes but also provide information for geometric correction and image adjustment. The control system integrates multiple functions including safety monitoring, beam control, and image processing into a unified system. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the safety detection functionality with the existing projection and geometric correction systems. Rather than adding completely separate safety systems, the invention integrates object detection and avoidance capabilities into the existing projection architecture, combining multiple functions into a unified control system that manages safety, image quality, and beam control simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If geometric correction for complex topography is implemented, then image accuracy is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and mapping of the projection surface topography before projection. By pre-characterizing the geometric properties of the projection zone and storing this information for later use, the system avoids the need for complex real-time calculations during projection. This preliminary action transforms the complex geometric correction problem into a pre-computed lookup or simple adjustment process, reducing real-time processing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses, methods, and systems for projecting images into a projection zone, while having the capability to detect the presence and movement of objects in the projection zone and to interact with those objects, according to programmed interactions. One of the programmed interactions may be to detect objects in the projection zone and avoid projecting light onto them. The capability to detect and avoid objects in the projection zone may allow for the use of high intensity light images including laser light images around people and animals without the risk of eye injury. Another programmed interaction may be to project an illuminated image around people and objects in the projection zone to emphasize their presence and movement.