Laser Projection Eye Safety via Selective Head Region Blanking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser projection systems lack robust eye safety management, particularly in distinguishing between animate and inanimate objects, and fail to adequately address eye exposure risks near the projector where energy levels are high, and near the screen where levels are safer but still pose risks due to human or animal behavior.
Innovation Solution
The system employs image capture devices and analysis methods to monitor areas in front of and including the display surface, analyze images to locate obstructing objects, and prioritize image blanking to head regions, using techniques such as body shape analysis, image difference analysis, and motion tracking to ensure eye safety by reducing light levels to safe levels only where necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image projection is blanked to entire monitored areas when objects are detected, then eye safety is improved, but image quality and viewing experience deteriorate due to excessive blanking of inanimate objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different treatments to different regions within the monitored area by identifying and distinguishing animate objects from inanimate objects. Instead of uniformly blanking entire monitored areas, the system selectively blanks only the regions containing animate objects, thereby maintaining image projection quality for inanimate objects while ensuring eye safety for animate objects.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than assuming all detected objects require blanking and then trying to exclude inanimate ones, the system inverts the approach by presuming animate objects are the primary concern and using AI analysis to specifically identify and blank only animate objects, allowing inanimate objects to remain unblanked.
2Productivity
If AI image analysis is used to distinguish animate from inanimate objects, then unnecessary blanking is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an AI-based image analysis module as an intermediary between object detection and the blanking decision. This intermediary analyzes captured images to distinguish animate from inanimate objects, providing intelligent classification that enables selective blanking without requiring complex hardware modifications to the projection system itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical or simple optical object detection methods with AI-based image analysis. Instead of using complex mechanical sensors or multiple optical systems to detect and classify objects, the system uses software-based AI analysis of standard images to achieve sophisticated object classification with minimal additional hardware.
3Productivity
If head region blanking is prioritized over full body blanking, then image quality is maintained better, but eye safety coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies blanking selectively to the head region of animate objects rather than the entire body, recognizing that the head (particularly the eyes) is the critical area for laser safety. This localized approach maintains image projection quality for the rest of the body while providing adequate eye safety coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the blanking parameter from a binary all-or-nothing approach (blank entire object or not at all) to a region-specific approach where only critical regions (head/eyes) are blanked. This parameter change enables finer control over the balance between safety and image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to systems and methods that provide enhanced eye safety for image projection systems. In particular, the instant invention provides enhanced eye safety for long throw laser projection systems.