Audience Scanning Laser Projector Face Detection Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the U.S., audience scanning with laser beams is not commonly practiced due to regulatory and legal liability concerns, necessitating a safer method to avoid directing laser beams at people's faces.
Innovation Solution
A laser display projector system that includes a camera and processor to detect faces in the audience using infrared or non-visible light, generating a bitmap mask to identify face locations and adjust the laser beam power or shut it off when scanning over faces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If laser beam power is maintained at high levels for visual impact, then display effectiveness is improved, but safety risk increases when beam encounters audience faces
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors audience area using infrared cameras and face detection algorithms, providing real-time feedback about face locations. When a face is detected in the beam path, the system automatically adjusts beam intensity or shuts off the beam in that specific area, then restores full intensity when the area is clear, maintaining both safety and visual impact
Solution Approach 2:
The laser beam intensity is made dynamically adjustable based on real-time audience monitoring. The system can rapidly change beam intensity levels or shut off the beam in specific angular sectors when faces are detected, and restore full intensity when those areas are clear, creating a dynamic safety response that preserves display effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If face detection system is implemented to improve safety, then safety risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An infrared camera system serves as an intermediary between the laser projector and the audience. The camera captures thermal radiation from faces, the processor analyzes the images to detect face locations, and this information is used to control beam intensity, creating an automated safety mediation layer that reduces direct risk
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual safety monitoring and intervention with an automated optical detection and control system. Infrared cameras and image processing algorithms automatically detect faces and trigger beam intensity adjustments without human intervention, substituting mechanical/manual safety procedures with automated technological systems
3Object-affected harmful factors
If laser beam is shut off or attenuated when scanning over faces, then safety is improved, but display effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different beam intensity levels to different spatial areas based on real-time face detection. When a face is detected in a specific angular sector, the beam intensity is reduced or shut off only in that local area, while other areas continue to receive full intensity illumination, maintaining overall display effectiveness while ensuring local safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously scans the audience area with infrared cameras and periodically adjusts beam intensity based on detected face locations. The beam intensity is dynamically modulated - reduced when faces are present in the scan path, restored when areas are clear - creating a periodic safety response that maintains display continuity while protecting audience members
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe audience scanning by effectively detecting faces and reducing or shutting off the laser beam when directed at people, enhancing safety and compliance with U.S. regulations.
Implementation Method 1
A camera capable of capturing an image of the audience using light of a wavelength other than the beam wavelength is disposed relative to said laser projector
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for an audience scanning laser display projector includes a laser projector capable of generating a laser beam output having a predetermined beam path, scan area and beam wavelength. A beam position sensor is associated with said laser projector. A camera capable of capturing an image of the audience using light of a wavelength other than the beam wavelength, is disposed relative to said laser projector so that the captured image includes the area scanned by the laser beam. A processor is operably connected with said laser projector, said beam position sensor and said camera, said processor generating a table corresponding to the camera image of the audience, and containing software capable of identifying location of faces in the audience image and comparing face locations with beam position so as to signal said laser projector to attenuate the beam when scanning over a face location.