Laser Projector Path Optimization for Flickering Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional video projectors have limited color gamut and brightness, leading to dull and washed-out images, especially in ambient lighting conditions, while laser projectors face issues like blurring and flickering due to mechanical mirror movement limitations.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that optimize the projection path for laser projectors by generating a projector model based on test images, analyzing distance and angularity characteristics, and minimizing flickering artifacts through optimal scanning path calculation, allowing for spatially accurate and efficient projection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If laser projectors use high-speed mechanical mirror movement to achieve fast scanning, then projection speed is improved, but flickering and blurring occur due to physical limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning speedVSAvoidimage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates an optimized projection path that accounts for mirror acceleration and deceleration characteristics before projection begins. This preliminary path optimization ensures that the mirror movement remains within physical limits while maintaining high scanning speed, preventing flickering and blurring artifacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The projection path is dynamically optimized based on the actual mechanical characteristics of the galvanoscopic mirrors. The system adjusts the scanning path to account for acceleration and deceleration requirements at different points, allowing the mirror system to operate at high speeds without exceeding its physical capabilities and causing image instability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional video projectors are used to avoid mechanical mirror limitations, then image stability is maintained, but color gamut and brightness are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage stabilityVSAvoidbrightness and color gamut
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the traditional sequential color wheel or LCD-based color generation mechanism with a laser-based optical system using galvanoscopic mirrors. This substitution enables the use of pure laser colors (red, green, blue) that provide significantly wider color gamut and higher brightness while maintaining image stability through optimized path calculation that accounts for mirror physics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If laser projectors reduce scanning speed to ensure precise spatial rendering, then spatial accuracy is improved, but flickering increases due to slower path tracing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial rendering precisionVSAvoidflickering artifact
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary optimization of the projection path to determine the most efficient traversal sequence that achieves precise spatial rendering without requiring excessive slowing down. By pre-calculating the optimal path that minimizes unnecessary acceleration and deceleration events, the system maintains spatial accuracy while reducing flickering caused by slow scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the scanning parameters dynamically along the projection path, adjusting speed and acceleration based on the spatial requirements of different regions. This allows precise spatial rendering in critical areas while maintaining higher speeds in less critical areas, thereby reducing overall flickering while preserving spatial accuracy where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution enhances the appearance of projected content by reducing flickering and other artifacts, improving brightness and color gamut, and ensuring precise spatial rendering, resulting in more dynamic and realistic images.

Implementation Method 1

laser projectors use galvanoscopic mirrors to steer the light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGalvanoscopic mirror reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

comparing by the processing element the plurality of test images to assess one or more projector characteristics related to a distance between the two points

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage comparison analysis: Image Processing

Implementation Method 3

laser projectors, such as laser scanning projectors, have increased brightness and color gamut

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser light generation: Laser

Implementation Method 4

the speed of this mechanical mirror movement has physical limitations that can lead to issues such as blurring, flickering, and inertia. Therefore, scanning lasers are typically limited in the number of vertices that are properly displayed since visual flickering can occur quickly if the path is traced too slowly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHuman visual perception limitation: Stroboscopic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3200451B1Projector optimization method and system
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC
  • EP3200451B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3200451B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3200451B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and system for optimizing a projector for projection of content. In one embodiment the method includes receiving by a processing element a plurality of test images corresponding to test patterns projected by the projector on a projection surface, where each of the test patterns include at least two points, comparing by the processing element the plurality of test images to assess one or more projector characteristics related to a distance between the two points, generating by the processing element a projector model representing the one or more projector characteristics, and utilizing the model to determine a projection path of the projector for the content.