Light Field Illumination via Projector Lens Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light field illuminating methods suffer from low accuracy in controlling light sources, particularly when using LED spotlights or projectors, which limits the simulation of complex lighting scenes in fields like film and television special effects and stage lighting.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the position and angle of projection rays based on a projector's position, angle, and focal length, combined with a light probe array, to generate a projection input image for accurate light field illumination, using a projector and lens array to achieve pixel-level control and simulate complex light environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If LED spotlights are used as light sources, then the lighting device can be constructed, but the control accuracy is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical control system of LED spotlights with a digital projection system. By using a projector to display virtual light sources and a camera to capture images, the system substitutes physical light control mechanisms with digital image processing, achieving higher control accuracy without proportionally increasing mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the lighting scene by capturing images with a camera and processing them to extract virtual light source information. This copying approach allows the system to reconstruct and control lighting conditions digitally, improving control accuracy while avoiding the limitations of direct physical light source control
2Measurement precision
If a projector is used as light source, then rendering images can be projected, but since the number of projectors is limited, only a limited number of dot light sources can be simulated, resulting in low accuracy under complicated spatially varied lighting scenes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting control task by using a single projector to display multiple virtual light sources simultaneously. Instead of requiring multiple physical projectors, the system divides the projection surface into multiple regions, each representing a different virtual light source, thereby simulating numerous light sources with limited hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from controlling light sources in physical space to controlling them in image space. By projecting virtual light sources onto a surface and capturing their positions through image processing, the system adds a dimensional transformation that allows unlimited virtual light source creation from limited physical projectors, greatly enhancing adaptability to complicated lighting scenes
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
This approach enables accurate lighting recovery and simulation of complex light fields, enhancing realism in lighting rendering by achieving precise control over color and brightness of light sources, effectively addressing the limitations of prior methods.
Implementation Method 1
determining, based on a position and an angle of rays emitted from a projector as well as a focal length of a lens, a position and an angle of projection rays obtained after the emitted rays being transmitted through a lens array
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a light field illuminating method, device and system. The method includes: determining, based on position and angle of rays emitted from a projector and focal length of a lens, position and angle of projection rays obtained after the emitted rays being transmitted through a lens array; determining, based on position and angle of projection rays and light probe array of sampled scene, brightness value of projection rays; converting, based on brightness transfer function of projector, brightness value of projection rays into pixel value of projection input image, generating projection input image based on pixel value of projected input image; and performing light field illumination on target object with projection input image. A projector and a lens array are adopted to achieve light field illumination, so that pixel-level accurate lighting control can be achieved, and various complicated light field environments can be simulated vividly in practical scenario.