Multi-Projector Drive Control for HDR Brightness and Lower Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projectors face limitations in producing images with high brightness, high dynamic range, and cost-effective solutions that can adapt to varying image content characteristics over time, such as high contrast and low contrast scenes, due to technological constraints on light sources and image formation devices.
Innovation Solution
A system combining multiple projectors with different performance characteristics, using mathematical optimization to adjust parameters and illumination for each projector to achieve desired image quality and efficiency, including the use of irises and auxiliary light sources to enhance brightness and mitigate artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single projector uses higher light source power to achieve higher peak luminance, then brightness is improved, but cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the projection system into multiple independent projectors, each operating at lower power levels. By segmenting the total luminance requirement across multiple units, the system achieves high peak luminance without requiring any single projector to consume excessive power. The control system dynamically activates and adjusts the output of individual projectors based on scene requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of each projector in the array based on real-time image content analysis. When high luminance is needed in specific regions, only the necessary projectors are activated or boosted, rather than running all projectors at maximum power continuously. This dynamic control optimizes power consumption while maintaining required brightness levels.
2Reliability
If dual modulation is used to achieve deeper black levels, then contrast is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the contrast enhancement function into independent projector units rather than requiring complex dual modulation within a single projector. Each projector in the array can independently control its light output to achieve deep black levels, eliminating the need for cascaded light attenuating elements and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex dual modulation hardware, the system achieves similar black level performance by using multiple simpler projector units whose combined output creates the desired contrast effect. This functional copying approach replaces complex mechanical/optical systems with a controlled array of simpler devices.
3Reliability
If multiple projectors are combined to achieve high dynamic range, then image quality is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control system continuously monitors the combined output of multiple projectors and adjusts individual projector parameters in real-time. This feedback loop ensures that the composite image maintains high dynamic range and image quality while automatically compensating for variations in individual projector performance, thereby managing control complexity through intelligent regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts operational parameters (luminance, contrast, color) of each projector in the array based on the specific requirements of different image regions and content types. By changing parameters adaptively rather than using fixed complex control mechanisms, the system achieves high image quality with manageable control complexity.
4Illumination intensity
If higher light source power is used to achieve brighter highlights, then peak luminance is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention distributes the peak luminance requirement across multiple projector units rather than concentrating it in a single high-power projector. This segmentation allows the use of multiple lower-cost, lower-power projectors whose combined output achieves the desired brightness levels, reducing the overall system cost while maintaining high peak luminance performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates only the necessary number of projectors based on the luminance requirements of the displayed content. For scenes requiring high brightness, more projectors are activated or their output is increased, while for darker scenes, fewer projectors operate. This dynamic scaling allows cost-effective operation by matching resource utilization to actual demand.
Data Source
AI summary
Light projection systems and methods may comprise combining light from two or more projectors. Each projector may be controlled so that the combined light output of the projectors matches a target for the projected light. In some embodiments optimization is performed to generate image data and control signals for each of the projectors. Embodiments may be applied in image projecting applications, lighting applications, and 3D stereoscopic imaging.