Multi-Projector Stitching via Reflective Path Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single projectors face limitations in producing bright images on large screens due to lamp constraints, and multi-projector systems struggle to maintain uniform brightness across different viewing angles on directional gain screens, especially in polarization-based stereoscopic applications.
Innovation Solution
A multi-projector system with a first and second projector configured to project image light along distinct paths, with a reflective element aligning the paths to create a transition region where the images overlap, minimizing angular deviation and brightness gradients within the transition zone, ensuring uniformity and seamless stitching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple projectors are used to increase image brightness and size, then the image brightness and resolution are improved, but brightness uniformity across different viewing angles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image is divided into multiple portions that are projected by different projectors along different light paths. Each projector handles a specific segment of the image, allowing independent optimization of brightness for each segment while maintaining overall uniformity through coordinated control.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the image are projected with different local characteristics. The system adjusts the projection parameters for each light path and region independently to optimize brightness uniformity in that specific area, rather than using uniform settings across the entire image.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple projectors are used to create large screen images, then the aspect ratio and image size are improved, but alignment precision and transition smoothness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces angular alignment as an additional dimension for precision control. By adjusting the angular orientation of each projector's light path relative to others, the system achieves precise alignment at the transition regions between multiple projector outputs, ensuring seamless image composition.
3Illumination intensity
If directional gain screens are used to enhance brightness, then the image brightness is improved, but polarization preservation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces polarization-preserving reflective elements as intermediaries between the projectors and the gain screen. These reflective elements redirect the light paths while maintaining polarization characteristics, allowing the use of directional gain screens without sacrificing polarization preservation for stereoscopic applications.
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 system effectively reduces undesirable non-uniformities and brightness variations across the screen, enabling high-resolution, high-brightness images with improved aspect ratios and polarization preservation, suitable for large screens and stereoscopic applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflective element disposed in the first light path, wherein the first reflective element is configured to align the first light path relative to the second light path
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus and method of tiling and stitching together multi-projector images. The projection system enhances brightness, enables polarization based stereoscopic imagery and matches brightness for all viewers that view the images from the projection system. The projection system includes two or more projectors and projects two dimension and three dimensional images onto projection screens, such as gain screens.