Overlapping Sub-Frame Projection for High Lumen Displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projection systems do not provide a cost-effective solution for achieving high lumen levels, particularly greater than 10,000 lumens, and often compromise on resolution or fault tolerance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation and projection of overlapping sub-frames by multiple projectors, where each sub-frame is spatially offset to enhance resolution and brightness, using a geometric relationship with a hypothetical reference projector to optimize sub-frame generation and account for relative geometric distortions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single high-output projector is employed to achieve high lumen levels, then image appearance quality is improved, but cost efficiency (lumens per dollar) deteriorates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the high-lumen output requirement into multiple low-output projectors working together. Each projector contributes a portion of the total light output, and their projections are overlaid on the same screen to achieve the required combined lumen level. This segmentation allows the system to meet brightness requirements without investing in a single expensive high-output projector, thereby improving cost efficiency while maintaining adequate illumination intensity.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple low-output projectors are superimposed to achieve high lumen levels, then cost efficiency is improved, but resolution is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temporal dimension to resolve the resolution issue. Instead of projecting static images simultaneously from multiple projectors (spatial approach), the system projects different temporal sub-frames from each projector in sequence. The human visual system integrates these rapidly alternating images, effectively combining the resolution information from all projectors. This temporal multiplexing allows the system to achieve high resolution without requiring precise spatial alignment, thereby maintaining cost efficiency while improving image quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If tiled projection is used to deliver high resolution, then pixel count is improved, but seams between tiles become visible and uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the projections from multiple low-output projectors into a single unified image on the screen. By overlapping the projection areas and using temporal sub-frame integration, the system combines the pixel information from all projectors into one coherent high-resolution image. This merging approach eliminates the visible seams and uniformity issues that plague tiled projection systems, as there are no distinct tile boundaries - instead, all projectors contribute to a single integrated image through temporal multiplexing.
4Device complexity
If a single high-output projector is used, then system simplicity is improved, but fault tolerance deteriorates (single point of failure)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements fault tolerance by designing a system where multiple projectors work together to produce the final image. If one projector fails, the others can continue to operate and still provide a complete image, albeit at reduced brightness. This redundancy acts as beforehand cushioning against failure, ensuring system reliability without requiring complex active monitoring and failover mechanisms. The inherent redundancy in the multi-projector configuration provides automatic fault tolerance while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of displaying an image with a display system includes receiving image data for the image. The method includes generating a first sub-frame and a second sub-frame corresponding to the image data based on a geometric relationship between a hypothetical reference projector and each of a first and a second projector. The method includes projecting the first sub-frame with the first projector onto a target surface. The method includes projecting the second sub-frame with the second projector onto the target surface, wherein the first and the second sub-frames at least partially overlap on the target surface.