Projector Image Adjustment Using Two-Stage Boundary Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for adjusting a projection image to conform to a projection surface suffer from reduced accuracy when the projected image extends beyond the surface, leading to incomplete detection and correction.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the projection of a first image with a specific size on a drawing panel, capturing its image, and detecting the projection surface area to specify a corresponding area on the drawing panel, followed by projecting a second larger image within this area, and repeating the process to accurately adjust the projection image to fit the surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the projection image is adjusted to conform to the projection surface, then the image fits the surface shape, but the adjustment accuracy decreases when the image spreads outside the projection surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage adjustment accuracyVSAvoiddetection completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image adjustment process into multiple stages: first projecting a reference image to detect the projection surface area, then using this detected area as a constraint for adjusting the actual projection image. This segmentation ensures that the adjustment is performed within the valid projection surface boundaries, preventing accuracy degradation from out-of-bound spreading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary detection of the projection surface area using a reference image before adjusting the actual projection image. This preliminary action establishes the valid projection boundaries in advance, ensuring that subsequent image adjustment operations are confined to the accurate projection surface area, thereby maintaining high adjustment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If the projection image is enlarged to cover the entire projection surface, then the coverage area increases, but the detection accuracy of image boundaries decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojection coverage areaVSAvoidboundary detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reference image as an intermediary element that is projected separately to detect the projection surface area. This reference image serves as a mediator between the projector and the actual projection image, enabling accurate boundary detection without the distortion that would occur if the actual image were directly used for detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12587619B2Method of adjusting projection image, projection system, and control apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A second control unit of a projector specifies a first area in a liquid crystal panel corresponding to a projection area based on the projection area in a first captured image formed by imaging of a screen, a first image in the first captured image, and the first image in the liquid crystal panel, draws a second image larger than the first image within the first area, and specifies a second area in the liquid crystal panel corresponding to the projection area based on the projection area in a second captured image formed by imaging of the screen with an image light corresponding to the second image projected thereon, the second image in the second captured image, and the second image in the liquid crystal panel.