Projector Brightness Control for Out-of-Area Image Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional projectors fail to adjust the brightness of a projection image effectively when the image shifts out of the projection area due to changes in the projector's position or the projection surface, making it difficult to make the out-of-area image less perceptible.
Innovation Solution
A projector system that includes a projection unit, an image pickup unit, and a control unit, which detects objects defining the projection area using picked-up image information and adjusts the brightness or stops the projection based on the detection results, ensuring the image remains within the defined area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the projector projects the projection image onto the projection surface, then the image can be displayed, but when the image shifts out of the projection area due to position changes, the out-of-area image becomes perceptible and degrades presentation quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of the out-of-area image into a beneficial one by detecting the object that defines the projection area boundary and using its position information to calculate and apply brightness attenuation to the out-of-area portion. The previously harmful visible projection border is transformed into a detectable feature that enables automatic brightness adjustment, making the transition smooth and imperceptible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the brightness parameter of the projection image based on the detected object position. When part of the projection image goes out of the projection area, the system adjusts the brightness of that portion to be lower than the in-area portion, creating a gradual transition that makes the boundary less perceptible. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining projection display and hiding the out-of-area image.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the projector maintains fixed brightness projection, then the projection is simple and stable, but when the projection surface position changes, the image quality deteriorates as parts go out of the projection area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image pickup unit detects the object defining the projection area, the control unit calculates the position of the projection image relative to the area based on this detection, and then adjusts the brightness accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system maintains image quality by continuously adapting to position changes while keeping the projection system simple and stable.
3Manufacturing precision
If the projector adjusts brightness dynamically based on object detection, then the image quality is maintained when position changes occur, but the device complexity increases due to additional detection and control units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using the image pickup unit for dual purposes: capturing the projection image and detecting the object that defines the projection area boundary. The control unit also performs multiple functions including image processing and brightness control based on object detection results. This universal approach improves image positioning accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If the projector stops projection when image goes out of area, then the image quality is maintained, but the productivity and usability of the projector decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of stopping the entire projection when part of the image goes out of area, the patent applies partial action by selectively adjusting the brightness of only the out-of-area portion while maintaining normal projection elsewhere. This approach preserves image positioning accuracy for the visible area while maintaining projection availability and usability, avoiding the excessive action of complete projection stoppage.
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 ensures that the projection image is maintained within the intended area by dynamically adjusting its brightness or stopping the projection when parts of the image go out of the area, making it less noticeable and improving overall image presentation.
Implementation Method 1
an image pickup unit picking up an image of the projection surface
Data Source
AI summary
A projector includes: a projection unit projecting a projection image onto a projection surface where an object is located, the object defining a projection area where the projection image should be projected; an image pickup unit picking up an image of the projection surface and thus generating picked-up image information representing a picked-up image; an object detection unit detecting the object, based on the picked-up image information; and a projection control unit controlling a brightness of the projection image, based on a result of detection of the object.