Projector Calibration Lookup Tables for Seamless Multi-Projection Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for calibrating multiple overlapping projectors in large and irregularly shaped displays are time-consuming and often result in unsatisfactory images due to misalignment and inconsistent brightness and color, limiting the resolution of the final display.
Innovation Solution
A calibration system that uses a camera and a computer to generate geometry calibration data, allowing projectors to map incoming pixel locations to geometrically corrected outgoing locations, independent of the image generator, through an iterative process of capturing reference markers and adjusting projector settings for geometry, brightness, and color uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a smart image generator is used to process all content through calibration, then alignment and matching of multiple projectors is achieved, but latency is introduced and content availability is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the calibration function into two segments: geometry calibration (performed once and stored as lookup tables) and color/brightness calibration (performed separately). This segmentation allows the geometry correction to be pre-computed and applied without real-time processing delays, reducing latency while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs geometry calibration in advance and stores the results in lookup tables within the projectors. This preliminary action eliminates the need for real-time geometry processing during content playback, significantly reducing latency while ensuring precise alignment. The lookup tables are generated once and reused for all subsequent content.
2Device complexity
If a smart image generator with lower resolution is used for calibration, then the calibration process is simplified, but the resolution of the final display is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture the projected image and creates a digital copy for analysis. This copy is then used to generate calibration data without affecting the original high-resolution content path. The calibration system operates on this copied image data, allowing the use of simpler calibration hardware while preserving the full resolution of the display system.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment and matching by experienced installers is performed, then image quality can be optimized, but the process is time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated calibration system that performs alignment and matching without requiring manual intervention by experienced installers. The system uses a camera to capture the projected image, automatically analyzes the geometry and color characteristics, and generates calibration lookup tables. This self-service approach maintains high image quality while dramatically reducing calibration time and eliminating the need for expert operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where a camera captures the actual projected image, compares it against reference standards, and automatically adjusts calibration parameters. This closed-loop feedback system ensures high image quality by continuously monitoring and correcting alignment and color matching, replacing manual adjustment processes with automated optical feedback.
4Measurement precision
If geometry correction is performed through software processing, then alignment accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs geometry correction calculations in advance during the calibration phase and stores the results as lookup tables in the projector memory. During normal content playback, the system simply retrieves pre-computed correction data from these tables rather than performing real-time geometry calculations. This preliminary action maintains high alignment accuracy while eliminating processing delays during content delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic calibration approach where the system adapts to different projection geometries by generating appropriate lookup tables for each configuration. The calibration system can dynamically adjust to various screen shapes, sizes, and projector positions while maintaining accurate geometry correction through pre-computed lookup tables, balancing precision with processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A projector system includes an image generator and at least one projector for receiving an image from the image generator and projecting the image onto a screen to provide a final projected image. A computer generates correction data based on a calibration process that includes comparing an uncorrected image projected by the at least one projectors with a geometrically correct image. Wherein the at least one projector maps incoming pixel locations from the image generator to corrected pixel locations in the final projected image based on the correction data.