Projector Color Calibration via Dynamic Gamut Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current projector technologies fail to maintain color appearance consistency across different ambient light environments, affecting user visual perception.

Innovation Solution

An imaging system comprising a projection device, color sensor, and processor that projects a test image with specific color components, takes measurements in both ambient light and darkroom conditions, and adjusts color values to maintain consistency by configuring the gamut and adding lightness components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the projector uses standard color calibration in ambient light, then the color appearance matches the ambient environment, but the color appearance becomes inconsistent when transitioning to darkroom conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor appearance consistencyVSAvoidvisual perception stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the gamut configuration based on the detected ambient light conditions. In ambient light, a first gamut is used that accounts for the presence of ambient illumination, while in darkroom conditions, a second gamut is applied that is optimized for darkness. This dynamic adaptation ensures color appearance consistency across different environments while maintaining reliable visual perception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration process transforms color values using different gamut parameters depending on the ambient light conditions. By changing the gamut parameters (from first gamut in ambient light to second gamut in darkroom), the system adapts the color output to maintain consistency across varying environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and perception stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the projector maintains color appearance consistency across different ambient light environments, then user visual perception remains stable, but the device complexity increases due to multiple gamut configurations and environmental sensing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual perception stabilityVSAvoidcalibration system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processor serves multiple functions: it detects ambient light conditions, determines the appropriate gamut configuration, transforms color values, and controls the projection device. By making the processor multi-functional, the system achieves color appearance consistency across different environments without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the processing unit already exists and is being utilized for additional calibration tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediate calibration process that acts as a mediator between the input image and the projected output. This calibration process, which involves gamut transformation and color value adjustment, serves as an intermediary layer that adapts the content to different ambient light conditions, maintaining visual perception stability without requiring complex hardware changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the projector uses a first gamut in ambient light for color projection, then the color appearance is optimized for ambient conditions, but the gamut must be changed to a second gamut for darkroom conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental adaptationVSAvoidgamut configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between first and second gamut configurations based on ambient light detection. The processor determines whether the environment is ambient light or darkroom conditions and applies the appropriate gamut, enabling the projector to adapt to different environments while managing configuration complexity through automated detection and selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from ambient light detection to automatically select the appropriate gamut configuration. The processor continuously monitors the ambient light conditions and adjusts the gamut setting accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to environmental changes without requiring manual intervention, thus balancing environmental adaptation with manageable configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11368674B1Image calibration method of imaging system providing color appearance consistency
Publication Date: 2022.06.21 BENQ INTELLIGENT TECH (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
  • US11368674B1 patent drawing
  • US11368674B1 patent drawing
  • US11368674B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An image calibration method for use in an imaging system. The imaging system includes a projection device, a color detector and a processor. The image calibration method includes in an ambient light environment, the color detector taking a background luminance and an ambient measurement of a test image on a projection surface, and the processor generating a color appearance representation using the background luminance and the ambient measurement, in a darkroom environment, the color detector taking a darkroom measurement of a test image, and if a surround ratio is less than a predetermined threshold, the processor generating a target using the darkroom measurement and the color appearance representation, and the processor configuring a gamut of the projection device according to the target, and adjusting an image according to the gamut and the darkroom measurement, and the projection device projecting the adjusted image.