Projector Real-Time Distortion Correction via Continuous Surface Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projector technologies are not suitable for correcting image distortion in real-time when the shape of the projection surface or the positional relationship between the projector and the surface changes during the projection of moving images, as they require stopping the projection to recalibrate, which disrupts the viewing experience.
Innovation Solution
A projector system that includes an image capturing unit, a shape model holding unit, a model selection unit, a parameter calculation unit, and a correction unit, which continuously calculates and applies model parameters to correct image distortion based on the projection surface shape and positional relationship, allowing for uninterrupted viewing even when the surface shape or projector position changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a patterned image is projected and distortion amount is calculated before projecting the actual image, then image distortion can be corrected, but the projection process must be interrupted and recalibration is required when projection surface shape or positional relationship changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous distortion correction by repeatedly calculating distortion amounts during the projection process. Instead of performing a single pre-projection calibration, the system continuously captures images of the projection surface, calculates current distortion based on the captured image and stored projection parameters, and applies real-time correction to maintain uninterrupted projection even when projection surface shape or positional relationship changes.
2Productivity
If real-time distortion correction is implemented by repeatedly calculating distortion amounts, then projection continuity is maintained, but calculation time and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of projection parameters including distortion characteristics before actual projection. These pre-calculated parameters are stored and reused during continuous projection, allowing the system to perform only incremental updates rather than complete recalculations. This reduces the computational burden during real-time operation while maintaining projection continuity.
3Measurement precision
If distortion correction is performed for each image, then accurate correction is achieved, but processing complexity and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal distortion correction method that works across different projection scenarios using a standardized workflow. The system captures images of the projection surface, extracts feature points, calculates distortion amounts, and applies correction through a unified process that can handle various projection surface shapes and positions. This universal approach simplifies the overall system design while maintaining correction accuracy for different image types.
Data Source
AI summary
A projector includes: an image capturing unit that captures an image of a projection target image (an original image or a corrected image) projected by the projector on a projection surface; a shape model hold unit that holds shape models; a model selection unit that selects a projection surface shape model based on correspondence relationships between first feature points on the projection target image and second feature points on the captured image; a parameter calculation unit that calculates a model parameter which is to be used to approximate a shape of the projection surface shape model to the shape of the projection surface and indicates a positional relationship between the projection surface and the projector, for each projection target image based on the correspondence relationships; a correction unit that corrects another original image; and a projection unit that projects the corrected image as another projection target image.