Projector Focus Adjustment Using Self-Imaging Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in accurately adjusting the focus of a projector due to the limitations of manual focus adjustment methods, which lack precision and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A projector system that includes a focus adjusting unit, an adjustment image projecting unit, an imaging unit, a specifying unit, and a condition indicating unit, which projects a patterned adjustment image, captures image data, analyzes it to determine focusing conditions, and displays these conditions for user reference, enabling precise focus adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual focus adjustment is used, then the user can adjust focus, but the accuracy of focus adjustment is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the imaging unit captures the projected image, the specifying unit analyzes image data to determine focus conditions, and the condition indicating unit displays the analyzed focus status back to the user. This closed-loop feedback enables the user to adjust focus accurately by observing real-time focus condition indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical manual focus adjustment with a system that incorporates optical imaging, digital image analysis, and electronic display. The specifying unit analyzes image data to calculate focus conditions, substituting mechanical trial-and-adjustment with optical-mechanical-electronic measurement and evaluation.
2Measurement precision
If automatic focus adjustment technology is used, then focus accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the imaging unit serve multiple functions: it captures images for both normal projection purposes and for focus analysis. The same imaging unit is used to shoot the projection surface, and the captured images are analyzed by the specifying unit to determine focus conditions, eliminating the need for separate focus detection hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own projected image as the subject of analysis. The imaging unit captures the image that the projector itself projects onto the screen, and the specifying unit analyzes this self-generated image data to determine focus conditions. This self-service approach avoids the need for external focus detection devices.
3Measurement precision
If image data analysis is performed to specify focusing condition, then focus specification accuracy increases, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary information from the captured image data for focus analysis. The specifying unit analyzes image data to calculate specific focus condition parameters (such as sharpness metrics or focus evaluation values) without requiring complete processing of all image data, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A projector which projects projection light representing an image onto a projection surface, includes: a focus adjusting unit which shifts focus of the projection light according to operation by a user; an adjustment image projecting unit which projects an adjustment image containing a portion representing a predetermined pattern by the projection light; an imaging unit which shoots the projection surface to which the adjustment image is projected; a specifying unit which specifies a focusing condition of the focus on the projection surface by analyzing image data that is shot by the imaging unit; and a condition indicating unit which displays the specified focusing condition.