Projector Gestural Control and Auto-Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Projection devices face challenges in maintaining image quality due to improper alignment, non-planar surfaces, and objects between the projector and the projection surface, leading to distortion and discomfort, especially when projecting onto dynamic and irregular surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A device with a camera and processor that captures images of the projection surface, calculates corrections for distortions, and applies compensation to the image data to improve projection quality by accounting for keystone, shifts, and surface irregularities, using techniques such as projecting a target grid for auto-correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the projector is positioned at an angle to the projection surface, then the projector can reach difficult-to-access locations, but keystone distortion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojector positioning flexibilityVSAvoidimage geometric accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary capture of the projection surface geometry and objects before displaying the final image. The camera captures the surface and objects, the processor calculates distortion corrections in advance, and then applies these corrections to the image data before projection, ensuring geometric accuracy is pre-established

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a camera to capture feedback information about the actual projection surface and objects in the projection path. This captured image data is fed back to the processor, which compares it with the source image and uses the difference information to calculate and apply real-time distortion corrections, creating a closed-loop control system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If a person or object is placed between the projector and the projection screen, then the projection can reach the intended surface, but distortion occurs at the obstruction point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojection deliveryVSAvoidimage quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The camera captures the projection surface and objects in real-time, providing feedback about obstructions. The processor compares the captured image with the source image to detect objects between the projector and surface, then calculates compensation data to correct the distortion caused by these obstructions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the projection parameters by applying distortion correction transformations to the image data based on the detected objects and surface geometry. The processor modifies the image coordinates and pixel mapping to compensate for obstructions, effectively changing the projection parameters in response to environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the projection surface is non-planar or irregular, then the projector can adapt to various environments, but the projected image becomes distorted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface compatibilityVSAvoidimage geometric fidelity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary capture of the projection surface geometry before image display. The camera captures the surface characteristics, the processor calculates the distortion pattern in advance by comparing with a reference plane, and pre-computes the correction transformation to be applied to the image data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The camera provides continuous feedback about the projection surface geometry. The processor uses this feedback to calculate real-time distortion corrections by comparing the captured surface image with the source image, and applies the computed compensation to maintain geometric fidelity on irregular surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Temperature

If the projector is miniaturized and integrated with other devices, then portability is improved, but the projection output quality and alignment precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoidprojection alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated camera provides feedback about the actual projection surface and alignment conditions. The processor uses this feedback to calculate real-time correction data that compensates for misalignment and surface irregularities, allowing the miniaturized projector to achieve accurate projection despite its compact size and integration with other devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-alignment and self-correction by using its own camera to capture the projection surface and calculate the necessary corrections. The processor automatically generates compensation data without external intervention, enabling the portable device to self-optimize its projection output quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11284049B2Gestural control

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Gestures may be performed to control a visual projector. When a device or human hand is placed into a projection field of the visual projector, the visual projector responds to gestures. The human hand, for example, may gesture to rotate a projected image or to correct the projected image. The visual projector may thus manipulate and/or correct the projected image in response to the gesture.