Multi-Projector Overlap Resolution via Inverted Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
When combining multiple projectors with artificially increased resolution using an optical path shifting element, the overlapping regions exhibit deterioration in perceived resolution due to differences in the emission optical path shifting between projectors, leading to blurred images.
Innovation Solution
A projection system is designed with two projectors, each equipped with an electro-optical device, an optical path shifting element, and a projection optical member, along with a vertical scanning direction setting unit that sets the scanning direction of one projector to be opposite to the other, ensuring that the vertical scanning directions of the first and second electro-optical devices are opposite to each other in overlapping regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple projectors are combined to increase projection area and resolution, then the coverage area and apparent resolution improve, but the overlapping regions exhibit deterioration in perceived resolution due to differences in emission optical path shifting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the scanning direction of one projector relative to the other. Specifically, when a first projector performs vertical scanning in a first direction, a second projector performs vertical scanning in a second direction opposite to the first direction. This inversion compensates for the differences in emission optical path shifting between projectors, aligning the projection pixels in overlapping regions and eliminating the deterioration in perceived resolution.
2Measurement precision
If optical path shifting element is used to artificially increase resolution, then the number of effective pixels increases, but the emission optical path shifts cause misalignment in overlapping regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies directional inversion to the vertical scanning of projectors using optical path shifting elements. By setting one projector to scan in the opposite vertical direction compared to another projector, the method compensates for the optical path shifts introduced by the shifting elements, maintaining stable alignment of projection pixels in overlapping regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scanning direction parameter of projectors in overlapping regions. Specifically, it inverts the vertical scanning direction (from +Y to -Y or vice versa) to compensate for optical path shifting differences, thereby maintaining pixel alignment and resolution stability in combined projection systems.
3Ease of operation
If vertical scanning is performed in the same direction for all projectors, then the system operation is simplified, but the centers of gravity of projection pixels do not align in overlapping regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces directional inversion as a control parameter for projectors in overlapping regions. While this adds a control step, it ensures precise alignment of projection pixel centers by compensating for optical path shifting differences, thereby improving overall system precision despite the increased operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different scanning directions locally to specific projectors based on their spatial arrangement and overlapping regions. Instead of uniformly setting all projectors to scan in the same direction, it optimizes the scanning direction for each projector's local context, ensuring proper alignment in overlapping areas while maintaining simplicity in non-overlapping regions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively suppresses the deterioration in display quality in overlapping regions by aligning the displacement of centers of gravity of projection pixels, resulting in improved image clarity and resolution.
Implementation Method 1
a first electro-optical device configured to emit first image light representing a first screen
Implementation Method 2
modulation of the image light in a liquid crystal panel is performed line-sequentially
Implementation Method 3
a first optical path shifting element configured to shift an emission optical path of the first image light
Data Source
AI summary
A projection system 1 includes a projector 3_1 that updates an image Img_1 by vertical scanning of an internal liquid crystal panel and shifts a projection position of the image Img_1, and a projector 3_2 that updates an image Img_2 by vertical scanning of an internal liquid crystal panel and shifts a projection position of the image Img_2. When there is an overlapping region in which the image Img_1 projected by the projector 3_1 and the image Img_2 projected by the projector 3_2 overlap each other along a direction parallel to a direction of the vertical scanning direction, the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal panel of the projector 3_1 and the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal panel of the projector 3_2 are set to be opposite to each other.