Projector Keystone Correction via Image Pickup Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional multi-screen display systems require significant time and effort for manual adjustment of projector positions and lens settings, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, with existing solutions either relying on external measuring units or requiring pre-marked screens for accurate alignment.
Innovation Solution
A projector with integrated keystone correction, lens shift, and zoom control units that automatically align and adjust projection edges by analyzing images of the projected area, allowing for self-correction and alignment without external measuring devices or pre-marked screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual adjustment of projector positions and lens settings is used, then multi-screen system configuration can be achieved, but significant time and effort are required
Solution Approach 1:
The projector automatically detects the projection surface and performs self-alignment using an image pickup unit to capture the projected image, a control unit to analyze the captured image data, and a lens shift unit to automatically adjust the projection position, eliminating the need for manual adjustment of projector positions and lens settings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated optical-electrical system consisting of an image pickup unit (camera), image processing unit, and lens shift mechanism controlled by a control unit, which automatically detects projection edges and adjusts lens position to align multiple screens
2Measurement precision
If external measuring units are used for projector alignment, then accurate position detection can be achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the image pickup unit, control unit, lens shift unit, and zoom control unit into the projector itself, merging the functions of projection, image capture, image analysis, and automatic alignment into a single integrated device, eliminating the need for separate external measuring units
Solution Approach 2:
The projector is designed with multi-functional capabilities: it projects images, captures images of the projection surface using an integrated image pickup unit, processes the captured images to detect projection edges, and automatically adjusts its own lens position and zoom, making it a self-sufficient alignment system
3Manufacturing precision
If pre-marked screens are used for alignment reference, then accurate projection alignment can be achieved, but versatility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The projector uses its own projected image as the reference marker by capturing the projection output with an image pickup unit, eliminating the need for pre-marked screens. The control unit analyzes the captured image to detect the projection edge and automatically adjusts alignment, making the system adaptable to any screen surface
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a copy of the projected image (captured by the image pickup unit) as the reference for alignment instead of requiring physical markers on the screen. The control unit compares the captured image with the intended projection geometry to calculate and execute automatic alignment adjustments
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one embodiment, a projector comprises a projection unit configured to project a video based on a video signal. An image pickup unit is configured to pick up an image of a projection video projected by the projection unit and output the picked-up image. A control unit is configured to determine a projection video projected by an other projector based on the picked-up image received from the image pickup unit. A keystone correction unit is configured to carry out keystone correction of the video signal so that the projection video projected by the projection unit is aligned with the projection video projected by the other projector.