Projector Calibration Using Light Field Distortion Modeling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projector calibration methods are time-intensive, require significant user interaction, and often lack accuracy due to not accurately modeling the intrinsic properties of projectors, leading to distortions and quality issues in projected images.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that projects a calibration image into a light field capturing device, such as a scanner or light field camera, to model intrinsic properties like lens distortions and image filtering, using light field data to adjust projected images for accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard camera calibration methods are applied to projectors, then the calibration process can be performed using existing techniques, but the accuracy of modeling projector intrinsic properties deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional calibration approach by treating the projector as a light source rather than as an inverse camera. Instead of adapting camera calibration methods to projectors, the patent develops projector-specific calibration methods that directly model projector intrinsic properties including lens distortions, color transformations, and brightness characteristics, thereby achieving accurate projector parameter estimation without relying on camera-based inverse models
2Ease of operation
If manual calibration techniques are used, then user control over the calibration process is maintained, but the time required for calibration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service calibration by enabling the projector system to automatically perform calibration without requiring significant user interaction. The system captures images of projected test patterns, automatically processes the captured data through image processing algorithms, and computes projector intrinsic parameters autonomously, thereby dramatically reducing calibration time while maintaining ease of operation through automated workflows
3Device complexity
If projector intrinsic properties are not accurately modeled, then the projection system can operate without complex calibration, but image quality and distortion correction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically modeling and correcting various projector intrinsic parameters including lens distortion coefficients, color transformation matrices, and brightness characteristics. By capturing test pattern images and processing them through image processing algorithms, the system computes accurate parameter values that enable precise distortion correction and image quality improvement, transforming the projection system from uncorrected to accurately corrected state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for calibrating a projector (102). In one example, the method includes receiving by a processing element (106) light field data corresponding to a calibration image (120) projected by a projector (102) and captured by a light field capturing device (104), and modeling by the processing element (106) one or more intrinsic properties of the projector using the light field data and the calibration image (120). The calibration image (120) may be projected by the projector (102) directly into the light field capturing device (104).