Projector Pattern Image Phase Shift Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing phase shift methods for projecting and matching images suffer from noise-induced confusion between adjacent pixels due to continuous luminance changes, leading to erroneous pixel detection.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that project a pattern image using a phase shift method with distinct areas having different luminance phases, where each area includes multiple adjacent pixels, allowing for discrete phase values and reduced noise interference by ensuring all pixels within an area share the same phase value, facilitating noise reduction and accurate phase detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If continuous luminance changes are used between adjacent pixels in a phase shift method, then smooth phase transition is achieved, but noise-induced confusion between adjacent pixels occurs leading to erroneous detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase value detection accuracyVSAvoidpixel identification reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the pattern image into distinct areas where each area contains multiple adjacent pixels that share the same phase value. This segmentation prevents noise-induced confusion between pixels with different phase values while maintaining smooth phase transitions between areas. The segmentation is implemented by defining area-based phase assignment rather than pixel-by-pixel phase variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different phase values to different areas of the pattern image, creating local quality variations. Each area has a uniform phase value that differs from adjacent areas, allowing for reliable pixel identification within areas while achieving the necessary phase shifts for measurement between areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If distinct phase values are assigned to adjacent pixels, then noise interference is reduced, but continuous phase transition is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepixel identification reliabilityVSAvoidphase transition continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pattern image is segmented into discrete areas with uniform phase values. This segmentation maintains reliability by clearly distinguishing pixels within the same area while the overall pattern maintains phase transition continuity through the systematic arrangement of different phase values across adjacent areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple adjacent pixels are merged into a single area with a common phase value. This merging approach maintains noise resistance by treating pixels within an area as a unified group, while the combination of multiple areas with different phase values preserves the overall phase transition characteristics needed for measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20240146887A1Method of outputting pattern image, projector, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program

Publication Date: 2024.05.02 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A method of outputting a pattern image includes outputting the pattern image which is used in a phase shift method, and which includes a first area having first luminance based on at least a first phase in a first period, and including a plurality of pixels adjacent to each other, and a second area different from the first area, having second luminance based on at least a second phase in the first period different from the first phase, and including a plurality of pixels adjacent to each other.