Projector Correction Unit for Reflected Light Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Projectors using liquid crystal display panels face issues with unintended light interference from optical components, leading to changes in light intensity and potential deviations in white balance due to reflected light, which can degrade image display quality.

Innovation Solution

A projector with a correction processing unit that compensates for the influence of reflected light by adjusting the modulation unit based on image data luminance, preventing increases in luminance and maintaining color balance, using a correction amount calculation unit to estimate and correct for the intensity of reflected light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a reflection type liquid crystal display panel is used as a modulation unit, then the projector can modulate light efficiently, but the reflected light from the modulation unit causes unintended influence on light intensity and image display quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight modulation efficiencyVSAvoidreflected light influence

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by calculating the influence of reflected light in advance based on image data luminance characteristics, and applying correction before projection. The correction processing unit estimates reflected light intensity from luminance statistics (average luminance, standard deviation, peak luminance) and pre-adjusts the modulation unit's output to counteract the expected reflected light interference, thereby preventing display quality degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the actual luminance characteristics of the image data to dynamically adjust the correction amount. The correction processing unit continuously monitors luminance parameters and uses this feedback to calculate appropriate correction values, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to different image content and optimizes compensation for reflected light effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If light of a plurality of colors is modulated and condensed, then the projector can produce full-color images, but the balance of light intensity of color may be disturbed causing deviation of white balance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor image capabilityVSAvoidwhite balance accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by performing separate correction calculations for different color channels (R, G, B). The correction processing unit calculates luminance statistics and correction amounts independently for each color component, allowing targeted compensation for reflected light effects on each wavelength band. This enables full-color image capability while maintaining precise white balance through channel-specific adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If correction processing is applied to compensate for reflected light influence, then display quality is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to additional correction processing unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay quality consistencyVSAvoidcorrection processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex optical-mechanical correction systems with computational correction. Instead of adding physical components to block or redirect reflected light, the invention uses software-based image processing to calculate and apply correction values derived from luminance statistics. This substitutes mechanical/optical complexity with computational simplicity, maintaining display quality while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution effectively prevents decreases in display quality and color balance deviations by accurately compensating for the effects of reflected light, ensuring consistent luminance and color balance in projected images.

Implementation Method 1

a reflection type liquid crystal display panel as a modulation unit is provided, light emitted from a light source is reflected by a mirror, and applied to the liquid crystal display panel, and the reflected light of the liquid crystal display panel is projected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a modulation unit that modulates light which is emitted from the light source based on the image data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight modulation:

Data Source

PatentUS9621862B2Projector and method of controlling projector

Publication Date: 2017.04.11 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A projector that displays an image based on image data, includes a light source; a modulation unit that modulates light which is emitted from the light source based on the image data; and a correction processing unit that controls the modulation unit so as to compensate for an influence of light reflected from the modulation unit to the light source side, based on luminance of the image data.