Projection Screen Vibration Control to Minimize Speckle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing screen vibration systems for reducing visual artifacts like speckle and screen surface texture features are costly due to the need for multiple vibrating sources and controllers, which can lead to standing waves and inefficient energy distribution, and are affected by temperature and humidity changes that alter screen vibration characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A screen vibration system with distributed vibrating sources, each receiving de-correlated drive signals to minimize standing waves, and a feedback system that adjusts vibration energy based on image content and environmental conditions to maintain optimal vibration displacement, using acoustical or electromagnetic energy to reduce visual artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple vibrating sources are used to vibrate the screen, then visual artifacts like speckle and screen surface texture features are reduced, but system cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual artifactsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is divided into multiple zones, each with its own vibrating source. This segmentation allows independent control of vibration in different regions, enabling effective reduction of visual artifacts across the entire screen while optimizing the number and placement of vibrators based on specific artifact locations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the screen receive different vibration characteristics tailored to their specific artifact problems. For example, areas with severe speckle receive higher vibration amplitudes, while areas with minor surface texture issues receive lower amplitudes, optimizing overall performance while reducing total system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple vibrating sources are used to vibrate the screen, then visual artifacts are reduced, but standing waves and inefficient energy distribution occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual artifactsVSAvoidenergy distribution efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration system dynamically adjusts the amplitude and frequency of each vibrating source based on real-time feedback from sensors detecting screen vibration levels and artifact reduction effectiveness. This dynamic control prevents standing waves by continuously adapting vibration parameters to match changing screen conditions and viewer positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors positioned at various locations on the screen provide feedback information about vibration amplitude and artifact visibility. This feedback is used to adjust the operation of vibrating sources in real-time, optimizing energy distribution and preventing standing wave formation while maintaining effective artifact reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If screen vibration characteristics are not adjusted for environmental changes, then temperature and humidity changes alter vibration characteristics, but system performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration consistencyVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Environmental sensors detect temperature and humidity changes, and this information feeds back to the control system which adjusts vibration source parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism maintains consistent vibration characteristics and artifact reduction performance despite varying environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes vibration parameters such as amplitude and frequency in response to environmental conditions. For example, higher amplitudes may be applied in humid conditions that increase screen damping, while frequency adjustments compensate for temperature-induced changes in screen material properties, maintaining reliable artifact reduction across environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach reduces the cost and complexity of screen vibration systems while effectively minimizing visual artifacts like speckle and screen texture features, maintaining optimal vibration displacement despite environmental changes, and improving the overall visual experience by distributing vibration energy efficiently across the screen.

Implementation Method 1

the system includes a screen, a permanent magnet mounted to the screen, and a magnetic source positioned with respect to the permanent magnet and uncoupled from the screen. The screen is moveable in response to a changing magnetic field from the magnetic source.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

When a high frequency, low voltage signal is applied to the liquid crystal projection display screen, the liquid crystal molecules vibrate slightly at a frequency higher than 60 Hz, thereby causing the speckle pattern to change quickly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh frequency vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3230794B1Methods and systems of vibrating a screen
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 IMAX THEATERS INT
  • EP3230794B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3230794B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3230794B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A screen can be vibrated by vibrators that are drivable by signals. Each vibrator can be adjacent in position to other vibrators that are drivable by different types of drive signals than a drive signal associated with the vibrator. The number of drive signals can be equal to or less than the number of vibrators. A vibrator assembly for a vibrator can include a baffle and a transducer that couples to the baffle. The transducer can vibrate at least a portion of the screen. The vibrating screen can be monitored by a sensor and an analyzer unit that can analyze image speckle and screen displacement artifacts in captured images of images projected onto the screen and output results of the analysis.