Surface-Aware Image Projection With Viewpoint Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image projection devices often distort images when projecting onto surfaces with curves, bends, or colors due to varying distances and angles from the projection device, leading to inconsistent image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image projection device equipped with cameras, a light source, and processors to obtain surface properties and user viewpoints, generating a virtual image to compensate for distortions and project images optimally considering the user's perspective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an image projection device projects an image onto a surface assuming it is flat and uniformly white, then the projection process is simple and fast, but the projected image becomes distorted when the surface is folded, curved, or colored
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of the target surface and calculating its 3D shape and material properties before projecting the actual image. The processor determines the surface normal vectors and material characteristics in advance, enabling accurate distortion compensation during the projection process without requiring real-time complex calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where captured images of the surface are analyzed to determine actual surface properties (curvature, color, texture), and this information is fed back to adjust the projection. The processor modifies the projected image based on the measured surface characteristics, creating a closed-loop system that compensates for distortion.
2Device complexity
If the image projection device uses a single camera for surface detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of surface properties and user viewpoint is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection function into multiple specialized modules: a first camera captures surface images for 3D shape reconstruction, a second camera captures user position and viewpoint information, and a processor analyzes material properties. This segmentation allows each component to focus on specific measurement tasks, improving overall precision while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system is designed with multi-functionality where the captured images serve multiple purposes: surface 3D shape reconstruction, material property identification, and user viewpoint determination. By making the detection system universal, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized sensors while maintaining high measurement precision across different parameters.
3Productivity
If the projection device does not consider surface properties and user viewpoint, then the projection system is simple and fast, but the image quality and viewing experience are compromised on irregular surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the projection based on real-time detection of surface properties and user position. The processor modifies projection parameters including angle, position, and image content according to the measured surface normal vectors and material characteristics, ensuring consistent image quality on irregular surfaces while maintaining projection efficiency through automated adaptive algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
An image projection device and a control method thereof are provided. The image projection device includes a first camera, a second camera, a light source, an image processor, memory storing one or more computer programs and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the first camera, the second camera, the light source, the image processor, and the memory, wherein the one or more computer programs include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors individually or collectively, cause the image projection device to obtain property information about properties of a surface onto which an image is projected, obtain viewpoint information about a viewpoint from which a user views the image, generate a virtual image based on the property information and the viewpoint information, and project the image onto the surface based on the virtual image and a location of the user.