Projection type image display system, projector, program, information storage medium and image projection method

• US 20040036813A1
• Filed: 05/16/2003
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Matsuda, Hideki
• Granted Patent: US 7,292,252 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/744
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/04 for receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/745 Control circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7416 involving the use of a spatial light modulator, e.g. a light valve, controlled by a video signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3185 Geometric adjustment, e.g. keystone or convergence optical or mechanical adjustment of convergence H04N9/317; using scanning means H04N3/22; optical or mechanical adjustments of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 including sensor feedback

Abstract

To provide a projection type image display system, projector, program, information storage medium and image projection method which can project an image applicable to viewing environment of a changed projection position, a liquid crystal projector is provided with: a sensor for sensing a projection target area and outputting sensing information; an edge detection section for outputting detection information based on the sensing information; a projectable area determination section for determining a projectable area based on the detection information; a projection area selecting section for selecting a projection area from the projectable area; a sensing data generation section for generating sensing data applicable to viewing environment of the selected projection area, based on the sensing information of the selected projection area; an LUT data generation section for generating LUT data; a correction section for correcting image information based on the generated LUT data; and an image projection section for projecting an image onto the projection area based on the corrected image information.

Claims

1. A projection type image display system comprising:

a sensing means for sensing a projection target area and outputting sensing information;

a detection means for performing edge detection or color-distribution detection based on the sensing information and outputting detection information which indicates edge in a sensed image or color distribution in a sensed image;

a projectable area determination means for determining a projectable area having no obstacle in the projection target area, based on the detection information;

a projection area selection means for selecting a projection area from the projectable area, based on selection by a user or a predetermined criterion;

an adjustment means for adjusting input image information such that an image is displayed on the projection area; and

an image projection means for projecting an image onto the projection area based on the adjusted input image information.

2. The projection type image display system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

an image correction data generation means for generating image correction data used to correct an image depending on viewing environment, based on the sensing information; and

a correction means for correcting the input image information adjusted by the adjustment means, based on the image correction data,

wherein the image projection means projects an image onto the projection area based on the input image information corrected by the correction means.

3. The projection type image display system as defined in claim 2,

wherein the image correction data generation means detects viewing environment of the projection area and generates the image correction data, based on the sensing information of the projection area selected by the projection area selection means.

4. The projection type image display system as defined in claim 3, wherein:

the image projection means has a spatial light modulator; and

the adjustment means associates the projection target area based on the sensing information with a pixel area of the spatial light modulator to adjust the input image information so that at least one of the position and size of an image is adjusted.

5. The projection type image display system as defined in claim 4, wherein:

the sensing means repeatedly performs the sensing operation at a predetermined timing and outputs the sensing information;

the detection means outputs the detection information based on the newest sensing information; and

the projectable area determination means determines the projectable area based on the newest detection information.

6. A projection type image display system comprising:

a sensing section which senses a projection target area and outputs sensing information;

a detection section which performs edge detection or color-distribution detection based on the sensing information and outputs detection information which indicates edge in a sensed image or color distribution in a sensed image;

a projectable area determination section which determines a projectable area having no obstacle in the projection target area, based on the detection information;

a projection area selection section which selects a projection area from the projectable area, based on selection by a user or a predetermined criterion;

an adjustment section which adjusts input image information such that an image is displayed on the projection area; and

an image projection section which projects an image onto the projection area based on the adjusted input image information.

7. A projector comprising:

a sensing means for sensing a projection target area and outputting sensing information;

a detection means for performing edge detection or color-distribution detection based on the sensing information and outputting detection information which indicates edge in a sensed image or color distribution in a sensed image;

a projectable area determination means for determining a projectable area having no obstacle in the projection target area, based on the detection information;

a projection area selection means for selecting a projection area from the projectionable c area, based on selection by a user or a predetermined criterion;

an adjustment means for adjusting input image information such that an image is displayed on the projection area; and

an image projection means for projecting an image onto the projection area based on the adjusted input image information.

8. A projector comprising:

a sensing section which senses a projection target area and outputs sensing information;

a detecting section which performs edge detection or color-distribution detection based on the sensing information and outputs detection information which indicates edge in a sensed image or color distribution in a sensed image;

a projectable area determination section which determines a projectable area having no obstacle in the projection target area, based on the detection information;

a projection area selection section which selects a projection area from the projectable target area, based on selection by a user or a predetermined criterion;

an adjustment section which adjusts input image information such that an image is displayed on the projection area; and

an image projection section which projects an image onto the projection area based on the adjusted input image information.

9. A computer-readable program which causes a computer to function as:

a sensing means for sensing a projection target area and outputting sensing information;

a detection means for performing edge detection or color-distribution detection based on the sensing information and outputting detection information which indicates edge in a sensed image or color distribution in a sensed image;

a projectable area determination means for determining a projectable area having no obstacle in the projection target area, based on the detection information;

a projection area selection means for selecting a projection area from the projectable area, based on selection by a user or a predetermined criterion;

an adjustment means for adjusting input image information such that an image is displayed on the projection area; and

an image projection means for projecting an image onto the projection area based on the adjusted input image information.

10. The program as defined in claim 9, further causing a computer to function as:

an image correction data generation means for generating image correction data used to correct an image depending on viewing environment, based on the sensing information; and

a correction means for correcting the input image information adjusted by the adjustment means, based on the image correction data,

wherein the image projection means projects an image onto the projection area based on the input image information corrected by the correction means.

11. The program as defined in claim 10,

wherein the image correction data generation means detects viewing environment of the projection area and generates the image correction data, based on the sensing information of the projection area selected by the projection area selection means.

12. The program as defined in claim 11, wherein:

the image projection means has a spatial light modulator; and

the adjustment means associates the projection target area based on the sensing information with a pixel area of the spatial light modulator to adjust the input image information so that at least one of the position and size of an image is adjusted.

13. The program as defined in claim 12, wherein:

the sensing means repeatedly performs the sensing operation at a predetermined timing and outputs the sensing information;

the detection means outputs the detection information based on the newest sensing information; and

the projectable area determination means determines the projectable area based on the newest detection information.

14. An information storage medium storing a computer-readable program which causes a computer to function as:

a sensing means for sensing a projection target area and outputting sensing information;

a detection means for performing edge detection or color-distribution detection based on the sensing information and outputting detection information which indicates edge in a sensed image or color distribution in a sensed image;

a projectable area determination means for determining a projectable area having no obstacle in the projection target area, based on the detection information;

a projection area selection means for selecting a projection area from the projectable area, based on selection by a user or a predetermined criterion;

an adjustment means for adjusting input image information such that an image is displayed on the projection area; and

an image projection means for projecting an image onto the projection area based on the adjusted input image information.

15. An image projection method comprising:

sensing a projection target area to output sensing information;

performing edge detection or color-distribution detection based on the sensing information and outputting detection information which indicates edge in a sensed image or color distribution in a sensed image;

determining a projectable area having no obstacle in the projection target area, based on the detection information;

selecting a projection area from the projectable area based on user selection or a predetermined criterion;

adjusting input image information such that an image is displayed on the projection area; and

projecting an image onto the projection area based on the adjusted input image information.

16. The image projection method as defined in claim 15, further comprising:

generating image correction data used to correct an image depending on viewing environment, based on the sensing information;

correcting the input image information based on the image correction data; and

projecting an image onto the projection area based on the input image information corrected by the correction means.

17. The image projection method as defined as defined in claim 16, further comprising:

detecting viewing environment of the projection area and generating the image correction data, based on the sensing information of the selected projection area.

18. The image projection method as defined in claim 17, further comprising:

associating the projection target area based on the sensing information with a pixel area of a spatial light modulator to adjust at least one of the position and size of an image.

19. The image projection method as defined in claim 18, further comprising:

repeatedly performing the sensing operation and outputting the detection information at a predetermined timing; and

determining the projectable area based on the newest detection information.