Methods and systems that compensate for distortion introduced by anamorphic lenses in a video projector

• US 20070024764A1
• Filed: 11/15/2005
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Optoma Technology Incorporated (Optoma Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Optoma Technology Incorporated (Optoma Corporation)
• Inventors: Chung, Yau
• Application Number:
  US11/272,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20070024764A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/745
• 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

Abstract

Anamorphic lenses within a video projector introduce distortion to the projected image due to the material makeup of the anamorphic lenses. The distortions can be identified and compensations can be determined. The compensations can be digitally applied to input video signals to reduce the distortion in the projected image.

Claims

1. A method of correcting video distortion in a projection system, said method comprising:

projecting an image onto a viewing screen that is based on a predetermined image;

identifying distortions present in the projected image;

determining a set of corrections that compensate for the identified distortions; and

configuring the projection system based on the set of corrections.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the distortions present in the image are due to at least one anamorphic lens in the projection system.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one anamorphic lens is comprised of optical grade glass.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one anamorphic lens is comprised of an acrylic or plastic material.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the distortions are the result of imperfections in the optical components of the projection system.

6. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising, storing the set of corrections in a memory device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the memory device is a ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, SDRAM, NVRAM, magnetic storage device or other nonvolatile memory device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

determining the coordinates of the pixels located within the distorted areas of the projected image;

determining the effect on color and brightness of the distorted pixels when compared to the predetermined image.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the projection system based on the set of corrections comprises:

acquiring a frame of video from an input video signal;

retrieving the set of compensations from a non-volatile memory device;

applying the compensations to the acquired input video frame;

sending the compensated video frame to a video displaying device within the projection system.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method continuously corrects video frames in real-time.

11. A system for displaying video, comprising:

an input configured to receive a video signal;

a set of lenses comprising at least one anamorphic lens that is configured to project the video signal;

a memory device configured to store a set of compensations for distortions present in the at least one anamorphic lens; and

a processor configured to modify the video signal based on the stored set of compensations.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one anamorphic lens is comprised of optical grade glass.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one anamorphic lens is comprised of an acrylic or plastic material.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the memory device is a ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, SDRAM, NVRAM, magnetic storage device or other nonvolatile memory device.