Method and system for compensating for image distortion caused by off-axis image projection

• US 5,465,121 A
• Filed: 03/31/1993
• Issued: 11/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Sterrett, William R., Blalock, deceased, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEST, NINA NHYCHON
• Application Number:
  US08/040,737
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 348/744, 348/745, 348/746, 348/747, 348/807, 348/806, 348/181, 348/184, 348/189
• US Class Current: 348/744
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 3/2335 with calculating means
• 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

A method and system in a data processing system for modifying an image source data file to compensate for distortions resulting from a projection of an image source onto a surface that is not perpendicular to an image source projection system. A data processing system image source data file is identified and a test pattern is displayed utilizing a data processing system visual output device. A user is permitted to enter a distortion compensation factor, the displayed test pattern is modified utilizing the distortion compensation factor. Once a final distortion compensation factor is selected in response to the appearance of the modified test pattern, the data processing system image source data file is modified, utilizing the selected distortion compensation factor, thereby enhancing the projection of an image source onto a surface that is not perpendicular to an image source projection system.

Claims

1. A method in a data processing system for modifying an image source data file to compensate for distortions resulting from a projection of a source image onto a surface that is not perpendicular to a source image projection system, said method comprising the steps of:

identifying a data processing system image source data file;

displaying a test pattern utilizing a data processing system visual output device;

modifying said test pattern utilizing a distortion compensation factor; and

modifying said data processing system image source data file utilizing said distortion compensation factor, wherein a subsequent projection of said source image is compensated for distortion.

2. The method in a data processing system for modifying an image source data file according to claim 1, further including the step of prompting a user to enter said distortion compensation factor.

3. The method in a data processing system for modifying an image source data file according to claim 1, further including the step of permitting a user to determine a final distortion compensation factor in response to the appearance of said modified test pattern.

4. The method in a data processing system for modifying an image source data file according to claim 1, further including the step of outputting said modified data processing system image source data file.

5. The method in a data processing system for modifying an image source data file according to claim 4, wherein the step of outputting said modified data processing system image source data file further comprises the step of printing said modified data processing system image source data file.

6. The method in a data processing system for modifying an image source data file according to claim 4, wherein the step of outputting said modified data processing system image source data file further comprises the step of displaying said modified data processing system image source data file.

7. A system for modifying an image source data file to compensate for distortions resulting from a projection of a source image onto a surface that is not perpendicular to a source image projection system, said system comprising:

means for identifying a data processing system image source data file;

means for displaying a test pattern utilizing a data processing system visual output device;

means for modifying said test pattern utilizing a distortion compensation factor; and

means for modifying said data processing system image source data file utilizing said distortion compensation factor, wherein a subsequent projection of said source image is compensated for distortion.

8. The system for modifying an image source data file according to claim 7, further including means for prompting a user to enter said distortion compensation factor.

9. The system for modifying an image source data file according to claim 7, further including means for permitting a user to determine a final distortion compensation factor in response to the appearance of said modified test pattern.

10. The system for modifying an image source data file according to claim 7, further including means for outputting said modified data processing system image source data file.

11. The system for modifying an image source data file according to claim 10, wherein said means for outputting said modified data processing system image source data file further comprises means for printing said modified data processing system image source data file.

12. The system for modifying an image source data file according to claim 10, wherein said means for outputting said modified data processing system image source data file further comprises means for displaying said modified data processing system image source data file.

13. A method in a data processing system for modifying an image source data file to compensate for distortions resulting from a projection of a source image onto a surface that is not perpendicular to a source image projection system, said method comprising the steps of:

identifying a data processing system image source data file;

storing a distortion compensation factor, associated with a predetermined set of presentation parameters, within said data processing system image source data file; and

automatically modifying said data processing system image source data file utilizing said distortion compensation factor in response to a presentation of said image source data file utilizing said set of presentation parameters, wherein a subsequent projection of said source image is compensated for distortion.

14. A method in a data processing system for modifying an image source data file according to claim 13, wherein the step of storing a distortion compensation factor associated with a predetermined set of presentation parameters within said data processing system image source data file further comprises storing multiple distortion compensation factors, each associated with a predetermined set of presentation parameters, within said data processing system image source data file.

15. A method in a data processing system for modifying an image source data file according to claim 13, wherein the step of automatically modifying said data processing system image source data file utilizing said distortion compensation factor in response to a presentation of said image source data file utilizing said set of presentation parameters further comprises the step of selecting one of said multiple distortion compensation factors in response to a presentation of said image source data file utilizing a selected one of said predetermined sets of presentation parameters.