Apparatus and method for analyzing projected images, singly and for array projection applications

• US 6,483,537 B1
• Filed: 05/21/1998
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Metavision Corporation
• Original Assignee: Metavision Corporation
• Inventors: Inova, Peter J., Mayer, Theodore III
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): YENKE, BRIAN P
• Application Number:
  US09/083,701
• Time in Patent Office: 1,643 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N 1.700, H04/N.973, H04/N.322, H04/N.323, H04/N.326, 348/190, 348/191, 348/657, 348/658, 348/745, 348/746, 348/747, 348/180
• US Class Current: 348/180
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/04 for receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/57 Control of contrast or brightness
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
• 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

An apparatus and method for analyzing the brightness characteristics of a projected image and using the analyzed characteristics to improve the appearance of the projected image is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the brightness characteristics of the projected image are analyzed at selected points across the raster of the image. An analysis array or array of data elements including brightness components corresponding to detail elements is then generated. The data elements in the array are then used to create compensation signals that are applied to the projected image through, for example, an overlay of smoothing factors or generation of a smoothing curve, to enhance the quality or appearance of the image by improving the regularity of brightness in all areas of the image. This regularity of brightness across the full span of the image is useful as a general improvement to the image and as a compensation for projector or projection surface brightness anomalies. In arrayed projection applications, central hot spotting, edge vignetting, electron beam or light source misalignments all can detract from evenly displayed images and all can benefit from the application of compensation that depends on an analysis array of the projected image.

Claims

1. A system for altering brightness of an arrayed projected image, the arrayed projected image comprising a plurality of projected images, each projected image being generated by one of a plurality of projectors, the system comprising:

means for detecting the arrayed projected image;

means for creating an analysis array including data elements corresponding to the brightness of selected portions of the arrayed projected image; and

means for controlling the plurality of projectors as a function of the data elements in the analysis array to alter the brightness of the arrayed projected image,

wherein each projected image has red, green and blue color components, and

wherein the means for detecting the arrayed projected image comprises;

means for generating a grid pattern comprising individual grid items, each individual grid item identifying a sampling area of the arrayed projected image;

means for projecting the grid pattern onto the arrayed projected image; and

means for reading the brightness of the sampling area identified by each grid item.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for reading the brightness of the sampling area comprises a light sensitive metering apparatus having means for measuring the brightness of each color component of the sampling area.

3. A system for altering brightness of an arrayed projected image, the arrayed projected image comprising a plurality of projected images, each projected image being generated by one of a plurality of projectors, the system comprising:

means for detecting the arrayed projected image;

means for creating an analysis array including data elements corresponding to the brightness of selected portions of the arrayed projected image; and

means for controlling the plurality of projectors as a function of the data elements in the analysis array to alter the brightness of the arrayed projected image,

wherein each projected image has red, green and blue color components, and

wherein the means for detecting comprises means for creating a camera image of the arrayed projected image; and

the means for creating comprises means for remapping selected portions of the camera image to the analysis array.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the means for creating a camera image comprises a camera having means for focusing CCD sensors on the arrayed projected image.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the means for remapping comprises:

means for choosing a portion of the camera image,

means for reading the brightness of the chosen portion of the camera image; and

means for entering data elements corresponding to the brightness of the chosen portion into a corresponding register on the analysis array.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the means for choosing comprises a computer having means for displaying the camera image and the arrayed projected image side-by-side on a display, the computer further including means for selecting a part of the camera image and a corresponding part of the displayed arrayed projected image for creating a one-to-one correspondence between the camera image and the arrayed projected image.

7. A system for altering brightness of an arrayed projected image, the arrayed projected image comprising a plurality of projected images, each projected image being generated by one of a plurality of projectors, the system comprising:

means for detecting the arrayed projected image;

means for creating an analysis array including data elements corresponding to the brightness of selected portions of the arrayed projected image; and

means for controlling the plurality of projectors as a function of the data elements in the analysis array to alter the brightness of the arrayed projected image,

wherein each projected image has red, green and blue color components, and

wherein the means for controlling comprises means for creating modified smoothing factors for application to video signals used to generate the projected images of the arrayed projected image.

8. A system for altering brightness of an arrayed projected image, the arrayed projected image comprising a plurality of projected images, each projected image being generated by one of a plurality of projectors, the system comprising:

means for detecting the arrayed projected image;

means for creating an analysis array including data elements corresponding to the brightness of selected portions of the arrayed projected image; and

means for controlling the plurality of projectors as a function of the data elements in the analysis array to alter the brightness of the arrayed projected image,

wherein each projected image has red, green and blue color components, and

wherein the projected images comprise multiple adjoining and overlapping video images produced from multiple projectors, each video image being associated with a separate analysis array, the system further comprising;

means for analyzing the projectors for determining a least capable projector; and

means for adjusting the projectors to match performance of the least capable projector thereby creating more uniformity in the performance of the projectors.

9. A system for altering brightness of an arrayed projected image, the arrayed projected image comprising a plurality of projected images, and having a brightness component, the system comprising:

a computer for generating a sequence of display patterns;

a plurality of projectors, each projector for generating one of the projected images, each projected image having red, green and blue color components, the projectors being coupled to the computer for sequentially projecting each display pattern onto the arrayed projected image, each display pattern illuminating a specific area of the arrayed projected image;

a photometric device coupled to the computer for sampling each illuminated area and transmitting data elements corresponding to the brightness on the area to the computer for input into an analysis array; and

means coupled to the computer for creating compensation signals to modify the brightness component of the arrayed projected image based on the data elements in the analysis array thereby enhancing the quality and appearance of the arrayed projected image.

10. A method of altering brightness of an arrayed projected image, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting the arrayed projected image, the arrayed projected image comprising a plurality of projected images, each projected image having red, green and blue color components;

creating an analysis array including data elements corresponding to the brightness of selected portions of the arrayed projected image; and

controlling a plurality of projectors as a function of the data elements in the analysis array to alter the brightness of the arrayed projected image,

wherein the detecting step comprises;

overlaying a grid pattern image comprising individual grid items onto the arrayed projected image, each individual grid item identifying a sampling area of the arrayed projected image;

aligning a light sensitive metering apparatus to each individual grid item; and

utilizing the metering apparatus to read the brightness of each sampling area identified by the grid item for input.

11. A method of altering brightness of an arrayed projected image, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting the arrayed projected image, the arrayed projected image comprising a plurality of projected images, each projected image having red, green and blue color components;

creating an analysis array including data elements corresponding to the brightness of selected portions of the arrayed projected image; and

controlling a plurality of projectors as a function of the data elements in the analysis array to alter the brightness of the arrayed projected image,

wherein the detecting step comprises focusing a sensor on the arrayed projected image for creating a camera image, and the step of creating comprises remapping portions of the camera image to the analysis array.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of remapping comprises:

illuminating an area of the arrayed projected image, the area corresponding to a register on the analysis array;

identifying a corresponding area in the camera image;

associating the area in the camera image to the register on the analysis array; and

entering data elements corresponding to the brightness of the area in the camera image into the register.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of remapping comprises:

displaying the camera image and the arrayed projected image side by side on a display;

sequentially selecting a part of the displayed camera image via an input device;

selecting a corresponding part in the displayed arrayed projected image via the input device, the corresponding part being coordinated to a register on the analysis array; and

entering data elements corresponding to the brightness of the selected part of the displayed camera image into the register.

14. A method of altering brightness of an arrayed projected image, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting the arrayed projected image, the arrayed projected image comprising a plurality of projected images, each projected image having red, green and blue color components;

creating an analysis array including data elements corresponding to the brightness of selected portions of the arrayed projected image; and

controlling a plurality of projectors as a function of the data elements in the analysis array to alter the brightness of the arrayed projected image,

wherein the detecting step comprises;

generating a sequence of display patterns;

sequentially projecting each display pattern onto the arrayed projected image, each display pattern illuminating a specific area of the arrayed projected image; and

sampling each illuminated area for entering data elements corresponding to the brightness of the area into a corresponding register on the analysis array.

15. A method of altering brightness of an arrayed projected image, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting the arrayed projected image, the arrayed projected image comprising a plurality of projected images, each projected image having red, green and blue color components;

creating an analysis array including data elements corresponding to the brightness of selected portions of the arrayed projected image; and

controlling a plurality of projectors as a function of the data elements in the analysis array to alter the brightness of the arrayed projected image,

wherein the controlling step comprises creating compensation signals in the form of modified smoothing factors to alter the brightness of the arrayed projected image based on the data elements in the analysis array.

16. A method of altering brightness of an arrayed projected image, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting the arrayed projected image, the arrayed projected image comprising a plurality of projected images, each projected image having red, green and blue color components;

creating an analysis array including data elements corresponding to the brightness of selected portions of the arrayed projected image; and

controlling a plurality of projectors as a function of the data elements in the analysis array to alter the brightness of the arrayed projected image,

wherein the projected images comprise multiple adjoining and at least partially overlapping video images produced from multiple projectors, each video image being associated with a separate analysis array, the method further comprising the steps of;

analyzing the projectors for determining a least capable projector;

adjusting the projectors to match performance of the least capable projector thereby creating more uniformity in the performance of the projectors; and

creating a composite analysis array of the arrayed projected image to further alter the brightness of the arrayed projected image thereby enhancing the quality and appearance of the arrayed projected image.

17. A method of altering brightness of a projected image, the projected image comprising multiple adjoining and at least partially overlapping video images produced from multiple projectors, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) detecting the projected image;

(B) creating an analysis array for each video image including data elements corresponding to the brightness of selected portions of the video image;

(C) controlling each projector as a function of the data elements in the corresponding analysis array to alter the brightness of the corresponding video image;

(D) analyzing the projectors for determining a least capable projector; and

(E) adjusting the projectors to match performance of the least capable projector thereby creating more uniformity in the performance of the projectors.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of creating a composite analysis array of the projected image after steps (A)-(E) have been performed to further alter the brightness of the projected image thereby enhancing the quality and appearance of the projected image.