Self-configurable ad-hoc projector cluster

• US 6,834,965 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2003
• Issued: 12/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc. (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc. (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Raskar, Ramesh, van Baar, Jeroen, Beardsley, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Judy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cruz, Magda
• Application Number:
  US10/394,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20040184011A1
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 353/94, 353/30-31, 353/69, 348/744-745, 348/747, 348/383, 348/38, 348/222.1, 348/267, 348/333.05
• US Class Current: 353/94
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/26 Projecting separately subsidiary matter simultaneously with main image

Abstract

A system projects multiple output images on a display surface. The system includes multiple projectors. Each projector includes a processing unit. The processing unit includes a microprocessor, a memory and an I/O interface connected by busses. A projector sub-system coupled to the processing unit is for displaying output images on the display surface. A camera sub-system coupled to the processing unit is for acquiring input images reflecting a geometry of the display surface. The camera sub-system is in a fixed physical relationship to the projector sub-system. A network sub-system coupled to the processing unit is for communicating messages between the projectors. Internal sensors coupled to the processing unit are for determining an orientation of the projector sub-system and the camera sub-system with respect to the display surface.

Claims

1. A system for projecting multiple output images on a display surface, comprising:

a plurality of projectors, each projector further comprising;

a processing unit including a microprocessor, a memory and an I/O interface connected by busses;

a projector sub-system coupled to the processing unit and configured to display output images on the display surface;

a camera sub-system coupled to the processing unit and configured to acquire input images reflecting a geometry of the display surface, the camera sub-system in a fixed physical relationship to the projector sub-system;

a network sub-system coupled to the processing unit and configured to communicate messages between the plurality of projectors; and

internal sensors coupled to the processing unit and configured to determine an orientation of the projector sub-system and the camera sub-system with respect to the display surface.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

means for combining the multiple output images into a perceived single composite image.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the display surface is quadric.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the quadric display surface is selected from the group consisting of a dome shaped surface, a cylindrical surface, an elliptical surface, and a parabolic surface.