Position detection apparatus, adjustment method, and adjustment program

• US 9,465,480 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2014
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Ichieda, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): SHENG, TOM V
• Application Number:
  US14/165,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20140218341A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0418 for error correction or compensation, e.g. based on parallax, calibration or alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386

Abstract

A position detection apparatus includes: a radiation section that radiates planar light along a target flat surface; a detection section that captures an image of an area irradiated with the light from the radiation section to detect the position of an object that reflects the light radiated from the radiation section; and an adjustment assistance section that transmits, when adjustment of installation of the radiation section is performed, a predetermined output based on a detection result obtained from the detection section when the detection section detects a reference object for the adjustment placed on the target flat surface.

Claims

1. A position detection apparatus comprising:

a radiation section that radiates planar light along a target flat surface;

a detection section that captures an image of an area irradiated with the light from the radiation section to detect the position of an object that reflects the light radiated from the radiation section; and

an adjustment assistance section that transmits, when adjustment of installation of the radiation section is performed, a predetermined output based on a detection result obtained from the detection section when the detection section detects a reference object for the adjustment placed on the target flat surface.

2. The position detection apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein when the adjustment of installation of the radiation section is performed, the angle of radiation from the radiation section is adjusted from an angle at which a radiation destination is away from the target flat surface toward an angle at which the radiation destination is closer to the target flat surface.

3. The position detection apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the reference object is formed of a plurality of objects the height of which from the target flat surface is substantially fixed in a state in which the reference objects are placed on the target flat surface, and

the adjustment assistance section transmits the predetermined output when all the reference objects are detected by the detection section.

4. The position detection apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprising a projection section that projects an image on the target flat surface,

wherein when the adjustment of installation of the radiation section is performed, the adjustment assistance section instructs the projection section to project on the target flat surface an image that specifies a position where the reference object should be placed.

5. The position detection apparatus according to claim 4,

further comprising an information output section that outputs information,

wherein when the adjustment of installation of the radiation section is performed, the adjustment assistance section instructs the information output section to output information that guides placement of the reference object on the target flat surface in accordance with the image projected on the target flat surface and then instructs the information output section to output information that guides adjustment of the angle of radiation from the radiation section from an angle at which a radiation destination is away from the target flat surface toward an angle at which the radiation destination is closer to the target flat surface.

6. The position detection apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprising a projection section that projects an image on the target flat surface;

and

an information output section that outputs information,

wherein the reference object is formed of a plurality of objects the height of which from the target flat surface is substantially fixed in a state in which the reference objects are placed on the target flat surface, and

the adjustment assistance section instructs the projection section to project a predetermined marker in the position of any of the reference objects detected by the detection section and instructs the information output section to output information that guides to make the adjustment until discrepancy between the projected marker and the detected reference object reaches a fixed value or falls within a predetermined range.

7. The position detection apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprising a projection section that projects an image on the target flat surface;

and

an information output section that outputs information,

wherein the reference object is formed of a plurality of objects the height of which from the target flat surface is substantially fixed in a state in which the reference objects are placed on the target flat surface, and

the adjustment assistance section instructs the projection section to project a predetermined marker in the position of any of the reference objects detected by the detection section and instructs the information output section to output information that guides to complete the adjustment when discrepancy between the projected marker and the detected reference object reaches a fixed value or falls within a predetermined range.

8. The position detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a drive section capable of adjusting the angle of radiation from the radiation section,

wherein the adjustment assistance section outputs a signal for stopping the drive section based on a detection result obtained from the detection section when the detection section detects the reference objects.

9. A position detection apparatus comprising:

a radiation section that radiates planar light along a target flat surface;

a detection section that captures an image of an area irradiated with the light from the radiation section to detect the position of an object that reflects the light radiated from the radiation section;

an information output section that outputs information;

a projection section that projects an image on the target flat surface; and

an adjustment assistance section that instructs, when adjustment of installation of the radiation section is performed, the projection section to project on the target flat surface an image that specifies a position where a reference object for radiation angle adjustment should be placed, instructs the information output section to output first information that guides placement of the reference object on the target flat surface in accordance with the projected image, and then instructs the information output section to output second information,

wherein the second information guides adjustment of the angle of radiation from the radiation section from an angle at which a radiation destination is away from the target flat surface toward an angle at which the radiation destination is closer to the target flat surface until the detection section detects the reference object.

10. An adjustment method used with a position detection apparatus including a radiation section that radiates planar light along a target flat surface and a detection section that captures an image of an area irradiated with the light from the radiation section to detect the position of an object that reflects the light radiated from the radiation section, the method performing adjustment of installation of the radiation section and comprising:

causing the position detection apparatus to transmit a predetermined output, when the adjustment of installation of the radiation section is performed, based on a detection result obtained from the detection section when the detection section detects a reference object for the adjustment placed on the target flat surface.

11. An adjustment program stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that, when executed, causes a position detection apparatus including a radiation section that radiates planar light along a target flat surface and a detection section that captures an image of an area irradiated with the light from the radiation section to detect the position of an object that reflects the light radiated from the radiation section to assist adjustment of installation of the radiation section,

the program causing, when the angle of radiation from the radiation section is adjusted, the position detection apparatus to carry out:

a process of causing the detection section to detect a reference object for the radiation angle adjustment placed on the target flat surface; and

a process of transmitting a predetermined output based on a detection result obtained from the detection section when the detection section detects the reference object.