Laser projector having silhouette blanking for objects in the output light path

• US 6,984,039 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2003
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IMAX Theatres International Limited (IMAX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Agostinelli, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAHONEY, CHRISTOPHER E
• Application Number:
  US10/725,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20050117132A1
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 353/28, 353/97, 353/122, 348/586, 348/590, 348/607, 382/173
• US Class Current: 353/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7416 involving the use of a spatial light modulator, e.g. a light valve, controlled by a video signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3161 using laser light sources using laser beams scanning the display screen H04N9/3129
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 including sensor feedback

Abstract

A projection apparatus (18) forms an image frame (22) on a display surface (12), where the image frame (22) is a two-dimensional array of pixels. The projection apparatus (18) has a laser (40) light source, an image modulator (42) for forming an image-bearing beam according to scanned line data, and projection optics (44) for projecting the image-bearing beam toward the display surface (12). A camera (20) obtains a sensed pixel array by sensing the two-dimensional array of pixels from the display surface (12). A control logic processor (28) compares the sensed pixel array with corresponding image data to identify any portion of the image-bearing beam that is obstructed from the display surface (12) and to disable obstructed portions of the image-bearing beam for at least one subsequent image frame (22).

Claims

1. A projection apparatus for forming an image frame on a display surface, wherein the image frame comprises a two-dimensional array of pixels, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a projector that directs an image-bearing beam toward the display surface;

comprising;

(i) a laser light source;

(ii) an image modulator that modulates said laser light source to form said image-bearing beam, according to image data;

(iii) projection optics that project said image-bearing beam toward the display surface to form the image frame;

(b) a camera that obtains a sensed pixel array by sensing the two-dimensional array of pixels of the image frame formed on the display surface by said image-bearing beam;

(c) a control logic processor that compares said sensed pixel array with corresponding said image data for the image frame to identify any portion of said image-bearing beam that is obstructed from the display surface and for disabling pixels within said obstructed portion of said image-bearing beam for a plurality of subsequent image frames.

2. A projection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image modulator is taken from the group consisting of GEMS devices and GLV devices.

3. A projection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image modulator is taken from the group consisting of DMD and LCD area spatial light modulators.

4. A projection apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a scanner for forming the two-dimensional array of pixels from said image-bearing beam.

5. A projection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said control logic processor disables pixels within said obstructed portion of said image-bearing beam by controlling said image modulator.

6. A projection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said camera comprises a charge-coupled device.

7. A projection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said camera comprises a CMOS sensing device.

8. A projection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said control logic processor applies a motion detection algorithm for identifying said obstruction of said portion of said image-bearing beam.

9. A projection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said control logic processor applies a facial recognition algorithm for disabling pixels of said obstructed portion of said image-bearing beam.

10. A projection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said control logic processor applies a red-eye detection algorithm for disabling pixels of said obstructed portion of said image-bearing beam.

11. The projection apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera senses an outline of an obstruction to said image bearing beam and the control logic processor, cooperating with the projector, re-claims pixels outside said outline after a predetermined time interval.

12. A projection apparatus for forming an image frame on a display surface, wherein the image frame comprises a two-dimensional array of pixels, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a projector that directs an image-bearing beam toward the display surface, comprising;

(i) a laser light source;

(ii) an image modulator that modulates said laser light source to form said image-bearing beam as a line of pixels, according to image data;

(iii) projection optics that project said image-bearing beam as a series of scanned lines toward the display surface to form the image frame;

(b) a camera that obtains a sensed pixel array by sensing the two-dimensional array of pixels of the image frame formed on the display surface by said image-bearing beam;

(c) a scan control logic processor that compares said sensed pixel array with corresponding said image data for the image frame to identify any portion of said image-bearing beam that is obstructed from the display surface and for disabling pixels within said obstructed portion of said image-bearing beam for a plurality of subsequent image frames.

13. A projection apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said image modulator is taken from the group consisting of GEMS devices and GLV devices.

14. A projection apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said scan control logic processor disables pixels within said obstructed portion of said image-bearing beam by controlling said image modulator.

15. A projection apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said camera comprises a charge-coupled device.

16. A projection apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said camera comprises a CMOS sensing device.

17. A projection apparatus for forming an image frame on a display surface, wherein the image frame comprises a two-dimensional array of pixels, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a projector that directs a multicolor image-bearing beam toward the display surface, comprising;

(i) an image generation system comprising;

(1) a plurality of imaging laser light sources, each imaging laser light source having an imaging wavelength; and

,

(2) for each said imaging laser light source, an image modulator that modulates light from said imaging laser light source to form a monochrome image-bearing beam according to image data;

(ii) color combining optics that combine said monochrome image-bearing beam from each imaging laser light source to form a multicolor image-bearing beam;

(iii) projection optics that project said multicolor image-bearing beam toward the display surface to form the image frame;

(b) a camera that senses an obstruction between said projector and the display surface by detecting reflected ambient light from the obstruction, wherein the camera includes filters to distinguish the ambient light from projected light; and

,

(c) a control logic processor for defining an obstructed area of the display surface according to said obstruction sensed by said camera and for disabling corresponding said image data to each said image modulator, blanking the multicolor image beam over said obstructed area thereby.

18. A projection apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising a radiation source directed toward the display surface for providing said reflected light.

19. A projection apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said radiation source is an IR source.

20. A projection apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said reflected light originates from a radiation source on said projector.

21. A projection apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said reflected light originates from ambient light.

22. A projection apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said image modulator is taken from the group consisting of GEMS devices and GLV devices.

23. A projection apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said image modulator is taken from the group consisting of DMD and LCD area spatial light modulators.

24. A projection apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising a scanner for forming the two-dimensional array of pixels from said multicolor image-bearing beam.

25. A projection apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said camera comprises a charge-coupled device.

26. A projection apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said camera comprises a CMOS sensor device.

27. A method for forming successive image frames on a display surface, wherein each image frame comprises a two-dimensional array of pixels, the method comprising:

(a) forming an image frame on the display surface, comprising;

(i) energizing at least one laser light source;

(ii) modulating said at least one laser light source and forming said image-bearing beam, according to image data;

(iii) projecting said image-bearing beam toward the display surface;

(b) obtaining a sensed pixel array by sensing the two-dimensional array of pixels of the image frame formed on the display surface by said image-bearing beam;

(c) comparing said sensed pixel array with corresponding said image data for the image frame and identifying any portion of said image-bearing beam that is obstructed from the display surface; and

,

(d) disabling pixels within at least said obstructed portion of said image-bearing beam for a plurality of subsequent image frames.

28. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 27 wherein the step of modulating said at least one laser light source comprises the step of modulating a GEMS device.

29. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 27 wherein the step of modulating said at least one laser light source comprises the step of modulating a GLV device.

30. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 27 wherein the step of modulating said at least one laser light source comprises the step of modulating a digital micromirror device.

31. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 27 further comprising the steps of:

(a) sensing an outline of an obstruction to said image bearing beam; and

,

(b) after a predetermined time interval, re-enabling pixels outside said outline.

32. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 27 wherein the step of identifying any portion of said image-bearing beam that is obstructed further comprises the step of applying a motion detection algorithm.

33. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 27 wherein the step of identifying any portion of said image-bearing beam that is obstructed further comprises the step of applying a facial recognition algorithm.

34. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 27 wherein the step of identifying any portion of said image-bearing beam that is obstructed further comprises the step of applying a red-eye detection algorithm.

35. A method for forming an image frame on a display surface, wherein the image frame comprises a two-dimensional array of pixels, the method comprising:

(a) directing a multicolor image-bearing beam toward the display surface, comprising;

(i) providing a plurality of imaging laser light sources, each imaging laser light source having an imaging wavelength;

(ii) for each said imaging laser light source, modulating light from said imaging laser light source and thereby forming a monochrome image-bearing beam according to image data;

(iii) combining said monochrome image-bearing beam from each imaging laser light source and forming a multicolor image-bearing beam;

(iv) projecting said multicolor image-bearing beam toward the display surface and forming the image frame;

(b) identifying any portion of said image-bearing beam that is obstructed by a viewer'"'"'s eye or eyes with a camera and a red-eye detection algorithm; and

,

(c) disabling said image-bearing beam in an area around the eyes of the viewer.

36. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 35 wherein the step of modulating said at least one laser light source comprises the step of modulating a GEMS device.

37. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 35 wherein the step of modulating said at least one laser light source comprises the step of modulating a GLV device.

38. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 35 wherein the step of modulating said at least one laser light source comprises the step of modulating a digital micromirror device.

39. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 35 further comprising the steps of:

(a) sensing an outline of an obstruction to said image bearing beam; and

,

(b) after a predetermined time interval, re-enabling pixels outside said outline.

40. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 35 wherein the step of identifying any portion of said image-bearing beam that is obstructed further comprises the step of applying a motion detection algorithm.

41. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 35 wherein the step of identifying any portion of said image-bearing beam that is obstructed further comprises the step of applying a facial recognition algorithm.

42. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 35 further comprising the step of directing a radiation source toward the display surface for reflection to camera (20).

43. A method for forming an image frame according to claim 42 wherein the step of directing a radiation source toward the display surface comprises the step of energizing a near-IR source.

44. A method for forming an image frame on a display surface, wherein the image frame comprises a two-dimensional array of pixels, the method comprising:

(a) directing a multicolor image-bearing beam toward the display surface, comprising;

(i) providing a plurality of imaging laser light sources, each imaging laser light source having an imaging wavelength;

(ii) for each said imaging laser light source, modulating light from said imaging laser light source and thereby forming a monochrome image-bearing beam according to image data;

(iii) combining said monochrome image-bearing beam from each imaging laser light source and forming a multicolor image-bearing beam;

(iv) projecting said multicolor image-bearing beam toward the display surface and forming the image frame;

(b) sensing an obstruction between said projector and the display surface with a camera by detecting reflected ambient light from the obstruction, wherein the camera includes filters to distinguish the ambient light from projected light; and

,

(c) disabling corresponding said image data for said obstructed area of pixels corresponding to each said imaging laser light source, blanking the multicolor image beam over said obstructed area of pixels thereby.