Light field based projector calibration method and system

Number: 11368657
Published: 2022-06-21
Filed: 2017-09-28
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: Grundhöfer; Anselm, Iwai; Daisuke
CPC: H04N13/363; H04N13/307; G01J3/027; G01J3/505; H04N17/00; H04N9/3194; G06T7/70; G01J3/524; H04N9/3179; H04N13/327
Verdict: Low Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Light-field projector calibration hardware/method for show displays.

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for calibrating a projector. In one example, the method includes receiving by a processing element light field data corresponding to a calibration image projected by a projector and captured by a light field capturing device, and modeling by a processing element one or more intrinsic properties of the projector using the light field data and the calibration image. The calibration image may be projected by the projector directly into the light field capturing device.

Background

TECHNICAL FIELD (1) The technology described herein relates generally to methods and systems for calibrating one or more projectors. BACKGROUND (2) Image and/or video projectors may be used to project images onto a projection surface, such as onto a screen, a wall, or other surface. In some applications, projectors may be used to enhance, compliment, or otherwise augment objects on the projection surface to create a dynamic and enjoyable user experience, such as an amusement park attraction. For example, characters or objects may be projected on a surface to provide an immersive environment for an amusement park goer. (3) Image and/or video projectors may include a number of limitations. For instance, some projectors may have limited color gamut and brightness properties. In addition, the image filtering hardware/software and/or the lens configuration of some projectors may distort a projected image such that differences exist between the projected image appearing on the projection surface and the source image. (4) In these and other examples, the intrinsic calibration of projectors is often required for high quality projection mapping applications. The main goal of calibration is to estimate a model to accurately represent the optical system of the projector, including its field of view and optical axis, among others, as well as the non-linear distortion occurring due to its lens configuration. (5) Known calibration techniques, however, require significant user interaction,

Claims

1. A method of calibrating a projector, the method comprising: receiving by a processing element light field data corresponding to a calibration image captured by a light field capturing device, wherein the calibration image is projected by a projector directly into a light field capturing device; estimating by the processing element directions of light rays emitted by the projector when projecting the calibration image by utilizing light ray data; and modeling by a processing element one or more intrinsic properties of the projector using the light field data and the calibration image. || 9. A system for calibrating a projector, the system comprising: a projector configured to project a calibration image; a light field capturing device configured to capture at least a portion of the calibration image projected by the projector, wherein light rays making up the calibration image are projected into the light field capturing device without reflecting on an intermediate surface; and a processing element in communication with the light field capturing device, wherein the processing element is configured to: estimate directions of light rays emitted by the projector when projecting the calibration image by utilizing ray data; transform the ray representations to a simplified model; and model one or more intrinsic properties of the projector using light field data corresponding to the calibration image captured by the light field capturing device.