Abstract: A method of calibrating a multi-projector image display system is provided. According to the method, non-parametric calibration data for the display system is recovered and used to generate a non-parametric model of the display system. Local parametric models relating to the display surface of the projection screen are generated and are compared with data points defined by the non-parametric calibration data to identify one or more local errors in the non-parametric calibration data. The local errors in the non-parametric calibration data are converted to data points defined at least in part by the local parametric models and the projectors are operated to project an image on the image projection screen by utilizing a hybrid calibration model comprising data points taken from the non-parametric model and data points taken from one or more local parametric models. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a multi-projector image display system is provided. According to the method, non-parametric calibration data for the display system is recovered and used to generate a non-parametric model of the display system. Local parametric models relating to the display surface of the projection screen are generated and are compared with data points defined by the non-parametric calibration data to identify one or more local errors in the non-parametric calibration data. The local errors in the non-parametric calibration data are converted to data points defined at least in part by the local parametric models and the projectors are operated to project an image on the image projection screen by utilizing a hybrid calibration model comprising data points taken from the non-parametric model and data points taken from one or more local parametric models. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to projection systems. According to one embodiment the system comprises one or more projectors oriented to project an image on a projection screen and one or more image sensors oriented to acquire an image projected on the projection screen. The projector is operated to project a calibration image comprising one or more image fiducials on the image projection screen. The image sensor acquires the projected calibration image including the image fiducials. The respective positions of the image fiducials are identified and the identified fiducial positions are validated by applying a parametric model to compare respective ones of the identified fiducial positions with corresponding approximations of the identified fiducial positions. Corrected fiducial positions are generated when a result of one of the comparisons exceeds an error threshold. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to projection systems where one or more projectors are utilized to project a video, a still image, or combinations thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of calibrating and operating such systems. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating an image display system is provided. According to the method, one or more image sensors acquire respective overlapping portions I1, I2 of a projected image. Screen position coordinates for image fiducials in the first and second portions I1, I2 of the projected image are identified and used to establish first and second sets of distance metrics D1, D2 for the first and second portions of the projected image. A global point set is constructed from the first and second sets of distance metrics D1, D2. Global points within a region where the first and second portions I1, I2 of the projected image overlap are derived from only one of the first and second sets of distance metrics D1, D2.

Abstract: A display system includes a first and second display source configured to generate first and second images that overlap to form a multiple-display image. Each illuminated point within an overlap region includes a first image pixel contribution generated by the first display source and a second image pixel contribution generated by the second display source. The display system is programmed to select one or more dithering pixels within the overlap region and apply a blending function that alters one or more radiometric parameters of pixels within the overlap region. The blending function includes a deterministic blending function that alters contribution of non-dithering pixels based at least in part on the location of the non-dithering pixel within the overlap region. The blending function also includes a dithering component that alters contributions of dithering pixels within the overlap region of multiple-display image based at least in part on a modification value X.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultra-resolution displays and methods for their operation. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an ultra-resolution display is provided where a common display screen is displaced from an array of display devices such that native frustums of respective ones of the display devices are expanded to define modified frustums that overlap on the common display screen. An image processor is programmed to execute an image blending algorithm that is configured to generate a blended image on the common display screen by altering input signals directed to one or more of the display devices. In this manner, the system can be operated to render an output image that is composed of pixels collectively rendered from the plural display devices. As a result, the resolution of the rendered video can exceed the video resolution that would be available from a single display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to projection systems where one or more projectors are utilized to project a video, a still image, or combinations thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of calibrating and operating such systems. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of calibrating an image display system is provided. The system comprises one or more projectors oriented to project an image on a projection screen and one or more image sensors oriented to acquire an image projected on the projection screen. According to the method, one or more image fiducials are projected on the image projection screen. Approximate three-dimensional position coordinates of the respective image fiducials as projected on the projection screen are identified by applying one or more three-dimensional mapping functions.

Abstract: A technique and system for detecting a radiometric variation/artifacts of a front-projected dynamic display region under observation by at least one camera. The display is comprised of one or more images projected from one or more of a plurality of projectors; the system is preferably calibrated by using a projective relationship. A predicted image of the display region by the camera is constructed using frame-buffer information from each projector contributing to the display, which has been geometrically transformed for the camera and its relative image intensity adjusted. A detectable difference between a predicted image and the display region under observation causes corrective adjustment of the image being projected from at least one projector.

Abstract: A technique, and associated system and computer executable program code on a computer readable storage medium, for automatically correcting distortion of a front-projected display under observation by at least one camera. The technique may be employed in a myriad of front-projected display environments, e.g., single or multiple projectors and cameras are used.

Abstract: A technique, associated system and computer executable program code, for projecting a superimposed image onto a target display surface under observation of one or more cameras. A projective relationship between each projector being used and the target display surface is determined using a suitable calibration technique. A component image for each projector is then estimated using the information from the calibration, and represented in the frequency domain. Each component image is estimated by: Using the projective relationship, determine a set of sub-sampled, regionally shifted images, represented in the frequency domain; each component image is then composed of a respective set of the sub-sampled, regionally shifted images. In an optimization step, the difference between a sum of the component images and a frequency domain representation of a target image is minimized to produce a second, or subsequent, component image for each projector.

Abstract: In a computer system, methods and computer-readable medium are disclosed for tracking motion of a subject in an activity captured by camera. The camera supplies pluralities of discrete images of the subject to a computing system environment. An event window, displayed on a monitor, has at least two cells for receiving a user input pertaining to an action of the subject in the activity. In a first of the two cells, the user indicates a specific image number corresponding to one of the plurality of discrete images and an estimate of a fractional percent thereof. In the second cell, the user indicates another specific image number and estimate of a fractional percentage thereof. Software calculates a delta between the specific image numbers and their corresponding estimated fractions. Scroll and position bars provide user-aid for navigating between discrete images. Example subjects include horses in a horse race activity while an action includes a horse stride length.

Abstract: In a computer system, methods and computer-readable medium are disclosed for tracking motion of a subject in an activity captured by camera. The camera supplies pluralities of discrete images of the subject to a computing system environment. An event window, displayed on a monitor, has at least two cells for receiving a user input pertaining to an action of the subject in the activity. In a first of the two cells, the user indicates a specific image number corresponding to one of the plurality of discrete images and an estimate of a fractional percent thereof. In the second cell, the user indicates another specific image number and estimate of a fractional percentage thereof. Software calculates a delta between the specific image numbers and their corresponding estimated fractions. Scroll and position bars provide user-aid for navigating between discrete images. Example subjects include horses in a horse race activity while an action includes a horse stride length.

Abstract: A technique, associated system and computer executable program code, for projecting a superimposed image onto a target display surface under observation of one or more cameras. A projective relationship between each projector being used and the target display surface is determined using a suitable calibration technique. A component image for each projector is then estimated using the information from the calibration, and represented in the frequency domain. Each component image is estimated by: Using the projective relationship, determine a set of sub-sampled, regionally shifted images, represented in the frequency domain; each component image is then composed of a respective set of the sub-sampled, regionally shifted images. In an optimization step, the difference between a sum of the component images and a frequency domain representation of a target image is minimized to produce a second, or subsequent, component image for each projector.

Abstract: A technique, and associated system and computer executable program code on a computer readable storage medium, for automatically correcting distortion of a front-projected display under observation by at least one camera. The technique may be employed in a myriad of front-projected display environments, e.g., single or multiple projectors and cameras are used.

Abstract: In a computer system, methods and computer-readable medium are disclosed for tracking motion of a subject in an activity captured by camera. The camera supplies pluralities of discrete images of the subject to a computing system environment. An event window, displayed on a monitor, has at least two cells for receiving a user input pertaining to an action of the subject in the activity. In a first of the two cells, the user indicates a specific image number corresponding to one of the plurality of discrete images and an estimate of a fractional percent thereof. In the second cell, the user indicates another specific image number and estimate of a fractional percentage thereof. Software calculates a delta between the specific image numbers and their corresponding estimated fractions. Scroll and position bars provide user-aid for navigating between discrete images. Example subjects include horses in a horse race activity while an action includes a horse stride length.

Abstract: A technique and system for detecting a radiometric variation/artifacts of a front-projected dynamic display region under observation by at least one camera. The display is comprised of one or more images projected from one or more of a plurality of projectors; the system is preferably calibrated by using a projective relationship. A predicted image of the display region by the camera is constructed using frame-buffer information from each projector contributing to the display, which has been geometrically transformed for the camera and its relative image intensity adjusted. A detectable difference between a predicted image and the display region under observation causes corrective adjustment of the image being projected from at least one projector.

Abstract: An object specific information relaying system which includes a beacon which is attached to a physical object, an information receiving device which receives information about the physical object, signal transmitters and receivers in both beacon and information receiving device, an internet contacting unit, a system server, and an internet web page associated with each physical device. A signal from the information receiving device triggers an identifying signal from the beacon, which is transmitted to the internet. The system server associates the identifying signal with a web page with information specific to the physical device, and transmits the information to the information receiving device.