Sony Ericsson patents "PROJECTOR ADAPTATION"

Abstract
A device includes a projector to project an image onto a surface; a camera to capture a picture of the image while it is being projected onto the surface; and logic to receive the picture and adjust a setting of the projector based on the received picture.


Description
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BACKGROUND

[0001]1. Field of the Invention

[0002]Implementations described herein relate generally to devices and, more particularly, to a device that adapts one or more settings of a projector based on a surface at which an image is projected.

[0003]2. Description of Related Art

[0004]A projector is a device that projects images onto a surface. Typically, the best surface for such projections is a neutral-colored projection screen. Such screens are not always available, however. As such, projections onto other types of surfaces (e.g., non-neutral-colored surfaces) may be made. These types of surfaces may, for example, cause projected images to have a non-neutral tint or cause the images to lack one or more colors.

SUMMARY

[0005]According to one aspect, a method may include projecting, via a projector, an image onto a surface; and using a picture of the projected image to automatically alter a setting of the projector.

[0006]Additionally, the projecting an image may include projecting a predetermined image.

[0007]Additionally, the using may include capturing a picture of the image while it is being projected onto the surface, and analyzing the captured picture to determine whether to perform a color adjustment.

[0008]Additionally, the image may include a neutral-colored image.

[0009]Additionally, the capturing may occur automatically in response to the projecting an image onto a surface.

[0010]Additionally, the using may include capturing a picture of the image while the image is being projected onto the surface, comparing the picture to the image, and determining that the setting of the projector is to be altered when the picture of the projected image does not substantially match the image.

[0011]Additionally, the capturing may occur automatically in response to the projecting an image onto a surface.

[0012]Additionally, the capturing may occur at predetermined intervals.

[0013]Additionally, the setting may include one or more projection colors.

[0014]Additionally, the setting may include an intensity setting.

[0015]Additionally, the using a picture may include capturing the picture of the projected image while the image is being projected onto the surface, the picture including the projected image and a portion of an area surrounding the picture, comparing an intensity of the projected image to an intensity of the portion, and determining that the setting of the projector is to be altered when the intensity of the projected image is within a threshold of the intensity of the portion.

[0016]Additionally, the using a picture may include capturing the picture of the projected image while the image is being projected onto the surface, comparing a contrast of the projected image to a contrast of the image, and determining that the setting of the projector is to be altered when the contrast of the projected image does not substantially match the contrast of the image.

[0017]Additionally, the setting may include a color setting and an intensity setting.

[0018]According to another aspect, a device may include a projector to project an image onto a surface; a camera to capture a picture of the image while it is being projected onto the surface; and logic to receive the picture and adjust a setting of the projector based on the received picture.

[0019]Additionally, when adjusting a setting, the logic may be configured to use the picture to determine whether to perform a color adjustment.

[0020]Additionally, the image may include a neutral-colored image.

[0021]Additionally, the camera may be configured to capture the picture automatically in response to the projector projecting the image.

[0022]Additionally, when adjusting the setting, the logic may be configured to compare the picture to the image, and determine that the setting of the projector is to be altered when the picture of the projected image does not substantially match the image.

[0023]Additionally, the camera may capture the picture automatically in response to the projector projecting the image.

[0024]Additionally, when comparing the picture to the image, the logic may be configured to compare colors in the picture to colors in the image.

[0025]Additionally, when comparing the picture to the image, the logic may be configured to compare a contrast of the picture to a contrast of the image.

[0026]Additionally, the camera may be further configured to capture a picture of the projected image at predetermined intervals.

[0027]Additionally, when adjusting a setting, the logic may be configured to use the picture to determine whether to perform an intensity adjustment.

[0028]Additionally, wherein when adjusting a setting, the logic may be configured to compare an intensity of a first portion of the picture to an intensity of a second portion of the picture, and determine that the setting of the projector is to be altered when the intensity of the first portion is within a threshold of the intensity of the second portion.

[0029]According to yet another aspect, a computer-readable medium may be configured to store instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method comprising receiving a picture of an image projected onto a surface by a projector; and adjusting a setting of the projector based on the received picture.

[0030]Additionally, the adjusting may include adjusting one or more colors output by the projector.

[0031]Additionally, the adjusting may include adjusting an intensity output by the projector.

[0032]According to still another aspect, a method may include projecting, via a projector, an image onto a surface; capturing a picture of the projected image; and adjusting a setting of the projector based on a content of the captured picture.

[0033]Additionally, the image may include a predetermined neutral-colored image.

[0034]Additionally, the adjusting may include adjusting a color output of the projector for at least one other image projected by the projector.

[0035]Additionally, the image may include a user-specified image.

[0036]Additionally, the adjusting may include comparing a color of the captured picture to a color of the user-specified image, and adjusting a color output of the projector when the color of the captured picture does not substantially match the color of the user-specified image.

[0037]Additionally, the method may further include re-projecting the image based on the adjusted color output.

[0038]Additionally, the adjusting may include comparing a contrast of the captured picture to a contrast of the user-specified image, and adjusting an intensity output of the projector when the contrast of the captured picture does not substantially match the contrast of the user-specified image.

[0039]Additionally, the adjusting may include comparing an intensity of a first portion of the captured picture to an intensity of a second portion of the captured picture, and adjusting an intensity output of the projector when the intensity of the first portion substantially matches the intensity of the second portion.

[0040]According to still yet another aspect, a device may include means for projecting an image onto a surface; means for capturing a picture of the projected image; and means for adjusting a color of at least one image projected by the means for projecting based on the captured picture.

[0041]According to yet another aspect, a device may include a projector; a camera to capture a picture of a surface; and logic to receive the picture, and adjust a setting of the projector based on the received picture.

[0042]According to still yet another aspect, a projector includes a camera to capture a picture of an image as it is being projected onto a surface by the projector; and logic to receive the image and the captured picture, compare a feature of the image to a feature of the captured picture, and automatically adjusting an output of the projector when the feature of the captured picture does not substantially match the feature of the image