Image projection apparatus and operation method thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018024696-A1
Application number	US-201515549131-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 10, 2015
Priority date	Feb 4, 2015
Publication date	Jan 25, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

An image projection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention senses the distance to an image projection area to which an image is projected, and determines an image projection state including a state of at least one of the image projection area and a space between the image projection apparatus and the image projection area, on the basis of the sensed distance. The image projection apparatus projects an image onto the image projection area on the basis of the determined image projection state.

First claim

1 . An operating method of an image projection apparatus, the operating method comprising:
sensing a distance to an image projection area to which an image is projected; determining, based on the sensed distance, an image projection state including a state of at least one of the image projection area and a space between the image projection apparatus and the image projection area; and projecting, based on the determined image projection state, the image to the image projection area.

2 . The operating method of claim 1 , wherein the sensing of the distance to the image projection area comprises sensing distances to a plurality of areas included in the image projection area;
wherein the determining of the image projection state comprises recognizing a user input to an image screen projected to the image projection area, based on variations of the sensed distances to the plurality of areas; and wherein the projecting of the image to the image projection area comprises performing an operation corresponding to the recognized user input.

3 . The operating method of claim 2 , wherein the recognizing of the user input to the image screen comprises recognizing the user input to an area, in which the variation of the sensed distance is equal to or more than a reference value, among the plurality of areas; and
wherein the performing of the operation corresponding to the recognized user input comprises performing an operation corresponding to the area in which the variation is equal to or more than the reference value.

4 . The operating method of claim 1 , wherein the determining of the image projection state comprises sensing a distance change of the image projection area based on the sensed distance, and
wherein the projecting of the image to the image projection area comprises adjusting brightness of the projected image, corresponding to the sensed distance change of the image projection area.

5 . The operating method of claim 1 , wherein the determining of the image projection state comprises sensing a distance change of the image projection area based on the sensed distance, and
wherein the projecting of the image on the image projection area comprises projecting the projected image to another area instead of the image projection area, corresponding to the sensed distance change of the image projection area.

6 . The operating method of claim 1 , wherein the determining of the image projection state comprises recognizing, based on the sensed distance, an obstacle in the space between the image projection apparatus and the image projection area; and
wherein the projecting of the image to the image projection area comprises adjusting at least one of a projection direction and the size of the projected image, corresponding to the recognized obstacle.

7 . A image projection apparatus comprising:
an image projection unit to project an image; a sensing unit to sense a distance to an image projection area to which an image is projected; and a control unit to determine, based on the sensed distance, an image projection state including a state of at least one of the image projection area and a space between the image projection apparatus and the image projection area, and control the image projection unit to project the image to the image projection area based on the determined image projection state.

8 . The image projection apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the sensing unit senses distances to a plurality of areas included in the image projection area, and
wherein the control unit recognizes a user input to an image screen projected to the image projection area, based on variations of the sensed distances to the plurality of areas, and performs an operation the recognized user input.

9 . The image projection apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the control unit:
recognizes the user input to an area, in which the variation of the sensed distance is equal to or more than a reference value, among the plurality of areas; and performs an operation corresponding to the area in which the variation is equal to or more than the reference value.

10 . The image projection apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the control unit:
senses a distance change of the image projection area based on the sensed distance; and adjusts brightness of the projected image, corresponding to the sensed distance change of the image projection area.

11 . The image projection apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the control unit:
senses a distance change of the image projection area based on the sensed distance; and projects the projected image to another area instead of the image projection area, corresponding to the sensed distance change of the image projection area.

12 . The image projection apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the control unit:
recognizes, based on the sensed distance, an obstacle in the space between the image projection apparatus and the image projection area; and adjusts at least one of a projection direction and the size of the projected image, corresponding to the recognized obstacle.

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Lee Sangho
• Kim Kyoungjoung
• Lee Kyungho
• You Hyunhee
• Yoon Hyunsik
• Kim Yangsik
• Lim Jihwan
• Park Jeonghoon
• Kim Taesoon
• Kang Sangkyu

Classifications

• G06F3/0425 Primary

  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) · CPC title

• H04N9/3179

  Video signal processing therefor · CPC title

• G06F2203/04101

  2.5D-digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus, also when it does not touch, but is proximate to the digitiser's interaction surface and also measures the distance of the input means within a short range in the Z direction, possibly with a separate measurement setup · CPC title

• G06F3/0482

  Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus · CPC title

• G06F3/0488

  using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures · CPC title