Illumination field blending for use in subtitle projection systems
AssigneeInFocus Corporation
InventorsBrian D. Wichner, Mark Peterson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A projection system that projects a text or subtitle box onto an image minimizes the contrast between the text box and the image. A transition region surrounding the text box minimizes visual disruption to the image onto which the text box is projected. The positions of optical elements of a text projector enable the text box to gradually fade out. The text projector has a lamp that defines an object plane and a light path modifier. The light path modifier is offset from the object plane, toward the lamp to blend the borders of the text box into the image projected by an image projector.
Claims26
In a projection system that includes an image projection system adapted to project an image, a text projection system which is adapted to project text in a text box onto the image projected by the image projection system, the text projection system comprising:
- a light source adapted to project light to display text in a text box;
- a light path modifier positioned to receive light from the light source;
- a relay lens positioned to receive light from the light path modifier;
- a display device positioned to receive the light from the relay lens;
- and
- a projection lens positioned to receive the light from the display device and to direct the light so as to superimpose the text box onto the image projected by the image projection system,
- wherein the relay lens defines the position of an object plane and wherein the light path modifier is sufficiently offset from the object plane to decrease the sharpness of borders of the text box so that contrast between the text box and the image projected by the image projection system is diminished.
A projection system, comprising:
- an image projection system adapted to project an image;
- and
- a text projection system adapted to project text in a text box,
- wherein the text projection system comprises a light path modifier positioned to receive light from a light source and to direct the light to a relay lens, the relay lens being positioned to transmit the light toward a display device positioned to direct the light to a projection lens,
- wherein the projection lens is positioned to superimpose the text box onto the image projected by the image projection system, and
- wherein the relay lens defines the position of an object plane and wherein light path modifier is sufficiently offset from the object plane to decrease the sharpness of borders of the text box so that contrast between the text box and the image projected by the image projection system is diminished.
A method for projecting an image with subtitles that minimizes the contrast at a transition from a text box around the subtitles to a projected image, comprising:
- obtaining an image projection system adapted to project an image;
- obtaining a text projection system having optical elements adapted to project light to display the text in the text box;
- and
- adjusting the optical elements of the text projection system so that the light projected by the text projection system is diffused along borders of the text box.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.