US 8,610,761 B2Granted

Systems and methods for optically projecting three-dimensional text, images and/or symbols onto three-dimensional objects

AssigneeProhectionworks, Inc.

InventorsBrett Stanton Haisty, Roger Curtis Richardson

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Abstract

The present invention provides a method whereby the spatial relationship and orientations of one or more three-dimensional objects being illuminated by an optical projector, and the optical projector itself, can be very accurately defined both quickly and easily. The present invention also provides a novel computerized optical projection system whereby three dimensional data when viewed by the human eye projected onto three dimensional objects is not deformed as a result of the non-planar projection surface. The present invention could have many applications in many industries that include entertainment, apparel, marketing, and many others. In one embodiment, the invention provides computerized optical assembly or manufacturing guidance systems, and related methods, that provide step-by-step assembly or manufacturing instructions for instructing technicians how to assemble or manufacture three-dimensional objects or systems, or parts thereof, which may be extremely complex, such as an aircraft, or a part thereof (a vertical stabilizer, or the like), in a very efficient, rapid and accurate manner. The assembly instructions are in the form of calibrated three-dimensional text, images and/or symbols, and are projected by one or a plurality of optical projectors that are in operable communication with one or a plurality of computers onto the three-dimensional objects or systems, or component parts or skins thereof.

Claims65

Dependent claims

A computerized optical system for a projection of three-dimensional text, images and/or symbols onto one or a plurality of surfaces of a variety of different three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, comprising:

(a) one or more computers including an operating system, one or a plurality of graphics cards that can support a three-dimensional graphics computer programming language, or a combination or hardware and software that performs an equivalent function, and one or a plurality of computer ports that are capable of outputting video signals which contain a representation of text, images, symbols, or a combination thereof;
(b) one or a plurality of programs that can run on the operating systems, and that function separately or together in any suitable order to enable a user of the system to:
(i) create or import three-dimensional surface data that defines a geometric configuration of one or a plurality of surfaces of the one or a plurality of three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, to be projected upon;
(ii) create or import three-dimensional data that defines a geometric configuration of one or a plurality of text, images or symbols, or a combination thereof, to be projected upon the one or a plurality of surfaces of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof;
(iii) correlate into one coordinate system one or a plurality of optical projectors, the surfaces of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, being projected upon, and the data of item (ii);
(iv) calibrate optics of the one or the plurality of optical projectors concurrently with correlating the coordinate system, wherein the optics being calibrated comprises at least one of focal length, lens distortion, optical center, or scaling;
and
(v) display the data of item (ii) using the correlation determined in item (iii) onto the one or a plurality of surfaces of the one or a plurality of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof;
(c) one or a plurality of data files containing:
(i) three-dimensional surface data that defines a geometric configuration of one or a plurality of the surfaces of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, to be projected upon;
(ii) three-dimensional data that defines a geometric configuration of the one or a plurality of text, images or symbols, or a combination thereof, to be projected upon the one or a plurality of surfaces of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof;
and
(d) one or a plurality of optical projectors operably connected with the computers, wherein the optical projectors function to project one or a plurality of the correlated three-dimensional text, images or symbols, or a combination thereof, originating from the computers, simultaneously or at different times, in a substantially or fully undistorted manner, onto the one or a plurality of the surfaces of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, in one or a plurality of different colors, or combination of colors.

10 more elements

A computerized projection system for guiding users in manufacturing one or a plurality of three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, comprising:

(a) one or more computers including an operating system, one or a plurality of graphics cards that can support a three-dimensional graphics computer programming language, or a combination or hardware and software that performs an equivalent function, and one or a plurality of computer ports that are capable of outputting video signals which contain a representation of text, images, symbols, or a combination thereof;
(b) one or a plurality of programs that can run on the operating systems, and that function separately or together in any suitable order to enable a user of the system to:
(i) create or import three-dimensional surface data that defines a geometric configuration of one or a plurality of surfaces of the one or a plurality of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, to be optically projected on;
(ii) create or import three-dimensional data that defines a geometric configuration of one or a plurality of text, images or symbols, or a combination thereof, to be optically projected upon the one or a plurality of surfaces of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof;
(iii) organize the data of item (ii) into ordered steps or according to other desired criteria;
(iv) correlate into one coordinate system one or a plurality of optical projectors, the surfaces of the three-dimensional objects, or parts, being optically projected upon, and the data of item (ii), in the manner defined in item (iii);
(v) calibrate optics of the one or the plurality of optical projectors concurrently with correlating the coordinate system, wherein the optics being calibrated comprises at least one of focal length, lens distortion, optical center, or scaling;
and
(vi) display the data of item (ii) using the correlation determined in item (iv) onto the one or a plurality of the surfaces of the one or a plurality of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, to be manufactured and execute the ordered steps, other desired criteria, or both, identified in item (iii);
(c) one or a plurality of data files containing:
(i) three-dimensional surface data that defines a geometric configuration of the one or a plurality of surfaces of the three dimensional objects, or parts thereof, to be optically projected upon;
(ii) three-dimensional data that defines a geometric configuration of the one or a plurality of text, images or symbols, or a combination thereof, to be optically projected upon the one or plurality of the surfaces of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, to be manufactured;
and
(d) one or a plurality of optical projectors operably connected with the computers, wherein the optical projectors function to optically project the one or a plurality of the correlated three-dimensional text, images or symbols, or a combination thereof, originating from the computers, simultaneously or at different times, in a substantially or fully undistorted manner, onto the one or a plurality of the surfaces of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, in one or a plurality of different colors, or combination of colors.

11 more elements

A computer program product for use in a computerized optical projection system for guiding users in manufacturing a variety of different three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, in which one or a plurality of optical projectors operably connected with one or a plurality of computers optically project three-dimensional text, images and/or symbols in a substantially or fully undistorted manner onto one or a plurality of surfaces of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, comprising:

(a) a non-transitory computer usable medium having computer readable program code physically embodied therein;
and
(b) computer readable program code that enables a user to:
(i) create or import three-dimensional surface data that defines a geometric configuration of one or a plurality of surfaces of the one or a plurality of three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, to be optically projected on;
(ii) create or import three-dimensional data that defines a geometric configuration of one or a plurality of text, images or symbols, or a combination thereof, to be optically projected upon the one or plurality of surfaces of the one or a plurality of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof;
(iii) organize the data of item (ii) into ordered steps or according to other desired criteria;
(iv) correlate into one coordinate system one or a plurality of optical projectors, the one or a plurality of surfaces of the one or a plurality of the three-dimensional objects, or parts, being optically projected upon, and the data of item (ii), in the manner defined in item (iii);
(v) calibrate optics of the one or the plurality of optical projectors concurrently with correlating the coordinate system, wherein the optics being calibrated comprises at least one of focal length, lens distortion, optical center, or scaling;
and
(vi) display the data of item (ii) using the correlation determined in item (iv) onto the one or a plurality of the surfaces of the one or a plurality of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, to be manufactured and execute the ordered steps, other desired criteria, or both, identified in item (iii).

7 more elements

A programmed computer for use in a computerized optical projection system for guiding users in manufacturing a variety of different three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, in which one or a plurality of optical projectors are operably connected with the computer optically project three-dimensional text, images and/or symbols in a substantially or fully undistorted manner onto one or a plurality of surfaces of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, comprising:

(a) a computer;
and
(b) a non-transitory computer usable medium having computer readable program code physically embodied therein that enables a user to:
(i) create or import three-dimensional surface data that defines a geometric configuration of one or a plurality of surfaces of one or a plurality of three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, to be optically projected on;
(ii) create or import three-dimensional data that defines a geometric configuration of one or a plurality of text, images or symbols, or a combination thereof, to be optically projected upon the one or plurality of surfaces of the one or a plurality of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof;
(iii) organize the data of item (ii) into ordered steps or according to other desired criteria;
(iv) correlate into one coordinate system one or a plurality of optical projectors, the one or a plurality of surfaces of the one or a plurality of the three-dimensional objects, or parts, being optically projected upon, and the data of item (ii), in the manner defined in item (iii);
(v) calibrate optics of the one or the plurality of optical projectors concurrently with correlating the coordinate system, wherein the optics being calibrated comprises at least one of focal length, lens distortion, optical center, or scaling;
and
(vi) display the data of item (ii) using the correlation determined in item (iv) onto the one or a plurality of the surfaces of the one or a plurality of the three-dimensional objects, or parts thereof, to be manufactured and execute the ordered steps, other desired criteria, or both, identified in item (iii).

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/590,500Filed 9 Nov 2009
Published: US 2011/0169924 A114 Jul 2011
Granted: 17 Dec 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

H04N 13/30
Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof: image reproducers
H04N 9/3147
Constructional details thereof: multi-projection systems
H04N 9/3185
Video signal processing therefor: geometric adjustment, e.g. keystone or convergence
H04N 9/3197
Projection devices for colour picture display , e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]: using light modulating optical valves