Projection system having a virtual mask

US8193480B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Brett C. Tanis-Likkel · Seattle, US
• Vincent S. Peddle · Bremerton, US
• Mark L. Schuleman · Mendota Heights, US
• Michael L. Graetz · Wiggensbach, DE
• Russell J. Vander Wiel · Maplewood, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 6, 2010
• Grant date: Jun 5, 2012
• Expiry date: Dec 6, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03B21/26
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A projection system includes a projection screen defining a shape and a projector configured to project an image onto the projection screen. The projector may project a static or dynamic image that has substantially the same shape as the projection screen or otherwise block portions of the projected image that are projected outside of the projection screen with the aid of a virtual mask. The virtual mask and the projection screen may be created based on a virtual shape template that defines the desired shape for the projection screen, such as with a vector outline. In some embodiments, the virtual mask and the projection screen are created based on the same virtual shape template. The virtual shape template may define a cutting path for extracting the projection screen from a suitable material.