On the Resolution Limits of Superimposed Projection

Abstract

Multi-projector super-resolution is the dual of multi-camera superresolution. The goal of projector super-resolution is to produce a high resolution frame via superimposition of multiple low resolution subframes. Prior work claims that it is impossible to improve resolution via superimposed projection except in specialized circumstances. Rigorous analysis has been previously restricted to the special case of uniform display sampling, which reduces the problem to a simple shift-invariant deblurring. To understand the true behavior of superimposed projection as an inverse of classical camera super-resolution, one must consider the effects of non-uniform displacements between component subframes. In this paper, we resolve two fundamental theoretical questions concerning resolution enhancement via superimposed projection. First, we show that it is possible to reproduce frequencies that are well beyond the Nyquist limit of any of the component subframes. Second, we show that nonuniform sampling and pixel reconstruction functions impose fundamental limits on achievable resolution.

Realizing Super-Resolution with Superimposed Projection

“…Theoretical questions around the possibility of super-resolution have been clearly resolved; more details on the theoretical aspects of superimposed projection may be found in [5,6].…”

“…In recent work [5,6], we showed that in fact superresolution via superimposed projection is theoretically possible even in the case of non-uniform sampling. Specifically, we can generate subframes that are themselves severely aliased, but when superimposed combine to form alias-free high resolution images.…”

A virtual pixel software and hardware technology to increase projector resolution

“…The fixed overlay approach has been referred to by numerous terms including superimposed projection [24] / superimposed displays [25], optical pixel sharing [26], and display supersampling [27]. This approach is exemplified by the work of Jaynes and Ramakrishnan's [12] using multiple projectors and Heide, et al's [13] and Lanman, et al's [14,15] demonstration of stacked LCD panels).…”

Enhancing head and helmet-mounted displays using a virtual pixel technology

“…Prior work on overlaid coloration sources has included the use of optical pixel sharing [23], display super-sampling [24], and superimposition techniques for projectors [25] and conventional displays [26]. Techniques that incorporate movement have also been developed.…”