Patent Description:
Liquid crystal displays (LCD) and organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices have been widely used in our daily life because they take advantages of thin appearance, low power consumption and no radiation. For example, the LCD and OLED devices can be applied to multimedia players, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, computer monitors, or flat-screen TVs. However, when images are displayed on the screen, since their manufacturing processes and user configurations may be different, colors of the displayed images may be shifted. For example, some color offset effects including an offset of color tones, an offset of white balance, and an offset of color brightness may occur. Unfortunately, these color offset effects often cause unpleasant visual experience and severe color distortion of the displayed images.

When the color offset effects occur, a usual method for adjusting image colors is to open a function of "On-Screen-Display" in order to manually calibrate various parameters of the images displayed on the screen. Then, a user has to take a calibrator close to a small region of the screen. The calibrator can detect image colors of the small region of the screen. Therefore, the user can gradually adjust colors of a full screen image by taking the calibrator close to all small regions of the screen. However, for a general calibrator, since detection range of an optical sensor of the calibrator is limited, the calibrator can only detect optical characteristics of a single dot (i.e., or a small region) of the screen. In other words, for a large screen with high image definition, before a color calibration process of the full screen image is performed, the user has to collect entire optical characteristics of numerous regions of the screen by taking the calibrator close to all regions of the screen. However, collecting entire optical characteristics can be regarded as a repetition operation, thereby taking a lot of time. Further, since the operation of taking the calibrator close to all regions of the screen is manual, alignment error or offset may be introduced, leading to calibration accuracy degradation.

<CIT> discloses a method and system for automatically calibrating a color display for each of a plurality of white colors associated with a plurality of gray levels displayed sequentially by the display device. Further, <NPL>" disclose an AI-NUC algorithm having improvements in both the core algorithm and data management for achieving higher levels of post-correction uniformity in IRSP (infrared scene projectors) images. Further, <CIT> discloses a display device and method of calibrating colors according to standard colors and a captured image of an image acquisition device.

However, accuracy of the aforementioned references may be decreased since no ambient light estimation mechanism is introduced.

The present invention aims at providing a screen calibration method and a screen calibration system capable of correcting full screen color tones automatically by estimating ambient light parameters and luminous characteristics of all regions of the screen in order to improve operation efficiency.

This is achieved by a screen calibration method and a screen calibration system according to the claims. The dependent claims pertain to corresponding further developments and improvements.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a screen calibration system <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. The screen calibration system includes a screen <NUM>, a camera <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, and a processor <NUM>. The screen <NUM> includes a plurality of regions for displaying an image. In the embodiment, the screen <NUM> can be a screen of a liquid-crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode screen, or any screen device capable of generating optical signal. The plurality of regions of the screen <NUM> can be formed by a plurality of sub-pixel arrays. In the screen calibration system <NUM>, the number of the regions, shapes of the regions, and sizes of the regions of the screen <NUM> are not limited. The camera <NUM> is used for acquiring a full screen image of the screen <NUM>. The camera <NUM> can include a lens with a photosensitive component, such as a charge coupled device (CCD). Specifically, the lens can be designed as a wide-angle lens capable of capturing the full screen image of the screen <NUM>. Therefore, when the camera <NUM> takes a picture on the screen <NUM>, it can capture information of the full screen image. The sensor <NUM> close to the screen <NUM> is used for acquiring regional optical data. The sensor <NUM> can include any type of optical sensing device. When the screen <NUM> generates an optical signal for displaying the image, the sensor <NUM> can be used to get close to the screen <NUM> for acquiring optical data of a dot area or a small area of the screen <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is coupled to the sensor <NUM>, the camera <NUM>, and the screen <NUM> for calibrating the screen <NUM>. In the embodiment, a purpose of the screen calibration system <NUM> is to calibrate entire display range of the screen <NUM> according to the full screen image captured by the camera <NUM> and the optical data of the dot area or small area acquired by the sensor <NUM>. Particularly, it is expected that colors of the entire display range of the screen <NUM> can be calibrated to approach target optical data set by the user. For this purpose, the sensor <NUM> can acquire first optical data of the first region of the plurality of regions of the screen <NUM>. The processor <NUM> can adjust the first optical data of the first region of the screen <NUM> according to first calibration parameters for calibrating colors of the first region to approach the target optical data. Further, the processor <NUM> can generate second optical data of a second region according to the full screen image and the first optical data of the first region. Then, the processor <NUM> can generate second calibration parameters according to the target optical data and the second optical data. Finally, the processor <NUM> can adjust the second optical data of the second region of the screen <NUM> according to the second calibration parameters for calibrating colors of the second region to approach the target optical data. In the following, several embodiments are introduced to illustrate operations of the screen calibration system <NUM> and calibration methods.

<FIG> is an illustration of a display device <NUM> integrated by the screen <NUM>, the camera <NUM> and the sensor <NUM> of the screen calibration system <NUM> when a displayed image is to be detected. <FIG> is an illustration of the display device integrated by the screen <NUM>, the camera <NUM>, and the sensor <NUM> of the screen calibration system <NUM> when a detection of the displayed image is in progress. In the screen calibration system <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the camera <NUM>, the sensor <NUM>, and the screen <NUM> can be disposed on a housing of the display device <NUM>. However, the camera <NUM> and the sensor <NUM> can be two separated components from the display device <NUM> and can communicate data by using a wireless link. Any reasonable hardware modification falls into the scope of the present invention. In <FIG>, the sensor <NUM> can be rotated to a position close to the first region of the screen <NUM> by using at least one bearing for acquiring the first optical data. The camera <NUM> can be rotated to a front of the screen <NUM> by using at least one bearing for acquiring the full screen image. However, the sensor <NUM> can be moved to a specific area of the screen <NUM> by using any method. For example, a multi-articulated support can be used for moving the sensor <NUM> to the specific area of the screen <NUM>. The camera <NUM> can also be moved to an appropriate position by using a slide rail device or a flexible connection device for capturing the full screen image.

<FIG> is an illustration of capturing the full screen image by the camera <NUM> of the screen calibration system <NUM>. As previously mentioned, the screen <NUM> can generate the optical signal. The screen <NUM> can be partitioned into the plurality of regions virtually. For example, the screen <NUM> can be partitioned into a region R1 to a region R9. Since the region R1 to the region R9 are allocated on different positions of the screen <NUM>, optical characteristics of the region R1 to region R9 are also different. Further, since the camera <NUM> has to be moved to the appropriate position for capturing the full screen image, a gap between the camera <NUM> and the screen <NUM> is introduced. The gap can be regarded as a focal length of the camera <NUM> for capturing the full screen image displayed on the screen <NUM>. Since the focal length is introduced between the camera <NUM> and the screen <NUM>, an ambient light signal may interfere with each region of the full screen image captured by the camera <NUM>. For convenience, the international commission on illumination (CIE) color space (i.e., CIE <NUM> three-dimensional color space) can be used for illustrating a format of the optical data. However, the present invention is not limited by using CIE color space as the format for calibrating the displayed image. For example, a primary color (RGB) space can be used as the format for converting or projecting optical data of a color domain to another color domain for calibrating the displayed image. As previously mentioned, the ambient light signal may interfere with each region of the full screen image. Therefore, in the full screen image captured by the camera <NUM>, image optical data of a region R1 on the screen <NUM> can be written as (x1, y1, Y1). Equivalently, the image optical data (x1,y1,Y1) can be expressed as: <MAT>.

(x1',y1',Y1') are denoted as real luminous characteristics of the region R1. (Δx1,Δy1,ΔY1) are denoted as ambient light parameters of the region R1. In other words, the image optical data (x1,y1,Y1) of the region R1 acquired by the camera <NUM> can be regarded as a combination of the real luminous characteristics (x1',y1',Y1') with the ambient light parameters (Δx1,Δy1,ΔY1). Similarly, in the full screen image captured by the camera <NUM>, image optical data of a region R2 on the screen <NUM> can be written as (x2,y2,Y2). Further, the image optical data (x2,y2,Y2) can be expressed as: <MAT>.

Here, (x2',y2',Y2') are denoted as real luminous characteristics of the region R2. (Δx2,Δy2,ΔY2) are denoted as ambient light parameters of the region R2. In other words, image optical data (x2, y2, Y2) of the region R2 acquired by the camera <NUM> can be regarded as a combination of the real luminous characteristics (x2',y2',Y2') with the ambient light parameters (Δx2,Δy2,ΔY2), and so on. After the ambient light signal is introduced, the image optical data of the region R1 to the image optical data of the region R9 can be denoted as (x1,y1,Y1) to (x9,y9,Y9).

<FIG> is an illustration of sensing a darkest region of the screen <NUM> by the sensor <NUM> according to the full screen image of the screen calibration system <NUM>. As previously mentioned, the image optical data of the region R1 to the image optical data of the region R9 can be denoted as (x1, y1,Y1) to (x9,y9,Y9). Then, the processor <NUM> can determine the darkest region of the screen <NUM> according to the image optical data (x1,y1,Y1) to (x9,y9,Y9).

In the embodiment, the darkest region of the screen <NUM> is the region R1. In the following, the sensor <NUM> can be moved close to the screen <NUM> for acquiring first optical data of the region R1. Here, the "first optical data" can include optical characteristics of the region R1 without introducing the ambient light signal. Therefore, the first optical data can be equivalent to real luminous characteristics of the region R1. In other words, according to aforementioned definition, the first optical data of the region R1 can be written as (x1',y1',Y1') and can be acquired by using the sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustration of calibrating the darkest region (i.e., R1) of the screen and estimating real luminous characteristics of other regions (i.e., R2 to R9) by the processor <NUM> of the screen calibration system <NUM>. In previous step, the first optical data (x1',y1',Y1') of the region R1 can be acquired by using the sensor <NUM>. The first optical data (x1',y1',Y1') can include the optical characteristics of the region R1 without introducing the ambient light signal. Further, in the full screen image captured by the camera <NUM>, the image optical data of the region R1 on the screen <NUM> can be written as (x1,y1,Y1), which can be further expressed as (x1,y1,Y1)=(x1'+Δx1,y1'+Δy1,Y1'+ΔY1). Therefore, since the first optical data (x1',y1',Y1') can be acquired by the sensor <NUM>, the first optical data (x1',y1',Y1') can include detectable (or say, deterministic) CIE parameters. Similarly, the image optical data (x1,y1,Y1) can be extracted from the full screen image acquired by the camera <NUM>, the image optical data (x1, y1,Y1) can include deterministic CIE parameters. Therefore, for the region R1, a set of ambient light parameters (Δx1,Δy1,ΔY1) can be derived according to the full screen image and the first optical data (x1',y1',Y1'), as <MAT>.

Further, the processor <NUM> can generate first calibration parameters fR1(xR1,yR1,YR1) according to the first optical data (x1', y1',Y1') of the region R1 and target optical data (x,y,Y) set by the user. In other words, for the region R1, a correlation of the target optical data (x,y,Y), the first optical data (x1', y1',Y1'), and the first calibration parameters fR1(xR1,YR1,YR1) can be written as <MAT>.

Here, fR1(xR1,YR1,YR1) can be a transfer function, a recursive function, any color projecting function or matrix. For example, when fR1(xR1,YR1,YR1) is a gain matrix G1RGB, the target optical data (x,y,Y) and the first optical data (x1',y1',Y1') can be two vectors, written as <MAT>.

The first optical data (x1',y1',Y1') can be converted to the target optical data (x,y,Y) recursively. For example, after several recursive loops are performed, values of the first optical data (x1', y1',Y1') can be gradually shifted and converged to values of the target optical data (x,y,Y). Any reasonable color coordinates or color space conversion method falls into the present invention. Further, as previously mentioned, in the full screen image captured by the camera <NUM>, image optical data of the region R2 on the screen <NUM> can be written as (x2,y2,Y2). Since the ambient light signal is introduced, the image optical data (x2,y2,Y2) of the region R2 can be expressed as (x2,y2,Y2)=(x2'+Δx2,y2'+Δy2,Y2'+ΔY2). In the embodiment, since only the ambient light parameters (Δx1,Δy1,ΔY1) of the region R1 can be accurately derived according to the "deterministic" data (x1',y1',Y1') and (x1,y1,Y1), the processor <NUM> can generate second optical data of the second region R2 of the screen <NUM> according to the full screen image and the first optical data of the first region R1. Specifically, the second optical data of the second region R2 can include estimated CIE values of real luminous characteristics of the second region R2, written as <MAT>.

Here, the second optical data of the second region R2 can be written in mathematical approach, as (x2-Δx1,y2-Δy1,Y2-ΔY1). The second optical data can include estimated CIE values of real luminous characteristics of the second region R2, as illustrated below. As previously mentioned, the optical data corresponding to real luminous characteristics of the second region R2 can be written as <MAT>.

Since only the real luminous characteristics of the region R1 is detected by the sensor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can replace the ambient light parameters (Δx2,Δy2,ΔY2) with the ambient light parameters (Δx1,Δy1,ΔY1) for estimating the real luminous characteristics of the second region R2. In other words, when the ambient light parameters (Δx2,Δy2,ΔY2) of the region R2 is substantially equal to the ambient light parameters (Δx1,Δy1,ΔY1) of the region R1. The second optical data of the second region R2 (i.e., in mathematical form of (x2-Δx1,y2-Δy1,Y2-ΔY1)) can be substantially equivalent to the real luminous characteristics (x2',y2',Y2') of the region R2. In the following, the processor <NUM> can generate second calibration parameters fR2(xR2,yR2,YR2) according to the target optical data (x,y,Y) and the second optical data (x2-Δx1,y2-Δy1,Y2-ΔY1). In other words, for the region R2, a correlation of the target optical data (x,y,Y), the second optical data (x2-Δx1,y2-Δy1,Y2-ΔY1), and the second calibration parameters fR2(xR2,yR2,YR2) can be written as <MAT>.

Here, fR2(xR2,yR2,YR2) can be a transfer function, a recursive function, any color projecting function or matrix. For example, when fR2(xR2,yR2,YR2) is a gain matrix G2RGB, the target optical data (x,y,Y) and the second optical data (x2-Δx1,y2-Δy1,Y2-ΔY1) can be two vectors, written as <MAT>.

As previously mentioned, for the region R2, the second optical data (x2-Δx1,y2-Δy1,Y2-ΔY1) includes the estimated CIE values to approach real luminous characteristics (x2',y2',Y2'). Therefore, after the gain matrix G2RGB is introduced for adjusting the real luminous characteristics (x2',y2',Y2'), colors of the second region R2 can be calibrated to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y), as <MAT>.

Briefly, in the screen calibration system <NUM>, the real luminous characteristics of the region R1 can be compensated by using the first calibration parameters fR1(xR1,YR1,YR1) in order to calibrate colors of the region R1 to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y). Similarly, the real luminous characteristics of the region R2 can be compensated by using the second calibration parameters fR2(xR2,yR2,YR2) in order to calibrate colors of the region R2 to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y). Further, other regions of the screen <NUM> of the screen calibration system <NUM> can use the similar method for calibrating colors. Finally, colors of all regions R1 to R9 of the screen <NUM> can be calibrated to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y).

<FIG> is an illustration of calibrating other regions of the screen <NUM> by the processor <NUM> of the screen calibration system <NUM> after the darkest region R1 is calibrated. As previously mentioned, since the processor <NUM> can accurately generate the ambient light parameters (Δx1,Δy1,ΔY1) of the region R1 by using the camera <NUM> and the sensor <NUM>, the real luminous characteristics of the region R1 can be accurately compensated by using the first calibration parameters fR1(xR1,YR1,YR1) in order to calibrate colors of the region R1 to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y). For other regions of the screen <NUM>, real luminous characteristics of other regions can be "estimated" by the processor <NUM> according to the ambient light parameters (Δx1,Δy1,ΔY1) of the region R1 and the full screen image captured by the camera <NUM>. Then, colors of other regions can be calibrated to approach the target optical data (i.e., or say, calibrated with tolerable color offsets) by using corresponding calibration parameters. In other words, under slight fluctuations of the ambient light signals, the displayed image of the screen <NUM> is consistent with the target optical data (x,y,Y). Further, in the screen calibration system <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can generate a plurality of testing patterns on the screen <NUM> according to the target optical data. The screen <NUM> can display the plurality of testing patterns for calibrating image colors. When the target optical data (x,y,Y) is supported by the darkest region R1 of the screen <NUM>, it implies that the target optical data (x,y,Y) can be supported by all regions of the screen <NUM>. The reason is illustrated below. The real luminous characteristics of the darkest region R1 can be compensated by using the first calibration parameters fR1(xR1,YR1,YR1) with large compensating gains in order to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y). Therefore, since the first calibration parameters fR1(xR1,yR1,YR1) with large compensating gains can be used for compensating the real luminous characteristics of the darkest region R1 to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y), necessarily, the second calibration parameters fR2(xR2,yR2,YR2) with small compensating gains can be used for compensating the real luminous characteristics of other region (i.e., the region R2) to approach the target optical data (x, y, Y). In other words, when the darkest region R1 of the screen <NUM> is regarded as a reference region and successfully compensated, the target optical data (x,y,Y) can be supported by all regions of the screen <NUM>. However, the sensor <NUM> of the present invention is not limited to detecting the darkest region R1 of the screen <NUM>. For example, the sensor <NUM> can be used for detecting a user-defined region, as illustrated below.

<FIG> is an illustration of sensing a center region of the screen <NUM> by the sensor <NUM> of the screen calibration system <NUM>. Here, the sensor <NUM> can acquire first optical data of the center region (hereafter, say "region R5") of the screen <NUM>. Since the region R5 is located on a center position of the screen <NUM>, the sensor <NUM> can directly get close to the region R5 of the screen <NUM> for acquiring the first optical data. In other words, in the embodiment, the sensor <NUM> can acquire the first optical data of the region R5 of the screen <NUM> before the camera <NUM> acquires the full screen image displayed on the screen <NUM>. Therefore, the user can take the sensor <NUM> to approach the center position of the screen <NUM> (i.e., region R5) without determining a darkest region of the screen according to the full screen image. Here, the "first optical data" is defined as optical data of a region acquired by the sensor <NUM> close to the region. In the aforementioned embodiment, the sensor <NUM> can acquire the first optical data of the darkest region R1 of the screen <NUM>. In the embodiment, the sensor <NUM> can acquire the first optical data of the region R5 on the center position of the screen <NUM>. Therefore, in the embodiment, the "first optical data" corresponds to real luminous characteristics of the region R5 without introducing ambient light signal interference, denoted as (x5',y5',Y5'). Similarly, in the full screen image captured by the camera <NUM>, image optical data of a region R2 on the screen <NUM> can be written as (x2, y2,Y2). Further, the image optical data (x2, y2, Y2) can be expressed as: <MAT>.

Here, (x2',y2',Y2') are denoted as real luminous characteristics of the region R2. (Δx2,Δy2,ΔY2) are denoted as ambient light parameters of the region R2. In other words, image optical data (x2,y2,Y2) of the region R2 acquired by the camera <NUM> can be regarded as a combination of the real luminous characteristics (x2',y2',Y2') with the ambient light parameters (Δx2,Δy2,ΔY2). Similarly, the image optical data of the region R5 on the screen <NUM> can be written as (x5,y5,Y5). Further, the image optical data (x5,y5,Y5) can be expressed as: <MAT>.

Here, (x5',y5',Y5') are denoted as real luminous characteristics of the region R5. (Δx5,Δy5,ΔY5) are denoted as ambient light parameters of the region R5. In other words, the image optical data (x5,y5,Y5) of the region R5 acquired by the camera <NUM> can be regarded as a combination of the real luminous characteristics (x5',y5',Y5')with the ambient light parameters (Δx5,Δy5,ΔY5), and so on. After the ambient light signal is introduced, image optical data of the region R1 to optical data of the region R9 can be denoted as (x1,y1,Y1) to (x9,y9,Y9). Particularly, the first optical data of the region R5 can be written as (x5',y5',Y5') and can be acquired by using the sensor <NUM> since the sensor <NUM> is close to the region R5.

<FIG> is an illustration of calibrating the center region of the screen <NUM> and estimating real luminous characteristics of other regions by the processor <NUM> of the screen calibration system <NUM>. In previous step, the first optical data (x5',y5',Y5') of the region R5 can be acquired by using the sensor <NUM>. As previous definition, in the full screen image captured by the camera <NUM>, image optical data of the region R5 on the screen <NUM> can be written as (x5,y5,Y5)=(x5'+Δx5,y5'+Δy5,Y5'+ΔY5). Therefore, since the first optical data (x5',y5',Y5') of the region R5 can be acquired by the sensor <NUM>, the first optical data (x5',y5',Y5') can include detectable (or say, deterministic) CIE parameters. Therefore, for the region R5, a set of ambient light parameters (Δx5,Δy5,ΔY5) can be acquired according to the full screen image and the first optical data (x5',y5',Y5'), as <MAT>.

Further, the processor <NUM> can generate calibration parameters fR5(xR5,yR5,YR5) according to the first optical data (x5',y5',Y5')of the region R5 and target optical data (x,y,Y) set by the user. In other words, for the region R5, a correlation of the target optical data (x,y,Y), the first optical data (x5',y5',Y5'), and the first calibration parameters fR,<NUM>(xR5,yR5,YR5) can be written as <MAT>.

Here, fR5(xR5,yR5,YR5) can be a transfer function, a recursive function, any color projecting function or matrix. For example, when fR5(xR5,yR5,YR5) is a gain matrix G5RGB, the target optical data (x,y,Y) and the first optical data (x5',y5',Y5')can be two vectors, written as <MAT>.

The first optical data (x5',y5',Y5') can be converted to the target optical data (x,y,Y) recursively. For example, after several recursive loops are performed, values of the first optical data (x5',y5',Y5') can be gradually shifted and converged to values of the target optical data (x,y,Y). Any reasonable color coordinates or color space conversion method falls into the present invention. In <FIG>, colors of the region R5 can be calibrated to approach target optical data (x,y,Y). Further, as previously mentioned, in the full screen image captured by the camera <NUM>, image optical data of the region R2 on the screen <NUM> can be written as (x2,y2,Y2). Since the ambient light signal is introduced, the image optical data (x2,y2,Y2) of the region R2 can be expressed as (x2,y2,Y2)=(x2'+Δx2,y2'+Δy2,Y2'+ΔY2). In the embodiment, since only the ambient light parameters (Δx5,Δy5,ΔY5) of the region R5 can be accurately derived, the processor <NUM> can generate second optical data of the second region R2 of the screen <NUM> according to the full screen image and the first optical data. Specifically, the second optical data of the second region R2 can include estimated CIE values of real luminous characteristics of the second region R2, written as <MAT>.

Here, the second optical data of the second region R2 can be written in a mathematical form, as (x2-Δx5,y2-Δy5,Y2-ΔY5). The second optical data can include estimated CIE values of real luminous characteristics of the second region R2, as illustrated below. As previously mentioned, the optical data corresponding to real luminous characteristics of the second region R2 can be written as <MAT>.

Since only the real luminous characteristics of the region R5 is detected by the sensor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can replace the ambient light parameters (Δx2,Δy2,ΔY2) with the ambient light parameters (Δx5,Δy5,ΔY5) for estimating the real luminous characteristics of the second region R5. In other words, when the ambient light parameters (Δx2,Δy2,ΔY2) of the region R2 is substantially equal to the ambient light parameters (Δx5,Δy5,ΔY5) of the region R5. The second optical data of the second region R2 (i.e., in mathematical form of (x2-Δx5,y2-Δy5,Y2-ΔY5)) can be substantially equivalent to the real luminous characteristics (x2',y2',Y2') of the region R2. In the following, the processor <NUM> can generate second calibration parameters fR2(xR2,yR2,YR2) according to the target optical data (x,y,Y) and the second optical data (x2-Δx5,y2-Δy5,Y2-ΔY5). In other words, for the region R2, a correlation of the target optical data (x,y,Y), the second optical data (x2-Δx5,y2-Δy5,Y2-ΔY5), and the second calibration parameters fR2(xR2,yR2,YR2) can be written as <MAT>.

Here, fR2(xR2,yR2,YR2) can be a transfer function, a recursive function, any color projecting function or matrix. For example, when fR2(xR2,yR2,YR2) is a gain matrix G2RGB, the target optical data (x,y,Y) and the second optical data (x2-Δx5,y2-Δy5,Y2-ΔY5) can be two vectors, written as <MAT>.

As previously mentioned, for the region R2, the second optical data (x2-Δx5,y2-Δy5,Y2-ΔY5) includes the estimated CIE values to approach real luminous characteristics (x2',y2',Y2'). Therefore, after the gain matrix G2RGB is introduced for adjusting the real luminous characteristics (x2',y2',Y2'), colors of the second region R2 can be calibrated to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y), as <MAT>.

Briefly, in the embodiment, the real luminous characteristics of the region R5 can be compensated in order to calibrate colors of the region R5 to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y). Similarly, the real luminous characteristics of the region R2 can be compensated in order to calibrate colors of the region R2 to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y). Further, other regions of the screen <NUM> of the screen calibration system <NUM> can use the similar method for calibrating colors. Finally, colors of all regions R1 to R9 of the screen <NUM> can be calibrated to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y).

<FIG> is an illustration of calibrating other regions of the screen <NUM> by the processor <NUM> of the screen calibration system <NUM> after the center region R5 is calibrated. As previously mentioned, since the processor <NUM> can accurately generate the ambient light parameters (Δx5,Δy5,ΔY5) of the region R5 by using the camera <NUM> and the sensor <NUM>, the real luminous characteristics of the region R5 can be accurately compensated in order to calibrate colors of the region R5 to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y). For other regions of the screen <NUM>, real luminous characteristics of other regions can be "estimated" by the processor <NUM> according to the ambient light parameters (Δx5,Δy5,ΔY5) of the region R1 and the full screen image captured by the camera <NUM>. Then, colors of other regions can be calibrated to approach the target optical data (i.e., or say, calibrated with tolerable color offsets) by using corresponding calibration parameters. In other words, under slight fluctuations of the ambient light signals, the displayed image of the screen <NUM> is consistent with the target optical data (x,y,Y). Further, the processor <NUM> can generate a plurality of testing patterns on the screen <NUM> according to the target optical data. The screen <NUM> can display the plurality of testing patterns for calibrating image colors. However, even if the target optical data (x,y,Y) is supported by the center region R5 of the screen <NUM>, it cannot ensure that the target optical data (x,y,Y) is supported by all regions of the screen <NUM>. The reason is that the center region R5 may not be the darkest region of the screen <NUM>. Therefore, even if the real luminous characteristics of the center region R5 can be compensated by using calibration parameters fR5(xR5, yR5,YR5) in order to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y), other regions with lower brightness level may fail to be calibrated by using calibration parameters with large compensating gains. For example, a target optical data defined by the user can include <NUM> color temperature and <NUM> nits (i.e., candela per square meter). However, although the region R5 located on the center position of the screen <NUM> can be calibrated to generate an optical signal with brightness equal to <NUM> nits, some regions of the screen <NUM> may fail to be calibrated to reach <NUM> nits of brightness. Therefore, to avoid non-uniform brightness distribution of the screen <NUM>, the target optical data (x,y,Y) can be adjusted by the screen calibration system <NUM>. For example, brightness of <NUM> nits of the target optical data can be decreased to <NUM> nits by the screen calibration system <NUM>, thereby achieving uniform brightness distribution of the screen <NUM>. In other words, when the plurality of testing patterns displayed on the screen <NUM> are inconsistent with the target optical data (x,y,Y), the processor <NUM> can adjust the target optical data (x,y,Y) for generating adjusted target optical data. For example, the processor <NUM> can adjust brightness of the target optical data (x,y,Y) for generating adjusted target optical data with a tolerable brightness offset. By doing so, colors of all regions of the screen <NUM> are consistence with the adjusted target optical data, thereby achieving uniform brightness distribution of the screen <NUM>.

When the testing patterns displayed on the screen <NUM> are consistent with the target optical data (x,y,Y), it implies that the target optical data (x,y,Y) is compatible with the screen <NUM>. Thus, the target optical data (x,y,Y) is fixed. Colors of all regions of the screen <NUM> can be calibrated to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y). Further, the first optical data acquired by the sensor <NUM> can be real luminous characteristics of a darkest region (i.e., the region R1) of the screen <NUM>, or a center region (i.e., the region R5) of the screen <NUM>. The processor <NUM> can generate a set of ambient light parameters according to the full screen image and the first optical data. The processor <NUM> can further estimate real luminous characteristics of all regions accordingly. Finally, the processor <NUM> can compensate colors of all regions to approach the target optical data (x,y,Y). However, the present invention is not limited to using optical information of the darkest region or the center region. For example, the first optical data can be defined as optical data of any user-defined region of the screen <NUM> detected by the sensor <NUM>. Hereafter, colors of other regions can be compensated accordingly. Further, after the colors of all regions are compensated, the user can manually use the sensor <NUM> for detecting optical data of each region of the screen <NUM> for verifying optical consistency of all regions of the screen <NUM>. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> can automatically detect the optical data of the each region of the screen <NUM> for verifying the optical consistency of all regions of the screen <NUM>. By doing so, after a color calibration process of the screen <NUM> is completed, the screen <NUM> can display images with uniformly color distribution, leading to visual experience improvement.

<FIG> is a flow chart of a screen calibration method performed by the screen calibration system <NUM>. The screen calibration method includes step S101 to step S105. Any reasonable modification falls into the scope of the present invention. Step S101 to step S105 are written below.

Operations of step S101 to step S105 are illustrated previously. Thus, they are omitted here. By using step S101 to step S105, the screen calibration system <NUM> can provide convenient color calibration operations and satisfactory calibration result.

Claim 1:
A screen calibration method comprising:
acquiring a full screen image displayed on a screen (<NUM>) Z comprising a plurality of regions by a camera (<NUM>) to generate an acquired full screen image;
acquiring first optical data of a first region (R1) of the screen (<NUM>) by a sensor (<NUM>) close to the screen (<NUM>) and configured to acquire first optical data of the first region (R1) of the screen (<NUM>), wherein the first optical data acquired from the sensor (<NUM>) is equivalent to a real luminous characteristic of the first region (R1) without introducing an ambient light signal; ;
generating first calibration parameters according to target optical data and the first optical data;
calibrating colors of the first region (R1) of the screen (<NUM>) according to first calibration parameters to approach target optical data;
the method being characterized by further comprising:
determining a set of ambient light parameters for the first region (R1) according to the full screen image and the first optical data;
estimating second optical data of a second region (R2) according to the acquired full screen image and the set of ambient light parameters for the first region (R1);
generating second calibration parameters according to the target optical data and the second optical data; and
calibrating colors of the second region (R2) of the screen (<NUM>) according to the second calibration parameters to approach the target optical data.