A short throw projection system and method for displaying a corrected
optical image on a projection screen based on input image data that
includes an electronic correction unit, an image projector and a
reflection assembly. The electronic correction unit receives the input
image data and generates pre-distorted image data. The image projector
receives the pre-distorted image data from the electronic correction unit
and projects a pre-distorted optical image that corresponds to the
pre-distorted image data or a pre-distorted image compensated by the
projection optic distortion. The optical reflection assembly is
positioned in the optical path of the pre-distorted optical image to
project an optical image on the projection screen. The reflection
assembly can consist of various combinations of curved and planar mirrors
as desired. The electronic correction unit is encoded to pre-distort the
geometry of the image represented by the image data such that when the
pre-distorted optical image is projected through the image projector and
reflected within the reflection assembly, the optical and geometric
distortions associated with the image projector and the mirrors within
the reflection assembly are eliminated in the displayed optical image.