Displaying an image based on proximity of observer

• US 20030011754A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novus Displays LLC
• Original Assignee: SI Diamond Technology, Inc. (Nano Magic, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sweaton, Michael C., Yaniv, Zvi
• Granted Patent: US 6,616,284 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/98
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/28 Reflectors in projection beam in illumination beam G03B21/2066

Abstract

A method and system for projecting an image. An image projection system may include a sensor configured to detect the presence of an observer within a proximity of a medium, e.g., screen, window. In response to the sensor detecting the presence of an observer within a proximity of the medium, one or more portions of the medium may be switched from a transparent state to a substantially translucent state. At a substantially concurrent time as switching the one or more portions of the medium to a substantially translucent state, an image may be projected onto such portion(s). Hence, an image may be displayed in response to detecting an observer within the proximity of the medium.

Claims

1. A method for projecting an image comprising the steps of:

detecting an observer within a proximity of a medium;

switching a location on said medium from a transparent state to a substantially translucent state in response to detecting said observer within said proximity of said medium; and

projecting an image onto said location at a substantially concurrent time as switching said location on said medium to said substantially translucent state.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of:

outputting audio to a speaker in response to detecting said observer within said proximity of said medium.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting said image to a projector; and

transmitting a command to said projector indicating said location to project said image.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a command to close a shutter of a projector; and

switching said location upon which said image was projected back to said transparent state at a substantially concurrent time as closing said shutter of said projector.

5. An image projection system, comprising:

a medium;

a projector for projecting an image onto said medium;

a computer coupled to said medium and said projector; and

a sensor coupled to said computer, wherein said sensor is configured to detect an observer within a proximity of said medium, wherein said sensor upon detecting said observer within said proximity of said medium transmits an indication of detecting said observer within said proximity of said medium to said computer;

wherein said computer comprises;

a memory unit operable for storing a computer program for projecting an image onto said medium; and

a processor coupled to said memory unit, wherein said processor, responsive to said computer program, comprises;

circuitry operable for switching a location on said medium from a transparent state to a substantially translucent state in response to receiving said indication of detecting said observer within said proximity of said medium; and

circuitry operable for transmitting a command to open a shutter of said projector at a substantially concurrent time as switching said location on said medium to said substantially translucent state;

wherein said projector projects an image onto said location at a substantially concurrent time as switching said location on said medium to said substantially translucent state.

6. The image projection system as recited in claim 5, wherein said processor further comprises:

circuitry operable for outputting audio to a speaker in response to detecting said observer within said proximity of said medium.

7. The image projection system as recited in claim 5, wherein said processor further comprises:

circuitry operable for transmitting said image to said projector; and

circuitry operable for transmitting a command to said projector indicating said location to project said image.

8. The image projection system as recited in claim 5, wherein said processor further comprises:

circuitry operable for transmitting a command to close said shutter of said projector; and

circuitry operable for switching said location upon which said image was projected back to said transparent state at a substantially concurrent time as closing said shutter of said projector.

9. An image projection system, comprising:

a medium comprising a location configurable to switch from a transparent state to a substantially translucent state in response to detecting an observer within a proximity of said medium; and

a projector for projecting an image onto said location in response to detecting said observer within said proximity of said medium.

10. The image projection system as recited in claim 9 further comprises:

a computer coupled to said medium and said projector; and

a sensor coupled to said computer, wherein said sensor is configured to detect said observer within said proximity of said medium, wherein said sensor upon detecting said observer within said proximity of said medium transmits an indication of detecting said observer within said proximity of said medium to said computer.

11. The image projection system as recited in claim 10, wherein said computer comprises:

a memory unit operable for storing a computer program for projecting said image onto said medium; and

a processor coupled to said memory unit, wherein said processor, responsive to said computer program, comprises;

circuitry operable for switching said location on said medium from said transparent state to said substantially translucent state in response to receiving said indication of detecting said observer within said proximity of said medium; and

circuitry operable for transmitting a command to open a shutter of said projector at a substantially concurrent time as switching said location on said medium to said substantially translucent state.

12. The image projection system as recited in claim 11, wherein said processor further comprises:

circuitry operable for outputting audio to a speaker in response to detecting said observer within said proximity of said medium.

13. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein said processor further comprises:

circuitry operable for transmitting said image to said projector; and

circuitry operable for transmitting a command to said projector indicating said location to project said image.

14. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein said processor further comprises:

circuitry operable for transmitting a command to close said shutter of said projector; and

circuitry operable for switching said location upon which said image was projected back to said transparent state at a substantially concurrent time as closing said shutter of said projector.