System and mehtod for projecting images

• US 20080137038A1
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nathan B. Winstanley
• Original Assignee: Nathan B. Winstanley
• Inventors: Winstanley, Nathan B.
• Application Number:
  US11/985,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20080137038A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/28
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/006 using LCD's

Abstract

A system for displaying images on a basketball goal is disclosed. The system comprises a basketball backboard comprising at least a portion of a laminated panel that appears frosted. An electrical source is electrically coupled to the laminated panel such that the electrical source is configured to transmit a voltage to the laminated panel to render it clear. A projector is configured to project an image onto the laminated panel when the laminated panel appears frosted. A controller is configured to transmit signals to the electrical source and the projector. The signals relay information to activate and deactivate the electrical source and the projector.

Claims

1. A system for displaying images on a basketball goal comprising:

a basketball backboard comprising at least a portion of a laminated panel, said laminated panel appears frosted;

an electrical source electrically coupled to said laminated panel, said electrical source configured to transmit a voltage to said laminated panel to render said laminated panel clear;

a projector configured to project at least one image onto said laminated panel when said laminated panel appears frosted; and

at least one controller configured to transmit signals to said electrical source and to said projector, wherein said signals relay information to activate and deactivate said electrical source and said projector.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said laminated panel comprises a liquid crystal material disposed between at least two substrates;

and

wherein said at least two substrates comprise a material selected from a group comprising glass and plastic.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller is at least one of a computer and a remote control.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller is at least one of physically coupled to said electrical source, physically coupled to said projector, wirelessly coupled to said electrical source, and wirelessly coupled to said projector.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said projector is disposed on a rear side of said laminated panel.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said projector is disposed on a front side of said laminated panel.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said projector is disposed on a base physically coupled to said basketball backboard.

8. A system for displaying images in a sports arena comprising:

a laminated panel physically coupled to a safety partition in the sports arena, said laminated panel appearing frosted;

an electrical source coupled to said laminated panel, said electrical source configured to transmit a voltage to said laminated panel to render said laminated panel clear;

a projector configured to project at least one image onto said laminated panel appearing frosted; and

at least one controller coupled to said electrical source and to said projector, said at least one controller configured to transmit signals to said electrical source and to said projector, wherein said signals relay information to activate and deactivate said electrical source and said projector.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said laminated panel comprises a liquid crystal material disposed between at least two substrates;

and

wherein said at least two substrates comprise a material selected from a group comprising glass and plastic.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said laminated panel is integral with said safety partition.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the sports arena is selected from the group comprising basketball arenas, hockey rinks, skating rinks, indoor soccer fields, football stadiums, soccer stadiums, and baseball stadiums.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein said controller is at least one of a computer and a remote control.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein said controller is at least one of physically coupled to said electrical source, physically coupled to said projector, wirelessly coupled to said electrical source, and wirelessly coupled to said projector.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein said projector is disposed on a rear side of said laminated panel.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein said projector is disposed on a front side of said laminated panel.

16. A method for displaying images on a basketball backboard comprising:

transmitting a signal from at least one controller to an electrical source, said signal relays information to activate said electrical source;

supplying a voltage from said electrical source to a laminated panel appearing frosted, said voltage renders said laminated panel clear, wherein said laminated panel is integral the basketball backboard;

transmitting another signal from said at least one controller to said electrical source, said another signal relaying information to deactivate a supply of said voltage;

ceasing said supply of said voltage to said laminated panel rendering said laminated panel frosted;

transmitting a signal from said at least one controller to a projector configured to display at least one image, said signal relays information to activate said projector;

displaying said at least one image on said laminated panel when appearing frosted for a period of time;

transmitting another signal from said at least one controller to said projector, said another signal relaying information to deactivate said projector; and

ceasing said displaying of said at least one image from said projector.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said laminated panel comprises a liquid crystal material disposed between at least two substrates;

and

wherein said at least two substrates comprise a material selected from a group comprising glass and plastic.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said controller is at least one of a computer and a remote control.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said projector is disposed on a rear side of said laminated panel.

20. A method for displaying images in a sports arena comprising:

transmitting a signal from at least one controller to an electrical source, said signal relays information to activate said electrical source;

supplying a voltage from said electrical source to a laminated panel appearing frosted, said voltage renders said laminated panel clear, wherein said laminated panel is physically coupled to a safety partition in the sports arena;

transmitting another signal from said at least one controller to said electrical source, said another signal relaying information to deactivate a supply of said voltage;

ceasing said supply of said voltage to said laminated panel rendering said laminated panel frosted;

transmitting a signal from said at least one controller to a projector configured to display at least one image, said signal relays information to activate said projector;

displaying said at least one image on said laminated panel when appearing frosted for a period of time;

transmitting another signal from said at least one controller to said projector, said another signal relaying information to deactivate said projector; and

ceasing said displaying of said at least one image from said projector.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said laminated panel comprises a liquid crystal material disposed between at least two substrates;

and

wherein said at least two substrates comprise a material selected from a group comprising glass and plastic.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said laminated panel is integral with said safety partition.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the sports arena is selected from the group comprising basketball arenas, hockey rinks, skating rinks, indoor soccer fields, football stadiums, soccer stadiums, and baseball stadiums.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein said controller is at least one of a computer and a remote control.