Image Projection Kit and Method and System of Distributing Image Content For Use With The Same

• US 20090091711A1
• Filed: 08/05/2008
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Damico Ventures LLC
• Original Assignee: Klip Collective, Inc.
• Inventors: Rivera, Ricardo
• Granted Patent: US 8,066,384 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/28
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/00 Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor devices for changing pictures G03B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/14 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/26 Projecting separately subsidiary matter simultaneously with main image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/00 Geometric image transformations in the plane of the image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7458 the modulator being an array of deformable mirrors, e.g. digital micromirror device [DMD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3185 Geometric adjustment, e.g. keystone or convergence optical or mechanical adjustment of convergence H04N9/317; using scanning means H04N3/22; optical or mechanical adjustments of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14

Abstract

An image projection kit and a imagery content distribution system and method. In one aspect, the invention is a kit for projecting imagery content onto architecture comprising: a projector apparatus comprising a housing containing an image sensor sub-system and an image projector subsystem, a single-reflex lens assembly in operable cooperation with the image sensor sub-system and the image projector sub-system, at least one port for receiving and/or sending data signals, and a processor operably connected to the image sensor sub-system, the image projector sub-system and the at least one port of the projector apparatus; a mechanism for mounting the projector apparatus in a fixed orientation having a line a sight to the architecture; a control unit comprising a housing, at least one port for receiving and/or sending data signals and a processor operably connected to the at least one port of the control unit; and a software package for installation on a computer, the software package containing computer code for rendering a composition window on the computer wherein a map corresponding to the architecture can be created, the map comprising at least one matte whose image is projected onto a surface of the architecture, and wherein the size, shape, position, orientation, or any combination thereof of the at least one matte can be adjusted within the composition window so that the projected image of the matte corresponds with the surface of the architecture.

Claims

1. A kit for projecting imagery content onto architecture comprising:

a projector apparatus comprising a housing containing an image sensor sub-system and an image projector sub-system, a single-reflex lens assembly in operable cooperation with the image sensor sub-system and the image projector sub-system, at least one port for receiving and/or sending data signals, and a processor operably connected to the image sensor sub-system, the image projector sub-system and the at least one port of the projector apparatus;

a mechanism for mounting the projector apparatus in a fixed orientation having a line a sight to the architecture;

a control unit comprising a housing, at least one port for receiving and/or sending data signals and a processor operably connected to the at least one port of the control unit; and

a software package for installation on a computer, the software package containing computer code for rendering a composition window on the computer wherein a map corresponding to the architecture can be created, the map comprising at least one matte whose image is projected onto a surface of the architecture, and wherein the size, shape, position, orientation, or any combination thereof of the at least one matte can be adjusted within the composition window so that the projected image of the matte corresponds with the surface of the architecture.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the projector apparatus adjustably mounts to the mounting mechanism, the mounting mechanism having a locking mechanism for securing the projector apparatus in the fixed orientation.

3. The kit of claim 1 wherein the software package is distributed in the kit as a password that allows a used to access and download the computer code onto the computer via a wide area network.

4. The kit of claim 1 wherein the software package further comprises a plurality of imagery content files that can be inserted into the at least one matte, the imagery content being projected onto the surface of the architecture.

5. The kit of claim 1 wherein the software package contains a imagery content library comprising a plurality of imagery content data files that can be inserted into the at least one matte via a drag and drop technique.

6. The kit of claim 1 wherein the control unit further comprises a memory slot for receiving an external memory device.

7. The kit of claim 1 wherein the control unit controls the operation of the projector apparatus.

8. The kit of claim 7 wherein the processor of the control unit can create execute the map created using the software package and imagery content files inserted into the at least one matte of the map so as to create a video loop.

9. The kit of claim 1 wherein the control unit comprises means for switching the projector apparatus between operation of the image sensor sub-system and the image projector sub-system.

10. A system for distributing imagery content and/or displaying imagery content on an architecture comprising:

a projector apparatus secured at a location having a line of sight to the architecture, the projector having at least one port for receiving and/or sending data signals;

a computer having software for rendering a composition window wherein a map corresponding to the desired architecture can be created, the map comprising at least one matte whose image is projected onto a surface of the architecture, and wherein the size, shape, position, orientation, or any combination thereof of the at least one matte can be adjusted within the composition window until the projected image of the matte corresponds with the surface of the architecture;

an electronic library on the computer for storing imagery content files for insertion into the at least one matte;

a server in operable communication with the computer via a wide area network, the server storing a plurality of imagery content files that can be downloaded to the computer via the wide area network;

means for authenticating a user'"'"'s identity prior to allowing downloading of the plurality of imagery content files from the server; and

means for tracking the imagery content files downloaded by the user; and

means for charging the user a fee for the imagery content files downloaded by the user.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the imagery content files are videos.

12. The system of claim 10 further comprising a control unit comprising a housing and at least one port for receiving and/or sending data signals, the control unit in operable communication with the projector apparatus, the control unit adapted to execute the map created using the software and any imagery content files inserted into the at least one matte of the map so as to create a video loop that is projected onto the architecture by the projector apparatus.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the projector apparatus comprises a housing containing an image sensor sub-system and an image projector sub-system, a single-reflex lens assembly in operable cooperation with the image sensor sub-system and the image projector sub-system.

14. A method of distributing projection clip files and/or displaying imagery associated with projection clip files on an architecture comprising:

a) storing a plurality of projection clip files on a server that is accessible via a wide area network;

b) authenticating a user'"'"'s identity prior to allowing downloading of projection clip files stored on the server;

c) identifying the projection clip files downloaded by the authenticated user; and

d) charging the user a fee for the projection clip files downloaded by the user.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

e) storing the downloaded projection clip files on a computer connected to the server via the wide area network;

f) inserting one or more of the projection clip files stored on the computer into a matte of an electronic map corresponding to the architecture;

g) projecting the electronic map so that an image of the matte is projected onto a surface of the architecture, wherein the size, shape, position, orientation, or any combination thereof of the matte generally corresponds with the surface of the architecture; and

h) executing the projection clip inserted into the matte in a loop so that imagery of the inserted projection clip is displayed within the image of the matte projected onto the surface of the architecture.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein step f) is accomplished by a drag and drop technique.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein step a) comprises allowing uploading of projection clip files from users to the server via the wide area network.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein step a) further comprises screening the uploaded projection clip files.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising distributing a software package capable of rendering a composition window wherein the map can be created.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the software package is distributed free of charge.