Computer controlled, overhead projector display

• US 4,846,694 A
• Filed: 06/20/1988
• Issued: 07/11/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Image Storage/Retrieval Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Image Storage/Retrieval Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Erhardt, Heinrich S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Application Number:
  US07/208,923
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 434/365, 353/31, 353/42, 353/122, 353/DIG. 3, 353/DIG. 5, 340/707, 364/520
• US Class Current: 434/365
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/132 Overhead projectors, i.e. capable of projecting hand-writing or drawing during action epidiascopic projectors G03B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 353/03 Transparent

Abstract

Apparatus for demonstrating the use of a computer terminal comprises a projection module supported on a standard overhead projector. The projection module includes a frame which is adapted to rest on an illumination window of the overhead projector. A transmissive liquid crystal display is mounted in the frame parallel to the illumination window such that an image on said liquid crystal display is projected by the projector. A transparent touch screen is also mounted in the frame overlaying the liquid crystal display. By means of a stylus, a user touches the touch screen and thereby designates desired text and/or images for subsequent display. Coupled to the decoder is a computer which retrieves the desired text and/or images which are then transmitted to a display driver. The aforesaid apparatus is most suited to demonstrate a computer terminal which has a touch screen for selecting text and/or images for display.

Claims

1. A teaching apparatus comprising:

a frame adapted for support above an illumination window of an overhead projector;

a transmissive video display mounted in said frame above said illumination window of said overhead projector such that an image on said display is projected by said projector;

a touch screen mounted in said frame overlaying said display;

means for decoding touch points on said touch screen; and

means for driving said display to display text and/or images based on said touch points.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said display is a liquid crystal display.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a stylus coupled to the decoding means for touching said touch screen and thereby designating touch points.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further comprising means for deactivating said stylus such that points on said touch screen touched by said stylus do not activate the decoding means, whereby said stylus is usable as a pointer in conjunction with said overhead projector.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a cable connected at one end to said stylus to couple said stylus to said decoding means, and a plug connected at the other end of said cable, and wherein the deactivating means comprises a socket coupled to said decoding means which socket releasably receives said plug.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said liquid crystal display and said touch screen are mounted parallel to said illumination window of said overhead projector, and said touch screen is transparent.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising means for automatically calibrating said touch screen during use of said touch screen to compensate for heating caused by said overhead projector.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said frame, display, and touch screen are combined as a discrete module.

9. A teaching apparatus comprising:

an overhead projector having an illumination window and light means for projecting light through said window;

a transmissive video display supported above said illumination window of said overhead projector such that an image on said display is projected by said projector;

a touch screen overlaying said display;

means for decoding touch points on said touch screen; and

means for driving said display to display text and/or images based on said touch points.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said display is a liquid crystal display and said touch screen is transparent.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 further comprising:

a stylus coupled to the decoding means for touching said touch screen and thereby designating touch points; and

means for deactivating said stylus such that points on said touch screen touched by said stylus do not activate the decoding means, whereby said stylus is usable as a pointer in conjunction with said overhead projector.

12. An input/output video module comprising:

a housing adapted for support above an illumination window of an overhead projector;

a transmissive video display mounted in said housing above said illumination window of said overhead projector such that an image on said display is projected by said projector; and

a touch screen mounted in said housing overlaying said display for designating points on said video display.

13. A module as set forth in claim 12 wherein said display is a liquid crystal display, and said housing supports said display parallel to said illumination window.

14. A module as set forth in claim 12 further comprising:

a cable attached at one end to said housing; and

a stylus attached to the other end of the cable for touching said touch screen and thereby designating said points on said video display.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 further comprising means for deactivating said stylus such that said stylus does not designate points on said video display, whereby said stylus is usable as a pointer in conjunction with said overhead projector.