Desktop large image and eye-contact projection display

• US 5,890,787 A
• Filed: 02/12/1997
• Issued: 04/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Videotronic Systems
• Original Assignee: Videotronic Systems
• Inventors: Machtig, Jeffrey S., McNelley, Steve H.
• Primary Examiner(s): DOWLING, WILLIAM C
• Application Number:
  US08/800,206
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 353/21, 353/28, 353/98, 353/97, 348/15, 348/20
• US Class Current: 353/28
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/10 using back-projection, i.e. blending artificial background with real foreground
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/54 with projector
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/10 Projectors with built-in or built-on screen
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/28 Reflectors in projection beam in illumination beam G03B21/2066
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/642 Disposition of sound reproducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/144 camera and display on the same optical axis, e.g. optically multiplexing the camera and display for eye to eye contact
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14

Abstract

An improved desktop projection display system which effectively utilizes desktop space by producing a large image that appears to be at the rear edge of the desk. The display is compact because it uses a transparent-reflective panel (i.e., beamsplitter) to reflect a screen image through the same space occupied by the projection beam. This is achieved by projecting through a transparent-reflective panel onto a front projection screen located on the desk surface. An image formed on the front projection screen is then reflected by the transparent-reflective panel creating the appearance, to the observer, that the reflected front projection screen is positioned toward the rear of the desk surface. This invention greatly improves desktop display ergonomics for large display viewing by providing a sufficient distance between the observer seated at a desk and the display image. A key embodiment of the invention positions a camera behind the transparent-reflective panel at the apparent position of the reflected screen image thus ensuring teleconferencing eye contact. The invention resolves the presence of visible reflections of the projector lens and related visible artifacts to allow artifact-free image capturing through the transparent-reflective panel. The teleconferencing eye-contact configuration, though ideal for desk top use, may also be incorporated into devices such as laptop computers, configured in kiosks or used in a manner similar to big screen projection televisions.

Claims

1. A projection display system comprising:

projector means for projecting an image beam;

a front projection image screen for making the image beam visible as an image;

a transparent-reflective panel disposed so the image beam from the projector means strikes the transparent-reflective panel and is transmitted therethrough to reach the front projection image screen forming a visible image, the transparent-reflective panel angled relative to the front projection image screen for reflecting the visible image formed thereon so that an observer gazing toward a front projection image screen-facing side of said panel will perceive a reflection of the visible image as appearing at a distance beyond the transparent-reflective panel;

a supporting structure for ensuring proper alignment between the projector means, the front projection image screen and the transparent-reflective panel, the projector means mounted upon the supporting structure with the image beam directed through the transparent-reflective panel to the front projection image screen so that the reflection of the visible image formed on the front projection image screen appears to the observer to be located above a working surface utilized by the observer while in a seated position; and

a camera mount for mounting a camera behind the screen-facing side of said panel for capturing images of the observer through said panel for transmission to a distant display system.

2. The display system of claim 1 further comprising:

a camera attached to the camera mount and disposed behind the screen-facing

side of the transparent-reflective panel for capturing images of the observer through said panel for transmission to a distant display system, the camera positioned behind approximate eye level of an imaged conferee; and

lens reflection removal means for ensuring that the reflections of a projector lens and it'"'"'s luminous artifacts upon the side of said panel facing the camera are not captured by the camera.

3. A projection display system comprising:

projector means for projecting an image beam;

a front projection image screen for making the image beam visible as an image;

a transparent-reflective panel disposed so the image beam from the projector means strikes the transparent-reflective panel and is transmitted therethrough to reach the front projection image screen forming a visible image, the transparent-reflective panel angled relative to the front projection image screen for reflecting the visible image formed thereon so that an observer gazing toward a front projection image screen-facing side of said panel will perceive a reflection of the visible image as appearing at a distance beyond the transparent-reflective panel;

a supporting structure for ensuring proper alignment between the projector means, the front projection image screen and the transparent-reflective panel, the projector means mounted upon the supporting structure with the image beam directed through the transparent-reflective panel to the front projection image screen so that the reflection of the visible image formed on the front projection image screen appears to the observer to be located above a working surface utilized by the observer while in a seated position; and

enhancement means for enhancing contrast of the reflection of the visible image by providing a light absorbing background against which the observer views the reflection, the background disposed on a side of the transparent-reflective panel opposite the observer.

4. The display system of claim 3 further comprising:

a camera disposed behind the screen-facing side of said panel for capturing images of the observer through said panel for transmission to a distant display system, the camera positioned behind approximate eye level of an imaged conferee; and

lens reflection removal means for ensuring that the reflections of a projector lens and it'"'"'s luminous artifacts upon the side of said panel facing the camera are not captured by the camera.

5. The display system of claim 3, wherein the front projection image screen is a high gain screen that shows marked fall off of image brightness when viewed from an acute angle.

6. The display system of claim 3 further comprising adjusting means so that the observer can manually select an angular position of one or more of the front projection image screen, the panel and the projector means in relation to the working surface.

7. The display system of claim 3, wherein an adjustable ledge shields the screen from direct view by the observer.

8. The display system of claim 3, wherein a mirror is utilized to direct the image beam.

9. The display system of claim 3 further comprising a substantially opaque housing, the housing being substantially open along a side thereof to allow the observer to view the front projection image screen-facing surface of the panel.

10. The display system of claim 9, wherein the projector means comprises a projector removably mounted within the housing and wherein the housing further comprises means for removing the projector for use independent of the display system.

11. The display system of claim 9, wherein the front projection image screen is mounted within the housing and wherein the housing further comprises means for removing the screen for use independent of the display system.

12. The display system of claim 9 further comprising a camera mount enabling a camera to be disposed within the housing on the side of the transparent-reflective panel opposite the screen-facing side, the camera positioned for obtaining an image of the observer viewing the display system.

13. The display system of claim 3, wherein the front projection image screen is formed in three dimensional relief.

14. The display system of claim 3, wherein a working surface extension is provided to enlarge the working surface utilized by the observer while in a seated position.

15. A projection display system comprising:

projector means for projecting an image beam;

a front projection image screen for making the image beam visible as an image;

a transparent-reflective panel disposed so the image beam from the projector means strikes the transparent-reflective panel and is transmitted therethrough to reach the front projection image screen forming a visible image, the transparent-reflective panel angled relative to the front projection image screen for reflecting the visible image formed thereon so that an observer gazing toward a front projection image screen-facing side of the panel will perceive a reflection of the visible image as appearing at a distance beyond the transparent-reflective panel;

a supporting structure means placeable upon a working surface for ensuring proper alignment between the projector means, the front projection image screen and the transparent-reflective panel, the projector means mounted upon the supporting structure so that the image beam is directed through the transparent-reflective panel to the front projection image screen which is positioned above the working surface utilized by the observer while in a seated position.

16. The display system of claim 15 further comprising:

a camera disposed behind the screen-facing side of said panel for capturing images of the observer through said panel for transmission to a distant display system, the camera positioned behind approximate eye level of an imaged conferee; and

lens reflection removal means for ensuring that the reflections of a projector lens and it'"'"'s luminous artifacts upon the side of said panel facing the camera are not captured by the camera.

17. The display system of claim 15, wherein a bottom perimeter of the reflection of the visible image is no more than 16 inches above the working surface.

18. The display system of claim 15, wherein the front projection image screen is a high gain screen that shows marked fall off of image brightness when viewed from an acute angle.

19. The display system of claim 15 further comprising adjusting means so that the observer can manually select an angular position of one or more of the front projection image screen, the panel and the projector means in relation to the working surface.

20. The display system of claim 15, wherein an adjustable ledge shields the screen from direct view by the observer.

21. The display system of claim 15, wherein a mirror is utilized to direct the image beam.

22. The display system of claim 15 further comprising a substantially opaque housing, the housing being substantially open along a side thereof to allow the observer to view the front projection image screen-facing surface of the panel.

23. The display system of claim 22, wherein the projector means comprises a projector removably mounted within the housing and wherein the housing further comprises means for removing the projector for use independent of the display system.

24. The display system of claim 22, wherein the front projection image screen is mounted within the housing and wherein the housing further comprises means for removing the screen for use independent of the display system.

25. The display system of claim 22 further comprising a camera mount enabling a camera to be disposed within the housing on the side of the transparent-reflective panel opposite the screen-facing side, the camera positioned for obtaining an image of the observer viewing the display system.

26. The display system of claim 15, wherein the front projection image screen is formed in three dimensional relief.

27. The display system of claim 15, wherein a working surface extension is provided to enlarge the working surface utilized by the observer while in a seated position.

28. A projection display system comprising:

projector means for projecting an image beam;

a front projection image screen for making the image beam visible as an image;

a transparent-reflective panel disposed so the image beam from the projector means strikes the transparent-reflective panel and is transmitted therethrough to reach the front projection image screen forming a visible image, the transparent-reflective panel angled relative to the front projection image screen for reflecting the visible image formed thereon so that an observer gazing toward a front projection image screen-facing side of the panel will perceive a reflection of the visible image as appearing at a distance beyond the transparent-reflective panel;

a supporting structure placeable upon a working surface for ensuring proper alignment between the projector means, the front projection image screen and the transparent-reflective panel, the projector means mounted on the supporting structure so that the image beam is directed through the transparent-reflective panel onto the front projection image screen which is positioned above a working surface utilized by an observer while in a seated position;

enhancement means for enhancing contrast of the reflection of the visible image by providing a light absorbing background against which the observer views the reflection, the background disposed on a side of the transparent-reflective panel opposite the observer.

29. The display system of claim 28 further comprising:

a camera disposed behind the screen-facing side of said panel for capturing images of the observer through said panel for transmission to a distant display system, the camera positioned behind approximate eye level of an imaged conferee; and

lens reflection removal means for ensuring that the reflection of a projector lens and it'"'"'s luminous artifacts on the side of said panel facing the camera are not captured by the camera.

30. A projection display system comprising:

projector means for projecting an image beam;

a front projection image screen for making the image beam visible as an image;

a transparent-reflective panel disposed so the image beam from the projector means strikes the transparent-reflective panel and is transmitted therethrough to reach the front projection image screen forming a visible image, the transparent-reflective panel angled relative to the front projection image screen for reflecting the visible image formed thereon so that an observer gazing toward a front projection image screen-facing side of the panel will perceive a reflection of the visible image as appearing at a distance beyond the transparent-reflective panel;

a supporting structure placeable upon a working surface for ensuring proper alignment between the projector means, the front projection image screen and the transparent-reflective panel, the projector means mounted upon the supporting structure so that the image beam is directed through the transparent-reflective panel to the front projection image screen which is positioned above a working surface utilized by an observer while in a seated position; and

visible image blocking means for obscuring, at least in luminous intensity, the visible image on the front projection image screen when the observer looks directly at said screen.

31. The display system of claim 30 further comprising:

a camera disposed behind the screen-facing side of said panel for capturing images of the observer through said panel for transmission to a distant display system, the camera positioned behind approximate eye level of an imaged conferee; and

lens reflection removal means for ensuring that the reflections of a projector lens and it'"'"'s luminous artifacts upon the side of said panel facing the camera are not captured by the camera.

32. The display system of claim 30, wherein the front projection image screen is a high gain screen that shows marked fall off of image brightness when viewed from an acute angle.

33. The display system of claim 30, wherein the image blocking means is provided by a directional image blocking film disposed between the transparent-reflective panel and the front projection image screen.

34. The display system of claim 30, wherein the image blocking means is provided by a first polarizer disposed between the transparent-reflective panel and the front projection image screen and a second polarizer disposed between the observer and the transparent-reflective panel.

35. The display system of claim 30, wherein the image blocking means is provided by angling said screen away from the observer.

36. The display system of claim 30, wherein an adjustable ledge shields the front projection image screen from direct view by the observer.

37. A projection display system comprising:

projector means for projecting an image beam;

a front projection image screen for making the image beam visible as an image;

a transparent-reflective panel disposed so the image beam from the projector means strikes the transparent-reflective panel and is transmitted therethrough to reach the front projection image screen forming a visible image, the transparent-reflective panel angled relative to the front projection image screen for reflecting the visible image formed thereon so that an observer gazing toward a front projection image screen-facing side of the panel will perceive a reflection of the visible image as appearing at a distance beyond the transparent-reflective panel;

a camera disposed behind the screen-facing side of said panel for capturing images of the observer through said panel for transmission to a distant display system, the camera positioned behind approximate eye level of an imaged conferee;

a supporting structure placeable upon a working surface for ensuring proper alignment between the projector means, the front projection image screen and the transparent-reflective panel, the projector means mounted upon the supporting structure so that the image beam is directed through the transparent-reflective panel to the front projection image screen which is positioned above a working surface utilized by an observer while in a seated position; and

lens reflection removal means for ensuring that the reflections of a projector lens and it'"'"'s luminous artifacts upon the side of said panel facing the camera are not captured by the camera.

38. The display system of claim 37, wherein the camera is disposed to capture an image through the transparent-reflective panel without capturing the reflection of the projector lens reflection and it'"'"'s luminous artifacts by utilizing a technique selected from the group consisting of placing the camera above, below or to the side of the projector lens reflection, employing projector keystone correction methods, adjusting projector lens focal length, angular relation of the projector to said screen and to said panel, using an anti-reflective layer, using a polarized image beam with images captured by a cross polarized camera and a lens shield.

39. A projection display system comprising:

projector means for projecting an image beam;

a front projection image screen for making the image beam visible as an image;

a transparent-reflective panel disposed so the image beam from the projector means strikes the transparent-reflective panel and is transmitted therethrough to reach the front projection image screen forming a visible image, the transparent-reflective panel angled relative to the front projection image screen for reflecting the visible image formed thereon so that an observer gazing toward a front projection image screen-facing side of the panel will perceive a reflection of the visible image as appearing at a distance beyond the transparent-reflective panel;

a camera disposed behind the screen-facing side of said panel for capturing images of the observer through said panel for transmission to a distant display system, the camera positioned behind approximate eye level of an imaged conferee; and

lens reflection removal means for ensuring that the reflections of a projector lens and it'"'"'s luminous artifacts upon the side of said panel facing the camera are not captured by the camera.

40. The display system of claim 39, wherein the camera is disposed to capture an image through the transparent-reflective panel without capturing the reflection of the projector lens reflection and it'"'"'s luminous artifacts by utilizing a technique selected from the group consisting of placing the camera above, below or to the side of the projector lens reflection, employing projector keystone correction methods, adjusting projector lens focal length, angular relation of the projector to said screen and to said panel, using an anti-reflective layer, using a polarized image beam with images captured by a cross polarized camera and a lens shield.

41. The display system of claim 39 further comprising a supporting structure for ensuring proper alignment between the projector means, the front projection image screen and the transparent-reflective panel, the projector means mounted upon the supporting structure with the image beam directed through the transparent-reflective panel to the front projection image screen so that the reflection of the visible image formed on the front projection image screen appears to the observer to be located above a working surface utilized by the observer while in a seated position.

42. The display system of claim 39 further comprising adjusting means so that the observer can manually select an angular position of one or more of the front projection image screen, the panel and the projector means in relation to the working surface.

43. The display system of claim 39, wherein the front projection image screen is a high gain screen that shows marked fall off of image brightness when viewed from an acute angle.

44. The display system of claim 39, wherein an adjustable ledge shields the screen from direct view by the observer.

45. The display system of claim 39, wherein a mirror is utilized to direct the image beam.

46. The display system of claim 39 further comprising a substantially opaque housing, the housing being substantially open along a side thereof to allow the observer to view the front projection image screen-facing surface of the panel.

47. The display system of claim 46, wherein the projector means comprises a projector removably mounted within the housing and wherein the housing further comprises means for removing the projector for use independent of the display system.

48. The display system of claim 46, wherein the front projection image screen is mounted within the housing and wherein the housing further comprises means for removing the screen for use independent of the display system.

49. The display system of claim 46 further comprising a camera mount enabling a camera to be disposed within the housing on the side of the transparent-reflective panel opposite the screen-facing side, the camera positioned for obtaining an image of the observer viewing the display system.

50. The display system of claim 39, wherein the front projection image screen is formed in three dimensional relief.

51. The display system of claim 39, wherein a working surface extension is provided to enlarge the working surface utilized by the observer while in a seated position.

52. The display system of claim 39, wherein a light bank is mounted above a top edge of the reflection of the visible image so that the observer is illuminated for image capturing by the camera.

53. A projection display system comprising:

projector means for projecting an image beam;

a front projection image screen for making the image beam visible as an image;

a transparent-reflective panel disposed so the image beam from the projector means strikes the transparent-reflective panel and is transmitted therethrough to reach the front projection image screen forming a visible image, the transparent-reflective panel angled relative to the front projection image screen for reflecting the visible image formed thereon so that an observer gazing toward a front projection image screen-facing side of the panel will perceive a reflection of the visible image as appearing at a distance beyond the transparent-reflective panel; and

a camera disposed behind the screen-facing side of said panel for capturing images of the observer through said panel for transmission to a distant display system, the camera positioned behind approximate eye level of an imaged conferee, the camera capturing images from either above, below or to the sides of a reflection of a projector lens and its luminous artifacts on the side of said panel facing the camera so that the reflection of the projector lens and the luminous artifacts are not captured by the camera.

54. The display system of claim 53, wherein the camera is disposed to capture an image through the transparent-reflective panel with further reduction of the reflection of the projector lens reflection and it'"'"'s luminous artifacts by utilizing a technique selected from the group consisting of employing projector keystone correction methods, adjusting projector lens focal length, angular relation of the projector to said screen and to said panel, using an anti-reflective layer, using a polarized image beam with images captured by a cross polarized camera and a lens shield.