User-interface for a projection device

• US 6,935,754 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2003
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Focus Limited (FW No4 Limited)
• Inventors: Salvatori, Phillip H., Woolf, R. David
• Primary Examiner(s): Fuller, Rodney
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cruz, Magda
• Application Number:
  US10/438,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20050002000A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 353/119, 353 30- 31, 353/36, 353 62- 63, 353/121, 345/5, 345/87, 345/705, 345708-711, 345/716, 345/730, 345721-722, 348/14.07
• US Class Current: 353/119
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/145 Housing details, e.g. position adjustments thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor

Abstract

The present invention provides a projector assembly including a projection device adapted to project an image, and a user-interface in communication with the projection device. The user-interface may be adapted to privately present user-readable information to a user.

Claims

1. A projector assembly comprising:

a projection device configured to project a projected image; and

a user-interface integrated into the projection device, wherein the user-interface is disposed on a top surface of a body of the projection device and is configured to privately present user-readable projection device operation information to a user, such that the projection device operation information is not displayed in the projected image;

wherein the projection device operation information is selected from the group consisting of projection device set-up instructions, projection device status information, and projection device maintenance information.

2. The projector assembly of claim 1, wherein the user-interface comprises a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

3. The projector assembly of claim 1, wherein the projection device operation information is projection device status information selected from the group consisting of active source information, signal format information, software version information, output resolution information, when the projection device will be on-line, when a next image will appear, when input is expected from a user, time to shutdown, and time to power up.

4. The projector assembly of claim 1, wherein the projection device operation information is projection device maintenance information selected from the group consisting of replace lamp message and number of lamp hours used.

5. A method for providing access to information regarding operation of a projection device, the method comprising:

displaying a projected image via the projection device;

concurrent with displaying the projected image, displaying status information regarding the projection device on a user interface, wherein the user interface includes a display that is disposed on a top surface of the body of the projection device to enable a user to view the display when looking down on the projection device from above; and

providing a controller adapted to allow the user to manage the displayed information;

wherein the status information is not displayed in the projected image.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the controller is further adapted to allow a user to alter at least some settings on the projection device.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of displaying status information on a user interface is independent of display of a projected image.

8. The projector assembly of claim 5, wherein the status information is selected from the group consisting of active source information, signal format information, software version information, output resolution information, when the projection device will be on-line, when a next image will appear, when input is expected from a user, time to shut down, and time to power up.

9. A projection device comprising:

an image display device configured to project a projected image, the image display device being housed in a body having a top surface; and

an on-board display screen integrated into the top surface and configured to be viewed from above, the display screen configured to display to a user a dialog with projection device operation information, the projection device operation information relating to the projection of images from the projection device;

wherein the dialog is not presented in the projected image.

10. The projection device of claim 9, wherein the dialog includes projection device set-up instructions.

11. The projection device of claim 9, wherein the on-board display screen is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

12. The projection device of claim 9, wherein the dialog includes projection device maintenance information.

13. The projection device of claim 12, wherein the projection device maintenance information is a replace lamp message.

14. The projection device of claim 9, wherein the dialog includes projection device status information.

15. The projection device of claim 14, wherein the projection device status information includes one of number of lamp hours used, active source information, signal format information, software version information, and output resolution information.

16. The projection device of claim 9, wherein the dialog includes a timer configured to display an indication of one of the following:

when the projection device will be on-line, when a next image will appear, when input is expected from a user, time to shut down, and time to power up.

17. The projection device of claim 9, wherein the dialog includes a dialog box configured to receive a password.

18. The projection device of claim 9, wherein the dialog includes information that is related to trouble-shooting the projection device.

19. The projection device of claim 9, wherein the dialog includes a single line of text.