Image capture and display device

• US 7,042,486 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2002
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Manico, Joseph A., Niskala, Wayne F.
• Primary Examiner(s): An, Shawn S.
• Application Number:
  US10/264,058
• Publication Number:
  US 20030030746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 348/61, 348/14.01, 348/42, 348/14.03, 348/14.07, 348/14.11, 348/14.14, 348/207, 349/86, 349/5, 349/16, 349/7, 349/10
• US Class Current: 348/61
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3176 wherein the projection device is incorporated in a camera details of cameras adapted for combination with a projector not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B17/54

Abstract

An image capture and display device includes an electronic motion image camera for capturing the image of a subject located in front of the image display device and a digital projector for projecting the captured image. An optical element provides a common optical axis electronic camera and the digital electronic camera, and a light valve projection screen electronically switchable between a transparent state and a frosted state, is located with respect to the common optical axis for allowing the electronic camera to capture the image of the subject through the projection screen when in the transparent state and for displaying the captured image on the projection screen when in the frosted state. A controller connected to the electronic camera, the digital projector, and the light valve projection screen alternately places the projection screen in the transparent state and causes the electronic camera to capture an image, and places the projection screen in the frosted state and causes the digital projector to display the captured image on the projection screen.

Claims

1. An image capture and display device, comprising:

a) an electronic motion image camera for capturing the image of a subject located in front of the image capture and display device;

b) a digital projector for projecting the captured image;

c) an optical element located with respect to the electronic camera and the digital projector to provide a common optical axis therefor;

d) a light valve projection screen electronically switchable between a transparent state and a frosted state, located with respect to common optical axis, for allowing the electronic camera to capture the image of the subject through the projection screen when in the transparent state and for displaying the captured image on the projection screen when in the frosted state; and

e) a controller connected to the electronic camera, the digital projector, and the light valve projection screen for alternately placing the projection screen in the transparent state and causing the electronic camera to capture an image, and placing the projection screen in the frosted state and causing the digital projector to display the captured image on the projection screen.

2. The image capture and display device claimed in claim 1, further comprising a touch screen coextensive with the light valve projection screen.

3. The image capture and display device claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical element is a partially-silvered mirror.

4. The image capture and display device claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mechanical shutter located between the digital projector and the optical element for blocking the output of the projector when the projection screen is in a transparent state.

5. The image capture and display device claimed in claim 1, further comprising image processing electronics for modifying the captured image prior to display.

6. The image capture and display device claimed in claim 5, wherein the modification is a geometrical image distortion.

7. The image capture and display device claimed in claim 5 wherein the modification is an addition of a element to the image.